Back Then

By Jim Derby

The summer of 1935 has barely begun in Logansport, Indiana. Johnny Dawson, fifteen years of age, is anticipating a summer of swimming, riding bicycles, playing baseball and just being with his friends. In other words, he's expecting it to be a normal summer. Unfortunately, that's not going to happen. The beginning of this summer is going to be a nightmare for Johnny and his Aunt Estelle and Uncle Fred (his legal guardians). The nightmare has a name: Cecil Polson. A vicious bully, Cecil Polson has been brought to Logansport to serve as its new Police Chief. The sole reason he has been appointed to the position is to stop the Rail Yard workers from voting to unionize; a union represented by Johnny's Uncle Fred. Barely a week passes when Johnny witnesses the new Police Chief commit a brutal, cold-blooded murder. Although he has evidence of what Polson has done, Johnny knows that sharing his secret with anyone would place them in mortal danger. Then when he finally does think of the perfect person to tell, that person is left in a coma following a suspicious accident. Once again, Johnny is left alone with the burden of his secret. Only now, Cecil Polson reveals that he suspects Johnny of knowing something that he shouldn't know. There is also someone else who seems to know something. It's the very peculiar Mrs. Lillian Forsyth. An elderly lady, who is a close friend of his Aunt Estelle, Mrs. Forsyth has long been rumored to be a witch.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jun 2, 2015
• ISBN: 9781943612529

Book preview

LATER

WITNESS

It was the first time the five boys had ever ridden in complete silence. Peanuts Schafala and Johnny Dawson had created so much tension arguing before they got started that it completely stymied any joking around, or teasing, or complaining about how hot it was, or fantasizing about how good it was going to feel to dive into the Eel River. It had been replaced by an uncomfortable silence during the ride, one that prevailed even after they crossed Government Highway, reached the dirt road leading up to the Stennerson shortcut, and then hid their bicycles in the bushes lining the gully. No one had said anything. Not a word. Nothing.

As was his way, Peanuts had started it. Using his sarcastic, taunting tone he had said, Not take the shortcut? You mean you’re actually going to listen to crazy old Mrs. Forsyth? Well that’s pretty dumb, if you ask me, Dawson. And don’t tell me you’re worried about the new Police Chief, ‘cause he’s only been here a week. If you think he’s going to be out there waiting for us, that’s pretty dumb too, ‘cause he’s not. Nobody is. So ‘les you’re just chicken, there’s no reason not to take the shortcut. When he finished, he snickered and under his breath whispered, Chicken, just loud enough to be heard.

While he was only guessing, Peanuts had indeed hit the nail square on the head: Johnny was reacting to Mrs. Forsyth’s warning. It had made him very apprehensive. Mrs. Forsyth had warned him not to undertake something that he knew would lead to trouble. He knew immediately that she was warning him not to trespass on the McNary property. He was sure of it. But being called Chicken by Peanuts could not go unanswered. So Johnny took a step toward Peanuts and said, You better not call me chicken again, Peanuts.

That prompted Peanut’s brothers, Toupee and Mikey, and Billy Connor to try and prevent the situation from escalating. Toupee went first, Don’t listen to him, Johnny, he pleaded, stepping in front of Johnny. We can go the long way, he added.

Peanuts smirked and quickly rekindled the fire, by saying, Yeah, you do like my brother says, Dawson. That way you don’t have to show us you’re chicken.

Toupee snapped, Knock it off, Peanuts. Johnny ain’t chicken.

Billy (Johnny’s closest friend) took his turn, My Dad says there are people out at McNary’s. He said it’s those men the new Chief brought with him. He said that they’re up there looking for that trunk, the one with the money in it … the one McNary hid on his property. Dad said it’s filled with hundred dollar bills and that Marcus Owens told the new Chief if he finds it, he can keep the money.

Employing his mocking, sing-song voice, which he frequently did when responding to Billy Connor, Peanuts said: He said, he said, he said. You think your Dad knows everything, Billy? Well, anybody who buys Paddy O’Neil’s stupid story isn’t thinking. Nearly bursting with smugness, Peanuts continued, McNary didn’t hide a trunk full of money on his property and there aren’t any men up there looking for it, either. You know how I know that? He paused and waited. No one said anything. I know because I was up there yesterday, that’s how I know.

Sounding skeptical, Mikey said, Yesterday? When were you up there yesterday?

Don’t look so surprised, baby brother. I went up there yesterday, when you guys were at Pike Park. Peanuts smiled, That’s right. I went swimming and I took the Stennerson shortcut and there wasn’t anybody up there. No new Police Chief. No new Deputies. No men looking for a trunk that doesn’t exist. Nobody. If there had been, I would’ve seen ‘em, and I didn’t. So if you don’t wanna take the shortcut, then go ahead: be a bunch of little chickens and go with Johnny and take the long way. But I’m not; I’m taking the shortcut and I’ll be waiting for you. Peanuts snickered again as he got on his bicycle.

Clenching his right hand into a fist, Johnny said, I’m not kidding Peanuts, stop calling me chicken. I mean it!

Ooh, you’re really scaring me, Johnny. What are you going to do about it, huh? Peanuts teased as he started to get off of his bike.

If you want to find out, say it again. I dare you … go ahead and call me chicken, again. Breathing hard, Johnny took another step toward Peanuts.

Will you two just stop it? Toupee pleaded as he forced his way between his brother and Johnny. Let’s just go swimming, okay?

Yeah! Toupee’s right! Knock it off! Both of you! I want to go swimming and I want to go now! Shaking his head in disgust, Mikey got on his bike. He looked at Johnny and Peanuts, If you two want to be stupid and fight, then go ahead, but I’m not waiting around anymore. I’m going swimming and I’m going now. And, I’m taking the shortcut, he said, and then began to ride off.

Still staring at Peanuts, Johnny said, Just don’t ever call me chicken.

Peanuts sighed, I was just joking, Dawson. He turned his handlebars and started after Mikey. Glancing back, he added, Geez, can’t even take a joke anymore. What’s with you, anyway? Peanuts turned again, Wait for me, Mikey, he called out, and began riding after his brother.

C’mon, let’s go. Billy said, as he got on his bicycle and started riding after Peanuts and Mikey.

Yeah, let’s go! Toupee added, getting on his bicycle. Then he started riding after the others.

Holding his fists up and unfolding his fingers, Johnny looked surprised to see his hands trembling. He let out a deep breath, walked over, grabbed the handlebars and got on his bicycle. Seeing that Toupee had stopped and was looking back at him, Johnny pedaled harder to catch up. Thought I was going to have to fight your brother, Toupee.

Me too. I’m glad you didn’t. Toupee said.

We better catch up. Johnny started riding harder. Toupee followed.

After hiding his bike with the others and starting up the road to the Stennerson shortcut, which was about halfway up between the gully where they had hidden their bikes and the McNary house, Johnny’s apprehension deepened. It had been nearly two years since he and the others---except for Peanuts, if he was really telling the truth about using the shortcut yesterday--- had walked up the road.

The changes that had taken place in those two years quickly became apparent. The brush bordering the sides of the road were overgrown, forming a partial canopy that shut out sunlight and suppressed sound. The road, which had at one time seemed open and inviting, was now dark, and steep, like a narrow tunnel, marred with countless ankle twisting potholes and abrupt curves, filled with shadows and silence. It was very disconcerting. Of course, not a one of the boys could admit to it, but it was scary.

The Stennerson shortcut came into view and while not admitting fear, Billy and Toupee began talking about how different everything seemed. Behind them, Peanuts, Mikey and Johnny continued walking in silence. The last in line, Johnny was struggling to contain his ever-increasing dread. He kept recalling Mrs. Forsyth’s warning, which made him regret not taking it more seriously. He wished he hadn’t allowed himself to be prodded into doing something that he was certain would prove a mistake. He couldn’t shake the feeling that it was going to end up badly.

It was a feeling that would prove to be accurate, very accurate.

Mikey heard it first. What was that? he asked, suddenly stopping and turning, looking back down the road.

Everyone stopped, turned, and listened. Soon, they all heard what Mikey was hearing: voices coming from somewhere behind them. Peanuts tiptoed over, stopping when he got to Johnny. Whispering the obvious, he said, Somebody’s coming up the road. He turned back to the others and whispered it again, adding, Everybody be quiet, and then, as if saying it wasn’t enough, he put a finger up to his mouth and went Shh.

The voices drew closer. You better be darn sure about this. I don’t like wasting time. I already told you I got George and his men up at the house digging. I don’t like leaving ‘em alone up there. So do you know which way he went or not?

Johnny swung around. His eyes widened. He whispered, That’s him! The new Police Chief! That’s his voice. He pointed toward the shortcut, We’ve got to get out of here! We gotta get down to the water! He was speaking as quietly as he could; he motioned for the others to turn around and run the rest of the way to the shortcut.

They did. When they reached the shortcut they turned onto it and kept on running. They had only gone a short distance when Mikey’s towel slipped out of his hand. Only a step behind him, there was no way for Johnny to dodge it, as it floated downwards and wrapped itself around his feet. He fell sideways into a row of cornstalks. Rolling over, attempting to kick his feet free, he only succeeded in getting more entangled. Seeing Mikey coming back to help him, Johnny waved, No, don’t Mikey. Just go. Run! he said, quietly.

Mikey looked mortified, But I….

Just run, Mikey! Again, barely whispering, Johnny said this firmly while continuing to motion for Mikey to keep going.

Hesitating, Mikey threw his hands up. Sorry, Johnny, he said, and then turned and took off.

By the time he got his feet untangled, the voices on the road sounded much closer. He knew it was too late to get up and run, so he rolled over and hid Mikey’s towel with his own, beneath a thick stack of dried cornhusks. With the intent of putting as many rows as possible between him and the path, Johnny got up on his hands and knees and crawled as fast as he could. He stopped and turned when he heard the shuffling of feet. In order to see better, he pushed two cornstalks aside and cautiously raised his head. He could see three sets of legs: two in blue trousers, one in brown trousers; he was sure it was Cecil Polson and his Deputies. He listened.

I’m telling you, I saw him Chief. I saw him running up this way. He had to be coming from the road! And, he was carrying something. I don’t know what it was, but he was carrying something in his arms. I’m sure it wasn’t one of Big George’s men.

So, you think he went on this path, Sonny? someone else said.

That’s not what I said, Anthony! I said I saw him running up this way from the road. I didn’t say I saw him on the path.

Alright! Shut up! The two of you, just shut up! I’m not going to tell you again. Stop your stupid arguing every time the other one says something. I need to think here.

Cecil Polson’s voice made Johnny tense. He leaned down and rolled over onto his back just as someone began coughing and gasping.

Chief? Chief, are you okay? You wanna rest here for a few minutes?

Sonny Debrizio was speaking; Johnny rolled over onto to his side and looked back toward where they were standing.

Between coughs, Polson began yelling, Don’t worry about me! Go ahead! Go ahead! He coughed very hard and then waited a minute before going on, Find him and bring him back here!

We’ll get him and bring him back to you! Sonny said firmly.

Having caught his breath, Polson said, Just get going! And don’t come back without him! Polson started coughing again.

The sound of cracking stalks filled the air as Johnny heard the Debrizio brothers run off. They were still arguing with one another, but in time their voices faded. Johnny saw the opening at the end of the row. He got back up on his hands and knees and began slowly crawling toward it. Hearing Polson caused him to stop and turn to his left; a sensation of panic swept over him when he saw that Polson was not only moving in the same direction as he was, but that he had begun crossing through the rows of corn that separated them. He watched Polson stop, turn around, start walking back, then stop again, and turn around. He was pacing back and forth, while mumbling to himself: Stupid idiots. The two of them are stupid idiots. I shouldn’t a let Owens pick ‘em out. He repeated it over and over again, as he continued pacing up and down the row.

Figuring it was only a matter of time before Polson would discover him, Johnny waited for him to start back in the opposite direction before moving again. The first thing he did was crawl over to another row, and then another, and yet, one more. He stopped and looked back. Unable to either see or hear Polson anymore, he got up and started running toward the end of his row, but just as he neared it, he turned to look back and tripped, falling into a cornstalk.

Chief! Hey Chief … look what we got us! Look!

Johnny couldn’t tell which direction the voice was coming from. It seemed to echo across the cornfield. Already on edge, he got up on his knees and planted his feet into the dirt, so if need be, he could take off running. He waited. Then he heard Sonny Debrizio, again, Chief, you hear me? We got one of ‘em. It’s one of them kids, the ones you told us you wanted.

Johnny’s stomach turned as he strained to see which one of his friends Sonny had caught. Seeing the Debrizio brothers entering the row where Polson was waiting, he pushed a cornstalk aside for a better view. Sonny was shoving someone, but Johnny still couldn’t see who it was. We found him down toward the river, just off the path, Sonny said, continuing to shove the person. He was trying to hide from us, Chief. He tried. But we got him alright.

Johnny pushed the cornstalk further aside and then leaned forward. Sonny and the person he was shoving finally came into view. Johnny almost cried out. It wasn’t Peanuts or Toupee, or Billy, or Mikey, it wasn’t anyone he had ever seen before. When Anthony Debrizio stepped over and pushed him in front of Chief Polson, Johnny could see that whoever it was, didn’t look too much older than he was. Pretty good, huh, Chief? It’s one of them kids, and we brought him back just like you told us to do.

Pretty good? Does he look like a kid to you? Polson asked, sarcastically. Well, does he?

Well, yeah. I mean, doesn’t he? Anthony answered, sounding nervous. Johnny could see him turn toward the young man, Hey, aren’t you a kid? He asked.

I’m twenty, sir. And I wasn’t trying to hide from you. I already told you, I’m just passing through here on my…

Shut-up! Chief Polson yelled, You talk, when I tell you! You get my understanding?

Yes. Yes, sir. Sounding scared, the young man answered immediately.

His voice was soft, making it hard to hear him. Hoping he could hear better and maybe get a clearer view of the young man, Johnny scooted forward, carefully avoiding a large pile of dried cornhusks.

Get down! I want you down. Now! On your knees! You hear me? I said to get down on your knees. Over there! Johnny could see Polson pointing at the ground in front of him. The young man came into view. He was scooting awkwardly on his knees, and then stopped a few feet in front of Polson. The first thing Johnny noticed was that he barely looked older than Peanuts. He was wearing glasses and had on a pair of overalls and a white tee shirt. Even though he was a good twenty to thirty feet away, Johnny could clearly see the fear in his face.

The bag! Drop it on the ground. And don’t move, not an inch. You don’t move, unless I tell you to move.

Yes sir.

What’s your name?

Riley, sir. Jack Riley.

Jack Riley is it? What is Jack Riley doing on this property?

I’m just passing through, sir. I’m from Oklahoma. Stillwater, Oklahoma. I’m on my way to Ohio. Columbus, Ohio. I’m going to go live with my Uncle. I’m going to work there, for him. My Uncle is going to help me go to school someday. College. I…

Interrupting, again, Polson snapped, School? In Ohio?

Yes, sir. Sir, if you don’t mind my asking, what it is you want of me? Could you please tell me, sir?

Cecil Polson chuckled, Doesn’t understand what we want of him boys. The Debrizio brothers had moved out of view, but Johnny could hear them laughing. Cecil Polson was smiling, Well Jack Riley, here in Logansport, Indiana, when someone trespasses on private property, property that’s posted with signs saying: ‘No Trespassing’, we tend to call that breaking the law. Am I right, boys?

The Debrizio brothers both answered Yeah, Chief’.

Polson continued, Now, maybe that’s not how they do it in Oklahoma. But you’re not in Oklahoma anymore, are you? No, you’re not. You’re in Logansport, Indiana, and you’re breaking the law. Now it’s true I’ve only been Chief here for a few days, but I swore to uphold the law and that’s what I do when somebody breaks it. I uphold it. So you see, Jack Riley, you broke the law, son, and I have to uphold it. Pretty simple, huh?

But, sir, I didn’t see a No Trespassing sign. I’m sorry, but I didn’t. If I had, I wouldn’t have come on this property. Never. I’m just trying to get to Ohio, like I told you. I look for work along the way, for food, and maybe being able to sleep in a barn. Last night, it was getting dark when I came up the road. Then I heard some voices, so I came up to the house at the top of the road, and well, he laughed, nervously, Well, I was going to see about asking for work and maybe for some food, but then, to be honest with you sir, seeing all those men up there by the house I got scared. I figured I shouldn’t go up there and bother them, and ‘cause I was tired and it was getting dark, I figured there’d be no harm in my sleeping down here in the cornfield. I swear to you, I was just getting ready to move on, to look to see if there was another farm where maybe I could find some day labor … you know, for food. You can ask your Deputies. I was setting out to leave. You can ask them. That’s the truth, Sheriff.

Sheriff? I’m not a Sheriff! I’m the Chief. I’m the Chief of Police here, not the Sheriff! Are you trying to make me look like I’m some stupid, small town nobody? Is that what you’re trying to do?

No sir. No Chief, not at all, sir. I’m not. I just got nervous. I got mixed-up. I know you’re the Police Chief. Honest, I just got mixed-up, that’s all.

"You better not be a smart aleck with me, Riley. I don’t like smart alecks trying to make me look stupid. I don’t like it and I don’t forget it, you get my understanding?

Yes, sir, I do, Chief Polson. I’m sorry, I’m really, really sorry, sir. I am.

Anthony Debrizio stepped sideways and blocked Johnny’s view of Jack Riley. Johnny scooted back until Riley came back into view again. He looked more frightened, as he began shifting his weight from one knee to the other.

Did I tell you to move? Cecil Polson asked, angrily, and then bent down and yelled in Jack Riley’s ear, Did I?

Trying to think of something he could do to stop it, Johnny looked away.

No. No sir, you didn’t. I’m sorry but my knee is….

I don’t care about your knee! What I care about is that you do what you’re told! That’s what I care about!

Yes, sir. Yes, Chief Polson. I do. I’m just awfully…

Not letting him finish again, Polson yelled, I just told you I don’t care what you are. You get my understanding? Polson paused as Jack Riley nodded. Now, what did you mean, you got scared when you saw those men up by the house? Why exactly was that? What were you scared of?

They, well, it sounded like they were arguing amongst themselves. So I figured it’d be best not to disturb them.

Disturb them? You expect me to buy that? ‘Well I don’t … not for one minute. No, siree. You see my business is the law, son. And in my business, the only people who get scared are the people who are doing something wrong.

But I wasn’t doing anything wrong.

Not doing anything wrong? You hear that boys? He’s trespassing, but he’s telling me he’s not doing anything wrong. The Debrizio brothers started laughing and one of them began to say something, but Polson interrupted, Are you trespassing or not? Answer me, that!

No. I mean, I know it looks like I am, like I did, but I didn’t. I didn’t see the sign, sir. That’s all. I just came up the road and if I had seen it, I wouldn’t have…

Again, Polson didn’t let him finish, You expect me to believe that? You expect me to believe you didn’t see that sign? You think you’re dealing with some stupid, small town Police Chief, somebody you can lie to? Is that it?

No sir, not at all. I’m not lying; I swear I’m not. I just didn’t see the sign. If I had, I wouldn’t have trespassed and that’s the truth.

Polson said softly, I’m afraid I can’t believe that son, because you broke the law. There’s no changing that. You broke it.

Feeling apprehensive, Johnny looked back at Jack Riley.

Now let’s see what you got hidden in this bag of yours. Give it to my Deputy here, and don’t try anything stupid.

I wouldn’t try anything, Chief. I don’t have anything hidden in my bag. It’s just the things I brought from home: some clothes and things.

Johnny watched Jack Riley lift what looked like a pillowcase and then hold it out to Anthony, who snatched it out of his hand.

Open it, Polson ordered.

Sonny suddenly reached over and grabbed the bag out of his brother’s