Tannin looked at King again and said, “Maybe you should have someone check the place out before these bozos have a chance to be smart and take off.It could already be too late.”
King kept his thoughts to himself as he nodded at him.
A voice came from behind Tannin with a snort added, “They aren’t going anywhere, at least not right away.”
Turning, Tannin saw Bethy standing there with Maudie.Bethy looked clean from the bath and was wearing clean clothes that were a little big on her small frame but at least they were clean.
Shay stared at her and asked, “What does that mean?”
Bethy moved into the room and came to stand beside Tannin.She stared at the table full of men and women and then looked a little hesitant.“Mais, before I ran this morning I took the keys to their vehicle along with my father’s and I threw them in the pond next to our house.”Shaking her head she said, “That water is so bad it's black and it stinks.My dad won’t go anywhere near it and I have to walk half a mile to get fresh water every day.”
Shay glanced at King then back to Bethy.“So, they don’t have any vehicles to use?”
Bethy shrugged. “My dad has a truck along with his car, but it doesn’t always run.I use it to carry the harvest to town every Saturday for barter for the house.I trade vegetables and plants for flour and sugar then go and get Dad’s booze...”
King looked angry as he asked, “How bad is your dad drinking?”
Bethy turned her head to look at him.“It’s been bad, really bad, I have to do everything.He starts drinking almost first thing in the morning.I take Micah out with me every morning to gather what we need to eat during the day.I don’t trust Dad being alone with him at all.By late afternoon, he usually drinks his supper.”
King clenched his jaw and stared at her for a minute then asked, “Does he ever hurt you or the boy?”he growled softly.
Bethy just stared at him with her lips pursed shut.
King took a deep breath but showed no other sign of anger.He glanced at Tannin and their eyes met.Fist holes it is.He turned and looked around at all the Hogans.
Just from the look in King’s eyes, they all got the message that went unspoken.
Chapter Six
Maudie let out a longbreath then began slamming pots and pans on the stove.She too was angry about Leroy abusing Bety and the boy.She muttered under her breath, “Girls, we got mouths to feed and bellies to fill.Dinner will be early today.”
Leeza, Rhetta and Renee got up.They looked angry too as they quietly began making the meal.
King offered Bethy a chair at the table.
She sat down.She noted that Micah had a juice in his hand.
