The Runaways

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

New York City

"I'm Detective Burton," a tall broad shouldered man told Jake as he boarded their private car once the railroad cars were moved off to a siding upon their arrival. "I understand from a Mr. Hardin you might be able to shed some light on the disappearance of the attorney Alan Baxter."

"I think we can Detective Burton. Sam will you let Jim know he needs to come to our car," Jake told her and Sam left the car to get her step-father. "Can we get you anything to drink Detective Burton?"

"I'd like a whiskey but I'm on duty so if you have some coffee instead I'd appreciate a cup," Ronald Burton replied thinking it must be nice to be this rich to have all these private railroad cars to travel in. He hadn't seen this many private railroad cars since the President came to town for a visit. They must grow them rich in Texas.

"Cyrus we will probably need coffee for everyone once they arrive," Jake told his man.

"Yes Mr. Morgan," Cyrus replied and left toward the back of the car just as Jim along with Julie came into the railroad car followed by Sam and Martha Paterson who was traveling with them in their car.

"The others will be here shortly," Jim replied. "I saw a man I think is Alex's attorney friend go into his car as we were coming here."

"Jim, Julie this is Detective Burton," Jake said. "Detective this is my mother and father-in-law Julie and Jim Harrison."

"Now that they are here can you explain to me what you people know about Alan Baxter's disappearance?"

"It's a long story that started about six months ago when Matthew Meriwether owner of Meriwether Publishing here in New York City died from what was thought of at the time a heart attack..." Jim began and explained from the beginning what transpired with the detective taking notes and asking a few questions along the way as the others soon joined them.

"So the uncle was selling off the young woman's stocks and bonds that he had no business having and planning her murder," Ronald Burton said.

"Yes," Jim replied.

"I gather she's Penny Meriwether," Burton said pointing to Penny.

"Yes I'm Penny Meriwether," Penny replied to the detective.

"Do you have anything in the way of proof he was doing this?" Burton asked.

"No I don't," Penny replied. "I wrote down the names of several from a list I found in my father's desk that looked like the names of stocks that were left to me."

"Penny showed the list to me and when we were searching for Jim's address I saw the list she copied from in the desk drawer with the last one showing he had check off the amount next to the stock at fifty thousand which was the amount that Uncle Harold and Edward Winston talked about that Penny over heard," Edie told the detective then reached into her reticule and pulled out the paper Penny had written on and handed it to the detective. "I saved this with the stock names on it just incase we needed it."

"I'm afraid that can not be considered evidence against your uncle. Do either of you remember the name of the doctor who informed you that your father died of a heart attack?" Burton asked.

"Yes it's a name I'll never forget," Edie replied. "His said his name was Doctor Hightower. He never did say what his first name was that day. He was with our uncle and they came together to our house to inform Penny and me of our Father's death."