Collections of Madness

Link to the Beginning :  https://rigglew4.blogspot.com/2017/06/part-1-esther-where-are-you.html Confronting the BIG man, Sedgwick himself. They’ve got the numbers, with firepower courtesy of Dr. Cavendish. What they lack…is a plan that can survive first contact. But they have plenty of bad luck. Casper parks the caddi at the curb in front of the High-Tower apartments. Everyone is surprised when Karl uses his blackjack to club Casper unconscious laying him across the front bench seats. “OK, now what?”

As the group climbs the stairs, Dr Coombes is already complaining, “Man, it’s hot…someone left the boiler on!” Indeed, except there is no power in the house that is near 100 degrees [think body temperature 98.6 degrees]. “ESTHER, ESTHER!” At the landing, they hear sobbing from the darkened far corner. Maureen rushes forward, pulling up short once she realizes it’s not her daughter, “Billy? Where’s my daughter!” Agatha tries to pull the mother off, “Stop threatening the poor boy. Can’t you see he’s in pain and suffering?!” Maureen shrugs off the interruption till Karl limps up the stairs and injects reason, “You catch more flies with honey. Not the vinegar you're spewing.” As Karl slides past M to comfort the boy… “She didn’t run. She’s still trapped. PLEASE, help me find Esther.” Maureen is already stepping forward, till Karl’s glare informs her she’s done enough scaring…not helping. 

Tuesday morning in Crawley, Massachusetts is another chilly November, 1932. Chimneys throughout this industrial town churn out smoke hinting at the families inside their homes lazing around their fireplaces soaking in warmth. Unlike the hobos 2 miles outside of town shivering around their meager fire-pits, inches away from the flames trying to gain what little warmth issues forth. A typical Hooverville gathering of makeshift shanties for the down-and-outcast members of society stricken worst by the October 1929, Stock Market Crash.

Monday, June 3 rd : Funny how everyone seems to be in Boston, knowing each other. I guess mob ties will do that; whether affiliated or opposed to them. Steve calls the group together at Johnny’s Grill, “Interested in a trip to Rhode Island? My old college classmate called me about his find while renovating his old house. Josh is from old money and apparently inherited his family digs; old colonial if I remember correctly. Anyway, he didn’t give details but from the sound of his voice, he’s excited about some historical find.”