Free Dark Places by Reavis Z Wortham

thing. I don’t intend to follow ’em. I’ll probably go out behind the wheel of a car.”
    Freddy could tell Pepper was talking about him and let the front legs of his chair down with a thump.
    John T. frowned. “What?”
    The other members of the Spit and Whittle club noticed. “Why, that boy’s white as a sheet.”
    â€œYou all right, son?”
    Freddy shook his head. “We got to go.”
    James Parker came out of the store with a paper sack in his arm containing more than bread. He stopped for a moment to speak with the farmers under the overhang. He also knew Freddy pretty well, and had a good idea of who John T. was, though he didn’t care for the young man who most folks figured would at some point spend the rest of his life in Huntsville Prison.
    John T. gripped Freddy’s shoulder. “I believe I’ll take him home.” He flashed a grin at those around him, quickly making up an excuse. “I don’t believe snuff agrees with him.”
    The farmers laughed. To a man they all knew the results of dipping.
    John T. led Freddy away from the gathering. “Suck it up, stupid. What’s wrong with you?”
    He nodded toward Pepper. “They’re talking about uth.”
    Pepper was pouting when Cale noticed Pepper’s daddy coming toward them with John T. and Freddy following close behind. “Listen, I’ll call you tonight.” He spun on his heel. “See you.”
    James stopped beside the car and handed the sack through the window to Pepper. “Let’s go, girl.”
    Freddy and John T. passed James on the way to John T.’s car and nodded hello.
    â€œHowdy.” James slammed the door and left without a backward glance. Pepper watched the two young men out the back window until they disappeared from sight.
    She turned back around and shivered.
    John T. and Freddy watched the car disappear. The heavy drizzle caught in their hair like dew on a spider’s web. John T. unrolled a pack of cigarettes from his sleeve. “We might have to do something about her.”
    The pit of Freddy’s stomach fell out. Now he was truly terrified.
    Freddy wished he’d never gone to the movies that night. Hanging out with Marty and John T. suddenly wasn’t worth it, even if they did pay attention to him.

Chapter Thirteen
    After Ned and Cody left the garage, Deputy Washington leaned against a rough support post and crossed his arms. “What got into you, Dee-wight?”
    â€œI’m tired of the white laws coming in here and accusing us of what we ain’t done wrong.”
    â€œThen you ain’t got no reason to get mad, because you’re innocent.”
    â€œThat’s right. All of us are.”
    â€œNow you cain’t speak for everybody here.” He grinned at those sitting around. “Not meanin’ any of y’all’s done something wrong.”
    They laughed, the tension broken.
    Dee-wight didn’t laugh, though. “I’m not gonna take any more of this.”
    John cut him a look. “What you gonna do?”
    â€œWhy I’m…”
    â€œYou ain’t gonna do nothing, because there’s nothing to do. Mr. Ned’s a good man, and he treats ever’body the same, no matter what color they are. Sheriff Cody’s the same. He don’t see no difference. You might try that yourself.”
    â€œJohn, it ain’t right how they’re always snoopin’ around here, trying to lay blame on us for everything that happens, from stole chickens to bank robberies.”
    â€œLayin’ blame and investigatin’s different. What you talkin’ ’bout? The sheriff ain’t never been by here, far’s I know, and Mr. Ned don’t have much business in this part of town. But it don’t matter none. They’re the Law, and when they ask question, you need to answer and don’t give them no lip. It’s the same thing as when I come