Looking For An Honest Man Chapters 33 & 34

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Chapter 33

Olivia felt tired. It had been a long day. She cleaned up the kitchen and heard water running in the bathroom as she went into the living room to her recliner. Will had loved this recliner and she had chided him; called it his second bedroom. Now, she found comfort when her body sank into the soft leather. She enjoyed her daily naps, and sometimes she wondered if it were because she could still subconsciously smell Will’s muskiness, or it brought back memories of happier times. It didn’t matter right now. She was tired from all the activities of the past two days. She sank her head into the soft pillow cushion, closed her eyes and fell asleep.

This time Vickie Taylor appeared out of nowhere. Any qualms Olivia had from Vickie’s previous visits were gone. There had been no white flash of light. They didn’t speak. Vickie motioned for Olivia to follow. Olivia laughed inwardly at the request. Did she have any choice? It would take a miracle for Olivia to gain control of her body at the moment. Maybe she’d tell Gretchen that a dead woman takes control of her body, or at least her mind. Gretchen would go berserk. Suddenly, Olivia experienced her body being lifted as if it were floating in the air. The ground below passed by at a leisurely pace. Olivia didn’t want to look down, but Vickie pointed to the street they were following. Olivia recognized Holmes Road because she’d driven it hundreds of times to get on the freeway. Every time she turned her gaze to Vickie, she’d be reminded to look down. They flew over I-435, and Olivia could see the outline of the Red Bridge Shopping Center in the distance. They continued south and in the distance, Olivia saw a small lake. A small stream edged the dam and beyond that an open field. On the other side of the stream set a shed in the middle of a field and behind some bushes was a trash dumpster. Vickie took Olivia’s hand as they slowly descended until they hovered just above it. The metal lid evaporated before Olivia’s eyes exposing the curled up body of a woman.

Olivia woke up to Samantha calling her name and shaking her shoulders.

“Mother, are you okay?”

Olivia awoke in a daze. It was daylight, and Samantha stood in front of Olivia in a bath towel wrapped around her body..

“What’s wrong, Samantha?”

“Nothing’s wrong with me. You slept in here all night. Are you okay?”

Olivia sat up and placed a hand to her forehead.

“I’m fine.”

Samantha kneeled beside the chair with her hands in Olivia’s lap.

 “You had another vision.”

Olivia nodded and took a deep breath.

“I think I know where we can find Patricia Wilson. Go get dressed, and don’t wear the red dress.”

Samantha flashed her mother a disgruntled look before retreating to the bedroom. Fifteen minutes later they climbed in Olivia’s Prius.

“God, it’s so damn foggy this morning!” Samantha exclaimed as they drove south on Holmes Road.

“I’m glad I let you drive instead of me. It’s going to get worse the further south we go. Once we pass I-435 we’ll get closer to the Blue River and the lake we’re going to.”

Samantha placed the McDonald’s coffee in the cup holder and gripped the steering wheel with both hands.

“And why are we going out here to find a body? The idea gives me the creeps.”

“The dream or vision was different this time.”

“In what way?” Samantha asked, her eyes not leaving the road.

Olivia thought for a second before answering.

 “For one thing, it was Vickie. You’d think that it would be Patricia. I don’t know, I found that strange. Last time we went directly to Swope Park to where Vickie was buried. This time we flew.”

Samantha giggled.

“How did it feel to fly? Did the fog get your hair wet?”

Olivia’s hand pushed against Samantha’s shoulder.

“No, smart ass, it was nothing like that. If you want to know the truth, it was more like looking at Google maps in street view.”

“But Vickie was there?”

“She kept pointing to make me focus on where we were. It was so weird.”

“Well, this gives me the creeps, Mother. I wish now that we’d called Wally.”

Samantha saw the smug look on her mother’s face.

“I told you to call him, but no, you didn’t want him. So what’s going on between you two?” Olivia asked.

Samantha’s tongue pushed under her upper lip to get an annoying stray toast crumb.

“He is starting to get too close. I think he loves me, and…I don’t love him—at least like that. He is my best friend, that’s all.”

They were approaching the I-435 overpass and Olivia marveled at the number of cars at nine o’clock in the morning. She could only imagine what it had been like two hours earlier.

“Sometimes I think it is the other way around,” Olivia said.

Samantha stopped for a red light.

“That’s ridiculous, Mother. I have always told Wally that we’re just friends. He knows where I stand on our relationship.”

“You sit on his lap, stay overnight at his place and call him teddy bear? Do you ever listen to yourself, or think about your actions?”

Samantha slammed on the gas pedal when the light turned green, sending Olivia’s head back into the headrest. It was apparent to Olivia that the conversation was over, and that Samantha had not taken her medicine. When Samantha was a child, she’d read that many children learn to handle their ADHD as they grow older and don’t have to take medicine. Samantha didn’t even take the medicine as a child unless forced to do so. Therapy was a disaster and fell by the wayside after six months. Olivia was tired of thinking about it. What some people think of as a simple solution, others reject. The one thing Olivia did know was that being Samantha’s mother was a big pain in the ass.

 “Okay,” Olivia replied softly, avoiding Samantha’s glaring eyes.

They were quiet until they reached Saint Thomas More Catholic Church.

“How much farther?” Samantha asked.

“We’re close. I’ve seen this lake before, but I haven’t been out this way in years. Something tells me it is at the bottom of this hill.”

The thick fog made it almost impossible to see the road. The lights from a large truck jumped out of nowhere making Olivia gasp. Samantha’s body was rigid as the truck raced by, rocking their car and then disappeared in her rearview mirror.

“I don’t like this Mother. People are crazy! That truck was going over the speed limit in this fog.”

Olivia’s arm crossed in front of Samantha to point at a sign that blurred by the fog. She could barely make out the words South Lake.

“Wait, Samantha. I think this is where we turn off.”

Samantha missed the turn.

“Shit! It is almost impossible to see where you’re going.”

Their car started to creep up the hill when Samantha saw an entrance to another subdivision.

“Turn around here,” Olivia instructed.

Samantha turned the car around and backtracked. She carefully turned into a four-lane road and stopped.

“The sign says Carriage Road. Is that what we want?”

“I think so, Samantha. There’s a small pond to our right and it looks like the lake is further down.”

Samantha squinted her eyes only to see two waddling Canadian geese appear in front of the car. She stopped until they moved out of the way.

“Well, two geese, so there must be a lake.”

“Drive on down.”

Samantha slowly edged the car forward one hundred feet, and the road ended.

“What now?” Samantha asked.

“Pull straight ahead. I think that is a parking lot to a hiking trail. Your father and I came to a party at this lake a long time ago. During the party, he suggested we leave and hike this trail.”

“What is this place called?” Samantha asked.

“South Lake. It’s been here for years.”

Samantha threw the car in park and sat back in her seat.

“Creepy,” she said.

“The fog does add a negative ambience,” Olivia agreed.

Samantha noticed her frizzy hair in the rearview mirror. It reminded her of a Chia pet.

“So what now, Mother?”

“Well, I think we need to walk that area next to the park. I can’t see the park department placing a large dumpster in the middle of the hiking trail.”

The humidity of the morning wrapped itself around Olivia’s face, covering her skin with small beads of water. She motioned for Samantha’s hand, and they made their way down a gravel drive to a small field nestled between the park and a little stream.

“Is the dumpster down there?” Samantha asked.

Olivia tugged on her hand.

“I think so.”

The gravel drive sloped downward, and the dark outline of a shed loomed ahead. Instinctively, Olivia turned around to see whether they were alone. She imagined this a very cheerful place in the sunlight, but the trees were now ominous shadows blurred by the fog. Olivia thought she’d be cold, but the dense humidity felt warm against her skin. The closer they came to the shed, the tighter Samantha’s grip on her hand until a sharp pain shot up her arm. Olivia stopped, adjusted Samantha’s hand and gave her a smile.

“Sorry,” Samantha whispered.

A car roared by on the road that bordered the lake, making them jump. Its red taillights disappeared in the distance, and it was quiet again. Samantha giggled, and Olivia let out a sigh of relief.

“What time is it?” Olivia asked.

“We got here about nine-fifteen, so I doubt whether it’s even nine-thirty. Why is it so foggy so late in the morning?”

Olivia searched the shadows for any sign of the dumpster.

“Where did I see the dumpster?”

“This is so creepy!” Samantha exclaimed.

Olivia put a finger to her lips and made a three-hundred-degree turn.

“It has to be on the other side of the shed and hidden by those bushes. Come on, let’s go see before this place makes me pee my pants.”

Samantha grabbed Olivia’s hand this time, and they started to jog toward the row of bushes near the shed. The minute they reached the bushes, the dumpster almost jumped out at them.

“Now what?” Samantha asked with her hands on her hips.

Olivia stepped forward and grabbed the handle on the side of the lid.

“Look inside, of course.”

Chapter 34

“How are you going to see? It’s going to be dark when you open the lid.”

Olivia pulled a small flashlight out of her pocket.

“Mothers are always prepared,” she said, slowly lifting the lid.

Olivia gripped the metal lid with one hand and pushed. She realized it would take both hands to lift the heavy lid. She held the flashlight with her teeth, pushed with both hands and the lid slowly moved upward. Olivia shined the light on a mound of black trash bags and splintered pieces of lumber. Olivia grunted and motioned for help with her head. Samantha moved forward and helped hold the lid upright and immediately held her nose from the putrid smell.

“See anything?” Samantha asked.                          

Olivia quickly switched the flashlight to a free hand.

“No, but that smell is nauseating.”

“Do think that is from the dead body?”

Olivia saw the fear in Samantha’s eyes. Her motherly instincts wanted to drop the lid and hug her daughter, but she could feel Patricia Wilson reaching out for her. Olivia pushed the lumber aside with her free hand and that is when she saw the withered hand covered with maggots sticking out of a trash bag. She immediately slammed the lid shut and double over holding her stomach. Samantha’s arms encircled her mother and held her close while Olivia puked her guts out.

 “Mother, are you okay?”

Olivia nodded. The putrid smell did not dissipate even though the lid to the dumpster was closed. Olivia felt as if someone were jabbing that smell up her nose. Finally, her gut had no more to give, and the remaining smell was more in Olivia’s head than in the air.

“Let’s go back,” Olivia gasped. “We found out all we needed to know.”

Samantha held Olivia’s arm as they started the short trek back to the car. The thick fog still clung to the ground and swirled around their feet as they walked up the gravel drive to their car. Reaching the top, two round lights penetrated the fog and moved slowly toward them on the road above. As the lights moved closer, the outline of a small golf cart with a shadowy figure behind the wheel came into view. A large, dark object loped along side the cart. The cart reached the gravel drive, immediately turned, stopped and shone its lights on Olivia and Samantha. The dog gave a menacing growl and, although Olivia could not see clearly, she could imagine the dog’s fangs were bared.

A harsh female voice called from the cart.

“What are you two doing down here? You’re trespassing on private property.”

Samantha grabbed Olivia’s hand and squeezed. They stood frozen, afraid to speak as the mastiff’s menacing low growl sent shivers down their backs. Olivia made an attempt to slice through the dense fog and see the woman’s face, but it was useless. The voice again broke through the stillness of the morning.

“What’s the matter with you two? Can’t you talk?”

Olivia stepped forward, ignoring the snarling dog.

“We got lost. We thought this was the hiking trail. My name is Olivia Kennedy Kimsey, and this is my daughter Samantha.” Olivia pointed to Samantha. “I guess it was foolish for us to come out here when it is so foggy. We thought it would clear by now.”

“It doesn’t clear that fast by the lake,” the woman grunted.

“We’re so sorry. I guess it was stupid to think that we could hike the trail in this fog.”

Samantha pulled her mother’s hand.

“Mother, why don’t we just forget it and come back another time.”

Olivia responded in a cheerful voice while eyeing the mastiff that moved his head toward the woman as if waiting for orders.

“I think you’re right, dear. We might as well go back home.” She waved at the woman in the golf cart. “Again, I’m so sorry we bothered you.”

The woman grunted again and patted the bench seat on the cart. The dog immediately jumped up beside her and looked straight ahead: Olivia and Samantha were forgotten.

“You need to be more careful. There was a sign up there that said no trespassing,” the woman said.

“We’ll be more careful next time,” Olivia said.

Olivia stopped and faced the woman as they passed. The woman started, and leaned back. She was probably in her middle fifties with bright silver hair. Even though the humidity was playing havoc with her hair, Olivia could see a professional cut and style. She had a square face with small eyes set wide apart and thin lips. The woman was in her robe and pajamas. Had their little excursion roused her out of bed?

“I’m sorry, what is your name?” Olivia asked sweetly.

The woman answered before she had time to think.

“Cora. Cora Brandon,” she said.

“It was nice to meet you Cora,” Olivia said.

Samantha pulled on Olivia’s arm, and they stumbled to the car. Both sighed once they were inside with the doors locked.

“God, that fucking dog scared the shit out of me,” Samantha said holding her chest.

Olivia had claimed the driver’s seat, and she fumbled in her daughter’s purse for Samantha’s keys. Her breath was labored, and her hand bounced off the steering column in an attempt to insert the key in the ignition.

 “Me, too.”

“Why did you give her our names, Mother? That was stupid.”

Olivia sighed.

“I don’t know. I guess you do stupid things sometimes.”

“What now?” Samantha asked.

Olivia put the gearshift into reverse.

“We call the hotline.”

Olivia backed out of the parking space. Through the thick fog, she could see that the golf cart had turned around, and the lights were aimed at the back of her car.  She could barely make out the outline of Cora Brandon and the dog sitting beside her in the cart.

“You sure you can drive, Mother?”

“I’m fine. Just shaken a bit, that’s all. Were you as frightened as I was back there? That damn dog looked as if it could have had us both for breakfast.”

“Oh, no. I wanted to stay and chat, maybe have some tea. Such a lovely day. The company is divine. Hell, Mother, I was about to shit my pants! I thought we were going to join Patricia Wilson in that dumpster.”

“I just saw a hand, but that is where Vickie told me I would find her. We’re going to call the hotline to report a body.”

They drove until they reached the Red Bridge Shopping Center and parked near a large purple recycling dumpster filled with glass bottles. The routine hadn’t changed. Samantha wrote the number down that the operator gave Olivia if the lead proved to be valuable. She had two numbers now that she didn’t know what to do with. Once completed, Olivia dropped the phone in her lap and covered her face with her hands.

“Are you okay, Mother?”

“Now that it’s over, yes. I think I want to go home.”

“Good idea.”

“Are you going to call Wally?”

Samantha didn’t say anything. Wally was the last thing she wanted to think about at the moment. Big, stupid Wally made her so mad, although she really didn’t understand why. Who were Carol and Irene? Wally had never told her anything about either one of these women? Hadn’t she told him about all of her love affairs? This really came down to a matter of trust. Wally didn’t trust her.

Olivia shook Samantha’s shoulder.

“Are you going to call Wally? I think Wally needs to come to lunch, and we can compare notes. He talked to the woman that knew Vickie Taylor.”

“Why don’t you call him?” Samantha said.

Olivia kept her eyes on the road ahead. The further north she drove, the fog began to dissipate. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught Samantha pulling at the string on her hoodie. She knew that Samantha would talk to her in time. It was the agony of watching her daughter hurt that bothered her.

 “I’m driving. Why don’t you text him to come for lunch?”

“Give me your phone,” Samantha said.

“Oh, all right. Sometimes I think you and Wally are back in high school.”

“I don’t want to hear it Mother. Give me your phone.”