Read Online That Christmas Feeling by Catherine Palmer, Gail Gaymer Martin - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Catherine Palmer, Gail Gaymer Martin
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real surprise. We’re seeing more vandalism and petty stealing, too. The sheriff and the highway patrol are seeing the same thing. Everyone’s coming up with identical information. Someone close to Buffalo or even in town has a methamphetamine lab. We just haven’t found it.”
Claire considered his words in silence for a moment, grateful for the passing time and the neutral topic. “I thought people usually built meth labs way out in the country.”
“That’s typical. Farmers keep one of the ingredients in tanks on their property—anhydrous ammonia. It’s a volatile liquid fertilizer that adds nitrogen to the soil, and meth makers steal the stuff to put in their mix of cold pills and household chemicals. Also, meth has an odor, so they like to cook it in remote areas where no one can smell it. Besides that, it’s explosive. They’ll often rig up a lab in an old barn or an abandoned trailer. If it catches fire— boom. But they’ll be long gone before the fire department gets there.”
“Hard to believe people would take such a risk.”
“Not really. Meth is profitable. It’s also highly addictive. A lot of the makers are using the drug, too, so there’s strong motivation. People will cook meth in the same room where their babies are sleeping and their kids are running around.”
He fell quiet as they rolled into Buffalo and started toward Claire’s house. “Two or three times we’ve found evidence of a lab.” He spoke again, as if trying as hard as she had to fill the silence. “Plastic containers, hoses, burners. Personally, I think the dealers are moving around. Staying one or two jumps ahead of me.”
“Like a chess game,” she said. “Or football.”
The corner of his mouth tilted as he braked in front of her yard. “You know, you’re pretty smart, Clarence.”
She managed a carefree smile as she reached for the door handle. “Well, I hope you catch them soon. And thanks for your help with the cats, Rob. I really appreciate it. I’ll be over at the mansion tomorrow cleaning up, so I should have it ready by your deadline. But you’re not really asking me to paint the place, are you? I mean, that’s too much.”
“I thought you were going to be grading papers tomorrow afternoon.”
One foot on the ground, she pursed her lips for a moment. “Well, that, too. It’s nearly the end of the semester, so I have to give exams and check term papers. That’s why I don’t have time to paint Aunt Flossie’s house.”
“Claire, listen. About what happened at Dandy’s—”
“I enjoyed learning about football, Rob. It was fun. I’ll try to watch a game one of these days. I promise.” She started out of the car. “So, good night.”
“Claire.” His arm shot out, and he caught her hand. “About Dandy’s—”
“It was okay. It was fine. Really.”
“Look, I’m sorry if I—”
“You didn’t. It’s just that I have a lot going on. Like Aunt Flossie—I have to take care of her. And my students. The parade. Christmas. Besides, I went through all that with my fiancé, you know, so I’m not going to…to be…”
“I understand.”
“Well, I’m not sure you do. Because it was awful, and I’m still angry. I’m not as far along with forgiveness and letting go as you are. I was very hurt. I don’t want to be in that kind of place again. Ever. I just prefer to be alone.”
“Yeah, like I would ever hurt you.” He spoke under his breath. “Okay, this is Chief West signing off. And you do have to paint the outside of the mansion. At least the front.”
“Rob!”
“It’s in my report. Gotta follow the rules.” He winked at her, though there was no sign of a twinkle in his eye. “See ya, Clarence.”
Mayor Bloom waved at Rob from across the street. As a large float made of brightly colored tissue paper and chicken wire pulled to a stop between them, a gaggle of squealing, bouncy, ponytailed cheerleaders swarmed it. Crossing toward the mayor, Rob checked his
Claire considered his words in silence for a moment, grateful for the passing time and the neutral topic. “I thought people usually built meth labs way out in the country.”
“That’s typical. Farmers keep one of the ingredients in tanks on their property—anhydrous ammonia. It’s a volatile liquid fertilizer that adds nitrogen to the soil, and meth makers steal the stuff to put in their mix of cold pills and household chemicals. Also, meth has an odor, so they like to cook it in remote areas where no one can smell it. Besides that, it’s explosive. They’ll often rig up a lab in an old barn or an abandoned trailer. If it catches fire— boom. But they’ll be long gone before the fire department gets there.”
“Hard to believe people would take such a risk.”
“Not really. Meth is profitable. It’s also highly addictive. A lot of the makers are using the drug, too, so there’s strong motivation. People will cook meth in the same room where their babies are sleeping and their kids are running around.”
He fell quiet as they rolled into Buffalo and started toward Claire’s house. “Two or three times we’ve found evidence of a lab.” He spoke again, as if trying as hard as she had to fill the silence. “Plastic containers, hoses, burners. Personally, I think the dealers are moving around. Staying one or two jumps ahead of me.”
“Like a chess game,” she said. “Or football.”
The corner of his mouth tilted as he braked in front of her yard. “You know, you’re pretty smart, Clarence.”
She managed a carefree smile as she reached for the door handle. “Well, I hope you catch them soon. And thanks for your help with the cats, Rob. I really appreciate it. I’ll be over at the mansion tomorrow cleaning up, so I should have it ready by your deadline. But you’re not really asking me to paint the place, are you? I mean, that’s too much.”
“I thought you were going to be grading papers tomorrow afternoon.”
One foot on the ground, she pursed her lips for a moment. “Well, that, too. It’s nearly the end of the semester, so I have to give exams and check term papers. That’s why I don’t have time to paint Aunt Flossie’s house.”
“Claire, listen. About what happened at Dandy’s—”
“I enjoyed learning about football, Rob. It was fun. I’ll try to watch a game one of these days. I promise.” She started out of the car. “So, good night.”
“Claire.” His arm shot out, and he caught her hand. “About Dandy’s—”
“It was okay. It was fine. Really.”
“Look, I’m sorry if I—”
“You didn’t. It’s just that I have a lot going on. Like Aunt Flossie—I have to take care of her. And my students. The parade. Christmas. Besides, I went through all that with my fiancé, you know, so I’m not going to…to be…”
“I understand.”
“Well, I’m not sure you do. Because it was awful, and I’m still angry. I’m not as far along with forgiveness and letting go as you are. I was very hurt. I don’t want to be in that kind of place again. Ever. I just prefer to be alone.”
“Yeah, like I would ever hurt you.” He spoke under his breath. “Okay, this is Chief West signing off. And you do have to paint the outside of the mansion. At least the front.”
“Rob!”
“It’s in my report. Gotta follow the rules.” He winked at her, though there was no sign of a twinkle in his eye. “See ya, Clarence.”
Mayor Bloom waved at Rob from across the street. As a large float made of brightly colored tissue paper and chicken wire pulled to a stop between them, a gaggle of squealing, bouncy, ponytailed cheerleaders swarmed it. Crossing toward the mayor, Rob checked his
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