CHAPTER 1
Gordon Kincaid had been driving since forever, or so it seemed.
He'd come onto Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, had driven through part of Georgia, and now was in Alabama. Problem was, he was still on Lookout Mountain.
The road had twisted and turned all the way up the mountain, drawing him to the tourist traps. What had started out as a simple sight-seeing trip had gotten reasonably boring after the first hour.
Ruefully he remembered the 700,000 billboards that had drawn him here.
Let's face it. When you look out over seven states, even though you know that they won't be there in reality, your mind expects to see the state lines. Without them it's just another panoramic vista.
Instead of heading for the other "attractions" he'd decided to sightsee on his own.
Driving the mountain turns had been interesting, but once at the top he'd driven down mostly straight roads, mile after agonizing mile.
"Boredom sucks," he thought to himself.
In Chattanooga for a business conference that had been postponed due to the delayed arrival of the key speakers, Gordon had found himself with a day to kill.
The option of sitting around the hotel with a bunch of other equally frustrated businessmen, talking shop, held no appeal.
The option of sitting in his hotel room, paying $40.00 for an all-day adult movie pass, and spanking the monkey a few times, seemed too depressing; especially when the blue pills were the only thing that worked anymore to help his arousal.
So he'd opted for the sight-seeing rounds, which was making the $40.00 hotel charge seem more inviting at each passing moment.
A weathered sign, hanging askew from a rusted wrought iron pole, caught his attention.
The sign swung rapidly back and forth but the nearby trees, bushes, and grasses were nearly still. It was almost as if the sign was trying to grab his attention. (Which it did.)
Gordon stopped the car and looked at the sign.
RED'S GARAGE/VONNIE'S ANTIQUES HAGERSVILLE 7 MILES →
The sign itself looked almost new. Raised white lettering, on a red background, with no other distinguishable features. Nothing about the sign would make the average traveler take a second look.
Maybe it was boredom. Maybe it was watching too many traveling antique shows on TV. Whatever the reason, Gordon decided a seven mile trek to Hagersville would, if nothing else, get him off the mountain.
At the next intersection Gordon turned right towards Hagersville.
CHAPTER 2
Hagersville was a typical backwoods Alabama town. A few homes; a mom and pop store replete with worn and rusted cola drink signs; a hardware store that had a huge sale on "hog feed"; and a garage.
Red's Garage was easy to spot. A large cinder block building with three garage bay doors, two very old "SINCLAIR" gas pumps, and a car off to the right of the entranceway sitting on railway ties. The car seemed to have "almost" made it to the station, and then died right there, never to move again.
Attached to the garage was a newer brick addition. "VONNIE'S ANTIQUES" was clearly visible in a small sign in the window.
A few pieces of well-worn furniture sat in front of Vonnie's. Various pieces of pottery, jewelry, and suncatchers were displayed in the multi-paned windows.
The place looked well maintained and worth a looksee.
On entering Vonnie's, Gordon was immediately impressed by the quality of merchandise. This was not your typical gift shop full of postcards and "authentic" Alabama novelty items. (Made in China)
The "antiques" were actually just that, real wood, brass, tin, and crystal. Not replicas. Genuine furniture, dishware, household items, and artifacts from a multitude of bygone eras.
The store appeared to be more the collection of a well traveled antiquarian than a location for marketing such items.
Books, toys, glassware, paintings, carpets, and just about every other imaginable item one would dream about finding in an antiques store was displayed and ready for sale.
Gordon picked up a first edition "DAVID COPPERFIELD" and thumbed through the pages. The binding was like new. The pages crisp without age discoloration. A handwritten note, in flowing script, to "V," on the inside cover, was dated 1850.
On the wall was a painting of a beautiful voluptuous woman. Gordon was captivated by the raw sexuality depicted in the painting. The middle aged woman depicted was stunning. Even more stunning was the framed letter under the painting.
Addressed to "Vondra" and dated 1630, the signature was exciting in itself. Pieter Pauwel Rubens.