Good Deeds by D. Miles Martin

Author:D. Miles Martin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: nature, horror, forest, cult, dreams, sacrifice, visions, creature, campground, good deeds, woodland
Publisher: D. Miles Martin

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

1

SOMETHING ABOUT TRAVIS Goldblatt’s story didn’t sit right in Lanny’s subconscious. Lanny couldn’t pinpoint any specific snag in the scenario Travis had presented. In fact, it coincided with the police theory of an attempted suicide. And crazed zealots were also easy to believe. The carved symbols, the ropes holding the victim spread-eagle, the nudity, and the dunes: all led credence to the notion of a Nature-worshiping, suicidal cult.

Yet Lanny had the feeling that Travis was holding back. There was more to the story than he was admitting. For one, his account of the details came on relaxed, tolerant breaths. Never once during their entire conversation did Travis lash out at his brother’s cohort. Not one word was uttered to indicate that Travis Goldblatt wanted someone to pay for twisting the mind of his younger brother.

Lanny suspected that Travis had more than a passing knowledge of that cult. Travis was a member himself. But then, why warn Lanny of possible retribution? Why tell Lanny anything at all?

You’ll be next.

Lanny decided to go for a stroll when he returned to the campground. His feet took him by the Varnowiczes, and Lanny invited Cecil to join the trek. Perhaps talking to someone else would help Lanny puzzle it all out. Or keep his mind off it, and either was okay with Lanny.

Old age moved Cecil’s legs slower than Lanny’s standard pace, but scrapes and bruises lessened the zest of Lanny’s strides and the leisurely speed was welcome. Snaps and pops issued from Cecil’s gnarled joints. With those creaking bones came wisdom; Cecil knew Lanny wanted to talk and didn’t wait for the topic to arrive on its own.

“How’s that bedside visit fairin’ with ya? I reckon you didn’t get all the answers you were lookin’ for. If you did, you might want to ask your brain to tell your face, ‘cuz there’s still questions swimmin’ in those eyes.”

Lanny shrugged. “There’s some details that don’t add up.”

A chuckle coughed from Cecil’s lungs. “No shit, Sherlock! A man almost died today, all birthday suit and Thanksgiving turkey. If you expect that to ever frickin’ add up then you’re gonna need a calculator that ain’t based on logic.”

“It’s more than just not understanding why someone would do that. I mean, I get why someone would do that.” Cecil stopped and shot Lanny a sideways glance. “Well, not really, but I get that the world has people who would do that.”

“So, besides a case of the willies, what’s the hubbub?” Cecil said and resumed his labored steps.

Lanny had told the Varnowiczes about the police’s theories but had just returned from Oakview Memorial and so hadn’t relayed his conversation with Travis. He did so now, and Cecil listened with obvious cynicism.

“It just doesn’t sound kosher to me,” Lanny said upon finishing his story. Then he explained his misgivings.

“Or this Travis could be a lyin’ dog. You don’t know him from Adam. You could always ring up the police,” Cecil suggested, “ask them what they make of it. See if you need to high-tail it back to Chicago or should just hang tight and enjoy the fresh air.

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.