Chapter Nine
Shay turned back to his men. “Ok, we’re splitting into three groups.
Alpha One will go to Leroy’s house where he is along with Salvador Porter and Louise Matteo.
We need all three in custody. Alpha Two will follow King to an abandoned church where we believe Leroy has been stockpiling more bombs.
Alpha Three will go with Bethy to a place in the swamp we believe her father has buried some earlier bombs.
You will have to be very careful around that site as I think those earlier bombs might be leaking whatever explosive he used back then.
If we do this right, we can get all three perps plus the evidence we need to nail this down. ”
The three dozen men all nodded their heads at him.
Shay looked at his men and smiled. “And we got extras as in... we also have other prisoners. Some are Soleman Porters’ men and his own security personnel.”
Maudie snorted. “Don’t you forget about Dale Bailey and his boys. They played stupid games in our swamp but they also deserve their stupid prizes.”
“That they do.” Shay acknowledged. “Don’t worry Maudie, they’ll get their stupid prizes.”
King turned to his men and looked at Tannin. “You’re going with Bethy. She might need you at that place when they find the bombs.”
Tannin nodded. Then he looked down at Micah. “He doesn’t need to be there.”
Maudie stepped over and patted Tannin’s arm. “Don’t you worry none, boy. We'll keep him here safe and sound as my King is right, she’s gonna need you dere.”
Bethy studied Maudie for a moment then she asked, “Did you see something in your dreams about this trip, Maudie? Something I need to know about?”
Maudie shook her head and took Micah’s hand in hers.
“No chile, dat’s not how my dreams work.
I just see bits and pieces of the drama.
Don’t you worry, we’ll keep him safe as if he were in your arms the whole time.
You just do what you gotta do and Micah will be here when you get back, ok? I promise.”
Bethy nodded.
Leeza brought Bethany some shoes. “I think these will fit you.”
“You can’t go barefoot, girl,” Rene added. “And here is some gloves. We don’t want you touching anything there. It might hurt you.”
Bethy nodded at them as she looked grateful. “Thank you.”
Tannin helped her up into the large cab of one of the vehicles.
The men were ready to go. They took the trucks and left in a row while the rest of the group stayed behind. Tension was high as they watched the trio of trucks disappear into the swamp.
Maudie still had a hold of Micah’s hand and said, “Come on ladies, we need to get that meal together before they all get back. I only got the soup done so far. And with Shay’s men here we have to make enough for everyone.” She led the way back into the kitchen then handed Micah over to Rhetta.
Maudie made the sign of the cross and closed her eyes for a moment as she said a small prayer before she tied her apron around her waist and began calling out suggestions. The ladies began rushing around and soon the kitchen was busy again.
Even the guys got involved. Clive and Jordy were peeling potatoes while Mickey, Harry and Colt were peeling vegetables. Leeza, Renee and Mindy were setting the table. Reecie and Chanda had joined them and the rest began throwing things together for Maudie’s big dinner.
As they all took over, Maudie looked out the window and worried about what they would find. Shaking her head she stirred a big pot of meatballs and gravy on the stove.
Reecie was making garlic bread. Chanda and Rhetta were throwing a huge salad together. They made homemade dressings and the scents were lovely while drifting through the large house
This long three hours felt like three days and nights as they waited at Maudie’s for something to happen. Then they all heard it. The rumble of the trucks coming back.
Maudie turned from all the covered food on the counters.
At this sign, everyone filed out. They all went out to the verandah and waited for the trucks to stop.
Then King stepped down and opened his arms. Maudie flew towards him as he wrapped his arms around her and just held her.
Tannin stepped down from the steps of the large truck and helped a broken looking Bethy down from her seat.
Her eyes were red-rimmed and her expression looked devastated.
Tannin wrapped his arm around her shoulders and brought her back to the group.
Maudie searched his face.
He looked troubled to say the least as he shook his head quickly, then he scooped a shocked looking Bethy up in his arms and carried her inside.
Maudie looked at King and wordlessly asked the question everyone wanted answers for.
King sighed hard as he still held her and gently set his chin on the top of her head.
“We found the church and the bombs Leroy had been making. Everything in that building was pristine. He had over two dozen explosives ready to go. What they didn’t find were his fingerprints anywhere in that building.
But we did find his DNA most likely in the form of blood stains and Bethy told us to check the bricks themselves for more of his blood.
She told us that he used to come home with blood all over his clothing.
So Shay being Shay took a few random bricks along and he’s going to test the whole works. ”
“And Bethy?” Maudie asked softly. “What did she find?”
Shay took a deep breath and replied, “She found the other site. My guys took a look around and the dogs found the scent of explosives. But they also picked up another scent.”
Maudie and the others waited to hear the rest.
Someone interrupted King’s story and it was Leroy. He stood at the end of the truck bed, his hands cuffed behind his back and he looked angry. “Let me out of here. You had no right coming to my home and taking me prisoner. I didn’t do anything wrong!” he shouted. “Let me loose!”
Maudie looked over at Shay, then back at Leroy. She could see another guy and a woman in the back with him. The woman looked really pissed. Salvador and Lousie. Then she swung her head around and stared at her front door. “Lord, you found Bethy’s mother, didn’t you?” she whispered.
Shay closed his eyes and nodded. “Yeah, that’s who we think it is, but it’s hard to tell until we do the DNA test.”
“What exactly did you find?” Leeza asked.
They all stood there waiting for him to speak.
Shay linked his hands together and said, “We found what we think are bombs buried under a large mound of dirt. We didn’t open the mound because the dogs found the scent of explosives heavy in the air.
Whatever is under that ground has been leaking into the soil for years.
I’m afraid we will have to bring a special team out here to deal with it.
And Hazmat as well. Then close by we found another mound and the dogs alerted us to that as well.
We carefully dug the dirt away from that and we found a skeleton.
She had been in the ground for many years.
We also determined that her neck had been broken and she had several other broken bones.
Her right arm had been jerked out of the socket and her left wrist was snapped clean.
Her eye socket was smashed in as well. He tore that woman up.
We do think it is Bethany’s mother. We’re gonna need a DNA test to try to determine who she was. ”
Maudie shook her head as tears glimmered in her eyes as she said quietly, “We all know who she was. And Bethany knows more about what’s going on than you think.
She looked upset when she got back. When you’re all done with everything will you arrange to bring her body back for a proper burial?
” Maudie asked. “Ms. Althena deserved that much if not so much more.
“Of course, we can.” Shay shook his head as he too looked saddened. “Justice for her death will finally be served. It will just take a while.”
“No, justice can be right now!” Bethy rushed by them with a rifle in her hand.
“Oh, shit!” King swore as he stared at the young woman.
Bethy went over to the end of the truck where Leroy was, before anyone could stop her.
Leroy looked up at her then he shook his head. “Girl, what do you think you are fucking doin’?”
“Getting justice for Mama.” She aimed the rifle right at his face.
“Bethy...” Maudie stepped up close to her side. “You can’t do this.”
“Oh, yes I can. I know how to use a rifle.”
“Baby girl, I know how you feel,” Mudie tried again.
“You don’t. He murdered my mother.” She sobbed. “He broke all her bones!”
“Dale killed both my parents, so I do know,” Maudie admitted quietly.
Bethy paused when she heard this and the rifle lowered a bit.
“He ain’t worth it, Bethy,” Maudie went on. “You can’t blacken your soul by being like him. You got Micah and Tannin here. They need ya.”
Bethy’s hands shook as she kept the gun on her dad.
He now looked afraid that she might let the rifle slip and shoot him anyway.
After a tense minute, Bethy finally lowered it.
King stepped close and carefully took the rifle from her.
Bethy glared at her father. “I am happy about the fact that while you are drying out...You will see her and hear her. You won’t be able to get away from your bad deeds now.” Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Tannin placed his arm around her and moved her away.