Against the Edge (The Raines of Wind Can - By Kat Martin Page 0,36
the other side of the door.
“Maybe someone forgot something,” the man’s deep voice said.
Footsteps sounded. Lyla Holden pulled open the door and peered out onto the porch. She was in her late forties, pretty once, but aging badly. Her hair was her best feature, thick and wavy, a cloud of fire around her beefy shoulders. When she saw them, the smile slipped from her face. “Can I help you?”
Careful to stay partially in the shadows so she wouldn’t notice his eyes, Ben flashed Claire a go-ahead glance.
“Hello, Lyla.” She gave the woman a friendly smile. “My name is Claire Chastain. This is Ben Slocum.”
The redhead flicked him a glance, then her eyebrows narrowed at Claire. “How’d you know my name?”
“You’re a friend of Troy’s,” Claire said. “That’s why we’re hoping you can help us.”
“Who is it, Lyla?” the deep voice rumbled from down the hall.
“Go on to bed, Scooter. I’ll be in there in a minute.”
“You don’t get here soon, mama, I’m gonna have to start without you.” Scooter rumbled a laugh.
Lyla ignored him. “Troy left a couple of days ago. I kicked his drunken ass on down the road.”
“The road to Louisiana?” Ben asked.
Lyla nodded. She didn’t invite them in, and Ben didn’t press her. He could smell the beer she’d been drinking. Her eyelids were a little heavy, her lipstick smeared in one corner. She looked relaxed, a little tipsy, just the way he wanted.
“That’s right—Lou-si-ana,” she said, pronouncing it with a Southern drawl. “On his way to see those no-good brothers of his.”
“That’s what we thought,” Claire said, doing a nice job of bonding.
“He ain’t in no hurry, though. Planning to visit some of his buddies along the way. How’d you know Troy?”
“He used to date a friend of mine,” Claire said, “but she died.”
“Yeah, he mentioned something about that. I guess that’s where he got the kid.”
Ben forgot to breathe. His pulse leaped skyward, started pounding in his ears. He forced himself to smile. “That’s right. Since the boy’s mother was dead, I guess he was trying to help the kid out.”
“That’s what he said.”
“You see, Lyla, Ben’s kin of his. He didn’t know about Laura bein’ sick till she’d already passed. We were hopin’ the boy’d still be here. We’ve been real worried about him.”
Admiration slid through him at the country note she infused in her voice. Nice move, angel.
“They left together, all right. How the kid got unlucky enough to tie up with Troy, I’ll never know. Guess he was desperate.”
Ben’s chest tightened. “Was he all right? I mean, he wasn’t hurt or anything?”
“Oh, no. He was fine. Seemed like a real nice boy. Quiet, you know. Him and that dog of Troy’s mostly stayed outside.”
Relief slid through him. Sam was all right. At least so far. Though nothing Claire had told him about the boy made him think he was quiet. Smart, maybe. A survivor. Just trying to stay out of Troy’s way.
“You know where Troy’s next stop might be?” Ben asked, working to keep his tone even.
“Can’t say for certain. Said he was planning to visit a friend, guy by the name of Hutchins. Duke’s a real bozo. Troy said the two of them used to get drunk and high together.”
“You know where Duke lives?” Claire asked.
“Somewhere down the road. Could be New Mexico. Texas, maybe. I know he worked there for a while. Troy never really said.”
“Anything else you can tell us?” Ben asked. He wanted to ask if she knew Troy’s license plate number, but, hell, most people didn’t know their own.
“What in God’s name you doin’ out there, woman?” Scooter yelled. “Get in here and get this bed a-movin’.”
“Damn fool’s gonna get his ass a-movin’ right out the door, he ain’t careful.” Lyla wiped the lipstick smudge off her lip. “I don’t know much more. Drives some old beat-up truck. Probably break down before he gets to Lou-si-ana.”
“Was Troy calling himself Bridger or Bennett?” Ben pressed, knowing he was pushing his luck.
“He’s always been Bridger to me. He calls, I’m happy to tell him you’re lookin’ for him, but it might be better if I don’t. You’re wantin’ the boy to go home with ya, right?”
He paused, considering what to say. She’d been more than helpful so far. Maybe his luck would hold. “That’s right.”
“I best keep quiet then. Troy can be mighty cantankerous. Might not want to give the kid up.”
Ben tried for a look of admiration. “Good idea. I hadn’t thought of that.”