Petrified Wood

“Brrrrr, any colder and my nose'll fall off.” Said Frank Standish a cab driver with The Tin Star Cab Co.

“And it’s not much better inside, if my son doesn’t fix the heat soon, I’m going to quit.” Said Betty a 70 + year old motherly type.

“Quit?” asked Frank “You own this company.” Frank said waving his arm around the building with gusto “Why not just fire him?”

“Couldn’t.” responded Betty

“Why?”

“He’s my son.”

“Yeah, you do have a problem. Oh well, will you put me on the clock?” asked Frank

“Sure.” Betty responded punching his ticket “Your early, today aren’t you?” asked Betty

“Yup.”

“Hey Frank! Frank come here.” Called Jerry Duncan

“Excuse me Betty, Jerry’s probably lost his keys again.

“Hey Frank,” whispered Jerry “can you keep a secret?”

“No.” answered Frank turning to his cab, hoping that would be the end of it.

“Oh, come on, can I tell you a secret?”

“I wouldn’t advise it.”

“Oh, come on.” Begged Jerry

“Nah, not that interested.”  

“But it’s really, really good. Please?”

“Huh-hah, you’re not going to leave me alone until I listen, are you?” asked Frank

“Nope.”

“Fine, tell me this awesome tidbit that will make the earth shake. Ah, you don’t mind if I start working on my cab while you talk . . .  do you?” inquired Frank sarcastically

“No, not at all.”

“Gracious.” Replied Frank

“Well, here it is.” Started Jerry “I was cleaning out my cab.”

“Something that happens all too rarely.” Mumbled Frank looking under the driver seat.

“What?” asked Jerry

“Nothing, please, continue.”

“Hmm, now I’ve lost my place! Where was I?” asked Jerry

“Giving your cab a monthly cleaning.” Reminded Frank

“Oh, come on, I clean it more often than that.”

“Really? Well congratulations.”

“Anyway, I was cleaning out the cab and found this.”

Frank was reaching to the far recesses under his drivers chair with his back to Jerry, trying to reach a wrapper and that he could barely touch with his fingertips.

“I can’t see you right now,” called Frank “Want to describe it to me, or just continue?”

“Nah, I’ll wait.” Jerry said patiently

“Nah, I’ll wait.” Mumbled Frank under his breath “Okay, what is it that,” Franks question was cut short when he turned round and saw . . . a rock?

“Not just a rock but a beautiful 6-ounce piece of petrified wood.” Said Jerry admiringly

“How could someone forget a 6 oz piece of petrified wood, and not come back for it?”

“It wasn’t just forgotten; you see it was stashed under the seat cushion and held in place with gum.”

“Yeah, that would make you pause, and doubt wouldn’t it?” agreed Frank handling the bar and inspecting it closely. He then looked back to Jerry “Please tell me you sanitized this bar before handing it to me?”

“Oh. No, I was heading to a sink to do that, but I wanted to tell you about it.” Answered Jerry

“Hah, how gracious.” Said Frank handing it back to Jerry with pinched fingertips of disgust

“Hey.” Called Jerry “There’s small writing on it.”

“Yeah, it probably says something like hands off, that petrified wood is mine.” Answered Frank

“No, it’s another language.” Said Jerry

“How can you tell?” asked Frank

“Duh, I don’t recognize these words.”

“I can barely see anything much less what they look like.” Answered Frank

“Try putting on your reading glasses.” Suggested Jerry

“Oh, yeah. Wow, that does help.”

“Well go figure.”

“You don’t recognize it because it’s Greek.”

“And you know this, how?” asked Jerry

“I was a taxi driver in Greece for over a year.” Answered Frank

“Well what should we do with it?” asked Jerry

“Call a friend.” Said Frank smiling “I love that game.”

“Very funny, who are you going to call.”

“Shh.” Said Frank dialing the phone.

“But,”

“Shh . . . Vinnie I have something I need help with.” Said Frank into the phone

“That is very shocking.” Vinnie responded, “What is it?”

“We found an item that has writing on it. Can you translate it for us?” asked Frank “There’s an email coming your way with a picture.”

“Got it.” Responded Vinnie “It says,”

At that moment a taxi revved its engine and Jerry couldn’t hear the answer.

“Great, thanks Vinnie. I owe you one. Ta léme.” Frank hung the phone up and turned to Jerry.

“What does that mean, what you just said.”

“Way of saying goodbye in Greek, it means see you soon.” Answered Frank “Who left this?” Frank held up the petrified wood

“How would I know?” answered Jerry “I’ve gotten a lot of fares between cleanings.”

“No one stood out as being strange?” asked Frank

“Who doesn’t?  Besides, I was thinking of keeping it.” Said Jerry not looking up.

Frank continued to stair till Jerry finally looked at him.

“No?” asked Jerry

“No.” said Frank

“Police?” suggested Jerry

“Good idea.”

Just then a newcomer to the cab company garage with a pug nose barked or rather boomed:

“I’m looking for cab 73?”

“Yo, over here.” Answered Jerry

“Ah, I took your cab the other day and left something inside.” Said the stranger

“Oh, what was it?” asked Jerry grasping the petrified wood in his pocket

“A cigarette lighter.”

Jerry relaxed “It couldn’t . . .”

Frank interrupted “Feel free to look around the inside.”

“Thank you.” Answered the stranger not requiring further encouragement.

“But frank,” began Jerry once the stranger entered the cab “I’ve already scoured the cab, there isn’t anything in it, not even a penny.”

“I know but let’s see what happens.” Said Frank

The stranger – after an exhausted search turned round to Frank and Jerry.

“Well nothing in there. Sorry for the trouble. If you find anything in there. Please let me know.” The stranger handed over a card “And thanks again.” He said placing a $100 bill in Jerry’s hand.

“No, problem. Ride with me again.” Said Jerry smiling

The man left and Frank turned to Jerry “100 bucks, for nothing. Hmm.”

“You know what’s even stranger?” asked Jerry

“What?” asked Frank

“I never picked that guy up for a fare. I have a feeling this little piece of petrified wood is worth something after all.”

“Yeah, I have that feeling too.” Agreed Frank

“I’ve got it now. A younger lady hailed my cab at 4^th and Elm. She was blowing bubble gum, popping it every few seconds. But stopped about a minute before I dropped her off. I was too relieved to care. But she must have been the person that did it.”

“Did she pay with card or cash?” asked Frank

“Card.” Said Jerry “And I remember the time it was around.”

“Hey Betty!” called Frank “We need Jerry’s records for . . . when was it?” Frank turned to Jerry

“Day before yesterday.” Answered Jerry

“So, Wednesday, we need Jerry’s records for Wednesday.” Said Frank

“Well the record of those who paid with card.” Added Jerry

“Why?” Betty asked

At that moment the same question from anyone else and Jerry might have yelled a snarky remark but Betty and her – now deceased husband Bobby – started The Tin Star Cab Co. and two of their first hires were Frank and Jerry. So, her question was such a natural motherly inquiry that Jerry had to choke it down and answer.

“A fare lost something in my cab.” Answered Jerry

“Put it in the lost and found.” Answered Betty bored

“But Betty, it’s important that we return it.”

“Why?” continued Betty

“Ah,”

Jerry stopped there but Frank was quicker.

“Financial responsibility.”

“Yeah.” Jerry agreed

“Bit irregular.” Said Betty chewing on the pencil

“Yeah. But you see, I just found it in my cab and . . .”

“Your cab?” Betty asked interrupting Jerry’s explanation.

“Yup.” Agreed Frank

“Oy, go, go now and give our apologies, is it clean?” Betty asked doubting.

“It is now.” Responded Frank “Can we see the receipts?”

“Sure, here you are. All the receipts from Jerry’s Cab for Wednesday.”

“Your amazing Betty, you know that?”

 “I’ve heard it a time or two.” Responded Betty

“Found it.” Howled Jerry holding up a receipt “Mrs. Therage.

“Good now go on and hurry. Call in when you’re done.” Ordered Betty

“Yes ma’am.” Said Frank and Jerry in unison before running to Jerry’s car.

“Are you sure this is the right address?” asked Frank

“I’m sure.” Said Jerry

“Wow, you could fit my apartment in this house, 20 times.”

“Your drooling Frank.” Said Jerry “Come on, let’s get this over with.”

“Bzzzzt” buzzed the doorbell “A dud.” Said Frank

“Yesss?” inquired a portly and proper butler “How may I help you?”

“We would like to talk to Mrs. Therage.” Said Jerry

“Would you!?” The butler asked flatly arching his right eyebrow.

“Yes, we would.” Continued Frank “Can she see us?”

“She could, but she wouldn’t.” answered the butler

“It’s important.” Said Jerry

“I’m sure. But it’s still impossible.” And with that, the butler slammed the door in Jerry and Frank’s faces.

“This is odd. Isn’t it?” asked Jerry “A rude butler who won’t even let you in.”

“It’s sort of their job you know.” Countered Frank

“No, not that. The attitude he had wasn’t right somehow.” Jerry said

“Your imagination again.” Retorted Frank

“Follow me.” Said Jerry walking round to the side of the house.

“That butler is going to give us a swift kick to the moon if we get found round the back of the house!” whispered Frank “What are you doing?”

Jerry peeped through every window and tried to lift them in turn.

“Looking.”

“For what?” asked Frank

Jerry’s head peeked through a window then quickly ducked “Hostages like that.” Said Jerry pointing towards the window.

As Frank peeked in the sight of a younger lady being tied and gagged to a chair another young man the same and the butler standing by as though he didn’t know what to do and two armed men standing with their backs to the window.

“You still have your concealed carry?” asked Frank

“Never leave home with out it.”

“Good, I have mine too, I’ll take the front door and you take who ever is left behind. Remember, we want information, so do anything but kill. Okay?” asked Frank

“Got it.” Responded Jerry

“Good, it’s 10:05 right now, I’ll ring the bell in 30 seconds.

Jerry nodded agreement and Frank made his way round to the front and rang the bell a few seconds later.

“Go see who it is.” Ordered the gunman closest to the window also being the taller of the two.

The short gunman with a cauliflower ear obeyed.

A small wall blocked the view of him opening the door. But immediately after he did, a muzzle flashed followed lodging a bullet directly in the shoulder of his shooting arm forcing him backwards on the floor his upper torso visible to everyone.

While the gunman was rolling on the floor with agony Frank went through the door. And hid behind the small wall obstructing the second gunman’s view.

“I’d put my gun down if I were you.” Called Frank

“I have hostages.” Said the gunman

“Yeah, already know that. But what you don’t know is that I have a marksman who’s first shot will be through your head.” Frank informed

The gunman looked around briefly up and around, but he didn’t look down and notice Jerry.

“You’re bluffing.” Called the gunman cocking the hammer of his gun back.

“Right now, I’m holding the winning hand.” Said Frank with confidence

Jerry’s finger tightened on the trigger releasing the trigger safety.

The gunman wavered only slightly then bolstered his courage and with a puffed chest shouted back: “I’m calling.”

“Take the shot.” Called Frank

Seemingly out of nowhere a shot, muffled by the window peeled out and a bullet was spat out of the gun shattering the window and lodged in the gunman’s leg – right where Jerry meant for it to go.”

Frank rushed in and gathered the weapon now lying on the floor beside the gunman.

“I’m sorry for being so rude sir.” Said the butler now beside the man with the cauliflower ear tying him up

“No problem.” Answered Frank “Good shot Jerry get in here.”

“I’ll start untying everyone.” Said Jerry

“Good, but first help me with this one. He fights like a Tuna.” Frank called

Frank and Jerry finally restrained the second gunman. Who was still squirming.

“So, Mrs. Therage I presume? What’s this all about?” asked Jerry straightening his hair

 “First who are you . . . the taxi driver!” she exclaimed

“Right.” Answered Jerry untying her bonds “We found the petrified wood you hid under my seat.”

“Oh good.”

“What’s it all about?” asked Frank who had untied the other young man who had been tied up with her.

“Well my husband went to South Africa; he was trying to find Diamonds. He didn’t. He bounced from place to place I lost track of him. He’s been gone for 3 years now.”

“Who’s this?” asked Jerry pointing the other captive who Frank had freed

“My brother, Tom.” She answered

“Alright, what’s with the petrified wood?” asked Frank

“I don’t know. That was sent to me along with a note from my husband, in it he told me that he was going to die soon.”

“I’m sorry Mrs. Therage.” Said Jerry

“Thank you, and please call me Emma. I honestly don’t know why he sent it to me.”

“It’s pretty.” Said Frank

“True, but still . . . petrified wood?” said Emma

“It is an odd gift.” Agreed Jerry “Maybe there’s something else to it.”

“What?” asked Tom

“What was your husbands’ profession?” asked Frank

“He had a lot of them. He was a jeweler for several years. A mechanic for some, and a lock smith for a while.”

“I think I know.” Said Jerry

“What?” asked Emma

“You know those rocks that you keep keys in?” asked Jerry

“Yeah.” Answered Emma

“I think your husband did the same to this.” Jerry said inspecting the block of wood.

Frank interrupted “Since he was a jeweler, my guess is . . .”

Frank took the block in his hands and tried to move the top from the bottom half. But it wouldn’t budge then he rolled it around and tried it again from another angle and the block of petrified wood scissored in half and revealed a velvet lined hole with a piece of metal inside.

“What is it?” asked Tom

“Silver.” Suggested Emma

“No. No it’s not Silver.” Said Frank

“Then what is it?” asked Jerry

“It’s a raw or native platinum nugget.”

“How do you know?” asked Tom

“I read a lot.” Said Frank “Also there is writing on the actual rock, it’s hard to see and I’d of missed it if it weren’t for Jerry. “It’s a poem in Greek, it says: Elemental king, I am the precious p t A metallic fiend. Meaning Platinum. I’d also guess that, yup, he engraved something on the inside of the petrified wood. Tricky.”

“Maybe where the platinum is.” Said Jerry

“You have quite a find there Emma.” Said Frank

“If you’re right.” Countered Tom

“True.” Agreed Frank “We’ll leave you all to it then. I’d call the cops.”

“Huh?” asked Emma stunned “Your going?”

“Well yeah, we have cabs to run. Good luck. Jerry come on.” Said Frank

“But.” Jerry said disappointed

“Come on!” demanded Frank

The butler opened the door and gave a grateful but still dignified nod.

“We might have gotten a reward.” Said Jerry sliding behind the wheel

“Nah, if they want to give us a reward, then they’ll give us one. If not . . .”

Frank and Jerry went back to work and after a 3 weeks had forgotten all about it.

But then 3 months later, Emma and Tom came to The Tin Star Cab Co.

“We’d like to talk to Frank and Jerry?” asked Emma walking up to Betty’s desk

“Over there.” Answered Betty pointing.

“Thank you.” Said Tom tipping his hat

“Frank, Jerry.” Said Emma walking up behind them

“Huh, oh, Emma. What’s up?” asked Jerry

“You left before we could properly thank you for what you two did. It turns out that the two men you shot were my husband’s partners in the mine, but they turned on him.” Said

“We’re sorry.” Said Frank

“Yeah, so am I, I would have preferred a husband over a mine.” Emma responded

“Was it platinum then?” asked Jerry

“Oh yes, one of the richest nuggets the assayer had ever seen. Based on the mines size they estimate well over a billion dollars will be mined from it.”

“Whew!” whistled Frank

“And in appreciation we would like to give each of you 10% in the mine.” Said Emma

“10%?” asked Frank

“But that’s, that’s, how much is that?” asked Jerry attempting to count on his fingers “That’s 100 million for each you and I Frank.”

“That’s too much.” Said Frank

“Non-since, if it weren’t for you, we’d be face down in a grave somewhere.” Said Tom

“Please accept it?” asked Emma “You won’t be responsible for anything. You’ll just receive the money. My husband would have wanted it that way.”

There was a long pause. Frank and Jerry weren’t sure what to say.

Finally, Frank broke the silence.

“Thank you, Emma, Tom. We’d be happy to be your partners.”

“Thank you.” Said Emma “Here are the papers.”

 “Have your lawyers look them over and we could sign this weekend.” Suggested Tom

“Sounds great.” Said Jerry

After Emma and Tom left, Frank and Jerry, hooped they hollered they leaped they did an Irish jig and went and hugged Betty.

“Betty.” Said Jerry “We want to buy this business, fire your son and keep you on as bookkeeper, adviser and patron of the Tin Star Cab Co.”

“What got into you?” asked Betty

“A blessing, that’s what it is. A blessing.” Said Frank