Chapter Thirty-Eight

The aspirin and warm stew eased the sharpness of Link’s pain. Against his will, he drifted to sleep. He woke with a start.

The walls of the cave baffled him until the memory of his situation returned. He remembered where he was, that it was Sunday evening, and he was in a cave on Indian Head Hill. When he had time to get his bearings, he tried to stand. Every muscle protested and he dropped on his knees.

He saw one of the long broom handles Coy collected. He crawled to it and used it to raise himself upright. It made a nice staff and he used it for support.

Twilight shone through the boards at the entrance. Why hadn’t Coy returned? Something must have gone wrong. He hobbled to the cave’s mouth, careful to remain in shadow behind the boards across the entrance.

In the distance he saw the old cemetery and, below it, cars on the highway. One car crept up the road nearest him, but no Coy. He watched as the car stopped and a couple entered the cemetery to place a wreath on a grave.

After a few minutes, the couple left. Would someone be putting flowers on his grave soon? His present situation seemed impossible.

If Ricky died, he would leave only two men who could explain his involvement in this mess. No, Travis said there was another man undercover, but that man might not know of Link’s innocence. Was Ricky that second man, or was the other agent someone working in the sheriff’s office? Link tried to picture the roster of men with whom he worked. He didn't even know all of them yet.

He turned and walked. The rough floor hurt his bare feet, but he didn't know if he could ever squeeze his feet into those tight shoes again. Maybe Coy would bring shoes that fit.

He saw the pan of stew waiting and spooned the rest into his mouth. Too late, he wondered if Coy had more or if he’d just downed the man’s share. No, Coy had said there were more cans.

The delay worried him. Maybe Gwen wasn't home and Coy was waiting for her. Maybe something had gone wrong.

Too many maybes. He'd give Coy a little while longer. Before he what? He had no clue.

He moved a rickety wooden chair near the entrance to the cave and sat down to watch for Coy and wait. And tried to puzzle a way out of this mess.