My Name Is 'Rose'

MY NAME IS ‘ROSE’

LELA JEAN CLENDANIEL

Copyright © 2012 Lela Jean Clendaniel

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ISBN: 978-1-4497-5308-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4497-5309-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2012909062

WestBow Press rev. date: 11/05/2012

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty-One

Chapter Thirty-Two

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chapter Thirty-Four

Chapter Thirty-Five

Chapter Thirty-Six

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Forty

Chapter Forty-One

Chapter Forty-Two

For all my family, friends, ‘golfing buddies’,

and especially to my husband, Dick.

Pray continually.

(I Thessalonians 5:17), NIV

My special thanks to ‘Sherrie’ for her keen eyes and ‘red pen’.

CHAPTER ONE

It was a Friday, a rather bleak day in mid-October, and the air was cool and crisp. Leaves were skittering across the wind-swept manicured lawn. Old dark leaves were clinging to frost-burnt marigolds stems. Squirrels were scurrying across the lawn in search of fallen acorns. Dark clouds were gathering overhead. Indian summer for this year had come and gone. Tall pin oak trees were loosening their grip on their crimson and golden leaves. Soon the oaks would be standing tall and bare. An eerie chill was in the air as an ominous storm was approaching from the northeast. The raw darkened nights of winter were beginning to settle in this rural county of Maryland. The paneled door of the two-car garage was left raised and wide open and was now receiving some of the wind’s debris, fallen leaves and small sticks. A late model green Buick could be seen parked amid gardening tools, flower pots and a handyman’s work bench. A warm and comforting light could be seen streaming from the kitchen window of the brick rancher while revealing someone busily preparing for the evening meal.

Kate Remington was at the sink washing her hands of flour and shortening. Chicken and dumplings were slow cooking in the kettle on the stove and an apple crisp dessert was baking in the oven. Ah, her husband, Jake’s, favorite combination. The delicious aroma of baking apples filled the house while vegetables of peas and carrots were warming in the nearby pots. Soon their two hungry teenagers would come busting through the door from a late football and field hockey practice at the high school. Their dad would be picking them up after work as usual. Angie, a senior, and Matt, a sophomore, would be ravenous and sweaty messes. Always into sports, they played every seasonal sport. For now it was football and hockey in the high school’s sport fields. Angie, was a slim dark-eyed blond with an easy going manner; always an A student. Matt, was a quiet, but rugged six-foot, brown-eyed string bean. Friends were more important than straight A’s to him, but he managed honor roll status too. Thinking ahead to this evening, Kate envisioned that it would be a quiet relaxing time when husband and wife could catch the news, read the local paper, and go over plans for the weekend.

Usually after a tough sport’s practice, food by the two teenagers would be literally inhaled, and homework pushed aside. Somehow the leisurely warm showers that were taken produced a rejuvenating effect, and so bedtime on Friday nights triggered some late night phone calls to various friends about Saturday plans. Sunday mornings always came too soon with church and then homework time in the evening. Tonight was a special supper, since Kate had a day off from her job as nurse supervisor at the local county hospital. A little extra-special meal was made tonight, since she was not so tired. As supervisor of the intensive care unit, Kate had been working full time for the past ten years to put money away for college expenses. Working in a high-tech ICU brought much physical and emotional stress to Kate, but also much pleasure and personal satisfaction. She enjoyed giving the best of care to the sickest of patients, while also giving comfort to the anxious families, even when death ensued. Looking out the window, she thought, Yes everything is going to be just fine in the Remington household tonight. The ringing of the phone jogged her thoughts back to reality as she dried her hands on a dish towel and reached for the phone. Hello, she answered. It was Jake.

Hey, Kate, I’ve got to work for a couple of hours at the office. Could you pick up the kids at the gym tonight? I’ll be home as soon as I can but it looks like we are in for some bad weather, maybe even some thunder and lightning.

Well, yes, I guess I can Jake. Supper is nearly ready. It will take me a good fifteen minutes to run into town. I’ll turn off the oven and stick the chicken and dumplings into the crock pot to keep them cooking. Okay. I’m on my way. Supper will be waiting. See you later.

Turning off the oven, she glances out the window and sees a dark van turning into the driveway. Kate is thinking to herself. Someone probably took the wrong road to the interstate. I guess someone is turning around again. Now where are my purse and the car keys? Kate heads to the back bedroom, flicks on the light, and searches for her purse. Ah, there it is on the chair, just where I left it. She turns off the light, hurries through the kitchen, picks up her car keys and the house key from the key rack, then heads for the garage through the breezeway. Now what is that noise? She could hear the motor of an engine idling in the driveway and the scurrying about of feet on the debris-laden concrete floor. Opening the garage side door, she comes face-to-face with two Goth-like intruders. Blood shot and dark beady black eyes stared back at her. Dressed in black jeans and tee shirts, and decorated with various tattoos, sneering back at her through rotting decayed teeth, she hears, "Grab her Mac’’.

Get out of here. Kate shouted. Who are you? What do you two want?

Now don’t worry little lady, came the reply. Just give me that purse and the keys and oh, how about taking those pretty rings off your fingers and we’ll go.

Wait Mike, I wonder what else she has laying around in the house. Go check things out. Give me those keys. As he grabbed Kate from behind, she flung the car keys under the car. The house key bounced off the bumper and landed near her feet. Unable to retrieve the cars keys, the shorter Goth, Mike, picked up the door key and proceeded through the breezeway to the kitchen door. Entering the kitchen, Mike sniffed at the pleasant aromas and surveyed the tidy kitchen. Rich cherry cabinets adorned the walls while red and white gingham curtains framed the windows. He decided this must be a rich man’s house. He snooped around and finally made his way to the bedroom. The taller Goth, Mac, was holding Kate tight with an arm hold around her throat and an arm around her middle. Kate kicked and scratched and landed an elbow smack dab in his stomach. Finally free, she landed a fist square into his jaw and pushed him against the car trunk. Mac bounced back and delivered a strong blow into her face which hurled her up against the wooden work bench and vice, cutting a gash across her back and shoulder. Warm blood trickled down from her shoulder blades and back. She regained her footing again and came back swinging with both fists and knocked Mac off balance. Falling back against the rakes and a shovel, Mac blindly grabbed a shovel from off its hook. A determined but dazed look spread across Kate’s face as she ducked from another blow from his fist. Kicking and flailing her arms, while still dazed, she didn’t see the shovel coming her way. Mac heaved the shovel squarely at her head. This sudden blow produced a stream of blood down her face and neck. Kate’s body fell back against the rear bumper of the Buick as she went crashing down to the wet concrete floor, mixing blood with the wind strewn leaves. There was an eerie thud as her head and the concrete floor met. Kate lay motionless in an unconscious heap. Mac looked at Kate. He grabbed her hands and pulled off a beautiful large diamond engagement ring, gold band, and a sapphire and diamond anniversary ring. Out of breath and puffing, he saw Mike coming through the garage door.

Mike hollered to Mac, Look what I’ve got in this pillow case man. Just look at all this stuff. This is quite a haul. I found all this stuff in the bedroom. We can get all the booze we want with this haul, especially with those rings from her fingers. Gee, it looks like she put up quite a fight. What happened to you? Is she dead, Mac?

No. She’s still breathing, just knocked out. She’s quite a fighter! Grab that wallet and stuff these rings in your pocket and let’s get out of here. The police may already be looking for this hot-wired van. We may as well take her with us, since she can ID us. We can dump her along the road somewhere. It’s really starting to pour. That wind is kicking up too. I heard a big nor ‘eastern storm is coming. At least with the rain, there will be no tracks.

Lightening streaked the sky and thunder boomed overhead. Hail started to bounce off the black-topped driveway. The rain came pelting down and leaves swirled around their feet. Bruised and bleeding a little from his fight with Kate, he wiped his face and arms with the sleeve of his grimy wet t-shirt. Mac threw the pillow case into the van and opened the rear doors for the unconscious Kate. Coming back to help his buddy, he grabbed Kate under her arms while Mike grabbed her feet and then heaved her into the back of the cluttered van. Slamming the doors shut, they jumped into the front seats of the idling van. Mac put the van into gear. Sputtering and choking, the van came alive under a heavy foot. Mac jammed the gears into reverse. Stopping and changing gears, the van lurched forward out of the driveway and down the rain slick road. Veering close to the country road’s ditch, he jerked the car away from the side and maneuvered it to the middle of the road. Already the rain and hail was crashing against the windshield and the wind was pushing against the van’s side. Mike grabbed the steering wheel as Mac’s head banged against his window. Mac quickly adjusted and found the windshield wiper button. At least the wipers work in this heap he thought as they took a broad swipe across the glass. The van was rocking back and forth.

Whew! That was close. We almost landed in the ditch. I sure could use another beer to settle my nerves. Is there any left?

No, Mac. We drank the last one when we were joy-riding around town, remember? Well we got the little lady’s wallet and credits cards. We can get anything we want. We can pawn off some of those gems for cash. I wonder how she likes her ride so far.

She’s out like a light, but still breathing. She won’t remember a thing with that blow to her head. She probably has a nice concussion when her head and concrete met on the garage floor.

Kate lay unmoving in a smelly mess amid the stench of empty beer cans, banana peels, pieces of half eaten fried chicken, and rumpled up fast food bags. Blood oozed out of her head wound and from the gash on her shoulder. Some blood could be seen trickling down her red blouse. Kate’s body rolled from side to side with each turn and jostle of the putrid van. Her brown hair lay in a tangled mess among the rotting food scraps and seeping beer liquid. Some dry hardened blood could be seen on her left cheek and down her arm. Little did she know that the storm had worsened, and now rain water was seeping in and around the back door hinges and the rear windows of the van. Miniature hail stones were pelting the van. Her red blouse and jeans were soaking up the water and the beer.

"We’ve got to make tracks, Mac. Step on it! Can’t you go any faster?’’

I’m trying, but I can’t see ten feet in front of me. The wind and rain is coming so fast that the wipers can’t take it off the windshield. It’s a job trying to keep this wreck on this slick road. So just shut up! The noise from the hail is not helping either.

Turn right up here on this country dirt road, yelled Mike. There won’t be any traffic this way either, but keep this jalopy in the middle of the road. Watch it! Wow! Mike yells. The van was hit by something solid. Mac slammed on the brake as the van slid to the side of the road. It finally came to a screeching halt as it rocked back and forth. That was a deer that ran into us. It crashed right into this side and look! It dented the door and then scooted across the hood. Now the hood is bent up and one wiper is gone! This is just great!" Mac is amazed at the sudden impact and damage.

It actually crossed over the hood and it looks like it kept running off into the woods. Wow! That was close, buddy. We really got rocked! Mike looks over at Mac.

Mac, we’re lucky we’re not in the ditch or up against that tree. I guess I’m glad we weren’t going very fast. This old van took the hit real good. Our passenger got rocked real good too with that jolt. Gee, it sure doesn’t smell so good back there. All that trash in there and she’s rolling around in it. She is still out, might even be dead. By the way, how long have we been travelling? Do you think the cops are wise to us yet?

Hell no! Nobody could find us in this storm! I’m not even sure just where we are. I haven’t seen a speed limit sign or a road sign for miles. We are so far out in these Pennsylvania hills, even the hounds couldn’t find us!

CHAPTER TWO

Meanwhile, I wonder why no one has come to pick us up, shivered Angie. Practice was over a half hour ago. I wonder what happened to Dad. He is never this late. He is usually here by now. Matt, call home on that pay phone over there. Do you have some money? Someday, I’d like to have one of those new cell phones. I see a lot of people are getting them.

I’ll get soaked if I run over there. The wind is whipping the leaves around and I hear hail on the roof of this bus shelter. Look at the little ice balls on the pavement. Dad should be here any minute. Say, it looks like the coach turned out all the lights or else the electric is off, and no, Angie, I used my last quarters for a soda. A well-worn car approached the bus shelter and dimmed its lights.

Hey. Are you kids alright? It was the coach Sullivan calling from his car.

Well coach, croaked Matt, our Dad is really late picking us up. We don’t know what has happened to him. He usually picks us up on his way home from work. Boy, this storm is awful!

Get in my car and I’ll run you both home to your house. If you recognize your father’s car coming, just tell me and I’ll pull over.

Thanks, coach. I guess it will be okay. Usually we wait for him, but something must have happened. Let’s go Angie. Hop in the back and get out of this rain! Take this book bag in there with you.

The wind rocked the little Chevy as the pair climbed into the car. Rain and hail was pelting against the windows and doors. Matt slammed the back door shut after Angie climbed in with all the books and bags. He quickly climbed in the front seat and was now soaking wet. Coach Sullivan put the car in ‘drive’ and started off, straining to see between the windshield wipers. The road in front of him appeared slick and dark as he pulled out of the school yard.

This is a really bad storm kids. There might be wires and trees down, so be on the look-out for trouble. I’m only going fifteen mph. Do you see any car headlights?

Nope! I can barely see out the windows. It sure got black all of a sudden! Look at those lightening streaks. Those thunder claps are giving me a headache! Maybe when we get on the main road we will see some other cars. Matt sounded hopeful.

Look, shouted the coach. Lights are flashing up ahead. It looks like a police car and look over there. A telephone pole is down! He’s diverting traffic down and around to the other road. I sure wouldn’t want his job on a night like this. I’ll turn here. Which way to your house?

Turn down Papermill Road and follow it to Blueball Road, then make a right, directed Matt. It looks like the power is off all along here. There were no lights back in Elkton either. What a gloomy night! Turn right here, but go slow, cautioned Matt. There’s a tricky bend in the road and a one lane bridge up ahead.

Yeah, spoke up Angie. A lot of people slide off this road into the ditch in winter when the snow and ice comes. Angie was sitting in the back seat hanging on to the backpacks, while trying to warm one hand in her pocket. Looking at her watch, she said. It has been almost 30 minutes since we left the gym.

Turn right up at the fork in the road and our house is further down on the left, directed Matt. It’s the brick rancher. There it is. Home sure looks good! I wonder what Mom has cooking for supper. I’m starved! Gosh, there are no lights on either. Hey, there’s Dad in the breezeway and his car is in the driveway. I guess he can’t get the other garage door open with no electricity. Boy, am I hungry!

Well, you kids are home. Now be careful going across the lawn, cautioned the coach. I hope everything is okay. My wife will be wondering what happened to me too. I’ll see you Monday."

Unlocking the car doors and releasing their seat belts, Matt and Angie jumped out and hurried towards the breezeway. Running through puddles and carrying books, they sloshed their way to the house. Coach Sullivan shifted the car into gear and sped out the driveway. The wind had slowed down a bit, but the rain was still pouring and the dime-size hail was bouncing off the driveway.

Turning around and seeing the kids jump out of the car, Jake meets them on the breezeway. Who was that who brought you guys home? Where’s your mother?

We haven’t seen Mom. Dad, we waited over a half hour and you never came for us, so Coach Sullivan offered us a ride home. Everyone else had gone home. He was closing up the gym and saw us under the bus shelter waiting for you. Where were you anyway? We are soaked!

"And cold,’’ chimed in Angie.

Get in the house and get those wet things off. You two will be sick in the morning. Where is your mother and why didn’t she pick you up?

I don’t know Dad, answered Matt. Oh, finally the lights are flickering on and off. Maybe the electricity will stay on."

Get a flashlight out of the laundry room, just in case they go off again, ordered Jake. Kate? Kate! Where are you? It sure smells good in here. She said she had supper ready and that she would pick you two up at school. I called her and told her I was working over for about an hour. Kate, Oh, Kate! Check in the bedroom and down in the basement. She’s got to be here somewhere! Angie headed for the bedroom.

Mom, Mom! Hey, Dad! Come look in your bedroom. Look this place is a wreck! All of her jewelry boxes are open and her jewelry is gone! The bureau drawers are open and your blue pillowcase is gone off your pillow. Dad, we have been robbed!’ shrieked Angie. Where is Mom?"

The lights are back on. I’ll call the police, yelled Jake. Keep looking for your Mother! Check the garage too.

Running through the kitchen, and into the garage, Matt called out. Her car is still here, but look Dad, hurry! Something really bad has happened out here. There’s blood all over the garage floor and car bumper! The tools are scattered on the floor and under the car. It looks like the shovel was thrown across the garage. Oh no! Here’s her purse! She never goes anywhere without it, but there’s no wallet inside.

I can’t believe what has happened! I’ll call the state police right away. Kate! Kate! Where are you? Don’t touch anything. I think she has been kidnapped and we’ve been robbed too. Look more blood!

Angie appeared in tears. Matt was trying to hold back the sobs. Mom, oh, Mom, Matt sobbed. Jake ran back to the kitchen to call the police.

The rain and hail continued to pelt down on the roof and windows. I wish this rain would stop! I wish Mom was here, stuttered Angie. What are we going to do?

I just got off the phone with the state police. They are all working overtime and will be here as soon as possible. The storm cut the electricity off and the street lights in town are only blinking. There is a big traffic accident on Rt. 40. Interstate 95 is blocked by an over turned tractor trailer. They think some kids were looting the hardware store since none of the burglar alarms were working. I guess they have their problems too. Let’s check around and see what else is missing.

CHAPTER THREE

It’s been two hours since you called the police and when are they coming. This is an emergency, whined Angie.

Look, lights in the driveway. It’s a cop car! No, it’s two black and whites. It’s about time, shouted Matt.

There was a loud knock on the front door. Jake opened the door to two plain clothes policemen. Are you the guy that reported the robbery and maybe a kidnapping, asked the man in charge. I’m Captain Edwards from the state police barracks. This is Corporal McKenzie. How can I help you?"

Yes officer, stammered Jake. My wife, Kate, is missing. She’s gone and so is all her jewelry from the bedroom. There’s a mess in the garage and lots of blood. Please help. I don’t know what to do! She was supposed to pick up the kids from their sport’s practice at the gym in Elkton and never showed up. Please, we have got to find her!

Okay. Let’s see. Her name is . . . .

Kate, Kate Remington; about five foot six, age 42, dark brown hair, hazel eyes, and about 135 pounds. Jake just spewed out all her vital statistics.

"Just slow down a minute and show me the garage. Hey, something really smells good in here, apples?’’

Yes, I guess it is our supper. There’s something still simmering in the crock pot too. She’s never gone off like this before. Come this way. The garage is out here. Jake was leading the way.

Stepping out into the breezeway, the wind was still blowing leaves across their feet and against the brick house walls. Entering the garage, the Captain saw the empty purse. He picked it up and looked inside. No wallet? Is this hers?

Yes it is. She must have put up quite a fight replied Jake. This shovel has blood on it and some more blood on this work bench. Look there is even some blood on the car bumper! There must have been a real battle out here.

Hey, Corporal, yelled the Captain. Put out an ‘all-points-bulletin’ on this gal. Mr. Remington, talk to the corporal and give him another description of your wife. Give him a picture of her too. It’s probably been close to four hours since this happened, so somebody has a real head start on us. This rain has washed away any tire tracks and with this storm. You can’t see 20 feet in front of you! Call the lab and get them to go over these blood samples and to check for finger prints. Don’t touch anything out here. Now let’s see the bedroom.

The Captain and Jake, with Matt and Angie, marched to the back bedroom. Looking around the room, he saw bureau drawers pulled out and closet doors flung wide open. An empty jewelry box lay sprawled on the carpet. Lotion bottles were upset and leaking on top of the triple cherry dresser. All the usual loose change was gone! Rings and watches that would casually be found on the mirrored vanity tray, all gone! A firm pillow lay thrown in the corner, minus a standard blue pillowcase. The quilted bedspread was recklessly pulled back and lay wrinkled across the king sized bed. The bed with blue sheets had only one blue encased pillow. No blood here, just a wrinkled mess.

I wonder if this was a plain robbery gone badly, spoke up the Captain. Since most of the police force was tied up in town and on the highway, it looks like they made a clean get-a-way.

Why do you say ‘they,’ Captain? questioned Matt.

Because it looks like somebody put up a real good fight out in the garage so somebody had to subdue her, while the other one did the robbing. It probably took at least two to haul her away. If only we had some kind of description of the car or the thieves.

Jake put his arms around the two teens and slowly returned to the kitchen. The Captain continued to survey the bedroom. Angie and Matt, unable to hold back their tears, buried their faces in their father’s chest. Tears appeared in Jakes eyes as he rubbed their backs. Unable to control any emotion, the three stood hugging and sobbing together. Their minds wandered and they knew each other’s thoughts. They feared the worse. Mom was gone; kidnapped; beaten; possibly dead. Now what!

Following now into the kitchen, the Captain pulled up a kitchen chair and reopened his notebook. I want you to tell me everything about your wife and mother. What do you think she was wearing, any birthmarks, scars and what her usual routine was. Give me some names of friends and co-workers, anybody that she might have talked to or had some contact with. Also, I think it might be a good idea to put a tap on your phone. Do any of you remember any suspicious characters hanging around? Someone may be calling for a ransom.

Drying their eyes and taking a deep breath, Jake started. I can’t recall seeing anyone suspicious people around here. She wasn’t one to have any enemies. Everybody loved Kate. She was the best wife and mother, a real good cook too. She had a habit of memorizing recipes and then adding her own touch to them. Everyone would hover over her covered dish specialties at the church suppers, so we never brought any left-overs home. She loved life, always cheerful and very eager to please, but she would never let you take advantage of her. She worked in the county hospital as an R.N. supervisor on the ICU floor and hardly missed a day of work, unless one of the kids was sick. We are planning on putting her wages away for college expenses for Angie and Matt. On her two days off from the hospital, she sometimes would go over to her brother Richard’s Veterinary clinic. She always laughed about how she helped him patch up some of those sick and injured pets. She especially liked working with the large animals, horses and cows. She even helped him ‘pull’ and ‘turn’ some colts and calves when they got ‘stuck’ in the birth canal. She was raised on a dairy farm so I guess that just came naturally. Jake is talking nervously fast, then pauses and wipes his eyes. I’m not sure what she was wearing today. I left early this morning and she was still in her housecoat and pajamas. She has no real birthmarks, scars, or tattoos that I remember. She had lots of friends from work and from church. She taught a ladies Bible study for years and was well known for her church activities. She was always praying for someone and would tell us to keep ‘so-and-so’ in our prayers too. She had such a compassionate and caring heart. She was physically strong and healthy, never sick, and always out there helping somebody with their problems. I know she must have put up quite a fight in the garage, especially the way things were thrown around. I wish I had not worked over tonight. As it was, I didn’t get much done because the storm knocked the power out, so I came home in the dark. I should have been here.

Angie looked at her father’s worried face. In four hours, he looked like he aged ten years over his usual good looking 45 years. His dark eyes were blood-shot. His graying hair uncombed, and his six foot figure now slightly slumped over the breakfast table. Dad, they’ll find her. I just know she’ll be alright. Angie tried to be the reassuring one, even though she spoke through a quivering voice.

How will we go on without our beloved Kate! We’ve been married for twenty-two years and I should have paid more attention to her and not worked so much. We should have gone out more and I should have taken her out west like she often talked about. She loved the open spaces. We should have gone on more western vacations. Jake is becoming more emotional.

Dad, we’ll pull together. This time it was Matt. We’ll find her, we have to. Look, Mom left chicken and dumplings in this crock pot and an apple crisp in the oven. The oven is turned off. She must have turned it off when you called and maybe surprised someone when she went to the garage. The lights were probably off, so she couldn’t see anybody either. Captain, would you like something to eat? It’s almost ten o’clock.

Sure son. Maybe just a little something while I finish this paperwork. The Corporal left a few minutes ago. He is going to notify the detectives to bug your phones in case there is a ransom call. They will go over everything in the garage in the morning for prints. Don’t disturb anything tonight. That’s the earliest I can get someone out here. This storm has tied up the whole county.

Dishing up the chicken and dumplings, there was a sudden quietness in the kitchen. Each one was thinking that this was one of Kate’s favorite surprises. Suddenly Angie stopped. I can’t eat a bite. I feel sick. I’m going to bed.

Me too, said Matt, pushing his chair back from the table. Maybe I’ll have my supper tomorrow." The kids excused themselves and headed to their rooms. The Captain and their father sat alone, staring at their plates.

The Captain finally broke the silence. She sure was a good cook. I don’t remember when it was the last time I tasted anything so delicious. I’ve got to tell you though, with all that blood in the garage, we might not find her alive. I really hate to lay that on you at this time.

I know, I know. The kids are aware of that too. I keep thinking she must have surprised somebody in the garage. I wonder what they were after.

From the looks of the bedroom, they were looking for anything they could pawn or sell, probably for cash, for booze or even drugs. Maybe they first thought of stealing your car. The garage door was open. Say, it looks like the rain is letting up. I hope it hasn’t washed away any evidence. This has been some eerie night! Electric off, trees down, roads blocked, streets flooded, kids looting stores, stealing cars. You name it. For a quiet little country town, this is terrible. We haven’t had this much excitement since Hurricane Hazel blew in. I’ve got to get back to the station and file this report. I’ll send a couple of detectives by in the morning to look things over again. They will probably bug your phone then too. They may have some more questions. You’ve got a real nice home here, quiet and very comfortable. It’s a wonder the wind didn’t do more damage to these giant oaks out here. By the way, where did say you worked?

I work at the chemical plant about twenty miles down the road. We make solid rocket fuel for the NASA space program. I guess I’ve been there about 22 years. I met Kate in college, got married, found work as an engineer, bought this house, and never moved. I just added on a few rooms here and there as the kids got older. We’ve been very happy here. There are nice neighbors down the road. Kate knew them all. She always waved to them when she was out there planting her flowers and fixing flower beds. I could never do all that back-breaking work. Jake is shaking his head and taking deep breaths. On some Sunday afternoons, after church, we would even play a little golf. She became quite a good golfer, even beat me a couple of times. Of course no one is playing golf this time of year. As for me I spent most of my time studying and working in college. She went through nursing school and even managed to make the school’s golf team! I suppose I have rambled on long enough. Gosh, Captain, I think I’ll sit up in a chair for a while. I don’t think I will sleep much. I’ve got too much on my mind.

Okay Jake, can I call you Jake? I feel like I’ve known you a lifetime. I’ll call you as soon as I find out something. I need to review these notes. Try to get some rest. I’ll see you. Take it easy.

The Captain rose and let himself out the back door. The door closed. Jake took a deep breath. The house was suddenly quiet, too quiet. Jake ambled into the livingroom and slumped down into his easy chair and propped up his feet on the stool. Kate, Kate. What has happened! What a nightmare! Gradually he dozed off into a fitful sleep.

CHAPTER FOUR

Realizing the storm was finally letting up, the two Goth hoodlums looked around their surroundings. The van was starting to cough and sputter. Some lights could be seen flickering in farm houses, others were still dark.

Hey, I know a guy named Sam, an ex-con and junk car dealer, who lives around this part of the country somewhere. Look over there,’’ exclaimed Mac. See those highway lights. Let’s head that way. He’s got this junk yard with a lot of old cars setting around. What do you say we ditch this piece of junk with the old lady and look him up? This tin can is almost out of gas anyway. We can push it down into one of these flooded creeks and into the woods and nobody will find it for weeks. Mac is grinning. Then we will be long gone. I’m not happy about kidnapping that spit-fire but we can at least unload her too. She probably has a real good concussion the way her head hit the concrete floor."

Yeah, Mac, that whack with the shovel didn’t help either. Did you see all that blood? Anyway this van stinks, so let’s take the loot and run with it. We can lay low for a while, read the papers, and see how things go. Come on let’s get this job done.

Grabbing the loot-stuffed pillowcase and two old weather beaten jackets, they approached a wooden bridge covering a wide, water-filled creek. Trees and heavy brush grew densely on both sides. The rushing water poured out over its banks and into the pasture land. Mac surveys the flooded creek and rubs his chin.

Mike, we can push this van over the side. Those bushes and trees will hide it at least until the creek drops down.’’ Turning off the van lights, shifting it into neutral, and turning the wheels a sharp right, they jump out and proceeded to push the van over the edge of the bridge. The van made a low ‘groan’ as they watched it splash into the water. The motor died. Mike managed to jump free of the van and slipped on the sliding stones of the creek bed. Holding the pillowcase and jackets over his head, he is pulled to safety by Mac. Beer cans can be heard rattling around inside. The front doors sway open upon impact. The van lay against a thick stump as water rushed in to fill the rear. The nose and front half of the van lay exposed under the thick brush. Kate’s body lay limp and still in the dirty van, water covering her feet and rising up her legs. That should do it! Let’s go. Hurry up before a car comes by, cried Mac. Let’s squeeze these gems in our pockets and throw that pillowcase away." He flung the case back into the creek.

Man, I’m soaked. shivered Mike. I hope that buddy Sam of yours has a nice cold beer somewhere.

Here comes a car. Quick lay flat, cautioned Mac. I don’t think they saw us. Let’s go on a little farther. They trudged on through the pasture. There, up there. See those gas station lights and that junk yard! Mac is pointing up ahead. Man, I’m wet too. If anybody asks us what happened to us, we can tell them we were hiking and got caught in the storm and that we’re heading north. Don’t say anything about a van, Mike. Here you take the credit cards and be careful with them, cautioned Mac. We won’t use them unless we have too. Maybe we can use them for a little something to eat later. Mac then tossed the wallet into the ditch as they plodded through the pasture.

Making their way along the back road, the pair came to the lit up junk yard. Hey, there’s Sam. Sam! Sam! It’s Mac. Remember me?

Well, well. If it isn’t Mac Johnson! What are you doing in these parts? What’s all this with the rings in your nose and ears? Are you guys in trouble? You look soaked. What are you two doing out in a night like this? It’s almost midnight.

Aw, Sam. We were hitch hiking, heading up north, looking for work, and that storm caught us. We stayed under one of those underpasses most of the night until the storm passed. I know it’s late, but I remembered you had this little place and I was wondering if you might have an old fixed-up car, we could take off your hands.

Mike piped up. We got some things we could trade for it.

It looks like you two have been on an all night-drunk. But, yes, I just so happen to have this little red Mustang I’ve been working on. Just what kind of trading are we talking about? You know I’ve gone straight since I got out of jail, but I can always use a little pocket change. Let’s see. Come over here. Sam is leading the way. Here’s the car I was talking about. It’s got 150,000 miles on it, but it still goes; Might need some gas. It was in an accident last month. The insurance company paid the owner off. So he took the money and said if I wanted it I could have it for $200.00. I fixed it up and here it is. I’ll take $400.00 for it.

Mike and Mac looked at each other. They stepped back and out of earshot of Sam. We need to count our pennies. Do you think he’ll take that diamond ring?

Sam could hear them whispering and wondered how they could come up with the $400.00. Mike and Mac fidgeted with their hands in their pockets and Mac whispered again under his