bonedeep.PDF by Linda

Author:Linda [Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2010-10-20T00:38:11.671000+00:00

Chapter Six

When they arrived at Simpson’s orchard in the squad car, it looked more like a

community picnic than a search operation. Children raced, chasing one another in games

of tag around the gnarled apple trees or snatched food off the heavily laden tables the

women had set up. Clusters of men and women from town and surrounding area farms

stood talking and eating. Sarah noticed Grace May cutting a cake at one of the tables.

Andrew and Mike stood in a group with Mr. McNulty, the hardware store owner, and

several other local merchants.

Deputy Phil talked earnestly with Aileen’s parents, Glenn and Betty and her older

sister, Shirley. The younger Brodbeck children hollered and ran with the rest of the kids

unmindful of the gravity of the situation. Glenn’s arm was around Betty’s shoulders

supporting her and she looked ready to collapse if he let go.

Sarah prayed that there was something useful Tom could offer these parents besides

the knowledge that their daughter was trapped, hurt and afraid.

“All right, folks, here goes,” Sheriff Ziegler opened the door of the cruiser, swung

his legs out and hoisted his weight up with the aid of the door frame. “Keep by me and

let me do the talking.” He looked at Sarah as she emerged from the vehicle. “That means

you. ”

Sarah and Tom followed the sheriff across the grass to where the Brodbecks stood.

As people noticed Tom, they fell silent or urgently tapped their neighbors to point him

out. Sarah was acut ely aware of the stares and whispers and it made her glad to walk in

Ziegler’s substantial shadow. It was intimidating being the center of attention of almost

an entire town. Even the children stopped their play to gape at the tattooed man walking

freely under the sun instead of contained in a carnival tent where he belonged. Sarah saw

Grace’s mouth literally open in surprise, and the equally shocked expressions on Andrew

and Mike’s faces.

“Phil, ” Ziegler said to his deputy as they drew close. “I want you to circulate among

these people and tell ‘em this man ain’t a danger to anybody. He’s got some information

that might be useful. That’s all they need to know about it. Lay their minds to rest.”

The deputy’s eyes popped as he looked from Tom to Sarah then back again. “Uh,

sure thing, Jack.” He moved obediently away.

Ziegler stopped front of the Brodbecks and took one of Betty’s hands in his big fist,

patting the back of it. “Betty, Glenn, I want you to meet Tom. He’s the fellow from

the carnival everyone’s been so worked up about.”

The distraught parents stared uncomprehendingly at the incongruous sight of the

carnival freak in Simpson’s orchard.

“Now Tom here claims to have some … special powers, like what they used to call

second sight. I know a lot of folks don’t take stock in all of that, but I figured what the

hell, it might be worth a shot if he could help find Aileen. ”

Glenn frowned, staring at Tom suspiciously. “I don’t think…”

“Yes,” Betty interrupted, looking directly into Tom’s eyes through her red-rimmed

ones. “We’ll try anything to find her. What do we need to do?”

Sarah spoke up.

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