Part 45 (2/2)
Annja looked at Ellen. ”You and Sheila must be pretty tight, huh?”
Ellen shrugged. ”I don't really talk to her that much. She had some issues a few years back, and as a result of that she pretty much keeps to herself.”
”Well, thanks for calling her earlier to let her know we were coming.”
Ellen shook her head. ”I never called her.”
Annja frowned. ”She said you called her. Told her we would be looking for rooms.”
Ellen shook her head. ”Nope. Soon as you left, I was on the horn with the state police. Been busy playing phone tag ever since. I haven't had time to take my lunch break, let alone call down to Sheila.”
Annja looked at Jenny. ”Well, that's odd.”
Ellen sighed. ”I wouldn't put much stock in what she says. She just hasn't been right since the breakdown. People round these parts think she's a bit loony.”
”That's not a nice thing to say,” David said as he dried the mug. ”Everyone's got their own troubles to deal with.”
”It might not be nice,” Ellen said, ”but it's a fair shade more accurate than pooh-poohing it away as if she's perfectly fine. She's not.”
David nodded. ”Well, let's just hope you never go through the same thing and have to endure all the teasing she has.”
”No one teases her,” Ellen said. ”She makes all that stuff up just to feel better. Honestly.”
David shrugged and then turned to Joey. ”I see you're back.”
”Safe and sound as always,” Joey said. ”I suppose Annja told you why I was out there.”
David nodded. ”I'm sorry about Cheehawk. Can we do a ceremony sometime?”
Joey nodded. ”They killed him, sheriff. I know they did. He was in terrible pain when he died. Well, before Annja helped out, that is.”
David looked up. ”Oh? And how did she help?”
Annja spoke up hurriedly. ”I just helped ease him over to the other side, that's all. Nothing special.”
David looked at her for a moment and then nodded. ”So why don't we go and see why I asked Jenny to come out here. I suppose that's what you're anxious to do, huh?”
Annja nodded. ”Absolutely.”
David smiled. ”Fine, let's all take a drive.”
Chapter 24.
Outside, David led Annja, Jenny and Joey around the back of the police station to a new black Chevy Tahoe.
Annja whistled as they approached. ”Well, this certainly is a step up from the truck you were driving earlier this morning. Did you hit the lottery right after we exploded or what?”
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