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 Three
"Are you guys okay?" Brian asked as he and Alice entered the cabin. Devon had called and told his brother-in-law what he and Britt had discovered upon returning home from their dinner party.
Both men declared themselves okay. While Devon had been on the telephone with Brian, Britt had gone to check on the two servants. The cabin was tri-level, and Wallace and Edna had rooms on the basement floor. When asked, both assured Britt they had heard nothing. Britt asked them to follow him upstairs because he was sure that Brian would like to ask them some questions.
Alice had insisted on coming with her husband and said, "I was so worried when Devon called."
Devon gave his sister a hug. "We're perfectly alright. Other than having to repair the door, everything else looks untouched."
When Brian questioned them, both Wallace and Edna said they had heard nothing, with Wallace adding, "When we returned home, the only light on was in the entryway. The rest of the house was dark."
"Well thank goodness the two of you are okay," Alice said.
After the two servants had been dismissed, Brian said, "It certainly sounds like someone in town is definitely against the two of you getting married."
Britt shook his head and said, "What surprises me is that everywhere I go and everyone I see in town has never been anything but courteous and friendly to Devon and me."
Brian had a puzzled look on his face. "I would have to agree with you, Britt. I have never heard a bad word come out of anyone's mouth concerning either one of you."
"Perhaps we should be married somewhere else rather than in Porterville," Britt mused.
"I wouldn't make any changes just yet," Brian advised.
There was a knock on the door, and Chris Vaughn, one of Brian's officers, entered the room. Brian had called the officer to come out and check for fingerprints.
"Hey, guys," Chris greeted as he joined them in the living room.
Although Chris was very friendly now, he hadn't always been. When he had first joined the police force, a murder had taken place in Porterville, and Brian had requested Britt to assist in solving it. Chris had resented Britt's help, but after Brian had a talk with the officer, Chris' attitude had changed drastically. Brian had told his officer that Britt was on pay roll as a consultant for the Force and that it would be in his best interest to work with Britt.
"Thanks for coming, Chris," Brian said to the officer
The others watched as Chris went about the room looking for prints. The officer concentrated mainly on the mantel as that was where the note was discovered.
"I'll look at these in the morning," Chris said. "I found several, but I'm inclined to think they will mostly be Britt and Devon's. There were a couple on the tape. Hopefully we'll be lucky, and I will discover who was here tonight."
Brian thanked the officer for coming, and after Chris had left asked, "Is there going to be a way to secure that door for tonight?"
Britt walked over and inspected it "I don't think so. The frame on the door has been destroyed and will have to be replaced."
"What will you do?" Alice asked. "Whoever broke inside could possibly return."
Britt looked around him. "This should work," he said standing before the long table that decorated the entryway. "Guys, give me a hand please."
The table was made from oak, and if it was placed against the damaged door, it should keep any unwanted guest from entering. It took all three men to drag the table away from the wall. When they were within a couple of feet from the door, Britt said, "Brian, you and Alice leave, and we'll move it the rest of the way."
Brian told them he would call first thing in the morning, and he and Alice left. Once the couple had gone, Britt and Devon pushed the table up against the heavy wooden door.
"That should work for tonight," Britt decided.
As they were getting ready for bed sometime later, Devon said, "Funny thing, I have been thinking about putting in an alarm system for some time. If I had, this wouldn't have happened."
"I'd had the same thought," Britt said, "but like you, I didn't think seriously enough to do anything about it."
"I'll call someone in the morning," Devon said. "If our unwelcomed visitor returns he'll be in for one hell of a surprise."
The next morning both men were up early. It had been a long night for them as they were unnerved, not only because of the break in, but also because an oak table was the only protection between them and the outside world. Over breakfast they decided Brit would be the one to contact a company about putting in the alarm system, as well as find someone to repair the door.
"I'm a little more flexible," Britt decided. "I can be here to take care of things easier than you."
As they were leaving the breakfast table, Britt's cell phone rang. It was Brian checking up on them. Britt assured the man that everything was okay and that nothing new had happened during the night. Before ending his call Brian told him that the fingerprints found on the tape attaching the note to the mantel were still unidentified.
"We'll dig a little deeper," Brian said, "and when we do, I think we will be able to determine who they belong to."
Devon left for McKenzie Textile, and Britt began his search to find someone to come out and take care of the door. That would need to be done first before an alarm company could be hired.
Britt got in touch with the Porterville lumberyard and asked if they had someone who could come out and take care of the door problem. When he explained his request, the manager assured him that he could have a man out there that afternoon. With that out of the way, Britt stepped into the kitchen and told Edna that he would be up in his office if she or Wallace needed anything.
Once upstairs, Britt sat at his desk and opened up his laptop. A new story plot had been pushing at his brain, and he wanted to begin the outline for the story. With his wedding only two weeks away, Britt realized he wouldn't accomplish too much, but he wanted to at least work on the outline.
For a time Britt's mind was a blank. He stared at the blank computer screen with his fingers paused on the keyboard, but for the life of him no words would form in his brain. He got up and walked around the room for a few moments trying to force himself to relax. When he approached one of the two windows in the room, Britt pushed the curtain back. Perhaps some sunshine would inspire him, he thought. As he looked outside, Britt was met with a typical December day in Oklahoma. The weather was cold, and he could hear the wind against the cabin. Britt took several deep breaths as he looked out over the circle drive. The break in the night before caused him to search the outside area with his eyes, making sure things were as they should be. Not seeing anything unusual, Britt returned to his desk.
This time when his fingers hovered over the keyboard a word came to him. Then another came along, followed by another, and soon he found his outline falling into place, the words flowing easily from his brain to his fingers. He was so lost in his work that when Wallace knocked on his office door to tell him the repairman was there to inspect the door his heart began racing inside his chest. Britt saved his work on the laptop and followed Wallace downstairs where the man was waiting.
The man looked the situation over and told Britt that he needed a new door. "Too much damage was done," the man from the lumberyard pointed out. The man had just left to go pick up a new door when Britt's mother called.
"Hey, Mom, what's up?" Britt greeted.
His mother said, "Have you seen the newspaper yet?"
Britt told her that he hadn't. For years Sam Taylor, the owner and publisher of The Beacon, printed and sent his news out to the paper's readers in the late afternoon each day. The only exception was Sunday. On that day, it was available to the readers in the early morning hours. Just recently Sam had changed his schedule to where the paper came out early mornings rather than late afternoons.
"I keep forgetting that Sam has changed things around," Britt said to his mother. "Is there something in the paper you want me to read?"
"You and Devon's wedding announcement is listed," Catherine said.
The tone in his mother's voice caused Britt to ask, "Is something wrong, Mom?"
He was greeted by silence for a moment, then, "I hope this public announcement won't cause you any more trouble"
Britt hadn't told his mother about their unwelcomed guest the night before, and for a moment thought he might not. Then realizing she would much rather hear it from him than Brian or Alice, he decided to be honest with her. "I am worried, Britt," Catherine said when he had finished.
"We'll be okay, Mom."
"You don't know that," his mom disagreed.
Britt explained about having the new door installed. "And after the door is taken care of, we're putting in an alarm system. That should make you feel better. I know it will make us feel more secure," he added.
"Have you already talked with someone about the alarm?"
"No, but when I get off the phone with you, I'm going to contact the cable company. I know they offer the service. I was holding off getting with them until I knew when the door would be repaired."
"I'm glad. Make an appointment," she said and ended her call.
Britt smiled and placed a call to his cable provider. When the call ended, he had an appointment for the next morning. He went out to the kitchen and explained the door update to Edna, adding that if he was needed he would be up in his office.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Larry Owens had just returned to his office from lunch Monday afternoon when he had a visitor. His secretary, Anne Richards, stepped inside his office and closed the door after her.
"Larry, you have a visitor," she announced.
Larry gave her a smile. "Okay," he said.
"No, I mean you have a visitor," she repeated.
"Alright, send my visitor in." As Anne had done, Larry emphasized the word `visitor'.
"Larry, it's Doctor Sands."
"The District Superintendent?"
"Yes." The word was said in a whisper.
Larry stood to his feet. Walking around his desk, he said, "Then why don't you invite him to come inside, Anne?"
Anne opened the door and said, "Come in, Doctor Sands."
David Sands was in his early sixties. He was the sort of man that whenever he walked into a room, his very presence could bring about intimidation to anyone else that was present. His brown hair was mostly gray now, and his six foot plus height could add to the intimidation.
To say that Larry was intimidated by his visitor would have been untrue. A better description of the minister would have been cautious as he extended a hand to the Methodist leader.
The DS smiled and greeted Larry warmly. "How have you been, Larry? And Bonnie? Hope that she's doing well."
Still on guard, Larry answered the man's questions. For a time, weather, church, members, that was the topic of discussion. He assured the DS that attendance was good and that collection plates were continuing to be filled with money during services.
When small talk had finally died out, David Sands said, "Alright, Larry, I'll get to the point of my visit."
"Please do."
"This morning I read in Porterville's newspaper about the wedding service you are going to be performing in a couple of weeks."
"That's correct, two of my members are getting married," Larry acknowledged.
"You are willing to perform such a ceremony?" The man's eyes were sharp as they studied the minister.
Forcing himself to remain calm Larry said, "I am more than willing, Doctor Sands."
"It's unlawful for a man to marry another man, and you know that it's a sin." The District Superintendent paused and then added, "I'm sure you believe that."
Choosing his words carefully, Larry said, "What I believe is that everyone is free to love whomever they choose, Doctor Sands."
"I realize that the state of Oklahoma has deemed same sex marriage legal. However, I'm sure you know where the Methodist church stands on the subject."
When Larry remained silent, the DS asked, "When are you going to explain to the couple that you cannot marry them?"
"I don't plan on doing that." Larry answered.
"On doing what? Are you saying that you won't perform the ceremony?"
"Quite the opposite," Larry said. "I will be performing the wedding."
"I'm sure that in your heart you know what you need to do." The DS rose to his feet and extended his hand.
Out of respect Larry returned the handshake and wished the man a safe travel back to Oklahoma City.
Before Sands opened the office door, he said, "I feel certain that you will make the right decision, Larry. Great seeing you. Give Bonnie my best."
When the door had closed behind the District Superintendent, Larry was fit to be tied. "Damn!" Larry Owens wasn't a man who cursed often, but he definitely felt it was justifiable after his visitor had gone.
The door opened and suddenly Anne was standing in his office. "Is everything alright?" she asked.
Larry's answer was, "I find it hard to believe that intelligent people can sometimes be ignorant, Anne. I need to make a telephone call."
Realizing he was asking for privacy, Anne quickly left his office and pulled the door shut behind her.
Larry picked up the telephone to make his call. And then changing his mind, he stepped into the outer office and said, "Anne, I need to run an errand. I'm not sure how long I will be gone."
Once he was in his car, Larry sat behind the wheel and allowed thoughts to form in his head. As he thought about Britt and Devon, the man of God wondered how the world could be so ignorant and closed minded about things. It just didn't seem right or fair.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
When Brian Poteet heard a knock on his door, he looked up and was surprised to discover Larry Owens standing there. "Come in, Larry," he invited.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Brian, but I feel I need to visit with you about a particular matter."
Brian returned the minister's handshake and invited him to have a seat. "What's on your mind, Larry?"
"I have a situation," Larry told the Chief of Police.
Larry told the officer about his afternoon visitor and described the subject that had been discussed. He finished by saying, "I realize this is a matter that really doesn't concern you, Brian, but due to the warning Britt received at the book signing the other night, I thought you might want to know."
"I certainly do," Brian assured the minister. "You should probably know that there has been a second warning." Seeing the surprised look on Larry's face, Brian said, "When Britt and Devon returned home after our dinner, they discovered their front door smashed in. Nothing was taken, but they found another warning note taped to the mantel above the fireplace."
Larry sighed and said, "Damn." At the surprised look on Brian's face the minister smiled. "I must be upset, Brian, because I've said this word twice in the past hour."
"So what are you planning to do?" Brian asked.
"About what?"
"About the wedding," Brian answered.
"Go forward is the only thing I know to do."
"What about your boss?" Brian asked.
"He told me to make the right decision, and for me, the right thing to do is marry those two."
"While I agree with you, Larry, I would hate for you to be in trouble with the Methodist higher ups."
"Can I ask you a question, Brian?"
"Of course."
"Do you think these the two warnings are from the same person?"
"I'm assuming so." Brian paused a second and then asked, "Larry, do you think the Methodist Headquarters could be responsible for these warnings?"
"It's possible," Larry answered thoughtfully. "Do I think it began with them? Something in my gut tells me that someone here in Porterville is responsible for stirring things up."
"I tend to agree," Brian admitted. "I wonder who our trouble maker is."
"Something tells me if we continue with our plans we'll discover exactly who the actual trouble maker is," Larry decided.
Their discussion over, Larry stood up to leave. At the door he turned back and asked, "Would you mind keeping what I told you between us for now? Britt and Devon have enough on their plate. I don't want to give them any more stress than they already have."
Brian agreed and urged the good minister to be careful.
It was a good thing that neither one of them could see what was in the future for the town of Porterville.