Fallout (Joshua Stokes Mysteries Book 2) (14 page)

“You’re crazy, Hook; that girl is not after me.”

James grinned and stepped off the porch and headed for his truck. “Just wait and see,” he said over his shoulder.

Joshua repositioned himself in his chair and propped his feet on the railing. He set his eyes across the river, sipped his whiskey and watched the last glimmering, yellow rays of the sun as it lazily nestled the treetops before dropping through the trees and disappearing over the western horizon.

Joshua sat watching it get darker and darker. He smelt the aroma of bacon frying and it smelt good, but he was still full from his lunch at Mary’s in the Bayou. He knew he needed to eat more regularly. He had already had to take up a notch in his belt since the ordeal over the Dixon brother’s killing spree began, but it was hard for him to eat when he was working a case. He had so much on his mind that he simply forgot to eat until his stomach reminded him that he needed to fill it with something. And although the Train Track Killer case was in the hands of the federal boys, he was still concerned and it occupied a section of his brain. The body that washed ashore that morning was most likely a drowning. It too, occupied a small portion.

The cases that consumed the rest of his brain were the unsolved cases in the box sitting on his kitchen table; his mother’s case, occupied the largest portion. It was driving him to explore parts of his mind, heart, and soul that had been sealed shut for years. Opening doors he never knew existed until after his conversation with Vivian and looking through the photographs in her photo album.

An invisible door to some concealed space in his brain that contained memories he thought he had safely filed into a space marked, ‘Do Not Remember or They Will Hurt You’ opened. Those memories were coming to him now, sneaking into his conscious mind at times as gentle and easy as the clouds that drifted across the skies, and then other times, they hit him like a sledgehammer.

Another memory from his childhood had snuck up on him as he sat there contemplating what to do next in his quest to find answers. He was probably seven or eight years old and was in a bathtub bathing, when his mother came into the room. She carried a clean pair of pajamas draped over her arm. She said, “It’s time to get out and dry off, honey, you have school in the morning.”

“Do I have to go? I want to stay here with you,” he replied as he stood up. She wrapped a towel around him, lifted him out of the water, and then began to dry him off. “Aren’t you excited about getting to see your friends again?” -

A shrill exclamation pierced Joshua’s conscious mind; he jumped upright. He heard Emma call his name.
At first, he thought hot grease might have splattered onto Emma’s hand or that she had burned herself on the stove. When he made it into the kitchen, she stood with her arms spread wide and her mouth open in disbelief. Broken shards of glass lay scattered at her feet.

“What’s wrong?” Joshua asked, and then turned to look where Emma was looking. After he saw that she was okay, he thought maybe she had seen a mouse or a cockroach in the kitchen and it had frightened her; however, from the look on her face, he knew none of those was the cause of her alarm.

It took Emma a moment to find her voice again, and when she did, she exclaimed, “She walked right through me!”

Joshua did not see anyone or anything, but knew instantly that she had seen the ghost of the old woman that usually manifested in the kitchen about mealtime. At least, that was when he usually saw her. Emma looked as if she could not believe that he did not see what she saw and said to him in an almost scolding tone:

“You mean to tell me that you do not see that old woman standing there at the stove? Actually, she’s floating; I can see right through her. She is not touching a thing, not even the floor! She looks like she just took over cooking the bacon.”

“I’m sorry, Emma. I
have
seen her before, usually about this time of day. I’ve lived here nearly thirty years; I don’t pay attention to her any anymore.”

“Don’t pay attention,” Emma repeated. “If she walked through you like that, you’d pay attention; that was some weird shit! You could have at least warned me about her!”

“I forgot; I apologize.” Joshua turned and walked back out to the porch. He sat down, poured himself some whiskey, and then propped his boot heels on the railing. His mind was weary. He knew he had slept a couple of hours in the rocker the night before but he was tired and his eyes were getting heavy. He debated going inside to bed, but was comfortable where he was.

He tried to get back to the recollection he was having of his mother dressing him for bed and asking if he would be happy to see his friends the next day at school, but the memory had gone as quickly as it came. He took a swig of whiskey and then lit a smoke. He blew a smoke ring and watched it float out into the encroaching darkness.

Just as the last light of the day was disappearing, he saw through the trees to the other side of the river. The shadow of a rider on horseback stood on the high bank of the river staring his way. Before he could focus on them, they were gone. He immediately thought of the nightrider; the ghost warrior that had laughed at him the night before they found Joe Dyas stabbed to death in Roy McGregor’s house. He wondered if the rider was notifying him of the impending death of someone he knew… his eyes drooped heavily.

Joshua felt her in his arms and opened his eyes. It was dark as night but he knew he was in his bed. Her naked body felt as smooth as silk against his hand that cupped the soft roundness of her hip. He felt his manhood become firm; his entire body stiffened.

His mind told him he needed to stop her, his body demanded otherwise.

Her tongue traced the curve of his ear as she whispered, “make love to me.” Her hot breath radiated and echoed through his being. He felt fingertips and then lips trace the scar on his ribcage. They traveled to his stomach before easing themselves lower. Her firm grip sent waves of pleasure deep into his body. There was no turning back. Her hands and lips explored his body before they made their way to his mouth.

She took his mouth with hers in a deep, passionate kiss as she climbed atop him and placed his hands on her small firm breasts. His thumbs pressed against nipples, hard and swollen with the need to be suckled. He returned her kiss as wantonly as she gave, and when she released his lips, he drew her breasts to his mouth and suckled gently. He felt a shiver run through her as he left one breast for the other.

Joshua tried to turn her over to be free to make love to her; she refused by clamping her thighs tighter to his body, but raised herself higher so that he could explore her body. His hands gripped her firm buttocks, then raised her higher; he brought her to his mouth. His tongue explored and then gently forced its way into her soft, moist flesh. He kissed her slowly and deeply until she moaned aloud in ecstasy.

He then lowered her onto his chest, slid her lower, and then suckled her breasts as he lowered her onto his manhood. This time, he was the one that moaned in pleasure as he gradually buried himself as deeply as possible into her moist, womanly softness. Slowly and deliberately, his hands controlled her motions. His lips and tongue lit a fuse from her nipples that rushed sensually through her body and detonated a clitoral spasm that neither could control; they both succumbed to one final explosion of pleasure.

The next time Joshua woke, he was alone, but the scent of their lovemaking lingered in the vast, empty space that surrounded him. He rose and made his way to the bathroom. He brushed his teeth, shaved, and then showered, washing the remains of their coupling down the drain. He did not even remember going to bed, much less removing his clothes beforehand… the last he remembered was sitting in his rocker wondering about the rider he saw across the river.

Joshua hurriedly dressed and walked softly through the house toward the back porch. He had himself a case of the rather-be’s - at that moment, he would
rather
be anywhere but where he was.

He hoped to leave before Emma awoke, but when he walked into the kitchen, she was sitting at the table drinking coffee, and reading the unsolved files from the box he had brought home.

Without looking up, she said, “Coffee’s ready.”

He started to tell her that he did not have time, but he badly needed a cup. He poured himself a cup and then walked out onto the porch and lit a cigarette.

“You don’t have to avoid me,” Emma said from behind the screen door.

“I’m not. I’m sorry if I made you feel that way. I just have so much on my mind.”

“Last night was nothing personal, Sheriff.”

Nothing personal
, thought Joshua
. It could not get more personal than that!

“I have no designs on your affections or anything like that, and I don’t want you to be embarrassed or ashamed,” Emma continued. “Last night, I needed someone to hold me; to make me feel safe; to make love to me… someone experienced, like you are. When I wanted to stay on top and in control, in case I changed my mind, you let me.”

Joshua turned to look at her as she talked.

“Sheriff, I was a virgin when those men took me; and, I don’t know what they did to me, but… when, I’ve had an awful case of the heebie-jeebies ever since then. And I have these flashes of memories, memories of them doing things to my body, things that arouse me-I know that probably sounds disgusting-”

“No, not at all; you’re only human,” Joshua replied, but then he remembered she had as much as admitted that Tom molested her. Which was the truth? Was she molested, or was she still a virgin before they took her. She did not seem a virgin a few hours prior.

“When Earl tied me to that wheel and lightly rubbed that feather all over me, I wanted more,” Emma said, “I wanted something down there; but when he touched me with his hand, it disgusted me. Last night, I wanted to experience what it was like to be touched by someone I liked, someone I was attracted to, like you. Thank you for being patient with me and not forcing me to do things I did not want to do.”

Joshua did not know what to say, so he just nodded his head. He still wanted to know the truth about Tom, but that could wait. He told Emma that he had an early appointment and had to leave, but she was welcome to stay.

When he drove out of his driveway, he turned the radio on trying to drown out his thoughts. The song, ‘Nights in White Satin’ began playing as he turned onto Highway 98 and headed east toward Mobile. It was a tender, haunting melody. It provoked even more memories, especially of the previous night’s lovemaking. The singer sounded as if he was truly heartbroken. “Nights” was followed by Credence Clearwater Revival’s song, ‘Long as I Can See the Light’ and then Buffalo Springfield’s ‘For What it’s Worth.’ The lyrics stated ‘Stop children what’s that sound, everyone look what’s going ‘round.’ As far as Emma was concerned, it was definitely time to stop.

He thought to himself that he did not need a repeat of the night before, as he turned onto Glenwood Road and headed toward Collins Creek.

Joshua believed in messengers, ghosts, and such as that. Moreover, he believed that they came to you for a reason. After seeing the warrior on horseback the previous night, Joshua decided to go by and see if Carlos was back from the Reservation. He needed to ask him a few questions. He had a feeling that somehow Carlos would know something about his mother. When he drove up to Carlos's house, the front door was standing open.

Joshua sat there a moment debating his strategy when questioning Carlos on his knowledge of folks on the Reservation. He was not sure exactly sure how to broach the subject of his mother’s birth on the reservation and who her people were. However, now that he knew she
was
from the reservation, he felt if Carlos did not know anything about his mother that he still could help him find some answers.

From what he knew, the reservation was not that large and forty years before, it was probably not even as populated as it was now. Carlos's wife Carlene came to stand in the door as he got out of his cruiser.

“Mornin’, Sheriff.”

“Good morning, Carlene. Is Carlos around?”

“No, Sir, he hasn’t come back from the Rez yet. I talked to him last night on the telephone. He said his mama was still hanging on by a thread. He says he swears he doesn’t know what’s keeping her alive; she has dried up to nothing.”

“I hate to hear that… do you have his mother’s address,” Joshua asked. He had decided to ride up to the reservation to talk to Carlos, do a little snooping around of his own if possible. It was only an hour or so drive; he could go and come in a day’s time.

“Of course I do… is Carlos in some kind of trouble or one of the boys?”

“No, ma’am. I…, I just found out recently that my mother was born on the reservation. I was hoping that Carlos could help me find the answers to a few questions I have about my ancestors,” he answered truthfully.

“I’m sure he’ll be glad to help you all he can. It might help take his mind off his own problems and ease some of his worry about his maw. Let me find a piece of paper and I’ll write it down for you.”

Carlene disappeared inside and when she came back, she handed him a slip of paper. “You shouldn’t have any trouble finding it. If you do, just ask someone. Everyone there knows Carlos' people.”

“Thanks, Carlene. I appreciate it,” Joshua said, trying to smile although he was in no smiling mood at all.

“Good luck, Sheriff. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”

Joshua nodded his head, turned and walked toward his patrol car. He knew that he should not take his cruiser across county lines but he was not about to go back to get his pickup. On his way to the interstate, he saw Hook’s pickup parked in front of the Hickory Pit Café. He made a u-turn and pulled into the parking lot.

James and Ilene were walking out the door as he parked.

“What’s going on, Hoss” James yelled across the parking lot.

Joshua got out and stood with one foot still in the car. He told James that he stopped to see if he wanted to ride up to Atmore with him, but he did not know that Ilene was with him.

“Good to see you too, Sheriff,” Ilene said sarcastically.

“Sorry, Ilene, I just have a lot on my mind. Mornin’” a scolded Joshua replied.

“It’s alright, Joshua. Don’t fret it none; I got my big-girl panties on.”

“So, you finally decided to go find out for yourself,” James remarked.

“Yeah, Carlos is up there. I figured I could use him as a buffer to ask a few questions around the Reservation.”

“Well… I would go but I done promised-” Hook started to say and Ilene interrupted.

“You can go, James; as long as you are back in time to feed those damn goats of yours. I cannot stand feeding them! The damn things always want to butt me; it hurts!”

“Follow me to the house to drop Ilene and my pickup off, then we will be on our way,” James said quickly. Joshua could hear the excitement in Hook’s voice.

Ilene gave James a stern look and then smiled and shook her head. Joshua followed James and Ilene to their house off McCrary Road and pulled in behind them. James parked, kissed Ilene on the cheek and then hopped into the car with Joshua. When he got in, Joshua was smiling.

“What the hell are you grinning about, Joshua Stokes!” Hook exclaimed, punching him on the arm. “You haven’t ever seen a man escape prison before?”

“So that’s why you wanted to go; to escape the work detail today.”

“You damn right; that woman is a slave driver. She had some decoration project she wanted me to start on, and knowing her, it would not end with just one; she’d have a dozen more lined up before the day was over!”

Joshua laughed. He was glad he had stopped. Hook would be good company, and with his constant stream of conversation and antics, the drive time would fly by. Joshua went to light a smoke, fumbled with it several times, and then finally got it lit and took a long draw.

James noticed his clumsiness, “What’s up with you,” he asked. With that tiny opening, Joshua could not help himself, he spilled his guts; he told James everything. He told him about waking up in his bed naked, even though he didn’t remember going to bed in the first place, and that Emma was in his bed, snuggled up to him, nibbling his ear and rubbing him all over,
and
she was naked as a jaybird. He did not go into detail, but he even told him about their lovemaking.

“I bet you had an awkward morning then… I hate to say it, Hoss, but
I told you so
. I could see it coming as shore as I’m sittin’ here.”

“I know you did, but damned if I saw it coming,” Joshua replied. “And then to top it off,” he said, “this morning she tells me I don’t have to avoid her, and that it wasn’t
nothing
personal.
It wasn’t nothing personal
- how much more personal can you get with another human being?”

“I reckon that means, it was ‘
just a sex thing
,’ huh? I hear a lot of young folks saying ‘it ain’t nothing but a thang’ about a lot of
thangs
. Times are a changing, Hoss. We either have to change with them, or be stuck like old Don Quixote, tilting at windmills.”

“I reckon, Hook, but damn it, I hate change. Change means complications.”

They had made it to the Tensaw River and were coming into Maple Bayou by then.

“Well?”

“Well, what?” Joshua asked.

“Was the sex good?”

“Damned good, for someone who is not experienced… that’s another thing; she-do you remember that day at the cemetery, when Emma whispered in my ear?” Joshua asked.

“Yeah, I remember.”

“She told me that she was glad I killed him-talking about Tom. When she said that, I figured that Tom had been molesting her or something. However, this morning, she said that she was a virgin when those Dixon boys abducted her. Last night, she did not seem a virgin; she was a woman full-growed.”

“Hoss, I know you ain’t that dumb. There are ways he could have molested her without physically inserting his pecker into her… I wouldn’t put it past that son-of-a-bitch, Leonard, to mess with 'em either. I even caught that sum’bitch one time.

We was all gathered up at his and Hannah’s place having a crab boil and drinking a few beers. Most everyone was out in the yard, and I don’t even remember what I went into the house for, but he had Addie’s daughter backed against the wall trying to feel her up; and, her little nubbins wasn’t much bigger than mine is!”

“What did you do?”

“I grabbed that bastard by the scruff of the neck and yanked him back. I told her to get outside with her mama and stay there.”

“You didn’t tell Addie about it.”

“Hell no; I didn’t know how to tell her. I even thought of telling Hannah, but I don’t know how to talk
that
talk with women. I couldn’t tell Hal; he would’ve killed him deader than a doornail! Leonard was about drunk, so I attributed his actions to that. I told him if I ever caught him messing with a little girl again, I would castrate him. I figured that was enough to keep him honest.”

“I hope so; I’d hate to think that he is messing with any of his nieces or any little girls for that matter.”

“If I ever find he has since that time with Susie, I will take that sum’bitch out in the woods somewhere and chop his fucking balls off!” James exclaimed.

They both lit a cigarette and rode the next several miles in silence. When they neared the exit for the Reservation, Joshua felt his stomach fill with butterflies. He did not know why he was so nervous. He had his doubts that he would find anything at all about his mother after all the years that had passed.

Once they exited the interstate onto Poarch Road, he pulled into a service station. He felt the need to get a pack of crackers and co-cola. It might not be much, but at least, it would be something in his stomach.

“I’m glad you’re making a pit stop, I got to go see a man about a dog. That coffee I drank at the Hickory Pit this morning has my eyeteeth floating.”

“Yeah, I could stand to go too.” Joshua replied. He shut off the ignition and pulled the key out. If he was around home he would not bother, but he had heard that the Indians living on the Rez did all sorts of stuff and got by with most of it because they were a tribal territory. If they broke the law, tribal police dealt with them. Their laws were made by counsel members and each tribe had a Tribal Code they followed. The Reservation had its own police force consisting of tribal members. County laws did not control them; however, they
were
held accountable to state laws and regulations.