CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Released from the holding cell, Beau is escorted to the Chief's office. Det. Miller points to a chair as he enters.
"Did you know that cell has mice running around on the floor?" he complained, "And I counted two blue tail lizards climbing up the wall."
"We're interested in the death of a young lady at Darnell's farm," Miller said.
Beau’s pale face turned a shade lighter as he stared at Det. Miller.
"I'd like for you to tell the Chief what you talked to me about earlier. Tell it in your own words and leave nothing out."
Chief Hudson sat quietly while he played with a pencil, tapping it on top of his desk.
Beau’s left eye began to twitch uncontrollably as he cracked his knuckles. Turning to look at the Chief, "I heard someone screaming so I looked closer and saw your step-brother, Johnny. He was kicking someone that was caught in a barbwire fence at Darnell's farm. That's all I remember."
The Chief opened his desk drawer and dropped his pencil inside and closed it. "When you heard the screams and saw Johnny, where were you?"
Beau looked at Det. Miller who nodded his head, "Well, physically, I was at Miss Stella's house. Spiritually, I was soaring overhead, watching Johnny," he explained.
Chief Hudson looked at Det. Miller and rolled his eyes as he leaned back in his chair, clearly not buying a word of Beau’s story.
"Tell us about the bloody boot," Det. Miller prompted him.
"I don't remember if it was the right or the left boot. Does it matter?" Beau asked.
"Tell us what you remember…where did you find it?" Det. Miller urged him on.
"I found it in the middle of the street. It fell from Johnny's truck as he raced away. He turned around and came back. He almost caught me looking at it. It happened in front of Johnny's house. He had a large trash bag, and it looked half full," Beau said while he nervously ran his fingers through his hair.
"Do you float about often?" the Chief asked in a spiteful tone.
"No, it was the first time and I really enjoyed it. I'd like to do it again," Beau smiled and now ran both hands through his hair.
"Is something wrong with your hair?" Det. Miller asked.
"It feels like…it's full of bugs and they're crawling around."
Becoming outwardly annoyed the Chief changed the subject, "You don't seem to be very upset about your wife’s murder.”
"Oh…yes…but that happened several years ago didn't it?"
The Chief looked at Miller and toss up his hands, "Take him back to his holding cell. Find Officer Hendrix and take her with you to pick up my brother and bring him here," he ordered.
"Hey, wait a minute. Would you guys be interested in the name of my invisible friend? He talks to me all the time now," Beau said.
"Sure, what's his name?" Det. Miller asked as the Chief shook his head in disbelief.
"He said to call him 'Leonard.' Isn't that great?" Beau seemed to be on cloud nine.
"Get him outta here," the Chief said pointing toward the door, for he had no sympathy for him whatsoever.