| Subject: Second Generation - Part #10 |
Author:
Wanda
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Date Posted: 05:14:22 08/07/03 Thu
PART #10
The next morning Bow went to visit the police department, and asked if they had any leads on the person who had stabbed their son. He was told the police felt it was someone wanting to break into the car to get the purse that had been left behind. “If the person only wanted to steal the purse, why would it have been necessary to stab Boudreau?” asked Bow.
The policeman told Bow he didn’t know why the man didn’t just run away, unless he was afraid that Boudreau could identify him. Bow said he felt the whole situation was very strange. Bow asked if there had been many acts of violence in Lake Charles such as the stabbing. The policeman said, “You know we are in the midst of Prohibition. We do believe there are people from this area involved in bootlegging; and the running of alcohol and drugs, such as heroin. With this problem you will find alcoholics and addicts looking for money to buy their booze or drugs. Most of our daylight robberies, daring holdups, cruel murders and similar crimes of violence are being done by drug addicts, who are causing an alarming crime wave here in the city.
Bow asked, “Do you have any suspicions as to who might be behind the sales of alcohol and drugs?” The policeman said, “We do have our suspicions, but we have nothing concrete as of yet.” Bow said, “I may have some information that would be helpful to you. I run the ship yards, and I have observed there are certain ships frequently coming and going. They are smaller vessels that have the ability of moving fast through the water, and they go mostly along the coastline. I have watched these ships, and have wondered why they were making so many trips in and out of harbor.” The policeman asked, “Do you know who owns these ships?” “Yes, indeed, I do know who owns the ships,” said Bow. “They are owned by Hollingsworth Deverall.”
When Bow returned to the plantation, he had some news to share with Catherine. He told her of his talk with the police, and their asking him to become involved in the investigation of a crime problem they were encountering. Catherine wanted to know the particulars, and Bow said, “Honey, this time, it would be best if you did not know too much about the operation.” Catherine said, “Bow, you know I don’t handle the “unknown” well. I do better knowing what is going on, and then coping. What have you gotten yourself into this time?”
Bow looked at his wife; and knew she was simply being honest with him. They had never kept things from each other, and he could see Catherine was not going to settle for the answer he had given her. He said to her, “I am not so sure you are going to want to hear this, but I will tell you. It will be necessary for you to keep the information to yourself. This information can not be told to anyone; do you understand?” Bow could see Catherine’s eyes widening, “Yes, I do understand.”
Bow told her what the police had suspected concerning Boudreau’s stabbing. They wanted to ask Boudreau if he had previously known the individual who had stabbed him. If it were someone Boudreau happened to know, they could track down the person. Bow also told her that the police wanted him to do some quiet investigation into the ships that were frequently coming and going in the harbor. Catherine asked, “Are there ships in particular they suspect of illegal activity?” Bow said, “Yes, my dear, they do suspect some ships in particular. Catherine asked, “Do you know the owners of these ships?” Bow responded by saying, “Yes, Catherine, I do know the OWNER of these ships. You see they belong to Mr. Deverall. The police have asked me to watch the ships that are owned by Hollingsworth Deverall.”
Catherine said, “Oh no, Bow, what will this do to Boudreau if he happens to find out this information?” “We cannot tell him Catherine,” Bow replied. “But what if he finds out on his own?” she asked. “I really hope that does not happen,” said Bow. He would hate the fact that I have been asked to keep an eye on Lucia’s father.”
Catherine asked, “What do the police think Mr. Deverall is hauling as freight?” Bow said, “They suspect him of being involved in illegal acts of bootlegging, and drugs.” “Are you saying what I think you are saying?” asked Catherine. “Do the police feel Mr. Deverall is a drug peddler?” Bow looked at Catherine and said, “The police chief told me he felt most drug addiction today is due directly to the Harrison Anti-Narcotic Act, which forbids the sale of narcotics without a physician’s prescription. He said that addicts who are broke act as agent provocateurs for the peddlers, being rewarded by gifts of heroin or credit for supplies. Catherine you ought to have seen this man talk about this problem. He said to me, “Mr. La Faye, the Harrison Act made the drug peddler, and the drug peddler makes drug addicts. We’ve been living with the consequences of this act being passed since 1925.”
Catherine said, “Bow, you didn’t answer my question.” Bow asked, “What question was that Catherine?” She said, “I asked if the police feel Mr. Deverall is a drug peddler?” Bow said, “Catherine, they do feel he has something to do with all this.”
To be continued...
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