Lillian Duncan - Until Death Do Us Part

by Lillian Duncan

  CHAPTER 57

  Billy Clyde stomped around the deck, glaring at the people inside. “How long does it take to gather up some evidence?”

  Dylan shrugged. “Speaking of time, I can’t believe Reggie or Theresa hasn’t called yet.”

  Billy Clyde stared at his watch. “Must have their hands full. When Theresa’s on a call, I might not hear from her for six or seven hours. One time, it was eleven hours. Can you believe that? Eleven hours.”

  Dylan propped his knee on the picnic table. “So, what’s the story with Robbie and LaTisha?”

  Billy Clyde stopped glaring at the technicians though the patio window and focused on Dylan. “Oh, they’re good kids. Robbie’s been in some trouble but since he married LaTisha, she’s kept him on the straight and narrow.”

  “A good woman will do that.”

  He punched Dylan on the shoulder. “You should know, Monroe. Robbie built them a little house out on family land. A few miles out of town. His family’s a little crazy, but Robbie seems to be a good guy.”

  “A little crazy how?” He didn’t like the idea of Reggie being out somewhere with some crazy people.

  “Oh, they tend to stay off to themselves and don’t really bother anyone. Of course, I did hear a rumor they were having some kind of problem. Seems they haven’t paid any property taxes in a long time.”

  Dylan made a face. “Oh, that’s not good.”

  “Not good at all. The government put a lien on their land and are threatening to foreclose if they don’t pay the money real soon. The land’s been in their family for generations.”

  “That’s too bad.”

  Billy Clyde nodded. “You’re right. That is too bad.” He smiled. “I think an anonymous donor might just help them out of the situation.”

  That sounded just like something his friend would do. “I’m sure that would be a wonderful thing for someone to do. Someone anonymous, of course.”

  “Of course. There would have been a time the family would have stepped in and done something about it on their own. But now their harmless. Or at least as harmless as they can be for snake handlers.”

  Dylan’s heart thumped a little faster at the word snake. He flashed back to that bathtub and the hissing of those rattlers. He looked over at Billy Clyde. “Snake handlers as in rattlesnakes?”

  Billy Clyde’s voice held an edge as he asked, “What was that verse Reggie said she saw tattooed on the man?”

  “Mark 16: 18.”

  Billy Clyde stood up. “There’s a Bible in my glove compartment.”

  Dylan followed Billy Clyde to the van, neither man talking.

  Billy Clyde opened his van door and pulled out a Bible. “Wanta look up that verse. I can’t see without my reading glasses.”

  Dylan paged through until he found the spot. He read the verse. “They will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on

  sick people, and they will get well.”

  Dylan’s heart sank as he read the verse again. His leg throbbed as he thought of those fangs piercing his skin. “I suppose these snake handlers keep snakes around to show how faithful God is.”

  Billy Clyde shook his head and blew out some air. “I’m getting a bad feeling about this, Monroe.”

  “You’re not the only one.” He looked at his watch. “How long have they been gone?”

  ****

  The truck surged forward.

  Rocks and dust scattered as Billy Clyde flew down the unpaved road. He slammed on the brakes. A little white house sat off the road surrounded by the woods. Without waiting for Billy Clyde, Dylan hopped out of the van.

  “Slow down, Monroe. Let’s do this the right way. We can’t help anyone if we barge in and start a firefight.”

  His steps stopped in their tracks. As much as he hated to admit it, Billy Clyde was right. “I’ll go around back. Meet you in the middle.”

  “Keep your eyes open and your head low.”

  “You got it, partner.”

  Dylan moved to the side of the house. When he came to the window, he looked inside. No people inside. He walked past the window and to the back of the house. No movement in the back yard or the woods behind it. He opened the door.

  He moved through the kitchen and into the living room. Billy Clyde stood at the threshold as he entered the living room. “They’re not here. No one out back from what I could see either. I’ll go check upstairs.”

  He walked quietly through the upstairs. No sign of anyone. He came back down the steps and shook his head at Billy Clyde. “No one around. Any ideas where they might be?”

  “This is Robbie’s family property. The rest of the family has houses further down. And not as nice as this. Robbie’s been trying to do right by LaTisha.”

  “What do you suggest? We go in now or wait for reinforcements.”

  Billy Clyde looked at his watch. “I’ll call Mark and tell him what’s going on, but I’m not waiting.”

  After the call, he looked at Dylan. “Let’s drive the van back to the main road and then hike in on foot.”

  “You go ahead and do that while I start back.”

  Billy Clyde sighed and blew out air. Dylan knew his mind was working on the strategy as if it were a chess game rather than the lives of their wives on the line. “OK. Stay in the woods and watch out for trip wires.”

  “Trip wires? You think they might have bombs?”

  “No, but these people have been moonshiners for generations. They have ways to let them know the revenuers are on their way and trip wires are as good a way as any. Godspeed, Monroe.” Billy Clyde sprinted to the van and a moment later was out of sight.

  CHAPTER 58

  This was it. The opportunity she’d been waiting for. Reggie gazed at the two men fighting. If they were going to get out of this mess alive, this was the time. Reggie jumped up as the two men struggled over the gun.

  Her eyes searched the old barn for a weapon.

  In the corner, an old rusty shovel was propped up against the wall. Her heart pounded in her chest as she ran to it. Her fingers curled around the smooth wood handle.

  When she turned around, Theresa had a bucket in her hand. Their eyes met. Reggie put a finger to her mouth. No need to call attention to themselves or the fact they weren’t tied up. Better the two men keep fighting with each other.

  She crept up until she was parallel to the fighting men.

  A muffled shot.

  Robbie’s dad moaned and crumpled to the barn floor.

  Reggie raised the shovel and took the last few steps to Denny. With all her strength, she hit him on his back. The shovel hit Denny on the back, neck and the lower part of his head.

  He toppled face first to the ground.

  “Quick. Get me that rope.” Reggie called to Theresa, but Theresa was on the ground beside Robbie’s father. “Never mind.”

  “I’ll get it.” LaTisha pulled herself to a standing position and lumbered over with rope in hand. She handed her the rope. “What else—”

  A surprised expression replaced the look of anguish on LaTisha’s face. She looked down at herself. “I think my water just broke.”

  ****

  Dylan moved into the woods watching his feet as he moved. The shade the trees provided cooled him down a bit. Good thing. He felt the adrenaline in his body and heard his own breathing. Bring it down a few notches, Monroe.

  He took several slow deliberate breaths and felt his muscles relax. As he moved through the brush, his eyes darted from the ground to his surroundings. He moved towards the next tree. He looked down. His foot touched an almost invisible filament.

  Dylan bent closer. Fishing line. His eyes scanned the area until he found what he was looking for. After stepping over the wire, Dylan picked up the branch. He walked back and stuck it in the ground, hoping Billy Clyde would notice it.

  He moved forward, but he stayed vigilant looking for more fishing wire. A dilapidated bar
n come into sight.

  He peered through the trees.

  Robbie’s truck was there. This must be the place. He moved closer and closer and finally was behind the ramshackle barn.

  He listened but could hear nothing.

  Each second that ticked by felt like five minutes. Every fiber of his being told him to go inside, but the thinking part of his brain told him to wait. Not to let his emotions get the better of him.

  Reggie needed him, but rushing into an unknown situation could get them all killed. On the other hand, he wasn’t going to stand here one minute longer. He moved toward the barn.

  A snap of a branch behind him drew his attention. He waited. A moment later Billy Clyde appeared. “You’re losing your touch Billy Clyde. I heard you coming.”

  Billy Clyde touched his belly. “I’m not quite as graceful as I once was.”

  “Just on my way in.” Dylan pointed to the barn. “They must be in there. I see the boy’s truck.”

  “Called Mark, they’re on their way with reinforcements, but I’m not waiting.”

  “Me neither. How are we going to do this? I don’t see a door on this side of the barn so it doesn’t look like we can sneak in with any element of surprise.”

  He nodded. “Let’s do this.”

  As he rounded the corner of the barn, Dylan saw the barn door hung open. That was good. They might still be able to sneak in and get the drop on them.

  Billy Clyde tapped him on the shoulder. “Let’s see if we can slip in without being seen.”

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  The two of them crept toward the open barn door.

  Dylan stopped at the edge of the door and listened. There was soft murmuring but nothing he could make out into intelligible conversation. Please let them be all right.

  He leaned down and peeked his head around the corner.

  Reggie’s back was turned to him. She knelt on the hay.

  By the looks of things, everything seemed under control. He motioned for Billy Clyde to come into the barn. He walked closer.

  No one noticed them.

  Reggie’s attention was focused on LaTisha who laid flat on the ground and breathing hard. Theresa was beside her, holding her hand.

  Two mean were sprawled out beside her, Dylan moved closer. Denny Reagan. His hands and feet were tied and he was unconscious or dead. Not sure which. Dylan shook his head. The big man had called that right—again.

  The other man. Apparently dead. Since no one seemed to be concerned about him at the moment.

  Robbie was propped up against the wall, holding some sort of cloth against his shoulder watching his wife and Theresa. Dylan’s gaze moved over to them and then to the two men on the floor. “They seem to have everything under control, Billy Clyde. Guess they didn’t need us after all?”

  Reggie jumped up and ran to him. His arms encircled her. “I’ll always need you.”

  CHAPTER 59

  “It seems like we’re always ending up in hospitals, Monroe. There must be a better way to live.” Billy Clyde stood staring out the window at nothing.

  “Do you think?”

  Reggie clasped Dylan’s hand in her own. “Theresa’s right—the two of you are magnets for trouble.”

  They were sitting in the emergency room waiting for news about LaTisha and her baby. Theresa, of course, was in the delivery room. LaTisha had insisted on it. Denny Reagan was in custody.

  “Us. You had your own fair share of trouble. In fact, now that I think about it you always seem to be around when trouble comes a knocking.” Dylan arched his eyebrows at her.

  Laughing, she shook her head. “You can’t blame this mess on me.”

  Billy pointed a finger at her. “Monroe, you might be on to something here. I think she may be the magnet, not us.”

  Billy’s phone buzzed. He excused himself and walked outside.

  Reggie looked at her husband. “I know this isn’t the time, but I want you to know I get it.”

  He leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Get what, darling?”

  “That I’m not ever going to be the perfect farmer’s wife.”

  “Reggie, I—”

  She held up a hand. “Let me finish. I won’t ever be the perfect farmer’s wife, canning and quilting and gardening. But I finally get it. I don’t have to be able to do those things for you to love me.”

  Dylan smiled.

  “It’s sort of the way God’s love is. God doesn’t love me for the things I do. He loves me because He loves me, just the way I am. I don’t have to try and be someone I’m not. And you love me just the way I am.”

  “I think she’s got it, Ollie.”

  She sighed and took a deep breath. “When we get home, things are going to be changing. Big changes.”

  He rolled his eyes. “That sounds ominous. What kind of—”

  Billy Clyde ambled back in with a huge smile. “All done. Robbie’s information was good as gold. They stopped the robbery before it even got started. They’re in custody, including Scooter.”

  “It wasn’t all that bad of an idea.” Dylan said. “Stealing money that was about to be destroyed. Security wasn’t what it would be on a new shipment of money. Not a bad idea at all.”

  “So, what are they saying?” Reggie asked.

  “From what Scooter’s saying, it was all Denny Reagan’s idea. After they visited us, Denny got the idea of using my computers to help rob the Treasury Department. Apparently, Denny had some associates who knew computers. Robbie took them to the cabin but had no idea they were planning on setting it on fire.”

  Reggie shook her head. “I feel bad for Robbie and LaTisha. Robbie’s father forced him to help. He thought he was doing the right thing. Helping his family from losing their land.”

  “Yeah me too, he’s the one that milked the rattlers without Denny knowing about it. Otherwise, I’d be a dead man as we speak.”

  “Then God bless Robbie.” Reggie said. “No matter what else he did.”

  “Don’t feel too bad. His cooperation is going to go a long way in keeping him out of prison. Unlike Denny Reagan and Scooter. Chances are they’ll never see the light of day again. Between kidnapping, conspiracy, and murder. Denny and his accomplices won’t be bothering anyone else again. Ever.”

  Theresa walked out through the double doors. In her blue scrubs and blue hair net, she looked like a Smurf. She threw up her hands in a celebratory motion. “It’s a girl. Baby and mother are fine. Of course, LaTisha’s a mess after everything that happened, but I assured her my husband would take care of things.” She poked at Billy Clyde. “Was I lying to the woman?”

  “You were not lying to the woman. As long as Robbie keeps cooperating with the authorities, he won’t be getting any jail time. He’ll be around to raise his baby.”

  Theresa nodded with satisfaction. “That’s good. A baby needs their daddy.”

  “Amen to that, woman.”

  Theresa turned to Reggie. “So, I guess life goes back to normal.”

  Reggie hugged Dylan. “Maybe, maybe not. I was just telling Dylan there are going to be some big changes—”

  Dylan winked. “You keep saying that, but you aren’t saying what they are. You’re making me nervous.”

  “Nothing to be nervous about, husband of mine. There are a lot of women and children out there living with abusive husbands and boyfriends just like Misty was.”

  Theresa nodded. “That’s for sure.”

  “I know I can’t help all of them, but I think I can help some of them. Help them to have better lives. Help them to get away from their abusers.”

  Billy Clyde moved closer to his wife and flung an arm around her shoulder. “That’s a lot of women with very angry, very violent husbands.”

  “I’m going to start out slow, of course. Just helping them through the legal system. You know restraining orders, divorces, whatever they need. But I’m thinking eventually I can talk my father into donating some money. Then, we could set up a training program for
better jobs and better parenting. Then—”

  “Wow, you have been thinking about this, haven’t you?”

  She shrugged. “Well, it was a long drive down to PawPaw from Fredericksburg.”

  Billy Clyde chuckled. “Like I said, Monroe. That wife of yours is a trouble magnet. I can see it now. All those angry men looking for their wives. Going to be big problems.”

  “She may be, but she’s my magnet. And I love her just the way she is.”

  She smiled sweetly at her husband. “And I love you and you’re stuck with me. Remember until death do us part.”

  Dear Readers,

  My tagline is Stories of Faith Mingled With Murder and Mayhem and I believe Until Death Do Us Part delivers the implied promise of great suspense. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. For me, it was like a visit with old friends I hadn’t seen in awhile.

  If you’d like to read more about Reggie and Dylan, check out my website at: www.lillianduncan.net where you’ll find my other published books.

  You can’t be a writer today without being involved in the social media revolution so I hope you’ll become my friend and follow me. Thanks so much.

  God Bless & Good Reading,

  Lillian Duncan