Read Online Bad Samaritan by Aimée Thurlo - Free Book Online Page B

books.”
    â€œThanks,” she said and left, closing the door behind her to give them the privacy Sister Agatha had asked for.
    â€œOkay, ’fess up, Sister. What’s on your mind? Something to do with Sheriff Green’s situation, right?” Smitty asked, scooting his chair closer.
    Sister Agatha laughed. “I didn’t think I was that easy to read, but you nailed it.” As she told him about Scout and the possibility that he’d witnessed something, she saw Smitty’s expression change.
    â€œI know who you’re talking about, Sister, but I have no idea how you’re going to track him down. He’s a very troubled man—and with reason.”
    â€œWhat can you tell me about him?”
    â€œHis name’s Daniel Perea, and he used to live a normal life in this community. The family owned a video rental store and seemed to make a decent living. That was about ten years ago, if my memory’s correct.”
    â€œWhat could happen to a man to turn his life so upside down?”
    â€œYou mean how did he become Scout?” Seeing her nod, he continued. “Daniel always had a problem with alcohol. One evening he was behind the wheel and got into an accident. His wife and two kids were in the car with him, and they were all killed. Daniel was drunk at the time and somehow managed to survive it all without a scratch,” Smitty added.
    He shook his head slowly. “After that, Daniel fell apart. He drowned himself in a bottle, lost his business, then his home. Eventually, he ended up on the street and disappeared for a few years. He came back last March, still a transient. He lives in the bosque and roams the backstreets, mostly in the early mornings and evenings. He survives thanks to some of us who make sure he gets something to eat.” After a long pause, he added, “Daniel—the man he used to be—is long gone. I don’t think he even recognizes his name anymore. I’ve never seen him with a bottle, so I think his demons have conspired to take away his memories. Scout’s all that remains.”
    â€œHave you ever tried talking to him one-on-one? If he knew you once . . .”
    â€œI know what you’re thinking, that maybe I could reach him. Unfortunately, I’ve already tried—and failed. I know he usually comes around late to pick up sandwiches and whatever else I leave out on the windowsill for him,” Smitty said. “That’s why I decided to hang around one night. I figured he and I would talk, but the second he saw me, he bolted. Then I tried leaving him a note and a pencil and pad, asking him to write me back. I got nowhere with that either.”
    â€œI’m really sorry to hear it,” Sister Agatha said, wishing for everyone’s sake that things could have been different.
    â€œOne morning I came around the corner and saw him up close,” Smitty said in a hushed tone. “His gaze was completely blank, Sister Agatha. Daniel’s not home anymore. All that’sleft is madness, coupled with the survival instincts of a wild animal.”
    â€œWould you mind if I hung around here some night and waited for him to show up?” she asked him.
    He considered it, then answered her. “I’d rather you didn’t. Once he spots you, he may be too afraid to stop by and get his food. Then he’ll go hungry, and I’d hate to see that happen.”
    â€œMaybe I can back him into a corner—”
    â€œ
Bad
idea,” Smitty said resolutely. “Like a wild animal, he might panic and strike out. Is talking to him really that important to you?”
    â€œYes,” she answered simply.
    â€œThen give me a chance to think about this some more. I’d hate to scare him off for good. He needs to eat, Sister, and I’m in a position to help him with that.” He paused for a long moment, a faraway look on his face. “When I was growing up in the south valley, we