Clandestine Meetings - Part IV

This is based on a true story. Names and some situations have been changed in order to protect the innocent from the guilty, as the guilty walk the streets. The Prequel to this chapter is Parts I, II, & III.

Picture from the era atop the Hoover Dam

Jeanie Thomas had enjoyed a great start. She had made $14,000 in commissions in her first three months under Jo Blue. Jo had let her have a couple of her smaller listings and she had landed a serious investor on that first Friday afternoon. That put a target on Jeanie in the eyes of one Barbie Ross.

Her success also made Ed show more focus in her direction. She had tried to stay away from him, dissuade him, and not hurt his feelings… she didn’t want to offend Jo Blue. He had brought her flowers and an occasional sandwich at lunch.

She had managed to put $5000 in her joint account with her husband to keep him happy. He viewed her job as insignificant so her making $5000 in three months was a decent effort.

She had found that there was a private bank in town – Cattleman’s Bank. Started by thirty regional ranching families, it was a private investment bank but they had done well for themselves.

She met with the president, Mr. Todd Burns, and explained her situation straight forward. “I have a husband who is not a nice man. My goal is to get away from him and to do that I need to stash my income somewhere safe. I need your help.” Mr. Burns was only too happy to be of assistance. His dad had been pressuring him to get married and Jeanie Thomas was a beautiful woman.

The last Friday in October 1976, as Jeanie was leaving the office with thoughts of a quiet homey weekend free from work and husband, Ed, Barbie and two of Ed’s friends were in the parking lot talking. Jeanie tried to walk past waving good-bye and wishing them a great weekend. They tried to invite her out to the saloon but Jeanie made an excuse.

Ed’s friend, Samson, placed himself between Jeanie and her car door. “Come on pretty lady, we promise a good time. Music, dancing, dinner and drinks.”

Jo Blue was watching from her office. She disapproved of people with families spending their nights at the bar. She knew Jeanie wouldn’t go with them but wondered how the 120 pound woman would move Samson.

After more than fifteen minutes of trying to get past Samson, Jeanie warned him to move and suddenly the mood of jovialness changed. Jo watched as Jeanie side kicked his chin with her heel and then grabbed him by the shoulders and shoved him to the ground as he buckled over. She stepped over him and got in her car and left. Jo smiled.

Jeanie shook all the way home. She kept looking in her rearview mirror wondering if they would follow her. Did Ed know where she lived? Yes, of course. He was on her street on the weekends for Jo Blue’s family dinners.

She got home, parked and locked her car, ran into the house and locked the house. Pulled all drapes.