Chapter 14 Raccoon
Later on back in her room Julie put faze 2 into operation. Picking up the phone she dialed Connie's cell number.
"HEY Connie?"
"What's up?"
"I was wondering have you seen any good movies lately."
"Not really why?"
"Portman said we might rent something tonight but I'm really not up to date on good stuff lately."
"Well Guy and a couple of us rented Star fire last night but it wasn't all that great, but then again Charlie liked it so…" Connie shrugged.
"Hmm, oh, well maybe I'll try renting something else."
"Ok, well Tammy wants to go grab some pizza talk to you later."
"Right." Julie sighed; well she just crossed Charlie and Guy off her list. She'd have to tell the guys later. Now though she leaned back on her bed and picked up her copy of "Love and War" by Jon jakes. She loved old civil war books and having to read it for her American Lit class just made it all the better.
***
"Ok, so I checked Goldberg's room there wasn't anything." Scooter told Portman and Fulton in their quarters.
"Yeah, well Julie was checking out Charlie and she might be able to cross off Guy." Portman told his co-conspirators.
"So what do we do now?"
"I'll keep checking rooms, see if I can't find any evidence." Scooter said.
"I'm going to go check in on Julie." Fulton said and when Portman frowned a little at him he added. "I can use my sketching as an excuse. If you hang too close the guy might get even more dangerous towards you."
Portman didn't like it but he knew that Fulton was right.
He nodded at both and then with the snake having been picked up by animal control Portman hopped into his car. He had to go pick up a few things at the tech store in town.
***
Julie turned the page even as she heard the knock on her door and looked up sharply. She didn't know who it was but it was probably Portman wanting to play bodyguard.
Still with all that had been happening lately she wasn't really into making a major mistake. Setting down her book she got to her feet and headed for the door.
"Fulton?"
"Hey Julie, I was um wondering if I could finish the sketch from last night?" HE asked and she took in the sketch pad and knew it was probably a ruse to protect her but she didn't mind. He was a good artist and if she didn't have to do more than sit for him it wouldn't be too bad. Maybe she could even finish her chapter for tomorrow before he finished it.
"Mind?" He asked and she shrugged and carefully she adjusted her crutches to let him in.
She didn't say a word about any of the other stuff. She just made her way back to her bed and sat down once more, but so that she was facing the chair where Fulton set up camp.
"So you're in A.L.?" Fulton asked as he thumbed through his drawings until he came to the one he'd started last night.
"Yeah, and for once I get to read a book I like." She smiled as he nodded that she could read.
"That always helps."
"Hey are you going to take the shading classes?" She asked and he shrugged.
"Can you imagine if the others knew about this?"
"Portman knows."
"Yeah but we're like brothers so its col."
"You know I'm one of the others."
"Yeah but your like Portman, you know cool."
"Thanks I think."
She went back to reading then and the only sound in the room was that of the occasional page turning and the scratching of Fulton's pencil on the tablet.
***
The figure growled as he watched the long haired freak go into the cat's room. How could this be happening? Tonight he was going to make another little delivery. He'd planned out so well during the game this afternoon, and then making the needed adjustments to Portman's car. Now though the freak hadn't taken his car, he'd borrowed Fulton's and Fulton was babysitting Julie. The watcher could have put a fist through the wall if he'd thought it might do some good but… Then again maybe, just maybe he could salvage the situation.
***
Two hours later Portman returned to his room to find the door slightly ajar. Suddenly he felt all of his senses go on high alert. Shifting his back pack slightly he ducked low as he used his foot to nudge the door open. He didn't see anyone but heard the material shifting as he move slightly and not thinking he whirled to find the three standing there.
"Woe, paranoid much?" Russ muttered and Portman relaxed slightly.
"Hey guys what's up?"
"That's what we want to know." Ken said frowning at the bash brother.
"I was just coming in; I had some studying to do." Portman said and Dwayne shook his head slowly.
"Naw you know that's not what we mean." The cowboy crossed his arms over his chest in a stubborn gesture.
"Bro what is that…" Ken breathed catching sight of what lay beyond Portman's back.
"Huh?" Portman asked turning to see what had caught Ken's eye. There was red paint smeared all over the wall to the right of the door. In it was written the words that had him growling low in his throat.
"What does it mean to stay away from her?"
"Nothing, look I have to clean this up and do a little studying." Portman said but Russ pushed his way into the room.
"Something's going on here and we're not leaving until you spill it."
"Portman?" Came the soft voice and all turned to see Julie and Fulton standing in the doorway.
As her eyes took in the whole scene they grew wide and she started forward when Fulton caught her arm.
"You know what this is all about little filly?" Dwayne asked and Julie frowned, what was going on? Why were they here? This made no sense she'd thought they didn't want the others to know what was going on.
"Come on we should…"
"Come on in." Portman said after a minute and his gaze met Fulton's for a split second before the latter nodded.
Then they were all moving into the room, Julie taking a seat on the bed with Fulton at her side. Portman instead of sitting was pacing the floor.
"Look, we've had some problems with someone following Julie around and stuff." The bash brother said walking the length of the floor.
"Yall talk'n like them varsity varmints?" Dwayne asked and Portman shook his head.
"No, we're not sure who; all we know is that whoever it is isn't a nice guy." Fulton told them from his seat by Julie.
"Because?" Ken asked looking from one bash brother to the other and back.
"Well, you saw the wall." Fulton added and the others all nodded.
"Is there anything we can do?" Ken asked and Portman seemed to be lost in thoughts.
"Wait, why would he be after you?" Russ asked and Julie blushed. "Oh," He smirked.
"He's after Julie and I've been sticking close so he'd want me out of the way." Portman replied easily.
"This guy just won't give up?" Russ asked.
"Man that sucks." Ken shook his head.
"You're telling me." Julie muttered morosely.
"So, like I said is there anything we can do?" Ken asked.
"Keep your eyes peeled." Fulton said and Portman nodded. He was not about to tell them everything, he still couldn't rule the three out.
"Hey where were you guys last night?" Julie spoke up and all eyes went to her.
"The movies in town." Ken said without hesitating.
"All of you?" Portman asked a brow arched in query.
"Yeah, we went with Luis." Russ nodded, not at all offended by the interrogation. After all they had nothing to hide.
"This morning?" Julie asked thinking of the snake.
"Yeah around nine?" Portman picked up on her thoughts and waited.
"We crashed in our room." Ken replied adding. "With Luis."
"Hey, I think I might have something that will take that off." Fulton said getting up from his seat and going over to the wall behind the bed which they sat on. Rummaging in his closet he pulled out some paint remover.
"Man where'd you get that stuff?" Russ asked noting the name on the banister.
"'I like to paint in the off season." Fulton shrugged and Julie had to hide a smile. He was adorable, just like a bashful raccoon whenever you got to know the real Fulton Reed. Then she started to giggle at the image of him rummaging through the trash.
"Jules?" Portman asked frowning at her, what was funny? They were sitting in the midst of a crisis.
"What's with her?" Ken asked frowning as well as Julie laughed so hard she fell back on the bed, rolling around in her mirth.
"I don't have any idea." Fulton said frowning as well as he had to move so she'd not fall off the bed in her mirth.
"Jules what is so gosh darn funny?" Dwayne asked and Julie just laughed harder.
"Raccoons."
TBC
***
I know this chapter was a long time coming but I have been fighting the flu, namonia and other afflictions lately. Anyway if there's still anyone reading this I'd like at least three reviews before I go on. I need to know it this is mvoving too slow. So please R/R