If Catfish Had Nine Lives(67)

            “Could that be the last part of Astin’s first name?” Jake said.

            “I suppose it’s very possible. You think he wrote this letter?”

            “I don’t know, but it would fit with whatever seems to be going on.”

            I put the letter down and looked at Joe. “Seriously, it seems more and more like you are, in fact, Astin Reagal.”

            “Why? Because he might have been the person who signed this letter?” Gram said.

            “Something like that,” I said.

            “No, Betts, I am not Astin Reagal. I am certain of that. I am certain that my name is Joe.”

            “Jake, what was Astin’s middle name?”

            “I have no idea, but I can try to find it.”

            “Please do. Something tells me it will be some form of Joe.”

            “But didn’t you say that Joe doesn’t look a thing like Astin’s picture?” Jake said.

            “I know, but there’s something about that, too. His face does strange things, like changes just a little bit for an instant and then changes back.”

            “Changes enough that it could look like Astin’s if it changed only a little more?”

            “Well, no, not really.”

            “Betts, I am not Astin Reagal, but I bet this letter was from him,” Joe said.

            “Why is it incomplete?” I asked.

            “The letter?” Jake asked. “Why is the letter incomplete?”

            “Yes,” I said.

            “I have a hunch. Maybe we have to find Astin’s remains first, before the letter will be able to be read all the way through,” Jake said.

            “Really?” I said, but then suddenly that idea somehow felt right.

            “It’s not an easy search,” Gram said, “but maybe Jerome did come back for that purpose. I hope he finds Astin soon.”

            Jake cocked his head as he fell into thought. “You know, maybe you’re doing exactly what you should be doing and you don’t even know it. Maybe those words wouldn’t have even appeared if Esther and Jerome hadn’t come to town. Or maybe I just need to keep researching and Jerome needs to remember where Astin’s remains are? How’s this—maybe the words on the paper will help Jerome in some weird way.”

            “I suppose that’s possible,” I said. “Anything is.”

            “I think we need to go with Jerome. Or you do, or Miz does, or even Joe does. I know Jerome is searching but even he might need some help. Yes, I think this is unlike any letter you’ve dealt with before, and it is the last one. There are so many other strange things happening that perhaps the letter has to behave differently this time. Perhaps it can’t tell us everything because it’s important that other things happen first. Make sense?”

            I looked at Gram. “What do you think?”

            “I have absolutely no idea what to think,” Gram said. “But I suppose Jake might be on to something. Searching for Astin Reagal’s remains can’t hurt, I suppose. It’s worth a shot.”

            “Okay, I guess we’ll talk to Jerome next time we see him. I know he’s somewhere between here and Rolla, but I’m not sure exactly where. You know, Gram?”

            “I don’t think Jerome and I ever once talked about where his property was, but I know the general area. We can look.” She checked her watch. “Not today, though. Tomorrow maybe. We’ve got fish to fry today, but tomorrow for sure.” She smiled sympathetically at Joe.