DAY NINE
Friday
I ordered Ronnie’s breakfast special and while it was cooking, used the outside pay phone to call Liz at the Jackson Holiday Inn. She answered quickly.
“Good Morning, again Mr. Reno. Is this becoming a habit, I hope?” she said slyly.
“Listen Liz, if it was your idea to relocate to Jackson, it was a good one, congratulations. However, I need to talk with Mary Ellen today and would appreciate it if you would be available also.”
“Okay. What time can you come over?”
“I can’t, and for two good reasons. First, my car was damaged yesterday, and I’m not sure when I will get it back. Second, I am under instructions from all Humboldt and Gibson County law enforcement to stay off the streets today. Could you girls possibly make a trip over here sometime today?”
“I guess so; let me check with Mary Ellen. If she is up to it, we’ll come over. Should I call you at the number I have been using?”
“Yes, call me back and let me know if she is willing and what would be a good time. Talk with you soon," I said hanging up the phone.
Back at the lunch counter, Nickie brought me a great looking breakfast of ham, eggs and biscuit.
“Nickie, can I make you a proposal today?” I asked as she leaned across the counter.
“Absolutely not. I am just not up to it today, find yourself another woman,” she snapped.
“That is not what I meant. I need to camp out here today, and I want to rent that corner booth – for all day. I know it is Friday, and I promise to be finished and out of here before the crowd moves in this evening. How much?” I was reaching for my wallet.
“You’re kidding, right?” she said shaking her head. “What’s wrong with your room?”
“Several things. For one, I’ve got some business that just doesn’t fit a motel room environment. For another, I need the use of a phone, and finally I need to watch the TV. I think a lot of interesting news will be broadcast today.”
“Carson, you are welcome to the booth. Make yourself a reserved sign and be prepared to fight the idiots we get in here that can’t read. But, I’m not sure I can put up with you all day. Will I have to serve this harem you have following you around?”
“Maybe, a couple of them. But look at the bright side; I will be here to answer the phone when messages come in – right?”
“There is a silver lining to every dark cloud, that is good news,” she said turning to walk away.
“Nickie, there is one other thing.”
“I knew it. Okay, shoot. No, no, no, wait. I didn’t mean to use the word shoot. What is this other thing?" she laughed.
“Here is a $20 bill, and I have taken the liberty of making this ‘Out of Order’ sign for the jukebox. I can’t handle that noise and conduct business at the same time. Again, I promise to be out of you hair before the crowd gets here this afternoon. Can we do that?”
“You are crazy. Do you know that? You mean to tell me I must spend all day with no music? And let me guess, you are going to want me to turn the volume up on the TV, right? I’ll talk to Ronnie and see how much he wants to sell this place. You can just buy it today and do whatever you want.” Nickie was being difficult.
“Chiefs would not be Chiefs with you – and you know it. How about it – we got a deal?” I pleaded.
“Okay, handsome. We have a deal until the first fight starts over the phone, the booth, the TV or the jukebox. When that happens, our deal is off and you get out of here – understand?”
“Understood, and you are a sweetheart. And if you ever decide to leave Ronnie, I hope you would give me a chance.”
“Carson, you are an idiot. Stop with the flattery, at least stop until I get the jukebox unplugged. Then you can restart where you left off.”
~
Now I had a base of operation for the day, and next I needed to find out about transportation. I called Deloch Auto and spoke with Charles, who said that the windshield and back window could be replaced today. If I needed the back door window and the other bullet damage fixed, it would be sometime next week. We agreed to fix the major damage, and put something in the back door window to keep the weather out. The bullet damage we would take care of later, I needed transportation. Charles said it would be ready sometime this afternoon, and he would call me at Chiefs when it was ready.
A call to information got me the home number for Gerald Wayne. For reasons, I can never understand, these pay phones never have a directory with them – just that little black chain hanging there where the phone book used to be attached! They give phone books away, so why would anybody steal one? Phone book bandits needed to be punished! I promised myself to look into it when I had time.
Carrie May answered, and after our hellos, I asked if Gerald was available – he was not. But she promised to give him my number, and have him call as soon as he came in. I could hear Dorothy in the background screaming “Who is it? Is it for me?” It was just after 9 AM, and I wondered if this was a new drunk or still the one left over from last night!
I gave my love to Carrie May and promised to not let us lose touch again. Dorothy was still yelling in the background when she hung up. I may still kill that woman yet; I had not ruled that out.
Back inside at my new office, Nickie had moved my breakfast special over to my new desk.
“Can I warm that for you?” she asked.
“Yes, please - and more coffee. Also, would you mind turning up the TV and put it on Channel 5 news?”
“Yes sir and I promise not to bow, although the thought did occur to me! I guess now that we have moved up in class, Ronnie and I need to talk about raising our menu prices – ya’ think?”
“Well, sweetheart, class has its benefits,” I replied ignoring her silliness. “Now, just turn up the TV. I did say please, didn’t I?”
“No, but I didn’t notice. You usually don’t.”
~
The news had nothing about Humboldt, but somehow I expected things were happening that had just not yet caught up with the news. I was right.
Jack Logan called early. When he got over his surprise at me actually being available to talk with him and not having to leave a message, he wanted to know if I was involved in what was going down today. After some detailed explanation, Jack was comfortable that my level of involvement was not serious, but I would probably be a part of the legal process when it began to move forward. He said he would make a few calls, and suggested that I get my ass back to Memphis as quickly as I could. I agreed, but let him know that I intended to walk away from here with the JR murder solved and my name cleared. We made plans to talk later that afternoon, after the fireworks.
Liz called next, and wanted to know if lunchtime would be okay. I said that would be fine and told her about my ‘office for the day’ and that we should meet here.
“Carson,” she screamed. “We don’t DO Chiefs. You will need to make other arrangements. Sorry.”
“Look, leave your jewelry at home, put on your jeans and see how the real world manages to exist.” I wanted to add ‘you can leave the rollers in your hair and no one will recognize you or even care’, but thought I better quit while I was winning.
“Okay, but I’m keeping my sunglasses on, and I’m not parking where someone might see my car,” she quipped.
“Fine, I’ll see you for lunch. I think Escargot is the special for the day!”
At that point, I think she hung up on me. Resisting the temptation to ask Nickie if she could whip up some escargot for my guests, I did get her to switch the TV around through the two other channels. They had nothing about Humboldt, so we went back to Channel 5.
Next, Judy called and she was very upset - the FBI was in her office. They were searching all records and ordered her to close the front door and lock it. Any trucks in transit were to immediately return to the Humboldt terminal without stops. They also told her that agents would be stopping all Maxwell Trucking vehicles found traveling the highways, and provide escort back to the Humboldt terminal. Adding to the embarrassment, Agent Giltner searched her office along with her purse and her person (he was being an asshole and this was just meant to intimidate). Brenda’s files, purse and person were also searched, and both had been placed in the conference room with instructions to remain there until told differently. Dispatcher, Tom Harbin, had been confined to his dock office and not permitted to leave, use the phone or the radio without a FBI agent present.
She was calling me from the conference room phone and was scared to death of being arrested. I told her to just calm down, she had nothing to fear and to call me back when they released her. I wasn’t sure I believed that ‘nothing to fear’ statement, but she needed to calm down.
It had started.
~
Gerald Wayne’s white Cadillac pulled up in front of Chiefs, and he entered by the restaurant door. He spotted me immediately and came over to sit down.
“You wanted to talk?” he was curt. “You better make it quick. I think I am in for a busy day.”
“What was your car doing parked at the Tennessee Motel on the night of JR’s murder?” I asked without hesitation.
The blood left his face and he got white as a sheet. Nickie had started over to the table, when she saw me wave my hand letting her know that this was not a good time for her to say ‘may I help you’.
“What time was it there?” he asked.
“I saw it at 4:30. And that will probably be determined to be somewhere close to the time of death.”
“It wasn’t me.” He was shaking.
“Who was driving your car that night? And don’t embarrass me by saying you don’t know.”
He said it anyway!
“I don’t know.”
“Look, Gerald, it is going to come out. Was Dorothy driving your car? Could it have been Lester driving your car?”
“I really mean it. I don’t know. She was really drunk that day. We had an argument, and for some reason, she took my car. The keys hang by the back door, and I didn’t think that was too unusual. But she was out all night. I took her car to my office the next morning, and when I returned home later, the car was back and she was in bed. So I really don’t know. Carson, I love Dorothy and she is just not capable – I mean do you suspect her?”
I never got a chance to respond. While he had been talking a Gray Plymouth with government tags pulled up next to his car. Two large guys wearing gray suits, conservative ties and sunglasses got out and headed to the door. They were FBI, and you could have picked them out in any crowd.
They walked over to our table – the black agent spoke. “Mr. Wayne, I’m agent Fisher and this is agent Turner. We have a warrant for your arrest, and you need to come with us. We are taking you to the FBI office in Jackson. There, you will be given the opportunity to make a phone call. Agent Turner will be driving your car, so we will need the keys. We can avoid handcuffs if you cooperate; otherwise we are prepared to bring you in by any means necessary.”
Strangely calm, Gerald spoke, “I will cooperate.”
He handed them the keys and they left without any other words. Neither of them ever looked at me, it was almost as if I was invisible. For once, I was not disappointed to not be noticed.
Nickie walked over to the table. “Wow, does this stuff go on in your office all the time?”
“Fortunately, no. Hey, go turn up the TV – I think things are going to get interesting.”
A TV reporter was broadcasting live from the street across from the Hosiery Mill. She was reporting on the FBI removing Maxwell Trucking trailers from the docking area. The union was visibly protesting, and they were throwing rocks and bottles at the rigs as they were being driven out the gates and down 22nd avenue.
The TV then switched to another remote reporter who seemed to be standing at the gates of a military installation; it was the Milan Arsenal. The camera caught a glimpse of General Samson in the back of another FBI Gray Plymouth; they offered no information about why or where he was being taken. They would report more when additional details became available.
The next cut was to the front of Maxwell Trucking, and I could not help but think of Judy sitting in that building wondering about her future and wondering what would happen next.
The shot and commentary were about the trucks from Wayne Knitting Hosiery Mill being rolled into the terminal and behind the gates. You could see FBI agents in their gray suits and sunglasses standing guard at the gate. They had no information about the contents of these trucks and would report more when additional details became available.
The phone rang again. Nickie answered and it was for me – Sheriff Leroy Epsee was checking up on me. I told him my routine and he seemed pleased. He hung up, saying he would see me later that afternoon.
~
I was walking back to my table when the door opened and in walked Mary Ellen and Elizabeth – I think! They were wearing ill fitting jeans, something that looked like cowboy shirts and had their hair in some silly bun sitting on top of their heads. I really wasn’t sure who it was. Maybe it was Annie Oakley and Penny from Sky King, or maybe just some local rednecks in drag! If it was their intent to be discrete and unnoticed they had failed miserably.
From behind the dark sunglasses I heard, “Mr. Carson, we are here as you requested.”
I’m trying to avoid hysterical laughter and managed to just show a small giggle. “Ladies, please step into my office.” I took them to my corner booth.
“Mary Ellen, thank you for coming, and I know it is a terrible time for you,” I said sincerely. “Please accept my sympathy for your loss and my respect for your grief. I promise I would not have asked to see you if I didn’t think it to be important.”
She managed to speak, “I understand. What can I do for you?”
Liz jumped in. “Yes, and I hope whatever we can do for you doesn’t involve eating, because if you think my lips would touch this food – well, then you don’t know my lips!”
I had a great comeback regarding her lips, but really needed to keep this meeting headed in another direction.
“I want to solve your husband’s murder, and I have a plan to bring the guilty person out into the open. But I will need your cooperation.”
“I thought they had the guilty person. Didn’t they arrest my half-bother for the murder?” Mary Ellen uttered.
“No, not really,” I answered shaking my head. “He has been arrested for a number of offenses, but not charged with your husband’s murder. I don’t think he did it, but unless we can prove otherwise, he will probably be charged and probably be convicted. If he is guilty, there won’t be any harm in my plan. If he isn’t guilty, then I hope my plan will expose the one who is. Will you help?”
“Carson, I will do whatever is necessary,” Mary Ellen said quietly. “For some strange reason I trust you, probably because Liz has convinced me that I should. So, yes. What do you need?”
Then I explained my plan to both Mary Ellen and Liz. I ended by telling her that Leroy would be calling and visiting with her, probably later today. It would be better if she could move herself back in the Warmath Circle house. She agreed, and said they would be doing that later today.
Still in disguise, they made their way out the door and off to somewhere. I never saw Liz’s car. Who knows – they may have taken a cab? Although if I were a cab driver, I probably would not have given them a ride!
Nickie walked over. “My God Carson, who were those two? The Carnival will be here next week for the Festival, are they early arrivals?”
“Hey, Nickie, I thought they were a couple of your regulars? You didn’t recognize them?”
She threw a menu at me, but fortunately it missed.
~
I had missed a lot of TV announcements while talking with Mary Ellen and Liz, so I had to wait for them to recycle. I didn’t have long to wait.
In summary, the FBI had seized the assets of Maxwell Trucking. These included partially loaded trailers parked at Wayne Knitting Hosiery Mill, The Milan Arsenal and The Pine Bluff Arsenal in Arkansas. These trailers were found to contain hundreds of illegal weapons, ammunition, explosives and other ordinance hidden in, supposedly empty, army containers. Transported and reported as empty, these containers had been returned from Vietnam to the arsenals in Milan and Pine Bluff for reuse. It is speculated that these containers were not empty when returned, and had been transferred to Maxwell Trucking trailers for sale and distribution to illegal markets. These illegal markets were reported to be controlled by a group of underworld figures – known as the Memphis Mafia. Major arrests included Steve Carrollton – reported leader of the Memphis Mafia – General Sandy Samson of the Milan Arsenal and General Darrell Taylor of the Pine Bluff Arsenal. Also arrested were the COO and President of Wayne Knitting Hosiery Mill, Gerald Wayne. The President and owner of Maxwell Trucking, JR Maxwell had died mysteriously earlier this week, and it is suspected his death was related to these activities. Numerous other arrests of drivers, dock personnel, army warehouse managers and other management of Maxwell Trucking were underway, and should continue throughout the day and into the weekend as the investigations continue.
~
I went quickly the phone and called Jack. Unbelievably he was in his office.
“Jack, I’ve got a friend who is mixed up in this Humboldt mess, but I know she is innocent,” I said anxiously.
“She?” Jack asked.
“Yes she. Her name is Judy Strong and she is/was the Executive Vice President Sales for Maxwell Trucking.”
“Wow. With JR Maxwell dead, she is in the gun sights of the FBI, you can count on that.”
“I know. I expect to talk with her later today, and I will have her call you at first opportunity. Meanwhile, grab your luggage and get up here, she needs your help and I need you to help her.”
“Is your head, your heart or some other part of your body making these decisions?” Jack asked.
“It’s my head. She is innocent, and they will crucify her without some quality legal help.”
“You’re sure she is innocent?” he didn’t seem convinced.
“Yes, I am absolutely sure.”
“Okay, I’ll be there as soon as I can. Have her call me; she must give me authority to speak as her attorney. Without that, I can’t do much.”
“Done, I’ll see you later,” I said hurriedly.
~
Judy finally called about 2:00, and she had been arrested. But she was at the County jail, not in Jackson. Silly her, she had used her one phone call on me. I told her my plan and assured her that Jack could and would take care of her. Then I asked if Scotty was close. He was, and I had her give him the phone.
“Scotty, this girl needs to make another call. She now has the number of her lawyer in Memphis and must contact him. She didn’t have the number and called me to get it – okay?”
“No problem. We’ll make it happen,” Scotty assured.
~
Just when the crowd started to gather and just before Nickie exploded, Leroy finally showed up.
“Thank goodness. I thought there was going to be a riot if you didn’t show up soon. Without that stupid jukebox, this crowd had the attitude of a lynch mob.”
“Remember Carson, you can’t change their habits. They are not a wine and cheese group!” Leroy laughed.
“Let’s get out of here. We need to talk,” I said headed to the door.
As I discussed my plan, Leroy drove me to Deloch Auto Repair to get my car. When he left me there, he was heading to the Maxwell house to visit with Mary Ellen and Liz. They would discuss the details of my plan and put the wheels in motion to hopefully bring this case to a close tomorrow.
My plan depended upon a lie that should bring out the truth. I was counting on particular personality flaws that I felt were vulnerable. The lie had to be convincing or it wouldn’t work, but I had to trust my faith in people’s view of their own self. What they see in the mirror is rarely what others see.
~
With the Ford back on the highway, I felt like a free man again. I drove back to Chiefs, parked at Cottage 4 and wandered into the bar to finish the evening. My ‘Out of Order’ sign was now pasted across the front of the TV screen, and my corner office was occupied by three lovely ladies and four guys, who had probably just parked their tractor outside!
I found a seat at the end of Nickie’s bar, and she kept me watered with Jack/Coke until I just couldn’t handle that jukebox anymore.
After making a quick call to Leroy to confirm our plans were in place, I was off to bed in Cottage 4. I expected to be sleeping in my own bed tomorrow night.
DAY TEN
FINAL DAY
Final Day
The day started early for everyone.
Figuring it was still too early for Dorothy to be awake; Leroy placed a call to the Wayne house at about 8:30 AM. Today was Saturday and Carrie Mae’s day off. After 10 or 12 rings there was still no answer, but we knew she was home. On the third try Dorothy finally answered her phone. It was obvious, and painful to the listener, that she was suffering from a serious hangover; however, that was not unusual for her.
“Yes, Leroy, how can I help you? Isn’t it awful early for you to be calling your citizens?” Her words came out hard.
“Yes, and I apologize for the hour, but I have some difficult news to deliver,” Leroy started. “The FBI has released your husband. However, my office has now arrested him again for the murder of JR Maxwell. I am holding him in my jail and I need you to come down, speak with him and bring him a few personal items. Can you do that this morning?”
“What? Arrested? Murder of JR Maxwell?” she was speaking from her foggy mind. “Are you crazy? Lester Blankenship is the killer, and you have him in your jail already. I don’t understand?”
“Dorothy, I really can’t discuss details over the phone. His sister, Mary Ellen Maxwell has provided an alibi for Lester and we have other evidence linking Gerald to the murder. I will be happy to discuss this with you when you get down to the office.”
She never really hung up the phone. She threw it in anger or just dropped it, either way the connection remained until Leroy hung up on his end.
Dorothy also never dressed and, amazingly, didn’t grab the vodka. What she did do was storm out of the house, get in her red Thunderbird and streak out of the long Wayne driveway.
I have heard that women in pajamas and housecoats drive faster than those dressed normally. I’m not sure about that, but the normal 10-minute trip from her house to the Maxwell home took her less than 5 minutes. Leroy had a deputy discreetly following, just to make sure there were no detours. She followed the plan perfectly.
After making the sharp turn into the Maxwell driveway, Dorothy never stopped the car before opening the door and getting out. The Thunderbird remained in gear and came to rest against some tall shrubs, just a few feet from the house main entrance. This lady was very upset!
The Maxwell home main entrance opened into an open hallway, with a formal dining and living room to the left. Immediately to the right was a slightly sunken den with fireplace, wet-bar and large windows overlooking the pool area. An adjoining closed hallway, past the dining area, lead to the split-level where bedrooms and baths were located. The kitchen was partially hidden and off to the rear of the den. Leroy and I were waiting and watching from the kitchen area.
Dorothy was standing in her pajamas and furiously pounding on the front door. When Mary Ellen finally opened it, Dorothy pushed the door, and her, – hard – back into a planter near the living area. “Mary Ellen, you bitch,” she screamed. “What do you think you are doing? Telling lies about my husband and telling lies to give an alibi for Lester!”
“Dorothy, what are you talking about? What’s wrong with you?” Mary Ellen replied as she got up from the floor and began slowly moving down into the den, hoping to avoid another attack.
“I’m talking about the police arresting my husband for the murder of your husband, that’s what I’m talking about!” she yelled.
“Dorothy, they have evidence that he committed the murder,” Mary Ellen answered while still slowly moving toward the den area.
“What evidence?” Dorothy screamed.
“His car was seen at the Tennessee Motel at the time of the murder, and they have his fingerprints on the gun.”
“His car? Why has no one told me about his car? Fingerprints? There were no fingerprints on the gun,” Dorothy was still yelling.
“How do you know that?” Mary Ellen asked having successfully made her way to the sunken den.
“Because, well, I read it in the news,” Dorothy stuttered.
“No you didn’t. There has never been any mention of fingerprints in the news or by the police.”
“I don’t care, he didn’t do it. Lester did it. I know he did.” Dorothy continued to yell and follow Mary Ellen into the den.
“How do you know that Dorothy?” Mary Ellen asked as she finally stopped moving and stood up straight to face Dorothy.
“I just do. And how can you provide an alibi for someone who killed your husband? Are you as crazy as that half-brother and your cheating husband?” Dorothy laughed.
“My husband is gone and I can’t bring him back,” Mary Ellen said firmly. “But I can save the only sibling I have. If you hadn’t been jerking his pants down at every opportunity, I might have been able to keep him out of the trouble he is in now. Dimwit or not, he is still my brother.”
Dorothy was calming, but her anger was getting deeper and deeper. Her bloodshot eyes were showing the rage that had been growing in her for many years.
“Don’t you mean half-brother and half wit? He’s so stupid he probably thinks he did kill JR,” she said with a cruel laugh while staring hard at Mary Ellen.
“I thought you just said that he did kill JR?” Mary Ellen countered.
“Well, he did, and Gerald didn’t,” Dorothy stuttered. “I know that.” She was frustrated.
“What about the car? What about the fingerprints?”
“I don’t know,” Dorothy said while inching closer to where Mary Ellen was standing. “Maybe Lester stole the car; maybe he borrowed the car, maybe anything. But I do know one thing. Years ago you took the man I loved from me, and then left me broken and embarrassed in a two bit town in Arkansas. Now that I’ve found someone who loves and cares for me, you are going to lie for a dimwitted half-brother and take that man away too. I won’t let it happen.” She was still inching closer to Mary Ellen.
“Dorothy, what about his fingerprints on the gun?” Mary Ellen asked desperately.
“Damn it, Mary Ellen, I told you there were no fingerprints,” she screamed. “I wiped that gun clean, so I know there is no way my husband’s prints could be on that gun!”
Mary Ellen was silent.
When Dorothy realized what she had said, she had no choice but to continue. “Yes bitch, I shot him,” she sneered. “I shot him while he was pleading with me not to do it. But it felt good, it made up for all the hurt that bastard had given me for all these many years. You, and your fancy dress, your fancy words and your fancy friends - you stole him from me, and now I stole him from you! He’s dead and I’m glad.” Dorothy was only a few feet from Mary Ellen when she spoke.
Mary Ellen was losing it. “Oh my!” she said in shock.
“Yes, and I just might as well send you to join him,” Dorothy said before lunging at Mary Ellen. Dorothy’s hands were on Mary Ellen’s throat and they both fell onto the couch before rolling onto the floor.
Leroy grabbed Dorothy within seconds. He had her handcuffed before I could get Mary Ellen back on the couch.
Dorothy screamed, “You tricked me, you bastards! You bastards tricked me!”
I looked at her and said, “Yes my dear – we did."
~
Leroy and his deputy walked Dorothy out the front door and put her in the cruiser. She was still screaming, struggling, cursing and crying – the jail was going to have a new and interesting guest.
When things settled, I sat down with Mary Ellen and Liz at the kitchen table.
“I know that was tough, Mary Ellen,” I said to them both.
“Yes, but thank you for talking me into doing it,” Mary Ellen said wiping away tears. “This way I have some comfort in JR’s death - knowing the truth.”
I continued. “She played Lester all along. He faked the break-in here at the house, and then provided a false tip to get me back to Humboldt. At some point, probably during my last visit here, he stole the gun from my glove box and then their plan was set. I’m certain Dorothy was pulling his strings and telling him what to do, but probably when it came down to actually shooting JR – he balked. However, Dorothy had no apprehension about pulling the trigger, and as you heard her say, she actually enjoyed it. Selfish people do selfish things and are only concerned with themselves – usually with total disregard for others. Dorothy fits that mold. That is the reason I thought this plan might work, and it did.”
Liz spoke, “Well, whatever has happened is over. We all need to move on.”
“Well spoken, and that is just exactly what I intend to do,” I said getting up from the table. “I’ve got a couple of stops to make and then point my wounded car toward Memphis.”
“You know, Carson, you and I never did have that breakfast you promised.” Liz was teasing me again.
“Tell you what,” I grinned. “You call me the next time you get off that big airplane in Memphis. I’ll promise you the largest breakfast Peabody Hotel has to offer. A deal?”
“That is a deal!” Liz said smiling.
I got a hug from both Mary Ellen and Liz, plus a little extra ear nibble from Liz. Guess we might be having breakfast sooner than I thought!
~
I stopped at Chiefs to grab my things and tell Nickie and Ronnie good-by.
“Handsome, it has been fun and exciting,” Nickie said as I was paying my bill. “When will we see you again?”
Walking out the front door I yelled back, “Soon I hope, but certainly before that jukebox runs out of songs to play. Love you both, talk with you next trip.”
~
My next stop was the sheriff’s office, which was on my way out of town. Jack and Judy were sitting behind the glass in an interview room. I watched for a few minutes, and I’m not sure they could get any legal work done for smiling at each other. This was probably going to be a good lawyer client relationship, in more ways than one!
I tapped on the glass and Judy ran out.
“Oh, Carson, thank you so much for your help,” she was ecstatic. “Jack has gotten it all figured out, and maybe I can help Mary Ellen save what is left of Maxwell Trucking. And guess what else?”
“What?”
“I won’t go to jail!” Judy exclaimed.
“Honey, that is the way it was planned,” I said with confidence. “I’ll leave you in Jack’s very capable hands, because I need to get back to Memphis; there are other clients who need my attention.”
I got another hug, and this time, a big kiss from Judy. She went back into the interview room and I waved good-bye to Jack. He knew we would talk later.
~
I glanced at my watch as I pulled out onto Hwy 79 headed home. I had the windows down allowing the fresh air to blow away all the bad memory of the past several days. However, I had made some friendships that would probably prove to be good for Carson Reno in the future.
The jazz music soothed my tied mind, and if I didn’t make any stops and cheated the speed limit - I could probably still make the ‘tea dance’ with Rita at ‘The Starlight’ Lounge.
Photo Credits
classic-car-history.com
photo.net
fwix.com
Poynter.org
flickr.com
desktopcar.net
vinothkumarm.blogspot.com
artfreelancer.com
radaris.com
nicenfunnys.blogspot.com
hi-spec-eng.com
bradfordvotech.com
theopiumgroup.com
oceandrivemiamibeach.com
memphisite.com
library.uthsc.edu
elvisweek.com
terragalleria.com
harahanbridge.com
laborphotos.cornell.edu
About the Author
A Florida native, Gerald grew up in the small town of Humboldt, TN. He attended high school and was a graduate of HHS class of 64. Following graduation from the Univ. of Tenn, he spent time in Hopkinsville, KY, Memphis, TN and Newport, AR before moving back to Florida – where he now lives.
This short story is fictional. Murder in Humboldt is what the author calls ‘Fiction for Fun’. It uses real places and real geography to spin a story that didn’t happen, but should be fun for the mystery reader. A quick read, those familiar with the 1962 geography in the novel, will travel back in time to places that will be always remembered.
His first book, Don’t Wake Me Until It’s Time to Go, is a collection of stories, events and humorous observations from his life. As a non-fiction book, many friends and readers will find themselves in one of his adventures or stories.
Learn more about this author and his additional works at:
http://wix.com/carsonreno/carson
http://www.authorsden.com/geraldwdarnell
and
http://stores.lulu.com/geralddarnell
When visiting the web-sites, you are encouraged to leave your comments and reviews of this book and his others.
Also, please let the author know if you would like to see continuing stories with Carson Reno and his cast of characters.
Be sure to watch for Carson’s next adventure – “The Price of Beauty in Strawberry Land.”
“Life is Cheap – Make Sure You Buy Enough”
Carson Reno