The Stranger On Death Row

By Loretta B. Staley

THE STRANGER ON DEATH ROW is a serious, yet lightly humorous, story of a teen-age girl who becomes convinced that “the man on death row” is her natural father.
She and her friends have many exciting adventures as they become involved in an effort to learn if the man is actually her father and if he is innocent, as he claims. The story has many twists and turns.
Suitable for all ages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Loretta B. Staley
• Release date: Sep 13, 2010

Loretta B. Staley

Loretta Barnes Staley was born and raised in Evanston, Wyoming, a small town in Southwestern Wyoming. She was the sixth child in a family of nine children; all talented in the arts, especially music.Loretta was writing poems, songs and short stories by the age of twelve.Throughout a busy life of “ranching”, then, later on, managing a motel that she and her husband purchased, raising three children, and helping with grandchildren, she continued (when she could find time) to “dabble” at writing.Many of her stories of adventure and mystery were inspired by her own experiences. Others were inspired by the interesting and strange lives of various people she knew as they traveled through her life.Now most of her time is spent writing and she has been encouraged by her friends and family to seek publication of her work -- some of it recent and some from long ago.Hoping that a few will read, and perhaps enjoy, some of her stories, she has done just that.This is just one of the many novels written by this author.All of her writings are considered “acceptable” for young adult and teen reading.A note from the editorLoretta passed away in 2006. Since then her family has continued to publish and promote the stories she loved so much to tell.Thanks for reading Moms books. We hope you enjoy them all!contact info: [e-mail]

Book preview

THE STRANGER ON DEATH ROW

by

Loretta B. Staley

Published by Lynn Staley at Smashwords

Copyright © Feb. 1996 Loretta B. Staley

ISBN 1—891142—01—1

AUTHOR’S NOTE:

Although I have taken some license in my descriptions in various places, some may find the settings in this novel a little familiar since the story takes place in parts of Southeastern Wyoming, including the University of Wyoming, but the story itself is absolute fiction.

Any resemblance to any known person or persons is purely coincidental.

******

In memory of the good times with the old gang and

others who joined in our fun ... especially my two

mischievous cousins, Marion and Lucille.

******

To my loving family with special thanks to my

grandson, Sam Ottley, for helping me with the cover

design and to Marva Barnes for her patient editing.

LOVE ALWAYS

THE STRANGER ON DEATH ROW

By Loretta B. Staley

CHAPTER I

Shall we tell her?

Julia heard her mother’s voice in the kitchen.

Why upset her now? Julia’s father asked in return. There’s no need to even let her know about it. She is so happy with her plans for college. Why spoil everything by burdening her with this? Let’s let her remain happy and unconcerned.

Julia walked into the room. Tell me what?

Her mother looked surprised at her entrance then a look of apprehension passed over her usually smiling face as she carefully folded the newspaper she held in her hands.

Oh, it’s nothing, dear. She smiled weakly and got up from the table. Trying to act casual she asked, Do you want hot oatmeal or cold cereal for your breakfast?

Corn flakes, I guess, Julia answered, watching her mother as she fidgeted with the paper. Then her mother did a strange thing _____ something she had never done before. She lifted the lid to the garbage can and dropped the newspaper into it.

Of course, being eighteen and an inquisitive and imaginative teen-ager, the first thing Julia did when the opportunity arrived was to rescue the paper and sneak it to her room. There had to be something in that paper that her parents didn’t want her to see. Something that would upset her or threaten her happiness.

There it was ______ right on the front page: CONVICTED KILLER ASKS FOR NEW TRIAL! Then the article went on to state that the man was now on death row for allegedly killing his wife and partner. As always, the prisoner swore he was innocent, but in this case his new young lawyer insisted she now had proof that the man had not received a fair trial and that he was, indeed, innocent.

Julia read the rest of the article with a sickening feeling in her stomach. This could be her father her natural father! That’s why her adoptive parents had been so evasive about her life before they had adopted her!

All they would tell her was that the agency only informed them that her parents were deceased. They did not even know her original name. They had chosen the name Julia themselves. She was nearly three years old at the time; about fifteen years ago. Also fifteen years had passed since the murders mentioned in the paper had taken place!

The young woman sat in shock for a while. What to do? How to do it? How could she find out more? Did she dare approach her parents for more information? Then she thought of Nancy.

Nancy was her best friend. They had been friends since childhood. They’d had their quarrels, but had always patched them up and went on being best friends. They were like sisters and sometimes, just like sisters, they would argue over small things, then, just like sisters, would forget about the quarrel and go on with their lives.

When they were younger the argument was usually over whose doll was the cutest, who had the prettiest dress and so on. As they grew older they learned to trade dresses if they liked the other one’s most and, once in a while, they had even traded boy friends. Neither one had yet become serious enough about any certain boy as to put special claim upon him. Thus they had never had any troubles over affairs of the heart….. yet.

The girls had experienced many adventures together; some quite dangerous. Like the time they got lost back in an old coal mine and the time the horse ran away with both of them clinging wildly to its bare back and the time they spent the night in the hills when the bicycle they had been riding together broke down. They had tried to carry it, drag it and push it, but finally gave up and left it behind. By then a group of people had begun to search for them.

None of it had been a big deal to them. They were just that type of girls; full of daring and adventure. Perhaps the reason they had not yet become too wrapped up in the opposite sex was that they were too busy with their own escapades.

Now there was this new item to wonder about and share.

Nancy had hurried right over when she heard Julia’s frantic voice. She studied the paper. Look, maybe one of these other articles is what they were talking about. Here’s one where a lady is being released from the mental hospital after fifteen years. Maybe that’s your real mother.

No, no, I don’t think so, but we can look into it.

There wasn’t much more on the page to cause any concern. There was an item about a Savings and Loan going broke and one about the Boy Scouts planning an outing.

I’m sure Mother was hiding the paper because of the man wanting a new trial. And, besides, if he killed his wife, that might have been my mother! Oh, Nancy! I have to know! Julia’s big brawn eyes filled with tears.

Nancy hugged her dear friend. Don’t you remember anything about your past? You were three years old, you know. Maybe, if you try real hard, you can recall things. Don’t you remember anything before you came here?

Yes, that’s why I’m so upset. I remember lots and lots of flowers and people crying. Then I remember sitting on some steep, cement steps and a lady taking my hand. That’s all. But then, I have been so happy here with Mom and Dad that I haven’t even tried to remember.

Why don’t you try asking them? You know, point blank?

Oh, I’ve tried that. Mother looks so hurt to think that I want to know about the ‘other parents’. I love her and would never hurt her for the world. Anyway, I truly believe she is only trying to protect me. I don’t think she’ll tell me. Isn’t there some other way we can find out about this?

How about the library? I think they have copies of old newspapers there. We can look back and see what they tell about it. Nancy’s long, golden blonde hair swished across her back as she jumped from the edge of the bed and whirled around. Let’s go there right now. We have all afternoon free!

There was hardly anyone in the library. Mrs. Leigh and her daughter were busy looking up something; probably for a school project. At a nearby table two young girls sat together looking at magazines and giggling and, over in a far corner, sat a young man who was obviously new to the area. If he had been a home town guy the girls would surely have known him. After all, Henryville was just a small town.

The young man looked at the girls and smiled. Julia and Nancy smiled back then walked over to the librarian’s desk.

We don’t keep papers from that far back, the librarian told them. Maybe you can find what you want at the morgue over at the BANNER NEWS office.

Morgue? Nancy’s big blue eyes opened wide in shock.

Yeah, Julia chimed in, where did you say?

The BANNER. I’m sure Mr. Barton will be glad to help you. The woman smiled at the two young ladies. Just go over there and ask him.

Standing on the steps outside the library the two wondered what to do next. It was quite a long walk from there to the office of the small, local paper and it was getting close to closing time. Already the sun was sinking into the western sky leaving a rosy hue on the light, fluffy clouds that hovered on the horizon.

Wish we’d rode our bikes, Nancy grumbled.

Just then the young man approached. He was well built and nicely dressed with dark, wavy hair combed back from his forehead. Just a wisp of curls hovered along his neckline; not quite touching the collar of his light, blue shirt. He even smelled good ... and his smile; what a seductive smile! The girls were impressed …… and thoroughly disarmed.

Couldn’t help hearing your dilemma. His eyes were like deep pools of gray-blue water, a little mysterious and hard to read. I would be happy to help you.

Oh, no, thanks, Julia murmured, a little awed by this strange young man.

Nancy tugged at her sleeve and answered for her. We’ll have to wait ‘til tomorrow. The BANNER is on the other side of town and we could never make it there before closing time.

The man studied the girls. Nancy, with her well rounded body, bright blue eyes, and creamy skin, was truly desirable. And Julia, with her deeply tanned skin and slim, graceful body could also be a delightful turn on.

The stranger made his move. Pointing to the red convertible sitting by the curb, he asked. You could make it if I took you in my car, couldn’t you?

Yeah, I guess we could! Julia exclaimed, anxious to get over to the newspaper office, but Nancy had a strange feeling; a premonition. She’d been warned about getting into cars with strangers.

No. She smiled her nicest smile right back at the fellow and explained, We were going over to the malt shop. A friend is waiting there to meet us. We’ll have plenty of time tomorrow to go over to the newspaper office.

Julia gazed at her friend in surprise, but they had been in many situations together and she quickly caught on to Nancy’s ploy.

The young man, in return, seemed disappointed, but he shrugged and walked over to his car.

That’s that, Nancy sighed. And he was sooo handsome!

In a smooth sort of way, Julia observed. I’ll bet he’s at least twenty two and did you notice his steely eyes?

No I thought they seemed, uh, sexy

Oh, Nancy! Julia laughed. Let’s truly go get a malt.

Just as in the library, the malt shop was nearly empty. The two girls found a table, sat down and were busy slurping their chocolate malts when sexy eyes walked in.

Hi. The smile flashed across his face. A malt sounded good. Care if I sit here ‘til your friend comes?

It was obvious he didn’t believe their story about meeting a friend, but he pretended he did and the girls went along

I’m not trying to be pushy, but I could really use some advice. The intruder pulled a chair over to the table and eased himself onto it. "See, I’m writing a novel about the Union Pacific Railroad and all the small towns along it. This place seems to have a lot of history and I would

appreciate anything you could tell me about its past. Things that might be interesting to write about."

Nancy was instantly enthused. She enjoyed telling people about her ancestors; how they had settled in the area when the railroad was just getting started and how they’d struggled to make it through the hard winters and how they’d feared the Indians and the wolves, and how hard they’d labored in the dangerous coal mines. Oh, there was so much to tell! At first he took notes as Nancy chattered then the author remarked how he would like to see some of the places.

Now it was Nancy who forgot all the warnings. She was really involved in reciting all the great history she knew almost by heart. We can show you a few places tonight if you want to drive around a bit! she suggested.

Julia hesitated, then shrugged. Oh well, what could it hurt to ride around and show him the area? She and Nancy knew it well. They had ridden horses, hiked, and rode their bikes all over the country side. They knew the best place to swim in the river, the place to fill their canteens with pure spring water and they loved the big rocks on the hillside that were so much fun to climb and perfect to sit beside while eating their sack lunches. Yes, they knew the area well.

Well, there might be time before dark to show you a few places, Julia admitted.

Yeah, Nancy agreed, there will be time to show him the remains of some of the old mines and how they were carved right into the mountain sides. She took a deep breath then added, They are all sealed now. Too many kids were going in and getting lost.

"Including us Julia laughed.

And we can take him out where the old cemetery is! Nancy continued, getting even more excited about the whole thing. That’s quite interesting, she turned to the young man, but it’s spooky after dark!

Then we’d better get started, the fellow urged, taking Nancy by the arm and guiding her to his fancy auto. He opened the car door and invited her into the front then offered the back seat to Julia, who ignored the gesture and climbed in beside her friend.

By the way, my name’s Jeffry.... Jeffry Cox, the man said as they pulled away from the curb. Which direction do we go to see all these great marvels?

For a moment the girls felt he was making fun of them then he winked and smiled.

On the way the young women talked about how they were going to college soon and Jeffry explained that he, too, planned to go to the same university later on in the year. Maybe we’ll see each other there, he suggested brightly.

All three chatted happily as they sailed along the highway then along a winding dirt road to where all the mines and scars from old excavations marked the hillsides and where old vacated miners’ cabins nested, crumbling and forgotten, in the lush valleys.

First they visited the mine locations and prowled around the old pieces of buildings and coal chutes. Then they climbed on some of the mounds of tailings.

Aren’t you going to take any pictures? one of the girls asked.

Well, I would, Jeffry smiled that smooth smile again, but I left my camera in my room at the hotel. Never knew I’d get a chance like this to get some great shots.

By the time they had explored the mining area the sun had completely slipped behind the mountains and the light was getting dim.

It’s too late to go see the cemetery tonight, Julia observed, but Nancy disagreed.

The moon is already coming up over there, see, and it’s gonna be a full moon. That will just make the cemetery more entrancing.

And real creepy! Julia added. Besides, we can’t read all the neat sayings in the dark. She had another unspoken reason for wanting to head home. She had noticed that the young man made a special effort every now and then to touch her friend in various places that did not seem quite right to her. He would pretend to brush the young Woman’s long, blond hair from her face as he helped her off a rock, but his hand usually dropped down and lightly touched her breast or he would offer to help her up a slope and his hand usually managed to rest upon her rump for a slight moment.

This angered Julia, but Nancy seemed oblivious to it all. She had simply brushed him off and not given it much thought. She was too engrossed in showing him all the fascinating things in the area of the old mines where some of her ancestors had worked .... and many had died.

Let’s go home now, Julia urged.

Well, the cemetery is on the way home. If we make the loop back on the secondary road and go to the highway from there it won’t take much longer than going back the way we came, the pretty blonde argued.

I think it would be great to visit a cemetery in the dark, Jeffry exclaimed. I can come back another time and bring my camera. Let’s just make it a fun thing for tonight.

It turned out to be farther to the cemetery than expected when they came upon a barricade across the road and had to detour to a longer route along a winding, rutted road.

Jeffry was lost. He had no idea where he was nor how far from town they actually were, but Nancy and Julia did. Finally, they came upon the ancient cemetery, opened the old iron gate and drove inside. Some of the headstones had fallen over and others leaned precariously one way or the other.

I don’t think we can read them at all, Julia griped as she climbed from the car. The moon isn’t all that bright and most of the writing has faded away. She walked over to one of the headstones without noticing that the other two had not followed.

Jeffry had held Nancy back, whispering to her, Stay here. Let’s just sit here and let her go see if she can read anything.

That part sounded all right, but then he tried to kiss her, putting his hand under her chin and turning her face toward his. The pretty young girl pulled away and tried to get out of the car, but the fellow held her captive. When she managed to break away he grabbed the front of her blouse, ripping it and sending buttons flying in every direction.

Julia! Julia! Nancy called in desperation.

It didn’t take long for her nimble friend to leap into the back seat. She took a shoe off and began beating the offender on the head with the hard heel. At the same time, Nancy used a little of her own self defense knowledge and poked both fingers into the aggressor’s eyes. He bellowed in pain as the two girls scrambled from his car and ran out of the cemetery as fast as they could.

Think he’ll come after us? Nancy gasped as they ran.

He might. He’s probably pretty mad by now. He might try to run us down if we stay on the road! We’d better cut off across Mr. Boyer’s field.

They crawled through a squeaky old fence then frantically made a wild dash across a field of foot-high grass and clover, fearfully glancing back now and then to see if they were being chased. After all, the guy had been doing a lot of angry cussing as they lengthened the distance between them and the car. Now he was quiet and they had never heard the motor start nor seen the car lights go on. He could be quietly stalking them! But, they consoled themselves, they had