Primitive: A Bones Bonebrake Adventure

Chapter 3

Gage snapped his head around as a long shadow ran across his keyboard. He looked up to see a tall man in a sheriff’s department uniform standing over him, arms folded.

“How can I help you, Deputy Logan?” He couldn’t stand the man. He was a scion, if someone who lived in rundown mobile home on the edge of the swamp could properly bear that title, of a long-time local family. As such, the deputy stuck his nose into everyone’s business and had an opinion on how just about everything should be done.

“You had some visitors today.” It wasn’t a question.

Gage gritted his teeth. Damn Logan and his reticence. “Would you care to explain why you’re investigating my activities?”

Gage threw back his head and laughed. “Don’t get your panties in a bunch, Gay,” he said, using the high school nickname Logan and his football buddies had slapped onto Gage so many years ago. “I happened to be in the office and saw some unfamiliar faces, and I wondered who they were and what they were up to. I mean, why would outsiders need to meet with a local affairs reporter?”

“I’m afraid that’s confidential,” Gage said through gritted teeth. He felt his cheeks begin to heat. He hated Logan and despised the way the man could get a reaction out of him with such ease. Sometimes it didn’t get better after high school.

Logan smiled and sat down on the corner of Gage’s desk. “You got this all wrong. I’m just looking out for my town, same as always. I’m not trying to get on your nerves or anything.

“Well, you have. Same as always.”

“Look, you know I care about this town and the people who live in it, even the fellows who are still mad about a wedgie twenty years ago.” He grinned. “Truth is, there was an incident outside with that big Indian fellow. It didn’t amount to nothing, but something ain’t right about him. He’s from down south and we know what kind of characters come from there. I ran his plate, so I already know his name.” He leaned in and laid a heavy hand on Gage’s shoulder. “I’m just asking you, as an old high school buddy, to give me an idea of what the man’s up to. No details, nothing personal. Just the big picture.”

Gage bit his jaw, holding back a profane retort. He knew Logan would keep pestering him until he got what he wanted.

“By the way,” Logan said, letting go of Gage’s shoulder and sitting back, “we’re starting afternoon rush hour patrols on your street. I’ll tell the boys to keep an eye out for your car.”

The implication was clear. If Gage played ball, the deputies would leave him alone. If not, he doubtless would be pulled over for some nonexistent violation. Besides, given that Gage’s interest in the skunk ape was well-known, he figured Logan had already put two and two together. The deputy was a buffoon but he wasn’t a complete idiot. Despising himself for giving in so easily, he sat up and looked Logan in the eye.

“It’s nothing serious. They’re from one of those pseudo-investigative television shows and they’re doing an episode about the skunk ape.”

Logan guffawed and slapped his thigh. “So that fellow is crazy. I knew he wasn’t right, but at least it isn’t drugs. I should have known, since the skunk ape is sort of your thing. What did you tell him?”

“Just the usual stuff. Nothing they couldn’t find on the internet.”

“You didn’t tell them it’s all a big fake?”

Gage scowled. “You know I don’t believe that.”

Logan slid down off the desk. “No, you don’t, do you? All right, Gay, I’ll tell the fellows to let the ace reporter in the yellow Volkswagen pass unmolested.”

I’ll just bet you will, Gage thought as he watched the deputy walk away. He considered calling Slater to warn her about the meddling deputy, but decided he didn’t need to be involved any more deeply than he already was.

“I’ve done my part,” he mumbled, “and good luck to you.”