THE BLUE STALKER

by BROWN, JEAN AVERY

  “Certainly, May I tell her whose calling?” She politely asked.

  “I’d rather not say.”

  “Ella, it’s for you.” Susan handed the receiver to Ella.

  “This is Ella Smith may I help you?” She said wondering why anyone would be calling her at the shop. And hoping it was good news on Frank.

  “Agent Peterson here.” The anonymous deep voice introduced himself.

  Ella walked to the other side of the shop hoping no one would hear the conversation.

  “Just wanted to inform you we are searching for Mr. Smith. We haven’t come up with anything concrete but we checked his motel room and all his belongings are there. Seems a lamp was knocked over. That could be a sign of a struggle.

  “Oh, my God do you think he’s met with foul play?” Ella asked.

  “That’s a possibility. If anyone contacts you concerning this matter don’t give them any information and call me immediately.” Agent Peterson ordered her.

  “We located his vehicle at the sheriff’s storage yard. Seems he parked it in a handicap parking space and it was towed and stored.”

  “I told him that was a handicap space and he didn’t think it was marked correctly. Thank you for keeping me informed.” Ella laid the phone on the counter her stomach tied in knots.

  “Ella, you’re as white as a sheet are you okay?” Susan asked.

  “Yes, Susan just some business I need to clear up.” Ella said nonchalantly.

  “For a moment there I thought someone had died.” Susan said sighing with relief.

  Ella motioned for Alicia to meet her in the work room. They pretended to be working as Ella told her the conversation with Agent Peterson.

  “Alicia I think Frank’s met with foul play. Someone must know we found the bodies. You be extra cautious when you are out and about.

  “I have my 38, I carry it my big bag. Don’t worry about me if anyone bothers me they will have to answer to hard steel.” Alicia told her.

  “What about you, you got some heat?”

  “Yes, I have a 22 pistol my dad gave me years ago tucked in my purse.” Ella assured Alicia.

  “Are you going to the Wilson’s barn dance? Saturday night?” Alicia asked.

  “Yes, Agent Peterson said for us to go about with our daily routine.

  “You should be there, too. And bring your nice family.”

  It was a few miles out to the Wilson’s. The entrance to the ranch was marked distinctly with high flying balloons filled with helium from Ally’s Flower Shop. The perimeter of the ranch was marked with a white rail fence. The drive to the house was a quarter mile off the main highway. A beautiful colonial house greeted guests at the end of the drive. Large white pillars lined the front porch spanning the width of the house reminded Ella of her visit to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave Washington, D.C. with her eighth grade class.

  Ella parked her bright red Corvette where she could exit early if she was so inclined.

  Signs directed guests to the backyard. The smell of barbeque was in the air. Food filled the long tables, covered with bright yellow tablecloths around the perimeter of the neatly manicured yard. Blooming plants in terra cotta pots every eight feet were the table’s centerpieces. What a beautiful yard. Ella thought to herself. The barn was lit with tiny white lights and bales of hay situated around for seating.

  Over to the side of the barn a team of horses patiently waited to take guests on a hayride. The band was set up in the barn. The same band Ella and her guests enjoyed on New Year’s Eve.

  Everyone was dressed in jeans, cowboy shirts, boots and cowboy hats. It was going to be a Hee Haw, kicking up heels kind of party.

  Children were running around the yard chasing the family dog, throwing a football, running a one legged race and some were running with an egg in a spoon trying to make it to their team mate without dropping it. There was fun and laughter every where.

  “What a fun annual event the Wilson’s put on. Living in a small close knit town isn’t so bad after all. Ella thought to herself as she walked around the park like setting.

  In the distance she heard, “Ella”. Turning to the sound of her name there was Alicia. Cowboy boots, jeans, long shirt hanging out covering French fry sins and a vest.

  “Whoohoo, cowgirl you look like a real wrangler.” Ella said looking Alicia over.

  “You look pretty damn cute yourself.” Alicia said motioning to LuAnn and a good looking man to join them.

  “Ella, this is my son Bob.” She said with a proud smile on her face.

  “Nice to meet you Bob.” Ella said with extended hand.

  “I noticed the food line is over there.” Alicia said motioning and walking in the direction of the long tables loaded down with food.

  “How about we get something to eat before the band starts?” Alicia said with her plate already in hand.

  There was no holding Alicia back from the food tables. She filled her plate to high heaven and went back for seconds.

  Ron and Susan soon joined in. Everyone enjoyed the feast and setting on the hay bales while balancing their plates.

  About nine the band started playing. Cowboys and cowgirls were kicking up their heels. The music played into the night.

  Mark laid his microphone down and made his way through the crowd to Ella.

  “May I have this dance?” He asked politely tipped his hat.

  “I would be delighted to dance with you.” Ella said as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

  When the song finished another tune started up and Mark and Ella held on to each other continuing to dance. Mark Brandon liked what he was holding in his arms. Ella enjoyed the touch of a man. She wondered where Frank might be. Was he being tortured like the Mexican man in the Ninth Street drop-house. As she looked over Marks shoulder she wondered if one of the eyes she met might be the one holding Frank. Or, maybe the one with Franks blood on his hands?

  The evening ended as guests meandered their way to their vehicles. Kids climbed in the back of the trucks and mom’s walked to the trucks with babies wrapped in beautiful hand sewn quilts to protect them from the cool night air.

  THIRTY-FOUR

  Ella woke early. Fixed herself a cup of coffee and sat on the front porch enjoying the sun as it lifted its head to warm the new day. Ella held her coffee with both hands, thinking about the days gone by. Her life as a young skinny lanky teenager, her dates with Phil Young her first and only true love, the swimming hole, college days, her dad who pampered her, and her mother on shopping trips to San Francisco, the big empty house in Linville and now where was her life going?

  One thing she knew she had to find Frank. Why would anyone take Frank? She was sure the bodies in the deep freeze were those of the secondhand store owners Paul and Nellie. Would the deep freeze ever be found? Would the bodies be found?

  Maria called for everyone to come for breakfast. Juanita and Maria prepared good meals. Something she hadn’t enjoyed since she left home for college.

  “Ms. Ella,” Maria said, “I have an appointment to meet with a family. They want to have me paint a portrait of their children. Mom will prepare lunch and I should be home in time for dinner.”

  “That’s fine Maria.” Ella assured her. “You and your mother work out the chores. I know you are getting busy with your painting. I think that’s fantastic.”

  Ella made a call to Alicia and headed out the door.

  “I might be late don’t wait dinner for me.” Ella called back to Maria.

  Alicia was waiting on the sidewalk when Ella drove up.

  “What’s this about going to dumps?” Alicia asked.

  “I thought we could drive to the dumps in the area and maybe spot the deep freeze.” Ella told Alicia as she headed for the north end of town.

  “I know the city dump is out this way.” Ella told Alicia.

  Luckily the dumps are open on weekends to accommodate people who can’t make it out on a weekday. Alicia told Ella. My son usually makes his runs to the dump on the w
eekend.

  Ella pulled in parked the car and walked to the shed.

  “Has anyone dropped off a deep freeze in the past few of weeks?”

  “I don’t recall but you might ask Harry.” The guy in the smelly clothes pointed to a guy raking debris toward to the big hole.

  “Harry.” Ella called to him. “Has anyone dumped a big deep freeze in the past few weeks?” She asked.

  “No ma’am we don’t take large appliances in this hole.” He said continuing to rake.

  “Thank you.” Ella said as she walked toward the car.

  “But there were two guys here a couple weeks ago in a van truck wanting to dump a freezer but we sent them on their way.”

  “Where did you tell them to go?” Ella asked.

  “There’s a dump over in Hancock. They have a big hole and will take large appliances. Most large metal items are crushed but it might still be there. He kindly gave her more information than she wanted to hear. If the freezer was crushed they would never be able to fine the bodies.

  “Thank you, thank you so much.” Ella said to the worker as she ran toward the Corvette and jumped in.

  “This could be our break Alicia. If they haven’t crushed or covered up the deep freeze with dirt.” Ella said as she turned toward Hancock.

  “Honey, if the bodies are still in it, it will stink to high heaven.” Alicia said as she held her nose.

  “We’ll meet that challenge when we find the deep freeze.” Ella said as she barreled down the highway.

  “Look Ella, there’s a sign, Hancock Dump. Turn left here. Alicia was fidgeting in her seat.

  The dump was enormous. The hole seemed to go on forever. Ella waved at a man on a big tractor with a scoop shovel. He cut the engine and walked over to Ella pulled his gloves from his fingers and stuffed them in his back pocket.

  “What can I help you ladies with?” He asked.

  “We are looking for a deep freeze, the chest type, have you seen one in the past few weeks? Ella asked hoping he would say yes.

  “Can’t say I have…wait a minute a few weeks ago a couple guys in a van truck dumped some large white item over on the far side. I haven’t had time to check it out. If it’s as big as I think we will have to crush it. We are short handed and just haven’t had the time to get over there.” The man told her.

  “Thank you, sir. Can we take a look?” Ella asked hoping there wouldn’t be a rule against people plundering through the dump.

  “Sure you might want to drive over there it’s quite a distance over there.”

  Ella and Alicia jumped in the Corvette and drove around to the far side of the dump with eyes peeled trying to locate the white box.

  “Stop, Ella stop!” Alicia yelled out. “There, there’s the deep freeze. Oh, my god what are we gonna do now? I’m afraid of what you are going to say.” Alicia blurted out.

  “Good eye, Alicia.” Ella said. “We’ve found the chest. Now we need to open it and see if the bodies are still in there.”

  “You have got to be kidding. Do you know what it’s going to smell like after being unplugged for weeks?” Alicia said fanning her face.

  “Yes, but we’ve got to make sure before we call Agent Peterson.” Ella told Alicia.

  The ladies made their way to the freezer chest. It was balancing on the edge of the hole ready to drop over.

  “Ella if we try to open the chest it will fall over the edge.” Alicia said.

  “You’re right. I’ll go back over and ask the nice man if he can bring his tractor over and some way pull it back.”

  “Not without me.” Alicia said running back to the car jumping in. It was the fastest Ella had witnessed Alicia move.

  Ella asked the man for his help and he obliged.

  “I’ll be right over there.” He told the ladies.

  He secured a cable to the chest and to his tractor before he pulled it off the ledge. One big heave and it was on solid ground.

  “Thank you, sir.” Ella said. Alicia wasn’t so sure she was thankful. This meant she and Ella would have to open it.

  “Anything else ma’am you need.” He politely asked.

  “No, no thank you so much.” Ella said wanting him to take his tractor back to the shack. She didn’t want anyone to see the bodies if they were still in the big white box.

  “What are we gonna do now Ella?” Alicia asked.

  “Oh, why did I ask you that? We’re gonna open the chest, aren’t we?”

  Alicia became nauseated thinking about what might be in the chest.

  “We have to open the chest and call Agent Peterson.” Ella said.

  “Okay, Alicia we will open the box with one big jerk. Take a look and immediately shut it. We’ll do it on the count of three.”

  “Wait, wait a minute. I’m about to pass out.” Alicia said.

  “It’s probably from the fumes coming out of this hole.” Ella told her.

  “Let’s open the freezer and get out of here.” Ella said with her hands on the lid.

  “No, it’s because I’m about to be sick.” Alicia said.

  “Get over here you always act so tuff. Now’s the time to show your stuff.” Ella said.

  “Like you said ‘act’ I’m just all mouth, you know that.” Alicia admitted.

  “Okay, Ella hold on a minute, let me get it together.” Alicia said as she made her way to the chest.

  “On the count of three. One, two, threeeeeeeee.” The ladies quickly lifted the lid. And just as quickly shut it. They both ran in different directions screaming. Ella fell to her knees. They found what they were looking for. The sight was so horrible she threw up. Alicia sat on her knees rocking.

  “Dear God, why would anyone do this?” Alicia prayed.

  For a moment the ladies didn’t say a word. They each tried to gain their composure.

  “I didn’t think it was going to be so bad.” Ella said.

  “I know it’s awful.” Alicia held her head in her hands.

  “We’ve got to call Agent Peterson.”

  “It’s Sunday will he answer today.”

  “Someone will answer and get out here. Ella knew this was serious and FBI agents work twenty-four seven.

  The ladies dried their tears and drove back to the shack.

  “Ella asked the man in the shack if she could use his phone.

  “We don’t let people use the phone, that’s why there’s a pay phone out front.” He as a matter of fact told her.

  Ella made her way back to the car and asked Alicia for change. Alicia and Ella dumped their purses and found enough change to call Agent Peterson. Ella fetched his business card from her purse and dialed the number.

  “Deposit one dollar fifty cents.” The operator said.

  Ella one by one dropped six quarters through the big slot.

  “Thank you.” The operator said as she finished connecting the number.

  “Federal Bureau of Investigation, may I help you?” The operator said.

  “Yes, I need to speak to Agent Peterson.”

  “Agent Peterson won’t be in the office until Monday. Can I take a message?” She asked.

  “No, it’s important I talk to him right now.” Ella demanded.

  “I can try to get a message to him. Is there a number to call you back?” She requested in her very professional manner she had rehearsed over and over.

  “Yes,” Ella gave the pay phone number. “Tell him this is Ella Smith and I found the bodies. He will understand. And I’ll wait for him to call me back.” Ella said just as the operator came on the line.

  “Deposit one dollar for an additional minute.” Ella heard.

  “I don’t have more change just have him call me immediately.” Ella said as the phone made a click.

  Ella and Alicia sat in the car waiting for the phone to ring. The man in charge told them they would be closing in the next thirty minutes and they would have to leave at that time.

  Ella told the man they were waiting for a call and they would be out of ther
e. After about fifteen minutes the pay phone rang. Ella ran to the booth.

  Breathless she grabbed the receiver. “Hello, this is Ella Smith.”

  “This is Agent Peterson.” The low voice spoke with authority. “You have some information for me.”

  “Yes, I have the bodies. The bodies in the deep freeze.” Ella informed him.

  “Where are you and where are the bodies.”

  “I’m in Hancock just above Coopersville at their dump.”

  “I will call the Sheriff in that county and have the bodies picked up. Can you stay with the bodies until they get there?”

  “No, I mean I will stay with the bodies but I won’t turn them over to anyone but you. The last time the bodies disappeared and this time I want to turn them over to you. I can’t take a chance on them disappearing again.” Ella told him.

  “Okay, but it will take me two hours to get there.”

  “The dump will be closed in half hour and they said we have to be gone. What should we do?”

  “Give the phone to the man in charge.” Agent Peterson told her.

  “Sir, someone wants to talk with you.” Ella said handing the phone to the man. With a puzzled look on his face he took the phone. His eyes bugged out and he shook his head up and down.

  “I’ll stay here with the ladies until you arrive. You can count on that.” He said as he handed the phone back to Ella.

  “Mr. Peterson is everything okay.”

  “Yes, the man will stay with you. My agents and I will be there soon.”

  “Thanks, good-bye.” Ella said as she hung up the phone. Smiled at the man in charge and thanked him for being understanding.

  “That’s fine ma’am I’ve got paper work I can catch up on while we wait.”

  Ella parked near the freezer. She and Alicia waited for Agent Peterson. Two hours passed and no sign of the agent.

  “You sure you talked with Agent Peterson?” Alicia asked. “My fannies getting tired and I can’t walk very well on this uneven ground.”

  “Yes, I know his voice and it was him.” Ella said.

  A big black car pulled into the dump. It was Agent Peterson and a few other agents. Following him there was a big van truck, the sheriff and the coroner’s van.