South River Incident

by Ann Mullen

  She was terrified of him, and didn’t know what to do. She said he told her that if she ever left him, he would hunt her down and kill her. He threatened to kill her parents. He made her life miserable.

  A few months later, on his ride home from work, a car ran a red light and T-boned him at an intersection. He died instantly.

  When I saw Angie at the funeral, she was almost hysterical.

  I thought she would have been glad to have him off her back, but she wasn’t. She said that no matter what, he was her husband, and she still loved him. I was appalled. I couldn’t believe she still loved him after all he had done to her.

  I told her that I guess they weren’t married long enough for him to kill her. She never spoke to me after that.

  I didn’t understand her rationalization, and I never got a chance to find out how she could forgive him. Angie moved out of state, and I never saw her again.

  Sometimes, I still think about her. I hope her life is better.

  If Claire and Cole should start to develop a relationship, I would warn her of my suspicions. I wouldn’t want her to get stuck in a situation such as my friend, Angie. Nobody deserves to be physically abused.

  My thoughts went back to Billy and me.

  “That’s crazy,” I said to no one in particular. “It’ll never work.”

  The dogs came to life. Now that the sense of danger had passed, Thor and Athena wanted to play. It’s amazing how dogs can be so much like people. They have a personality all of their own, and it made me wonder why I never noticed it. Athena was a quiet, subdued young lass while Thor was a rowdy, rambunctious, needy lad. And they both wanted to be right beside me all the time. It seems they wanted the same thing I did... love and companionship.

  “That’s enough,” I patted their heads. “I have to get dressed before Billy gets back. Go lay down or play.”

  I stood up and headed to the bedroom with my two shadows hot on my heels. Eventually, I managed to put together a decent looking outfit. I selected a pair of black dress slacks made of a wool blend, and a white turtleneck sweater. My ensemble wasn’t anything fancy, but my clothes were clean and neat, and for an extra touch, I added the locket on a chain that Mom had given me years ago. It contained a picture of her and Dad.

  With gun in hand, I walked back to the living room to wait for Billy. I picked up my purse from the table and took out my hairbrush. I had yet to purchase a blow dryer and had to settle for drying my hair by the fire. Mindful not to get soot or ashes on my pants, I sat down and began the task of brushing my long hair. Maybe soon I would get my hair cut and styled like I had planned on doing many times, but never seem to have the motivation. I decided that tomorrow would be the day. I would have my hair styled and do some shopping. I removed the check from my purse that Mom had given me. I definitely had the money to do both. But first I would pay off the rest of the money I owed Billy for financing my car.

  I had ignored the flashing message on the computer screen until Billy returned and upon noticing it, flew into a rage.

  “Why didn’t you call me?”

  “Why? You couldn’t have done anything. Besides, you needed some time to yourself. You do have a life that doesn’t always include me.”

  “Not anymore.” He smiled and walked closer. “You look nice.”

  “Thanks, I aim to please. You look pretty spiffy yourself.”

  He was dressed in a pair of black Dockers with a white, button-down shirt, and he wore one of those cowboy ties with a slip gadget, around his neck. His damp hair was pulled back in a ponytail. I could smell the scent of Old Spice.

  “We look like twins,” I said.

  He leaned down and gave me a soft kiss on the cheek.

  “I’ve been doing some thinking,” he said. He turned, walked over to the computer, and began pecking on the keyboard. His back was to me while he talked. “I know you think I’m too old for you, but it’s time you get with the program and lose that crazy notion. Age doesn’t make a difference anymore or haven’t you noticed? We’re in the new millennium now... Ah, ha! I’ve gotcha!”

  “What is it? What have you got?”

  “Oh, only the e-mail address of your friend who sent you this nice little message. What an idiot.” He turned around to face me. “People can be so stupid sometimes. Don’t they know there’re ways to trace everything on the computer? You just have to know how.” He laughed and turned back to the computer. “All I have to do is connect the e-mail address to a name.”

  “You can do that? I’m surprised. I thought that would be impossible.”

  “Honey, I can do anything,” he said. “Just you wait and see. I’ll nail their butts to the wall before it’s over. I’ll make them sorry that they ever messed with us.”

  That was the first time Billy had called me something so personal in that way. The word honey flowed out of his mouth as smooth as silk. It seemed so natural. As a matter-of-fact, I liked it. I was beginning to like a lot of things about him. I touched his shoulder.

  “Can’t we leave this behind us for just a little while? I’m ready to go see your family. I could use some fun.”

  “Sure,” he said. “But first, I need to know where you want me to put my duffel bag—upstairs or downstairs?”

  Now was the time... it was do or die. My answer could very well make this relationship or bring it to a dead stop. I hesitated for just a second.

  “Downstairs,” I whispered.

  His arms engulfed me, pulling me within inches of his face. His lips came down on mine with a passion that made my heart ache for more. I wrapped my arms around his neck as he lifted me into his arms, and carried me to the bedroom. His touch was heavenly.

  Needless to say, by the time we arrived at his parent’s house, we were one big wrinkled mess. I was slightly embarrassed by our appearance as we stood at the door waiting for someone to answer. Billy laughed and tried to assure me that we looked fine.

  “Wow, you really do wear your heart on your sleeve.” His hand found mine and gave it a squeeze as he whispered in my ear, “No one can tell.”

  The door opened and we were greeted by Chief Standing Deer and Sarah. Father and son shook hands. Billy’s mother gave me a hug.

  “I’m glad you’re here. Shall we join the rest of the family?”

  The evening was such a pleasant change from what had been going on for the last couple of days. Nobody brought up the subject of dead bodies, nor did anyone ask us about our recent brush with the law. However, I got a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach when halfway through the meal, Robert asked the chief why Cole and his mother didn’t show up.

  “He sends his apologies,” Sarah glanced my way. “He had to work and Elsie’s arthritis is acting up... or so she says. You know Elsie, she doesn’t go anywhere alone.”

  I sensed that brief statement was intended for me. I think Sarah was trying to let me know that if I wanted Cole, I’d also have to take his mother. It was her way of preparing me for what I’d have to deal with if I decided to marry him. Boy, was she in for a surprise. That was no longer a factor to be concerned about. Cole and I were not going to get married. If I married anybody, it would be her son.

  Sarah Blackhawk is very much like my mother—neither one of them will hesitate for a moment to ask any question they want to, regardless of how personal.

  “Are you moving back or is Jesse going to live in that house by herself?” She turned her attention to Billy. “Is there something you want to tell us, or are we going to have to wait and find out for ourselves?”

  I almost choked on my glass of iced tea.

  Billy smiled, but said nothing.

  “I can see I’m not going to get anything out of you two. I guess I’ll have to wait until I show up on your front doorstep early one morning.”

  The chief waved his hand at his wife.

  “Leave the kids alone `ge ya. Can’t you tell you’re embarrassing Jesse?”

  He turned his attention to me. “Please forgive my wife. Sh
e has to know everything. I try to make her behave, but she’s a stubborn squaw.”

  The table erupted with laughter. Conversations resumed, and the question was soon forgotten by everyone except Billy and me.

  The look in his eyes convinced me that he would’ve told them about us, but he didn’t because of me. For that, I was grateful. I wasn’t ready to reveal to the world what was going on between the two of us. I wasn’t even sure myself.

  It was close to ten o’clock when Billy and I left.

  I was stuffed full of food, tired, and ready for bed. I was done. It had been a long, yet interesting day.

  Billy took my hand in his as we made our way out to his truck.

  The few snowflakes we had seen earlier had turned into another mountain snowstorm. A couple of inches had fallen while we were having dinner and now it was really coming down hard as rain. If we were getting this much snow now and it was only Thanksgiving, I could imagine what it would be like when winter really set in. I would be afraid to leave the house. I wasn’t used to driving in the snow and this was going to be a real challenge. I didn’t want to drive and I was glad Billy was behind the wheel.

  “This could get bad,” Billy said. “We’d better get home. Thank goodness we don’t have far to go.”

  “I agree,” I said, sliding across the seat close to him. “I had a good time tonight. You have a nice family. Your mother is a real card.”

  “Yeah, I’m sorry about that. She has an uncanny way of seeing through people. She knows more about what’s going on most of the time than we do. She has her suspicions about us or she never would’ve said anything. Trust me... she won’t rest until she gets to the bottom of it. Be prepared. Anything could happen.”

  “She reminds me of my mother. Maybe that’s why you’re so fond of my mom. They’re two of a kind.”

  “Yeah, they’re so much alike, you’d think they were sisters.”

  “Nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to my mom. She’s really changed since Dad died. I guess she had to. Her life is different without him. I know she misses him. I sure do. I know I probably shouldn’t say this, but I hope, one day down the road, that Mom finds someone else. I don’t want her to spend the rest of her life alone. I know Dad wouldn’t want her to either. He would want her to go on with her life.”

  Billy and I were making small talk, avoiding what was about to happen next. We both knew that once we crossed that threshold, our relationship was going to take on a new meaning. We were about to make a commitment that obviously scared us both. He had been married to the same woman for many years and it had taken him a long time to get over her. His hurt ran deep, and I was sure he had his reservations about me. He knew I was not much on long-term relationships; he’d seen it with his own eyes. Plus, I was thirty-two years old and had never been married. I had seen more bad relationships than I had good ones. I didn’t know what to expect and I was a bit gun-shy.

  “Do you think that I should put my truck in the garage?” he asked, pulling up to the front of the house. “Or should I leave it out front for the whole world to see? It’s up to you.” He stared straight ahead, waiting for my response.

  “I guess that all depends on where we stand.”

  He put the truck in park, left it still running, and turned to face me.

  I looked into his dark eyes, remembering the first time I had stared into them. He had beautiful eyes; the kind that could win over the coldest of hearts. I was attracted to him then, but had spent all this time ignoring my feelings. What an idiot I had been... or maybe not. Maybe I was destined to travel a long, bumpy road before true love came my way. Now was my chance to have what I had always longed for—a man who truly loved me. I would be a fool to let this one pass me by. I had butterflies in my stomach when I asked, “Is this just a fling or is this for real? Are you going to break my heart?”

  “It’s as real as you want it to be. Before you say anything, I want you to know that I don’t know how to just live with a woman, and I don’t want to. If we go down this road, I want a commitment.”

  You could have knocked me over with a feather. I was breathless.

  “Billy Blackhawk, are you asking me to marry you?”

  “Not yet,” he said. “But when I do, I’ll do it proper. I want you to know that if we go through that door tonight with the intention of becoming lovers, I plan on marrying you. Do your feelings for me fit into my scenario or have I taken a wrong turn somewhere?”

  “No, you’re on the right path. Leave the truck parked here.”

  “Are you scared?”

  “Yes, I am. Aren’t you?”

  “No, I’m not scared, I’m thrilled. I just can’t imagine what took us so long to get to this point.”

  “I had a bit of growing up to do.”

  “That’s true.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “What’s that old saying about kissing a few frogs?”

  “Yeah... yeah... yeah. Let’s get home before you bore me to death with your goofy talk about animals and how they relate to my love life.”

  “I was just trying to make a point about...”

  “You just wanted me to admit to you that you are my prince. Okay, I admit it. It took me a long time to find someone like you. You make me happy. I like being with you. Are you satisfied?”

  “Almost.”

  Chapter 12

  Billy and I sat cuddled together on the couch in front of the fireplace, sipping hot chocolate. Athena and Thor rested on the floor next to us. Time seemed to stand still as we talked late into the night. He knew exactly what he wanted out of this relationship. I was still in shock about his earlier proposal.

  “It was love at first sight,” he said.

  “What was?”

  “How I felt about you the day we met. Why else would I hire a scrawny `ge ya who lied to me right off the bat, and didn’t know the first thing about the job? Come on, you had to know. Didn’t you see my eyes light up when you walked into the office?”

  “I just figured you were a dirty old man,” I snickered. “I was sure you were a serial killer.”

  “What am I going to do with you?” He kissed me gently on the lips. “I do have one little problem that scares me.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “After all these months of dating Cole, you dropped him without a second thought. It was as if you just flipped a switch and the light went out. He was no longer in the picture. How can you do that?”

  “It wasn’t easy, Billy. I realize that I can’t trust him. When he said he couldn’t be involved with me because of the investigation, I was really angry. It made me think about the other times I felt let down by him. Then I thought about what you said about him being married to his job.”

  “I didn’t say he was married to his job. I said…”

  “It doesn’t matter what words you used, the point is, his job comes first. To me that was the final blow. I have to be important in a relationship or there’s no relationship. Unfortunately, I think our hot affair was over before it ever got started, but I was too blind to see.”

  I changed the subject. “What are we going to do about our little problem with the police? You know it’s not over.”

  “We’re going to wait and see what they do next. In the meantime we’ll follow up on the case. I’m going to keep on trying to trace down that e-mail address, and then we’ll play it by ear. I think we ought to talk to everyone in that photo. Somebody has to know something, and we’ll dig until we find out what it is. I’m willing to bet the person who sent that message is in that picture.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “I don’t know, just a feeling I have.” He yawned.

  “Maybe it’s time we went to bed.” I ran my fingers through his hair. “You look tired.”

  “I am,” he responded. “We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow.” He arose from the sofa and started toward the bedroom. “Are you coming?”

  “I’ll be there
in a minute. I’m going to let the dogs out to do their thing. I’ll come to bed when they’re finished.” Billy blew me a kiss and headed for the bedroom.

  I put on my coat, turned on the porch light and opened the front door.

  Athena and Thor ran past me and down the steps as I stood on the porch and peered out into the darkness. I pulled my coat together and hugged myself against the cold. Snow covered everything as far as the eye could see. It was a beautiful sight to behold. A few minutes later, the dogs were soaking wet and ready to go back inside. Their business was finished.

  “Wait here,” I said to them. “I need to get a towel. You can’t go inside all wet. You’ll make such a mess.”

  They both whimpered, but made no attempt to follow me.

  I slipped into the bedroom to get the towel that I had left on the floor, but to my surprise, Billy had picked it up and hung it over the shower curtain. I snatched it down and tiptoed out of the room. Billy was asleep.

  As soon as I dried off the dogs, they hurried back to the fireplace where it was warm. They stretched out and made themselves at home.

  I left the porch light on, but turned off the rest of the lights in the house. The message on the computer screen continued to pulsate in the dark.

  I brushed my teeth and then stripped out of my clothes, tossing them in a pile on a box. My search for a T-shirt proved to be a waste of time. Wearing only panties, I slipped under the covers, and into Billy’s arms.

  When the sun came up, I still had the covers pulled over my head. Billy had been out of bed for at least an hour, according to my tiny foldout travel clock sitting on a box beside the bed. Earlier, I had heard him let the dogs out as I lay half-awake. My mind raced.