“I did find something else, but I don’t know if it’s—” She stopped when the squawk of a radio reverberated through the quiet office.

“Come in, Banger One, this is unit 4–5–0. We have a shoplifter speeding down County Road 40 with a tailgate tent protruding from both back passenger windows.”

Fay ran up from the kitchen and pressed a button on the radio. “This is Banger One, go ahead, 4–5–0. Did you say a tailgate tent?”

“That’s right. He stole a tent from Riverside Market and left with it sticking out of his car. He just sideswiped a truck carrying boxes of okra. Okra’s all over the road, and it’s a heck of a mess.”

As Fay radioed back that an officer was on the way, Justin rubbed his head and stood. “Sorry, but I gotta go take care of this.” He pulled out a card from his desk drawer and handed it to Liza. “This has my direct line. I’ll be here until six this evening, then again tomorrow. Give me a call, and we can go over any information you may have.”

As Liza was getting into her car a moment later, she heard Fay call to Officer Roby from the door of the station, “If any of that okra’s not smashed, think you can grab me some?”

* * *

The Sugar Bend Observer, Sugar Bend’s Community News Source

Letter from the Editor, Liza Bullock

July 2022 | Volume 11, Issue 7

Since the news last month of a boat found in front of the home that once belonged to Friendly’s Ice Cream owner Jay Malone, we’ve received many emails and messages regarding Mr. Malone. It seems some of you have long memories and remember the man who was often called “the friendliest guy in town,” along with his subsequent mysterious disappearance.

Mr. Malone was known to have a beloved boat with a blue stripe across the side, and locals often saw him in it, fishing and cruising up and down the river. The boat that washed up onshore had that same blue stripe, and we’re fairly certain the boat did belong to Mr. Malone. Despite its mysterious past, we’re heartened to see the reappearance of the boat, and we will continue to keep you updated on new developments as they arise.

See you around town!

Liza

* * *

Frank woke with a start in the middle of the night. His heart raced, sweat beaded on his scratchy upper lip, and his hand twitched as if yearning to reach for his nonexistent gun. He reached up and rubbed a hand over his forehead, absently smoothing down his flyaway hair.

The bracelet. He saw it in his mind, as clear as if he’d slipped it on Violet’s wrist just the day before. He’d taken her to his parents’ house—ostensibly for dinner, but mainly to introduce his boisterous family to the woman he hoped to marry one day. She’d been so nervous.

1982

“I don’t know why I agreed to this.”