“You okay?” Alex gave Eddie a quizzical look.
“I don’t know,” Eddie admitted before he even realized the words were out of his mouth. “I just found this in the trash.” He held up the report in his hands.
“I told you the Sheriff throws away all the Camilla Baxley reports,” Alex shrugged at him. He was still smiling. Eddie supposed that from Alex’s perspective, today had been a good day. An epic day. The kind of day a man told his grandkids about 50 years from now.
Eddie swallowed the lump in his throat. “It’s not a Camilla Baxley report.”
“Oh. Okay, then what?”
“Did you know Addison was planning on pinning Jarvis Marquette’s murder on me?” Eddie asked, still too stunned to think clearly.
Alex opened his mouth and closed it abruptly. He was surprised. But not surprised enough. Eddie took in the awkward way Alex’ smile faded and the helpless frown that was left behind where the smile had been.
“Addy did what?” Alex asked.
“Addison wrote out a full report, claiming I was the murderer.” Eddie took a deep breath, trying to mask his hurt. “The same person who helped save my life this afternoon wrote this report because he was planning on destroying me.”
“Oh shit.”
“Did you know about it?” It wasn’t really a question. Eddie leaned back against Wally Hall’s desk because his knees felt like they were going to give out. He glared at Alex accusingly.
Alex looked extremely guilty as he reached out and took the report out of Eddie’s hands. “He didn’t really turn this in, did he?” Alex was visibly ashamed as he flipped through the paperwork.
“I don’t know. I found it in the trashcan.”
“Well, that’s okay. I guess.” Alex frowned at the papers and dropped them back down into the trash. “Don’t let it bother you. Addy means well, but he doesn’t always think things through real good.”
“Why would he want to frame me for a murder he knows I didn’t commit?” Eddie felt physically sick. His stomach was lurching and he had to close his eyes to get his nausea back under control.
“Perkins told him to,” Alex admitted with a shrug of his shoulders. “I didn’t think he’d actually go through with it though.”
“Perkins told him to?” Eddie gaped at Alex in disbelief. “And he just did it?”
“Well, Perkins told him it would-. Oh. Nevermind. It’s not important. It was a stupid thing for him to do. I’m sorry you saw it.” Alex sighed and frowned. “Why don’t you go home and get some rest?”
“That’s probably a good idea,” Eddie said with a sigh. Complete exhaustion had overwhelmed him during the last few minutes. He felt beaten. Too tired to go on. He stared down at the miserable report in the trash can again. Alex grabbed him by the arm and towed him out of the office before he could bend back down and pick it up again.
“Really. Forget about it. Addy’s my friend, but he’s a dumbass sometimes.” Alex smiled reassuringly at Eddie. “He didn’t mean anything by it.”
“He hates me.” Eddie barely realized the words had left his mouth. He didn’t care. He might as well have the truth out there in plain sight. Addison clearly wasn’t bothering to hide his dislike for Eddie.
“No. He just doesn’t think sometimes.” Alex shrugged helplessly. “I mean, he came after you today. We all did. Me. Addy. David.”
“Why bother?” Eddie glared at Alex, unable to hide his anger and hurt. “Why bother saving me if y’all really want me locked up for a crime I didn’t even commit?”
“I don’t know what to tell you,” Alex seemed to be at a loss. “We didn’t want you locked up.”
“You know. I almost felt okay about being a deputy for Coastal County earlier today, after we came out of the swamp and got back to the cruiser. I felt like maybe it was time to forget all the old grudges and maybe start over from scratch with everyone. Like maybe there was hope for this actually not being the worst job of my life.” Eddie took a deep breath and tried to pull himself together. He wasn’t doing a good job of it. His blood ran cold, remembering the way Cal Walker had casually invited him to join them at dinner tonight. It sickened him to think that he’d almost accepted. He’d almost been willing to forgive the past after the events of this afternoon. “Now I’m just wondering how close you guys came to letting me die today? I’m wondering what will happen if I get into a bad situation again? Will you guys come after me or will you let me get hurt? Let me die? Hell, are you going to lay the trap yourselves?”
“We wouldn’t do that.” Alex didn’t sound 100 percent sure he believed himself.
“How do you think that report wound up in the trash?” Eddie asked. “Do you think the Sheriff threw it away because he knew it was total crap? Or did it get thrown away because it was impractical to frame me for a murder when you had already caught the real killer?”
Alex swallowed but said nothing to defend himself or his friends.
“Intentionally framing me for murder is so far beyond dislike. It’s beyond cruel high school pranks and hurt feelings. Framing me for murder can only be explained by hatred. Plain and simple. Addison hates me enough that he’s willing to ruin my life by charging me with a murder he knows I didn’t commit.”
“I’m sorry,” Alex said. He seemed genuine but Eddie brushed him aside.
“You better warn your buddy that he better start watching his back,” Eddie told him. “He wants to hurt me? Guess what? Two can play this game. Tell Addison that he’s picked the wrong fight. This is going to be war.”
“You don’t want to do that,” Alex said gently. “I know this looks bad but I’m sure Addison didn’t really mean anything by it.”
“I don’t care what he meant by it,” Eddie was surprised by the vehemence in his own voice. “He put it out there. He started the fight. I’m going to finish it, so he better watch his ass. Addison Malone is going to live to regret the day he tried to ruin my life. Forgiveness just isn’t going to be an option.”
*
“You’re just going to walk away, aren’t you?” Brittany crossed her arms over her breasts and glared daggers into Gracie.
“I’m dropping out,” Gracie replied. “You should be happy. You’ve told me since day one that I didn’t belong at State. I’ve decided you’re right.”
“You think you’re in the clear now, don’t you?” Brittany sat down on the edge of her own bed. She was wearing a slinky blue dress with a slit that went all the way up to her waist on both sides and left almost nothing to the imagination.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Gracie lied. She wished Cal hadn’t gone ahead of her with the last load of her belongings. Gracie had promised him she’d be right behind him; all she had to do was go up to Patty’s office and turn in her room key. Gracie had intentionally timed their trip so that she could pick up her belongings without running into Brittany. Unfortunately, it appeared that Brittany’s English class had gotten out early.
“Austin. I’m talking about what you did to Austin.” Brittany held up a piece of newspaper that had been lying in the middle of Gracie’s desk. It was the only piece of paper left on the desk.
“I didn’t do anything to Austin,” Gracie lied. “He ran off. Maybe he got in trouble over the drugs.”
“You are such a lying bitch,” Brittany said. She held the newspaper article up and began to read directly from the paper. “The disappearance of Governor Mitchell Putterling’s nephew has authorities questioning the entire Putterling family after evidence of drug trafficking, illegal prescription authorizations, and insurance fraud were recovered from Austin Putterling’s bedroom in the Phi Luta Betta fraternity house at State University earlier this week.
Austin Putterling was reported missing by the Putterling family after he failed to appear at a birthday dinner for his mother, Anita Putterling, last Sunday night. An investigation by State University Police revealed that Putterling was allegedly actively engaged in a variety of illegal activities at the ti
me of his disappearance.
An investigation by State University Police Lieutenant Fredrick Smith into Austin Putterling’s activities prior to the time of being reported missing uncovered multiple prescription tablets and other drug paraphernalia that were stored in Putterling’s room. An official police report regarding the seizure of the drugs revealed over $700,000 dollars’ worth of street-value narcotics had been taken from the Phi Luta Betta House as a direct result into the investigation into Putterling.” Brittany raised her eyebrows at Gracie and took a deep breath before she continued to read from the newspaper.
“Charges against Anita Putterling, a well-known cardiologist, are currently pending but are expected to include unauthorized issuance of prescriptions and failure to prevent or report illegal drug activities. Anita Putterling could not be reached for comment. It is currently unknown whether Anita Putterling was aware of her son’s activities or whether she will lose her license to practice medicine as a result of his actions. If Anita Putterling is found to have played an active role in obtaining the prescription medicines her son reportedly sold to numerous classmates and fraternity brothers, she could face up to 20 years in federal prison,” Brittany read. “State University Police have theorized that Austin Putterling may have fled from State University following a classmate’s threat to report his illegal activities to authorities after the two shared a disagreement last Tuesday.”
“I don’t have anything to do with Austin’s disappearance.” Gracie felt it necessary to claim innocent. “Right there is your proof; the cops are saying someone else was threatening to report him for drug dealing and he ran.”
“No one is going to run away from a multi-million dollar trust fund, Gracie. Not just because of a couple of lousy drug charges.” Brittany shook her head at Gracie and then continued on with the last bit of the article. “Lieutenant Smith says Austin Putterling may have a significant amount of money on his person and may attempt to flee the country in order to avoid charges. “As of this time, the Putterling family has withdrawn their missing persons report and has requested that the investigation into the disappearance of Austin Putterling be halted,” Smith said. “However, warrants have been issued for Austin Putterling and a reward is being offered for any information that leads to his arrest.”
“Shame you don’t have any real information, you could collect that reward they’re offering.” Gracie snapped at Brittany, trying not to show how relieved she felt every time she read the last sentence of the article. “Now, if you’re done, I’m leaving.”
“I’m not going to forget what you did, Gracie.” Brittany held the newspaper article in the air. “You may think this is over, but it’s not. I won’t forget about you. I won’t forget about how you were the last one to ever see Austin Putterling alive. You’ll pay for what you did, Gracie. One day, you’re going to pay. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Go to hell, Brittany.” Gracie turned on her heel and walked out the door, letting it slam closed behind her.
*
“Y’all didn’t have any problems getting the rest of her stuff from the dorm, did you?” David leaned against the hood of Gracie’s Camaro as Cal grabbed the last box of Gracie’s belongings out of the bed of the Chevy.
“Nope,” Cal grunted as he shifted the box onto his hip. “Everything was quiet.”
“No problems with the roommate?” David asked skeptically.
“Nothing I wasn’t expecting. She threatened me. She promised I’d never get away with killing Austin,” Gracie shuddered. Cal wrapped one arm around her shoulders and pulled her close to his chest.
“Ignore her, Gracie. She’s just being a bitch because she knows it bothers you.”
“But she knows the truth,” Gracie pointed out. “Or at least, she’s guessed it.”
“She doesn’t have any evidence.” David propped himself up by leaning against the side of the truck. “Cal told me about the newspaper article y’all found in your dorm room. Sounds like the cops are working pretty hard to connect his disappearance with his drug dealing activities.”
“Are you really saying that everything is going to be okay now?” she asked. “Is the nightmare truly over?”
“No,” David responded before Cal could even open his mouth.
“No?” Gracie blinked at him in surprise. “But the article says-?”
“I know what the article says. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good news. But over?” David shook his head with a distinctly depressed look on his face. “No. Crime is never over, Gracie.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re always going to remember how he died. You’re always going to have nightmares. For the rest of your life, you’re going to have nightmares with his face on them.”
Gracie swallowed visibly. “I can deal with nightmares.”
“I know. I deal with them all the time,” David shrugged. “The problem is that, once you’ve done something really horrible, you can’t undo it. You can’t ever really move on. You’re always going to wonder if some part of the body will turn up or some relative will get the case reopened. If some little piece of evidence exists somewhere that you didn’t know about.”
“You’re saying I can’t just walk away from it.”
“No one can,” Cal said. “But I’ll promise you that anyone who tries to come after you will have to come through me first.”
Gracie twisted so that she could wrap her arms tightly around Cal’s neck. “I love you so much,” she told him.
“I love you too,” he said. “And everything will be okay.”
“But David just said?”
“I said you can’t make it go away,” David clarified. “I didn’t say you had to let it rule your life or that you couldn’t move on. You have a future.”
“A really awesome future,” Gracie relaxed against Cal’s chest. “Assuming Mom ever forgives me.”
“She still all worked up?” David asked.
Cal nodded and Gracie groaned. “She’s threatening to skip the wedding.”
“She won’t miss your wedding.”
“If she does, at this point, it’s her loss.” Gracie sighed. “I’m making my own choices based on the future I want to have with Cal.” She laid her head against his shoulder. Cal held her close to him and rubbed his hands up and down her spine.
“She’ll come around,” he said confidently. “Even if she doesn’t, my parents are ecstatic.”
“Your parents are happy no matter what you do,” Gracie pointed out.
“Not always.” Cal stroked her hair back out of her eyes. “Mom was pretty damn mad at me when I screwed up my relationship with you.”
“I was pretty damn mad at you for that one too,” Gracie grinned at him.
“Well, I won’t do it again.”
“You better not.”
Cal cuddled Gracie close against his chest. “Never again. Nothing but blue skies and roses from here on.” He tilted Gracie’s chin up to him and kissed her gently. She cuddled closer to him and returned his kiss passionately.
“Sunshine and roses,” she said with a laugh. “With my luck, it’s going to be more like alligators and swamps. But only with you.”
“Always with me.” Cal held her close. “You always belong with me. No matter what. In sickness and in health. In good times and in bad. When we’re young and when we’re old. I love you and you belong with me. And that’s all there is to it.”
“That’s that, huh?” Gracie kissed him gently.
“That’s that.”
***
Epilogue
(An Excerpt from Shiner’s Bayou Book 2)
The trailer was on fire and David couldn’t force enough air into his lungs to breathe. The ancient single-wide was going up in a ball of orange and red. Flames were licking their way up the walls in the hallway. The walls burned like they were made of thin paper. Embers flew in all directions. One of the embers caught his chin, burning into his flesh as sharply as a lit cigarette would have.
/> In a distant part of his mind, David wondered if Addison had come home from work and fallen asleep in bed with a lit cigarette. He wondered if Addison had burned to death in his bed, less than 100 feet away from where David was sitting now, watching the flames approach. The thought of his best friend dying jarred David back to the reality of his own situation. He was going to be a very crispy critter if he didn’t move. Now.
David flung the comforter away from him as the edge of it began to smoke. He was never going to make it out the front door of the trailer. The hallway between his bedroom and the door was totally engulfed in flames. The windows would be his best option. Unfortunately, the windows had been stuck shut for a couple of years now. He grabbed hold of the 12 gauge shotgun that he always kept beside the bed. He smashed the butt of the gun into the glass of the window. The window gave with a loud crack. Three more solid strikes and the glass was gone, lying on the ground below like a spiteful booby-trap.
The room was filling with smoke now. Flames were spreading across the carpeting of the room. David tossed his shotgun out the window and then jumped out after it, landing barefoot in the broken glass below. Flames came whooshing out the window behind him a moment later as the curtains caught fire. Somewhere in the distance, sirens were screaming.
Someone grabbed David by the arm and began dragging him back away from the burning building. “Get up. Dammit, David. Get up. I can’t-cough- fucking – cough – carry you.”
David looked up at Addison blearily. He felt dazed and disoriented. “You’re not dead.”
“Not at the moment, but we will be if the damned propane tank behind the house goes.” Addison yanked David to his feet. He was dragging him backwards, away from the flaming trailer. Pieces of the roof of the trailer were starting to come off in burning chunks. One of the burning shingles landed next to David’s foot. Addison stomped on it.
“My truck,” David’s eyes fell on the Toyota, which was sitting parked in its usual spot next to the front porch. The hood was engulfed with flames. It burned like a funeral pyre, sending flames 15 feet into the air.
Feeding Gators: Book 1 in the Shiner's Bayou Series Page 41