Gypsy's Gold

By Glenda E. McCoy

Murder, mayhem and mystery all converge on Lani Cranston, a young journalist as she begins her morning run with her companion, Gypsy. Lani, and Gypsy stumble onto the beginning of a series of events affecting not only Minersville, their hometown, but halfway around the world repercussions build to the degree that no one can imagine. Events swirl around the town, some with obvious meaning, others, not so much.
Lani's step-father and her step-brother, unseen for years, are part of the intrigue surrounding a singular City Council meeting that results in unprecedented activities in Miner County and deaths in the Peoples Republic of China. Vol I of 2 more to come!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Glenda E. McCoy
• Release date: Nov 12, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463075128

Book preview

CHAPTER !

GYPSY!

Come girl!

Her Golden Retriever barely acknowledged Lani. Continuing to bark and paw the ground around the large concrete drainage pipe, the dog's interest in the pipe was intensifying. Her constant barking, if anything, was becoming more urgent and loud.

Gypsy, COME! demanded Lani in frustration. At the realization that Gypsy's obedience training wasn't helping this morning, Lani cautiously climbed down the steep weedy bank along the worn walking path to physically take hold of Gypsy's collar. Normally, Gypsy was very obedient and she always seemed to want to please Lani, often with the result that she was the recipient of one of her favorite treats. The dog, still barking fiercely at full volume, stood with her front paws planted at the opening of the concrete pipe, and as Lani drew closer, was hopping up and down on her front legs. Lani, now on a more level footing, strode up to Gypsy ready to reprimand her best friend.

Gypsy, you naughty girl, I told you to COME! Stopping abruptly to avoid tripping over the dog, regaining her balance, Lani caught a glimpse inside of the pipe. She inhaled loudly, Ohhh my!

Gypsy girl, what have you found? Lani whispered as she bent, peering cautiously further into the pipe, while all the while a whining Gypsy danced around her.

Inside the dark pipe, Lani could just make out the bloody, matted blond hair of what she presumed was a woman, judging from the clothing.

Good girl, Gypsy, good girl, she reassured her dog while she dug into the pocket of her jeans for her phone.

With shaking hands she dialed 911 to report what she was seeing.

911, what is your emergency?

"I, uh, that is my dog, found a body.

What is your location ma'am?

Well, I'm at the walking path along Stevenson Creek, near the street that cuts through the path. I'm on the s...south side, easy to spot, quavered Lani with now violently shaking hands. Seconds later Lani heard sirens.

I have someone on the way, the dispatcher stated, please stay right where you are and don't hang up.

Th, th, thank you, Lani whispered. Her knees quivering, she stepped away several yards and sank to the ground with a thunk onto the damp sandy soil.

Badly shaken, this was the first time she'd seen a dead body. Seconds later a patrol car pulled to the curb and an officer climbed down the bank towards her.

Miss, are you the one that called in 'bout a body?

Y, yes, I'm the one, Officer uh...

Stransky, ma'am, Officer Stransky, he replied, helping her to her feet.

How did you happen to see her in this pipe? he asked, she’s quite a way in there!

My, my dog found her actually, I walk her most mornings and Gypsy started to bark really loud and wouldn't come when I called her. Finally, I climbed down the bank and walked up to Gypsy and that's when I saw the body and called 911 right away.

Well, we don't see much of this but you did the right thing. I need to have you stay a while until our crime scene techs get here an' a detective will take your statement."

Well, OK, but I'm supposed to be at work in 30 minutes! What do I tell my boss? Lani asked, still in a near panic.

I'm sure he'll understand when you explain what happened with the dog an' all, assured Officer Stransky.

Uh; of course, OK

The officer continued to survey the area around the pipe opening, looking for footprints and any other trace evidence. In mere minutes the other officers arrived to question Lani and cordon off the area with crime scene tape.

Miss...?

Cranston, Lani Cranston, she replied.

Thank you, I'm Detective Weldon. I understand you found a body this morning. Is that right?

Det. Weldon, I really don't know any more than what I've already told Officer Stransky and I'm already late for work. Do you really need me to stay here any longer?

Well, I understand about you needing to leave, but would you be willing to come down to the station to sign a statement and answer any more questions we may have?

Certainly, breathed Lani and she gave him her contact information. She was anxious to get back to her car and get Gypsy home. She still needed a shower and to dress for work. She worried that Mr. Shaunessy would wonder about her. Even though she knew she had a good excuse, she didn't want to make things awkward for either of them. He'd been so good to her since she'd come to work at the Sentinel but he was sometimes distant. She knew it was because he was always so busy, but still, she didn’t want to take advantage of his goodness.

She gathered up Gypsy's leash, taking deep breaths, then walked in the direction she was told, leaving the crime scene. Once outside the taped area and on the sidewalk she made a beeline for her parked car. Gypsy seemed just as glad to leave the grisly scene, sure she would receive her treat at home for such a discovery. Once inside her vehicle, Lani took a moment to catch her breath and wiped the perspiration from her face. She glanced into the rear view mirror and sighed. Her long hair was a mess, and needed shampooing but she knew there would be no time for all the other things needed to make her hair presentable for work.

"Oh well, Gypsy, I guess I wear my hair up in a ponytail today. Mr. Shaunessy doesn't care how I wear my hair, so long as I’m clean and presentable, she muttered as she put the car into gear, released the clutch and pressed on the gas pedal. Traffic through town was the usual 'going to the office' crowd which added to Lani's anxiety as she was on her way back to her house and driving in the opposite direction. Once parked in her driveway, Lani told Gypsy OK! and the dog obediently jumped from the back seat of the older model car and followed Lani into the house.

After heading for the kitchen, Lani filled Gypsy's bowl with kibble replenished her water dish .She grabbed her own vitamins from the cabinet, swallowed them quickly, followed by a good slurp from the kitchen faucet and turned to go down the hallway – all in one fluid motion. Gypsy stared after Lani with the ever present expression, Where's my treat? Realizing she'd forgotten something, Lani turned around in the hallway to see Gypsy standing in the doorway into the kitchen, tail switching wildly against the door frame, her mouth open in her doggy version of a smile.

Oh, Gypsy! Here girl, let's get your treat for being such a good helper this morning. Lani hurried to reach for the box of treats, pulled out one, thought better of it and retrieved two. Here you go, you little detective, you. Lani placed the treats in her open hand and Gypsy gobbled them both up at once. Now, I'm off to the shower to get ready for work. You are officially on your own!

CHAPTER 2

Hurriedly parking her car, and with keys still in her hand, Lani opted for the stairs rather than the notoriously slow elevator in the Sentinel Building. Bounding upward two stair steps at a time, she soon grasped the door handle to the Sentinel offices, and pushed. Immediately, the sounds of keyboards tapping, phones ringing and feet moving quickly across the floor in many directions, assaulted her ears and her inner sense of urgency as the events of her town, world politics, sports, crime and whatever else was occurring at the moment were being digested and processed as quickly as possible into stories and articles for the newspaper.

Liam Shaunessy, Editor, could be seen in his small corner office gesturing wildly as he spoke into his desk phone. Two dusty tired looking file cabinets lined one side wall of his office, while his own personal water cooler stood proudly on the opposite wall. Behind Liam the large street-facing windows, smudged and coated with a film from his ever present pipe, showed morning sunlight glowing from the east. Making her way quickly between the cubicles of reporters, copywriters and others busy at work to capture news moments instantaneously for the readers of the paper, she headed towards her desk. She secretly longed to have a workspace such as theirs, a cubicle no less, but anything would be better than her tiny desk stuffed into a previously occupied closet. The janitorial supplies had previously been relegated to a cabinet placed between the restrooms in the back corner of the access hallway. One day! she reasoned.

Lani stashed her purse and keys in her locker in the hallway. Slamming the door shut, she turned abruptly, bumping directly into her nemesis, Audrey.

Hmph, there you are! gloated Audrey, Late again I see. Well, Human Resources will hear about this!

I have a good reason for being 30-minutes late this morning, Audrey, so don't mess with me! I need to speak to Liam and explain.

I'll bet you do, snarled Audrey, just be sure your tardiness is reflected on this weeks' Time Sheet, she growled.

You can bet on it, Audrey! Lani exploded, Now please let me by so I can get to work!

Now, there's a novel idea, mumbled Audrey as she stepped aside to allow Lani access to the hallway, all the while critiquing her hair and clothing, all the way down to her shoes. My, My, tacky sandals again. Tsk, tsk.

Lani rushed the obstacle course of desks, mail carts, briefcases and assorted personal parcels of the other employees on her way to Liam's office. She knocked lightly on the smudged glass partition that created the fourth wall of his office. This allowed him a broad view of the news floor and nearly the entire workforce for the paper. Liam, still on the phone, waved her into his office. He quickly concluded the call and looked expectantly at Lani.

Liam, I'm sorry to be late this morning, I was walking Gypsy early when she put up a fuss at a large concrete culvert pipe. To make a long story short...

Please do, prompted Liam.

Gypsy and I found a dead body on our morning walk.

A body? A dead body? Here? In Minersville?

Yes, sir, I called 911 and they told me to stay on the scene until police arrived, so I did. I explained I was going to be late for work but they wanted me to talk to a Det. Weldon.

Bryan Weldon?

Yes, sir. He had questions and they want me to go to their office this afternoon. Er, if that's alright with you, sir.

Alright? YES, it's alright, Lani! I want you to make mental notes, then get back here and write up a draft of your story for tomorrow's edition.

My, my story, sir?

That's what I said, Lani. You've been piddling long enough on the Entertainment section. I always felt you were meant for greater things! See if we can get a photo of that culvert pipe. I'll want this on the front page for tomorrow's edition. ASAP!

Yes, sir.

Lani couldn't believe her ears. She'd worked for over a year in the Entertainment Department, aching for a chance to do something more important. What was college for anyway? She knew her journalism classes were going to finally bear fruit. Murderous fruit! Grinning like she'd won the lottery, Lani scurried back to her closet/office area to make notes about her early morning experience before clearing her desk of her other work responsibilities. She made a few corrections on some copy regarding the college theater production for the coming weekend and hurried to deliver the copy to her immediate supervisor, Diane Hartley.

Well, you're early, the deadline isn't until 5pm today, Diane commented.

I know, but it's finished and Liam has a special assignment for me today so it's good to give you this copy now.

Special assignment? He didn't say anything to me about any special assignment, Diane muttered.

Well, something just came up, Lani explained quickly, any questions on the copy and you can reach me on my cell. I'm not sure I'll be back today.

What do you mean; 'back today'?

Lani turned back to answer Diane as she headed out of her office door, smiled and replied, Well you know how it is, one never knows where a story will lead!

Wait, Lani! What st..?

Rushing back to her locker, Lani fumbled with the combination before finally getting it right on the third try. Grabbing her keys and purse, she turned as usual as she slammed the door shut.

DARN! Audrey stood right behind her. AGAIN.

Audrey, we really should stop this. People will begin to wonder!

I really don't give a darn, just where do you think YOU'RE going!

Talk to Liam, I'm on special assignment and I'll be sure to note that on my Time Sheet. Bye, Audrey, have a nice day!

B, b, but... Audrey sputtered.

See ya, whispered Lani to Audrey, as she dashed for the front door and headed for the stairs when she remembered she may need a photographer with her. She'd decided to seek a photo before the detective’s interview. She'd learned a long time ago that it was easier to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission. Using her cell phone, she dialed the paper's switchboard and asked for Wally. The operator put her through. Lucky me, he was at his desk. She explained what she needed and told him to meet her at Stevenson Creek, near the walking path.

Got it, replied Wally, See you ASAP. He smelled the beginning of an exclusive and gathered up his gear before telling his boss he'd be out on assignment for Mr. Shaunessy. That always did the trick, just throw out the big boss's name and all was well; at least most of the time. He wondered what Lani was into?

Lani reached her car and was backing out of her space when she saw Wally leaving the building. She tooted her horn and he waved in response as she pulled out from the lot and into the street. Wally followed shortly, both drivers making their way through town to the Stevenson Creek pathway. Once parked, Wally followed Lani to the weed-choked area at the entrance to the culvert pipe. She took a moment to collect herself before explaining what had occurred during her otherwise innocuous dog walk that morning. Wally was a pro and not wanting to ask Lani any distracting questions, began to shoot his photos from various angles. The final shot was at the mouth of the pipe, focusing on the sludge-like bottom and into the dark, smelly cavern.

Well, I've got all I need here. Anything else?

No, that's it, Wally. Thanks for being so prompt and professional. I need just a few minutes here at the scene before I go back to work. You know, sort of absorbing more of the morbidity?

Sure, Lani, see ya later.

Wondering how she should lead off her story, thoughts of her journalism professor came to mind. Keep it simple, keep it direct and keep it truthful. Sensationalism is for the tabloids. She'd never forgotten those words of advice and realized that they were more valuable now than ever. Waving Wally off, she turned again to the gaping mouth of the now empty pipe. There was nothing to see, just a disagreeable slimy damp odor, nor had she expected to see anything, but there was a feeling she continued to have. A feeling of darkness, fear and death. It was somehow beyond the death of a stranger, it was something she couldn't define and yet...

CHAPTER 3

Back at the Sentinel, Lani took a moment to check in with Liam and Diane Hartley. Her entertainment column article had been approved and was in the proofing process. So far, so good, Lani thought as she made her way back to her cubby/office. She sent off an email to Liam reporting that the photos had been taken and that she needed to meet with Det. Weldon sometime after 3:30pm. Not waiting for a reply, she began to summarize her notes documenting Gypsy's gruesome discovery.

Gypsy! She suddenly remembered she'd left the dog in the house, snuggled on her favorite rug! Picking up her cell, she dialed Mrs. Whitcomb, her next-door neighbor.

Hello?

Hello, Mrs. Whitcomb, its Lani. I was in such a rush today, I forgot and left Gypsy in the house when I left for work. Would you be a dear and take the key that's outside the back door and let her out into the yard? I believe she has plenty of fresh water in her outside bowl and I'll be home at the usual time.

"Why, yes dear, I'd be delighted. Gypsy and I always enjoy a good visit and I'll be sure and check on her water and make double sure the key goes back where you hide it.

Thank you ever so much, Mrs. Whitcomb, You can give Gypsy a treat if you think she deserves it. The box is in the kitchen pantry and have a nice afternoon.

You as well, dear. See you soon. Bye now.

Goodbye.

Satisfied that all would be well at home, Lani got back to work. She triple-spaced her notes, leaving plenty of room for any edits she might need to make and realized she was hungry and hadn't eaten all day. I was nearly 2:00 pm and she still needed to hand in a rough draft for Liam before her appointment with Det. Weldon. Deciding to run across the street and grab a hot dog from the vendor on the corner, just made her hungrier. He sold the best Polish Dogs she'd ever eaten. Just thinking about it made her mouth water. Shortly, while munching on her lunch she realized she'd gotten out of the building without bumping into Audrey! Well, maybe good things do follow the bad, she thought, when just at that instant, Audrey turned the corner and there they were. Face to face. Again.

Have a nice lunch Lani, Audrey sniped with her smarmy smile.

I know, I know, my Time Sheet. I'll see that it's made out precisely, perfectly and pristinely in a timely manner.

No need for sarcasm, Lani, just make sure it's on time!

Of course, Audrey, my Time Sheet will be on time. Have a nice afternoon. Toodles!

Chuckling to herself at the sour expression on Audrey's face, Lani made her way back to the office. Crossing the street she was nearly mowed down by an old battered truck. Recovering quickly, she noted that the windows were tinted very dark and she could not see the driver, though she nearly choked on the black exhaust. Oh well, they're in a bigger hurry than I am..."

Back at her desk, settling into her office chair, she put all of her concentration on her notes and the draft for Liam.

Oh, my gosh! It's nearly 3:15 pm! she sputtered as she grabbed the draft for Liam and ran to his office to deliver it into the In box attached to his door, and headed back to her locker for her purse and keys. Dashing for her car, she reminded herself that she needed to keep her wits about her and drive carefully. The last thing she needed