Read Online Full dark,no stars by Stephen King - Free Book Online
Authors: Stephen King
Tags: sf_horror
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I guess you dont, being a law-abiding sort. Hes bad-tempered, and if a fellow isnt on time, his temper gets worse. So even though it comes down to just saying so help me God and then signing my name to a bunch of legal folderol, I have to hurry right along with my business out here, dont I? And hope my God damned Maxie doesnt break down on the way back.
I said nothing to this. He didnt talk like a man who was in a hurry, but perhaps that was just his way.
He took his hat off and brushed his hair back some more, but this time he didnt put the hat back on. He looked at me earnestly, then at Henry, then back at me again. Guess you know Im not out here on my own hook. I believe that doings between a man and his wife are their own business. It has to be that way, doesnt it? Bible says the man is the head of a woman, and that if a woman should learn any thing, it should be taught by her husband at home. Book of Corinthians. If the Bible was my only boss, Id do things the Bibles way and life would be simpler.
Im surprised Mr. Lesters not out here with you, I said.
Oh, he wanted to come, but I put the kye-bosh on that. He also wanted me to get a search warrant, but I told him I didnt need one. I said youd either let me look around or you wouldnt. He shrugged. His face was placid, but the eyes were keen and always in motion: peeking and prying, prying and peeking.
When Henry asked me about the well, Id said, Well watch him and decide how sharp he is. If hes sharp, well show him ourselves. We cant look as if we have anything to hide. If you see me flick my thumb, that means I think we have to take the chance. But we have to agree, Hank. If I dont see you flick yours back, Ill keep my mouth shut.
I raised my glass and drank the last of my lemonade. When I saw Henry looking at me, I flicked my thumb. Just a little. It could have been a muscle twitch.
What does that Lester think? Henry asked, sounding indignant. That weve got her tied up in the cellar? His own hands stayed at his sides, not moving.
Sheriff Jones laughed heartily, his big belly shaking behind his belt. I dont know what hes thinking, do I? I dont care much, either. Lawyers are fleas on the hide of human nature. I can say that, because Ive worked for em-and against em, that too-my whole adult life. But The keen eyes fastened on mine. I wouldnt mind a look, just because you wouldnt let him look. Hes pretty hot under the collar about that.
Henry scratched his arm. His thumb flicked twice as he did it.
I didnt let him in the house because I took against him, I said. Although to be fair, I guess I would have taken against John the Apostle if he came out here batting for Cole Farringtons team.
Sheriff Jones laughed big at that: Haw, haw, haw! But his eyes didnt laugh.
I stood up. It was a relief to be on my feet. Standing, I had three or four inches on Jones. You can look to your hearts content.
I appreciate that. Itll make my life a lot easier, wont it? Ive got Judge Cripps to deal with when I go back, and thats enough. Dont need to listen to one of Farringtons legal beagles yapping at me, not if I can help it.
We went into the house with me leading and Henry bringing up the rear. After a few complimentary remarks about how neat the sitting room was and how tidy the kitchen was, we walked down the hall. Sheriff Jones had a perfunctory peek into Henrys room, and then we arrived at the main attraction. I pushed open the door to our bedroom with a queer sense of certainty: the blood would be back. It would be pooled on the floor, splashed on the walls, and soaking into the new mattress. Sheriff Jones would look. Then he would turn to me, remove the handcuffs that sat on his meaty hip across from his revolver, and say: Im arresting you for the murder of Arlette James, arent I?
There was no blood and no smell of blood, because the room had had days to air out. The bed was made, although not the way Arlette made it; my way was more Army-style, although my feet had kept
I said nothing to this. He didnt talk like a man who was in a hurry, but perhaps that was just his way.
He took his hat off and brushed his hair back some more, but this time he didnt put the hat back on. He looked at me earnestly, then at Henry, then back at me again. Guess you know Im not out here on my own hook. I believe that doings between a man and his wife are their own business. It has to be that way, doesnt it? Bible says the man is the head of a woman, and that if a woman should learn any thing, it should be taught by her husband at home. Book of Corinthians. If the Bible was my only boss, Id do things the Bibles way and life would be simpler.
Im surprised Mr. Lesters not out here with you, I said.
Oh, he wanted to come, but I put the kye-bosh on that. He also wanted me to get a search warrant, but I told him I didnt need one. I said youd either let me look around or you wouldnt. He shrugged. His face was placid, but the eyes were keen and always in motion: peeking and prying, prying and peeking.
When Henry asked me about the well, Id said, Well watch him and decide how sharp he is. If hes sharp, well show him ourselves. We cant look as if we have anything to hide. If you see me flick my thumb, that means I think we have to take the chance. But we have to agree, Hank. If I dont see you flick yours back, Ill keep my mouth shut.
I raised my glass and drank the last of my lemonade. When I saw Henry looking at me, I flicked my thumb. Just a little. It could have been a muscle twitch.
What does that Lester think? Henry asked, sounding indignant. That weve got her tied up in the cellar? His own hands stayed at his sides, not moving.
Sheriff Jones laughed heartily, his big belly shaking behind his belt. I dont know what hes thinking, do I? I dont care much, either. Lawyers are fleas on the hide of human nature. I can say that, because Ive worked for em-and against em, that too-my whole adult life. But The keen eyes fastened on mine. I wouldnt mind a look, just because you wouldnt let him look. Hes pretty hot under the collar about that.
Henry scratched his arm. His thumb flicked twice as he did it.
I didnt let him in the house because I took against him, I said. Although to be fair, I guess I would have taken against John the Apostle if he came out here batting for Cole Farringtons team.
Sheriff Jones laughed big at that: Haw, haw, haw! But his eyes didnt laugh.
I stood up. It was a relief to be on my feet. Standing, I had three or four inches on Jones. You can look to your hearts content.
I appreciate that. Itll make my life a lot easier, wont it? Ive got Judge Cripps to deal with when I go back, and thats enough. Dont need to listen to one of Farringtons legal beagles yapping at me, not if I can help it.
We went into the house with me leading and Henry bringing up the rear. After a few complimentary remarks about how neat the sitting room was and how tidy the kitchen was, we walked down the hall. Sheriff Jones had a perfunctory peek into Henrys room, and then we arrived at the main attraction. I pushed open the door to our bedroom with a queer sense of certainty: the blood would be back. It would be pooled on the floor, splashed on the walls, and soaking into the new mattress. Sheriff Jones would look. Then he would turn to me, remove the handcuffs that sat on his meaty hip across from his revolver, and say: Im arresting you for the murder of Arlette James, arent I?
There was no blood and no smell of blood, because the room had had days to air out. The bed was made, although not the way Arlette made it; my way was more Army-style, although my feet had kept
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