Date: Mon, 23 Dec 2013 19:44:30 -0800 (PST)
From: Jerlar <jetdesk2@yahoo.com>
Subject: Porterville 26

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


Porterville 26



CHAPTER 26



	After Glenn Redding agreed to make a trip to Porterville, Britt had
reserved a room for the lawyer at one of the nicer hotels in town. The
rooms were much larger than usual, and each one had a connecting study that
would come in handy with all of the paper work Britt expected the man to
have. When Glenn called and announced he was in Porterville, Britt gave him
directions to the Hampton Inn. Next he reached Devon on his cell phone. He
told him Glenn was in town and asked if he could arrange to get away for a
short meeting. Devon agreed and the three met in the lobby of the hotel.
	Britt introduced the two, and they went up to Glenn's room. The
lawyer had lots of questions and asked the two to fill him in on everything
that had taken place.
	"Leave nothing out," he told them.
	Much later Britt said, "That's everything in a nutshell,
Glenn. What's your take on it?"
	Glenn leaned back in his chair. He had taken notes on everything
they had told him, and now he pushed his note pad to the side.
	"One thing that jumps out at me at the moment is the diamond you
say you found near the scene of the so-called accident. Where is the
diamond now?"
	"I hid it for safe keeping," Britt told him. "I wasn't too
concerned until someone broke into my mother's home while we were
away. When that happened, I realized how important the stone could be in
tying in with Margaret Cooper's death."
	"You are absolutely right. If we can find out who the owner is,
then we can definitely place someone at the scene. You're certain it
doesn't belong to anyone in the Cooper household?"
	"Devon feels pretty sure the diamond belongs to his mother."
	Glenn turned to Devon and asked, "Is that true?"
	Devon gave a nod with his head. "I feel certain it belongs to her."
	"I think she bought it locally here in Porterville," Britt
said. "In fact, when I took it to the local jeweler I feel sure he
recognized it."
	"You have the name of the shop? As expensive as this thing sounds,
I'll guarantee you somebody has it insured. I have ways and means of
finding out insurance information without much effort at all."
	"The man's name that owns the store is George Carson. When I showed
it to him, he told me he wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't worth ten
thousand; could be even more."
	They watched the lawyer reach for his pad and jot something
down. Then he stood to his feet.
	"If you guys will give me some time, I might even find something
out this afternoon," he told them.
	Britt invited Glenn out for dinner that evening, but the lawyer
refused.
	"I appreciate the offer, Britt, but I think for now, I would like
to avoid being seen with you and Devon. This is a relatively small
town. I'd like to keep a low profile for the time being. That way, if no
one can connect the two of you to me, I'll have more freedom to move around
town. I'll keep you posted."
	"Sounds good, Glenn," Britt said.
	When Britt and Devon reached the parking lot, Britt asked, "Are you
going back to work?"
	"I think I will. The idea of a low profile suits me quite well. If
I'm gone too long someone may think they need to alert my mother of my
absence. I'm sure she has spies all over town, especially near my office."
	The two men separated, each going a different way. Devon returned
to his job, and Britt headed for the newspaper office. He had a few more
things to sort out before calling it a day.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<


	"Is something wrong, Britt? You've hardly touched your food."
	When Britt arrived at his mother's house, he found the woman
putting the finishing touches to the evening meal. She had greeted him with
a smile.
	"Something told me you would be here this evening," she said. "I'm
glad I was right."
	As he sat at the table with Catherine, he found himself pushing the
food around on his plate. There wasn't a thing wrong with the meal; yet, it
seemed tasteless to Britt.
	"Your meal is delicious as always," he hastened to assure his
mother.
	"Then something must be on your mind. I have a good listening ear,
should you feel the need to talk."
	He gave the woman a smile. "I appreciate that, Mom. You are
correct; I have a lot going through my mind. However, at this point I think
the less you know the better off you will be." He didn't add that he
thought she would be safer as well. Britt did not trust Elaine McKenzie at
all, and he would put nothing past her. And what was even scarier was the
fact she probably had other people doing her dirty work. Leave it to the
woman to have someone else do the work for her.
	"Just know that I am here if you need me," Catherine said as she
pushed her plate to the side.
	"You didn't finish your meal," Britt pointed out.
	His mother gave a slight shrug of her shoulders.  "I had a big
lunch," she said.
	Britt didn't think his mother was being completely truthful with
him, but he remained silent. He watched as she began clearing the table. He
was in the process of lending her a hand when his cell phone rang.
	He retrieved it from his pocket and saw that the caller was Glenn
Redding.
	"Hey, Glenn," he greeted.
	The lawyer asked if he was free to talk, and Britt told him he was.
	"I uncovered one interesting fact," Glenn said. "I did some
checking and discovered that just last week an insurance company paid a sum
of one hundred thousand dollars to one Elaine McKenzie who lives in
Porterville, Oklahoma. The claim was turned in to the company three days
after Margaret Cooper's death."
	"How in the hell did you find that information?" Britt asked.
	"Let's just say I was thinking about purchasing a very expensive
diamond ring for my wife. Someone recommended George Carson's jewelry
store, and I went to see what he had to offer. Of course I was concerned
about protecting my investment, so naturally I asked the owner what company
he would recommend me to use. He didn't hesitate one bit. He immediately
gave me the name of a company he trusted."
	"So, other than this placing Elaine McKenzie at the scene of
Margaret's accident, what else can it do?"
	"For starters, just placing the McKenzie woman at the scene is a
good thing for us. I don't suppose there is anyone on the police force here
in town you would trust to go to with this information?"
	"Probably not," Britt answered. "I'll do some checking first thing
in the morning and see if I can come up with anything."
	"I was thinking that perhaps if there was we might set up a trap
and catch the bad guy or guys. Having the diamond puts a hell of a ball in
our court. Not to mention the shit it's going to cause when we notify the
insurance company that we probably have the diamond they've just paid
for. Speaking of the diamond, can you bring it to me tomorrow? I really
need to see it."
	Britt told him he could do that and a short time later ended his
telephone conversation with the lawyer. He was toying with the idea of
giving Devon a call when the man made the decision for him. His number
showed up on Britt's cell phone screen.
	"Have you heard from your lawyer?" Devon asked.
	He told him he had in fact, just had a telephone conversation with
the man. He gave Devon the information concerning his mother's diamond
ring.
	"Oh, shit," Devon breathed.
	Britt agreed with him and added, "I can't begin to think what havoc
this is going to cause when the news is out that the ring has been
found. One thing for certain, your mother's insurance company is definitely
going to want their money back."
	"Have you heard anything from Alice?"
	"Not since earlier this evening. She and I left at the same time."
	"I was thinking about going over and making sure she is
alright. Care to come along?"
	"Are you worried about her?" Britt asked.
	Devon didn't answer right away, and during this time Britt heard
the crackling sound that's sometimes in the background of a telephone call.
	"Devon, are you still on the line?"
	"I am. I was thinking about what you just asked me. I can't say I'm
actually afraid for Alice, but at the same time, we both have to admit
there is nothing my mother wouldn't do to cover her tracks and save her
precious little town."
	"Then perhaps we should go over. You want me to meet you at
Alice's?"
	"I'd like that."
	The two men agreed to meet in Alice's drive way a short time later,
and Britt went in search of his mother. He found her in the kitchen.
	"Mom, I'm going over to check on Alice. Would you care to go with
me? It might do you good to get out of the house for a while."
	Catherine was standing at her kitchen sink. She turned around and
faced her son.
	"First of all, I have been gone from home most of the day. My plans
are to take my shower and settle in with a good book. And another thing,"
she added. "I am perfectly capable of staying by myself." Then as a smile
appeared on her face she said, "I appreciate you being concerned for me,
Britt."
	Britt walked over and gave his mother a hug. "I'm just trying to
take care of you, Mom."
	"And you're doing a good job of it. I'll be fine. Go and check on
Alice."
	Britt's telephone went off in his pocket. He pulled it out and
looked at the screen.
	"Speaking of Alice, she's calling me."
	He greeted, "Hey, Alice, what's up?"
	Alice seemed very excited about something. She was talking fast,
and Britt had trouble understanding her words.
	"Slow down, Alice," he told her. "I can't understand a thing you're
saying."
	Britt listened closely, and this time he heard her perfectly.
	"Someone has broken into my home," she told him. "Everything's a
mess."
	"I'm on my way, Alice. Devon should be there soon. Are you inside
your house?"
	She told him she was.
	"Get outside," he said. "I'm sure you're alone, but you never
know. Get back in your car and lock yourself in. We'll be there shortly."
	Britt closed his cell phone and looked at his mother. He told her
someone had broken into Alice's home.
	"Oh, my God," Catherine groaned. "Go to her, Britt. You and I both
know what that feels like."
	Britt reminded her to make sure her house was secured as he hurried
out the door to his car.
	As he made his way across town to the Cooper home, Britt's thoughts
were focused on Alice. What did she have that someone would go to the
trouble of breaking in and stealing? He wondered. By her own admission, she
lived quite the simple life. One thing the Cooper family hadn't had was
wealth during Alice's growing up years. While they hadn't wanted for
anything, there hadn't been a great deal of anything extra either.
	A few minutes later he pulled into Alice's driveway. Devon's
vehicle was already there. He jumped from his car and ran up the
steps. Britt opened the door and hurried inside. He discovered Alice
sitting on the couch with Devon by her side.
	"I called the police," Devon said by way of greeting.
	Alice had tears in her eyes. "While I'm not certain, I believe the
only thing they took was Mother's journal."
	"Damn it!" Britt exclaimed.
	It had crossed his mind earlier that perhaps he should insist
Margaret's journal be kept in a safe place. However, when he had mentioned
it to Alice, she had seemed to want it to remain in the house with her.
	"I'm sorry, Britt," she said. "You wanted to protect it. I should
have let you."
	Britt hurried to her and reaching down, gave Alice a hug. "It's all
right, Alice. The main thing is that you're okay. It scares the hell out of
me when I think you could have come home during the break-in."
	"Alice, I hope you get your journal back because I realize how much
it means to you," Devon said. "However, if you don't, I believe your mother
has told us everything we need to know. I promise you, I will do everything
in my power to help you recover it."
	Their conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a police
officer. The man came into the house at Alice's invitation. He asked her
several questions, including if she knew who might want her mother's
journal badly enough to break into her home and take it.
	Alice shook her head and told the man she didn't think it would be
of any interest to anyone other than herself. The officer, who introduced
himself as Brian Poteet, disagreed with her.
	"I think you're wrong, Miss Cooper. From the looks of things here,
I would say someone wanted it and would do anything to find it. You're
positive nothing else was taken?"
	"I don't know for certain. This is how I found things when I
arrived home and discovered the door forced open."
	"How long ago was this?"
	"About forty-five minutes."
	"Did you not come home straight from work?" Britt asked.
	"No, I didn't.  I wasn't particularly looking forward to a long
evening, so I went to the early movie."
	"It's a lucky thing you did," Officer Poteet said. "Otherwise, it's
more than likely you would have walked into the middle of something that
could have not had a very pretty ending."
	"I'm grateful you had plans," Devon said. "I shudder to think what
could have happened."
	The officer searched through the rest of the house with Alice on
his heels, but nothing else seemed to be missing.
	As they came back into Alice's living room, Brian said, "Looks as
if you are right, Miss Cooper. According to you, nothing else seems to be
missing. I'm still amazed your mother's journal was the only thing somebody
wanted."
	"One never knows, Officer Poteet," Britt said, "what might be
learned from a journal."
	Turning to Alice, the officer asked, "Do you have someplace you can
go tonight? I don't think it's a good idea for you to stay here alone. Not
that I expect the robber or robbers to return; however, I think you would
rest better if you weren't by yourself. At least for tonight," he added.
	"Mom has a guest room," Britt spoke up. He pulled his phone from
his pocket. "I'll just give her a call."
	"That's too much trouble, Britt. I'll be okay."
	"I'm sure you probably would, but I'm not going to argue with you;
at least for tonight."
	Speaking into his phone, Britt said, "Mom, we need to get the guest
room ready for a guest. Alice doesn't need to spend tonight alone at
home. I think she'll feel safer with us."
	He listened to his mother telling him she always kept it ready. She
would do some quick straightening up and assured him the room would be
ready when Alice arrived.
	"Thanks, Mom," he said and ended his call. "There, it's done," he
said giving Alice a smile.
	"I don't want to cause anyone extra work," Alice sighed.
	"Alice, my mother is the perfect host, and nothing pleases her more
than to have a guest to wait on. I'll warn you; she will have a huge
breakfast ready for you in the morning. And before you object, just know
that's her. The woman's almost seventy years old, and she's not going to
change now."
	Devon smiled warmly and said, "I'm glad you're not staying here
tonight. I'll sleep much better knowing you are safe."
	"Devon...I...I'm sorry things seem to be working out the way they
are. I hope you realize I would never do anything to cause you
embarrassment."
	Britt spoke before Devon could respond to Alice's remark. At least
for the time being, he wasn't willing to let anyone else in on what the
three of them suspected.
	"Hey, don't worry about this big lug, Alice. He's stronger than you
give him credit for."
	Devon tried to keep the look of surprise off his face. It took him
a moment to realize what Britt was trying to accomplish, but when he did,
he went along with the game.
	"Yeah, I'm strong, Alice. There's nothing you can do to upset me."
	They left it that way and hoped the police officer assumed they
were referring to Alice and Devon being a couple. Evidently Brian Poteet
took it the way they meant for him to, because he didn't comment any
further. Instead, he had Alice sign some paperwork. He gave her a copy and
walked to the door.
	"You can reach me at the telephone number at the top of your
report," he said. "If anything at all turns up, or you happen to think of
something you didn't tell me, please, give me a call. I want to help you
any way I can, Miss Cooper."
	Britt thanked the man, and he left, leaving the three of them in
Alice's small living room. Britt suggested they try to straighten things up
some before they left for the night.
	When the house had been restored to its usual neat and orderly
condition, Alice rode with Britt to the Williams home. Devon followed them
in his own vehicle. As they hurried up the front steps, Catherine opened
the door and invited them inside her home.
	"Alice, dear, I am so sorry to hear about the robbery. I am glad my
son brought you home with him. We'll keep you safe."
	Alice stepped inside, followed by Britt and Devon. She reached for
Catherine's hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
	"I just hate that I am so much trouble, Mrs. Williams. I tried to
convince Britt and Devon that I would be just fine staying at home, but
they wouldn't hear of it."
	"As well they shouldn't," Catherine declared. "You belong here
where we can take care of you. Britt, why don't you take Alice's bag to the
guest room? I've made iced tea out in the kitchen.  I can serve it in the
living room, or we can sit at the kitchen table; whichever you prefer."
	"The kitchen's fine, Catherine," Devon assured her.
	"You shouldn't have gone to so much trouble, Mrs. Williams," Alice
protested.
	"It was no trouble at all. And please, call me
`Catherine'. `Mrs. Williams' was my mother in law. She was an old woman."
	Her words brought laughter from her guests, and she smiled at
them. "Let's enjoy the tea, shall we?"
	When they entered her kitchen, Catherine's guests discovered she
had placed a try of cookies in the middle of the table.
	"I see you've been busy, Mom," Britt acknowledged as he entered the
room last.
	"You know me, Britt; I most always have cookies around the house. I
never know when unexpected, but most welcomed company will appear at my
door."

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<


	When Britt came into the kitchen the next morning, he found his
mother cooking breakfast. He watched as she filled a large plate with bacon
and sausage.
	Catherine opened the oven door and placed a large pan of biscuits
on the counter.  She turned and gave her son a smile.
	"Good morning," she greeted. "Is Alice moving around yet?"
	"She's in the shower I think."
	"Good. I'll go tap on the door and ask how she likes her
eggs. Don't touch anything," she said as Britt reached for a piece of
bacon. She slapped playfully at his hand.
	When Alice joined them for breakfast, she looked rested, and Britt
mentioned the fact.
	"I slept well," she admitted.
	Catherine told her to take a seat at the table. "I'm glad,
dear. Perhaps you should stay here until the police get to the bottom of
this mess."
	Alice tried to object, but Britt agreed with his mother, and very
loudly at that.
	"I think you should listen to Mom," he replied.
	"I'll think about it," Alice promised.
	"No thinking to it. It's settled." Britt sat down at the
table. "It's been decided for you, Alice."
	Catherine had prepared a delicious breakfast, and the three of them
enjoyed the meal. The kitchen contained a warm and cozy element, and Alice
and Britt would both have liked to remain there but work called them.
	After his third cup of coffee, Britt pushed his chair back and
stood to his feet. "We'd love staying here with you, Mom, but some of us
have to work."
	"Do I need to remind you how hard I work at the Center?"
	Britt gave his mother a tender smile. "Yes, Mom, I know you work
hard. I keep telling you to retire, but you won't listen to me."
	"I'll retire right after I expire," she informed her son.
	"That line's been around about as long as you have, Mom. You need
to get a new one," he added.
	Alice thanked Catherine for her hospitality and followed Britt to
the door.
	"I'll see you this evening, Alice." Catherine turned to her
son. "You make sure she comes home with you," she told her son.
	"No need to worry. She'll come if I have to tie her up and drag her
all the way here," Britt assured his mother.
	When the two of them walked through the door at the Beacon, they
were greeted by Sam.
	"Are you all right, Alice?" he asked.
	"I'm fine, Sam."  \ "I received the police report," Sam said. "Did
the thieves take much?"
	"Nothing except my mother's journal," she answered.
	Sam scratched his head. "That don't make any sense," he said.
	"There's a lot that doesn't make sense," Britt said. He pulled a
small bag from his pocket.
	"What's in the bag, Britt?" Sam asked.
	Britt opened the bag and dumped something into the palm of his
hand. He held it up for Sam to see.
	"Say, isn't that the diamond you found near the spot where Margaret
had her accident?"
	Britt gave a nod. "It is," he answered. "I gained some information
last night. I'm pretty sure this has been turned in for collection and some
insurance company has paid out heavily for somebody's loss."
	Sam wanted to know who received the money, but Britt told him he
would have to wait.
	"I can't say just yet, Sam; however, you have my word. The moment I
know something for certain, you'll get the scoop."
	"Can't ask for more than that," Sam said. He told them he had work
to do and disappeared from sight.
	Britt had nothing in particular he wanted to accomplish until he
heard from his lawyer. He was expecting the man to give him a call sometime
during the morning and explain what was next on the agenda. Until then, he
planned on reviewing a lot of the files he had already examined, checking
to make sure he hadn't skipped over something important.
	Alice went to work at her desk, and Britt sat down at his desk and
opened the computer before him. He was almost finished with a file when his
cell rang. He pulled it from his pocket and saw that his caller was Devon.
	"Hey, Devon," he greeted. "What's up?"
	"Something has happened."
	Devon's voice sounded choked up like he was having trouble
breathing.
	"Babe, what's wrong? Where are you?"
	"I'm at my mother's. Please come. I need you. I..."
	The telephone went dead as Britt held it next to his ear.
	He called Devon's name, but there was no answer. He felt a
combination of dread and fear beginning to control his body... his
thinking. Britt jumped to his feet and hurried to the front office.
	"I'm going to Devon," he told Alice. "Something has happened. He
needs me."
	Alice pushed her chair back and stood to her feet. "I'm going with
you," she said. She called out to Sam and told him they were leaving.
	She and Britt hurried out the door, leaving a baffled and
speechless newspaperman behind with his mouth wide open.