In Her Tracks (Tracy Crosswhite #8)(59)

“I did,” Evan said. He looked again to the television.

“Yeah? Did hell freeze over?”

“What?” Evan gave Franklin a quick glance.

Franklin looked about the room. “Why’d you clean up?”

“You told me to.”

“I tell you that every day. It don’t mean you do it.” Evan felt Franklin eyeing him and tried not to look at him. “How long you been watching TV?”

“I don’t know.”

“You clean the kitchen like I told you?”

“Yep.”

Franklin walked from the room into the kitchen. Evan heard the refrigerator open and close. Franklin returned with a beer. Evan could tell without looking that Franklin was staring at him while drinking his beer. “It isn’t exactly spotless, but it’s clean.”

Evan focused on the television. He thought he might throw up.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Evan shook his head. “Nothing.”

“Don’t tell me ‘nothing.’ I can tell when something’s bothering you. You cleaned the front room and the kitchen . . .” Franklin looked about the room. “You better not be lying to me.” He sat in his recliner, which had been their daddy’s chair. “What are you watching?”

“The Big Bang Theory.”

“I told you those were reruns. Half the jokes fly right over your head anyway.”

“I like Penny,” Evan said.

“Yeah, she’s some piece of ass.” Franklin sipped his beer. “Anyone come to the house today?”

“No,” Evan said quickly. He kept his eyes glued to the television. Sweat trickled from his armpits down his sides. His stomach felt tied in knots, like he was about to throw up.

“What about those detectives?”

Evan shook his head. “They didn’t come to the door.”

He waited, but Franklin didn’t ask him no more questions. He let out a held breath and started to relax. They watched television in silence for a minute. Then Franklin said, “You go on a walk today?”

“Uh-huh,” Evan said.

“Boy! Look me in the eye when I’m speaking to you.”

Evan looked at his older brother.

“Did you go for a walk?”

“I went for a walk,” Evan said, trying not to gag on his words.

“You stop to talk with anyone?”

He felt his Adam’s apple stick in his throat. “No.”

“What about Bibby? You talk to Bibby on your walk?”

“I didn’t see Bibby,” Evan said.

Franklin sipped the beer. “Maybe that piece of shit finally died. Him and that damn dog.”

Evan smiled. “I like Jackpot. I like Mrs. Bibby.”

“You like it when she makes you them brownies. Don’t be talking to either of them. You hear me? They’re busybodies. I don’t want them up in our business.”

“I didn’t talk to Bibby.”

Franklin stared at him. “You said that already.”

“I didn’t remember,” Evan said.

Franklin motioned with his beer toward the television. “That’s because you’re thinking with your pecker. You been thinking about that girl, haven’t you?” Franklin smiled.

“Sometimes.”

“I’ll bet you have,” Franklin said. “I’m off end of this week. Thought we better get up to the cabin and check on the girls. We’ll take a drive, me and you.”

Evan smiled. “What about Carrol?”

“Screw Carrol. He had time to himself up there. He can stay here and watch the house. Maybe I’ll take your gal for a spin myself, break her in for you.”

Evan felt panicked. The girl was his to play with. “You said you wouldn’t.”

“Maybe I changed my mind.”

“You got your own girl.”

Franklin laughed and finished his beer, then held the bottle out to Evan. “Get up and throw this out.”

Evan got up from the couch. As he passed the recliner he reached for the empty bottle. Franklin grabbed his wrist. “Did Carrol tell you he touched my girl?”

“I didn’t talk to Carrol.”

“You ain’t covering for him?”

“He didn’t tell me nothing.”

Franklin released Evan’s wrist. “You’re lying about something,” he said. “I can tell. And I will find out.”

Evan had to go to the bathroom, before he pissed his pants. “I got to pee.”

“Well, go then. And make yourself useful and bring me another beer when you come back.”



Stephanie walked along the wall as far as the chain fastened to the post allowed her.

“Now what are you doing?” Donna asked. “More exercise?”

“I’m looking for a piece of board.”

“You planning on starting a fire? Going to rub two sticks together, Little Miss Girl Scout?”

“I’m looking for something I can make into a weapon,” she said. She held up the stone she’d dug up in the ground. “I might be able to sharpen an end with this.”

“And then what?”

“I’ll wait until he takes off my chains. Then I’ll stab him and grab the key and unfasten your chains.”