The Bone Puzzle

by Clayton E. Spriggs

  “Now, hold on there a minute. We helped you—”

  “Helped get me off your backs,” said Robert. “The defense is going to push this back over to your stupid little club, and voila, reasonable doubt. Some favor, bigot. Besides, don’t go thinking you guys are off the hook yet. For all you know, this elaborate trap has been set for you.”

  The sheriff burned red with anger but kept his mouth shut. Ricky gulped. Who knew where Stallworth’s plans were really leading them? Maybe this was a trap for them, after all?

  “I’ll bet that got your attention,” said Robert. “But relax. I’m just fucking with you. No, it’s the Antioch boys who did this. They’re running scared. You can smell it in the air. It’s only going to be a matter of time now. So get ready.”

  Ricky exhaled with relief. The last thing he wanted was Stallworth pulling him into the interrogation room. He’d seen enough to know how that would turn out. The sheriff remained offended but let it go. He’d made a deal with the Devil and had no choice but to see it through. The sooner they got rid of Stallworth, the better.

  “Get ready for what?” asked the sheriff. He was afraid of the answer.

  “For the dominos to fall.” Billy finally entered the conversation. “Do you think they’ll run or start killing each other?” he asked Robert.

  “Both.”

  “Jesus Christ!” the sheriff exclaimed.

  “The sheep will turn into wolves and devour one another,” said Robert.

  “What are we going to do?” asked Ricky.

  “Take down the shepherd. What else?”

  CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX

  “In the sweet by and by, we shall meet on that beautiful shore…” the devout parishioners sang as Robert carefully pulled open the large wooden doors of the church. He knew his attempt to remain inconspicuous would be difficult, but Robert underestimated the level of failure he’d find.

  “In the sweet by and—“ The voices stopped abruptly as the organist halted the melody in mid-chorus. The crowd turned to look at the unwelcome intruder standing at the rear of the church.

  Robert removed his hat, nodded to the silent gawkers, and walked to the pew in the back row. He was greeted with a scowl from the man sitting near the aisle, but the detective was unmoved. The seated man pulled his legs in to allow Robert to pass. Robert would have none of it, and he put a hand on the man’s shoulder, insisting that he and his entire family move over so that he could sit on the end. Reluctantly, the man relented, although with obvious displeasure.

  “I see we have a visitor,” announced Brother Eustice from his pulpit. “Are you sure you’re in the right place, brother?”

  Robert nodded.

  “This is the house of the Lord,” the preacher continued. “All men are welcome. I’m afraid you’ve missed our service, Detective. This was our last hymn, but since you’ve come all this way, I can deliver an impromptu sermon for your benefit.”

  A few groans were heard from a row of bored looking teen-agers two rows in front of Robert. The sound from the group was quickly met by stern looks of disapproval from their parents.

  “I’ll try to keep it somewhat brief since it’s gettin’ dangerously close to the children’s lunch hour.” Brother Eustice laughed. He nodded to one of the deacons standing in the corner, and the man nodded in return. Robert saw that it was none other than Joe Bob Duncan, who was taking hold of a long pole. Robert didn’t flinch, but instead watched with curiosity at the man’s behavior.

  The preacher opened his Bible and flipped to one of the many bookmarks. He began to read. “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”

  Brother Eustice looked up to find the detective’s gaze burning into his eyes. Robert stared unblinking at the preacher. He remained aware that Joe Bob was slowly creeping down the side aisle to the right with the long, wooden pole in his hands as Buck McEwen approached on the left.

  “Beware of men; for they will deliver you up to councils,” the preacher continued, “and flog you in their synagogues, and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear testimony before them and the Gentiles.”

  The two men crept closer. Robert pretended he didn’t notice, but he shifted slightly so that he could reach into his pocket without hesitation when the time came.

  “When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speakin’ through you.”

  The men were in position, Joe Bob at the end of the aisle, and Buck standing just out of sight over Robert’s left shoulder. Joe Bob reached over and moved the wooden pole towards the detective. Robert reached into his pocket and pulled out a small stack of dollar bills with a rubber band around it, then dropped it into the straw basket at the end of the pole.

  Brother Eustice smiled. Robert gave a little nod. He stood to leave, but paused to look at Buck, who glared at him with contempt. Robert turned toward the congregation.

  “Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death,” Robert finished the quote.

  Gasps of horror rose from the pews. Brother Eustice continued to smile, as did the detective. But they were the only ones. Robert glanced at the row of pews on the left and saw Charles Ray Wilson watching with the rest, so he subtly nodded in recognition and made his way toward the rear door. Buck hesitated a moment, then stood aside.

  Robert moved past him, opened the door, and turned around one more time, and quoted the New Testament, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.”

  CHAPTER SIXTY-SEVEN

  An emergency meeting was called by the prophet after the Sunday service for the deacons of the church. The other members of the congregation left, including the men’s wives, but the seeds of doubt clouded their minds. Everyone in the county knew about the bodies that had been found at Dead River, and everyone knew the detective had been interrogating the members of the Antioch church. Despite the arrest and release of Sheriff Fuller and the alleged involvement of the Klan, it didn’t take a genius to figure out who the real suspects were.

  “This is a bad idea,” Cooter objected. “It makes us look guilty.”

  “That’s ‘cause we are guilty,” said Joe Bob.

  “Shut the hell up!” shouted Charles Ray.

  “No, you shut up,” replied Joe Bob. “Don’t think we didn’t notice the way Stallworth looked at you.”

  “What’s that s’posed to mean?” asked Charles Ray.

  “Don’t act dumb, Judas,” said Cooter. “Junior told us about you bein’ a snitch.”

  “What? What the hell are you talkin’ about? I didn’t—”

  “How come he nodded at you like that?” asked Earl. “And how come you just snuck in to the sheriff’s office for a few minutes and left when it was your turn to be questioned? I heard all about it. Somethin’s fishy about it.”

  “You’re the cop,” Charles Ray pointed out. “If anyone is cooperatin’ with the cops, it’s you.”

  “You dumbass,” said Cooter. “If you go blabbin’, we’ll all go down. The only thing we can do is stick together.”

  “That ain’t what that detective says,” said Jeremiah.

  “What did you tell him?” asked Buck.

  “Nothin’,” Jeremiah did his best to assure the big man. “I ain’t told him nothin’.”

  “That ain’t what I heard,” said Earl. “The word is that Brandine’s been talkin’.”

  “What!” shouted Cooter. “You keep that slut—”

  Jeremiah lunged at Cooter. They fell to the floor, taking a small table with hymnals stacked on it with them. Joe Bob, Buck, and Earl pulled them apart. Charles Ray stood alone, feeling unwelcome.

  Brother Eustice spoke at last. “That’s
enough, you idiots.”

  “Don’t talk about my wife like that!” Jeremiah shouted, still in a rage.

  “Brother Yates,” Eustice said, raising his eyebrows.

  “What I meant to say was, it would be in everyone’s best interests if you were able to keep that fine woman of yours in check,” Cooter spat.

  “That’s better,” said Brother Eustice. “And that sentiment goes for all of us. I told y’all from the beginning to keep your mouths shut and stick to the story. You boys are crackin’ the second that dumbass detective comes around.”

  “He ain’t that dumb,” said Buck.

  “No, he ain’t,” Brother Eustice agreed. “All the more reason to keep your mouths shut. Now, has anybody seen Junior?”

  The group looked around, but no one had.

  “That’s odd,” said Eustice. “It ain’t like him to miss a service.”

  “No, it ain’t,” said Buck.

  “Somethin’ on your mind, brother?” asked Eustice.

  Buck didn’t answer. The whole business stunk, and it was getting worse by the minute. He had a feeling that they were rats on a sinking ship.

  “At least he dropped a few bucks in the collection plate,” said Jeremiah.

  “That was strange,” said Earl.

  “What did he give us?” asked Joe Bob.

  “Us?” asked Brother Eustice.

  “What did he put in there?” Charles Ray asked.

  “Who asked you?” said Brother Eustice. “We got a few questions for you that we need answered.”

  “No, really,” insisted Buck, “what did he put in there?”

  Brother Eustice wanted to protest some more, but he could see the men weren’t going to let it go. So he shrugged and pulled the wad of bills out of his coat pocket.

  “I wouldn’t go readin’ too much into it,” he said, tossing the money onto the table.

  The stack of one dollar bills no longer had the rubber band around it, and it opened to reveal a piece of paper wadded up and hidden inside. Buck picked up the paper and unfolded it. His hands shook, and he turned a ghostly white as if he were going to pass out.

  Earl grabbed the worn flyer from his grasp and almost soiled his underpants. “Holy shit!”

  He dropped the paper on the desk, and the others looked on in horror. Staring back at them was a picture of a familiar face that they had been fighting hard to get out of their nightmares.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-EIGHT

  “How did it go at Antioch?” Billy asked. He had wanted to go, but Robert insisted that it would be better if he went alone. Billy knew better than to ask twice. Robert had a reason for everything.

  “Better than expected,” said Robert, “with one exception.”

  “Well?”

  “Eustice Adam Winchester, Jr. wasn’t there.”

  “That is rather odd,” Billy remarked. “What do you make of it? Do you think he’s hiding, ran off, or met an unfortunate accident?”

  “It’s too early to tell, I suppose. Give it time, and I’m sure we’ll find out. I made a call on his wife, but she won’t talk to me. If he’s hiding, he’s not hiding at home. If he ran off, he didn’t take his truck because it was found over by the hardware store. He returned the car he borrowed from Mr. Drury, who hasn’t seen him since. As far as we know, he’s out of friends, or more accurately, people he can bully to gain access to a vehicle or a place to stay. Nobody at the bus station has seen him. If he took off, he did so without a car and without funds, so I figure he’s hiding out in the woods, or—”

  “That was quick,” Billy noted. “I hadn’t expected that. If anything, I’d guess that he’d be the one doing the cleanup.”

  “So, hiding it is,” said Robert.

  “Or,” said Billy.

  “Or,” Robert agreed.

  “I guess that leaves only Cooter and the preacher left to interrogate,” Billy said.

  “Forget Cooter,” said Robert. “He’s not going to tell us anything.”

  “And why is that?" asked Billy.

  “Take a look at the map. His place is adjacent to the swamp. Whatever happened, happened on his property. There’s no way he’ll be able to bargain his way out of it and he knows it. Cooter will have no choice but to find the best lawyer in the county, and the rest will follow suit. It’s best we don’t poke him just yet. Being smart could be contagious.”

  “What about the preacher?” Billy asked.

  Robert smiled. “He’s in there now.”

  “You kidding? I expected him to resist or call a lawyer.”

  “He came in unannounced about twenty minutes ago.”

  “I see,” said Billy. “I don’t suppose he came to confess his sins?”

  Robert laughed. “Hardly. He’s the great prophet, remember? He is as pure as the driven snow. No, he came in here because he wanted to catch us off guard. He’s a real control freak. He thinks he’ll be able to outdo us in the cleverness department.”

  “You mean outdo you. So, why are you not in there?”

  “I sent Ricky in.”

  Billy raised his eyebrows. “All out of cheap perfume?”

  Robert laughed. “I’m going in right now. I sent the deputy in to blow smoke up his ass. The prophet was insulted—for about a minute. He thinks he’s on to me now. He’ll be full of confidence when it’s my turn. He’s one cocky son-of-a-bitch.”

  “It’s all fun and games until the cuffs come out,” said Billy. “Are you going to ask him about Junior?”

  “Who?” Robert asked. He winked, put on his game face, and entered the interrogation room.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-NINE

  Brother Eustice smiled when Robert came into the room. He stood up and shook the detective’s hand as if they were long-lost friends. Robert played along.

  “Brother Ricky was tellin’ me about how you two found the remains of the poor girl. He says you’re famous for findin’ dead things, I mean, the remains of lost souls,” Eustice said. “It is such a tragic tale. I’ll pray for your success in findin’ the horrible beast that did this.”

  “I know you will, Brother,” Robert replied. He excused Ricky, and the two sat down alone in the room.

  “You were mighty generous the other day,” said Eustice. “That really was unnecessary, you not being a member of the congregation. We don’t usually pass the plate to visitors. I’m afraid our deacons get a little carried away sometimes, take matters into their own hands. I do my best to guide them, but I’m sorry to say, I have failed them as a shepherd.”

  “I’m sure you do your best, Brother. I bet you not only try to guide them, but try to protect them as much as you can.”

  Brother Eustice nodded. “You understand much.”

  “More than you know.”

  “One of the men took it upon himself to count the donations and said that you left this,” Brother Eustice pulled a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and handed it to Robert.

  Robert paused, took the paper, unfolded it, and set it face up on the table. He ceremoniously searched his pockets until he found what he was looking for. He retrieved a pair of reading glasses and looked at the flyer as if he’d never seen it before.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” he read out loud, “be prepared to witness the most incredible show on Earth: The Amazing and Magnificent Villanova!”

  Robert took off the phony eyeglasses, put them back in his pocket, and looked at the preacher. “I don’t get it.”

  “You left this with your donation,” said Eustice.

  “I did? Why would I do that?”

  “I don’t know. That’s why I brought it up.”

  Robert looked at the advertisement, then at the preacher, and shrugged.

  “Are you sayin’ you didn’t put this in the collection plate?”

  “Maybe someone picked it up off the floor or it just fell in there,” offered Robert.

  “Wrapped up with a rubber band?”

  “I thought you said one of the deacons discovered it? How would
you know it was wound up with a rubber band?”

  “That’s what he said.”

  “That’s what who said?”

  Brother Eustice paused. “A good shepherd protects his flock.”

  “Protects his flock from what?”

  “Let’s not play games here, Detective. We both know why you’ve been harassin’ my congregation. Everybody knows. I came here of my own accord to set the record straight so we can put this behind us. I’m sure I can answer all of your questions and ease your mind.”

  “I haven’t asked you any,” Robert noted.

  “But you want to.”

  Robert laughed. “So you really are a prophet.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “I already know,” said Robert.

  “Know what?”

  Robert smiled.

  “You think you’re so damn clever, don’t you?” said Eustice. “Pride goeth before the fall.”

  “Does it? Is that a felony or a misdemeanor?”

  “I came here to clear the air, and all you’re doin’ is playing games and wastin’ my time,” Brother Eustice said, backing his chair up in preparation to leave.

  “You know what is a felony?” asked Robert. “Homicide. In Alabama, that’ll get you a date with Yellow Mama. You know who that is?”

  “’Course I do,” said Eustice. “Everybody knows. It’s the ’lectric chair over at Kilby.”

  Robert winked.

  “Are you sayin’ I killed that girl?”

  “Girls,” Robert corrected him. “You know what’s also a felony? Accessory to murder. That’ll only get you life.”

  “What’s that got to do with me?”

  “A good shepherd protects his flock,” said Robert.

  Eustice nodded and pulled his chair back to the table. “Anythin’ I learn as part of a confession is protected.”

  “You’re not a lawyer, Brother Eustice. If indeed you know something and haven’t come forward with it, you are, at the very least, an accessory after the fact. Any claim you had as to why you didn’t come forward until now ended when you walked in that door. You’re here now. I’m here now. It’s time to spill it.”