by Nicole James
When he saw her, he blew a pissed-off stream of smoke in the air, and said, “He’s a damn, mule-headed, stubborn cuss. He’s going to lose everything.”
Summer was taken aback, shocked by his words. “How can that be, Cary? I mean, there’s the money from the dairy cows, and…”
“Hell, Summer, the price of milk went through the floor back in May. Those damn cows of his are probably costing him more in feed and vet bills than what he’s making off their milk.”
“I…I had no idea.”
“Yeah, well, it’s bad. And he can’t afford to gamble. Not like this. Not on the weather of all things.”
The screen door creaked. They turned as Steve came out the door and down the steps. “Let’s go, we’ve got work to do,” he informed Cary.
Cary flung his cigarette in the air and stalked off toward the barn.
Summer grabbed Steve’s sleeve. “Wait, Steve. Please.”
He stopped, looking down at her. “This doesn’t concern you, Summer.”
“Steve, listen to me, please. You can’t afford to pay me, to feed me. I should go-”
“No!” he cut her off, then took a breath, and calmed down. “You’re not leaving, Summer. I need you here, okay? Things aren’t that bad. I just need to hang on until the crop is sold, then everything will be fine.”
“But, what Cary said…”
“Everything will be fine. Please believe me, for once. Okay?” Without waiting for an answer, he stalked off.
Chapter Seventeen
Sheriff’s Deputy Wilcox was parked on a side street off Main Street when he noticed Jessie Garrett walking down the street. She sure was a looker, just like her momma used to be. She was a long-legged filly, and he thought how he sure would like to get those legs wrapped around him.
As she got to Wilson’s Drug Store on the corner, the Garrett’s hired hand walked out and almost knocked her over. Wilcox watched as he grabbed her around the waist to keep her from falling over. They had a good laugh and talked for a while. Then the hired hand, Wilcox struggled to remember his name…McBride…that was it. Cary McBride leaned down, whispered something in her ear, and she smiled. McBride glanced around to see if anyone was watching, then he leaned down and kissed her, right on the mouth.
Wilcox watched as McBride walked away, and Jessie’s eyes followed him down the street, a smile on her face.
“Well, well, well…what do we have here? Seems like there’s a rooster in the hen house. Hmm? This information could be useful,” he said to himself. He waited until Jessie finished her shopping and returned to her car. Then he pulled out and followed her.
Jessie was driving down the highway, headed for home. It was a cool day, and she had her windows down, letting the breeze blow through her hair. She was about three miles from home, when she noticed flashing lights come on behind her. She swore and pulled to the side of the road. She turned to dig through her purse for her license, and was startled when the officer banged his hand on the roof. She jumped, and glanced up, and she thought she heard something make a thudding sound on the floor in the backseat.
“Well, well, Miss Garrett. We meet again.”
He had the sun to his back, and she shaded her eyes to see him. It was the deputy that had caught her with the fake ID. Shit. “I…I didn’t think I was speeding, Officer,” she said, handing him her license.
He glanced at it, looked at her, and then his eyes strayed to the back seat of her car. “Step out of the car, ma’am,” he ordered. Jessie got out, not knowing what for. He pointed into the backseat and asked her, “What’s that?”
She leaned over to look at what he was pointing at. There was something on the floor. It appeared to be about the size of a brick and was wrapped in plastic wrap. “I…I don’t know what that is.”
He opened the car door, reached in, and picked it up. He held it up in front of her and smelled it. “Well, well, well. Look what we have here. Looks like about a pound of marijuana.”
“What? It’s not mine. I swear. I don’t know how it got there,” Jessie protested, starting to panic.
“Darlin’, is this your car?”
“Yes, but…”
“So, you’re driving around with drugs in your car, but you don’t know how they got there. Is that your story?”
“Yes, no…I mean it’s my car, but I’ve never seen that before.” She pointed to the drugs.
“You swear that’s the truth?”
“Yes, I swear.”
“Well, maybe you and I can come to some sort of an agreement. I’d hate to see someone go to jail, when they’re innocent. But, unfortunately, sometimes, innocent people do time for crimes they didn’t commit. It’s a sad thing, but it happens. You know, I noticed your hired hand, McBride was in town earlier.”
“Yes. What about him?”
“He has a speeding problem, too. I’d hate to stop him and find out he’s got drugs like this in his vehicle, too. Just like we found here, today.”
“I don’t understand,” Jessie said.
“Let me clear it up for you. You wouldn’t want me to stop your ‘friend’ and find drugs in his truck, would you?”
“No, but Cary doesn’t do drugs.”
“If I say I found these drugs in his truck, it’d be my word against his. And Judge Harper is real tough on drug dealers. You see his son died of an overdose. So, he has a tendency to sentence anyone who comes before him to the maximum penalty. I’d say this much dope, he’d probably get ten years, easy.” He smiled. “Are you beginning to understand, Jessie?”
“What…what is it you want?” Jessie asked softly, beginning to see just how corrupt this guy was.
He stepped closer to her and ran the back of his index finger down her cheek. “You sure are a pretty little thing. Just like your momma used to be. I knew your momma. Did you know that?”
Jessie shook her head, a sick feeling forming in her stomach.
“I think you and I can come to an arrangement, Jessie. And if you’re real nice, nothing bad will happen to Mr. McBride. Okay?” He paused, waiting for her answer. “I said, okay?” his voice dropped menacingly.
She nodded.
“There’s a little motel out on Highway 17, half way to Clarksville. It’s called The Sunset. You meet me there tomorrow at four. Room 108.” He opened the car door for her and gestured for her to get in. Once she did, he closed the door and leaned inside. “Don’t be late, now.”
He walked back to his squad car, taking the drugs with him. Jessie started her car and drove away. Her hands were shaking, and she felt like she was going to vomit. Would he really do those things he threatened? If he planted drugs in Cary’s truck, whom would they believe, a cop or Cary? She knew the answer to that.
That evening, Jessie was in the kitchen, helping Summer with dinner. She took a pan of biscuits out of the oven. As she slid them onto a plate, all she could think about was what the deputy had said to her. She stared off into space.
“Jessie!” Summer said her name.
Jessie turned and looked at Summer blankly. “Hmm?”
“Boy, you really were off in dreamland. Here, honey. Can you carry this to the table?” Summer handed Jessie a large ceramic bowl of steaming mashed potatoes. “And then call your dad in for dinner.”
Jessie carried the bowl into the dining room and set it down with the rest of the food. Then she went outside, and yelled from the back steps to where he was bent over working on one of the tractors. “Dinner’s ready!”
Steve looked up. “I’ll be right in, honey.”
She turned and walked back into the house. She helped Summer carry drinks into the dining room, and they sat down. A few moments later they could hear Steve come in the backdoor and stop to wash up in the utility sink in the mudroom.
“Something sure smells good in here,” Pop exclaimed as he came into the dining room and sat at the table.
“Summer made meatloaf,” Jessie said, passing him the platter of meat.
“That’s yo
ur father’s favorite,” he replied, and then gave Summer a knowing look. He’d noticed things had been rather cool between the two of them. The easy conversation and light teasing was gone. He didn’t know what had happened between them, but he guessed this was an effort on her part to mend fences. And not the first one, either, in the last week she’d tried her hand at making an apple pie, another of Steve’s favorites. She’d worked hard to keep the house spotless, not that Steve had given any indication that he’d appreciated her efforts, or even noticed them. He was going to have to have a talk with that boy.
Steve came into the dining room, rolling his sleeves back down. He glanced at the table, noting the meal she’d cooked, and his eyes sliced to Summer. He knew she was making an effort to break the ice with him.
“Summer made you you’re favorite,” Pop pointed out.
“I see that,” was all he gave her as he took his seat.
“Where’s Cary?” Jessie asked.
“I sent him to town a few hours ago to get another part for the tractor. He should have been back a long time ago,” Steve replied, putting some meatloaf on his plate and passing the platter.
A few minutes later, Cary came in the back door, and they could hear him washing up. He walked in, rolling his sleeves back down and took a chair across from Summer and Jessie. “Meatloaf, my favorite! You’re an angel, Summer.”
“Thank you. I hope you feel the same way after you taste it.” Summer smiled and passed the gravy boat.
Cary looked across at Jessie and winked at her.
“So, what took you so long?” Steve asked Cary.
Cary plopped a couple of spoonfuls of mashed potatoes on his plate and looked up at Steve. “I got stopped for speeding on the way back.”
Jessie froze, her fork midway to her mouth. “What?” she murmured.
“Yeah, that Wilcox guy. He claimed he had me on radar doing 75mph in a 55mph zone. I can’t figure it. I know I wasn’t going that fast. There’s no way.” Cary stared down at the table and took a forkful of food.
“Well, you must have been, if he got you on radar,” Steve disagreed, pouring gravy on his meat and potatoes.
Jessie looked from her father to Cary.
Cary didn’t say anything.
Somehow Jessie managed to get through dinner and asked to be excused when dessert was served. She ran to her room and lay on her bed. How could she get out of this? If she didn’t show tomorrow, that cop was going to set up Cary. She had no doubt, now. She was sure he had been sending her a message by stopping Cary for speeding tonight. And that message was to show her just how easily he could follow through with his threats.
If she told someone, her dad, or the sheriff, would they believe her? What would happen to Wilcox? Nothing, that’s what, because she couldn’t prove any of it, and the guy probably had a sterling record. All it would do would be to make him mad, and then who knew what he would do.
Jessie turned it over in her head again, and again, but she couldn’t find any way out.
*****
Jessie slowed her car as she approached The Sunset Motel. It was a little dump of a place out in the middle of nowhere. She was sure its clientele mainly consisted of cheating spouses. Flipping on her signal, she pulled into the lot.
As she rolled past the office, she noticed an old man and woman peeking out through the curtains. She assumed they must be the owners and wondered how many other girls they’d seen come here. Maybe Deputy Wilcox paid them off to look the other way, or maybe he just threatened them with something, like he had with her.
Looking around, Jessie didn’t see a squad car, but then she hadn’t expected him to be that stupid. Rolling up to unit 108, she pulled into the parking space in front and parked. The curtains were drawn. Taking a deep breath, she got out of the car.
With her stomach in knots, she walked to the door and lifted her hand to knock. Before her knuckles connected with the door, it was pulled open a foot, and she found herself staring up at the Deputy. He was dressed in regular street clothes.
He smiled, his white teeth flashing in his handsome face, and then he stepped back, holding the door open for her. “Come in, Jessie. I see you had no trouble finding the place.”
She stepped into the room, noting the cheap motel furniture, old wood paneling, and worn carpeting. Her eyes drifted to the double bed. Then they swept to the dresser, landing on the 35mm camera sitting on top. Oh my God! What was he planning?
“Yes, Jessie. The camera. I see you noticed it.”
She backed up a step. “What is it you want? I thought…”
He smiled and took her purse out of her hands. He searched it, and then set it aside. “Calm down. I’m not going to hurt you. As a matter of fact, I’m not even going to touch you.”
“You’re not?”
He shook his head. “No. I just want to take a few pictures of you.”
“Pictures?”
“Pictures. Don’t worry. They’re just for me. My private collection, so to speak.”
“That’s sick.”
“Not really. You’re a beautiful girl. I find you attractive. What’s sick about it?”
She didn’t reply. She didn’t know what to say. This wasn’t what she’d expected. Not at all.
“How’s your friend, Cary?”
It was a reminder that he held all the cards, and that if she didn’t want anything to happen to Cary, she had better do as he asked. It didn’t mean she had to like it. Her chin came up. “Let’s get this over with.”
“By all means, Jessie. Let’s get started.” He nodded towards her body. “Strip down to your bra and panties.” He moved toward the dresser, picking up the camera and waited while she complied.
Jessie took a deep breath, thought of Cary and how she would do anything to make sure nothing bad happened to him, and pulled her shirt over her head. Then she kicked her flip-flops off and shimmied out of her jeans. She watched as his eyes sweep over her, taking in the pale blue lace bra and panty set.
“Very nice,” he drawled, nodding approvingly. Then he lifted the camera, focused the lens, and began clicking off some shots. He pulled the camera away from his face and ordered, “Turn around.”
She did and heard him clicking off more shots. She looked back at him over her shoulder.
“I like that. Very coy. Lift your shoulder. That’s it. Beautiful.”
She heard the camera clicking away.
“Pull your bra strap down.”
When she hesitated, he lowered the camera, and stared at her, waiting. When she continued to hesitate, his chin dropped, and his eyes bored into her. It was like his whole demeanor had changed. Gone was the smiling, flirty officer-friendly. In his place was a dangerous man.
“Jess, you do what I tell you, and we’ll get along fine. You don’t, and you’re going to see another side of me. Believe me, it’s a side you don’t want to see.” She did believe him. Every word. Her hand came up, her thumb hooking in her strap, and dragging it down slowly. He raised the camera, and continued clicking off shots. “Now the other one.”
She complied.
“Reach back, and unhook it. Eyes on me, over your shoulder. Good. Yeah. I like that.” He kept clicking.
Jessie dropped her bra to the carpet, crossing her arms over her chest, her back to him.
“You have a beautiful back, Jessie. Move your hair to the side.” She reached up, pulling it to the front, and exposing her back. “That’s it. Shoulders back. Perfect.” The sound of the camera filled the room. “Now, turn around, and face me.”
Her eyes connected with his and she paused. He slowly lowered the camera, his eyes boring into hers. Swallowing, she did as he bid.
His eyes slid over her, from her wide eyes and trembling lip, down over her crossed arms, to the curve of her hip, and the long length of her legs. “Lovely,” he whispered to her and raised the camera.
Jessie bit her lower lip, knowing what was coming next.
“I love this demure pose. Very swee
t.” He clicked off some more shots. “Okay, sweetheart. Lower your arms for me.”
Her eyes started to pool, but she did as he said.
“You’re beautiful, Jessie. Absolutely gorgeous. No tears, now, or we’ll have to start over.”
She swallowed and took a deep breath, blinking her eyes. “Are we almost finished?”
“Finished? No, honey, we’re just getting started.”
*****
Summer looked out the kitchen window. Steve and Cary were out in the yard working on the truck again. It was mid-afternoon, and the sun was beating down. With the temperature near ninety, they were both working up a sweat. Summer turned, opened the refrigerator, took out two bottles of beer, and walked out the backdoor.
When Cary heard the screen door bang, he glanced up and saw her coming across the yard with the bottles. His gaze flicked to Steve, who was still working on the fan belt. Cary noticed his jaw clench, but Steve never looked up. Cary walked over and took one of the bottles that Summer held out to him. “Damn, you’re an angel,” he said with a smile. She turned and extended the other toward Steve, who just looked at her and turned back to what he was doing. Cary quickly grabbed the bottle out of her hand and tried to cover for Steve’s rudeness. “Really, this is great. I was dying out here. Thanks.”
Summer smiled half-heartedly at him, looked at Steve one last time, then turned and walked back into the house. Cary watched her go inside, and then slammed the second bottle down on the roof of the pickup. Steve jumped and hit his head on the hood.
“Damn it, what the hell are you doing?” he snapped, standing up and glaring at Cary.
“What the hell am I doing? What the hell are you doing?”
“I’m working, or trying to!” Steve bent back over the engine.
“You’re being an ass!” Cary bit out, twisting off the bottle top of his beer and flinging it violently into the bed of the truck.
