Crime Components

Chapter 4

CHAPTER FOUR

When I get home, Blondie is getting the kids ready for bed. Little Larry and Jerry rush out to see their dad and get a kiss. I find my dinner in the oven where my wife has kept it warm. I pour a cup of coffee then start on my food like a starving man. Blondie comes in wearing a pretty blue robe. She gets a cup and saucer from the cupboard, fills her cup, and joins me at the kitchen table.

I fill her in on my trip to Acme Auto and my meeting with the owner, Bill Broaddus.

"You know, Blondie, this guy is like everyone else that's involved so far. They all seem to think Williams and Severson are in Mexico on one of the sprees that George Williams is famous for.”

Her blue eyes are sparkling and I know that something important is about to unfold.

"Well, I have a new twist for you. On the way home I realized I had left the gas bill and our mortgage payment on my desk, so I turned around and drove back to headquarters to get them. Coming down the stairs, I ran into the middle-aged woman who had tried to get Harry to make out a Missing Persons report. She remembered that I had been in the office, so she stopped me and told me her problem. Her name is Iva Roper and she's a combination nurse-housekeeper for Mrs. Severson, whose son vanished along with George Williams. She is very upset because Harry won't file a report. She told me that Mr. Severson takes care of his mother, who is an invalid, when she is off duty. He cooks his mother's breakfast and takes her in her wheelchair for outings every morning and evening, and spends most of his hours away from work with her."

While Blondie is talking, I walk to the sink as quietly as possible, rinse my dirty dishes, then lean against the counter as she finishes her story. The old feeling in my gut takes over and I know I am one hundred percent correct when I speak. “Blondie, there is no doubt in my mind, and I mean no doubt, that we are dealing with a case of double homicide.”