The Madness of Jake Caulder chapter 19

Chapter 19

2009 July Present Year

​O’Reilly and Miller turned down Main Street in Middletown to the local sheriff’s office. They had arrived at Jake’s home town just before 2:00 in the afternoon, and the sun baked down, causing a trickle of sweat to run down O’Reilly’s back.

​“I hate this heat and I hate these little shit hole towns that people call home. There’s nothing here but poverty and hard times.”

​“Easy does it boss. We came here to get information, not criticize the locals.” Miller smiled. He knew that O’Reilly had come from a town alot like this. He was just uncomfortable, from the long, dusty ride along mostly back country roads, none paved but just dirt covered.

​“Yeah, you’re right. I’m just pissed. I know what these local boys are like when big city cops like us come into town and start poking their noses into what they consider is none of their business. They figure that they can handle cases like this without help, and if the case has gone unsolved for so many years, they would rather forget about it and get on with their hick lives.”

​Miller sighed. He’d had to listen to this type of sermon for too many times to remember. He knew that Sean would settle down shortly. He just didn’t like to be reminded of his roots, because he too had grown up in poverty, but had managed to escape to the big city and had made something of himself.

​They sat there for another five minutes or so, swatting at flies that seemed to gather as soon as the car stopped. Of course, it was Miller’s fault, according to O’Reilly, that the air conditioner hadn’t gotten fixed when it broke down, and so they drove with the windows down to try to survive the oppressive heat.

Miller got out first and stretched. His back creaked and popped. He gave a small moan, and rubbed the small of his back. Ever since he had been in that accident with the drunken driver, his back would seize up if he sat for too long. With another stretch, he felt as good as new again.

​Sean O’Reilly, having griped long enough, got out, squinted and went into the sheriff’s office to begin what he hoped would give them some insight into Caulder’s past to maybe figure out why he was the way he was and maybe be able to figure out where he had gone.