The Lady in the Red
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Chapter 1
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"It's a good thing we're in a cemetary, cuz it's gonna be your final resting place!" shouted a thin man with brown hair and a mustache as he peered from behind a tombstone firing his gun.
"I don't think so, Cook!" replied Bill Maxwell as he ducked behind a tombstone himself. "I've got twenty to thirty more years on this ticker." He raised up pulling the trigger of his gun as he aimed towards a tombstone several feet in front of him. "Plus, I'm gonna see you boys in prison before I get my angel wings!" he yelled ducking bullets. "Ralph where are you??" he wondered.
"It can't end like this! You're not taking us in, fed!" spoke a man with black hair as he hid a few feet across where Terrance Cook hid.
"Foster, grave robbing in this country is a big no-no!" Bill said as he looked over the top of the tombstone he hid behind. "I don't care what your buddies might've stashed in these coffins." he said as he shot a few more rounds. "Drugs, arms it don't matter cause you're goin' down, boys!"
"NEVER!" Foster shouted as he rose and shot towards Bill's direction.
Bill ducked behind the tombstone again, barely missing the recent wave of bullets that flew past him. He looked over to read the inscription:
"Kelly Dickinson - 1932 - 1953 - He Died Serving His Country"
Bill rolled his eyes at the epitaph on the family owned tombstone. He pulled out the small communicator and spoke into it. "Ralph, are you there?? My garbanzos are roasting, I need help NOW!"
Not a second too sooner a whooshing sound was heard followed by a scream and a thud. Bill peered above his cover, just enough for his eye level. He saw Ralph in front of him getting off the ground.
"Go get'em, kid!" He shouted.
Ralph looked to his right. Seeing Cook, he walked towards him. Cook rose, pointed his gun at Ralph and started shooting. Ralph put his arms in front of his face to block the bullets as he continued to walk towards him. Ralph grabbed Cook's gun and crushed it in his hand. Cook tried to swing a punch at Ralph, but he blocked it with his arm. Cook swung his other arm as he attempted another punch. It was blocked as well. Ralph grabbed Cook by the shirt collar and tossed him in the air. He landed with a thud near Bill.
"He's all yours, Bill." Ralph said rubbing his hands.
"That's great, kid, but there's one problem.." Bill said as he walked over to where Cook landed. He pointed over to where Foster was hiding. "Foster is getting away! Nab him!"
Ralph looked over and saw Foster had already started his escape from the scene. "Got it." He said as he moved in between a couple of tombstones. Ralph started to run to take flight, but at the last step he stepped into an open grave and fell to the bottom with a smack.
"Sorry Bill, I'll get him." Ralph said as he climbed out of the hole.
"We'll get him later. For now, you better get outta here. The cops are coming." Bill said as he cuffed Terrance Cook's hands together.
As he heard the sirens, Ralph looked around then turned invisible.
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"Thanks fellas. I'll send the information to the department about Stanley Foster." Maxwell said as two police officers were escorting Cook to their squad car. "Hey Terrance, hows about instead of digging around in graves. Why dontcha dig around in a box of Cracker Jack. You might find yourself a cute pinkie ring." Bill said with a smirk as he put his wallet back in his coat pocket.
Ralph walked up as the squad car pulled off. "Why did you have to park all the way on the other side of the cemetary? I should've kept the suit on." he said to Bill winded. "I had to walk over a few hills back there!"
"Let me know when you chase after bad guys in a suit and tie without the jammies, Ralph. Then I'll feel for ya." Bill replied as he put his sunglasses on. Ralph motioned as if he was going to respond to that but he stayed silent. Bill continued, "Since you're here now, let's head back to the car and get some lunch."
Ralph rolled his eyes as they started walking back to the car. While they walked, Ralph noticed something in the corner of his eye. He stopped in front of one of the tombs that stood in the cemetary. "This is unbelieveable." He said. "Bill, come look at this."
Bill turned to look at his partner as he examined writing on the tomb. "Huh? What is it, kid?"
"This is Sheila's tomb." Ralph replied.
"Who?" Bill asked with a puzzled look on his face.
"Sheila Redman. The lady from that old house." he said as he tried to get Bill to remember. "You remember, her spirit was trapped in the fourth dimension. She tried to.."
"No, Ralph. I don't remember and I don't want to remember." Bill sighed. "So spare me the details and lets go get some burgers."
Ralph peered into the door windows as he tried to see inside. He tried opening the door and succeeded.
"Ralph, don't DO this! You know tombs give me the creeps." said Bill as he folded his arms.
"I have to go in, Bill. She was desperately wanting to escape the fourth dimension back then." he said as he entered the tomb. "I want to see if there are any answers why."
"She's dead, Ralph. She's been dead for who knows how long. Who cares." Bill replied.
"You coming?" Ralph's voice said from inside the tomb.
"No way, kid. Dust gives me the hives." Bill said as he walked over to a nearby tombstone and leaned on it. "I'm staying out here where it's dust free and spook free." He looked around. "Well, during the daytime."
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Ralph walked slowly around the barely lit room. He focused on the sarcophagus that stood in the middle. He placed his hand on it. "Sheila, what were you so afraid of?" He asked silently. Ralph looked around at the walls, but found nothing that could answer his questions. He started to head out, but he felt something under his foot. He looked down at what he stepped on, which was a necklace chain that had a pendant with a gold frame. Ralph picked it up. "Huh. Odd place for this necklace to be lying." he said examining the gem which shone gold and purple at the same time. "It doesn't have an engraving and Pam would love having a necklace like this. So, finders keepers." Ralph smiled as he pocketed it.
"Ralph, are you coming? I'm gettin' hungry!" shouted Bill voice from outside.
"Coming.." Ralph said as he started to walk toward the tomb's exit.
"Finally, I think there's a burger joint nearby. Let's get outta here." Bill said.
"Works for me." Ralph said as they walked to where Bill's car was parked.
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