An outtake from the sequel to A JOURNEY OF CHOICE

 

From the pen of CELLEY REDD, acting editor of The St. Luke (Missouri) Banner.

St. Luke’s sheriff Zeke Jasper had his hands full Saturday night when a party guest from Arkansas, disguised as a Frenchman, attempted to harm the hostess, Mrs. Liddy Grindle. He presented her with a Christmas gift “to open later—when you’re alone.”

         Back in September of last year, Mrs. Grindle, editor of The Banner, had ferreted out the shenanigans of St. Luke’s school superintendent and wife-secretary. They manipulated a school board election by publicizing the election of their own cadre of candidates, none of whom was nominated.
 
         Even though it had been over a year since the couple and their entourage of five adults abruptly left St. Luke after setting the school on fire, the Hoosers apparently had not forgiven The Banner for outing them.

          In September of this year, they made a trip to St. Luke. Leah Hooser endeared herself incognito with the owner of the Blue Plate Diner, who invited the new woman to the local book club meeting.

          This is where our source heard the gypsy-dressed lady bad-mouth both the school and the newspaper. Before leaving the meeting in a huff, the woman said they were headed north to "take care of some business," and then they’d be back to St. Luke for the same reason.

           Since the boardinghouse held wall-to-wall party guests last Saturday night, it is unlikely anyone noticed the French-looking couple who came in with Mrs. Queen. Anyone, that is, except Liddy and her closest friends. When the man presented her a gift, Liddy recognized the fragrance she’d smelled when he’d ordered her out of his office sixteen months ago.
          
           She surreptitiously summoned the sheriff––dressed in plain clothes––and told him her fears.  She asked him to check out the gift. He and his three deputies prepared a space on Depot Street far away from vehicles and dwellings in case it was an instrument of death. Or dismemberment.

           According to the sheriff, the Hoosers, still under the impression that no one knew their identity, left the party early, their mission partially accomplished.

          When the couple saw activity near their vehicle—also disguised with paper strips advertising “French Dance lessons”––they had nowhere to run. They were handcuffed together, but were asked to open their gift to Liddy.

          They refused, and Sheriff Jasper knew Liddy’s suspicions were correct. He shot his pistol through the container. It exploded, scattering debris throughout the area.

         The Hoosers, handcuffed together by their inner wrists, dug their predicament deeper. Using their cuffed arms, they gave the sheriff a terrific uppercut, knocking him backwards.

         Suddenly, from behind, Xann Price, with two quick motions to the necks, knocked them to the ground, unconscious.

          Before the two could recover, their cuffs were removed and refastened so that both suspects wore their own bracelets.

END OF OUTTAKE.

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            Why not get your name on my “reserve-one-for-me” list? Her Face in the Glass will be formatted in softback and e-reader and should be published by the end of 2015.

c 2015 by PL