Dead Girl Moon Read Online Free PDF Page B

shirt. No clues there.
    Dovey’s eyes shifted to Mick as he walked toward her. The man caught that and turned. Mick hadn’t recognized him from behind, but this was the guy who’d been doing football drills with Cassel and Cunneen after track. The ex-jock. He reminded Mick of a TV sports announcer: handsome, strong features, white teeth, cold blue eyes. Mick had to make himself keep walking.
    “That’s far enough, pal, none of your business.” The man seemed to grow larger as he spoke, as if he could puff up intentionally.
    Mick guessed the guy was around six four, two forty or fifty. Bigger and harder than anyone Mick had confronted. He continued walking to the edge of the car. “I need to talk with Ms. Crabtree,” Mick said. “It can’t wait.”
    The man turned back to Dovey. “That list is my job. Court order if I need to.” He moved down the steps, quick, agile, got in his car and drove away without another glance at Mick.
    Mick had to move to keep the fender from hitting him. When he made it to the porch he could see Dovey’s face dark with anger, jaw set. He waited for her to speak. When she didn’t he asked. “Who’s that?”
    “Larry Cassel. Lieutenant Cassel’s older son.” She shook her head as if to shake away the annoyance. “Long story. The end of it’s he’s the new Tri-County building inspector. Don’t ask how he got that with no contractor’s license or building experience. He wants a list of construction projects going back five years but he won’t get it from me. News travels. He’s already reviewing old projects asking for new fees. Cardwell’s going to have to bring the state in like he used to with Hammond’s father.”
    “He’s Tim’s brother?” Mick said.
    “Yes, six or seven years older and stay out of it. He threatens but he won’t hurt me.” Her face softened. “I appreciate you coming over to make sure.” She smiled. “How about a brownie?”

 
    12
    B EST TIMES M ICK HAD WERE OUT at JJ’s river spot. Fine May evenings, shirtsleeve weather, at least a couple of times a week. Grace was at work. It was just the two of them, talking, teasing, her watching the sky, him the water. Gradually, JJ opened up. Told him about her real mom.
    JJ found out her mother used to be wild in high school. Partied a lot till she got pregnant and her guy walked out. After she had JJ she got real depressed and never seemed to pull out of it. Stayed single. Worked, but never left the house, evenings or weekends. Only thing her mom did was read and watch TV. The woman filled JJ’s head with fairy tales about princesses and knights, Snow White and Disney stuff, right up until she died of quick-hitting cancer. Five weeks and she was gone. JJ got shipped to the Stovalls, her mom’s sister, Tina.
    On one of those river nights, JJ swore Mick to secrecy. He imagined rape or something with Gary. Wrong. JJ wanted to talk about the moon. As soon as she said “moon,” Mick thought, Great, she’s crazy. Tina’s crazy. Jon’ s crazy. It’s rubbed off.
    During the time he’d known her he’d seen some strange things. Nobody looked at the moon as much as she did. Mick mentioned it to Grace. Grace made that motion, circling her ear with her finger. “I love her,” Grace said. “She’s my homegirl, but she’s nuts. La-la land. Baseball or boonies, no in-between.”
    Mick had seen JJ walk down the main street, the highway, at night looking at the sky, totally distracted. Not even aware of cars or the possibility of being hit. She’d look out the window in class and not hear the teacher call her name. No way was she stupid. But she was … what? A little disconnected sometimes? Lost in space? When she started talking about the moon, Mick realized it was true. She could get lost in space. Literally.
    That particular evening, JJ began by looking at him, right at him. “When you stood up for me with Cassel I felt … thought maybe you’d understand.”
    Mick never did. Not really, but he