Free Seeking Justice by Rita Lawless Page A

active, and it didn't seem to bother them. Justice's mother wouldn't care, but her grandparents would probably use it as an excuse to throw her out of the house, and probably never let her come back.
    "Now," Priscilla said before Justice could respond, "what is this I hear, Miss Agatha has you chasing after bandit loot?"
    "Yup." Justice looked over to where Zander now stood, talking to his father. She imagined they were talking about the new horse that was brought in today. "She thinks the bandits buried their stolen goods around here, and she wants it found before she dies."
    The ladies had started to walk toward the back end of the house where the sunroom was located. It looked out over an expansive green pasture, and Justice had always loved that part of the house.
    She imagined finding a place on the expansive ranch for Mr. and Mrs. Zander McMillian to build a house. It made her stomach turn in a most delicious way, the excitement threatening to creep up until she screamed it out for the whole world to hear.
    Once they were in the in the sunroom, Justice could see that Miss Agatha was not a happy woman. She was sitting in a large chair, with an afghan thrown over her legs. She had a remote control in one hand and a glass of tea in the other.
    "If the rest of my life is going to consist of me watching this crap," she pointed the remote at the TV where a reality court show was on, "and drinking tea instead of beer with my evening meal, then we need to talk."
    "Miss Agatha, the doctor told you to take it easy." Priscilla winked at her. "But if you want me to slip you a little medicinal brandy, just let me know. But don't let your son see. He might get mad at me."
    "Get it," Miss Agatha said with a smile. "Not too much, just a little. I'll finish it before we sit down to eat."
    While Priscilla went off to get the drink, Justice sat down in a nearby chair. Emily moved to the sliding glass door. She went outside, and Justice could see her talking to the twins, who were playing in the yard.
    "Miss Agatha, I found something today I want you to tell me about."
    The older woman listened as Justice told her about the magazine article. "Do you remember it?"
    Miss Agatha's smile dimmed. "I remember it. It came out about the time my husband died. I wasn't too much on researching things then, and I think I just shove it in the box. I didn't go back to it."
    Justice squeezed the woman's hand. "It talks about a man named Abel Gunner, whose great-grandfather was a jailer in Bluefield at the time. You didn't try to make contact with him?"
    "No." For once, Miss Agatha seemed subdued.
    Justice imagined it was because she was thinking about her late husband, who had been dead for many years. When the elder woman didn't say anything, Justice squeezed her hand again. "I'm going to try and find him, see if he can tell me anything that's not in the article. I think he might be a promising clue."
    Miss Agatha smiled at her, and Justice could see that she was back with her. "I remember the article somewhat," she said. "I'd like to read it again."
    "I'll make a copy and bring it up to you," Justice said. "By the way, thank you for letting us use your house."
    Miss Agatha's eyes twinkled. "You're welcome. It's rather a wonderful place to relax."
    Justice was about to ask her about her state of the art computer system, and what Miss Agatha did with it, when Priscilla announced it was time to eat. She instructed Zander to collect his sister and nephews from the backyard, and asked Justice to help Miss Agatha to the table.
    "I don't need any help," Miss Agatha grumbled as she pushed away the blanket the covered her legs. "If people are going to treat me like an old woman, I'm going to get pissed."
    It was all Justice could do to keep from laughing. She made sure not to take hold of Miss Agatha as they walked. It would be best just to be close in case the older woman seemed as if she was going to lose her balance.
    After they were seated and said grace,