CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE
Chief Hudson had left work early to prune the bridal wreath shrubs in his front and side yards. Raking up the sprigs, he placed the branches into a pile, near the curb knowing the trash men would pick them up for him.
When he finished, he went inside the house, had a hot shower, climbed into fresh pajamas and sat in his favorite chair and started to read the Saint Cloud Gazette.
The Chief had lived in this five room house for over thirty years. It was modest, well maintained and located in an area of similar homes.
Like most law enforcement officers over the years, the Chief had developed a sixth sense. Suddenly a strange uneasiness came over him. Slowly he folded his paper and stood as the hour was very late. Turning around, he found himself facing an intruder holding a gun, and it was pointed straight at his chest. The intruder was dressed in a red and white band director's jacket, light blue hospital pajama bottoms and wearing only one brown slipper. He had the appearance of someone who had been running through thick brush and low hanging tree limbs. More disturbing to the Chief was that he now recognized the man before him, and he had his service revolver.
"Chief Hudson, you remember me, I’m Beau Camp and I represent the International Monkey Ship Insurance Company. Please tell me sir, what would your friends and family do if you suddenly died?"
The Chief didn't answer; just stood motionless as he studied Beau’s body language.
"Do you realize you work in a high risk occupation?"
"Put the gun down and we'll discuss your insurance," the Chief said playing for time, "It sounds interesting."
"Well then, allow me to set up a demonstration. Please sit here on this dining room chair," Beau said as he maneuvered the chair into the center of the living room.
"No sir, I'll stay where I am if you don’t mind." Chief Hudson said in a pleasing manner trying not to incite Beau’s delusional wrath.
"I said put your ass in this damn chair, and do it now!" Beau shouted.
Slowly the Chief crossed the room and sat down as ordered. Looking around he tried to seek out anything he might use as a weapon to defend himself.
"That's right, you just relax. Rest assured this gun is loaded as you very well know, and if it looks familiar, well it should, it's yours. Can you guess where I found it? On the shelf inside the back door," Beau laughed as he blinked his eyes rapidly several times.
"So, that's how you got in, through the back," the Chief noted, “Now listen to me Beau, put the gun down. You have no reason to feel threatened. You have no enemies here. This is my home and you're safe."
"Did you hear what he said Leonard?" Beau laughed.
"Yes, I heard. Tell the Chief to shut up," he whispered oh so sternly.
"Beau, listen to me for just one minute," the Chief pleaded as he now felt things were not going to turn out as he hoped.
"No, you just shut up, and put your hands behind your back, and don't move when I snap these handcuffs on your wrists. Don't worry, I won't press them too tight."
More laughter came forth as Beau clicked the handcuffs around the Chief's wrists. "There now, do they feel comfortable? Well they should, these are your cuffs, and they have your vibrations all over them. Boy, I'll bet they could tell some real horror stories…what, no comment? Good, tomorrow morning they'll have one more story to tell. Now Chief, sit still and don't move while I tie you to the chair with this clothesline. We certainly don't want you to fall out of your chair and accidently break your neck," he snickered heartily with great amusement in his jittery voice.
"Wait just a minute Beau, I've got an idea. Let's go to your office and sign the insurance forms there. That way we'll get them in the mail faster," the Chief suggested.
Beau shook his head as he cracked his knuckles. Mumbling something about not trusting the mail, "The mailman has been spying on me."
He tied the Chief firmly to the chair and pulled the rope so tight that it cut into the Chiefs' skin in several places. The Chief tried to show no fear or pain; yet he was still hopeful of regaining control of the situation at hand.
"There now, all tight and snug…oh my goodness, you still have your house slippers on. Please, allow me to remove them. I lost one of mine running along the railroad tracks as I came into town. Now isn't that better? See, you can wiggle your toes," Beau giggled uncontrollably as he then kicked off his one slipper and put the Chief's house shoes on. "A little large for me, but they'll do.”
"You'll not get away with this Beau," the Chief whispered.
"Stop calling me Beau! I'm the Admiral and I demand your respect! Damn you Chief Hudson, you tried to sink my ship! You're going to pay, like you've never paid before!" Beau screeched.
"Admiral," the Chief said, "please sit on the couch so we can work out any differences we might have. You don’t want to harm me or anyone else for that matter.”
"Chief Hudson, I must continue my demonstration of your insurance coverage. We don’t have time for snacks or idle chit-chat. It's getting late and I’ll need to be on my way soon. Oh, by the way, I discovered the light switch by the front door controls the receptacle near this fancy lamp of yours. How fancy is that? Now sit quietly like a good boy while I place this towel around your mouth. Be careful and don't swallow it."
Beau stepped back and studied the Chief. Proud of the job he had done in securely tying and gaging the old man; he shivered with anticipation at what was to come next. Making his way into the kitchen, he foraged for several items he’d soon be needing. Returning to the living room, he was now ready to continue his dastardly deed.
"Now if you can answer three questions correctly, I'll let you go free; you have my word as a gentleman on that. Your first question; what is today's date?"
As the Chief tried to answer, his voice was too muted by the towel-gag. Beau reached into the pocket of the band director's jacket and withdrew a silver-plated whistle.
"Sorry, wrong answer," he said and blew the whistle loudly.
"Second question; who's the President?"
The Chief didn’t try to respond, he just stared at Beau in disbelief at what was happening.
"Times up." The whistle sounded again.
"Third question; at this time yesterday, what time was it?"
The Chief continued to stare as he now feared what Beau would do when he tired of his insane game he was playing.
"Nothing to say?" For the third and final time he blew the whistle. "You're really dumb, but I'm giving you double coverage anyway. As Admiral, top salesman, and agent in charge, I have the power to release this information to you. In case of fire, you're fully covered, and with this water-bucket I found underneath your kitchen sink, I'll give you triple coverage."
The Chief began to struggle as he poured cold water over his head.
"Oh, come on, sit still Chief. It's only water. You do want fire coverage don't you? Maybe the coverage isn't adequate. Okay, here's some more. I'll sprinkle extra water over your head, down your back and a little splash in your lap. We must be certain we have you fully covered and also a little on your legs, yes, we mustn’t forget your toes. We wouldn't want them uncovered. There now, you're fully covered. Don't you feel secure knowing my insurance company is looking out for your wellbeing?" he said putting the bucket down.
The Chief felt as helpless as a turtle that had been flipped over onto its back.
"Sir, by allowing me to come into your home to demonstrate our best policy, you've displayed a great deal of dignity and patience. Therefore, my company presents you with this twenty-foot extension cord I found under your kitchen sink. It's a gift selected especially for you. Allow me to demonstrate; see this end of the cord plugs into the receptacle. Yes, that's right, the one your lamp is plugged into," he said flipping the switch off by the door as he unplugged the lamp and plugged in the extension cord.
"Oh dear, someone has cut the other end of the cord. They also peeled the insulation off exposing the bare wires," he said cracking his knuckles.
"Oh well, you already have your shoes off. I'll just attach these two exposed wires onto your big toes," Beau said grabbing the Chiefs left foot, and then his right, as he started wrapping and twisting the bare wires securely to both big toes.
"I hope it's not too tight. Here's some more water. I want you to feel that you're fully covered," he giggled as if he truly were an insane lunatic. "That's our motto, full coverage to the very end.”
"Tell him about his half-brother Johnny," Leonard whispered.
"Ah, yes, we also have a little surprise for your dimwitted brother, but don't worry about him. Where he's going, I doubt you’ll get to see him again," Beau sniggered. "So long Chief and may god bless you, you no good filthy sinner," he ran both hands through his greasy hair.
The Chief struggled and tried to chew the towel from his mouth. Jerking and twisting, he desperately tried to break free of his bondage.
Beau stepped into the doorway, as he reached back inside for the light switch, he smiled as he saw the Chief fiercely struggling in vain to free himself. As he flipped the switch on; he watched the surge of electricity stiffen and shake his victims’ wet body in uncontrollable waves of convulsions. Beau had never felt so ecstatic and alive as he did now. Overcome with sheer delight, he began to cry as he turned and walked off into the darkness.
Slowly strolling along smiling, Beau suddenly stopped, now remembering Miss Stella telling the Monday Night Mystics, that a person with psychic awareness, could witness the spirit floating out of the body of a dying person. For a moment, he was tempted to go back, but then he changed his mind, figuring it was already too late to witness the special event.