Page 19 of Axton
“Yeah, what’s up?” I grew concerned.
“I got a call from Waverly Phillips, she’s the clerk of courts back in West Virginia now. She said they’ve opened a death investigation for Natalie, and she wanted to give me a heads up.”
My body went cold, and I was speechless.
“Linda Sue and Elroy are now saying it was negligence on your part, and they are attempting to file a wrongful death lawsuit against you.” She added.
I still couldn’t speak. There wasn’t a way to explain what I was feeling at that moment, but I was frozen.
“It won’t go anywhere. Not only is it beyond the statute of limitations, but you were a minor. She asked me if it was true that you grew up to be successful and wealthy. It seems the illiterates learned you have money, and they want some of it.”
My entire body just about gave out and hit the floor.
“Mike, say something. I only called to prepare you. I’m sure there will be a summons, and it’ll end up at Creed’s Lake. I’m just giving you a heads up.” She said.
“I…” I couldn’t do it, I had no words.
“Listen, Mike. We both know you are not responsible for what happened. You lost as much as they did, maybe even more. This won’t go anywhere, and I’ll be happy to help you file a counter suit against them if they go through with this, they caused your trauma, not the other way around.”
If only she knew how much guilt and blame I dealt with over all those years.
“Why are they doing this?” I couldn’t form a straight thought.
“I just told you, Mike. They are taking advantage of the investigation because they found out you have money. They’re just entitled assholes with drug problems, just like everyone else on that mountain. The only thing that’s going to happen with this is your loss of privacy. You’re going to have to talk to the Originals about it. Preferably before you receive the summons. They don’t even have an attorney. I’m guessing good old Earl or Cy learned how to use the internet, and they’re trying to pull it off themselves. God knows how, I didn’t even know they could read.”
I fell back against the wall and laid my head back before shutting my eyes. “I would have saved her if I could.” My voice was broken. “Why a new investigation?”
“Her mom never accepted your story, even though the autopsy certainly backed up what you found that day. She has been on the sheriff and the prosecutor for years. She can’t accept that it was her own fault. She wants it to be murder and can’t accept that it wasn’t, and at the very least they think you were with her when it happened, and you didn’t run for help.”
“She was already gone when I found her, she had been gone for hours.” My mind was racing.
“We both know this, Mike. It’s going to be fine, and I’ll handle everything. I just thought you should at least mention it to Creed. I’m sure you’ve told him about her, haven’t you?”
I swallowed hard. “I haven’t spoken her name in fourteen years.” My body slid down the wall just outside Belle’s room and I pulled my knees up. It was either that or let my legs give out on me.
“I’m sorry, Mike. I hate that they’re bringing all this back up on you. You know Sheriff Broughton is only doing what he has to do to shut her up.”
“Does mom know?” I asked.
“No, I called you right away and I’m in my office. I promise this lawsuit won’t go anywhere and law enforcement knows better.”
“Please don’t tell her, she will just make everything worse. Why would they reopen her case? Kayla, I did neglect her and if I would have done something she might still be alive.” I tried my hardest to gain some sort of understanding.
“I doubt law enforcement is trying to find a different cause of death, and I don’t care what you say, it wasn’t your fault. Linda Sue has been harassing them for years, but she hasn’t stopped to think the negligence could be on her, and maybe that’s what they’re trying to decide just to put the entire thing to rest. I promise not to tell mom, but God knows word will get around and someone will call her.” Kayla said.
I saw Dr. Ford walking toward me and a few nurses walked into Belle’s room. “I have to go, but I’ll deal with it later. How much time do I have?”
“However long it takes the mail to deliver it. I’m sure someone will have to sign for it, and it’ll come from the courthouse certified. I promise nothing will come of it. If they had money foran attorney, nobody would ever touch this case. They must think since they figured out how to read they can be internet lawyers now.” She snorted like it was funny. “I didn’t think meth heads got smarter, only dumber. I can picture the two of them sitting at a library computer trying to figure it out. Anyway, are you going to be alright?”
“Yeah.” I lied.
“Okay, just call Creed. He’s your best friend and maybe it would do you some good to talk to him about it.”
“I have to go.” I ended the call and didn’t think I could stand just yet.
Bolton appeared. “She’s awa…Hey is everything okay?”
I looked up at her. “She’s awake? Are they taking out her tubes yet?”
