Title: The Stranger
By: greygoose70
Chapter Four
As the Caddy went speeding on down the highway a man came riding up on a bicycle, it was Paul Wilson a local farmer and he did not look happy. Dismounting from the bike he walked right up to Brent almost screaming. "Where's my tractor Brent? I need my tractor!"
"Calm down Paul," Brent calmly said. "It will be done today just like I promised. You will be able to pick it up first thing tomorrow morning."
Wilson stood there taking a couple deep calming breathes. "I'm sorry Brent. It is that damn Pierce, sent that ass of a man Blackwell to my place making me an offer of half what it is worth. But do not worry I told him where he could go with it, I'm not selling." He then picked up his bike, got on to head back to his place.
What happened next was beyond belief for just as Paul Wilson was beginning to petal across to the opposite side of the highway a seemingly out of control black blur came speeding around the tight turn that preceded the gas stations entrance. Wilson jerked the bike hard to the right trying get out of the way, but the black car was already to close crashing violently into him sending the bike one direction and Wilson up in the air where he landed on the hood, bounced over the roof then off the trunk before finally landing on the blacktopped road, the black car finally coming to rest some two hundred feet from the point of contact.
Rick saved and closed his work, returned to the bedroom, and eased back into bed. Kate rolled over, placed her arm across his chest and whispered, "that going to count as part of today's writing time." Rick just chuckled turning to face her. "You been awake all the time."
"You know I don't sleep well when you're not here," she replied.
"Well, I'm here now so go back to sleep." He then cupped her face and placed a kiss to her lips telling her "I love you," afterwards.
"Love you too Babe," she whispered back as she closed her eyes instantly falling asleep her protector by her side.
The next day after breakfast, after a trip to the grocery store Rick loaded up the Range Rover with everything, they would need for their excursion to Montauk Point State Park and Lighthouse. Once there they setup for their picnic lunch on the hillside where they could watch the activities in the ocean. Following lunch, they took a tour of the museum and the gift shop, of course, where Lily got him to buy her a toy replica of the lighthouse. Rick and Lily then made the journey up the winding stairway to the top of the lighthouse Kate opting to stay below saying it would be too much considering her condition. After arriving home Rick carried a sound asleep Lily up to her room, covered her with a blanket, placed a kiss to her forehead before quietly closing the door when he left.
As Rick descended the stairs, he saw Kate's head laying on the back on the sofa. Going over he found her asleep as well, so he gently laid her down supporting her head with a pillow, lifted her legs, removed her shoes, covered her with the blanket kept there and kissed to her forehead receiving a low hmm from her. He then headed to the study to get some writing done.
As was his usual practice he read on what he last wrote, it helped him correct any mistake. He then began typing.
He heard Jen scream it was immediately followed by a shout from Brent for her to call the sheriff's office and Doc Fabian.
Ten minutes later a deputy showed up, assessed the situation, and started taping off the scene. Shortly thereafter a black station wagon pulled up a stoutly white-haired man toting a black bag got out, walked over to the deputy, conversed with him then went over to examine the body of Paul Wilson.
The deputy whom Jen recognized as Calvin Peete walked to where the black car sat, one she now perceived to be an early Buick Regal, began asking the occupants, the Grusome brothers Bull and Wiley, if they were hurt. Jen went running up to Deputy Peete shouting that they ran Mr. Wilson over on purpose because…
Deputy Peete turned his attention to Jen telling her to cease and desist, she would get her chance when he was done with Bull and Wiley. Everybody was so engrossed in the scene between Jen and the deputy they failed to notice when the sheriff arrived.
Marlowe had moved up to stand next to Jen. Upon seeing the sheriff, he had to hold back a chuckle this guy was straight out of 'Smokey and the Bandit', plastic hat, mirrored sunglasses and all. "You must be the guy with car trouble, what's your name?" The sheriff asked as he approached. "Marlowe," he replied.
"So, tell me Marlowe what did you see?"
"Not much. I was in the shop, heard Jen scream, came out just in time to see Mr. Wilson land on the pavement."
" Well, you'll need to come into the station and make out a statement to that effect."
"Sure, thing sheriff." This guy even talked like Jackie Gleason he thought to himself.
The sheriff then turned to Jen saying, "okay Jen your turn." Jen instantly went into a tirade how the car the Grusome brothers were in came speeding around the corner to fast then sped right toward Mr. Wilson not even trying to avoid him, they hit him on purpose.
Bull Grusome immediately proclaiming that to be untrue as his brother, Wiley, who had been driving, claimed Wilson came out of nowhere. Sheriff Hanley shushed them telling them he would get their statements at the station. He then turned his attention to Deputy Peete who was busy taking measurements telling him to get Goober and his people out here to tow the car in and clean up the debris, he then got in his car and left.
"Come on," Brent said joining his daughter and Marlowe; "Let us finish putting Wilson's tractor together. I will take it back in the morning. Jen you can spread the word among the other farmers Marie will need help.
TBC