Page 64 of Backwater Justice
“He didn’t want to rat him out, I guess. He didn’t think it was a big deal.”
“Well, it is a big deal. I think to be on the safe side, you need to move the woman from Blaine to your cabin.”
Dickie did a double take. “My cabin?”
“Yes, your cabin. The one you bought with the extra money you’ve been making.”
“Yeah. Yeah.”
“With that new Isabelle person making her way upstate, we can’t take any more chances. We can’t risk someone finding out what we are up to.”
“Understood.” Dickie got up from his chair so he could be eye-to-eye with Oliver. “You want me to do this today?”
“The sooner, the better.”
“I’ve got a few things scheduled for tomorrow, but I can drive up there later in the afternoon.”
“Okay, but don’t push it any longer. We don’t want our new facilities manager snooping around while that woman is still there.”
“Understood.” Dickie paused. “Who is going to keep an eye on her? I can install a padlock on the basement door of the cabin, but someone is going to have to feed her.”
“You got a bathroom down there?”
“Yes.”
“Windows?”
“No. Just a vent window in the storage area.”
“Go to the grocery store and buy a cooler, ice, and cold cuts. Get enough food for three or four days. She can make her own sandwiches.”
“Geez, I hope she’s not gluten-intolerant.” Dickie tried to pull off a joke, but it landed on the floor. Oliver simply stared at him.
“Now get out and get this done.”
“But what do we do after three or four days?” Dickie wanted to know.
“I haven’t figured that out yet. With the runaway girl and these new people, there’s just a tad more going on than I can manage right now. The main thing is we keep her alive until I can figure out the next move.”
“Maybe put her on a truck and send her to Mexico?” Dickie wasn’t far from where Oliver’s own thoughts were going.
“That will require some assistance. Like I said, I can’t wrap my head around it today. So, if you don’t mind, get busy.”
Oliver turned his back on Dickie. He had to think. Think hard.
* * *
Annie gingerly packed the tumbler and the piece of carpet in a plastic bag. It was just about seven o’clock. The lab in Portland opened at eight. She would be there right on time. “Where are you meeting Danielle for lunch?” she asked Myra as she was about to leave.
“She invited me to her house. Since Milton is going home this afternoon, she wanted to be closer to his house in case anyone needed anything.”
“I should be back in time to drop you off before I meet up with Oliver.”
“The two of you are going car shopping, eh?” Myra grinned. “I’m surprised he’s not going to Milton’s.”
“Oliver said he thought his father would be surrounded by people, and he didn’t want to overwhelm him any further.” She smirked.
“He does have a point.”