Sunshine Valley

Brain storm

     Bradley knocked on the sheriff’s office door, “you wanted to see me sir?”

    “Come in, sit. Something to drink?”

    “Pop, I’m a little dusty.”

    Dillon clambered out of his chair returning with 2 cans. “I want your help with something.” He handed Bradley a can as he sat back down.

     “You know, I will do my best.”

     Dillon got up with a folder in his hand, setting beside Bradley. “Evie,” he stopped short, looking at Bradley. 

     He smiled a big smile, “I promise not to call her Evie.”

     Dillon blushed as he continued, “she said at dinner that she had been in the e.r. 6 times. I only have 5 reports.” He pulled them out lining them up on his desk. “And only 2 of them are accompanied by police reports. She said her dad called in a wellness check, where’s that report?”

     “Maybe one never got filed.”

     “It’s standard procedure.”

     “For us.” Bradley remarked. “Do you think she has copies?”

     “She has some.”

     Bradley raised an eyebrow, “you know this how?”

     “When I was helping her move in, a box fell apart and they spewed all over the floor.”

     Bradley picked a random one and started reading, “holy gee.” He hissed. “It’s a thousand wonders she’s not dead.” He continued thumbing through the reports. “Being tied to a bed for a month, was there a hospital report? You know she had to be malnourished, dehydrated and quite possibly needed physical therapy. There is information somewhere.” When he looked up, Dillon seemed lost. “Are you okay?”

     “Not really. I can’t wrap my head around this.” There was a knock at the door. “Just a minute.” They worked together to scoop up the files and put them back in the folder. 

     “Gott’em.” Bradley reassured him. 

     “Come in,” Dillon was putting the file away as Clint walked in. 

     “Am I interrupting?”

     “Not at all. Come in.” Dillon closed the file cabinet. 

    Clint had a folder in his hand. As the door clicked shut, he spoke, “this may be nuttin’ but it’s eatin’ at me. I sorta pulled Rebecca Ledbetter over the other day. There is nothing anywhere about her until she moved to Sunshine Valley 12 years ago. That’s when she bought the old Longsworth place.  Before she married. On the deed to the house it was Rebecca Morrison. Do you think she could be in the WPP?”

     Bradley thought out loud, “she did get the job at the school quick fast and in a hurry. My Sarah has a degree in education. Born and raised here, but had to go to Perkinsville to get a job teaching.”

     Clint added, “maybe she was a teacher and the WPP transferred her credentials?”

      “Doubtful,” Dillon answered. There was a few minutes of silence. 

     “I was able to find out, she paid for the property in cash.”

     Dillon locked eyes with Bradley and they both looked at Clint. 

     Bradley whistled, “that’s a chunk of change.”

     “What about Simon?” Dillon ask knowing the answer.

     “He’s an open book. From birth to now.” Clint paused. “Did you know, he’s an electrical engineer?”

     Bradley hissed, “really?”

     “Yeah.” Clint answered with excitement. 

     “What about her is bothering you?” Dillon asked. 

     “Honestly, airthang. She has made my skin crawl since the first day I met her. But,” he shrugged. “I had no reason to check her out.”

     “Trust your instincts.” Dillon reassured him. “But if you find out we are dealin’ with the WPP, tread softly.”

     “Yes, sir.”

Sunshine Valley