In all these years his wife Shelby had never returned his letters. She did not believe that he could change. In fact, he didn’t believe he could either. But prison had done what he could not do. For five years he had written a letter each week, holding out hope that she would write back but she never did. Beaver knew the time he had served was a lot less than he deserved and would accept the past and not be bitter.
He strolled through the streets of Huntsville looking intently around. Heading in the direction of the town square, he took stock of his worldly possessions and went directly to the Western Union office.
Beaver had received for his good behavior three hundred dollars to aid in starting a new life. A little of that money would get him some decent clothes and a room for a few days. The first thing he needed was a job. Walking along he watched as birds flew from tree to tree. ‘Free-as-a-bird’ would always have a special meaning to him. ‘It was a shame when men had to be locked up, because they couldn’t live in society,’ he thought. Never did he want to sit day by day in a box again. He decided his existence on this old planet was much too important for that.
Texas was hot this time of year, but Beaver liked this country; it was big and open. A man could breathe here. He had done his time in Texas. So here he would stay. He had no ties with the past except the memories of a woman and child he hoped one day to see again. He owed no man and the law said he had paid his debt to society. So now he walked along the sidewalk looking in each window as he walked by. A candy store was a good place to get out of the heat for a while. He decided he would treat himself to a soda. Never again would he drink anything stronger. The devil’s brew had made a fool of him for most of his thirty years. Tonight, he would write Shelby a letter and tell her he was a free man.
Easing up on the stool he could not quit smiling. Grady O’Hara stood back of the counter watching the man with the big smile and the buck teeth. A slight girl of eighteen stepped up to the counter and asked, “What can I get you, Sir?”
Beaver replied, “I think I will have a milk shake and a piece of that pie there.” Giving the proprietor a big grin Beaver turned his attention to the black berry pie before him. He emitted a sigh of enjoyment as he ate the pie.
“Looks like the pie is a hit today,” Grady said.
“This pie is a hit any day. Sir, this shake is just right, too!” Beaver said as he cut another bite of pie.
“Were you down the street long?” Grady asked.
“Some would say too long, but for me it was necessary,” Beaver said.
“If you are planning to stay around, might look at the railroad station. Mr. Benson needs help most all the time,” Grady stated.
“I will make the railyard my next stop. I sure am obliged to you, Sir. I think Texas will be a good place to start over,” Beaver said reflectively.
“It will be what you make of it. Let me know if I can be of help to you. My name is Grady O’ Hara,” he said.
Beaver introduced himself and the two exchanged warm conversation for a few minutes. Beaver wanted to ask where he could find Willy, but he was afraid of the response he might get. ‘I will just keep my eyes and ears open for a while,’ he thought.
Down the street Texas Ranger Cage Cruise walked up to the prison gates. Introducing himself to the guard, he was at once ushered in to see the warden. A slightly old guard was summoned as soon as Cage arrived in the warden’s office.
“Ranger, I remember him well. I can’t tell you much about him. He never discussed what was eating him. Baker was a smart fellow and never gave me a hard time. Like most of the inmates, they all come in here with a chip on their shoulder and most leave the same way. Baker was a lot smarter when he left,” the warden related.
“Did he confide in anyone or have any friends?” Cage asked.
“Well the only inmate that even talked to him was Beaver Watson. Baker mostly just spent his time alone. He had problems with bad headaches,” the warden answered.
“You remember him well for an inmate that has been gone for two years,” Cruise stated.
“I really liked that boy…sure hope he is not in any trouble. I would hate to see him come to a bad end,” the warden replied.
“Warden, I would like to talk with this Watson inmate,” Cruise requested.
“You could, but he was paroled this morning. He is a sandy headed fellow with buck teeth,” the warden said. “Watson is always smiling…like he was up to something. I didn’t like him much at first,” the warden said. “He came in here with a smart mouth but over time he mellowed out.”
“Did he say where he was headed?” Cruise asked.
“No. He said he had no place to go, but out of here,” the warden responded.
Leaving the prison, Cage headed downtown.
Missing
ααααααα
“Young man stop right there, please!” the white-haired lady called to Ranger Walker. Mike stopped his forward progress along the sidewalk and helped her get up on the curb. He had been headed for the candy store to wait for Cage and had decided a shake would be the right thing for this hot Texas day. “My name is Betty Taylor Mueller and I have been looking for one of you rangers. I have been trying to get the sheriff to look for my grandson, but he won’t do anything. His name is Shane Thomas Taylor and he disappeared over a week ago and hasn’t called me. He has left before but usually he would let me know where he was!”
“How old is your grandson, Ma’am?” Mike asked.
“He is 19 years old. I know he is a man, but something has happened to him or he would have contacted me. I know he would,” she said exasperatingly.
“We don’t look for missing people, but if anything turns up, we will let you know,” Ranger Mike stated.
Cage was sitting across from Annie and the two were drinking from the same malted when Mike walked in the candy store. Looking at the two who didn’t seem to notice him, Mike said, “What’s the matter, Cage? Can’t you afford to buy Annie her own shake?” Standing behind the bar Grady grinned, sighed and shook his head.
“Mike, I think you and I need to have a talk,” Cage said.
“Hey, Cage, an elderly lady wants us to look for her missing grandson,” Mike interjected.
Without looking away from Annie, Cage asked, “How old is the lad?”
“He is 19 years old,” Mike replied.
“That’s a year younger than me and no one is looking for me!” Cage said with a smile.
Grady O’Hara responded, “Everyone knows where you are. Either you are looking through the glass on my candy case or looking at that pretty face of Annie Parker!”
With that Annie laughed and said “Toodle-doo,” as she left the candy store.
“Well, what did you tell the lady about her grandson?” Cage asked.
“I didn’t know what to tell her. His name is on the list of people we are watching!” Mike said.
“What! …Which one?” Cage quickly asked.
“It was the Taylor guy,” Mike replied.
List of Series Main Characters
Albert Swift - CEO Southern Crest / Company trying to take over Hamilton International
Alice Parks - Down and out friend of Willy Baker / wife of Billy Parks
Alvin "The Stump" La Salle - Gino LaSalle's nephew / mobster
Amy Hamilton Anderson / Melba / Amy Rash - Drew Hamilton's daughter / wife of Jesse Rash
Annie Parker - Will and Bonnie's neighbor
Bart Wells - Crooked sheriff in Huntsville / shine runner
BB Crawford "The Albino" - Worked for Gino LaSalle / mobster
Betty Taylor / Granny / Betty Mueller - Shane Thomas Taylor's Grandmother
Billy Parks - Down and out friend of Willy Baker / husband of Alice Parks
Bonnie Wilkerson - Beaten by boyfriend, befriended by Willy / married Willy
Buford West - Marvin West's brother / Christine's uncle
Cage Cruise - Texas Ranger
Captain Daniel Eastman - Captain of the Texas
Rangers
Chief David Lightfoot - Texas Ranger / Comanche Chief
Christine West / Christine Green / Ramsey Phillips / Christine Wright / the Scrapper - Daughter of Marvin West
Dr. Nathan Mueller / Doc / Nate - Huntsville town doctor
Drew Hamilton - CEO Hamilton International / Amy's father
Earl Kaminski - Works for Drew Hamilton
Ed Weeks - aka Taller Man / Mechanic and owner of Auto Shop / shine car maker
Gino LaSalle - Chicago mobster boss
Jack Majors - Organizer to take over Hamilton International
Jesse Rash / Harlan Williams - Main character, know nothing security clerk at Hamilton International / chosen for his low profile and background in criminal justice and drama / hired to rescue Hamilton's daughter
John Baker - Willy's brother
John Hannibal - Harlan's friend in the desert / accomplished composer / explosives expert
Judd Smith - Sniper / shine runner with Harlan Williams / rancher
Lennie Cobb - Majors' "get-it-done" man
Marvin West - Christine West's father / all around crook
Odell West - Marvin West's brother / Christine's uncle
Rayford West - Marvin West's brother / Christine's uncle
Shane Thomas Taylor - Main character / Shine Ghost / Grandson of Betty Taylor
Smitty McGuire "The Mechanic" - Gangster for McDonald
Strete "Sonny" Green - Ex-Sheriff of Huntsville / husband of Christine West Green
Val - Gangster for McDonald
Walter McDonald - Irish Boss from Chicago
Willy Baker - Main Character / ex-con jokester / Bonnie Wilkerson's husband
About the Author
Times they are a changing. To consider who I am always brings me back to the life-changing events that have shaped, corrected, disciplined, grieved and uplifted my soul throughout my time on this terra firma planet. Without a doubt, I believe the unseen force that has shaped my life started early in my youth by example. The same spirit saved me in my teens. The recipe for my life was set in the small sawmill town of Pineland, Texas, where a sweet spirited mother loved, corrected and tolerated ten children by example. There was also a hard-working father that kept us fed and gave us a strong work ethic. I worked for 43 years in the chemical industry along the Mississippi River and Texas coast. I am married to my wife, Linda, of 51 years. We have 3 daughters, 5 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. My wife and I are active members at our church where I am a deacon. We also teach Sunday School for the third and fourth grades. Below is the prayer I pray over each book that I am blessed to write. James E. Ferrell
Heavenly Father,
Please honor my wishes that this book opens a window by which all who read it may see the truth of sinful living. I ask that you transform my work of fiction to appeal to all in an understanding way. As my fingers pass over the keys, guide them to present how the dark side controls all that do not practice self-control and destroys all it controls. Let it help them walk a path around the pitfalls of sin that I have so often fallen into. Please forgive me for all my past present and future sins and put into my books your truths that can save and transform broken lives. I take no credit for any good thing you may do through this book, but pray it brings a thought-provoking change in many lives.
In Christ’s name
Amen
Also by James E. Ferrell
Cross-Pull
Doing Time in Texas: The Series
Book 1: Always Have a Plan
Book 2: For Love of Money
Books soon to come by James E. Ferrell
Doing Time in Texas: The Series
Book 3: Every Road Leads to Huntsville
Cross-Pull (Second Edition)
Winter Crossing
Class of 64
Doing Time In Texas, Book 2 Page 25