THE BLUE STALKER

by BROWN, JEAN AVERY

  Margo’s Flower Shop was quiet when Ella entered except for the bell on the door. No friendly greeting, Ella thought this was a little strange. She walked to the counter and gave out a big ‘Hello‘, anyone here? She heard Margo’s voice coming from the back.

  “Just a moment I’ll be right with you.”

  Margo stepped to the counter without looking up, “Can I help you?”

  “Margo, it’s Ella from Coopersville.” Ella said a little stunned that she didn’t look up.

  Margo quickly looked up. “Oh, hi Ella. What are you doing in my neck of the woods?”

  Ella could tell her visit was not welcomed.

  “I wanted to come by and take a look at your beautiful shop and give you this basket in return for the one you gave us.”

  Ella set the basket on the counter straightening up the bow.

  Margo politely said, “Thank you, that was thoughtful of you. I really need to get back to my arrangement.” She turned walking toward the backroom.

  “If you ever need any flowers I have please don’t hesitate to call on Ally’s Flower Shoppe.” Ella said as she made her way to the door.

  Ella headed back to Coopersville. It was a nice straight highway with very few cross roads. She stupidly decided to accelerated, her head went back in the seat. She looked at the speedometer and she was doing eighty. She knew it had more but maybe not this time. She let off the accelerator but not in time. Sheriff Brady was setting at the next intersection with his radar pointing Ella’s way.

  Ella slowed, red lights flashed Ella as she pulled to the side of the highway. Sheriff Brady walked to the passenger’s side of the car.

  “Well, Ms Smith are you in a hurry?” He asked as he flipped his citation book over to a blank page.

  “I bought this vehicle a short time ago and….” Sheriff Brady interrupted.

  “And you didn’t know you were going so fast.” He said with a chuckle and a twinkle in his eye.

  “You know all the excuses.” Ella said smiled leaning over the passengers seat looking up at the sheriff.

  “Yep, got a whole book of um. I tell you what I’m just gonna give you a warning. We don’t exceed the speed limit in my county. We understand each other?” He said nodding to Ella.

  “Yes, sir Sheriff Brady. Ella said trying to be extra nice.

  “I don’t want to scrap your pretty face off the highway. You hear me, keep it down.” He flipped his citation book closed as he slid it in his uniform pocket.

  “You have a good day.” he slapped the back of the passenger seat turned and walked to his official car.

  When Ella got back to the shop the crew was busy.

  “Ella,” Alicia called her to the back. “We are swamped with orders. More than you and I can get out.

  “What do you think about calling a designer in to help us?”

  “That would be good but I don’t know of one in town.” Ella told her trying to think of someone.

  “My daughter-in-law is a good designer and needs a job. Part or full time.”

  “What kind of experience does she have?” Ella asked wondering why if she was so good why wasn’t she working?

  “Honey, she worked in one of the finest shops in Los Angeles.” Alicia told Ella as her floral knife continued working.

  “Okay, can you have her come in tomorrow?” Ella asked with a maybe I do need another designer thought in her mind.

  “Ella, I need help right now. You and I even with Susan doing the prepping can not get all the orders out today.”

  “That busy?” Ella said as she put her work apron on.

  “Give her a call. I trust your advice.” Ella told Alicia.

  䥄啎"aAnn walked through the door. Tall, slim wearing

  black spandex pants with a long sweater past her butt and cowboy boots.

  “I hear you need a good designer and need one now.” LuAnn said.

  “Yes, we need a good designer and I hear from Alicia you are very good. Any reason you are not working at a shop now?” Ella inquired.

  “I got laid off from lack of business in the shop where I was working.”

  Ella and LuAnn discussed wages and LuAnn pulled out her floral knife.

  “Where’s my work table?” She looked around the work room without hesitation she headed for Ella’s work table.

  “You can use my work table since you will be full time. I’ll work on the big table.” Ella said.

  Ella wondered what flower shop was not busy enough to keep LuAnn working. Just as the thought went through her head she knew the answer. Margo’s flower shop that’s why Margo wasn’t friendly today.

  Ella worked in the corporate world and is aware how difficult it is to survive in business. She felt she opened far enough away from Pottsville she shouldn’t take any of her business except for the people from Coopersville. The people in Coopersville deserved a local flower shop.

  LuAnn was a good designer and a good worker. Taking orders from her mother-in-law was a question that concerned Ella. Although she seemed to work well with Alicia.

  Susan kept the front area looking inviting for the customers and Ron helped with cleaning the shop and with the deliveries. All together they made a good working team.

  THIRTY-ONE

  It was the eleventh hour before Valentine’s Day. A busy day in a flower shop. Everyone worked late for the past three evenings getting everything ready for the busy day February 14th. Everyone was heading out the door when Ella called Alicia.

  “Alicia would you mind coming in early tomorrow morning? I want to put some nails on the side wall to hang some of the dried and silk arrangements. Ron will be able to pluck them off the wall as he routes his deliveries. If you don’t mind come in about an hour early.” Ella said locking the shop door.

  “I’ll be here. We should be able to get the wreaths up on the wall before Ron starts routing his deliveries.” Alicia assured Ella.

  Ella slid into her sport car and started home. She noticed a big car following her. She made a quick right turn into an alley to see if the car would follow. Immediately looking in her rear view mirror.

  “That’s him that damn stalker.” Ella saw the blue sedan pass at the end of the alley.

  Ella made a U-turn and headed on home. If she could trust Sheriff Brady she might report the incidents to him but that’s probably as far as it would get. Anyway, he’s probably just fascinated with her and this will pass. Ella’s dealt with guys in the big city and some hick isn’t going to unnerve her. That is if he hasn’t already. When Ella stepped into the house the smell of Mexican food was lingering throughout the kitchen.

  “Juanita, dinner smells wonderful.” Ella hung her jacket on the coat rack.

  “Where are Maria and Juan?” Ella asked.

  “Ms. Ella, Maria received another call to paint a mural. She went to talk with the people. She hoped you wouldn’t mind me cooking dinner.” Juanita told her pulling a casserole dish of enchiladas from the oven.

  “Not at all, between the two of you, you should be able to keep the house in order.” Ella told her.

  “It looks like Maria will be getting a lot of jobs painting murals. I can do the housework and take care of Jose when she is painting. If that’s okay with you, Ms. Ella.” Juanita said looking to Ella for approval.

  “I think that will work out just fine. I’m happy Maria is painting. I think it fulfills her. She needs to get out and meet people.” Ella said as she loaded her plate with enchiladas.

  “Will you tell Maria I will need the station wagon tomorrow?” Ella asked Juanita.

  “Where is Juan?” She added.

  “Juan said he would be late tonight. He’s finishing up with a painting job. He plans to work at the flower shop tomorrow delivering flowers.” Juanita told Ella.

  “Thank you for relaying the messages. Ella told Juanita as she finished up with her dinner.

  “You have a nice evening. I need to get some rest. Good night, Juanita.” Ella said as she pushed her chair into p
lace, picked up her plate setting it in the sink and swishing it around washing awaythe enchilada sauce.

  Ella retired to her room. She gave Frank a call and asked if he would be able to make it tomorrow to help with the delivery.

  “Of course, I’ll be there.” Frank told her. “I’m looking forward to seeing you.”

  “Do you mind driving the station wagon? It will hold more flowers than your Corvette.” Ella said laughing as she pictured a dozen roses in the seat of the Corvette. That’s about all you could get in it.

  “I don’t mind at all. It’s going to be interesting seeing the faces of all the ladies receiving flowers.”

  Alicia was opening the shop door when Ella arrived driving the station wagon.

  “I thought we could get the wreaths up for Ron before he started routing his deliveries.” Ella told Alicia as they made their way through the door to the back of the shop.

  Ella located the hammer and nails and handed Alicia the nails. Alicia fingered the nails ready to put the nail in the wall. Ella put the hammer in Alicia’s hand. “Here you go.” Ella said.

  Alicia began to bang on the wall occasionally hitting the nail. The wall started to swing inward.

  “Ella, this damn wall is about to fall. What’s going on?”

  Ella gasped as she pushed on the wall it began to swing inward.

  “What’s this a secret room?” Alicia inquired.

  “It must be.” Ella said.

  The ladies stepped into the room to see blankets and a couple of mattress lying on the floor. The room was a mess. It looked like a foul play had taken place in the hidden room. In the far corner there’s a deep freeze, a table and chairs and an old mattress lying in the floor. There were clothes and blankets strewn all over the room.

  “What’s this all about?” Alicia asked Ella.

  “Look Ella, the deep freeze is plugged in.” Alicia said as she pointed to the electrical plug.

  “Let’s open it.” Alicia said as she started to toss the items off the deep freeze.

  “Wait Alicia, the crew will be here shortly and I don’t want anyone to know about this room. Let’s get the wall closed and go about our business as if nothing happened.” Ella headed for the wall opening with Alicia in pursuit.

  “Whatever you say Ella. But aren’t you curious about what’s in the deep freeze?” She asked.

  “It’s probably filled with a lot of freezer burned food.” Ella assured her.

  “One day you and I will get in there and clean up the place.” Ella told her as she was pulling the wall to its original position.

  “It will give us some good storage room.” Ella said.

  “Let’s put this old work table in front of the wall. I wouldn’t want anyone finding the room. It’ll be our secret for now.” Ella told Alicia.

  Ella knew Alicia wouldn’t rest until she looked in the freezer. She would ask Alicia to stay late and they would open the freezer tonight. This would take care of Alicia’s curiosity.

  It was a long day. Valentine’s Day is always busy. Juan, Susan and Ron headed home. Tomorrow would be another work day. Frank headed to the hotel to clean up and get some much needed rest.

  “You girls need to get the place buttoned up and head home.” Frank told the ladies. He didn’t know what the ladies were cooking up.

  Ella locked the shop door and lowered the front shop lights. The ladies headed for the back room.

  “Lady let’s get to that freezer. I’ve been thinking about it all day.” Alicia made her way to the secret room pulling the work table from the wall.

  “First things first….there’s something I need to tell you.” Ella said as she sat Alicia down.

  “Oh, I don’t know this sounds serious.” Alicia said curiously looking at Ella.

  “It is serious. Do you remember people talking about the secondhand people disappearing one night?” Ella asked.

  “Yes,” For the first time Alicia was speechless. Hanging on to every word Ella had to say.

  “It seems this store was a refuge for the Mexican men who escaped from the coyotes. I think the secondhand store owners let them stay in the store until they could safely leave.

  “What do you mean coyotes”? Alicia asked.

  “Coyotes are men that bring the illegal Mexican men to the states and hold them in a ‘drop-house’ until the family pays them a ransom. Then they usually do away with them.”

  “You mean, they kill them?” Alicia asked.

  “Sometimes, yes they kill them.” Ella assured Alicia she knew what she was talking about.

  “Oh, my god Ella that’s scary.” Alicia holding her hands across her chest shaking.

  “Are you ready to open the deep freeze?” Ella asked as she pushed the secret door open?”

  “Wait Ella, what if…okay. I’m just getting crazy.” Alicia said motioning Ella to go ahead of her.

  The ladies removed the junk from the top of the freezer. It was so dusty they began to cough and fan their hands. The deep freeze was a large chest type. Ella started to open the chest door. She pried on it and it wouldn’t budge.

  “This damn thing is locked.” She told Alicia as she yanked on the lid.

  “What about the old keys hanging in the work room. Maybe one will fit the lock. I’ll get them.” Alicia said as she made her way out of the dusty room. Alicia returned with the key chain. She fingered though the keys looking for a small round key. She had a deep freeze back in Los Angeles and knew what to look for.

  “Here’s a key that might work.” Alicia said making her way back in the dusty room.

  Ella took the key in hand inserting it into the lock turned the key…both ladies stood there for a moment looking at the closed chest.

  “Hell, Ella open the damn chest.” Alicia screamed.

  Ella slowly pulled the door up. The lighting wasn’t very good.

  “It looks like a frozen over with old food.” Ella told Alicia.

  “Good Ella.” Alicia said. “I was afraid we were going to find a dead body.” Alicia said as she shrugged her shoulders.

  “Alicia, get the flashlight from under the counter. Let’s get a better look.” Ella twisted her neck looking from different angles.

  Alicia returned with a flashlight. She shined the light on the frozen over deep freeze.

  “Look!” She said pointing. There’s the bottom of a foot.” Ella said as her heart jumped to her throat.

  “You’ve got to be kidding.” Alicia said managing to look into the chest. They about knocked each other over trying to get through the small opening in the wall.

  The ladies sat down for a while to slow their rapidly beating hearts.

  “What are we going to do?” Alicia asked.

  Ella swallowed hard. “Let me think. Can you go back in there and take another look with me.”

  Alicia took Ella’s hand and they walked into the tomb. They opened the chest for a second look trying to keep their composure. Alicia examined the chest more thoroughly.

  “Ella, there’s two bodies in there.” Alicia said as she shined the bright flashlight into the would be casket.

  “It looks like the man is clothed but the small lady is naked. They must have raped her before they killed her. She’s on top and they are both laying face down.”

  “I need to think.” Ella said as she set down putting her face in her hands.

  “We sure as hell have to call Sheriff Brady.” Alicia said as she went for the phone. Ella grabbed the phone placing it back in the cradle she said, “We can’t call him. We need to call the FBI. Ella told Alicia.

  “The disappearance of the secondhand store owners was reported to Sheriff Brady and he didn’t make a missing persons report.” She confided in Alicia. “I didn’t want anyone getting into this but it looks like you’re in the middle of a homicide.”

  “Just tell me what to do and you can count on me.” Alicia told her with concern in her voice.

  “I’ll call my friend, Frank and he will know who to call.”
Ella said as she dialed the hotel’s main number.

  The desk clerk answered the call and rang Frank’s room. After several rings the clerk returned to the line.

  “No one is answering the phone, Ma’am do you want to leave a message?” She asked.

  “No, that’s not necessary.” Ella said putting the phone in its cradle.

  I can’t imagine where Frank could be. Oh well, I guess he has a life. Ella said to herself.

  “Ella made the call to the FBI’s district office. They gave her the local number and she proceeded to dial the number just as there was a rap at the front door.

  “Who could that be?” Alicia said.

  “It must be Frank.” Ella said as she speed around Alicia. Alicia would make a good shield. One to stand behind in case of a shooting. She hoped Alicia couldn’t hear what she was thinking.

  Frank was standing at the shop door.

  “What are you doing here?” Ella asked as she opened the door.

  “I called your place and Maria said you were working late. So I hoped in my car and drove over. Don’t you ladies think you’ve already put in a long day?” He asked.

  Alicia starred at Ella wondering if she was going to tell Frank about the deep freeze.

  “Come with me, Frank.” She said as she motioned for Frank to follow her.

  Ella pushed the secret door open.

  Frank didn’t seem too shocked to see the door swing open. Ella walked Frank over to the chest, opened it and shined the flashlight on the bodies.

  “Oh, my god, ladies what have you found?” Frank said stepping back.

  Alicia burst out. “Bodies, dead bodies, what the hell does it look like?” She yelled in her husky voice.

  “I’ll call the FBI office for the bodies to be picked up.” Frank volunteered.

  Frank made a call from the phone on the front counter. He gave the person on the other end of the phone directions to the shop. Within an hour a large unmarked truck pulled to the back of the store. The driver backed the truck up to the rear door. Two men wearing coverall’s with FBI on their back hopped from the truck. Immediately loaded the freezer chest on a dolly and rolled it to the truck. Pulled the roll up door down and locked it.