Percival Everett - The Body of Martin Aguilera

Laura and Maggie did as he asked.

Lewis went to the door and tried the knob. It was still locked. He looked back at Maggie and Laura and shrugged. He came down the steps and walked along the side of the house, glancing in through the windows as he passed. He turned the corner. His heart stopped as he met another body.

Maggie pushed open her car door.

“Lewis.” It was Cyril Peabody.

Lewis let out a breath. “Christ, you nearly scared me to death.” He leaned against the house, waved back to the car. “It’s all right.”

“I just came out to say hello,” Cyril said. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”

“It’s okay.”

Maggie and Laura joined them.

“Cyril,” Lewis said, “I’d like you to meet Maggie Okada and my granddaughter Laura.”

“Pleased to meet you,” Cyril said.

“Long way to drive just to say hello,” Maggie said.

Cyril smiled at her. “Well, actually, I was expecting Lewis to call.” He looked at Lewis. “When you didn’t, I guess I started to worry. But now I can see that everything is fine.”

“Thanks for the concern.”

“Laura and I will start carrying in the groceries,” Maggie said.

Lewis nodded. “I’ll be right there.” To Cyril, “Come in. Have some tea with us.”

Cyril looked at the full car. “I can see I’ve come at a bad time. I’m a bit rushed anyway.” He watched Maggie and Laura go into the house. “Cute kid.”

“Yes, she is.”

“How did everything turn out?”

“I suppose you heard they’re calling Martin’s death an accident.”

Cyril nodded.

“That’s about it and I don’t know what to make of it.”

Cyril looked like he didn’t know what to say.

Lewis didn’t want to go into detail about Fonda’s and the Penitentes. He didn’t really understand what was driving him and he was embarrassed and he didn’t want to pull yet another person into the thick of the mess.

“Listen, I’d better get out of here and let you help with the unloading before you get into trouble. “He made a move toward his car.

“No, come on in, have tea and sit.”

“Sure.” Cyril helped carry in the groceries, then went back to the car.

“We’ll get that other stuff later,” Lewis told him.

Cyril wanted coffee instead of tea. The men sat in the living room. Maggie and Laura went out for a walk.

“I guess I rubbed your friend the wrong way,” Cyril said.

“Maybe. It’s a big step, her moving in here.”

“Oh, that’s what’s in the car. I didn’t know. I really should leave and let you two get things squared away.”

“They’ve gone for a walk now.”

They sat quietly and looked out the front window at the view off the mountain.

“That really is some piece of real estate,” Cyril said of the plateau below. “That gorge is something.”

“Yeah,” Lewis agreed, sipping his tea.

“Again, I’m really sorry about your friend Martin.”

Lewis nodded. “He was a special fellow.”

“Were you very close?”

“Reasonably, I guess.” Lewis looked at Cyril. “What did you think of him?”

“He was really concerned about his dog. That’s always a good sign to me.”

“Did he ever talk to you about anything?” Cyril asked.

Lewis chuckled. “That’s a broad question.”

“I mean like his dog and what was wrong with it. Something seemed to be bothering him when he came to my office. More than just the dog.”

Lewis rubbed his chin. “I’m not recalling anything.”

The back door made a noise being opened.

“Thanks for the coffee, but I’d better let you, you know.”

Lewis smiled. “Yeah, Maggie can be tough, too.”

“I’ll bet.”

“I’ll be in touch,” Lewis said. “Thanks for coming out.”

Lewis walked the man outside where they shook hands. Cyril climbed into his Jeep. Lewis watched the car round the bend of the drive, then grabbed the first of Maggie’s things to bring in. Maggie held the door for him.

“Cyril’s the vet I told you about,” Lewis said. He put his load down on the table.

“What did he want?” Maggie asked. There was an edge to her voice.

“What’s wrong, Maggie?”

“All this stuff is scary,” she said softly, mindful of Laura who was rinsing off a plum to eat.

“I know. It’s okay though.” He hugged her.

“Mushy, mushy,” Laura said.

“The plum?” Lewis asked.

“No, you two.”

“Caught in the kitchen,” Lewis said and pulled away. “Oh, my God.”

“Let’s get the rest of this junk out of the car and strewn about the house,” Maggie said. She continued to talk as she stepped outside, “Where it will remain for many years to come and when I’m asked…” She was outside and Lewis couldn’t hear the rest.

“I think she’s crazy,” Lewis said to Laura.

After unloading the car, Lewis stood in the living room and observed the disorder. “You weren’t kidding,” he said to Maggie.

“I’m serious about my clutter.”

He looked at Laura. “Do I recall hearing something about a surprise?”

“You’re not allowed in the kitchen,” Maggie said. “We’re making you a special meal.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yeah,” Laura said, her hands on hips in tough pose.

“I guess I’ll see if I can’t find the sofa and take myself a nap.” He looked at a pile of clothes on the sofa. “Where do you want me to put these things, Maggie?”

“Just dump them on the floor. I don’t care.” With that, she and the child were gone into the kitchen.

Dinner was special. Maggie prepared ham, black-eyed peas, wild rice, a spinach salad and a sweet potato pie. Lewis sat back and put his hands on his belly.

“Ladies, that was the best meal I think I’ve eaten.”

“It wasn’t bad,” Maggie said.

Lewis got up and started clearing the table. While Laura ate a second small wedge of pie, Maggie carried some things into the kitchen after Lewis.

“That was really something, Maggie. Thank you.”

She stood close to him. “I love you, Lewis.”

He smiled. “I love you, too. I have for some time. I don’t know what’s taken me so long to realize it.”

“Age,” Maggie said. “It’s made you stupid.”

Lewis kissed her.

“Is it going to be dangerous tonight?” she asked.

“No, not at all. I think Salvador and Ignacio Nunez are going to take me to their morada . I’m going to look at the body and I’m going to leave. That’s all.”

“I’m scared.”

Lewis felt badly for worrying her. He thought that if he had held off on this involvement of theirs, this stuff would be easier. But he had denied this woman and his feelings for as long as he could and perhaps it was this business that allowed him to take the step.

“I’ll be back before you know it.”

Lewis drove into town wondering what he would see and what might happen. He turned into the lot of the Best Western and saw that the blue Camaro was not there. He found Ernesto in the office.

“Did Taylor say anything about when he’d be back?” Lewis asked before he was completely through the door.

Ernesto looked him over closely, then swung his feet off the desk to the floor and stood. “Checked out.”

“When?”

“Couple of hours ago.” Ernesto turned to the key boxes and grabbed an envelope. “He told me to give you this.”

Lewis opened it and unfolded the note. It said:

Dear Mr. Mason ,

Please don’t get me wrong. I really appreciate how much you must have cared about my grandfather. I can’t do this stuff. I’m just a truck driver. I’m going back to Seattle. The sheriff talked to me. I believe he died in the river. He was an old man. I’m sorry you lost a friend. I’ve got to get back to my job. I hope you find what you ‘re looking for.