THE IMMORTAL
Chapter 10 - The Threat
When Clea saw Jonah step in front of her, she knew why. He
would protect her in the event Barnes got violent. Although she didn’t expect
her neighbor to try anything, especially in front of his wife, the fact that
she and Jonah were on his property was enough to give him just cause to
forcefully evict them.
But that
didn’t let the man off the hook for what he’d done.
Elbowing
Jonah aside, she took a stance next to him. “We have proof that you’ve bilked
me out of my fair share of the profits.”
Barnes almost
scoffed. “What are you talking about? I paid you! I got the cancelled checks to
show I paid you! Now get the hell off my property before I call the sheriff!”
“Go ahead,
Vince. I’d like to see how you explain these receipts from the farm bureau to
Sheriff Lowden.” Holding up the envelope, she shook it in front of his face.
The man
stared at it in confusion but continued to bluff. “What are those? What are you
trying to pull?”
“You’ve been
taking two loads to the granaries for the past three years, that we know
of, but you only paid me for one of each of those loads. One load per
year, not two!”
“I’ve paid
you every dollar I owed you,” Barnes objected.
“Not
according to your records, and certainly not according to your checkbook!” She
pointed to the two volumes on the table. “Show me I’m wrong.”
“Vince.” His
wife held out a hand to touch his arm. “Tell us the truth. Be honest with us.
Have you been shortchanging Mrs. Hatch?”
“I’ve done
nothing wrong!” Barnes insisted, brushing away her hand. Turning to Clea, he
took a step toward her when Jonah threw an arm out in front of her.
“There’s
a very easy way out of this, Mr. Barnes,” he calmly stated. “All you have to do
is pay Mrs. Hatch her fair share of those second loads, and this matter will be
settled.”
“Not
quite,” Clea objected, glaring at her neighbor. “I want your word that you’ll
never pull this kind of stunt again, or else I’ll be filing charges of theft.
In the meantime, I’m having the farm bureau mail me copies of every transaction
with you. I hate having to do such a thing, but you gave me no choice.”
Mrs.
Barnes interceded again. “Vince, pay her what you owe her. I’m sure it was just
a mistake on your part, and that you intended on paying her for that second
load, but you got busy or something and just forgot.”
Clea
caught the look Jonah threw her. It reflected exactly what she was thinking.
Mrs. Barnes was trying to act as a mediator, giving her husband excuses to
explain his actions. It was to be expected.
“Your
wife is a wise woman. I’m certain this can all be resolved if Mr. Barnes pays
Mrs. Hatch her share for those extra loads,” Jonah repeated.
Barnes
marched over to the table and flipped open the checkbook. “If it’ll get you off
my back, I’ll write you a check right here and now.”
Clea
was about to thank him when Jonah spoke again.
“No,
sir. No check. Cash.”
Barnes
narrowed his eyes. “I ain’t got that much cash on hand. What’s wrong with
writing you a check?” He looked at Clea. “You never turned down a check
before.”
The
instant Jonah demanded Barnes pay in cash, she understood why. There was
nothing to stop the man from calling the bank and putting a Stop Payment on it
as soon as they left.
“I
agree with Mr. Cobb. I prefer to be paid in cash from now on,” she replied,
struggling to remain calm.
“Then
you’re gonna hafta wait until I get down to the bank,” Barnes stated. “I can’t
do it right this second. I’m busy right now with other stuff. I won’t be able
to make it back into town until tomorrow.”
“Vince,
I can go to the bank,” his wife offered. “Just tell me how much I need to
withdraw.”
The
man whirled on her. “You’re not going to the bank, you hear me?”
“Why
not?” Jonah questioned, then addressed Mrs. Barnes. “You told us earlier that
your husband does all the bookkeeping and writes all the checks. That makes me
believe he also handles all the bill paying. Am I correct?”
The
woman mutely nodded.
“In
other words, you have no idea what’s going on with the financial side of this
farm, do you?”
Placing
a hand on Jonah’s arm, Clea looked at the woman. “Brigit, do you have any idea
how much money is currently in the bank?”
Mrs.
Barnes shook her head, confirming what Clea and Jonah already suspected.
“Brigit,
if you don’t mind me asking, how many bank accounts do you believe you have at
the bank?” Clea questioned.
“Now
stop right there!” Barnes bellowed. “What the hell are you suggesting? That
I’m squirreling money away? Putting it in secret accounts without my wife’s
knowledge? Trying to hide how much we really have?”
Clea
met the man’s eyes, noting his flushed and sweaty face. “Funny that you should
mention that. It makes me wonder…”
Barnes
blanched as he realized he’d said too much.
Jonah
adjusted his stance again, keeping Clea within his protective reach. His
actions were why she felt no fear, in spite of Mr. Barnes’ mounting anger.
“Sir,
you have until this time tomorrow to produce the amount of money you currently
owe Mrs. Hatch,” Jonah informed him. “If she does not have the money in her
hand by…” He looked around the room and found the clock sitting on the
fireplace mantel. “By eleven-forty. No, let’s make it straight up twelve
o’clock. If she doesn’t have payment by noon tomorrow, Sheriff Lowden will be
notified. Are we clear?”
Clea
held up the paperwork again. “I’ll know exactly how much you owe me if you’re
thinking about shortchanging me again, Vince. So don’t even try. And remember
what I told you. From now on, I’m having the farm bureau send me a copy of every
load you deliver.”
If
there was such a thing possible as the phrase “if looks could kill,” she knew
she was getting a heavy dose of it from her neighbor. However, he seemed to be
giving Jonah a heavier dose, and she could guess why. Barnes knew she probably
would have remained blissfully ignorant of what was going on if it hadn’t been
for her new tenant. And he would be right.
She
glanced up at Jonah, who remained locked in silent eye-to-eye combat with
Barnes. “Come on. Let’s get back to the farm.”
He
didn’t reply, but nodded. “Tomorrow at noon, sir.” Turning to Mrs. Barnes, he
added, “Good day to you, madam. And thank you for all your help.”
Barnes
stepped aside as Jonah escorted her out of the house. As Clea turned the truck
around to leave, she noticed Jonah staring at the side rearview mirror. A
glance at hers revealed Barnes standing in the doorway, watching them leave.
“I
do not trust that man,” Jonah remarked, voicing what was also going through her
mind as they left.
“Same here.
Do you think he’s going to try to cheat me again?”
Jonah
shrugged. “The only way to find out is to wait and see what he does.”
She looked
over at him. “Thanks for suggesting he pay me in cash from now on. Now I’m
wondering if all that talk Mrs. Barnes was telling us about things being tight
isn’t just a ruse to make me feel sorry for her.”
“I would not
be surprised to learn that Mrs. Barnes is completely innocent. I believe she
had no knowledge of what her husband was doing because he deliberately kept her
ignorant.”
Clea sighed. “When
we get home, I’m going to call Dell Bochart. He’s a local real estate agent. I’m
going to put that parcel of land Mr. Barnes is farming up for rent. See if
there’s another farmer willing to work it under the same agreement.”
“What about
the agreement you had with Mr. Barnes? Won’t he declare it a breach of
contract?”
She shook her
head. “We never had a written contract. Just a verbal agreement. Jonah, am I
doing the right thing? I mean, what else can I do?”
“You are
doing exactly what you must do, in my humble opinion. Speaking of verbal
agreements, if Barnes doesn’t show up with the money, what will be your next
step?”
“Report him
to the sheriff,” she answered. “What other choice do I have? I hope I don’t
have to. I hope it doesn’t come to that.”
She slowed
the truck and turned onto the dirt driveway. But instead of going up to the
house, she stopped the vehicle and fiercely gripped the steering wheel.
“Jonah, I
don’t like confrontation. I hate what Vince did, but I wish there was a better
way of handling it.”
“I thought you
handled it quite well, madam,” Jonah softly praised her.
She looked
over at him. “And I have you to thank for that. If you hadn’t been there to
provide me with a sense of security…”
He reached
over, grasping her shoulder and giving it a squeeze. “I will do whatever I can
whenever you need me. You have my word on that. Now…” He pointed ahead of them.
“I have chores to finish. I’m certain you have some things you need to do
before Joseph gets home from school. I suggest we put all this behind us for
the time being.”
“You’re
right.” She fingered the envelope she’d stuffed inside her purse sitting
between her and the center console. “I need to do a little math so I’ll know
how much Barnes owes me before he shows up tomorrow. If he shows up
tomorrow.”
“He will. Of
that I have no doubt,” Jonah firmly stated.
Clea
chuckled. “You sound so sure of yourself. I wish I had your confidence.”
“You have
more than you give yourself credit more, Clea. Trust your instincts.” He smiled
at her, and for a few seconds she wished he’d move to kiss her again. He was so
close.
So close.
To her
dismay, the chance passed, but she promised herself there would be another
time. Another kiss. Another embrace.
“Clea.”
She turned
her head to see what he wanted when a hand cradled her cheek and warm lips
fulfilled her wish. This time, it deepened, drawing her to him until her hands
were pressed to his chest.
She allowed
herself to relax and enjoy the feel of him, the scent of him. The way his hands
caressed her back and shoulders, and a feeling she hadn’t experienced in years
began to blossom within her.
Unexpectedly,
he broke the kiss, released her, and exited the truck. She watched as he began
trudging up the small rise toward the house and barn with his hands shoved into
his jeans pockets and his head bowed.
When he didn’t glance back at her,
she slowly drove the truck past him and up to the house where she parked.
Getting out of the cab, she went over to unlock the back door, but instead of
going inside, she remained on the small step and waited for him to catch up.
He wasn’t expecting to find her
standing there. Pausing, Jonah stared at her as if waiting. Clea thought she
saw a flash of hope in his gaze. It was enough to break down that final barrier
and take the risk.
She held out her arms to him in a
silent plea. It was all he needed.
Hurrying up to her, he pulled her
back into his embrace, into a kiss more fervent than they’d ever shared. And
when he lifted her off her feet and into his arms, she smiled and buried her
face against his neck as he carried her into the farmhouse, kicking the door
closed behind them.
TO BE CONTINUED
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