Sheriff Segan looked up from the report.
“Looks good Lori. When you go home tonight, I want you to give Ol’ Juan a call and tell him you over heard I was going over to the All American in the morning. Tell him you didn’t get it all, but you listened after I got a call from a woman you never heard of before. You think there might be something going on.”
Her green eyes danced as she nodded her head in agreement.
“Thanks again Sheriff. I can’t tell you how…”
He held up his hand.
“Now don’t go getting to excited. There’s still a long way to go. All I did was open the door for you. You have to do your part now. The success of this little deal depends on you.”
He took two of the hundred dollar bills off the report and handed them to her.
“You might need to get some clothes or something…”
He handed them across the desk.
“… and while I’m in Court this morning, you write a new report and change the bribe amount on the report to three hundred. The department budget can’t handle the extras you might need, so this’ll be our little secret.”
He was surprised that she didn’t question him as she slipped the money into her breast pocket.
“Yes Sir.”
“Go on now, I have to review this case before going in front of Judge Stewart.”
“T-Thanks again…”
“Git!”
He chuckled. She smiled and left the office. Picking up the Townsend file, he glanced at the clock. This would be the first time he would see Judge Stewart since she knew that some one had the video. Slipping the original report from Lori into the file, he put both into his briefcase. Some days were just better then others…
May Vincent drove the old green pick-up toward the All American Motel and thought about Dill Rogers. She remembered him from high school. His father owned the biggest farm in the county. That was the only reason he stayed in school. Well, that and to play football. He’d be there most of the time during football season and then slowly disappear after the season ended. Years of work on the farm added a lot of muscle to his six-foot plus frame. He never said anything, just nodding his head if anyone tried to talk to him. Some said he was learning disabled, most said he was just retarded
She had actually met him once in her junior year. Some guy in typing class had not realized Dill was standing behind him when he started making fun of him. The kid had just said what a dumb ass he was when Dill wrapped his massive arms around his arms and chest. The guy was white as a ghost before three of Dills teammates finally got Dill to let him go. The kid never did come back to school, transferring to Lakeland thirty miles away. During the melee, Dill had dropped a small wooden box. May had picked it up as the teacher sent Jerry to the office for help and Dill was led off by his teammates. She hid it in her purse not saying anything to anybody, including Jerry. Later that day, she saw Dill sitting on the wooden bench outside the main offices and returned the box to him.
She never forgot the way he looked at the box and then at her. Looking at the floor, he struggled with his words.
“T-th-thank…”
His entire body tightened.
“Th- than-ank… Y- you.”
He looked up at her and smiled. Then Jerry was pushing her away, telling her in a harsh whisper she should stay away from the freak. After that, she would catch Dill looking at her every so often, but he always looked away from her when she did. When the season was over, Dill slowly disappeared. She and Jerry had gotten married that summer when she found out she was pregnant and never did get back to school. Now she was on her way to fuck Dill and that prick Jenkins…
“Dammit Glen, I told you noon?”
“Take it easy Fred, you know how the boy gets when he knows you called.”
Fred Jenkins looked past the tall man and saw the kid sitting on the back of the flat bed truck. Gawd he was huge. He knew there’d be nuthin left of the bitch once he got done with her.
“Why don’t you go on over to the Till’s and get some breakfast?”
“Already did that. Dills been after me since six this morning.”
Fred Jenkins looked at the clock. She’d be here any minute.
“Come on Glen, I ain’t even had a piece of this yet.”
The tall mans eyes darkened.
“What kinda game you playing here Fred?”
The former Deputy looked up at Glen Rogers and knew he’d fucked up. This man could make life miserable real quick. He knew you didn’t play with his boy and you certainly didn’t fuck with him.
“I’m s-sorry Glen…”
Then he saw the green pick-up turn in the gravel lot.
“I’ll be dammed, she’s here already!”
The tall man looked over his shoulder and then back.
“That her?”
“Yes Sir, She’s…”
He fell silent under the harsh glare now pointed in his direction.
“I’ll take it from here Fred.”
The motel owner and retired Deputy looked up and forced a smile.
“T-that’ll be fine Glen.”
He turned his char and rolled to the back of the desk.
“Give the boy and her number three. I remember you always liked that room yourself.”
He smiled as he handed Dills father the key.
“Then you won’t mind if I give her the money too?”
Fred Jenkins swallowed hard.
“N-not at all Glen, monies hers anyways.”
“Why thank you Fred.”
Glen Rogers took the key and headed out of the small lobby and towards the green pick-up…
May saw Dill sitting on the bed of the red and black truck. Stopping, she looked at him and then the office. A tall, lean man was just leaving and looked directly at her. Touching the rim of the hat he was wearing as a greeting, he pointed toward the long row of room doors. Waiting until he stopped, she eased the old truck in his direction. Dill was looking at her and then at the man. May was pretty sure he must be his father. Parking, she opened the door.
“Good Morning.”
She looked at the weathered face smiling in her direction.
“Good Morning.”
“You must be the young Lady that has an appointment with my son.”
“Mr. Rogers?”
“Yes Ma’am.”
She got out of the truck, collected her small purse and forced the door closed behind her.
“I’m…”
She hadn’t thought about this, actually having to introduce herself.
“M-Ma- Maaay.”
She turned to see Dill standing near the end of her truck.
“Hi Dill.”
She smiled. He looked at the ground, pushing at some gravel with the toe of his boot.
“May is it?”
She turned back to his father.
“Yes Sir.”
“Glen Rogers.”
Stepping forward, he extended his hand. She took it
“Dill…”
He tossed the younger man the key to the room.
“I need to talk to the Lady for a minute. You don’t mind do you?”
Dill Rogers shook his head and after looking at the key, moved towards room three. He didn’t look at her or his father before slipping inside.
“How do you know my son young lady?”
She looked at Dills father. He wasn’t quite as tall as his son and a lot thinner, but he showed years of hard work in his hands and face. He wore a pale blue shirt that brought out the warm color of his eyes.
“I went to school with him.”
