By this time his original farm with the meager 50 acres was evaluated at $1,500,000 (million dollars). Not bad for a previous $800,000 investment only months earlier. To his astonishment, the 300 acres purchased for $27,000 was appraised at $13,000,000 (million) dollars and the value for no known reason was rising rapidly. The land also had the benefit of an ocean view. The bank eventually realized their blunder and offered to buy it back but, it was legally deeded to Richard and he declined their generous offer. Almost immediately a group of investors approached with an offer beyond belief.
Their plan was to develop a country club with two golf courses and 50 to 75 multi-multi million dollar mansions. The waterfront property was some of the most desirable in northern California. By now, with all the interest, Richard could name his price, but he didn’t want his pristine property cluttered with homes no matter how profitable.
One day, a car pulled into his driveway while he was working on a the roof. The driver identified himself as a buyer of ocean front property and asked if there was a possibility he would sell. Richard explained that he worked extremely hard and could see the ocean with its rocky coastline. He had a priceless view with no desire to have all of his effort spoiled by littering the landscape with houses.
* * *
In Ogunquit investigators were busy collecting forensic evidence in the sniper attacks. Cartridge fragments found at the cene were sent to the FBI lab for analysis. The bullets purchased by Richmond Rand and Curt Whitmore didn’t show signs of having been made under government contract available at any sporting good and gun shop. Test results of the fragments returned from the FBI were inconclusive. The outcome could only help Richmond, and the Whitmore boys buy more time. Sooner or later, the case would be solved! It may have been placed in a Cold Case file for years with no new leads but, in due course arrests would be forthcoming.
* * *
From Argentina the letter read:
“Dear brother. I told you I would explain the circumstances which have caused so much grief in my life. I am a fugitive - wanted for murder in The U.S.
You may be familiar with the recent shootings of CEO’s, the most recent in Ogunquit. I was the shooter, my purpose was not to kill anyone, but only to injure them. As illogical as it seems, I and my accomplice were of the opinion that if we were to alert the general public that mega-million dollar CEO compensation was unwarranted - the cry would awaken congress and the American public.
It is a choice I will regret for the rest of my life. To make matters worse, the two co-conspirators were found dead in a hotel room. I didn’t kill them, but did steal their bodies from a coroner’s van and dumped them in Marginal Lake.
I will be wanted for murder of the CEO and the two accomplices. For now I will not disclose any of the details as I want you to be completely innocent of the facts.
In due course, you will be arrested for my crimes. This information now makes your life complicated.
Spend the money well.
Love you brother!
Richmond
* * *
For the time being Richmond was a free man - hiding in Argentina, but for Richard who was now aware of his brother’s state of affairs, was now more mindful than ever that he would forever be waiting for the door bell to ring. Then it would be game over! Every time he saw a police car pass, his heart throbbed and he felt a flutter in his upper body.
In one occasion he returned home to find a Pacific Grove Sherrif’s cruiser parked in his driveway. At once he began to perspire as his heart thumped against his chest. He was horrified! Was his brother’s life on the lamb about to result in his coming to an end? He didn’t want to step from his truck, but the officer was waiting. His legs turned to rubber. By now, he was numb, and sweating profusely. A dreadful way to appear.
Only days earlier he received the letter from his brother explaining in part the circumstances of his problem. Aware that he admitted to a murder, and with the risk that Richmond switched identities Richard had a gut feeling that the police were about to charge him with the crimes.
If asked as a witness and under the penalty of perjury if he was in fact the winner of the jackpot - he would have to say no - thus implicating himself and his brother.
Frightened and panic stricken he walked in the direction of the patrol car. The officer identified himself as Sheriff Ryan Wagner of The Investigative Division with The Pacific Grove Sheriff’s Department and asked if he could take a moment of Richmond’s time. By now, drained of color he braced for the inevitable. The officer extended his hand welcoming Richmond to the community at the same time providing a brochure representing a fund raiser for disadvantaged children in the county. He obtained Richard’s name from one of the bank officers where the Sheriff and Richard conducted business.
Delight rippled through Richard - his knees buckling slightly. So elated at the outcome, he committed $500.00 and invited the officer into his home where he quickly wrote out a check.
“If you need anything more, I’ll be more than happy to contribute again to the cause.” a relieved and thankful Richard offered. Following officer‘s exit, he sat in silence trying to get a grip on his emotions. This was no way to live!
Richard now paranoid, could not watch a complete newscast without fear of exposure and having his picture flashed on the screen. His brother’s life on the run was making him mistrustful and he spent much time on the farm. As monotony set in he did nevertheless attempted to interact with several of the neighbors. His conscience dictated he keep to himself but desperately needed to get involved in a diversion from the tedious emotional drain of always looking over his shoulder. He considered joining the local church and on occasion found comfort and peace in the serenity of his family’s attendance at The Wells Presbyterian Church - and his passion for religion at Gordon College.
* * *
The First Church of Christ was located about a mile and a half from his home. It was on his route and he didn’t truly take notice of it until the incident with the Pacific Grove police officer. He was raised Presbyterian but it was a house of God and he was in need of spiritual direction. The hours of service were 9:30 and 11:00 A.M. on Sunday and Bible study at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday. It included the name of their pastor: Raymond Collins, D.D.
He arrived for the 11:00 A.M., service blended with the regulars and moved into the end of a bench at the rear of the church. The building was appointed quite satisfactorily with oak bench style seats covered in dark red fabric. The walls were white, the windows of stained glass, each in memoriam of a past patron and the exposed wood beam ceiling with traditional church lamps. Located in southern California, it did show signs of a slight Mission style. The podium was a pedestal upon which a bible was opened to a verse possibly the lesson of the week.
An American flag positioned to the left of the alter, and a baptismal font above a 6 foot high crucifix on the wall facing the congregation. This Sunday was special because it was to include The Lord’s Supper. A blessed event when devoted Christians partake in the breaking of bread and drinking of wine - suggestive of Jesus, at the Last Supper, and His sacrifice for all mankind. It was a solemn and consecrated event in which you were invited by the Dr. Collins to share in this holy and sanctified act.
On the left and right sides of the alter were markers with large numbers signifying the songs for the service. As a rule, the music portion of the service lasted about thirty minutes and the sermon another half hour. When The Lord’s Supper was offered, it added another twenty minutes to the procedure. The elders, or deacons as they are often referred to would take a small silver tray of bread broken into bite sized pieces - representing the Body of Christ - and passed up and down the pews.
You were asked by the pastor that if you were truly a believer and have dedicated your life to Christ you were invited to take a piece of the bread and wait for the entire process to be offered to the congregation. The deacons would then retur
n to the front of the church and the pastor would pray in the name of Jesus and everyone would eat of the bread at the same time.
Next, grape juice was distributed to any member desiring to share in the ceremony. A small plastic cup containing no more than a “sip” holding it in their hands until the men who distributed it returned to the front of the church where once again the pastor would pray over the symbol of Christ’s shed blood and the congregation would all drink the juice. Familiar with the ceremony from Gordon Richard participated in the ceremony.
Following the service, Dr. Collins greeted the congregation at the rear of the church welcoming Richard and thanking him for attending the service. He mentioned not remembering him previously and invited him to return the following Sunday. As Richard exited the building he sensed a calm that he not experienced in some time. It was like none other in his life - he was at peace!
* * *
Back in West Brookfield, Alexis Whitmore was preparing a memorial service for her brothers. The small town of 2,700 residents was struggling to understand their untimely deaths. The Whitmore boys were known to be frustrating, but they did not deserve for their lives to end in such a tragic manner.
Alexis was slowly assembling pieces of a puzzle. Her brother Curt and Richmond were stationed in Iraq together. For some unknown reason Curt shared with her their plan to locate in Ogunquit which was captivating to them more than ever now that the tiny seaside town was a gambling center of the world. He wrote about hitting it big since at the time they were down to $4,400 between them. To hinder their investigation, Alexis was not familiar with the type of car the trio was driving.
Alexis submitted photos of Curt and Richmond in uniform in their snipers nest in Iraq and another of her younger brother Tavis. This would eventually prove to be crucial in the police investigation.
The Maine State Police slowly acquiesced a portion of the investigation to the Ogunquit police department, but did reserve the right to take control. Cops visited the casinos to establish whether any of the three won big amounts of cash.
At The Ogunquit MegaComplex Resort Casino records revealed that Richard Rand won $17,765,500.00 (million dollars) several weeks prior.
Although in Vegas the saying: “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” may be a grand advertising strategy, it is ineffective when a police investigation is in progress and the same holds true for the gaming establishment in Ogunquit. Due to the infinite amount of cash flowing in and out of the city, it generates a great deal of corruption. With Alexis forwarding Ogunquit police photos of the three men, investigators from Maine working jointly with the West Brookfield cops gave a boost to the timliness of the case. Although police deal with hundreds of missing persons every year in Vegas and will in all liklihood face the same problem in Ogunquit as it continued to grow.
* * *
Cops quickly recognized the name Henry Hank Spencer Gambler. He had been straight since his release from prison for smuggling Mexicans through Canada. He was clean and reported to his parole officer monthly as required. Although he was only earning a meager wage, like anyone else he could easily be tempted by dishonest cash. Police decided to pay a visit.
Convicted felons were at the top of the list when it came to investigations. It was not easy for an ex-con to get a job. Most were turned away as soon as they disclosed their criminal record.
Detectives arrived at Henry Hank Spencer Gambler dock early in the day. Presented him a photo of Richmond Rand and Curt Whitmore. He identified Richmond as a man with whom he made friends, but denied ever seeing the Whitmore brothers. Ogunquit cops asked to search the boat but didn’t come across anything out of the ordinary
* * *
Richard returned to church for most of the Sundays and on occasion would attend the Wednesday night Bible meetings. He needed to have a place to visit - a place to chase away his demons. Following several Wednesday night Bible meetings he found comfort in the daughter of Pastor Collins - Cynthia. Cindy as she preferred to be called also found Richard to be quite polite and a gentleman. She never married and was employed as the church secretary. She earned a meager salary but was happy in her life and loved working with her father serving The Lord.
* * *
The desire to be the cowboy was a dream since childhood. He would also strap on his Ruger .357 New Model Blackhawk into his western style hand tooled leather holster and pretended he was in the old west. Richard saddled up his horse and was making an inspection of his property and occasionally would stumble upon a Diamond Back rattlesnake. His aim was as good as any and he took great delight in aiming for the snake’s head. Hardly ever missing!
On one such trip encountered a group of men in business suits walking the perimeter of his property and told them he was a cowhand working for the “boss”, didn’t make a lot of money but loved the open spaces of the California. One of the men revealed a survey company just completed a sizemographic study and it pointed to an abundance of gold in a sampling of the soil.
In an effort to endear himself to the group Richard choose to “play stupid.”
“I ain’t never got no education” he muttered.
“I can’t barely read and write. I to quit school so’s to help my momma when daddy got himself kilt” Richard was always able to talk with a Southern drawl. Something he practiced for years. He enjoyed the play acting.
The men commented under their breath as Richard laid it on thicker than “snot on a door knob.”
His impersonation of a dumb hillbilly paid off. The spokesman for the group continued to disclose the land must be worth at least “$500,000,000 or maybe even a billion dollars.”
“I ain’t never seen more ‘en $500 at one time.” the cowboy replied.
Richard kindly bid the men good day rode back to his ranch and contacted his attorney. The vision of his 300 acres full of gold ore changed his perspective on the earlier offer of $13,000,000 (million dollars). The previous proposal of building million dollar homes and a golf course was a lie. Gold was currently selling for $1700.00 an ounce and with a bit of detective work, his seismographic study pointed out that approximately 10,000 years ago, that area of his land was a waterfall which was the introduction to the California Gold Rush of the mid 1800’s. This is an area where the heavy gold once washed over the waterfall dropped onto bedrock and accumulated for thousands of years - fittingly known as “The Glory Hole.”
Additional studies detected a significant vein of rich gold ore following a channel 6 feet wide by approximately 75 miles long and 2250 feet deep as a result of extreme heat created right through the San Andreas Earthquake Fault. Richard posted his land to prevent further exploration by the real estate developers - who in actuality were modern day gold prospectors and he enthusiastically pursued his newfound plan of development.
Early results of soil sampling indicated that this was not just an ounce of gold flakes - of which 700 tons of soil had to be sifted in an effort to retrieve one ounce of gold, but the study presented verification of gold nuggets resting on the bedrock as large as golf balls. After consulting with the most knowledgeable scientists in the industry, several claim owners produced evidence of removing $35,000 worth of gold per day for two months in excess of $21,000,000 (million dollars)!
With the potential of his land now valued at an estimated half a billion dollars or more - and with no need to file a claim on his own property, Richard considered his options. If the report was true, becoming a very wealthy man was not an choice.
If he were to sell the land it would take at least 10 years before the required permits could be issued - and the gold was not going anywhere. The massive investment to mine and extract the gold could eventually cost the claim holder tens of millions of dollars. A study would determine how to get rid of toxic acids and a multitude of rules and regulations.
Richard was contacted by the investors attorneys and when offered the original $13,000,000 (million dollar
s), produced a survey and concurred with the potential buyers and their attorney’s that his land did have a vast quantity of gold and set his asking price at $1,500,000,000 - One Billion Five Hundred Million Dollars!
Richard was in the drivers seat! In his proposal he offered to lease the mineral rights to his land, therefore retaining complete title to the property. The lease period was for 25 years and his lawyers drafted a contract whereby the land must be returned to its original and natural state.
* * *
On the day of the sale, Richard, casually dressed was seated in his attorney’s office. When the group of men who initially encountered and informed the “dumb hillbilly” of the gold, were introduced to Richard as the owner and a man calling the shots, they were in disbelief. With all papers signed, I’s dotted and T’s crossed, Richard Rand became a very wealthy man.