Phil slowly drove up the long drive to Ella’s house. Just before he got to the bright security light he stopped the car; turned off the engine. He took Ella’s chin in his hand and placed a kiss on her soft lips.
“Ella, will you be my prom date?”
“Yes, I would like to go with you to the prom.
Phil smiled and said, “I was hoping that would be your answer.”
Phil walked Ella to her door and gave her a sweet good night kiss.
“I’ll be seeing you at school. You mind if I carry your books to some of your classes?”
“That would be nice.”
Phil and Ella started dating. They were ‘the couple’ on campus for the rest of the school year.
FIVE
Agent Bill Harris, aka Phil Young, leaned back in his chair and pushed away from his desk. This job is so disheartening at times. If I can crack this case, I might just retire. He thought to himself.
Agent Bill Harris had been with the FBI since he graduated from college. Starting in the mail room he worked his way through the ranks and was now in charge of the states southern district. The past few years there has been an influx of Mexican Nationals coming over the border looking for work. Catching the illegal immigrants and returning them to their country was not Agent Harris’ priority. Keeping them safe was first on his list. A body smuggling ring, who we call Coyote’s, give the illegal immigrants a ride over the border for a fee. When they arrive in the states some are released and others that are known to have or mistaken to have wealthy relatives are taken to a ‘drop house’. In the ‘drop house’ the men are tied up, their feet cut and their shoes are taken from them. If they were able to escape they couldn’t run. They are tortured and receive very little food or water.
The Coyote’s send word to family members asking for a ransom or they will kill their family member. Some families can round up the demanded ransom but there are many without funds to send the Coyote’s. The Mexicans whose families do not pay the ransom are taken deep into the desert, shot between the eyes and left for the vultures to devour.
Agent Harris and his team of agents have zeroed in on the body smuggling operation. They do not know who the leader is but they know he is working out of Coopersville, a small knit town in the high desert. It’s been difficult to infiltrate the body smuggling ring but they are closing in on them. They need a break.
Agent Harris called Agent Sam Parker into his office.
“Agent Parker, we have word from an informant there’s a ‘drop house’ on Fifth Street.” Agent Harris informed him.
“Is the source trustworthy?” Agent Parker asked.
“Yes, he is.” He replied as he put papers in a file.
“You know what to do. Let’s get it staked out. You know we have to be sure before we bust into someone’s home.” Agent Harris advised.
Agent Parker and his team made plans for the stake out. The agents would take two hour shifts. With Coopersville streets being pretty straight they are able to watch the house on the corner from three angles. Days pass without any movement. Dawn of a new day was on the horizon when suddenly a white van pulled in front of the house. A dozen Mexicans got out of the van walking single file into the house. They noticed one man with a gun in his hand leading the line of men. The other man at the rear with a firearm bringing up the rear. The men marched into their prison one by one. The door closed behind them and the window shades were drawn. Agent Parker knew this was a ‘drop house’ from the way they entered the house and immediately closed down the house. Agent Parker and agents would keep a close eye on the place.
Meanwhile, the FBI office ran a check on the house and found it belonged to a Mark Brandon. That wasn’t a surprise since the Brandon’s own most of the town. The next step would be to find out if the home was rented out. Agent Parker had his secretary run a check on the tenants from his informant at the utility company. The informant came back with the information. The house was rented to Ron Mills or at least his name was on the utilities.
Agent Harris knew they could bust the house and free the Mexicans but this would not stop the body smuggling ring from operating in this area. They needed to locate the leader. Maybe he would show up at the house.
The FBI continued to keep close watch on the house of Fifth Street. By no means would they stand by and let the Mexicans be killed. Knowing they would not kill them in the house being afraid someone would hear the gun shot. If they put them in the white van it would be to take them either to pick up the ransom or to the desert to get rid of them.
Saturday morning one agent noticed a nice looking young couple going door to door handing out religious material. They reached the corner house of Fifth Street without going to the door they walked right on past as if they didn’t see the corner house. That seemed suspicious. They walked on stopping at the next house continuing on with their ministry.
The agent reported the suspicious action of the young couple to Agent Harris.
“Let’s see what they do next week.” Agent Harris said.
“They were probably told not to stop there.” The agent said.
“That could be or maybe they saw something that kept them away.” Agent Harris said as he pushed back in his chair.
“I didn’t think of that, sir.” The Agent said.
“Okay, what’s on your mind?” Agent Harris asked.
“I don’t know but there’s something about those people that bothers me. I think they know something about what’s going on in that house..”
The following Saturday came without any movement from the house of Fifth Street. The Agent parked down the street watching again the young couple walked from door to door handing out their religious material. Just as they approached car the agent stepped out of the car.
“Good morning.” The agent politely said to the young couple. “Sure a nice day. Do you live in the neighborhood?” he inquired.
“No, we work for our church and on Saturday’s we share the gospel with the community.” they informed him.
“That’s very commendable of you. Excuse my manners, my name is Glenn.” The agent said as he extended his hand forward.
“Good to meet you. I’m Ron Mills and this is my wife Susan.” Ron Mills told him. “Can we give you some literature to read?”
“Sure, but I’m a devout Catholic.” He said with a chuckle.
Susan with shaking hands gathered a few items from her purse handing them to Glenn excusing themselves saying. “We have a lot of folks to minister to today so we will be on our way.”
“You enjoy the day.” Agent Glenn said with a smile. The smile being for his accomplishment.
Agent Glenn’s instinct paid off. There was something about the Smith’s behavior he suspected. Why the Fifth Street home is rented in the Mills name? Why do they canvas this neighborhood? Agent Glenn filed his report and turned it into Agent Harris.
“Let’s run a make on Ron and Susan Mills. Agent Harris suggested.
“Already in the making, Sir. I wonder what we will find in their file.” said Agent Glenn.
“You can be assured we will be surprised. Well, we would have been surprised last week but with the information we have now nothing will surprise me.” Agent Harris said as he pushed back in his chair.
SIX
As Ella and Juan drove up to the lumber yard the proprietor was putting out the open sign.
“Good morning.” he nodded “Sure gonna be a pretty day.”
“Morning.” Ella sad as she handed the list of things needed to the proprietor.
“Do you have all these items in stock?” she questioned looking around the lumber yard.
“I probably do but if there’s something I’m out of I can get it for you by tomorrow morning.” he told her as he started checking off the list.
“Good.” Ella said. “We have a big day planned.”
“What are you building? If you don’t mind me asking?”
“How rude of me, I’m Ella Smith and I’ve
rented the vacant building on Main Street.” She said hoping he would cut the chit chat and get started gathering up her items.
“You mean the secondhand store where Paul and Nellie mysteriously disappeared?” he questioned shaking his head.
“I know they were previous tenants but I don’t know anything about them disappearing.” She curiously said hoping he would elaborate.
“What’s the scoop on that? Do you think maybe there was foul play?” she asked.
“I don’t have a clue Ma’am.” He said as he went about his business. Ella realized no one in town wanted to talk about Paul and Nellie’s disappearance. What she doesn’t know is why.
Ella knew something happened to Paul and Nellie. Whether it was foul play or they may have disappeared because of being found out for being the refuge for Mexican’s fleeing from the Coyote’s.
Ella and Juan pulled up in front of the store and immediately noticed an envelope on the front door. Ella wondered why anyone would need to leave a note at her door. She snatched the envelope wedged between the door and the door frame. Immediately she tore the envelope open and began to silently read. Just as quick as she opened the sealed enveloped she the stuffed the letter back in the envelope and put it in her purse.
“What’s the letter about, Ms. Ella?”
“Oh, just a nice note from a friend.” she told him.
“Let’s get busy unloading the station wagon. We want to accomplish a lot today.”
Juan unloaded the station wagon and they began working on the new shelving for the store. Juan worked into the night drawing up plans on how he was going to erect the wall and the free standing shelves. Everything seemed to go together like clock work. Not a glitch all morning. Juan is very talented in many facets of construction. Next, after lunch they would start on the free standing shelves.
Ella announced she would run down to the fast food joint and pick up some lunch.
“What’ll it be Juan?” she asked.
“Anything will be fine for me. I could sure use a cold drink.” Juan told her continuing to get things in order.
“That you will have,” Ella said walking out the door.
The station wagon started up Ella was not only off to pick up food but to read the note she snatched from the door earlier. Because of its first line she didn’t want to read it in front of Juan. The note read: BE CAREFUL SOME PEOPLE IN THIS TOWN DO NOT LIKE MEXICAN’S. The note infuriated Ella. “What kind of an idiot would write such a prejudice note.” she said aloud as she headed for food.
She wondered if Juan and Maria were safe living in this town. How many prejudice people are involved in this note? No one was going to scare Ella off. She would tell Juan to always be careful because there are prejudice people every where. This meant she needed to get the green card papers finalized with the attorney’s in San Francisco. If things continue she will need to take this note to the sheriff. For the time being she will keep silent with the note hidden deep in her handbag.
“Tomorrow we will start on the work tables.” She told Juan as she took a big bite from her greasy hamburger. Wiping the grease from her face as she licked her fingers.
“I’ll draw up the work tables tonight. You’ll need to let me know the dimensions.” Juan told Ella.
“Okay, Juan I will think about it and give you some measurements before the day ends. We’ve completed the shelves and that’s what I wanted to accomplish today so let’s take off early.” Ella removed her work gloves laid them on the counter.
Juan unplugged the power tools, put the tools in the tool box and slammed the lid shut latching it. They headed out with Ella closing and locking the door.
Ella noticed a man leaning against a post across the street. She was suspicious of him. Okay, she said to herself, don’t get paranoid. That’s the owner of the jewelry store. He’s just catching a breath of fresh air. She waved as they drove past the jewelry store owner.
Kelly’s Used Car lot was on their way home. As for a matter of fact most retail establishments were located on Main Street. Ella pulled into the car lot shutting off the engine.
Looking over at Juan, Ella said, “Young man we need to buy a truck for you.”
“What, Ms. Ella?” Juan said as he turned to her in amazement. “A truck for me?”
“Yes, you need a truck to haul stuff when you are working on the house whether it be hauling lumber or hauling off shrubs. I’m going to be busy with the flower shop. You’ll be on your own, savvy?” Ella told him.
“Yes, I savvy Ms. Ella.” He assured her.
Mr. Kelly swaggered out the door that was barely wide enough for him, cocking his cowboy hat to the back of his head.
“Howdy folks, you lookin’ for a good used car cause if you are I got some good runnin’ rigs.” Holding out his big hand with his usual greeting.
They shook hands Ella introducing themselves.
“We are looking for a good running truck. Where’s the best one you have on the lot?” Ella looked around the lot for the trucks.
“Follow me.” Mr. Kelly said as he started walking with long strides. Ella and Juan double stepping it to keep up. Seems Mr. Kelly is used to running all over the lot. He showed them a nice looking truck with an extended long bed. This would be good for construction work. You could haul a lot of materials and men with the extra seat.
If you plan on doing construction this one will fit the bill.” Mr. Kelly said as he slapped its hood.
“Juan, do you know much about an engine?” Ella asked knowing they needed to be sure it was a good running vehicle.
“My uncle is a mechanic. I worked in his shop when I was a boy. In fact my uncle said I had the knack for fixin’ cars. I can tell pretty well if it’s a good running rig.” Juan assured her.
Juan started up the truck listening to the motor shaking his head he lifted the hood. He noticed the engine had been steam cleaned. This was a sign the motor was probably throwing oil or had in the past.
“I don’t think we want this one.” Juan told her.
“What do you mean young man this is a good truck.” Mr. Kelly said with a disgusted look on his face.
“It’s just not the one for us, Sir. Do you have any more in this price range?” Juan asked.
“Come over here and I will show you a winner. I was keeping this one for my boy but what the heck if you want it it’s yours. It’ll cost you but it’s your money you’re spending.” He said pushing his cowboy hat to the back of his head exposing his balding forehead.
Juan started up the engine, looked under the hood, checked the carpet under the accelerator and brake. It was only slightly worn. A good sign the odometer at 35K is accurate.
“You wanna take it for a spin?” Mr. Kelly offered.
“That’s a good idea Mr. Kelly.” Juan and Mr. Kelly hopped in the truck. They drove around a few blocks and Juan fell in love with the truck.
“Juan, is it a good running truck?” Ella asked as she walked around it looking for any dents.
“Ms. Ella it’s a good running truck and it’s red. I love red trucks.” Juan told her grinning from ear to ear.
Ella laughed at his young innocent behavior.
“Mr. Kelly what kind of warranty do you put on your vehicles?” Ella inquired.
“Six months or ten thousand miles which ever comes first.” He informed her.
“What’s the bottom dollar on this vehicle?” Ella asked with offering much less on her mind.
“It’s right there on the window Ma‘am.” Mr. Kelly stated as a matter of fact.
“Oh, I see the numbers but what I asked is what’s your bottom dollar?”
“Damn, lady if I didn’t need to make a sale I wouldn’t come down on the price but you got me between a rock and hard place. I’ll take five hundred off the sticker.” He told her shaking his head as if he was loosing money on the deal.
“I tell you what I will give you one thousand cash off the window price and drive it off the lot tonight.” Ella pulled her checkbo
ok from her purse slapping it on her leg.
Mr. Kelly almost fell over.
“Your taking food outta my kids mouth Ma’am but I need the sale so it’s a deal.” Mr. Kelly double timed it back to the office.
Mr. Kelly’s secretary wrote up the contract, signed over the title and Ella gave him a check.
“Juan you drive the truck home.” Ella said as she handed Juan the keys.
“Okay, Ms. Ella I’ll get right home. Maria is going to be so happy.” He said hopping in the driver’s seat.
Ella knowing the law made her way to the Department of Motor Vehicles and registered the truck. While there she picked up a couple booklets for Juan and Maria to study for their driver’s license exam.
Juan drove up and parked in the circle drive. Got out and yelled for Maria. Maria came running out of the house dressed in her new jeans and top. She almost tripped as she jumped over the last two steps.
“Juan, where did you get this truck, its beautiful?” Maria asked as she hopped in the front seat.
“There’s a back seat.” She jumped out of the truck running around it. “I’ve never seen anything so pretty. Where did you get it?” she asked trying to catch her breath.
“If you’ll stop for one moment I will tell you.” He said smiling like a kid with a new toy.
Ms. Ella bought it for us to use. Like hauling things for construction. I will be hauling stuff to the dump.” he told her.
“Do you think we can use it to visit Jose and maybe go to Sunday Mass?” Maria asked.
“We’ll ask her, Maria.” Juan said.
“I need to get back in the kitchen I have dinner almost ready.” Maria told Juan.
“How about you get a shower before dinner’s ready?” Maria suggested.
“I’ll do just that, Maria.” Juan said looking down at his dirty hands and sweaty clothes.
Juan made his way up the long wide stairs to their bedroom. As he entered he looked around. He couldn’t believe this was his and Maria’s own room. He planned to live in a tent on the farm when they left Mexico. He shook his head as he turned on the shower water. Pulled off his sweaty clothes, climbed in the shower and let the hot water spray his tired body.
THE BLUE STALKER Page 5