Page 70 of Spike

“Already set itup. It comes mostly furnished other than the bed.”

“All I have is mybed and my cuddle chair. I mean, other than clothes and a few personal things.”

“Easy move then.I’ll come by on Saturday morning and help you load up.”

“What about thedeposit? I need to send that to her.”

“Already done.”

I narrowed my eyesat him. “And how much was that?”

“Not telling you.”

“Why not?”

“Because thenyou’ll want to pay me back and that’s not happenin’.” He smiled. “Text Devlinand tell her you’re taking the job. We’ll move you into Kim’s on Saturday andyou can celebrate on Sunday by sleeping in.”

I sighed, closingmy eyes. “That sounds like a dream.”

“Take a chance,baby.”

I opened my eyesand smiled. “Okay.”

He grinned.“Okay.”

I texted Devlin,accepted the job, then we finished our breakfast, and headed back to the shop.

** *

Spike

We had justfinished loading up the van with Trixie’s belongings, and were ready to takeoff, when Gary’s car pulled into the driveway. The Lincoln screeched to a haltbefore Gary spilled out of the driver’s seat onto the concrete. He was bloodiedand bruised, and his shirt was torn near the collar. I’d seen enough guys takea beating in my life to know that someone had worked the good pastor over, bigtime.

I handed TackyTrixie’s keys so he could drive her car to the new place. I wanted her with mebecause I had a feeling she was going to need to process whatever the fuck wasgoing on and I didn’t want her driving while she did it.

“Oh, my word,Daddy!” Trixie cried, running to her father, me right behind.

“I’m alright, I’malright,” he said, rising unsteadily to his feet. “I just slipped getting outof the car, that’s all.”

“You’re allbloody. What happened?”

“Oh, it’snothing,” Gary said, waving his daughter off. “I was alone at the church andnoticed that a light had gone out in the foyer. I decided I’d change it myselfbecause I knew I wouldn’t remember to tell Carl on Sunday. Anyway, I got a ladderfrom the supply closet and climbed up with a fresh bulb and must have lost mybalance.”

“Daddy, you couldhave broken your neck,” Trixie said, examining her father.

I didn’t know whyGary was lying, but I had a suspicion that it had something to do with thewhite powder I’d spied earlier in his moustache.

“Why didn’t youcall 9-1-1? Or drive to the hospital? You could have a concussion, or internalinjuries.”

“Don’t be silly,pumpkin, I’m fine. I just need one of my back pills, and a soak in a hot bath.”

Back pills, myass.

We helped himinside where Sherri took over.

“What were youthinking, going up on a ladder like that?” she admonished as she helped him upthe stairs.

As soon as herparents were out of earshot, I turned to Trixie. “We need to talk about yourfather.”

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