Page 24 of Jethro

“It’s about to see some more,” said Kev. He unfolded his big body from the SUV as the others followed. The steps to the front porch, and the porch floor itself, were painted in a diamond pattern, making it look as though it was covered in a rug. Wicker rocking chairs, swings, and tables covered the massive expanse all the way around.

At the corner of the porch, they could see a garage in the back. A massive BMW and a sporty Porsche were in the driveway.

“Why not protect those cars and put them in the garage?” frowned Sonny.

“Because having them out tells the world they’re rich,” frowned Christopher. He rang the doorbell and a slender woman with an apron answered the door.

“May I help you, sirs?”

“We’re here to see Mr. and Mrs. Langley about a property of theirs that burned last night.”

“Oh, my,” she said touching her neck. “Please come in. There are shoe covers in the bin right there. Mrs. Langley doesn’t allow shoes that have been outside, inside, unless they’re covered.” She scurried away and the men stared at one another.

Kev stepped into the living area to his right, the cream colored carpet too much to resist. He wiped his feet four times on the surface then stepped back to the bin and covered his shoes. The others just grinned.

“I can already tell I’m going to need a drink after this,” he frowned.

“Gentlemen, they’ll be with you shortly,” said the woman. “Please have a seat.”

“Ma’am, do you know their daughter? Aurora?” asked Kai. Her face paled and she nodded but said nothing.

“Ma’am?” said Christopher with some concern.

“Her folks have disowned her but she’s such a sweet young woman. The staff loved her. She treated us like human beings, always kind, always generous. Is she safe? Is she okay?”

“Yes, ma’am. She’s perfectly safe. She was one of the individuals who fought that fire last night,” said Kev. The woman had a small smile and clenched her fist, as if in victory.

“I knew she’d be wonderful at whatever she chose to do.” She looked behind her and then turned back to the men. “My shift ends in fifteen minutes. I always get myself an iced coffee and a piece of lemon pie on the way home from work. Little place about a mile from here on the corner. It’s called Prejean’s. That is, if you’re so inclined to have a piece of pie as well.”

“We’ll be there,” nodded Kai. When Margie heard footsteps she nodded at the men and excused herself.

“I’ll bring coffee ma’am,” she said to Mrs. Langley.

“Don’t bother. These men won’t be staying long,” she said looking at them.

“Well, that’s rude,” smirked Kev. “I was hoping to at least stay for dinner, maybe breakfast.” Mrs. Langley gasped as her husband grabbed her hand.

“I will call the police!” he yelled.

“Do that,” said Christopher. “They have questions for you as well about the cannery that burned down.”

“What about it?” he asked defensively. “It was just an empty building. Not worth the swamp land it was built on.”

“The land is worth money even if the building was not. What you need to worry about are the dead bodies found inside the building,” said Sonny. The reaction he got was not one he expected. The Langley’s said nothing. Their eyes didn’t move, their breath didn’t hitch. Nothing. They knew.

“Vagrants are always searching for a place to lay their heads,” said the old man.

“Vagrants don’t walk thirty miles south of the city to find a place to sleep,” said Christopher. “Why wasn’t the building locked up or torn down?”

“We had plans to,” he said casually, “we just never got around to it.”

“I see,” nodded Kev. They were all still standing, not invited to take a seat on the fine Langley furnishings. Kai positioned himself behind Kev who was much wider and taller than he was. Behind him was a small desk with several items on it that caught his eye.

“The fire lasted for hours,” said Sonny, hoping to keep their attention. “In case you were interested, your daughter took the lead on fighting it and did a fucking amazing job.”

“I’m not. Interested that is,” said the woman. “Aurora is a disappointment to us. Unless she apologizes and returns to take her rightful place, we won’t be speaking to her.”

“I’m sure that upsets her,” smirked Sonny. “Rightful place? Sorry, did we just enter the kingdom of illusion?” The men all chuckled by the Langley’s faces turned pink with frustration.