Page 24 of A Reaper's Secret

“Anyway, Mom needed medicine, and I was the only one ableto go and get it for her as Dad had taken my brother on that trip.The streets, after hours, were not a pleasant place to be. I didn’thave any way of contacting Nigel, so I was out all alone. I got tothe pharmacy, and I know Mr. Hilbert was terrified to let me leave,but Betsy needed the medicine, so I had no choice. It was on my wayback home. One moment I was walking home, the next I was grabbedfrom behind. I was being pulled toward a car, almost dragged, andthey got me to the back of the car and were attacking my dress.Trying to do the naughty with me, and that was when I heard thewhistle. Right before my eyes, there was a group of six men. Atfirst, I was afraid, but then, I saw one of them was Nigel. He wasthe leader of the group, and his sleeves were rolled up, and he hada metal baseball bat. The others had crowbars and various weapons.I don’t know who the others were. I only know Nigel saved me thatnight. He walked me home, and The Reapers were real.”

“Nigel was a Reaper?” Amy asked.

“Yes, and it’s a secret you must keep to yourself. No one canever know the identity of a Reaper.”

“But, Nigel told you.”

Amy shook her head. “He never told me thewords, but the busted knuckles, the blood, the rumors, and ofcourse, he wouldn’tallow anyone to mess with the town. He was a Reaper, but he neverhad to say the words to me. When it got bad, he left, and when hecame back, he was a mess, but the town was quiet.”

Amy couldn’t believe what she had justheard.

Then she thought about Daniel over theyears. There had been times she had seen him with split knuckles. Abusted lip. Many signson his body that he’d been in a lot of bar fights.

She had no idea if he was a Reaper or not,but she couldn’t help wondering if it would even matter if he was. Did she even care ifhe was a Reaper?

****

Daniel looked at the pile of food on the ground. There was a smallditch outside of town. In the harsh winter, anyone not payingattention on the icy roads often ended up in said ditch.

He folded up his glasses and lookedaround. The food wasgood quality, and Daniel recognized the packaging from one of thecompanies Amy dealt with regularly.

“I don’t like this,” Nixon said.

It had been August who had called himabout the mess. Daniel glanced around the road, heading into Lost Creek. The sign was justup ahead. It had been changed a few years ago, and now it lookedinviting. The old sign had been a little too rusty, giving everyonethe creeps who dared to enter.

“Neither do I,” Daniel said.

Amy had already called to let him know hercafé had been shut because of a delivery having gone awry. Danielhad a feeling he was staring at that order.

“Everyone is talking about the café beingclosed,” Nixon said.

They didn’t have to wait longbefore old Sheriff Billyarrived on the scene. He climbed out of his car and then walked upto meet him. They shook hands. Old Sheriff Billy was a long-servingReaper. He’d helped to take care of many little problems withinLost Creek.

It was rare for them to have this kind ofproblem. Daniel knew to some that dumped food wasn’t an issue, but having already beenat the mercy of assholes in the past, every situation wasinvestigated.

“Did you check the security footage like Iasked you to?” Daniel asked.

“Went over it. The driver stops, and thenthere’s a conversation.We can’t hear it, money is exchanged, or drugs. The footage is alittle fuzzy. Once that happens, a couple of men climb into theback of the truck, tip out all the food, and then another small vanarrives, fills the truck, and they go their separateways.”

“This is intended for Amy’s,” Danielsaid.

“That dude,” Nixon said. “The one that washitting on her. The one you got me to escort to the hotel. Ihaven’t felt right since dealing with him.”

Daniel knew this was about Amy, but hewasn’t going to worry her. He glanced around at the mess.

“Nixon, I want you to grab a few guys,clean this mess up. Billy, I want you to come with me. Amy’swaiting for a brand-newdelivery of produce. Did you get a good look at thedriver?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you think you’re going to be able tospot him again?” Daniel asked.

“Yeah, there’s nothing to it.”

“Good.”

Daniel shook Nixon’s hand. “I’ll leave youthe car. I’ll drive back with Billy.”

“I’ll call in when I see them passing.”

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