THE BLUE STALKER

by BROWN, JEAN AVERY

  Ella showed them to the freezer chest. Agent Peterson open the box took one look and turned away gagging and shaking his head.

  The coroner took the decomposing bodies from their would be coffin and put them piece by piece in the body bags.

  Agent Peterson walked over to Ella and Alicia.

  “Agent Peterson, this is Alicia the lady that found the bodies with me.”

  “Hello, ma’am.” Agent Peterson nodded.

  “Thank you ladies, I think the bodies are probably the secondhand store owners but we will need to identify them. I will let you know.” Agent Peterson said.

  “Agent Peterson, I know some one has Frank Smith, he isn’t in on any of this body smuggling.” Ella assured him.

  “I hope you are right. We need to find him hopefully in better condition than the poor bodies in the bags.” Agent Peterson said as he slapped the top of Ella’s car and turned to walk over to the coroner.

  THIRTY-FIVE

  Ella and Alicia went about their work at the flower shop. Neither breathing a word about finding the bodies.

  Monday’s are usually busy. It seems people die on the weekend. I suppose that’s not to inconvenience the family. This Monday was like most. Susan was talking with a family making an order for their father’s funeral service. When an elderly gentleman walked through the door.

  “I’ll take care of this gentleman.” Alicia announced.

  “Sure go ahead.” Ella said as she continued to clean the flowers from the morning delivery. Alicia wasn’t crazy about cleaning flowers and only joined in when there wasn’t anything else to do. Her forte was designing flowers. Well, that was until this morning.

  “Morning Sir, can I help you?” Alicia politely asked.

  “Yes, my wife passed away yesterday and I need to order some flowers.” The man said with his bloodshot eyes filled with tears. The wrinkles in his face grew deeper as he squinched his face trying to gain his composure.

  “I thought I would be okay this morning but the tears just keep coming.” He said with the big white handkerchief covering most of his face.

  “Sir, what’s your name?” Alicia asked.

  “Ralph, Ralph Larson, my wife is Emily Larson.” He said as he let out a big sob.

  “Come over here and have a seat.” Alicia pulled a high back chair over to the floral book table making Mr. Larson comfortable.

  “Thanks, ma’am.” He said.

  “Call me Alicia, I’m here to help you through this difficult time.” Alicia said patting Mr. Larson’s hand as she opened the floral book to the funeral arrangements.

  Ella was in the work room listening to every word with her mouth hanging open.

  䥄啎"aAnn spoke up. “You haven’t seen Alicia in action?”

  “Can’t say I have.” Ella said as she continued to listen to every soothing word flowing from Alicia’s mouth.

  “Give her a minute and she will be crying right along with him.”

  Alicia’s pen was scratching away. She would write up an arrangement, blow her nose and go right to the next page in the book to write another, blow her nose and go to the next. Finally the casket spray was ordered.

  “Does that take care of everything?”

  “Mr. Larson you haven’t ordered Emily a corsage.” Alicia said as she flipped the order book to a new page.

  “Do you remember the first corsage you gave Emily?” Alicia looked in his eyes as if to say, “You must remember.”

  “It was our Senior Prom, Emily wore a pink dress and I gave her a pink carnation corsage.” His mind was going way back probably over fifty years.

  “You were a young man then and I’m sure carnations were all you could afford.” Alicia said with sympathy dripping off her order writing pen.

  “You want to give her orchids, Mr. Larson?” Alicia said as she wiped her tears.

  “You are right my Emily should have the best.” He said as he stuffed his white handkerchief in his front pocket and pulled his wallet from his back pocket. Alicia rang up the order and took down Mr. Larson’s address and phone number.

  “We will call the mortuary and find out the time of the viewing and the service. Your flowers will be there and they will be beautiful.” Alicia assured him.

  Mr. Larson walked out the door with his head held high. Thinking only about the orchid his Emily would be wearing.

  Alicia made her way to the work room. Putting the arrangement orders in the work basket.

  “Alicia, you blow me away. You emptied the man’s pocket book and he left happy.”

  “That’s where you are wrong. I didn’t empty his pocket book. I talked to him first and found out how much he could afford and I took every penny.” Alicia said as she patted herself on the back. “It’s just good business.”

  Susan finished with taking an order for another funeral. She wrote up a nice order but didn’t want to compare it with Alicia’s order. Susan had the charm but didn’t have Alicia’s experience under her belt.

  Ella knew Susan would someday be moving on. Her talent in merchandising didn’t need to be wasted in a small town. She was big city material.

  Ron picked up the mail at the post office. Ella fumbling through the bills spotted a nicely printed square envelope. The return address was from Mandy Harrison in Linville. Ella didn’t recognize the name. She slide her envelope opener into the opening on the corner and sliced the envelope open all the time wondering who Mandy Harrison might be. Pulling the card from the envelope Ella read. “Class of 1962, Twentieth Class Reunion. A Homecoming football game on Friday evening. Saturday evening a dinner dance at the Elks Hall. Ella was excited it would be fun seeing all the classmates. Her heart skipped a beat as she wondered if Phil Young and his wife would be at the reunion. Maybe if she saw him those haunting feelings would go away. Maybe she could get on with her life and find someone to love and be loved.

  It was late Friday afternoon LuAnn had taken off early to do some errands. A big black car pulled up in front of the shop.

  “Who could that be?” Ron asked as he leaned over to see who was getting out of the car.

  Agent Ben Peterson stepped from his car. Ella wondered why he would be stopping in at her shop. Although, she had a good intuition it was about the bodies.

  He walked to the counter, flashed his badge and asked for Ron and Susan Mills.

  “I’m Susan Mills, my husband Ron is in back, I’ll get him. Susan said as she walked to the back room.

  “Ron, there’s a man from the FBI here to see us.” Susan said wringing her hands.

  “Did he say what he wanted?” Ron asked as he walked toward the front.

  “No, he showed me his badge and asked to speak to us.”

  Ron walked over to Agent Peterson and put his hand out to greet him. Agent Peterson shook Ron and Susan’s hand.

  Agent Peterson spotted three chairs in the corner and asked Ella if she minded if they sat there. Ella nodded her head in approval and made her way to the work room.

  “What’s he here for Alicia?” Alicia whispered.

  “I don’t know, he didn’t act like he knew me.” Ella answered.

  “It could be about the bodies we found?”

  “They don’t know anyone in town. I can’t imagine why he’s here talking to them.” Alicia said.

  “Listen.” Alicia said as she neared the counter. Susan is sobbing. It must be bad news.

  Agent Peterson stood up.

  “We can release the bodies to you on Monday. The mortuary will help you with the arrangements. I’m very sorry. We are getting to close to an arrest but it will be a while. I will keep you informed. Here’s my card. If I can help please don’t hesitate to call.” He said as he shook Ron and Susan’s hand and walked out the door. Stepped into his big black car and drove away.

  Ron held Susan tight for a while. They regained their composure and made it to the workroom.

  “Ella, we need to talk to you.” Ron said trying to clear the choke from his throat.

&nbs
p; “What is it Ron?” She asked even though she already had it figured out.

  “The FBI found my brother and sister-in-law.” Ella looked puzzled.

  “Guess I should start at the beginning. Susan and I came here looking for my brother Paul and my sister-in-law

  Nellie. They owned the secondhand store here. They disappeared and we couldn’t locate them. No phone calls, their vehicle was missing, they stopped using or paying their credit cards… We knew something was wrong. We came to Coopersville to find out what happened to them. We reported it to the local FBI but they hadn’t learned anything. Agent Peterson out of Baker located their bodies. He told us not to contact the local office.”

  “I’m sorry. What can I do to help you?”

  “Susan and I need to talk about what we should do.” Ron said holding on to Susan.

  “I understand, you take off the rest of the day. You need some time alone.” Ella told them.

  “Thank you, Ella.”

  Susan grabbed her purse and they left for home.

  “I’m glad Agent Peterson didn’t tell them we found the bodies and where they were.” Alicia said.

  “Me, too.” Ella agreed.

  “Who would have thought they were here trying to locate their family? I knew they didn’t belong in a small town with the experience they had under their belts but this sure surprised me.”

  “Ella, do you think they will stay here? I wonder where they’re from?” Alicia questioned.

  “I heard Agent Peterson say they would release the bodies on Monday. We will probably know more then.” Ella said leaning back on the big work table.

  “We need to keep the secret room closed off. I don’t want them to know the bodies were in there.” Ella said.

  “You are right. We’ll keep it a secret.” Alicia said as she was packing up her tools for the day.

  “It’s time let’s lock up tomorrow’s another day.” Ella said.

  Ella locked up and as she was getting in her Corvette she noticed the blue sedan. Ella became brave and started walking toward the sedan. Immediately the blue sedan sped away. She didn’t get a good look at him. He definitely doesn’t want her to see him.

  The drive home was calming. The sky was clear blue and the sun kissed meadows were a blanket of wild flowers as far as the eye could see. Spring was in the air.

  Ella would share the happenings of the past few weeks with Juan and Maria.

  Juanita had dinner almost ready when Ella made it through the door.

  “My, something smells wonderful.” Ella said taking in a deep breath.

  “Where are Juan and Maria?” Ella asked.

  Juan should be here shortly. Maria is painting a mural for the Jones. She will be late tonight. She needs to finish it for an event the Jones are having on Sunday.” Juanita informed Ella.

  “That girl has made a name for herself, you must be proud of her.” Ella said.

  “I’m very proud of Maria and Juan is really busy with his work, too. They are both doing well.“ Juanita said as she set the last bowl of food on the table.

  Ella could hear the truck coming up the drive.

  “Sounds like Juan is home. Where’s Jose? Ella asked.

  “He’s on the floor in the living room. I’ll get him washed up for dinner. Can you tell Juan to wash up? Dinner is ready.” Juanita asked Ella.

  “Dinner smells so good Juanita.” Juan said as he set down at the table.

  Dinner was delicious and everyone joined in the conversation.

  Juanita said she needed to take Jose up to bed after she cleaned the kitchen. That was good Ella thought since she wanted to talk with Juan alone.

  Ella explained all the happenings taken place the past few weeks. She told Juan Frank is missing and she feared he had been kidnapped. By the body smuggling gang. She asked Juan to keep everything to himself.

  “Ron and Susan do not know the bodies were in the shop. Its better they don’t know.” Ella told Juan.

  “The local FBI is tainted. You can’t tell them anything.”

  “I understand.” Juan said.

  THIRTY-SIX

  Ella rose early Saturday morning. She sat on the side of her bed thinking about the two bodies. Why were they killed and why for god’s sake did they make the freezer Paul and Nellie’s coffin?

  Where could Frank be? She wondered if he was alive or had they killed him. Ella couldn’t think of a reason unless he knew more than Ella thought he knew.

  It was another work day and Ella needed to get ready to go to the shop. The hot shower felt good to Ella. She stepped from the shower, wrapped a towel around her slim body tucked it in. She paced the floor for a while wondering how she could find Frank. She could call his dad but no she couldn’t She doesn’t know the name of the home where he lives. She has no way to contact Frank’s dad. It would probably worry him and he couldn’t do anything about it. Ella decided to keep her mouth shut and hope someone would come forward and spill their guts.

  Coopersville was quiet as Ella drove to the shop she noticed a few of the locals putting out their open signs. Other than that it was quiet. Ella thought this will probably be quiet day in the shop. She parked the Corvette on the street just as Alicia drove up.

  “Good morning, Ella.” Came Alicia’s husky loud voice. “What a nice spring day this is. Have you heard from Ron and Susan?”

  “No, I can’t say I have. Have you heard from anyone?”

  “No, but maybe Ron and Susan will share a few things with us today.” Alicia said.

  Ella was putting the ‘OPEN’ sign on the shop door when the painted delivery van pulled up front. Ron and Susan got out and walked to the shop.

  “Good morning you two.” Ella opened the door wider for them to enter.

  “Good morning Ella. We need to talk with you.” Ron‘s eyes were swollen. He always had a smile but today was different. Ella could see they had something important to talk with her about.

  Alicia put on a pot of coffee to percolate and the aroma of fresh coffee permeated the shop.

  “Let’s set over here.” Ella suggested.

  The three sat down. Nothing was said for a few moments. Ron and Susan were quiet and Ella knew they needed to gain their composure before they started expressing their feelings.

  Alicia carried a tray holding four cups of coffee. She was hoping they would ask her to join in on the conversation. Each took a cup of coffee and Alicia started to walk back to the work room when Ron said. “Alicia, we would like you to join us.”

  Alicia had already poured the milk in Ella’s coffee and Ella was making her usual figure eight swirl.

  “Ron what do you and Susan have to tell us?” Ella asked.

  Alicia sat quiet as a mouse which is something she doesn’t do well.

  “We will be taking Paul and Nellie home for their burial. We love working here with you but we both know we can get our jobs back so we have decided to move back home.”

  “Where’s home?” Ella questioned.

  “Oklahoma City, that’s where we were born and raised.” Susan said with almost a smile in her voice.

  “Susan wants to go home. She misses the family and friends we left behind. We love working with you guys but this isn’t home. We have found Paul and Nellie and that’s why we came here. Our mission here is complete and we must get on with our life. If we stayed here we would have too many sad memories to cope with. We will keep in touch.” Ron’s head looked toward the floor hiding his quivering chin.

  “We are thankful we met all of you but it’s time to move on.” Susan choked out the words.

  “We love knowing all of you. Your were here for us when we needed you most. Ron said.

  “Sometimes people play a big part in ones life without them ever thinking about it. You’ve played a big part in my life and I will never forget you. When do you plan on leaving for home?” Ella inquired.

  “We need to take Paul land Nellie home on Monday and we’ve decided we will not return. Do you think you
can find someone to take our place in the shop?” Ron asked.

  “That’s not for you to worry about and you can never be replaced. But there will be someone in need of a job. That’s the least of my worries. Alicia probably knows someone in need of a job.” Ella assured them.

  “You will need a ride to the airport when will you be flying out?” Ella asked.

  “Our flight’s at two Monday afternoon. We thought we could take the bus down to Baker on Sunday and spend the night at a hotel near the FBI’s office. We have papers to sign for the release of the bodies. We can take a taxi to the airport Monday afternoon.” Ron had it all planned.

  “I will take you down to Baker tomorrow.” Ella told them.

  “Good thing we have four seats in the van or there wouldn’t be room for all four of us.” Alicia said inviting herself along.

  Ella nodded approval and put a smile on Alicia’s face.

  “What time do you want to leave tomorrow?” Ella asked pushing her chair back.

  “Anytime in the afternoon is fine with us. We need to tell our church family we are moving. We sure appreciate you giving us a ride down.” Susan said.

  “We will have a nice dinner in Baker on me.” Ella said. “It will be a farewell dinner to good friends.

  Everyone made their way to the work room. Ella looked at the order box and the day didn’t look too busy.

  “Hey, you two. Take the day off you have a lot of things to do to get ready for your trip.”

  “If you think you can do without us that would be great.” They started picking up their things wanting to get on with their last day in Coopersville.

  “You have the van so pick up Alicia tomorrow and come on over to the shop and pick me up. We will leave for Baker from here. Say about two o’clock?” Ella suggested.

  “Sounds good, see you tomorrow.” Ron and Susan walked through the shop door for the last time.

  Alicia was standing on the side walk with her big bag on her shoulder when Ron and Susan drove up. As she stepped on the running board of the van it dipped.

  Alicia giggled saying, “I can rock this van.”