I woke up at 8:00a.m., just enough time to get a shower take Rue out and make it to my appointment with Jefferson. So that is what I did…
I made it with just five minutes to spare.
“Hello, i have an appointment with Brad Jefferson, I’m Kayton Wolfe.” I said to the receptionist.
“Just one moment.” She answered the phone, “Please hold.” She pushed two buttons on the phone, “Sheriff Jefferson, there is a Kayton Wolfe here to see you, she says she has an appointment.”
“Yes, please send her in.” The machine on the desk murmured.
As I was walking in, he placed his phone in the cradle. “Sorry just finishing up, I’ll only be a minute. He began to click keys on his computer. Probably to look busy and satisfy himself of his importance.
Mr Jefferson turned out to be around my age, 29. His hair was starting to grey and he looked slightly classy for a sheriff. He wasn’t tall really about 5‘7. Not to thin but definately not fat.
Sheriff.... Shit I should have been addressing him as a superior.
“Hello, Sheriff. I’m…” I began to correct my error.
“Hello Ms. Wolfe. How are you today? Does the hotel suit you? You do have options. I don’t want you to feel unwelcome, especially since I called you.” He tried to smile warmly, “I wanted you here, on this case. It seems we keep finding people in the woods in “half-dug” holds who seem to die of hythothermia. They have no marks on their body, they have been found out of order of their disappearence. Our other coroner feels like he is going crazy from the job so long. He’s a good man, but it wouldn’t be the first time he missed something on a body. And I believe the evidence is there, on the body to tell the story. You, Kayton are one of the best Coroners in the U.S. I realize this could be considered a conflict of interest so I want to go through the proper channels before I enduldge with to much information.”
“So far not including Wesley Brandin’s body there have been four. I’m almost sure there have been one to two ever year since Mr Brandin went missing.” He almost whispered realizing Wesley still hurt.
It showed in my eyes. Thank god Sheriff Jefferson was trying to be caring and kind.
“You have access to public record, do you have a computer Kayton?” He asked suddenly.
“Well yeah, who doesn’t these days Sheriff.” I answered somewhat questioningly.
“Good. I will have files sent to your e-mail showing the possibility of my theory. Just leave your e-mail address with my recieptionist.” He smiled. “I’ll keep in touch but until I get an all clear for you to work on this particular case .”
I nodded my understanding. “So I’m not exactly hired yet?”
“Oh No. Your hired as a coroner. You start next week, did I forget to mention that? Just report for work on Monday. We moved your office from the hospital five years ago. It is still on Hospital Drive, last building on the left. You can’t miss it. You will have your ID made and will recieve it on Monday as well. By then I should have a “No” or a “Go” on the case. Some of the officials think it would be a waste of time, that kids are just going out getting wasted and dying of hypothermia.” He looked me straight in the eye, “Just as we both know Wesley Brandin didn’t relapse and freeze to death.”
With that I nodded again, “Yes sir. I believe you are right Sheriff.”
“It’s Brad, Kayton. Wesley and I went way back. Elementry way back. I’ll admit as a teen we got into trouble and drugs, but when he met you in tenth grade, he put it down like you were his addiction. Painlessly.” He said somewhat in a daze. “I remember playing basket ball and him talking how you were both going to go to Vegas for school and live there. Those were some good times, Kayton.”
Slowly I think I started to remember Brad Jefferson. He was in the same grade as Wesley and I were. They did spend a great deal of time together before we started seeing each other. And I think they played on the same soccer team our senior year. “Did you play soccer, Brad?”
“Yes I did. Wesley and I were on the same team for 3 years. I remember seeing you at all of his games.” Brad smiled wide.
“He called me his charm.” A tear began to well up in my eye.
“Are you alright Kayton, I didn’t mean to upset you. Are you sure you can handle this case and a normal work load? I know this will weigh heavy on you.” He stepped from behind the desk.
I wiped the lonely tear from my face and smiled. “Happy memories Brad. Yes, if it was foul-play I’d like to be the one that finds and connects the dots. But if it isn’t to much to ask I could use an assistant… As I understand it, I can do an intern program giving credit to college students, it would be a large tax write off for the department.” I explained before he could get a “NO!” into the conversation. Sometimes I was slick like that.
“As long as you do the foot work and interviews. It will be in your budget.” Brad assured me. “There could be a lot of work, I can understand having an assistant.”
“Thank you, Sheriff.” I said smiling like I won a battle.
“It’s Brad, Kayton.”
I nodded and said, “Sheriff Brad.” Then grinned innociently. Not flirting, only jokingly. Remembering he was a great friend to Wesley.
After my interview I stopped by the local college and found a kid at the computer, doing some art. I asked him if he could make me a flyer. It needed the job description, pay, how to present the application, must have experience in forensic scient and be certified. Also the job could be very grusome at times.. So must have a strong stomach.
The kid made the flyer and I posted them all over campas, then I went back to the Sheriffs office and posted one to their bulleton board. I waved at Sheriff Brad on my exit, just trying to be kind. The receptionist gave me dirty looks then I looked at the name on the desk, Shirley Jefferson… Thinking to myself, I bet that is his wife.
When I arrived at the hotel, I ran into the maid. “Hello, I have a dog in my room. She’s very friendly but if you routinely work these halls, I would like for you to meet her. I may not always be here when you clean. I’m the new coroner for the surrounding counties. I start next week… So will you come meet my dog?” I smiled awkwardly.
The maid followed me to my room, Rue was waiting by the door. I smiled at her and said, “Hello love! Would you like to meet my friend?”
She wiggled her butt and pranced happily I moved so the lady could walk into the room. Rue greeted her pleasantly.
“Your a pretty girl aren’t you. So pretty. What breed is she?” She asked me.
“She is a German-Short Hair Blue Tick mix. She is about two years old. Very loving, faithful, and protective. I wanted you to come meet her so you won’t have to skip the room and wait on me. She will sit and look out the window while you work. She won’t leave the room until I come back. But she won’t try to eat you now either.” I smiled.
The maid finished her duties and I took Rue out to potty. We walked around the building to the back again to play run and potty. Rue had her favorite goose tonight running and jumping into the air. Catching her goose mid-air. She seemed happy enough until her nose went into the air and she began to growl low at first getting louder as she focused.
I called to her, “Rue.... come on baby… Here… Now.... Come on Rue.” She came with no arguement but skimmed the woods cautiously.
There it was again, that feeling of being watched… Who would want to watch me? Would they really be stupid enough to do it in the daytime when I can see and so can my dog.... Maybe they don’t realize I have a dog… I kept thinking of reasons no one would could be following me. I tried to shake off the feeling, it was silly afterall. No one really knew I was coming back to town other than the sheriff’s department. I hadn’t even told my family yet.
Oh hell, I needed to call my mom and let her kno I was at least back in town. I pulled out my phone and dialed the old number I memorized in middle school. Hopefully it hasn’t changed…
ring.... ring… ring… ring.... I listened waiting… ring… ring… “You have reached....” I hung up then, wondering if she still had the right number.
It was only noon when I returned to the hotel room. Rue decided she was laying on the bed content with music on the tv. I smiled to myself sitting on the bed beside her. “Such a good girl…” I said smiling and petting her.
I noticed my belly was starting to grumble, Rue looked at me curiously. I got the paper from the table and began looking for lunch choices. Dominoes.... Pizza Hut… Burger King… McDonalds.... Hmm.. I thought to myself… I could so go for lasagna tonight.... “Gino’s it is!” I smiled at Rue, “Want to bye-byes?”
She jumped up and pranced. I would almost swear she was smiling as she pranced. She seemed so happy. It made my heart melt. I grabbed her rope and headed to the car. Not thinking I didnt even put her on her leash. She walked beside me down the hallway sniffing here and there. I smiled I couldn’t help but think, she is such a good girl. Then I thought door, leash time. Before I could hook her lead, the door opened and there stood Kyle Underling.
“Well, I’ll be! My brother isn’t as nutty as he seems! It really is Kayton Wolfe!” Kyle exclaimed.
I busted out laughing listening to Kyle’s thick accent, “You haven’t changed a bit, Kyle!” I laughed grabbing Rue who looked extremely confused.
Kyle reached to pet Rue, she took straight to him. She was friendly but usually very shy with people, it suprised me.
“And who is this pretty girl?” He ruffled her fur and scratched between her ears. She was puddy in his hands.
“This is Rue, she is two.” I said.
“Rue? What kind of name is that for a dog?” He shook his head as if to say, silly woman.
“Her name is Ruby but its Rue for short. And she likes her name thank you very much.” I chuckled as he continued to pet my dog. “We are heading out for food, to Gino’s in Weston. We need some lasagna in our life.”
Kyle laughed, “I’m here because my brother said you were in town… I didn’t believe him honestly. I thought he was a little nutty. But I’m glad to see you, its been to long!”
“Its great to see you too, Kyle! I was just starting to forget your face!” I joked.
“So your going to Gino’s in Weston, huh?” He asked.
“Yeah, if it is still there....” I kinda forgot to check first.
Kyle laughed, “Yeah it’s still there. Mind if I join you? Maybe do some catching up?”
I smiled, “Well, sure.... Its so good to see you Kyle.”
He stepped closer to me and reached out. He hugged me tight and long. “It feels so nice to have you back.”
Lunch went well. We ate, we laughed, we talked. We did a lot of talking. From why I left to why I came back. It was nice to see an old friend. He was still very handsome, just as I remember. 6‘2 compared to my amazing 5‘8”. Thin but muscular, he seemed to still bulge in all the right places. Tight arms, strong arms… Nicest ass I’ve seen in a long while… Its one of those butts that you could just squeeze all day and still be happy at bedtime to do it one more time. Yeah, Kyle was still damn good looking. A very handsome piece of man, that’s for sure.
As we finshed up lunch I went to pay, Kyle stopped me, “Its my treat, love.”
It had been so long since anyone called me any form of endearment. It kinda felt nice. And Rue even acted like a lady. She sat under the table between Kyle and I waiting patiently for food. Rue is a therpy dog and very well trained. I’ve had her since she was 4 weeks old, her mother was hit by a car and killed. She has been my baby since. I bottle fed her for two weeks and had her potty trained by 7 weeks. She has always made good progress during her training. Always made me proud.
Kyle was amazed at her behavior. Such a good dog he kept saying, while patting her on the head. She seemed extremely content.
Kyle and I sat there after he paid our bill for about twenty minutes talking. Mostly, how I came back to Buckhannon to live. I told him about the position for a coroner being avaliable, about how they were willing to provide housing for three months if necessary, getting an assistant, and where my office would soon be. I didn’t give him much more information than that, I can’t jeporidize the case, its too important.
“I start Monday, until then I’m not sure exactly what I am going to be doing. I’m not use to having all this time to myself. I haven’t had a vacation in almost ten years.” I laughed.
Kyle looked at me as if I were crazy, “How can you laugh about not having a vacation?”
I smiled, “At least it keeps me busy…”
“Fair enough…” Kyle replied, “So you have no plans for dinner tonight?”
I looked at him, “No, I don’t. But I was thinking about catching a movie before I eat dinner.”
“Well, I wonder what is playing…” Kyle picked as he pulled out his phone to check. He made a couple “hmm” sounds and finally said, “What kind of movie are you thinking about seeing?”
“I’m not really sure what is even playing… I dont know what I want to see… Maybe a Comedy?” I replied half asking, have guessing.
“Do you like Madea? Boo! A Madea Halloween is playing.”
Well it is october isn’t it… the beginning of the month at that… I forgot all about it. “Sure we can do Madea. I like Madea.” I said thinking, laughing is a good thing.
It was a short ride to the theatre. Thank goodness Rue is a service dog and can go in anywhere. I couldn’t leave her in the car that long and expect her to behave.. Which I’m sure she would but I would rather just not leave her behind. She’s my back up. I love this coon-hound okay, so my dog went with us to the movies.
The movie ended by 4:30 p.m. Getting close to dinner time already. Kyle wouldn’t let me pay for the movie or my popcorn. He was being a real gentleman. I didn’t expect to come home and see Kyle let alone go to a friends lunch and movie with him. I certainly didn’t expect him to pay. However, he did.
“My mama taught me right, when you take a lady out… The man pays not the lady. Its not right to expect a lady to pay when you ask her to lunch, a movie, and dinner.” Kyle said with his thick accent.
“Dinner? I’m still full from lunch.” I laughed. “When did we decide to have dinner together”
“Oh, you don’t want to have a free dinner?” Kyle said somewhat sad.
“No no, I was just wondering when you knew I decided we were going to dinner.” I chuckled.
Kyle shook his head and laughed at me. “You haven’t lost your curious sense of humor have you, Ms. Wolfe.”
Somehow Kyle talked me into going to Valley Worlds of Fun in Fairmont. We played ski-ball… Lazer tag… drove go carts… And plain out just had fun. It had been a long time since I had fun with a friend.... a male friend at that. I couldn’t really remember the last time I ‘hung-out’ with my friends… Or who my friends really were.
Kyle noticed I would look around as if someone were watching us. Finally I confessed what I felt but could not find. It felt like someone was watching us. I couldn’t shake it as usual. But maybe Kyle would catch something I keep missing when I have this feeling. I keep putting faces from each place it happens but can never match the faces up to another. Then again maybe Kyle would think I’m nuts.
I mean I just got back in town yesterday and already I feel like I’m being stalked.. Yeah that’s normal. Everyone will want to be my friend now!!!
I confided a little more than I would like to have in Kyle but, it has been so long since I have had a good friend in my life.
While at VWoF Kyle won a big dragon stuffed animal and a little duck. I won a big duckie. I ended up with them all by the time we swung by the hotel so I could freshen up and get ready for dinner. It was now 7:30pm. Somehow I had spent the whole day with Kyle, and I enjoyed myself.
“So, where do you want to eat at?” Kyle asked.
“Well what do you think?” We were back in Buckhannon.
Dinner became chinese. A small little place tucked in an alley way. It was nice and the food was fresh. Of course there was much more conversation. Mostly about where I’ve been for the past ten years. Why I didn’t call or write or e-mail anyone. By then of it I felt like I spilled my whole life story in his lap. A smart man would run!
By 9:00 p.m. we reached the hotel. Kyle was so sweet, he kissed the back of my hand, told me that he had missed my face, and hugged me tight once again. I was so worn out I only managed to take Rue out back to potty (no playtime) before collapsing into a nice warm bubble bath…
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