Mississippi Blues

by D'Ann Lindun

  With a nod, Galen lumbered off.

  Shaking his head, Trey went to his own car and drove away.

  The Chief pulled alongside as he turned out of the Curl Up and Dye parking lot and motioned him over. Trey turned into the Piggly-Wiggly lot, parked, and slid out of his car. He walked over to the Chief’s big Cadillac, placed his palms on the roof, and peered inside. “Am I under arrest, sir?”

  His father didn’t smile. “What were you doing with the Hill girl?”

  “Just checking to see if her brother has come home.” Why did the Chief care what he and Summer had to talk about?

  “Did anyone see you there?” the Chief pressed.

  Trey shrugged. “Her boss. Buford Krebbs’s wife, Violet. No, Viola.”

  The Chief’s frown deepened. “Surely you realize if anyone spots the two of you together all the old rumors and speculations will rise up like an old dog beggin’ for one last hunt. Months went by before this town went back to normal after the trial and the conviction. I don’t want all that old garbage coming up again. You sniffing around the Hill girl will fuel the fire faster than anything.”

  “You can’t keep people from talking, sir. Or thinking what they will,” Trey said.

  “No.” The Chief glared at him. “But you don’t have to stir up the gossips either.”

  “If people in this town don’t have anything better to do than talk about me getting a haircut from a pretty girl then I’m sorry for them.” Trey met his father’s eyes. Why was he making such a big deal out of this? Surely he knew there was no way to keep people from thinking what they wanted to. “Or is there another reason you don’t want me to see Summer?”

  The vein in the Chief’s head began to throb. “You’re asking for more heartache, son. I don’t want to see you go through it all again.”

  “Thanks for your concern, sir, but it’s my heart,” he said.

  “I’ll not tell you again to stay away from that girl.” The Chief’s face flushed dark red and the vein in his forehead picked up tempo. He tapped his fingers on the car door. “She’s too old for you.”

  “I have to disagree. I’m twenty-three, Summer’s only four years older.” Trey kept his tone respectful, but he wasn’t going to bend. Didn’t matter that Summer didn’t want anything to do with him. Not the point. “We’re both adults, able to make our own choices.”

  “Nothing good can come from this. When Hill is caught and sent back to Angola, all the old anger is going to resurface. You might think you can strike up your old friendship. Hell, I know how you felt about that girl. Maybe you even thought you were in love with her, but you can’t erase that you were the one whose testimony sent her brother to prison. Do you think that’s just going to disappear because you wish it would?”

  “Did the talk stop when you sent me away?” Bitterness edged Trey’s voice.

  “I did what was best,” the Chief shot back, ignoring the question.

  “Best for who, sir? Me? Or you? What was best about being shipped halfway around the world to fight in wars no one cares about? I think that may not have been the best thing for me. But once I was out of sight, this whole mess could be put out of your mind.”

  Without warning, the Chief’s hand flashed out and grabbed Trey’s T-shirt, twisting it tight. “Boy, you might be a mite bigger than when you left, but I’m still your daddy. You do as you’re told. I have my reasons for what I do. I don’t have to explain them to you or anyone else. Now steer clear of that girl.”

  Trey twisted out of the Chief’s grasp. “No, sir. Not for you or anyone else.”

  Chapter Four

  Being the Chief’s daughter was a pain in the ass.

  Lindy popped her gum and checked her look in the Jeep’s mirror one last time. Even a heavy layer of cheap makeup and pitch black hair couldn’t disguise the fact she wasn’t twenty-one. Although she carried a fake ID, it wasn’t any good in Juliet. Everyone knew who she was. Luckily, Jimmy Ray Hunt liked following rules as much as she did, and looked the other way when Lindy and her friends partied in his bar.

  She climbed out of the Jeep, tugged her skintight Lycra mini down over her hips and struggled on six-inch heels toward the door of Mugs-n-Jugs. Her life sure had changed in the last year. When she was little she had been the perfect child. Blue-eyed, blonde, sweet, polite. But the older she got, the more she resented all the boundaries placed on her. The Chief was the law, her mother the last word in Juliet’s society. Lindy, they lectured, follow in our footsteps. Do all the right things. Be a lady. Take ballet, riding and art classes, and most important of all, keep your reputation spotless.

  Last year, when her mother began to slip away, Lindy quit going to dance, then art. She dyed her blonde hair pitch-black and threw away all her proper, oh-so-perfect clothes. Courtesy of the Salvation Army, she found an entire new wardrobe. Finally, she ditched all her Clinique and Estée Lauder products, and replaced them with the cheapest brands of black eyeliner and dark red lipstick Juliet’s drugstore had to offer.

  She took a breath and opened the door. Excitement buzzed through her. Anything could happen tonight. The bar was packed, she could barely see through the curtain of heavy black smoke. She inhaled the stench of cigarettes, booze, and too many sweaty bodies packed together. Heavy metal blasted her eardrums. A short, dark-haired girl standing near the bar spotted her and motioned wildly.

  Lindy fought her way through the crush of bodies until she reached her friend. “Hey, Candy. Guess what?”

  “What? You ready to fly? I’ve already hooked up with a guy who wants to party later.” Candy giggled. “He’s hot, too.”

  “Great. Hey, I’ve to tell you something big.” Lindy couldn’t wait to talk about Jace. Maybe Candy would understand the fascination he held for her.

  “What do you think of my new outfit?” Candy did a spin, her arms held out. The gold hoop in her nose glittered in the low light.

  Frustrated by her friend’s lack of interest in her big news, Lindy gave a thumbs-up for Candy’s simple black dress with a half dozen chains wrapped around her waist, fishnet stockings, and spike heels. She had on more makeup than Lindy did and her jet-black hair glimmered under the mirrored ball.

  The kids Lindy would’ve considered losers her freshman year were now her crowd. The thing she liked most about her new group was they weren’t afraid of what anyone thought, and they went out of their way to prove it. Annoying the Chief was high on their list of priorities. Drinking, and getting high when anyone could come up with weed was another favorite activity. School and work didn’t matter to them.

  Jimmy Ray hung over the bar. “What’re ya havin’ tonight, babe?”

  Skinny, wearing a wifebeater undershirt that showed off his overlapping tattoos, a nickel-studded belt that didn’t hold up his jeans, and heavy silver rings on every finger, he reminded her of Keith Richards. At least she thought he looked like the Rolling Stone before Richards got old and wrinkly and ugly.

  “Rum and Coke.” She angled her shoulders so he could get a good look down her shirt. As long as she let him look, he let her party.

  “Coming right up.” He placed the drink in front of her with a wink. When she dug in her purse he said, “On me.”

  “Thanks.” Lindy wrinkled her nose and took a big gulp of the drink. She didn’t really like the bitter taste, but she’d found the more she drank the easier it went down and the better she felt. When she got plastered, she didn’t have to think about anything. Especially her dying mother, her stoic dad, and her exiled brother.

  She still couldn’t believe Trey showed up out of the blue. What did he want? More than to wish her a happy graduation, that’s for sure.

  She turned and leaned against the bar. Candy was on the dance floor gyrating her hips against some guy. Probably the one she just met. Lindy wondered where the rest of their friends were. Probably
already at the quarry getting high. No one here interested her. Most everyone else was ancient — thirty, at least. She downed her drink and ordered another. Swallowing half of it, she mumbled, “This bites.”

  “What’s the matter, Lil Sugar?” Jimmy Ray sounded less than interested as he dried a glass.

  “I’m bored.” She wasn’t, not really. Her insides ached like they were crumbling in on themselves. Being here with these losers was a hell of a lot better than staying home and watching her mother waste away. And watching the Chief ignore them all.

  “Is that a fact?” He put away the glass and rested his elbows on the bar.

  She pouted, finishing her rum and Coke in two quick gulps. “Give me another one.”

  “Coming right up, Lil Sugar.” He made a gun out of his fist, thumb and index finger and pointed it at her, making a clicking sound with his mouth.

  She held out her empty tumbler. “Stop calling me that and pour.”

  He shrugged and fixed her a drink. “Bottoms up, baby.”

  An hour later, a couple more drinks, and Lindy no longer dwelled on things she couldn’t change. She spun around the dance floor with anyone who asked, and some who didn’t. Spying an empty table, she climbed up on a chair and stepped onto the tabletop. Someone whistled and she moved her hips in a seductive arc. Who needed ballet? Who needed approval? Shaking her ass in front of this crowd was much more fulfilling.

  Inspired, she did a pirouette. One of her heels caught in the middle of the table and she toppled like a doll, landing on the floor in a heap. Her Lycra skirt slid up to her waist, exposing her red thong. One bra strap slid off her shoulder, dangling down her arm. As she struggled to stand, no one offered a hand, only made a few nasty suggestions.

  Lindy giggled, pushing to her hands and knees. “Where’s Candy?”

  “Here I am.” The other girl wound her way forward and held out her hand. After two or three attempts, they entwined fingers and Lindy managed to get on her feet. She tugged her skirt down and fumbled with her bra, but it wouldn’t stay in place so she let it be.

  “Boy, can you dance,” Candy said. “Wish I could do that.”

  “Ballet lessons.” Lindy staggered toward the bar. “I need a drink.”

  “I’m gonna find my date,” Candy mumbled.

  “The bar’s closed,” Jimmy Ray told her when she asked for a refill. “Last call was thirty minutes ago. You missed it. You were kinda busy giving lap dances.”

  “Jealous?” she taunted. “Maybe you wish you could have one. In fact, I think you want in my panties.”

  “I get into them, you won’t ever forget it.” He reached across the bar and dragged a thumb under her bra strap, sliding it back in place. His fingers lingered for a moment.

  She shivered. He was different from anyone she’d ever met. Dangerous. Edgy. Someone who would really piss off her mother and the Chief. “You’re a big talker.”

  “I’m big in a lot more ways than talk. Try me, and I’ll show you.” He kissed two of his fingers then brushed them across her cheek.

  Candy wandered up beside her, arms wrapped around the waist of her new boyfriend. “Can you find a ride home? I’m going with Ralphie.”

  “I have my Jeep.” She heard the Chief’s voice in her head warning her to never drink and drive. Sober was a long ways behind her. She glanced at the man behind the bar. “Jimmy Ray can take me home.”

  “Yeah, and other places.” He smirked. “Like Heaven.”

  “Cool. I’ll call you tomorrow.” Before Lindy could change her mind, Candy left with her latest chance at love.

  “Let’s get out of here.” Lindy slung her bag over her shoulder and handed Jimmy Ray her car keys. “You drive.”

  “Cool.” He tossed the keys in the air catching them in his palm. “Let’s ride.”

  • • •

  He drove like a man possessed. Even loaded, Lindy worried they might wreck. She hung onto the roll bar for dear life. Her stomach pitched, threatening to boil over. “Slow down.”

  “No way, baby. I don’t do anything half speed.” He tromped on the gas, sending the Jeep into a fishtail.

  “Where are we going?” she mumbled, tightening her hold.

  He reached over and slid his hand up her thigh. “Somewhere we can be alone.”

  Her skin crawled. Shouldn’t she be looking forward to being with him? When the Chief found out, he’d blow his stack. “I just wanna lay down.” Lindy’s head felt as though it might explode. She thought she might feel better if it did.

  “Oh, you’ll go down, Lil Sugar.” Jimmy Ray licked his lips and leered at her. “And so will I.”

  Suddenly, the last thing Lindy wanted was this toad’s hands on her. Her skin under his hand felt dirty. There were other ways she could piss off the Chief. “I’ve changed my mind. I need to go home.”

  He shook his head. “No way. We’re gonna see this through. Tonight.”

  Although her brain felt like scrambled eggs, she tried to think how she could get out of this mess. Maybe she could get away from him when he stopped the Jeep. Pretend to have to pee or something then run. She stroked his hand with her nails. “I know. Let’s go to the lake.”

  “That’s good thinking. No one will be there.” He squeezed her knee and her stomach did a somersault. What had she gotten herself into? Jimmy Ray wasn’t a high school boy she could tease then laugh in his face.

  “Just us.” Her mind raced as she tried to come up with a plan.

  He floored the accelerator so hard the Jeep seemed to jump ahead like a spurred horse.

  Through her soggy brain, Lindy tried to find a logical way out of this one. She’d really done it this time. The last thing she wanted was to have sex with Jimmy Ray, but if she just came out and said so, he might hurt her. Her plan to make the Chief and Mother worry seemed kinda stupid right now. No one but Candy had a clue where she’d gone. Probably getting busy with her date, Candy wouldn’t worry about Lindy until tomorrow — if then.

  • • •

  She let him kiss her.

  Surprisingly, he was good, using his tongue like a weapon. He tasted like mint chewing gum, not alcohol as she expected. His hair and body stunk like smoke and booze, though, making her stomach do a back flip, and she had to force herself not to hurl all over him. When he slid his hand under her shirt and undid her bra, she moaned a protest. He fondled her breasts with rough hands, squeezing hard and pinching her nipples.

  She struggled, but he tightened his hold on her and yanked the strap of her top off her shoulder working it toward her waist. Dipping his head, he nipped her neck and collarbone. She squirmed, trying to get away, but he made his way to her breasts biting so hard he drew blood on one. She shoved at his head and cried, “Stop it. You’re hurting me.”

  He slobbered against her. “I don’t think so. You’ve taunted me long enough. I’m hard as a rock.” For emphasis, he grabbed her hand and placed it on his crotch. His erection strained against his leather pants.

  “I said no.” She struggled to get free, but he held her palm against him. Grossed out, she didn’t want to admit she’d never done it before. She put on a good show, but the truth was she had never gone all the way. And she didn’t want her first time to be with someone sleazy like Jimmy Ray Hunt. All of the guys she messed with before had stopped when she said to. None had ever dared to push when she called a halt to the games.

  “You teasing little bitch. You’ve been swishing your cute ass in front of me for the last year knowing how bad I want you, and now you’re saying no? I don’t think so, babe.” He let go of her long enough to unzip his pants. Then he reached under her skirt, the seam giving way, tearing up her thigh. He ripped one side of her panties and crammed two fingers into her unwilling, dry body.

  She screamed and writhed, clawing at his face and digging her h
eels into his legs but nothing she did discouraged him. Her actions only seemed to excite him more. When he rose above her, she screamed again and aimed her foot at his nuts.

  • • •

  Jace hid in the galley of The Emily.

  He felt like a punching bag.

  Unsure what else to do, he’d headed for Juliet. He had a half-baked idea he could retrace Soloman’s steps and prove he hadn’t killed the scum. But before he got to the Mississippi state line, he realized he didn’t have a chance in hell of proving his innocence after all these years. He couldn’t just march up to anyone involved and demand answers. They’d laugh in his face before sending him straight back to Angola.

  Then he remembered a place that might be deserted, where he could hide out and make plans. Chief Bouché’s fishing boat anchored at Mystic Lake, a few miles from Juliet.

  A perfect plan.

  No one would think he’d have big enough balls to hide in plain sight.

  He heard the motor before he saw the headlights. How had they found him so soon? Diving off the couch, he slipped outside into the dark. He jumped off the deck and fell with a grunt. Righting himself, he forced himself to run up the dock, disappearing into the trees at the shoreline. Moving far enough away from the boat to feel safe, he hid and watched. The vehicle didn’t go to the boats, but instead turned down a road a few yards before the dock lane. Then it stopped. Not cops. Just to be certain, he moved a few yards closer. He spotted two people silhouetted in the open-topped Jeep.

  Relief flooded him. Just a couple parking.

  In the clear night air, a girl screamed.

  It’d been awhile, but he didn’t think the cry was one of passion. Someone was in trouble. He turned away. Not his problem. The girl’s cries raked across his conscience. No one had helped Mama. “Shit.”

  A shriek rent the air again.

  He hesitated. Staying out of it would be the best thing to do. No way could he stand here while someone raped a woman. He edged through the trees until he could get a clear view. If all the couple was doing was engaging in rough sex, he’d feel pretty stupid. On the other hand, if this were a crime against a helpless woman, he couldn’t walk away.