Page 25 of The Walls of Levi

“Does this have anything to do with him?”

“Not that I, nor he, can think of. He hasn’t had enemies for a long time.”

Zant nods, but I know he is thinking something. He’s been around. Things get talked about at his shops and he just keeps his ears open. That’s the thing about Z. You never know what he knows.

“When she was kidnapped, she had just walked out on a date with a guy named Wilson.”

“What is his last name?

“Stables,” Kelly answers. I’m surprised she isn’t asking questions. She’s got to be freaked out. She was almost taken last night for God knows what and now she’s in a house full of people that she never even knew existed.

While she must be scared, she’s still magnificently beautiful. I plan to look at her a lot once we get back to my house. I know I need to keep my hands off her, but I don’t know if I am going to be able to.

I look back at Z and he is deep in thought. We all silently wait him out. I know something is coming soon.

Micah and Kelly keep cooking and Chance and Kathleen start a conversation. I half listen to it. I keep my eye on Zant.

I’ve known him over twenty-five years. We’ve been through a lot. I know him as well as I know myself.

He takes a deep breath and looks up at me. I hold my breath.

“Levi, have you heard from Fred?”

I slowly close my eyes. How did I know I was about to be gutted?

“Who’s Fred?” I hear Kathleen ask. I don’t bother answering her. I get up from the stool and walk out the back door. Chance and the girls will fill her in.

A minute later, I hear Z behind me. “I haven’t heard from him, but I knew it wouldn’t be long.”

I turn around and face Zant. His hands are tucked in the pockets of his jeans. He’s watching me.

“I don’t know if any of this is related. It could be coincidental. I have heard of a connection between Fred and Wilson. Apparently, Fred sought him out to help with getting fast cash.”

“Fast cash for what?”

“That, I don’t know. Yet.”

We stand in silence, and I think about his words and what this could mean.

Chapter 16

Kathleen

Chance fills me in on Fred, Mary, and Levi. I guess since Levi brought me here, he thinks I can be told everything. My heart breaks for this man I barely know but want to know everything about.

How could two parents abuse their child so badly? Chance and Kelly didn’t tell me any details or stories. They just told me the basics. Micah didn’t say anything. I can tell this is affecting her badly. I just don’t know why.

I’m at a complete loss here and Kelly sees it. “Hey,” she says to break the silence and maybe the tension also. “Wanna go sit in the living room and talk?”

What am I going to say? I’d really like that because I have no idea what is going on and I really need someone to bounce things off of.

“Sure. I need that.”

“I thought so. Let’s go.” We walk into the living room and sit on the soft brown couch. It takes me by surprise how soft it is. I run my hand over the cushion and Kelly giggles. “It’s soft, huh?”

“Very. I need one like this.”

“Don’t we all,” she says. Her mood shifts then. She wants to get started with this conversation. I guess I need to also.

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