Published: 21 Mar 2024

From Previous Chapter:

Dylan told the Estate Master, he figured it would be easier to tell him than Mr. Ken, as he wanted them to know about the fight and who was involved. He also wanted him to know that Richard had been stabbed and had been in surgery, but he didn’t know what the outcome was.

Dylan also explained that David was also taken to the hospital, but that he didn’t think his injuries were serious enough that he needed to be admitted. Mr. Wayne thanked Dylan for the call and told him that Charles would be home late tomorrow afternoon.

The three adults met after their calls were finished and the three quickly exchanged information. The question they had between them was when and how do they tell the boys.

When the three men came back to the table, Mr. Ken asked everyone to finish up their meals and then they would head back to their hotel.

Charles asked his dad if the phone call he, Mr. Dan and Mr. Wayne just received had anything to do with the fight at The Mall back home.

“So, you heard about the fight, did you?” asked the teen’s dad. “How?”

“Dad, when you all got phone calls about the same time, well … we took out our phones and made calls to our friends back home. We wanted to find out what happened that you three would get those calls all at the same time.

“My ‘brothers’ … they got through to their friends, but the three friends that I called … they … they never answered their phones. So, dad … what happened? Come on, dad, tell us!” implored Charles.

The other boys joined in Charles’ plea to learn what happened back home. ‘Dad’ Ken told everyone to finish their dinner, and that when they get back to the hotel, they will tell them there. He added that this open environment wasn’t the right place for that type of discussion.

When the group returned to the hotel, Mr. Ken had everyone assemble in his hotel room. When everyone was there, he told them his phone call was from Diamond Security telling him that not one, but two of the coins had been activated. He added that they were activated within two minutes of one another. And that they were activated at the same place that was at, or near, the Food Court at The Mall. He finished by telling them that was all he was told.

“But dad,” Robert quickly spoke up, when his dad had finished talking, “I bet they told you whose coins were activated. Can you tell us whose coins were activated?”

“Robert, boys, ahh, … why don’t we let Mr. Dan tell us what he knows. He can better answer that question, and tell you what he was told. His office … they called him because when he returns … he will probably be involved in the investigation, if they haven’t fully solved it by the time we return tomorrow. Dan, if you will … please?” finished ‘dad’ Ken.

Dan stepped up and took a deep breath and let some of it out and then began.

“Everyone … as you boys already know … there was an altercation just outside the Food Court at The Mall. It was actually … it was actually in the Men’s Restroom that is located down that long hallway that is just off the Food Court.

“It appears, from what the initial investigation has uncovered, is that six high school juniors … that they had been following five soon-to-be freshmen around The Mall and … and that they had been waiting for a time and a good location … that they could get one of those freshmen alone, and take some revenge out on him.

“I was told that when two of the five younger teens visited the Men’s Restroom, the six older teens … they followed them. And it was inside the restroom that the fight ensued. From what Lt. Matthias and Sgt Roberts have ascertained … the older boys first attacked … Richard Longger. And then, while that was going on, the other teens started roughing up … David Fritzer.”

Charles went numb when he heard that two of his friends had been attacked, and he immediately asked if that they been hurt. And then he wanted to know who did this to his friends.

“Charles … boys … let me finish, please. While Richard and David were being attacked, their friends … they wondered why it was taking them so long. So, they went looking for them. When they entered the Men’s Restroom, they surprised the older boys and they jumped on them to try to get them off Richard and David.

“It appears that both the initially attacked boys were able to squeeze their coins sometime during their attack and Diamond Security called the Sheriff’s Department about a serious security situation inside The Mall. The Mall Security personnel had already been notified about a disturbance near the Food Court, and they arrived at the same time the Sheriff Deputies did.

“The two groups entered the Men’s Restroom and attempted to stop the fray. It was while the Deputies were doing that, that they noticed one boy on the floor bleeding. They immediately called for the EMTs, and they immediately gave First Aid. They were also able, with the help of The Mall Security personnel, to corral most of the boys, but two of the older boys were able to escape.

“Now, let me tell you what I know about the injured boys. Richard … he had one serious stab wound … and he was in surgery when they called me. But with any stab would … you can expect that person to be in serious condition after their surgery.

“Richard … he will be in the hospital for a number of days for recovery. David … his injuries weren’t so severe that he required overnight observation, and he was allowed to go home with his parents.

“The boys who attacked Richard and David were well known to us. There was Brody Jordan, Owen Shappell and Easton Mitchell. Another teen, who seemed to be caught up in something he never wanted any part of, was a teen named Jason Drucker.

“But the two boys who the Deputies are searching for right now are Nicholas Crown and Alexander Dennis. It is believed that one of those two teens … is the person who stabbed Richard. Believe me when I say that they will be caught!” finished Lt. Dan.

“Mr. Wayne … can you tell us who called you?” asked Robert.

Mr. Wayne stepped up and told everyone that Dylan Allenbee called him to let him know about the fight. He told the group that he, Tyler Bracen, Cooper Henchler and Richard and David had gone to The Mall to go to the TheaterPlex to see a movie. The Estate Master told everyone that Dylan didn’t tell him anything different than what Mr. Dan just told them, but had wanted him to know, so he could tell Charles before he returned home.

The group meeting broke up and everyone went to their hotel room to start packing for their return home tomorrow. The boys were all bummed out and talked about what had happened back home, saying that if they had been home that would never have happened as Charles’ friends would have been at The Cove and not at The Mall.

Charles, who had two of his friends attacked, was especially upset since one of them had been stabbed, and he had no idea of how bad it was, and if he would live. The Cover teen was beside himself. So, he went to his dad to see if he could call Nurse Joanne to try to find out anything about Richard.

Dad Ken said he’d call her, but that he wasn’t promising him anything, as she might not be working today. He told his son that the nurse worked in the emergency room, and not in the surgical suite, and she might not have access to the information he wanted. Charles told his dad that anything would be better than not knowing how Rich was doing.

Looking at the time, dad Ken called Nurse Joanne Kirby hoping that she was at work that day, and could give him some information about Richard Longger.

When Mr. Ken got through to the emergency room at the hospital, where Joanne Kirby worked, they wanted to know who was calling and the nature of their call. Mr. Ken told them who he was and that he was calling for his son, who was close friends of Richard Longger, but that he was out of the state right now and just heard of the fight and stabbing. Mr. Ken added that he wanted to know anything that he could tell his son to relieve his anxiety over his friend’s condition.

The person put the call on HOLD and Mr. Ken waited for someone to pick up. About five minutes later, Joanne Kirby finally picked up.

“Mr. Ken, I’m sorry for keeping you so long. We’re really busy tonight due to the rains we’re having. I understand you’re asking for some info about Richard Longger. All I can tell you is that he is out of surgery and is resting. The rest has to come from his family. Sorry, but I got to go!” quickly said the nurse.

“Thank you, Joanne, I owe you!” replied Mr. Ken, and then the line went dead.

“Charles … I finally got to talk to Nurse Joanne for about two seconds. She told me that Richard is out of surgery and is resting. She added that anything more has to come from his family. And son, right now … is not the time to call his dad. When we get home tomorrow, we’ll stop by the hospital and try to see the boy. OK?” said the man, as he tried to comfort his son.

Charles was at least satisfied that Richard was out of surgery and was still alive. Now he couldn’t wait until he arrived home tomorrow, and he could go and see and hopefully talk to him. The Cover teen then went to his room and began packing for tomorrow’s return trip home.

After the adults packed, they met down in the lounge for a few adult drinks to discuss the trip, but also the untimely events of earlier that day back home that would affect at least Charles, if not the rest of his friends, as an attack, such as this, by older high school students could portend future events on other freshmen.

Dan told his traveling companions that they know who the two missing teens are and they should have them apprehended by the time they arrive back home tomorrow. He explained they’ll start at the teens’ homes and will work towards their close friends and work out from there.

Ken told the men that with Charles’ own brush with a knife, wielded by a man known as ‘Smokey’, held at his throat, as that man tried to kidnap him off the estate, must have his son replaying that scenario over again in his mind. He hoped the teen would be able to sleep tonight and when he gets back, he will make an appointment with Doctor Doug for the boy to let him talk this out with someone he trusts and can confide in.

This was more of the back story about one of the boys that Dennis hadn’t heard before. This revelation that Charles was almost kidnapped from the estate, and that a man had held a knife at his throat to affect that kidnapping was mind blowing to him.

Now Dennis Florkert understood why they didn’t want him to know the reasons why the boys were living there, and some of the things that may have happened to them since they’ve been living there. He realized that this sort of information would be a great news fodder for a headline happy up and coming news reporter.

Mr. Wayne speculated that there had to be some sort of connection between Richard and the older teens that they focused on him first. He asked why they would just pick on five random soon-to-be freshmen.

Dan told the men to keep what he was about to tell, them under their hats. He explained that Nicholas Crown, one of the missing teens, had a chance meeting with Richard two years ago out in the school yard that caused Dan Chassen to press the transmitter that put the school in Lock-Down.

Dan told them that Nicholas had grabbed Richard and told him that he got his friend in trouble and that he was mad and for him to tell Charles to stay away from her, too. The friend in this case was Leah Hoalmes, who was probably his girlfriend at the time.

Dan added that Nicholas was picked up soon after the Lock Down was initiated and taken back to the school. He said that Richard identified the boy who attacked him, and was told by the boy that he would get him for that.

Ken asked Dan that if Charles was with his friends just then, if he could have been assaulted just as Richard was, or worse. Dan said that his guess was just as good as anyone’s. But if this Nicholas character held a grudge that long, who knows what he would have done?

The men finished their drinks and went up to their rooms. Their return flight didn’t leave until 10 a.m., but that still meant they had to be down in the lobby by eight o’clock.

While the men were talking, Charles finally got a hold of Cooper. The two talked about the fight and how the older teens had already beaten Richard, when they entered the Men’s Restroom. But Cooper said he didn’t see who had stabbed Rich, as he was fighting one of the bigger boys and was losing.

Charles asked Coop what the Sheriff Deputies did with them. Coop told his friend that he yelled to David and Tyler not to tell them anything until their parents were called. Coop said that pissed the deputies off, so they had to take them to their station house and call their parents.

Cooper told Charles that after question after question, which was asked in about five different ways, they finally let him and Dylan and Tyler go home. Coop added that they all have to appear in court to answer to the fighting and disturbing the peace charges, so their parents are going to call Stewart Russel tomorrow to see if he will represent them.

Charles asked Coop if he knew why Nicholas Crown attacked Richard. Cooper was surprised that Charles knew that much. The Cover told him that Mr. Dan was with them and he got a courtesy call to tell him about the fight and that when he got back, he might be involved in the search for him and Alexander Dennis.

Cooper told Charles that Dylan and Tyler were happy that either Richard or David had pressed their coin, because they felt that without doing that, they didn’t think The Mall cops would have been able to do a anything for them with six big high schoolers beating up on them.

Cooper told Charles that Dylan’s parents were really mad at him for getting involved and into trouble with the police. But that he heard Dylan tell them that he learned from being over at The Cove that teamwork was important, and that supporting and helping your friends was equally as important, and that he was going to stand up for his friends, and he would do it again and that if he hadn’t, Richard might be dead right now.

It was late and Charles told Cooper that he had to get to bed. He told his friend that he had to be up, showered, dressed and down in the lobby by eight and their plane would leave by ten. The Cover added that the flight would take about three hours and they would gain one hour because of the time difference, but it was at least a ninety-minute limo ride back to The Cove, so he didn’t expect to be back home until at least two o’clock, at the earliest.

Charles then told Cooper he hoped to go see Richard when they got home, but wouldn’t know if he would be able to until they arrived at the hospital. The Cover then said he wanted to talk to David to see how he was doing.

Cooper told him that David was home resting and wasn’t allowed to have his phone right now, as his parents had answered it when he called him earlier. Charles offered that he hoped by late tomorrow the parents would relent and he would be able to talk to his friend. He reminded Cooper that this time he wasn’t there. The two laughed at the inference and then they hung up.

Everybody was down in the lobby well before eight that Wednesday morning. The boys took all the luggage and carry-on bags out to the vans and Collin’s limo before they took a look at the buffet. They all wanted something off the breakfast buffet to hold them over before they got their breakfast on board their charter aircraft.

After taking what they wanted off the buffet, the group settled into their transportation and then they headed out to the airport. Once there, they did the usual. They loaded the luggage onto the TSA carts and then headed inside to go through the TSA Security Checkpoint themselves.

Once everyone had cleared TSA, Mr. Ken and Collin talked and realized they hadn’t changed up the passenger manifest for either airplane, so it was decided that whomever had flown to the Edgewood stop would also be flying back in the same aircraft to the Austin-Bergstrom airport.

When the travelers heard that announcement, some were upset and others were ecstatic that they got to fly with their big ‘brother’ Collin, again.

Collin’s corporate airplane was ready to takeoff on time, but the air charter aircraft would be at least a half-hour late, due to the refueling that wouldn’t be completed by their ten-a.m. take-off time. The late take-off upset Charles, but his dad told him that they had no control over those sorts of things, and they just had to deal with them as they came.

As the Covers waited for their airplane to finish refueling, Charles told his dad about his phone call with Cooper last night. The teen’s dad was intrigued with what his son told him about the boys wanting Stewart Russel to represent them in court, since they all were given citations for fighting and disturbing the peace.

Mr. Ken was surprised that the Allenbee’s were upset with their son, Dylan, for standing up for their friends and ultimately being involved in the fight. He was also astonished that Dylan stood up to his parents and told them that he learned a lot by going to the Cove, and standing up for your friends was one of them, and that he would fight again to protect them and that if he hadn’t, Richard might be dead right now.

Mr. Ken hugged Charles and told him that he had some great friends who stick together and stand up for one another, when the chips are down. The man told the teen that they’d call Frank Longger as soon as they got back to see if he could go and visit with Richard.

Charles loved the closeness he had with his dad just then. He thanked his dad for wanting to call Mr. Longger for him. The teen then told him about David’s parents taking his phone away from him. The teen’s dad told his son that he’d have to work that one out for himself. Dad Ken then smiled at the teen. Charles understood what his dad meant, and that he’d try to get a hold of David himself, once he got back from seeing Rich.

After father and son finished talking, Dan came over to Ken to tell him about some further information he had just received about the missing teenagers.

“Ken … Roberts just told me that Nicholas Crown … that he went to The Cove last night asking to talk to Charles, not knowing we had a BOLO (Be on the lookout) out for him. The Sergeant said the security guards knew who he was because of that BOLO we distributed to them because of what I told them about Crown wanting revenge on Richard and Charles. Your security guards did a citizen’s arrest until the deputies arrived to take him into custody.

“Also, Alexander Dennis’ parents … they brought their son in late last night. They had a lawyer with them, David Jackson. Roberts said that when they heard that the boy had been stabbed, they knew their son wasn’t the one who did it, and they wanted him to be exonerated, which was why they brought him right in.

“At least, Ken, those two are now in custody. They both will have a hearing sometime this morning, their time. And it will be during that hearing that they will be adjudged as either adults, or as juveniles. But since all the attackers are sixteen, they will all probably be tried as adults. We won’t know anything until we arrive at Austin-Bergstrom,” reveled Dan Fischer, Sheriff’s Lieutenant.

Ken Thomas thanked Dan for the update. He added that he couldn’t believe how a teen could hold a grudge for that long, unless, he figured, the boy’s girlfriend was still in the picture. Mr. Ken then asked Dan if he knew if Leah Hoalmes was still Nicholas’ girlfriend, and if she might have egged him on and, if so, would she be considered a secondary actor in this?

Dan told Ken that he’ll call Roberts before they take-off and ask him that question. He said they could be checking that angle out, while they are flying back home. Ken thanked him for making sure they know who is behind this senseless attack.

The two aircraft took off just a little past 10:30, with their arrival time estimated at the Austin-Bergstrom Airport around 12:40 CDT, since they would gain an hour traveling west.

It was an uneventful flight back home. The travelers were fed breakfast about an hour into their return flight and they all talked about their eleven-day trip and what they liked and didn’t like about it.

Phillip couldn’t stop talking about everything that he got to do during that trip. It was the longest and furthest he’d ever been away from home, and he had enjoyed everything he got to do on the entire trip. He told everyone how on this trip it was his first time flying and also his first time flying an airplane.

The youngest Cover then told them about this being his first time riding all those big amusement park rides and loving them all; even if he was scared to do so at first. He told his ‘brothers’ that he can’t wait to thank Mr. Ken for taking him to all those great parks.

Phillip then lamented that when they go back to visit the parks again, before school starts, he’ll be back to living with his mom, and will probably miss out going. But Mark spoke up and told him that he was there with them now and that, as a Cover, Mr. Ken will probably ask him back. That put a big hopeful smile on the young boy’s face.

The boys all enjoyed the flight home. They watched the countryside pass by underneath them as they passed overhead. They talked about what they wanted to do when they first got home, but they knew that wouldn’t be until at least 2:15 at the earliest, after their limo ride there.

But with all the boys not being in the same airplane, the ones flying with Collin didn’t remember that ‘Dad’ Ken wasn’t going to allow them to invite their friends over that first day back. And they wouldn’t know that until they all met in the terminal at the Austin-Bergstrom airport.

While they flew back home, Charles talked with his dad, again, about his going with him when he returns for the Grand Re-Opening of Edgewood. Charles argued that with him along he would have someone who could run errands and help keep track of all the small things he and Mr. Ben will be involved in before the ceremony.

The teen’s dad knew the boy wanted to go in the worst way, and he was laying on the reasons really thick, even if some of them didn’t make sense. But dad Ken still hadn’t made the decision and he told the teenager that. But he did promise Charles that he would let him know within two weeks, as he and Ben would be flying out to Edgewood a few days before the reopening. The Cover teen said he would hold his dad to that time line and then hugged him.

The planes were finally in the vicinity of the Austin-Bergstrom Airport and the aircrew had the travelers get ready for the approach. They had them put away any loose items and then they reminded them of the emergency procedures in case of any problems upon landing. The back-end crew member then had the travelers strap themselves into their seats and sit upright to prepare for landing.

Once everyone was inside the terminal, Phillip ran to Mr. Ken and hugged him and thanked him for taking him on that wonderful trip. He told him he had never been that far away from home and never had experienced that many new things in his life, and he owed it all to him. He added that he couldn’t wait to tell his mom about his trip.

Mr. Ken called the boys together and told them when they get back to The Cove, he wanted them to take all their dirty clothes up to their hampers. He said he was going to call Mr. Longger to see if Charles could visit Richard. He then told them that he wanted them to use the rest of the day to rest up from their trip, and then later they would go out to dinner, as Momma would not be back to cook for them until the following Monday.

Matthew moaned that he couldn’t call his friends, so that they could come over. ‘Dad’ Ken told the pre-teen that they probably wouldn’t get back to The Cove until about 3 o’clock and by the time they unload everything and get settled there wouldn’t be much time for their friends to spend much time there.

The boy’s ‘dad’ then added that they all just had a rushed and very exhausting eleven days and whether they all realized it or not their bodies were probably running on empty, and they all needed some recovery time. He told them that he sure needed it.

Collin told his ‘brothers’ that he was flying back to Wilkinson to check on the architect’s plans on the remodel of his home, and to see how the staff was coming along with putting all of the furniture in storage. He added that he also needed to find a place to live, while the house was being worked on.

Robert asked his big ‘brother’ if he wasn’t staying with them. Collin told the teen that he was, but that he needed a place to stay when he went back to Wilkinson to check on the progress as the remodel would take anywhere from six to nine months, or longer, depending on how much he wants to redesign the home.

The boys all said goodbye to their big ‘brother’ as Collin headed back to his corporate airplane, so he could get back to Wilkinson. The Cover travelers then headed out to the two limousines so they could all head back to The Cove.

Mr. Ken made the decision to have the four men ride together in one of the limos, so they could talk, and that the seven boys would all ride in the other one. He asked everyone if they wanted to stop along the way and get something to eat.

Everyone wanted to stop and get something to eat, except Charles who wanted to get back home so he could go and see Rich. He told them that and his dad told his son to hold on and he would call Mr. Longger, and see if Rich was having visitors yet.

“Hello, Mr. Longger? Ken Thomas here, Charles’ dad. We heard about what happened to Richard, and we were totally surprised that something like that happened. We just flew in to Austin after our two-week trip and Charles … well, he wanted to know if he could stop by and visit Richard later tonight?” directly asked Mr. Ken.

… … …

“Oh … so, his surgery was successful, but he is still in serious, but stable condition, and he is in the intensive care unit and only family can see him right now. Can I ask what kind of damage the knife did?” continued Mr. Ken.

… … …

“Oh, how did I know that? Well, Lieutenant Dan Fischer … he is with us on this portion of the trip and they called him. They told him about the stabbing and that two of the teens had run away and were missing, and that he would probably be a part of the search when he returned.”

… … …

“Oh, so Richard was stabbed in the side and it hit his stomach and nipped his spleen and kidney. And they are watching for any signs of infection, since they don’t have the knife yet to test for any types of microbes. When do you think Charles might be able to see his friend, Frank?”

… … …

“OK, I’ll tell him, and we’ll call you again this Friday to see how your son is doing. Thank you for talking to me and letting me know how Richard is doing. Bye.”

Mr. Ken finished his call and Charles was right there with tears falling down from his eyes, as he had heard everything his dad had said. The man, seeing the tears, pulled his son to him and let the teen cry the hurt out.

The other boys also heard what Mr. Ken had said and they weren’t any better off. They all knew Richard and they were sad to hear that their friend was still in serious condition and was in the intensive care unit and wouldn’t have visitors until at least before Friday.

Once the man felt Charles had gotten enough of the hurt out of him, Mr. Ken asked everyone to get into the limos and that they would stop just outside of Austin for a bite to eat. Charles wanted to ride with his dad, but he told the teen he would be better off with his ‘brothers’ right now.

Once the limousine with the four men had begun its journey, Dan told them that while Ken was talking with Frank Longger, he had called Lt. Matthias to get an update. He asked them if they were interested in knowing what he learned. They told him that they were.

Dan told them, “Guys, while Ken was talking with Frank Longger, I called and talked with Lt. Mattias to see if my question about Crown’s girlfriend panned out. Boy did it ever!

“Matthias told me that they brought Leah Hoalmes in for questioning and learned that Nicholas Crown and Alexander Dennis went to her home, when they left The Mall. Her parents said that they didn’t know the two teens were wanted by the police until later when they heard it on the news, but by then the two had left.

“The lieutenant then told me that they also brought in Leah’s closest friends, Skyler Sippelle, Kaelyn Farlow, Joanna Schwimminger and Keira Kantzing. He told me that Skyler and Keira were up front and told him that Leah was always going on about how Richard and Charles had treated her like she was a nobody and that she didn’t matter and that they didn’t deserve to live.

“Matthias also told me that he and Roberts talked to DA Morris about the other boys coming to the aid of Richard and David. He told me that after they argued that both boys may have been stabbed and possibly dead, if their friends hadn’t jumped in and fought the older teenagers, that the DA decided to drop the charges.”

Hearing that put a big smile on Mr. Ken’s face.

“And lastly, Matthias … he told me that the teens … that the six of them have all been held over as adults. He said that five of the teens have agreed to testify against Crown, as the one who stabbed Richard. Thus, they have been charged with planning the assault, stalking and assault and battery resulting in a serious bodily injury to a minor child.

“And that Nicholas Crown … well, he is being held, with no bail, on those same charges, but also with one additional charge of attempted murder. Matthias also said they are talking to Morris about charging Leah Hoalmes with conspiracy with planning the assault and aiding and abetting Nicholas after the fight. Brandt said that this can of worms has been opened and there is no way that it will ever be closed, or end well for those who were involved in this fight.”

The men talked about what Dan just told them, and everything they learned about the fight and what this all meant for Richard. Mr. Ken wondered out loud if he should tell Charles about any of this, or should he just let it all come out naturally. The discussion continued between the four men until the two limos stopped for the group to eat.

The saga of Three Finger Cove continues. Let Chowhound know you are reading his story: Chowhnd at Gmail dot Com

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