Read Online The Body of Martin Aguilera by Percival Everett - Free Book Online Page B

said.
    â€œThe plum?” Lewis asked.
    â€œNo, you two.”
    â€œCaught in the kitchen,” Lewis said and pulled away. “Oh, my God.”
    â€œLet’s get the rest of this junk out of the car and strewn about the house,” Maggie said. She continued to talk as she stepped outside, “Where it will remain for many years to come and when I’m asked…” She was outside and Lewis couldn’t hear the rest.
    â€œI think she’s crazy,” Lewis said to Laura.
    After unloading the car, Lewis stood in the living room and observed the disorder. “You weren’t kidding,” he said to Maggie.
    â€œI’m serious about my clutter.”
    He looked at Laura. “Do I recall hearing something about a surprise?”
    â€œYou’re not allowed in the kitchen,” Maggie said. “We’re making you a special meal.”
    â€œOh, yeah?”
    â€œYeah,” Laura said, her hands on hips in tough pose.
    â€œI guess I’ll see if I can’t find the sofa and take myself a nap.” He looked at a pile of clothes on the sofa. “Where do you want me to put these things, Maggie?”
    â€œJust dump them on the floor. I don’t care.” With that, she and the child were gone into the kitchen.
    Dinner was special. Maggie prepared ham, black-eyed peas, wild rice, a spinach salad and a sweet potato pie. Lewis sat back and put his hands on his belly.
    â€œLadies, that was the best meal I think I’ve eaten.”
    â€œIt wasn’t bad,” Maggie said.
    Lewis got up and started clearing the table. While Laura ate a second small wedge of pie, Maggie carried some things into the kitchen after Lewis.
    â€œThat was really something, Maggie. Thank you.”
    She stood close to him. “I love you, Lewis.”
    He smiled. “I love you, too. I have for some time. I don’t know what’s taken me so long to realize it.”
    â€œAge,” Maggie said. “It’s made you stupid.”
    Lewis kissed her.
    â€œIs it going to be dangerous tonight?” she asked.
    â€œNo, not at all. I think Salvador and Ignacio Nunez are going to take me to their morada . I’m going to look at the body and I’m going to leave. That’s all.”
    â€œI’m scared.”
    Lewis felt badly for worrying her. He thought that if he had held off on this involvement of theirs, this stuff would be easier. But he had denied this woman and his feelings for as long as he could and perhaps it was this business that allowed him to take the step.
    â€œI’ll be back before you know it.”

Chapter Fifteen
    Lewis drove into town wondering what he would see and what might happen. He turned into the lot of the Best Western and saw that the blue Camaro was not there. He found Ernesto in the office.
    â€œDid Taylor say anything about when he’d be back?” Lewis asked before he was completely through the door.
    Ernesto looked him over closely, then swung his feet off the desk to the floor and stood. “Checked out.”
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œCouple of hours ago.” Ernesto turned to the key boxes and grabbed an envelope. “He told me to give you this.”
    Lewis opened it and unfolded the note. It said:
    Dear Mr. Mason ,
    Please don’t get me wrong. I really appreciate how much you must have cared about my grandfather. I can’t do this stuff. I’m just a truck driver. I’m going back to Seattle. The sheriff talked to me. I believe he died in the river. He was an old man. I’m sorry you lost a friend. I’ve got to get back to my job. I hope you find what you ‘re looking for.
    Joseph Taylor
    â€œEverything okay?” Ernesto asked.
    Lewis balled up the note and stuffed it into his jacket pocket. “Yeah, fine.” He waved goodbye to Ernesto and stepped out into the night air. He looked up and tried to make out a couple of constellations. He found Cassiopeia low in the