The Gravedigger by Kacie Clement (short books for teens .TXT) 📕

George’s eyes narrowed, “Look here bitch…”

Willie Mae glared at George, took a deep breath, and said, “No, George, you listen to me closely. You will not target my family any longer. I am going to end the State Line Mob once and for all, and I will find out what you did with Alyce Ann.”

George laughed. “Tell me, Willie Mae, wouldn’t it be awful if something happened to that new baby coming, or Billie and his family?”

Willie Mae leaned over the table and said quietly, “Hurt my family again, George, and you will never see the light of day again.”

Willie Mae stood, turned, and without another word walked to the door to have the guard let her out of the visiting room.

Willie Mae left the prison and almost collapsed to the ground. She prayed she didn’t make things worse. What was she going to do if George came after her family again?

Willie Mae spent the rest of the day shopping for the new baby before going back to the hotel. Her bus back to Shadowbank was leaving at 6 am.

While Willie Mae was shopping, George was making a call from the prison.

“Buddy, Willie Mae is not getting the message. Send a stronger message. Did you take care of our other problem?” George was silent for a moment. “Good, now make that message a strong one.”

The following day Willie Mae got settled on the bus and looked at her phone. She had missed three calls from Kamira.

Kamira arrived at the airport and had a bit of time before boarding her plane. She pulled out her phone and called Jack.

“Morning, Jack. Has Willie Mae come to the office yet? I’ve called her three times and can’t reach her.”

“Morning to you too, Detective. Willie Mae let me know yesterday morning she would take a few days off after Clifton’s memorial service. Can’t say that I blame her.”

“What? That’s not like Willie Mae. I am going to call the Bellow sisters. I will call you back, Jack.”

Kamira hung up and dialed the Bellows’ estate, reaching Hattie Bellow.

“Good morning, Kamira!” Hattie called out over the phone. “How did your game night go with Willie Mae? Did she take all your money?”

Kamira’s heart pounded. “Yes, she took a good portion of it. Did Willie Mae stop by before work this morning? She was going to grab me a bag of tea, but I can’t seem to reach her on her phone, and I’m not in the office at the moment.”

“No, I haven’t seen her this morning yet. Maybe she forgot. I am sure she will remember, Kamira. Having trouble sleeping again?”

“No, I am fine. I will check with Willie Mae when I get to the office. Thank you, Hattie.”

Kamira disconnected the call and called Jack back.

“Jack, I called Hattie, and she thinks Willie Mae and I had a game night last night and that Willie Mae spent the night at my house. Where is she, Jack? What is she up to?”

“Unbelievable, that woman is as sly as a snake. Look, I will pick you up from the airport, your flight arrives at 3 pm, right? We will go on out to the Bellows’ and talk with her.”

“Okay, let Terrance know. But Jack, we are going to have to be honest with her. She needs protection, and she is going to have to accept that fact. Any luck on finding Alyce Ann?”

“Nothing, it is like she dropped off the face of the earth. I will be there to pick you up.”

Hearing the intercom say they were now boarding her flight, Kamira said, “We’re boarding now. See you at three, Jack.”

Kamira hung up her phone, grabbed her carry-on bag, and boarded the plane.

Kamira walked out of the airport’s front door to find Jack and Terrance parked along the curb waiting for her.

Terrance got out of the vehicle to put Kamira’s carry-on bag in the trunk. Kissing her, he asked, “How did the interview go?”

Getting seated in the car, Kamira replied, “I think this case is just getting interesting. I am betting Pastor Charles Chestfield is very much alive. I would bet he killed his wife and Daniel Billings. Our next step is to interview Father Chestfield.”

Terrance nodded, “You think Chestfield is alive? I say we drop in and see Father Chestfield tomorrow.”

Jack pulled into the Bellow sisters’ drive and said, “Well, look here. Willie Mae is just getting out of a car with a suitcase and some packages.”

Jack pulled over, and the trio got out of the vehicle. Willie Mae turned, her jaw-dropping in surprise.

“Well, since you men are here, why don’t you carry in my packages and suitcases? I’m exhausted.”

Kamira, lifting her left eyebrow, asked, “Exhausted from what exactly? Where have you been, Auntie?”

“Why, girl, are you questioning me? I am 88 years old, which makes me old enough to do what I want without being questioned. I went up to Jackson to shop for my new grand baby. Do you have a problem with that, Kamira?”

Willie Mae stomped into the house to find Jack and Terrance standing in the foyer.

“Yes, I have a problem with that, Auntie. I can’t seem to get it through to you that right now, we all need to be taking precautions. You can’t just up and go to Jackson and not tell anyone.”

Kamira saw the anger rising in her auntie’s eyes and watched as she reopened the front door.

“I can do whatever the hell I want. Now I am tired and going to bed to rest. You all should leave. I will call you tomorrow.”

Kamira looked at Jack, thinking she is holding the door open for us to leave. Nodding at Jack, Kamira looked at her auntie sternly.

“Oh yes, we are going to talk tomorrow, Auntie, and you are going to listen.”

Willie Mae slammed the door.

Once in the car, Kamira said, “She is lying. She is up to something, and we need to figure it out fast.”

Jack pulled up to the curb in front of Kamira and Terrance’s house, said,