Inevitable

Retired Captain

I sailed that little dingy of a boat, ole' Jim Stanford at my side with his high powered rifle. We where being chased by those jungle people. There was arrows, rocks, and bullets flying every which way. We turned the boat down that winding river banks. Stanford gets nicked in the leg bringing him down. I grabbed the gun in my left as I steered that dingy with my right hand. I glanced down at him and saw the blood rushing out on the boat floor. Taking down a few with the gun, we barely made it out alive. If it wasn't for that crazy four-eyed Scout Haywards we would both be dead. He flew that mechanical bird down shooting those blasted jungle people. They were probably running away for weeks. Scout, followed us the whole way down into the Gulf. There was a story I can never forget. And this other time...

"Could you tell me how you knew Nicolas Gunn?" asked the Detective.

"Oh, yes of course. He was a good chap, a man of stature. I did some wallpaper if not all in his house. Some of my very fine work. I found the best for him" I said scratching my chin. "I am doing some wallpaper work in the area and visited Mr. Gunn."

I called him up first to make sure he was home. I told him about the job putting wallpaper up in a house close by and would like to stop in and chat. He said to come on over so I hung up and got in my truck to head on over

When I arrived he was talking to that Doctor, Tom. I got out of my F150 and greeted him.

I told him the an old story of my Navy days. The one about the locals shooting at us as we sailed down stream towards our freedom. This time it was my whole crew and I. There was a storm blasting us with rain and hail. The boat almost tipped multiple times. That there boat was called the "Galloping Dingbat." We barely came out with the piece of crap. Will McGee, Steve Foster, and I think Jimbo Engle where there. I wonder how those guys are doing? Old Will saved my life many times. Not like I haven't done the same for all of them.

He cut me off to talk about other wallpaper designs and this party he was throwing the following day. I told him I may be a tad bit late, but I will be there. I was going to be be working at that house, you know the one that I was talking about.

"Before I left I tried to tell the story of facing those blasted intruders in India on the Arabian Sea. And how that there was a day in it's self." I said to the detective. "He cut me off and I headed back to my truck saying goodbye."

"Did you see his neighbor leave the house before you left?" asked Detective Chevalier.

"Actually, I did, but he didn't leave from the front where he came in from." I answered.

"What do you mean?" the detective perked up.

"Well he was jumping over the fence in the backyard. I didn't think anything of it. Just continued driving on by like I didn't see anything." I said.

"Hmm, interesting" he said. "What did you do when you left Nicolas's house?"

So, I left and drove back to my apartment and pulled up some new fancy wallpaper designs that would fit perfect with the house I was redesigning. Ate dinner about eight that night and shuffled off to bed.

What I actually was doing was stopping at a local store to buy a shovel and some rope. This party at Camp Jungle Woods was going to be the perfect place to get rid of Mr. Gunn, who was going to ruin my career. He knew I wasn't in the Navy. I was not even a part of any service. It was all a lie, and if that got out all my customers, which the majority are Veterans, wouldn't support my business anymore. I would be broke and forced out into the streets. I drove out to the camp the night before the party and dug the hole. I would walk Nicolas out to the hole and hit him in the head with the shovel causing him to fall in. If the hit won't kill him, he will die from the lack of oxygen.

That next morning I packed up some clothes and stuff for the evening that was ahead of me. I have to make sure I have everything I need like my tooth brush, clothes, and phone charger. I even packed some wallpaper samples just in case I got the opportunity to talk to some of the other guests.

"Did I tell you the story about Captain Fancier, and I sailed across the Gulf and there where no signs of bad weather. Everything was peaceful. No enemies in sight for miles. All of a sudden black clouds rolled in, the fog was thick, and the rain poured like someone turned on the kitchen sink. The boat flailed around, back and forth. Captain Fancier went overboard. I left my post at the helm of the boat and went for the preserve. I threw it out in the Gulf, hoping that Captain would pop his head up and grab a hold. I moved towards the spotlight and shined it out towards the water, however; the fog was to thick. Almost just like it is tonight" I continued. "Finally I see his hand reach for the life preserve and I pull him to safety."

"Could we get back to what happened when you arrived at the party." said detective Chevalier.

"Oh, sorry." I said.

When I arrived which was about thirty minutes late, the party had already started. I didn't think it was suspicious that Mr. Gunn was not there, just thought he was either setting things up or running late himself. I could say that at about ten I did see a chap walking around but couldn't tell you who it was.

I was being a little deceitful. I happened to run into the Major stumbling around. Having the shovel in my hand that night I helped him back to his cabin.

"Are you the only one who drives a pickup truck?" he asked pausing for my response.

"I'm not sure, though I think I am. Why?"

"Just wondering. I was run off the last night on my way back by a truck. If you didn't tell I survived with just a scratch and banged up leg." Chevalier said jotting down some notes.

"I'm sure it was just a mistake. But I haven't let this camp since I've been here. Is this all you need?" I ask.

He answered with a "yes" not looking up from his notepad. I headed back to my cabin.