Read Online Dark Places by Reavis Z Wortham - Free Book Online Page A

what’s it to you?”
    â€œI always like to know who I’m talking to.”
    â€œYou’re talkin’ to me .”
    Thunder rolled over the shop, vibrating deep in their chests. Malcom’s eyes flicked to the man. “Dee-wight. We ain’t doin’ nothin’ but talkin’.”
    â€œYeah, and so’m I.”
    Cody met Dwight’s gaze and held it steady. “We’re checking all the shops, to see if anybody came in for repairs. That’s all.”
    â€œI believe you’re here trying to pin a killin’ on somebody that don’t look like you. That’s it, ain’t it? It’s easier to convict one of us than it is one a y’all.”
    â€œYou’re wrong, Dee-wight.” The deep rumbling voice sounding like it originated from deep inside a 55-gallon barrel came through the open back door of the garage. It for sure didn’t belong to the slender black man who stumbled through the door, propelled from behind. Deputy John Washington pointed toward an overturned bucket beside an engine hoist. “Spec, you sit down right there. What’chu runnin’ for?”
    The gangly man who’d earlier ducked around the corner hung his head. “Nothin’.”
    â€œNot for that warrant for assault, or the one for suspicion of armed robbery outta Dallas? Your brother’s name came up on that one too. Hubert Geroid, weren’t it?”
    â€œNo suh. You got the wrong man for that, and I ain’t seen Hubert in months.” Spec rested his elbows on his knees.
    John gave him the eye. “Uh, huh. You and me’ll be talkin’ later.” He raised an eyebrow at the young man who’d been arguing with Ned and Cody. “Dee-wight White, why you squarin’ off with them lawmen?”
    â€œThey here accusin’ us…”
    â€œNaw, you’re talkin’ to hear your head rattle on that one. I don’t believe they here to accuse anybody about nothin’. They askin’ questions is all.”
    Ned shifted his position to regain Malcom’s attention. “Malcom, we’ve already been to two other shops in town. Now, all we need to know is if you’ve had anybody come by with body damage, like they might have hit something.”
    â€œNossir. No body work. Most of our folks don’t have money for such things, dents and all. We try to keep the motors runnin’, that’s all.”
    Cody stepped close to Malcom and extended his hand. “Since I’m sheriff, I’ll be around every now and then to check and make sure everything’s all right. Y’all need anything, you don’t have to just call Deputy Washington anymore. The sheriff’s department works for the whole town.”
    Malcom relaxed and returned the firm grip. “That’d be fine.”
    Cody smiled. “Ned, you ready to go?”
    â€œI ’magine we better.”
    John cleared his throat. “Mr. Ned, if you don’t need me to go with y’all, would you mind if I hung around here for a little while?”
    Both he and Cody were grateful for the opportunity to back out gracefully before things escalated even further. “You go ahead on. I’ll talk to you back at the courthouse.”
    â€œI’ll see y’all in Mr. O.C.’s office if I get done here in time.”
    It galled Ned to leave, but staying and arguing wouldn’t do any good with men already angry and itching for a fight. Rubbing his belly, he followed Cody to the sheriff’s car.
    Cody slammed his door and narrowed his eyes. “We’re going straight to the doctor’s office.”
    â€œNo we ain’t.” Ned put his wet hat on the seat between them and slammed the door.
    Cody tilted the rearview mirror toward Ned. “See how red your face is? That ain’t a mad you got on there. It’s something else.”
    Ned adjusted the mirror and sighed. “All right.”

Chapter