| Subject: The New World - Part #82 |
Author:
Wanda
|
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
Date Posted: 13:19:20 07/23/03 Wed
PART #82
After listening to Bow talking about the possibility of things going easier for him if he shared information about Peter, Le Blanc walked back and forth in his cell. He wondered about those possibilities; and finally asked, “What kind of information are you seeking?” Bow answered, “Were you aware that Peter had stolen all of Joshua’s money, placed it in bank drafts, and was leaving the area?” At this point, Peter yelled at Le Blanc, “He’s lying to you Le Blanc, don’t listen to him.” Le Blanc looked at Peter; and said, “Tell me Peter, what has listening to you ever done for me?”
“This man has no power to make things go any easier for you,” said Peter. “Don’t be so sure about that Peter,” said Bow, “I could talk to the sheriff and to Joshua’s wife; and see about having the charges reduced if you give us the information we are seeking.”
Le Blanc looked at Bow; and asked, “What do you want to know?” Bow said, “I want to know where Peter has put the bank drafts. That money belongs to the plantation. If you can help me locate the money he has stolen, I will speak to the sheriff and to Joshua’s widow about reducing the charges.” Peter began to laugh loudly. Bow said, “What’s so funny Dunkirk?” Peter said, “Le Blanc, go ahead and tell the man what I did with the bank drafts. I am sure he would be happy to hear your story.” Le Blanc looked down at the floor in his cell; and sadly said, “Mister, that is the one thing I do not know. I know that Peter stole Sallier’s money; and I know he was leaving the area of Lake Charles. I also know he was planning on going to Europe to live, but I know nothing about the location of the bank drafts. I do wish I knew for I would like to see this lawyer lose everything.”
Bow knew at that precise moment, his chances of finding the bank drafts were almost nil. Unless Peter Dunkirk told him where the money was, it was a losing situation. Bow tried to reason with Peter, and said he would offer him the same deal if he would tell him where to find the money. Peter merely laughed; and said, “You will never get your hands on that money. You might as well return to pirating. After all, you were a pirate, so you can still be a pirate. Let’s see if YOU can keep ahead of the hempen rope.”
Bow thought it was a good thing the sheriff had not let him into Peter’s cell. He could have killed him right then and there for that statement. How ironic for a man to have done what this man had done; and now with his neck on the line, make such a statement. Peter had no plans of turning his life around. He really thought he was going to get out of jail; and go to Europe. His plan was to live high on the money that he had stolen from Joshua and the plantation. If it took everything Bow had, that plan would never come to fruition.
Bow knew there was no chance of getting any information from Peter, so he walked back to the front office. He could hear Peter Dunkirk mocking him as he walked out of the cell area, and sat down at the desk where the sheriff was working on a report. “Did you find out what you wanted to know?” asked the sheriff. “No, I didn’t find where Peter has hidden the money,” said Bow. “I hate to return home with nothing, but what else can I do?”
The sheriff looked at Bow; and saw the frustration he was experiencing. He asked, “Is there no way you can come up with the money to pay the workers?” Bow explained he had money put aside to purchase a ship for his import-export business. He had been saving for sometime now to purchase a steam powered ship. If he used that money to get the saw mill up and going again, it would mean he would have to forego purchasing the ship. How could he possibly have an import-export business without a steam powered ship?
The sheriff said, “I do feel for you, but I don’t believe you are going to get any information out of that snake in the cell. It’s just a shame Le Blanc did not know his plans, for I think you could have gotten that information from him.”
Bow stood, and reached out to shake the sheriff’s hand. “I must be getting back,” he said. “I certainly don’t want Catherine to have to be at home alone if there is trouble coming from the former employees.” The sheriff said, “Please give my regards to Catherine. Both my wife and I were impressed by this young lady when she lost her husband so soon after getting married. She certainly seems like a take-charge type of person.”
Bow left the jail, went to the Corner Café, and picked up some food items to take with him on his return trip home. He also got some water and a container of coffee to take with him. When he had secured the items on his horse, he climbed up; and started back in the direction of Lake Charles.
As he rode along, Bow thought of the money he had saved towards purchasing a ship. If he poured that money into the saw mill, he would have to forget the ship. Did he want to give up his future on the sea? This has been his life for a long time. Was he ready to give up the sea? He wanted to be all that Catherine wanted him to be, but could he? He wasn’t sure he could spend his entire life running the plantation. Was he sacrificing his future by walking away?
Bow had many hours to ride and think as he made his way back to Lake Charles. He spent lots of time wishing his prior life had been different. Why had he ever decided to get involved in Joshua’s get-rich schemes? What a fine mess he had made of his life, and now it was coming back to haunt him. Catherine did not deserve to lose the plantation; she had done nothing to merit all that had happened to her. It was time he put aside his selfish wants, and did something that would help her save the plantation.
By the time Bow returned to Lake Charles, his decision had been made. He would tell Catherine he was dropping out of the import-export business. The money he had would get them past their initial problems. He could also sell his old ship, and that would be extra income for them. With the decision made, Bow felt a sense of peace.
To be continued...
[
Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
]
| |
Feedback: 