The Beginning (Whispering Pines Book 1)

by Charles Wells

  ***

  Chuck eased out of the hospital bed and found his clothes in the nearby cabinet. He’d just finished dressing when the phone beside the bed, rang. He stepped across the room, picked up the receiver and said, “Hello?”

  Bill Jacobs said, “Chuck? I heard you were alive and kicking. Blake told me. So how are you feeling tonight?”

  “If I told you I was fine, would you come and get me out?”

  “Brooks has placed you under medical arrest. If you try to leave, you are going to jail. Stay put; we have things under control. I called the GBI in Atlanta and they will be here in the morning.”

  “I’m still worried. Who ever tried to kill me could go after one of you or even Gail.”

  “They are not going to kill any of us that easy and Catfish is keeping an eye on Gail.”

  “Blake told me. Thanks, Bill. Where are you right now?”

  “I’m at the truck stop on 16. A man’s gotta’ eat you know. Listen. I just picked up on something else out here. Max Pary is running around saying that Blake Squires is the man who killed Matt just so he could lay claim to the money for the timber.”

  “Well we know that’s a lie.”

  “Oh yeah, I know it, but I can’t figure what Pary’s next move will be.”

  Chuck sighed. “I’m starting to think the timber lease may have more to do with Matt vanishing than any of us realize. We sure do seem to be barking up a lot of different trees right now.”

  “What about last night? Blake said you didn’t see who jumped you.”

  “No, I didn’t. It was too dark but it was a big man, about Anderson’s size.”

  “I don’t know of a larger man around so it had to be him.”

  “I couldn’t swear to it.”

  Jacobs lowered his voice and said, “The whole Pary influence is going to come down hard on our heads pretty soon. I just hope the State boys can see around all that and help us. I tried to talk with Edie Pary today but her Aunt ran some serious interference and stopped me.”

  “I’ve already talked to her. She came by earlier.”

  Jacobs sounded shocked. “You’re kidding. Is she that brave?”

  “Bill? I can’t explain it but for some reason I trust her. She was in love with Matt.”

  “Chuck? I hope you know what you’re doing. Don’t forget that Max Pary is her brother.”

  “I know that, Bill. Look, I’m leaving the hospital tonight. I’m not going to wait around for Brooks to arrest me or something.”

  “Are you that strong? Man you did a sight of bleeding last night. But if you are leaving regardless, then I’ll come get you.”

  “I’ll be okay but no, don’t come get me. Edie is picking me up in a few minutes.”

  Jacobs shouted, “Edie? That’s not a smart idea, Chuck. I can be there in twenty minutes.”

  “No, don’t do that. I trust her, Bill. You stay out of sight.”

  “Where can I meet you?” Jacobs asked finally.

  He thought for a moment. “I’ll get in touch. Will you be at your place later tonight?”

  “I don’t know. Right now I’m out snooping, trying to see if I can pick up anything more on this mess.”

  “Okay, Bill. Just stay where I can find you and be careful. If nothing else, meet me out at Matt’s place.”

  Chuck waited. At 10:30 pm, a car pulled into the hospital parking lot near his window and flashed the headlights twice. Still a little weak on his feet, he opened the window and crawled out into the chest high bushes.

  He didn’t see the dark blue pick‑up truck parked just across the street. The driver had been waiting there and watching for a long time. On the seat beside him lay a fully loaded, black, 44-magnum rifle with a hundred-power scope.

  When Chuck fell into the bushes beneath the window, his head exploded in pain but it was bearable. He waited until it eased and then scanned the area, before he stepped out into the open.

  The short fall and movement had truly awakened the pain in his head. He almost wished he hadn’t skipped the nine pm pain medication the nurse had brought. Instead of taking it, he’d stashed it away and had it in his pocket.

  As he neared Edie’s car he noticed the truck across the street for the first time. The driver was sitting back in the shadows and didn’t seem to pay any attention to anyone.

  The truck looked familiar. Was it the one parked at the mill?

  Edie opened the car’s door and helped pull him inside. “I made it,” he exclaimed.

  While starting the engine, she asked, “Are you feeling okay?”

  “I’ll live. Let’s get out of here and fast. There’s a truck across the street behind us. Make sure he doesn’t follow.”

  She backed out into the street and headed away from downtown. Chuck said, “Let’s go to Matt’s place. I want to talk to Gail.

  “Wouldn’t that be the first place they’d look for you?”

  “No, they figure I’m too smart for that so I’m using reverse, reverse, psychology.”

  Headlights appeared in the rear view mirror. Chuck glanced back and said, “You better step on it, Edie that truck is following us.”

  “Do you think Max did it?”

  “He’s involved in some way but I don’t know how deep. Things keep pointing back at him. Did you tell anyone you were picking me up?”

  “Of course not, I know the situation now. Did you tell anyone?”

  Only Jacobs and besides, the Sheriff had issued a warrant for my arrest.”

  “You told Jacobs I was coming to get you?”

  “I told him you were coming to get me and that I’d be in touch later tonight.”

  Something bolted from the edge of the woods and into the road directly in front of the car. Edie snatched the wheel and braked causing the car to slide sideways. Chuck grabbed at the steering wheel and shouted, “Let go of the brakes.”

  Her foot froze on the pedal and the locked wheels kept the car from responding. “Edie let go of the brakes.”

  Her foot finally released the pedal and the car straightened up and slowly rolled to a stop by the edge of the highway. Chuck took a deep breath and released it. Edie sat with her hands clasped over her mouth, face pale and moist.

  “It’s okay. It was just a deer. You want me to drive? We better get moving again before that truck catches up.”

  She regained her composure and shook her head. “No. I’m okay. The truck turned off about two miles back. It’s gone. Let’s go.”

  Ten minutes later, they pulled into Matt’s driveway. Chuck pointed at the rear of the house.

  “Why don’t you park out back and face the car forward.”

  She drove to the rear yard and backed the car behind the house. “How’s this?”

  He nodded. “Great. Come on let’s go inside.”

  She hesitated. “I don’t know, Chuck. Why don’t I come back later?”

  “Edie” Chuck said, “My girlfriend is inside and there’s someone watching over her from out in the trees. We are not alone here.”

  Edie looked at him a moment and whispered, “I know. It’s not that. It’s all the memories of Matt.”

  She blushed and looked down. He reached over, took her soft hand, and kissed it gently. “I’m sorry, Edie. It’ll be okay. We can sit in the kitchen. Nobody will see the light from the road.”

  “You’ve got Matt’s eyes. Do you know that?

  “Chuck smiled but said nothing.

  Okay, let’s go inside for just a little while.”

  Chuck opened his door and she was instantly at his side helping him. Gail, who had been peering out the window, felt her heart thunder in her chest watching the strange car arrive and then Chuck and that woman get out together. Who was she and why had Chuck kissed her hand?

  As they neared the rear door of the house, it opened and a smiling Gail stepped outside. “Well hello. Did the doctor let you out early tonight? And who is your lady friend here?”