Chapter 77
March Stephenson
Maxieplus.
At May's place, we huddled around the TV while Jason played the disc. He fast-forwarded it to the spot we had decided to watch, Then I went to make a phone call.
"Yes Nicky, I saw the mess but didn't think much of it, I thought it was kid's." Lane said. He was in the footage and had gone into the toilets.
"You should have rung me Lane."
"I thought of that, but I also didn't think it was any big deal, you know how kids are. I wanted to get to my family to go and have dinner with them, sorry I stuffed up."
"It's okay Lane. The police are on to it now, I am only checking for a time frame."
I hung up and told the others what time he had seen the walls, I figured it was between five and six. We carefully watched that part again, but there were only the gym guys using it, and the old lady and three kids. The kids were known to us they were Joel's sons and I had no problem discounting them. Which left us with the old lady and Lane when he used it.
"Annie!" I screamed.
"What?"
"It's Annie in disguise, she did it March."
"But you can't see her face. How do you know that?"
"I'm as sure as hell it's her. That limp is fake and why would she be wearing an overcoat on a hot day, it's her for sure it has her fingerprints all over it."
"We can't accuse people, it may not be her."
"She's the only one I know with a motive. We have to look at Mark's footage maybe her face is shown."
"The cops can't get to it, the people that own the house are away."
"When will they be back?'
"Tomorrow I think Nicky." March was trying to be calm but I could tell he was furious.
"Jack," May said.
"Jack?"
"He has cameras all over the place he could have got something."
I rushed in next door and Jack was behind the counter serving some customers. I was prepared to wait, but when March arrived a moment later he yelled
"Jack I need to see your security footage."
"Why Stephenson?"
"Never mind all that, I need to see it."
"It's in the back I will show you in a minute, have some patience."
He finished his sale and took us out the back, I explained to him why we wanted to view it, and he was mortified when he saw the photos.
We rewound it to the timeline we had been looking at, and there she was as large as life minus the limp, but still no face. It was her I knew it was. Maybe she has her car hidden somewhere, the main parking for the day was at the showground's come football oval, and I know they have some cameras because the football club was broken into last year.
"We have to get the footy club footage, her car may be on it."
"That won't prove anything Nicky only that she was in the area."
"Yes, but she may have slipped up and taken that coat off to drive home."
It was a horrible day, and while Mason played with little Rosie on the floor I went back to work and got out the paint and brush. The paint was still good. A leftover can from a previous job, we all have them, old paint tins we can't seem to throw out.
March helped me redo it and it didn't take that long, he had been onto the president of the club and he assured March he would do a copy and drop it off at the house. By now the rumours were flying and the crowds were again walking up and down the street. Shopping was being done but I suspect they were mostly there to find out what was happening.
"We have to say something I can't keep ignoring their questions," Faith said.
"I agree, we can't hide this all away and photos have been taken already. Let me have a family meeting and Mark should be involved also."
I grabbed May, dad, and March and together we went to the hardware shop.
Mark was there, although I could tell he was still very upset. Lily was playing shopkeeper fairy so we went into dad's office.
I apologised to Mark and he didn't know what to say.
"Okay we have to announce something, the crowd is getting antsy. Faith is being asked all sorts of questions and she doesn't have any answers. I guess it's the same here."
"It is Nicky, although people have avoided asking outright, they have dropped off a lot of presents for Lily."
"They are showing that the community cares for her Mark. If you all agree I will ring Brenda she can make a statement on our behalf."
"Yes if you think it's the best thing for you all. I just hope my daughter doesn't get any trouble at school."
"I'm sure she won't Mark, hopefully the parents will talk to them tonight."
"Fingers crossed," March said.
We agreed we would get Brenda involved so I rang her. She had been waiting for my call and had already written something to be posted. She also thanked me again for the flowers they were beautiful, she showed concern for Jason and Lily and knew I would have been upset, and she would come and give us a big hug when she had the time.
I told the others and we walked back to the cafe for lunch. No work is being done today, the cars sat quietly in the workshop, but to be fair, March and dad didn't work on Sundays. I ran into Barry outside dads shop, he had some paintings for sale. I asked him if he did well last night, he said it was the best night ever, he also kissed me but only on the cheek. He said he had heard the gossip and had been talking to Mark about it, he reassured him and now me, that no one in our town would have done such a despicable thing.
I was now positive it was Annie, but I had no way to prove it.
Back at the cafe, I told Rose and Faith what had been decided and they were relieved, and March was also relieved because he finally gets to eat something. I grabbed Mason and made him have some food, he wanted to ride `Hank' but for now he has to eat.
The announcement was made and Brenda did a superb job of it, she talked about public shaming and how her town is full of the best people in the world there would be no accusations made against them or the victims of such a vile crime. People were reading it and a few photos were posted, so they will get the gist of what was happening. I was halfway through my lunch when it hit the page and got plenty of claps and reassurances that the town was behind us all. March wasn't saying anything much, he and dad were discussing the next move, which they didn't get too far with.
"We wait until the club's footage arrives, then we search it from the time she walked past Jack's shop."
"We sit and wait then." Jason was still worried.
"That's all we can do Jase." March smiled.
I let Mason have his horse ride and he was shooing everyone out of his way, then I leaned in and said to March that I might take him home.
He helped me clear the tables and we said we would ring them if there were any developments. Dad grabbed mum from behind the counter and made her go home, and Jason went to sit with Rosie out the back.
March drove us home and I opened the back door so Mase could greet his chooks and 'sheep'. I was grabbed from behind and March said.
"Are you all right Nicky?"
"Yes March, it was a bit of a shock at first but I'm okay now. More to the point, are you all right?"
"Yes Nicky, I knew it wouldn't have been anyone from this town, but I was worried about you that's all."
"I will bounce back, and the police will have it all sorted out by the morning."
"Come and sit with me." I sat with him on the couch and he held onto me, I didn't know if it was for me or him that wanted reassurance, but we both were ok.
"I forgot that painting too March it's still in the shed."
"We will go get it later on," He nuzzled my neck.
"You don't want sex do you March?"
"It would be nice Nicky, but Mason's having a good time, we can wait until he gets tired."
"Do you know what I want?"
"No."
"A tub to get rid of the stress."
"Done." He stood me up and we headed for the tub. Mason was called but he was still playing, he had found a big stick and was pretending to be a sheep herder.
We languished in the bubbles and I relaxed, I still got mad when I thought about it but without any proof, there was nothing to do just yet.
The doorbell went off and Bill from the footy club came in.
"It's all cars March, people parking and people leaving and it doesn't show the whole area."
"Ok we will look, and thank you for doing that for us."
"When the police catch them I will be the first one to condemn them, you can be sure of that."
"Thank you Bill. I'm pretty sure they won't, but all we can do is try."
"Well from what I am reading the whole town is behind you all, she's just a little kid she didn't deserve that kind of abuse."
"We agree."
He left and March placed the disc into the TV, he forwarded it to the time slot and asked me what he was looking for.
"An old two thousand Mazda, burgundy colour."
"Got it." He searched on but there was nothing. The car didn't turn up and neither did the lady in the overcoat.
"March I'm over it, I can't watch anymore I think we should tell the police what we suspect then let them do their job."
"I am a bit tired Nicky, we can do that in the morning."
"Let's go to bed." So we went to bed and we were too mentally exhausted to have sex so we went to sleep.
It had been a good night, we slept soundly and I woke up refreshed as did March. I checked on Mason and then I went to put the coffee on. I read the page and the overwhelming support from the locals was so heartwarming.
As we had already decided to take everything we had to the police, there wasn't anything more we could do about it. I gave up hope of finding any proof it was her and resigned myself to not ever knowing. We went to work and everyone was on board, Mum looked less stressed and May agreed with me that there was nothing else we could do, she was sad for Jason Lily and us, but it is what it is.
People were still around and some patted March's shoulder some mine and May's, they were telling us everything would be all right.
"We had better get onto those cars today dad,"
"Yes son, the shops have done well this weekend and now it's time to see if they can hold up on their own."
"Did Barry place some paintings in the shop?" I asked.
"Today sometime, he did very well on the weekend I believe."
"I did well also, I have to place another big order today," May said.
"That's good, I don't even have to ask how Town and Country went, people were lined up out the front door at one stage."
"They did very well Nicky, I asked the manager yesterday, he is very pleased."
"Good, so we wait and see if it continues."
I was watching the shops and some customers were going into stores, the street had been opened again and there were cars around. My phone beeped
an I opened the message.
"Nicky, can you identify this woman?" I opened the attachment and there as large as life was Annie getting out of her car, she had slipped up and her face was showing, she had the same overcoat on and she was outside Mark's place. My heart skipped a beat and then my whole body relaxed. I shakily typed back.
'Annie Shore she lives three towns over. Brenda has her address.'
'We thought it was her, can you come down to the station sometime this morning, and in the meantime, we will have her picked up.'
'Done, and thank you'
"What's the matter Nicky?" March was concerned.
"They got her."
"They got who?"
"Annie, they are going to arrest her now."
I showed them the photo, they were still looking at it when Mark ran across the road.
"Did you know her?" He looked at me.
"Yes Annie Shore, the one that tried to take Mason off us."
"The neighbours came home last night and the footage showed that woman getting out of her car, but the cops can't connect her to the graffiti. They are going to try and nudge it out of her."
Jason arrived then mum, Rose, and Faith, they looked at the message and the photo and heard Mark's words. I wiped my eyes and said to March.
"It's all over March, we got that bitch in the end."
"Not yet Nicky, they still have to prove it was her doing that awful stuff."
"We have the proof."
"But we found nothing."
"We found the limp lady who hasn't got a limp with an overcoat on the same as the one Annie is wearing in this photo, we got her all right."
He stared at me then he moved in for a kiss.
"And if I'm right, and if they follow her car trip home they might even find the paint cans on the side of the road, maybe with some fingerprints still on them."
"OMG thank you Nicky. Please can I come to the police station with you?" Mark shrieked.
"I don't think that's wise Mark, you may say something to upset their case against her."
"I only want to stare her in the eyes that's all."
"Me too," Jason said.
"Me three." March agreed with them.
"And me." Dad smiled and then some of the crowd that had surrounded us sang out.
"And us."
I was elated that they were behind us and the tears wouldn't stop trying to flow, I had to go inside and wash my face. March insisted we go to the station right away, Mark did come with us but the others stayed behind. I gave them the footage from Jack's, they already had a copy of mine. I pointed out the overcoat and while I was doing that the sergeant got a call. He talked for a few minutes while we waited for his return, and when he did he said.
"We got her, the cans were found and there's fingerprints all over them."
"But I hadn't told you about that yet," I said.
"And I said leave it to us Nicky, we do know what we are doing." He belly laughed. there goes my detective agency.
All in all, it had left a sour taste in a lot of people's mouths, and catching her is one thing, but regaining some lost respect is another. Her charges won't be fatal, she might even get off with a fine if she's lucky. But the whole mountain range will know who she is, and what she did. I will make sure of that. Instead of being the accuser, she will now become the accused and probably will never be able to show her face around her town anymore.
We left before the arresting officers came back. I didn't want Mark to get into any trouble, or March, because I knew he felt the same as Mark did. He
drove March's truck back because he had been looking at that model to buy and wanted a test drive.
"Don't buy anything until I check it over Mark, and then let me do the deal for you."
"I can do that March."
"I can do it better, I know people." He started laughing which was good to hear.
"They have the paint cans and the overcoat with hopefully the same paint on it, and Annie is being interviewed as we speak," I told the crowd when we got back, the clapping started about then. I was happy but still waiting for March to react, but he didn't. I also knew she had crossed the line with our agreement and the whole blackmail case would be sent to the local police, which should get her a few years of jail time. Well, I did tell her not to fuck with me.
"Nicky, can you ride home with me to get your car? I want to lend Mark my truck for a few days."
"Are you going to buy a new one?" I know my husband inside and out.
"Maybe." He smiled.
I did just that, and when he started taking his tools out of the back of his truck, I knew a brand new one was being thought of. He won't give it to Mark but he will sell it to him at a good price, and with no interest. because that's the way he rolls.
I went to the shed and got the painting, and I will hang them all tonight. We hadn't shown Mason his yet it's a surprise. The clearing one will be hung in our bedroom so we can look at it and think of those wonderful days as we grow old together.
March and dad worked on the old cars together, and now and then Mason handed them a spanner or a rag. My town was happy again and the comments were mostly a blow-by-blow account on how the woman was caught, and she is in custody. I will get dad's lawyer Martin to start proceedings against her, we have her on tape she won't be able to deny it. The document she signed stated she was not to interfere with any of our lives and if she did she would repay the money in full or face the court's justice.
Many a man had tried to outdo me but few have succeeded, and this lady won't succeed.
I grabbed the hammer and nails and March stopped me.
"Nicky we don't want you destroying the walls, let me do that."
He pulled a packet of sticky hooks out of his pocket and asked me where I wanted them. I laughed and pointed
"There."
"Just there, or to the right little it might be more central that way"
"To the right March."
"Done." He peeled off the sticky strip and hung our clearing painting on the bedroom wall. we both sat on the bed and stared at it. I was feeling the water rush over me and imagining a young man naked almost falling into the river to try and cover himself up. In the meantime, March was imagining me naked in that bed and him making love to me, it happened sometime later in the night because a son was about to get a big surprise. His zoo animals were perfect in his room
I took a small video of him running around his room screaming with delight then sent it to Barry with a thank you note.
March was all right, he had accepted that evil people are all around us gays, mind you he didn't understand why, but he accepted it. There is one thing I am sure of, he will never get to live in the city, his town is best for him he survives pretty darn well here amongst all his friends.
He didn't have to sell his truck to Mark, dad took over and leased a new one for the business, of course, it was kept at Mark's and he and Lily had so many good times travelling around, and of course, Dianne was their tour guide.
Annie got a year's probation, she was furious with the cops now, and hopefully, her anger will be aimed at them in the future. I didn't go ahead with suing her, March didn't need the headache, and quite frankly I didn't want to be in court again, but Martin had sent her a letter reminding her of our agreement.
March Stephenson and I will always be chasing each other around town and we will always be the source of many a laugh had by the locals. Our clearing came back to life in the spring and by the next summer, we were floating in our river again. Although he has accepted his life of gayness, he still tries to cover up his goods when we are there, they are mine to play with not anyone else's.
The night of the barn dance was the highlight of the local social calendar. I had joined the line dancing guys and girls to hone my kicking skills and to maybe teach March in the privacy of our home. I had so much fun and became good friends with them all, then I told them my plan.
I danced with March around our family room and also taught him the nutbush steps, I couldn't believe how quickly he picked it up. Mason danced with us and he was very good at it when he wasn't falling on the floor giggling.
I dressed in my standard cowboy outfit, jock, chaps and an open shirt this time. I had nothing showing that the folks hadn't seen before. March moaned and slapped me as I dressed him the same.
"March if you don't stop fiddling I will slap you again."
"But Nicky it's too revealing, can't I wear my jeans?"
"No, do as your told, and look in the mirror, the chaps hide the jock you can only see a hint of your ass cheeks."
"But yours are on show to everyone."
"They expect it from me."
"Nicky can you bend over the bed I want to mark my territory."
There is no getting away with this, so for the next twenty minutes, I obliged him.
Mason had his cowboy outfit on and he insisted 'Hank' came with us, he's a winner for sure.
When we arrived I tried to calm March down but Mason was ready to rock and roll. Everyone looked so beautiful, they had gone to a lot of trouble tonight. Faith's new dress was shimmering as her Dolly Parton wig and huge cartoon-like breasts were on show. Hank and Tom looked as sexy as us but no jocks, they had black micro shorts on. Mum and Dad looked like Elly Mae and Jethro and played the part all night. The kids from the build spent most of their time taking photos of everyone and then posting them on their socials. They had never seen this kind of party before and they had an open invitation to return for the next one, and the future ones for years to come hopefully.
"Stop fidgeting March."
"Nicky the jock is riding up my ass cheeks."
"Let it go, and don't play with it."
"Awww Nicky this is awful."
Rose kept laughing and nudging Brenda they are here for one thing only, if I can pull it off.
The band started and people hit the floor instantly, this is what makes a good barn dance the movement of many couples dancing in sync around the floor.
"Take your shirt off March."
"No, it's cold."
I slipped mine off and winked at him. He reluctantly took his off, and I heard the crowd sighing.
"Ladies and gentlemen please be seated while our talented line dancers show you their moves. The first dance out of the stable is the Nutbush." Everyone knows Nutbush, it's a standard group dance.
"Come on March we know this one."
"No Nicky it's too public."
"We can dance at the back, come on dance with me please?"
"All right just one dance." We took up our positions behind the others and the music started. He was awesome, and he didn't miss a step, and did I catch him smiling as we jumped and turned, then started the routine again? The other dancers knew what was happening and had started moving to the side as I coaxed March out to the front.
He had that proud smile on his face again, and I knew he was trying to watch me while he concentrated on his steps, and he was showing off. He jumped then turned to the left which gave me a good perve of his back and shoulders. I grabbed the waistband of his chaps and yanked them off, leaving him dancing in just his black jocks, and nothing else. The crowd screamed and the cameras came out in droves. March's hands suddenly went to his goods and he turned with a furious look on his face. I smiled and yelled.
"Too much for you March Stephenson?"
"You are the most frustrating infuriating person I have ever known Nicholas Stephenson, wait until I get my hands on you." He lunged at me and I ducked, he chased me around the barn and the folks got a good look at his awesome booty, and mine. I headed outside, he was still screaming behind me, and once again he had me up against the truck humping away at my butt, god I love him so much.
"Fucking prick, Nicholas Stephenson. You deserved every inch of that."
"Thank you, as long as you enjoyed yourself."
He found his old pair of overalls and put them on, then I chased him around all night, he was now back to his very sexy self.
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