Desperate Wish

by Sioux Dallas

  “Mom, any other time we’d love to go, but we have something important planned tonight. We’ll all get together another time when we’ve made plans for it. Dad, how did you get here?” Daniel asked.

  “I came in with a ranch hand. I’ll beg a ride home,” Lance answered.

  “Okay. Could you stay awhile and discuss some things with me, please?”

  “Sure son. I’m yours as long as you need me.”

  “Careful, son. That’s what he said to me twenty-seven years ago and I’ve been stuck with him every since.” Myra grinned.

  “Stuck! Well, woman, if that’s the way you feel-” Lance made a grab for Myra, swung her off the ground and kissed her soundly. Amanda stared at them and then began to giggle.

  Myra hugged him and wriggled loose. “I guess we’ll go on then. Amanda, please change your mind and join us.”

  “Thank you, Myra, I believe I will. I’ll see you secretive, so struck on yourself fellows tomorrow. I’m sure you can get along without me.”

  The three women left with Corbin bragging about taking his harem to dinner.

  Daniel, Mike, Shane and Lance went into the office to discuss Daniel’s plan. After hearing the details, Lance could understand why this had to be kept to only a few people knowing what was being discussed. Secrecy was most important.

  “Thanks, Dad. I could manage, after a fashion, but your help is greatly appreciated.”

  “Think nothing of it. I’m so glad you let me in on your plans. Mike, Shane, what do you two think of Daniel’s plan?”

  “It’s risky, but something has to be done. We all have radios and the police have been advised of his expectations. I’ll be here, too,” Shane reminded him.

  “I’ll be fine, Dad. Drive my car out of here as if I’m the one taking it away. I’ll call you if I need you. Just park where we agreed and stay low. Mike is only going a short distance and will park out of sight and wait for my call.”

  Lance drove Daniel’s car out followed by Mike in his jeep. The two men went to the places where they had agreed to park and wait for a call on their CBs.

  Daniel had turned off the lights and stayed inside the hangar. He now hid in the supply closet with a spotlight flashlight and a bottle of water. He had previously fixed a comfortable chair for himself. Shane hid in the office with the same supplies. Hopefully the wait would not be in vain.

  Daniel had to stand and stretch often to keep from falling asleep. About midnight he heard the hangar door slide open. He slowed his breathing and listened intently. Footsteps paced confidently across the floor toward the lone plane. A flickering light showed under the closet door. Daniel held his breath fearful that the door would be opened on him before he was ready.

  He gently drew a quiet breath when the light and footsteps passed on by. Easing his radio out of his pocket he called Mike and his dad. “They’re here,” he whispered to each man.

  Mike immediately called the police and gave them the prearranged message. He then drove out from the side road and went back toward the hangar.

  As he got on the property, he cut his lights and coasted to the outside of the hangar. He eased out of the jeep and didn’t shut the door completely because he didn’t want to alert anyone that he had driven near. He walked quietly to the side walk-in door and waited for the police. Lance soon coasted quietly in and parked behind Mike’s jeep. He tiptoed over and joined Mike.

  Daniel listened angrily to the noises of metal against metal and the carefree whistle of the intruder. He waited the agreed ten minutes for two police cars that were parked a short distance away. He then slowly opened the closet door. He couldn’t see Shane, but knew he was nearby. He looked around the door seeing a bright camping lantern placed by the plane. He could see the backside of someone, in coveralls, that was on a ladder doing something to the plane. The baseball cap hid his head so that it was difficult to see who it might be.

  Sensing a presence to his left, Daniel could just see a shape that he knew was Shane, tiptoeing near him. The two men acknowledged each other with a nod. As Shane came up even with Daniel, they both heard the walk-in door being eased open. They knew the police were coming in followed by Mike and Lance.

  Daniel turned the spotlight on the person and called, “Get down from there and raise your hands. Give up and you won’t be hurt.”

  The intruder gave a grunt of surprise, whirled and threw a heavy metal tool in Daniel’s direction. The police moved in as Daniel ran to turn the overhead lights on. The person tried to run.

  “Police! Stop or we’ll be forced to shoot!”

  “No!” The man stopped and fell face down on the floor, legs spread apart and hands clasped behind his head. Sgt. Cook quickly placed handcuffs on him and he and Shane helped the man to rise and turned him to face Mike and Daniel.

  “No! No!” Mike yelled dropping to his knees and holding his chest.

  Jimmy gave a strangled gasp. “Uncle Mike!?”

  “Aw, son, tell me it isn’t so. Why? Why would you do damage to people who have cared about you and tried to help you?” Tears were standing in Mike’s eyes. He groaned as Daniel helped him stand.

  “Mike, are you going to be all right? Do I need to call for medical help?”

  “No, Daniel boy. I’m just shocked and grief stricken.” Daniel gripped Mike’s shoulder in a friendly gesture.

  “Jimmy, were you the one that caused Amanda’s plane to go down?” Daniel asked.

  Jimmy hung his head and nodded.

  “YOU TRIED TO KILL MY MANDY?” Mike roared. “No! Not kill her, just cause trouble for the business.”

  “For what purpose?” Daniel asked in surprise and anger. “What did Amanda, or her father, ever do to you?

  “Nothing. They never did nothing to me.”

  Shane, seeing that Mike was deeply affected and that Daniel was getting very angry, stepped in. “Were you the one who hit Mike and nearly killed him?”

  “Uncle Mike, I’m so sorry. I really couldn’t see who I hit, and I hated it so badly when I heard it was you. Mom and I both were happy to hear you would be all right.”

  “He wouldn’t have been if Amanda and I hadn’t just happened by and found him when we did,” Daniel glared at Jim.

  “Thank you for taking care of him. Uncle Mike is pretty special to me.”

  “I can’t believe it,” Mike choked. “How can you say you care? Why have you done all of this to me then?” Mike again dropped to his knees, as if his legs would not hold him up, and folded his arms across his chest. He sat like that, rocking back and forth.

  “Not to you, Uncle Mike, to them.”

  “All right, Jimmy,” Sgt. Cook spoke with authority. “We’ll have to take you to the station for booking and questioning. You’ll be in jail until a judge informs us of the amount of the bail, if any. Since Mike was attacked and hurt so badly, Miss Wescott could have been killed when the plane went down, and Daniel was shot, in addition to all the financial woes you caused, it’ll go harder for you. That’s three cases of attempted murder. Officer Headrick, give this young man the Miranda,” he said disgustedly.

  “You have the right to remain silent. Should you desire not to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you can’t afford an attorney, one will be provided by the court. Do you understand these rights?” Jimmy nodded.

  “Speak up,” Sgt. Cook barked.

  “Yes, sir, I understand,” Jimmy mumbled, his head bowed in shame.

  “What is your mother going to think? This will kill her, boy,” Mike shook his head. He was now standing with Daniel and Shane on either side of him.

  Jimmy was crying as he was led away. Mike had tears streaming down his face. Daniel turned his back out of respect for Mike. Daniel felt both relief and anger. How could Jimmy have done this to Mike who had been like a loving father to him? The Wescotts had been so supportive of him and tried to help with his finances and his schooling. Why was he trying to cau
se trouble for them?

  Lance was just standing looking dumb-founded. “I’ll go get Corbin,” he finally said. “Mike, I’ll want to be present when Jimmy tells why he did this. I can’t believe it was his own idea or that he worked alone.” Lance turned to walk away shaking his head.

  Mike nodded and walked outside as Daniel turned off lights and locked up. He came out to find Mike waiting for him. Shane had left with the police.

  “Mike, I’m glad you still have your wits about you. I forgot that I have no transportation. Thank you. Dad and Corbin will meet us at the station.”

  “Daniel, I’m heartsick. How can I face Corbin and Mandy knowing that my nephew is the scoundrel that has caused them so much grief; the loss of money they couldn’t afford, and he could have killed Mandy?” Tears were streaming down Mike’s cheeks. He was so upset, he didn’t seem to notice.

  “I’m sure they’re more concerned that he almost killed you; striking you like that and then walking away not knowing whether you’d live or not.”

  “He said he didn’t know it was me, but that doesn’t excuse him. He shouldn’t have hit anyone, and he certainly shouldn’t have walked off and left the person to goodness knows what.”

  Mike sighed on a sob. “He didn’t even stop to check on who he had hit. I have been wondering why he never came to the hospital with his mother to see me. He never even came to my house or called to check on me. I guess he was ashamed of himself. I hope he was. I’d hate to think he had no remorse about injuring another person.”

  “Hopefully we’ll know the answers soon,” Daniel said encouragingly as they pulled into the parking lot at the police station. “I agree with my dad. I find it hard to believe that Jimmy was working alone.”

  As they walked into the building, Daniel heard his name called and looked around to see Lance and Corbin hurrying toward them. “Did you tell Amanda?” he asked Corbin.

  “No. She and her mother had both fallen asleep, and I felt they were better off resting. I left a note on the kitchen table and I’ll tell them all the details in the morning, or rather this morning. It’s nearly two o’clock.”

  The police dispatcher, seated behind a bullet-proof glass, directed then through a door at the end of the hall. “The Chief’s expecting you. He told me to let you in as soon as you got here.” He pushed a button; a buzzer sounded and the door at the end of the hall opened. A uniformed officer led them into a room where they could see through a glass into an interrogation room.

  “He can’t see you or hear you unless you make a lot of noise, or talk loudly, the officer explained. “You can see from this side, but he can’t see from the other side.”

  Jimmy was led in and seated at a table. A uniformed officer was with him. “Okay, son, are you willingly giving a statement and swear it’s the truth?” The officer asked as he turned on a recorder. Jimmy nodded.

  “You’ll have to speak; the machine can’t pick up motions, only sounds.”

  “Yes, I’m willingly giving a statement and will tell the truth,” Jimmy said as if he was disgusted at being there.

  “State your fall name, your address, your birth date and parents’ names.” Jimmy gave all of this information. “James Michael Whitefeather. I live at 32576 Sycamore. My birth date is August 16, 1923. My mother is Jewel Stallard Whitefeather and my father is dead. He was William Black Lance Whitefeather. He was an honorable man. I’m glad he doesn’t know.”

  “Now. What was your purpose, or reasons, for damaging the property of the Wescotts and almost killing two people?”

  “Uncle Mike, my mother’s brother, has worked for Mr. Wescott for many years. He’s been more than good to help all of us all he can, but Mom needs more help than he can give now.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Mom don’t want me to tell Uncle Mike and worry him, but she had cancer and had a mastectomy. Uncle Mike helped us with the money. Her cancer is back and she needs a lot of money for more surgery and something for us to live on. She told me not to let Uncle Mike know because he would worry and he don’t have that much to help us any more.”

  “How did you mother’s illness get you involved in criminal activities? And why did you attack people who were being so good to you?”

  “A man came to me and offered me a lot of money to cause problems for the Wescotts so they would be forced to sell. He wants to buy them out and take their business.”

  “And you would betray your uncle and the kind people who had been so good to you?”

  “I wasn’t thinking through the whole thing and what might happen to people I love and care about. I just needed money for my mother.”

  “Who is the man that got you into this crime, and how much did he pay you?”

  “He promised me twenty thousand dollars, but he’s only given me ten thousand. I told my mother that a friend, who didn’t want his name known, had given us the money.”

  “What’s this man’s name?”

  “I’m not sure who the man is who had the money. He sent it by someone who works for him. I think men, who work for him, have been doing the damage to the Wescott’s property and stealing things.”

  Daniel jumped up and knocked over his chair causing Jimmy to jump and look around.

  “What’s that? Who’s there?” he asked fearfully

  “Never mind. There’s always all kinds of noises in a police station. I’m calling Judge Gibbs and getting him out of bed to sign a warrant for the arrest of Warren Gooding before he can skip town.”

  “Why Warren Gooding? I didn’t give his name. In fact, I don’t think he really knows anything about this,” Jimmy protested.

  “We’ll see. He’s been acting suspicious. It won’t hurt to make sure. You said you didn’t know for sure who the people are that are involved. In the meantime, you’ll be placed in an isolation cell. We’ll need to talk to you another time. You’re being put in that cell so that prisoners can’t bother you until something is decided.”

  An officer came to lead Jimmy out and Chief Morrison came into the room to talk to the group. “We can’t charge Gooding with anything because there’s no evidence against him; just his suspicious behavior, but we can’t risk losing someone responsible while we dither around wondering what to do about him.”

  “I agree,” Daniel stated. “May we wait and hear what Gooding has to say?”

  “If you wish, but it could be some time. It’s getting toward morning and you people need to get some rest.”

  “I won’t rest until I know who is responsible. I can’t feel badly toward Jimmy. He didn’t mean to hurt anyone and he was trying to get money to help his mother. He went about it the wrong way, but how many of us have always made the wisest decisions?” Corbin reasoned.

  “Mr. Wescott, you’re being far kinder toward Jimmy and nicer about this than I would be. You’ve lost money and almost lost your only daughter because of it,” Chief Morrison stated.

  “Jesus forgave me of my sins. How can I do any less to someone else? If I can’t forgive, then I can’t be forgiven,” he answered.

  The Chief walked out looking thoughtful. He turned at the door to look back at Corbin and then slowly went on.

  Chapter Eighteen

  It was nearly five in the morning when Warren was led into the interrogation room. He had been fingerprinted and all pertinent information taken. Sgt. Cook began to question him. “For the record state your name.” Warren did so and then Sgt. Cook said, “This is August 12, 1940. Mr. Gooding, are you answering these questions willingly with knowledge that you’re being taped and anything you say could be used against you in the event that you’re found guilty.”

  “Yes, of course I know I’m being taped and I’m willing to answer questions, but I still don’t understand what this is about.”

  “Do you know Amanda Wescott?”

  “Yes, I’ve known her and her family for years.”

  “Do you and your father operate the same kind of flying service that the Wescotts do?”

>   “Yes, we do; pretty much the same.”

  “You know about the losses they’ve had and the threats to Amanda Wescott’s life and shooting of Daniel Cortland?”

  “Certainly. Everyone in town knows all about it.”

  “Well not all. We’re trying to find who the people are that are responsible.”

  “It isn’t me,” Warren jumped up agitated. “I know nothing about who caused their trouble, and you can’t pin it on me.”

  “Please sit down, Mr. Gooding. We’re not finished.” Warren reluctantly acquiesced, clasped his hands on top of the table and jiggled one leg in his nervousness.

  “We just brought in a young man who is responsible for the damage to the Wescott plane and he’s naming associates, especially the big wig responsible.”

  “If he named me, he’s lying,” By now Warren was red in the face and shouting. “I know nothing about how the damage was done or who is involved.”

  Corbin turned to whisper to Chief Morrison. “I believe he’s telling the truth, but why has he been banging around my place of business?” The Chief nodded, excused himself and went out. In a minute he was seen walking into the room where Warren was seated. Warren jumped up when he saw the Chief.

  “Chief, you can’t possibly think I’m guilty of the Wescott’s troubles. I know I have a reputation for quarreling and fighting, but I’ve never done such harm to any human being.”

  “Sit down, Warren. Let’s talk calmly and get to the bottom of this.” They both sat down. “Now, why were you at the Wescott hangar when it wasn’t something you did ordinarily?”

  “I had received offers to buy our property. One man that came by saying he was representing his employer, talked kind of rough and threatening. I just wondered if Amanda had the same offer and was being scared out. I like her and wanted to help.” He hung his head a moment and looked ashamed. “If you want the truth, I’ve had a crush on Amanda for a long time, but I know I’m not the man for her. I just wanted to help her.”

  “Why did you sneak around then? Why didn’t you tell her what you had gone through and offer to help her?”