Dealing Justice by J.D. Trafford

Author:J.D. Trafford [Trafford, J.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-16T16:00:00+00:00

As I merged onto the highway, I checked the time and figured I had plenty. There were two more people named Heather Barnes on my list who didn’t live that far away, and I had no other obligations. I didn’t have to worry about the stack of Blue Tag files or disappointing Matthews. Like Mick Jagger, I was free to do what I want.

I drove to Bridgeton. This Heather Barnes lived in a subdivision with no sidewalks, just narrow, twisty roads and cul-de-sacs. The sound of airplanes landing and taking off was constant. The homes had a temporary feel, like people weren't from Bridgeton or intending to stay long enough to claim the city as their own.

With my identification and badge still attached to my belt, I walked up to the house and knocked on the door. A stout man in a white t-shirt opened it a crack. The chain remained in place. There was silence as he studied me.

Then he said, “What did Juanita do now?”

“I’m sorry, did you say Juanita?” I shook my head. “No, I’m not here about that. I was hoping to talk with Heather Barnes.”

“She moved out months ago… gone to Texas. Says Missouri is getting too liberal.”

I smiled. “That’s the first time I’ve heard that complaint.”

The man shrugged. “Is what it is.” He continued to make no attempt to remove the chain or encourage further conversation.

“Do you know if she ever had a daughter named Kasi?”

“No,” he said. “Only boys, but they be gettin’ all grown now.”

“This daughter would have passed away about thirteen years ago.”

The man continued to shake his head as I spoke, mumbling, “No. No. No.” Then, “Never said nothing about that to me.”

The door started to close, but I persisted. “Did you know her back then? Ten, fifteen years ago?”

“Nah,” he said, “but something like that…I’d know.” He began to close the door but stopped just before it was completely shut. He reopened it less than an inch.

I could see only part of his bloodshot eye. Curiosity must have gotten the better of him. Then, “She in trouble?”

“Not at all,” I said. “Thank you for your time.”

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.