"Bad business."
"Yep."
The farmers stood nearby, watching scores of patrolmen scouring the field.
"Linda found it, did you say?"
"Yep."
"She must be pretty torn up about it."
"Yep."
Jake Hollis stuffed his hands into his pockets. "Think they'll find out who put it outthere?"
"Maybe."
"I guess I'll head on home," Jake said. "You tell Linda that Mag is coming over later with some of her sweetbread, alright? Woman shouldn't be left alone after a day like this."
The other man, one Ray Eddelson, simply nodded. Jake was considerably younger than he, and often proved to be an irritation in times of stress. Today was no different.
Jake shifted from one boot-clad foot to the other. "Well, I'll leave you to it. If you need anything, just give us a call."
Ray had no idea what this twitchy young man could provide to them, but he nodded anyway, and was relieved to see Jake turn and start off down the dirt road. He was obviously duck-footed, and shuffled along with his head down like a sullen boy. It was amazing that he and his livestock had survived thus far, since he possessed almost no knowledge of the trade.
Ray turned his attention back to the field, where the lawmen were wrapping up their search. Vehicle doors slammed shut, motors revved.
Back in the house, Linda was putting on the perfect show of being a woman whose life had not been dramatically changed three hours previous. She was even humming a tune as she washed dishes, though it was unusually off-key.
"Did Jake head back home?" she asked, without turning.
"Yep. Said Maggie would be by later with some goods."
"That's very sweet of her. And have the police gone, as well?"
"Just about."
"Good."
Ray felt an overwhelming wave of affection for this woman, his wife of almost thirty-five years. Her hair, once thick and black as ink, was now a wirey gray. Her hands were still dainty as ever, but he could see the veins clearly beneath the skin as she rinsed a plate under the faucet. "How you faring?"
"Just fine," she chirped, finally turning to smile at him. "Would you mind handing me that pot on the stove? The oatmeal scrapings will be dried on by now..."
He obliged, and watched as she set about scrubbing the pot with what seemed like cheerful vigor. True to her upbringing, she was holding up remarkably well under what must have been a good deal of stress.
After all, Ray thought grimly, it's not every day that you find a dead woman in your field.
Points: 1396
Reviews: 46
Donate