Free Peggy Holloway - Judith McCain 02 - Portrait on Wicker by Peggy Holloway

think I knew the night you arrested me, Bill, and you helped with the questioning, Sandy, that I could trust both of you.”
    Bill and Sandy looked at each other. “Judge Meadows,” they said in unison.
    Sandy rolled her eyes. “Judge Meadows is a small black woman. She might weigh ninety eight pounds soak-n-wet. She’s cute as a button, but don’t let that fool you. She’s tough and has no patience with criminals.”
    “You’ve seen Judge Judy on TV?” Bill asked. “Well she looks like a pussy cat compared to Judge Meadows. Our report to our boss is sketchy so far, but if we can get in to see Judge Meadows, in private, we can definitely trust her and definitely get her help.”
    Mark had been silent for quite awhile but now he spoke up . “How are you going to approach her and can we all see her?”
    “We nee d to see her first,” Sandy said. She looked at Bill. “I think you should see her by yourself. She’s always seemed to like you. I think she actually has a crush on you,” she teased.
    “It’s the body,” he s aid as he pushed his chest out.
    Sud denly Sandy looked at her watch. “Yikes how can it be that late? Come on partner, we’re out of here.”
    I told them I had the check and they thanked me and promised to call later.
     
     
     
    CHAPTER 22
    I told Mark that I wanted to go see Dave. He did too. We decided to walk. This was the time of year when the Mardi gras parades were going on and we didn’t have a schedule. We didn’t want to get caught in any of them.
    I c alled Dave from my room and he told us to come on over. We were lost in our own thoughts walking over to Dave’s. I was remembering the first time I had met him at the bus station the day I arrived in New Orleans.
    He had a cockiness I had mistaken in my fifteen year old brain for confidence. But he had been good to me and protected me. I had arrived in town scared and confused, but I had felt safe with him.
    When he opened the door, he grabb ed me and lifted me off my feet, kissing me on the mouth. He then grabbed Mark in a bear hug.
    “God it’s good to see you guys. Vicky, you look even prettier than you did back then.”
    “It’s Judith now, Dave.”
    “Oh yeah, I heard about that. Mark you don’t look so good yourself. What happened? Did a truck run over you?” He laughed the same laugh I remembered, sounding like a motor trying to start.
    “Mark just lost his wife, Dave.”
    “Oh God, man, I’m sorry. Me and my big mouth. What happened, man?”
    Mark and I looked at each other and silently decided between us to tell Dave everything. It was beginning to be a long story.
    Dave said, “I think we need to have a tall glass of iced tea. Let me go tell Delilah. You remember her Judith? Come on in here and say hello.”
    Delil ah came over and hugged me. “I’ve thought about you so much over the years, child. Do you remember when I told you that you had another half of yourself? That must have been your twin.”
    We had a joyful reunion and ended up sitting at the kitchen table. Mark and I finished telling our stories.
    Dave looked at Delilah. “What do you think about all this? You have that third eye in the middle of your forehead.”
    “I believe this shit has been going on a long time and affecting a lot of other things.”
    Dave winked at us, “Sometimes Delilah is helpful but sometimes she talks in riddles. What in the fuck are you talking about woman?”
    “Don’t you dare cuss at me , young man. I used to change your diaper.”
    He grinned at us. “She’s right. She was my wet nurse and nanny. What did you mean by what you just said woman?”
    “Well, I don’t know exactly. I do know this covers a big area and a lot of people. There have been a lot of kids hurt by this here. I’m mad as hell, me.”
    “Now look who’s cussing.”
    “I ain’t cussing at you and I have a good excuse.”
    They argued back and forth like this for awhile until Dave finally laughed and asked, “How can we help you