THE SWORD AND SICKLE

CHAPTER ONE: HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

"Begrudge me, and tell me anyway."

"Well, it was unusual. I was napping when the phrase, 'Worry not my children, I am coming soon,' just popped in my mind and suddenly I was extremely horny, imagine that." She winked at Greta. I mean, I was really gushing," I hadn't felt that way in ages. So, I called my husband. As soon as I called my husband, the feeling was gone."

Director Morgan winked at Louise. "Thank you, Mrs. Wescott, you may leave. He said to Assistant Chief Bastion, "Close the door and sit down."

Assistant Chief Detective Greta did as she was told, and she walked to the desk. She wondered what he wanted of her. Hopefully not about sexual feelings for the Chief Detective, for he had made her feel hot, but she was not going to tell him anything about that. She sat at the desk and said, "Director, how may I be of service?"

Director Morgan pulled out a note pad from the desk and wrote down some words. "Do you recognize these names?" On the pad, he had written the names, Mr. and Mrs. Ansell Bastion.

She gazed at the names and said, "Yes, sir, that is the name of my fraternal grandfather."

"Would they happen to be in the city today?"

"Oh no, sir, they died over ten years ago. It couldn't possibly be them. There are lots of people named Bastions in the world, and there could be a number of different people."

"Where did your grandparents hail from?"

"I am from Virginia. My parents and grandparents come from Jackson, Mississippi."

"That is interesting, but an elderly couple with that name was registered at the Best Western this morning. How old were they when they died?"

"I would guess they were at least in their nineties, sir."

"I see," he said. "And how would you describe their looks and manner?"

They were very nice people and warm to everyone they met. He was about five feet four inches and very frail. She was about the same height and not so thin or frail."