Fatal Reunion

Fatal Reunion

A James Everhard Adventure

By Wayne Wallace

Chapter 1: The Invitation

He hated reunions. He had always found an excuse not to attend in the past. So why had he not tossed this invitation in the waste basket? He read it again carefully:

The Hollywood High School Class of 1930

Announces the 10th Reunion of its Graduates.

A formal dinner and dance will be held at

Home of Rig and Nancy Greerson

1500 Palatial Drive - Beverly Hills, Ca.

Friday night, June 1, 1940.

Cocktails 7:00 PM- Dinner 8:00 PM

R.S.V.P. phone - Windsor 624

These things were always such Bullshit affairs. The guys he knew in high school all bragging about how well they have done. Most of them were so full of crap! He scowled...Or was the real truth that he was just possibly a little ashamed that his own business was so Bush League. Everhard Investigations, a little office over a bowling alley that cost him fifty bucks a month (and he was currently a month behind on the rent). Where he made his living tailing cheating husbands and wives and taking pictures for the divorce cases. Her hadn't had a decent case in months! Maybe he should swallow his pride and find a job. His sometimes girlfriend, Daisy kept offering him a job at her restaurant, but his pride wouldn't let him take her up on it. Too much like a handout. He wasn't going to let her support him. It wasn't in his nature.

This reunion had him thinking about his life. Why had his life taken such a wrong turn? Hell, he had been on the fast track with the LAPD, would have made detective lieutenant in a few months if it hadn't been for that one mistake. One lousy mistake. Who was he kidding? That one mistake had cost his partner's life. Everhard forced the thought from his mind and concentrated on his driving. He looked at the long straight row of palm trees that lined the boulevard. He scanned the addresses on the Beverly Hills mansions. Fifteen Hundred, this was it. He turned his old Ford coupe into the driveway of the huge estate.

So why had he come? He hated the posturing and game playing that went along with reunions but he loved a part of them too. It was the women, the long legs, flashy dresses, the smell of their perfume, the lovely ladies of the class of '30. He had done his dead level best back then to get to "know" as many of them as he could, as well as he could, and he hadn't done bad, but ten years later, his curiosity had gotten the best of him. How would they look today? He grinned as he thought about Skye and Toni and Dona. He wondered if they were married and settled down. And what about Melany? God, he remembered Melany. He remembered one particular night right at the foot of the giant "Y" on the HOLLYWOOD sign. Right there on a spread out blanket. He and Melany.

He smiled and sighed....He hoped she'd be at the reunion... The butler opened the squeaky door of his coupe. A sudden feeling of déjà vu hit Everhard but he shook the thought off, straightened his tie, adjusted his felt fedora and started towards the door.

Chapter 2: Renewing old friendships

Everhard was ushered into the mansion by a white gloved and tuxedoed butler. In the hall way, under a crystal chandelier that must have weighed a thousand pounds and cost a hundred thousand bucks, Everhard was greeted by the host and hostess. "Good evening James, its so good to see you again after all these years." Rig Greerson told him as he enthusiastically pumped his hand. "Yeah," was Everhard's reply, "Great to see you again too." "I'd like you to meet Nancy, my wife." Everhard 's brown eyes locked on the society babe's impressive cleavage, boldly displayed by the low cut, sequined evening gown she was wearing. After a long, appraising look, he looked up into her eyes. "I don't think I've ever laid eyes on this beautiful lady before," He told Rig Greerson without ever breaking eye contact with her. "I didn't graduate from Hollywood High," she stated, still keeping eye contact with Everhard. "I went to school back east, a boarding school. I met Rig in Oklahoma actually, when he brought in his first well." "So very nice to meet you Mrs. Greerson," Everhard said, as he kissed her hand just above a three carat diamond.. "I hope to see you again this evening Mr. Everhard," The oil baron's wife said. "Oh, you can count on it, and call me James, please." "James...it is then, please, call me Nancy...", she said. "Nancy....", Everhard smiled at her and moved on down the hallway towards a group of formally dressed men and women. "I don't like the way he looked at you Nancy," the Oil millionaire told his lovely wife as they watched Everhard walk away. "Oh Rig, don't be so stuffy," his wife replied, "He's just being friendly." The oilman thought a moment before saying anything, then said, "I know,, maybe a little too friendly....." Rig Greerson's gaze fell from the detective's back as he turned to greet another arriving guest.

Everhard made his way down the hallway to the Library where a crowd of people had gathered and were talking. Everhard grabbed a champagne glass from a passing tray and sipped it. "JAMES!!!!!", he heard a feminine voice yell and then turned just in time to take the lovely Carol Fontana into his arms as she ran towards him. Carol kissed him on the lips, but just as he was about to take control of the kiss, she broke the contact and said, "Oh James, I'm soooo glad you came. We were just talking about all the hunks at Hollywood High. Were your ears burning?" "Well, I.....", he tried to answer. "What have you been up to these ten years since I've seen you? Is

there a Mrs. Everhard?" The green-eyed beauty quizzed him. "No, no there is no Mrs...." James was able to say. He wanted another shot at Carols' perfectly painted, slightly parted lips....James studied Carol Fontana from the tips of her toeless high heels to her beautiful golden hair. Stopping briefly at certain areas of interest along the way. She wore a daringly low cut, red, evening dress. She was breathtaking! The years had been very kind to her. In fact, if anything, she was even more beautiful today than she had ever been in high school, a sophisticated, mature beauty. James tried to breathe normally but his breath seemed to catch in his throat. He was just seconds away from forcefully taking her in his arms and kissing her again, when a distinguished looking man, with graying temples walked up to them. "Oh James, I'd like you to meet my husband," Carol said, "Dr. Tom Stalhart," Everhard smiled at the man and shook his hand. "Tom caps the teeth of all Hollywood's screen idols," Carol added. "Good to meet you", Everhard said, smiling at the Dentist as they shook hands. "The pleasure is all mine. Tell me, were you and Carol close in high school?" Tom asked. "Not nearly as close as I would have liked," Everhard answered truthfully. "We were just friends." The Dentist smiled and took Carol's arm. "I'll see you at dinner, and on the dance floor, okay James?" "Absolutely," James answered as the couple made their way through the crowd. As he watched them leave, Everhard made a mental note not to let his emotions run away with him any more tonight, it could be dangerous. "Carol has done well," he though to himself.

As another tuxedoed waiter moved by with a tray, Everhard exchanged his empty champagne glass for a full one. "Hello James darling," a smoky, feminine voice said from behind him. It sounded so much like Betty Davis that he halfway expected to see the box office star when he turned around. "you look very good," she said. "You look wonderful Skye." Everhard told the brunette. "Read your new book. It was marvelous, just like all the others." The authoress smiled at Everhard, sipped her champagne and said, "Thank you James. I'm glad you liked it." Skye Brazil had written, six number one best sellers in a row. Three of them had been made into movies and she had banked millions of dollars, all before her thirtieth birthday. "The first one was about you, you know." She said to him. "I thought the story was slightly familiar." Everhard said. She looked at him and said, "Clark Gable played you onscreen". "Hey, my ears aren't that big!" he replied. The two old friends broke into laughter and James took her hand. "How have you been Skye?" She looked at him and said, "I've been wonderful", she hesitated, and the added, "I got married. During the Christmas holidays." He squeezed her hand at the word "married" and backed away a step. "He's a wonderful guy, a movie producer, he's here somewhere. I want you to meet him." "Sure, " Everhard said, "love to meet him, see ya later doll." He turned and walked away. "James...." He heard her say, but he didn't turn around.

Everhard wished now that he had invited his girlfriend, Daisy Dakillo, to come with him to this thing. At least, if he had, he wouldn't be feeling so incredibly lonely right now.. Was he the only person in the Greater Los Angeles Area who had not found the perfect match? Perhaps Daisy was that perfect match but both of them had their doubts about settling down. Their relationship had been on-again, off-again over the past two years. He wished she were here with him now. He walked out the door to the parking lot, he needed a smoke. He shook a Chesterfield out of the crumpled pack in his jacket pocket and lit it with his zippo. Through the smoke of his cigarette, he saw the most bizarre looking car he had ever seen. He walked over to take a closer look. It was a Rolls Royce limousine. It had an open drivers compartment up front and an enclosed passenger compartment in the back. The sleek auto must have been thirty feet long and the paint was beautiful. Who owned this car? It had to be a one of a kind. "Hello James," a feminine voice called. The voice had come from the passenger compartment. He looked in the window to see who had spoken to him. "Got another smoke for an old friend?" the feminine voice asked. "Sure thing Toni!" Everhard shook out a smoke for his old friend, Toni Beltzly and opened the door to the Rolls. "Come in and sit here by me she said." She looked terrific, just like he remembered her in high school. He slid onto the leather seat. "One question Doll..." he asked her. "Are you married?" "Not anymore James. Not anymore." He closed the door to the Rolls.

Chapter 3: Toni

Inside the luxury Rolls, Everhard gave his old friend Toni Beltzly a light kiss on the lips. She and Everhard had dated briefly in high school but that ended abruptly when Toni met the love of her life. Toni met Henry, married young, had kids and lived happily ever after. At least that was the last Everhard had heard. He knew that she and her husband collected exotic cars. He had even seen some of them on the show circuit. They owned some of the most rare and valuable cars in the world. He had seen pictures of Toni and her husband with some of their cars in Life and Look. They were doing very well. Everhard thought about her answer to his question about being married. "Not any more James, not any more." He asked her, "What happened Toni?" Toni spent the next ten minutes telling him about the blissful marriage she had known for the past ten years, the two wonderful children, the marvelous time they had enjoyed restoring the cars, the traveling they did, all over the world, showing the cars. Then, she told him how she had lost her husband to cancer, just over a year ago. Everhard took her in his arms and held her as she told him of her hurt and anger at being cheated out of more time with him. Everhard comforted her as best he could. Then she looked at him and said," I am such a lucky person. I had the most wonderful person in my life for over 10 years. I'm 30 years old. I'll always remember Henry as 29 and very much in love with me. Not very many women can say that. Our life together only got better and better. We were both lucky. That is why I miss him so much. We were best friends, lovers and really good buddys. Time does heal. But a wound that deep does leave a scar.

She looked up at him, smiled and said, "I'm sorry to unload all this on you. I certainly don't want to spoil the reunion for you." He gave her another light kiss and said, "It's true what they say, you know. You can never go home again. I'm finding that to be very true here tonight. Nothing is as it was. Time changes us all, some for better, some for worse." He looked at her and asked, "Hungry?" She smiled and answered, "starved!" "Let's go take advantage of some of that Greerson hospitality and eat!" Toni did a little repair work on her mascara and then they left the Rolls arm in arm and headed for the grand dining room.

Chapter 4: The Dance

Toni and Everhard entered the cavernous grand dining room arm in arm. There were hundreds of people in the room, all talking and laughing, some were eating a wonderful looking prime rib. Waiters hurried to and from the kitchen carrying silver platters with domed lids. Other waiters poured wine and champagne for the seated guests. Everhard politely pulled out the chair for Toni and they took their seats. Seated to his left was Beverly Afinowertz. He distinctly remembered frequently looking down her blouse at her (even then) well developed boobs in Junior year Algebra. She still looked great, and he told her so, right before the waiter delivered their dinner. The dinner consisted of a large slab of perfectly prepared prime rib of beef, new potatoes and cream sauce, with Brussels sprouts in a wonderful cheddar cheese sauce. The Greersons had really outdone themselves on this dinner.

Seated across from him was an old friend, Little Steve Faroff. Little Steve was a distant cousin of his girlfriend Daisy and he had seen Steve now and then at family events he had attended with her. Steve owned the largest string of retail liquor outlets in Los Angeles. Since prohibition had been appealed, Little Stevie's stores had grossed millions. As they finished dinner, Steve struck up a conversation across the table. "Not a bad party wouldn't cha say Jimmie my boy?" Steve said to him. "It's a good one Stevie." Everhard answered. "Say, when you gonna' make an honest woman out' my cousin Daisy? She's a good woman, make ya' a good wife." Stevie was never one to beat around the bush. "She is a good woman Steve, that's probably why she won't have me I guess." Everhard let him puzzle over the answer as he and Toni excused themselves and moved to the library where most were enjoying an after dinner smoke and drink. (Remember, everybody smoked in 1940) Everhard grabbed two snifters of brandy from a tray on the bar and handed one to Toni. He let the heat from the palm of his hand slowly heat the Napoleon brandy and he swirled the red liquid in the glass and enjoyed the full bodied boquet. That was when he saw her....Her back was to him, but he would know her anywhere. Her perfectly coifed brown hair fell to her shoulders in a pageboy hairdo. The yellow evening gown she was wearing was low cut in the back and showcased her beautifully tanned shoulders. The dress also showcased her coke bottle figure. Everhard told Toni, who was now deep in conversation with Father Phillip Murphy, that he'd be back. She saw who he was walking toward and winked and smiled encouragingly. Everhard walked up behind her and said, "Hello Dona."

She turned slowly to face him and he watched as her hair sprung perfectly back in place as she turned. He always seemed to notice these things about the lovely Dona Hamptonsworth. He also noticed that her perfume was intoxicating him, or was it the brandy? "James...." She said softly, smiling. "You are still the most beautiful woman I have ever seen Dona........" Everhard said this because it was exactly what he was thinking. "God, James, you always knew exactly the right thing to say." He took her hand and said, "I hear an orchestra playing." He led her out of the smoky Library and down the hall into the ballroom. A full orchestra was playing a slow song and Everhard took her in his arms and they began to move to the music...

Chapter 5: Dona

WARNING…..The Following Fictional Work May Contain Adult Themes and Suggestive Phrases. The Author is OBVIOUSLY living vicariously through this literary fantasy, so if you are easily offended by this type material. DELETE it now. However, If you, like the author, are into cheap thrills, READ ON!!!

“I picked up the phone to call you a hundred times over the past few years James.” Dona told him, “But I never could seem to dial your number. I was afraid that some woman had surely taken you out of the race by now.” “I’m not sure that I ever was in the race Dona, but I’ve never married,” He answered, “How about you?” She broke eye contact and looked down briefly before answering him. “I was married, but that’s over now.” “I’m sorry”, he said. “Don’t be”, she said, “It wasn’t a very happy time. In fact it’s still an unhappy time.” They stopped talking for a while and just let the way they held each other as they danced convey their thoughts. She and Everhard had dated seriously for about two years. It ended during the time when Everhard’s partner had been killed during an armed robbery shootout. After that incident, Everhard withdrew from everyone and everything he knew and loved. This included Dona Hamptonsworth.

Finally, he said, “I’m sorry Dona.” She looked at him and placed her finger on his lips to quiet him. “I understood, James. It broke my heart, but I understood. I know what happened. I know the demons you had to wrestle. I just wish you would have let me help you through that time.” He was quiet for a long moment before he answered her. “It was a private Hell that I created Dona. There was no way I was going to drag you through it.” She smiled and nodded, effectively closing that part of the conversation.

They left the dance floor and sat at a secluded, corner table. They held hands and talked about the past few years. His name was Austin Cromwell, an oilman from Dallas. Dona had actually met him through her old friends, Rig and Nancy Greerson, who were hosting this reunion. “The first year with Austin was fun and full of happiness.” she related. “We traveled, showing my art and working with designers. We had fun, he was a wonderful friend and partner, at least at first. My career was going very well. He had a good head for business, so he became my business manager. That left me free to work in my studio and not worry about the bills.” James went to the bar and brought back two more brandies and then Dona continued. “One afternoon, while Austin was in Oklahoma, checking on a new well, I got a call from our accountant. He told me that he had received several calls from creditors. It seemed that none of them had been paid in months. I was so embarrassed!” She sipped her drink.

“You see, Austin had several wells fail, dry holes they’re called. He lost all of his money, as well as everything I had.” James listened intently. “It also turned out that he had a girlfriend back in Oklahoma City, her name was Vickie, yes, that was it, Vickie Norock, Her dad or brother or someone was a big time local politician. The Mayor, I think. He had her all set up in a fancy apartment, and driving a new car, and all with MY money, James!” “When I divorced him, he wanted alimony!” she said a little too loudly, turning the heads of a passing couple. “James, he owes a lot of money to some very dangerous people. I think he borrowed a great deal of money from Denny Gagliano.” Everhard knew exactly who Denny Gagliano was, a local crime boss with a bad disposition. If you owed money to Denny Gaglianno and didn’t pay, arms and legs often got broken. “I think Austin is pretty desperate. When he called me last week wanting money, I refused to loan it to him. He told me he would kill me.” She looked up at the detective. “He’s blaming me for all his problems in the oil business. He can ‘t get any credit after squandering all of my money.” She told him how it had taken her a year to get back on her feet, and during that time, Austin had apparently hit rock bottom and had begun drinking heavily. He would call her, asking for a loan periodically, and when she refused, he made drunken threats. “James, he told me that he secretly took out a large life insurance policy on me when we were first married. I’m so scared!” “No need to worry tonight,” James whispered in her ear, and he kissed her. “James, lets go upstairs,” Dona whispered to him. “You think the Greersons will mind? he asked jokingly. “Silly, I’m a house guest here, come on.” She took his hand.

They walked down a hallway in the huge mansion arm in arm and together they went up the spiral staircase to the second floor. Halfway down a long hall of guest rooms, she stopped and unlocked a door. She pulled him inside the lavishly furnished bedroom suite.

As he kissed her again, he unzipped the yellow evening gown. It slid to the floor. She wore nothing underneath. She was breathtakingly beautiful. They fumbled with his clothes and left them in several small piles between the door and the big, four poster bed.

Chapter 6: The Morning After

The raising sun shone through the window. Everhard blinked awake. He quickly acclimated himself to his surroundings, remembering where he was and with whom he shared the satin sheeted bed. Her brown hair cascaded across her pillow and he inhaled the still intoxicating scent of her perfume. He kissed her soft, bare shoulder and she murmered in her sleep. His hand traced the curvature of her body from her shoulder down her side to her hip. Her skin was as soft and smooth as anything he had ever touched. His hand came back up, across her flat belly and gently cupped her breast. “James….,” she said sleepily, “You better be careful or we’ll be starting all over again…” He kissed her neck and said to her, “I can think of worse ways to spend the morning.” She rolled over, facing him and said, “I remember what was wrong with our relationship now.” “What?” he asked. “You never did let me sleep….. “ she said, beating on his chest with her fists and giggling. “So sleep,” he told her mockingly, “I’ll just do a little exploring,” he said as his light kisses moved from her neck to her collar bones, and further down to her breasts. “Don’t mind me, “ he said against her chest, “just get some sleep,” he told her as his kisses continued in a southerly direction. She laughed softly and ran her fingers through his dark, wavy hair.

Later Everhard again awoke, the sun was higher in the eastern sky this time and he was alone in the bed. The satin sheets still smelled faintly of her perfume. He rose and dressed. Dona was gone, her things were gone, she had left behind, no note or any sign, aside form the faint smell of her perfume, that she had ever even been there. The next scheduled event at the Reunion was a picnic on the grounds of the Greerson Estate at 2 PM. He planned to be here for it, but he had some checking to do at Police Headquarters between now and then.

Everhard strolled into Detective Lieutenant Bill Chappell’s office and plopped down in the well worn chair across the desk from the tough cop. Chappell was barking orders into a telephone. He waved his stubby cigar at Everhard, motioning for him to sit down. Everhard had already done so. “I don’t give a damn if you have to empty every trash can on the dock, I want the murder weapon. You got it?!!” The policeman slammed the phone onto the receiver and swore, “Friggin rookie detectives! If you want an investigation run right….” The red faced cop looked at his old friend. “Jeez, you look like crap, you been up all night?” “Something like that. Hey, I need some information. Got anything on a guy named Austin Cromwell?” The policeman’s jaw dropped and the cigar butt fell to his desk. He looked at Everhard and asked suspiciously, “Austin Cromwell…..why do you want to know about him?” “He’s threatened a client of mine. Just trying to get some background……” Chappell stared at Everhard and asked, “Who’s your client?” Everhard answered, “His ex…is an old friend of mine.” “Just where is your client right now?” The policeman asked.. “I’m not sure, why?” Everhard answered. “Because she wasn’t home this morning when my men went by her house. Neighbor thought she’d been gone a day or two.” Before Everhard could do more than form a bewildered expression on his face, Detective Chappell explained. “We fished her ex out of the Pacific this morning about 8:30, off Santa Monica Pier. Coroner’s preliminary report says death was caused by a stab wound to the heart sometime between 5:00 AM and 7:30 AM.” Everhard whistled softly…”We were looking for her to tell her of the death. But now, I’d like to ask her a few questions…”

Chapter 7: The Plot Thickens

Warning ! This fictional work contains adult themes and sexual innuendoes. If you are offended by these things, delete this now (and get a life), Just a suggestion.

Everhard looked at his old friend in disbelief and said, 'Have you looked at Denny Gagliardo? I know that Cromwell owed him some major money and was probably a little tardy with the payments.." Bill Chappell shook his head, chomped on his cigar and answered, "We know that Sherlock! But answer me this question. Why would Gagliardo kill this guy? He knows that Cromwell is eventually going to pay. It would be like tearing up his I.O.U. to feed him to the fishes." Everhard thought for a moment, "I dunno", he sputtered, "Maybe as a warning to his other clients. I don't know, I just know that Dona Hamptonsworth had no part in killing Austin Cromwell." The tough cop, puffed on the cigar butt and an acrid cloud of bluish smoke rose from it. "And how do you know that James?" He asked. "Because she was scared to death of him, she would never have risked a confrontation." He hesitated for a moment then continued. "Besides, I was with her all night." The cop looked up slowly at Everhard. "James, you son-of-a-bitch, you always seem to be messing with my cases, now you're literally screwing around with a prime suspect?" "It's not like that Bill." Everhard replied. "Well what is it like, Casanova? When did you last see her?" Everhard thought, "A little after sunrise this morning." More blue smoke rose from the cigar. "And just where were the two of you at sunrise?" The cop asked through teeth clenched tightly on the smoldering stogie. "Beverly Hills." Everhard answered. The cop paced the floor of his office. "She had time to get there James. She had opportunity, and she had motive. I'm bringing her in for questioning."

Everhard knew that Detective Lieutenant Bill Chappell was just doing his job. But did he have to be some damned tenacious? Now he had to do his job. He had to find the real killer. He needed more background on the late Austin Cromwell. He thought he might start with the Greersons. The picnic was scheduled for 2 PM, it was 1:30 now, and he could just about make it. The Greerson's idea of a picnic was to provide each person or couple with all the trimmings. The host and hostess were overseeing the tuxedoed butlers that were handing out of picnic baskets to each guest when Everhard arrived at the mansion. The guests were spreading out their checkered cloths on the grounds of the mansion in the shadow of the tennis courts. Each basket included gourmet sandwiches, truffles, fresh fruit, several cheeses and a bottle of fine wine. A band was playing from a gazebo located in the center of the well manicured lawn where the classmates ate. "So good to see you again James." Nancy Greerson said cheerfully, as Everhard approached the couple. "Afternoon Everhard, " Rig Greerson mumbled somewhat irritated at his wife's enthusiasm. "I really need to ask you some questions about a friend of yours, if you can spare a few moments", Everhard explained. "What friend?" Rig Greerson demanded. "Austin Cromwell," Everhard said. "What has that fool done now?" Rig Greerson asked? "He's been murdered," Everhard replied. "Murderrrrreeeddddd??!! Nancy Greerson exclaimed and wobbled slightly on her feet. Her husband steadied her and she fanned herself, "Oh My God...," she said. "Yeah", Everhard told the couple, "Somebody killed him early this morning and dumped him off the Santa Monica pier." "Was it a mugging? So much of that takes place these days, Rig Greerson asked. "Maybe....maybe not." Everhard answered, "You know anybody who would like to have Cromwell out of the way?" "Dozens," the millionaire oil man answered. "There aren't too many people in this business that Cromwell hasn't screwed." "He ever make anybody angry enough to kill him?" Everhard queried. "His poor advise and hair-brained schemes have cost me about a million dollars, but that's just part of this business. He has had his share of trouble with women. You know his ex-wife I believe, Dona Hamptonsworth. He bankrupted her. Then there's that little girl in Oklahoma City, Vickie Norock. He told her he was getting a divorce, anyway, there was a big scandal over that, cost her brother a local election I believe. Then there's the hundreds of people to whom he owes money. Yes, any of those people might have gleefully stabbed him in the heart." Greerson answered. "Funny, I don't remember saying he had been stabbed. But thank you for the information". Everhard smiled at the couple, took one of the baskets from a butler and headed toward the picnic area. That's when he saw the gorgeous blonde sitting on the checkered cloth with Toni Beltzly. He stopped and smiled," May I join you ladies?" Toni looked up and said, "James, sweetheart, please do join us. And please, let me introduce you to Donna Vadelle."

Chapter 8: The Picnic

BE ADVISED: This light hearted fictional work, may be offensive to some because of its references to sexual activity....If you do not engage in such activites, or if it has been a very long time.... You could find it disturbing...please read no further...simply delete...For the rest of you deviates....enjoy...

Everhard often even amazed himself at his ability one minute to be totally focused and in tune to a case and then, the next minute, take just one look at a beautiful, desirable woman and become totally and hopelessly distracted by her charms. It was as though he had two brains, one analytical and deductive the other sheerly carnal! And, he had, in the past, often, been accused of doing most of his thinking with the wrong head. This may have been one of those times... "So very nice to meet you Miss Vadelle," Everhard said, clasping her soft hand with both of his as he stared into her eyes, mesmerized. "Donna is an up and coming new writer James," Toni said. "She has a new novel coming out this fall." Everhard, never broke eye contact with the stunning blonde and asked, "What type of novel Miss Vadelle?" "A romantic novel," was her reply. "Perfect," Everhard said as he kissed her hand and checked out the more than ample breasts pressing against her tight, red blouse. Everhard joined them on the manicured lawn and began opening a wine bottle. "So," Toni questioned the detective, "Where is the lovely and talented Miss Hamptonsworth this afternoon?" He knew from her tone that Toni was "keeping him honest" as far as his obvious attraction to the lovely Miss Vadelle was concerned. Everhard slowed down his run-a-way libido and told Toni about the untimely death of Austin Cromwell and that Miss Hamptonsworth could be away making arrangements. He made no mention of her being a suspect in the homicide.

"Very few people I know will miss the late Mr. Cromwell." Toni stated bluntly. Everhard's analytical head was temporarily the one engaged, so he listened as she continued. "He came to Henry and I a few years ago with a proposition. We really didn't know him, but we adored Dona Hamptonsworth, so we listened. It seemed that he was developing a new oil field in Oklahoma and needed capital. He was promising a fantastic return on our investment. He was very good at appealing to our more basic, and greedy instincts. Henry sold a prize Deusenburg and we invested the $100,000 dollars it brought in Austin Cromwell's Oklahoma venture. A few months later, Cromwell was back, saying that we were very close, and with just a few more dollars invested, we would reap millions! Henry and I invested another $50,000. That was the last we ever saw of our money or Austin Cromwell. It's my understanding that he blew all the investor's money on some dry holes near El Reno, and a little blonde in Oklahoma City! I think he had some people there seriously angry with him as well." Everhard decided that he needed to find out all he could about what had taken place in Oklahoma City. And,, he knew just whom to contact for that information;........His old friend, Sherry at the Times.... Just then, Everhard noticed Detective Lieutenant Bill Chappell walking towards him. Two uniformed cops were at his heels. "Afternoon Bill, what brings you to Beverly Hills?" Everhard asked. "Where is she Everhard?" the cop asked. "Who?" Everhard asked. "You know who. The Hamptonsworth dame, she's vanished."

Chapter 9: As Yet Untitled....

Everhard was eventually able to convince the tenacious Lieutenant that he had no knowledge of Dona Hamptonswoth's whereabouts. The cigar puffing cop took the two uniforms that were on his heels and left the estate. Everhard gulped the glass of wine, begged forgiveness for having to run, to Toni and Miss Vadelle and headed off to try to get some answers on this case. "James, there is another reunion function tonight. A moonlight dance under the stars. I'm saving a dance for you." Toni said to him as he was leaving. "I'll be here. And we'll have that dance." he told Toni, giving her a peck on the cheek.. "So very nice meeting you Miss Vadelle," he said to the beautiful blonde. "I'm saving a dance for you as well!" she called to him as he turned to leave. Everhard remembered an old saying, "So many women, and so little time."

Everhard pulled his Model A Ford coupe up to the curb in front of the Times building, cursing under his breath at the shiny, new parking meters lined up at the curb. "Who invented these damn things any way?!" He jammed a well worn steel slug into the coin slot and smiled as the meter made a whirring sound and registered an hour of time. "That'll teach em'" he mumbled as he entered the offices of the LA Times. The third floor offices of the staff reporters were cramped and hot. A black electric fan set on "high" oscillated, causing the stacks of paper on the cluttered desk to flutter around the desk name plate that simply said "Sherry" is bold script.. "Hiya beautiful!" Everhard said as he plopped down in the well worn office chair. "Well, you must be after information James, for you to start in with the 'beautiful' line." she said to him without looking up from the typewriter on which she was hammering away. "Nowhere in all of Los Angeles, check that; nowhere in all of the state of California, can a gumshoe get the information he needs and feast his eyes on such a lovely dame all at the same time." Everhard told her. Sherry stopped the typing, looked over her glasses at him and said, "And when are you gonna take me out on the town like you've promised the last 5 or 6 times I've given you information James?" Everhard pondered the question for a moment while he studied the features of the extremely attractive redhead. She had bedroom eyes and a very fiery disposition, the combination of which appealed very much to the less deductive side of his brain. The question was a valid one. When was he going to take this lovely lady out?

"How about dinner and drinks at my place next Friday night?"

Everhard asked. The sexy red head stood up and began poking a ruby red painted fingernail into his chest. "Even though I know that probably just means macaroni and a six pack of Pabst, James, I'll take you up on it. Just to call your bluff. Now whattaya need to know?" He took the hand in his and pulled her close to him, he gave her a light kiss and then said,

"Everything you got doll, on a guy named Austin Cromwell and some trouble he might have had in Oklahoma".

Five minutes later, Everhard had a folder full of newspaper clippings from both the LA papers and the Oklahoma City Times. He and Sherry started pouring through them. Together they pieced the story together. Austin Cromwell had started developing an oil field just west of Oklahoma City and had apparently used his considerable talent for persuasion to lure several local politicians into investing large sums of money into the venture. James Norock who was running for Mayor of Oklahoma City even tied the assumed success of the oilfield into his campaign for office. Touting the financial development of the area and how the success of the oil field would mean unequaled growth and development for the city. The news stories went on to link Cromwell and the candidate's sister Vickie, romantically.

"Look at this one James!" Sherry said, holding up a clipping from the Oklahoma City paper showing a large black and white picture of Dona Hamptonsworth angrily pointing her finger at a very distraught Vicky Norock. The headline read "OIL DEVELOPER'S WIFE SURPRISES SPOUSE AND GIRLFRIEND AT GALA FUND RAISER." Everhard read the story. He told Sherry what he had read, "Dona Hamptonsworth took the train to Oklahoma City to surprise her husband. Looks like she certainly did too, at a gala banquet for political supporters of the Norocks and investors in Cromwell's oil field. Must have been a pretty ugly scene. She didn't tell me about this." Everhard read more clippings. "In the next few weeks, it seems the Mayoral candidate loses the election, apparently over the scandal about his sister and Cromwell, the wells go bust and Cromwell flees back to the west coast with whatever is left of the investor's capital, just ahead of an angry lynch mob. Norock and his sister vow revenge on both Cromwell and Dona Hamptonsworth." Everhard puts down the newspaper clipping and says, "My God, I hope nothing has happened to her! Gotta run Sherry, Got a hunch, thanks for everything." "James, don't forget about Friday night!" Sherry yelled after him as he ran to the elevator. Out on the street, a uniformed officer looked suspiciously at Everhard as he jumped in the old Ford. It seems the new fangled parking meter had a late case of indigestion from Everhard's slug and had displayed an "out of order" flag. Everhard sped away leaving the officer scratching his head. Six blocks away, Everhard pulled up to the curb in front of The Our Lady of Hope Catholic Church and school. Everhard got out and headed around the side of the church to the Rectory. Inside the ornate building, he found the office of his old friend, Sister Terysa. Sister Terysa sat at her desk. "Welcome James, what brings you to our school?" she asked, smiling at him. "I'm looking for Dona, Terrye, she may be in danger." Everhard answered. "She is safe James. Someone tried to kill her last night. The nun rose to her feet and took Everhard's hand. "She escaped unharmed and came to me."

Everhard squeezed the hand of sister Terysa and said, "I remembered that she always came to you when there was trouble. Is she here?" "No, James, she is on the grounds of the Monastery, staying in the little trailer behind the church." Everhard kissed her cheek, thanked her and headed to his car. The Monastery was about an hours drive up the coast highway. Twice, during his drive up the coastal highway, Everhard thought he was being followed, but he dismissed the feeling as merely his jangled nerves playing tricks on him. It was late afternoon when Everhard turned off the highway and onto the Monastery compound. He drove behind the church and saw the small travel trailer. As he drove up, Dona ran out the door of the small trailer and embraced him. "Oh James, I'm so glad to see you. I'm so scared. The men Norock hired killed Austin and now they're after me. They shot at me James!" James held her against him, "Relax, it's okay now. We'll go back to my place, get Bill Chappell involved. Everything will be okay. Let's get your things and get back to L.A." Five minutes later they were traveling south on the coastal highway. Dona had her arm around Everhard's shoulder as he drove. A car approached them from the opposite direction. Suddenly it veered into their path heading straight for them, Everhard steered hard to the right. The ford crashed through the wooden guard rail and careened down the side of the mountain. Two men got out of the car that had forced them off the road and watched as the Ford coupe rolled over several times and burst into flames before plunging into the Pacific ocean far below them. "Well, that takes care of that," one of the men said, "Let's stop up ahead and call the boss."

Chapter 10: The Money

The voice on the phone said, "the girl is finished boss. Slim and I watched her and her boyfriend go over a cliff. They're done for. No one could have survived that crash!" "Good, very good," James Norock said into the crackling phone, indicating a long-distance call., "And you're sure that they weren't carrying a very large Pullman case?" "Nope, nothin' like that boss, the dame just had an overnight bag." the caller answered. "You must find that suitcase, it has over $2 million dollars cash in it. I need it back. And don't get any bright ideas about that money, boys. You wouldn't want me visitin' your families now, would you?....understand?" Norock warned menacingly. "we wouldn't double cross you boss." the henchman replied. "Good, now get busy and find that money!" With that, the red faced politician slammed down the phone. "How we ever let that idiot Cromwell get away with the cash I'll never know." Norock said to his assistant. "He was broke, everyone was after him for what he owed them. That's what made him take the risk of sneaking back into town and stealing it from you." Norock's assistant said. "Yeah, and he never lived to spend a dime of it, either..."Norock chuckled.... Everhard groaned and slowly and shakily stood up. His clothes were torn and dirty. His knee was bloody and painful, but he was able to walk. "Dona, are you okay?" He knelt beside the bruised and tattered brunette. "I..I think so, James," she answered, not totally sure that what she had said was accurate. "Can you stand up?" He asked, helping her stand. "I think so. Yes, I seem to be okay." She seemed amazed to be alive. "Oh James, you pulled me out of the car as we were going down the side of the mountain. I remember it all now, you saved my life." Then Dona looked down the mountain at the breakers of the Pacific crashing against the rocks far below. "Oh James, your car.....," she said ""Sok doll, it was about to be repossessed anyway. Let's get out of here." Everhard said as he helped her up the side of the mountain to the road. The couple flagged down a farmer driving and old truck who gave them a ride back to town. At Everhard's place, they showered and dressed their minor injuries. "Daisy has a few things in that closet doll, see if there's anything there you can wear". When they were both clean, dressed and ready to travel, James told Dona, "Okay, we've got to get to Bill Chappell's office. We have some time because Norock's men probably think we're dead." Dona cut him off.... "James, I have to go back to the Greerson's mansion." "What on earth for?...You still in the mood for a party?" Everhard replied incredulously. "No, I left something with Rig Greerson that is very valuable, I have to get it, before he gets suspicious and starts snooping around." Dona replied. "What is it doll?" Everhard asked. "Please trust me on this James, I'll fill you in later, but we have to hurry." Everhard excused himself for just a minute. When he returned, Dona said, "What were you doing James?" " Decided I might need this," he said, lifting his coat's lapel and showing her the shoulder holster and his .38. .

They hailed a cab and had the driver take them to the Beverly Hills home of Rig and Nancy Greerson. As he paid the cabby, Toni Beltzly got out of her fabulous,1929 Mercedes Speedster and greeted the couple. "Hello lovebirds", she said, mockingly, "Let's go to the dance." "You two go on ahead, I have to see Rig and Nancy. I'll be right there." Dona said. Everhard protested but Toni pulled his arm and said, "She'll join us soon James, come on, you owe me a dance." Everhard went along, but watched over his shoulder as Dona Hamptonsworth entered the mansion. Dona went straight to the oak paneled office of Rig Greerson. She opened the door and was surprised to see Rig sitting at his massive desk, smoking an expensive cigar, his feet propped up on the rosewood writing surface. "Hello Dona," Rig said smiling, "I was worried about you." Dona smiled nervously and said, "Oh., I'm fine Rig, I just came by to pick up my suitcase." Greerson smiled, "Why certainly Dona, I have it right here." Greerson scooted a large suitcase from behind his desk towards the lovely brunette. "Thank you Rig," Dona said nervously and struggled to pick up the huge bag. She turned and tried to drag the bulky case to the door. "Stop right there Miss Hamptonsworth." Rig Greerson's words were harsh and cold and Dona sensed that he was pointing a gun at her back. "Don't you know that I can smell large sums of money?" he asked "Especially, untraceable, hundred dollar bills. Money that is already considered irretrievable by its rightful owners. Did you think I wouldn't open the bag Dona?" "Well", Dona shrugged, "a girl's got to hope for a miracle now and then." Suddenly, the door crashed open and the gruff voice of Lt. Bill Chappell bellowed, "Drop the pea shooter Greerson," as he leveled the 12 gauge shotgun at the man. Greerson did exactly as ordered. Moments later, uniformed officers had Rig Greerson cuffed and were taking he, and the suitcase full of money, downtown. "Oh thank you Lieutenant," Dona purred, "I was so scared." "Not a problem Miss Hamptonsworth." The cop answered. "But, how did you know to come here?" Dona asked. "Everhard figured it all out and called me from his place before the two of you left.." The gruff cop told her. "I'm so grateful," she gushed. "I'm sorry Miss Hamptonsworth, but there's still the matter of what your intentions were for this $2 million. But, I'm sure the judge will have a sympathetic ear." Lt. Bill Chappell led Dona Hamptonsworth to the waiting squad car she wore no handcuffs.

Toni and James watched from a short distance away as the millionaire and the beautiful artist were both taken away by the police. "Make you sad James?" Toni asked. ""No, Toni. Her tastes were for fine champagne, and I am just Pabst Blue Ribbon. Woulda never worked out." the detective sighed. "Well", Toni said, arching one eyebrow, "I've always loved a good beer. Let's go to my place." Everhard kissed her and said, "Thought you'd never ask!" Everhard opened the passenger's door of the Mercedes speedster for Toni Beltzly and then slid into the leather bucket seat, behind the wheel. The engine roared to life and the tires squeeled as he sped from the parking lot. A dust covered 39 Ford sedan followed the couple in the exotic car out of the lot. The sedan, which had an Oklahoma license plate, struggled to catch up with the speedy roadster. Slim and Red, the two hitmen from Oklahoma had been very surprised to see the Hamptonsworth dame alive. She was surrounded by cops so they made no attempt on her life. It stunned them even more that uniformed cops were carrying out the suitcase they had been ordered to retrieve. While they were wondering what to do, they saw Everhard and another classy dame in this fancy sports car. " I dunno how they managed to survive that crash, but I'm thinking we better take that guy out. We'll worry about the Hamptonsworth dame later!" Everhard wheeled the beautiful car through Beverly Hills and then turned onto the coastal highway. "This car is like a big cat; a cheetah. She's sleek, powerful and turns on a dime!" James shouted to Toni over the roar of the engine and the wind noise. Before Toni could answer, a bullet, coming from behind them, whizzed between their heads and shattered the windshield. "Holy crap!" Toni yelled as Everhard downshifted and tromped the accelerator. The sports car responded with the power of all 12 cylinders and roared up the winding mountain road. They quickly put distance between themselves and car behind them. "I have a plan Toni, hold on!" James told her as he pushed the big roadster to 100 miles per hour. "Yee-haw," Toni yelled at the top of her lungs as the screeched around a corner on two wheels. "She's actually enjoying this," Everhard thought as he steered the big roadster around the treacherous curves. After a couple of minutes of screeching tires and blinding speed, Everhard sighted the scenic turn out he had been looking for. He turned into it, the tires screaming in protest and the the big roadster slid to a stop behind some bushes and trees. "Oh James", Toni sighed, "what a strange time to go to Lover's Lane!" "Be right back doll," Everhard said as he jumped out of the car and waited in the bushes beside the road for the car that was trying so desperately to catch them.

The Ford sedan the two Oklahoma bad guys were driving was doing all it could to up the mountain and around the dangerous curves. They had lost sight of the two red taillights of the strange looking car several minutes ago. "Where the hell'd they go Slim?" Red's question was answered as the sedan lumbered around a corner and the headlights shone on Everhard, his .38 pointed at them. Everhard fired two shots, each entering a tire on the driver's side of the vehicle. The two, violent blowouts caused the Ford sedan to slide sideways through the wooden guardrails and plunge over the side of the cliff, floating through air for what seemed to be minutes until it splashed into the Pacific far below. Everhard watched for several minutes, and the moonlit high tide far below was not disturbed by anyone swimming to the surface. He walked back to the beautiful car and the beautiful lady sitting in it. "They won't be bothering us again." James told her. "That was the wildest ride I've ever had James Everhard!" Toni said excitedly. "So far....." Everhard told her smiling evilly as they sped away towards Toni's Malibu home...................

THE END

EPILOGUE:

Rig Greerson's lawyer, Johnny Gattling managed to get him off without charges in exchange for turning states evidence against James Norock. It turned out that Greerson knew a great deal about the bogus investment scheme that the Oklahoma politician had masterminded. He would have had the two million cash and Austin Cromwell would have taken the blame. All the investors would have assumed that the oilfield deal had taken all of the capital raised. Just might have worked too, if Cromwell hadn't hijacked the cash. Dona Hamptonsworth was sentenced to doing 200 hours of community service for her part in the fiasco. Last we saw. She was teaching female inmates fashion art. James Norock is currently serving 30 years at the state prison at San Quentin. Red and Slim were never seen or heard from again.

The following Friday evening, Everhard picked up Daisy Dakillo at the train station when she returned from San Francisco. He drove her to his place in a beautiful, yellow, Packard convertible. "Where'd you get this fantastic car James?" Daisy asked him. "Gift from an old friend," he answered. "Hungry?" he asked his girl. "Starved!" was her answer. "I'll cook you dinner at my place, if you'd like to stay over." he offered coyly. "Great idea James", Daisy sighed as they kissed. Later, after a fabulous meal, the couple retired to the bedroom where muffled sounds of giggling and heavy breathing could be heard for the next two hours. At last, sleep came for the two exhausted lovers.

The key turned silently in the lock and the shadowy figure quietly entered the dark apartment. The figure quietly crept across the wood floor, careful not to make the boards squeak underfoot. The figure stopped at the bedroom door and listened intently. Smiling evilly at the sounds of sleep heard through the door, Sherry quickly undressed. "I had to work late and missed dinner," she thought, "But I'll surprise James with a little unexpected dessert." After removing every stitch of clothing, Sherry quietly opened the bedroom door and slid under the covers with the large lump in the bed that just had to be James Everhard........

Thank you for your interest, and be sure to join us again for yet another James Everhard Mystery.......