Doing Time In Texas, Book 2

by James E Ferrell

  “Oh, my goodness!” Ken exclaimed as he pulled his pistol. Turning around he saw the cemetery gate was open and at the back where Jack’s wife was buried there was another body. Backing slowly, trying not to slip down in the mud, he retreated to his truck. A light rain begun to fall making an even grizzlier scene.

  The city of Huntsville was still quiet with only a few people on the street when Ken Ward’s old truck circled the town square blowing his horn. The events of the day would soon speed up as he related the story at the cemetery. His entry attracted a group of early risers from O’Hara’s and the diner. The robbery of the candy store was quickly forgotten as Ward told of the murders. During the commotion on the square, Ed Weeks walked from his mechanic shop where he had been working on an old car. Within minutes trucks loaded with men and guns slipped and slid out of town toward the cemetery.

  Dr. Mueller and the undertaker were also summoned, and they arrived at the cemetery in time to watch a bunch of armed men slipping and sliding around in the mud. Their high anxiety would destroy what physical evidence may have been at the graveyard.

  Doctor Mueller shook his head as they sat in the ambulance watching the drama at the cemetery unfold. “Digger, do you think it’s possible that there is a man among that mob that has a brain? They have destroyed any hope of finding the killer!” he stated in frustration.

  “Well, Doc, maybe he left a note with his name and address somewhere out there. Needless to say, they couldn’t read it if he did! Not a single man out there thought to bring a flashlight!” Digger Dawson, the undertaker, shook his head and pulled his gloves off saying, “Doc, we might as well sit in my warm ambulance until the sheriff gets his head straight and runs that bunch off. It will be daylight in a few minutes anyway.” Digger sighed and turned the windshield wipers on for a moment clearing the pelting rain.

  “Your right, Digger! We might as well stay dry and watch these armed fools kill each other. What you want to bet, I have to treat a gunshot wound before they settle down!” Doc replied.

  “Our new sheriff is really making a showing bringing this bunch out here this morning!” Digger said disgustedly.

  The rain stopped just before daylight and the scene at the cemetery was utter chaos. The new sheriff’s attempt to control the situation had been abandoned. Doc mumbled to himself and after putting on a set of rubber boots, he and the undertaker made their way to the first victim.

  “Digger, this is Jack Parker. We just buried his wife a few days ago,” Doc Mueller stated.

  “Doc… there’s a body in the graveyard,” the sheriff said.

  “Who is back there?” Doc asked.

  “Dave Smith. He is from the Navasota area,” the sheriff said.

  “Sheriff, the victim would be the son of Dan Smith who died a year ago. You need to notify the boy’s stepmother about Dan’s son before the Smith’s hear it from someone else,” Doc Mueller ordered,

  “Ok, Doc. I will go on out to the Smith place when I leave here,” Sheriff Wells replied.

  The sheriff finally convinced the last of the men in the cemetery they were not needed. Which left only the doc, the undertaker and the sheriff to try and figure out what had happened. The two bodies were loaded in Digger’s ambulance.

  Making himself as conspicuous as possible, Ed Weeks stood by the door of his shop as the men returned from the graveyard. His demeanor had cooled, and he was back in control. However, now there was a calculating look to his eyes and his heart was more wicked than ever. Returning inside his shop he removed a bottle from an old pot behind his desk. He considered a drink and wiped his lips looking at the bottle. Slowly he decided it would be wise for him to just leave the bottle alone for a few days. He needed to stay alert. Not staying focused could bring suspicion down on him. Washing his hands in diesel to cut the heavy grease, he made his way to the small restroom behind his office. A shave and clean shirt would make him more presentable and after brushing his teeth he would venture onto the town square to hear what was being said.

  Dave Smith flashed through Ed’s mind and he cursed the thought. Smith was responsible for this mess. He was glad he seldom had much to do with him. No one could tie them together. He had cut the pistol up with a torch and buried it in the back of his shop. There was nothing to tie him to the murders…or the cemetery.

  C14 - Austin, Texas

  Captain Daniel Eastman, Texas Ranger drummed his fingers on his glass covered desktop and asked, “Rita, has the kid called in yet?”

  “Yes! He’s on his way. My goodness it’s not seven yet and you would think the day is over. You could at least give him the title he now holds. Ranger Cruise did finish the academy,” Rita O’Neal scolded.

  The sixty-year-old ranger laid a file aside and grumbled, “Isn’t the coffee ready yet?”

  “No, it’s just beginning to perk. It wouldn’t hurt you and Lightfoot to come in a little late once in a while. I could have coffee ready. You being late would give me time to get organized. When you and that crazy Comanche show up, you disrupt my routine and blow my schedule,” Rita said.

  “Chief Lightfoot is not in Austin for your information,” Captain Eastman stated.

  Rita knew where the Chief was, as well as all the other rangers on duty. It was an important part of her job to know their whereabouts just in case they were needed in a moment’s notice. “The government of Texas will run much better for a few days then,” she said jokingly.

  “You better watch it or one of these days I’m going to send you on an undercover assignment that will take you away from this secure protected environment… like maybe to darkest Africa,” Eastman teased.

  “Send me, just go ahead and send me. I will show you ranger boys how to solve cases and kick crime in the butt,” Rita said flippantly.

  This tirade was a weekly event in the life of the head of the Texas Rangers and his feisty young secretary. The two occasionally enjoyed a friendly banter about the captain’s field officers. Actually, that bantering usually streamed through her office on a daily basis. Always taking every opportunity to make a joke at her expense which she loved. What she wanted dearly was for one of the eligible rangers to sweep her off her feet and marry her, but that scenario seemed remote. There were no seasoned rangers that were not out on assignment and he needed a man in Huntsville now.

  “Captain!” the intercom sang out. "Ranger Cage Cruise has arrived!"

  “Send him in Rita and get us some coffee,” Captain Eastman ordered.

  “What’s the magic word?” Rita questioned.

  “If you don’t, I will have a desk moved next to yours for the Chief,” the captain teased.

  “Blackmail is a poor characteristic for an officer of the law. The coffee is almost made.” Once Daniel had the last word with Rita the game was over for the rest of the day. A tall immaculate young ranger looked back at Rita and winked as he stepped into the captain’s office. Captain Eastman’s back was to the door thumbing through a file when the ranger entered.

  “Have a seat, Cruise. I will be with you in a minute,” Eastman stated.

  “Good morning, Captain!” Ranger Cruise said.

  “Ranger Cruise, have you seen the headlines this morning?” the captain said while sliding the paper across his desk.

  “No, Sir. I haven’t had time,” he said, almost apologetically.

  “Well! Let me fill you in. I received a call shortly after dawn from an old friend in Huntsville and another before breakfast from the Governor,” Eastman stated. “To cut through the newspaper hype, there were two people murdered in Huntsville and I have no seasoned rangers available at the moment. I was thinking about sending Edward.”

  “Edward is a security guard,” Cage gasped. “Why not send me?”

  “Because you are so green the cutting worms wouldn’t bother with you,” the captain said.

  Cage grinned and thought, 'This rough old ranger is easy to rile.'

  The intercom crackled with Rita’s voice, “Captain, two rooms have been r
eserved in Huntsville and not a minute too soon!”

  The captain sat deep in thought absentmindedly drumming his fingers on the desktop. “It’s not my policy to send cut worm bait, fresh out of the academy on such an assignment alone. I just don’t have anyone else to send with you. The local sheriff, Strete Green, stepped down from the job of sheriff in Huntsville after his last term ended. Huntsville now has a new sheriff. I talked to a local merchant, Grady O’Hara, this morning. It seems that the only real choice in the election had been involved with a married woman and all the local women decided he was not to be elected. Bart Wells had put his name on the ballot and woke up Sheriff Wells the morning after the election, more than likely with a hangover! Cruise, get down there and start an investigation. I will send you some backup as soon as someone comes available. I want a daily report on what you find. Don’t mess this up!” Captain Eastman said.

  The conversation was over, so Cage stood and made his way into Rita’s office. “Rita, how are you today?” he asked.

  “Ranger Cruise, I’m just great,” she said.

  “Could you help me with something, please?” he asked sitting on the edge of her desk.

  Looking up with her best smile, she fluttered her eyelashes and said, “I will try. Just what is it?”

  “Well, I’m leaving on this long and perilous assignment. When and if I return alive would you have supper with me?” Cage asked.

  Before she could answer the Captain’s voice from the other room said, “It’s company policy that my secretary cannot date, have a luncheon or any other off duty activity with cut worm bait.”

  “Well, you heard the boss,” Rita said. “Now when you get the stigma of cut worm lifted then come back and see me. I will hold my breath until you do!”

  “Then I guess I will have to solve this case posthaste. By the way, what is a cut worm?” Cage asked.

  C15 - The Jokester

  By noon, the sun was warming things up and only remnants of snow could be seen in shady spots on the city square. Willy and Bonnie had awakened hungry and made their way to the diner below their room. Entering the diner, they sat at a table close to the front window watching the activity around the city square. Bonnie was cold and had her hands wrapped around her steaming cup of hot chocolate.

  “I thought it was warm in Texas! I’m freezing to death!” Bonnie exclaimed.

  “Drink your coco; that should warm you up,” Willy said.

  The diner was full of people eating. Their conversation focused on the murders that had occurred last night at the cemetery. Bonnie’s eyes grew big as the two sat listening to what was being said. Not taking her eyes off Willy, she whispered, “Do you hear what they are talking about?”

  Nodding his head in a yes motion, he quieted her with an uplifted hand. Deep in thought he listened to the conversation around him. It wasn’t long until he had a clear understanding of what had happened. Soon the name he had heard below his window, Dave, was spoken and a cold chill ran through his mind. Putting parts of various conversations together, he realized he was the only one in the diner that really had a grasp on what had happened. What he was hearing he didn’t want to believe. Quickly Willy put the circumstances together in his mind. It became apparent the taller of the men below the window had killed the other. Someone had happened along, and the killer had killed him because he could identify him.

  Willy sat and sipped his coffee. His hand trembled slightly while Bonnie sat staring at him. She was shocked at what she was hearing. The fact that Willy had tricked these two thieves was not so funny anymore. All of this had happened because he had pulled a prank. The dark clouds in his mind began to gather again. He found himself wiping his hands on the tablecloth as if they were bloody.

  “What’s the matter?” Bonnie asked.

  “Nothing. Drink your coco,” Willy said flatly.

  “I have seen that look before and it worries me,” she whispered. Willy did not respond. A dull headache was once again beginning. He sat in disbelief. Is it possible the trick he had played would have produced such dire consequences?

  The waitress poured a cup of coffee for a customer at a table next to Willy’s and called to a man who had just entered the diner, “Ed, what will you be having this morning?” A familiar voice ordered coffee and Willy stiffened. The diner door was to his back and the voice was one from below their window. Willy waited until the man had passed and seated himself at the only table available in the back of the diner. Then he cast a slow glance at the man. The waitress took the man a cup of coffee. “Ed, have you heard about what happened last night at the cemetery west of town?”

  “No, I saw a lot of commotion this morning when I was opening my shop.” Voices from around the diner relayed the story to Ed. Willy watched Ed’s face looking for any expression he might show. A look of shock came over Ed’s face. “I just saw the Smith boy a couple of days ago. I replaced the carb on his Studebaker,” Ed stated.

  Willy watched as the story unfolded for Ed’s benefit. He knew he was watching the killer perform at his best. Bonnie had taken interest in the conversations going on around them after seeing Willy’s demeanor change and suddenly an alarm went off in her head. A waitress appeared with their dinner and Willy asked, “Can you put that in a bag to go?”

  “Yes! Let’s go! I’m ready to get out of this town,” Bonnie whispered.

  “We are not going anywhere. As a matter of fact, we will be around here for a while,” Willy said. Rising from his chair, he dropped a tip on the table and said, “Let’s get back upstairs. I need to lay down.” Running his fingers through his black hair, he didn’t bother to put the new Stetson on. The headache was getting worse and he needed to get back to bed. Upstairs Bonnie closed and locked the door to their room. Turning she leaned against the door and watched Willy get undressed.

  “Downstairs they said there were two men murdered a few hours ago. Does that have anything to do with you leaving this morning?” Bonnie inquired.

  Dropping his clothes in the floor, Willy lay on the bed and pulled the covers up over his head and said, “Turn the lights off and get in bed Bonnie, I can’t talk now.”

  Bonnie hung up his clothes, wet a washcloth, sat on the edge of the bed and pulled the covers back and placed the wet cloth over his eyes. “Willy, answer me just one question,” she said.

  “Bonnie, I was only gone for five minutes. How could I know anything about what happened miles from this town?” Satisfied she darkened the room as much as she could then slipped under the covers and held him close.

  Ranger Cruise stepped from the state car and stretched; it was late afternoon. He had parked in the only parking place that was available on the town square. The town had taken on a carnival atmosphere and on every park bench and along every storefront people were talking to reporters. The badge caught their attention and suddenly Cruise was surrounded by a flock of reporters all talking at once.

  “I just got here and there is nothing I can tell you!” Ranger Cruise exclaimed. Walking away without further comment, he made his way through the crowd headed for the diner. Today he learned to appreciate Rita’s efficient management. She had reserved rooms in Huntsville as soon as she heard of the deaths through the captain’s open door. Putting his things away he headed for the office of the sheriff across the street.

  The warming weather brought a fine mist as Cage crossed the street to the courthouse. Taking a deep breath and gritting his teeth he entered the sheriff’s office. The office was as he would have expected, a mess. Half-filled paper coffee cups sat around the room and a stack of paper had slid from a desktop. The new sheriff’s face took on a look of surprise as the ranger walked in and he said, “Well, a Texas Ranger has come to town! I guess you come to solve the murders for us country boys?”

  “I was sent to get a report on your progress and see what I can do,” Cage said trying to ignore the comment.

  “I’m the sheriff of Huntsville and can handle this without the rangers snooping around,”
Bart said haughtily.

  “Maybe I need to clear the air a little better. I have been sent here by the Governor of Texas and expect your full cooperation. Let’s keep this as professional as we can,” Ranger Cruise stated. “Tell me what happened at the cemetery and what evidence you have.”

  Bart re-crossed his legs on his desk and sat cleaning his fingernails with his pocketknife. “A ‘local yokel’ got himself killed; plus, a fellow named Jack Parker. The local was from Navasota area. His daddy is dead, and I don’t think either one of them has ever held a job in their lives. The fellow Parker is new to the area. He retired from the military and runs a large spread out west of Huntsville. At the cemetery Parker’s body was in his pickup the other one was in the cemetery. The vehicles are still at the scene and no one has touched them. That’s all I know at the present,” the sheriff stated drily.

  The weather cleared, and the sun came out. After leaving the sheriff’s office, Cage Cruise headed for the cemetery. Just as the sheriff had said, the vehicles had been left as they were. It was obvious any physical evidence around the cemetery had been trampled into a muddy mess. Remembering the conversation with the sheriff, Cage figured the Smith boy must have been murdered for some reason and the other man had happened upon the scene. What a turn of events--the killer started something that snowballed into a double murder. He had nothing to lose now; turning himself in would gain him nothing. This man would be dangerous and not to be taken easily.

  Standing at the cemetery gate, Cage looked over the scene. ‘Why was the hood raised?’ On closer inspection he found that the battery in the old car had been disconnected. Evidently the killer’s vehicle wouldn’t crank, and he was switching batteries; that must be it. The tracks indicated the farmer had happened along and offered help but got a bullet in payment. Looking at the mess the sheriff’s men had made, he shook his head and headed back to Huntsville.