Doing Time In Texas 2nd Edition Book 1: Always Have a Plan

By James E Ferrell

How many times have you thought "if I could only do this and no one know it was me?" Jesse Rash lived that dream. A once shy introverted young boy found his deviant alter ego when hired to find the ones who were trying to harm the daughter, an only child, of a powerful businessman. What Jesse accomplished during his time as Harlan Williams would not bring those that he touched back from the dark side.
Being bullied was a part of young Shane Thomas Taylor's life. Though he was a quiet young man, he learned his outlet of driving fast would bring him the notoriety he did not want to possess.
Willy Baker spent some time in the Walls Unit in Huntsville, Texas, for a crime of passion. Nothing could change his lost spirit and mindset of revenge...until he met Bonnie.
In Doing Time In Texas, these three men are positioned in situations that will bring you to a place of laughter, thrills, and tears. Each bringing their own baggage of selfishness and confusion with them. Watch God work through all three men in this trilogy of choices and decisions.

• Language: English
• Publisher: James E Ferrell
• Release date: Mar 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781950763177

James E Ferrell

Kathryn Hall Clair is a mature woman (reaching her 72nd birthday in 2023). She is a retired Registered Nurse from the Baton Rouge General Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In 2018, she and James E. Ferrell partnered to self-publish his books. Over the years, editing James E. Ferrell's books took on more writing and editing. Kathryn combines her time with editing, writing, and caring for her grandchildren. Singing, and caring for her grandchildren, husband, and two dogs make her life full and meaningful. She counts her blessings and thanks God for His goodness and watchful care over this venture and her family.

Book preview

How many times have you thought, if I could only do this and no one know it was me? Jesse Rash lived that dream. A once shy, introverted young boy found his deviant alter ego when hired to find the ones who were trying to harm the only relative of a powerful businessman’s daughter. What Jesse accomplished during his time as Harlan Williams would not bring those that he touched back from the dark side.

Being bullied was a part of young Shane Thomas Taylor’s life. Though he was a quiet young man, he learned his outlet of driving fast would bring him the notoriety he did not want to possess.

Willy Baker spent some time in the Walls Unit in Huntsville, Texas, for a crime of passion. Nothing could change his lost spirit and mindset of revenge...until he met Bonnie.

In Doing Time in Texas, these three men are positioned in situations that will bring you to a place of laughter, thrills, and tears. Each was bringing their own baggage of selfishness and confusion with them. Watch God work through all three men in this trilogy of choices and decisions. Kathryn H. Clair, Editor

And the ride begins.

C1 – A Prophesy in the Making

"Here’s fifty cents…you boys go on down to the crossing and get yourselves a soda. I need to talk to your momma for a few minutes. That’s money enough extra to get a candy bar to go with them orange drinks. Now take your time and enjoy the walk," said Ralph Davis, the local banker.

I don’t want no soda or candy from you. Why don’t you do your talking down to the bank where your type of business is done? Willy yelled.

Willy, you do as you’re told! My…if your daddy was still alive, he would take a hand to you for being so rude, his mother said.

If my daddy was still alive, this man wouldn’t be standing in his house, said Willy sarcastically.

Mr. Davis walked towards the boys and said, Boy, this house belongs to the bank. Be it said, if I wasn’t so generous, you would be living across the tracks in one of them old boxcars. Now do as your told!

You old crook! You think because you have money in your bank, you are better than the rest of us! Willy shouted.

I’m sorry, Mr. Davis! I don’t know what I’m going to do with Willy. He gets harder to handle every single day, Gretchen Baker said.

Come on, Willy…let’s go. I want to get out of here. Let’s go walk down to the Junction or something, John Baker said, pulling at his brother’s arm.

Don’t touch me, John! You know as well as me when we come back, Momma will be drunk, and I hate that sorry banker. He’s no good! No good, I tell you! Willy screamed.

Ralph Davis threw his cigar down and scowled. Turning to the boy’s mother, he said, Hard times like these make hard people, Gretchen. Your Willy better watch it, or else he will end up in prison. Shouting at the two walking away down the dirt road, he said, You hear me, Willy? You better change your way of thinking and be more respectful of your betters. If you don’t, sure as shootin’, you’re going to end up in prison.

ααααααα

Thirty miles north of Lubbock, Buford West sat down on a boulder and mopped sweat from his face. Marvin, this is a long railroad track. It reaches from can-to-can’t. There has to be a better way of making a living than this back-breaking work. I say we quit this job and draw our pay!

Funny you should say that, Buford. It just so happens I have a plan, Marvin West said.

I seem to remember this railroad job was your last plan. What is it this time? It better include heading south for the big pine country! Buford replied.

Well, something like that, and for sure, we head home, Marvin said.

So, what’s your plan, Brother? Buford asked.

Marvin rubbed his unshaven chin and said, Well, I’ve been thinkin’. In fact, seldom a day went by he wasn’t scheming on one idea or another. The West brothers had come all the way to the Panhandle to work on a new spur for the R&R railroad. Hard work usually didn’t sit well with any of the West boys, but any work these days was hard to find. Just two days earlier, Marvin had been sitting in a roadside café where he overheard the local sheriff discuss his upcoming hunting trip. The sheriff being out of town for a few days gave Marvin his latest idea. Well, the sheriff of Lubbock left on his seasonal hunting trip this very morning and will be gone a week. While he’s gone, I think the West boys will just rob the bank on our way back home, Marvin stated confidently.

Buford laughed out loud and said, Whoa! You have been thinkin’. Sweet! Just like that! I suppose that’s why you have a sack of nails in the trunk of the car.

That’s right, Buford! If there is anyone who follows after us, they better have plenty of spare tires! Marvin chuckled.

So, when do we make this withdrawal? Buford asked.

Tomorrow should be soon enough. Now we need to gas up the car with Ethyl and make our plan, Marvin said.

ααααααα

Four miles north of Lubbock sat the Junction, a country grocery and gas station located along the main road that ran north and south through the Panhandle of Texas. The late afternoon was hot and sweltering as Marvin stood by the dusty Ford sedan as the older attendant was pumping the gas. That topped her off. Young man, you owe me four bits. Reaching in his vest pocket, Marvin West handed the money to the old storekeeper. Glancing at his pocket watch one more time, Marvin slid behind the wheel and moved the car along the gravel road to a hilltop overlooking the town of Lubbock.

The old grocer watched the car for a minute, feeling something just wasn’t right with that customer, then turned to greet two boys as they walked up to his store. Willy, John, what are you boys up to this hot afternoon? I bet you walked all the way up here for a soda pop!

ααααααα

The following morning, Marvin and Buford West parked on the crest of a hill and observed the city below. The main road into the city was sandwiched between rows of businesses along each side. From their vantage point, the two mentally checked off the details of a quickly devised plan. 'The telephone lines south of town had been cut. Two large gas cans had been strapped to the back of the car.' The sheriff had left on his hunting trip a hundred miles west of town. Marvin’s eyes grew narrow and dark with the thought of making someone else pay for his feeling of entitlement.

While Marvin and Buford West were mentally checking off their list to rob the bank, the unsuspecting banker Ralph Davis was spending that morning romancing the Widow Baker, again.

Buford West thumped his cigarette out of the side window and asked, Where did you get this car? It should get us south faster than that old jalopy we came up here in.

I traded the jalopy for it…even swap. The old jalopy had been in our possession too long, Marvin said.

Marvin, how could you swap a stolen car for a better car?" Buford inquired.

Even swap means I just parked the jalopy and drove off in this one. If they can afford this one, they can afford to buy another fine ride! I don’t think we will be keeping this one very long after what we’ve got planned, Marvin surmised.

Well, Brother, I’m not sure Odell and Rayford are up to this. Those two sure gave you some funny looks when we laid out our plan last night, Buford said.

Why do you think I gave it to them to do? They need to start thinkin’ for themselves once in a while. It seems you and I do all the thinkin’ for this family. Looking at his pocket watch, Marvin continued, We have two minutes…then we roll.

Standing beside the Lubbock bank, the youngest of the four West brothers chain-smoked and twitched nervously. Their eyes scanning the front of the bank that loomed before them. Rayford, we need to think about this! If we go in there, we most likely will get shot to doll rags by some old codger with a gun. Most Texans carry guns, ya know! Marvin is crazy! Odell said.

Rayford West looked at his pocket watch and laughed a nervous laugh. Snapping the lid closed on the watch, he turned to his brother with a wild look in his eyes. Odell…brother Marvin isn’t the crazy one. He is driving the car! Now we got this to do or face his wrath. Your problem is you do too much thinkin’. Quit thinkin’ and start doin’ some doin’. If all goes well, we will be back in the valley in a week or so with a sack full of money. If it don’t, we won’t! It’s time; so, let’s git her done! Drawing pistols, the two walked into the bank.

Marvin started the car and eased out on the clutch. The road went straight as an arrow through town and right by the bank on its way south. Checking his watch one more time, his eyes narrowed, and said, Well, unless Rayford can’t tell time, the boys just went into the bank. In just under six minutes, the car pulled up in front of the bank, and the two younger West brothers ran from the bank and jumped in.

As the car sped away, the adrenalin was high. Buford grinned at his younger brothers over the back seat. Boys, there better be some money in those bags, he said.

The young brothers laughed and hooped as Buford opened the two bags in the front seat. Marvin and Buford eyed each other then broke out in a loud laugh. Who would have guessed there was that much money in that bank! Buford said.

Twelve hours later, Buford asked, Marvin, why are you following this old bus? It’s slowing us down. There is a town coming up. We probably should find a way around it, so we won’t be seen.

Just hold your horses! Marvin shouted. I know what I’m doing! Odell, get your clothes changed. If this bus stops in this town, you are going to buy yourself a ticket and head south for Houston. Somewhere down country, you drop off the bus and hitch a ride home. I will turn east for Shreveport as soon as I can and put Rayford on a different bus. Buford and I will ditch this car and split up. Don’t talk to anyone. Keep your mouths shut. We will get back home the way we always do using our thumbs. Now, boys, I don’t have to tell you if you are ever picked up, never, ever implicate one of your brothers in anything and never admit to anything! Marvin stated.

Hours later, Buford squinted into the morning sun and said, Marvin, I have emptied the last of the gas cans, and there ain’t much gas left. There is a town just across the Texas border. What do you want to do? The burg should be large enough to catch a bus out of.

The Red River is coming up, directed Marvin. Find a road down alongside it so we can hide this car. You put one sack of money in your luggage and get on a bus in this town. I will hitchhike into Shreveport and get on a bus there. After hiding the car, the two changed clothes and hid the money in their luggage.

I guess this makes us big-time thieves, Buford said.

The difference between a small-time thief and one who operates on a grander scale is opportunity, Marvin said.

ααααααα

The rattle of metal woke John Hannibal with a groan. He looked around the dimly lit room. Sweat covered his face and matted his hair. Every inch of his body was in pain. Silhouetted in the barred window above his head was the outline of a pale moon. Despair coursed through his grief-stricken mind and her name, Selena, escaped his lips in a weak whisper. John had been cuffed to this iron bed frame for days. It seemed his sanity came and went. The realization of what had happened came to him like the pieces of a puzzle. There was the explosion…then he had been catapulted through the shattered bank window surrounded by a storm of flying mortar and glass. Outside the bank, a lamp post leaned haphazardly, showing the force of the blast. Selena lay in a crumpled heap across the littered street. Her blond hair and blouse a ghastly red. Darkness pulled him down, and voices echoed around him. Then a complete quietness covered him again.

‘John Hannibal, it is the finding of this court that you have become your own worst enemy and sentence you to ten years in federal prison. Being one of your most ardent fans, and after hearing your defense, my heart goes out to you. Therefore, I do see a way that you can vindicate yourself and possibly redeem some of your integrity. Because of your extraordinary skills, I will give you a choice rather than jail. It may well be that you will be able to save many lives with your talent in the war effort. You can walk out of here and get in the military vehicle waiting outside or take the ten years behind bars,’ the judge said.

John wanted to speak, but it was too late. His grief had beaten him down, and all he could do was nod a yes. The old judge motioned for a very large Military Police Sergeant standing at the side of the room and said, Sergeant, you may take your prisoner.

From the rear of the courthouse, John Hannibal was escorted to a waiting paddy-wagon. Unlocking the rear door of the wagon, the Sergeant moved aside to allow him to climb into the wagon with several men wearing chains. Hannibal, I’m not going to cuff you like the rest of these men because the judge asked me not to. They are all deserters; you are not, the sergeant said. After locking the rear door, the sergeant climbed in the cab next to his driver and settled back. The Sergeant continued, Okay, Private, I know you are privy to all the poop coming out of the old man's office. So, who is this guy? The judge just commuted a ten-year sentence just so this feller could join the army!

The army private pulled a cigar from his mouth and smiled at the muscle-bound sergeant sitting beside him. Sarge, you truly are a cultural barbarian. That tall, skinny drink of water is none other than the great John Hannibal. His social flight has been a plunge from the penthouse to the outhouse. That is the greatest composer, musician, and orchestra leader that ever lived!" the private stated.

Yeah! That’s what we need in this man’s army…a skinny fiddle player, said the sergeant.

That’s not it at all, Sarge! That feller back there is the Chicago Bomber. Haven’t you ever heard of the Hannibal family? He and his old man were the greatest explosive experts that ever existed. That’s the son! He is believed to have opened every bank safe in Chicago in the past three years. Truth is, the feds hung every bank job on him they could after he was caught in this latest botched robbery. I think the judge knew better and gave him a way out, the private replied.

C2 – Once Upon a Cold Winter Night

Betty Taylor, upon hearing a familiar car, opened her front door and stood in the cold night air. Tilting her head, she listened to music echoing through the deserted city streets. A few feet from her porch, a dark sedan came to a stop, its wipers batting back and forth, outlining the windshield with a layer of sleet and snow. On the wind, a steel guitar pierced the cold night air. Stepping up on the porch, the town doctor turned to listen. It sounds like the Texas Boys are getting wound up on the square!

Well, Nate, tonight I have a front-row seat. I don’t have to spend twenty-five cents to sit and listen to the music, Betty chuckled.

The music sounds so close we could have us a dance right here on your front porch. The fire department should have consulted the weather before they planned this shindig, the doctor said.

Dr. Mueller, dancing on my front porch would cause me to be the talk of the town, Betty said.

You don’t have to worry about that. The whole town is on the square right now. Most of them drunk as Cooter Brown. They sure picked a cold night to have this whing-ding. The sheriff will have his hands full tonight. I just had to set a broken leg because of a tree jumping out in front of old man Jenkins pickup, Nate said, laughing.

Setting his medical bag on the porch banister, he put his hands in his coat pocket and stood looking at Betty. She self-consciously brushed a strand of hair back, and Nate grinned and said, Betty, you’re beautiful. Quickly he changed the subject, So, how is our patient this evening, or should I say night?

Across the wind, the music wailed, and Betty Taylor turned to fix her eyes on the man standing in front of her. Folding her arms, she pulled her shawl up against the cold night air. Doris…is her usual self. This whole ordeal doesn’t seem to have taught her anything, she said.

A mellow, baritone voice from the man standing in front of her sang a few words of the song floating along the dark streets. ‘I tried so hard, my dear, to show that you’re my every dream, yet you’re afraid each thing I do is just an evil scheme. The more I learn to care for you, the more we drift apart…How can I win your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart.’

Hank never sung it that way…or that good either. Now you know why I always sit next to you in the church choir, she said.

Hum, I never knew that. I thought it was because I’m the most handsome doctor in town, Nate said.

You’re the only doctor in town, but just for your information, if there were others, you would still be the best looking, Betty said.

You know we… Nate tried to say.

Betty cut him off, realizing she needed to change the subject. She said, It looks like it will start snowing again at any moment. It’s going to be a cold night for that bunch on the square. Your clinic will be full tomorrow.

Doc frowned and said, Half of the county is already sick. The temperature is dropping steady. There’s going to be a hard freeze tonight. Let’s sit in the swing for a while and listen to the music.

Doctor Mueller, you seem to have something on your mind tonight, besides delivering a baby, Betty said.

Nate Mueller settled in the swing and shuttered. I guess I’m just ready for spring. Burr…We could freeze to death in this cold night air.

Betty wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and said, That’s why I keep this blanket handy.

You could share that blanket, you know. I see Bill’s not here. Nate said.

He left earlier. How did you know? Betty asked.

Nate looked at the woman sitting next to him in the swing. Your car is gone!

I thought it would be nice if he stayed, but he left in a huff. He said he was going to the pool hall. I guess it’s best he’s not here tonight. He and Doris always get into the worst fights. In her shape, she needs to stay calm, Betty said.

I, for one, am glad he’s gone. Bill is not the person you need giving you moral support in a tense situation like this. For your information, he’s not at the pool hall, either. Sonny Green came by my office and mentioned he had seen your old sedan at the County Line Inn. Bill has been at the Inn…all evening. He waited for a few moments and said, Don’t you want to know who he’s with? asked Nate.

I take it this is what you have been getting at. So, who is he with? No, don’t tell me! I don’t want to know! she said.

Doc continued, The sheriff asked the clerk at the front desk, who occupied the hotel room that Bill is in, and he said…

Betty jumped into his conversation and said, You know what? ... Suddenly, I don’t want to sit in the cold any longer. Pulling the quilt up around her shoulders, she rose. Nate, what’s your point? Moving away from the swing, she moved through the door into the kitchen.

Nate followed Betty into the kitchen and leaned against the wall. Betty, I want you to divorce that guy…you have every right, legally and morally. And!

Picking up a plate, Betty dried it slowly and asked, And what?

And…marry me! He’s not the guy you knew in high school. At the very least, get Judge Stewart to grant you a divorce. There is no earthly reason you should be saddled with the likes of Bill Taylor. You should have never taken him back. Nate’s voice trailed off for a moment, and he sighed. If you would marry me, you would have someone who would appreciate and adore you the rest of your life. We would be good for each other.

Nate, I can’t help loving you, but… turning, Betty finished drying the dishes she had started earlier. We would be the talk of this little town for the rest of our lives. Almost in a whisper and with a far-off look, she thought about what he said. It was what she really wanted. Nathan, you know this is hard for me. I’ve been in a bad marriage since I was seventeen years old. I can’t think of anything more to my liking than your proposal. Think of what the people would say!

We could move away from here. A good doctor can start a practice anywhere, Doc said.

Nate, you are needed here. Every Sunday, you sing in the choir, attend Sunday school, you teach Bible study, and fix all the people who run into trees around here. What a responsibility you, no, we both have, to model Christianity. This is the third time you’ve proposed, and they get better every time. But you are proposing to a married woman. Once again, she had let him down easy.

Good grief, Betty! He was gone for two years. Before that, he ran around with every woman that he could con with his good looks and smooth talk, Nate said.

Her voice came out shaky and with a deep sadness. I know all that. The two years Bill was gone, I was hoping he would never come back. You are only making it harder for me.

Strete thinks he was in prison down in Florida or maybe Georgia for the past two years, Nate said.

From the back of the house, there was a loud groan. Well, now it sounds like it’s time to get to work, Doctor Mueller said.

In the small hours of the morning after hard labor, Doris Taylor delivered a six-pound boy into the world. Nate eased out of the house in the early morning light. Snow-covered the town like a thick white blanket. Checking his pocket watch, he decided he would go to the County Line Inn and have a talk with Bill.

C3 – County Line Inn

Earlier that night, Bill Taylor leaned back against a worn leather sofa and tapped a new pack of camels against the heel of his left hand. These ready-rolled cigarettes sure are nice. Ramsey girl, you sure are nice, too, he said, then laughed out loud. "Nothing like the threadbare-calico-queen I’m married to. Always telling me, 'Bill, why don’t you try your hand at this or that? Bill, why not ask Raymond Hargis for a try at his line of work. You know, Bill, I really bet you would be good at working in a retail store.' If she had a clue of how I feel about mister high-and-mighty Hargis, she would keep her mouth shut. I like things just the way they are. I can go and come as I please. Being tied down to a job is just as confining as a jail cell. There are easier ways to make money. I have friends in Florida who know where the big money is," Bill stated.

At the other end of the sofa, Ramsey Phillips considered the man she had shared the evening with. He had been a mighty good looking and persuasive man until now. For a minute, she felt a cold sensation on the back of her neck, and she shivered.

What’s the matter, Ram? You shook like someone stepped on your grave! Bill said.

I just had a thought, she said. "The kind that makes you consider where you will spend eternity after all this foolishness