“What?”
“I’m standing in the yard by the horse tank. There’s blood in the water and on the side of the tank. There’s something else, too. Hang on.”
“Are you still there?”
“There’s a car, maybe a Trans Am, driving up from the back of the property. It doesn’t have any paint. A guy is getting out.”
“What about him?”
“I don’t know. A guy in a suit and a hat. A guy in a dress shirt. I don’t know where he came from. There’s no road back there.”
“Have you seen him before?”
“I waved at him, but he’s just standing there. His engine is running.”
“Can you get the tag?”
“No, ma’am. He’s got his door open and he’s staring at me. He hasn’t shaved in a while. His shirt is yellow-looking, like there’s dried soap in it.”
Then the caller went silent.
“Are you there? Stay with me, Marvin,” Maydeen said.
“I don’t know what he wants. He’s just staring at me. His pants are stuck down inside the tops of his boots. Are y’all on your way yet?”
“Can you ask the driver who he is?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Why not?”
“I’m not sure why not. This isn’t a reg’lar sort of guy.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“The way he’s staring at me. He’s got a shoulder rig on.”
“He’s carrying a weapon?”
“Yes, ma’am, a big revolver in a shoulder rig. I can see it against his chest.”
“Go to your vehicle, Marvin.”
“I don’t think he wants me to do that.”
“Listen to me, Marvin. Take your cell phone from your ear and walk to your vehicle with it. But don’t break the connection. Are you listening?”
“He’s walking up to me, ma’am.”
“Drive away, Marvin.”
“No, ma’am. This is not the time to go anywhere. Jesus Christ, lady, get out here.” There was a pause, then: “I’m from the power company. I’m not sure what’s going on. The place is a wreck, isn’t it? I think a lady in there might be hurt real bad. Sir, you cain’t take the keys out of my truck. That’s a company vehicle. They don’t allow unauthorized personnel inside their vehicles. Sir, don’t throw my keys up there. I’m gonna be in a heck of a lot of trouble.”
The connection went dead.
MAYDEEN DISPATCHED THE paramedics and two deputies to the house, then called Hackberry at his home and told him of the 911 call. “The guy from the power company didn’t say who the minister was?” he asked.
“No clue.”