Page 86 of Conquering Oz

Elle scoffed. “I don’t even know Sal Caruso, so how can it…”

“Like I said before, I’ve been doing this a long time, Elle. Andthisfeels personal.”

“Well, it’s not, so your Spidey-skills are off, obviously.” She forced a laugh and averted her eyes across the room. She needed to get out of there before she said something she’d regret.

“Well, I gotta get going. Dropping my uncle’s order off next.” She leaned over, placing her bottle on the table. “Tell Madz to call me when she gets a chance. I want to hear about her appointment.”

Chris stood. “Alright.”

Elodie walked to the foyer, and she heard his footsteps behind her. She opened the door and stepped out, eager to leave, but he called her name. Elodie slowly turned, finding Chris in the doorway.

“Sal Caruso? He was before my time on the force. That’s not to say I haven’t heard all the stories, the speculation and accusations. If half of them are true, then no, he’s not a good guy. But digging into someone like him isn’t gonna get you anywhere. Trust me, lots of people have tried, and they all failed. ’Cause the thing about Caruso is,if the rumors are true, he’s too powerful, has too many allies, and leads with fear. People who are scared don’t make great witnesses. And without them, it’s impossible to prosecute. ”

Elodie swallowed the lump in her throat and muttered. “That makes sense.”

“You alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, I just got a lot going on, but uh” —she walked down the steps— “thanks for the beer.” She waved but never turned back. She could feel his eyes on her. Elodie ignored it, pulling out of the driveway and heading to her uncle’s house. It was only a twenty-minute ride, but it felt longer.

Elodie pulled into the driveway behind the red pickup truck. It was her Uncle Hank’s prized possession. Like some men, he was an automobile guy. He loved cars, old and new, was well known at the local Coffees and Cars events held at thefairgrounds. He could fix any issue. Even to this day, Elodie couldn’t remember a time when she had to take her car to the mechanic.

Elodie smiled, hooking the bag from the market over her arm and staring at the red truck.

It was a crapshoot where she’d find Hank. He rarely watched television and had a hard time sitting in one place. He was always moving, always doing something when she was a child. Half of her memories with him were going on adventures.

Elodie was walking toward the front walkway when she heard the leaf blower in the back yard. She changed direction and rounded the house. When wasn’t he doing yard work? She walked along the side of the house, waving her arm until he saw her. A huge smile spread across his face.

He shut down the equipment, and she met him on the paved patio.

“How’s my girl?”

His girl. It’s the same phrase he’d been using for as long as she could remember. Her uncle had never married or had children of his own. An eternal bachelor.

He placed his hand on her back, rubbing in a circular motion, and she immediately fell into the crook of his arm. “I’ve got your unhealthy but delectable order from the Market.”

Hank chuckled, grabbed the bag from her hand, and lead her to the table. “You got time for an iced tea?”

Elodie sat down and arched her brow. “I thought your doctor told you to give up sugary drinks.”

“Yeah, he did. Now, do you want one?”

Elodie snickered. “Yes, please.”

She scanned the yard while waiting on her uncle. She and her mother had spent a lot of time at her uncle’s house. Her family may have been small, but they were tight.

“Here you go.” He placed the glass in front of her and sat adjacent. “So kiddo, what’s on your mind?”

Kiddo.It was corny and outdated. And somehow, it was comforting. Exactly what she needed right now.

She glanced over. “What makes you think…”

He held up his hand. “I’ve known you since you were three hours old. What’s on your mind?”

“I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about the past.” She clasped her hands. “Was my father a good guy?”

He shrugged. “Depends on who you ask, I guess.”

“I’m asking you.”

---