Birdsongs Read Online Free Page A

hand as if it were a precious treasure map that would lead him to hidden booty. He read the words, and he read them again. R.C. continued to read and study them like a fortuneteller deciphering the meaning of the lines embedded in one’s palm. The napkin read: Miles Davenport, Tilley, Georgia.
        Two weeks later R.C. said his goodbyes and expressed his thanks to Jimmy and Sly. He cranked up the motorcycle he brought back from the dead and with his heart pounding resoundingly like a predator tracking its prey he headed in a beeline to Tilley, Georgia.
     
     

Chapter 7
     
        Benny motored over to the post office to mail Ms. Clemmons the incriminating photos of her husband and the disreputable host Joel. He included the bill with hopes of a prompt payment. Lisa, the postal attendant, asked in her southern drawl, “Why weren’t there anything in the paper about last night’s murder Benny?”
        Taken aback Benny answered, “What are you talking about Lisa?”
        “Come on Benny, ain’t no secrets in this town.”
        “Don’t know what you mean honey. I haven’t heard anything,” Benny lied stone faced.
        “All right sugar,” Lisa said with obvious disbelief. “Should I call you if I hear anything suspicious? You know we get all kinds of folks in here blabbing their mouths when they think no one’s listening.”
        “You do that honey; you got the number.” Benny winked and strutted out.
        His next stop was the Hair Palace. His hair was starting to curl which meant it was time for a cut. In addition to his fantastic black hair that curled if grown past a certain point, Benny had chameleon eyes and a sharp face any man could envy. Even though the name of the place was dumb as hell, Michelle was the master of taming Benny’s locks. Benny walked in just as Michelle was finishing a cigarette.
        “Slow morning Michelle?” Benny asked.
        “Yeah,” she answered. “Looks like you’re getting curly again. Sit on down sweetie. You want the usual?”
        “Give it to me Michelle,” Benny responded. “What’s new with you?”
        “Why don’t you just come out and ask if I heard about the murder?” Michelle said smacking gum. “I know you come here for haircuts, but you also come in here for information too Benny.”
        Taken aback once again Benny said, “What murder?”
        Laughing, Michelle said, “Stop it Benny, I’m no dumb ass. You know and I know that there was a murder last night. You ain’t never been here for just a haircut. You always want a little something else. Remember how I trimmed your side burns and helped you crack that case on the Florida lawyer?”
        “I don’t think you’ll ever let me forget it,” Benny answered.
        “Well,” Michelle said, “Nicole was in here to get her roots dyed earlier and she said that her husband had to leave real early this morning to go over some paperwork with the Coroner. It’s Saturday Benny, and we figured that there must have been some bad shit that happened last night for her husband to have to meet the Coroner on a Saturday morning.”
        “You’re a real Sherlock Holmes, Michelle,” Benny said. “Have you seen any out-of-towners recently?”
        “No,” she replied. “Just the usual suspects. You know I watch that Forensic Files on Court TV. You want me to start saving hair for some of them DNA samples?”
        “I don’t think that will be necessary Michelle. You still working at the diner? I haven’t been there in a while.”
        “Yeah. Tuesdays and Sundays—for some reason nobody gets their hair cut on those days.”
        “Interesting. How’s that new beau treating you?”
        “He’s still being sweet. I still can’t figure out why he has to keep talking with his ex though,” Michelle said revving up the clippers.
        “Didn’t you say last time he has two boys?” Benny asked.
        “Yeah.”