Two days later, the Sheriff returned to the Turner’s home. He noticed Frank inside the kennel sitting in a lawn chair, with Jack at his side. The gate was closed and latched from the outside. Approaching the kennel, he rested his elbow on the gate.
“Don’t tell me Virginia has you in confinement too?” he grinned.
Frank and Jack both just sat, and didn’t answer him.
The Sheriff decided to try another approach. “Well then, how’s Jack like being penned up?”
“He likes it the same as you’d like it. He’s not happy about it,” Frank growled.
Virginia heard the sheriff when he drove into the drive, and came out to greet him. “Hey, we have rules around here. Don’t feed the animals, and don’t pester them neither,” she laughed.
“Okay,” the sheriff smiled.
Frank didn’t budge from his chair, “What’s on your mind?” he snapped.
“If your wife will put you on parole, we can go inside the house, and I’ll explain something to you,” he said wiping the sweat from his forehead.
“Well?” Frank said looking at Virginia.
“Well, what?” she said pretending not to understand.
“Are you going to release me or what?”
“I’d be happy to release you, just as soon as we discuss bail money.” She said.
“Oh no you don’t. No blackmail, just unlock the gate.” Frank’s voice was strained.
Virginia laughed as she unlocked the gate. The men followed her inside, and into the living room. Sitting the Sheriff turned toward Frank.
“I was worried the other day when I first saw you breathing into a paper bag. I just knew I’d have to hire six pallbearers, because you don’t have six friends,” he chuckled.
“You’ve just about wore out your welcome,” Frank shot back.
“Hush Frank, let’s hear what the man has to say,” Virginia said.
The Sheriff cleared his throat and began, “I’ll start by saying Bill Morgan isn’t the real name of the man involved in this matter, and he’s not a termite inspector. We checked with all the exterminators in the area, and no one knew him, or sent him to your home. We ran his fingerprints, and found out he had a record. His real name is Paul Daniels. He’s from out of state, and served time for robbery, and child pornography.”
“Why, I never dreamed,” Virginia said in shocked disbelief.
“Yes and we found a lot of evidence in his truck, a sledgehammer with blood on it, which we believe to be the other weapon used besides the tack hammer. We have a strong case against him,” the Sheriff stated.
“Wait a minute. What was he doin’ at our house acting like a termite inspector?” Frank asked scratching his right ear.
“He gave an oral confession, but hasn’t signed a written one. He could change his story at any time. He stated he returned to the scene, where the boys were found in the woods. He planned on posing their bodies, and placing rubber masks on them to hide their injuries, and then take nude pictures. He said there is a huge market for them overseas. When he arrived the bodies were gone. He found out you and Jack had already found them. He became so angry that he wanted revenge. He planned to kill you and Jack, and most likely Virginia as well, so there’d be no witnesses.”
“Crime-in-Italy, I’m speechless. This is hard to believe. Did he really say those things? Are you tryin’ to scare us? If you are, you’re doin’ a good job of it,” Frank said.
“I’m not trying to frighten you. I’m just giving you the facts,” the Sheriff replied.
“I spoke with the vet about Jack concerning his aggressive behavior, and the attack. He said Jack probably recalled the scent and sensed danger. He responded by protecting his owner,” he said.
“So we can let him out of the kennel,” Virginia asked.
“Sure, if you haven’t seen any signs of aggression, turn him loose,” the Sheriff responded with a reassuring smile. “And you can turn Frank loose also. Let him out for good behavior,” he said winking at Virginia.
“Smartass,” Frank mumbled as they laughed.
“Oh, by the way, that Daniels fella will be released from the hospital later today. We’ll be taking him straight to jail. So, I’ll need a statement about what happened here. When you feel up to it, come to my office, and we’ll get it over with.”
“We’ll come by in the morning,” Frank said.
“I’ll keep an eye out for ya,” the Sheriff said heading for his car.
“Whatever. I’ll tell you one thing; I’m not looking forward to a trial, and all that other crap. I know justice must be served, but it can be a real pain at times,” Frank said expressing his opinion.
Sheriff Sparks smiled, and started his patrol car, and waved as he headed for town. Frank ambled off in the direction of the kennel. Freeing Jack brought a smile to his old face. They wandered around the property until Virginia called them for supper.
After a meal of honey fried chicken, a plump one from the coop, mashed potatoes, and green beans from Frank’s garden, hot baked bread, with fresh grape jelly from the arbor, the Turner’s retired to the porch swing to enjoy the pleasant evening.
“Don’t swing too high. You know it makes me dizzy,” he complained.
Virginia heard the phone ring, and nudged him with her elbow, “Okay dizzy, it’s your turn to answer the phone.”
Without moving, he said, “You know it’s for you. My friends never call after suppertime. They know I watch TV then, and I don’t like being bothered.”
“You go answer that phone or I’m going to swing higher. You hear me?”
“All right. Stop nagging me,” he grumbled as he got up slowly.
Frank was on the phone for quite a while before returning to the porch. Sitting next to her, he placed her hand in his.
That was the sheriff. That Daniels fella escaped from the hospital. Hot-wired some guys’ truck in the rear parking lot. The truck had a .22-caliber rifle, and a box of shells under the driver’s seat. They chased him but lost him out in the county. One of his deputies later found the truck abandoned near the forest. The gun and shells were also gone. Their K-9 dog caught up with him in the woods and Daniels shot the dog. They have surrounded the area. The search has been stopped because it’s too dark now. They are holding their positions to keep him trapped until daylight.”
Virginia squeezed Frank’s hand, and didn’t speak. She knew what he was thinking.
“The sheriff wanted me and Jack to come in the morning, and see if we can locate that murderer. I told him we’d be there.”
“Frank Turner, you promise me you won’t do anything heroic?” Virginia asked as her eyes welled up.
“Now, now, don’t get all emotional, we’ll be fine. You’ll see. Let’s go inside and watch some TV before bed.” Frank stood, still holding her hand as he led her into the house. Morning would come soon enough.
The Dominicker Rooster’s persistent crowing aroused Frank, who reached over and turned off the alarm clock before it went off. He hated the nerve jangling noise it made. Easing out of bed, he tip toed into the kitchen. Starting the coffee, he accidently dropped the coffee can onto the hard floor. He froze for a moment, but heard no sound from the bedroom.
Making his way to the basement, he found his coveralls and rubber boots. After dressing he went outside to greet Jack. They made their usual patrol of the property, finding everything in order.
Frank entered the house and was surprised to find Virginia in the kitchen scrambling eggs. “Good morning honey, I did my best not to disturb your sleep. Did you rest okay last night,” he asked politely.
“Yes, I slept well, until you got up and started that racket in the kitchen,” she laughed.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was quiet as a mouse.”
“Sounded more like a big rat rooting around to me,” she snickered.
After breakfast they headed for the sheriff’s office to make their report. Pulling up in front, Frank noticed one of the patrol cars was covered with dust, and appeared to have been driven over rough terrain.
Entering the office, they were greeted by one of the deputies. “Have you heard the news?”
“What news?” Virginia asked.
“The manhunt is over. The sheriff shot and killed Daniels early this morning. He refused to give up and fired on us” He said.
“Well I’ll be,” Frank said astonished.
Virginia was relieved. They made their statements about what had occurred when Daniels was at their house, and after signing them they went home.
Exhausted from the past several days, the Turner’s made an early night of it.
“I read an article in a magazine about raising Polly Parrots for fun and profit. What do you think?” he asked.
In a falsetto voice she answered, “Does Frank want a cracker? Does Frank want a cracker?” Virginia was laughing so hard she couldn’t hear what he mumbled, something about being warned by his mother.