The Crossing

by Gerald W. Darnell

  While we were talking, Leroy’s cruiser pulled up to the curb in front of his office. The few demonstrators remaining just stared, as Leroy walked around the car and brought a handcuffed Carl Menard from the back seat. They had no idea what this was all about, but I’m certain they noticed that the handcuffed man was wearing a Humboldt City Police uniform. They all stepped back onto the grass, as Leroy slowly walked up the sidewalk, holding Carl’s handcuffed right arm. However, Thomas Whitmore stepped closer, wanting a closer look at his daughter’s killer.

  ~

  It happened so fast, that it was over before anyone realized what the noise and disturbance was all about. Thomas Whitmore dropped Tammy’s framed photograph on the sidewalk, where the glass shattered and scattered onto the concrete. I glanced to see what had happened, just as Thomas stepped in front of Leroy and Carl walking up the sidewalk. Then, from some concealed place, Thomas Whitmore produced a .38 caliber revolver in his right hand and took two steps toward Carl and Leroy, who had slowed their pace, being startled by the breaking glass. Thomas fired four rounds, point blank, into Carl’s chest before anyone reacted. And then fired a fifth, as I grabbed him from behind and pulled him to the ground – all hit their mark.

  Carl’s handcuffed body lunged backward from the force of the bullets and pulled away from Leroy’s grip. It took him a moment to fall, and I could see the fear and shock in his eyes, as he staggered, then finally went to his knees and rolled over on the sidewalk. Carl Menard saw his killer, and I’m sure that is exactly what Thomas Whitmore wanted!

  Hearing the gunfire, Jeff Cole quickly ran out of the office and helped Leroy, as Joe and I wrestle the gun from Thomas Whitmore. I knew he had one more round left, and I didn’t want someone else to catch a bullet intended for Carl Menard. Thomas finally released his grip on the gun and Jeff quickly handcuffed and whisked him inside and into an empty cell. Then Joe, Leroy and I tried to see if we could do anything for Carl – but it was too late. His eyes were open and staring at heaven, a place I’m sure he was NOT headed.

  Carl bled profusely from his wounds and the sidewalk and surrounding grass quickly turned into a blood pool. The demonstrators were in shock at first, but then decided that they needed to be in another part of town! They dropped their signs and started running in all different directions – good riddance.

  Someone in the Sheriff’s Office had evidently called an ambulance because they arrived in just a few minutes. Leroy and I were still staring at each other, not speaking and not believing what had just happened. We were completely covered in Carl’s blood, and Leroy even had some spatters on his cheek from one of the rounds that had struck Carl; I’m sure he didn’t know it.

  After a quick examination, the EMT’s put Carl in a black body bag, then onto a gurney and into the ambulance. They drove away as Leroy, Joe and I continued to stare at each other – speechless.

  Finally, Leroy raised his head and spoke. “Well, this certainly isn’t how I planned for this to end.”

  “None of us did,” I added, “but at least we don’t need a trial!”

  “Oh, really,” Leroy snorted, “and what about Mr. Thomas Whitmore? Don’t you think he’ll need one?”

  “Yes, I guess you’re right. He’ll also need a good lawyer,” I said as Joe and I headed toward the Ford. “I’ll talk to Jack Logan about it. Right now, I need a change of clothes and a good stiff drink!”

  Clean Up

  The heat wasn’t helping, and by the time Joe and I got to Chiefs, Carl’s blood had crusted on our clothing, hands and shoes. We used the better part of an hour getting cleaned up, and I found Joe sitting on his usual barstool when I finally walked in the back door. Chiefs’ lunch crowd was winding down, but Nickie and Flo still had their hands full taking care of the remaining customers. With a hand signal to Nickie, I requested a drink for Joe and me when she found the time, then I sat down – it had been a long day already.

  “Boss, what happened?” Joe finally uttered. “I mean, I know what happened but…well…what happened!”

  “Thomas Whitmore got revenge for his daughter’s murder, Nora Whitmore has lost most of her family, Colleen and Henry Walker have lost a brother and Carl Menard got what he deserved. That’s WHAT happened, but the better question is WHY did it happen,” I said rubbing my eyes.

  We didn’t speak again for a few minutes and watched Nickie walk over behind the bar and fix us both a drink.

  “You guys look thirsty,” she said sitting our Jack and Cokes on the counter.

  “We are,” we both said at the same time!

  “I’ll be back in a minute, I’ve got one more customer to take care of,” Nickie said as she shuffled off toward one of the occupied tables.

  “Okay, boss, then WHY did it happen?” Joe asked stiring his drink.

  “I’m afraid the answer is much bigger than the question!” I offered. “Bigotry, hatred and selfishness are probably at the root of the answer. What Thomas Whitmore did was because of his daughter, but all he really did was destroy what was left of his family. What Carl Menard did was because of selfishness and a pure racial hatred; I can’t describe it any other way. The young men who died on the highway were reacting to the racial attitudes they saw in society, and in particular, someone like Carl Menard. Most of the demonstrators are simply following instructions from people who are only interested in self fullfillment or pubilicity for themselves or their cause. Unfortunately, they have very little interest in the people they claim to want to help, or concern about the consequences.”

  Nickie walked up behind me while we were talking. “Carson, did you cut yourself shaving? You have blood behind your ear!” she said.

  “Yep, I must have. Thanks for telling me,” I said quietly.

  “What’s happening downtown?” Nickie asked.

  “You’ll read about it in the paper,” I suggested. “Hopefully, we will have a settled community in a few days.”

  “Great!” Nickie said. “Are you guys staying or leaving?”

  “We are leaving, soon. I’ve got to see Colleen and I’m sending Joe to find Jack, so both of us will be headed to Memphis this afternoon.”

  “Okay, guys. I would say ‘come back soon’, but it seems you always bring trouble when you do!” Nickie laughed as she walked back toward the kitchen.

  I turned to Joe, “Take the Ford and find Jack. I’m not sure where he is, but find him. Bring him up to speed and tell him to start procedures for another hearing to get Henry out of jail. He should be able to make that happen tomorrow. I’m going to see Colleen and will have her drive me to City Hall, she needs to be with Henry. You pick me up there after finding Jack, okay?”

  I spent the next hour in Colleen’s cabin telling her everything – including Yarnell’s murder. She cried for a while, then washed her face, stood up straight and said, “I’m ready, let’s go.” She was a tough lady!

  We drove down to City Hall and I left Colleen alone to talk with Henry; it was better that way. Sitting on the steps, I watched the demonstrators talk among themselves and then disperse – some in groups and some alone. When Joe eventually picked me up, they had all left and the street was once again quiet – as it should be.

  Joe had found Jack at the Country Club having an early dinner with Judy. After hearing what had happened, Jack left immediately and headed to Leroy’s office to draw up the necessary papers for a new hearing and the release of Robert Henry Walker. I decided it was best to leave everyone alone with their hurt, thougths and wounds – Joe and I pointed the Ford toward Memphis.

  ~

  After finding some jazz music on the radio, we rolled down all the windows and let the wind take some of the heat out of the air.

  Joe and I didn’t talk during the drive back to Memphis. We listened to the music and allowed our thoughts to be unrestrained - hopefully, finding a pleasant place to play.

  I dropped Joe at Bluff City Buick, where he was going to pick up a new car and a replacement for his El Camino. I headed out Winche
ster Avenue, I still had time to make the ‘tea dance’ at the Starlight Lounge!

  About the Author

  A Florida native, Gerald grew up in the small town of Humboldt, TN., where he attended high school. Following graduation from the Univ. of Tennessee, he spent time in Hopkinsville, KY, Memphis, TN and Newport, AR before moving back to Florida – where he now lives.

  While living and working in Memphis, the author worked out of an office located just off the lobby of The Peabody Hotel. Many of the descriptions, events and stories about the hotel are from personal experiences.

  This short story fiction work, “the Crossing” is what the author calls ‘Fiction for Fun’. It uses real places and real geography to spin a story that didn’t happen, but should be fun for the mystery reader. As a quick read, those familiar with the 1962 geography in the novel, will travel back in time to places that will always be remembered.

  This is the sixth story in the Carson Reno series. The first, ‘Murder in Humboldt’ the second ‘The Price of Beauty in Strawberry Land’ the third ‘Killer Among Us’, followed by ‘Horse Tales’ and ‘Sunset 4’ are also available in a paperback edition. His book, “Don’t Wake Me Until It’s Time to Go,” is a non-fiction collection of stories, events and humorous observations from his life. Many friends and readers will find themselves in one of his adventures or stories.

  Learn more about this author and his additional works at:

  http://www.wix.com/carsonreno/carson

  http://www.authorsden.com/geraldwdarnell

  When visiting the web-sites, you are encouraged to leave your comments and reviews of this book and his others.

  Also, please let the author know if you would like to see continuing stories with Carson Reno and his cast of characters.

  You may email Carson at:

  Carsonreno@msn.com