Five Miles to Paradise

38

"Can you do anything?" I asked.

Heck had arrived home late, but he was too worked up for sleep. He woke me up and filled me in on all that Sumter had told him. 

It was now the wee hours of the morning. Neither one of us could sleep. He had continued talking and had started to clear out the pantry room of the 'evidence' from Tee-Bone's case, just to have something to occupy his hands.

"I doubt it. The Sebastians are like a feudal estate unto themselves. They are a law unto their own. Erling has been secreted out of the country. It must have happened at lightening speed, but with Sumter's connections, anything is possible.

Even if I knew which country, and I haven't got a clue, Sumter was emphatic that Erling had been given a new name. How Sumter got those documents forged so quickly is beyond me, too. But Erling has papers and a new identity. So, I wouldn't even begin to know who to tell the authorities of that foreign country who to look for.

As far as trying to set up a search for Thayard, I can forget about that, too.

Tee-Bone's body is god-only-knows where. I could search until the cows come home, and I still would never find it. Sumter's right about there being a million places to hide what you never want found. 

And as much as I hate to think about it, old Tee-Bone is probably alligator bait, by now. I doubt there's much left but his tools and the shoe leather from his boots. Maybe, that's in the belly of some old gator, too.

Anyway, I have no physical evidence. No proof. It would be my word against the great Senator's, and Sumter has some very powerful friends in some very high places. I wouldn't stand a sugar cube's chance in the Gulf."

"Well, Heck," I said, "I hate to add to your problems, but you might as well have a look at this."

I handed Heck a greasy folded piece of butcher's paper. He stopped packing up the small box of note cards we'd made on Tee-Bone's case.

"What is it?"

"See for yourself. My best guess is it's from Clancy or one of his bunch. But, I'm no lawman."

"Hate mail," he said, reading the crudely cut-out letters that had been glued onto the butcher's paper. "Brown sheet of butcher paper. No envelope?"

"No envelope. Just the paper. Found it folded up in the mail box. I was dusting the front room and happened to glance out the window as Mr. Munce was delivering the daily letters. He opened the box. Had a shocked look on his face. Glanced right and left to make sure no one was watching. Then, he stuffed your mail back into his bag, closed the box's door, and hurried away."

"Hurumph. Must have ran into these before. Leah, I swear, you've got the makings of a first-class deputy."

"No thanks, Sheriff. I'm content to be your unknown sidekick. I was simply lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time when Mr. Munce walked up to the box. 

Also, if you're one of my kind, it is just common sense to stay on your toes and stay alert. Too many people want to stick their foot in your path to trip you up. If you see the foot sticking out, you can step over it or go another way.

Folks like me have to stay on their toes all the time to be one step ahead of the Clancy's of this world."

"You're right about that," said Heck. "After breakfast, I think I'll stop by the post office. Give ole' Munce a visit before he has a chance to start delivering to the good folks in town. I'll pick up my mail from yesterday, as well. I had planned on taking the day off, pack this stuff away, and straighten up this room.

On second thought, this room can wait. I kinda like it like it is. I'll grab a quick bite. Leave this stuff for me. I'll find a good place to store it.

He looked down at the paper he'd placed on the table. There was one big black 'U', a crookedly pasted 'R', and a large pasted cut out of an eyeball.

"I guess," Heck said, "I've been warned. We're being watched. Either that or some Cajun's put a hex on us. Maybe that big ole' eyeball is the evil eye. Think Marie Laveau is watching us from her grave?"

"Hush, Heck. Don't joke about things like that."

"Leah. Are you afraid?"

"I just think there's no good comes in making fun of any of that kind of stuff."

Heck folded the paper and put it in his pocket.

"Maybe, you're right. On second thought, I'm gonna skip breakfast. I've suddenly lost my appetite. I'm going down to the post office this instant. 

You lock the doors after me, Leah. And don't let anyone in. And before you even ask, that includes Anjohn. I don't want her sticking her nosy busybodiness in this. I've got enough on my plate as it is without her getting in my way.

If she pesters you later, tell her you get sick headaches. When the spells hit, all you can do is pull the blinds, lock the door, and go to bed. And don't forgot to close the blinds. I mean it."

"Heck," I protested. "It's daylight! You don't think Clancy or his bunch would have the courage to do anything during the daylight hours?"

"No. They usually do their best work under the cover of darkness. But Anjohn ain't above peeking in, especially if the doors are locked. That lock will be just the thing to put her nosey mind on high alert.

Besides, we can't tell her you have a sick headache, if the blinds are up. And I know you. Leah. You'll be working around this house, doing something, unless I tie you to a chair."

"Alright. You win," I said, unhappy by the fact that the rest of my day would be spent inside a house as dark as a cave.