Now Playing: The Darkness
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The Darkness 1.
Episode
Six concluded with:
“Did anyone write
to Phineas about Jesse being murdered?”
“I did! Found the address of the
post office in San Diego layin’ on Jesse’s desk, along with some cards. The buryin’
business ain’t the sure thing I thought it would be. Sometimes I end up puttin’
a body in the ground and don’t get paid nothin’. It ain’t right.”
“Indeed, that is quite an
injustice,” Lowrie couldn’t keep the impatience from his voice. “Could you
describe the wound to Adrian Monahan’s head?”
The lawman shrugged his shoulders.
“The old man put it there hisself.”
“Yes” Dehner remained friendly as
his boss pressed his lips together. “But could you describe the wound?”
“Nothin’ to describe.”
“What do you mean?”
“The head was pretty much gone.
Guess that’s what happens when you try to eat the barrel of a Colt .44.” Buford
Miley laughed hard at his own joke. Dehner laughed along politely. Lowrie
stared at the ceiling.
Episode
Seven
“Just
one more question, Sheriff Miley.” Bertram Lowrie’s disposition began to appear
cheerier. The thought of soon departing from Buford Miley was probably the
cause. “Bart McRae insists he received a letter from Adrian Monahan while in
prison and showed the letter to Jesse Monahan. Have you any idea what might
have happened to that letter?”
A look of curiosity and intelligence
appeared on the sheriff’s face and Dehner began to suspect they had underrated
him a bit. “That’s the crazy thing ‘bout this whole matter,” the lawman said.
“I believe Bart, but I searched all over that big house. Didn’t find no letter.
I also asked around concernin’ what Bart said ‘bout the second floor bein’
unfit. Nobody in town knew nothin’ ‘bout it.”
Miley shook his head. “I think Bart
McRae is innocent, but a jury disagreed with me. Bart is gonna make history in
this town.”
“How’s that?” Dehner asked.
Buford nodded his head toward the
office window. “That gallows they’re buildin’ outside, right in the center of
the road. We use ta hang outlaws on a tree north of town. But the area is kinda
rough; no place for people to gather. Now, we’re makin’ it a family time. Folks
will come into town for the hangin’. They’ll eat at the restaurants and do some
shoppin’. Help the economy.”
Dehner and his boss both thanked the
sheriff for his help and stepped out onto the boardwalk. Workmen were putting
the final touches on the gallows. Both detectives looked grimly at the scene in
front of them. Lowrie spoke first: “Mrs.
Sarah McRae believes her son is innocent of murder, and I agree with her.”
Rance
had participated in the interview with Sarah McRae at the office of the Lowrie Detective Agency in Dallas. Dehner suspected that Sarah could not afford to pay the
agency its usual fee. This case probably came under the classification of
charity work. As was his custom, Bertram Lowrie would inform his employee of
the altruism after they were
finished. Nothing like this would ever happen to a Pinkerton operative.
Dehner smiled inwardly. That’s why
he worked for the Lowrie agency.
But there was one aspect of the case
that bothered the detective. “I’m sure you know sir, that I enjoy working with
you on an assignment,” Dehner lied. “But why did you pick this case?”
Bertram Lowrie looked about the town
of Jameson
“We need to expose them quickly.”
Dehner pointed at the gallows. “The family fun Sheriff Miley was talking about
is scheduled for tomorrow morning.”
Monday:
Episode Eight of The Darkness
