Cold Bullets and Hot Babes: Dark Crime Stories by Arlette Lees Read Free Book Online Page B

plan.”
    * * * *
     
    The next morning Dad had a seizure at the breakfast table. I started to cry and Robby ran to the phone and called Dr. McBane who told us to meet him in the E.R.
    Bell grabbed the phone and slammed it into the charger. “From now on stay off the telephone unless you have express permission to use it. I’m in charge here and I don’t need the interference of children.”
    “I’ll help you get Dad to the car,” said Robby. “I want to have a word with Dr. McBane.”
    Bell put a hand on her hip. “Are you sick?”
    “I didn’t say I was sick. I simply....”
    “You two stay here. You’ll only get in the way. Make yourselves useful and help Cal stack the kindling.”
    Dad looked like he wanted to say something, but, no words came.
    Hell with the kindling. As soon as the pickup was out of sight we thundered up the attic stairs. We needed those phony documents to make our case.
    The suitcase was not where we’d left it. We scrambled around and pawed through the boxes in every corner.
    “HEY, BABE, WHATCHA LOOKIN’ FOR?” I nearly jumped out of my skin. It was Robby throwing his voice like he had before Jimbo vanished.
    I punched him on the shoulder. “You scared me shitless!” I yelped.
    “Pretty convincing, eh? I’ve been practicing at night in my room.”
    “Well, don’t practice on me.” I plopped into an old chair and a puff of dust exploded from the cushion. We spent another half hour searching the house and came up empty. “The suitcase is gone,” I said. “That means she’s on to us.”
    “Maybe so, but, we’re on to her too. Let’s call the E.R.” I pressed my ear to the phone as Robby punched in a series of numbers.
    “Emergency Room, Nurse Lindsay speaking. How may I help you?”
    “I’d like to speak with Dr. McBane, please. This is Robby Granger and he’s our family physician.”
    “One moment. The doctor is with Mr. Granger now, but, I could call Mrs. Granger to the phone.”
    “No, that’s okay. I’ll talk to her later.” He quickly disconnected.
    * * * *
     
    When Dad returned home with Bell that evening our hopes for his recovery dimmed.
    “Why wasn’t Dad admitted?” asked Robby. “He belongs in the hospital.”
    “What, you know more than the doctors now?” Bell shot back. “He’s on antibiotics and he’s been given fluids to balance his electrolytes.” I had to admit he looked slightly better.
    “What about the lab results?” I wanted to know.
    “No Epstein-Barr, so mono is out. We’re waiting for more results.”
    “What about a toxicology?” I pressed.
    “My oh my, aren’t we using big words. Maybe since you know so much you’d like to take over his treatment,” scoffed Bell.
    “Where in hell did you get those bruises?” said Dad.
    “I’m going through an awkward stage, Daddy. Just ask Bell.”
    “Well, be more careful. You look like a washed-up boxer.”
    * * * *
     
    After I crawled in bed I heard Bell climb the stairs and open my door. I cringed as she sat on the edge of my bed.
    “Have you been talking to Pastor Blevins about your Dad’s illness?” she asked. “Or anyone else for that matter? Some things aren’t to be discussed outside the family circle.”
    “No,” I said. “What’s to talk about?”
    “Farms are dangerous places, Abby. Even for smart little girls who think they know it all. Kids get kicked by horses. They fall down wells. They lose their footing and tumble into empty silos. Sometimes, they simply disappear and no one finds their bones for 100 years. It would be a shame if something happened to a curious little girl like you.”
    That night I dreamed that Bell shot us all as we slept and took possession of everything Dad had worked for his whole life.
    The next day we woke to thunderstorms and the power went out with a spray of sparks along the wires between the highway and the house. Dad seemed well enough to sit up in bed, so Robby and I decided to keep him company. I sat in a chair beside his