Fear Thy Neighbor (36)
“Mom, do we know any foster families?”
Valentina shook her head. “None that I know of.”
“So, how did you end up, you know . . . living?”
Alison said, “I was fine, really. I had a few issues with some of my foster parents, but in the end, it worked out for me. It was a long time ago. I’m content with my life now.” This was a total bullshit story, but sometimes revealing the truth, at least her truth, scared those who hadn’t lived as she’d had to. There was no point in upsetting her new friends. Maybe in time, if they really got to know each other, she would tell them more about her past, though she would leave out the part that had sent her running when she graduated from high school. That alone would be enough to lose any hope of remaining friends with them. Again, the past is prologue. Maybe that idiom—if it even was an idiom—popped into her head when she needed to be reminded of what she had to lose if that particular part of her life were to be uncovered.
“I, for one, am glad I saw you on the beach. We don’t have any neighbors that stay here year-round, except for . . . John.”
Something about the way Renée said his name struck Ali as off.
“Is he that bad?” Ali asked, her thoughts returning to the bone she’d dug up earlier.
“I don’t like to talk about him,” Valentina said. “I get so pissed off, but you should know, it’s best to stay away from him. His family continues to pay those in power, hoping people will forget all that he’s been accused of, but most of the islanders know better.”
Ali wanted to ask Valentina what she thought about the bone she’d discovered. Did she believe John had any connection to it, and possibly the other bones that were discovered years ago?
“As I said, I had a brief encounter with him at the mango festival. He didn’t impress me,” Ali told Valentina. “His kind are usually bad news.” That was putting it mildly.
“Mom, tell her all the crap he’s accused of,” Renée said, her voice pumped up a level. “She should know, just in case.”
“I know he’s been accused of messing around with little girls.” Just saying the words made Alison sick. How did a man like this have the audacity to ruin the life of an innocent child?
“This isn’t a conversation to have with new friends,” Valentina told Renée, then spoke to Alison. “Another time, maybe, but be careful around him. He’s dangerous. Has been for as long as I can remember.”
“You’ve known him a long time?” Ali had to ask.
Valentina picked at the graham cracker crust left on her plate. “Since we were kids. Even then, his behavior was off the charts. His parents sent him to a private Catholic high school in town, hoping the strict environment would have a positive effect on him. I think he’s just a bad seed. He hangs around the bait shop owned by his family, acts like he’s just another beach bum, but when you’re around him for a while, he’ll show his true colors.”
Alison knew men like him were evil. She would do her best to avoid him, but if he initiated trouble of any kind, she wouldn’t hesitate to use her weapon to intimidate him. Could she actually shoot him if it came down to that? She never wanted to be in that position.
“I saw a bit of his true colors, and that was enough for me. Not my kind of guy,” Ali added.
“Just beware if you see him lurking around. He’s been known to peep into windows more than once,” Valentina told her.
“Sounds like he’s covered all the basics of a predator,” Ali said. “I can handle men like him if I have to.” She didn’t want Valentina or Renée to think she was unable to defend herself if need be, though she wouldn’t tell them she carried a gun. Many people were frightened by guns, and some rightfully so. She’d been trained by an ex-military captain. While in Tampa, she would visit the shooting range as often as she could to keep the skills she’d mastered up to par. After years of living on her own in places that weren’t fit for a rat, as soon as she’d been able to afford lessons, she’d jumped at the chance.
“He’s that and more,” Valentina said, then stood. “I could sit here all day, but I need to get back to the store. I’ve a reading scheduled later this afternoon.”
“So, Ali, are you gonna go to your new house? I could come and help clean or paint or whatever.”
“Renée, that’s enough,” her mother ordered in a no-nonsense tone. “Alison has enough on her plate.”
Unsure why Valentina’s mood had changed toward her daughter, Ali wondered again if Valentina or Renée had personal experience with John.
“I can’t thank you enough for the best lunch I’ve ever had, and the tour of your home. Top of the line,” she said. “I’ll see you both as soon as I get settled in the cottage. I’ll have you both over for dinner, too.” She was a decent enough cook but wasn’t sure she could match Valentina’s skill.
“I’ll look forward to it,” Valentina told her. “Really, it’s going be so refreshing having you as our neighbor.”
“Thanks. I’ll show myself out.” She returned the way she came, via the beach. As soon as she returned to her Jeep, she drove down Dolphin Drive to see if the sheriff and his gang were finished. Only one deputy car remained; the white forensics van was gone. She took this as a good sign.