“She can speak to you because of me. I built a unique bond with her daughter and subsequently with you. That’s how she reaches you – by that extension. At least that’s the conclusion I’ve come to. To be honest, neither of us knows for sure,” she explained.
“You told me that you once took care of a baby but I had no idea it was to such an extent. That has to be part of Marie’s bitterness,” he said.
“It is. She’s jealous of the relationship I had with her daughter – the one she was robbed of. I can understand that,” Rose said.
“But that isn’t your fault. You took care of her daughter when no one else would. Liz told me how you used to bring Mallorie to the paper and Bud would give you money to buy what she needed. I would think she would be grateful that you went to such lengths to provide for her daughter,” Jett said.
“It’s not that simple. I loved that baby like my own and although I’d never met her, I resented Marie for leaving her pretty much alone. And I’ll be honest, when she started calling me ‘mama,’ I was thrilled. I even talked to my parents about them adopting her. But that’s when Edna took her away...from all of us,” she said.
“And broke your heart,” he said.
“I had no idea then she would resurface all these years later,” Rose said.
“So now I need to convince Bud to help with this. I really don’t think that will take much effort - no matter how uncomfortable things get for him,” Jett said.
“Me either. I anticipate that Marie will make a direct appeal to him tonight. After all, he has a strong bond with me and Mallorie,” she said.
“That’s putting it mildly. Be honest doesn’t that situation seem....a little creepy, even for Bud?” He asked.
“It’s not like he’s a relative or even had a relationship of any type with her until now. But yeah, it’s a little creepy to me too,” Rose said.
“Glad I’m not alone in that feeling. But I’ll start work on Marie’s case tomorrow. You can let Marie know that we’ll find the guilty person but I can’t tell her when that will happen. She’ll have to trust us and be patient,” he said.
“She deserves justice,” Rose said.
“And I’ll do everything I can to see that she gets it,” Jett promised.
“I’m sorry you spent all that time today trying to focus on a secluded cabin to have a special place for us,” she said.
“That’s okay. You’re with me now and that makes this a special place. Besides, I still need someone to keep me warm. This bed is awfully cold without you,” he said as she snuggled up to him.
“Poor baby. Maybe I can warm you up a little,” Rose said as she leaned in and kissed him.
Jett shifted so he could embrace her.
“I think you already have, but please, don’t stop,” he said as she giggled.
***
Dan was already in the bottom bunk with the overhead light off ready to go to sleep when Matt came in.
“You can turn on the light if you need to – I’m not asleep yet,” Dan said.
“That’s okay. I learned to take off my clothes in the dark a long time ago. Besides, I’m wiped out. I just want to go to bed,” Matt said as tossed his keys on the desk.
“That makes two of us,” Dan said.
He could hear the sound of Matt kicking off his gym shoes.
“How long did you guys stay at dads after we left?” Matt asked as he stripped off his shirt and unbuttoned his jeans.
“Uncle Bud and Mallorie left not far behind you. Maggie called when they were leaving. After I got off the probe with her, I talked to dad for a few minutes before I left,” Dan said.
“Everything okay with her and Aunt Alicia?” Matt asked.
“Oh yeah. They made it be back home with no trouble. In fact, they’re probably in bed and asleep by now,” Dan said.
“Good to know,” Matt said as he climbed into the top bunk.
“You know that one picture of mom and dad does look a lot like you and Linda Sue. Really, it’s so similar, it’s creepy,” Dan said.
“It is more than a passing resemblance, I’ll grant you that. But that picture with the woman in it – the one that was in my dream, that beyond creepy,” Matt said.
“Did you notice dad and Uncle Bud’s reaction?” Dan asked.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure they knew who she was. I just wonder why they didn’t say so,” Matt said.
“I had the same thought. It’s really more interesting when you consider what Mallorie said about that looking like her mom,” Dan said.
“Speaking of interesting and creepy, what’s the deal with Uncle Bud and Mallorie?” Matt asked.
“Yeah, there’s more going there than an employee looking after her boss – I don’t care what anyone says,” Dan said.
“You’re right about that. It’s...well, why any woman that looks like her want Uncle Bud? I mean, I love him but he’s a good guy but there are those moments that he’s sarcastic, opinionated, and he listens to that old music,” Matt said.
“Actually, I kind of like the old music – or at least some of it. Maybe Mallorie just has a thing for old guys,” Dan opined.
“And how weird is it that mom was her babysitter once?” Matt asked.
“I know...it’s almost like she’s an older sister we didn’t know about. And she’s just so...hot,” Dan said.
“Ewwwwww,” they both said in unison.
“Now that’s a creepy thought. Let’s get some sleep,” Matt said.
“And pray we don’t dream,” Dan said.
***
With Mallorie’s slumbering body next to him, Bud felt himself drifting off to sleep. For whatever reason, he was exhausted. The weekend had been taxing on many levels and he reasoned that maybe he was still feeling the effects of his incident that sent him to the ER on Saturday morning.
Bud found himself in a field near a creek and a gravel road just off of Ky. Hwy. 92. He was next to Fee Road. Bud squatted down and touched the gravel. Fee Road had been a paved road for more than 20 years.
But he knew where he was and perhaps more importantly, when he was. The area looked as it had on that awful evening so long ago. The sun had gone down but it wasn’t quite dark yet – it was a time his mother used to describe as “dusky dark.”
Still squatting, he slowly looked to his left and back to his right. It was quiet. No cars and no sounds of any type. Hwy. 92 was ordinarily a busy road, no matter what year it was. The potholes in the asphalt of the highway were evidence of overloaded trucks of coal as if to prove that the road was ordinarily busy. Bud knew he was now in a realm where ordinary did not exist.
The grass was growing high and the trees were turning green. The smell of spring in the Kentucky hills was undeniable as was the warm, gentle breeze from the south.
He picked up a gravel and tossed it side armed toward the creek.
“Alright Marie, I’m here,” he said in a voice a few decibels above what would be considered a conversational tone.
“You haven’t forgotten then,” Marie said as she stood where he looked just a second before.
Bud stood up.
“I haven’t forgotten – not one detail,” he said, looking her in the eye.
Marie looked as beautiful as ever and although she smiled, she had that angry look in her eyes. It was the look she had in the weeks and month’s following Lee’s death. It was the same look she had in the background of the picture of Jett and Rose at Riverside Park.
“That’s good. That might prove helpful,” she said as she stepped closer.
As she approached, Bud looked at face. The resemblance to Mallorie was there, except for the hair color.
“Helpful for what?” He asked.
“I want you to help Jett Bradley investigate my death,” Marie said.
Bud really believed he was beyond the point of being surprised – especially in light of the events that had transpired in recent days – but he wrong.
He looked at her. The smile was gon
e but the look in her eyes remained.
“I was here the first time. I was with Earl when he identified your body. I saw the autopsy report as well the final investigation report Bill filed. What do you want me to look for Marie?”
“The truth. Have you ever really believed I wanted to kill myself?” She asked. The anger now seemed to ebb as genuine sadness replaced it. “You knew me. You knew how I felt about my baby and my future. Do you remember those conversations?” She asked.
“I remember,” Bud said softly.
“By the way, did you actually read the autopsy report or a summary that was on file?” Marie asked.
He thought carefully for a moment.
“No. You’re right. I haven’t read the actual report, just the summary that was attached to the case file,” he said disappointed with himself.
“You’ve always known in your heart that I didn’t kill myself. And I’ve always known what motivated you to see that Mallorie was taken care of in her early years,” Marie said.
He looked down at the ground feeling more than a little guilt.
“And you’re well aware of what’s going on now,” Bud said.
“I am and I won’t say I’m happy. But Mallorie isn’t a child. She’s thirty-two now and capable of making her own choices. I don’t know why, but I expected more out of you,” Marie said.
“And yet you ask me for my help,” he remarked.
She looked him directly into his eyes.
“I ask for your help for two reasons. One, your beloved niece that tried to take my place in my daughter’s life, promised if that I would leave her children alone that Jett would seek the truth. He’ll need your help. You know the case better than anybody.” Marie looked in the direction of the creek that ran along the field. “I’m tired of the anger and the hurt Bud. I’m tired of grieving for a love that I’ll never get back. And I’m tired of resenting the people who have a love so strong that death can’t separate them.”
“You mean like Rose and Jett,” he said.
“Among others,” she said.
“You mentioned two reasons for asking for my help,” Bud said.
She then looked away, back to the creek and the row of trees beyond its shallow waters.
“I remember the way you used to look at me. I always suspected that maybe you had...feelings for me and now...with Mallorie....you haven’t convinced me otherwise. But I also remember how kind you were to me, especially after Lee died and it became apparent to everyone that I was pregnant. You were one of the few people that didn’t treat me like trash. You always went out of your way to show respect for me and make me feel welcome. That meant a great deal to me considering that my own mother said I was a disgrace to the family and that I was known as the ‘whore carrying the bastard child of a dead man.’ And my own daddy was too weak to stand up to her but you weren’t. You didn’t put up with her mouth and even defended me. Secretly in love or lust with me or not, you simply hate injustice. You’re no saint but you are basically a decent man – even if you prefer to keep that hidden for the most part. For that reason more than any other, I’m asking for your help,” Marie said.
“I’ll do everything within my power to see justice served. But I do have a few questions - actually, I have lots of questions – but I’ll settle for these at the moment,” he said as he picked up another gravel and side armed it toward the creek.
“Go ahead,” she said.
“Why can’t you do it? You apparently know who did it. Why can’t you just drop the ‘ghost hammer’ on them and drag them over to your world? For that matter, why don’t you just tell me who did it and how? It’d save a lot of time and trouble,” Bud asked.
“If I were to do either of the things you suggested, not only would I not get justice but I would disappear from this...dimension...until...I don’t really know how long. None of us do,” Marie said distantly.
“Not even the angels in Heaven know,” he said soberly.
She shook her head. Bud could see the tears in her eyes.
“One more question: Why now, after all these years? Why not seek justice sooner instead of letting it go for so long?” He asked.
“I can only tell you the portal to this dimension only recently opened. Please don’t ask how or why. I can’t answer those questions,” Marie said.
“Okay. I do have one last question. Can you tell me if the guilty party or parties are all still...on my side of life?” Bud asked.
“Yes, they are,” she said.
“Then we’ll get to work on this as soon as we can. Keep in mind we’ll have to move as quietly as possible. If we come out guns blazing, so to speak, we’ll do more harm than good. That means it’s going to take time – no quick fixes. I can’t say how long this will take,” he said.
“I understand. From now on, I’ll contact you through dreams. There might be times I have to talk to Jett as well but Rose is aware and agrees with me. But I have promised I will try to limit such visits,” Marie said.
Bud nodded.
“Who knows? Maybe you and Rose might even become friends,” he said casually.
“I wouldn’t anticipate any additional miracles,” she said coolly.
“Next time can we meet in a happier place?” He asked.
“You find no happiness in Fuson County circa 1981?” She asked.
“Not here and not since that night,” Bud said.
“Next time we will meet in a more...palatable location - at least for you,” Marie said.
***
Jett sat at his desk sipping the freshly brewed coffee courtesy of Liz. He retrieved all of the newspaper files he could on Marie and Lee. It wasn’t much really for an official investigation even though this wasn’t an official investigation, but from his point of view it was a good start.
He picked up a blue click pen that had the Miners’ Bank of the Commonwealth on the side of it – he remembered the days when every business gave away ink pens – and reached for a plain white legal pad. He tried to remember briefly when that stopped being a common practice before returning his attention to the writing pad in front of him.
On it he scribbled “enemies.’ He next wrote “motive” and finally added “method.”
He placed a question mark next to the word “enemies.” Jett did the same to the word “motive.” When his pen found the word “method” he wrote “drugs” next to it. In parentheses next to that he wrote “specific narcotics.”
He looked at the list again and drew an arrow from “specific narcotics” to “source.”
As he pondered the steps he and Bud would need to trace he took a sip of his coffee. No, it wasn’t as strong as he preferred but Liz brewed as fine a cup that could be had in town. Thinking of Liz reminded him of what Bud said about how much she loved it when Rose brought the infant Mallorie to the office. Jett also recalled his own conversation with her about Rose bringing the baby with her to get money from Bud to buy things for the baby.
He stood and carried his cup with him. Liz was on her way to the break room for a second cup, so he just followed her.
“Coffee’s great Liz,” Jett said as much to announce his presence as to engage her in conversation.
“Years of practice,” she said as she filled her mug and took his for a refill.
“You know Mallorie came by my house last night and looked through some photo albums,” Jett said.
“With Bud in tow I imagine,” Liz said with a scowl.
“I’m afraid so,” Jett said.
“I’m sorry, but I just don’t see that ending well,” she said.
“Anyway, Mallorie managed to dig up a few baby pictures that Rose saved,” he said.
“Oh, I’d love to see those. I’ll bet Mallorie was beside herself,” Liz said with a wide smile.
“She was pretty happy. It’s a shame she has so few pictures from those years,” Jett said as he took another sip of his coffee.
“It’s because of that old battle axe of a grandmother of hers. Th
ere’s not many people in the world I can’t stomach but Edna Atkins is one of them,” she huffed.
“Yeah, you mentioned that yesterday. You said you thought she hated Mallorie’s mother...Marie was it?” He asked.
“Yes. That poor girl couldn’t do anything right in Edna’s eyes. It didn’t matter how well she did in school or anything else, Edna never had a kind word for Marie,” Liz said.
“Wonder why she acted that way?” Jett asked.
“Nobody really knows. I’ve always suspected that Edna was just evil what with all of her fortune tellers and séance nonsense and let it go at that,” she said.
He turned and leaned back against the cabinet and raised his mug.
“Fortune tellers and what?” Jett asked.
“There was all kinds of rumors that Edna used to travel around visiting fortune tellers and psychics, even inviting them to her house to interpret dreams. There was also talk that she believed in ghosts – talking to the dead and such,” Liz said.
“Interpret dreams? Talking to the dead? Who was it she was trying to contact?” He asked.
“I don’t know. I don’t even know if those stories were true or not. But there’s no disputing she was – and remains – one hate-filled bit-bitty,” she said.
“That might explain Marie’s suicide,” Jett said.
“Remember what I said? There’s a lot of people that think it wasn’t a suicide and I’m one of them,” Liz said.
He furrowed his brow.
“Yeah, I remember you saying that. Why do you think that? I mean, there was an investigation wasn’t there?” Jett asked.
“Yes but I never believed it. After Mallorie was born, Marie just seemed to blossom. For the first time in long time she appeared to be happy. It never made any sense for her to kill herself,” she said.
“It could’ve been an accident. Maybe she was just trying to get attention and made a...tragic mistake,” he said.
“I’ll never believe that. She had no reason to seek attention and to be honest, that girl hated attention. No, I’ve always felt like she was murdered no matter what their investigation said,” Liz said.
“Any theory on who might have done it or wanted it done?” Jett asked.
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