I

THE SWORD AND SICKLE

PART TWO: DECEPTION

CHAPTER ONE

HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

© 2017, Olan L. Smith

Chief Detective Wescott went over to Greta's desk and said, "The Director wants you in my office while he talks to my wife." Assistant Detective Greta complied immediately. The Director had never asked her to help him in an interview, in fact she had never heard of him interrogating anyone, usually he had someone do it for him. She tapped on the door and entered. She walked in the room and stood next to the director.

"Good, Assistant Chief Detective Bastion, I assume you know Louise. I asked you in, to help make her feel more comfortable while I ask her a few questions. Anything you hear us talk about is strictly top-secret. Do you understand?"

Greta replied, "Yes sir."

Director Morgan sat down across from Mrs. Wescott to make her feel more comfortable. "I am sure you are wondering why on earth I wanted to talk to you, and why it is a matter of national security."

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I am. My husband never tells me anything about his work, sir; so I have no information about anything, let alone anything that is important to national security. I am just a simple housewife who enjoys her grandchildren."

"Mrs. Wescott, today you called your husband, why?"

"Occasionally, Director, I call my husband to chat. Is that against the rules?"

"No..., of course not...that is not why I am asking. Every question I ask you is vital to our national security, no matter how insignificant it may sound."

"Do I need a lawyer?"

Assistant Detective Greta replied, "That is your right, Louise."

Director Morgan quickly added, "That is not necessary. You are not a suspect, just a person of interest, and again I say it is a matter of national security."

"I am most welling to help the country, sir. I just don't see how I can help you."

"Let me decide that. Now, why did you call your husband, and leave out nothing? That includes your emotions."

"Well, let me see." I just finished eating a late breakfast when I felt the urge to call him."

"What do you mean, urge?"

"Well, if you must know, I was horny and wanted to talk to him, but when he answered the feeling left me. So, I felt silly and just asked him anything that came to mind. I just finished a glass of milk and that was on my mind. So, I asked him to bring home a gallon of milk and then I remembered we had another gallon in the refrigerator, so I told him to forget it."

"Were you thinking of your husband before you had this, uh, feeling?"

"Not really, I was thinking of the words I heard in my sleep the other night."

"And what did you hear?"

"You know, everybody knows."

"Begrudge me, and tell me anyway."

"Well, it was unusual. I was napping when the phrase, 'Worry not my children, I am coming soon,' just popped in my mind and suddenly I was extremely horny, imagine that." She winked at Greta. I mean I was really gushing," I hadn't felt that way in ages. So, I called my husband. As soon as I called my husband the feeling was gone."

Director Morgan winked at Louise. "Thank you, Mrs. Wescott, you may leave. He said to Assistant Chief Bastion, "Close the door and sit down."

Assistant Chief Detective Greta did as she was told and she walked to the desk. She wondered what he wanted of her. Hopefully not about sexual feelings for the Chief Detective, for he had made her feel hot, but she was not going to tell him anything about that. She sat at the desk and said, "Director, how may I be of service?"

Director Morgan pulled out a note pad from the desk and wrote down some words. "Do you recognize these names?" On the pad, he had written the names, Mr. and Mrs. Ansell Bastion.

She gazed at the names and said, "Yes sir, that is the name of my fraternal grandfather."

"Would they happen to be in the city today?"

"Oh no sir, they died over ten years ago. It couldn't possibly be them. There are lots of people named Bastions in the world and there could be a number of different people."

"Where did your grandparents hail from?"

"I am from Virginia. My parents and grandparents come from Jackson, Mississippi."

"That is interesting, but an elderly couple with that name was registered at the Best Western this morning. How old were they when they died?"

"I would guess they were at least in their nineties, sir."

"I see," he said. "And how would you describe their looks and manner?"

They were very nice people and warm to everyone they met. He was about five foot four inches and very frail. She was about the same height and not so thin or frail."