Running Deeper Than a Race

by Kendra J. Williams

  Lamar walked over and stood in front of her. He took out his wallet and handed her a hundred dollars.

  “I can’t take this.”

  “Yes, you can and you will. I will not take no for an answer.”

  “This was more than I paid for the food.”

  “That’s not my business. That’s my tip.”

  “You’re a trip. Maverick don’t bring him back. He doesn’t listen.”

  Maverick started laughing as he wrapped his last plate up.

  “Ma, I love you and I’ll call you later.”

  “Yes. I love you too. Y’all be safe,” she waved as she followed them out of the door.

  Maverick didn’t look back. There was a lump stuck in the back of his throat as he walked outside. The crisp air hit all of them.

  “We forgot our coats,” Quinn started hugging herself.

  “I’ll get them.”

  Ms. May handed the coats out of the door as she watched the men climb in.

  “Lamar, you better open that door for your lady or I know something.”

  Lamar scattered to open the door.

  Quinn waved as she was getting in the car, “I guess she told you.”

  “She sure did.”

  “I’m scared y’all. We could be going back to bad news.”

  “Or it could be good.”

  “Don’t either of you start. Do I need to drive, damn?” Lamar asked.

  “Naw. I got it,” he said as he buckled up and backed out of his mother’s driveway. He blew the horn one last time as he was pulling off.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  The thirty minute ride back to Micro was quiet. You could feel the dreadfulness in the car as he drove through the one stoplight in town and turned onto her road.

  “Do you think that he’s at the house?”

  “I honestly don’t know. I’m going to park and call to see. He might be on the ground.”

  “Oh ok.” Lamar sat up as he stopped the car.

  “Is anybody else’s stomach in knots?”

  “Yes, mine is.”

  Ring. Ring. Ring.

  “Hello!”

  “I’m glad you called me.”

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m coming around to the house. I’ll tell you once I get there.”

  “Hurry up.”

  “Man, hush. You took your sweet time getting back.”

  “I told you what the deal was. Don’t start tripping.”

  “I’m coming.”

  “Okay. We’ll be here.”

  “Who is we?”

  “You’ll find out once you get here.”

  “Always on some fuck shit. I’m going to beat you up.”

  Maverick started laughing. “Bet.”

  “I’m coming.”

  Kendall zoomed in the yard as Maverick and Quinn were getting out. Lamar was already standing outside waiting.

  “Hey,” he stated jumping out of his car.

  “Damn. Put the car in park before you tear something up.”

  “Shut up,” he laughed. “I parked the car.”

  “I hope so. I’m not paying for a transmission.”

  “Man, go to hell.” He stated. He looked over Quinn and Lamar before he continued.

  “Why are you eyeing us like something is going on?”

  “I don’t know either of you for one. Secondly, I needed to see something.”

  “Kendall, don’t come with that weird shit.”

  “What? I’m trying to figure something out. We can’t do what needs to be done with what y’all have on. We need some raggedy clothes.”

  “For what?”

  “We’re on one of the biggest searches of our lives. It’s going to get bad.”

  “What do you know?”

  “I have a lead. I know where to start but it might call for some crawling and stuff to get inside.”

  “What do you have us doing?”

  “Are y’all down or not? I can always call some other people.”

  “I’m ready. I can get new clothes,” Lamar answered.

  “I can too. I think we all can.”

  “Anybody got any flashlights?”

  “We don’t but we can go and buy them. I’m sure that Dollar General has some.”

  Kendall was dressed in an old sweat suit and boots.

  “You’re dressed like you’re ready to go to war.”

  “I am. Something lead me. I was about to take a nap after I watched some football. It was like I could hear Brinley’s voice telling me to find her.

  “Where were you when we pulled up?”

  “At that raggedy ass park. I was people watching like they do us,” he laughed.

  “Is that the same park that Sean was sitting at?”

  “Probably. There is only one of everything except for the churches. They have one of those on every corner.”

  “You’re right about that.”

  “We’re going to run to the store and get some supplies. Do we need anything else?”

  “Think breaking into a house.”

  “Do you have your gun?”

  “I sure do. I got two of them.”

  “I’ll grab whatever. I’m a retired officer so I’ll get what I think we need.”

  “Yes. You already know what to do.”

  “Yes sir,” he smiled.

  As soon as they pulled off Kendall started talking.

  “Where did you find them two?”

  “That’s Brinley’s best friend and her boyfriend. They’re good people.”

  “How do you know that?”

  “The same way I knew that you were. I trusted my instincts. I haven’t got any other reason to not trust them. We’re all trying to do the same thing, find Brinley.”

  “About finding her. I don’t think that she’s alive.”

  “And if she isn’t. We will cross that bridge once we get to it.”

  “I was only being truthful.”

  “I don’t need that right now.”

  “WHAT EXACTLY DO WE need?”

  “Let’s get the flashlights and batteries first. I’m sure we’re going to need water and stuff.”

  “What kind of mission are we on?”

  “We don’t know how long this is going to take and we don’t know what we’re about to encounter.”

  “I want to go home.”

  “Too late to back down. This was your idea remember.”

  “We need a first aid kit, a knife, batteries. We need a cart,” he laughed.

  “I’ll go and get it.”

  “Thanks.”

  They packed up everything that they thought they needed.

  “Where are you two going? A warzone?”

  “It might be one once we get there. We’re on a mission.”

  “I see. Y’all be safe. There is some crazy stuff going on.”

  “We know. Thanks. We’re going to be safe.”

  “Have a good day,” the cashier stated putting the last of the bags in the cart.

  “You too.”

  Twenty minutes later and Maverick was checking his watch.

  “Where are they?”

  Lamar pulled up right when Kendall turned around.

  “There they are.”

  “About damn time. Y’all better have everything that the store had to offer.”

  “We do. I got camping gear because I didn’t know.”

  “Camping gear?”

  “I didn’t know. I wanted to be sure. We don’t know how long this is going to take.”

  “My type of person,” Kendall nodded his head.

  The sun was setting as they finished unpacking the stuff.

  “There is an abandoned house on the end of the street. Something is telling me she might be in there or she was once. Maybe she left us a clue of some kind.”

  “For real?”

  “What do we have to lose? It can either work in our favor or a dead end. I don’t think that it’s a dead end. Normally the crimes happen around th
e same area of the neighborhood.”

  “True. “

  “Let’s go.”

  “We’re going to follow you because I don’t know where the house is.”

  “I know where it is.”

  “You know the house that I’m talking about?”

  “Yes. It’s on the right side of the railroad tracks. That’s the house that Brinley tried to get me to go to that morning of our run.”

  “Do you think that she’s been in it before?”

  “I doubt it. She wanted me to see it but that’s it.”

  “I’m ready.”

  Lamar was wearing the backpack that they purchased from the store with the essential items in it.

  “I’m sure they are watching us. One of us needs to watch out for the police and anybody else.”

  “What’s your name?”

  “I didn’t introduce them. My bad. That’s Quinn and I’m Lamar.”

  “Alright. Quinn you’re going to lead the way and I’m going to follow behind.”

  “Okay.”

  “Did any of you think that we would be doing this today?”

  “Not me. I honestly thought that she would be back by now. “

  “She’s going to be back,” Quinn whispered.

  Neither of the guys responded. They knew that affirmation was more for her than it was for them.

  “Is that the house?” Maverick asked.

  “Yes. That’s the only one she wanted to go in.”

  “Oh okay.”

  “It doesn’t look too bad. I thought it was going to be more ran down.”

  “It’s definitely not in living status we’re going to see. We can burn this bitch down at this point,” Kendall stated.

  “I love that y’all are feeling the exact same way that I’m feeling.”

  “Yes. I’m ready to do whatever. That jackass police officer is coming up behind us. I’m going to handle it,” Kendall answered.

  “Let me do it.”

  “Naw, Lamar. This is personal. He already knows what the deal is but watch him. Let’s stop walking. I feel like he’s going to call back up.”

  “They all stopped and moved to the right side of the street.”

  “Sir, what’s the deal?”

  “I should be asking y’all the same thing.”

  “Is there anything that I can help you with?” Kendall asked stepping to the driver side of the car.

  “It looks like y’all are about to break into something.”

  “How about this? You bring your ass with us and we won’t have to break into it.”

  “Every time I see one of you, it’s always some cursing.”

  “Because you’re always harassing one of us. Follow us down here and help us.”

  “Did you talk to your friends?”

  “What friends?”

  “The ones that hit, Brinley.”

  “Aren’t their names Bill and Joe or something like that? Have you seen them lately?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Here you go with this bs again.”

  “How do you know their names?”

  “Bill and Joe are common white names. I’m sure in this town the names can’t be that complicated. We need to get going, so are you going to help us or hold us up?”

  “I can’t come with you.”

  “So that means that you don’t have time to arrest us when we do this? Don’t bother pulling up when we go inside.”

  “What are you looking for?”

  “The runner that you claim that you haven’t seen.”

  “Is she still missing?”

  “Have you seen her lately?”

  Silence.

  “Exactly. Let’s go.”

  Quinn started walking first and the men followed suit.

  “What’s his problem?”

  “He does that stupid shit. That’s Miller the only police that seems to be on the Micro Police Department. I’m sick of looking at his ass and I don’t even live here.”

  “I know that’s right.”

  “I bet he’s going to come back. Somebody is going to call and tell them that we’re breaking in. I don’t care.”

  “We’re still going in.”

  “I hope a woman comes out. I’m going to beat her ass, she probably has something to do with it. I don’t trust any of them,” Quinn answered.

  “I might bop her upside the head too,” Maverick added.

  They all started laughing.

  “This house is definitely old. Probably built in the 1900s or something. It’s dirty.”

  The house was a two-story home that was once white but was stained with dirt, debris and stains of mold.

  A dog started barking in the background as they got closer to the front door.

  “Are we ready for war, guys?”

  “Ready as hell.”

  The dog ran up on Maverick first. He paused, looked down at it and pulled a gun out.

  “I’m only going to say this once. If you want this fucking dog, you better come and get it before I blow his brains out. And I’m not playing. I’m going to give you five seconds.”

  “Don’t shoot it. Let me do it,” Kendall laughed.

  “I’m serious. One. Two. Three.”

  “I’m coming. Come back home Bobby,” she called out to the dog.

  “How about you walk over and get him since you tried to put him on us. Are you one of the people that’s involved with my friend’s kidnapping?”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Do all of you fuckers say the exact same thing?” Maverick asked. “Walk over. We’re going to wait for you.”

  “I don’t trust y’all.”

  “We see. But you trusted us enough to let this raggedy mixed mut loose? Come out where we can see you.”

  “I’m not coming out. Why are you at that house? What are you looking for?”

  “Since you’re so nosey. Let me know what I’m looking for. You don’t seem to miss a beat.”

  “I remember you.”

  “Remember who?”

  “The girl.”

  Quinn started laughing.

  “What’s funny?”

  Quinn turned around and followed the voice. She was going to confront the lady since she wanted to hide behind the house or bushes.

  “Don’t come into my yard. I’m going to call the police and tell him that you’re trespassing.”

  “Call him. We just talked to his punk ass. We aren’t scared of him or you. Where are your little minions? I know you’re the master mind behind a lot of this stuff.”

  The lady was in her mid-70s with salt and pepper hair. She stood 5 foot even with brown eyes.

  She pulled her phone out and dialed his personal line.

  “Watch this shit,” Quinn walked into her yard and yanked the phone out of her hand. “You will not be calling the police or anyone else. Your best bet is to carry not take but carry your ass back inside of the house and take your raggedy dog with you. That would be the best bet for you.”

  “Give me my phone back.”

  “I will once you stick your head out from behind the bushes. We deserve to see your face since you’ve seen ours.”

  The lady stepped out and Quinn handed her phone over.

  “I would advise for you to mind your business. Whatever you see going on over this side of the road, don’t fucking worry about it. And don’t make me say it again. We’re about that life. I’m about that life. I’m on a mission and you’re standing in my way. If you aren’t giving out information, don’t say shit.”

  “She’s dead.”

  Quinn paused.

  “Say that again.”

  “She’s dead.”

  “How do you know that?” Quinn asked.

  “I just know. Trust me.”

  “I’m not trusting shit. Take us to her,” she continued fighting back tears.

  “How in the fuck can you say that like it’s not big deal? I should
shoot that fucking dog and then shoot you too.”

  “Don’t do it. We’re going to make her suffer.”

  Maverick had to step back. He was taken aback by her boldness. Kendall glanced over and watched his reaction. Lamar was standing I awe.

  “Take us to her or take your ass back inside of the house. We are done with you.”

  “She had to die because she was stinking up our neighborhood.”

  Kendall stepped up. He closed the big gap behind him and the old lady. “The only things that are stinking up this damn town are your people. They smoke and sell drugs all damn day. Go over there and bother them. Leave our people alone. If they aren’t fucking with you. Don’t. Say. Shit. To. Them. And that’s on everything. I’m tired of y’all entitled ass people acting like y’all are the only ones in the world. I might buy me a fucking house in the town to run your ass crazy.”

  Quinn took two steps back and shook her head. The tears were burning a hole in her head. She thought about her next move.

  “You’re going with us.”

  “I’m not going.”

  “The same way your people kidnapped our person, we’re going to do you the same way. This is not a discussion. Maverick run and get the car.”

  “What’s your name? We are going to become great friends.”

  “I’m not telling you my name.”

  “That’s okay too. You look like a Betty or a Barbara one of those. I think we’re going to call you Betty. Now, Betty Bobby can’t come with us. He has to stay. Do you have someone that he can stay with?”

  “I don’t.”

  “Oh, that doesn’t matter. Everything is going to be well. If you show us where she is. I’m sure we will bring you back alive.”

  “I’m not bringing you back,” Kendall started.

  Lamar looked on as he saw a car pull up behind them.

  “Ms. Betty, are you okay?”

  “What can we help you with sir?” Lamar asked.

  “I came to check on my neighbor. She looks like she’s in distress.”

  “Naww, she’s good. You can get the dog though. We need to run some errands and he can’t go.”

  “What’s going on, Ms. Betty?”

  Lamar stepped closer to the car. “Man, I don’t know you but I need you to understand something.”

  “And what is that?”

  “You need to understand that this situation that we have going on is personal. Unless you know about the scandal that’s going on this side of town. You might want to put your car in drive and move on. There is nothing to see around this way.”