Dark Hearts Read Free Page B

was too strong and bitter as hell, but it served the purpose, and slowly his belly began to settle.
    He put the food in the SUV and began to refuel. As he did, he glanced at his watch. Almost 5:00 p.m. Even though it would be dark soon he was driving straight through. On a good day, the trip was at least an eight-hour drive, but driving in the mountains in the dark was going to slow him down. Still, it didn’t matter. No matter where he was, he wouldn’t be sleeping.
    Once the gas tank was full, he got back inside and called Trey to check in.
    His brother answered on the second ring. “Hey, Sam, where are you?”
    â€œAbout two hours closer to you than I was when I started. Is there any word on Trina?”
    â€œNo. She’s been in surgery a little over an hour and a half. I’ll call when I know something, I promise.”
    â€œWould you do me a favor?” Sam asked.
    â€œSure,” Trey said. “What do you need?”
    â€œGet me a room at Grant’s Motel.”
    â€œIt burned down six years ago,” Trey said.
    â€œWell, hell. Is there another one?”
    â€œYes, but you could stay at the farm.”
    Sam’s voice had a don’t-argue tone.
    â€œNo, I can’t stay at the farm. I wouldn’t go home when Mom was still alive, and I’m not going back there now. I’ll take the motel, please.”
    Trey took the cue not to argue.
    â€œI’ll give them a call. It’s at the north end of Main.”
    â€œThanks. I’ll drop off my stuff as soon as I get in, and then see you at the hospital.”
    â€œOkay,” Trey said, and then added, “Hey, brother.”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œIt will be good to see you again.”
    Sam sighed. He felt like crying.
    â€œIt will be good to see you, too,” he said.
    He disconnected, opened the box of doughnuts and then started the car. He took a bite out of the first doughnut as he was driving away. It was the first of three he would eat before he ran out of coffee to wash them down.
    * * *
    Rita Porter was pouring herself a drink when her husband, Will, came in the back door. Startled by his sudden appearance, she jumped as if she’d been shot and dropped the glass into the sink. Booze and glass went everywhere.
    â€œNow look what you made me do!” she screeched, and then staggered toward the utility room.
    Will wanted to strangle her. He had a very short time in which to declare himself a candidate for the state superintendent’s job, and everything in his life was going to hell in a handbasket. He wished Rita to hell, too, and headed for his office, picking up the mail from the front hall table on the way and leaving her to clean up the mess.
    But Rita wasn’t finished with him. She came back, and then followed him all the way through the house carrying the broom and dustpan.
    â€œI guess you heard about the Jakeses,” she said.
    Will turned around, still holding the stack of mail in one hand and a paperweight from his desk in the other.
    â€œEverybody in town is talking about it, so yes, I heard.”
    Rita kept staring without saying a word.
    â€œWhat?” Will snapped.
    She shrugged. “I was just wondering. You graduated with all three murder victims.”
    His frown deepened. “Yes, and your point is...?”
    â€œI don’t know. Just wondered if you knew anything about what’s happening.”
    A wave of rage shot through him so fast he threw the paperweight straight at her, missing her head by inches.
    She shrieked.
    â€œYou nearly hit me! What are you trying to do? Kill me? That’s it, isn’t it? You wish I was dead.”
    Will glared, so angry he was shaking.
    â€œWhat I wish is that you weren’t a fucking drunk. That’s what I wish. Now go clean up that broken glass and whiskey before you pass out. I don’t want to have to clean up another one of the messes you make on your drunken binges.”
    She