Once Upon a Time...Again

Chapter 13

Tony

We left the police station and drove back to my place. We were all relieved that this whole thing was behind us. Jace had been exonerated and it looked like the chief and the Nelsons were going to have a lot of explaining to do.

We decided a celebration was in order, we stopped and picked up some beer, called Bobby and Cory and they came out.

As soon as Bobby and Cory arrived, Jace ran to Cory and wrapped him in a big hug, Cory hugged back and then asked, “it’s great to see you Jace, but what was that for?”

Jace smiled, “for installing those cameras for us.”

We filled them in on the events of the day and Mason decided to stay one more night and drive back in the morning. We called Logan and invited him over to help us celebrate.

We lit the fire pit and the grill and cooked a big dinner. It was one of the most relaxing evenings we had in the past couple of weeks. After we had eaten, the beer started to run low, and the fire was dying down. Bobby, Cory and Logan headed home, Mason went up to his room to call his wife and go to bed. Jace and I stayed out on the deck until the fire was out.

Jace took my hand, “I really do want to thank you for sticking with me through this.”

I asked, “why wouldn’t I?”

He shrugged, “I don’t know, it’s just that no one has ever done that before. I mean you really haven’t known me that long, you couldn’t have been sure that I didn’t steal those tools.”

I said, “I trust you, you told me you didn’t do it and I believed you. You have never given me a reason not to.”

He looked at me, “and I never will.”

I smiled, “I know, like I said yesterday, this is what you do when you care about someone.”

He squeezed my hand, “I get that now, this is the first time I have had anyone care about me, or that I care about. I like it.”

I kissed him and we were soon making out. Jace said, “let’s go upstairs.”

I pulled him to his feet, “no, I have a better idea.” I took his hand and we walked to the barn. I stopped at my Jeep and pulled a blanket out of the back seat. I lead Jace up the stairs to the hayloft and spread the blanket on the floor.

We shed our clothes and were sucking each other’s cocks before they hit the floor. I worked my finger along his ass as I deep throated his hard dick, Jace was doing the same to me. I released his cock and sucked his nuts into my mouth one at a time. I worked my way further down until I ran my tongue across his hairy pucker. Jace let out an “oh God” as he spread his legs wide, I dove in, working my tongue in and out and coating his hole with my slobber. His hands holding my head tight against his ass. Jace rolled onto his back and threw his legs up, “please fuck me, Tony.” I smiled and gave him a kiss, how could I refuse such an invitation. I pushed in, his hole tightened around my dick as I went balls deep, curling Jace’s toes as he moaned under me. I worked my cock in and out as I kissed Jace, a few minutes later I felt that familiar tingle and I was filling that sweet hole until my cum spilled out around my engorged dick. I gave Jace a quick kiss and was kneeling on my hands and knees and he squirmed out from under me. He rose to his knees in front of me and I sucked his cock until it was rock-hard. He pulled back and moved around and started to lick my ass until it was slick. I gasped as he slid in until I felt him hit my love button. It was now my turn to moan and groan with pleasure, then I felt the warm seed flood my gut as Jace let out a deep exhale and collapse on top of me. We rolled over and kissed for what seemed like hours.

Jace asked, “are we going to sleep out here tonight?”

I chuckled, “I think our bed would be more comfortable, this floor is kind of hard.”

He kissed me, “yeah, you’re right.”

We got up and walked across the backyard, we didn’t bother getting dressed. We got into bed and we both fell asleep before our heads hit the pillow.

We woke the next morning well rested and after a quick shower went down to start breakfast. Mason came into the kitchen excited.

He said, “I just got a text from Chad, turn on the morning news.”

Jace turned on the tv and we heard the news anchor start.

“Our top story this morning, former Green County Attorney and Police Chief have been arrested and charged with accepting brides, false arrests and obstruction of justice along with several other charges. As part of the same case, State investigator Ben Copple also announced the arrest of local farmer, Tom Nelson, and his son Alex Nelson. This is a developing story and channel 6 will relay further information as details become available.”

We all sat in silence as the anchor moved onto the next story, we slowly turned to look at each other.

Mason said, “wow, that escalated rather quickly.”

I nodded, “yeah, I thought the investigation would take a lot longer than this.”

Jace asked, “what do you think happened?”

Mason said, “somebody talked.”

“What?” Jace asked.

“They must have been questioning one of them and they started to talk, telling them all the details they needed to make those arrests.” Mason told us.

We ate our breakfast, the news didn’t have any new details by the end of the broadcast. Mason wanted to stay until we knew exactly what happened, so he pulled out his laptop and worked from the kitchen table. I went to my office and tried to work as well. I didn’t get much done, Jace and I were talking, a bit anxious to hear the rest of the details of the arrests.

We turned the tv back on in time for the noon newscast, we all stopped what we were doing to watch as the anchor started, “a very busy day today in the channel 6 newsroom, in addition to multiple arrests this morning. We now have word that there is a significant development in the case of a Green Lake youth that has been missing for ten years. 17-year-old Tanner Grisham went missing in the summer of 2013, now our sources are saying that officials have a new lead to his whereabouts. The state police are in the area and are releasing no more information at this time. Channel 6 is unsure if the two cases are related, and we will pass any new information as it becomes available.”

Again, we all sat in stunned silence as the newscast went to its next story. We looked at each other, then started to speculate what had happened.

I said, “the Nelsons had to be involved in Tanner’s disappearance, that is why they were so upset with me being here and doing my research.”

Mason said, “that would make sense, do you think the chief knew?”

Jace asked, “would he have covered something that big up?”

Mason sighed, “he is a bastard, he would probably have done anything for money.”

We were still discussing it an hour later when we heard a car in the driveway. I looked out the window to see Chad getting out of his car.

I let him in the house, he asked, “did you see the news?”

I said, “yes, what the hell is going on?”

Chad sat down, “It all started after you guys left yesterday, you saw us bring in the Nelsons, right?”

We nodded, “yes.”

He continued, “well, as expected, Tom Nelson lawyered up and told Alex to keep his mouth shut. The lawyer showed up around an hour later and we started to ask questions about the stolen tools. They weren’t answering any questions until we played the videos from the school construction site and your footage of the barn. Their lawyer finally said Alex would admit to the robbery and wanted to start talking about deals to get the best sentence. When we wouldn’t budge on less than five years, Alex stood and looked straight at his old man, and said, this was all your idea, I’m not taking all the heat alone. That’s when the shit hit the fan, the lawyer and Tom tried to get him to shut up and for the first time in his life, Alex told his father no. He turned to us and said, I no longer want this man as my lawyer, and I will answer all your questions. Just give me the form I need to sign, I am tired of lying for my father. We had to physically restrain Tom so he would kill his son.”

I said, “holy shit, so Tom put Alex up to framing Jace?”

Chad nodded, “yep, when Tom learned that you and Jace were getting close, he figured with Jace’s record, he would be an easy scapegoat and you would leave town once Jace was arrested.”

Jace asked, “so why did the Nelsons want Tony out of town so bad?”

Chad smiled, “here is where things really get interesting. Once we had what we needed for the robbery, we arrested both Nelsons. We took them to Jamestown to put them in jail, after Tom was booked, Ben wanted to question Alex some more. He took him to an interrogation room and asked him again if he wanted a lawyer. Alex told him, no I am done with keeping all these secrets, I want everyone to know the truth. I made sure we had all the waivers signed and started to take his statement.”

We heard a knock on the door, I answered it and invited Logan in.

Logan asked, “did you hear what’s going on, do you think they found Tanner?”

I took his hand, “we’re not sure, but you should come in and listen to Chad.”

We walked in and I told Chad who Logan was.

Chad picked up his story, “I’m glad you are here Logan, I was just telling everyone that we were getting a statement from Alex Nelson. He told us he was friends with you and Tanner, but that all changed when he saw you two kissing down by the lake. He said a week later he confronted Tanner about it and threatened to tell everyone. Tanner basically told him to go ahead, he didn’t care. Then the day you were going to meet Tanner to go fishing, he saw Tanner alone at the dock and he told Tanner that he was jealous and tried to kiss him. Tanner pushed him away and said he was seeing you. They started to fight, and he shoved Tanner off the dock, Tanner hit his head on the dock as he fell into the water. Alex ran and got his dad, and they pulled Tanner out of the water, and couldn’t find a pulse. Instead of calling the police or rescue squad, they took Tanner to the west side of the lake and buried him in the woods.”

I wrapped my arm around Logan’s shoulder as we all sat there sobbing. Chad said, “I’m sorry Logan, Alex took us to the spot Tanner was buried, we have recovered his remains and the corner will have to confirm that it is Tanner, but we are sure that Alex is telling us the truth.”

I asked Logan, “are you ok?”

He nodded, “I knew ten years ago that he was dead, but I was still hoping.” He laid his head on my shoulder and cried even harder. I just held him tighter.

Jace asked, “did Chief King know what happened?”

Chad nodded, “yes, but apparently $10,000 is all it takes for him to look the other way and hide evidence.”

Mason asked, “so Alex just went along with this too?”

Chad said, “yeah, he said his dad told him he wasn’t going to have a fag for a son, and if he told anyone what really happened people would find out he was gay. If that happened, the old man was going to disown him and throw out on the street with nothing.”

I sighed, “Jesus Christ what a prick.”

“Anytime anyone got close to finding out what really happened, Nelson would set them up with some crime. The chief and county attorney would get another contribution to their retirement funds and the problem would disappear.” Chad told us.

Mason asked, “what are the chief and attorney saying now?”

Chad chuckled, “oh, they are singing like canaries, they have admitted everything, hoping it will make them look better so they get reduced sentences. Little do they realize, at their age, a 10-year sentence will probably mean life for them.”

I asked, “where is Ben?”

Chad said, “as soon as they recovered Tanner, he went to talk to Mrs. Reason.”

Logan looked up me, “I should go see her too, will you and Jace go with me?”

I smiled at him, “of course we will.”

Chad stood up, “I’m sorry Logan, but I wanted you guys to know what happened, who knows what the rumors are already getting around town. I have a lot to do, I better get back to Jamestown.”

Mason said, “yeah, I better be heading home too, how about next time we get together, we do something more enjoyable?”

I shook his hand, “yes, I would love to meet your wife.”

We walked Chad and Mason to their car and then Jace and I took Logan to see Tanner’s mom and stepdad. Logan led us up to the front porch as Mrs. Reason opened the door, She and Logan burst into tears as they embraced. Mr. Reason shook Jace and my hands as we introduced ourselves. Mrs. Reason gave us both a hug as we gave our condolences.

She said, “I heard what you and Jace have been through the last couple days, I am so sorry about that.”

I said, “that’s ok, it’s nothing compared to what you are going through.”

We sat with them for the next hour as Logan and Mrs. Reason laughed and cried as they talked about Tanner.

The following week, the entire town turned out for the memorial service that was held at the lake for Tanner.

Mrs. Reason stood at the end of the dock holding the urn that contained Tanner’s ashes, faced the crowd and said, “we have spent the last ten years grieving, now we can start celebrating Tanner, he is finally back home with us.” She turned to lake and let the breeze carry Tanner’s ashes away as they fell into the lake. She turned back and smiled, “we are done crying for Tanner, let’s all smile and remember him.”