Hank heaved a heavy sigh. He’d talked to just about every neighbor in the area without any results. The neighbor closest to the Culbertson home hadn’t been home, so Hank decided to try once more before calling it a day. 

As he knocked on the door, a voice behind him asked, “You looking for somebody?”

Hank turned around to greet the voice, “Yes, I was look… Hey, it’s you.” 

Amanda gave Hank a good once over before responding, “Yes, it’s Toby and me. And you’re the guy with the nice ride. Didn’t expect no visitors tonight. Mighty nice of you to come calling.”

“Well, it’s nice to see you too, Amanda. Do you live here next door to the Culbertson house?”

“Been here nigh on fifteen years. Right after that young’un was born, if I recollect right. Tried once or twice to talk to the Mrs., but that man of hers, he was a mean one. My dog and I steered clear of that one. The devil himself, I said.”

“Yeah, he certainly was.”

“Got what he deserved, though, or so I hear.”

“Did you happen to hear or see anything the last few days? Any people hanging around?”

“Well, actually, I did.” Amanda smiled. “I saw a good-looking man knocking on their door a few nights ago. He was driving a car that looked exactly like that cherry ride you own.”

“You saw me? Well, have you noticed anyone else since then? Any women visiting?”

“Hmmm… no, I can’t say that I have. Me and Toby, we keep to ourselves. In this neighborhood, you’re better off taking care of your business and letting others mind theirs.”

“You sure? I’d be appreciative if you could remember anyone?”

“Nah, sorry, I’d be happy to share a glass of whiskey with you if you wanted to step in for a while.” When Hank didn’t respond, she added,  “It’s pretty dark around here. Toby and I, we aren’t late-night people, so I can’t rightly say I saw anyone.”

“Well, alright, Amanda, I’ll let you and Toby get inside. If you happen to remember anything, you’ve still got my card, right?”

Amanda reached inside her shirt and pulled out Hank’s business card. “Keeping it safe, right next to my heart.” She smiled and winked at Hank.

Hank laughed and waved goodbye. He’d hit dead ends everywhere tonight.

**********

As Hank turned onto the highway, heading toward his home, his cell phone rang. He let the Bluetooth pick up the call. “Hello, Garth.”

“Nope, as of fifteen minutes ago when I drove into your fair town, I am Jeremy from Gulf shores, here on business.”

“Well, then, welcome to Columbia, Jeremy.”  Hank chuckled, “So what’s the plan? Need to meet up with Ric or me?”

“Not tonight. I’m about to pull into the Last Chance and politely introduce myself to Nancy.”

“Whoa! Starting hot and heavy, my friend. Be careful. She’s a maneater.” 

“Not to worry. I’m fully briefed on our fair lady. She’s about to meet her match. As for you, how about coffee tomorrow morning? Someplace discreet and off the beaten path.”

“Sure. There’s a little ma and pa cafe outside of town. Matter-of-fact, you passed it on the way in. It’s fittingly called The Hole in the Wall.”

“Yeah, I think I saw their sign. Meet you there at about 8 AM, if that works for you.”

“Eight it is. Don’t let Nancy get her hooks in you, you hear.”

“Loud and clear, my friend. Good night, Hank.

“Good night, Gar...Jeremy.” Hank laughed and disconnected the phone.

**********

After completing the papers to transfer Beth to the Juvenile Correction Facility, Ric placed a call to Bert. She answered on the second ring.

“Hello.”

“Bert, it’s Ric. I wanted to let you know that Beth has asked for a lawyer, and we have transferred her to the Juvenile Center for the weekend. Do you want me to request a public defender?”

“No, let me talk to Hank. He mentioned he had an attorney in mind.”

“Okay, that works for me. Nothing against our court system, but having your own lawyer is a better choice.”

“Thanks for letting me know, Ric. I’ll go over there in the morning and check on her.”

“Sounds good, Bert. Have a good night.”

“You too.” Bert closed her phone and sighed, worried about Beth.

Poor Beth spending the night in Juvenile. She must be petrified.

***********

Ethan had become a nightly fixture in ICU, sitting at Tyson’s bedside, talking to him about basketball or sometimes reading to him. He’d even turned on a basketball game on the television and gave a blow-by-blow commentary of the action. Tonight, his spirits were bouncing off rock bottom.

“Ty, buddy, I don’t know how much more of this I can take. I don’t know what sent you with Jesse, but I hope it wasn’t our fight. You should have known it didn’t mean anything. We’re friends forever. And I’ll tell you that if you’d ever wake up.

“Remember that girl we… well, I helped. Her name’s Beth, and she’s been through some awful stuff besides what happened with Jesse. Today, the cops arrested her and charged her with suspicion of murder. They think she stabbed her dad. I know she didn’t. She’s not that kind of girl. You’d like her, Ty, if you’d ever wake up.”

Exhausted, Ethan laid his head on the bed next to Tyson’s hand. His mind was spinning with thoughts of Ty and Beth. He was so confused. He felt a movement against his cheek.

Ethan jolted to an upright position. Was I dreaming? Did he move? Come on, Ty, do it again.

He waited and watched Ty’s hand for the next half hour, willing him to move again. Finally, when nothing happened, he surrendered to his fatigue, “Ty, I’ve got to leave now, but I’ll be back tomorrow. Maybe you’ll be awake, huh, buddy? Surprise me!” 

Ethan left the room, said goodnight to the officer and the nursing staff. Odd, but they seemed like family. 

**********

The shrill ring of the phone on Bert’s nightstand woke her. She rolled over and glanced at the clock. It was 10:30. Bert grabbed the receiver and answered, “Hello.”

“May I speak with Roberta Atwell, please.” The voice at the other end spoke with a dull, monotone sound.

“Speaking.”

“This is Officer Anderson from the Juvenile Correction Center.”

Bert swung her legs off the mattress, fully alert. “What’s wrong?”

“You’re listed as the emergency contact for one of our newbies, Beth Culbertson. Are you aware of that, Ms. Atwell?”

“Yes, I’m her caseworker, and both of her parents are deceased. Is something wrong with Beth?”

“I’m afraid so. You know how these girls, especially the first-timers, stress themselves when they get here. Well, Beth got violently ill and vomited her dinner all over the commons area.”

“Did you get her a doctor?”

“Oh, yes, ma’am, but not exactly for the vomiting.” 

“What do you mean? If it wasn’t for the vomiting, what then?” Bert’s voice was sharp.

“I don’t have all the particulars, but one of our other juveniles took offense to vomit being spewed across the table on her dinner. Before the guards could stop her, she connected a few blows to your newbie’s face. Your girl is in the infirmary. The doctor has requested your presence. Do you want me to tell her you’ll be in tomorrow morning?”

“No! You tell her I’ll be there in thirty minutes, and she better be waiting.”  Bert slammed down the receiver and rushed to get dressed.