The Tatterbitty

By George S. Haines

Since his inglorious death by choking to death on goulash in his cell at Sheriff Neverfine’s county jail the influence of Red Fox, the insidious chief of espionage in Indiana during World War Two has waned…or, are his covert activities continuing through the sinister efforts of two underlings, Horst and Gerhard, operating under cover at the Millsaap Flour Mill?

Complicating this obscure, unsettled scene a neighbor to the Prudely mansion suddenly remembers seeing flashing lights emanating from the tower of the Prudely mansion during the recent war years. Also, a strange form, labeled THE TATTERBITTY, is discovered in the mansion tower. Should this new information cause any concern for law abiding citizens in Marston? Sheriff Neverfine assigns detectives Sam and Howie to investigate and put these new revelations to rest.

Will these two professional sleuths uncover any ominous evil actions either current or during the past war years? You, the reader, are now a participant in this intense investigation. You will assist Sheriff Neverfine and detectives Sam and Howie as they attempt to determine if the discovery of THE TATTERBITTY and the sudden revelation of lights flashing from the Prudely mansion tower during the previous war years represent any imminent danger to the citizens of Marston.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Feb 25, 2019
• ISBN: 9781546279686

George S. Haines

The authors, George S. and Myra Jane Haines, have shared their knowledge, ideas and experiences to develop and compose the narrative for this intriguing mystery. Both authors are career teachers at public schools. They also served many years as professors in the Department of Education at Taylor University.

Book preview

A Prologue

I T SEEMS INTRIGUE AND FURTIVE actions continue to occur in and around the mansion located at 404 Appalling Street in Marston, Indiana, a thriving city that is home to thousands of ambitious residents and the address of many prospering industries. This mansion, a unique dwelling, built during the early 1900’s by Ovid and Samantha Prudely, served as their resident for many years. Many local residents consider the mansion to be a distinctive landmark.

The fertile farm land surrounding Marston supplied a bounty of agricultural products for the Allied armed forces during the recent war. Now in the year 1948 local residents have settled into peaceful post-war activities. Every local citizen assumes that the war-time efforts are fading memories. Peaceful endeavors now consume their thinking and activities.

However, Gerhard and Horst, two night-time employees at the local Millsaap Flour Mill find themselves stuck in the area as illegal German immigrants. They are not participating in the post-war enthusiasm. They face the reality that their long-time mentor, Red Fox, is dead. Now they must survive without his constant directives and monetary support. As illegal residents their constant objective is to obtain the necessary funds to finance their return to Bavaria, their homeland.

Complicating their troubled lives and uncertain future, Mrs. Gertrude Everlite, neighbor to the Prudely mansion, recalls visions that occurred during the war years. She remembers seeing flashing lights emanating from the Prudely mansion’s tower. She relates these suppressed memories to Sheriff Neverfine. Detectives Sam and Howie are called to action, ordered by the sheriff to investigate the reported occurrences of strange lights coming from the tower during the recent conflict.

What will their inquiry reveal? Did the lights serve to transmit covert and strategic information? Perhaps the flashing lights conveyed secret and clandestine messages. If so, who sent the information and for what purposes? And, since the observation of the lights by Mrs. Everlite occurred during the war, is this information important now in the year 1948?

You, the reader, have become an accessory to these weird happenings because the situation just described has piqued your interest and imagination. Already you have formed opinions as to the reason for and the objectives of the flashing lights. Now, read on to determine if any of your preconceived explanations are correct.

Following is a roster of places and participants keeping you oriented as you follow the script of this thrilling mystery:

THE TATTERBITTY

Chapter 1

S HERIFF BYRON NEVERFINE APPROACHED THE Never Drip Coffee Shop with steps of determination. Yawning he glanced at the image of his rather ample physique reflected by the single, clouded glass panel located in the sagging yellow entrance door. He stopped, expanded his chest, adjusted his tan tie and pulled up his matching trousers.

Frowning at the necessity of loosening his belt another notch he made a silent vow to consume fewer doughnuts each day and add only two spoonfuls of sugar to each of his mugs of coffee.

Entering the diner he straightened his shoulders and narrowed his eyelids. Following his usual custom he scanned the faces of all customers enjoying the usual hunger-reducing breakfast offerings. He glanced at the 1948 calendar hanging on the wall next to the kitchen door. A few dates in October had already been marked off with large X’s.

The coffee shop, a weather-beaten landmark located on Adams Street in Marston, Indiana, near the county courthouse, opened Monday thru Saturday at 5 a.m. The eatery closed at night only when the last customer sauntered out the door, usually burping loudly.

Immediately the tantalizing odors released by the frying bacon and brewing coffee enveloped the sheriff. He inhaled deeply allowing the tantalizing aromas to further enhance his appetite and expand his commanding physique. He greeted Hortense, the long-time gracious server, with a smile. Quickly she guided him to a back corner booth, his favorite spot for furtive conversations.

A few minutes later Inspector Hershel Sneupenhauger, commonly known by all his acquaintances as Snooper, eased his way through the same door. Spotting the sheriff he moped along with a slouch and joined the county’s chief law officer at the rear booth.

Hortense approached the lawmen and set two coffee mugs on the table top with dull thuds. Smiling she filled the cracked and smudged mugs to the brim and said, Welcome, Sheriff and Snooper. Do you both want the usual fare this morning?

Yes, thank you, Hortense, replied the sheriff before Snooper had a chance to respond. And, bring four of your signature donuts, the large ones with the chocolate icing on top, er-r on second thought make that two doughnuts.

Snooper looked around at the boisterous customers who were chomping loudly, slurping coffee, talking and gesturing emphatically at the same time. Relieved that none of the early morning ‘regulars’ were looking in his direction he faced the sheriff and inquired, Why the sudden and urgent request to meet me here at the Never Drip Coffee Shop so early on this Monday morning? We usually enjoy signature morning coffee in your office at the jail.

Snooper, replied the sheriff with a solemn demeanor as he leaned forward and engaged the inspector with serious eye contact, I wanted to privately discuss with you an item that will be on our agenda this Wednesday, October 13…mark your calendar…. when we meet with the members of my ‘jail cabinet’ made up of the usual law-enforcement and support folks.

The sheriff stopped abruptly, pointed and asked, By the way, how did you get that black eye? Your face looks like my neighbor’s dog, a Dalmatian.

Never mind the eye….What development is so important that we need to call for a special cabinet meeting this Wednesday? And why did you ask me to join you here at this coffee shop so early for breakfast this morning?

The sheriff scooted forward on the wood bench seat. Glancing around to make sure their discussion remained private he looked intently at Snooper and quietly said, Mrs. Gertrude Everlite crept into my office last Friday morning and sat down before I could greet her by offering a cup of coffee. She sat on the edge of her chair massaging and twisting her worn, patched money bag. She seemed quite upset and nervous.

You must be referring to the widow who lives next door on the east side of the Ovid Prudely mansion. I remember we thought at one time she had colluded with Ovid to cause the death of Belvadear, her husband.

Yes, that’s the right person. After a few minutes of quiet fidgeting and hand-wringing she opened up and we talked for at least an hour.

Did she seem to be relieved that the scoundrel, Red Fox, is now dead? Does she remember he utilized the underground chemical laboratory located beneath the Prudely carriage house to produce unusual and possibly illegal products and compounds? After all, that activity occurred next door to her property.

Yes, on both counts. Indeed she smiled as we discussed the demise of Red Fox. Mrs. Everlite also complimented you, Snooper, for your courageous actions in confronting, subduing and arresting Bruno, his patsy, during our successful raid at the mansion when we arrested Red Fox.

That undercover action you spearheaded at the Prudely house certainly proved to be a significant event, smiled Snooper, straightening his posture in the booth. But, what concern motivated Mrs. Everlite to venture out of her house and come to your office without an invitation?

At that point Hortense appeared with a coffee pot in one hand and their bill in the other hand. Would you two gentlemen like your coffee mugs refilled?

No thank you, Hortense. And, tell Ernesto, the cook, that he fixed the scrambled eggs and grilled the bacon to just the right taste.

Hortense smiled and left their booth to meet other customers. The sheriff burped and wiped his lips vigorously several times with wrinkled tan paper napkins. He cleared his throat, bent his large frame forward, looked directly at the inspector and whispered, Mrs. Everlite locked her eyes on mine and said she wanted to share what she considered disturbing incidents that happened months ago. She seemed burdened to relate her observations of night-time occurrences in the Prudely mansion that seemed weird to her, almost bizarre and freakish.

Be more specific, Sheriff, requested Snooper, scooting