A Murder in Mayberry

Part 10/8 Matthew goes Looking for a Two-Bit Hood

At breakfast the next day Matthew and Izito discussed Humble Booker and his mistreatment of the ladies. Matthew said, "Izito, I'm not going to go all rogue on this, but I did warn him, after Candi, to stay away from the ladies."

"Yes, you did," said Izito who noticed Matthew clenching and unclenching his hands into fists. "But, we must wait. We must wait to be sure, and I am not sure." And then to change the subject he asked about Sienna, "How is our girl?"

"Coming home in two days. Going to her mom's."

"And the baby?"

"She'll be ok, tiny little broken arm," said Matthew as he punched his right hand into his open left.

"The Sheriff is looking," said Shiela who patted Matthew's shoulder, "He'll find whoever did this."

"Hopefully, not before I do," said Matthew.

"May not be the boy," said Izito trying to reign a loose cannon in.

"Who else would want to hurt her?" asked Matthew.

"When you find him - only questions," said Izito.

"Only questions," said Matthew.

The next day Matthew visited The Dairy Center and checked with Holly again. This time Holly told him that she had seen Damien. He'd been by the day before, but that he didn't know about the hit and run until she told him.

"He was upset mister. As soon as I told him about the baby he lit out of here to go see her. I told the Sheriff the same thing this morning when he came by to eat. He eats here every morning, orders the ground steak and egg omelet every day. "

And Sienna's mom told Matthew the same thing. "That boy can't lie for shit. He didn't hurt Sienna." she said. "He cried like a baby when he saw Emmie Bell's arm."

Matthew went to see Sienna.

"He loves us," she said. "In his way."

"Where is he then?" asked Matthew.

"Just being Damien," Sienna shrugged.

Matthew sighed. He did not like Damien, but he liked this girl and wanted to help her. "I'll be by later this week to pack you up and get you home safe."

"Thanks, Matthew," said Sienna.

"And Monday, we're going to the school to talk to Miss Amy. I made us an appointment. Gonna get you all caught back up. Magdalena said she'd help you too."

"Sure," said Sienna, "Thank you Matthew."

"No problem."

Matthew, still tense and worn out from trying to protect the ladies, went to see his first girl when he got back to the retirement center.

"Hello, Stinker Bell, how was your day?"

"I had company today."

"Oh, did Sallie Mae and Lucinda drop by?"

"A boy came to visit," she said.

Oh Lord, Matthew thought, not Luther again. "Who was it?"

"Some boy, I didn't know his name. He was young. He said his heart hurt."

"Heart hurt?"

"Yes," said Lacey. "He was missing his girls. I told him not to worry, he'd see them again. He said- no ma'am I might not, but I told him I could tell if he would or not, and I could tell him he'd see them again one day."