| Subject: Second Generation - Parts #24-27 |
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Wanda
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Date Posted: 19:44:35 08/20/03 Wed
PART #24
After Lucia and Lenore left the hospital, Bow and Boudreau filled out the necessary discharge papers; and walked out to the car. They got into the car, and Bow drove towards the plantation. Boudreau noticed that Bow was very quiet on the drive home. Though Bow hated to tell Boudreau what Lenore had told him and the police officer, he felt for Boudreau’s welfare and safety he must be told. He debated about waiting; and talking it over with Catherine first, but this was something that would be difficult for Catherine. He’d better take some time to spend with her alone when he shared the information. He was wrestling with his thoughts, and Boudreau sensed something was amiss. He looked at Bow, and asked, “Dad is there something wrong? You have not said over two words since we left the hospital.” Bow answered, “Yes, Boudreau, there is something wrong, and I am not quite sure how to tell you.” Boudreau said, “Whenever I have said something like that to you, you’ve always said, ‘Just say it like it is.”
Bow said, “All right, I will say it like it is. At the hospital, Lucia’s mother wanted to talk to me. You remember we left the two of you alone for awhile? She talked with me and the police officer about your stabbing.” Boudreau seemed shocked when Bow told him that Lucia’s mother had talked about the stabbing. He asked, “Dad, what could she possibly know about the stabbing?” Bow answered, “Actually, she knows quite a bit about it Son.” “How could she possibly know anything about it?” asked Boudreau.
Bow looked over at Boudreau, and said, “The person behind the stabbing happens to be Hollingsworth Deverall. He wants you eliminated because of your relationship with Lucia.” Boudreau laughed, “You must be kidding; I never heard of anything so ridiculous in my life.” Bow said, “Boudreau, I am not kidding; this is serious. Lenore said your life is still in danger; and Hollingsworth has a hit man hired to kill you. It would appear that Hollingsworth is in organized crime.” “Does Lucia know anything about this?” asked Boudreau. “No, her mother said she is totally in the dark about the crime activities of her father.”
Bow said, “Boudreau, the police have suspected Hollingsworth of bootlegging and transporting drugs with the fleet of ships he has that are constantly going in and out of the harbor. In fact, they have asked me to keep my eyes open to see if I detect any illegal activity with his ships. Of course I had no idea there was a problem between him and you.”
Boudreau said, “Dad, I had no idea there was a problem either. I do know he is really possessive about Lucia, and very demanding when we go out together. What am I going to do? I am running a risk seeing Lucia, and I certainly don’t want to lose her, for I do love her.”
Bow said, “Somehow Lucia is going to have to be told about her father’s crime involvement.” Boudreau said, “Dad that is really going to be rough for her for she loves her father very much, and feels he works so hard for her and her mother.” Bow said, “Nothing could be farther from the truth. Lenore feels she must get away from him. But you must keep that secret to protect her; she said if he knew he would simply eliminate her as well.”
Bow told Boudreau that the police and he were to meet with Lenore in the morning and try to come up with a solution for her. She needed to be able to get away from Hollingsworth, and she also needed for Lucia to find out about her father. How all that was going to be accomplished was anyone’s guess, but those things had to come to pass. If Lenore could give the police enough evidence on Hollingsworth, they could arrest him, and put him behind bars for a long time.
When Bow and Boudreau arrived at the plantation, Catherine came out to meet them. She was thrilled to see Boudreau was home, and began to fuss over him. He accepted it for awhile, and finally he said, “Mom, I’m fine, stop all the fussing.” She smiled; and said, “Now you are sounding like your father.” Katerina came down the stairs and said, “Welcome home, big brother. It has been so quiet here without you.” Boudreau said, “I hear you haven’t been home much lately, but you are out and about with an older man named Jean Baptiste.” Katerina blushed, and said, “Boudreau, he’s not an older man.” Boudreau laughed; and said, “Well, he’s older then you dear sister.”
Catherine knew this was good natured fun, but she thought the brotherly teasing had gone on long enough; and she said, “Boudreau, don’t be teasing your sister now. She’s in love, and that’s the man of her dreams.” Katerina said, “Mother, you’re as bad as Boudreau.” They all laughed for they knew Catherine loved to tease as much as her son loved to tease.
That evening when Bow and Catherine were getting ready for bed, Catherine said, “Bow, you have been awfully quiet since you came home today. What is going on, that I need to know?” Bow said, “Catherine, I found out today that Peter Dunkirk is back in the area.” “Peter Dunkirk,” she said, “Oh my, you can’t be serious? I am serious my dear wife, and you won’t believe for whom Peter Dunkirk has been working.” Catherine said, “Someone we know?” Bow answered, “I suppose you could say we know his boss.” “Well, who is it?” she asked. Bow said, “It is Hollingsworth Deverall.”
PART #25
Catherine was shocked when she heard Peter Dunkirk was working for Hollingsworth Deverall. “Bow, this is terrible,” she said. Bow said, “I know it is terrible, but wait there is more.” “What do you mean there is more? What is Peter Dunkirk doing for Hollingsworth Deverall?” Catherine asked. “Better sit down Honey,” he responded. “Oooh, I don’t like the sound of that,” said Catherine. “You’re not going to like what I have to tell you either. Peter Dunkirk is the one who stabbed Boudreau,” said Bow.
Catherine gasped when she heard the news about Peter stabbing Boudreau. “Why would he do that Bow?” Bow said, “I do wish I didn’t have to tell you this. His boss Hollingsworth Deverall ordered the hit on Boudreau.” “But why, Bow? What has Boudreau ever done to Hollingsworth Deverall?” “He made the mistake of falling in love with his daughter,” said Bow.
“Are you telling me Hollingsworth wanted Boudreau killed for falling in love with his daughter? How sick is that?” asked Catherine. Bow responded, “I would say that’s about as sick as you can get.” Catherine was becoming angry; and as she walked around the room, her long curly hair with bits of gray was bouncing about her shoulders. She had taken her hair down so she could brush it before going to bed. Bow loved to watch her as she stood brushing her hair. She had managed to maintain a beautiful figure throughout her years, and was still a very striking woman. He could see she was like a mother bear going all out to protect her offspring. He had known she would react in this manner. He knew she would have to explode, and get some of the anger and frustration out of her system. He watched her whirl around; and with eyes snapping, she said, “I wonder how Hollingsworth Deverall would like it if someone put out a hit on his precious daughter.”
Bow said, “I don’t know anyone who would do such a thing, do I?” He was teasing her, but she didn’t catch the implication; she was still seething. She turned to Bow; and said, “Does Lucia know any of this about her father?” Bow said, “No, she is completely in the dark.” “How did you find out all this information, Bow?” she asked. Bow said, “Lucia’s mother told me at the hospital, for she wanted us to be aware of the possibility of another attempt on Boudreau’s life.”
“Bow, what are you going to do? We can’t just sit back, and wait for this terrible thing to happen,” said Catherine. Bow said, “Catherine, I have warned Boudreau; so he is fully aware. I am going to suggest he stay here, and not be out, and running around. He has a good excuse in that he needs time to heal from the knife wound and surgery. It would be best if he doesn’t go to Lucia’s house. We don’t know what Hollingsworth might do. Catherine, the police and I are to meet tomorrow morning with Lucia’s mother. The police are trying to find a way to help get her away from Hollingsworth before they arrest him and the people he has working for him. I don’t think it is going to be safe for her in that house much longer. Also, there is the other factor of letting Lucia know about her father. Lenore does not think she is going to accept this very well.”
Catherine looked sad; and said, “Bow, I do feel so sorry for Lenore in this situation. Is there anything I can do to help her?” Bow said, “Catherine, this is not the time to be of help to her. Perhaps later, when Hollingsworth is out of the picture would be the time to befriend her. She seems like a woman you would enjoy knowing. You could be a real encouragement to her.”
Catherine said, “You know it does seem strange that she has lived in the Lake Charles area, and I have never met her.” Bow said, “Honey, I don’t think we really travel in the same circles.” Catherine laughed, “Now, what circles are we talking about here; I’m usually travel in circles.” Bow laughed too, “Yes, Honey, I know you travel in circles but they are usually circles of confusion.” Catherine picked up a pillow, and threw it at him. He said, “Now, let’s don’t get so rough with me, I am older you know. I can’t take all the excitement I could take in my younger days.” She laughed again, “Yes, I can see, you are falling apart. Come here you poor older man, and give your young wife a kiss.”
Alfonso drove to the Deverall home, and walked up to the door. He rang the bell, and was admitted by the butler who promptly took him to Hollingsworth’s study.
“Come on in De Nato I have been wondering about you. Did you get the job finished?” De Nato said, “You won’t have to worry about Peter Dunkirk, Boss, he is no more.” Hollingsworth said, “Now that’s what I like to hear. I didn’t want to have to be worrying about that man messing up our operation here in Lake Charles. I should have let you take care of Boudreau at the beginning, and we would be past all this mess.” Alfonso said, “Boss, it’s none of my business why you want the La Faye kid killed, but I don’t understand the need myself. Have you got something against this guy that you want him killed?”
Hollingsworth said, “You are right; it is none of your business. You are hired to do the job. I assign the job; you do it.” Alfonso could see he had overstepped his boundary; and he quickly apologized. It certainly would serve no good purpose to get on the bad side of Hollingsworth Deverall. He could always find another hit man.
PART #26
The next morning Bow drove to Anthony’s Bar and Grill. He walked inside, and was taken to a back room. He found that Lenore was already there, and also the Chief of Police and the District Attorney. Bow sat down as the District Attorney began asking Lenore some questions about the activities of her husband. She answered by saying, “Let’s begin at the beginning with our move here from Pennsylvania. She explained that Deverall was not their real name; it had been carefully selected when they left Pennsylvania for Hollingsworth did not want people to know who he was. She said he was actually Sammie Pangallo. If they were to check in the Pennsylvania newspapers of that time, they would find Sammie Pangallo and his family had been killed in a house explosion.
Lenore said,” When we left Pennsylvania, Hollingsworth had promised me he was leaving organized crime, and going into the banking business. Because of his terrible fear of someone discovering his true identity, he changed our name to Deverall. I know there are members of the crime family out east who would love to know he is still alive. There are many old scores to settle, and Hollingsworth knows he would be killed if they found him to be living in another part of the country."
Lenore explained to them how carefully Hollingsworth had staged his own death so that it would receive much publicity. The publicity helped all the crime families to know Sammie Pangallo was no more.
Lenore said, “When we came to Lake Charles, I had high hopes of leaving that way of life behind. For a while everything was going well, but I could tell Hollingsworth was getting restless. He missed the old life, and the power he had when he was in Pennsylvania. He never told me he was again involved in organized crime, but I knew something was different for people came to the house all hours of the day and night. He had too many secret meetings, and he shut me out more and more. I had told him when we were in Pennsylvania I would leave him if he ever became involved in illegal activities again. I suppose he felt if he didn’t discuss it with me, I would never know for sure he had returned to his old ways.”
Lenore told of overhearing Hollingsworth talking to Peter Dunkirk about eliminating someone, but she could not hear the person’s name. When she had heard about the stabbing; and Boudreau being in the hospital, she suspected Hollingsworth had arranged the whole thing. She also heard him angrily tell a man whose name was De Nato to eliminate Peter Dunkirk, because he had not been successful in killing Boudreau La Faye.
The police chief said, “Mrs. Deverall, it is my understanding you saw Peter Dunkirk at the place you went to try to book safe passage out of Lake Charles. Lenore said, “Yes, I overheard him say he needed to leave the area.” “Do you think he recognized you?” Lenore answered, “The man has never seen me in his life. Whenever Peter Dunkirk came to the house, I stayed in the upstairs bedroom. I could hear the conversations he had with Hollingsworth; because there is a register in the floor of my bedroom that is located directed over Hollingsworth’s study.
Lenore reached into her purse, and pulled out a leather notebook which she handed to the police chief. “What is this, Mrs. Deverall?” he asked. She said, “Those are his appointments and meetings for the last six months.
The District Attorney looked at Lenore and asked, “Mrs. Deverall, would you answer me a question? Why are you doing all this?” Lenore looked directly at the District Attorney; and said, “This time Hollingsworth has gone too far. I know that Lucia loves Boudreau; and for Hollingsworth to try to have Boudreau killed simply because he has fallen in love with Lucia is too much. There was a time that Hollingsworth would never have done anything this ruthless. It’s as if he is obsessed now with power and control.”
To be continued...
PART #27
The Police Chief took the leather notebook from Lenore, and handled it like a rare gift. He opened the book, and began to read. Finally, he looked up from what he was reading, and asked, “Mrs. Deverall, do you realize what you have given me?” She said, “Yes, I do realize what I have given you. You have in your hand the evidence that is needed to put Hollingsworth away for a long time.”
The Police Chief handed the notebook to the District Attorney; and he read as he turned the pages of the book. He said, “I see where your husband has been involved in bootlegging and drug smuggling. We had suspected him, but this gives us the proof. I must tell you that we will be coming after him with this information for evidence. We want to make sure you are not around when we arrest him, Mrs. Deverall.” Lenore said, “I certainly do not want Lucia to be there either.”
Bow looked at Lenore; and asked, “Mrs. Deverall, how are you going to tell Lucia about her father?” Lenore said, “I am not sure how it should be done; it is going to be so difficult for her to hear the news about him; I am not even sure she will believe me.
Bow said, “I wonder if it might take some form of proof.” The police chief said, “If you think it would be helpful, we can come up with some pictures of Sammie back in the days when he was in Pennsylvania. Bow said, “I wonder if it would be easier for Lucia to accept the news if Boudreau were there to help tell her.” Lenore said, “You might be right about that.”
It was finally agreed that Lenore would try to bring Lucia the next morning to Anthony’s Bar and Grill, and Bow would bring Boudreau. The District Attorney and the Police Chief said they would also be there, and would bring some news clippings on Sammie Pagallo.
That evening when Bow returned home, Catherine wanted to know what had happened at the meeting. He explained there was to be another meeting in the morning, and he was to take Boudreau with him. He told her that they would be telling Lucia about her father’s illegal activities. Catherine asked, “Are you going to tell her about her father trying to have Boudreau killed?” Bow said, “Catherine, I am not sure how this is going to go. Lenore felt it would take proof to convince her that her father has been involved in illegal activities here in the Lake Charles area. The Police Chief and the District Attorney are going to bring some of the news clippings from Pennsylvania when her father and mother lived there. I do believe she is going to have to be told about Boudreau; but much of this has to come from her mother.”
Catherine looked at Bow; and said, “I certainly don’t envy her having to tell her daughter about her husband. Is there anything I can do to be of a help to her?” Bow knew she would feel that way about Lenore. He said, “What do you think of going along with us to give her a little moral support?”
Catherine said, “Bow, I cannot even begin to imagine what Lenore must be going through at this time. Can you think of anything worse then turning in evidence to the police that will convict your husband and send him away to prison? What caused her to do this now after all the years Hollingsworth has been involved in criminal activity?”
Bow looked at his wife; and said, “She is doing it for her daughter and for Boudreau. She said she knows they are in love, and she wasn’t going to sit by and watch something terrible happen that would destroy these two young people. She felt they deserved the right to live their lives together if that is what both want. Catherine said, “Bow, I don’t believe I have ever seen such a courageous woman. I do hope Lucia will realize how much her mother loves her. It has to be a frightening thing for Lenore at this time to be giving evidence that will put her husband away for many years. Surely she has wondered how it will be possible to live on her own. I would also think she has considered the possibility of Lucia hating her for what she is doing.”
Bow looked at this woman he loved so much, knowing how she would be there to encourage Lenore. He thought about her kindness that he had seen extended many times over to people. That kindness would now reach out and envelop Lenore if she would permit it. If there was one thing Catherine knew how to do it was to show love and compassion towards people. She always sensed the need, and did what she could to minister to that person.
To be continued...
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