The Town That Dreaded Sundown Page #2

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lover's parking hangouts, do you?

Gee, I don't know, Norm.

We sure ought to get

the Captain's okay.

Where is Gus?

Well, I expect he's home

on a night like this.

Listen, I've got his home number.

Would you like it?

I don't no, no, that's silly.

Eh, it's just a feeling.

I'll see ya later.

Baby, you better not

go down this road.

We might get stuck.

Oh, it's okay,

there's gravel on it.

Unit two, what's your location?

I'm a mile and a half north

of Higgins Store out on Highway 71.

I'll be back in, uh,

oh, about ten minutes.

Roger, unit two.

Okay, base, over and out.

Base, this is unit two.

Go ahead.

I'm gonna be off the channel

for about 60 seconds.

Roger.

Base, unit two, just heard some shots

down this road somewhere!

Get some backup units

in here, quick!

Roger.

This is unit two.

Go ahead, unit two.

I'm almost at the end

of the Thurman Road.

There's a parked car here.

I can't tell

if there's anybody in it.

I'm gonna check it out.

Now, what about units three or four,

is anybody on the way?

Unit four, I'm on my way.

Approach me

with your lights on.

Police, get out of the car!

You in the car,

I said get out!

Base, unit two.

Base, unit two!

Go ahead, unit two.

I heard a couple a more shots.

They came from about a mile

in the woods north of where I'm parked.

I think the occupants of this parked

vehicle have been abducted.

Request a 10-33.

Roger, unit two.

What's your position, unit four?

This is unit four, just passed

the Nazarene Church on Highway 71.

Be there to help you in a minute.

Roger, four.

And turn it on,

I need you here!

My God.

Oh, my God.

Norman Ramsey was close

that night but did not fire,

for he knew the phantom

was just out of range.

Ramsey was carrying

a 12 gauge shotgun.

The second attack by the killer

sent a wave of cold fear

sweeping across the city.

Within 24 hours after the town

got word of the killing

every gun store

had sold out of weapons.

And by Tuesday morning, May 26,

locksmiths were flooded

for orders for new locks, deadbolts,

and safety chains,

as the news of the killing attracted

nationwide attention.

No motive could be found

and it seemed

that the killer might attack

anybody he stumbled across.

A universal fear spread

among the people in this city

and surrounding areas.

Perhaps everyone

secretly or openly wondered,

"Am I or someone close to me

his next victim?"

Texarkana looked normal

during the daylight hours.

But everyone dreaded sundown.

We haven't been able to come up

with a damn thing.

And we've got

to have some help.

J want the best

criminal investigator you've got.

Okay, when?

We'll be there to meet him.

Thanks very much.

They're really stirred up in Austin.

We're getting the most famous

criminal investigator

in the country

assigned to this case.

You don't mean that fella

they call the Lone Wolf

with the Texas Rangers?

That's right.

The big man himself

Captain J.D. Morales,

living legend.

The most famous ranger

in the history of Texas.

- Captain Morales?

- Yes, sir.

I'm Deputy Norman Ramsey.

Glad to know you, sir.

- We're glad to see you, sir.

- Thank you.

Captain Morales.

- Nice to meet you.

- Thank you.

This is Chief Sullivan.

Captain, we're certainly glad

you're here.

Thank you, sir.

We have a car waiting,

if you're ready.

Let's go.

Thank God, Captain,

you're here.

Well, thank you, mam.

Excuse me, Captain Morales,

welcome to Texarkana.

Do you have a plan

of investigation as of yet?

Yes, sir, I plan on catchin' him.

Or killin' him.

Excuse me, gentlemen,

I want to get a cigar.

- Right.

- Be right there.

Yes, sir, you got any cigars?

Yes, sir, right over here,

please, sir, just help yourself.

Thank you.

There you are.

All right, thank you, sir,

and you come back.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir,

thank you.

Where's your office?

Right in there.

- Captain Morales.

- Captain Wells.

- Glad to know you, sir.

- Same here.

Since I'm in charge

of this investigation,

things are gonna have

to be handled my way.

I'll keep you informed as to what

I'm doin', if I have time.

And I'll expect

your full cooperation.

You've got it.

Thank you, sir.

I don't want

any newspaper people

or hangers on

gettin' in my way.

When the people of this community

need to know something,

I'll inform the press.

And I'd appreciate it

if nobody but me

gave out any information

on this case from now on.

Rumors can hurt us.

We got a cold-blooded killer here

A man who nobody sees.

A phantom who, so far,

hasn't made any mistakes.

I've assigned Captain Wells

to work directly with you.

I'll give you the best man

I've got on my force,

Deputy Sheriff Ramsey.

Twelve of my men

and six patrol cars

should arrive here in town

late this afternoon.

If you could help them get

squared away, I'd appreciate it.

Sergeant Mai Griffin is in charge.

I also have a patrol car

and a driver available to you.

Good, I'd like to use it

right away.

I'd also like for Deputy Ramsey

to go with me

to take a look at the site

of the murders.

And I want to go over

the victims' cars.

I'll get you Ramsey right away.

Patrolman Benson

will be your driver.

Thank you, sir.

Let's go.

- Captain, I'll see you later.

- Thank you.

Captain, I wonder if you could tell me

if you plan to use the same tactics

that you used down in Laredo,

to catch our killer here.

Who is this man?

This is Mr. George Hartman.

Mr. Hartman's a prominent citizen

here in Texarkana.

He's, uh, interested in police work.

Fine.

You tell Mr. Hartman

if he's interested in police work

he can pick up a copy of the

Police Gazette down at the corner.

Ready Ramsey?

You bet.

Where's my driver?

I'll get him.

- Sparkplug?

- Yes, sir.

You know the man

in the white suit?

That's Captain Morales.

You'll be his driver.

Try not to wreck him.

No, sir.

Where are the keys? Damn.

Excuse me, Captain,

them damn keys.

I'll be right back.

Benson, what the hell

is going on?

Chief, them damn car keys,

I can't find them nowhere.

Which car do you plan to use?

Unit seven, sir.

Well, what in the hell is that

right there under number seven?

Thanks, Chief,

I was gonna check there next.

Hold it, boy.

Jesus!

I meant slow down,

not stop.

For Chrissakes!

You just got two controls

on this damn thing,

wide open and stop?

Well, I figured

you was in a hurry, sir.

Well, I am in a hurry.

What'd you say your name was?

Patrolman A.C. Benson.

Some folks call me Sparkplug.

Well, now, Sparkplug, I'd kinda like

to survive this investigation.

Unless I tell you

it's an emergency,

I want you to observe

the speed limits and traffic signs.

No sirens and no red lights.

You understand that?

Yes, sir.

Yes, sir, Captain.

More and more police

poured into Texarkana.

Texas Rangers, Arkansas State Police,

and the FBI are now on the case.

Sheriff's departments

and city policemen

have been loaned

from surrounding towns and counties.

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