Fire at Dusk: Part 30

Shirley Sue and Buck turned around and faced the bright yellow light. Shirley Sue squinted in the beam, but even though she could not see the flashlight's wielder, she knew the voice.

“What do you want Mike?” she said.

“You see this gun lil-miss?” said Mike. “It means I get ta ask the questions.”

Shirley Sue craned her head to watch Mike as he paced behind the duo, keeping his eyes trained on Buck. He aimed the flashlight toward their lower backs. His eyes flicked from one to the other. Shirley Sue could see his face clearly now. Mike looked Shirley Sue in the eyes and winked at her, then he shoved the barrel of the rifle into Buck's back, causing Buck to stumble forward.

“Hey! Take 'er easy Mike!” said Buck.

Mike grabbed a hold of the shotgun and disarmed Buck. He then proceeded to pat down the pair.

Shirley Sue winced and looked straight ahead as Mike began to frisk her. She felt ill as she considered the atrocities those hands must have committed, the hands which now traveled along her body.

“Sorry 'bout this, I ain't meanin' ta be fresh with ya Shirley Sue,” he said as he frisked her. He grabbed a hold of the handkerchief wedged between her belt and shorts and unwrapped the claw. He examined the razor sharp object, turning it in the beam of the flashlight.

Mike tossed the claw into a bag that hung from his shoulder.

“Looks like you two been real busy tonight.”

He then circled back around to face them.

“I don't know what to do with y'all,” sighed Mike. “I reckon y'all be snoopin' 'round enough ta know what we got goin' on in here. So I can't just let ya go. Why don't we go on in the mill and talk 'bout this for a bit.”

Mike passed his keys off to Buck and directed the duo to walk in a single file line with Buck at the head of the line. Shirley Sue marched forward in unison with Buck until they reached the door to the mill.

“Unlock it and enter,” said Mike. “Oh, and nothin' funny, unless you've got some business with yer maker.”

The key ring jingled in Buck's hand as he fit the key Mike had singled out into the door. He twisted the key and turned the knob, then opened the door to the mill and stepped through. Shirley Sue followed him into the blackened building.