The Dead and the Dark(66)

“You okay?”

“Mostly, yeah.” Logan laughed uneasily. “Uh, sorry for causing problems in your bar. And thanks for sticking up for me.”

“Didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

Logan waved dismissively. “I’d rather be embarrassed than get the shit kicked out of me.”

“It doesn’t help when you sass back at them,” Gus said. “Your dad was always the same way. I had to break up his fights, too.”

“Which one?”

“Alejo,” Gus said. “Whatever people say about your dads, they sure balance each other out. Alejo never knew when to shut up. Always said exactly what he was thinking, even if it turned right around and bit him. Brandon was always quiet, though. The day the two of them met was the first time I ever heard him say more than two words.”

“Wait—you were there when they met?” Logan asked.

“Oh yeah,” Gus said. “Well, I don’t know if it was the first time they met. Me and Brandon used to work together at Barton Lumber. He never talked to anyone. Just showed up on time, did his work, and went home.”

“That sounds about right,” Logan mused.

“He only worked there for a few years, though. Tammy hired a new site manager and the guy’s first move was firing him.”

“What?”

“Yeah, it was bullshit. But a lot of the guys agreed with him. They wanted your dad out.” Gus sat back. “I’d already opened the bar at that point, so I wasn’t there anymore. I would’ve said something.”

Logan shook her head. “Is that why you helped me?”

Gus exhaled sharply. “The way we pushed your dads out of town never sat right with me. I don’t know how I feel about all that gay marriage stuff, but they weren’t hurting anyone. Even their little cabin across the lake wasn’t far enough for some folks.”

Logan shook her head. “Just because they were together?”

“Mostly, yeah. We don’t like change around here. They were asking everyone to change a lot.”

Logan rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t sound like they were asking anyone to do anything but leave them alone.”

“Maybe not,” Gus said with a shrug.

“Thank you for telling me,” Logan said. “I just wish I knew why they left.”

“I’m not sure why, either,” Gus said. “Probably … well, you know. They tried to be as quiet about it as possible, but losing a kid isn’t easy. And they had to handle that on their own. I’m sure leaving felt easier than staying here. A fresh start.”

Logan paused with her water cup halfway to her lips. “Wait, what?”

“Me and my wife lost our boy just before he turned six. It’s the hardest thing that ever happened to us. After that, all I could think about was your dads.” Gus wiped his mouth. “Didn’t have any family or friends to mourn their kid. They didn’t even have a plot on the hill. They buried the girl at Pioneer Cemetery. I still think about it. All the time.”

“Gus.” Logan pressed her palm flat to the table. Her head spun. There was another child—one her fathers had never told her about. Whatever had happened—whatever she didn’t understand about her fathers—this was the missing piece. “What happened?”

“Can’t say for sure,” Gus said. “I know it was back a ways. 2006? Maybe 2007?”

“Thirteen years ago,” Logan breathed.

“Right,” Gus said. “They must’ve adopted you after they left. I know it doesn’t ever make up for losing a kid, but I’m glad those two got to have a family in the end.”

Logan could taste her heartbeat. “Hey, thanks for this. I’m gonna head out.”

“Wait,” Gus said. “Didn’t you have questions about your dads?”

“I think you answered everything.” Logan stepped out of the booth and shouldered her purse.

“You’re heading back to the Bates?”

“Straight home,” Logan lied.

“I can give you a ride.”

“Nope. I’m good.” She put a twenty on the table. “Thanks again for sticking up for me. See you around.”

Logan stormed out of the Chokecherry and turned right. Away from the Bates. Away from Snakebite. She walked down the sidewalk until it ended, and then stumbled along the gravel shoulder. Lake water slapped at the shore to her left, gray and endless along the valley. Between two massive hills, she saw the iron fence, the mounds of dirt, the dusty road up to Snakebite Memorial, and her stomach twisted in knots. It was finally time for the truth.

She’d waited long enough.





28


And Then There Was One


BRANDON VOICEOVER: Tonight on ParaSpectors, there’s no way out but down. The team heads to Tulsa, Oklahoma, where we’ll be tracking down the infamous Tulsa Devil. Local legend says that the Tulsa Devil isn’t your everyday demon. Everyone in this city has been touched by the Devil in some way or another. Alejo is out sick this week, but I won’t be investigating alone. Along for the ride is super-fan and detective-in-training Logan.

[A young girl is shown at Brandon’s side with a bag of gear. She wears a black T-shirt that reads WHO’S AFRAID OF THE DARK? A nametag appears across the screen: LOGAN ORTIZ-WOODLEY, INVESTIGATOR/DAUGHTER.]