The Travels of Tary Noland: State of Grace

By Dewight Crowley

Book 3: Ten years ago the Drifter lost his first love, now just passing through, is given the grace to get revenge on those who killed her. Drawn into a perverse crime, the Rock Man, accepts his role in life, willing to lay it down to protect those he loves, willing to kill all involved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: May 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781365987656

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The Travels of Tary Noland: State of Grace

The Travels of Tary Noland:

STATE of GRACE

Copyright © 2017 by Dewight Crowley

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

First Printing: 2017

CHAPTER 1

Tary sat in the front seat of the yellow Camaro looking at the stars in the Utah sky. He was smoking the last joint of Uncle Earnest chronic. As the smoke expelled from his lungs, he just sat there staring at the stars. It had been six months since he left Alabama, a year ago this day he met Sam. He remembered the way she walked into his campsite asking for a light, the ruse that changed his life forever. He thought about how she sat on her bed, on a washcloth, so he did not drip on her sheets. The way she giggled that made him fall in love with her. The little white flower she held in her hand that told him she was pregnant. The tears ran down his face, but they were as happy, as they were sad. He missed her, he wanted to be with her.

He bought a ‘87 Winnebago class C RV, that he pulled the car with it. He had said for years if I ever get enough money, I will buy one and pull a car with it he had plenty of money. He kept eight of the unpainted gold coins for emergencies. He also had over twenty grand in cash, after buying the camper. He was enjoying life again. A simple life. He went where he wanted too. He did what he wanted too. He spent most of his time alone, mainly looking for rocks. Now he had too many and was needing to sell again. He decided to spend a few days getting high while looking around Utah, before heading back east to sell. However, he did not realize he was so low on pot. He remembered the town called Deming in New Mexico that he and Luciana traveled to nearly ten years ago. Luciana was the girl of his sad song that made people cry.

He wondered if Jose still lived there, for he sold weed. He was the closest person he could think of. He did not relish the idea of seeing the town again, for it was there that his first love died. He sat pondering the prospect of returning, then realized the day he met Sam, was the same day he met Luciana, ten years earlier.

He walked to the camper and went to bed. Double sad.

He drove the next morning to Deming getting just outside of it by midnight, rather than finding a campground that late, he got off the highway at the Savoy truck stop, the exit before Deming, then drove down a paved road that turned into a dirt road. It was in good shape so he kept going until he came to a small canyon. The rock walls made a good windshield so his camper would not shake all night. He parked then pulled out a glass bowl, which he used a short piece of wire to scrape some resin out to smoke. He had a good buzz going when he stepped outside to pee. He walked up rocks that formed a stairway to the top of a large boulder, watching his step while listening for snakes until he got to the top then pulled down his zipper, he peed with the wind at his back. It was a long piss.

He looked at the sky, at the mountains in the distance, enjoying his high, when he saw lights come on out in the desert. Four trucks turned on their headlights. They were too far away to see clearly, however, they looked like border patrol trucks. The group of people that scattered, reminded him of how he met Luciana.

The Mexicans ran, though they were soon rounded up in the glow of the headlights. The agents herded them together then began pulling some away, putting them in the back of the trucks. Tary watched as he replayed the night he met Luciana, after she got away. When came to him, a woman’s cry on the wind. She was ripped from the arms of, what Tary assumed was the husband, then placed in the back of one of the trucks.

He stared, for he felt something was wrong. Then the smaller group left standing in the lights started falling, a second later, he heard the shots. He was certain they had been killed. He was filled with anger, for it was not much different than the way his Lu died.

A truck pulled up to the dead with a flatbed trailer, in which the bodies were loaded on. Then driven, a short way. Several miles, only from his vantage point, it was about ten inches. He saw in the low light of the stars as the bodies were removed from the trailer, though he could not make out what was happening. Soon the trucks left then the area became dark again. He watched the trucks head out towards Deming. He just knew the men were killed and the women were taken thinking there is only one reason someone would take women. To rape and torture.

He was not happy, he was not sad, he just accepted his role, for he realized it‘s who he is. Then said on the wind this looks like a job for Super Agent without glee.

He did not sleep. He did not get stoned. He just stood there waiting until morning. When the sun rose, he could see the land marks clearly, he memorized them, then went to the camper to get his a Polaroid camera taking pictures of the area he had been staring at, then went to the truck stop to make a phone call.

Agent Coburn the voice on the other end replied.

It’s me

The Agent has not spoken to the drifter since Rabun City, though he knew who he was, hold on he said into the mouth piece, then looked up at the six agents in his office clear out they did, though one wanted to protest, the look he got from the senior agent, change his mind. Once they were gone. Go ahead

I witnessed border guards in New Mexico near Deming, kill several illegals seven hours ago. I believe they killed the men and took the women, the drifter explained.

Proof? Coburn asked.

Not yet was the reply.

Your cover?

I sell rocks at the flea market, The drifter said.

There was dead air for several seconds then I’ll send James

Thought he quit? Tary asked.

Vacation, was all a hint of amusement in the agents voice.

I’ll see him when he gets here then he hung up.

The agent looked at the now dead phone in his hand, You find trouble where ever you go, you fucking bastard then smiled.

James was watching a house, in a Dallas suburb, that was a suspected sex shop. Nothing was happening. He had been watching it for a week, all he saw was an old woman checking her mail or walking her dog. No one else came to the house. No johns, no whores, not even family visited the old bitch. He knew she was an old bitch, by the way she conducted herself, the way neighbors hid when she came down the street walking, or rather dragging her little wiener dog.

His car phone rang, he answered on the first ring, Agent Coburn

Your boyfriend is back, the drifter Tary Noland, the older agent Coburn, told him. He explained his new case, then James, you give this asshole whatever he needs, he can do things we can’t, you understand

Yes sir he hung up, then drove away, as he passed the old woman he shot her a bird. He saw her ranting and shooting him birds in the rearview mirror, he laughed. Then said out loud you stupid fucking idiot, you were out then he laughed again for he realized he could have been talking about himself. He went to his motel room and packed, less than an hour later he was on Interstate 20 heading west.

Tary pulled into the small flea market north of the Deming city limits on Silver City Highway. It looked the same as the last time he was here. He wished he had taken a Polaroid back then so he could compare it. He had a rush of emotions as he looked around. Lu was everywhere.

An old man in well-worn clothes walked to the driver’s side, you ok? he asked looking at the tear on driver’s cheek, the drifter nodded, need a space? he nodded again. Can you talk? again the man nodded, with a smile. You’re over there he pointed to space number 28. It was Friday, it was more of a set up day, then sell day, however a few customers were walking around.

Got any old watches? one asked. He just shook his head no, what you sellin?

Rocks Tary finally replied.

yea well good luck he thought selling rocks was a stupid saying so in the way he said good luck, like yea right.

Tary did not pay him any attention he was trying to control his emotions, wondering if it was a good idea coming to Deming. He saw a young Mexican girl walk from a shed like a ghost from the past. She looked at him, as he was staring at her, she waved, he smiled and waved back. She giggled then entered another shed. He did not think it was Luciana, though she did favor her, in that she was thin, pretty and Mexican. Other than that, she was a completely different girl, then the one he knew.

He got out of the camper, unhooked the car, and then headed into town. It had changed some, then other parts were pretty much the same as he remembered. He drove around because he was not ready to talk to people just yet, he needed to exercise some ghosts. He loved Lu, he missed her, thinking now that their love was a mistake that cost her, her life. He knew it was not the same as Sam, for his love for Sam transcended this life. No Lu was a love that was destined to end, he understood, they were both too young, caught up in the adventure, the romance. Two kids who needed someone, that the harsh reality of life would have torn apart, he just wished it ended a better way.

He drove pass the truck stop in the city limits on the west side of town, where saw several Border Guard trucks, so he decided to get some breakfast, to see what would happen. He walked in thinking about a Grand Slam with sausage, the Guards sitting at the back of the dining room, all looked at him. He stopped at their gaze, no wet backs here opening his coat to reveal none were being hid. They laughed at him, then continued to eat or talk, as before he came in. He sat down at the counter.

You don’t want to get that group riled up the pretty little blond server said.

He looked at her thinking this whole place is filled with ghost. I try not to get cops riled up then he smiled, she started speaking as he did, hard not too sometimes

Jinx, you owe me a coke she smiled one of the sweets smiles he ever saw. She was taller than Samantha Richards, about 5’6 with hair that was wavy, not curly. A few years older, he guessed 23, with much bigger breast. She was sweet and beautiful, however, it was her personality that made her something special. He saw it right away. Coffee? she asked, he nodded, she got a cup then filled it, My name is Grace, let me know when you are ready to order then she walked to the tables with the guards to refill their cups. He noticed she did not get to close, instead would extend her arm way out to pour, when she got to the fat greasy Mexican guard, if you don’t hold your cup out, you aren’t going to get any…..in your cup anyhow. he did, with his eyes on her tits the whole time. Tary saw the anger in her eyes, that she was repulsed. She made the round then returned to him. Are you ready?" he nodded.

I take a Grand Slam with Sausage she looked at him, this is not Lenny’s, or I mean Denny’s she played with a popular TV commercial, then she giggled, she had to giggle.

Two eggs over hard, sausage, grits…

She cut him off, Sorry honey, we don’t have grits

Well I’ll just have coffee then he made a mock anger face.

She smiled that sweet smile at him, hash browns don’t work for you?

Not as well he was not lying. But I’ll see how they do, and pancakes he gave a goofy smile at the pancakes.

She returned the goofy smile, and pancakes he saw a twinkle in her eye as she turned to give the order to the cook. When she returned, it may take a few minutes, our cook quit so Debbie is cooking, she is ok, but a bit slow she leaned in for the last part.

So you’re looking for a cook? he asked nonchalantly.

Debbie heard that, yes! Are you any good?

I generally get more complements than complaints, he returned.

You’re hired, she yelled through the serving window.

The guards cheered. You can’t be any worst, the greasy one said. The men with him laughed. Tary saw she want to tell them to fuck off, however a look in her eye, said she knew better. She was afraid of these asshole. He felt he was in a good place to start. Hey man, you drive a car like that why would you want to work here?

I inherited it, I couldn’t afford to buy it, he said engaging them.

Want to sell it? a short Mexican guard asked.

If I did, I would have sold it to any of the hundred other people who have asked me that he laughed do you see a for sale sign on it, no, then why think it is for sale? the expression he used, he was clearly calling the man an asshole.

I was just asking man the man was offended.

Sorry, just it makes me feel like the pretty girl who is always being asked out, it tends to bring out the bitch in me. Tary looked him in the eyes, expressing annoyance.

A few minutes later, the man got up walking behind him, maybe you should watch who you bitch at, asshole. he placed his meal ticket with a five-dollar bill on it on the counter, then walked out. The others left as well, only they did not acknowledge him.

Debbie carried his plate out of the kitchen setting it in front of him. He looked down at it then back at Debbie, who was joined by Grace. They looked at him as if he was going to say something, he said what?

You don’t want fuck with those guys, Debbie said as Grace nodded.

They’re border patrol, not cops. They can’t do anything to me, he said goading them on. A strange look appeared on Grace’s face when he spoke.

They both leaned in at the same time as Grace spoke we’ve heard of bad things happening. People getting beat up and some have gone missing, it’s a big desert out there, and they know it better than anyone. she put her finger to her nose, like the con men in the movie Sting did.

They ever get reported? he asked smiling unbelieving, however he did believe.

Those are the ones who disappeared Debbie said. Placing her finger to her nose.

He smiled so are you the one that hires?

Fine don’t believe us she returned to the kitchen. Grace just stared at him, as if she was trying to figure out a puzzle. He stared back until she shook her head as if she was shaking something off, smiling as she walked away.

I’ll go get Fred, he thought for a second, she said Godfreed, ghost.

She came back from the hallway he guessed led to an office followed by a big man, he almost jumped out of his seat, at another ghost, for he strikingly resembled Reverend Michael Mike Reid, from Jackson County, He just smiled at him, "you look like