Hortons Bend

Jeanie. Everyone else does.” Brody nodded and said “Thank you and please call me Paul .” Brody felt an uncomfortable brief silence and decided to make amends for the last meeting. “Jeanie…..I want to apologize to you for bothering you last time. I shouldn’t have intruded and promise you that I won’t….” Jeanie King held up her hand and stopped Brody from speaking. “Listen Mr. Brody….I mean Paul. That’s why I’m here. I need to talk to you about Horton’s Bend.” Brody immediately recognized that this was a difficult moment for her and offered Jeanie a seat on the porch. “Can I get you something to drink?” he asked. “No Paul…..I’m not thirsty but I do need your help.” The woman looked at him with tired eyes and began to speak. “You know about both of my boys and the tragedy. I know they were at Horton’s Bend that night. Five years ago my Ronnie disappeared and it’s a miracle that J.W. made it home. I’ll never know what happened but I know or at least I think I know what they may have found up there.” Paul was stunned and didn’t know what to say but he had to try. “Jeanie what can I do to help?” She composed herself again and spoke.“You asked to see some artifacts from Horton’s Bend. I need for you to look at something the boys found. I think….I know what they found was important but you need to know something else. It’s about the Horton’s. They’re good people. Some think them a little strange but it’s just that they’re protective. I don’t know much about them but all the old timers around here know to leave them alone”. Brody had a chill run down his spine. What was this sad woman talking about? He was about to ask when Jeanie reached over and grabbed his hand. “Paul….I need to ask you a favor. I need you to go to Horton’s Bend.”
    Chapter 10
    Commissioner Banner sat in a conference room with Roger Curtis on Friday morning. Geologic maps lay beside blueprints some of which were at least two inches thick. The two men had met one hour earlier but had not spoken to any length since each had a number of phone calls they needed to make. Review of the paper work had also gotten in the way. Banner got up to get a cup of coffee and asked his companion if he wanted a cup. “No thank you sir” he replied. Banner sat back down and looked over at Curtis. “I think the situation is under control and we’re ready to put this project into play” he said. Earlier that morning Banner had summoned Curtis into his office. The commissioner began to lay out a project that was in the works for the county but became somewhat vague when he mentioned any specifics. Curtis couldn’t help but feel he was moving up in the county’s caste system by the way the man seemed to exude this new found trust. “Commissioner I can’t find any problems that can’t be corrected by the engineers. My background in this only goes so far but do you think we can get off to a smooth start?” Curtis asked. Banner gave the younger man a confident nod. “Steve Price is sitting with Gary Marcus as we speak. Papers will be served to the Horton’s and imminent domain will take effect by Saturday night. The newspaper will continue to provide coverage as we feed it to them…our side of the story that is.” Curtis nodded and felt better. He had worried there might be a hitch and then the metro media would get wind and a dozen different scenarios swirled in his head. “Don’t worry Roger….that family has been warned. Moving day is coming and there is nothing going to get in the way of this project. This project is very important to the county but we have to be smart about this. You know the old saying “loose lips sink ships” so we have to keep it quiet.” Banner got up and stretched and then looked at his watch. “Roger…..I’ve got a meeting in a few minutes but I’ve got a special job for you and Ragland.” Curtis stood up and looked at his boss. Banner laid out his needs, “I want you and Robert to go out to Horton’s Bend tonight and Saturday night to do surveillance. Do not approach the Horton family. I would rather you both sit in your car during the night and keep an eye out. No county vehicles either ok? Move your vehicle from time to time and just report back to me if you see any movement out at the farm.” Curtis nodded and took out his phone to contact Ragland. “Wait just a minute. Is Ragland going to be a pain in the ass with questions” he asked.