CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  It had been a long two weeks for both Brett and Amelia as they watched, followed and tried listening to Leland as he moved about what was left of the town. There was something far more than strange about him and Brett had pointed out that not soon after his arrival strange things had begun to happen.

  Many towns’ folks might just think that the weird happenings in Hershel were just consequential events. For Brett and Amelia nothing was just a consequence especially when you took in the fact that Hazel and Hank were good people who loved each other and had no reason to kill each other.

  Brett knew Troy and Becca very well and he was more than positive that the whole Kelley and Renee thing was a planned plot, but he did not believe for one second that either of the sisters could come up with such a plan. Besides neither Renee nor Kelley would have done anything that would have put their lives on the line. Those two sisters were way too selfish for that deal.

  Amelia had taken a Saturday to go by the hotel and speak with Becca just to see how she was doing. As it turned out Becca really wanted to share a lot with Amelia since they spent some time doing charity work together. Apparently, Becca was not buying that Troy had been involved with Kelley and she wasn’t sure just how much input Renee had actually had in this so-called triangle love story.

  Since the situation had presented itself, Amelia decided to take a chance and openly speak with Becca. From what Amelia gathered Renee had had a thing for Troy in high school. However, when Renee returned home from college, she had given no indication that she even cared about Troy in any way, shape or form. Renee was more than informed that Becca and Troy married just weeks after Troy’s graduating college and returning back to Hershel.

  The plan the twins formulated was simple. Brett would follow Leland while trying to see what he was about and what he was really up to. Amelia had planned to meet Becca for lunch and see if she could gain a little more about Troy’s actions. The brother and sister team would meet up back at home and compare their information. One way or the other the why and what happened to Hershel was still a mystery. Left up to these two young sleuths sooner or later they would have the answer and then and only then could they figure out how to combat whatever strange thing was going on.

  “ NOTHING VENTURED, NOTHING GAINED.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  The Tasty Treats café was one of the few businesses that had survived the massive storms. Brett sat quietly at the counter as he looked over the menu while watching Leland out of his left eye. He had followed him to the café which Leland had usually ate his morning meal.

  It was a community place where town’s people could come, eat, have conversation about many topics and relax for a few moments. Brett placed his order while he intently listen to every word that Leland spoke. Brett wanted to get a feeling of what questions Leland was asking and how he replied to the conversation. If there was one thing that Brett had figured out was that Leland was getting a lot of information not only about the town, but the resident that lived here and their problems.

  Leland sat quietly in his usual booth listen to the conversations. Most of the people were talking about how to rebuild the town and how long could it take. Each of them was concerned about their living circumstances. Many of the residents were staying at the hotel for a reduced pricing, or with families not too far away. Some of the barns that were not destroyed were converted into sleeping space for any person needing a place to lay their head.

  Leland wrinkled his nose at the thought of these low life beings bonding together to overcome the plan he had put into place, He was preparing for his next move and only needed a little of information to make it all come together. Just a day or two more then it would all be finished. He was filled with some sense of joy even though it was laced with evil at the thought of ending this game.

  If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  Brett made mental notes of what Leland asked of the people noting that Leland’s expression changed when he seemed to delight in talk about all of the devastation that had occurred. His second sense had been right about Leland. This man or whatever he really was did not hope for the best for the town or its people. Something about Leland’s presence just never had felt right to Brett. He couldn’t wait to meet up with Amelia to share what he knew he was right about.

  After leaving Tasty Treats Brett made his way over to the Sheriff’s department so he could say hi to his mom. He would swing by the hotel to if Amelia was ready so they both could go together. Shurley had been overloaded these past few weeks and he and Ameila had tried to help her out by not adding to her load. He knew Shurley was very concerned about what had happened and to a degree she felt responsible for all of the deaths. Both Brett and Ameila tried to let her know that she could not have prevented any of the deaths. No one knew that anything was wrong with any of those who lost their lives.

  Becca and Amelia sat at the table in the furthest back part of the hotel restaurant. Both had ordered a salad since neither were really very hungry. Becca moved her lettuce around with the tomato’s pieces looking down as though she needed to figure out how to eat it. Amielia sat quietly for the first few seconds then broke that silence asking, “ So Becca, how are you doing right now?” she asked watching Becca play with the salad more than she ate it.

  Looking up she tried to smile but was unsuccessful, “ I’m here. Just here Amelia. No matter what anyone says I can’t find a way to feel better.” The sad expression returning as she looked down again.

  Amelia felt sad for Becca knowing that she and Troy had plenty of plans for their future. She could not image what it could be like to know that the man you loved shot himself in your parent’s driveway. Taking a deep breath Amelia reached over and covered her hand with hers Speaking in a clam voice Amelia said, “ I guess it’s hard to understand how everything went so crazy. Have you spoken to Renee’s and Kelley’s parents to see if they understand any of this?”

  “ I haven’t really spoken to anyone other than you. I can’t bring myself to talk with my parents. I guess I feel like a real failure.” Becca replied looking sadder than ever before.

  Amelia smiled at her hoping to break her sorrow just a bit, “ No, no Becca. What could you have done about a lie? You aren’t responsible for other people’s choices. Why on earth would you even think that?’ Amelia asked being confused by Becca guilt.

  Becca looked up with tears in her eyes speaking in a whisper,” I’ve been told that perhaps I was actually aware of something not being right, but I choose to ignore it because I wanted to believe that Troy was my hero. I guess there’s no such thing in heroes. I, I should have known something was wrong Amelia. I knew that Troy had a lot going on and he was very distracted a clear sign that his attention was somewhere else other than on me.” She sounded so broken-hearted thinking that she had allowed Troy to make this choice.

  Amelia touched Becca’s hand again trying to comfort her as best as she could saying, “ I don’t believe any of this is your fault or failure. No one can ever predict anyone’s thoughts or actions. Sometimes people can be influenced by others, but who actually can be one hundred percent responsible for what one does? Becca, why would you think such a terrible thing?” Amelia asked.

  For a second Becca quickly looked around the room as though she thought someone would be watching. Then she spoke in a hush as though she was telling a secret, “ Well, Leland has spoken to me several times before and after the shooting. He sort of implied that Troy would never have been involved with the sisters if I had been paying attention better. I honestly didn’t think that Troy would ever cheat on me especially with Renee or Kelley. Amelia, Troy had a really bad feeling about Renee ever since our senior year in high school. He could not stand Renee and as far as I knew he stayed far away from Kelley because he told me he thought she was just as bad as her sister.

  Amelia looked down thinking about the fact that Leland had even spoken to Becca. The question was why and how did any of this affect him in anyway. He was nothing more than a visitor to the town. It was clear that something was going on with Leland and for the first time Amelia wanted to know who else had Leland been in contact with.

  Brett made his way to the hotel to see if Amelia was anywhere insight. As he searched the lobby Amelia and Brecca exited the restaurant and joined him as Becca hugged Amelia for having lunch with her.

  After the hugs and good byes Brett and Amelia left the hotel heading over to the sheriff’s department. There was plenty to share and a lot to still figure out. At least for the next couple of hours Brett and Amelia would hang out with their mom in order to collect some information and then get back to the hunt.

  One way or the other they were determined to figure out exactly what evil had moved into their town and who was responsible for being it there. Their fight for Hershel had only begun and two of its best warriors were the sheriff’s own children.

  “ Hold your precious gifts close for evil will come for you by any means necessary.”