Molly: House on Fire

by R. E. Bradshaw

  “Judges are usually the ones upset if things don’t run according to plan, so I don’t think that will be a problem. Of course, there are always unforeseeable circumstances.”

  “Let’s hope not,” Leslie said, emphatically.

  “What do you think about requesting he be moved to another facility?” Molly had considered motioning to reduce his bail and moving Joey to a secure ward, outside of Dobbs County, for his psychological examination.

  Leslie shook her head. “As awful as having him in that jail is, moving him would be worse. He is settling into the routine. He’s familiar with the facility and the people who work there. His examination elsewhere would be skewed, reflecting his high anxiety in a strange place.”

  Molly looked across the table at Randy, getting his attention. “We need to add a motion requesting defense counsel be notified a reasonable amount of time prior to any mental exam by the State or the court. I don’t want them moving him without warning.” She turned back to Leslie. “How long is reasonable, a week?”

  “Yes, but it would be best if he were tested where he is,” Leslie answered.

  Molly stood up, preparing to leave, while she gave Leslie her next task. “Will you work with Randy on a statement I can present to the judge? Just outline the effects on Joey, if they should move him suddenly, and state your professional opinion of what the test results might be if administered outside of his comfort zone. Add anything you think the judge should know about traumas his incarceration may inflict.” She pushed her chair under the table. “I’ll meet you at the jail at twelve-thirty, just in case there is a delay getting through security.”

  Leslie narrowed her eyes at Molly. “And where are you going?”

  “I need to see Robbie Harris. I think she may know someone that can answer a few questions I have.”

  Randy chimed in. “Did you forget someone shot at you? You shouldn’t go anywhere alone.”

  Molly patted her briefcase. “I’m not alone, besides I’m going all of five blocks and in broad daylight. I think I’ll be fine.”

  Leslie stood. “I’ll walk you out.”

  Randy, noting this, was about to say something, when Molly gave him her “don’t do it” face. He smiled and said, “Be careful,” instead.

  Leslie followed her to the back door, where she stopped Molly with a hand on her arm. They were alone. Tammy took the boys to her mother’s after breakfast. She and Brad were worried about their safety, after Molly was fired on. Molly did not blame them and was relieved the boys would be out of danger.

  Randy was still in the parlor and could not hear Leslie, when she said, “You’re going to stir the pot, aren’t you? You know Robbie Harris can’t keep anything to herself. You’ll tell her something and hope it gets around.”

  “There’s another side to that. She knows everything that goes on in this town, and what she doesn’t know, she’ll know how to find out.”

  Leslie was still holding Molly’s arm. She stood there, staring into Molly’s eyes. Molly could see Leslie was wrestling with fears and emotions, much like her own.

  Reaching out to smooth a stray strand of hair from Leslie’s face, Molly smiled and said softly, “Don’t worry, Leslie. I don’t plan to miss that first big kiss or anything that comes after it.” Molly kissed Leslie softly and then whispered against her lips, “I don’t want to miss any of this.”

  “Oh, oops.”

  Randy’s voice totally destroyed the moment. Molly turned to see him standing in the kitchen doorway, coffee cup in hand.

  “Sorry, ladies. I was just coming to fetch more coffee. I’ll wait.” Randy started to go.

  “It’s okay, Randy. I was just leaving,” Molly said, and looked back at Leslie. “I’ll see you at twelve-thirty.” She took a step, but stopped. Leslie was still frozen in place. “Leslie, are you all right?”

  Leslie finally smiled. “I’ll see you at twelve-thirty.”

  Molly opened the door, went through the back porch, and out to the car. Just as she unlocked it, she heard Leslie calling to her. She looked back at the house. Leslie was standing on the top step.

  “You got game, Kincaid. I concede round two.”

  Molly laughed, got in the car, and drove away, her lips still burning from Leslie’s touch.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  On the way to Pop’s, Molly made a phone call to one of the few numbers programmed into the car’s hands-free memory. Four rings echoed through the car, before Lizbeth Jackson-O’Neal’s breathless voice came through the speakers.

  “Hey, Molly. Sorry, it took so long to answer. I was telling Gray goodbye. She’s on her way to the docks.”

  “How’s married life?” Molly asked, making small talk to work up to the reason for her call.

  Lizbeth gushed, “Oh my God, I’ve never been happier, and it gets better every day. How are you?”

  “I’m…” Molly paused because she was not sure what she was.

  “Molly?” Lizbeth’s concern was immediate. Molly was many things, but unsure was not one of them.

  “Lizbeth, I need to tell you something. It’s probably going to be on the news and I don’t want you to be blindsided by this.”

  “What’s wrong, Molly? Are you okay?”

  “Physically? Yes, I’m fine.”

  Molly told Lizbeth the story of her past, the fire, her mother’s murder, finishing her tale while parked in front of Pop’s. She watched people walking along the sidewalks, as she told her oldest friend the truth she kept from her, and then caught her up on what was about to happen. When she reached the end of her confession, she waited for Lizbeth’s response.

  “Molly, thank you for telling me. I know that was hard for you. I’ve always known you were a very private person. There are things we’ve just never discussed. That doesn’t mean I don’t consider you one of my dearest friends. Whatever you need, you just ask. I’ll be there for you.”

  Unexpected tears welled in Molly’s eyes. “Thank you. You don’t know how much that means to me, Lizbeth.”

  Lizbeth laughed lightly. “You rescued me enough times. I think I owe you one.”

  “Well, in that case, I have a favor to ask,” Molly said, the heaviness that weighed on her chest dissipating. “Is Gray shrimping, now?”

  “Wow, that’s a shift in gears. Yes, they opened part of the Pamlico Sound back in February for shrimp.”

  “I need to talk to her. Could you have her call me?”

  “Molly, what are you up to?”

  “I promised a special dinner to someone and —”

  Lizbeth nearly squealed, cutting Molly off. “It’s a woman, isn’t it? She must be something. What’s her name?”

  “Leslie, and,” Molly hesitated, but decided to try this girlfriend sharing thing, “she is something.”

  “Uh-oh, this is serious. Has Molly Kincaid finally met her match?” Lizbeth teased.

  Chuckling, Molly said, “Yes, I think I have.”

  “Good for you,” Lizbeth said, enthusiastically, and then she said softly, “I hope she’s everything you ever dreamed of.”

  “We’ll see. I hardly know her, so I don’t know if that’s the case or not.”

  Lizbeth laughed. “Oh, Molly, you already know, or you wouldn’t be trying so hard to impress her.”

  Molly joined Lizbeth’s laughter. “You’re probably right, but this is the worst time in my life to start a relationship. I certainly wasn’t looking for her.”

  “It’s the best time, honey,” Lizbeth said. “When you least expect it, that’s when it happens.”

  “I’ve heard that recently,” Molly said, still laughing.

  “Relax and enjoy the ride. You only fall in love once with the right one.”

  “Have you been talking to my friend Katie?” Molly asked, remembering hearing almost those exact words in Katie’s kitchen.

  “No, but if she told you that, then she knows what I’m talking about. Don’t over think it, Molly. Isn’t that what you told me, when I met Gray?�
��

  “Yes, it was. Thanks for reminding me.” Molly saw Clark Stovall enter Pop’s. “Hey, I have to run, but could you have Gray get back to me?”

  “I will, and when you can, you bring Leslie down here. I have to meet the woman Molly Kincaid thinks is something special.”

  Molly smiled at the top of her car, as if Lizbeth could see her. “I’ll see if I can make that happen soon. Thanks, Lizbeth. Give Miss Fannie a hug for me.”

  “I’ll do that,” Lizbeth said, and before hanging up added, “Molly, you did what a good daughter would do. You just remember that.”

  Molly hung up, a huge sigh of relief leaving her chest. Warmed by Lizbeth’s support, she grabbed her briefcase and stepped out of the car. There was no sign on the door preventing concealed weapons. She noticed that the first time she was there. If people inside Pop’s were armed, Molly was going to be one of them. Robbie was in the front window, waving at her as she approached. Molly smiled and waved back, hoping what she was about to do did not get her killed.

  #

  Robbie bustled around, while Molly waited at a table by the window. She saw some of the same faces from her first visit, but no Stick this time. Two of the young men that retreated with him were seated a few tables over. Mr. Stovall sat with the same old farmers exactly where they were before. Once all the customers were taken care of, and Bob had been given instructions to mind the store, Robbie sat down across from her. She brought a pot of coffee and two mugs with her. She poured the coffee, beginning to chatter away.

  “I’m so glad you came by, today. I heard about you gettin’ shot at. That’s just awful. Who do you think it was?”

  “Honestly, Robbie, I don’t know. I’m just here to represent Joey Erickson. The only person who would be disturbed by that is the person who actually murdered Cheryl.”

  The rumor mill was working fine in Dobbs County, as evidenced by Robbie’s next statement. “Well, looking into your mother’s death might have something to do with it.”

  “Why should it concern anyone, if I ask about my mother’s death? I’m her daughter. I just want to know what happened.”

  Robbie leaned in close, speaking in hushed tones. “There’s folks around here that never believed that was an accident. Amber Stovall’s death, too, there’s always been rumors.”

  “What rumors?” Molly prodded.

  “Well, for one thing, no one saw your momma take a drink in the two years after she got out of the hospital. My momma said she was doing just fine, no worries, and then suddenly she was dead. Didn’t sit well with my momma, no ma’am.”

  “Did your mother know mine well?” Molly asked.

  “Your momma and mine went to school together and like I said, we’re kin. I checked with Momma. My daddy and your momma were second cousins, God rest their souls. They all knew each other growing up.”

  “Is your mother still alive?”

  Robbie chuckled. “Oh Lord, yes. Got grandchildren hanging off of her every minute she isn’t workin’, and happy as a clam.”

  Molly tried not to sound too excited, when she asked, “Do you think she would talk to me?”

  Robbie leaned forward again. “I thought you might want to talk to her. The police never did.”

  “Why would the police talk to your mother about my mother’s death?”

  Robbie shook her head. “No, not about that, about Cheryl. Momma worked right alongside her for years. No one ever asked momma if Cheryl was scared or being threatened.”

  Molly was intrigued. “Was she?”

  Robbie’s eyes darted around the room, before she answered. “Momma said she was. Said Cheryl was afraid because the house kept getting broken into and Joe wasn’t strong enough to protect them. If you ask me, all that poking around Joe was doing, asking about the gold legend and your momma’s death, that’s what got her killed. I hear you been asking about the same stuff over at the library.”

  Molly smiled to herself. Shauna was doing exactly what Molly expected, blabbing to anyone that would listen. Molly helped her cause, by speaking louder than necessary. She wanted the people in the room to hear what she said.

  “I’m just following Joe’s trail, trying to see what he was doing. I think you’re right. Cheryl’s death has nothing to do with those other murders. The FBI is here now, over in Goldsboro, investigating similar killings. They formed a task force. They don’t think Cheryl’s murder is related at all.”

  Eyes flicked in Molly’s direction. No one was outright staring, but she could tell people were listening.

  Robbie nodded in agreement. “Well, I know Joey didn’t do it. That asshole Jeb Stewart is behind this whole thing. People were getting angry about the murders. Joey’s just his scapegoat. He sure thought he had that case won, with the judge representing Joey. He isn’t happy about you being here, that’s for sure.”

  “Why would he think Judge Whitehall would let Joey go to prison?”

  Robbie slapped the table. Heads turned in her direction, but she did not seem to notice. “Honey, those two been runnin’ that courthouse together for years, wielding their own brand of justice. That’s why Joe wanted you here. He knew Joey couldn’t get a fair trial, if the defense attorney was having drinks with the prosecutor.”

  “Why would Joe ask him to represent Joey, knowing that?” Molly asked.

  “I don’t know the answer, but I do know the last time I saw Joe was two days after Joey was arrested. He looked terrible. He kept going on about how he was going to get this high-powered lawyer to take the case. I couldn’t see how that was going to happen. Course I didn’t know that was you.”

  “Is that all he said?”

  Robbie leaned in again. “He stood at that door before he left the last time. Turned to everybody in here, and said, ‘Justice is coming and it’s about damn time.’ Poor thing. He was so sick.”

  “I’d like to see your mother, Robbie. Do you think you could set that up?”

  “Sure, I’m supposed to go over there tomorrow afternoon. I’m sure she would love to see you.”

  Molly wrote her cellphone number on the back of one of her business cards. “This is my private number. I don’t give it out, so if you don’t mind, keep it to yourself.”

  Robbie took the card and stuffed it in her bra. “Consider it safe as bank.”

  Robbie’s ample chest swallowed the card. Molly smiled. “Call me and tell me where and when. I’ll meet you there.”

  “Okay, I can’t wait for momma to see you.”

  “We’ll visit some more tomorrow then.” Molly said, standing up. “I need to get going.”

  A young man, one of the ones with Stick the previous day, stepped up to the table. Robbie looked up and smiled.

  “Well, Payton, I see you’re keeping better company today,” Robbie said.

  He was tall and thin, handsome for a teenage boy, but still growing into his looks. He dipped his head and said, “Yes, ma’am, Miss Robbie.” He looked over at Molly. “Ms. Kincaid, my name is Payton Whitehall. The judge is my grandfather. I wanted to apologize for Stick. I don’t want you to think I was a part of that, since I might run into you at Duke. Grandpa says you’re a big time alum.”

  Molly shook Payton’s hand. “Thank you, Payton. So, are you following the family tradition into law?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I start pre-law in the fall,” Payton answered, blushing with pride.

  “Then you ought to be smart enough to stay away from Stick Branch,” Robbie interjected.

  “I was just talking to him about some computer stuff his uncle wants done.”

  Molly’s interest was piqued. “You work with computers, too?”

  Payton smiled easily. “Yes, ma’am, but it’s just a hobby. I’m looking forward to studying law.”

  “I’m sure you’ll do fine. It’s in your genes,” Molly assured him.

  “Well, thank you, ma’am. I just wanted to introduce myself and say I’m sorry.”

  “That’s very stand up of you, Payton. I look forward
to seeing you in Durham.”

  Payton started to leave, but turned back. “Tell Joey hello for me. He’s weird, but I like him. I’ve known him all my life. He taught me a bunch about computers. I just can’t believe he would do something like that.”

  “I will. I’m sure he would be glad to hear from you,” Molly replied.

  “I doubt it. Joey doesn’t think like that, but tell him anyway.”

  Payton walked away. Molly looked down at Robbie, who was still seated at the table.

  “Does everyone in town know all about Joey?”

  “Oh, yes. Leslie makes sure Joey is socialized and takes the time to tell folks how to deal with him. She says we’re all part of Joey’s team, helping him learn. She’s really sweet and loves that boy like her own.”

  “I’m learning that,” Molly said, a grin forcing itself to her lips.

  Robbie stood up, walking Molly to the door. Molly nodded to Mr. Stovall on her way out. This was not the place to approach him. For that matter, Robbie should not be talking to Molly in public either. Robbie was continuing the conversation, going on about the fit Leslie threw at the jail the night Joey was arrested, while Molly watched the eyes watching her. She could see hope in some of them, hope that she was going to bring justice to Dobbs County. Molly had the prevailing sense that she had stumbled onto something much bigger than a legend, the truth. She was in the middle of an ancient war between the powerful and the powerless, and they saw her as their champion. She wondered how long she would keep that status, once they knew the truth about the fire. Right or wrong, Molly killed a man. That was going to present its problems.

  “Lord, the deputies that were down there said she threatened every one of them, if something happened to Joey. She’s like a momma bear over that boy.”

  Molly reached the door, and motioned for Robbie to follow her. Once outside, Molly turned so no one could see what she was saying, in the off chance they could pick out her words.

  “Look, talking to me isn’t the safest thing to be seen doing. I don’t know what feathers I’m ruffling, but someone doesn’t want me here. I would be remiss if I didn’t inform you of the danger you and your family could be in.”