Burrows by Reavis Z. Wortham

Author:Reavis Z. Wortham
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Published: 2012-05-22T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-seven

Stacks of rotting lumber, a Model A hood, tons of damp, moldy clothing, rotting saddles, water coolers, wooden soda pop cases, salvaged sheet iron…and one insane trophy collector named Kendal Bowden.

***

They watched the men erect a blind under heavy guard to block the view of Jeff Andrews’ corpse from the ever-increasing crowd. Two heavily armed men had taken up positions beside the fallen deputy who was covered with a sheet supplied by the funeral home.

Deputy Washington moved up beside Cody. “I heard when you said y ’all used two people over there. I’m going in with you.”

Shocked, Cody’s head snapped around. “No you’re not. I’m not going to be responsible for you. I’ll have enough trouble without worrying about you, John. Besides,” Cody grinned wanly, “you’re too damned big.”

Before John could respond, Ned interrupted the argument by waving toward a constable he’d known for years. “Milton, would you do me a favor?”

Unsure of himself around Griffin and his deputies, Milton Williams stood uneasily beside the sheriff’s car. “Sure Ned.”

“Good. Would you take these kids of mine over to Neva Lou’s house?”

“Shit,” Pepper said under her breath.

“Grandpa, I want to stay here,” Top argued.

“I know you do, but things could get even rougher, and you kids don’t need to see any more. I don’t have time to fool with you. Besides, it’s getting too dangerous. Y’all can stay at Neva Lou’s, or James and them might still be there. Be sure to call Miss Becky. She’s probably getting worried already, because I bet the phone lines are hot. Milton, is that all right?”

“Sure, as long as I can get back through.”

“You can come back,” O.C. said.

“Grandpa, we want to stay.”

Ned answered Top without expression. “Well, you cain’t.”

Pepper saw under the surface of Ned’s expression. Instead of arguing, she pulled Top away and they followed Milton. Top took one look at her and knew his cousin was up to something.

***

“Cody, you and John quit your arguing and come here.” Sheriff Griffin motioned for everyone to rejoin the officers.

Temporarily abandoning their continuing disagreement over how best to handle the situation, they joined the others bent over a fresh, hand-drawn map.

“All right. The guys are finished. You were right, Cody. They found at least two openings at ground level. One is here.”

With a hollow thump in the table, Griffin pointed at a position near the southeast corner of the building, across from the train depot. “But it’s blocked with junk that fell in. They found the second on the southwest side after my people cut down a thicket of brush and vines. My guess, someone busted through the section of the brick foundation and that’s where the nutcase goes in and out. There are fresh scuff marks everywhere.”

“Another slick spot,” Ned said. The men stared at the map as if committing it to memory.

“Y’all, it’s right over yonder where that spotlight’s pointed toward the foundation.” Griffin handed a pair of binoculars to Cody.

He stared long and hard at the hole hammered through the long seam where the foundation and the sidewalk met.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.