This is based on a true story. Names and some situations have been changed in order to protect the innocent from the guilty, as the guilty walk the streets. The Prequel to this chapter is Parts I, II, III & IV.
1975 Cadillac Convertible
October 1976 to December 1976 was a whirlwind for Jeanie Thomas. Her life was filled will success, agitation, fear, happiness.
After the incident with Barbie, Ed, Samson and Bill, there were crank calls, mysterious vehicles parked in the desert across from her house at night – sometimes only burning cigarette embers visible. She had thought one night she saw Ed’s truck there but it was dark and she didn’t want to look that close.
The first week of November she purchased a 1975 Cadillac El Dorado Convertible. She had been truthful with her husband about a closing she had coming up and he okayed the purchase because it was a decent deal at $6000.
The second Sunday of that month she got a phone call early on a Sunday morning. She was home alone and almost didn’t answer because of the prank calls. It was Jo Blue – Jeanie needed to be at the office in an hour to go over paperwork.
When she got to the office, Jo looked at her over her reading glasses and the look put chills down Jeanie’s spine. This was not going to be good.
“Sit down,” she started. “Now, what you do in your free time away from here is none of my business unless you break the law to put your license in jeopardy or it involves my family. I don’t much care for Ed. Most people know that, but he is part of my family. Jeanie, his truck has been parked in front of your house twice in the last two weeks and LouLou is complaining he isn’t coming home until after midnight. Then last night he got his second DUI and they found a marijuana cigarette on him.”
Jeanie was in shock and trying to open her mouth to speak.
“Just let me have my say young lady. Whatever your attachment to Ed is you need to let it go. Nothing will ever come of it because he will never divorce LouLou. You have such a bright future, well, had if you don’t get your judgement on track.”
Jeanie found her voice.
“Mrs. Blue, Jo, I despise Ed. I am afraid of him. Well, not really him. Really Samson. But I have felt like I am being watched and thought one night I recognized Ed’s truck. But it was dark. And things, little things, have been moved or removed from my office. I am carrying my active files in my trunk just to protect my clients and the deals.”
Similar Property to Jeanie Thomas’. Original property was leveled as unable to sell.
“You think Ed wants to harm you?” Jo laughed. “He doesn’t have to gumption to…”
“I know,” said Jeanie. “I know he wouldn’t be the ring leader. But yes, I think he is participating in the harassment. I have had prank calls and found a dead animal on my drive. I disregarded the dead animal because there have been a lot of coyotes lately. I know that he and his friends are doing this. Maybe Barbie too”
Jo Blue had disregarded her statement. She gave her another warning to stay away from Ed and dismissed her. Jo Blue would have clean up to do - $500 DWI fine and talk to the judge regarding the marijuana cigarette. That charge needed to be dropped. The Arizona Board of Realtors didn’t recognize a DWI fine as a reason to suspend a license but they did for any type of drugs.
After that, the tone of the office changed. Robert and Zeke weren’t talking to her as much. Ed was downright mean. Barbie just snickered. Jeanie was no longer the favorite. Cari Anne had tried to tell her it would pass. That whatever she did to Jo Blue would soon pass.
Whatever she did.
Jeanie started putting together her end game plan. New Year’s Eve when her husband was happy and drunk, Jeanie would be ready to leave. Ready to disappear.