"Pippen Hill should be redeveloped," said Yves. "I hope you are successful in your endeavor. Good day sir."
"What floor sir?" the bellhop asked, walking next to Robert Barnes.
"Fifteenth," replied Robert Barnes.
Getting on the elevator, the pair made their way to the fifteenth floor. "I'll take it from here," said Robert Barnes as the elevator came to a stop. He tipped the bellhop then took his carrying case and laptop.
Finally getting to his room, he opened the package. Inside the box were a gray pinstripe designer suit and another black flash drive.
He powered on his laptop and inserted the flash drive. Information immediately flooded the screen followed by a picture. He ran a hand through his hair and heavily sighed. He stared at the picture then turned off the laptop.
Opening the bottle of pills, he popped two followed by some mineral water. Limping to his king size bed, he collapsed. Within minutes, he was fast asleep.
Chapter 25
Turning off the paved rural road, I turned onto a quarter mile gravel path. At the entrance was a large maroon and gold sign which said: Old MacDonald’s Organic Farm. Gravel crunched under the tires of my car as I slowly drove down the path. Large green pastures surrounded by white wooden fences were on both sides of the path. In the pasture to the left were grazing black and white cows and in the pasture to the right was horses.
"Are we even in Goose City anymore?" asked Detective Nimble as he looked around like a wide-eyed child.
"If its east of the Serenade River, then yeah we're in Goose City," I said.
The gravel path curved to the left. In the curve was a sign directing us to a large parking lot where several cars and a maroon and gold bus were parked. Next to the bus stood a plump dark haired young girl dressed in a maroon polo and tan khakis directing people onto the bus.
After parking, I ditched my tie and put on my sunglasses. The noonday sun was hot.
“Are you here for the tour?” asked the plump dark hair girl loudly.
“No, we're here to see Jill Dobb,” I responded.
“Well you need to take the footpath to the main house,” said the plump red hair girl. “Then go to the admin office.”
Thanking her, we followed a well maintained white gravel footpath with low cut hedges.
"I could never live in the country," said Detective Nimble as he looked around. "It's just too quiet and the air is too clean."
"Clean air is good for you," I said before taking a deep breath.
After reaching the end of the footpath, we came to the main house. The two-story white house with maroon and gold shutters sat in the center of the expansive property. On the far right were two red and white barns and several silos with the Old MacDonald’s Farm logo. The main yard was filled with free-roaming chickens and ducks.
A lot of people dressed in tan overalls or coveralls appeared to be happy doing their assigned tasks.
I stopped to admire a restored late model pickup that sat under a tree with a tire swing while Detective Nimble swatted at some flying insects.
“Excuse me, can I help you?” asked a voice behind us. I turned to see a tall, lanky black kid with cornrows.
“Where is the admin office?” I asked.
“Follow me,” said the kid with the cornrows. “By da way, my name is Albert. I’ve been here two years now.”
He sounded as if he was in prison. From what I knew of Old MacDonald’s Farm, it employed teens and adults who had to complete a court ordered community service. He gave them a second chance at a decent life.
“Livin’ out here in the sticks is better than livin’ in Babylon,” said Albert with a smile. “I’m ‘bout to get my high school diploma then I’m goin’ to community college to learn ‘bout computers.”
We followed Albert around the main house, which turned out to be a museum until we came to a more modern building with a low slung roof. “This is the admin building,” said Albert. "Linda will be able to help you from here."
We thanked Albert and went into the admin building where we were greeted by a blonde Asian girl standing behind a desk. “My name is Linda, how may I help you?”
“Yes, I’m looking for Jill Dobb,” I said. “I understand that she works here.”
“May I ask who you are sir,” said Linda.
“Where are my manners,” I said as I fished out my badge and identification. “I’m Detective Horner and this is Detective Nimble of the GCPD.”
After giving our ID the once over, Linda picked up her desk phone and made a call. Minutes later a tall slim man wearing a net baseball cap, faded denim shirt and jeans entered the office. He looked more like the guy in a pick-up commercial. I took off my shades so that he could see my eyes.
“I'll take it from here Ms. Lee,” said the man. "You can go to lunch now." Linda nodded and quickly left her station.
“Hi, I’m Wesley MacDonald,” said the man as he extended his hand. “Detective Horner, is it? It is my understanding that you are not to talk to Jill Dobb or family associates.”
"Word gets around quick," I said looking at Detective Nimble. "However, Detective Nimble will be talking to her."
Surprised, Detective Nimble said, "Yes, I'll be questioning her."
Smiling, Wesley MacDonald, removed a rolled piece of paper from his rear jeans pocket. "Not according to this fax I got from the courts forbidding you or any officers of the Goose City Police Department to question Ms. Dobb."
I snatched the paper from Wesley MacDonald and gave it the once over. In bold black letters was my name. The Fatman had tipped the game in his favor.
“Now, if you'll excuse me, I some important work to finish,” said Wesley MacDonald.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to arrest you for obstruction," I said. "If you know the whereabouts of Jill Dobb, you'll tell me."
Flashing that smile again, Wesley MacDonald said, "That little piece of paper protects me from any type of prosecution or legal recourse."
I ripped the court order in half.
"I have copies in my office," said Wesley with a smile.
Returning his smile, I said, "I'm sure you do. Thanks for your help."
"Anytime detective," said Wesley, tipping his hat.
I put on my shades as we left Wesley MacDonald's office without talking to Jill Dobb. Everyone was still hard at work even though the summer sun beat down on them. The sun seemed a little hotter, but not as hot as the sting the Fatman gave me.
"Who would give such an order?" asked Detective Nimble.
"You don't want to know," I said.
"Yes I do," said Detective Nimble as we walked up the white gravel footpath.
Before we reached my car, I explained to the kid how Goose City worked. The poor boy was at a loss for words.
After getting to the car, I said, "Don't worry Nimble, the case is not lost."
"How so?" asked Nimble.
"They never said I couldn't talk to Jack Jingles," I said with a smile.
******
Wesley MacDonald picked up his desk phone and quickly dialed a number. “Hello, we need to move ASAP.”
Chapter 26
Instead of being mad, I decided to keep plugging along. The Fatman was betting on me giving up on the case. He was dead wrong.
Getting on my computer, I searched the Young Rats web page to locate their next stop. They were most likely on their way to Dover from Harrow then to Exeter. I still had time to get him.
I searched the police file for Jack Jingle. He had a couple of misdemeanors, unpaid speeding and parking tickets. His father was sentenced to Green Gravel for murdering his mother. As a kid, Jingle went from adopted family to family then back to the group home.
Turning off my computer, I went downstairs to the file room.
Bandy Legs St. Martin was busy doing nothing. He was glad to see me. "Jackson Horner, how you doing?"
"I'm okay," I said. "I just need someone to talk to that can help me sort things out."
&nb
sp; Bandy Legs opened the cage door to let me in. "Take a seat. What do you want to talk about?"
"The Fatman," I said.
"What about the Fatman?" Bandy Legs asked as he removed a bottle from a desk drawer. He slowly poured a shot in an old jelly jar. I took a seat across from him and started my story.
"The fat fucker got a court order blocking my arrest warrant for Jill Dobb and also prohibit me from talking to her, any family members or associates," I said.
"Like I said, you need to keep an eye on the Fatman," said Bandy Legs. "He got rid of a whole lot of good cops, especially your mother and Jack Cole."
"Jack Cole?" I asked before taking a sip of whiskey.
"You know him as Ol' King Cole," said Bandy Legs. "Hell, the Fatman even got Chief Tittlemouse canned."
"Why?" I asked.
"We went after Dame Trot," said Bandy Legs. "She was purchasing and fencing blood diamonds."
Bandy Legs' brown eyes seemed to go to a different time. His voice seemed distant as he said, "We were warned to stop pursuing Grace Trot, but Chief Tittlemouse encouraged us to bring her to justice."
"What happened next?" I asked.
"Your mother, Cole and me were demoted and Tittlemouse was publicly fired," said Bandy Legs. "The Fatman pointed IA in Tittlemouse's direction citing theft of pension plan money."
"Was he stealing the pension money?" I asked.
“No!” said Bandy Leg, pounding on his desk. “That man was a boy scout. He never cursed, swore, or consumed alcohol. He didn’t even like his officers to drink. He thought it hindered our ability to do our job properly. The man ran a clean department. Tommy couldn’t be brought.”
"Apparently the Fatman can be brought," I said.
"This was Dame Trot's way of letting Tommy know he shouldn't have pursued her," said Bandy Legs.
“So they got rid of the one man who stood up to them,” I said.
“Yep,” said Bandy Legs. “Tommy didn’t care if you were rich or poor, he only cared about right or wrong.”
“What became of Chief Tittlemouse?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” responded Bandy Legs. “They were going to send him to Green Gravel for thirty years, but he left town. We never heard from him again.”
“Did they look for him?” I asked.
“Fitzwarren stated that he didn’t want to continue wasting precious resources searching for Tommy,” said my Bandy Legs.
“That doesn’t sound right,” I said. “If he was guilty, wouldn’t you want to bring him to justice?” Bandy Legs raised his jelly jar.
“I say we open the case back up,” I said. “I’m willing to spend my free time bringing the Fatman down.”
Laughing, Bandy Legs said, "A lot of people have tried and failed. Their careers were ruined. I hate to see the same happen to you."
"No one is untouchable," I said before taking another sip of whiskey.
Smiling at me, Bandy Legs, "Your mother use to have that same look in her eyes."
I raised my glass before downing the remainder of my whiskey.
Chapter 27
Sitting across from Wesley MacDonald in his office, Jill Dobb nervously tapped her foot on the carpeted floor wondering if this visit would be like the others.
After staring at her for several minutes, Wesley asked, “How are things here?”
“Things are great Mr. MacDonald,” said a happy Jill. “I really can’t think of any other place I’d rather be.”
Getting up, Wesley walked to the front of his desk. “That’s good to hear from an exceptional employee.”
Smiling nervously, Jill said, “I’m just doing what you taught me, Mr. MacDonald.”
Wesley walked behind Jill and stroked her hair. Leaning down, he sniffed her hair. “How are things between you and what’s his name?”
“Jack, Mr. MacDonald,” said Jill nervously. "We're doing okay."
Wesley’s right hand went from Jill’s shoulder to her right breast. “Jack the musician,” said Wesley giving her breast a gentle squeeze.
Leaning down, Wesley placed a kiss on Jill’s neck. “Do you know why I called you here?”
“No, Mr. MacDonald,” said Jill nervously. Sliding his hand inside her shirt, he gave her breast a much firmer squeeze. She felt helpless and afraid like her previous visits.
Feeling her racing heartbeat, he removed his hand and moved back behind his desk. “I want to discuss your former boyfriend, Jack Wellington.”
“What about him?” Jill asked as her eyes went to the floor.
“He's still a problem,” said Wesley angrily. “You and Jingle were supposed to take care of him and you failed miserably.”
“I’m sorry Mr. MacDonald,” Jill said quietly.
“What are you sorry for Jill?” asked Wesley MacDonald as he glared at her.
“I’m sorry for failing you,” Jill said quietly. “Sometimes, an apology isn’t enough to make things right,” said Wesley tapping on his desk.
Out of an alcove to Jill’s right stepped a tall platinum blonde woman wearing a red and black leather bustier with matching pants and platform boots. Jill had seen her a couple of times at the south entrance warehouses during the late night pickups. She had heard stories of things she had done in the past. The large blonde woman moved directly behind Jill. She placed a hand on Jill's shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
“You know Bo Peep,” said Wesley. Jill nodded.
“I don’t like it when the police come around here Jill,” said Wesley. “I have too much to lose.”
"I'm sorry,” said Jill quietly.
“Your parents and I have agreed that it’s time for you to leave the farm,” said Wesley glaring at Jill.
"Where I'm I going?" Jill asked nervously, glancing over her shoulder at Bo Peep.
"You're going to the island," said Wesley as he put his feet up on his desk.
“What island?” Jill asked.
"A nice place to keep you away from the police," Wesley said.
"Will Jack be able to visit me?” Jill asked.
“I’m afraid not darling,” said Wesley. “You’ll never see Jack again.”
"What?!" asked Jill frantically. Bo Peep tightened her grip on Jill's shoulders.
"It’s the way things have to be darling," said Wesley as he stood.
She broke down crying. She loved Jack Jingle and couldn’t imagine life without him.
“Jack and Jill went up the hill to...,” said Wesley as he walked back to the front of his desk.
Jill put her head into her hands and thought about how she had gotten herself into this mess. She remembered the encounter like yesterday. It all started when Jack Wellington discovered the Mist labs on the south end of the farm. He had approached Mr. MacDonald and threatened to tell the police if production of the drug wasn’t stopped.
She immediately broke it off with Jack Wellington at the request of Mr. MacDonald.
She also remembered when Mr. MacDonald approached her and her new boyfriend Jack Jingle to kill Jack Wellington, telling them he couldn’t afford to get his hands dirty. They eagerly accepted Wesley’s thirty vials of Mist and $10, 000 to kill Jack. They both were so high that the actual murder seemed like a bad dream.
“Jill,” said Wesley as he tapped her on the shoulder, “are you still with us?”
Jill looked up at him with tears in her eyes.
"If you had let me take care of him, there wouldn't be any need for this," said Bo Peep.
Wesley sighed heavily then said, “We don't live in the past Bo Peep. So where is Jack right now?”
“He’s in Exeter,” said Jill silently as she dropped her head.
“Good,” said Wesley as he nodded to Bo Peep. The large woman smiled and exited the office the same way she had entered.
Looking at a teary eyed Jill, Wesley said, "The Island awaits you Jill.”
Chapter 28
Deep in thought Henry Emperor stood at the window of his upstairs study looking over the expansive property of h
is secret island getaway Misty Morning.
The past few days that replayed in his mind angered him. He had been swindled out of two million dollars. He had received word from Lucy Locket the swindlers had been killed, however the money hadn’t been recovered.
To make matters worse, his blunder unexplainable found its way to the local media. The Goose City Press headline read, "Swindlers in Emperor’s Invisible Clothing Scam killed" while the Goose City Gazette stated, "Emperor’s Swindlers Killed".
He had been the laughingstock of the fashion industry. His good name lay in shambles.
In an attempt to repair his name and reputation, he made the decision to host a gala for his closest friends in the fashion industry.
"Excuse me Mr. Emperor, everything is prepared sir," said Lucy Locket as she entered the study.
Emperor turned and said, "Thank you Lucy. I don't know what I would do with you."
"I'm only doing my job sir," said Lucy humbly. "Is there anything else sir?"
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