Valerie Hansen - Out of the Depths

S hes the last one.

I told you she would be. Shes real stubborn. Were gonna have more trouble with her than we did with the others.

Nonsense. Shes a woman. Alone.

Not exactly. Shes got a lot of friends. He winced at the string of curses that erupted from his surly companion. Well, she does. And folks around here stick together. You oughta know that.

I dont want to hear any more lame excuses. If you cant handle this job, Ill hire somebody who can.

You threatening me?

I never threaten. I promise.

Give me a few more weeks. Ill up the pressure. Shell cave. I know she will.

Shed better. Im sick of waiting.

I dont know why youre in such a big hurry all of a sudden. Its gonna turn out just the way I said. Its a sweet setup. She doesnt suspect a thing.

Yet.

Hey, dont talk like that. Shell be ready to pack her bags and head for the hills before much longer. Shes already jumpy as a cat.

She should be, the man said with a self-satisfied snort. She has plenty to be scared of.

You said thered be no rough stuff.

That was before. Things are different now. Im running out of patience. And time. Ill step in and clear up the problem myself, once and for all, if I have to.

You wouldnt!

Try me.

Whoa. Dont get all het up. He waved his hands in front of him, palms out, in a placating gesture. You wont have to do a thing. Two or three more weeks and Trudy Lynn Brown will be finished. Shell be so down in the dumps shell be beggin for a chance to sell out.

Sellings not enough. I want to see her business closed. Period. End of story.

Yeah, thats what I meant.

Good. Youd better make sure thats exactly what happens or she wont be the only one in deep trouble.

I know, I know. But dont forget about those kids shes got workin for her. If they get in my way it might slow down our plans a tad.

Humph. He raised his boot and brought it down on a passing beetle. Its shell collapsed with a sickening, deadly crunch. Anybody who causes too many problems for me gets the same treatment as that bug. Including you. Best you remember that when youre dealin with the lady.

Just promise me you wont hurt her.

Im through making promises, especially to you. Get her out of my wayor else.

G ood morning! What a beautiful day, Trudy Lynn said, stepping out onto the porch of her cabin to greet her elderly hired hand. Dont you love the Ozarks this time of year?

Yesm. Will took off his sweat-stained baseball cap and held it in front of him. Morning, Miz Brown. Cant say its too good, though. Maybe youd best sit down.

She shaded her eyes and braced for the worst. What now? The look on Wills leathery face made her heart sink. Not more of the same?

Fraid so.

Oh, no.

It wasnt fair. Not after all the sacrifices shed made to keep this business going. Shed hung on and finally prospered when other campgrounds and canoe rentals around her had closed. This year, shed even managed to buy a bit of new equipment.

What did they do this time? Trudy asked nervously.

Took out three more of them new red canoes. Looks to me like wed best put em in storage and use the old ones for now. You cant keep buyin new ones if somebodys gonna go knockin holes in em.

I know.

Pensive, she stood at the porch railing and gazed fondly at the neat campsites arrayed beside the Spring River. Oaks and hickory had greened up, while dogwoods were almost done with their blooms. Every day, new varieties of wildflowers appeared, some with blossoms so tiny they could hardly be seen. The only thing spoiling the picture was the knowledge that someone despised her enough to try to ruin her.

Okay, Trudy told Will. Take Jimmy and have him help you load whats left of my best canoes on the spare trailer. Ill tow it down to Serenity and rent a storage spot to park it. I just hate to back down like this.

What else can we do?

Nothing. We cant stay up every night to stand guard and still hope to function well during the day, especially not when peak season gets here. Besides, its too dangerous for amateurs like us. And hiring a real security man would cost way too much.

How bout that ornery little dog of yours? We could tie him down by the boats. Hes sure to make a racket if anybody strange comes around.

Trudy Lynn laughed softly and shook her head. You know Widget barks at everything, including rabbits and deer. Hed sound false alarms and keep us running all night long.

Probly. The stooped old man nodded sagely. Okay, Miz Brown, Ill fetch Jimmy and well load up them new canoes for you. Hes not gonna like doing it, though.

What my cousin likes or doesnt like isnt your problem, Will. Its time he learned that his brains arent the only reason I hired him. It shouldnt take all day to keep our accounts current. When hes not busy in the office I expect him to lend a hand outside, not sit around playing computer games.

That, I gotta see.