“It’s the same way with my parents.”
“It’s not you. It’s... I don’t talk much. I’m-was- an Army Ranger scout for twenty years. It’s still a lot of my job now. I watch. I listen. Recon and evaluate. It’s just what I do. The training doesn’t shut off. I can tell you how many cars have driven by, how many kids are hanging out on the corner, how many drug deals went down, and which family didn’t leave a tip.
“You’re with me. I need to watch over you.”
The note Twila left in my door, and that she told NorahI’d know how to fix things, is setting off all my warning bells. Twila didn’t miss much and was a wily old bird. The word choices in her note aren’t lost on me.Protectis a hell of a lot different than watch over.
That generator was just fine before I left on the last assignment. Twila knew what she was doing and maintained her cabin and equipment. I helped because I liked the work. She cut me a deal on rent, but I’m certain it was because she realized I needed to keep busy and working with my hands was how I decompressed after a mission.
She was a responsible driver and had lived in these mountains most of her life. I don’t see her driving too fast and going off the road. This isn’t adding up.
“Did Twila say anything to you about issues she was having?”
“No. I only know she and my mother were fighting because I heard Mom yelling on the phone.”
“What about your dad?”
“My stepdad and I don’t get along so we rarely talk.”
“Was he fighting with Twila, too?”
“She wouldn’t have anything to do with him. She told Mom he was a disingenuous piece of shit, and she needed to get rid of him.”
I smirk. Testy Twila. “If you’re done, lets hit the store and head home.”
This time she doesn’t say anything when I shut off the lights before pulling off the main road. Once parked, I help her out and grab one bag. “I’ll come back for the rest. Let’s get you inside first.”
Checking that my trip wire is still in place, I duck and lead her inside.
“I never knew this place was here,” she exclaims.
“It wasn’t in the best of condition when I first started coming. Twila told me when she inherited the land there was an old hermit living here and she let him stay till he died. She probably didn’t want you running into him when you were a kid.”
“She was always watchful when I visited on my own and set boundaries for me.”
“The place sat empty for a few years. When she retired, she started renting it as a rustic hunting cabin for extra money. I saw her ad a couple years ago. The seclusion works for me, and I liked that she gave me the freedom to fix it up.” I give my head a shake. “Cantankerous, penny pinching old broad. But I’m just as stubborn. We’d haggle and almost always split the cost on things.”
“Why would you do that? You were renting?”
“I’m not always the best company after a mission. She seemed to understand that and mostly left me alone. I grew up on a farm. My brother and I did all the chores and maintenance. I liked the freedom and I was familiar with the work that needed to be done. Once the place was fixed up, she left the rent the same price. When I’m working, I share a place in Love Beach.”
“She never said a word.”
“She respected my privacy. One of the things I liked most about her.” Placing the groceries on the counter, I meet Norah’s gaze. “You want to start unpacking this stuff. The fridge should be cold by now. I’ll check outside and go get the rest of our stuff. Come lock the door behind me. Don’t open it for anyone but me.”
Before heading to the truck, I check the perimeter of my cabin. Then place a call to my home office.
“Yo, Silo what’s up?” I-Tee asks.
“Need you to check something for me.” I give him Twila’s name and what I know about the accident. “She was coming home on the mountain road from Johnson. They told hergranddaughter she was driving too fast and lost control. That’s not the woman I knew. I want everything you can find. Especially the police and vehicle reports.”
“Roger, I’ll get on it.”
“This is personal. Tell Steel.”
I-Tee snorts. “Sure, dude. I’ll text.” He disconnects.
When I return with her bags and the rest of the groceries, she’s already put away what she could.
