Emmetsburg: Forty-six

“George,” John nodded.

The deputies stopped behind, and just to either side of Bremer, like over-protective sons than public employees.Both of them were young and baby-faced.. At least that's how they appeared to John, serving only to make him feel a bit ancient. One of them was tall and well built, the other short and a little on the doughy side.His name was Ray. His parents ran a tailor shop downtown. None of the men were armed. Ray held a set of wrist irons. He nervously shifted them from hand to hand. George nodded respectfully and motioned to John's wound.

“John. How's that hand?”

“Help you fellas?”

“Hope you'll forgive the intrusion, but we've come for him.”

John scrtached the back of his head trying to figure why Louis didn't seem immediately surprised. Then all at once his expression changed, as if it was manufactured or contrived.

“John, I swear I don't...” Louis began before Bremer cut him off.

“Best you not say another word,son.”

“What's this all about, George?” asked John.

Bremer went over and laid a hand gently upon Louis' shoulder.. “I think your guest knows.” His eyes met Louis with a judicious quality. He patted the man's shoulder almost sympatheically. “My deputies here trust you won't be any trouble.”

The deputies were patient as John pulled Bremer aside. They had known each other for almost their whole lives. George Bremer was the first person John had seen the day he stepped off the Milwaukee line from the war. John led him over to the cellar door.

“What's this all about, George?'

Bremer kept his voice low. His brow was tortured. The words fell heavily. “A wrecker pulled his car out of the creek. John, there was a body inside, a white woman.”

“George, I was all over that car, if there'd been...”

“She was in the rear compartment. Her hands and feet were bound. There was a rope around her neck.”

Both men looked over at Louis. John felt a shiver of dread that he had left Louis alone with Anna. He felt betrayed by Louis. It raged red hot in his veins.

“You're sure?”

“Afraid so.”

“Who was she?”

“Don't know.”

“He says his name is Louis, Louis Stanton.” John hesitated. “About all I've been able to get out of him.Like they both fell out of the sky.”

“Folks just don't fall out of the sky.”

.