Ghost River, Jon Coon [ebooks online reader TXT] 📗

parking lot, Gabe said to Carol, “Here’s what’s going to happen. There will be a petition served, which takes the place of a warrant when juveniles are involved. You will be required to go with Paul to his court appearance, then the judge will have options ranging from a juvenile hall to probation with community service.”

“What should we do?” She asked.

Gabe turned to Paul. “The most important thing now is for you to man up and face the music. Unless you show the judge you get it, she’s going to hammer you.”

Paul remained silent. Gabe stopped him before he could get into Carol’s Mustang. “I need to know you heard me, Paul. This will be a lot worse if you aren’t paying attention.”

“Yeah, I got it. I just don’t see what the big deal is. It’s only pot.”

“It’s not legal. And the court can put you in jail. Is that a big enough deal?” Gabe answered, trying to remain patient.

“Yeah, okay. I got it.” Paul said. He got into the car and slammed the door.

Carol took Gabe’s arm and walked him away from the car. Shaking her head, she said quietly, “He’s impossible. Without Charlie, I’m not strong enough to keep him on track. If he thinks he can get away with stunts like this, it could ruin him . . . and me too.”

“What can I do to help?” Gabe asked.

“Please keep talking to him. Don’t give up on him. You and my dad are my only support. Maybe the three of us can turn him around.”

“Whatever it takes. I’m in.”

“Thanks, Gabe. I knew I could count on you.” She hugged and kissed him on the cheek, then pulled quickly away. Gabe was off balance too. In the twenty years they’d been friends, kissing had not been part of their relationship. Not sure how to respond, he refocused.

“Let me know as soon as you get the court date. I’ll try to be available,” he said as he opened the car door for her. “One other thing. Captain Brady was murdered two days after Charlie's death, and Nick Doyle got shot, but he’s going to recover. Whatever got Charlie killed is looking like major crime. I’ll keep you posted.”

The aroma of the venison roast and veggies was overpowering. Gabe was starved, and his stomach growled loudly as he waited at the table for Alethea to announce the meal. He watched Souriciere ease down from the top of the bookcase and cross the bare wooden floor to Cher’s water dish. She tested the air and then the water with flicks of her tongue before drinking. Then she came slowly to Gabe’s chair, raised her head and studied him carefully before crawling up his legs and resting half her length in his lap.

“She likes you,” Alethea said. She was taking cornbread out of the Dutch oven. “I’ve never seen her do that with anyone else.”

“Don’t you think she just came for the warmth of my lap?”

“No. The stove is still warm. She could have gone there or curled up with Cher. She likes you.”

“What do I do now?”

“Just sit. Learn from her. She’s patient and content. It’s a good lesson. Her spirit is calm; let yours be calm as well.”

“Calm? I was in a shootout just days ago. My captain was killed and one of my friends wounded. My best friend is dead. His son got caught with pot at school. Carol is hanging on by her fingernails. It’s hard to be calm. And . . .”

“And you still want it to be all your fault? Don’t go there. You had no control over that dive.”

“I should have been there. No matter what. He was my partner, and I should have been there.”

“And how do you feel about that?”

“Guilty. Carol’s life is a wreck. Her son is a disaster. The captain . . . Nick. It’s all because of that bridge, and if I’d been with Charlie, he’d still be alive. That’s what I should have said in that pulpit. He was a great guy, and I’m the reason he’s dead.”

“Will your feeling guilty fix anything?”

“Suppose not.” The huge snake was coiling in his lap. Her tongue flicked and her black eyes gleamed.

“Are you sure she likes me?”

“Don’t worry. She’s not going to eat you. Just relax. Enjoy the moment.”

“He moved a hand toward Souriciere’s head. She remained motionless.

“You’re right about Charlie. I know you are. But I just can’t shake this. I can barely look Carol in the eyes. I’m brokenhearted for those kids.” He gently stroked the python’s head as she wrapped herself around his chair. He felt the weight and saw Alethea watching him, smiling.

“All right, then give it all to Souriciere. She’ll be happy to feel guilty for you, to worry for you. Then you can focus on things you actually can fix. Like my roof and discovering who killed Charlie and your captain.”

“I’m not so sure she likes me. I think she’s just wondering if I’m too big to eat.”

“Okay.” Alethea began singing softly. Souriciere raised her head and turned to her old friend. Alethea said, “Vini.” Souriciere descended to the floor and coiled at her feet.

“You talk to her, and she understands you?” Gabe asked, surprised.

“We’re friends. I talk to you. Why not her?”

“Sure.”

Alethea took his hand, and he didn’t pull back. “About Charlie. I’m not going to tell you to let it go like it never happened. It happened. It’s sad, and it hurts. It’s history. There’s nothing you can do about it now. But you can control what happens next. Think about that.” She pulled his hand to her lips and gently kissed it. “Now enough of this. Souriciere is very sensitive, and if you keep this up she’s going to get depressed. Let’s pray and eat and then figure out how you are going to fix my roof. It’s leaking again. Right over the bed. That’s probably why she came to you. She knows I need your help. She helps you, you fix