Midnight Victories by L.K. Latham

Author:L.K. Latham
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: L.K. Latham

***

By seven forty-five Clara arrived at the Knights of Columbus Spaghetti Dinner and Blood Drive. The hall echoed with the sounds of people. She found her father in a corner with the other old men drinking orange juice and telling stories. No beer allowed until after nine o’clock since most of the men had given blood. As usual, Maw Maw orchestrated in the kitchen, stirring pots, checking the oven, picking up dishes, and telling the younger women how things should be done.

Clara maneuvered through the hall to the courtyard. It seemed to take hours. Everyone had to say hello and ask why she didn’t come to these dinners more often. Too many patients, she said, too much to do. Once outside the hot night air was a relief from the frantic hall. She left through one of the smaller doors to avoid the crowd in front of the Bloodmobile and noticed the driver’s side door of the large vehicle opening.

The crowds were on the other side of the vehicle. There were no lights on the driver’s side, but Clara could make out Avery leaning out of the door looking for something. Clara started to shout to her but realized Avery probably wouldn’t hear her, so she began to move toward the Bloodmobile. Then Clara froze. A figure in the shadows moved up from behind the door, Max. He stepped into the light of the vehicle and reached up to Avery, carefully carrying her to the ground. He had the look of someone up to no good, just as he had last night at the grocery store. Avery closed the door behind her, and they walked into the shadows.

Clara walked back into the hall. She didn’t like Max and wished Avery didn’t like him. All the years she and Avery had been friends, Avery had seldom involved herself with anyone. Until now Clara had thought little about it. She picked up a glass of iced tea and stood in a corner. There were too many wild thoughts going through her head to think straight. Someone grabbed her shoulder.

“John! You’re here? I thought Avery was joking when she said you were coming.”

“Avery told you I’d be here?”

“Why wouldn’t she? Anyway, I’m glad you are.”

“I need to find Avery.”

Clara could see that John was on duty. Lieutenant Davis stood behind him.

“What’s wrong?”

“Something’s come up.”

Clara knew John would say nothing else.

She hesitated for a moment. “She’s out back.”

“Let’s look for her.”

John led Clara outside. They moved away from the crowd. Lieutenant Davis stayed near the door.

“I’m sorry, Clara. But I have to find her. I don’t know that she’s done anything she shouldn’t have, but I need answers.”

“There you are.” Avery walked up to them smiling. “Just wondering when you’d get here.”

Clara wondered who Avery was talking to. Why did she expect us to be here when, clearly, John had not planned on coming?

"We need to talk,” said John.

“Okay.”

She always wore that same smile.

“What happened to your original blood sample?”

“This is a joke, right?”

“It’s no joke, Avery.

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.