| Subject: The New World - Part #81 |
Author:
Wanda
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Date Posted: 06:01:30 07/23/03 Wed
PART #81
Bow had been traveling for two days. He was tired, and he hoped with all his heart that he would be able to find the bank drafts to take back home. He didn’t know how he would handle those men who had worked for Joshua if Peter did not have the drafts. Bow did not want any trouble with the saw mill getting started up again. If there were problems at the beginning, it would take a while to build up the public’s confidence in the saw mill. Trouble would not be good for business.
He had been pushing hard since he had left home. He could not afford to lose any time. His head was filled with questions. He figured that Peter would not be willing to share any information about the bank drafts. He probably would deny he had the bank drafts. How would Bow be able to get the information from him? Would the sheriff let him into the cell to see the man? He would like to have a few minutes alone with him in his cell. If he had to strangle the man, he would get the information he wanted. Bow had thought Joshua had led a wanton life, hurting everyone and everything in his path. As he thought about it now, he realized Joshua was nothing compared to this snake. He pretended to be kind and considerate. He acted as if he would do anything he could to help you, and all the while he would be draining you dry. When he had succeeded in taking all your money, then he would decide to take your life to protect his own skin. As far as Bow was concerned Peter Dunkirk fit into a special reptile category all by himself.
Bow reached Jennings on the third day, and went immediately to the jail. He walked in the door, and introduced himself as Bowregard La Faye, Joshua Sallier’s cousin, from Lake Charles. He said he had come to talk with Peter Dunkirk. The sheriff asked him why he felt he should let him see Peter Dunkirk. Bow asked him if he would like to hear the true story of Peter Dunkirk. The sheriff said he would appreciate any information he might be able to give him.
Bow told him, “As the only living relative of the late Joshua Sallier, I am managing Joshua’s estate now with his wife, Catherine.” The sheriff said, “I became acquainted with Catherine when she and her husband Joshua were here for their wedding and very short honeymoon.” Bow went into minute detail describing how Peter, over a period of time, had drained all the funds from the accounts of Joshua’s plantation. He also explained how the bank manager had told him that Peter had taken the money in bank drafts as he left town. Bow said, “Catherine and I are trying to recover that money because it does belong to the plantation. I want to talk with him, and see if he has those bank drafts with him.” The sheriff said, “He had no bank drafts on his person, and we also checked out the carriage he left at the stables. There was nothing there either. In fact the only things we found were some extra clothes, and food.”
Bow sighed; and said, “Sheriff, there were men who worked for Joshua Sallier at the saw mill who were not paid their salaries. When the saw mill closed down, due to lack of funding, they were left with no work. We have been trying to get the saw mill up and running again, but we are being threatened by those men because they want their money. It is important that we recover that money.”
The sheriff said, “I will be happy to let you see him. There is a chair outside his cell. The man in the cell next to him has admitted killing Joshua Sallier. He has told us a few things about Peter, so I guess it is possible that he would know something about the bank drafts. You might consider trying to get Peter to talk to keep Le Blanc from talking to you or me. Peter gets pretty upset when Le Blanc says anything; therefore, I do believe he knows something Peter does not want him to tell.”
Bow smiled and said, “I don’t suppose you could look the other way, and let me go into his cell?” The sheriff reached for the keys; and said, “If I let you into his cell, I know I would eventually have to arrest you too, for you would probably end up killing his sorry self.” Bow said, “Well, maybe you could let me into the cell, you remain outside the cell, and just before I kill him, you can drag me out.” The sheriff laughed, “Don’t tempt me; I might be convinced that is the right thing to do.”
The sheriff led Bow back to the cells, and pointed to a chair that was placed in front of the cell doors. Bow sat down, facing the cells; and said, “Hello Peter, I just bet you didn’t expect to see me.” Peter scowled, “I can’t imagine why you would want to see me. This surely cannot be a friendly visit.” Bow looked over at the man in the cell next to Peter; and said, “Le Blanc, I hear Peter got you to do his dirty work for him. He’s a pretty good hand at getting others to do his dirty work. You know he’s the type who will not soil his lawyer hands; but pays others to do it, and puts their lives in harm’s way. Whatever he paid you, Le Blanc, I hope it was a lot, for you will end up hanging for killing Joshua Sallier.”
Bow could see he was getting Le Blanc’s attention. Le Blanc got up off his cot, and came to his cell door. “How do you know I will hang?” he asked. Bow said, “Surely you have figured that out by now; you murdered a man. Hanging is the penalty for murdering a man. If you were to give us some information on our friend, Peter, maybe things would go easier for you.”
To be continued...
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