“So, I can tell you’ve been avoiding the topic, but what about the men out there, any Southern Gentleman calling on you,” she said, with a distinctively fake Southern accent.
Blanche filled her in on meeting Jasper and Rufus, and the bodybuilding thing that was happening the next day, as well as her run-in with Mikey and company.
“Blanche, you have got to be more careful, a babelicious little nugget like yourself is gonna attract every swingin’ dick in the county with a pea-sized brain controlling it,” Holly said laughing at her end.
“You sure know how to turn a phrase Holly, and with so much tact as well.”
They continued to joke with one another for some time not realizing how long they’d been talking or how much this call would cost Blanche. At the end of the call, Holly tried to be a bit more serious, expressing love and true concern for her friend located so far away.
“Really Blanche, how are you, you okay?”
“Holly, I have to tell you, I really miss you and everybody there, but moving here is the best thing I think I’ve ever done. I love my job, Valdosta is great, and I’ve had this funny feeling lately, it’s hard to describe, but I think it’s what happiness must feel like,” Blanche expressed.
She lay back on her bed and continued, saying more than she had intended to, “And I’ve met a young guy that makes me feel good, makes me feel special. Not so much in a love interest kind of way, but just makes me feel important and that I make a difference.”
“Blanche, I’m so happy for you and glad that it’s going well there. I miss you too, but I know you did what you knew you had to. So tell me, how much younger is he. What’s his name? You know, all the good stuff.” Holly anxiously awaited the answers.
“Well, he’s only 24, so that’s why I said he can’t really be a love interest or anything, but his name is Seymour, Seymour Wood,” Blanche detailed.
A loud laugh burst through the line that originated in Arizona and wound up in Georgia causing Blanche to push the phone away from her ear. Holly went on for what seemed like a minute or two before she could get herself under control.
“What? What’s so funny about a young guy maybe being into me, it’s only 9 years. I’ve seen worse and the fact that I’m his boss shouldn’t have anything to do with it.”
Holly finally contained her laughter and continued to snicker when she replied, “Oh Blanche, you are just too cute and naive. I think it’s great that you’ve got a younger admirer. Hold on a minute, did you just say you’re his boss. Oh that’s perfect, just perfect,” she started laughing again.
“What is so damn funny?” Blanche was starting to get a little irritated that her friend was having so much fun at her expense.
“It’s not that at all, it’s his name. Seymour Wood,” Holly chucked into the phone.
“I don’t get it, what’s the deal?”
“Are you serious, Blanche? You are kidding right?” her friend asked.
“No, I know it’s an old school name but I don’t find it that funny.”
“Blanche listen, k. Just listen. See More Wood,” Holly said, with distinct gaps in the syllables.
“Yeah, so what?”
Holly was stupefied, “Wood, Blanche, Wood. His last name is Wood! You know erection, stiff dick, hardon, woody…..See More Wood.”
“Oh, my gosh! Oh, my gosh, Holly! I’d never even…, oh that is kind of funny. Bet he gets crap for that all the time.”
The two shared a good laugh that only the best of friends can share; all that was missing was the extended hug that should follow.
After having caught up with each other, and everything, the two parted, a promise to talk again soon. Blanche placed the phone on the bed next to her, new thoughts flooding her mind, thoughts of home, Holly and Seymour.
“Seymour Wood,” she said it out loud, and laughed again before getting ready for bed.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
“Sheriff, can you give us any more information about the nature of the crime and the injuries sustained by the victim?” the reporter for the newspaper inquired.
Sheriff Angelo Lupo, or 'The Wolf' as he was known by his fellow officers, stood before a handful of reporters gathered at the front steps of the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, a two story structure with offices, conference area and a computerized dispatch room. The two-acre facility was dotted with other buildings, including a minimum-security lockup, motor pool and forensics labs with an annex to the main structure. There were a cluster of microphones arrayed before him that he didn’t feel was necessary, but the techno types had insisted.
“Now I know you all are anxious to get the details about the crime in question but we are not prepared to share very much with the public at this time. I can tell you that we believe the episode a short time ago, involving Ms. Riddle, and this latest event are linked. We believe they perhaps involve the same individual or individuals. Our investigation is ongoing but for now our leads are limited and we could use your help in getting the word out to the public to report anything suspicious, and to double check that their homes are secure before turning in for the night. We are not releasing the name of the most recent victim but we can report and stress that she was not harmed as the crime was perpetrated. She was taken to the hospital with minor injuries from a fall she took once she discovered the nature of the crime and she has since been released. Our office will be conducting the investigation with the cooperation of the Valdosta Police Department and the State Police if necessary. The crime was committed beyond the city limits and that is why our department is involved. You’ll note that we had responders from several jurisdictions yesterday and we’d like to thank all those involved that helped us secure the scene, and who are and will help, in the processing of clues found at the location.”
A balding, mousey little reporter interrupted the Sheriff, “So there are some clues that were left at the scene?”
The broad chested Sheriff stared the reporter down, not accustomed to being interrupted, “I said, we are not prepared to release any details at this time and I’ll take a couple of questions but nothing related to the scene, victim or our investigation at large.”
The same diminutive reporter spoke up, a high pitched whine accentuating his nasal tone, “You indicated that you believe the Riddle woman and this latest crime are somehow related, can you expand on that thought?”
“Not at this time. Next question,” Angelo curtly replied, wondering if the dogs in the back were having issues with the reporter’s voice.
A beautiful, young and very eager woman stepped forward, her hand waving in the air, “Sheriff are you able to clarify the nature of the crime. We’d like to inform the public if their safety is at risk? Secondly, does your department handle this type of crime regularly and are you equipped to deal with a serial criminal as it seems we have here?”
“Let me first say that the Lowndes County Sheriff Department is perfectly capable of dealing with this type of criminal behavior. We have seasoned veterans on our staff that have worked similar cases and I have no doubt that we will bring the perpetrator to justice quickly and efficiently. Furthermore, we have been assured if outside resources are needed and requested that they will be made readily available to this office. I cannot stress enough that in both of these crimes; the victims were not physically harmed. They were shaken up, as anyone would be under similar circumstances, but neither victim confronted the subject in question or was assaulted in any way.
We believe the public to be safe for the present time but vigilance is the key. I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict that we're not dealing with a classic serial criminal as you've suggested, but I believe as we thought in the first instance, that this is more of a prank, most likely kids with too much time on their hands. Thank you for coming; we will notify you when we are prepared to release further details. Good day.” He slipped his aviator style sunglasses on but gave the annoying little reporter a stern look over the top of the shades before sliding them on fully. Questions continued to be fired at him as he turned his back on the small group and walked up the stairs that led to the front entrance of his domain.