“So if he can get people to quit, he stands a better chance at the sheriff run and putting his own lackeys in place.”
“Which is exactly why two second-year deputies with little training were put together. Fortunately, they’re both bright and eager to have long careers, so they called me and asked how to handle the situation. I walked them through it. Now I’m praying Hermes doesn’t check our phone logs, because he’ll use it as a reason to write everyone up.”
“Did they find anything at all? What did June say?”
“She said the girl awakened her crying out in her sleep. She went in to check on her, but she was only dreaming. She put a hand on her to calm her and that’s when she saw a shadow move by the window. The blinds were closed, so it was just the movement in between that registered, but that’s a pier and beam house, and the bottom of that window is a good four feet off the ground, so it had to be something tall enough and wide enough to register through the slats at that height.”
“So not a stray cat.”
“Definitely not a stray cat. They covered the flower bed with a tarp and will get CSU out there, but it’s a mulched bed. I doubt they’re going to find anything.”
“Probably not. I don’t like it.”
“I don’t either, which is why I’m calling you from my truck on the way to Mudbug.”
“You’re going to stake out her house.”
“Someone has to. God knows Hermes isn’t going to take care of this.”
“Be careful.”
He snorted. “You think a sloppy intruder can get the best of me?”
“Of course not. I meant Hermes. If he catches you doing anything surrounding this case, he’ll push for you to be dismissed. If he can make that happen before Carter gets back, it might be hard for him to get you reinstated.”
“I was a spook, remember? Hermes will never know I was there.”
I dropped the cell phone on my nightstand and flopped back on the bed. I knew it would take forever to get back to sleep if I could manage it at all. But I did feel better knowing Harrison was going to stake out June’s house. Unfortunately, my emotions warred between hoping the intruder was foolish enough to return so he could catch them and hoping he’d stay away so Harrison wouldn’t get caught dipping into Hermes’s business.
I closed my eyes and counted center mass shots, hoping to drift back off, but gave up after I’d killed at least twenty terrorists. It was useless. Until I calmed my mind, sleep wouldn’t happen, so I headed downstairs for my recliner, hot chocolate, and boring TV. The last time I looked, it was closing in on 5:00 a.m.
My front door opened, and I jumped out of my recliner, grabbed my pistol and aimed it at the door. Then I blinked and saw Ida Belle and Gertie standing there, Blanchet behind them.
“That was impressive,” Blanchet said.
Gertie nodded. “We haven’t seen it in a while, but I’m always amazed at the speed, especially since she’s asleep when she reacts. That CIA training must be something.”
Ida Belle gave me and the room a critical look. “Couldn’t sleep?”
I waved my gun toward the kitchen. “No. Harrison called me at 3:00 a.m. and I couldn’t get back to sleep, so I came downstairs to try here. What time is it?”
“A little after seven,” Gertie said. “You and Ida Belle must share the same disease because she had me out of bed at the butt crack of dawn. And this guy was out jogging. Before sunrise! I don’t know what’s wrong with you people.”
Ida Belle motioned for me to sit and went about making coffee. “So tell us about the call—because no way Harrison called for no reason, especially at that time of night.”
I filled them in on the situation at June’s while the coffee brewed and finally started to feel somewhat human after my first cup.
“It’s too early to hit up June just yet,” I said. “But that’s the first thing on my list today. Blanchet, you’ll have to sit this one out.”
“Why?” he asked.
“Because old Southern women who have been widowed for a coon’s age have no use for men,” Gertie said.
“It’s true,” I said. “She won’t talk around you.”
“I get it,” he said. “So…breakfast?”
“Where do you put all that food you consume?” Gertie asked.
“Running before dawn,” I said.
“If that’s what it takes, I’ll just work on eating less,” Gertie said.
“It’s Thursday,” Ida Belle said.
“What does that mean?” Blanchet asked.
“Free blueberry muffin with the chicken fried steak breakfast,” I said.
Gertie grinned. “I’ll work on eating less tomorrow.”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
We lingered over breakfast, taking up some time by chatting with the locals. Everyone wanted to know about Carter and when he was coming back. Most had heard about Hermes or experienced him firsthand and weren’t impressed. All had seen the video and wished Farmer Frank would have taken a few shots and saved us all some hassle. They all wanted to know what they could do about the situation. I appreciated the support Carter was getting and wished I had answers for them. Heck, I wished I had answers for me.
Finally, we’d delayed long enough and left the café. Blanchet crossed the street to the General Store, figuring he’d ask Walter if there was anything he could help him with because he didn’t feel like sitting in Carter’s quiet house all day. Ida Belle, Gertie, and I headed for Mudbug.
June’s house was one of the small quaint cottage types in a pretty neighborhood with large lots and humongous oak trees. Huge azaleas grew everywhere, so there were plenty of ways for someone to traverse the area and go unseen. Ida Belle did a pass down the street first, and I spotted a woman in the front yard pulling weeds out of a flower bed. We’d already decided to park on the next street, just in case Hermes pulled a drive-by, so we made a leisurely stroll back around the block to June’s.
She straightened up and frowned slightly as she caught sight of us heading up her walkway. Then she must have recognized Ida Belle and Gertie because her expression softened and she nodded.
“Good morning, ladies. It’s been a while.”
“We’ve missed you at the last couple of events,” Gertie said.
June smiled. “You mean you’ve missed my preserves.”
“Everyone has missed your preserves,” Ida Belle said. “But we’ve missed you as well.”
June looked pleased.
“How is your sister doing?” Gertie asked.
She gave us a sad look. “Not so good, I’m afraid. Her husband does his best, but he’s not a caretaker and he still works…has to with all the bills. Medicare doesn’t cover everything actually needed, and older bodies can’t do things the way we used to. So he hires out more, which costs money. I’ve had to spend a lot more time there this past year, especially as she’s been declining faster. I’ve told him he has to start thinking about a facility. Neither one of us can keep doing this forever.”
“What does your sister say?” Gertie asked.