The Girl in the Maze by R.K. Jackson

Author:R.K. Jackson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
Published: 2015-09-07T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Morris pushed through the glass doors of Vernette’s Diner and paused to scan the tables. He spotted the trio sitting in a vinyl booth near the jukebox—the receptionist, the photographer, and the ad rep from the Gazette. He took off his hat and walked forward.

The one named Nick elbowed his boothmates. Morris stopped at the edge of the table.

“Good afternoon, Sheriff,” said Gregory, the ad rep.

Stacey looked up from her coffee. “Can we help you?”

“I saw you all sitting over here,” Morris said. “I hope you don’t mind, but I just wanted to stop by and talk with you.”

“Is something wrong?” Stacey asked.

“No, I just want to say how sorry I am for your loss.”

“It’s kind of you to say that. I think the whole town is in shock.”

Morris nodded. “Lydia was as much a part of Amberleen as seagulls and Spanish moss. What will we ever do without her?”

“Why’d you have to kill that girl, anyway?” Nick asked.

“Nick.” Stacey shot him a look.

“It’s all right,” Morris said. “Mind if I sit for a moment?”

“I’ll call the waitress,” Stacey said.

“No, thanks, I’ll only be a minute.” Morris slid into the vinyl bench and looked at Nick. “I want you to know I was following standard procedure. The standard applies for police to use deadly force to stop a fleeing murder suspect. She could have posed a danger to the community. I had a clear shot at her calf, and that’s what I aimed for. It was only meant to stop her.” Morris lowered his head. “I wish it had worked. She might still be alive today.”

“I know all this must haunt you,” Stacey said.

Morris nodded.

“We had no idea about her,” Stacey said. “We didn’t get to know her very well, but we all liked her. We never knew she had such severe mental problems.”

“I’ve been reading up about schizophrenia,” Nick said. “It’s pretty unusual for someone with that condition to turn violent, especially without any warning.” Nick turned the pepper shaker in a half circle, turned it back.

“Well, there were signs, you know,” Morris said. “She was just concealing them from you. I’m sure you heard about what was happening out at the Pritchett place.”

Stacey’s bright fingernails tapped on her white coffee mug. “I still can’t believe it. And to think about poor Lydia. She was so kind. She wanted to give everybody a chance. She would help anybody….” Her voice broke. “I’m sorry.”

Underneath the table, Morris pinched a shank of flesh through his gabardines. He kept squeezing until he felt a warm tear roll out of his left eye. “This is a tragic thing for everybody. It’s hard for all of us, but especially for you. I just want to let you know my heart goes out to all of you.”

“Thank you,” Stacey said. “That means a lot.” Nick handed her a paper napkin from the dispenser.

Morris fingered the brim of his hat. “That lady did a lot for this town, not least of which was to create a few jobs.

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