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 Seven
Cory Manners and Jerry Poteet met with David Sands, the District Superintendent of the Methodist Church organization in his office on Monday afternoon. Brian had called the office that morning and had secured an appointment with the District Superintendent for two o'clock. After inviting the two men to have a seat, Sands said, "I understand you men are from Porterville."
"We're actually from Little Rock, Arkansas," Jerry Poteet explained. "My son is the Chief of Police in Porterville. It's because of him that we are here."
"I'm afraid that I don't understand." A puzzled look appeared on Sands' face. Then smiling he asked, "Am I in trouble with the police department there in Porterville?"
"Were you aware that Larry Owens lost his home to an intentionally set fire?" Cory asked.
Sands' face showed an element of shock. "I hadn't heard that. Are Larry and his wife alright?"
"It happened while they were here in Oklahoma City," Jerry explained.
"I am so sorry. I'll get hold of Larry and see what he needs," the D.S. assured them.
"We know the reason for your meeting with Larry last Thursday," Cory said.
Sands leaned forward and placed his elbows on the desktop. "Then you know that I've asked Larry not to perform a certain wedding because it's not morally right for one man to marry another man."
Jerry Poteet leaned forward in his chair. "Sir, we're not here to discuss any moral issue you may have with your minister. We're here to try and find out who might have wanted to get some type of message to Larry about the wedding. I don't know if you are aware of it or not, but before the fire, Larry had received a warning not to perform the wedding."
"I wasn't aware of that," Sands replied. "And may I ask, why would you think I might know anything about a fire?"
"Someone must have informed you about the wedding," Cory pointed out. "Hence the meeting with Reverend Owens."
Sands clasped his hands together and appeared to be thinking about something. Then leaning back in his chair he said, "Yes, a concerned individual did contact me. However, I am not at liberty to say who that person was."
"What if your contact was responsible for the fire?" Jerry asked.
"Again, I cannot give you a name. However, I can promise you, I will look into the matter." Sands pushed his chair back and stood to his feet. "Is there anything else I can do for you gentlemen?"
"So you're telling us that you know nothing about this matter." Cory eyed the District Superintendent sharply.
"I do not," was the man's reply.
"You realize that we could subpoena you in a criminal case," Jerry reminded. "Since the fire has been determined intentional, the act falls into a criminal classification."
"I realize that. I trust that doesn't happen," Sands said with a forced smile.
Jerry and Cory also stood. "I hope you change your mind, sir, because a definite crime has taken place in Porterville," Jerry told the man.
As they reached the door, David Sands said, "Oh, by the way, do you know if Larry has made a decision yet about the wedding?"
"You're asking the wrong people," Cory answered. "Jerry and I support the wedding between the two men. These men are our friends."
Jerry nodded his agreement as the detective spoke, and he enjoyed the look of shock that appeared on Sand's face.
"This was certainly a wasted effort," Jerry remarked as they left the building.
"Do you think he was telling us the truth?" Cory asked as they got into the Jerry's car.
Jerry shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure. What I do know is that Sands was totally shocked when we told him about the fire."
"I definitely feel like he knew more than he was willing to admit," Cory sighed.
"Well, he definitely knows who informed him about the wedding," Jerry said as he backed the car out and drove back to Porterville.
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Sandra Collins, a councilwoman for the City of Porterville, walked up the steps of City Hall Monday afternoon and entered the building. The monthly town meeting was the following evening and she needed to pick up some papers and take home to read over before it took place. As she made her way quietly down the long hallway she heard Boyd Wilson's voice. Boyd was another councilman, and like her, Sandra thought Boyd might be taking care of City business. Boyd's voice was suddenly very loud. The councilman was in one of the offices talking with someone, and she could tell that the man was getting angry. After hearing only one side of the conversation, Sandra realized that the man must be talking to someone on the telephone.
"What in the hell were you thinking?" Boyd asked.
Something in the councilman's words caused Sandra to stop before she reached the door. She knew she shouldn't listen to the man's phone conversation, but she couldn't seem to make her feet move. She waited and didn't know why.
"Yes, I know when I paid you that I agreed to let you handle the problem. I just wasn't expecting such a drastic plan. I'm not certain you handled it the best way."
Sandra was suddenly wishing that she hadn't dropped by the building to pick her report up. She took a deep breath, slowly counted to ten and then walked as quietly as she could past the opened door. Once she had cleared the doorway, Sandra quickly made her way to the end of the hall and entered the office she shared with another councilwoman, Tracy Coleman. She sat down at the desk and pulled the bottom drawer out.
"Good afternoon, Sandra. I thought I saw you walk past my office."
Sandra had pulled out the file containing the report she needed. Startled by the sound of Boyd Wilson's voice, she dropped the file. Her heart kicked into overdrive. Willing her hand not to shake, Sandra picked the file up and closed the drawer. Boyd was standing in the doorway with his hand against the wall. His sudden appearance caused Sandra to feel intimidated.
"Hi, Boyd." She waved the file and said, "I wanted to take a look at this before the meeting tomorrow night. I thought I'd take it home and refresh my memory."
"Probably a good idea," Boyd agreed. "If you are referring to that new renovation project, I think it's probably going to take up most of the meeting. I'm anxious to hear your thoughts on the subject."
Standing up, Sandra walked around the desk. Boyd's presence was making her uncomfortable, and she was anxious to leave the building. "Well, let me study the report some more. I can give you a call later this evening if you like, and we can discuss it."
"That would be great, Sandra." The Councilman stepped away to let her pass.
Sandra walked out into the hallway and tried to remain calm as she made her way to the front of the building.
"Oh, Sandra?"
Her heart racing, Sandra slowly turned around and faced the man. "Yes?"
"Are you alright? Is something on your mind?" Boyd took a couple of steps and stopped. "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Trying to sound as pleasant as she could, Sandra said, "I'm just concerned about this issue." She eyed the folder in her hand.
"I've got a few minutes. You want to discuss it now?"
She shook her head and said, "No, I really need to get home. I'll give you a call later tonight."
Boyd studied her for a moment and then a smile appeared on his face. "Alright, I'll look forward to your telephone call. Good afternoon, Sandra." Boyd turned and walked down the hall toward his office.
"Later, Boyd."
Sandra hurried out of the building, got into her car and drove home. She pulled into her driveway and ran into the house. She closed the door and turned the dead bolt. Boyd Wilson's words kept running across her brain, and quite frankly, she was left unnerved. Although she hadn't understood the meaning of the man's words, Sandra was frightened all the same. The more she thought about it, the less she understood. Feeling the need to talk with someone, Sandra called another councilwoman, Tracy Coleman, and asked her to come over later that evening. She told Tracy that she needed to discuss something with her and didn't want it to be over the telephone.
With a time to meet decided upon, Sandra ended her call and walked into the kitchen to look for something that would do for a quick meal. Her decision to have Tracy come to her home later that evening brought her peace of mind. Tracy was a good person, and she might have some idea what Boyd might be up to.