CHAPTER

38

DAVID PULLED UP to the feed store just as Howard was leaving, but Howard didn’t see him. His wave went unanswered and he watched the Jeep wagon disappear around the bend. He went in and bought supplies. When he got back to the house, the official black car was parked out front.

Lieutenant Baker and Officer Welty were in the front room. Sixbury was with them.

“Mr. Larson,” said Baker.

“Gentlemen.”

“They won’t tell me what this is all about,” said Sixbury.

“We’d just like to ask Mr. Larson some questions,” Welty told her.

Butch was watching from the far side of the table.

“Go ahead,” Sixbury said.

Baker nodded at Welty. Then the lieutenant turned to David. “Was there a night when your little girl,” he pointed at Butch, “was missing?”

“She was lost once.”

He looked at his notepad. “Would that have been in early December? What happened that evening?”

“We found her wandering around south of here.”

“Who is ‘we’?”

“Me, Howard Dale, Joshua Lowe, Craig Hraboy, and Quinn Rutland.”

“Why didn’t you report it?”

“There was nothing to report.” He paused. “She was just roaming around.”

“What is your child’s name?”

“We call her Butch.”

“Butch,” Baker called to the child.

Butch recoiled; she was afraid of him.

“I want to ask you a question, honey. Do you remember the night you were lost?”

Sixbury became angry. “What is this all about?”

“We just want some answers, ma’am,” said Welty.

“So do I. What’s going on?”

Baker sighed and said, “Mrs. Sixbury, we have reason to believe that your son was murdered.”

She looked at him with a calm face. “Is that why you’re here?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She shook her head and smiled.

“What is it, Mrs. Sixbury?” asked Baker.

“My son was here last night, stealing food from the pantry.”

Baker straightened his back and frowned. “You’re sure of this?”

“He’s holed up out there someplace.”

“You’re positive.”

“I know my own son when I see him. The idiot.”

The lieutenant closed his pad. “Well, I guess that’s that.”

“I guess so,” said Sixbury.

“Welty, let’s get out of here.” The policemen left.

Sixbury and David stayed where they were and just looked at each other.

Finally, David said, “I’ll get dinner started.” Butch ran into the kitchen before him. He stopped and turned to the old woman.

She spoke first. “I don’t want to talk about it.”

So nothing was said.