by Sioux Dallas
“The prosecution is asking for a complete psychiatric examination, and they’ll get it.” Herb chortled. “This is one trial I’m going to enjoy attending.” He felt a little ashamed to talk on when Hannah was having to work away from home.
“Hannah, be very careful. Stop at night before it gets dark and stay where there’s a lot of light and traffic, preferably one with a good restaurant, also.” He laughed. “You might know I’d think of food first.”
“I’ll be careful. I will carry my pistol, but, after all, I’m going to a very civilized city, and, I’m sure, there are thousands of good, honest people there.” She laughed.
“I know. You’re not going into the wilds of the jungle, but criminals do live everywhere. Keep in touch. I’ll worry if I don’t hear from you.”
“Herb, what is going to happen to that poor Mr. McComber who was just trying to get money to make sure his son had the surgery?”
“Brian asked the officer to let him leave as he was not going to press charges against him, but the officer said he would have to keep him overnight and take him before a judge tomorrow. The judge would hear the facts and take Brian’s offer into consideration.”
“Oh, good. I’ve been worried about him.” She giggled. “He’ll think twice after this before he does something like that again. I bet, from now on, he’ll be very careful to consult others before he jumps at what seems like a good chance. He should remember, ‘if it sounds too good to be true it probably is”.
“I’m sure he will. Hannah, please be careful and let me know how you’re doing.”
“I will. Be seeing you, Herb. Give Brian my best wishes.”
Hannah had set her alarm for six o’clock, Tuesday morning. She checked again to make sure she wasn’t forgetting something she would need. She showered and dressed in a pink pull-over fairly dressy blouse and lilac slacks with lilac- colored shoes.
Once more checking her 38 Smith and Wesson and picking up a box of additional hollow-point bullets, she put in a pad of paper with notes for her assignment on it and the letters of introduction from the attorneys. All of this went in a briefcase that would be with her at all times.
She placed her suitcase in the truck of her light blue Camry and the briefcase on the front seat. She ran back for a light jacket just in case she might need it. She had gotten trip books from AAA and planned her driving directions. She knew it was five hundred one miles to Tallahassee and would take close to nine hours if she drove straight through. She planned on enjoying the countryside and stopping along if she so desired.
At seven o’ clock she left her home and got on U.S. 17 to drive south. She drove to Mount Pleasant and decided to stop for breakfast. She was fascinated with the name of the restaurant, MELLOW MUSHROOM.
Inside she found friendly servers and a wonderful ambience.
Although Hannah, as a general rule, did not eat a big breakfast, she decided to eat hearty because she didn’t know what she might find on the road. She ordered orange juice, decaf, one scrambled egg, which came with mushrooms, one piece of crisp bacon and one pancake. She was embarrassingly full, but did order a second cup of coffee.
While she drank her coffee, she perused the AAA material on Mount Pleasant.
Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens -- Hannah had heard so much about this lovely old place that traced its land grant to 1681 to Major John Boone.
There were formal gardens and authentic cabins. She read that a visitor should allow three hours to cover the house and grounds. No time for that. She determined to return some day for a tour.
She continued to read. Oysters, blue crabs and shrimp are brought in fresh daily. South Carolina is known for good food, especially seafood. Some of the natives still speak Gullah, a lyrical mixture of old English and African languages. Old St. David’s Church, built before the Revolution, has been well cared for and is a beautiful tourist attraction.
Shipwrecks from 1514 can be located in the coastal waters where the Spanish explored. Superb golf courses, and excellent year around weather, are famous in South Carolina with some world champion golfers enjoying the links.
In 1521 Francisco Gordillo explored the coast and wrote glowing reports on it. In 1670 Charles Town became the first permanent English settlement. In 1788 South Carolina was recognized as the eighth state. In 1861 Fort Sumter was attacked and began the War Between The States, In 1989 Hurricane Hugo did dreadful damage. In 1996 the Supreme Court ruled that females could be admitted to the previously all male military schools.
In 2005 the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge was opened which connected Charleston and Mount Pleasant. In 1786 the capital was moved from Charleston to Columbia.
Hannah was known for dedication to duty, so, she continued south on Hwy. 17 and soon found she was in Georgia. She loved reading about the history of cities and states, but she didn’t have time to sit and dream.
She decided to go through Athens and avoid the traffic and people in Atlanta. Here she stopped to get gas. While she was there she got some cheese on cheese crackers and a Diet Cola. Pulling off and parking on one side of the parking lot, she read the AAA book on Georgia. Wow! What a big book and what a lot of information. All of the states have a lot of interesting history, but Georgia seems to have a great deal.
On April 21, 1732, King George signed a charter for a state that was to be named for him. In thirty years Georgia will celebrate its tercentenary or 360 years. In the early 1800s, nineteen rich blacks came from Africa and purchased land. Some of them developed large plantations with slaves.
In 1777 Savannah became the first capital. Thirteen cities later, in 1868, Atlanta became the capital and is today. Margaret Mitchell lived in Atlanta when she wrote “Gone With The Wind.” Fifteen miles south of Atlanta is a beautiful plantation. In 1839 a Greek Revival house, Stately Oaks, was built and was used as Tara during the movie.
Ten miles south of Savannah is the Wormsloe Plantation, built by Noble Jones in 1730 and has remained in the family of descendents today. He planted mulberry trees hoping to have silk worms and start a silk industry.
The descendants didn’t try as hard to improve or develop the plantation. The name, Wormsloe came from their hometown in Wales.
Plains is the home of our 39th President, Jimmy Carter. Andersonville has a lot of history; the main one seems to be the awful prison that caused the death and injuries of so many military men during the War Between The States. Ashburn is known for its big crop of peanuts, called goober peas.
Hannah realized time was rushing by, and if she sat and read, she’d be there the next morning. She reluctantly laid the book on the seat beside her and carefully pulled out into what was now rush-hour traffic. She headed south toward Macon
She wasted no more time driving on to Albany and pulled into the area around Tallahassee, Florida just at dusk. Victoria had made reservations for her at a La Quinta Inn just minutes from the state capital in Tallahassee. She checked in, walked to the restaurant next door and ate a light supper before going to her room for a shower and an early night. She was very tired from driving all day. Tomorrow would be a busy day when she went to the city courthouse to find the information the attorneys wanted.
Wednesday morning dawned bright, clear and a little cool. Hannah dressed in a lime green suit with a yellow blouse and yellow shoes with a low heel. She didn’t know how much she would be standing and walking and didn’t want hurting feet.
She stopped in the lobby for an European breakfast that was offered free to guests. There was juice, coffee, bagel with cream cheese or a Danish, fresh fruit and hot or cold cereal. She selected an orange juice, decaf, a bagel with cream cheese and a small slice each of honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon with three fresh strawberries. She smiled to learn the strawberry growing season in Florida was late November through the last of March.
She returned to her room to freshen and brush her teeth. She checked her briefcase for the necessary work and then called Herb to report that she had arrived and all was well. It was
such a nice morning that she decided to walk.
La Quinta was on 2905 North Monroe and the Leon County courthouse was on 301 South Monroe. No trouble, but if she found it too tiresome to walk, she could flag a cab. She walked briskly enjoying the clean, fresh air and the fact that everyone she met was smiling at her.
It was a long walk, but Hannah enjoyed it. She made her way through a group of people who seemed to be congregating for some specific purpose and went into the courthouse.
The young woman at the receptionist desk was looking apprehensively at the crowd outside the door. Hannah looked back and then at the young woman. “Is there a possibility of trouble?”
The young woman quickly apologized and welcomed Hannah. “No trouble. I hope. My husband is one of the officers on duty out there and I’m always afraid that someone in a crowd will get out of control and cause a fight or even pull a gun.”
“Why are they out there?” Hannah asked curiously.
“There are some people who never agree with the method used to evaluate their property for tax purposes. Those are demanding that our tax authorities all be removed from office and others installed. Zeesh. They don’t realize how much more money that would cost. Besides, whoever is elected, there will be some still protesting. You can’t please them all. It’s interesting that the ones protesting are the ones who really don’t have much or are not paying much at all.”
“As long as there are people on this earth there will be someone protesting something,” Hannah smiled.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” the young woman suddenly looked ashamed. “I was so worried about my husband and not paying attention to my business. How may I assist you?”
“My name is Hannah Rutherford. I need to speak to someone about information on property ownership.”
“Do you have a complaint?”
“No. Thankfully. I’m here on business for a client.” She held out her badge and identification card.
“Oh, my goodness. I’ll call Ginny Grogan and ask her to assist you. Please have a seat and she’ll be out here in a few minutes.”
“Thank you.” Hannah walked to a very comfortable light brown leather chair and appreciated it. She checked again to make sure all the papers she would need were in her briefcase. She knew they were there, but it was a nervous habit to keep checking.
In just three or four minutes a lady came bustling to her. She smiled at a woman possibly in her middle fifties, short, but stylish pepper and salt hair, about five four and around one fifty. The woman was smiling and holding out a hand to shake hands with Hannah.
“Hello, I’m Virginia Grogan. Call me Ginny. And how may I help you?”
“I’m Hannah Rutherford,” she said showing her badge and I D card. “Could we go somewhere private and talk? I have a very private business nature.”
“Certainly. Please come with me.”
The two ladies walked through a security gate, down a short hall and into a room that appeared to be a conference room. A long table, eight comfortable chairs and a smaller table with beverages, pastries, napkins and everything necessary on it were all that was in the room.
“Please have a seat,” Ginny offered Hannah. “Would you like something to drink, or snack?”
“Thank you, no. Is there an attorney in the building, or one near, that is familiar with your work and can join us?”
Ginny looked quizzically at Hannah. “You want an attorney present?”
“Yes, please. We’ll need one, preferably one that is familiar with property laws and property tax laws.”
Ginny stood up slowly and said, “Excuse me. Yes, I know the very one to call.” She left the room and was back in about five minutes. “Attorney James Bridges will join us in a few moments. In the meantime, would you like to tell me what this is about?”
“I could, but then I’d have to tell Mr. Bridges and you’d hear the same story twice. How long will it be before Mr. Bridges joins us?”
“He’s upstairs, but he’s on a long distance phone call and I don’t really know how long he will be. He knows we’re waiting, so, he won’t keep us waiting long.”
Chapter Fourteen
Hannah smiled. “I’m curious as to what the group out front hopes to accomplish.”
“Pay no attention. As long as they just march, wave signs and talk, there’s no problem, except they’re in the way of people entering on legitimate business. There’s always some group stirred up about something. I feel sorry for the police officers who are assigned to just be out there and make sure there is no trouble. Where are you from, Miss Rutherford?”
“I live in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and have a Private Investigation office. My master’s degree is in Criminal Justice and I was training for an attorney because my father had his heart set on it. I didn’t care for the work and was lucky to get a job on the local police force, but after a serious injury on the job, I decided to open my own office. I have a wonderful staff of two. However, we’ve so much business I’ll have to hire more qualified operatives.”
“How interesting. I bet you could write a book about some of your cases. Oh, here’s Jim now. Hello, Jim. May I introduce you to Miss Hannah Rutherford from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She has business that requires your presence. Miss Rutherford, this is Mr. Bridges. I’m sure you’ll find him competent and helpful.”
Hannah and Jim shook hands and exchanged pleasantries. Jim got a cup of coffee and sat down by Hannah.
“Now, how may I help you? What brings you this way?”
Hannah gave him the letter from the firm of Perkins, Greer and Hawkins to read. “Mr. Perkins, the senior of the firm, ask me to give this to whomever I worked with here.” She waited to give him a few minutes to read the letter stating that she represented their firm and they would appreciate his cooperation.
“Yes, Miss Rutherford. How do you need my help?”
“I’m authorized to give you the bare essentials. The law firm, for whom I’m working, is representing a woman in a divorce case. She was badly abused and kept from having any money to save or spend for herself. Her husband is a high-ranking military officer with a prominent family name. She is sure she has heard him speak of owning property here in Florida and knows he plans to retire here some day. She is hoping that she can find the information of the property he owns because he purchased it after they were married and while she was still working and contributing to the family income. He insisted that she stop working and stay home just to wait on him. Is it possible to get any information about such property? If so, she might be legally able to demand a substantial amount for her own upkeep. She is only in her late forties and has been married twenty-five years. She is afraid she can’t find a job and have an income and needs the reassurance of having something to count on.”
Ginny was upset hearing this. “If she’s telling the truth she certainly deserves some compensation. Jim, can you search the records for the information?”
“I sure can. There’s nothing I’d like better. Most police are excellent about protecting and serving, but once in a while there’s a bad apple. This sounds like a real rotten one. Let’s go up to the records office and get to work.”
Hannah was relieved. “I’m so happy that we can at least make an effort. I was afraid there was nothing we could do. Thank you, Ginny. I’m glad I met you.”
“It’s all my pleasure. Good luck.” Ginny bustled out to her office and left Jim and Hannah to go about their business.
Three hours later Hannah rubbed her aching back and stood to stretch.
“Gracious. His family sure owns a lot of property. I hope we can separate his from the family.”
Jim chuckled. “Take heart. Knowing his name helps tremendously. He does own property jointly with his brother and some woman. I need to find who she is. Barry,” he called to a man passing through the room, “come here, please.”
Jim was not a tall man; maybe an inch taller than Hannah. He was wiry and muscled with lots of energy. His brown hair was cut i
n such a way that Hannah suspected he had been in the military. She guessed him to be early to middle thirties. His hazel eyes showed laughter and intelligence. She didn’t dare smile or laugh aloud because Barry topped both of them by a foot.
Barry was a handsome African American, no more than thirty, well over six feet, with lively brown eyes and the sweetest smile. He waited patiently for Jim to tell him what he wanted.
Jim introduced Barry and Hannah telling her that Barry was the best detective they had. “Barry, we need help in determining who a woman is and what relationship she has to this man. Can you do that for me?”
“I sure can. In fact, I can tell you right now who she is. She works in the law office where my mother works. She married a police officer about seven years ago who just disappeared. We did find him in the military and then back on the east coast.”
“Did she ever get a divorce?” Hannah asked anxiously.
“I don’t think so. She kept hoping that something had happened to his memory in the military and he would show up any day. Why? What’s going on?”
Hannah drew herself up to her full height which still kept her much shorter than Barry. ‘What’s going on is that when he married this woman, he was already married to another woman where I live and work. Are you positive about this information?”
“I sure am. Would you like to talk to her?”
“Yes, but may I first call the attorney for whom I’m getting this information and ask him what he wants me to do?”
She thanked Barry and asked him if he would be around. He assured her that he would be here for a few hours. Jim took her to his office and told her to sit at the desk in his chair and be comfortable. “I’m going to step out and give you some privacy. If you need anything, or want me to return, pick up the phone and dial 2 3.” He left closing the door behind him.
Hannah dialed the private phone of Attorney Perkins. “Hello?”
