Secret Shepherd

by James Osborne

  Chapter Fifty

  Rogersville

  “I rather thought you’d like to know,” Richard said on the phone. “We’re setting up a sting operation on Maurice Eldridge.”

  “I sure wish I could be in on that one, after the stunt he pulled on me,” Paul said. “The last time I spoke with Janet Wallis, she raised some serious doubts about Eldridge. You and Ken have checked them out, right?”

  “Yes indeed,” Richard said.

  “I’m tied up here in Rogersville for a while,” Paul said. “Ahmed’s into a project... needs my help.”

  “I think we might be able to prove Agent Wallis’ claims once and for all,” Richard said. “We found CCTV footage proving he’s been to the Lord’s Library a lot... been exceedingly attentive to Marion Stapleton lately. She’s been giving him packages of some kind. It could be entirely innocent but I’m inclined to doubt that.”

  “How so?” Paul asked.

  “We’ve had some leaks of classified information that potentially implicates her,” Richard replied and paused. “Paul, on a personal note, Anne agreed to let me take Catherine home again yesterday so her grandmother could see her walking. Agnes practically melted, Paul, when Catherine ran to her arms. I could hardly get your baby daughter out of her arms all day.”

  Hmm, Paul thought. I wonder how the investigation is going into Agnes’ extracurricular activities. Sure hope Anne and her mother reconcile before this all comes out.

  “Well now,” Paul said. “That must have been something worth seeing.”

  “Yes it was,” Richard said.

  There was a long pause. He cleared his voice.

  “Maybe one day soon we’ll be able to get together as a family again,” Richard added.

  “That would be nice, Richard, especially for the children’s sake,” Paul said. “Pretty soon Catherine will be old enough to remember visits with her grandparents.”

  “I’ll be in touch on the other,” Richard said. “Cheers.”

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Memphis, TN

  “Can you tell me more about that children’s hospital in Africa... the one mentioned in the JAMA ad.”

  “Certainly, Dr. Melling,” Paul said.

  He described for Dr. Gordon Melling the history of the hospital, the school, and the orphanage, as well as its huge patient load, lack of supplies, staffing shortages, facility defects, roving sex-slave kidnappers, and bandits, and its isolation.

  “Whew!” Dr. Melling replied. “That could be a challenge... but also very rewarding I expect.” His eyes sparkled. “Five years, did you say?”

  “Three to five years,” Paul corrected him. “The sponsor is offering a three-year contract, renewable for another two.”

  “So the facilities are quite, ah, rustic?” he said.

  “Yes,” Paul replied. “However, I’m told renovations are underway. They’ll soon have much-improved facilities.”

  “What’s the budget for medical services?” Dr. Melling asked.

  “As I understand it,” Paul said. “The sponsor is prepared to provide whatever is needed to make certain the hospital’s facilities are second to none in the region.”

  “You’re sure about this?”

  “Quite sure!” Paul said.

  “Who could resist?” Dr. Melling said. “You can put us down for the full five years, maybe longer. We’ll see.”

  “Us?” Paul asked.

  “Yes, my fiancée,” he replied. “The ad said the hospital is also looking for a pediatrician. Brianne... Dr. Brianne Peterson... is a pediatrician. And a very good one! We’ve discussed this. I hope you can find a place for her too.”

  They exchanged smiles.

  Dr. Peterson was on Paul’s interview list.

  ***

  “Hi, my love,” Paul said that evening from his hotel. “It’s your MIA husband checking in.”

  “Oh Paul,” Anne said. “I have wonderful news! Catherine went to meet her grandmother yesterday. Daddy came for his weekly meeting then took her home for the afternoon. It could be that Catherine’s grandmother has finally decided to get over herself. “We’ll see. We’ll see.”

  Oh dear, Paul thought, noting Anne’s reference to her mother as ‘Catherine’s grandmother”. We may be past the worst of it, but the estrangement isn’t over quite yet, evidently.

  “Changing the subject,” Paul said, “I’ve been interviewing potential physicians for the children’s hospital and orphanage in Sierra Leone.”

  “Oh, yes, Paul,” Anne said. “How did it go?”

  “Really well. I interviewed two doctors, a fabulous couple... both did their residency at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.”

  “You hired them?” Anne said.

  “Yes,” Paul said. “They’ll be on their way to Pendembu within the next few weeks. Malcolm called Dr. Rucker and told her the good news. He said she was so excited and crying she could hardly speak. She almost forgot to tell him the first shipments of food and medicines arrived last week. Very exciting, love!”

  “That’s wonderful!” Anne said. “Just think we’re actually making a real difference for people. Now you’ve got me crying! I want to go to Pendembu.”

  “Indeed,” Paul said. “I’m anxious for all of us to see what’s being done there. Malcolm and his lawyer friend from Sierra Leone seem to be having a field day.”

  “When are you coming home, Paul?” Anne said. “I miss you, and so do Doug and Catherine.”

  “In a week, maybe two,” Paul said. “I can’t wait to get home. I miss all of you... especially you my love. Can’t wait to hold you in my arms again.

  “Oh Paul,” she said. There was a long pause.

  “I think we’ve found two really good projects in Tennessee,” Paul said. “Secret Shepherd has bought some property that needs renovating and repurposing. I’ve found a young man locally to take charge. His name’s Isaac Dietrich... knows construction. Ahmed and Isaac are already busy drawing up plans. It seems all I need to do now is stay out of their way. It’s great! Once the plans are at the stage of being finalized, I’ll be on my way home. I want Ahmed and Isaac to get some experience with handling things on their own. What do you think about Secret Shepherd making them partners in the project? That is, selling the project to them for a dollar each?”

  “Oh, that would be wonderful, my love!” Anne said. “What’s the other project?”

  “Ahmed, Isaac, and I were out in the country recently,” Paul said. “We met Isaac’s former teacher, George Spencer, a wonderful big-hearted man. He lives on a small farm and is exploring a possible lumber business based on tree farms. It’s ambitious and long range but looks promising. George has been talking to neighboring farmers about forming a company to buy up available farms. I told him I know where his group can get financing at reasonable rates. George moved quickly after that. Long story short, Secret Shepherd outbid some big conglomerate for two farms and George is negotiating on three more. The farmer-owned company will do the buying, financed by Secret Shepherd. The good thing is those shareholder-farmers will be in charge, not some greedy absentee conglomerate.

  “George told me the farmers gave him a standing ovation when he discussed the idea at one of their coffee sessions! Every single one pledged to sell to their group only when the time comes.”

  Anne laughed. “You’re enjoying this immensely, aren’t you?”

  “Yes,” Paul said. “I admit it’s a treat seeing happy and enthusiastic people who are thriving by doing good things for themselves.”

  “I just might be able to find some fun for you when you get home, my love!” Anne said. “Don’t be too long.”

  “No chance!” Paul said. “There is one other hitch. I have to testify next week at the trial of a man charged with assault.”

  “How did that happen?” Anne said, suddenly on alert. “Were you involved? Are you okay?”

  “The short version is a man tried to attack me,” Paul said. “I’m okay. Luckily a local police officer
was on the scene and arrested him.”

  Paul decided Anne didn’t need to know Malik was trying to collect the $50,000 bounty, and was facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon, assaulting a police officer, possession of a deadly weapon, and creating a disturbance. He hadn’t told the sheriff about the bounty either.

  “Speaking about safety,” Paul said. “Are those bodyguards still doing their job?”

  “Yeah,” Anne said, wearily. “I want to avoid them, but I know it will get back to you if I did.”

  “Yes it would,” Paul chuckled. He became serious. “We both know those guards are there for a purpose, love, but hopefully not for ever. Love you! Talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Love you too!” Anne said. “Miss you! Take care of yourself for me.”

  Paul smiled.

  ***

  The Next Day

  “Malcolm, a few days ago, a local ruffian tried to collect that bounty on me,” Paul said. “The syndicate seems to know I’m here!”

  “Good God, Milord!” Malcolm replied. “How in the world could they? They must be monitoring your movements.”

  “So it would seem, Malcolm,” Paul replied. “A guy was arrested here trying to attack me with a knife... claimed he was going to collect the bounty.”

  “Are you okay, Milord?”

  “Oh yes, no problem.”

  “What about your bodyguards?”

  “They’re at home looking out for Anne and the kids, just as they should be.”

  “Perhaps you need to arrange for additional protection while you’re there.”

  “Since they seem to know I’m here, maybe not having constant shadows will encourage them to surface so we can nab them.”

  “I don’t think that’s a very good idea, Milord!”

  “We’ll see,” Paul said. “Changing the subject, I’m happy to say we hit a home run here... in fact, we scored a pair of home runs.”

  “Beg your pardon, Milord?” he said.

  Paul realized Malcolm was unfamiliar with American baseball jargon.

  “We’ve found two physicians in Memphis. They come as a team.”

  “I still don’t understand, sir.”

  “Malcolm, two of the physicians I interviewed here are getting married!” Paul said. “Turns out the obstetrician and gynecologist I’d hoped to hire, Dr. Richard Melling, is engaged to a pediatrician. He’s accepted my offer. His fiancée just finished her residency in pediatrics at St. Jude’s Hospital and has also accepted an offer from me.”

  “Oh, I understand now, Milord!” Malcolm replied. “Congratulations! Yes, a double-header... yes indeed. Great news.”

  “There’s a bonus,” Paul said.

  “What’s that sir?”

  “It wouldn’t matter normally,” Paul said. “But both Dr. Melling and Dr. Peterson, are black. Can you imagine two additional black physicians, like Dr. Rucker, working in Pendembu? They’re going to be wonderful role models for the children there... really, for the community and the whole area. And they’re eager to mentor local kids. We sure got lucky this time, my friend... very lucky.”

  “It sounds like it, Milord,” Malcolm said. “What’s next?”

  “I’m off to interview a young surgeon from another town nearby, Somerset,” Paul said. “Top of her class. Spoke with her on the phone... kind of a mini-interview. I’ve already given her a provisional offer, subject to our interview. Looks like she fits the bill perfectly.”

  “How so, Milord?”

  “She grew up in rural Kentucky knowing what it’s like to be poor and without adequate medical care. Her name’s Dr. Michelle Hunter. She’s willing to hop a plane immediately the minute we give her the ‘go ahead’. This young woman has a great ‘can do’ attitude.... another winner, Malcolm. I expect our meeting tomorrow will be a formality.”

  “When are you back, Milord?”

  “I’ll be in Rogersville for a few more days, to testify at the trial of that troublemaker,” Paul said. “I’ll need a couple more days here to help Ahmed and Isaac get things rolling.”

  “You’d best keep an eye out then, Milord,” Malcolm said. “Your attacker may have told others there about that damned bounty. Maybe we should hire those extra body guards for you after all.”

  “Not yet,” Paul said. “And not a word to anyone, right?”

  “As you wish, Milord.”

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Hawkins County Courthouse

  Rogersville

  “It shouldn’t be much longer now, Mr. Winston. My colleague was certain he’d be calling y’all to testify this morning.”

  The assistant district attorney was sitting beside Paul on a bench outside the courtroom. Inside, the trial of Jason Malik was under way on charges resulting from his attack on Paul.

  Paul glanced at his watch. It was 11:35 a.m.

  The double doors swung open and spectators streamed out.

  “Looks like the judge called an early recess,” the ADA said. “Sorry about that, Mr. Winston. He does that sometime. Can y’all come back right after lunch, say 1:15?”

  “Certainly,” Paul said.

  He stood and stretched, watching casually as the small crowd milled around in the lobby.

  A face he recognized startled him.

  Good Lord! Paul thought. What the hell is Pamela Milliken doing here?

  “Well hello, Paul!” she said. A wide smile decorated the faded beauty of her once-attractive face. “What brings y’all here?”

  “Pamela,” he acknowledged with restraint.

  She was dressed more fashionably than the last time he’d seen her... then in prison clothing. The way she flaunted her still-attractive figure drew admiring glances from the men outside the courtroom and brought annoyed, envious looks from the women. She made no secret of enjoying all the attention.

  “I would ask you the same question,” Paul said. “I thought you’d still be, ah... in Pueblo.”

  “Early parole,” Pamela replied quietly. More loudly she said, “I’m here to support my friend, Jason. What’re y’all doing here?”

  “I’m a witness,” Paul said.

  “Really? Defense?”

  “Prosecution.”

  “Oh?”

  “Malik attacked me with a knife. A cop saw it... arrested him.”

  “Yeah,” Pamela said. “He really screwed up, didn’t he? He does that sometimes.”

  “How do you know him?”

  “We were in high school together over in Kingsport,” Pamela said. “And we were juvies (juvenile offenders). I heard from friends he’d been arrested here in Rogersville. I flew back with money somebody left for me when I was released. I’ll bet y’all did that, right?”

  “Why in the world would I do something like that?” Paul replied.

  There’s no way I’m telling her that Anne insisted on the anonymous gift, Paul thought. He had reluctantly agreed after Anne had said to him firmly, ‘That woman needs some money to help her get back on her feet, Paul! She has nothing and no one. She needs help just as much as those women Kay Shelley is working with.’

  “Yeah... I suppose y’all’re right” Pamela said. “Anyway, my f-ing lawyer stole half of it. What brought you to Rogersville in the first place?”

  “Just visiting,” Paul replied.

  “Hey, why don’t we git together tonight?” she said. A seductive look lit her face.

  “No thanks.”

  Paul turned and walked out of the courthouse. He phoned Ahmed and asked him to bring Isaac for lunch at the nearby O’Henry’s restaurant.

  ***

  “These are the keys to both properties,” Paul said, handing sets to Ahmed and Isaac. “I picked them up at First National this morning.”

  “Wow! That was fast,” Ahmed said.

  “I also opened an account at the bank,” Paul said. “The new owner transferred some money to get us started on renovations.”

  “It’s none of my business,” Ahmed said. “But can I ask how much we have to w
ork with?”

  “Of course, it’s your business,” Paul said. “Both of you are working on the project as of today. We have a draw of $2.5 million to start with... more as needed.”

  “Wow!” Isaac said. “That musta grabbed the bank’s attention.”

  “It did,” Paul said, chuckling. “Both of you now are joint signatories on that account. Just go in and give them samples of your signatures. By the way, since you’re both working on the project as of today, here’s a bank draft for each of you for $5,000. Call it a signing bonus.”

  Both young men looked at their names on the bank drafts in stunned silence.

  “You may want to open bank accounts here,” Paul said. “Isaac, if you’d prefer another bank, that’s your choice.”

  “Now, Paul,” Isaac said with a mischievous smile. “I think I’m gonna enjoy bein’ a customer there.”

  Paul and Ahmed grinned, impressed with Isaac’s grit.

  “We need ta git a truck,” Isaac said. “A sturdy one-ton. With y’all permission, Paul, I’ll use some of this money to rent a truck ‘til I kin afford a good used one. I’ll start looking around this afternoon. And tools. I’ve made a list.”

  “Whoa!” Paul said, laughing. “I’m delighted you’re so eager. Here’s another set of keys for each of you. They’re to a Ford one-ton I leased yesterday. You can pick it up today. Ahmed, are you okay with your rental... and can you drive Isaac over to the dealer to get the truck?”

  “Sure, and yes,” Ahmed said, smiling. “You’ve been busy.”

  “Yeah,” Paul chuckled. “I’ve also arranged accounts for us at Liberty Lumber on Colonial Road and at Henard Lumber & Building Supplies on Big Springs Road. Get your tools, lumber, and supplies there, Isaac... use the accounts. If there’s anything you can’t get at those two places, you should be able to get at Lowe’s or Home Depot in Kingsport. I’ve arranged for business credit cards for both of you. They’re being couriered to your room, Ahmed.”

  “Hey, now, this is huge, Paul,” Isaac said. “Am I dreaming?”