The Devil Walks Among Us; Book l - Completed 4/21/22

Long Violent History

"What're you going to do for work, Mia?" Michael asked the same evening, the house quiet in the night and the two sitting on their bed, each facing each other from opposite ends.

"I've been wanting to quit my job back home anyway," She scoffed, crisscrossing her legs and gripping her knees. "It's way in my budget and is perfect for us, Michael. I know it's a far ways away from home, but it's quiet, with no neighbors, and peaceful. The perfect place for us."

Michael shook his head, "I don't know, Mia. This is a big jump and something I'm not used to."

"I know. It is for me too, but with just the couple of hours I was there, I felt at home."

"How far is it from town? What if something happens to you or Ella? How far away is any resources we need? Schools?-"

"Michael, you think I didn't think this through at all and fell in love with the first place I found-"

"-No."

"It's twenty minutes from Billings. We have a few years before worrying about school for Ella. Even if it came down to it, she can be home-schooled. The realtor told me about a few openings she had in her office that sounded perfect."

"I don't know, Mia." He sighed.

She frowned, crawling towards Michael's side of the bed, straddling his lap as his back was against the headboard. Instinctively, his hands rested on her hips as she looked at him with worried eyes. "Just come out and look at it with me. Please?"

"When?"

"Tomorrow?"

He nodded.

"Just have an open mind about it. I'm not trying to pressure you into moving. I'm just saying that it looks perfect and safe."

"Nothing is safe as long as I'm around." He frowned.

She cupped his bearded cheek, "Correction: nobody aside from us is safe as long as you're around." She giggled.

*

Sharon sighed as she answered her phone on her desk, the ring interrupting her concentrated mind on her sales quote for Mia prior to emailing it to her. "Sharon Childers' Office, how may I help you?"

"How are you? It's Kevin."

She chuckled, "Half-brother Kevin?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Well, how are you? Haven't spoken to you in months!"

"It's been hectic here... With work and all."

"Sounds like you've been pretty busy."

"Oh, I have. I'm actually calling you for some help."

"Sure thing!"

"I'm in an important investigation. Homicide. I think the suspects have fled and I got word that they have fled towards Montana. I was calling to see if you had maybe heard of anyone from Illinois looking around?"

She furrowed her brows, "No?"

She knew who he was talking about, just as she knew Kevin was always one to have malicious intentions.

"So... A woman with a baby didn't come and look at a house you're selling?"

"No."

"Really? Because I'm looking at my emails here and I see my suspect's email address on a thread with yours."

"Kevin, please," She sighed. "She just asked me about the house. I'm not selling it to her."

"Is that so? Because I have a sales invoice request from her email with your reply stating that you were working on it."

"H-How do you even have access to my account information anyway?"

She heard him chuckle from the other line.

"You're forgetting I have connections with your corporate office. I guess you're forgetting who helped you become a realtor, huh?"

"N-No."

"Forgetting on who cleared your criminal record to help you get this job?"

"...No." She huffed.

"Good. I suggest you tell me exactly what happened. I already have the address."

"All she did was come and look at the house. Said that it would be perfect for a fresh start, but didn't say she would take it. I knew I recognized her from somewhere. If I recall, you treated her like dirt, Kevin. She's always been a sweetheart and you took advantage of her. Just leave her alone," She scoffed.

"You've always been one to take sides."

"You've always been one to not let things go."

"I suggest you watch your mouth, Sharon. I'm asking you for help here, not a fight."

"I'm afraid I can't. You leave her alone. She has a little girl for God's sake."

She shivered as she heard him chuckle from the other end.