The Crossing (28 page)

Authors: Gerald W. Darnell

Nickie walked up behind me while we were talking. “Carson, did you cut yourself shaving? You have blood behind your ear!” she said.

“Yep, I must have.

Thanks for telling me,” I said quietly.

“What’s happening downtown?” Nickie asked.

“You’ll read about it in the paper,” I suggested.

“Hopefully, we will have a settled community in a few days.”

“Great!” Nickie said.

“Are you guys staying or leaving?”

“We are leaving, soon.

I’ve got to see Colleen and I’m sending Joe to find Jack, so both of us will be headed to Memphis this afternoon.”

“Okay, guys.

I would say ‘come back soon’, but it seems you always bring trouble when you do!”

Nickie laughed as she walked back toward the kitchen.

I turned to Joe, “Take the Ford and find Jack.

I’m not sure where he is, but find him.

Bring him up to speed and tell him to start procedures for another hearing to get Henry out of jail.

He should be able to make that happen tomorrow.

I’m going to see Colleen and will have her drive me to City Hall, she needs to be with Henry.

You pick me up there after finding Jack, okay?”

I spent the next hour in Colleen’s cabin telling her everything – including Yarnell’s murder.

She cried for a while, then washed her face, stood up straight and said, “I’m ready, let’s go.”

She was a tough lady!

We drove down to City Hall and I left Colleen alone to talk with Henry; it was better that way.

Sitting on the steps, I watched the demonstrators talk among themselves and then disperse – some in groups and some alone.

When Joe eventually picked me up, they had all left and the street was once again quiet – as it should be.

Joe had found Jack at the Country Club having an early dinner with Judy.

After hearing what had happened, Jack left immediately and headed to Leroy’s office to draw up the necessary papers for a new hearing and the release of Robert Henry Walker.

I decided it was best to leave everyone alone with their hurt, thougths and wounds – Joe and I pointed the Ford toward Memphis.

A
fter finding some jazz music on the radio, we rolled down all the windows and let the wind take some of the heat out of the air.

Joe and I didn’t talk during the drive back to Memphis.

We listened to the music and allowed our thoughts to be unrestrained - hopefully, finding a pleasant place to play.

I dropped Joe at Bluff City Buick, where he was going to pick up a new car and a replacement for his El Camino.

I headed out Winchester Avenue, I still had time to make the
‘tea dance’
at the Starlight Lounge!

About the Author

A Florida native, Gerald grew up in the small town of Humboldt, TN., where he attended high school. Following graduation from the Univ. of Tennessee, he spent time in Hopkinsville, KY, Memphis, TN and Newport, AR before moving back to Florida – where he now lives.

While living and working in Memphis, the author worked out of an office located just off the lobby of The Peabody Hotel. Many of the descriptions, events and stories about the hotel are from personal experiences.

This short story fiction work, “
the Crossing”
is what the author calls ‘Fiction for Fun’.

It uses real places and real geography to spin a story that didn’t happen, but should be fun for the mystery reader.

As a quick read, those familiar with the 1962 geography in the novel, will travel back in time to places that will always be remembered.

This is the sixth story in the Carson Reno series. The first, ‘
Murder in Humboldt’
the second ‘
The Price of Beauty in Strawberry Land’
the third ‘
Killer Among Us’
, followed by ‘
Horse Tales’
and
‘Sunset 4’
are also available in a paperback edition.

His book, “Don’t Wake Me Until It’s Time to Go,” is a non-fiction collection of stories, events and humorous observations from his life.

Many friends and readers will find themselves in one of his adventures or stories.