The Grim Reaper's Dance

Willie and Evan had spitting contests in first grade, Willie had more money than he knew what to do with, Willie’s family hated him… But there had been no anger. Nothing to give even a hint that Evan had caught Yonkers in a criminal scheme. If anything, there was envy, and…admiration.

Casey closed her eyes and pictured Evan’s information. She wished now she’d brought it with her. He’d matched the names to the photos—he probably knew some, if not most, of the drivers. Perhaps he’d seen some of them on the road—truckers run into each other at truck stops, diners, rest areas—especially if they frequent the roads in the same general area. Pat Parnell had even mentioned seeing Evan. Most likely Evan knew some of the drivers weren’t supposed to be behind the wheel anymore and wondered what was happening. He’d found all their disqualifications. Knew they were driving illegally.

She thought about the manifests, all clipped together in a neat stack. Those papers—the physical papers themselves—were different. They, as compared to his notes and even the photos, were newly copied, all on the same pristine white paper. That’s when she realized—Evan had just discovered the fake names. The copied papers hadn’t had time to get bent and dirty and fingerprinted because they were brand new.

So why hadn’t Evan told anyone? Why was the information still squirreled away in his truck?

And this time? I’m staying for a good long while. I’ve been working my tail off and I need a break.

Evan’s words about home came back to her, as if he were sitting right there in the room. He’d known he finally had them cold, and he was going to turn them in. The problem was… someone else had known it, too.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“So you’re not even going to stay till Tom gets back?” Death said. “Tell him how helpful his computer was? He is pretty cute.”

“He’s also pretty married. Besides, in case you’ve completely lost your mind. I’m not into guys at the moment.” She’d been a little interested in Eric VanDiepenbos the week before, and look how that had turned out.

Oh, Reuben.

She went suddenly breathless and leaned against a tree, several feet from the Southwest parking lot.

“Yup, there he comes,” Death said.

Tom pulled his pickup into his spot and went to his door, opening it with his key. A few seconds later he poked his head back out, looked around, then went back in.

“Too bad,” Death said. “He seems like a nice guy.”

“A nice family guy.”

“Such a stickler for details.”

“Yeah. Details that will keep me going to one place and not the other when I finally die.”

Death gave an exasperated groan. “Are you still going on about that? Dying?”

“Until you give me what I want.”

“Are you sure you still want that?”

Casey looked at Death, then at the ground, then at the blue sky peeking through the trees.

“What I thought,” Death said. “Now, what’s next on the agenda?”

Casey watched Death walk purposefully toward the road, and followed. As they picked their way through the trees she explained what she’d discovered.

“So Evan did tell somebody,” Death said. “Somebody knew he’d found out what was going on.”

“I don’t think he found out all of it. He didn’t seem to realize Willie Yonkers was involved. In fact, I think Willie Yonkers is the one he told.”

“Why would he do that?”

“He respected him. Yonkers was on the town council, had a flourishing business, lots of money…heck, he was even a better spitter than Evan. Plus, he was from Evan’s hometown. He liked him. He trusted him.” A bitter taste filled Casey’s mouth. It was so hard to know whom to trust.

“We need to go see Willie Yonkers,” Death said.

“Yes,” Casey said. “I’m afraid we do.”

They got to the end of the wooded area and stopped.

“How do you propose we do that?” Death raised an eyebrow and stuck out a thumb, as if hitching a ride.

“I don’t suppose Sheryl’s mom is still here.” She walked far enough along the road to see the Southwest parking lot. “Nope. I guess we could borrow Wendell’s truck again, although I really hate to.”

“After walking all the way back into town. Your feet have got to be hurting.”

They were.

“How about Tom’s truck? I’m sure he’d loan it to you.”

Casey looked back toward the building. Should she involve him any more? But then, it was just a truck she was asking to borrow.

“Okay. We’ll ask him.”

“Good for you.”

They made their way back through the trees and up to Tom’s door. He didn’t hide his surprise. “Back again?”

“Another favor.”

“Shoot.”

“May I borrow your truck?”

He regarded her for a few moments. “How long will you be gone?”

She calculated in her head. Forty minutes, Evan had said. With her driving it would be more like fifty. So, basically two hours of driving time, plus finding and talking to Willie Yonkers. “Three hours? Four?”

He glanced at his watch. “So you’ll be back by five?”

“Yes.” Her voice sounded more confident than she felt.

He held out the keys and dropped them into her hand. “Do I want to know where you’re going?”

“No.”

“Okay.” He gave a little grin. “Try to bring her back in one piece. I assume you know how to drive?”

“Uh, yeah.” If he only knew her history with vehicles.

She got in the truck, controlling her shaking hands, and was able to back out and leave without stalling, even with Tom watching.

“Score one for Casey Maldonado!” Death cheered when they were on the road. “Or, uh, Casey Jones! Whichever you are today!”

“Don’t start counting too soon.”

Death settled back and pulled out the harmonica. “So, where are we going?”

Casey groaned. “I have no idea. I just wanted to get out of the parking lot.”

“Ooookaaay. Plans?”

“Well, we know he lives in Sedgwick. His business is called Exotic Blooms.”

“Fancy. If not manly.”

“I figure we get to Sedgwick, we can find the shop.”

“And to get to Sedgwick?”

“Has to be west, because we were headed that way when we crashed. So we’ll get on the highway and go that direction.”

Death sighed. “If only Laura Ingalls Wilder could help us. Why do you even keep that phone with you if you’re not going to use it?”

“Because there might come a time when I will.”

“Whatever.”

The highway turned out being easy to find, and within twenty miles they began to see signs for