Halversham (9 page)

“I am so sorry.”

“Yeah.” Jared opened his mouth and stuck the weed between his teeth. “So how long are you going to be in town?” Jared asked, and Andy smiled. “Why are you smiling?”

“Nothing. It’s just that practically everyone I meet in Halversham asks me the same question.”

“Sure. You haven’t been here in a while. Besides, everybody knows you’re Magda’s nephew and the townsfolk like her. And your mom. So maybe they just want to know.”

“No, I don’t mind the question. I’ll be around for a month.”

“One whole month? What are you going to do?”

“I kind of thought of working for Mr. Milton up on the hill.”

Jared’s eyes widened and there was a glimmer in them. It wasn’t the usual look of horror people gave Andy whenever he mentioned the old man, but something akin to excitement. Jared leaned forward and stared into Andy’s eyes. “Really?”

“Yeah. What do you think?”

“I think you should,” he said, nodding.

“Really? Everyone else has been telling me to stay away from him.”

Jared’s eyes turned a darker shade of grey. He gritted his teeth as he said, “Old man Milton kidnapped my sister.”

Andy’s jaw dropped. “What are you talking about?”

“Emily’s a spunky kid who’s not afraid of anything. And she isn’t afraid of that monster Milton either.” Jared’s voice rose in disgust. “One day our cat Brody disappeared, and we kind of knew Milton killed it.”

“Yeah, Aunt Magda told me about Brody.”

“Emily stupidly confronted Milton. I don’t know exactly what happened up there, but I figured they had an argument. She wouldn’t tell me anything, but she was crying when she came home. All I know is that he wouldn’t let her in. Two days later, she disappeared without a trace.”

“Gosh—did you tell the police?”

“Of course I did,” Jared spat. “I told Sheriff Calaway and they searched Milton’s house but came up with nothing. I’m pretty sure he has Emily hidden in his basement. The sheriff must have missed a clue or something, but I know she’s in there. And I know she’s alive.” Jared’s eyes were shooting flames by the time he finished his story.

“Does Milton live alone?”

“That’s how it appears from the outside. He even kicked his daughter out of that place. Can you imagine that? The man is cruel, and he can’t stand other people.” Jared shook his head and his eyes narrowed. “I can’t prove it, but he’s the only one in this town capable of such evil. Think about it. Why else would he live up on the hill all alone? He had his property fenced right after Emily went missing. You think that’s a coincidence?”

Andy didn’t know what to think. Mr. Milton’s behavior did seem suspicious, but small town rumors often got stretched. “But why would he kidnap her?”

Jared shrugged. “Who knows? He’s a sick bastard.”

“Has anyone ever been up to Milton’s house?”

“Except for his daughter and Sheriff Calaway, I don’t think anyone’s gone in. But a bunch of schoolkids went up there a year ago. You know how kids are, middle graders wanting to prove themselves. The kids went as far as the wrought iron gate and then ran back down the hill hysterical after a loud noise came from inside. The story evolved, and eventually became the kind kids shared around camp fires. But I know what really went on up there because my cousin Dirk was one of the kids. I think the old man made that noise, whatever it was, on purpose to keep the kids out. My question is why?”

Andy shook his head, trying to process it all.

“You should take the job. Work for him, sneak into his basement, and save my sister.”

“Me?” Andy laughed incredulously.

“Yeah, think about it.” Jared shifted his position eagerly. “If you work for him, you’ll have access to his basement, which none of us have. You could easily expose the man without getting caught.”

Andy laughed again and shook his head. Hadn’t he enough problems with the Curds as it was? Did he want to start something with Milton as well? “I don’t know, Jared. I don’t want any trouble, you know?”

“Don’t you want to save my sister?”

“Look, I’m sorry about your sister but I don’t even know if I want this job. I need a few days to think about it.”

“What’s there to think about?” Jared’s eyes were wide, unconvinced.

“I don’t know, I just...” He didn’t know what to say. This was all too much, too fast, and he needed a moment to think.

Jared sighed and backed off. “I’m sorry. You know what, take your time. Let me know when you’ve thought about it.” After all, he had only met Andy a few minutes ago and was already pushing the kid to take on a secret mission. His eyes were red, but his expression softened as he slapped his knees. “I’m feeling kind of hungry. What say you we have something to eat?”

“Here?”

“Yeah. I can run up to the house, get us something to eat, and be back in ten minutes. And then we can eat here while the sheep graze. I usually pack lunch before I start herding, but it slipped my mind when I met you this morning,” Jared said, scratching his head. “Can you stay and watch the sheep while I go up?”

“Sure.”

Jared ran back to his house as Andy stayed on the rock, his stomach making soft gurgling sounds. His watch said it was almost noon. The conversation with Jared had been most revealing. Corrine’s pregnancy for example. And Mr. Milton. But the real question was, what was he going to do about all that he had learned?

Jared returned a few minutes later with two bowls of chicken soup, salad, and a generous amount of bread in a picnic hamper. “Everything in the salad’s fresh from our farm. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

Andy picked up the bowl of green salad and his eyes glistened. It was just the way his mom used to make, with simple vinaigrette dressing and grated feta. Andy dug in hungrily and slurped up the soup in no time, sopping it up with the bread as he went. The chicken soup was good despite containing nothing more than chicken, cabbage, and carrots. His mother used to say the trick to a tasty meal was fresh ingredients, and it could not have been truer in this instance. Andy wiped his mouth when he finished and belched.

“Thanks. That was great.”

Jared laughed. “No problem.” Andy stacked up the empty bowls and looked at his watch again. It was half past noon. They talked about Jared’s father and then shifted the topic to Andy’s mother. Soon it was time for Andy to leave.

“I better go, Jared. I have to feed this dog that lives at the foot of the hill. My mom used to feed a whole bunch of them. Now there’s only one. Do you know what happened to them?” Andy slid his backpack on.

“Dogs?” Jared looked confused. “That I don’t know anything about. Sorry.”

“It’s okay.” Andy shrugged. “I just thought you might know something. My mom loved those dogs. It’s one of the reasons I came back here. But then, it’s been three years. Anything could have happened.”

“Well, all the more reason to suspect Milton. He lives just up the hill. Remember Brody?”

Andy paused to think, nodded, and then left.

After Andy’s mother became ill two years ago, she pleaded with her husband to cut down on his trips and spend more time at home. Paul had made a solemn promise to limit his travels as she wished but it only lasted one month. From the second month onward, his father went on business trips as usual. Although disappointed, Andy’s mother accepted it but Andy was livid. “How could you be so selfish?” he had screamed at his father as he wheeled his suitcase out one morning.

“I have to go, Andy. I want you to look after your mother and call me if anything happens.” Andy stood back and watched as Trevor loaded the suitcase into the car. His father put on his glasses and got in without a trace of remorse.

Just yesterday, Corrine had called Andy aloof. In fact, he had wanted to get out of town the moment he found out about Uncle Matt and Corrine’s problems. And today, Jared had given him a strange look when Andy made it clear he wasn’t particularly interested in investigating his sister’s disappearance. Suddenly, all of Andy’s actions seemed to be pointing in one uncomfortable direction, and he was reluctant to face the inevitable question: was he unwittingly becoming a clone of his insensitive father?

Andy walked along the main street, paying attention to each store, and came across an inn. Just outside it was a tree with a piece of paper tacked to it. Both the sides had faded and rolled to the middle, where two rusty thumbtacks on opposing ends held it in place. Andy went closer, put his fingers through the middle, and splayed them to spread out the paper. The face of a girl appeared, the word MISSING printed in bold at the top. Andy shifted his hand and saw her name: Emily Doyne. He took another look at the girl’s face, and then left.

A moment later, he was in Dorrie’s, reaching for canned dog food on a shelf. He also picked up a dog bowl and treats before pushing his squeaky cart to the counter. After scanning the row of check-out counters, Andy spotted Chuck working the last counter to his left. He wheeled the cart over and queued behind an elderly lady. Five minutes later, it was his turn.

“Hi, Chuck.”

“Hey, Andy. How are ya?”

“I’m good. Thanks. How about you?”

“Good, man.” Chuck scanned the items as Andy laid them on the counter.

“Hey, I was wondering. Remember that job you were talking about the other day? With Mr. Milton?”

“Yeah.”

“Is it still available?”

“I’m sure it is, but I’ll have to check with my ma. Why? You interested?”

“Yeah. I think I’ll work for him while I’m here.”

“Sure. Why don’t you give me your phone number and I’ll let you know tomorrow?”

Andy paid and wrote down his number on the back of the receipt before stuffing his purchases into his backpack.

Half an hour later, he was whistling for the dog at the foothill. Earlier, he had paused to take a look at the only house up on the hill. It had an ominous feel to it today in light of what he had heard. But he had to be impartial until he’d had the chance to investigate.

Seconds later, the scrawny dog appeared. This time, the dog wagged its tail, which was tucked between its legs. Andy crouched on the field and took out his shopping bag. He placed the dog bowl on the ground and pulled the ring on a can. The dog sniffed the air, took tentative steps toward the bowl, and then stopped, lowering its head as Andy poured the contents.

“Come, boy. Eat.”

He pushed the bowl toward the dog and took a step back. The dog came closer to chomp on the chunks of meat, emptying the bowl in less than five minutes. Next, he poured some dry bites into the bowl, and the dog finished that too.

“You know what? You need a name. So, I, Andrew J. Monaghan, hereby name you Brutus.” The dog cocked its head and blinked. Andy smiled and lay on grass to enjoy the summer breeze while Brutus romped about. When the sun began its descent, he cleaned up the place and refilled Brutus’s bowl. He patted the dog one last time before leaving.

Although Andy was tired and ready to go home, he had to make sure Aunt Magda received Mr. Doyne’s money for the buns. So he walked to her house, headed for the back door, and found her retrieving something from the oven.

“What’s that?”

“Do you like shepherd’s pie?”

“Absolutely.”

“Good, take a seat.”

Andy washed his hands, pulled out a chair, and sat. “Oh—before I forget, here’s the money from Mr. Doyne.” Andy pulled the money out from his pocket and handed it to her.

“Thanks, Andy.” She pocketed the money and put a plate in front of him. Next, she cut a huge slice of the steaming pie as Andy drooled and swallowed. Less than a minute later, he was stuffing a forkful of pie into his mouth, burning his tongue in the process.

“You’re the best cook I’ve ever known, Aunt Magda. Even better than my mom, and she was fantastic,” Andy said when he had finished almost three-quarters of the plate.

Aunt Magda smiled sadly. “I wish Corrine enjoyed my cooking as much as you do. She doesn’t eat anything I cook. Did you know that?”

Andy rested his fork on his plate and wiped his mouth. “Yeah, she told me.”

Aunt Magda pulled a chair across the table and sat. “What else did she tell you?”

“Nothing much.” He remembered Corrine’s pregnancy and cringed at the thought of asking Aunt Magda about it. It seemed too personal. It was probably best if he spoke about it to Corrine first. “I think Corrine needs professional help, Aunt Magda. I mean, I can talk to her, but it seems to me she needs more than a friend.”

“Why? What did she tell you?”

He licked his lips. “It’s not what she told me. It’s what I saw.”

“What do you mean?”

Andy hesitated. He didn’t want to tell her about the rabbit, since he had promised Corrine he’d keep her hideout a secret. “You know how she used to release goats from the pen and physically injure other people?”

“Yes.”

“She’s still doing it, but times a hundred. I mean, she told me she got you into trouble with Uncle Matt by telling him you sold bread in secret.”

“Did she tell you why she did it? Why she told her father?” Andy shook his head and Aunt Magda looked away. She got up and walked to the window as Andy watched.