Power (River Sunday Romance Mysteries Book 8) Read online

  Stephanie asked, “How did Scotty, the father of the girls, die?”

  “I got this from Father John,” said Loggerman. ‘During the night after Cole was killed, the town filled with Tinker volunteers. People appeared on Strand Street parading in strange costumes. They gathered around the two River Sunday stoplights and banged on fenders of passing cars and trucks. The Chesapeake Hotel put out tables filled with food on its porch. To cross the street you had to walk between stalled cars. Mobs with torches passed along the street when night came.

  “Scotty was asleep when one of the Tinker volunteers knocked on his door. He lived in a small cottage above the shipyard where he worked. At time of night the shipyard was filled with people carrying torches. Some of the small boats drawn up on the beach were set on fire.

  “Father filled in the story details from what his neighbors saw. Scotty answered the door. Some of the people with the volunteer pushed through the door and held him. They ransacked the house, waking the girls who began to scream. Dishes in the kitchen were broken and when they found Scotty’s whiskey, they drank it.

  “The sheriff and one of his deputies pushed through the crowd to face Scotty.

  “ ‘What’s going on here?’

  “ ‘They just wanted to hear the concert, Sheriff,’ said the volunteer, a round faced woman.

  “The sheriff said, ‘You got May and June all ready for these folks, Scotty?’

  “Scotty had a black eye and he didn’t reply. He struggled in the arms of two of the crowd members.

  “The girls came out of the back carrying their violins and began to play. They sang in a distorted way, standing behind Scotty and showing fear in their eyes.

  “The music drew a larger crowd. The members pushed against the doorway and the walls holding the door. The frames of the cottage began to bend inward.

  “ ‘Come on outside so we can all hear,’ someone called.

  “The sheriff pushed the listeners outside. ‘Move out, move outside,’ he shouted. Scotty wrestled free of the men holding him and tried to keep the girls away from the mob.

  “The people pushed him to the ground and stomped on his body. He passed out from the pain. The crowd moved out in the street with the girls trying to play.

  “Scotty came to about an hour later. His friends had moved him into his house and he lay on the front room floor amid the broken furniture.

  “ ‘Where are my girls?’

  “ ‘The sheriff took them with him to his station.’

  “The neighbors tried to restrain him but he stood. ‘I’ll get them back,’ he said. He wavered on his feet but managed to go into his bedroom. In a few minutes he came out carrying an old Peacemaker forty five caliber Colt revolver.

  “His friends followed him on the street as he headed to the police station near the courthouse. The determination of his stride and the large pistol held in his right hand made the mobs on the street step to the side.

  “At the police station, ten of the sheriff’s deputies, dressed in their gray uniforms, were arranged in line around the center lawn. Behind them, all the windows of the building were lit with bright indoor lights. The radio antenna was bright with searchlights beaming across the sky. An American flag was also in the path of another beaming light. Music bellowed form inside with the melody of the Star Spangled Banner.

  “Scotty reached the street in the front of the building. His big Colt was stuffed in his waistband. The police line drew back to allow him through. The music stopped and the front door opened. The sheriff stepped out, his gray and gold uniform silhouetted by the light inside his office.

  “ ‘What can I do for you, Scotty?’ he said, grinning.

  “ ‘Where are my girls?’ Scotty asked, his face furious.

  “ ‘Seem like Ferrars wanted them up to the compound so’s they be safe,’ the sheriff answered.

  “ ‘You just did what you were told to do. I’m telling you to bring them back.’

  “ ‘Can’t do, Scotty,’ said the sheriff, standing straight, his eyes on Scotty.

  “ ‘I’m telling you,’ said Scotty, his hand moving fast to his Peacemaker.

  “They drew on each other. Two blasts sounding like one. Some say Scotty got hit first and some say the sheriff was hit first. End of it though, both of them were dead on the police station grass.”

  Loggerman thought for a long moment, “The Tinker scheme. Will this happen again, do you think?”

  “It could.” said Eddison. “Remember what the old Maryland tent preacher used to say a few years back?”

  ‘Seem like most people are peed off about something or the other. When they find someone who agrees with them, they join up and pee together.’

  They all laughed.

  “The President understands this. He has sent instructions to Congress. He intends to have hearings on the power of the social media to thwart elected officials. You see people all over the world can communicate now. Why, back in college, we used to think it would be great if everyone could have a say in issue. However, we forgot countries were ruled by compromise with elections changing the leaders. Today, groups in social media congregate across national lines. These groups have leaders and they have no compromise with other groups. So countries cannot control them.”

  Loggerman nodded. “It will be an argumentative world. Like you say, we used to think everyone getting a say was a good thing for democracy.”

  “Yes, and also we grew up with the idea the large country with the great army would be the most powerful. Today, a small group with a computer can harangue even the strongest group with its own version of truth; its own message to a worldwide fandom. All it needs is fans from all countries joining up on the internet.”

  “My father used to tell me up in Maine the problem was there were too many people. In social media all populations will be there. It’s one thing to sit in Washington and come up with decisions. It’s quite another to go out and make sure the rules get carried out. A rule by some elected people might not satisfy the international audience. They might demand new elections every day.”

  Captain Jimmy entered the room. “We got a visitor.”

  “Who?”

  “Come and see for yourself.”

  A workboat had come out on the Patuxent where it entered the Chesapeake. It was running from the shoreline, speeding at a powerful rate and cutting a good wake. It was the special government boat from Eddison’s secret mooring opposite the Tinker compound. Loggerman recognized Eddison’s agents, Sarah and Barbara, at the wheel. Next to her was Gramps, his white hair blowing in the wind.

  They came alongside, engine idling. The freighter was in the channel, still loading some food supplies for the trip home. Loggerman followed the Captain down to the deck where the visitors would ascend the boarding ladder.

  He looked around as he waited. Behind him the Kenworth trucks stood cabled to the deck, their powerful Paccar diesels tuned to African rural delivery duty. Below the deck hatch covers were the rows of crated oil pipe for the Henry Company wells. In another hold were stored new manufacturing and test equipment for production of electronics products for the world markets from African engineers working at the African owned New City manufacturing factories.

  The small boat tied to the ladder. He heard the laughter of young people as they ascended. A dog barked and, with that welcome sound, he immediately recognized who these people were.

  May and June poked their heads over the railing.

  “Hi, Loggerman. We’re going to Africa with you.”

  He reached out and took their small hands, guiding them aboard. They were all wearing doggy necklaces. Captain Jimmy was beside him and took the violins they handed to him.

  Below, still in the boat, Gramps waved at him

  “Going back to handling a crab line, Loggerman,” the old man called. “I even put in a bid for this boat. Government won’t need it no more. Crabbing is safer. No money in it, but it’s more fun.”

  Loggerman’s eyes move
d from the old man. He saw Doctor Mike who came up the stairs, holding a small dog with only three legs.

  As Doctor Mike came on deck he put his arms around her.

  “You going to be an animal vet in Africa?” he asked

  “Maybe, if they’ll have me.”

  He said, as he kissed her, “I’ll have you.”

  “Me, too. So when do we leave for Africa?”

  They looked up at the stack with the big H. It was sending up smoke from the boilers.

  “You think you can build a practice.”

  “Why not? I bet they love healthy pets, too.”

  Loggerman nodded. “We’ll set up a clinic for you at New City.”

  “I’m for it,” she said as she looked into his eyes. “Is your daughter sailing with us? I’ve got a doggy necklace for her, too.”

  Stephanie stepped forward and said “Aye.” She put the necklace around her neck with a big smile. “I’m going home to see my old friend Abiki.”

  “She has children now,” Loggerman said. He winked, “You’ll have to start liking plantains.”

  He looked at Doctor Mike, “She needed a good charm. She’s got a lot to forget.”

  He paused, “The good people over there will help her. The New City locals will like the necklace, too,” he said.

  Eddison came forward. “Stephanie has helped us. She has a clean slate to start over.”

  Doctor Mike said, “We could spend more time together, all of us.”

  Loggerman observed, “You, me, Stephanie, five of us, counting Scotty’s girls.”

  He grew quiet, looking toward the shoreline. The water was filled with specks of white and the land ashore was green.

  “What’s the matter?”

  “I was just thinking about those nighthawks. We call them nightjars in Africa. Wonder if anyone in River Sunday will keep shooting them.”

  She said, “I think I can get some Maryland game wardens to look out for them. Beside, you got them in Nigeria.”

  Loggerman smiled. He heard the Scottish jig as the girls limbered up their violins.

  “I’m not much of a Scot,” he grinned.

  “We’ll make you one,” said Doctor Mike. “It ought to be easy to make a Nova Scotian out of a Down Easter.” She held his hand warmly.

  Another song began. Stephanie and the girls began to trade their favorite Cyndi Lauper tunes.

  The End

  A novel by Thomas Hollyday

  Copyright Thomas Hollyday 2017

  About the Author

  Thomas Hollyday brings to life strong Chesapeake characters showcased in their stunning, unique Eastern seaboard landscapes. Reviewers praise his rich sense of place and his respect for the great machines that made our era possible. His stories resonate with a deep awareness of history and legend. The humor in life shines through as Tom draws on a comedic sense honed sharp from an accomplished cartooning background. His characters have the depth and insight learned from a business life in international trade and as president of a manufacturing company building animal watering systems.

  In his River Sunday Romance Mysteries series, Tom honors the battles for love of land that have recurred over and over in the Chesapeake Bay. Past victories and defeats created mists of legend and history which shroud the present landscapes. Throughout Tom’s stories, he incorporates both the machines that have left lasting imprints and the wildlife that enriches the captivating natural landscape. His modern and timely novels feature memorable characters from the small town of River Sunday, Maryland, and reveal their compelling stories as they search for answers to achieving love, unveiling mystery, and vanquishing evil.

  Tom grew up in the Chesapeake Bay, and his love for his native land shines through in every word.

  Part of the proceeds from the sale of Thomas Hollyday fiction and non-fiction goes to support drinking water resources for wildlife.

  Check out all of the novels in the River Sunday Romance Mystery Series:

  Slave Graves

  Magnolia Gods

  Gold

  Powerboat Racer

  Terror Flower

  China Jewel

  Easter Sunday

  Power

  These books can be found in paperback from Amazon and Barnes and Noble and Ebook format from most major online retailers including Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, Smashwords and Nook. Select bookstores carry these books in print.

  For more information, and to talk with Tom, visit:

  To see his latest blogs:

  https://achesapeakewriterblog.wordpress.com/

  To list for his free newsletter: http://solarsippers.com

  To see reviews of his books on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiverSundayRomanceMysteries

  To tweet: Twitter: @tomholly

  Table of Contents

  Dedication

  Acknowledgements

  Part One

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Part Two

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Part Three

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  About the Author