Page 18 of In Cold Blood
His father muttered something as he swung the door open and nearly collided with a brunette with icy blue eyes. She was roughly five feet nine with long flowing curly hair that hung loosely over a white shirt that had the top few buttons undone. She wore black form-fitting pants and short heels.
“Oh, excuse me, sir. I thought this was the women’s restroom.”
His father turned, his face red with anger, and pointed a stubby finger at the door. “Men.” Then shot it further down the hall. “Women.” And barged past her leaving her wide-eyed.
Noah shook his head in amazement and apologized. “Sorry. He tends to forget his manners when he’s had one too many,” he said, looking at his father elbow his way through a knot of people.
“Ah, that’s okay. I tend to mistake directions when I’m not wearing my glasses. These damn contacts are killing me.” She thrust out a hand out. “You must be Luke’s brother. I’m Callie Thorne.” She paused. “With an E. People tend to forget that.” She raised her eyebrows. “Causes all manner of problems on forms and whatnot.” He shook her hand, nodding with a smile.
“And you knew Luke because…?” Noah fished for more.
“Oh, I worked with him. He kind of took me under his wing. Like a big brother. You know, with the Sheriff’s Office tending to have an old-boys attitude it helps to have someone in your corner.”
“Right. It can be that way.”
“Again. I’m sorry for your loss.”
He wasn’t sure what to say. Thanks? A few awkward seconds passed.
“Well. I should…” she said, pointing toward the ladies.
He nodded. “Nice to meet you, Callie Thorne. With an E.”
She grinned as she sauntered off. He followed her with his eyes only to hear someone clear their throat. Not far away, Kerri was standing with her two children. “Noah, did you have a beer tonight?”
“Not so far. But that might change.”
That was another story entirely. There was a time he and the bottle were a little too friendly. He liked to think those days were behind him. Though after that interaction with his father, he could have been convinced to revisit the bottle. Now he stuck to juice or non-alcoholic beer. It was easier that way. Fewer headaches in the morning. Fewer lost days.
“Do you think I could trouble you for a ride? This is all a little too much for the kiddos.”
A ruckus of laughter erupted behind her like it was the Super Bowl.
“Sure. Uh, let me just grab my jacket.”
6
The last rays of light filtered through trees as the sun melted into the horizon. Luke’s place was a modest home — a two-story, four-bedroom abode set back from the old railway lines on Station Street. Directly across from it was the historical museum their mother had worked at after her time as mayor. It was formerly a train station. Now it housed exhibits and displays on local history.
Waiting in a modern kitchen with neutral warm tones, granite counters, stainless steel appliances, and ambient lighting, Noah leaned against a farm sink, peering out the back window while Kerri got the kids settled. Outside was a large garden shed that contained a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, two leather chairs, and a TV. It was Luke’s little escape. A place he could have his own space — a man cave.
Just seeing the property with its tall private cedar hedge and the lilac trees again brought back a flood of memories. Luke and Kerri were high school sweethearts destined to tie the knot and they did a few years after Noah enlisted with the Marines.
He remembered how pumped his brother was about owning his first house.
“You don’t own it, the bank does,” Noah had said sarcastically.
“For now. But one day, Noah. One day this place will be paid off and…”
“You’ll upgrade to a bigger one and owe them more. And the wheels on the bus go round and round.”
Luke had burst out laughing, clanking a bottle of beer against his. He could have afforded to buy a newer home in one of the modern subdivisions but his brother believed that this home made him look more like the common man. A blue-collar worker, he’d said. If he was going to serve this community, he couldn’t do it from some lofty upscale pad. No, this had class and history.
Noah turned toward the living room and ran his hand over the exposed wooden beams. The place had an open concept with a fireplace. There was a bedroom and full bath on the main level and three additional bedrooms and another bathroom upstairs. Plenty of room to grow, Luke had said, referring to kids. That had always been their dream. To have at least three kids. They had never gotten that third.
A grandfather clock ticked quietly as his eyes roamed.
Kerri took pride in decorating the place. It was a blend of country and modern. He could see Luke’s influence.
