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Back Murder Past Due Save as PDF
Chapters (36)
  1. Title Page
  2. Copyright Page
  3. Acknowledgements
  4. ONE
  5. TWO
  6. THREE
  7. FOUR
  8. FIVE
  9. SIX
  10. SEVEN
  11. EIGHT
  12. NINE
  13. TEN
  14. ELEVEN
  15. TWELVE
  16. THIRTEEN
  17. FOURTEEN
  18. FIFTEEN
  19. SIXTEEN
  20. SEVENTEEN
  21. EIGHTEEN
  22. NINETEEN
  23. TWENTY
  24. TWENTY-ONE
  25. TWENTY-TWO
  26. TWENTY-THREE
  27. TWENTY-FOUR
  28. TWENTY-FIVE
  29. TWENTY-SIX
  30. TWENTY-SEVEN
  31. TWENTY-EIGHT
  32. TWENTY-NINE
  33. THIRTY
  34. THIRTY-ONE
  35. THIRTY-TWO
  36. THIRTY-THREE

A few minutes later, Diesel and I were heading for home. The temperature had risen a few degrees, but the weather remained pleasantly cool. Being back in northern Mississippi, where there were actually four seasons a year, made a welcome change from Houston with its two seasons. Summer and not-summer, as I liked to call them.

As I inserted my key in the front door, I heard voices inside. Loud voices, full of anger.

I opened the door, Diesel on my heels.

Ezra Wardlaw stood in the living room, shaking a finger at Justin. The boy sat, head bowed, on the sofa. They were so involved in their argument, they paid no attention to Diesel and me.

“. . . get your things right now. You’re coming home.” Ezra’s face was so red I thought he might stroke out.

“I’m not leaving.” Justin looked up at his father and yelled back at him. “And you’re not my father!”

“Don’t you dare speak to me like that.” Ezra’s arm drew back.

I winced as Ezra’s hand connected with Justin’s face. Justin’s head rocked back, and Ezra stepped closer.

I stepped forward, determined to prevent any more violence in my house.

“Stop that.” I dropped Diesel’s leash, and I heard, rather than saw, Diesel run out of the room. He hated loud voices. “Don’t strike that boy again.”

Ezra whirled to face me. “This is none of your business. Keep out of it.”

Justin rubbed his face gingerly. He looked straight at me. He mouthed the word please.

“It is my business. You’re in my house.” I kept my voice and tone firm. “You will not strike anyone in this house, or I’ll call the police. Understood?” I took a step closer to him. I was taller, by about three inches, and I outweighed him by a few pounds, too. If I had to, I’d knock some sense into him.

Ezra glared at me, but his hands stayed by his sides as he turned back to his son. “Get your things. Now.”

“I’m eighteen. I don’t have to go anywhere with you.” Justin stared up at Ezra, resolve in his eyes.

Ezra’s chest heaved. He seemed to be struggling for breath.

“You should leave now.” I waited, ready to intervene if necessary.

Backing away from his son, but never losing eye contact, Ezra said, “This isn’t over. That bastard will rot in hell before he takes you away from me.”

FOUR

FOUR

After that statement, Ezra stomped out of the room. Moments later, the door slammed so hard the windows in the living room rattled.

“I hate him.” Justin’s voice bore such loathing. What had Ezra done to this boy to make Justin despise him so?

“Come with me, son. We need to put some ice on your cheek. It’s swelling already.”