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.
The author claims all copyrights to this story and no duplication or Publication of this story is allowed, except by the web sites to which it has been posted, without the consent of the author.
All of us enjoy the stories here, so please, support Nifty. Like any other Business, it takes resources to keep it running.
I appreciate you, and I know Nifty appreciates your support!
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 Four
Britt was in town running errands Tuesday afternoon when he received a phone call from Brian Poteet. The chief, hearing that Britt was in town, asked him to drop by his office.
"At your convenience," Brian said. "I'll be here the rest of the afternoon."
One of Britt's errands was mailing some letters at the post office. As he dropped the items in the mail slot he heard his name called. Turning around he discovered the post master, Russell Thompson, standing at the counter with a smile on his face.
"How're things going?" Britt asked as walked over and joined the man at the counter.
"Can't complain, I suppose," Russell replied. "No use, because what good would it do?"
Russell had been post master for Porterville when Britt had been in high school. He had served the town for years and was well known to visit with his customers. If people hadn't been in a good mood upon arriving, they definitely were when they exited the building.
"Congratulations on your latest book, Britt."
"Thank you, Russell."
"Haven't read it yet, but I will," Russell told him.
"Thanks, I really appreciate it." Britt shook the post master's hand. "When you do let me know. I would like to hear your thoughts." Britt considered the man a loyal reader. Russell loved reading mystery stories, and Britt considered the man an excellent critic."
The post office completed Britt's list of errands, so he returned to his car and drove to the police station. As he came inside he greeted Alisha Gray, the woman sitting at the front desk.
"Hey, Britt," she said giving him a smile. "Go on back. The Chief's expecting you."
Britt raised the counter door up and walked to Brian's office. Stopping in the door way, he called out a greeting to the man sitting behind the desk.
"Come in," Brian said. "Close the door, please."
Britt shut the office door and took a seat in one of the chairs in front of Brian's desk. "What's on your mind?"
"I wanted to let you know that we've identified the fingerprints that Chris found on that tape."
"That's great," Britt said. "That should help narrow things down."
"You're right, it should, but it doesn't. The prints belong to a dead man."
"Excuse me?"
"The man's name is Slade Allen," Brian said. "Evidently the man came back from the dead to warn you not to get married."
At first Britt was speechless. When words finally came to him, he said, "Well, I don't think a dead man was in my home, Brian."
"Neither do it," Brian agreed. "Take a look at his," he said sliding a folder across the desk.
Britt opened it up and studied the top sheet. It was a death certificate dated three years earlier. The information on the form declared that a one Slade Allen had died in an automobile accident near the small town of Webbers Falls, Oklahoma.
"This doesn't make any sense at all," Britt said as he closed the folder and returned it back to Brian.
Brian agreed and Britt asked, "Okay, so how the hell did a dead man's fingerprints get inside my home?"
"I have no idea. Britt, the only suggestion I have for now is let's just proceed with caution. By that, keep plans going forward concerning your wedding, but be on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary. Hell, I wish I had another answer for you, but at the moment I have nothing."
Britt stood to his feet. "Thanks, Brian. I appreciate you, Bud."
"Just promise me you will be careful, Britt. And whatever you do, make sure that Devon stays safe. I do not want my wife upset with me."
"You have my word. I'll catch you later."
Over dinner that evening Britt discussed the details concerning his visit with Brian. When he had finished, Devon asked, "So a dead man broke into our home?"
Britt shrugged his shoulders and said, "So it would seem. Confusing as hell, right?"
"What's Brian's take on all this?" Devon asked.
"The same as us I suppose," Britt answered. "He's puzzled."
"We've been involved with mysteries before, but I believe this one takes the cake," Devon remarked.
"I have to agree," Britt said.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
The next morning Britt watched Devon leave for work in his car and then went upstairs to his office to work on his new book. He read the partial outline he had written, but when he tried adding to it, nothing would come to mind. He decided he would go with what he had so far and begin the story. Hopefully as the plot unfolded the rest of the outline would come together for him as well.
Things were going so well that Britt was startled when his cell phone rang. As he answered the call, he looked at the clock on his desk. It told him it was almost three o'clock. He had been working for hours. He discovered his caller to be Brian.
"Hey," Brian greeted him. "Are you busy?"
"Just working on my book," Britt answered.
"I hate to bother you, but would it be possible for you to come to my office?"
"Now?"
"If you can," Brian answered.
"Alright I can be there in ten minutes."
Britt saved the work on his laptop and went downstairs. He removed his coat from the hall closet and hurried out to his car. Passing by the mail box, he decided to see if there was any mail. Braking the car, Britt lowered the window and pulled the lid to the mail box down. Discovering that there were several envelopes waiting, he reached his hand inside and pulled them out. When he threw the mail on the seat beside him it separated and one envelope caught his attention. He reached for it and quickly slit the flap with his finger.
THIS IS YOUR SECOND WARNING. DO NOT CONTINUE WITH YOUR WEDDING PLANS. YOU NEED TO TAKE THIS WARNING SERIOUSLY. TWO MEN WHO MARRY EACH OTHER COMMIT AN ABOMINABLE SIN.
Britt read the note a second time and then said, "I'm getting tired of this shit!"
He drove into town and was soon parking in front of the police department. After reading the warning for a third time he had returned it to the envelope. As he opened his car door, Britt picked up his warning and hurried inside the building. When he reached Brian's office, Britt was surprised to discover Devon, Larry and Kathy Applebee sitting in chairs.
"What's going on?" he asked.
Devon stood to his feet and made his way to him. "Are you alright?" he asked Britt.
Britt smiled and gave Devon a quick hug. "I'm fine. I repeat, what's going on?"
Brian stood to his feet and invited Britt to have a seat behind his desk. He closed the office door and said, "Britt, I've asked you here because both Kathy and Larry have received a warning in the mail. I asked Devon here because I thought he should know what is going on."
Britt held out the hand that was holding his warning and said, "I received one as well. I just now discovered it in the mail."
Britt looked at Larry and Kathy and said, "I am so sorry. I apologize to you both."
"You don't owe me any apology," Larry spoke up, and Kathy Applebee echoed the same statement.
When the three warning notes were compared, the messages were basically the same. The only difference was that Larry's note declared it was not only a sin for two men to marry, but if the minister followed through with the wedding he would be committing a sin as well. Kathy Applebee's warning told her it would be very bad for business should she choose to cater the event.
His hands on the top of Brian's desk, Britt said, "I am so sorry. I—words fail me, guys. I simply do not know what to say."
The room was silent until Devon said, "Perhaps we should get married somewhere else."
"But where would you find a location at this late date?" Kathy asked. She smiled at Devon and said, "I have no intention of calling off your reception, Devon." Then turning to Britt she added, "Britt, I want to do your wedding. It will be an honor to cater for you guys. Please know that."
"How do you feel, Larry?" Brian asked. "Are you comfortable performing their ceremony?"
"I am," the minister answered. "I can assure everyone in this room that I do not feel as if I will be committing a sin by marrying these two. And by marrying each other they won't be committing one either."
"Well, I don't know very much about religion," Brian spoke up, "but I think I tend to agree with Larry. If he feels good about it, then I think you should continue with your plans."
"I agree," Kathy spoke up. "I know how much these two love each other, and I don't think anything or anyone should keep them a part."
As they were walking to their cars a few minutes later, Britt said, "Again, I am sorry you guys are have troubles because of Devon and me. I hope that you know we would never intentionally do anything to cause you worry or harm."
"Britt, Kathy and I both realize that. You two are great people, and just knowing you makes our lives richer. I repeat, do not think twice about any of this being your fault."
"Larry is right," Kathy told them." She hugged them both and said, "It's going to be a pleasure catering you wedding. I'm very excited to be a part of it."
"You both are very special to us, and Britt and I are grateful to have you in our lives," Devon assured them.
They soon parted, and since Devon had come straight from the office, he and Britt drove home separately. It had begun snowing while they were in Brian's office, and the thought cheered Britt up. He loved the month of December for many reasons, one knowing there was always a possibility for snowy weather.
As Britt was enjoying the falling snow he might not have been so light hearted if he could have known what the future held in store for his dearest friends.