“First of all,” he began, “Hal said to check out the ATM or gas pump for any signs of tampering, like scratches or imperfections that probably shouldn’t be there. Then notice if there is anything around the area where you insert the card, anything a different color or that looks or feels like it might have been added to the original machine. Take a look at other gas pumps or nearby card readers and make sure they look like yours. Then there’s location to consider.”
“Location?” Sophie repeated. “What do you mean?”
“Criminals need time to install the skimmer, and they’ll pick ones in the more secluded spots. Those are the ones to avoid. Banks tend to have cameras, so those are ones they are likely to be safer to use. Hal suggests avoiding ones on the street.”
“I have a chip on my card. Is that safer?” Norman asked.
“Hal said your information can’t be compromised when you’re using a card with a chip, so use that whenever possible.”
“I’m still worried about using my card,” Sophie grumbled.
“Don’t be, Sophie,” Charles responded. “If you get skimmed, just notify your credit card company right away. They won’t hold you responsible for the charges made by these crooks. Just keep your eye on your charges and make sure they’re all yours. Hal also said that you should trust your instincts. If something just seems wrong, put your card away and leave.”
The remainder of the morning was spent in relaxed conversation among the newly formed group of friends. At one point Sarah announced that she had a surprise, and she left the room, returning in a few moments with a familiar black box – familiar at least to most of the group.
Andy asked, “What’s everyone smiling about? Am I missing something?”
Sarah opened the box and pulled out her shiny new Singer Featherweight 221. “Birthdate 1943,” Sarah announced proudly.
“Might that be your birthdate as well?” Sophie asked deviously.
“It might be, and then it might not be,” Sarah responded with a coy grin.
“Either way,” Charles announced, “you’re all invited Saturday night to celebrate.”
Chapter 24
The Undercover Sleuths were sitting together in the courtroom forming a support group which filled the row directly behind Darius and his defense attorney. The attorney had been successful in getting Bernice’s stolen car charges dropped, and any connection to Courtney Waterford’s murder had become moot. That left Darius with the two original charges: Grand Theft Auto and Failure to Appear.
Darius stood next to his attorney with his head held high when the judge requested his plea. “My client is pleading guilty on all counts,” the lawyer announced.
“Is this true?” the judge asked Darius directly.
“Yes sir,” he responded respectfully.
“We are requesting a reduced sentence,” the lawyer added, “due in part to the fact that my client turned himself in voluntarily.”
“What took him so long?” the judge asked with a frown.
“There was a manhunt in process and much circumstantial evidence pointing toward my client for the murder of the daughter of a prominent politician.” Everyone in the courtroom knew who he was referring to, but he didn’t mention the Waterford case.
“My client,” he continued, “knew he was innocent but feared prosecution. He hid out until the murderer was caught.”
“Your client doesn’t have much faith in the legal system,” the judge responded, still frowning. “What are you asking for?” he finally asked.
“We’re requesting a reduced sentence of two to five years and that he be placed in the Evanston Minimum Security facility where he would have the opportunity to participate in the computer applications program run by Andrew Burgess, who happens to be in the courtroom at this time. Mr. Burgess has agreed to this plan.”
“I’ve heard of Mr. Burgess’ program,” the judge responded, glancing around the room. Andy gave a slight nod which the judge acknowledged with his own. Andy had been volunteering at the prison since his own incarceration some time ago and had sent many inmates out into the world with a new and viable skill.
The judge turned to the prosecutor and raised an eyebrow, non-verbally asking for his response.
The young prosecutor was eager to get this case resolved and out of the newspapers. The political and community pressure to solve the girl’s murder had been devastating. All that time spent chasing down the wrong man, he admonished himself. The entire fiasco had not been good for his career and most likely had negated any opportunity for advancement. He was eager to have the whole thing behind him.
“No objections, your honor.”
The judge turned to Darius Mitchell giving him a stern look. “Are you willing to enroll and participate in the program, young man?” he asked.
“Yes, Your Honor,” Darius responded, still standing tall and proud. The judge agreed to the recommendation of the defense attorney since there was no objection from the prosecution. He sentenced Darius to two to five years at Evanston with the requirement that he participate in the computer applications program.
As the six friends were preparing to leave the courtroom, Bernice approached the attorney and asked to speak with Darius for a moment. They glanced up at the judge who nodded his approval. She reached up to hug the boy she had cared for and who had grown into a man. She wished him well and told him she’d be praying for his success.
“I’m going to do it, Mama. I’m going to do it for you.” It was the first time he’d called her Mama, and she fought tears. But by the time she walked toward her new friends who were waiting at the back of the courtroom, she was smiling joyfully.
“Let’s all meet at La Bonita’s for a celebration. I’m in the mood for nachos and quesadillas,” Andy announced.
“They also serve rattlesnake fillets,” Sophie teased, “and cactus fries.”
“I’ll settle for a couple of bean burritos,” Charles declared, looking at his wife proudly. “See, I’m learning how to eat heart-healthy.”
“You sure are,” she said squeezing his arm as he walked her to the car. “It’s finally over, Charles. I think we should officially disband the Undercover Sleuths and swear off detecting for life. What do you think?”
“I agree, but I don’t think that will ever happen.”
OTHER BOOKS BY
Carol Dean Jones
A QUILTING COZY SERIES:
TATTERED & TORN (October 2016)
MISSING MEMORIES (January 2016)
THE RESCUE QUILT (September 2015)
MOON OVER THE MOUNTAIN (January 2015)
STITCHED TOGETHER (July 2014)
PATCHWORK CONNECTIONS ((March 2014)
SEA BOUND (October 2013)
RUNNING STITCHES ((May 2013)
TIE DIED (February 2013)
Acknowledgements
I want to express my sincere appreciation to four very special friends: Janice Packard, Joyce Frazier, Sharon Rose, and Phyllis Inscoe, all of whom have spent hours reading these chapters, bringing plot inconsistencies and errors to my attention, and providing me with their endless encouragement.
Thank you, dear friends, for all your hard work and for bringing fun and friendship to what could otherwise have been a tedious endeavor.
I also want to thank my many loyal readers who have spent many hours reading this series. You have stayed with me for the long haul, following Sarah and her cohorts from the beginning. I hope these stories have inspired you to find ways to make your own retirement years fulfilling and fun. And if you aren’t already a quilter, I hope you’ll give it (or some other creative outlet) a try.
I love hearing from my readers and hope you will continue to contact me at [email protected] or visit me on my website at http://caroldeanjones.wordpress.com.
LEFT HOLDING THE BAG: A Quilting Cozy
Carol Dean Jones
Copyright© 2017 by Carol Dean Jones
This novel is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual per
sons, living or dead is entirely coincidental. The characters, names, places, plots, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination.
All rights are reserved; no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means including electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise without the written consent of the author.
Carol Dean Jones, 1938-
ISBN 978-1-365-99234-6
Published by Carol Dean Jones, May 2017
Cover photograph and quilt by the author
Author’s Website: http://caroldeanjones.wordpress.com
Left Holding the Bag Page 16