THE BLUE STALKER (49 page)

             
“Before I forget.” Alicia said. “Ron and Susan called yesterday. They made it home without any problems.  There was a memorial service for Paul and Nellie. They also said they got their jobs back and were happy to bring this chapter of their life to a close. And they will always remember us.”

             
“Alicia can you stay late tonight I would like to discuss something of importance with you?”

“Of course I can all I have to go home to is four walls.

             
The work day came to an end and LuAnn bid farewell to the ladies and left for home.

             
“Ella, what’s so important that you need to talk tome about? I sure hope my work is satisfactory for you.”

             
“I’ve been thinking for some time and have come to a conclusion. You are very good with the floral design and with people.  I’ll admit the people part you fooled me on.  I thought I would need to keep you in the back room. I want to move back to Linville to my parent’s home.  The home where I grew up. With all that’s happened here I feel like I want a new start. I know I’ve started over again and again but until my life is fulfilled I know I will probably always be on the move.”  Ella shared with Alicia.

             
“Are you gonna close the shop?”  Alicia asked with a wrinkle of despair on her brow.

             
“No, I want to sell it to you.”  Ella said.

Alicia turned white and said.  “That’s very nice of you but… I don’t have any money to buy your shop. I live from paycheck to paycheck.” Alicia said with disappointment in her voice.

             
“I understand, I would like to sell you forty nine per cent of the business for one dollar.”  Ella said as she looked Alicia in the eye.

             
“For one dollar why would you want to do that?”  Alicia said as she fanned her face trying to catch enough air to breathe.

             
“Because everyone needs a chance. I know how much you love this shop and that you would take good care of it. I would hold fifty one percent and final decisions where large amounts of money are to be spent would go through me. We will work it out with an accountant. I think we could double your salary. You would totally run the shop. I will not have anything to do with the daily decisions. Some day as the business flourishes and you show what a good business woman you are. I might just sell you my fifty one percent.”  Ella told her.

             
“Well, Alicia do you need to sleep on it or is it a deal?”  Ella asked her.

             
“Hell no, I don’t want to sleep on it you might come to your senses by tomorrow.”  Alicia jumped up from her seat twirling around. 

             
As fast as she got up and twirled she sat down. 

             
“I don’t have funds to run this shop.”  She looked empty.

             
“I will put twenty thousand dollars in our business account. This will easily take care of employee payroll and supplies for a couple of months. All the money coming into the shop will go into the account. You will receive a check just like an employee. Your daily receipts will be turned over to the accountant.

             
“Are you sure about this? If I’m dreaming please don’t pinch me.” 

             
The ladies shook hands sealing the deal.  “It’s a deal.”  They said in unison.

             
“Tomorrow I will have the papers drawn up and by weeks end we will be partners.”  Ella said.  And by the way you need to place an ad in the newspaper for a delivery person and someone for the front counter. You and LuAnn can’t do it all.” Ella advised her.

             
“Ella, remember when Juan had me make a wish. Well, my wish was to someday own a flower shop. Ella, wishes do come true.” Alicia said as tears of joy filled her eyes.

             
“Thank you Ella for putting your trust in me. I will
             
make you proud.”  Alicia promised.

“You already made me proud.” 

The ladies hugged, locked up and made their way home.

             
Ella walked into the house happy to be home. Jose was setting at the table clanging on his highchair tray.  Juanita was putting dinner on the table. Juan soon made it home walking through the door looking tired.

Juanita said. “Maria was with a client and would be late getting home and dinner would be ready soon.”

             
Ella shared with Juan the day. He was totally amazed at the past few days events. 

             
“I guess I’ve missed out on a lot. I’m so busy with work Ms. Ella. I feel bad I haven’t taken care of your place.” Juan said apologizing.

             
“Tell you what Juan you work on this place as you have time. You have a business going for yourself.” She told him.

             
“I want to talk with you and Maria when she gets home this evening.”  She told Juan.

             
“Okay, Ms. Ella.” Juan said thinking could there be something wrong. Maybe she is not happy with us. Maybe I shouldn’t have started the business and taken care of her things. She’s been so good to us. I hope I haven’t done her wrong. Concern rushed through his head.

             
Juanita cleaned the kitchen and was about to take Jose upstairs to get ready for bed when Maria came through the door. Looking tired with paint on her smock.

             
“Maria,” Juanita called back, “your plate of food is still warm on the stove.”

             
“Thanks, Mama.”  Maria said as she plopped into a chair.

             
Ella was making herself a cup of coffee. 

             
“Would you like to join me?” Ella asked Maria.

             
“That would be nice. I’ll get my plate of food.”  Maria said putting the plate on the table and pouring herself a cup of coffee. “I’ve been so busy we rarely get to talk.”

             
Juan joined the ladies. They each talked about things going on in their lives.

             
Ella took a big breath. “I have something to tell and ask you.”

             
“What is it?  Ms. Ella?  They asked.

             
“I’ve been thinking and have come to a decision. I’m going to move to Linville, back to my family home. Juan I want to make you and Maria caretakers of this place.”

             
“What does it mean to be caretakers?”  Juan asked Ella.

             
“You will take care of the house and yards and live here. When you work on the place you would charge the materials at the lumber yard or hardware store in my name.  I will expect you to keep the place in tip top shape. You will finish with renovating the place in your spare time.  This will be your home as long as you wish to live here.”  Only your family can live here. You Juan, Maria, Jose, Juanita and if you have other children they are welcome to live here. If you don’t keep the place in good shape I will and can revoke you caretaker privileges. Is this understood?”  Ella asked them.

             
“Yes, of course Ms. Ella we understand and we will keep the place in good shape.

             
Juan and Maria were both in shock. “If I’m dreaming please don’t pinch me?” Maria said.

             
“Maria you have a good business going and Juan you also have a good business. Always make your clients happy.  Always be proud of your work. Never take short cuts, do your best and you will always be in demand.”  Ella advised them.

             
“Ms. Ella, how can we ever thank you?”  Juan asked Ella.

             
“You can thank me by making me proud of what you do in life.”  Ella said.

             
“I have been blessed and I want to bless others.”

             
“When do you plan to move to Linville?” Juan asked. 
             
“If you can rent a truck I can load it and take your furniture to your new home.”

             
“That won’t be necessary. I’m not taking any furniture.  It stay’s with the house. I will take my personal items.  Everything stays here for you to use.”  Ella told them

             
“I can’t believe this is happening. I’m happy and I’m sad. I will miss you so much.” Maria said with tears marking her pretty face.

             
“It’s okay Maria. We will visit often.” Ella promised.

             
“I have a suggestion. You might want to move Juanita down to my room. Walking the stairs might be too much for her with all the she does around here.”  Ella suggested.

             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
“That’s a good idea.  When she is ready we will move her downstairs.”  Juan said.

             
“Ms. Ella, I know not everyone that comes to this country is so blessed but I know they have a lot more here than in Mexico. I will dedicate my life to help people in need. And not just my people but anyone I come in contact with in need.” Juan said.

             
“Juan you just paid me back for the little I have done for you.”  Ella said as she held them in her arms.

THIRTY-NINE

             
The following weeks were busy. Agent Ben Peterson called Ella in to discuss the case. 

             
“I wanted to let you know what’s going on with the body smuggling and the kidnapping cases.”  Agent Peterson said.

             
“Mr. Parker will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. He and Ray Brandon were in partnership for many years smuggling bodies from Mexico to Coopersville. Some of the people reached their destination without any problems.  Others met their fate on the back side of the desert. Even when the family paid the ransom they took the poor innocent souls to the desert and killed them. They thought it was a sure way of not getting caught for the smuggling and the blackmail crimes they were committing.” He told Ella.

             
“I can’t believe anyone would be so cruel.”  Ella said.

“Don’t be too naïve. It happens everyday in this world.  There are people that will sell their soul for the almighty buck.”  Agent Peterson said. 

             
“I know you were concerned about Sheriff Brady. One of the sheriff’s deputies was working for Parker and Brandon.  Sheriff Brady trusted the deputy to do his job. The deputy intercepted the report on the missing couple and many other things. Sheriff Brady was c䥄
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eless of this going on. You don’t have to be concerned about his commitment to being a Sheriff. He loves his job and fully understands how he was taken advantage of by the deputy.  Needless to say the deputy will be brought before a judge.” Agent Peterson told Ella.

“That certainly makes me feel better about law enforcement.  Ella said.

“Manuel the double informant for the body smuggling ring and the FBI informed us of the helicopter going to pick up Frank. We were able to overcome the pilot before Parker and Brandon arrived at the airport. Our agent dressed like the pilot and picked up the flight plan and was in the cockpit before they stepped in the helicopter. It was dark and they didn’t notice he was not their usual pilot.” Agent Peterson said.