Soul of Cole

by Micheal Maxwell

  “A ghost writer?” Cole stared in amazement. “Are you suggesting I put my name on a book written by somebody else?”

  “This concept is nothing new; it is done and has been done for years, by names you are familiar with.”

  Cole interlaced his fingers and set them on the table. “I’m really not sure how I feel about that idea. I think we need to—”

  “When did you sneak in?” Betty Cranfill was standing at the end of the table. She slapped Cole on the back. “Who is your handsome friend?”

  Cole slipped out and stood next to Betty, giving her a hug. “This is my friend and agent, Rowan Jensen. He’s come all the way here to suggest I can’t write a book.”

  Betty looked down at Jensen with a look that would have taken the husk off a coconut. “Is that right?”

  Cole put his hand on Betty’s arm and laughed. “But that shouldn’t concern your pretty little head. We’re here to eat first and foremost.”

  “You never have been a very good liar, but I’ll let it go. What are we having today Mr. Jensen?”

  “I will have a simple green salad, and do you have any kind of oil and vinaigrette dressing?” He ordered with a condescending lifted eyebrow.

  “I think Pete can rustle something up.”

  “Then I’ll have it on the side, just in case.”

  Betty now raised her eyebrows, and turned to Cole. “Pete’s trying out a new pulled pork rub. I think you should give it a try and let him know what you think.”

  “That’s an offer I can’t refuse. I’ll have that, and I’d like some of those sweet potato tots.”

  “Seems people really like those. Pete’s pretty proud.”

  “Alright, that will do it. I know you want a diet coke. What would you like to drink, sir?”

  “Do you have bottled water?”

  “Yes, I think the mule train brought a case in today.” Betty winked at Cole. “Coming right up.” Betty made her way back to the kitchen pass through.

  “Mr. Sage, I detect an underlying hostility in your response to my suggestion.”

  “Please don’t misinterpret anything. I have open hostility toward your suggestion. If you want a series I will take that into consideration. If you want me to use a ghost writer, consider that matter closed. It’s not going to happen. Let’s get something straight. Straight out, no hesitancy, no dancing around the room, if I should choose not to do a series, will I be dropped?” Cole looked across the table at Jensen, who he could swear had little drops of perspiration forming on his upper lip. Behind his eyes, Cole could tell that this was not the response he planned on.

  “I don’t think drop is the word I would use.”

  “Ok,” Cole said, “How is this one? Put on the bottom of the list of people you’re interested in.”

  “Let’s just say we question the feasibility of another free standing book without a strong anchor. That anchor being a series.”

  “Ok.” Cole nodded. “That’s fair. So, if I produce this series you would still publish novels that I would write, that by far would be more in keeping with what I want to do artistically.”

  “I think we could guarantee that.”

  “Well, I must say, Mr. Jensen, that this is not what I was anticipating. I will take your proposition under consideration. I will truthfully and sincerely respond by week’s end. Is that fair?”

  “That would be more than amiable.”

  “Good, then its settled.” Cole gave a nod. “But, I’m telling you, you were standing at the fork of one of life’s great choices, and you have made the wrong decision.”

  “How’s that?” Jensen was truly baffled at Cole’s comment.

  “You are sitting in a restaurant with the best barbecue on the planet and you chose rabbit food. That, Mr. Jensen, shows a lack of gastronomic intelligence, taste, and experience.”

  An hour later Cole Sage and Rowan Jensen parted company. There was little doubt in Cole’s mind he, too, reached a fork in life’s journey, where choosing the best decision for him personally, may be the worst decision professionally.

  The Chew’n’Chat was empty, except for the two men sitting in the back booth. Michael Blackbear approached the table, canvas bag in hand. He set the bag on the table and slid into the booth as the man with his back to the door slid over.

  “There’s a lot more this time, a lot more. This should take care of all the money I need.”

  “We’ll see about that.” The man with his back to the wall nodded to the man next to Michael and he took the bag, leaning the open end toward himself. Michael’s neat and tidy baggies of raw diamonds, gold necklaces, pendants, rings, and watches made it very clear there were five times more goods this time than the last. The man next to Michael looked at his boss and nodded.

  “You did well. Ten thousand.”

  Michael reached over and pulled the bag towards him. “Twenty, or I walk.”

  There was a long silence at the table. Michael took the opened end of the bag and rolled it, and set it in his lap and crossed his arms over it.

  “Thirteen.” The boss, for the first time, showed a hint of emotion.

  Michael stood up.

  “Alright, Fifteen, that’s as high as I go.” The boss nodded and the man who was sitting next to Michael slid from the booth and left the Chew’n’Chat.

  “I’m only doing this one more time,” said Michael. “I just need to get the money to get my wife and son here.”

  “We’ll see.” The boss looked up without changing expression.

  Michael backed away from the table and sat at a stool at the counter. He turned and looked at the waitress who was obviously used to the transactions made in the booth and she completely ignored him.

  Less than five minutes later the man returned, envelope in hand, and handed it to Michael.

  Michael opened the envelope and flipped the bills. Satisfied, he handed the man the bag. The man reached out and took it and before Michael released it he gave the bag a slight tug. “One more time.”

  The man didn’t respond.

  “Oh, thank goodness you’re awake.” Kelly stood next to the couch hovering over Cole.

  “What’s going on?” Cole stretched and rubbed his eyes.

  “I can’t figure out how this stupid Skype thing works.”

  Cole walked over, stood behind Kelly, and put his hands on her shoulders. He gently massaged her shoulders while looking at her laptop. “Well first of all, you’re in Dropbox.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Skype is this one.” He reached over her and tapped the screen and the Skype window opened up. “Are you calling the kids?”

  “What time is it in Paris?”

  “Should be around 3:00 in the afternoon.”

  “That’s what I was hoping. Are you ready?”

  “I have been for over an hour and a half.”

  “Okay, hit that button.” The screen changed colors, added a square in the center and the familiar ring tone filled the room. It took six rings before Erin’s face came onto the screen.

  “Hi guys! This is an unexpected surprise. Is everything okay?”

  “Everything is fine. We just miss you terribly. How is everybody?” Kelly tilted the screen slightly.

  “Ben is still at the hospital working. Jenny just went to her room to take off her dreaded school uniform and little man Cole is down for his nap.”

  “That must run in the family.” Cole leaned into the frame. “So are you getting any more accustomed to your new life in France?”

  “Well my French still sucks. The good news is Jenny speaks French like a native and acts as my interpreter. Ben absolutely loves his job. English being the international language of medicine, he’s had little trouble adapting and there are several Brits and Australians at the hospital, too.”

  “Turn the camera around, I want to see your place,” Kelly said.

  “Oh, it’s a mess.”

  “I’ve seen messes before, believe me. I just want to see what you
’ve done.”

  Erin picked up her laptop and her face disappeared from the screen. It took a moment for her to re-balance the roller coaster ride visuals. She slowly panned the room in silence. The space was larger than Kelly remembered from the pictures Erin sent. The light from the windows momentarily whited out the screen. “Let me get a little closer to the window.” As she moved across the room, the window came into focus and the view outside appeared.

  “Oh, Erin, how do you stand it?” Cole was nearly speechless with the view.

  “Pretty cool, huh dad? Who’d ever dream I’d have the Eiffel Tower right outside my window!”

  “You’re certainly living my dream.”

  “What are you doing mom?” Jenny’s voice announced her arrival into the room.

  “I’m talking to Grandpa and Grandma. You want to say hi?”

  “Oui, oui, oui!” She squealed in delight.

  “Hey, kiddo, did you do that all the way home?” Cole teased.

  “Oh Grandpa, you and your silly jokes.”

  “Hi, sweetie.” Kelly’s voice rose in excitement.

  “Hi Grandma, I miss you.”

  “Oh, I miss you too. I wish I could reach through this screen and give you a big hug.”

  Jenny moved toward the screen and her face became huge on the monitor. “Muah,” she smacked the screen. “How’s that?”

  Kelly kissed her fingertips and blew at the screen.

  Jenny giggled happily. “I wish you could see my school. It’s really cool. Mademoiselle Fleurot, my teacher, is just the best!”

  “Have you made a lot of friends?”

  “Yes, Suzette, Juliet, and Anna are just my besties ever.”

  “Your mom says your French is coming along really well.”

  “Somebody in this house has to speak French; otherwise, we’d starve to death.” Jenny turned to give her mother a big grin.

  “So, what are you doing for your birthday?”

  “I’m gonna have a sleepover with my friends and mom said she would make Mexican food. My friends have never had any.”

  “You think they’ll like it?” Cole leaned back in as he spoke.

  “I hope so. If they don’t, there will be more for me and dad.”

  “How is Cole doing?”

  “He’s okay, but he sure can be a pain at times.”

  “Kind of like me.” Cole jabbed his thumb toward his chest.

  Jenny giggled merrily. “Not quite that bad, Grandpa. He thinks my iPad is his.”

  “Have your dad buy him one.”

  “Yeah, right. When are you gonna come see us?”

  “We’ve been talking about that lately, maybe for Christmas.”

  “Oh no, that’s too far away. Can’t you come sooner?”

  “There are a couple things happening here that we sort of have to take care of first. That’s why we were thinking of Christmas.”

  “But it’s cold then. We couldn’t go to the park. Grandpa and I have to go to the park!”

  “Ok, we’ll see, maybe we can come a little sooner.”

  “Ok, here’s mom.”

  Suddenly all they saw was the back of Jenny running away from the computer. From across the room they could see Erin approaching. In her arms she held young Cole.

  “Somebody else to say hello to.”

  “He’s a monster. Look how much he’s grown!” Cole teased.

  “Can you say hi to Grandpa and Grandma?”

  “Hi.” The curly headed blond boy sitting in front of Erin smiled shyly.

  “Move back a little, Cole.” Kelly was tilting her head as if that would change the view.

  “He’s kind of grumpy when he first wakes up. Like somebody else I know.”

  “I’m not that bad.”

  “I was talking about Ben.” Erin laughed and stood up so little Cole could back up a ways.

  “Hi buddy. You are getting tall.” Kelly waved at the camera.

  The boy put his hand over his head and jumped in an effort to touch his palm with the top of his head. “I’m going to be this tall!”

  “Just keep jumping and one of these days you’ll get there.” Cole made a funny face toward the screen.”

  “Hey, Cole?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Tell your dad I said you should get an iPad for your birthday.”

  “Yeah! That’s what I want. Jenny always hits me when I take hers.”

  “Then don’t take hers, silly!” Cole laughed.

  “Bye!” The backside of the little boy disappeared from view.

  With the kids out of the way Erin filled Cole and Kelly in on all the news. After about fifteen minutes the phone rang. “I better take that.”

  “Okay, we just wanted to hear your voice and see your face. Glad to know everything is going so well. We’ll talk to you again soon. Love you!” Kelly volunteered an end to the call.

  “I love you too, guys. Muah! Big kiss from me.” She waved it toward the screen. “Bye Bye!” The screen went dark.

  “I’m not sure if that helps or makes things worse.” Kelly wiped tears from her eyes.

  “I know what you mean. Maybe we can push our trip up some.”

  “That would be wonderful, but there’s so much going on. I feel so much pressure regarding the Center. I’m just not sure what’s going to happen there.”

  “You know, sweetie, it’s not really your responsibility. You’re just a volunteer.”

  “I know. I just feel such a burden being the one left to consult on the future of Warren’s dream. Cassie is very clear about wanting nothing to do with it. She’s always been less than enthusiastic about working there. Maybe Rebecca will step up. But, she has her life to live too, and her missionary work means so much to her.”

  “Like I said, it’s really not your responsibility.”

  “Let’s change the subject. What are you going to do about this book thing?”

  “That my dear, will require a bagel and mocha, and a lot of discussion.”

  CHAPTER 10

  Kelly stepped out onto the porch. “Okay, one tuna sandwich, extra lettuce, on sourdough toast, and Fritos for the gentleman.”

  “You’re the prettiest waitress I’ve seen in awhile.” Cole smiled and set his plate on the top step next to him.

  “Just be sure you leave a big tip.” As Kelly turned to go back in the house Cole’s cell phone rang. “Great.” Cole grumbled something about ‘inconsiderate people calling at lunch time’.

  “I’ll get it.” Kelly went to retrieve Cole’s phone from his desk, where he somehow always seemed to leave it. “Hello. Yes, he’s right here. May I say who’s calling? Okay, hold on.” Kelly put her hand over the phone. “It’s Michael Blackbear. Do you want to talk to him?”

  “Mmmm, yeah.” Kelly handed Cole his phone. “Hey there, what’s going on?” Cole asked. He looked up at Kelly and frowned. “Really? When did that happen?” Cole stood and began walking to the far end of the porch. He stood peering over the edge for nearly a minute. “Umm, wow, I don’t know. Let me make a couple calls. Okay, I’ll be down as soon as I can get there.” Cole pushed the off button.

  “What was that all about?” Kelly stood her arms across her chest. Cole knew this posture well. It was the this-better-be-good stance and always signaled concern. In the years they have been married she seldom showed displeasure with him or his activities. It seemed she possessed a gift for knowing when he was about to do something that probably would not turn out for the best.

  “He’s been arrested.” Cole looked at Kelly and shrugged.

  “For what!?”

  “For killing Warren Poore.”

  “I knew it. I told you so.” Kelly, in uncharacteristic fashion, shook her index finger at Cole.

  “Whoa, Whoa, Whoa. Don’t be jumping to conclusions.”

  “Well, why would they arrest him if he didn’t have something to do with it?”

  “It happens all the time, Kelly.”

  “Why’d he call you?”


  “I’m not quite sure, but he asked me if I could help.”

  “And you said yes? I told you not to get involved with the guy.” Kelly was clearly growing angry.

  “I know, I know but this makes no sense. Hold on a second. Your getting upset with me isn’t going to help. Let me make a couple of calls, then you can yell at me.”

  “I am not yelling. I don’t yell. I am upset. I don’t like that guy, and I am worried you will get involved and something bad will happen.”

  “We’ll burn that bridge when we come to it.” Cole smiled and winked at Kelly. “Let’s just see what is what.”

  “Don’t think turning on your Cole Sage charm will work on me!”

  “It got me this far.”

  Kelly turned and went to sit down.

  Cole scanned the phone directory and hit talk. After a few seconds Cole heard a voice on the other end. “Lorena? Cole Sage. Is C.W. in? That’s nice, that’s nice, but this is an emergency. Thank you.” Cole turned and began pacing again.

  “Hello?” Langhorne came on the phone. “We’re fine, Kelly is fine, yes sir. A friend of mine has been arrested. We need to see what we can do about getting him out of jail.”

  There was a pause on the line and Cole said, “Murder. Thing is, he couldn’t have done it, he was at work. He works construction. For some reason the sheriff deputies aren’t buying his alibi. Yes sir. Thank you C.W. I will, thank you.”

  Cole hung up the phone and turned to Kelly. “He said he would call a friend here in Orvin, and said for me to go meet him at the jail. If necessary, Langhorne will drive down here tomorrow.”

  “I know I can’t stop you, but I still say this is something you shouldn’t be getting involved in.” Kelly’s demeanor changed to one of quiet resolve.

  “If he’s innocent and I do nothing, what kind of a deal is that? You know as well as I do they shoot Indians and ask questions later around here. Old prejudices die hard. I’ll be back as quick as I can.”

  “No, you can eat something first.”

  Cole sat down on the steps stretching his legs out. He set the cell phone down on the porch next to him. There was a surreal feeling to this situation. It felt strangely disconnected from Warren Poore’s death. He thought back to an incident several months before. He stared across the yard as images of the past filled his mind.