The Crossing Read Online Free Page A

“You and I are flying from Memphis to Chicago to get on a train and travel back to Memphis?”
    “Right, but then we are going on to New Orleans.” I was trying to smile.
    “And while we are on the train, you are going to be working and trying to catch a bad guy?”
    “Right and I need your help.   We are traveling ‘undercover’ and we don’t want the bad guy to know who we are.” I was trying.
    Liz sat in silence for several minutes and then looked at me and nodded. “Okay, but only on my conditions.   Do you want to hear what they are?”
    Bert Sappington interrupted, “Liz, whatever you want, we will make it happen.”
    “First, we travel first class and have a private sleeper compartment on the train.   Second, you give me time in Chicago to get some make-up and a change of clothes.   Finally, in New Orleans, I want breakfast at Bennnan’s and a night at the Montelone Hotel.   If you can’t handle my terms, then I’ll be riding this plane back to Memphis!”
    “Consider it DONE, Miss Teague,” Bert laughed.
     
    ~
     
    W e actually had an hour at Chicago’s Grand Central Station before time to board the train.   I didn’t know it was possible to spend that much money in an hour, but I got some first hand experience.   Clothes, make-up, luggage, purses, jewelry, and lots of soft silky things I didn’t recognize, were all purchased, bagged and entrusted to a ‘Red Cap’ for transfer to our train.   Compartment 6 on Pullman Car D of the southbound City of New Orleans was completely full of Liz’s new purchases when we finally pulled out of the station.   It was Monday evening at 5:15 PM.
    Trying to travel ‘unnoticed’ with Liz is impossible.   For dinner, I wore tan slacks, a white polo, a blue blazer and loafers without socks.   Liz, on the other hand, chose a (newly purchased) red dinner dress, which left very little to a viewer’s imagination – if you know what I mean!   Liz and the dress, along with matching red heels and dark silk stocking, caught the attention of everyone on the train, she liked that.   That’s my girl!
    Regardless, we had a wonderful evening, exploring the various amenities on the City of New Orleans and eventually sharing an overdue dinner in the dining car.   Finishing our day at the bar, I promised to enjoy myself and have some fun.   This profession usually didn’t offer these opportunities, and I was going to take advantage of the situation.
    What I wasn’t aware of were the frantic, excited and urgent phone calls that Marcie was receiving from Henry Walker.   Sheriff Leroy Epsee was being extremely nice in giving Henry the opportunity and latitude to try to locate me.   Finally, in desperation, Leroy contacted my lawyer/partner Jack Logan.   Jack wasn’t really my partner, but we did work together on numerous cases and were the best of friends.   Unfortunately, Jack didn’t know how to reach me either, but at Leroy’s suggestion, he did speak with Henry and promised to find me and get involved as soon as possible.  
    However, this was nothing more than sticking a finger in the dike and Sheriff Leroy Epsee knew it.     Leroy had a situation that neither Jack nor I was experienced with and he didn’t have a lot of time to make decisions.   Decisions that could possibly split a community, and would certainly expose feelings that nobody wanted exposed.   Leroy and I have been friends for years and I have the highest respect for him and that friendship.   I’m sure Leroy feels the same way about me.   We were going to need all that respect and friendship in the coming days.
    While having laughs and drinks with Liz in the bar, I would have never imagined that my fun would soon turn into something much more serious and extremely dangerous.  
    ~
    I awoke when the train stopped in Memphis for the routine crew change and loading of passengers – it was 12:30 AM.   I peeked out the window in an effort to see the boarding passengers, but my