The Dog Who Ate The Flintlock

by Edward Coburn

  “Do I know them?”

  “Some of them I suppose. But they all know you. Most of them read your articles, and they all know you’re the sponsor of the Rambling Foundation. Some of them have even been beneficiaries.”

  “Who?”

  “I’d have to say chief among them is Britney Swathmore. I presume you remember Britney.”

  Britney was the foundation’s first recipient. She had been extremely sick with operable lung cancer, but her parents couldn’t afford the surgery because her father had recently lost his job, so they had no insurance. Adam had the foundation pay for the operation as well as give a generous donation to the parents to help them catch up on their bills. “I certainly do remember Britney. How’s she doing now?”

  “Well, as you know, her cancer’s in complete remission, and though it’s been rough, she’s almost fully recovered. She has one of the major roles in the play, and she’s doing great. But listen, I’ve really got to go. Everybody’s waiting for class to start.”

  “Okay, talk to you later.”

  Because Marti wouldn’t be able to join him for supper, Adam stopped for an early dinner as he hadn’t eaten since breakfast. Before he got back in the car, he took Bagel out to a strip of grass in front of the restaurant to let Bagel stretch his legs and do his business. He also detoured to Richard’s house to say hello to Richard and the girls. Jenny and Mary Beth were each wearing a new outfit that they had bought with the money Richard had given them, and Adam truthfully reported they both looked lovely.

  “Thank you,” Jenny said. “That’s nice of you to say, and I’m glad you stopped in on your way home because I have some news you may find interesting.”

  “Such as?” Adam asked.

  “Such as Agent Smithers in California said that since the case of the kidnapping they had me do is over because everyone concerned is either dead or in custody, the baby I stole has been returned to his parents.”

  “That is good news. I’m glad you told me. I’ll bet that pleases you.”

  “It sure does,” Jenny said with a nod, but her expression was far from happy. “But I’m still upset it took them so long. The parents must have been going out of their minds.”

  “I’m sure they were, but I hope you’re not still blaming yourself for any of this. It’s not as if you had a choice.”

  “That’s true. But I still feel guilty because I took the baby.”

  “That’s my point exactly,” Adam said. “You shouldn’t. Instead, you should focus on the good that came from the sting. You saved other parents from losing their babies and probably saved people’s lives by bringing down Morgan and Donati.”

  “But I…”

  Richard held up his hand. “Adam’s right. You only did what you had to do, and a lot of bad people are off the streets because of it. Now, enough of that. Adam, would you like to stay for dinner?”

  “I would, but I just ate, and Bagel is waiting in the car, so I need to get going. But thanks for the offer.”

  Before he left, he updated them on what they’d been able to accomplish at the funeral home and that Donati and Cooper were both in jail. They all wished him well as he got back in his car and left for Canary Corners.

  Adam was halfway from Charleston to Canary Corners when Marti finally called. He pulled off the road to talk to her as he didn’t like talking on a cell while driving. She said she was on her way to play practice and she would see him when she got home.

  “I have an idea,” Adam said. “Why don’t we show Livinia the ring tonight?”

  “Oh, could we,” Marti cooed. “I’d really love to do that.”

  “I’ll order some flowers to take to her as a thank you for introducing us.”

  “Oh. You’re so thoughtful.”

  “I try,” he said.

  “Okay. I’ll see you about seven or so, right after we get through with supper.”

  “Where are they taking you?”

  “They let me choose, so I picked the Mason Jar. No one disagreed. I called Darla and arranged reservations, so we’re all set.”

  “Give Darla my regards and tell her I’ll cover the charges.”

  “I really appreciate the offer Darling, but I don’t know if you should. The kids wanted to take me out so maybe we should let them pay. It’ll make them feel good even though it will no doubt empty a piggy bank or two.”

  “Have Darla tell them their meal is on the house to commemorate our engagement. They’ll probably buy that. Most of them doubtless know Darla, and I are friends.”

  “We can try. I really would hate for the kids to have to spend their movie and/or gas money on me.”

  “It wouldn’t all be on you. They’d be paying for their suppers too. I don’t imagine they do that a lot unless they’re out on a date and then they probably do fast food instead of eating at a nice place like the Mason Jar.”

  “I’m sure that’s true. Do you want me to meet you at Aunt Livinia’s or would you rather have me come home and then we can go over there together.”

  “Together I think so I guess I’ll see you at home.”

  “At home, that sounds so…now that…”

  “It’s flattering you can still be tongue-tied about our relationship.”

  “Never mind. I’ll see you later.”

  Two days later Adam was jarred from his sleep by his phone’s incessant ringing. “Hello.”

  “When are you coming back to work,” Larry growled in his ear.

  “When I’m ready. Right now I am…or at least I was, resting.”

  “Well, it’s time you got off your duff and got back to work.”

  “Why. Do you have something for me?”

  “No, but I thought you could write up some of your adventures over the last couple of weeks. And I still don’t have your write-up on the reenactment.”

  Adam groaned as he struggled to sit up. “When you’re right you’re right. But I’ll have to clear it with the FBI before I write anything about the kidnappings. I don’t know how much they want me to expose.”

  “Well just write up the stuff about the reenactment from your perspective as a participant. You don’t have to say anything about the murder as that’s old news. But I’m sure our readers would enjoy an inside view especially if it comes from you.”

  “Are you trying to say I have a few followers?”

  “All right! Quit fishing for compliments and get it done.”

  “Yes sir,” Adam said hanging up.

  After working on his story for an hour and polishing it for a couple more, he called Robert to get an update.

  “What’s happening,” he said after Robert, and he exchanged pleasantries.

  “Something happened about an hour ago. I think you might find interesting.”

  “And what’s that?”

  “Donati was assassinated on the way to his arrangement.”

  “Did you find who did it?”

  “No. It took us a while to figure out where the shot came from and by the time we found the spot, whoever did it was long gone. The crime scene guys policed the area thoroughly, but thus far they’ve nothing. They’re still looking, but they didn’t want me to hold out too much hope.”

  “Well, I don’t think I’ll shed too many tears over Donati’s passing. What about Morgan?”

  “He died the night we left him. The doctors said the cigars didn’t help, but he was a goner anyway, and the cigars helped make his last hours more enjoyable for him. Dr. Richards was still fuming about Ken bringing the cigars into his hospital. But we all know without Morgan’s help, Donati would still be free to continue his reign of terror. I think a steak and a few cigars we a small price to pay to bring Donati to justice.”

  “Have you investigated any of the other things Morgan disclosed to us about Donati’s empire?”

  “We have. We’ve been able to round up a number of his drug distributors and find and shut down several brothels he was running with women who’d been kidnapped in other countries.”
r />   “That’s good. How’s Richard doing?”

  “I haven’t talked to him since you left, but I suppose in his case ‘no news is good news.’”

  “On the way back to Canary Corners I stopped to say hello. At that time he was doing okay, considering, and the girls were still getting along. They showed me a couple of outfits they had bought with the money Richard gave them the day we left. I really think they’re going to enjoy going to school together even though they probably won’t have any classes in common.”

  “I agree. They’ll have a lot of fun living together if I don’t get in the way too much”.

  “Knowing them, if you do I’m sure they’ll tell you. And if they really feel they need to be by themselves, Mary Beth will soon be able to buy her own house and let Jenny stay there.”

  “I hope that won’t be for a very long time. As fathers-in-law go, Richard would have to top the list even though he’s actually an ex-father-in-law. Anyway, I hope he’ll be around for a long time to come.”

  “I would agree with that sentiment. I really like Richard.” Adam glanced at his watch. “I’m sorry to cut this short Robert, but unless you have something else, I need to call Ken at the FBI. I want to find out if he has any problems with my writing up a story or probably several stories about the kidnappings. I’m sure my readers would be interested in how you found your daughter after so many years and how Jenny was instrumental in bringing down Donati’s empire.”

  “I’m sure they would, but you’re not going to tell them how we found Mary Beth are you. From one of your visions, I mean.”

  “Of course not. I’ll come up with something that sounds reasonable about how you stumbled upon her location. I’ll leave myself completely out of it. I’ll tell it as if I was along for the ride because you are a friend from before, which you are.”

  “Well I thank you for that, and I’ll be sure to read your article when it comes out. Perhaps you can use the story I told Jenny about how we located her.”

  “And what is that?”

  Robert told Adam the story he had told Mary Beth about one of his fellow officers running across her at The House of the Seven Gables. Adam said that might work for his article.

  “I don’t know which story I’m going to tackle first, but when it’s done I’ll send you a copy, but remember some of them will also be online.”

  “I’ll remember. But I guess I’d better let you go so you can talk to Ken.”

  “Okay, I’ll talk to you soon. And be sure to let me know if anything comes up with Richard.”

  “I sure will.”

  Chapter 63

  “Hello Adam,” Ken said when he answered his phone.

  “Did you hear what happened to Donati?”

  “I did. We had several agents there for his arrangement, but we didn’t expect him to get assassinated. I really wanted to be there myself, but I have several cases that I had to work on since they’d been neglected for a while.”

  “I can understand that. As for Donati, maybe his bosses in New York thought he might rat them out as Morgan did to him.”

  “That’s quite possible because he was talking to the agents we had babysitting him about turning state’s evidence.”

  “Surely he didn’t think that would fly, did he. He’s a serial killer with over twenty victims that we know about and no telling how many more we don’t know about.”

  “We have been known to make deals with the absolute worst scum on the earth before, but I don’t know if Donati could have convinced the powers that be. I suppose it would have depended on what he knew about his bosses. But I guess it’s all moot at this point.”

  “Yes, I suppose it is. But now, on to the reason I called. I want to know if there’s anything about either kidnapping we were involved with that is off limits as far as reporting in my paper.”

  “Not that I know of, but I’m sure the bureau and all involved parties would appreciate it if you didn’t mention any names except for those that are now dead. I don’t suppose we’d stop you or ask to review your articles before they were published, but it might be dangerous to any living person should you mention their name. I probably don’t have to tell you, but you definitely shouldn’t mention Jenny’s name. I wouldn’t want either Jenny or Mary Beth to be in anyone’s crosshairs. They’ve been through enough in their young lives.”

  “I wasn’t going to mention Jenny, Robert, you or any of your FBI agents by name but rather merely reference the part everyone played by saying something like a detective from Morgantown played an instrumental role in bringing a mobster and serial killer to justice. If my editor insists I might mention Donati and Morgan by name but absolutely no one else. It’s not like he would fire me if I refused.”

  “I’m sure the bureau can’t argue with an article written more or less generically. So go right ahead with the articles.”

  “Before I let you go, there’s something else that’s been on my mind if you’ve got the time.”

  “I’m all yours. I’ll let you know if I have a meeting or some such.”

  “Okay, thanks. Understand that I’m not committing to anything yet, but I wanted to run an idea past you. As you know, I quit being a finder several years ago and am now hiding out in Canary Corners helping the police occasionally.”

  “Yes, I know. Is that about to change?”

  “It may if we can reach an understanding.”

  “And what might that be?”

  “You know I quit being a finder because it was wearing on me psychologically.”

  “Yes.”

  “I have to admit I got a tremendous amount of emotional satisfaction helping find Mary Beth for Robert and helping find Morgan and getting him to turn on Donati. So I guess I’m saying I would like to again start using my special gifts to help you and the FBI solve some of your more difficult cases if I can get my fiancé to agree.”

  Ken was surprised by this offhand announcement. “You’re engaged. When did that happen?”

  “I have been thinking of asking my girlfriend to marry me for a long time and after some of the things I witnessed the last few weeks I decided I should do it now rather than later. I know none of us are going to live forever and I don’t want to squander any more of my life avoiding the thing I should be doing to make myself and other people happy. That includes getting married to my girlfriend Marti and helping the FBI stop some of the bad people in this world. I want it understood, however, that I will only work through you. I want you to be my liaison to the FBI. I’ll ignore calls from anyone else.”

  “I’m sure that can be arranged. And I’m sure I and all of my supervisors would be excited to have you working with us. I never mentioned this, but you’re a bit of a legend around here. However, I won’t say anything to anyone until you give me permission to do so.”

  “I appreciate that. I’ll check with Marti tonight. I haven’t mentioned it to her yet because I wanted to check with you first though I was fairly certain you’d agree to let me work with you.”

  “Like there was any possibility that I wouldn’t.”

  “I do want to reserve the right to turn down any assignment that I decide is too risky or might be too hard on my psyche. And I want to be able to skip any assignment when I have something else planned.”

  “I’m sure neither of those would be an issue as you’ll only be acting as a consultant and consultants always have the right to refuse assignments.”

  “Okay, that’s good to know. I’ll get back with you after I talk to Marti.”

  Adam called Marti during her lunch break. He couldn’t always reach her as she frequently gave up her break to help students with classwork or with their part in the play, but, fortunately, this time she answered on the first ring.

  “Hello, Darling. What can I do for you?”

  “Are you going to be overwhelmed with papers to grade this evening or might you be able to come over? I have something that we need to talk about.”

  “Oh, this sounds serious.”


  “It is, at least sort of, but I really need your input and your opinion.”

  “Okay. Can we discuss it now? I do have a lot of papers to grade tonight.”

  “No. It needs to be in person, and I promise it won’t take too long.”

  “Okay. I guess I can spare a few minutes. I’ll try my best to get at least some of them graded before the day is out and there’s no play practice tonight. And speaking of the play, are you going to come to see it?”

  “When have I not? You know I love the theater. Supper?”

  “Can you grab something for us? I’d like to make it quick. I really do have a lot of papers.”

  “I’m sure I can do that. See you about six?”

  “Probably closer to five. We can have your talk and then eat before I go back home to grade the papers.”

  “Works for me. See you at five or so.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  As soon as Adam hung up, he called Larry. “Larry, I’ll have some columns for you in a day or so.”

  “About?”

  “About how we found a girl that had been kidnapped twenty years and reunited her with her father and grandfather. Her grandfather is dying, but I probably won’t put that in the article. The other one will be about the resolution of the baby that got kidnapped in California several weeks ago.”

  “So you solved both of them?”

  “I helped.”

  “I presume you’re going to tip-toe around exactly how you helped.”

  “I am. I’m going to leave my contributions out completely if I can manage it. It might be a little bit difficult explaining how I know about the resolution of a twenty-year-old kidnapping, but I’ll try to think of something to avoid outright lying.”

  “Okay. I’ll leave that up to you as I always do. How soon can I expect the first one?”

  “I should be able to knock the first one out by sometime tomorrow and then post it on the blog. You can put it in the paper if you so choose whenever it seems to fit. It’s not exactly topical though I think you and your readers will find it interesting.”