Ron Mills stood in the back not saying much.
“Ella, can I see you in the back room for a moment please. Ron walked to the back room he didn’t want anyone to hear what he had to tell Ella.
“Sure, Ron, I will be right with you. Ladies, the store is looking great.” Ella turned and walked to the back room.
“What’s on your mind Ron?”
Ron looked over his shoulder, “I’m going to tell you something to help you from making a trip to Baker. But you must promise to keep this information to yourself.”
“Is this something illegal that I might be in trouble if someone finds out I know?” Ella quizzed him.
Ron shook his head. “No, nothing like that.”
“Fine then I will keep it to myself.”
“I’m an engineer and architect and I can draw the sign and sign the engineering on your sign.”
“You’re a what?” she said with disbelief.
“Yes, please don’t ask any questions.”
“You have my word.” She said crossing her heart.
“I’ll have the drawing ready for you tomorrow. What do you want the sign to say?” Ron asked.
“Ally’s flower Shop and the phone number.
Ron wanted to ask where the name came from but didn’t want to pry.
Ella made her way back to the front of the shop. “What do you ladies think abut opening next Monday? We can have the ’Grand Opening’ on Saturday. This will give us a week to familiar ourselves with the set up of the shop.” Ella asked.
“Sure sounds good to me. I’d like to start designing flowers instead of emptying boxes.” Alicia answered with her big hearty laugh.
Susan didn’t have a problem with opening on Monday.
“This will give us almost a week to finish up with everything. I may not have the sign up but everyone knows where we are. Monday we will open.” Ella said finalizing the opening date.
“I will call the local paper and run an ad for the Monday opening. And a full page ‘Grand Opening’ ad for the big party.” Ella said.
“This will cost a lot.’ Alicia informed Ella.
“I know, but it will introduce everyone to the store and to my crew. Don’t worry about it Alicia this shop is going to do well. I feel it in my bones.” She assured Alicia.
“All I feel in my bones are ‘aches and pains’. Alicia laughed pulling herself off her stool.
Juan drove up with his truck loaded down with 䥄啎"amber, hanger’s, nails and screws. He loaded his arms taking the materials into the shop.
“How many shelves do we have left to build?” Ella asked Juan.
“The back room is large and we need to make good use of the space.” Juan said.
Ron and Juan began pulling long one by tens and two by fours from the truck. They filled one side of the room with the materials and worked on the outside wall. Shelving ran from floor to ceiling by days end on the outside wall.
“Tomorrow we will start on the inside wall.” Juan told Ella.
“I’ve been thinking, for the time being I don’t want to build shelves on that wall. I’m going to need an area to place standing sprays and hang finished sprays and wreaths on the wall.” Ella told Juan.
“You’re the boss Ms. Ella.” Juan said as he started cleaning up the mess from the days work.
The crew left for the day and Ella was just locking the front door when she noticed the blue sedan parked across the street. What the heck, there it is again, she thought to herself. Okay, I’m just a little paranoid. She acted as if she didn’t see the car. She got into her station wagon and drove to Joe’s Coffee House to relax and have a cup of coffee. The usual crowd was there. People are beginning to notice her and some even said ‘Hello’.
Joe poured Ella a cup of coffee. “What’s it gonna be, how about our special tonight?” He asked pointing to the chalkboard sign at the entry.
“No, I just stopped to relax and have a cup of your famous coffee.” She smiled, “Dinner will be ready when I get home and I would hate to disappoint the cook.” She smiled as she took her first sip.
Nice hot coffee just the way she likes it. Ella set back, relaxed and sorted through the happenings of the day.
Ella sippped the last drip of coffee, blotted her napkin on the corner of her lips, as she laid the napkin on the saucer. She picked up the tab fumbling through her purse she made her way to the cash register where waitress Peg was waiting. She handed Peg three dollars and told her to keep the change. Pretty good tip for a fifty cent cup of coffee.
“Well, thank you ma’am.” Waitress Peg said with a big smile on her face.
Ella walked across the street to her station wagon. She noticed an unfamiliar envelope laying on the front seat. She got in the car and immediately locked the door. Ripped the envelope opened and read it. ‘SOME TOWN FOLK DON’T LIKE MEXICANS’. Who could it be she wondered? Why am I being warned or am I being threatened?
Over dinner Ella talked to Juan and Maria about being careful. She told Maria to always keep the doors locked. She told Juan to be careful while he is out and about the town.
“In Mexico we always had to be careful. The police are so corrupt you have to protect yourself and your family. You can not depend on them for your safety.” Juan said.
“Just be careful.” Ella told them.
The dawn of a new day was peeking through the gap in the drapes of Ella’s bedroom window. Her mind was racing with things to do. She slipped her feet into her slippers and shuffled to the bathroom. Leaning over the sink she looked in the mirror closely at her face. Damn, I’m becoming my mother. Oh well, mom aged well so maybe I have her genes. She laughed pulled her hair up in a clip and turned on the shower. Kicking her slippers off and pulling her gown over her head she stepped in the shower. She lathered from head to toe a million streams of water danced on her skin waking her up. Ella dressed, rushed through the kitchen and headed out the door.
“Where are you going without breakfast?” Maria called to her.
“I’ll get something later I have a lot to accomplish today. Maria don’t wait dinner on me. I plan on working late at the shop.” Ella told Maria. “Lock the door behind me.”
“I will Ms. Ella.” Maria promised.
Ella came to a stop at the end of the drive and turned the station wagon in the direction of Baker. She put the station wagon on cruise control, turned the radio up and filled her head with love songs. She sang all the way to Baker while reminiscing her days in Linville when she and Phil Young were in love. How she longs to see him and feel his touch. Why can’t she forget Phil and move on with her love life?
She pulled into Baker and looked for the first fast food joint. After the hour drive she was hungry. She thought back to Maria offering her breakfast and thought I guess I should have had breakfast at home. I just wanted to get out of town before she saw the blue sedan. She can’t figure out why the blue sedan is always around her. Could he be stalking her or is he watching out for her? Who is he? Ella made it through the drive before she, pulled over and ate a nice breakfast sandwich with a cup of coffee.
Ella pulled out on the highway and made a hard right turn on to Broadway. Broadway is known as the ‘new car row’. New car lots line both sides of the street. Balloons are tied to the cars on the front row. A car sets on a revolving pedestal. Huge animal characters are waving welcoming would be buyers. New car sales are turning into a circus. Ella’s head was going side to side looking for the Chevy dealership.
“There it is.” Ella said to herself. “Wouldn’t you know it’s on the other side of the street.” she said talking to herself.
Ella crossed two lanes and almost missed the driveway making a tire track on the lawn. The station wagon bounced across the curb and landed in a parking space marked ‘customers’. “Guess that’ll be me.” Ella said to herself.
Ella threw the car in park, grabbed her purse and headed for the showroom floor. Before she could get to the big swing glass door a salesman was on her heels
.
“Mornin’ Ma’am.” The salesman said opening the big glass door, politely stepping aside
for Ella to enter.
The salesman extending his hand, “I’m Mr. Miller.” he said as he shook Ella’s slim manicured hand.
“Ella Smith.” She said.
“What can we do for you young lady?” He questioned with selling a car in mind.
“I need a new van.” Ella told him.
“How many seats does this van need?” He asked.
“I guess I should make myself clear. I need a delivery van for my flower shop.” Ella informed him.
“Okay, a nice utility van. We have some nice vans. Let me show you what we have, I‘m sure we can put you in a van today.” The salesman told her.
“Do you mind riding on my golf cart? We can get around this huge lot much faster.”
Ella put one foot on the cart grabbed the vertical post and swung herself onto the seat.
“Any special color you looking for?” The salesman asked.
“How about the tan color van at the end of the row?” He suggested as he stopped the gold cart with a jerk.
“Let’s take a look at the sticker.” He said as he peered through the side window reading the equipment listed on the van.
“This one’s loaded, Ma’am.” He told Ella. Thinking he would have to show her something less expensive.
“What will you give me for my station wagon?” Ella asked.
“The one you drove up in? It looks like it’s on its last leg.”
Ella bit her lip trying not to give him a piece of her mind.
“I’ll have the mechanic drive it and we can give you a number.”
The mechanic took the station wagon for a spin. He returned, got out of the van and asked Ella. “Is that the correct mileage?” You’ve got a nice car there.” He grinned as he walked toward the garage.
“I bought it new and haven’t driven it much.” Ella told him.
Mr. Miller showed Ella to a cubicle so small there was barely room for Ella to set at the chair without hitting her knees on the desk.
“Can I get you a drink of water?” Mr. Miller asked.
“That would be nice.” Ella said bumping her knees on the desk as she tried to cross her long legs.
The Salesman was back in a jiffy spilling the water on the desk as he handed the paper cup to Ella. Ella grabbed a napkin left over from breakfast from her over stuffed purse and proceeded to wipe up the spill.
“Give me a minute.”
Ella finishes the water and fumbled through the magazines scattered over the salesman’s desk.
“Where the hell is he?” Ella murmured to herself.
Miller stood in the opening of the cubicle.
“We drove your car, marked off for the wear and tear, the mileage and the tires are just about gone. We can’t give you much for your vehicle. In fact we can take if off your hands and junk it out for you.” He said sarcastically.
Ella knew her face was red with rage. “No, I’m not going to give you my car. “What’s the bottom dollar on the van?”
The salesman came up with a number and Ella offered two thousand less. They met in the middle.
“I’ll need your information to run a credit check.” Mr. Miller said handing Ella a credit application.
“I won’t be financing the van.” Ella said pushing the form across the desk back to Mr. Miller as fast as he pushed it to her.
“What’s the total charge with tax and license?”
Mr. Miller was shocked taking Ella straight to the finance manager.
Introductions were in order and Mr. Miller excused himself. “I’ll get the van cleaned up and have it ready for you.”
“I won’t be driving it home. I will need it delivered to Coopersville tomorrow.” Ella told him.
“There will be a delivery charge.” He said.
“That’s not a problem. Get it included in the numbers.” She said looking over to the finance man.
When the Finance Manager finished with the paperwork, Ella wrote a check for the full amount, signed her name on the registration and tossed the pen on the desk,
“You have my van at my shop by noon tomorrow.” She said as she walked out the big glass door.
Why is it, she thought, every time I purchase a vehicle I leave thinking I got screwed?
Ella headed home listening to soft rock music with thoughts of good times to come.
Ella’s crew was picking up around the shop when Ella walked in the front door.
“Hey, Ella where have you been all day?” Alicia asked in her loud raspy voice.
Ella laughed. “Sounds like you missed me. What does this shop need?”
The crew shrugged their shoulders.
“Well,” Ella said, “I purchased the shop a van today.”
Ron’s eyes opened wide.
“Are you going to trust me to drive it?” He asked.
“I’m not going to be making the deliveries. So the answer must be yes.” Ella said with a grin.
I’m planning on staying around and working in my office (a small desk and chair in the corner this evening.” She told them. “Juan can you fix me a plate of Maria’s good cooking and bring it down after you have your dinner?” Ella asked.
“I’d be happy to Ms. Ella. Juan said.
Everyone headed home. The town was quiet as Ella buried her head in her books. Ella was glad her check book balanced. It’s a good way to start a business, she thought.
There was a rap at the door. There stood Juan holding an over filled plate of food. Ella unlocked the door. Juan scooted passed Ella putting the food on the counter.
“Dinner was delicious Ms. Ella. I tried to keep it warm for you? You gonna need me for anything else Ms. Ella?” Juan asked.
“No, Juan you go home and be with Maria and Jose.”
“I’ll do just that if you don’t need me.” .
“Scat, get outta here you hear me.” Ella said showing Juan to the door and again locking it.
The town was quiet for the most part. Occasionally a car drove down Main Street. After Ella finished her dinner she buried her head in her books. Thoughts of what might have been or what could have been raced through her mind. Where was Phil Young, is he still married, where does he work? Questions that often run through Ella’s head.
A sudden knocking on the door brought Ella out of deep thought.
“What! Who can that be? She turned the switch off on the lamp at her desk. The knocking didn’t stop. Ella’s father taught her how to handle a gun when
she was young. She always carried a small ‘22’ pistol in her purse. Where’s my purse, she looked around grabbed the purse and found the gun at the bottom. The knocking stopped. Her body shaking she walked to the door and didn’t see anyone. In the distance she saw vehicle coming her way. A red truck pulled up in front of the shop. Ella was relieved when Juan jumped from his truck. Juan started up the steps when he heard a voice coming from the dark of the night.
“Sir, can you help us?” A voice without a face asked.
“Who’s there?” Juan said as he turned toward the voice.
“My friend and I escaped from a van. We came here from Mexico. Carlos said.
“Stay out of sight, just a moment.” Juan instructed as he knocked on the door…..”Ella! He called out.
Ella made her way to the door allowing Juan to enter. “Juan, someone was knocking on the door before you drove up.” Ella said as she opened the door locking it behind him.
“No, Ma’am it was two Mexican men. They told me they escaped from the ’coyotes’. They need a place to hide.” Ms. Ella can we help them?”
“Yes, of course let them in.”
Juan opened the door and called into the dark. “Come in here. We will help you.”
Carlos and Luis ran into the shop a place of refuge.
“Thank you so much.” Their hearts were pounding from running scared.
The young men were totally exhausted an
d the stench from their bodies filled the shop.
“Which way did the van go?” Ella asked looking up and down the street through the front window.
“We saw the green van go down the street a couple of times. The last time it went that way.” Carlos said pointing up Main Street.
“Juan you stay here with the men. I’m going to drive around town and to see if I can spot the van.” Ella said.
“You want me to go looking Ms. Ella?” Juan asked.
“No, they won’t suspect me in the old station wagon.” Ella assured him.
“As you say, Ms. Ella. Don’t do anything foolish.”
“Don’t worry about me; I’m the biggest chicken ever.” Ella said.
Ella got in her station wagon driving the streets she looked at each cross street. She couldn’t find the green van. There’s a section of run down homes on the outskirts of town. Ella decided they might be there. She made a U-turn. As she turned on Ninth Street her lights caught the reflection from a tail light on a van in the distance parked in a driveway. She turned her lights off and let the car idle its way up the street. She stopped about three house lots from the house and turned the engine off. She got out of the car. What I am doing, she thought. All common sense faded from her mind. A spurt of adrenalin rushed through her body. She took the gun from her purse and tucked it in her waist and scurried across the street. She quietly moved in closer. There was yelling and begging coming from the house. One window had slit in the shade. Ella
stepped closer to the window. There lying on the floor was a Mexican man tied like a steer at a rodeo.
A man with a beer in his hand was kicking and cursing the defenseless man. Ella could only see the man from the waist down. She could see his belly hung over his waist and his hands belonged to a white man. He repeatedly kicked the poor man.
“I should blow your ‘friggin’ head off for letting the two men escape. You should have told Pedro or Jorge when they jumped from the van.” The husky man said.
Another Mexican man walked into the room. Ella got a good look at him from the slit in the shade. He assaulted the defenseless man and walked out of the room.
As Ella started to move back from the window she stepped on a dry branch and it snapped. She couldn’t move she was frozen to the wall of the house.
THE BLUE STALKER Page 11