Scott Mackay - Phytosphere

“You heard the noise next door?” he said.

He always tried to trap her with his questions, she knew that, but as she didn’t see a trap in this particular question, she answered truthfully.

“I heard it.”

His mistrust deepened. “And you didn’t call? Some local calls are still going through.”

“I’ve been hiding in the basement all this time.”

He shone his flashlight at her shoes. “Is that so?”

She looked down and saw Leigh’s blood. Damn. Trapped. Even though it was snowing outside, her face felt hot. “I went over there to check things out after his killers left.” Because there was no denying it now.

Fulton’s face settled and he contemplated Glenda for close to five seconds. “You see his basement?”

Another trap, because her footprints were on the stairs as well. “I saw it.” She wasn’t going to fall for this one.

He lifted his chin. “What do you suppose he had on all those shelves?”

“Is that a serious question, Maynard?”

He shook his head. “Always the tone, Glenda. In case you didn’t know, I’m here to serve and protect.”

“That’s what your mouth says. But your eyes tell a different story. Please stop looking at me like that.”

He shook his head a second time, but he was grinning, as if he were enjoying this. “And after all the help I gave you with your husband.”

“Leigh didn’t tell me anything, if that’s what you want to know.”

“So you have no idea who his killers are?”

She brushed the hair from her forehead and felt her expression sink, not in fear but in anger, and had the damnedest impulse to order Fulton off her property and tell him never to come back. “Jamie, Lars, and

Perry. Work buddies. That’s all I know.”

“No last names?”

“No.”

“Found your footprints in that basement room, Glenda. Were you looking for food?”

She went all innocent. “Was that what he had in there?”

“Old Leigh wasn’t going to let you starve. Everybody knows about you and Leigh.”

She frowned. “Why don’t you act like a sheriff for a change, Maynard?”

“Leigh didn’t give you any food? Because it looks like he had a lot down there. Then all those vegetables he was growing. He was planning for the long haul, wasn’t he?”

“He never gave us any food.”

His eyes widened. “Is that so?” He shone his flashlight past her shoulder. “Do you mind if I come in and look around?”

He tried to get around her, but she blocked his way.

“I’d prefer it if you didn’t.”

“I think I better,” he said.

“Maynard, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t.”

“Seems to me you should be glad to have me around, Glenda, now that Gerry’s gone and run off on you.”

“Gerry hasn’t run off on me.”

“What do you suppose he’s doing up there on the Moon right now?”

“I told you, he doesn’t drink anymore.”

“Glenda, I’ve got to take a look around. Police business.”

“Then show me a warrant.”

“Ever since the…restructuring, we don’t need warrants. We’re streamlining our jurisprudence as we go along, on account of the courts being closed.”

He used his great physical size to push past her.

“Maynard, stay out of my house!”

“Sorry, ma’am, but I’m investigating a murder.”

He walked into the living room, got down on one knee, and looked under the couch. He then went into the dining room and opened the cupboards under the china cabinet.

“You’re looking for food, Maynard. Leigh’s murder has nothing to do with it.”

“Ma’am, if you don’t calm down, I’m going to have to cuff you.”

She followed him around the house, knowing she was powerless to stop him.

He went into the kitchen and opened the cupboards. He walked to the fridge, even though it wasn’t working, and shone his flashlight in there. He shut the door and shone his flashlight directly in her face.

“Where are you hiding it all, Glenda?”

“Will you stop shining that thing in my face?”

“You got it all in the basement, like Leigh did?”

“Got what?”

“Your food cache.”

“Maynard, I don’t have a food cache.”

“You’ve already lied to me once.”

“And you said you were investigating a murder, not looking for food.”

He shook his head. “You’re too smart for your own good, you know that?”

He walked across the kitchen to the cellar door.

“My kids are down there. Please don’t scare them.”

“I’m the sheriff. Why would they be scared of me?”

She followed Fulton down the stairs. “Kids,” she cried. “It’s just the sheriff. He’s coming down. No need to be afraid.”

Fulton got to the bottom and shone his flashlight at all the boxes of junk in the middle, then at the tool bench, then at the washer and dryer, and finally at Jake and Hanna.

Glenda’s rifle leaned against the wall next to Jake.

“You’ve got a rifle?” said Fulton.

She scrambled for the quickest dodge. “It’s just an old thing my Dad gave me.”

“You got a license for that thing? You need a license in Wake County.”

“Somewhere. In all these boxes.”

He walked over and lifted the rifle. “Hate to tell you this, but the Wake County’s Sheriff’s Department is confiscating all firearms at the present time. I’m going to have to relieve you of this firearm for the duration of the emergency. Got any ammunition?”

She couldn’t hide her desperation any longer. “Maynard, please don’t take my rifle. It’s the only thing I’ve got to protect me and my children with.”

“Ma’am, I repeat, got any ammunition?”

“Just what’s in the rifle.”

“That’s twice you’ve lied, Glenda.”

“Please leave the rifle. I hear shooting in the hills. I need my rifle in case any of that comes down here.”

Fulton lifted his chin and contemplated Glenda. “You come over and see me sometime, Glenda.” His implication was clear.

“Maynard, please.”

“You want your rifle back or don’t you?”

“Okay, okay, I’ll come over and see you sometime.”

Just then, Little called from upstairs. “Maynard?”

“I’m down here.”

“We found crates and crates of stuff up in his attic. Canned goods and everything.”

“I’ll be right up.” He turned his attention back to Glenda. “Now you listen to me, Glenda. I’m in charge now. I’m running the town independent . You just remember that. Me and the boys, we’re more or less operating the whole show out of Old Hill right now. Ain’t going to be no more government help. So it’s about time you start being nice to me.” He gave the rifle back to her. “You come round and see me, you hear? Gerry won’t mind. Gerry’s all the way up on the Moon getting drunk. I’m the only one you got to look after you now.”

At the daily meeting the next morning, Gerry insisted that Stephanie, the showgirl, fill Luke Langstrom’s chair—and it was agreed by the others that a tourist worker should have representation on the committee.

Gerry outlined his latest finding to the group, and was glad to see that at least Hulke showed some interest, his small gray eyes focusing with curiosity.

“So, this… this band—a band is what you’re calling it?”

“It’s more amorphous than a band,” said Gerry, “but I guess we could call it a band if you like.”

“So, you can…like, see it? It’s there all the time?”

“Yes. I’m hoping to get a second Smallmouth off the ground so we can fly in and take a closer look.

This second Smallmouth will be specifically designed to follow the band, and I think the readings we’ll get from it will be markedly different from the ones we’ve obtained from the first Smallmouth . Plus I’ve got Mitch working on the infrared angle for me. It will be interesting to see if there’s any heat fluctuation.”