This story is purely a work of fiction. Any resemblance to person's Living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely Coincidental.
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Mark Stevens
I would like to welcome my previous as well as hopefully new readers back to enjoy this story. However, should you have not read any of the Porterville books before, you should do so
- Porterville 2. Murder in Porterville 3. Silver Candlesticks 4. No Regrets
All the stories are stand alone, however, a lot of the same characters from the first book return for more adventures.
To my old readers: Welcome back. To my new ones, welcome aboard.
Please feel free to write me with any thought you might have. Please keep comments positive. I already have an editor that keeps me walking the line. Ha ha. You can email me at:
jetdesk2@yahoo.com
Chapter Fourteen
Britt came out of a deep sleep, and for a moment, he wasn't sure where he was. Then he felt Devon sit up in the bed next to him.
"What the hell?" Devon asked throwing the covers back and getting out of the bed.
Britt hit the floor. He was naked and picked up his robe. He threw it on and said, "It's the alarm."
Devon also hit the floor, and pulling his robe on as well, he followed Britt out the bedroom door. They met Cory coming from his room, but neither spoke. Britt flipped the light switch on, causing the dark shadows to disappear from the stairway. He had picked up his cell phone before leaving the bedroom and put it in the pocket of his robe. It was ringing as they reached the bottom of the stairs. Britt reset the alarm and answered the call. The security company was inquiring about the alarm signal. Britt told the company that he hadn't had time to check and see if anything was amiss. He was told that the police had been notified and should be arriving shortly.
Wallace and Edna entered the dining room from the kitchen. The alarm had disturbed their sleep as well.
"Is there an intruder, sir?" Wallace asked.
"We're not sure what is exactly going on, Wallace," Devon told his employee.
While Britt was on the phone Devon began searching the room. Not finding anything out of place, he walked across the dining room floor. There were three windows on the back wall, and he discovered immediately that something wasn't right.
The doorbell rang, and Britt walked into the entry way and unlocked the door. Officer Peter Nelson of the Porterville Police Station stepped inside the house and explained that the alarm company had alerted the police station that something was happening at Britt and Devon's residence.
"Look at this," Devon said as the two men came into the living room. Then his eye caught a moving shadow outside the window. "Somebody is out there," he told them.
Peter and Cory ran outside and quickly made their way to the back of the cabin. They returned a few moments later and informed Britt and Devon that they didn't see anyone and Peter added, "We did, however, hear something that sounded like a car motor starting. It had to be hidden out of sight. When I drove out here I didn't see another car on the road."
"It looks like someone attempted to enter the house through this window," Britt told Peter.
"Let's go investigate the area where we heard the sound of a car's engine," Cory said to Peter.
Britt and Devon did a thorough check of the house, even the bottom floor where Wallace and Edna lived, but they found nothing to suggest anything unusual. They completed their search and returned to the living room.
Devon told the older couple that nothing, other than the window, showed any signs of an intruder. "Go back to bed. Everything is alright. If any further attempt is made to enter our home, the alarm will scare them off."
Wallace and Edna returned downstairs, and Britt and Devon sat on the sofa and waited for Peter and Cory to return.
"Did you find anything?" Britt asked when the two came back from their search.
"We found the area where we think a car was hidden," Cory answered.
"And a nice set of tire tracks leading from the area back to the road. Fresh snow has fallen since I've been here," Peter told them. "It was snowing when I arrived, so I think that's the reason why I didn't see the tracks. It covered the first set of tracks, but when the car was moved, fresh tracks were made."
"Can the tire tracks help to find out who our uninvited caller was?" Britt asked.
"It might be possible," Peter answered.
"I don't believe it was a very large vehicle," Cory spoke up. "The size of the tracks didn't look as if they belonged to a heavy car and definitely not a truck of any kind. Or if it was a truck, it was a small one."
"If you guys are sure everything is alright here, I'm going back to the station and file my report. I want it on Brian's desk when he comes in on Monday morning. Call me if anything new develops." Saying that, the officer left.
The three men took seats in the living room and discussed the latest situation.
"We have got to come up with a plan to smoke this bastard out," Cory declared.
"I'm working on something," Britt said.
"We're all ears," Devon declared.
"I don't have anything for sure yet, but I keep running different scenarios across my brain. You'll know when I know," Britt assured them.
They talked a while longer and then returned upstairs and back in their beds.
"I hope you get this pieced together soon," Devon told Britt as he threw his robe to the floor and crawled naked between the covers.
"Me, too," Britt agreed falling in beside his partner. "Me, too."
Britt moved close to Devon and wrapped his arms around the man's stomach. One of his hands went in search of Devon's hairy bush, and when he found it, he wrapped his fingers in the wiry curls and fell asleep.
Even though the night had been rather short for them, Britt and Devon decided Sunday morning that they were going to church. As they were leaving the breakfast table Cory said he would go with them.
"I'm usually not a church going person, but I think under the circumstances I will go with you," the detective told them. " I've come to think highly of Larry and Bonnie Owens, so I think I will show my support to them."
When they arrived at the church, the three men sat on the pew next to Britt's mother. As Britt finished giving his mother a hug, Alice, Brian and Brian's dad arrived. Catherine moved over so the three new comers could sit with them.
Brian leaned over and whispered, "Britt, I talked with Pete Nelson this morning. He filled me in about last night."
Britt nodded and whispered back, "We'll talk after church, Brian."
Just before the service began, Britt looked around the auditorium and studied the other people that were also sitting in church pews. For some reason the atmosphere felt different to him. Something was off, but he couldn't determine what it was. A cold shiver ran down his spine. He wondered if their presence, his and Devon's, was the reason.
When the service was over and they were making their way to the entrance of the church building, Boyd Wilson was suddenly standing in the isle way in front of Britt. The councilman eyed him sharply and asked if the wedding was still going to take place.
Britt assured the man it was and asked, "Any particular reason you're asking?"
"I've heard about everything that has happened," the councilman said. "I would think the town would be better off if you called it off. Why not get married away from Porterville? I heard that somebody vandalized Kathy Applebee's shop and, of course, the Owens lost their home. I have to wonder if your wedding plans had anything to do with those situations."
"What about you, Boyd? Are you one of the somebodies that is against Devon and I getting married?" Britt looked at the man and became silent.
The councilman's words had brought a look of anger to Catherine's face. "Why shouldn't my son be married in Porterville? He was born and raised here, I'll have you know. They both were," she added giving Devon a warm smile.
Britt smiled and placed a hand on his mother's shoulder. Then turning back to Wilson he said, "I guess you heard my mother. If we have her permission, that's all that matters."
"I hope you don't regret it." Saying those words, Wilson turned around and walked quickly out the exit.
Larry and Bonnie were standing in the vestibule greeting people as they left. When Britt reached the couple, he shook Larry's hand and gave Bonnie a hug. "Do people seem to be a little distant?" Catherine asked as they walked down the sidewalk.
"I thought so," Britt remarked.
They reached Britt and Devon's car first, and Alice cried out, "Look at your car, Britt."
All eyes turned toward Britt's vehicle. The word "SINNER" had been written on the windshield in red paint.
Chapter Fifteen
Catherine gasped and said, "My Lord! Who would do such a thing?"
Britt reached out and turned his mother away from the car. He realized just how upset she was. He wrapped his arms around Catherine and pulled her close.
"Mom, I'm sorry you had to see this."
Catherine pulled away from her son. "I'm not upset, Britt. I'm tired of hearing how my son should not find happiness by marrying another man. Why is it that people can think they have the right to sit in judgement of others? Perhaps I am upset," she admitted. "I'm mad as well," she added.
While Britt had been talking with his mother, Brian was on the phone with Chris Vaughn. Brian asked the officer to come over to the church parking lot and check Britt's vehicle for fingerprints and any other clues that might help to discover who Britt and Devon's enemy was.
Alice was standing next to her brother. She wrapped her arm around his waist and said, "Oh, Devon, I am so sorry. I find it hard to believe that anyone can be filled with so much hatred they would do something like this."
"Alice, I promise you and everyone else that we are going to find whoever is doing this," Cory spoke up. The detective was angry, and the tone of his voice said how angry he really was.
Britt walked over to Devon and gave the man a hug. "I'm so very sorry, Dev."
A few of the church members had remained in the parking lot and were now gathered around the car. Not a one of them uttered a word of comfort, but they all had a curious look on their face.
Brian took charge of the situation. "Alright, people, let's give these folks some space. Unless you have anything to say that might help us find out who did this, please, show some respect and leave. Thank you!"
One by one, each person began walking away until only Britt and Devon and their friends and family were left standing around the vehicle with the large red letters painted on the windshield.
They were joined by Larry and Bonnie. "What's going on here?" Larry asked.
"My goodness, is everyone alright?" Bonnie walked over and gave both Britt and Devon a hug.
A look of disbelief appeared on the minister's face. "It makes me sick to think that anyone could do something like this. Did no one see anything?"
"According to the people we questioned," Brian answered, "no one saw a thing." Looking at the entrance of the church building he added, "It would be difficult to see anything from inside the building."
Larry went to Catherine and placed his hands on her shoulders. "I'm so sorry, Catherine. Is there anything that I can do for you?"
"Pray that the person or persons behind this is caught. Larry, I know we're not supposed to harbor hate in our heart, but I'm afraid on that matter, I am committing a sin. I do have hate. I love my boys, and it makes me really angry when someone tries to hurt them."
The minister smiled tenderly at his faithful church member. "Catherine, you have nothing to apologize for. Nor do you need to confess a sin. "Everyone around you, I'm sure, is experiencing the same emotion as you. And no one, especially you, is committing a sin by having these feelings."
Larry tuned to Britt and asked, "What can we do?"
When Britt gave a shrug of his shoulders and remained silent, Brian spoke up. "I would like a few moments with the guys. Would that be alright with you ladies?"
Sounding more like herself, Catherine said, "Alice, why don't you and Bonnie come home with me? I have a roast and veggies cooking in the crockpot. There's plenty for everyone."
"Thanks, Mom," Britt said and gave his mother one of his special smiles.
"Great," Brian said. "Our meeting won't be long."
As the ladies were walking away, Alice could be heard asking if she needed to add anything to the meal. Britt smiled when he heard his mother assure both Alice and Bonnie that there would be plenty of food.
After Catherine, Alice and Bonnie had left, Brian invited the others to meet in his office. Once there, they gathered around Brian's desk and discussed the latest happening.
"We've got to come up with a plan to force this son of a bitch's hand," Cory says as they took seats around Brian's desk.
"I agree," Brian said. "Any ideas?" He looked around the room.
Cory was the first to speak. "Sorry, Larry. I don't mean to be disrespectful. I've reached the limit of my niceness where this matter is concerned. I want things settled so these two can continue on with their lives."
Larry assured the detective from Little Rock there was no need for an apology. "Hell, I'm with you one hundred percent." A grin appeared on the minister's face. "I want the SOB that's responsible caught same as you do."
Britt mentioned Boyd Wilson's name. "I'm convinced the man has some hand in all this, but I can't seem to connect the dots."
"I think you are on the right track, Britt," Brian agreed. "I'm going to have a visit with him in the morning."
Jerry Poteet said, "When he spoke to Britt at the end of the church service, I had a feeling the councilman was involved in this mystery some way. I'm just not sure to what extent."
"I believe the man may even know something about the murder of Sandra Collins," Cory remarked.
"I also want to speak with Tracy Coleman again," Brian said. "I want her to go over again everything she told me the night of the murder. A little time has passed, and I'm hoping that she might have a clearer memory about what happened that night. When we spoke with her then, she was in shock."
"I would like to be there when you do, if it's alright with you," Britt said to Brian.
"Of course, I want you there. In fact, I would like you present when I meet with Boyd. If you have time," Brian added.
"I'll make time," Britt assured the police chief.
"If there is anything I can do, please let me know," Larry offered. "This mess has to be cleaned up soon. The wedding is taking place in six days, and for Britt and Devon's sake, this needs to be done with."
"I agree," Jerry said.
Brian stood to his feet and said, "For now, I suggest we go to lunch. I don't want Catherine's wrath to fall on us. Britt and Devon, could we meet at your house this evening to put a plan together? I want something in place before we meet with Wilson."
Both Britt and Devon agreed, and as they were leaving Brian's office, they were met by Chris Vaughn. The officer told the group that a careful search on Britt's car hadn't come up with anything that might help to determine who had painted the warning on the car windshield. "No fingerprints but the two of you," the officer said.
"Thanks, Chris," Brian said. "I appreciate the hard work you are doing to help us solve this."
"Here's the key to your car," Chris said handing the item to Britt.
Britt and Devon, along with Cory, Jerry and Larry, had ridden to the police station in Brian's vehicle. Britt's car had remained in the church parking lot for Chris to investigate. Brian drove them back to the church so Britt could pick up his car.
As he drove to his mother's home, Britt asked, "Tell me, Dev, do you still want to marry me?"
Devon had a startled look on his face. "Why the hell would you even ask that, Britt? You know how I feel."
Britt reached across the seat and rested his hand on Devon's leg. "Yes, I know how you feel. I think that you know I feel exactly the same way. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Not just with you, but married to you as well."
"I love you, Britt Williams. I hope you realize how much."
Britt gave the man's leg a gentle squeeze and focused on the road before him. "I love you, too, Dev, and regardless of what has happened, I will marry you."
"It's about time," Catherine greeted as they walked inside her home. "We almost began without you." She gave Britt and Devon each a kiss on the cheek. "The meal is ready, thanks to my good help. Come to the table."
As Catherine's guests sat around her dining table enjoying the delicious food, nothing was mentioned about what had happened at the church, as well as what had been discussed in their meeting with Brian.
"Six days until your wedding," Bonnie said. "How are your plans coming along?"
The question had been addressed to Britt and Devon, but it was Alice who answered the minister's wife.
"Catherine and I are meeting with Kathy Applebee this evening to finalize plans for the reception," Alice explained.
"That's great," Brian told his wife. "We're meeting later at Britt and Devon's to finalize some plans of our own."
"Are you meeting with them?" Bonnie asked her husband.
"I am."
Hearing her husband's answer, Bonnie turned to Alice and Catherine and said, "If it's alright with the two of you, I'll join you ladies. Where's the meeting to be?"
"At our house," Alice answered.
For the rest of the meal the discussion centered on the plans before and after the wedding ceremony. When the meal, which was followed by one of Catherine's rich homemade chocolate cakes, was over, Alice and Bonnie quickly pitched in and helped Catherine restore her kitchen to its rightful orderly state. Britt led the way into the living room where conversation drifted from their wedding to the new book Britt was working on. Even the question of the honeymoon trip came up, but Britt and Devon reminded them that no such plans for a trip were being made until they discovered who was behind this latest mystery that centered on some of the town's residents.
When the ladies joined them in the living room a little later, Britt stood to his feet.
"Let's go home, Dev," he said pulling the man with him. "The short night we had is reminding me I could use with a short nap."
Cory decided to go with Jerry back to the Poteet's home and told his hosts he would see them that evening.
Catherine's guests thanked her for the delicious meal before they left. "You are a wonderful cook," Bonnie praised.
"Mom does enjoy working in the kitchen," Britt said giving the woman a hug. "Love you, Mom."
When Britt reached his car, he called, "Brian, Jerry, Cory, Larry, see you guys this evening. Say around seven o'clock?"
"Will that work for you and Bonnie?" Catherine asked Alice.
Everyone agreed on the time and left for their respective homes. As Britt drove to the home he shared with Devon, he thought about the situation he and Devon were in the middle of, and he hoped like hell they could come up with the perfect plan. A plan, he thought, that would lead them to the person or persons who wanted to prevent him and Devon from getting married. He was suddenly reminded that they only had a few days to solve the mystery. God, what a mess, he thought.