They say his arms and legs were smashed, ribs too. Like some wild animal got hold of him.”
“The sheriff’s office is questioning everybody now, trying to find the one who did him and the other two. They think it was the same person.” I finished my tea and stood up.
“Maybe they’ll figure it out sooner or later. I’ve got to get to work. Construction site.” Mrs. Clayton looked at me carefully.
“Alex, when did you get back again? Couple weeks ago?” I nodded.
“About that. Why?” “No reason. Just asking.”
She got up and left. But I saw it in her eyes. She suspected. Maybe more than suspected.
Two days later investigators came in from the county seat. Young Lieutenant Collins and an older deputy named Harris. They went house to house, talking to people.
They came to us too. I opened the door. The lieutenant was thin, wore glasses, carried a notebook.
Looked more like a schoolteacher than a cop. “Alex Gromer? Mind if we ask a few questions?”
“Sure.” I brought them into the kitchen and sat them at the table. Mom watched nervously from the other room.
The lieutenant took out his notebook and pen. “You recently returned from the Army?” “Yes, sir. About a month ago. Airborne infantry.”
“All right. Are you acquainted with Wade Crispin, Steve Crispin, and Luke Cabbott?” I shook my head. “I know the names.”
“All three were attacked recently, yes? But no, I didn’t know them personally. I was in the Army for two years, and from what I understand they were running things around here while I was gone.”
The lieutenant nodded and wrote that down. “Was your mother acquainted with them?” Mom came in, sat beside me, and said quietly:
“Yes. They came to the house asking for money. I was behind on bills, and they said they’d help.”
“Then they demanded more than they gave.” The lieutenant looked at her closely. “Did they assault you?”
Mom nodded and showed him her crooked fingers. “Wade did that. About a month ago.” “And you, Mr. Gromer—did you know about this?”
“I found out when I got home. Mom told me. I wanted to go to the police, but she was scared. Said the deputy was in with them.”
The lieutenant frowned. Deputy Peters really had been tied to the Crispins. That had already come out, and he’d been pulled from duty.
“But you didn’t take any action?” I shrugged. “What action?”
“I’d just gotten back. I didn’t know who to trust. I figured I needed proof before going over anybody’s head to the county. But somebody got to them first.”
The lieutenant studied me for a long moment. I held his gaze. Hands on the table, face open.
Army veteran, just home, helping his mother. Ordinary young man. “Do you have an alibi for the nights of the attacks—June 11th, 13th, and 15th?”
I thought for a second. “On the 11th I was home. My mother can tell you that. On the 13th too.”
“On the 15th I was at the construction site until evening, then home. Neighbors saw me.” The lieutenant wrote it down. “Any other witnesses?”
“My mother. Neighbors.” He nodded and closed the notebook. “All right. If you remember anything else, call us. Here’s the number.”
They stood up and left. When the door shut, Mom whispered, “Alex, do they know?”
I shook my head. “Maybe they suspect. But they can’t prove anything. No evidence, no witnesses.”
“Luke and Steve aren’t talking—they’re scared. Wade is dead. It’s clean.”
She hugged me and started crying. “I’m scared. What if they find something? What if they send you away?”
“They won’t, Mom. I promise.” The next few weeks were tense.
The sheriff’s office kept digging, kept asking questions, kept checking stories. But they ran into a wall of silence. The town knew the Crispins and their crew had gotten what was coming.
Nobody wanted to help the investigation. If anything, people were relieved the nightmare was over. Luke and Steve were eventually released from the hospital.
Both were wrecked for life. Luke on crutches, hands barely usable. Steve too, his hands ruined, his face scarred.
They left town and disappeared. Afraid somebody would come back for them. Deputy Peters was fired.
They opened a corruption case on him. He tried to make a deal, tried to give them names, but there was nobody to give. Wade was dead, the others had run, and their little empire was gone.
Lieutenant Collins came by one last time. Said they were closing the case for lack of evidence. Then he asked me quietly, “Gromer, honestly—was it you?”
