9: A Dark Man Cometh, by Cat

MURDER AND MAYHEM AT CHERRY CREEK

EPISODE 9

BY: CAT

 

 

 

A Dark Man Cometh

 

 

 

    Just as Abbey was about to poke her head outside Fat Sally’s in a search of Robbie, the front door was shoved right into her. Scotty was making all kinds of apologies to her for not watching where he was going. He appeared so flustered and embarrassed that Abigail stepped aside and let him fall right into the diner.

 

    Before she could ask, Scotty was denying knowing anything about any commotion from the middle of town. “Scotty, slow down.” Abbey urged. “What commotion?” What is happening on Main Street?” Abbey was worried her mission that afternoon might be delayed by whatever was going on in town.

 

    Scotty pulled out a dirty blue paisley sheet of cotton from his hip pocket, and wiped his brow while shaking his head in disbelief.  Not a sound was coming from his mouth. Sometimes that man could be irritatingly mute.

 

    “Scotty?” Abbey prompted a second time. "What’s going on?"

 

    Scotty walked to the cooler and helped himself to a cold bottle of Dr Pepper with the hands of the clock label at ten, two and four, just about washed off. Scotty always went for the Dr Pepper when he was in need of a lift. He swore he was privy to the soda pop’s secret ingredient-prune juice. Collapsing in the nearest booth, he concentrated on the church key in his hand and the bottle cap. He raised his eyes to Abbey and simply waved her away. She knew it was useless trying to get anything from Scotty until he was ready to talk.

 

    “Was Robbie in town with you? I need to see if she can watch the store while I go see the Sheriff this afternoon.

 

    Scotty pointed out the window toward the garage. Peeking through the aluminum-lined window, at first all Abbey could see was a big black Buick with the hood raised. On closer inspection she recognized Cadlin’s backside with its grey pinstriped ticking, poking out from beneath the hood. Standing next to Cadlin was a tall dark-skinned man. He stood out in his expensively cut three piece suit and spit-shined loafers.  Abbey watched as the colored man pushed his gray porkpie further back on his forehead and grimaced at something Cadlin was reporting.

 

    Cherry Creek was proud of its diversity with its share of America’s melting pot. The town’s heritage could be traced to a mixture of  Mexicans, American Indians, Germans, French, Canadians and the English contingency from the pub just east of town. But colored people were not a common sight in the district. Especially one driving a big monster of a car like this one and dressed to the nines.

 

    Abbey’s watched the animation between the short man and Cadlin; The taller one shaking his head with real regret and the dark man shrugging his shoulders and reaching for his wallet.

 

    Abbey finally spotted Robbie with her nose pressed up against the front passenger side of the buick. Her hands were blocking the glare from either side of her eyes as she peered intently into the front seat. Abbey knew she should admonish Robbie later for invading another’s privacy, but her own curiosity had the best of her. She also knew rather than scold Robbie, she’d be quizzing her about what she had found there.

 

    Opening the front door, Abbey called out to Robbie. All three in front of the garage looked in the direction of the diner. Abbey waved Robbie to come over.

 

    As Robbie hurried away from the Buick, Abbey noticed an insignia on the door of the car. A circle with the American bald eagle emblazoned on it. The man and Cadlin appeared to be handing something back and forth, and arguing about something.