Just Common

Dauphin Island

Before we start again, with Common I would like to tell you. Most of the cities, towns places in these stories are real. Dauphin Island helps form the entrance into Mobile Harbor, the peninsula at Gulf Shores forms the other side of the entrance, Fort Morgan on the peninsula and Fort Gains at Dauphin Island protected the Harbor.

Fort Morgan has been in and out operation since the Civil War, the last time it was used was during World War II. Just thought I would include a little history. So I'll let Common take over from here, thanks for reading.

Hi folks, sorry on that abrupt endin last time. Sometimes I gets myself all worked up! Shouldn't let the pass bother me, but folks it do. Especially a killer like this one, the likes I never seen befer or after! I know ya thinkin Common ain't no killer, like ya are talkin about. Ya are tellin a tall tale. Folks this I can say, wish it were a tall tale. It ain't check the papers ask thum, they all wrote about it! Hell they even mention me an Doc. So fer the ones say, I am talkin a big tall one. Take a look!

Folks we finally made Dauphin Island, about the time I got used ta that blame boat. Least ways, ride back might be a touch better. Deb say, Ranger most that live here fish make they livin off the water, an work the ships fer they livin. Not many fine houses, only three on the island. They only lived in this time a year, most leave in a month Hurricane season, they wants no part a big blow! It can get a might fearful here durin a big blow.

I say, gots a horse I can use? Then just points the way ta those three homes. She say gots a mule, it a do fer ya. I nod just smile, mule never rode one befer. Just know they can be as bullheaded as myself. That got a laugh out her. Folks she lived up a small tidal stream, her place had a small path ta what she called the road. Hell it was just a path was all. She say turn left the fine homes be about twenty minutes they about a mile apart. Sit off the beach aways. I asks how many live on the island? She smile say, about twelve families is all, not includin those rich ones. I waves say be back soon as I can.

Folks maybe a mule, but sure is nice ta be ridin an out that blame city! Feel likes a Ranger again. Folks I ain't fergot my reason a bein here, just why, fresh air nice breeze helps keep the blame heat down. Plus folks ya ain't been in a city, they smell, like a privy that ain't been re-dug an moved in years.  Think ya know that smell. I'll take the open air, an roamin the Lands folks. This here mule ain't give me no fits. Folks I can tell ya the first house was fine majestic ifin ya didn't know.

Blue with white heavy storm shutters on every window an door. Porch wrapped the whole place, sand covered half the steps ta the porch. Fella in a white suit, stood out by the steps. I say, afternoon, Ranger Common Howard. Ya the owner Sir? No Sir, Houseman fer Mister Wade. Ifin ya follow me, Mister Wade is around the back enjoyin the Ocean.

Folks this Mister Wade, well, reminds me of that plump White! Hates the man truly do, hates that White! That Houseman say, Ranger Howard Sir. Wade stood, say an honor Sir. How can I help ya? Lookin fer a fella, might done few murders, in Mobile we believe he may a came to the island. I say straw colored hair might be 5 foot three maybe a touch taller. Clean-shaven dainty voice. That's all I have ta go on.

Wade looks at me, say the description doesn't remind me of anyone I've seen. Of course we don't have much contact with the locals. He say Jim, what about ya does this person sound familiar? Folks Jim is the Houseman, he say no Sir Mister Wade it don't. Jim then he say, although the Mosser's did have a son with that type hair.
Ain't seen thum on island in years.

Wade say, not since Jack and Martha were killed. I say killed, how were they killed? Wade shook his head, we believe Privateers did it. No one really knows. I asks is the house still standin? Where is this house? Wade say Joe hitch the wagon up, best get yar shotgun. Take the Ranger ta the Mosser place. Wade say, the Mosser's were the first on the island, they are on the southern end of the island away from everyone an thin.

Folks, Joe say the rest the well off folks, they done packed up an headed ta the mainland. Part my job is ta check on they houses, Ranger the other places ain't a soul there. Mosser place only place I don't keep an eye on. Then he say I am kinda the Constable fer the well off.
I say well nice ta meet a fellow Lawman. Folks Joe seems rather nice. Has pleasant smile an attitude, best way ta put it. Folks the Mosser place looked rundown an a might overgrown, sand was built up against the house.
Trees had tall grass had grown over the drive ta the house. Joe tied off the horses an we walked towards the once grand place.

Folks they was still furniture in the place covered with dusty white cloth, most the windows were broke, the shutters were broke, some were missin. It looks like they left, an planned ta come back, yet never did. Me an Joe checked every room, no sign a life in the place. I say ya know ifin they is any place else ta look?

Joe say the servant's house, about hundred yards, maybe just the other side those dunes, out back here. I say best check it. Joe nodded an led the way. Folks is this a wild goose chase? May very well be, Reggie could talked the talk, ta save his skin. Well it did look like someone was stayin at the servant's place. Least ways a day or two.  Maybe two people from the looks of it. They was tidal stream next ta the servant's house. The one thin stood out at the dock, blue cloth stuck ta one the posts.

That cloth ain't been there more than a day ifin that. Ta clean and color was ta bright ta been there long. Joe looks at me an say, definitely been someone here. Joe say the Mosser's had ships that brought thum out. They could land on this island, not a soul know at night. Folks ifin this Fred is the killer, think he left by the Ocean Blue. Maybe done his deed an left Miss Helen on the island.

Joe I say, tell me about the Mosser family, what ya know. Even the talk, about thum. I need clues an somethin ta go on. Even ifin it's ta rule thum out. What Joe knows folks. Folks this could take a spell, tellin what Joe knows. So figure we end it here. Remember like Momma say always tomorrow Common, always tomorrow. Till next time folks. Ifin they is one.

Thanks for reading, vote leave a comment, if you care too.
As of now, I only have one maybe two readers. I've always told myself as long as I have one reader, I'll keep going. Hell I just want to tell a story, readers or none at all. Well thanks for the support, take care.