Chapter 31
Much to my relief it was decided that I wouldn’t stay at the Irish Pirate for the night. Wade wanted me to move in with him and his wife until I could find a new place to stay. I wanted to find a hotel, but according to Wade and Perry all hotels were booked solid. Summer vacation season was in full swing and the island was jam-packed of tourists. I wasn’t allowed to leave the isle until the police gave me clearance; so driving to the mainland was out. Then in his quiet way, Perry said I could stay at the boathouse, sleeping in the spare room of the boathouse. That way I would be within reach, incase the police needed to talk to me.
Wade was worried about the killer returning but Perry seemed to think it was a one-time burglary. Personally I feared David finding me, but one word of the police prowling about would send him running faster than one could say, “Jack rabbit.”
Perry left to go prepare the room for me, while Wade walked me upstairs to get some of my belongings. I was careful not to disturb anything. As I packed lightly, Wade poured out the words. I could tell he was upset over the night’s events, especially his reaction to finding Melinda’s body.
“Kerrie, I thought it was you. I almost had a heart attack. All the air left my lungs and I just about fell over dead onto the bed, when I saw her. I ran to the deck, yelling for Perry. He came running faster than ugly growing on an ape. I stood in the background, as Perry checked for a pulse. Baby doll, I was bawling like a little tyke. Perry was frantic, saying ‘Please God, don’t take her.’ And when he said that it wasn’t you, I could have cried with joy. Then I felt like a heel, for rejoicing because someone else was dead instead. I’m a bad man.”
“Wade, it was relief that you felt. You weren't rejoicing because she was dead. You were rejoicing because I was alive. There’s a difference.”
“Perry was almost hysterical when he saw Melinda, but he thought it was you too. Then he saw that her knee wasn’t bruised, he knew it wasn’t you. I had forgotten about the bruise. Then I watched his body slope in defeat when he realized it was Melinda. I squeezed his shoulder. What else could I do? Then, he jumped up faster than a cat on a hot wire, telling me to call the police and that we needed to find you. I called the police, while he stood on the deck calling your name.”
“I’m sorry that she died. I didn’t like her. But I don’t wish death on anyone.”
“Will you be okay at Perry’s?” Wade asked, raising a quizzical eyebrow.
“I think I will. I’m so tired, Wade. I could fall asleep standing up.”
“Come on, baby doll, let’s go get you settled.”
Wade didn’t stay long once we returned to the boathouse. Perry showed me to my room and then gave a quick tour of the place. I was surprised to see how large it was inside. When I closed the door to my new bedroom, I fell across the bed. Exhaustion knocked me down and I could relax now that I was alone. Barely able to keep my eyes opened, I changed into a pair of satin pajamas and slid under the covers. I was too tired to wipe the tears that slipped down my face. Soon sleep overpowered me and in dreamland they didn’t exist.
Wade was worried about the killer returning but Perry seemed to think it was a one-time burglary. Personally I feared David finding me, but one word of the police prowling about would send him running faster than one could say, “Jack rabbit.”
Perry left to go prepare the room for me, while Wade walked me upstairs to get some of my belongings. I was careful not to disturb anything. As I packed lightly, Wade poured out the words. I could tell he was upset over the night’s events, especially his reaction to finding Melinda’s body.
“Kerrie, I thought it was you. I almost had a heart attack. All the air left my lungs and I just about fell over dead onto the bed, when I saw her. I ran to the deck, yelling for Perry. He came running faster than ugly growing on an ape. I stood in the background, as Perry checked for a pulse. Baby doll, I was bawling like a little tyke. Perry was frantic, saying ‘Please God, don’t take her.’ And when he said that it wasn’t you, I could have cried with joy. Then I felt like a heel, for rejoicing because someone else was dead instead. I’m a bad man.”
“Wade, it was relief that you felt. You weren't rejoicing because she was dead. You were rejoicing because I was alive. There’s a difference.”
“Perry was almost hysterical when he saw Melinda, but he thought it was you too. Then he saw that her knee wasn’t bruised, he knew it wasn’t you. I had forgotten about the bruise. Then I watched his body slope in defeat when he realized it was Melinda. I squeezed his shoulder. What else could I do? Then, he jumped up faster than a cat on a hot wire, telling me to call the police and that we needed to find you. I called the police, while he stood on the deck calling your name.”
“I’m sorry that she died. I didn’t like her. But I don’t wish death on anyone.”
“Will you be okay at Perry’s?” Wade asked, raising a quizzical eyebrow.
“I think I will. I’m so tired, Wade. I could fall asleep standing up.”
“Come on, baby doll, let’s go get you settled.”
Wade didn’t stay long once we returned to the boathouse. Perry showed me to my room and then gave a quick tour of the place. I was surprised to see how large it was inside. When I closed the door to my new bedroom, I fell across the bed. Exhaustion knocked me down and I could relax now that I was alone. Barely able to keep my eyes opened, I changed into a pair of satin pajamas and slid under the covers. I was too tired to wipe the tears that slipped down my face. Soon sleep overpowered me and in dreamland they didn’t exist.
penned by Painter Lady at 12:39 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home