Free Under the Aspens (The Aspen Series) by Elizabeth Sherry Page A

Gilliam.  He had the air about him o someone who got his way.  He didn’t like being snubbed.
    “Bellows?  Any relationship to Sam Bellows? “Glen didn’t believe in beating around the bush.
    “Sam’s my cousin. I’m Steven Bellows,” the younger of the two men replied.
    “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but your cousin is in jail, facing multiple charges,” Glen relished telling this to both men.
    Sher literally felt the tension in the air.
    The younger man, Steven Bellows looked right through Sher, “I believe he’s out on bail. It will be proven to be all a misunderstanding.”
    Oh No, Sam Bellows was out of jail. She thought she was safe, but not as long as Sam Bellows was loose.
    Glancing at Sher, Glen saw her face had turned grey and knew knees were starting to weaken.  Before he reached for her, Robert Gilliam grabbed her arm.
    “Hey, little lady, you look like you saw a ghost,” he said with humor in his voice.
    “Get your hands off of me.  Don’t ever touch me again,” Sher yelled, while she slapped this slimmy hand away.
    If looks could kill, the look Robert Gilliam gave her would strike her dead.  She sensed the evil in the man.  She knew he was behind William’s death, and everything else that had been going on and she would prove it somehow.
    “So tell us again how you came to be here,” Glen tried to get back on subject, before Sher did or said something to put them in more danger.
    “We have an appointment with William.  He does all the work on my buildings,” This time Robert Gilliam smiled, although the smile didn’t reach his eyes.
    “Glen, Mr. Gilliam here owns all the buildings William has put up.  He even owns some of the land your brother is building homes on, Sher,” Officer David was letting them know Mr. Gilliam had money.  Apparently, lots, and lots of money, enough to hire slugs like Sam and his cousin.
    “And what part do you play in all this, Mr. Bellows?”
    “Steven’s been with me for years.  You could say he’s my right hand man.  He knows what needs to be done, before I do, if you get my drift,” Mr. Gilliam half smiled.
    Glen wasn’t sure if Mr. Gilliam just mentioned a fact or hinted at something darker.  He’ll bet money it was the later. He didn’t like the way Gilliam looked at Sher. He had the eyes of a snake ready to strike its prey.
    “David, I’m taking Sher home.  I think she’s been through enough today. Call me when you’re through here.  We need to talk.”
    Mr. Gilliam stepped up to Sher saying, “sorry for your lose.  Your ex husband must have been into something he shouldn’t have, for him to come to such a final ending. I’d hate to see you come to the same ending, being married to him and all.”
    Glen didn’t hold back.  He punched the slime ball right in the nose, “Stay away from her, or you’ll deal with me.”
    “I ‘m just offered some friendly advice. You didn’t have to hit me.  I should press charges, but under the circumstances, with Mrs. Mason’s loss, I’ll forgive it, this time,” He said, as he turned to confer with his associate, Steven.
    Glen and Sher drove off, leaving David to finish asking the questions.  Glen knew David would call him later.  Right now he just wanted to get Sher out of there.
    When they got back to Sher’s house, Glen asked to see the pictures she found that morning.  She went to the pantry and got the picture frame and brought it to the kitchen counter.  As she took the frame apart, the pictures fell out.  Glen picked up one. 
    “I know this guy.  Not personally, but I know who he is.  He’s on the building committee.  He’s been missing for over a month,” Glen recalled seeing a bulletin about the man.
    As Glen held up the picture, Sher saw some writing on the back, “Turn it over, there’s something written on the back”
    It said: buried beneath building on corner of 64 th Ave. and Ward Rd, turning the other pictures over, they saw more writings.