Holly Grove Homecoming (28 page)

C
arly had just managed
to drag herself out of bed and into the kitchen the next morning when someone rang the doorbell. Almost immediately, she heard hinges squeal as the front door was pushed open.

“Carly?” Trooper shouted. “It’s me. Okay if I come in?”

“I’m in the kitchen,” Carly called. “Come on back.” She waited for Trooper to join her, then walked into his arms and held on tight. He’d wanted to spend the night with her last night, but she’d insisted that he stay with Myrna. His aunt, Carly had pointed out, had not only suffered some physical trauma but an emotional shock as well. She’d learned in the worst possible way that an old high school friend had murdered her sister, and Carly had feared Myrna would have nightmares about their experience.

Carly rested her head on Trooper’s chest. “How’s Myrna?”

“I don’t think she slept well, but she’s hanging in there. She was worried about you and insisted I come over and check on you first thing. How are you?”

“Sore but thankful that’s the worst of it. You don’t think Sam Underwood can convince everyone he’s innocent, do you?”

“Not a chance. As a matter of fact, the sheriff called this morning to say that once word got out about Underwood’s arrest, four boys came forward to say they’d been abused by him and all four are willing to testify against him. With their testimony added to your recording and the fact that I saw him trying to drown you, I suspect Sam will be going away for the rest of his life.”

Carly pulled back and looked into Trooper’s face. “Does Marge Abbott know?”

“She does. I stopped by there last night and told her and Ralph what we’d learned. Needless to say, both were tremendously relieved but also shocked that the murderer lived right down the street from them. Marge said he’d even sent a sympathy card when Larry died.”

Carly shivered. “He’s even more of a monster than I’d realized.” She sighed, then stepped back out of Trooper’s arms. “I was just about to brew some coffee. Can you stay?”

“I’d like to, but the sheriff asked me to come down to the station this morning.”

“Any idea what he wants?” Carly asked.

“Not a clue. He said it isn’t related to the case, so I’m a little curious. I just hope he doesn’t keep me tied up long. I was hoping to have a late breakfast with you.”

Carly smiled. “I can do late. If you get a chance, give me a call when you head back this way and I’ll start breakfast. Remember, though, you’ll have to call on the landline because the sheriff confiscated my cell.”

“I’ll ask him when you might get it back.”

“Thanks. I suppose I could buy some throwaways to tide me over, but I really would miss my phone if it’s tied up too long.”

“I’ll see if I can shake it loose. Or at least remind him that you want it back as soon as possible.”

“Thanks.” Carly gave him a quick peck on the lips. “You run along. I’m going to get dressed and water my impatiens while you’re gone.”

“If you see Myrna out, check on her if you don’t mind,” Trooper said.

“You know I will.” Carly walked him to the door and locked up behind him, then hurried to get dressed. She needed to get out of the house, to get some exercise before the day heated up too much. Ten minutes later, she’d dragged her water hose to the front and was watering her impatiens when she saw Myrna coming down the steps leading off her front porch. She was moving slowly this morning, hanging onto the handrail and watching her feet.

Carly immediately turned the water off and hurried across the street. She was worried about Myrna. The older woman had suffered a severe emotional shock yesterday, not to mention whatever effects she might be experiencing from that cold lake water.

The two met on the walkway leading from Myrna’s steps to the front of her lot. Myrna’s smile was wan, and her hand shook when she laid it on Carly’s arm. “I’m so glad to see you this morning, my dear. I hope you had a decent night’s rest. I wanted Nelson to stay with you, but he said you insisted he stay with me. That was sweet of you. I’ll have to admit that I’m somewhat unnerved. Not to mention worried.”

Carly laid her hand on top of Myrna’s. “What are you worried about?”

“You know the sheriff wanted to see Nelson?”

“Yes.”

“I’m afraid he’s going to tell Nelson that Sam Underwood is getting out on bond and I don’t want that man back in the neighborhood. There’s no telling what he might do.”

“I don’t think you need to worry about that, Myrna. Trooper doesn’t think the judge will set bail. With Mr. Underwood’s record, he would be considered a danger to the public.”

“I hope you’re right, but why in the world would the sheriff ask to talk to Nelson now?”

“He probably just wants to go over some details about yesterday. Why don’t you come home with me? I’ll fix us a cup of coffee and we’ll try to relax until Trooper gets back and tells us exactly what’s going on.”

“I think I would like that, my dear. I really don’t feel like being alone this morning.”

“In that case, let’s go.”

Ten minutes later Carly had Myrna settled at her kitchen table with a cup of coffee in front of her.

Myrna lifted her cup but set it back down before taking a sip. “I just can’t understand how Sam Underwood could live with himself after what he’s done. Three people murdered by his hand, and countless boys abused. I’m glad Marcella is dead and gone. She was a good woman, and I know she never would have guessed that Sam could be so twisted and evil.”

“I’m wondering what Tommy will think,” Carly said. “I haven’t met him, but Trooper seems to think a lot of him.”

“Oh my goodness.” Myrna rested her elbow on the table and propped her chin on her hand. “I hadn’t even thought of poor Tommy.”

Myrna jerked her head up. “Was that a car door I just heard?”

Carly got to her feet. “It may have been. You sit still. I’ll check.” She hurried toward the front of the house and arrived at the front door just as Trooper jogged up the porch steps. She jerked the door open. “Come on in. Myrna and I are in the kitchen. She’s still pretty unnerved so I invited her to come over.”

“Great. I’m glad the two of you are together. I can tell both of you what the sheriff wanted.” He stepped inside and leaned forward to give Carly a quick kiss on the lips.

She smiled, then grasped his hand. “Come on back to the kitchen. You could probably use something cool to drink. I haven’t done anything toward breakfast. No one seems to be hungry this morning.”

“You’re right. I’m not hungry but a glass of your tea would be great.”

Myrna was on her feet when they reached the kitchen. Trooper went to her immediately and pulled her into a hug. “I’m so sorry that you were caught up in Sam Underwood’s crazy dealings yesterday. Are you feeling okay?”

“Just a little worried,” Myrna replied. “They’re keeping Sam locked up, aren’t they?”

“Absolutely. I doubt he’ll ever see the outside of a cell for the rest of his life,” Trooper assured her.

“Have you seen Tommy?” Myrna asked.

Trooper’s jaw tensed. “I have.”

“Your tea is ready,” Carly interjected. “Let’s all sit down and you can fill us in on everything.”

Trooper shot her an appreciative look, then motioned for Myrna to seat herself again. Carly followed suit, and Trooper sat down opposite them.

“First,” he said, “about Tommy. He’s devastated in more ways than one. It turns out that he saw his father’s car parked behind some shrubs the afternoon of the murders and just never said anything about it, although he couldn’t help wondering all these years.”

“Wait,” Myrna said. “Tommy was there?”

“Just for a very few minutes. He and I were supposed to shoot some hoops out back of the house that afternoon, and he got there before I did. The sheriff was already there and when Tommy arrived, the sheriff made him leave immediately. That, apparently, was when Tommy caught a glimpse of his dad’s car. I think he convinced himself that he’d imagined it. Either that or he’s been protecting his dad. In either case, he’s pretty upset.”

“Poor Tommy,” Myrna murmured, staring into her coffee. “His life will never be the same.” Then she looked up. “Is that what the sheriff wanted to see you about?”

Trooper scratched his ear. “Actually, he wanted to tell me that he’s been accepted by the U.S. Marshals Service, which is something he said he’d wanted for a long time. He’s giving up his position here and says the county commission wants to offer it to me if I’m interested.”

Myrna’s eyes widened. “You’ve been offered the position of sheriff?”

“If I want it,” Trooper responded. His gaze cut to Carly.

“What about the FBI?” she asked, frowning.

“I’ve heard some rumblings that I’ll be assigned to a desk job when I go back,” he said, lifting his right shoulder in a half shrug. “If that’s the case, I wouldn’t mind leaving the Bureau for a job where I would still be enforcing the law.”

“How long do you have to make a decision?” Carly asked.

“A couple of months. That’s when Mike is leaving for his new position. That gives me time to see what’s in store for me back at the Bureau before I have to respond to the offer.”

Myrna clapped her hands. “Oh I do hope you’ll decide to stay in Holly Grove, Nelson. You’ve got family here, not to mention friends.” Her gaze cut to Carly for a second and a smile lurked in her eyes.

“You’re right,” Trooper responded. “Well, it’s something to think about. In the meantime…” He ran a hand in his pocket and pulled out Carly’s phone. “Mike had his tech people copy the recording off your phone so he could return it to you, but he asked that you not delete Sam’s confession for a few days. He wants to be sure he’s covered all his bases with the district attorney and anyone else who might question the authenticity of his copy.”

“Okay.” Carly took the phone and laid it on the table. “Do you think Myrna and I will have to testify against Mr. Underwood?”

“Mike is guessing that Sam’s defense attorney will try to work out a deal, which might be best all the way around. Avoiding a trial would mean we wouldn’t have to relive the whole sordid affair in court, and Mike says the DA wouldn’t settle for anything less than life in prison for Sam.”

Myrna nodded. “Yes, I think that would be best. As long as he can never get out of prison.”

She shuddered, and Trooper reached across the table to grasp her hand. “Believe me, Aunt Myrna, you don’t need to ever concern yourself about Sam Underwood again.”

Carly grimaced. “I wonder if Tommy will stay around here.”

“I doubt it,” Trooper said. “With his skills, he could get a job at any dealership in the country. He might move to Nashville where his ex-wife and kids live.”

“That would probably be best,” Myrna agreed. Then she pushed back from the table and stood. “I’m going to go home, change clothes, and go to church. There are a lot of people who need praying for this Sunday morning.”

“You’re right about that,” Trooper said, also standing. “Are you okay to be alone?”

“Certainly, child. You stay here and visit with Carly. I’ll see you both after church.”

Carly walked Myrna to the door, then stepped out on the porch and watched her cross the street. She’d stood there for only a few seconds when Trooper joined her.

“This has been a shock for Myrna,” Carly said. “Learning that her classmate and friend murdered her favorite sister.”

“True,” Trooper said. “Do you think she’ll be okay?”

“It will take some time, but, yes, I think she’ll be fine.”

Trooper draped an arm across her shoulder and Carly turned toward him. She could tell by the expression on his face that he was still worried. “Will you keep an eye on her, Carly,” he asked, “especially after I leave town?”

“You know I will. When will you be leaving?”

“Soon, I hope. If possible I’d like to discover what the Bureau has in store for me so I can make a more informed decision about the offer here. What about you? Will you stay in Holly Grove now that you’ve brought Eric’s abuser to justice?”

Carly gazed into his eyes. More than anything at that moment, she wanted to hear him say that he wanted her to stay, but she had no right to expect that. After all, they’d never talked about the future. They’d been too involved in trying to deal with the past. She blew her breath out in a sigh. “Certainly I’ll stay for the time being,” she said.

Trooper continued to gaze into her eyes. “Would you stay longer if I came back?”

Carly’s heart rate kicked up. “What are you saying, Trooper?”

“That I want to spend more time with you. I’d like to give us a chance to get to know each other better. So if I came back, you wouldn’t be in any rush to leave?”

She smiled. “If you decide to come back, I’ll be here.”

He cupped her cheek, then leaned in to brush a quick kiss across her lips. “Let’s go inside where we’ll have more privacy. I’d like an opportunity to prove just how much I want you to stay.”

“That sounds wonderful.” She smiled. “You go ahead. I’ll be in soon.”

Trooper looked at her searchingly for a minute, then nodded and disappeared inside. Carly walked to the edge of the porch. The heat wave showed signs of slacking. The morning temperature was still pleasant, and the air contained a hint of freshness rather than the recent cloying humidity. Maple leaves fluttered in the breeze, as did her impatiens, which were finally showing signs of good health. In the distance, church bells rang out a cheerful summons to follow the straight and narrow.

Promises of improvement were in the air this morning, and Carly smiled to herself. For the moment, yes, she would stay in Holly Grove. She hoped Trooper would choose to make this his home too.

Time would tell, of course, and in the meanwhile, she intended to squeeze every moment of pleasure she could out of the present. She turned with a smile of anticipation and went inside to join Trooper.

T
hank
you for making time to read
Holly Grove Homecoming.
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