Jessup, Wisconsin, Chapter 10

by Simahoyo

The library was pretty quiet. Frankie got there without school kids grabbing every computer in sight and staring at anyone over the age of eighteen as if they didn't belong there.

Hannah Moore had a sense for who needed help. She hurried over to Frankie.

"Hello. What are you looking for?"

"Ma gave me some names and dates of ancestors who were in the Civil War, and if I can prove it, I can apply for scholarships."

"Oh, a basic genealogy search. Show me the names and dates."

Francesco Caputo–Whaler. Arrived Groton, CT. 1848, from Sicily.

Augusto Galli of New Orleans. B. 1841. Chef.

"Well, the times would work, and the places. Let's go to and see if they have anything on either ancestor."

Instead of leaning over his shoulder, Hannah sat next to him. He liked that much better. They did a search on Augusto Galli in the Confederate Army records. There were so many! Finally, there was Augusto Galli in the 4th company regiment. Ooops, surrendering. But he was there.

"Now what?"

"Print it. Did your mother post a page on Ancestry?"

"Maybe."

"Let's find out." She typed in Rizzoli and several pages came up. She typed in Angela–and there were still a lot of pages. She put in Frank and Angela, and there were three–but one was in La Follette County, Wisconsin. A few more keystrokes, and there it was.

"There I am!"

"Yes, now take notes or print it all out, go back to your Galli and Caputo ancestors showing all the all the connections and where she got the information.

"Your printer is going to get a workout. Don't I have to give you a bunch of quarters?"

"No, just pay me after you print them all. Then we find the scholarships. I believe we can get you off to school by June."

Jessup, Wisconsin Jessup, Wisconsin Jessup, Wisconsin Jessup, Wisconsin

Jeff Wieser was happy to drive over to Jessup to see Jane. She was unlike any other woman he had ever met. She was a breath of fresh air. She loved sports–and she worked him hard whenever they played any form of ball. Plus, she was fast. He had to really move to catch her. She also felt really good once he did catch her. Today he was going to meet Jane's best friend. He had heard a few things about this doctor–and knew the two of them had gotten up to some crazy things as teens. Jeff figured that would be long over.

He was, however, intrigued that Jane's friend was still called Mischief. Either the people of Jessup were slow to get rid of childhood nicknames–witness his life-long attempts to ditch being called, "The Weezer." Or, what? His lawyerly mind was itching to know more, especially as it involved Jane. He pulled up to Midge's, hopped out and ran up the stairs to Jane's. He rapped on the door, Jane jerked it open and threw herself at him.

"That's what I call a warm welcome."

"More to come later, but first we go find Mischief–unless you need the john?"

"God, how did she do that?", he thought.

When Jeff returned Jane was smirking at him. They delayed their start for a few minutes–then they took off to meet this Mischief person.

Jeff expected either another Jane, or her exact opposite, so when the walked into The Farm Table, and up to a beautiful blonde dressed better than anyone he knew. Jeff as a bit muddled.

"Hey Mischief. This is Jeff."

She smiled, reached out a manicured hand and took his. Her grip was strong, but not confrontational, and her hand was warm. Here eyes were green with a yellowish light under the green.

"Hi. It is nice to meet you."

"Please, let's sit and order something."

"Interesting. They are not much alike, but they are both gorgeous.", he thought.

They sat together, facing Jane's friend.

"Jane loves baseball. I'm not surprised she's dating a pitcher."

"Yeah, I noticed from the way she jumps up and down in the bleachers. She's enthusiastic."

"Always has been. I get my exercise in other ways." Her voice implied her exercise was mainly sexual.

Jane reached out and play slapped her arm. "Behave."

Mischief pouted, then grinned. "Okay–so Jeff, what's the job they pay you for?"

"I'm a lawyer for my whole county. I help them see if someone decides they are above the law."

"Oh. That sounds interesting."

"Not often, but I had a good one. The head of one family had this huge building anybody could see. It was on a hill outside of town. He decided he was above paying taxes."

"I like taxpayers. They pay me.", said Jane.

"So, I went over the tax assessments and maps. Turns out he had divided the building with this wife and three kids. So one owned all the elevators, one had half the parking lot and four offices. Another had half a tennis court and the lobby...you get the idea."

"Wow! That was underhanded.", said Mischief,

"And a pain in the butt too. My office went crazy sorting it out, and re-doing the taxes. I finally got the county to pass a law against that type of tax dodge."

Mischief applauded. "Good. I might have been a challenge as a teenager, but I finally grew up..."

She looked a question at Jane.

"Yes, you did. Hell, you're a doctor now."

..."And I now disapprove of lawbreaking."

Jeff hid a smile. These two were something together. They could be highly entertaining.

Jane leaned into Jeff. "Speaking of law breaking, she had some jerk go over to her place and set a fire in her parking lot–they also spray painted the front of her business."

Jeff turned to Mischief with lawerly interest. "Do you have any idea who might have done it?"

"We got a hand print, but he's not in the system.", offered Jane.

Jeff looked at Jane. "Is there anything special about the hand

print?"

"The hand was huge."

"From the size, it would indicate the culprit was approximately six feet eight inches.", said Mischief.

"Sounds like somebody I used to know."

Both women looked at him, shocked.

"Who?", they asked together.

"Hey, I doubt it was him. He was just tall. He played basketball, and had huge hands. His name was Hans O'Malley, but Coach and everyone called him, 'Hands'"

"I can't think why some guy in Iron River would try to drive her out of town. It's not like he's a relative of Doctor Pike.", said Jane.

Jeff jerked his head back. "Uh, Doctor Pike? That's Hans' grandfather."

"Oh boy, I guess we have a suspect. Sorry, I gotta call Bix and Jill. I'll be right back."

Jane got up and went out the door for her phone call.

Mischief was both nervous and grateful. She turned those eyes on him. I think you gave us the missing puzzle piece. Thank you.

"I'm happy to help."Jane walked back in , and slide in next to Jeff.

"All done. Thanks sweety.", and she kissed him. "Now I'm hungry. Let's eat!"