You Can't Hide Theresa Sneed (top 10 non fiction books of all time .TXT) š
- Author: Theresa Sneed
Book online Ā«You Can't Hide Theresa Sneed (top 10 non fiction books of all time .TXT) šĀ». Author Theresa Sneed
He wasnāt allowed to have friends, but it didnāt take much to see what other kids hadāreal dads. Merrick wasnāt a father at allājust a mean-spirited, vindictive man. If Ricky had any dreams, they were quickly squelched, and he was often left to wonder who he was, and what heād become.
He remembered the wrath his father had the first time someone called him Ricky. It was at the grocery store. Merrick waited until they were back home and then shoved him into the door. āRicky, eh?ā The beating he got kept him from going out for several days.
Unfortunately, it was summer, or maybe, someone wouldāve stepped up to help. Maybe. Heād lost hope in people, and as the years went by, he found himself slipping deeper into Merrickās awful demands.
The only time heād ever been away from his firm hold, was when Merrick left for Taunton to visit his twin brother Malcolm, a brother no one even knew existed.
Yeah, heād heard all about that. At least for a short while heād been somewhat free of Merrick, and for the first time in his life, he spent time searching for himself, who he was without Merrickās cruel, tyrannical reign.
When Merrick was arrested for his brotherās murder, he felt a tremendous relief. But even in prison, Merrick had his ways. Ricky was very much aware that someone else was working for Merrick. Ricky hadnāt set the fire at the cabin, and he strongly suspected that Marvinās death had been no accident.
Merrick didnāt like it when things didnāt go his way. If you dared cross him, then youād better be prepared. Heād find a way to get you. It was all about the hunt with Merrick, a cruel game he played with his pawns. And he never forgot if you faltered in his expectations of you. Never.
Some things Merrick made him do, had hurt people heād cared about. Guilt built inside him until he couldnāt take it anymore. He beat his fists against the wall, and then leaned against it in tears.
He gathered his wits. It was crazy. Everyone knew the kid was dead, but Merrick apparently thought differently. Heād said something about a blue fairy and a switch. Ricky drew in a deep breath. And now, he had to investigate the corpse of another of Merrickās victims, Nancy Snyder. Merrick was a sick, sick man, but Ricky had to wonder, was he as sick to obey him?
The viewing was at a Catholic Church. Ricky shuddered. He wasnāt religious and going inside any church made him uncomfortable. Pulling his lapel up close to his face, he stepped through the doors. There werenāt many people there, and he wondered how many friends she had had, apparently, not many. Just see the body and leave.
A few people stood around, some glancing at the coffin, most, obvious from their light laughter, seemed to not be aware they were the same room with a dead person. He made his way effortlessly to the casket, pulled out an old photo, and compared it with the body.
āShe was a beauty, eh?ā a voice said, coming up behind him. āMy sister was a beauty.ā He placed his large hand on Rickyās shoulder. āIām her brother, Edward,ā he said, wiping his thick fingers across tears streaming down his face.
āUh, yeah, she was a beauty,ā Ricky said, slipping the photo back in his pocket. She seemed too pretty to be dead, he thought, and took another look. Her pale, white skin was convincing enough, but her restful appearance perplexed him. Still, all he needed was a snapshot. That would appease Merrick, and then heād be off the hook. Thatās all he ever wantedāto be off Merrickās radar.
He waited for the small crowd to leave the room and pulled the camera from his pocket. A quick snap of its lens, and he pushed it back into his pocket.
Edward came back into the room. āSay, how did you know my sister?ā
Ricky had worried someone would ask him that, and he already had a plan in place. āI didnāt.ā
Edwardās eyes narrowed. āThen,ā he snapped, his voice booming. āWhat business do you have here?ā
āI, um, havenāt been to church in years and felt the need to come here today. I guess my timing wasnāt all that good though. Sorry, mister.ā He slipped past him and out the door, his heart pounding.
Merrick had never met Edward and had no idea how big the guy was. He hoped he was done with the whole family, now that the only lead left to Sally and Elle was gone.
Ricky looked back over his shoulder at the church. Edward loomed in front of its opened door, appearing large and ominous. Just get the proof to Merrick and get back to your life, he thought. He gave the perplexed man a slight wave and hoped heād never see him again.
Seventeen
āTil Death Do We Part
Sally fidgeted as she sat near the window. āWhen will she be here?ā She had asked that question so many times that Elle almost wished they hadnāt told her that her birthmother would arrive sometime that day. She smiled. No. This was so worth itāto see the gleeful apprehension on little Sallyās face.
Suddenly, Sally shot up and slapped her hands against the windowsill. āSheās here!ā She jumped up and down and clapped her hands together. No one couldāve stopped her from racing to the door, and neither did they try, but eagerly followed Sally through the door.
Nancy appeared to struggle opening up the door fast enough. They were fully prepared to see her, but Elle imagined that it was quite a different reunion for Nancy, who had until recently, believed they were all dead. Once out of the car, Nancy fell to her knees, and Sally nearly toppled her over in her exuberance.
Elle lingered at the door. It was the way it should beāmother and daughter reunited.
āMommy,ā Sally yelled, gesturing wildly to Elle. āMommy, come see Mother.ā
Elle grinned, always happy to
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