Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3 • Part 4 • Part 5
Part 6 • Part 7 • Part 8 • Part 9
Part 10
The next day Stickler made a visit to the commonwealth attorney’s office. “I happen to be aware of the fact that the person responsible for the Urbanna Museum break-in last month would like to confess his crime, make restitution and apologize to the people of Urbanna for what he has done.”
The Stickler explained the circumstances, adding that there had been a romantic relationship and a breakup and that the aftermath emotions of the broken relationship had caused the perpetrator to act foolishly, in a way that he now regrets, and lashed out at his “ex” in spite.
The commonwealth attorney who had also, like the Stickler, heard everything under the sun regarding inane human behavior in his years of dedicated service to Nimcock County, thought for a minute. “Since as you say this person has no previous record and no actual harm has been done and he is willing to turn himself in and make full restitution, tell him to call me. I’m willing to listen to what he has to say.”
It wasn’t pleasant. Snark would have much rather been wing on wing on the Goose on his way to freedom on the Chesapeake Bay than talk to the commonwealth attorney about the stupid stunt he had pulled. But he followed Stickler’s advice for, as much as he was the first to laugh at a good attorney joke, he knew well when you are in trouble the first thing you turn to for help is a good attorney, and he was fortunately able to strike a deal.
Snark was charged with breaking in and entering and had the embarrassment of his name and picture plastered in all the local newspapers.
It was horrible to have to go to court. Since he had a previous clean record, the judge agreed to accept his guilty plea and that required making full restitution to the museum and a year’s public service to the Nimcock community.
The judge also reserved verdict for a year and said if Snark stayed out of trouble and achieved his goals in community service, he would change the breaking in and entering charge to trespass.
This meant everything to Snark as it would erase what would have been a felony from his record and would open the door to more employment opportunities.
The judge’s offer for a second chance energized Snark. He became optimistic about his future and was an outstanding volunteer at the Urbanna Museum along with other helping projects to the community, like Habitat for Humanity, Pet Friends for Life and the Cryer Center.
In addition, he learned the unique history of Urbanna which he used to pass on to others about the town’s famous Mitchell Map.
While awaiting his year of probation to pass he also was hired part time by a local antique car collector by the name of “Limey” (because he hailed from England) and Snark learned under Limey’s expert tutelage how to restore old Jaguars along with the correct way to pronounce English words.
Life was swell. Snark had a plan to turn his fortune around and was willing to work hard to meet this goal. The year passed swiftly and Snark discovered peace and happiness in the Nimcock community. At the end of the year of probation he decided to stay on and continue with the project learning to restore old cars. He discovered the joy and fulfillment of working with old cars and making them new again.
Whether Snark ever got back with Whiz again is unknown. No one ever knows about such things as matters of the heart. But some of the characters in the story learned several lessons.
Whiz learned there are some things that you should never try to turn into a joke because someone just might take the joke seriously.
Both Snark and Whiz learned each in their own way that we have to take full responsibility for the mistakes we make in life, and Snark learned never to commit a crime and lastly… that crime doesn’t pay, which we all should know and certainly by the time we become an adult.
(It is good news, however, that this lesson is never too late to learn!)
And what did Merrypen learn? First and foremost, she is a writer that has no stomach for crime! Truth be told she tried her best between parts four and seven of this tale to have Snark pinch the Mitchell Map — but she just didn’t have it in her to pull the trigger.
She suffered so much at the thought that Snark was actually going to break into Urbanna’s museum and steal the valuable Mitchell Map that she finally accepted the fact that she just didn’t have the heart to pull it off — even with her pen.
So Merrypen hereby will retire from writing crime stories. But she hopes all enjoyed this one and the only mystery that she will ever write.
Still, she misses her cast of characters — the devilish but totally human Snark, the full of fun and highly spirited Whiz, the wise old Stickler, the oh, so dedicated Doc Robo, the distinguished Lord whose midnight arrival at the scene of the crime saved the Mitchell Map, the beloved Aunt Pigtail, “Limey, ” the three insistent spaniels that must be pleased, “Wiggles,” “Wag” and “Cuddles,” the good sheriff who watches over the town of Urbanna, the reasonable commonwealth attorney and the thoughtful judge that both gave a worthwhile person a second chance in life and all the rest of her colorful cast. It was such fun knowing them!
In closing, Merrypen invites you to come to the dear little town of Urbanna where kindhearted people live, peace and happiness reign (and no one would ever think of something so dire as stealing anything!). Visit the museum on Virginia Street and learn all about the Mitchell Map.
You will find Doc Robo is waiting at the museum to tell you all about it!
Conclusion.
Note to readers: The actions and characters that appear in this story are fictional. The story is written for entertainment and to promote knowledge of our town and local history.
