Page 30 of Coven of Corpses

“Traumatic,” Cody said slowly, as if correcting her. “Trau-ma-tic.”

“The wiggle is the part of road out by the county line that curves back and forth. Like a wiggle.”

“Oh, we were just out that way,” Cody said. “And that’s also called an S-curve by the rest of the population.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Otis asked.

Cody looked at Demmy and they both nodded. “Point taken.”

“So, someone—” Demmy started.

“Douglas,” Otis said. “Douglas Cooper. Lives two streets over.”

“Fine. Okay. Douglas was out just past the trail for Parson’s Pond when he saw the sheriff’s cars?”

“Right. He was coming back from over in Creighton. His daughter lives out that way, teaches at that fancy new private school they’ve got there.” He paused. “Come to think of it, though, she doesn’t live in Creighton. I think she lives a town or so over.”

“Clock’s ticking, Otis,” Cody said. “How far past the turn off to Parson’s Pond did he see the sheriff’s cars?”

“I told you, it was just east of the wiggle.”

“Oh, for the love of…”

Demmy put a hand on Cody’s thigh and smiled. “That’s good information, Otis. Thank you for letting us know.”

“You’re welcome.” Otis cleared his throat. “You’ve gotten a lot more impatient as you’ve gotten older, Cody.”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m hearing that a lot lately,” Cody said. “Get off my lawn.”

“That’s supposed to be my line.”

“Oh, for the love of elm trees, both of you hush,” Amelia said. “Any other questions, boys?”

“No, I don’t think so.” Demmy looked at Cody. “Thank you both. That helped.”

“How could you live here all your lives and not know about the wiggle?” Otis called from the background.

“Because we’ve always called it what it is, an S-curve!” Cody said loudly.

“Heavens to poplars, you just about blew out my eardrum!” Amelia lowered her voice and continued. “You boys be careful. Let me know if you find anything and if I need to gather the troops out here.”

“We’ll keep you updated, Aunt Amelia. Love you.”

“I love you, too. Both of you.”

They said their goodbyes and Demmy ended the call. “Well, that filled in a few things.”

“The crime scene tape was pretty much a giveaway, but since I parked in the middle of…” He used one hand to make air quotes. “The wiggle, I’d say we found the spot.”

“I’ve never heard it called that.”

“I never want to hear it called that again.”

They rode in silence for a bit, Cody heading for downtown.

“What are you going to do this evening?” Cody asked.

Demmy slouched a bit and looked at him. The overcast sky had broken apart in spots, and the sun was shining bright as if trying to make up for time lost. A sudden empty ache opened up within him at the thought of being away from Demmy until late that night. Again. They’d spent so much time together the last ten years, it felt strange to not be going to work together.