Go With Me by Castle Freeman Read Free Book Online Page A

now on.”
    “Kevin did the smart thing,” said D.B.
    “First time in his life,” said Coop.
    “He took off. Where is Kevin? South, somewhere, ain’t he?” asked Coop.
    “Orlando,” said Whizzer. “His dad’s brother’s down there. Kevin’s working for him.”
    “Doing what?” asked Conrad.
    “I couldn’t tell you,” Whizzer said.
    “Keeping out of jail, it looks like,” said D.B.
    “Or not,” said Coop.
    “Or not,” said D.B.
    “What happened with the dope?” Conrad asked.
    “Anybody’s guess,” said Coop.
    “I wouldn’t be surprised if it found its way to some of Blackway’s friends,” said D.B.
    “Friends from out of state,” said Coop.
    “Associates,” said D.B.
    “Business connections Blackway’s got here and there,” said Coop.
    “He left his girl behind, though, I guess?” Conrad said. “Kevin did.”
    “Well, that was the thing,” said Whizzer.“Kevin takes off, but his girlfriend don’t. She stays. Not only that, she files a complaint.”
    “Against Blackway,” said Coop.
    “Pistol, she is,” said D.B.
    “She goes to the troopers,” said Coop.
    “State police,” said D.B.
    “Tells them Deputy Blackway’s got this thing going on the side where he smokes the evidence,” said Coop.
    “Sells the evidence,” said D.B.
    “Girl tells them she’s a witness to Blackway doing that,” said Coop.
    “State police don’t seem to get too excited by the news,” said D.B.
    “They remain calm,” said Coop.
    “Fact is, they knew all about it,” said Whizzer.
    “No, they didn’t,” said D.B. “They just didn’t want to touch it. Because of Wingate. Wingate’s the sheriff. Blackway’s his deputy. Wingate’s responsible. They didn’t want to make trouble for Wingate.”
    Whizzer laughed gently and shook his head at D.B.
    “You don’t think so?” asked D.B.
    “Keep dreaming, son,” said Whizzer.
    “Point is,” said Coop,“the troopers tell her it’s a sheriff’s department matter. Blackway ain’t a state cop. He’s a sheriff’s deputy. Wingate’s the sheriff.”
    “Wingate’s Blackway’s boss,” said Whizzer.
    “Plus, Wingate’s about the only person in this part of the state who ain’t scared shitless of Blackway,” said Coop.
    “Whizzer ain’t scared of him,” said D.B. “Are you, Whiz?”
    “’Course not,” said Whizzer. “I like Blackway.”
    “The girl turned him in,” said Conrad.“She wasn’t scared of him.”
    “She is now,” said Coop.
    “Nate the Great didn’t seem to be scared of Blackway,” Conrad said.
    “He don’t know no better,” said Coop.
    “Lester?” asked Conrad.
    “Sure, Les is scared of Blackway,” said Whizzer. “But Les is a clever old boy. He’ll be ready.”
    “Les knows what he’s doing,” said Coop.
    “Les knows a trick or two,” said D.B.
    “Point is,” said Coop, “state police go to Wingate, explain to Wingate about Blackway’s sideline, there, with the dope.”
    “Wingate fires Blackway,” said Whizzer. “Turns Blackway into a civilian.”
    “No more car,” said Coop.
    “No more uniform,” said D.B.
    “No more gun,” said Coop.
    “No more evidence to impound for personal use or later sale to your friends from out of state,” said Whizzer.
    “All on account of that girl,” said D.B.
    “She pissed in his well,” said Coop.
    “Blackway’s hot, now,” said Whizzer.
    “Kevin’s long gone,” said Coop.
    “Followed the sun,” said D.B.
    “Girl’s still here,” said Whizzer.
    “Why?” Conrad asked. “Why didn’t she go with Kevin?”
    “Didn’t want to, it looks like,” said Coop.
    “Didn’t get asked, maybe,” said D.B.
    “You heard her,” said Whizzer. “She won’t be run off. Not even by Blackway.”
    “Balls on her,” said Coop.
    “’Course, she don’t know Blackway,” said D.B.
    “She does now,” said Coop.
    “Point is,” said Whizzer, “Blackway ain’t going to just let this one go. He wants to teach her a lesson.”
    “He