Secrets of the Spiral Tower

by Joe Woods

  “You know …” Connor glanced at the deputy’s name tag. “Deputy Austin, isn’t it?”

  “Yes sir.” The answer was deadpan with unwavering eyes.

  “The answer to your question is too personal for me to answer. I don’t see that as any of your business.”

  “What about sexual relations with her? Did you ever have sex with Ms. McKenzie?”

  “Wow! Now you’re really out of bounds! I have no intention of answering that question and as far as I’m concerned, this conversation is over.”

  Gatlin watched the exchange between his deputy and Connor and realized that Austin had struck a nerve. He thanked Mrs. Bray for her hospitality and added, “I must leave now, but I want to come back and talk later.”

  “Sheriff, I look forward to that. And why don’t you take some of this pie to your men out there?”

  “Thank you very much, but no. I appreciate that. They have work to do.”

  Gatlin walked quickly across the lawn and asked, “What’s going on?”

  “Sheriff, I think we need to take Mr. Connor down to your office. He has refused to answer my questions.”

  “Have you read him his rights?”

  “No Sir.”

  “Well, do so right now. Then take him to my office.”

  Deputy Austin read Connor his rights then asked him to turn around and place his hands behind him.

  Connor was shocked. “Am I being arrested?”

  “Yep, that’s about the size of it.”

  “Then I want to call my lawyer.”

  Austin said, “Here, use my cell phone. Tell me the number and I’ll punch it in for you.”

  “You’ll have to un-cuff me. I can’t talk with my hands behind me.”

  “No problem, Mr. Connor. I’ll hold the phone to your ear.”

  “Sheriff!” Connor yelled. “This is ridiculous. Tell your goon to un-cuff me so I can make the call.”

  Gatlin motioned for Austin to release the cuffs. “Connor, don’t call my deputy a goon. Watch your mouth. Be respectful of the law. He’s doing his job.”

  Connor made the call. After being handcuffed again, he was placed in the back seat of the deputy’s cruiser. As they drove away, Connor sat motionless in the car.

  Gatlin allowed himself a small moment of amusement at this sudden turn of events, and then turned his attention to the investigators. “Fellows, let’s do a very thorough job here. Follow that blood trail and document everything in great detail.”

  Directing specific attention to his chief investigator, Gatlin said: “Wilson, I want you to knock on every door from here to Warrenton Road and interview everybody that lives in these homes. I want to know everything that has happened in this neighborhood over the last 48 hours. Leave no stone unturned.”

  “Yes Sir. I’m on it.”

  Seeing the rental car parked in the driveway, Gatlin asked, “Do we know anything about this car? Who does it belong to? Be sure to dust it for finger prints.”

  “Yes sir, sheriff. I’ll take care of it.”

  “Then I want it impounded. Call the rental company and get what information you can.”

  Chapter 2

  Willow Kingston McKenzie was the daughter of a self-made millionaire, Rupert McKenzie. Her mother, Winsome, a school teacher at Beechwood Elementary, instilled in her the discipline and drive to be a successful business person. Rupert, the son of a riverboat deck hand, grew up on the Mississippi River. He worked as a deck hand, but with hard work and some breaks, he rose through the ranks to become an owner of six tow boats and a number of barges. His towing interests included shipping commodities such as corn, soybeans, cotton, and rice. He enjoyed all aspects of river shipping and transported millions of feet of logs to sawmills between Memphis and Baton Rouge. One mill, Memphis Hardwood Flooring, was the largest manufacturer of hardwood flooring in the world.

  Rupert was also instrumental in designing a method of towing offshore deep water drill rigs to countries around the world. He was a futuristic thinker and a determined hard worker who loved solving complex water transportation problems. He loved his work dearly. But even more he loved his only child, Willow, though it was hard to make time for both her and McKenzie Towing. His plan was for her to become a full partner in the towing business after finishing college. He wanted to leave the empire he had built in her hands someday.

  Willow worked with Rupert and went on many river adventures, just as long as they didn’t interfere with her schooling. She learned the business and appeared to be headed in the direction her father had set.

  Willow and Connor attended Beechwood Elementary school. Willow’s mother learned that Connor was a latch key child, having to stay alone for several hours until his parents came home from work. Winsome became very concerned for Connor’s safety. She asked his mother if Connor could stay at school with her and Willow and go home with them after school. Willow’s mother offered to take Connor home around six each day.

  This arrangement worked fine and Connor seemed to like the adult attention he was getting from Rupert and Winsome. Rupert took to Connor and treated him like the son he never had. As they grew older, Willow and Connor became more than close friends. They were together constantly. Rupert took Connor on some of the river trips and Connor seemed well suited for the small jobs Rupert gave him.

  During the summers, Connor became involved in the business and Rupert saw a couple he thought would one day inherit the company and produce grandchildren to carry on the river business for the next generation.

  Connor grew up in a small family with only one older brother. His parents were middle class and both worked at various jobs to make ends meet, including a small farm on which they raised corn. They lived in a small but comfortable house on the southern end of the Mississippi Delta in the Long Lake community near Vicksburg.

  Like the McKenzie family, Connor’s life was tied closely to the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers. But his family’s relationship to the rivers was totally different from the experiences of the McKenzie family. While the McKenzies enjoyed the prosperity associated with the river transportation business, Connor’s family fought spring floods each year. Connor’s home was built on pilings extending six feet above the ground. Frequently, during the early spring rises of the two mighty rivers, his house was completely surrounded by brown river water up to five feet deep.

  With the water that high, Connor and his family parked their pickup about a mile away on the hill leading to Vicksburg and used a small fishing boat to travel back and forth to their house.

  "Why don’t you move to higher ground and not face this problem each year?” Connor’s friends frequently asked.

  His response was always the same. “We’re the third generation to live in this house and Daddy always says, ‘It goes down every year and fishing is wonderful. Where else in Warren County can you set a trotline from the corner of your balcony, around the trees, and back to the opposite end of your balcony and catch catfish?”

  During those spring floods, Connor and Willow spent hours as teenagers boating along the flooded roadways and through the trees, fishing and having fun.

  The growing bond between Connor and Willow was evident to everybody. On occasion they wore their swimming suits and swam along the roads. Connor’s mother cautioned them to be very careful of logs and snakes.

  Connor wasn’t tied nearly as closely to the home site and vowed to buy a house on much higher ground when he was older. He had one in mind, up Highway 61 near Redwood.

  Connor and Willow worked summers on the river for McKenzie Towing. Rupert recognized the strong ties that developed between the couple and offered to pay for Connor’s college education. The offer was accepted without hesitation. Willow enjoyed the social activities at college. She joined the most affluent sorority on campus and her cousin, Woody, likewise joined the premier fraternity on campus.

  Connor, on the other hand, became more introverted as Willow spread her wings and became involved in campus politics. It was
clear Willow and Connor had opposite career and life goals. After two years of college, Connor, not being a very serious student, returned to Vicksburg to work for Rupert full time. Connor, standing a muscular 6-foot-two-inches tall with dark, slightly wavy hair, was a hard-charging individual in his own right. He became the son Rupert never had and continued to expand the McKenzie Towing business through the years.

  Although Willow became quite capable of running her father’s business, she rejected the opportunity and began a career far from the Mississippi River, leaving Connor and her father to carry on the towing business.

  The determined work ethic that made her father so successful also ran through Willow’s veins. After graduating from Mississippi State University with a degree in advertising, she accepted an internship with an ad agency in New York City. She furthered her formal education by completing her master’s degree and doctorate at New York State University.

  Willow’s meteoric climb to a senior position in a world-renowned advertising firm, dominated by men in three-piece dark blue suits, angered many longer tenured employees whom she passed along the way.

  Because of her outgoing personality and skill, Willow had many opportunities to meet with senior executives in a wide range of businesses. She became a high roller and was able to hold her own in any negotiation.

  Her desire to excel was second only to her strong work ethic. Willow was offered and accepted many higher paying positions; she was determined to climb the corporate ladder. But she wanted to be the boss. She didn’t want to work for someone else. She wanted all people to work for her. Her goal was to occupy the “corner office” on the top floor.

  Willow’s physical beauty complemented her mental acumen. Her blonde hair extended about six inches below her shoulders, and she carried about 120 pounds on her slender five-foot-six-inch frame. In a black evening gown or black pants suit, she was a knockout. No movie actress was any prettier.

  When meeting with executives, Willow’s physical beauty and command of the facts were enough to persuade men to agree with her side of an issue. When meeting with female executives, she dressed more conservatively and relied more heavily on her knowledge of the facts to accomplish the task.

  Chapter 3

  While driving along Highway 61, fifteen miles over the posted speed limit, Connor’s mind was far away and preoccupied when he received a phone call from Willow. To his surprise, she was twenty minutes away from landing at the Vicksburg-Tallulah Regional Airport.

  “Can you meet me at the airport?”

  “I can be there in fifteen minutes,” he said, slowing down to turn his car around.

  “Great. See you then.”

  A relaxed smile crossed Willow’s face as her plane descended across the flatlands of Louisiana toward the airport. It was a bit overcast as the chartered Lear jet streaked down runway 18, turned, and taxied back to the terminal.

  Willow stepped out of the plane, spotted Connor, and gave a big wave that always reminded him of President Nixon stepping off Air Force One. He didn’t know exactly why Willow was coming home, but none of that mattered at the time.

  Connor thought what a beautiful woman.

  When Willow reached Connor, she threw her arms around him just like she had done many times before. Connor reveled in the feel of her body for a moment, and then pushed her back, holding her at arm’s length.

  “Willow, it is so great to see you. It’s been a while. I see you’re still flying in style. Haven’t you spent all of that trust fund your daddy set up?”

  “Yes, I have, but being in business for myself for the past thirty years, I’ve made some pretty good investments. I’m on my own nickel, or should I say my hundred dollar bill?”

  Connor looked admiringly at Willow. “You’ve been gone too long. Aren’t you about ready to leave that hassle and come home for good?”

  “Yes, you’re right. And all of that is about to change.”

  “How so?”

  “Well, let’s get going and I’ll tell you. Where’s that green Ford pickup of yours?”

  Connor pointed to the parking lot. “Right over there. Let me take your bags.”

  Willow wasn’t used to tall pickup trucks any more. She stumbled getting in and fell back into Connor.

  “Oh, excuse me.”

  “No problem. It was my pleasure. Love your perfume.”

  As excited as a teenage boy, Connor put Willow’s luggage in the truck bed, skipped around the back, opened the door and slid under the steering wheel. As the pickup rumbled toward Interstate 20, Willow said, “First I want to surprise Daddy. You didn’t call him and tell him I was coming home, did you?”

  “No, Willow. As always I followed your instructions to the letter. Your Daddy’s health has stabilized quite a bit since his second stroke. He’s somewhat paralyzed on his left side, but otherwise okay. His mind is as sharp as ever, except that he occasionally has a senior moment trying to remember names. Times and dates, on the other hand, he can recall better than I can.”

  “Connor, I have problems remembering names of former acquaintances. But the question is, will he recognize me?”

  “Willow, I understand. And your Daddy isn’t showing any signs of dementia, but who knows how fast that may develop? I’m sure he would love for you to come home permanently. He respected your desire to be successful and didn’t want to put any pressure on you to move home.”

  Willow cleared her throat. “I know you’re right, Connor. I knew he was disappointed when I went to New York, but tried not to show it. He has always encouraged me to spread my wings.”

  “You’re right. Your father is a very proud man, one who doesn’t show much emotion. But in your case, every time your name is mentioned, he swells up with pride.”

  “So, what’s the prognosis?”

  “His doctors are realistic and recognize that with each stroke, his condition will worsen. He may last another ten years, but on the other hand he could go tomorrow. By your coming home, I can tell you his condition will improve, just because of that fighting spirit and strong intestinal fortitude.”

  “I didn’t expect to hear this. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “Willow, you know your father. He is the eternal optimist and didn’t want to worry you. He made me promise not to tell.”

  “I know Daddy is a very proud individual and doesn’t want to burden anyone with his problems. He prides himself in taking care of his affairs in his own way.”

  “Yeah, he’s been a great mentor to me, but more than that, he’s like a second father.”

  “I want to go see him.”

  “Willow, he has his routine and is watching his favorite game show on TV at this time. I suggest you wait until after lunch and his nap. He’s usually awake around half past three in the afternoon. That would be a better time and the least disruptive of his planned day.”

  “Okay. Then let’s go to Fort Hill.”

  “Fort Hill?”

  “Yeah. I’ve got an idea.”

  Connor laughed. “What’s new about that? Don’t you want to grab some lunch?”

  “No, I don’t want to waste any time. I have some exciting news I want to share with you.”

  “Listen Willow, don’t keep me in suspense. You know I have a bad heart.”

  “Bad heart my foot—you’ll outlast all of us!”

  Taking a deep breath, she plunged in. “Okay … I’m retiring and returning to Vicksburg. You remember that big old house on Fort Hill near the tower, where we spent so much time?”

  “Of course, I remember. Those were some of the most joyous and frustrating moments in my life.”

  “I want to buy that house and have you watch over the refurbishing, at least until I have time to close my businesses in New York, Illinois and Florida. Will you do that for me?”

  Stunned by this turn of events, Connor said, “Willow, you know I’ll do anything for you. But, what if the house isn’t for sale?”

  “Connor, I want that house, so it doesn
’t matter how much it costs to purchase and modernize it. It is near all of our childhood memories. We can see the river, the spiral tower and our cave.”

  “Willow, I don’t know if the cave is still there or not. I’m certain it’s grown over with vines and brush and it could have collapsed by now.”

  “Doesn’t matter. If I get near there, my memories will be enough for me.”

  “Okay. I believe the family that owns the house lives in Tennessee and they rarely visit, maybe one or two times a year. I do know that either the mother or grandmother living here in Vicksburg keeps an eye on it, though.”

  “Good. I want to contact her today and get the real estate transaction moving.”

  “Wow, Willow. Why didn’t you call and let me know what you’re up to?”

  “Connor, I wanted to surprise you and see that look on your face. Guess what, it hasn’t changed. Those dimples have a few more wrinkles around them, but they’re still there. And that smile never changes.”

  “Keep it up. You’re going to embarrass me.”

  “Going to? You’ve turned about five shades of red since I broke the subject and each one is getting brighter.”

  “Well, let’s get back to the renovation. You know that house was built shortly after the Civil War and may need major reconstruction.”

  “Connor, it doesn’t matter. As I said earlier, it’s close to the things in Vicksburg that mean so much to me aside from you and Daddy, of course.”

  “There you go again, trying to make me blush.”

  “And it worked again!”

  As they crossed the Mississippi River Bridge, Willow looked both ways, up river and down river. The look on her face told Connor that it was a nostalgic moment for her.

  “I see our ol’ sandbar. How many times did we have a wiener roast and beer bust down there?”

  “A bunch. Do you recall the time we got your daddy’s Jeep stuck and had to call him?”

  “Do I ever! I believe that was the maddest I ever saw him. He was so mad, but laughed about it later. He wasn’t upset that the Jeep was stuck, he was mad because we could’ve been hurt. He knew how dangerous those river currents are and knew that we could have been washed away in an instant if a tow boat came by and rolled some big waves over us.”