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Chapter 24
The phone rings as it has more
frequently now and I answer it. “Goldie”,
I hear on the other end? “Yes,
this is Goldie.” The voice
is familiar on the other end. I
just can’t place it. “This
is the sheriff’s office. Have
you got a minute?” “Sure”,
I respond. What’s up?
I hadn’t given our old home town a thought with everything going
on in the news. “I see you
are doing pretty well out there. We
see you on the news all the time now-a-days.
You seem to be making quite a stir.”
“Yeah, I guess, and not sure it is all that fun either, but doing
what I think is best I guess.” “We
sure wish you the best back here, and are behind you all the way.
Your whole home town is. You
are in our conversations daily, as well as on all of our TV sets.”
“What can I do for you sheriff?” “We
have been investigating your fires. It
seems that we have some witnesses, but not sure it will help much at this
point. That is why we need
your help. We do know it was a
black man by the profile description, about 6’2”, grey hair, a pretty
big guy. Do you know anyone
like that Goldie, anyone that might not like you?”
I absorbed this information knowing the person of this profiled
description had destroyed everything I own.
It stirred a whole new set of emotions for me.
“No sheriff. I know a
couple of people that might fit that description, but they are very good
friends of mine actually, through church.
I hold them in the highest regard as friends too, believe they feel
the same way about me. I am
sure they had nothing to do with it. They
are God fearing and very nice people.
Both are family men as I recall, wonderful families, have beautiful
kids, very nice people. I can
assure you they didn’t have anything to do with it.”
I paused for a moment and thought about it, but I didn’t know of
anyone that would actually do something like arson.
I knew it wasn’t them. “Well
Goldie, we just wanted to check with you on that.
A neighbor said they saw someone driving around your neighborhood
before the fire at the house that fit that description, and we didn’t
give it much thought at the time really, nice car, not any other reason
that it would stand out, until we got that same description at the store
fire. We oddly enough had the
exact same description of the man from both fires.
Someone said they saw a person fitting that same description and
was parked on the corner by your store, and that he was walking to his car
shortly before the fire at your store.
He was walking from the direction of your building, in the side
street out back. I do believe
it could have been done by one person.
They would have had enough time to drive from your house to the
store building and set both fires. That
we have figured out. I don’t
think it was two different people. We
have been asking everyone Goldie, and even Joe put it in the paper for you
requesting any leads. He sure
misses you, having dropped the paper off to you every Wednesday morning
and seeing you over the last few years.”
“Well, thanks for all your efforts Sheriff.
I appreciate it a lot.” “We
all miss you Goldie. You be
careful out there. We are also
worried about you as we see what was left here in town.”
“Have they got the clean up started yet, Sheriff?”
“Not yet, Goldie” “I
have ordered it sheriff so they should start pretty soon.
I am surprised that they haven’t started on it.
Small towns work like snails sometimes.
You don’t get things done in a hurry there.
You know that.” “Don’t
worry Goldie, we understand completely.
It is good you are going to do something about it though.
Both places look pretty rough.
Bet the neighbors would like that.
The onsite investigation is done.
We do know they were both started by arson.
They were bottled cocktails, Goldie.
Glass jars full of gasoline, classic examples.
The evidence was easy to find in both cases, thrown through the
windows with broken glass everywhere.
Each was full of gasoline. They
evidently lit them and threw them, probably blew up in flames immediately
on impact. From there, both
your house and building were history from the get go. Someone seems to be
out for you Goldie. We will
keep working to find out who it is. This
was not random acts of violence and destruction by any means.
We are sure you were targeted.
Any help you can provide in the form of leads or information would
help. Right now unless he
strikes again, we don’t have much to go on.
The jars used were common, looked like pickle jars of some sort.
We even checked the grocery and dollar stores to ask if any one had
gone in to buy two jars of pickles recently that fit the description.
No chance on that. No
prints on the jars either, as they were in pretty small pieces anyway.
The rags were burned that they used as wicks so nothing there.
Also no finger prints anywhere.
They walked within a few feet of the places, threw them through the
windows, and then casually walked off.
These are tough crimes to solve Goldie.
Witnesses were all we had to go on, and no one got a license plate
number at all. The car
description was a larger, white, late model, sedan.
They really didn’t know they were witnessing a crime so they
didn’t pay any attention really. They
were just going by memory. I
don’t blame them. Gees,
Goldie, could have been an out-of-towner; a rental car for that matter.
Not much there for sure. I
think the personal description is the best evidence we can go on at this
point. It is actually the only
evidence we’ve come up with. We
believe that to be pretty reliable though after both witnesses were quoted
seeing him at both locations. It
would be difficult to pin it on him anyway, even if we knew who it was.
They only saw that person in the area; they didn’t actually
witness them at your places. If
I don’t have something obvious come up, I will probably have to drop
this investigation Goldie. We
have other crimes to solve as well as a county to run.
Joe wants to keep running it in the paper for a while, so if
someone does come up with some solid evidence we will reopen the case.”
“Thanks Sheriff. Appreciate
your efforts for sure. Don’t
worry about it, I understand.” By
the way Goldie, the bank is interested in buying your building lot.
You know; the bank next door to where your store was? They
need more parking. Sounds good
Sheriff, give them my cell number if you go in to the bank, or I will give
them a call later.” “I am
on it Goldie; it is the least I can do.”
He hung up as I was realizing that we would not find the person,
but at least we knew it was arson committed by one individual; and the
method of how he did it as well. Scary
thought really, that this person was still out there, and had such a
vengeance against me that he would burn down everything I owned.
I considered that dangerous for sure; personally dangerous to me
and Marge both. It gave me a
creepy feeling.
At that moment the phone rang again,
in my hand. “Hello Goldie!
How’s it going?” “Dwayne?
How’s it going buddy!” Boy
you are shaking up the world Goldie, I see you on the news all the time
anymore. It’s pretty cool to
have a famous friend. People
ask about you all the time, everywhere I go.
I can’t get through the grocery store anymore without getting
stopped at every isle; you doing all right are ya?
“Yea Dwayne, this is exhausting me though; feel like I am on a
roller coaster for sure. One
minute I am excited at the charge of a good audience at a speech, and then
I am getting hammered by an opponent on television.
I heard the fires were arson Dwayne.”
“It’s all over town Goldie.
Joe has it in the paper here that they have a description.”
“I just talked to the Sheriff, got the whole low down; by the
way, we ordered the clean up of the house lot and heard they haven’t got
to it. Sorry about that
Dwayne. Heard it’s an
eyesore.” “Don’t worry
buddy. Smells like a wet
campfire spot. I like it
Goldie! Reminds me of you!
It doesn’t bother us. We
know you are working on it so I’m not worried.
Hey Goldie, the reason I called is we have been still receiving
letters and yes more money. It
seems that since you have announced you are running the money has not
stopped at all, in fact seems like it is coming in a little faster lately.
We do open and read as much of the mail as we can, but it is
pouring in too; gets to the point of overwhelming from reading every
single letter. Nothing urgent
or stands out, as we are watching for anything outstanding that would be
important to note above the typical good luck and go get ‘em letters.
We have been putting it all in the Candidate account, and you are
up to about 2.6 mil buddy. You
are one popular guy! They love
you for sure. Just be careful
my friend. None of this is
worth loosing you, to me. I
look at your place everyday, and it does scare me that someone came after
you like that; especially now that I heard how they did it.”
“I know Dwayne. We
are fine though; Margie is behind me more than ever; booking new
engagements nearly every day now. It’s
one of those, ya gotta do it things; you know what I mean Dwayne?
Sure miss you guys, you and Barb, she OK?”
“Yeah, she talks to Margie everyday on the phone.
I keep up; lean over to the phone when they are talking.
Those girls are on it! Don’t
think you have to worry about anything in that department.”
“Hey you take care, gotta go.”
Some of us still work, ya know that Goldie?”
“Take care buddy, I know Dwayne, you take…” and before I
could finish I heard the phone hang up.
I sure miss those nights hanging out with Dwayne and Barb.
They are the best of friends and that is one thing for certain.
Them and Marge, the only things that have not changed in my life in
the last few months…
Again the phone rings in my hand.
It is ringing off the hook this morning I thought, as I pushed the
connect button once again. “Hello,
may I speak with Mr. Golden Simms?”
“Who is speaking?” “This
is Ms. Reeder from Senator Noble’s office.” Well hello Ms. Reeder.
How are you today?” “Fine,
and how are you Mr. Simms?” “I
am fine, thanks for asking.” “Senator
Noble would like to speak with you. Is
this a convenient time for you?” “Of
course, Ms. Reeder, I would make time for the Senator when he calls.”
“She chuckles as she says, “Well good Mr. Simms.
Let me put him on the phone for you.
Thank you.” With
that, the phone went on hold, and a moment later it was picked up.
“Hello Mr. Simms. How
are you today?” “Fine Senator Noble.”
“Good Goldie. Did you
see the news this morning?” “Yes
I did Senator. It looks like
Old Hughes is working to make you out to be a sad case from your fires.
Wasn’t that something?” I
saw that, also picking up on the fact that he will be learning about me
over the next few weeks. I
remembered what you told me.” “Are
you afraid of that Goldie? You
know it’s coming now.” “Naw,
I think I am pretty clean. I
even thought about my ex-wife, and she had lots of problems herself, and I
was actually too straight for her. She
was bored with me I guess. That
all has worked out for the better, but no truths there that can hurt.
I again remember what you said about not worrying about the
untruthful accusations. I
doubt she will want to write a book about me.
She would have to make the whole thing up, and she might consider
the money at first, but she really doesn’t hold anything against me nor
believe she would want to make up a fictional book to deface me.”
She is happy now, her husband drinks too so they are drinking
buddies.” “That is good to
hear. So what do you think
about what we discussed.” “Are
you still thinking of having me as a Presidential candidate for the
Republican Party?” “Well
of course, Goldie, In fact, I gave it some thought, and to seal the deal,
would you accept me as your Vice Presidential running mate?”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing!
Was he asking me this? The
Senate Majority Leader and leader of the Republican Party was asking me to
run as President for the party and that he would be my Vice Presidential
running mate! This was
unbelievable to me.” Typically
giving things more thought; which I had not on this subject I
inadvertently blurted, “Well sure!”
Did I just accept the offer to run?
Did I just seal this deal? “Will
you be reliable in this commitment to me as we discussed Goldie?
I need us to win, so keep doing what you are doing, and we will be
fine. No surprises, OK?”
“OK Senator. You have
my word.” Then we will
proceed with formally entering the election as the republican Presidential
and Vice Presidential Candidates. We
will register together. Is
that OK with you?” “Of
course Senator, it would be an honor to serve the American People with you
as my running mate. I am
actually flattered.” You are
doing a good job Goldie. I
caught some of your last speech, and you continue to amaze me.
I am not sure where you get these things, your ideas, but I do
believe they will win elections. I
am right there with you. I
think if I coached you in your opinions at this point, I would be standing
in your way. I guess I will be
calling you Sir after this election is over.
Mr. President. How does
that sound?” “Let’s wait
until that happens. You can
call me Goldie.” “Well get
used to it Goldie. I am
confident we will win this race. Once
we make the announcement after we file, I am sure you will really get the
ball rolling.” “Thanks for
that confidence Senator Noble. I
appreciate that.” “Call me
Ben. It is much easier, and
much more efficient in conversation for sure.
I have a meeting in a few minutes Goldie so I have to go.
Thanks for everything, and we will file for the office soon then
run with it on a full announcement. We
will be the hottest thing that has happened in years to the American
people. I am confident we will
do very well. Thanks again,
gotta go. Goodbye Goldie.”
“Good bye Senator.” With
that, the conversation ended and the phone clicked.
I am high on life now! Wow!
I am officially the Republican hopeful with the Senate Majority
Leader as my Vice Presidential running mate!
I couldn’t have it better than that!
Marge opens the RV door and picks up
a basket of laundry and lumbers in as she climbs the steps.
“You won’t believe what just happened, Margie.
We are on our way!”
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