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Click HERE for entire Don’t Forget Schuster.
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mystery story sequel-continuation

An hour later (after Vern had chatted with Phil, Kyle & Ashley, Charlene, Old Lady Yannich, Mabel, Tom & Tyler), Vern, Marty & Evan were on their way back to the Sheriff’s Office to get Evan’s 1991 Ford Crown Victoria out to Vern’s place.

“What is it with y’all & wanting to chat so much?” Evan asked, somewhat sarcastically, when he, Vern & Marty were all standing in the police garage, in front of both the 1991 Ford Crown Victoria & the 1976 Buick Century.

“You’ll understand when you get older,” Vern said. “I know you kids these days think that ‘talking’ is done via text & social media. Well, it just isn’t.”

“What he said,” retorted the Sheriff, starting to walk between the 2 cars. “It’s really too bad this 1976 Buick is part of this Schuster mystery. I’d really like to have something like this.”

“Oh … why, Marty?” Vern prompted.

“Well, a few years ago, I had a chance to buy a friend’s 1976 Century coupe, but passed on it,” explained the Sheriff. “Kinda wish I hadn’t now. These just have some great curves.”

Evan chuckled: “Isn’t that what we’re supposed to say about the ladies?”

“Well, yes,” the Sheriff agreed. “But great cars have great curves, too!”

“Alrighty,” Vern interjected, “‘bout time we start getting the Crown Vic out to my place. It’s nearly 4:30.”

For the next half hour, the trio eased the 1991 Ford Crown Victoria out to Vern’s place on the outskirts of town. Vern led the way in his 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis, Evan followed in the 1991 CV & the Sheriff completed the mini parade in his police cruiser, complete with lights for caution. Upon rolling into the driveway, Vern steered his Mercury into the roundabout area in front of the house, while Evan eased the CV down the main driveway past the 1-car attached garage to the detached 2-car garage. The Sheriff pulled the cruiser in behind Vern’s Mercury.

“If you let him park that in your detached garage, where will you park the Mercury, Vern?” the Sheriff asked walking down the driveway with Vern.

“I moved some things around in the attached garage,” Vern explained, “& I think I can get the Mercury in there. It’ll be a tight squeeze, at least tighter than it was before I moved the Mercury out to the detached garage, but since I’ll be leaving town in the next few days, I think it’ll be OK.”

“So, are you going to let Evan leave the Crown Vic here while you are gone?”

“If he wants,” Vern replied. “He is planning to watch the place for me while I’m out of town, so it makes sense. Gives him a reason to be here for a while.”

“True,” the Sheriff nodded. “Still, he could just park it back where he had it before…”

Vern eyed the Sheriff: “I’m thinking Evan isn’t going to want to put it back there.”

“Right, yeah, of course,” the Sheriff acknowledged. “But, he’s going to have to find some place for it.”

“I know,” Vern nodded. “But, for now it can stay here.”

Vern & Marty reached the 2-car detached garage. Evan already had the 1991 Crown Vic backed into the spot next to Vern’s 1975 Caprice Classic convertible where Vern’s 2005 Mercury Grand Marquis usually sat.

“This OK?” Evan looked towards Vern for approval. “I can always move it forward, back, or move it out & back it in towards either side, if you want.”

“Nah, Evan, it’s fine,” Vern replied. “You did a good job backing it in here.”

“Thanks,” Evan said.

“Welp, boys, I best be getting back to the office,” the Sheriff said. “I’ve some paperwork to do yet before I can call it a day.”

The Sheriff & Vern shook hands, then the Sheriff slapped Evan on the back: “Evan, I hope you can bring this 1991 Ford Crown Victoria back to its former glory. Fact, I know you can. But, if you need or want any help after Vern leaves for Nashville, all you have to do is ask. Me, Tyler & others will be more than happy to help you out.”

Evan nodded: “Thank you.”

With that, the Sheriff nodded, turned & walked back up the driveway to his cruiser. As his cruiser steered out of the driveway towards down, a familiar old beat-up pickup pulled into Vern’s driveway, having arrived via the opposite direction. The pickup eased down Vern’s driveway & came to a stop in front of the 2-car detached garage.

Vern smiled as Tom exited the driver’s side: “Well, howdy neighbor! Or, do you still not have the Braidwood place yet?”

“Nope, it’s been released to me, so I can get going on it,” Tom confirmed, while Tyler exited the passenger side of Tom’s truck.

“Well, this is a nice surprise!” Vern exclaimed. “Good to see you Tyler.”

Tyler nodded & shook Vern’s hand.

“You got the Crown Vic in there nicely,” Tyler observed.

“Thank you,” Evan said. “I think it fits just about perfectly.”

“Cool,” Tyler said. “So, what are your plans for it?”

“Well,” Evan began. “Actually, come on in the garage here & take a look at it.”

With that, Tyler & Evan went into the garage to talk about the Crown Vic.

“So,” Vern looked at Tom & leaned against Tom’s truck, “tell me about the Braidwood place.”

“Not really much to tell, Vern, at least not yet,” Tom replied, also leaning against his truck.

“You going to have it done by the time I get back?”

“Ha, no, Vern, I don’t think so. I certainly would love to be able to say that, but I don’t know. Need to really get in there & figure out what all I want to do with the place.”

Tom shrugged as if to punctuate his last sentence, & Vern nodded in understanding.

“Well,” Vern said, looking around, “you’ll get it figured out. You always do.”

“You OK, Vern?” Tom inquired, sensing something, though he didn’t know what.

“Me? Oh, yes, yes, I’m fine.”

“Vern,” Tom said in a lowered tone, “we’ve known each other for a long time. I was there when you married Amy. I was there when you lost Amy. Something’s wrong, I can tell. Are you having health issues?”

“Nah, it’s nothing like that, Tom,” Vern replied, looking Tom in the eye. “I really am fine, nothing’s wrong, per se.”

“But?” Tom prodded softly.

“Ah, it’s nothing, really, Tom,” Vern protested. “Just call it melancholy nostalgia.”

Tom nodded knowingly: “Got it. I’m familiar with that. Have had some twinges since I stepped down as Mayor of this town.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Vern said. “You’ve been Mayor for a long time … & just look at what all you figured out doing that. This town would not be the same without you at the helm for as long as you were.”

“Thank you for that, Vern,” Tom nodded in appreciation.

“You’re welcome,” Vern responded.

“Welp, it’s getting late,” Tom sighed & exhaled, not knowing what else to say.

“Late?” Vern blurted. “It’s not even 6 o’clock yet!”

“Right,” Tom said, “it’s getting late for dinner time!”

“So, stay for dinner,” Vern offered. “I’ll whip something up for all 4 of us, then you can take Tyler to his place & Evan back to his. When you 3 leave, I can then get ready for tomorrow’s groundbreaking ceremony … & yes, even pack for my road trip to my Nephew’s in Nashville Tennessee.”

“That sounds kinda good,” Tom said.

“Oh, that reminds me,” Vern spoke out loud, half-ignoring what Tom had just said, “I need to send an Email to a friend I want to see during that drive back’n’forth to Nashville!”

“Cool,” Tom acknowledged.

“Anyway, I can do that later. Meantime, it’s settled,” Vern said, pushing himself away from the truck. “I’ll go ahead & go get something started. You tell the boys & get them up to the house for dinner.”