Ernie Payne

The Train Depot Ernie Payne

This story is about a young lad with a speech problem; when he talks, he cannot be understood. He is lonely, and when he attempts to gain friendship in an unusual method, the domino effect is severe. A sixteen-year-old who has just lost his father in a coal mining accident is lonely. He decides to initiate a game with some older kids. The game ends in a tragedy, and the boy tries to conceal his involvement. The lost boys are missing, and the town searches frantically for them. When the bodies are found, the boy is blamed for their deaths. This brings in the local constable. The boy's connection becomes known, and the constable questions his mother. Shortly after that, she secretly leaves town. In effect, it appears she abandons her son. This is not true, and they communicate by mail. While she is away, a second tragedy occurs, and the townsfolk blame the boy. The constable does not agree and takes the kid's side. During his investigation, a second tragedy occurs. Then the constable uncovers an unlikely counterfeit operation. Those men involved are searching for the hidden money, and the hunt is on to find it. Warned by a letter, the mother returns to town, takes possession of a garment bag she left with her son. She leaves that same day again, and it is the day when someone shoots the chief counterfeiter to death. Knowledge of the mother's presence makes her a prime suspect along with the dead man's wife, and the boy. However, the constable and the sixteen-tear-old boy become unlikely partners in solving the murder of the counterfeiter even though the son is a suspect. The fact is, he has no evidence to accuse anyone. A fast-moving story of intrigue, love, acceptance, and who did it.