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“Welp,” bellowed Captain Wyatt. “That should just about do it, I guess. I didn’t really think we’d find anything out here, but we needed to be sure.”
“I’m glad you did,” the Sheriff responded. “It’s better to check & not find anything than to not check & find out the hard way.”
“I just get the feeling this is never going to end,” Vern said, half-ignoring the Sheriff & Captain. “I mean, at this rate, we’re never going to forget Schuster.”
The 3 men were standing outside in front of Vern’s place, between the Sheriff’s car & the Captain’s cruiser. Early-mid morning when the Sheriff 1st arrived had turned into late afternoon since Captain Wyatt’s team had spent several hours thoroughly searching Vern’s land to make sure no devices were hidden. Vern had been amazed by their thoroughness; it was almost like his place was getting a very deep spring cleaning.
“I’ve had that same feeling, Vern,” the Sheriff offered. “Course, we can’t be sure the device at the gas station was planted by Troy. It’s just a hunch.”
“Oh, I’d say it’s more than a hunch,” Vern said, still in disbelief. “I’m telling you that report is totally wrong. Ricky would NOT have committed suicide.”
“While I appreciate where you both are coming from,” Captain Wyatt said in his deep voice, “but, it IS possible it was just that … a suicide.”
Vern shook his head steadfastly. “No.”
“I know,” Captain Wyatt said. “I know how small towns are … how close knit they are. I’m sure Tracy’s death shook y’all to the core, but if Ricky committed suicide, there is no way any of you can feel like you missed something. Unlike Tracy’s situation, when people commit suicide, 9 times out of 10, the next of kin had no inclination, no thought, no idea how bad their loved one thought things were.”
Vern shook his head again, unable to speak.
“Yes, you’re right,” the Sheriff spoke up. “Nobody is disputing what you said. It’s just difficult to take.”
Captain Wyatt nodded: “I get that.”
“I keep telling myself it was good Tracy felt comfortable enough to try to reach out to me, Ricky, Charlene,” Vern began, staring off into the distance across the road from his place. “I also keep telling myself that none of us really failed her, but that doesn’t take away the feeling that we did. I sat here with Ricky just days ago, looked into his eyes & could see his pain. I tried my best to get him to see it from a different, more positive, perspective, & I thought I had helped him turn that corner, but … maybe … I didn’t.”
“Knowing you, Vern,” the Sheriff said, placing his right hand on Vern’s left shoulder, “I know you reached him.”
“But, then, why did he commit suicide?”
“I thought you were convinced he didn’t?” Captain Wyatt queried.
“Well,” Vern said, “if y’all didn’t find anything HERE, why would Troy have placed a device at the gas station?”
“Maybe,” Captain Wyatt offered, “he felt Ricky had seen him, more so than you could have the night he killed Tracy.”
“Perhaps,” Vern replied. “But he actually talked to me; I don’t think he actually talked to Ricky.”
“But when he talked to you,” the Sheriff reasoned, “he was here with Kyle. At the gas station, he wouldn’t have had that buffer or disguise.”
Vern sort of sighed: “Yeah, I can buy that, I guess.”
“I think you really need to get on the road to Tennessee,” the Sheriff said. “& the sooner, the better.”
“I don’t want to miss the services for Ricky,” Vern quickly replied. “You know that, Marty.”
“Yes,” the Sheriff said, “but nobody will think less of you for not being there, & I think you know that.”
“Are you moving to Tennessee?” Captain Wyatt asked.
“No, no,” Vern said. “My Nephew, who lives there, wants me to visit for a while. I was going to leave a couple days ago, but then Ricky stopped to see me & then, well, you know the rest of that.”
The Captain nodded.
“Well, look, I’d love to stay & chat,” the Captain said, breaking a brief moment of silence between the 3 men, “but I really ought to catch up to the rest of my team & see where they are in combing the area.”
“OK,” the Sheriff said, shaking the Captain’s hand. “Thank you for all of your help. I’m sure I’ll see you later today.”
“Indeed,” the Captain replied, turning towards Vern. “Vern, I’m glad we didn’t find anything out here on your land.”
“Me, too,” Vern said, shaking the Captain’s hand. “Thank you for taking the time with us here.”
“Anytime,” the Captain said, turning & getting into his cruiser.
“Well, Vern,” the Sheriff said while he & Vern watched the Captain’s cruiser exit Vern’s driveway, “I should get going, too. I really think you should consider leaving either tonight yet or tomorrow morning to go see your Nephew in Nashville.”
“I know you do, Marty, but he can wait. I really feel the need to be at Ricky’s services.”
“OK,” the Sheriff said, starting to get into his car. “I can understand that. Call me if you need anything.”
“I will, Marty,” Vern said. “I’m fine, though. … Oh hey … do you know when they are ground breaking at the old airport site for the new gas station combo?”
“Hmm,” the Sheriff said, closing the car door & rubbing his chin, “I think they are hoping for a day or so after Ricky’s services.”
“Well, that’d be quick.”
“It is, but remember, we need the gas station around here sooner rather than later.”
“Right. Well, I may just stay around long enough for that, then, too, Marty.”
Vern observed the Sheriff sticking his head out the patrol car window & giving him another are-you-sure-because-I-don’t-think-that’s-a-good-idea look: “Yeah, yeah, I know. But, that is important for this town, too. I can’t miss that!”
“Yeah, I know, Vern,” the Sheriff said with a slight grin, while starting the car. “Maybe I’ll see you at Charlene’s later for dinner?”
“No, I’m just going to whip up something here.”
“I see. Well, enjoy the rest of your day & evening. At least take that Caprice convertible of yours for a spin.”
“Ha, I may!”
The Sheriff nodded, & Vern watched the car leave his driveway & waved. Vern turned & looked at his house, then steered his eyes to the left to the 1-car attached garage, then further left & back to the 2-car detached garage, where his 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis & 1975 Caprice Classic convertible sat waiting for him. He took a deep breath in & wondered what Amy would think of all that has happened. He remembered what she had told Old Lady Yannich when the town’s matriarch stopped at their home to tell them about her son’s death, something Vern had taken to heart when Amy herself died later: ‘Loss of any kind is never easy, but we must continue moving forward in our lives because to not do so is to disrespect our loved ones.’