Author: October 2013

Roll Call has unique teaching qualities to it. There is a whole lot of fast paced action in it. There is math, journalism and writing technique just to name a few of the qualities. The deceit of the book if from cover to cover. I do not personally like or agree with deceit, but that is what this book is, so to speak. It is a matter of unveiling one truth after another.

It may only be 111 pages but you have to pay attention or you might just not keep up. I know, myself, as the writer had to go through it like 10 times before I knew in my heart that it was right. I kept reading realizing the depth. Now that I have told you about several peoples comments in one; I would like to have your comment as soon as you have a chance.

After review with some of my constituents today, I realize I need to address that these book ARE NOT STAND ALONE. If you read them out of context you might easily get thrown a curve ball, don't say I didn't warn you ahead of time.

So, I hope you read Roll Call, like I recommend so that you can be ready for Mercy. Mercy will be just as fast paced as Roll Call, with a little more action.

Oh yes, to be sure that everyone is aware. None of my books will contain foul language or violence. I just want to be forward about this.

Thank you for reading, look forward to your comments, and happy reading.

I have been very busy today with review and edit of Mercy. I have noticed that just when I think I am done that there is more to be added.

CHAPTER ONE

I enter the District Attorney Ann Carter’s office as we had talked about before on Saturday at the party. Ann has a case in her hands. She’s ready to hand the case to me.

Ann tells me “DJ we have a total of twelve cases at this point. The ledger was a great help. It gave us a starting point of where to go and who to go to.”

I look at her in some shock that there are twelve cases? I can’t believe how many cases were looked at then closed, as though there was nothing left. Of course, if the police didn’t have the ledger, it would make sense to why they couldn’t follow up as easily.

I ask, “So where do we start?”

Ann hands me the case “We start at the square. Yes, it’s outside of Applegate however that’s where the case takes us. You’ll be sent in with Jon. I don’t want you to go in alone.”

I look at the case and review the few pages of information available. I understand why Ann wants someone to go in with me. I can see where the danger might lay. I could still be taken without any hesitation. There are many questions to this and not enough answers.

Jon comes into the office. With a smile he seems ready to go and face the situation at hand. With no reservations he starts in like a good policeman would.

Jon asks “Have you gotten DJ up to speed on this case?”

Ann explains “I just gave her the case. She hasn’t had time to go through it yet. I just gave her the information that I know as of this point.”

I state in surprise “Okay, I’m getting the idea of how the case goes, just by Ann’s description. I’m just surprised at how much the ledger has helped with these cases the police just dropped.”

Jon looks at me with a smile, knowing it will take just a moment to wrap my head around what had just been recovered on Roll Call. We knew it would help, but to this extent? I am happy but definitely in shock.

Jon says in a rush “Are you ready for the case? It sounds like after your quick review of the file you’ve been caught up pretty well. You can read the case information on the way to the address. There’s only a page or two, to explain the names but not much more. We have so many cases we need to get a move on.”

I look at him smiling, walking to the door in a swift motion; a rush almost like a challenge of who’ll get to the car first. He wants to be able to open the door for me, I know, but he really doesn’t have to. He’s still in the mode Dad approves of so much. Sometimes the men in my life can be a little overbearing.

He is successful at getting to the door of the office before me, and opening it, as usual. We rush through the precinct to his car. He still persists, trying to get to his car door before me. This time I manage to open his car door, get in, and start to review the limited amount of information on this case. The file is labeled Mercy.

Jon and I get to the square and start to walk around. We find the house with ease. It’s big similar to Josie’s house. We get up to the door, no chance to knock, before a young beautiful woman opens the door to acknowledge our presence. Jon steps in to take the lead.

Jon says, “Hello ma’am, this is DJ and I’m Jon. We are here to see if you know a Stacie that lived here.”

I can tell the woman is very offset by his approach. I step in to see if I can soften the situation.

I ask “Hi, my name is DJ, and I’m looking for Stacie, to see if I can ask her some questions, is she here?”

The woman answers softly “I’m Stacie. What questions do you want to ask?”

I ask “Did you once live in the Applegate Community?”

Stacie answers “Yes, I did. I was taken quite a while ago. After some time had passed I was brought here. I was told nobody was looking for me, and recommended highly to stay here. I felt if nobody was looking for me, then I shouldn’t go back, but rather make myself at home here. I figured my Dad had given up on me, and left.”

I ask “Do you recall how long you were at the other place?”

Stacie says “I remember it was for a little while.”

Jon interrupts “Can you be more specific?”

Stacie answers “No, I really don’t have an answer. Why do you ask?”

I inform her “There’s a reason you were told no one was looking for you. It may have been partially true. Your Dad was looking for you, however, the police decided to close the case, because they couldn’t find any leads, or reason for your disappearance. However, my Dad and I came to the community as well as a few other people. We took a look at the situation ourselves, and learned you’re not the only one in this situation. We are looking for many more.”

Stacie answers “I know there are many others. I know a few of them are right here in this house. We all chose to stay, since we developed a friendship while in captivity. We all were given the same option, and told the similar thing. There are a total of six of us here. We know of others who have been taken from here, we just don’t know where. We choose to keep to ourselves since we’re not familiar with the others. We struggle with new people coming in, because we have no clue what will happen next. There are people who come here on a regular basis and others on occasion. They seem to feel they have the right to come in and do whatever they wish. There are only a couple of people I don’t mind coming in.”

I ask “Do you mind if I come in? Is it okay for Jon to come in?”

Stacie lets us come in, with reservations of Jon entering into the house.

Stacie says “Please have a seat.”

She points to the couch settled in the middle of this big room to make it seem like there’s a large living room and a hallway entrance. Jon and I start to look around noticing everything seems to be immaculate. We are stunned about how large a house, and how no one seems to have raised any questions to what was happening here.

I start to inquire “You say there are five others here? What are their names?”

Stacie answers “Dean Franklin, Jackson Fraze, Marie Van Curt, Justine Curtis and Curtis Foster. Why do you ask?”

I answer “I only ask because not only were you not forgotten, but some of your families are still wondering what happened to all of you.”

Stacie asks in surprise “Dad is looking for me? The other parents, they are wondering what happened? Do they still want us? The police did what? There wasn’t any evidence, because the kidnappers saw to it there wouldn’t be.”

I tell her “We have taken action since we learned what happened. That’s why I’m telling you we’re looking. The amazing thing is all of you are on the list of people we’re looking for.”

Stacie still in shock asks “How many are there? Can you take us all back, so we can finally be a family again?”

I answer “Yes, if you wish, we can take you, and anyone else who wants to return to Applegate.”

Stacie walks over to the stairs at the end of the hallway. “I’ll go get them right away.” She continues going up the stairs until she’s not seen any longer. We can hear her inaudibly speaking. We hear doors opening one by one. Then hear a rumble down the stairs. Following Stacie are five others. They all are smiles, as if they are ready to be released, all aglow, as they look at us in anticipation of being taken off somewhere, someplace other than this big house with nowhere else to go.

Stacie starts to introduce each one “This is Dean Franklin, Marie Van Curt, Jackson Fraze, Justine Curtis and Curtis Foster.”

Just as she finishes the introduction, they all start to ask questions one right after the other, as to give respect for the last to finish their questions.

Dean asks “You are here to take us to Applegate? Are my parents there? Are they really looking for me?”

Jon says, “Dean, if you’d like to go home, we will gladly take you. Your parents are wanting see you and talk with you, if you’re open to it.”

Dean runs up the stairs with no explanation.

Marie Van Curt asks “Are my parents really looking for me? I was told they died in a car crash just six months ago.”

I ask, “Would they be the head of the Chamber of Commerce?”

Marie says, “Yes. That would be them. Are they looking for me?”

I say, “Yes, I do believe they are still looking for you. Yes, they are still very much alive.”

Marie doesn’t hesitate, she runs for the stairs herself. Just a few moments after she gets up and out of sight on the stairs; Dean is coming down the stairs with a suitcase.

Justine asks “What about me? They said there wasn’t anyone there for me.”

I answer “I do believe there are people waiting for every one of you back at Applegate. They would be very happy to see all of you, I’m sure.”

Justine, Curtis and Jackson all run for their things, just as rapidly as Dean and Marie. They all line up with their things ready to go.

Stacie follows them up the stairs. While I notice all of them are getting their things together, there seems we have one small problem. We need more transportation.

I look around for a phone. I walk towards the back of the house, and notice a room that seems to be blocked off, similar to the way the office in the storage place. I realize it’s an office of some sort, with a desk in the middle of the room. It’s rather quaint but seems to serve its purpose. I notice a phone to one side of the desk, and pick it up.

I start to make the phone call, noticing there’s a file cabinet off to one side of the office, opposite side a safe. I continue with the call, knowing I need to check on the cabinet; just to be sure it is important for us. I know I ought to find a way to check the safe as well.

I get an answer finally “Ann Carter please.”

Ann says, “Speaking.”

I tell Ann “We’re going to need help with transportation. We have a total of six ready to come home.”

Ann asks, “How many again? Did you say six?”

I say, “Yeah, the irony is all of them thought they were forgotten. We have some who are in shock, caught off guard, and out of place for the moment, but they all want to come back. They all seem to know at least one person that’s still there. Also, this office has a file cabinet in one corner with a safe next to it. I feel a need to check it out, but I don’t know what I am allowed to do, or if I should mess with anything.”

Ann asks, “Okay, are you at the address on the square? You were right to check with me. You’re not the police; you’re a junior investigator writing for The Tribune so you have the authority to check anywhere you wish. You’re acting on your own accord.”

I say, “Yes, and we are waiting now for help. How fast can we be expecting you?”

Ann says, “On my way now. While I’m on my way, check to see everything is clear and if there are anymore suspects that could be lurking in the dark. Then check the cabinet and safe if you can.”

I answer “I understand. I think I know just how to proceed. I’ll see to checking the file cabinet, and try to open the safe while you’re on your way. I was just in need of assist with the transportation.”

I hang up the phone, walk back to the living room, where I see all six of them waiting with their bags packed and ready to go. I can see the anticipation on all of their faces.

I ask, “Stacie, are there any others captors in the house?”

Stacie says, “No.”

I tell them, “Okay I’ve just called for help. There’s no need to be in panic, we have all the other captors in custody. Take a seat on the couches, and be patient while the transportation is on its way. Jon, I could really use your help in the office.”

All six of the students take a seat as Jon and I head for the office.

Jon follows, not sure of why I need his help. I show him the file cabinet and the safe.

Jon says “I can’t touch any of this. I’m legally bound.”

I say “No, you can’t but I can. What I need your help with, is to hold the information so I can prep to take it; then we can review it in the office for any more information.”

Jon says “I’m sorry DJ this is one time I can’t help. If I get involved in any way it will jeopardize the evidence. You can take all the information so it won’t be in jeopardy.”

I understand his explanation. I walk over to the file cabinet. It’s a black two drawer cabinet, with no clue as to how much is in there, I’m ready for anything, I think.

I ask for your feedback on the above chapter...any feedback is greatly appreciated. This is my entry for the moment. I will return in a few days with more to add, in hopes to get more insight from you. Thank you.

Author

Friday, October 18, 2013

An announcement about my date with youtube to be posted

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Overview of Roll Call

Suggestions, Embellishments and Comments

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

ONE LONG EDUCATIONAL DAY

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Welcome to the beginning of the Roll Call trilogy