Chapter 12. The Microfilm
"Excuse me," Ralph asked quietly, standing at the librarian's desk. "I am trying to find some old copies of the Standard. Where can I find them."
"What are you looking for?" The librarian asked, suspicious. "You're not from around here, are you?"
Ralph smiled, then explained that he was just a historian, looking for a new subject for his next project on small town American history. Minimally satisfied, the librarian directed Ralph to the second floor and the microfilm machines.
Ralph scanned the shelves, looking for back issues of the local paper- the Standard Democrat - preserved on microfilm. Anything he could find about Charles McDonald could be of use. Ralph began, one by one, to feed the reels through the machine. He slowly scrolled through the articles, wishing the red suit underneath his clothes gave him the power of speed reading. He even tried it once, unsuccessfully, turning the advance knob up to full speed.
In addition to a few mentions in short articles scattered throughout the paper, Ralph was pleased to find McDonald mentioned prominently a few times. On November 4, 1965, a short article on Charles appeared tucked away on page 8. The headline read Sikeston Son Takes Cape Cons to Court. The article outlined McDonald's somewhat minor role as a junior lawyer in a case designed to prevent the construction of a highly controversial metal factory along the bank of the Mississippi. The case revolved around zoning laws of the small town called Price Landing, but in the process, the legal team helped expose the company's ties to money laundering operations in Cape Girardeau. Missouri, and Carbondale, Illinois.
Several years later, on May 11, 1967, McDonald made the front page, with the headline Local Lawyer Halts Construction on Mississippi Riverfront. Although McDonald's role did not seem to have changed much over the years, Sikeston was proud of his role in the case.
Ralph continued to slowly scan through the papers, but without much luck. Now he realized what Pam must have felt like, as a third string utility backup.
Apparently, McDonald was not as successful as the earlier headlines predicted he would become. Finally, Ralph found McDonald's obituary, dated May 18, 1968.
Ralph mulled over the page, projected on the screen in front of him. It was an abbreviated, unassuming eulogy of a local lawyer who died too early in his career. Yet, there was no memorial service mentioned, and no word of survivors.
It was odd, he thought, that an obituary had been printed at all, considering no body had been recovered. Someone wanted McDonald to be dead, even without the evidence to prove it.