by Sioux Dallas
Brian ran nervous fingers through his light brown hair. His gray eyes were taking in everything in a fearful, sad manner. He tried to smile at Herb. “Congratulations. I work out regularly, also. I sit too much and I enjoy the exercise.”
“Great. Now, how can I help you?”
Brian hesitated and took a long breath. “It’s a long story and I imagine you will find it unbelievable.” Herb sat quietly looking interested. He told Herb about the encounter on the plane and the conversation. “With God as my witness, I loved my wife dearly and it almost killed me to lose her. If I had not had the children, I’d been tempted to do away with myself. My grief was so great I could hardly think, but the children needed me.”
Herb nodded. “I can understand that. So you think this Tom character is responsible for the death of your wife.”
“I know it” Brian pulled a small rectangular box from his pocket. “Last week Mrs. Morton had the day off. I answered the door and found this hanging in a brown envelope on the outside door handle. Again if I had not had the children, I would have done something drastic. I was frightened and then so angry I could hardly contain myself. My first thought was to hunt him down and kill him. I need to let you listen to this,” he said as he took out a small tape player and took a tape from the box. “First, listen and then
I’ll explain.” He played the tape.
“Okay Brian, you’re the brain. How are we going to do this. If we kill each other’s wife, we will never be suspected since we aren’t friends and don’t even live in the same town. You have some great ideas which also make you a successful author.” The tape went on to explain the plan.
Brian was now wiping tears from his eyes. “I didn’t realize he was taping our conversation and now I know he doctored the tape to make it sound as if all this was my idea. The police are going to think I made arrangements for my darling wife to be murdered. Yesterday I had a phone call which, he told me, could not be traced. He reminded me that he had done as he promised and now it was time for me to kill his wife. He said if I did not, or if I told anyone about this, he would make sure the police thought I was to blame for everything. What am I going to do?” Brian broke down sobbing. “My precious children need me. I’ve had to be both mother and father to them and I love them more than I can express. Too, I refuse to kill anyone except to protect my family.”
Herb was shaken at the audacity of the Tom character. He knew from his experience as a police officer, and his training to become an attorney, that circumstantial evidence can be dangerous at times. He also knew that, with modern technology, a lot could be done to prove the tape had been altered.
“Brian, how long has Mrs. Morton been working for you?”
“Eleven months. Just since Eileen died.”
“She can’t testify about your relationship with you wife then.”
“Yes, she can. We’ve known her from church since we were married. Our pastor has known us long before we were married and the majority of the church membership can testify for me, and I’m sure they’d all be willing to do so.”
“Brian, I’m going to do something I never do. I’m going to suggest that we include your pastor in this discussion.”
“Why?” Brian yelped, jumping up.
“Because if Thomas implements a nasty action before we proceed, your pastor will know the truth and can vouch for you.”
“I didn’t think of that. Should I have gone to him first?”
“No. You have done the right thing. I will say that when I was on the police force I experienced some circumstantial evidence putting people in prison that I wasn’t too sure of. I hated it, but I couldn’t fight the system.”
There was a pause. “I don’t know, Herb. I don’t feel comfortable letting my pastor know about this. Truthfully? Even though I haven’t committed a crime, I still feel dirty.”
“Okay, Brian. I respect your feelings. Why don’t we wait until I can discuss this with my partner and get back to you?”
He could see how emotional Brian was and, yes, scared. “Please try not to worry. I promise confidentiality and will contact you quickly.”
Working his fingers under a collar that felt too tight, Brian wiped the sweat off his face and rubbed both hands with his handkerchief. “All right, but be quick about it. Thomas Chandler isn’t going to sit on this long. No telling what he’ll do. Do you think I should send my babies to their grandparents for awhile?”
“Do you have room for me to be a guest in your house for a short time?”
“I’ll make room. I’ll sleep with one of my children and you can have my room. What shall I tell Mrs. Morton? She’ll naturally be curious as to why you’re staying with us.”
“Wait until I get there and we’ll tell her together. It’s only right that she is aware of the dangers and how it might effect her. Have you told her anything at all?”
“No. I was afraid she would become too frightened to stay with my babies.”
“Well, don’t say anything yet.” Herb warned. “Be on the alert at home and while you’re traveling. Give me you address and cell phone number, but I need to wait here and talk to the staff. The owner, Hannah Rutherford, may have other ideas.”
“Oh, do you need to tell them about this?”
“I certainly do. They need to know where I am, and, too, you remember the old saying, ‘two heads are better than one’. You met Victoria. Hey, here comes Hannah now.”
Herb got up and walked to the door. “Hannah, do you have a few minutes to share with us?”
“Of course. Just let me put my packages down and take off my jacket. I’ll be right there.”
She came in and was introduced to Brian. Herb offered her a seat telling her it would take a few minutes. He let Brian tell his story and then played the tape for her. She was incensed.
“I am shocked and so angry. How dare this Tom character kill your wife and then try to take away your peace and freedom. Yes, I agree with Herb. He needs to be on the scene. Do you have someone you can trust to take Mrs. Morton and the babies?”
“Yes, many friends, but the ones I think of first are my wife’s parents. They still keep in touch often because they loved their daughter and have treated me like their own son. They love the babies almost as much as I do. The only drawback is that they live in Richmond, Virginia.”
“Hurrah! Does this Tom know about them?”
“Not to my knowledge.”
“Do any of your neighbors know about them that might tell Tom if he asks where the children are?”
“I don’t think any neighbor would remember them or even where they were from.”
Herb jumped up. “Call them now and let me talk to them. The phone at your house might be bugged. We sweep through here often looking for bugs. So far, none.”
With trembling hands Brian dialed the 703 area code and the number.
“Hello, Dad? Yes, it’s Brian. I have a friend here -- oh, they’re well and healthy. Growing like weeds. Hi, Mom. I’m glad you’re on the extension. I have a life-saving favor to ask of you. I hope you’re sitting down because the story is shocking and will make you very angry.” He paused to listen.
“I want you to talk to this friend. He is a detective that I’ve hired to help me out of a dangerous situation.”
Herb took the phone. “Hello, Mr. & Mrs. Sturgill. My name is Herbert Mueller. Call me Herb. I’ve been an MP in military and worked several years on the local police force. Now I’m with a lady in an investigation agency. We are angry for Brian and concerned for his safety and the safety of his babies. No Ma’am. The babies are fine at the present. The man giving Brian trouble has hinted that he can kill Brian’s children if Brian doesn’t cooperate with him. This would be better if we could talk face to face, but I’ll try to be brief and give you the basic facts.”
He proceeded to tell them Brian’s story. “This is the man that killed Brian’s wife -- your daughter. Now he’s threatening Brian to get him to kill his, Tom’s, wife. We need to get the
babies and their nanny in a safe place for as long as it takes to get this man and keep everyone safe. Brian thought of you.”
There was a pause while he listened to the distressed Sturgills talk.
Hannah motioned to give her the phone.
“Mr. & Mrs. Sturgill. My name is Hannah Rutherford. I am the lead investigator here and my father is a successful, law-abiding attorney. He will help me any time I need him. I, too, was on the police force and still have a lot of respect from the Chief and patrolmen. In the meantime, I want to ask you please don’t tell anyone that the babies will be with you. Mrs. Morton will come with them. If anyone asks just say the father is alone, still grieving, and very busy in his work. You are thrilled to have them visit you for awhile. I know that’s true. Oh good, you’re thrilled to help. Yes, we think Brian is innocent and needs a lot of help. I will personally bring Mrs. Morton and the babies up to you. I’ll fill you in on all the details when I get there. Yes, here’s Brian.”
Brian took the phone. “Mom & Dad, I’d love to come with the babies, but I must not let anyone see me leave, especially with the children. We’ll get together when this is over.” He wiped his eyes. “Yes, we’ll have our own prayer meeting. Thank you. I need a lot of prayer. I’ll be in touch soon. When I call next, I’ll just say the package you wanted will be delivered on such and such a day. Please don’t talk about any of this on my phone at home or my cell phone. Herb and Hannah will be in touch. I love you, too. You know I do. God bless you both. Bye now.”
Brian left feeling more relieved. Hannah called Victoria in. “Victoria, lock the front door and cut off the front lights, please. Come in Herb’s office.”
Victoria was as shocked as they were at the audacity of Tom Chandler.
“What are you going to do?”
Hannah stood up. “I have some urgent business to take care of and then I’m going to drive to Richmond and take them up. You and Herb will have to cover the office while I’m gone. I’ll call Chief Wingate and tell him I’ve been called out of town on business and Herb will be tied up with a case. I’ll ask him to send officers by frequently to heck on you. Now I need to get Beth and Connie in here and give her the news I have.”
Chapter Nine
“Beth, can you and Connie come in around five this afternoon and I’ll give you the lowdown? No, wait until you get here, but drive carefully.”
She next dialed the church office. “Marcie, Hi. It’s Hannah. Is Pastor Bill in? I need to talk to him. Well, catch him quickly before he gets out of the building. Thank you, Marcie. It’s very important.”
After a few seconds the phone was picked up at the church. “Hi, Pastor Bill. I’m sorry to cause you to return. But this is very important. I need for you to tell the prayer group that will meet tonight and also announce it to whomever it concerns. My agency needs a cover of serious prayer. Yes, the lives of some innocent babies are involved. I can’t tell about the case, but this is one time we need a lot of prayer. I will be out of town for a few days and Herb will be undercover. We truly need a lot of prayer. Yes, I would love for you to pray with me now.”
Hannah hung up confident that a lot of prayers would be following them and she bet the Sturgills had asked their church for prayer.
She read over some notes on cases and wrote a report. She then pushed a button on the phone to talk to Victoria.
“Victoria, why don’t you take your lunch break? I ate a late breakfast and will go out after you return. No, don’t hurry. I’ll be here all afternoon. Oh, by the way, Beth Correli and Connie Ackerman will be coming in around five. When they get here, signal me and send them on back. Thanks.”
Herb had gone to Brian’s house with him to tell Mrs. Morton about Brian’s concerns. She was worried about all of them and anxious to do whatever she could. She hurried to make sure of clean clothes for the children and gathered toys, books and items they would need.
Hannah’s phone buzzed. “Yes, Victoria?”
“Ms. Correli and Ms. Ackerman are here.”
“Please send then back. Thank you.”’
Hannah stood up and walked to open her door. Looking out she found the two young women nearby. “Come in, please. Have a seat.”
Beth breathed a loud sigh. “I’m so relieved to see you smiling. I was afraid you were calling us down here to give us bad news.”
“No, my dear, just the opposite. During my investigation I found that your - uh - friend was keeping company with some bad guys; in fact the mob. He had borrowed money for gambling and couldn’t pay it back. They forced him to collect from others to earn his way. Somewhere along the line he had kept money for himself. They were teaching him a lesson as an example to others. You had a guardian angel with you to not be with him when they found him.”
“Then the police still don’t know about Beth?” Connie asked nervously.
“Only the three of us know what you observed. I wanted to tell you in person how serious this is though. Some day, Beth, you may tell your grandchildren about it, but in the meantime, keep it among us three. The mob could still come after you for fear you could identify them.”
Beth was so relieved that tears were rolling down her cheeks. Connie reached over and took her hand. “This is a great example of how prayer protects and works.”
“You’re right, Connie. I can’t tell you about any of my other cases, but I would appreciate it if you both kept me and my clients in your prayers. Their situation is even more serious than yours.”
“How can I pray for you then?” Beth looked baffled.
“Just pray that God will guard me and the work I’m doing.”
Connie jumped up. “I was about to forget those bloody clothes. What will we do with them?”
“I can give them back to you or I can dispose of them. It might be better if I dispose of them and then there is no way they can be connected to you. I also advise you not to talk to each other about this. You never know who might be listening. Try to forget it and act as if it never happened.”
“Oh, please,” Beth hiccupped. “Excuse me. Take them. I don’t want to look at them again. How much do I owe you?”
“Call it a love gift. It makes me angry to see or hear of cruelty in any form or to anyone -- or an animal.”
Connie got out a checkbook. “No, please. You put in time and effort. We want to pay you.”
“Donate what you wish to shelters for abused women and children. I don’t want or need your money. Let me know if I can be any further service. Go with God and watch -- your -- tongue.”
Hannah had talked to Mrs. Morton and made plans. Mrs. Morton would have everything ready and be prepared to leave by seven thirty the next morning. Hannah knew she had to get there to place the car seats for both babies in her car. She had leased a large van because her sedan would not have carried all that was necessary for the children.
Herb had packed his items and drove the van to Brian’s house. They backed it into Brian’s garage so no one could see what they were loading. The windows were tinted. Hannah would drive his car over the next morning and leave it for him.
Hannah got up at five thirty and decided to make a quick short run to limber up. She was jogging along enjoying the cool morning when she saw eighty-six year old Martha DeWitt being walked by her three year old black Rottweiller. Hannah smiled at the determined expression on Martha’s face as the dog set the pace and pulled her along. The dog was muscular and adored Martha, however, he was quick to let others know that he had a purpose in life -- to guard Martha.
They were a few feet from Hannah and Martha was smiling at her ready to speak. The dog suddenly stopped with the hair rising on the back of his neck and his teeth showing. He was snarling with a deep throat sound.
Martha suddenly looked frightened and squeaked, “Hannah.”
Hannah started to pick up her pace to get to Martha when the dog lunged toward the street and almost pulled Martha over. Hannah was close enough to grab his leash. She looked to see what was causing the dog
to be so angry. Just in time she threw herself down on her face and yelled at Martha to get down.
A black car had pulled beside them, the passenger window was cracked open and a pistol was showing. A bullet whizzed over Hannah’s head as the car sped away. The dog tried his best to go after the car and even drug Hannah off the curb and into the street before she could stop him.
“Contagious,” Martha yelled. “Come back here.”
When Hannah heard the dog’s name she was laughing so hard she paid no attention to her cuts and bruises. “Contagious? Where did you get his name?”
Martha grabbed the leash and began to scold the dog. He slunk back to her with his head hanging low.
“Oh, don’t scold him. He saved our lives. Good boy. You are such a good, brave boy,” Hannah patted him and praised him. He perked up and looked to Martha to get praise. She slowly patted him and thanked him for protecting them.
“Did you know those bad men, Hannah? Why did they want to kill you?”
“No, I don’t know them, nor did I recognize the car. I don’t know what they had in mind. In my business you make enemies without knowing it sometimes.”
“Why?”
“People who are bad don’t want anyone checking up on them and finding out about them. Where did the name, Contagious, come from?”
“My son. He brought me this rascal when he was weaned and helped me train him. I do love him. My son said to own a dog is contagious and all my friends would want one, also. He was teasing, but I liked the name.”
“Well, you can rest assured no one else will have the same name. Ouch!”
“My dear, you’re hurt. Your knees are bleeding, and your chin.”