Just Common

How it Started

Well folks suppose ya wonderin, just how I gots back on this here unsolved mystery. I was at Ranger Command in Quantico Virginia. Well was just passin through. Decided ta stop, have thum go over my guns. They have some of the best Gunsmiths, of all the Ranger Posts. Need a pistol or rifle gone over, best place ta stop.

Don't much care ta stop in, though way to much Brass Hats around fer my likin. My cross draw, it's action gettin ta the point a bein a little loose. Want that looked at, figured they could check the rest. Problem with buyin used guns, just don't know how good shape they in. Ifin I didn't mention it, they also have all the reports filed by every Ranger, on anythin they might a done.

Decided ta check an see, ifin that murderer been caught that me an Norm stubbled on. Folks, dug fer a day till found the first one, guess what? It wasn't the one me an Norm found! Savannah was the first, one we found was about nine days later. Folks it's about an eight day journey, from Savannah. So figure he rested a spell befer he killed again.

Folks, just one in Savannah, least ways only one reported by a Ranger as a murder. Wasn't as brutal as Atlanta, clothes were folded neatly an the shoes next ta thum. No blood at the scene, folks nothin was removed. Only thin, she had what looked like a sledge hammer handle shoved inside her nether regions. Folks as I looked more, why they was several besides the one me an Norm knew of in Mobile.

Folks, it went from Mobile, ta Biloxi ta Orleans, then Saint Louis. Folks Atlanta must a been a one off, killer never returned ta Atlanta. Who knows, maybe he just passes through Atlanta on the return trip does nothin.
Could be somethin happened ta get him off Atlanta. After those two we found, it didn't happen again.

What I did discover, was it repeated like clock work. Why this fella almost acts, like a circuit rider fer the Rangers, or a travelin salesman. Could be someone with Trinkets also. Folks, the murders always end at Saint Louis. They either start in Orleans or Savannah. Like this fella, has a certain path he follows. Like he can wait till he gets ta Orleans or Savannah, then somethin sets him off, ta killin like no other I have seen.

Folks, his path, let's say he starts in Savannah. He kills two in Savannah then he heads ta Valdosta, kills one maybe two, that changes then Mobile, does at least two one time he done three murders in Mobile. Then Biloxi one ta two there, then Orleans finishes out in Saint Louis folks. The killins never start in Saint Louis never!

The killer a rest two maybe three months at most, then he is off again, ta do his miserable deeds. They all have that one thin in common, the clothes an shoes are placed like they a wake up an get dressed all neatly folded.

So I hung around, had the scribes copy all those reports an diagrams fer me. That took three days, an cost me two Lincoln ta have it done. Folks, figured no hurry my guns weren't done yet, ain't leavin till I get those back. Why Ranger with out a gun, that is might strange and dangerous, ain't it now.

When I went in ta check on my copies, why the Professor was there! Yep Doc Bellum, he was invited down ta speak on the way a man thinks. I think he tryin ta get psychology a part of Ranger trainin. Doc pretty smart, don't know about all that, ifin it would even work.

Folks, he was lookin at the same murders, I was asked him what the hell ya doin Doc? Doc say, Common seen yar name mentioned in these murders. Just the thin a help prove my theory on the mind! Been lookin these over fer three days. I say must a just missed each other been doin the same, myself want catch this fella. Just let me figure out when he a strike next, an where! By gosh I'll catch him, ya a see by gosh ya will!

Doc, say ifin I can arrange it, mind ifin I come along? Hell Doc, like the man, just wasn't certain I wanted someone along. Hell may have ta go with no rest an almost killin the horse, ta catch this one. I say, Doc ya certain ya want ta go? Goin ta be rough little ta no sleep, plus maybe end up hurt or killed. Doc say, Common I want ta study this one, not just him, but what he does.

That maybe the only way we catch him, is study the way he works an moves. Common ya need me along, more than ya know. I say ifin, Command approves then I don't care. Ya heard right, I said as long as Command say yes. I know ya thinkin that ain't real bright Common. Well, like I say befer, my name is Common, don't mean I have common sense, now do it. Besides Doc probably done figured out when they start up again an where.

He might just come in handy, hell then again could just make my job twice as hard, never know do ya. 

Doc, say Common meet me at Barrack two, in a hour. No make it two hour, I need ta take this report an talk ta General Bennett. I say fine in two hours. I'll be there.  Folks Doc may just blow, my plan, ya see can't just pick ann choose what I want ta do. Doc is pretty persuasive man, he a get his way. He be able ta pursue this, just I might not be the one with him.

Folks, me an Norm well, let's say were a bit reckless. Our record ain't spotless, ta say the least. Can't remember her name, lady Ranger shot herself over Norm. Let's just say we both were talked ta over that. Then they was the time, I accidentally shot the Mayor a Galesburg. Folks that one was a mistake plane an simple. Jump in the middle a blame fight! Sorry on track now. Folks still feel bad about that, shootin the Mayor. Least ways didn't kill the man. Funny thin his wife, say he was stupid fer doin what he did. Think that was only thin that saved my ass! On track Common on track now!

Ya see, my weapons were finished, so I picked those up on the way ta see Doc, at barrack two. My, they had a fine 75 cal Hawkins, already got my Sharps don't need another rifle. Just a fine lookin gun was all. Near supper time, maybe Doc a want a drink an some food. See what he been up ta. Didn't make that year meetin.

Folks Doc wasn't around, was a fella a Top Kick waitin fer me. Say I need ta see General Bennett right away an he was takin me. Lan sakes blame Generals brass hats! Near supper time, they wants ta talk. Figure this General a just say, I had no business thinkin I should look inta those murders. Doc was inside that office with him.

Folks at least Doc was still here. Had some kinda Allie with me. General say ta me, why ya think ya should just go out after this killer! Why ya ain't even a Corporal! Ya need ta be an NCO or above ta investigate this! Folks I looked at the General kinda perplexed, then say, ya mean even ifin a find the body! I can't investigate find the one that did it, Sir? Folks, may a just say the wrong thin.

That General, then say, this isn't just any case! It hasn't  been solved fer years, this one would be assigned by rank, more than likely a City Ranger get it! Not a roamin Ranger! I say, Sir! Most those City Rangers don't give a hoot! Why should a solved this by now! Why not let a Ranger, that roams the Lands look inta it. Be different set eyes a lookin! Sir. That General say, Professor Bellum, thinks ya be the best man fer it. Ya have fight in ya, just might have what it takes. Then he say, Professor Bellum a be goin with ya. This might be a mistake, yar orders a be at the Orderly Room, by mornin. Howard don't mess this up!

Doc smiled a touch after we left. I say, think I about messed that up. Doc say, supper at Bell's Inn, Common good food, they make martinis also. That drink ya wanted up in Pembroke I say. He just nodded. I say guess I can give it a try. Folks won't go inta supper details, but that martini wasn't bad. Had two, after supper.

                            
                        When we start an where

Folks Doc say, he start up again about a month. Start back in Savannah, folks it near 600 miles, well 569 ta Savannah. Myself I can average 35 ta 40 miles a day, dependin on ifin it's a trail how much hill climbs an such. Ifin it's a good road an not a trail can do about 40 miles a day. Figure with Doc along, only get 30 at best. Till he gets used ta ridin that might takes a few weeks.

I just used 25 miles a day figure it a be about 22 day an about a half. Little longer, ifin the weather don't turn poor. Just hope we can do near 30 a day on some those days. Like a little time ta look Savannah over, some see where these bodies been found. Get an idea how this one thinks some. So we leave in the mornin, got rations pulled fer a week, Stations they three in route. So won't need more than a week worth a rations.

Had Doc show me, what he needs ta take. Lan sakes had ta cut that back! Some thins Doc would not gives up! He been studyin figerprints, say none of us have the same one. So he needed that kit he built himself. Three surgical catalogs, say those he needed also. Anatomy book, fer explanation ta me and others. Five leather journals, he say are from his studies of man. Needs those fer reference. Folks ta save our horses goin ta need a pack horse. Left orders fer the horses ta be ready 0500. We leave befer sun up. We gots near 31 days befer he starts back up. Need every day, ta stay ahead.