“Following you? Not at all – Mr. Reno. My associates and I were just checking on some property in the Gibson Wells area when we saw you.” Brad Knuchols had gotten out of the car and was now leaning against the hood. The other two remained in the back seat.
“Saw me? So you must know who I am.” I didn’t think I was going to like his answer.
“Yes I, I mean we, do know who you are. We know you are looking into the disappearance of that beauty queen – Charlotte Luckey. An unfortunate situation. Any luck?”
“Frankly, that’s none of your business, Mr. Campbell. I don’t like being followed and I don’t like your conversation or your questions. Now, just tell me what you want and let’s all get on with our business. I’m sure you and your associates have lots of real estate to show and sell today.”
“Mr. Reno, my associates – and myself – want you to know that we had nothing to do with the disappearance of this beauty queen. So, as you continue your efforts to try to find her, please make sure you channel those efforts in some other direction – not our way. Understand?”
“Well Mr. Campbell, this is really interesting. You and ‘your associates’ are in Gibson Wells checking up on this missing girl’s mother and stepfather. Then you see me, and know that I have been to visit with them. Now you, and ‘your associates’, find it necessary to tell me you had nothing to do with her disappearance? Has someone asked you if you were involved?”
“No, and we don’t intend to be asked by you, that hick sheriff or anyone else. Just stay out of our business and look somewhere else for your lost girl. We’re sorry she’s missing and we hope you find her – but don’t stick your nose into our business – it wouldn’t be healthy.”
“Tell you what – Mr. Campbell. I know you met and talked with her father, Travis Luckey, last Friday at the Country Club. You tell me what that meeting was about and I’ll promise to keep my nose out of your business. OK?”
Before I finished speaking, Brad Knuchols was already standing behind me. Then the other two ‘goons’ got out of the back seat and walked over.
“Jeez, Mr. Campbell. You got enough help? Think you four guys can handle me?” I was hoping they were just showing muscle.
“Let’s leave it at this, Mr. Reno. If you interfere with me or any of my business activities – Mr. Brody and Mr. Russoti will be coming to see you. Have you met Mr. Brody and Mr. Russoti? Should I introduce you?”
“No need. All these grease-balls look and smell alike anyway. Have them wear a name tag, so I can tell them apart.” They didn’t like that statement, and Brad Knuchols was holding them both back.
“Mr. Reno, you have a very smart mouth. I just hope you get to keep the teeth that are in it. Please remember our conversation – we are not involved in this young girls disappearance.”
Saying that, they all got back into the Chrysler and left. Probably had some big real estate deal waiting.
~
I got back to Chiefs and finally ordered some lunch. Ronnie was offering meat loaf, white beans, corn and a roll – I placed my request with Nickie.
She only had one message – it was from Larry Parker. He was in his office and let me know that the package did contain a file – but he didn’t know what was in it. He did say the DA was reviewing the contents and he would call me back when he had more information.
I was thinking about desert when Leroy’s cruiser pulled into the parking lot. He opened the door, waved at some potential voter and joined me at the counter.
“How did your meeting with Phillip Chaney go?” I asked.
“Not good Carson, not good at all. When I got to Holiday Inn he was gone. I found him and his brother at the Humboldt airport warming up his plane.”
“Brother? Where the hell did a brother come from? Nobody has ever mentioned a brother and he wasn’t to see or talk to anybody – including family members. Can’t this guy follow simple instructions?”
“His story is that he got the ransom call with instructions and was following through with those instructions. Didn’t he call you?”
“No he did not – I don’t think. Nickie, I didn’t get a call from Phillip Chaney, did I?” I shouted across the room.
She stared at me hard. “Carson, when you walked in here I gave you your messages – there was just one. Did I give you a message from Phillip Chaney?”
“No, you did not.”
“Then you didn’t have a message from Phillip Chaney.” She was really making me feel bad for asking.
“Leroy, what were the instructions?” I was pissed, or disappointed – not sure which, but probably both.
“He is to fly to the Halls Airstrip and land at 4:00. Taxi to the end of the west runway and leave a briefcase with the money at the end of the airstrip. Then he is to leave. That’s it.”
“Halls?”
“Yes, not an active airport anymore. They use it for drag racing on weekends, but it is isolated. Makes some sense.”
“Is he going?”
“Sure, but not alone – his brother is going with him. It’s only a 20-minute flight, so he won’t be leaving for a couple of hours. I’ve contacted the FBI in Jackson and they have assigned agents Giltner and Raines to handle. I need that ransom note and take it to Jackson. The FBI wants to see the note before the drop. They won’t be in touch with Chaney, but will be at the airport to apprehend whoever shows up for the pickup.”
I handed Leroy the note. “You headed to Jackson now?”
“Yep – you want to tag along?” he asked.
“Yes, let’s go.”
“Carson, are you sure? These FBI guys are going to question you – be prepared.”
“I’ve nothing to hide – let’s go.” I was serious.
We jumped in Leroy’s cruiser and sped off toward the FBI office in Jackson. This gave me a chance to share with him my conversation with Loretta Turner and my roadside meeting with Mickey Campbell and his goons.
“What’s your take on Mickey Campbell?” he asked.
“Cheap thugs. I’m no longer convinced they don’t have a part in this kidnapping or Charlotte’s disappearance – but I don’t think it’s their doing. However, they are now afraid that all the attention will muddy up their business. Why can’t you lock these crooks up?”
“Can’t catch them doing anything. We pick up some scraps but these guys keep themselves above getting busted. They operate over several jurisdictions and none of us really have the manpower to devote full time personnel toward organized crime activity. The Federal boys need to handle that – but they don’t. We’ll get them one day – crime doesn’t pay forever. Just ask the Bosley brothers!”
“I hope I can be there next time – when it happens.” We both laughed.
“Carson, one other thing I forgot to tell you – Charlotte’s car is missing.”
“What does that mean – missing?”
“We examined the car when we found it in Bailey Park. We found nothing. So it was towed to Deloch for storage – it’s that simple. Deloch called the office this morning and said the car was missing – guess overnight somebody stole it or took it, for a reason.”
“What kind of car does she have?”
“1958 Ford Thunderbird – White. Nice car but a lot of miles on it.”
“I think Travis has that car,” I said
“Travis? Does he have a key?” Leroy was now interested.
“I don’t know, but if he has played the role I think, he needed transportation. Whether he originally parked the car in Bailey Park or not, I think he used the car – maybe to deliver a ransom note in Memphis. Now, maybe, he needs the car again – who knows. Just a theory.”
“Interesting thought. We’ll find the car. You can’t hide that car in this county – trust me.”
“Maybe it isn’t in this county. Maybe it isn’t even in this state.”
~
I spent 45 tough minutes with the FBI agents. They came down on me pretty hard about not immediately turning over the note, b
ut underneath their dark suits and thick skin, I think they understood the reasons for my actions.
Regardless, I got off with a lecture and a warning to stay away from Phillip Chaney until this matter was resolved. I promised to do that – even though I had no intentions of doing so.
Leroy and I headed back to Humboldt. “Carson, I could see it in your eyes – you’ve got something up your sleeve. If you’re smart, you won’t cross the FBI again – you might end up on the wrong side of a jail door.”
“I’m just going to let this thing play itself out first. Well see what happens. I’ll promise to make no moves unless I tell you first. Okay?”
“Okay,” Leroy answered.
~
B ack at Chiefs, Nickie had taken two calls for me. One was from Larry Parker and the other from Elizabeth Teague. I called Larry first.
He told me the DA had reviewed the package and only had one comment – WOW! He wasn’t sure what that meant, but I think we both knew. He had the goods to make some pretty big heads roll in Memphis and Shelby County Government. This would be fun to watch.
The number Liz left was local, so I knew she must be in town. I called her next.
She answered first ring. “Hey handsome. You in town to see me?” Her conversations always put a good spirit on every situation.
“I won’t lie – yes I am.” I lied.
“Well, I tried your apartment and your office. Marcie said you had gone fishing. Did you catch anything? Let me rephrase that – did you catch anything that you can’t get rid of without a doctor?”
“No, silly. I’ll explain the fishing story later. You available for dinner or maybe a movie?”
“Absolutely. You grab some beer and I’ll pick you up at 7. We’ll go snuggle at the drive-in movie. Okay?
“It’s a date – see you then,” I said hanging up the phone.
Confusion
I had a few hours before my date with Liz, so I found a comfortable stool at Nickie’s bar and waited for events to unfold.
Ronnie had a small television over the bar, which remained on mute. But it didn’t matter; you couldn’t hear it over the jukebox anyway. I could, at least, get some feeling for what was happening outside Humboldt.
“Nickie, I’ll take a Jack and Coke and could you put that TV on a Memphis channel?” I asked nicely.
“I don’t want to give you the wrong impression of our little city, but Memphis channels are all we get,” she shot back. “Do you have a special request? I can manage 5 and 13 without sending Ronnie on the roof to adjust our antenna.”
“Just put it on a station that I can see. Okay?”
“No problem Mr. Reno. We’ve got ‘Guiding Light’ on one and ‘As the World Turns’ on the other. What’s your choice?”
“Channel 5 would be great – if it isn’t too much trouble.” I was being sarcastic.
At 4:30 the soap opera saga was interrupted by what was labeled a ‘Special Report’ and the headline ‘Breaking News’. I, obviously, couldn’t tell what the reporter was saying, but she was standing on the steps of Memphis City Hall and holding some documents for the camera – we’ll never know what they were. In a few minutes the DA appeared and made a short statement, after which we were quickly returned to ‘As the World Turns’.
No wonder people in this town went crazy – soap operas, game shows and Gun Smoke reruns. News and world events were not something the citizens of Humboldt paid much attention to. I was caught in that maze and would be forced to rely on the phone and newspapers for any news that didn’t involve cattle futures, wholesale produce prices, garden club updates or the Strawberry Festival. This was their world and welcome to it.
At 4:45 Leroy called. Nickie took the call.
“Get his number and I’ll call him back from the outside payphone,” I said to Nickie.
He told her he was in his office and I immediately called him back.
“Carson, it was a ‘no-show’ on the ransom pickup. Chaney followed instructions to the letter, but after waiting an hour, the FBI called it and retrieved the payoff money.”
“So – what next?” I asked.
“Chaney will wait at the hotel tonight to see if any further contact is made. If not – he’ll return to Memphis tomorrow. If he’s contacted after that, he will immediately notify the FBI. For him, that’s it.”
“What else?” There had to be more.
“Agent Giltner is assigned to the case and will be working with my office and the State Police regarding our missing Charlotte Luckey. They are driving the investigation from this point forward – my hands are tied,” he sounded discouraged.
“Well, mine aren’t and I’m going to ruffle some feathers. Somebody is either playing me for an idiot or playing us all for idiots – and I’ve got an idea who that somebody might be.” I was serious.
“Carson, be careful. I’ll cover your back when I can – just don’t make this go somewhere it doesn’t need to go. Okay?”
“I think I understand what you mean, but I only want to find that girl and find the truth. I’ll keep you in the loop – promise.”
I must have had an obvious frown on my face when I walked back into Chiefs.
“Bad news?” Nickie asked.
“Bureaucracy. Justice has too many doors to open before it gets delivered.”
“What? Is something wrong with your drink?”
“Yes - it is empty. Please get me another.”
I didn’t have a plan – I just had ideas. Phillip Chaney was hiding something – I didn’t know what, but I intended to find out. He had lied to me, and I especially didn’t like that. Travis Luckey was involved, but I didn’t know how. Somewhere there was a common thread, but there was also a wildcard – I needed to find both the thread and the wildcard. I needed a plan.
~
W ith a shower, shave and change of clothes, I wandered back into the bar to wait on Liz.
“Nickie, one more Jack/Coke, and would you please sack me up a six pack of Budweiser? Throw some ice in the sack too, please.”
“Wait a minute – what is that smell? I know! It’s male hormone! You got it coming out every pore. I first confused it with after-shave, but no, it’s definitely male hormone – I have smelled it before – just not often enough!”
“Nickie, you’re funny but nuts. I have a date and we are going to the drive-in movie. We are going in a two seat convertible car – movie, popcorn and beer – that’s it.”
“Sure, sure. What’s the movie?”
“I have no idea.” She had me there.
“So, you’re not going for the movie and I have beer and popcorn here. You do the math.”
“Nickie, do you get the Memphis paper?” I asked.
“Sure do. We get the morning edition Commercial Appeal. Usually gets here about 2PM.”
“Wait a minute. Your morning paper gets here at 2PM? What kind of a morning paper is that?”
“It’s the morning paper we get everyday – usually around 2PM,” she was serious.
“OK – whatever. Just make sure to save me a copy – please?”
“Will do – have fun at the movies.” I think she was jealous.
~
I t was a great evening for a drive-inn movie. We had the top down on Liz’s corvette, the moon was bright, stars were out, weather was cool enough to make you snuggle, we had cold beer and some catching up to do with each other.
Skyway Drive-Inn Theater was located on Hwy 45N, just outside of town. I have no idea what movie was playing, and it didn’t matter. Tuesday night was not normally a busy night, but ideal weather had brought a number of people out to see the movie and enjoy the evening.
We had talked through most of the feature and I shared as much detail with Liz as I thought appropriate. I wanted her to understand the situation, but not necessarily the danger that was involved.
We were half way through the beer and I had just returned with a fresh supply of popcorn when our evening went terribly wrong. A person walki
ng by our car – assumed to be headed to the concession stand – stopped and put a gun barrel in my left ear.
He said, “Please don’t say anything, just get out of the car and follow me.”
I don’t follow instructions well – as you have probably already noted.
I looked at my attacker and chuckled, “Well, hello, Mr. Luckey. Are you not enjoying the movie? Can I offer you a beer?”
“Stop the bullshit Reno. Unless you want yourself or this pretty lady hurt, you will come with me – understand?”
“Perfectly. I am your prisoner.” I turned to Liz, “ Elizabeth, would you please call Mr. Epsee and tell him I am going to be visiting with Mr. Travis Luckey for the next little while. Tell him I’ll call when appropriate.”
Liz is upset and yelling at Travis as she is getting out of the car, “You son-of-a-bitch, you can’t do this!” I put my hands up to stop her.
“Liz, it’s OK – really. Travis and I are just going to go talk. Go find Leroy and tell him what I just told you – everything will be fine – trust me.”
I followed Travis Luckey over to Charlotte’s 58 T-Bird and got in the passenger side. We exited the theater and drove south toward town, not saying a word. At Bailey Park he took the north entrance and stopped in front of the recreation pavilion.
Then he did something really weird.
He handed me his gun.
“I’m surrendering myself to you, Mr. Reno. These guys are going to kill me and I simply don’t know who to trust.”
I thought for a minute. “Let’s get out of the car and go over to the playground. This place is going to get busy in a few minutes, and that might give us more time to talk.”
We both sat in a swing and he told me his story.
~
H e was in deep to Mickey – gambling debts. Mickey had bailed him out of jail because he knew he couldn’t repay the debt while sitting in a cell. The train ticket was a decoy to give him some alibi for what would happen next. According to Travis, everything was Mickey’s plan – and he just went along with the idea.
He and Charlotte would plan her disappearance. They were to meet in Bailey Park on that Friday night and disappear for a few days. When the ransom was paid, he would collect a little and the rest would settle his debts with Mickey. But when he got to the park, she wasn’t there, just her car. Knowing nothing else to do, he went looking for Charlotte – without any luck.
The Price of Beauty in Strawberry Land Page 12