Read Online From Pharaoh's Hand by Cynthia Green - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Cynthia Green
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nodded.
“Yore name’s Eliza Beth ain’t it?”
“ Elizabeth,” she answered. “It’s Elizabeth.”
“ That’s what I said.” And then he said, “Liza,” turning it over in his mind as he rubbed the knife up and down against his thigh. “I like that. I reckon that’ll do, Liza.”
“ I bet my mom and dad are out of their minds with worry right now...”
“Didn’t think of that did ya? All you was studyin’ was getting’ with that young buck.”
“ No, at the time, I just wanted out.”
“Well I reckon we all feel that a way at times. Been there myself. Just take a look around at my world. You probably had it real good back there in Jackson, now didn’t ya?”
“ Yeah, I guess I did. Can I have something to eat?”
“Pickled baloney and Saltines. Take it or leave it. Get up and fix us a bite. You might as well earn yer keep. Crackers is on the table. Baloney in the fridge.” Beth just stared at him. Is this coot for real?
Catfish settled into the dirty recliner and flipped on the television. It was a bit early for news, so he settled on reruns while Beth fixed their supper. The day was fading fast into night; sundown came early in the winter months. They ate in silence and watched reruns until the five o’clock newscast out of Nashville came on the air. Catfish turned up the volume as the newscaster recounted the story of the search for the missing teen.
“The search for 17-year-old, Elizabeth Morgan Merriweather, has turned up empty handed as investigators search for clues in a desperate bid to find her in the critical hours of the investigation. Her abandoned car was found in the parking lot of Wal-Mart where she worked part time after school. They found her purse, minus her wallet and cell phone. She is believed to be a runaway, as there is no indication of foul play at the present time. A widespread search is being conducted in the five counties of Madison, Gibson, Crockett, Henderson, and Hardemen. Roadblocks set up along the Interstate earlier today yielded no leads. Carolyn and John Merriweather are here to make a desperate plea for their daughter’s safe return.” The reporter held the microphone in front of Carolyn. Her face was etched in sorrow. Her voice trembled.
“Beth, if you’re watching out there somewhere, please, please call us and let us know you’re alright. Your father and I are worried sick about you. We love you, and whatever is bothering you, we can work this out. If anyone knows of our daughter’s whereabouts or has taken her, please contact us so that we can meet your demands. We want our daughter back...please....” and her voice trailed off in sobs as John stepped forward.
“Beth, please come home soon to us. We are looking for you. We love you. We want you home with us.” The reporter gave a hotline number for anyone with any information to call in and report to the police and then gave a grim sign-off before the broadcast was switched back to the main anchorwoman. Catfish turned off the TV. The two sat in silence for a space of thirty seconds before Beth spoke.
“ They’re looking for me. They will find me, eventually. And you will face jail time for kidnapping. Is that what you want?”
“I didn’t want any of this to happen, but I had no choice. You’re here now. I can’t afford for them to find you. I can’t let you go home. You, you just know too much.”
“ What do you mean?”
“Even if I let you go home, you’ll tell them. You can identify me. I’d be running the rest of my life.”
“ I won’t tell. I swear I won’t.
“I can’t
“Yore name’s Eliza Beth ain’t it?”
“ Elizabeth,” she answered. “It’s Elizabeth.”
“ That’s what I said.” And then he said, “Liza,” turning it over in his mind as he rubbed the knife up and down against his thigh. “I like that. I reckon that’ll do, Liza.”
“ I bet my mom and dad are out of their minds with worry right now...”
“Didn’t think of that did ya? All you was studyin’ was getting’ with that young buck.”
“ No, at the time, I just wanted out.”
“Well I reckon we all feel that a way at times. Been there myself. Just take a look around at my world. You probably had it real good back there in Jackson, now didn’t ya?”
“ Yeah, I guess I did. Can I have something to eat?”
“Pickled baloney and Saltines. Take it or leave it. Get up and fix us a bite. You might as well earn yer keep. Crackers is on the table. Baloney in the fridge.” Beth just stared at him. Is this coot for real?
Catfish settled into the dirty recliner and flipped on the television. It was a bit early for news, so he settled on reruns while Beth fixed their supper. The day was fading fast into night; sundown came early in the winter months. They ate in silence and watched reruns until the five o’clock newscast out of Nashville came on the air. Catfish turned up the volume as the newscaster recounted the story of the search for the missing teen.
“The search for 17-year-old, Elizabeth Morgan Merriweather, has turned up empty handed as investigators search for clues in a desperate bid to find her in the critical hours of the investigation. Her abandoned car was found in the parking lot of Wal-Mart where she worked part time after school. They found her purse, minus her wallet and cell phone. She is believed to be a runaway, as there is no indication of foul play at the present time. A widespread search is being conducted in the five counties of Madison, Gibson, Crockett, Henderson, and Hardemen. Roadblocks set up along the Interstate earlier today yielded no leads. Carolyn and John Merriweather are here to make a desperate plea for their daughter’s safe return.” The reporter held the microphone in front of Carolyn. Her face was etched in sorrow. Her voice trembled.
“Beth, if you’re watching out there somewhere, please, please call us and let us know you’re alright. Your father and I are worried sick about you. We love you, and whatever is bothering you, we can work this out. If anyone knows of our daughter’s whereabouts or has taken her, please contact us so that we can meet your demands. We want our daughter back...please....” and her voice trailed off in sobs as John stepped forward.
“Beth, please come home soon to us. We are looking for you. We love you. We want you home with us.” The reporter gave a hotline number for anyone with any information to call in and report to the police and then gave a grim sign-off before the broadcast was switched back to the main anchorwoman. Catfish turned off the TV. The two sat in silence for a space of thirty seconds before Beth spoke.
“ They’re looking for me. They will find me, eventually. And you will face jail time for kidnapping. Is that what you want?”
“I didn’t want any of this to happen, but I had no choice. You’re here now. I can’t afford for them to find you. I can’t let you go home. You, you just know too much.”
“ What do you mean?”
“Even if I let you go home, you’ll tell them. You can identify me. I’d be running the rest of my life.”
“ I won’t tell. I swear I won’t.
“I can’t
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