Lost Sheep

By Stephen Cummings

A PRESENCE CASTS A SHADOW UPON THE TOWN OF BONNER

Clever criminals plunder the innocent and unsuspecting people of this small university city in northern West Virginiamaking gain and profit by causing pain and miserypromoting a self-perpetuating menace.

Slave traffickers who go out into the towns and cities of every nation.The domineering and abasing who have a mindset of greed. Those who come to steal the hopes and beauty from everyday people and leave untold suffering and grief behind them.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jun 5, 2012
• ISBN: 9781449742225

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

8:00 AM FRIDAY APRIL 18, 2014

BONNER, WEST VIRGINIA

The classroom of twenty students had the definite appearance of being tired.

Some of the reluctant young adults were yawning and many were leaning back in their chairs with their eyes closed.

European History 160 was written in big letters in orange chalk on the blackboard in front of the class.

History of the Normans said Susan Briscom.

The young associate professor managed to obtain some attention with the words. And she smiled.

Setting the piece of chalk down on her desk the teacher said The history of the Normans takes in a long span of time and a large area of Europe.

A young man sitting in the last row of the room was watching and amused by how the teacher was trying to get the interest of her students.

He had on a light blue pullover hooded sweatshirt and faded blue jeans. And with long dark thick auburn hair pulled back and tied with a long piece of thin rawhide in a tight ponytail he looked like any other student in the room or on the university campus.

But he was too awake and too aware for eight o’clock in the morning. Sitting up straight in his desk his dark brown eyes saw and observed what was before him. His very attentive behavior made him to stand out among the people around him.

Getting hold of the metal handle at the top of the blackboard and pulling it down the professor unwound a large map of modern day Europe. As she turned to pull down the map the young man with the ponytail sitting in the back of the room got up out of his desk and taking two steps and turning to his right through the opened doorway left the room.

6:50 AM FRIDAY APRIL 18, 2014

SKY MOUNTAIN, ALBERTA

Hollis Leander set his steaming cup of tea down on the warming tray on the table. Using his right hand he pulled his high collared black sweater on up around his neck.

He has the intelligence to run the business said Charles Hinkle.

The snow was heavy outside coming down over an inch an hour. Hollis Leander’s driveway which he had just cleared of snow with his snow blower was again being covered by the frozen white powdery substance.

Hollis Leander picked up his tea and putting his feet up on the table leaned back into his plush checkered white and burgundy davenport.

The large picture window fifteen feet in front of the sofa gave the sixty five year old businessman a good view of the Canadian Rocky Mountain scenery to the east.

The tall pine trees below the house that bordered the driveway began swaying as the wind increased. The stately evergreens started to lose some of the snow that had accumulated on them with the continuous rocking movement.

I told him I wanted to put him in charge of all the fourteen cells that we run in the lower forty eight. He has the ability to manage the one hundred and forty men said Charles Hinkle.

The man knocked off the ash from his cigar onto his handmade and imported teak wood ashtray.

He is the best cell leader he added.

I am looking at his tally for the last six years said Hollis Leander.

Holding up the computer printout the businessman appraised the transactions that Thomas Granley had completed in the last six years.

As Charles Hinkle waited for his superior to check the information he rearranged his easy chair and changed his television from the professional tennis match to his favorite hunting and fishing station.

He has negotiated and completed thirty two cases in six years said the man.

Pausing a moment looking back at the sheet of data he said I feel good about Thomas. He is still young. Only thirty. He is good with people. And he has a lot of connections in Central America and Europe.

The wind had picked up and now whistled around the corners of Hollis Leander’s home. The snow was sent swirling by the strong northwest wind on its way down the steep mountainside south of the large and luxurious residence.

Charles Hinkle set his cigar down in the ash tray and talking through his speaker phone said He is my pick for the job.

Setting the computer printout down on the sofa to his side Hollis Leander said I agree. He is my choice for the job.

Continuing the discussion he said So on June 12 you will be coming up here to Toronto to be put in charge of operations. And on June 16 Thomas will be going to Omaha to replace you there as productions manager.

Yes sir said Charles Hinkle.

Changing the topic of discussion the man said You keep in touch with me Charles. I want to know how the Bonner case is going.

Yes sir replied Charles Hinkle.

Hollis Leander held the small dark blue cell phone out with his right hand and flipped it shut ending the conversation.

8:55 AM FRIDAY APRIL 18, 2014

BONNER, WEST VIRGINIA

Two men sat in the front seat of a dark brown early model four door sedan with the engine running close to the curb in front of Brads Drug Store on Martin Street.

They are in the station wagon said Michael.

Five feet and ten inches tall and one hundred and thirty pounds the skinny man finished with the short conversation and put his cell phone back up on the dash board.

Resting his right hand on the steering wheel Michael discretely put his left hand out the open driver side window and waved at the three men in the black SUV parked in front of him. Obtaining the attention of the driver of the large vehicle he then pointed at the green station wagon which had just stopped for a red light at the intersection of Martin and Elm streets two hundred feet directly ahead of them.

Where do you think they are going? asked Ian.

With his dark brown eyes fixed on the station wagon and not looking at the short middle aged blond haired man wearing a blue jean jacket sitting to his right the driver answered I am not sure. Probably a relative.

Pointing to his right at the glove compartment he said Let me look at the list again.

Ian opened and reached into the small storage space and brought out the list of places that the Tapoein family usually had as a driving destination in the mornings of the weekdays and handed it to the forty year old man behind the steering wheel.

Running his left hand over his curly red hair with his eyes still staring straight ahead at the station wagon and holding the list in his right hand the driver said They could be going to a store but I think they are going to a relative. Whichever way they go we follow them and keep in touch with Thomas.

9:10 AM FRIDAY APRIL 18, 2014

BONNER, WEST VIRGINIA

Why do we have to go so early? asked Carly.

We are very busy today Carly replied Mrs. Tapoein.

Holding her teddy bear to her chest Kim walked over to the swings with her mother.

Carly, tired and grumpy, walked slowly behind her mother and sister.

Kim wanted to go to the park and I promised her. I know it’s early but it is important to her Carly said the woman.

With her golden blond hair being tossed in the wind little four year old Kim reached one of her favorite places. Holding onto Kee Kee, her teddy bear, with one hand and the swing with both she smiled as her mother gently pushed her on the small yellow child’s swing.

A big smile on her face and looking straight ahead Kim said Kee Kee said she wants to sit in the swing too mommy.

Mrs. Tapoein with her face and heart softened by the wondrous and endearing things that her daughter often said replied She did?

Turning her head around back towards her mother and walking up the narrow blacktopped path she had just walked down Carly said I’m cold mom. I’m going to the car to get my jacket.

Keeping her attention on her youngest daughter the woman said Okay.

The sixteen year old high school basketball star began to walk towards Third Street at the top of the hill about one hundred and fifty feet away.

Glancing over her shoulder Mrs. Tapoein watched her daughter climb the asphalt path up the bank to the roadway.

Carly reached the top of the hill and the sidewalk running parallel to the level stretch of road. Turning to her left she began walking the concrete sidewalk to the family car parked on the curb of the road eighty feet away.

Only a few feet from the car the girl’s walk to get her jacket was interrupted as she was pulled against and into a vehicle.

One hand on her shirt and another holding her hair she was pulled up and through the open driver side window. With her legs disappearing from view she was grasped roughly under the arms and pulled quickly across the front seat where a tall and skinny man wearing a thick red and black flannel shirt held her tightly around the throat.

Seeing that his partner was holding the girl secure the muscle bound man behind the steering wheel placed duct tape around both her ankles.

Springing forward across the seat with his long brown hair nearly blocking his vision the man then quickly placed a length of duct tape across the girls trembling mouth.

Carefully putting the SUV into gear Grant pushed on the accelerator and pulling out of the parking space and into the traffic propelled the vehicle westward down Third Street.

Glancing back and to her left up the bank at the family station wagon Kim asked Where is Carly?

Letting her eyes go up to the dark green four door station wagon Mrs. Tapoein looked for the blue jeans and white shirt that her older daughter was wearing. As she sought out a sign or glimpse of the girl she saw a black SUV behind their family car pulling out into the traffic.

With her eyes remaining on the spot where she knew her daughter had gone the woman spoke to her youngest daughter and said She is probably in the car listening to her cd player.

The concerned mother glanced back at the car squinting and holding her left hand above her eyes. Fighting a reflected sun glare she tried to see a familiar beige jacket or long blond hair inside the vehicle.

7:15 AM FRIDAY APRIL 18, 2014

SKY MOUNTAIN, ALBERTA

Hollis Leander rotated ninety degrees on his swivel chair and reaching down tapped keys on the laptop on his desk. Talking out loud to himself and his dog as he worked he said Recife Limited has officially joined International Transport.

Tapping a final key the man said Januarys increase in shipping.

The printer beside the laptop responded to the command of the last key being pressed.

The man picked up the sheet of paper with the information he needed from the top of the printer.

He arranged the seven pages he had printed out in the last five minutes into alphabetical order and set them into clear plastic folders. He placed the folders into a thin three ring red and black paper binder.

Swiveling back ninety degrees to his right he set the binder containing the monthly report into a large spiral ledger under the tab titled January.

Moving the record book back into the niche made for it he said Do you think it is snowing outside.

Maxie lifted his head. Slowly following up the effort the four year old three hundred and fifty pound dark brown long haired shaggy mixed breed, appearing to be more bear than canine, rose up from the floor and walked under a table in the middle of the room. Coming to a stop he lay down beneath the beautiful seventeenth century oak gate leg table.

Standing up from the chair the man turned around one hundred and eighty degrees and looked out of the four eight feet high and four feet wide windows on the east wall of his office.

Through the thin curtains covering the thick panes fifteen feet from him he saw that snow was falling from a cloudy sky.

Watching the snow ride the wind down the hillside he said Yes it is snowing.

Turning back around to his right and glancing under the table he said I am going to the study.

Moving the swivel chair back next to the eighteenth century oak desk he asked Do you want to come to the study?

Maxie rose from the floor and followed his master to the study.

The man entered the large room. Walking to the south wall he bent down and with a poker stirred the embers in the fireplace. A tiny blaze issued forth from the glowing coals.

Maxie walked around in the room. With his tail raised and wagging he tossed about the bottom of the curtains on the four eight feet high and four feet wide windows on either side of the very large fireplace.

Setting small pieces of wood atop the blaze the man made a fire.

With the kindling catching the man strategically stacked eight large logs of very dry maple into the wide and deep recess.

Wiping his hands on a white handkerchief he said Now it is comfy and cozy.

Glancing over at his dog the man pointed at the CD player on the floor between them and said The cd of Chopin is in the library. I am going to get it. Do you want to come with me?

Understanding the meaning behind the words that the man said the dog bounded up from the floor and began to make his way out of the room and toward the library.

Maxie moved around in the spacious room and came to rest lying down on a large white rug in front of the fireplace.

Picking up the cd of Chopin from the glass top of a seventeenth century oak trestle table the man said It is getting colder. I am going to set the temperature in the house at seventy two. Come on boy. We will set both thermostats on this floor. And go set the two on the first floor.

Making his way out of the library with the dog close behind him he said We have to go to the dining room too. I want to check a few things. Have things ready for the dinner when I come back from the trip.

Walking down the north hallway and glancing at the dog to his right he said I put the caterer’s brochure in the dining room. I want to take a look at it.

With the brochure and cd of Chopin in his left hand and a large mug of hot tea in his right and his dog trotting beside him the man walked out of the dining room and began to make his way to the study on the second floor above.

The man set the tea on the coaster on the top of a seventeenth century low oak table to his right. He set the cd on the CD player.

Holding the brochure in his left hand he sat down in an armed blue swivel chair beside the hearth and said I want to read this.

Maxie curled up on the white rug in front of the tall ember screen. The fire burned quietly bathing the dog and man in warmth and a reddish glow.

9:20 AM FRIDAY APRIL 18, 2014

BONNER, WEST VIRGINIA

Trying to avoid contact with the low ceiling and the musty walls Howard leaned forward. Extending his arms and exerting himself with his thinning grey hair disappearing for a few seconds in the darkness the man pushed the box further back under the floor boards.

Robert worked his way around Howard and took hold of one end of another box. With Sandy holding onto the other end of the container Robert carefully worked his way closer to the two foot high concrete block wall.

Stooping exaggeratingly low to keep his six feet and three inch tall body away from the mildewed boards and with his bald head reflecting the glow of the bare light bulb Robert helped Sandy push the heavy object off of the concrete block wall and onto the red dirt and under the floor boards into the place prepared for it.

Two inches taller than Robert Howard walked around in the small room with his hands on his knees. After gaining the attention of the two men beside him and raising his eyebrows high in his usual gesture of showing discontent he said I am going upstairs.

With his blond hair and faded purple t-shirt coated in dust and dirt and repositioning his gloved hands Sandy pushed against the box.

Robert stepped back and away letting the smaller man at only five feet and seven inches with his eyes closed and mumbling complaints maneuver the heavy box slowly forcing it forward and onto the dirt until it was alongside the other wood encased container.

9:30 AM FRIDAY APRIL 18, 2014

BONNER, WEST VIRGINIA

One thing that is important is that if you are out at night, do not be alone. Do not walk around alone. Have a friend with you. And walk where there are street lights said Richard.

Richard is correct. Avoid unlighted areas at night. Criminals do not want to be seen. They try to stay away from lighted areas said Captain Snider.

If you are confronted by an assailant the best thing to do is to run. Run toward people and well lighted areas. Also, if confronted by an assailant, you can scream. Scream if you are cornered. Scream as you run away. It will draw attention to the assailant and that is not what they want said the policeman.

You can carry a whistle. With a whistle you can surprise or stun an assailant for a moment. And a moment is all the time you may need to run away and escape from an assailant he said.

Bonner’s city police captain Smitty Snider set a small silver whistle on the stage behind him and handed the paper he had been reading from to Lieutenant Richard Alban.

Moving back over in front of the stage and speaking up Richard said We want to thank Captain Smitty Snider for coming to and addressing our Friday Charity Center Interactive Therapy Session. After pausing a moment he smiled and said I have to let my boss get back to work.

Small at five feet and eight inches with a strong wiry build and a full head of white hair Captain Smitty smiled at the group of nurses and patients sitting on metal folding chairs.

Setting the sheet of paper down on the stage the lieutenant continued speaking to his audience and said Another thing you can do if confronted by an assailant is fight. If you are going to fight I recommend a simple but effective technique. And that is a front kick.

In order to do the front kick you need to be in a proper front kick stance he said.

Moving his feet about on the floor he said I have broken down the stance into a few easy steps.

Lowering himself toward the floor and getting into a front kick stance he said First bend your knees. Next move your right foot till it is about twelve to eighteen inches to the right of your left foot. Next move your right foot back about ten inches.

Now this is not a perfect front kick stance that I am showing you. But it is close enough for now. We are just learning the basics he said.

The police officer brought his hands up in front of his head like a boxer and said I will break the front kick down into four steps.

The first step is to bring your knee up he said.

The man raised his right knee up and forward until the top of his thigh was parallel with the floor.

Looking forward and pointing with his right index finger he said The second step is to extend the right foot forward making contact with the target.

The self-defense instructor slowly moved his right foot forward as if he was kicking out at an intended target.

The third step is to bring your foot back he said.

The lieutenant brought his foot back and away from the imaginary target.

The fourth step is to come back or recover to the original front kick stance he said.

The police officer moved his right leg back until he was in the original front kick stance.

Pointing with his right index finger and lowering it from the height of his head down to the level of his midsection he said It’s better to keep your kick low. Do not try to kick high. The higher you kick the better the chances are that you will slip and fall or that the assailant will grab your leg with his hands.

Slowly turning his body around as if to begin to leave his audience he said If you kick an assailant it is best to use the kick as a way to escape. If you land an effective front kick it will stun your opponent. But do not try to outfight an opponent.

Use the effectiveness of that kick. Use the one or two seconds that they are stunned as a moment for you to run and escape from an assailant. Get away from an assailant. The chances are good that an assailant will be a better fighter than you he said.

Pointing down at the floor he said When my leg was extended and I made contact with the target my toes were pulled back.

The man pulled his toes back and hit the floor of the room with the ball of his right foot and said If you are barefoot when you use the front kick be sure to pull your toes back and make contact with the target with the ball of your foot.

Making eye contact with the five parents and sixteen children and ten patients of the audience he said Plan your day. Work it out so you will not be alone, especially after dark.

Rolling down the sleeves of his shirt he again made pointed eye contact with his audience and following up his last statement said Plan in advance to have people, who have agreed with you beforehand, that in an emergency situation you can call for help. This will keep you from being left out alone and make you less vulnerable to assailants.

CHAPTER TWO

9:40 AM FRIDAY APRIL 18, 2014

BONNER, WEST VIRGINIA

Annette was at her desk sitting beside Ruth. And Ruth was sitting on the metal folding chair listening to Earl.

The portable wall afforded a little privacy to the therapy sessions. The two nurses and patient could not see the self-defense class that was taking place in the other part of the small auditorium. And the class could not see the therapy session taking place behind the partition.

But the therapy patient could hear what was going on and if they wanted to could also participate in the self-defense class.

There were two guys said Earl.

The young man lowered his chin upon his coat and he held one hand in the other.

Ruth looked into sad hazel eyes when the young man lifted his head. The registered nurse saw a shy person who found it difficult to make eye contact. Tears beginning to come down his face told the nurse that the session was over.

We can call it a day if you want to said the nurse.

Slowly leaning back in his chair the young man ran his fingers through his hair pushing it off of his forehead.

Yes. I want to he said.

Holding his right hand out and looking at it he said My hand feels funny.

The young man shook his right hand a little and hit it against the side of his right leg.

You were holding it pretty tight. If you make a fist a few times it will probably come back to normal said the nurse.

In response to the suggestion the patient made a fist. He then opened his hand and made another fist. Curiously observing and moving his fingers around he said It feels a little better now.

That’s good she said.

It was evident to the two nurses that the patient was making progress. And it was the Interactive Therapy sessions that seemed to be the best method to help him.

The eighteen year old man had been an orphan since age five. His parents had died in a tragic car accident when he was five years old. He had had no relatives to take him into their home. He had suffered from psychological and physical abuse by living in shelters and foster homes for thirteen years.

Three days after his seventeenth birthday he had