Page 23 of All You Want
“There’s still gold up in them thar hills,” she gives me the old-timer’s refrain. “See you soon, Sonny.”
I hang up and cross my fingers when I feel footsteps walk across my grave. Is it possible for gold fever to possess ghosts and drive them crazier than a skunked hound dog?
Right before locking up, I forward the station’s phone calls to my cell phone. Most nights are quiet, and none of the town’s pregnant women are close to delivery, so I should have plenty of time with Tami.
I’m not sure why I want to meet her alone. Sure, she attracts me like crazy, and I’m a hungry boy, so food’s always welcome. Most of the time, I don’t have to talk, since she does such a great job filling the silence. She’s always trying to please me, and the flirting is fun, but I can’t see myself being directed and influenced by her.
Oh no. I’m not a donkey to be led around, approving this and rubber-stamping that. She and her father only care about making money, getting famous, and aggrandizing themselves with huge projects. Why don’t they take their risky business to a big city like Las Vegas? They can put their Gold Rush theme park on the same strip as the fake Eiffel Tower and the fake Egyptian pyramid and fake volcano.
Tami and I will never work. No matter how much she makes me feel alive and keeps me in fighting form.
I should stay away, but after dropping Miss Laverne’s supplies off at her hillside shack, I head toward the trailhead leading to Rainman’s Falls, rumored to rain gold flakes after a heavy storm where flood waters wash through a series of collapsed mineshafts.
There’s a lot of gold rush lore running through these hills. Gold fever springs eternal, and people are prone to exaggeration.
I’m not encouraging these rumors, because it causes tourists to hike off-trail, scramble through abandoned mineshafts, and trespass on private land. Cell phone coverage is spotty out here, and we don’t always rescue them in time.
Fall has come early this year, and the only gold littering the creek and trails are the fallen leaves. The evergreens stand out like sentinels while the oaks, maples, alders, and sycamores shed their coats of many colors.
I love fall, and I look forward to the tourists leaving after Spooky Fest. It’s a time of reflection, planning, repairs, and getting ready for the long, cold winter.
There’s nothing like waking up to the muffled quiet after a fresh snowfall. The peace, the clean whiteness, the frosty cold, and the solitude is like being cocooned in a world of tranquility.
The sun sets earlier in the fall, and I’m questioning the wisdom of a picnic in the near dark. I turn into the parking area for the Rainman’s Falls trail, and I’m anything but tranquil.
Tami’s bright-red 280ZX sportscar is not there.
Fifteen minutes later, I’m still alone.
Maybe Shane caught her in the speed trap and is issuing her a ticket.
I check in with Shane. “Caught any speeders?”
“Nope. Google maps already has my speed trap marked, so I’m going home. How about you? Did you find the budget for more deputies?”
“Got the Vice Squad to volunteer, but they won’t be able to handle a street party outside of the Bee Sting.”
“Tami’s going to be mighty pissed,” Shane says. “All those crock pots, casseroles, and baked goods are going to stop coming.”
“I can’t be bought, and neither should you.” I make my voice stern. “By the way, have you seen Tami?”
“She was driving too slow for me to ticket her.”
“Where was she going?”
“Down to your sister’s place, I think. Why?”
“Nothing. I was concerned. She didn’t like me denying her outdoor event and limiting her guests to ten.”
“You’re really going to stick it to her and ruin my action? I mean, she’ll stop being friendly to us cops.”
“It’s not a matter of being friendly or eating her cakes and cookies.” My throat feels as tight as my balls, and I hope my voice isn’t too high-pitched and strained. “It’s a matter of public safety. I can’t compromise on that.”
“Making me lose the girl. Dang it. Guess I’ll mosey on over to your sister’s place and explain.”
I can’t believe Donnelly thinks Tami has the hots for him. What possibly can possess him to think he owes her an explanation?
“Stay away from her.”
