The Hunted Girl

by Lawrence J Epstein

  “Jennifer,” I said as I sat down next to her.

  “My daddy said he really wants to meet you. He heard you were a wonderful little girl.”

  “I’m scared to leave, Mr. Ryle.”

  “Of course you are. But Ari is going to be with you and my father, and Betsy and I will look for who hurt your parents. And, besides, my father has a new helper named Alden who is a wonderful cook. You’ll like her very much.”

  “Will she tell me stories the way you do, Mr. Ryle?”

  “We can ask her, but I bet she’d be good at it.”

  “When you find the bad man, can I come back here?”

  I think Betsy moaned in sadness.

  “We have to wait until then to see what happens, Jennifer. But, remember, we promise to take care of you.”

  “When am I going to your daddy’s?”

  “Right away, Jennifer. Right now.”

  “Is he an old man?”

  “Yes. Do old people scare you?”

  “Oh, no. I like to talk to them. They usually have a lot of stories to tell.”

  “Yes, they do. And my father is not so busy.”

  “Can he tell me stories too?”

  “That I’m not sure about. His stories would probably be pretty scary and you don’t need scary stories right now.”

  “I don’t mind. I like every story almost.”

  We packed the clothes we had bought her and put her in the car.

  “Ari, you know those drivers on the road that go slowly?”

  “Sure.”

  “Drive like them. Drive slower than they do.”

  “I’m a very good driver.”

  “As a favor to me, Ari.”

  “All right.”

  I called my father, explained what we needed, and said Ari would be there in an hour.

  “An hour and a half if he drives the way I want him to.”

  “I wasn’t so good at raising my own children, Danny.”

  “Jennifer is a second chance, Dad. You will love her.”

  “I promise to try.”

  Ari and Jennifer drove off. Betsy followed for about five miles to make sure they weren’t being followed.

  I found it difficult to relax. It took me a few minutes to realize how empty the house felt without Jennifer. I’m young, but she had a special kind of energy, a special kind of sweetness. She was gone for ten minutes and I already missed her.

  I tried television, but I couldn’t find anything to watch. I tried reading but found it difficult to concentrate although that was precisely what would help me. Then I had two cups of coffee. I felt no jolt of renewed strength.

  I took a nap, which was the wrong approach, but my body was sending me a very loud message.

  I couldn’t remember what I was dreaming, when I was startled awake by a knock at the door.

  I opened the door. A young woman was standing there. At first I thought she would try to sell me some product or service. Would she be disappointed.

  “Excuse me, I very much apologize for disturbing you. Are you Daniel Ryle?”

  “I am.”

  That got a completely undeserved smile.

  “My name is Hannah Drake. I have a story to tell you.”

  “Would you like to come inside?”

  “I do need to rest.”

  Hannah was short, with thick black hair that looked as though it went to war with any comb that went near it. Her face was pale, especially considering she had just been outdoors. Her eyes were also small, but pretty. Every figure on her face, in fact, was small.

  “I was told that Jennifer Meadows was at one time with you in this house.”

  “Who told you that?”

  “A social worker.”

  The one with thin lips, I imagined.

  “Are you also a social worker?”

  “Oh, no. Okay. Here’s the explanation.”

  She sighed, sat up, and began.

  “Jennifer’s aunt is a neighbor of mine. A social worker called her. I assume you know about the family tragedy.”

  I liked the way she approached a double murder.

  “Yes. The Meadows family lived at the other end of the block, and Jennifer used to play with my neighbor’s little daughter. She was scared and she came here. It was familiar to her.”

  “She must have trusted you, Mr. Ryle.”

  “She was looking for someone to trust.”

  “And then she evidently ran away and no one can find her.”

  “That’s my understanding.”

  “Several people I spoke to said you may be hiding her.”

  “Take a look around the house. She’s not here.”

  There was a look of disappointment on Hannah Drake’s face.

  “Are you here on behalf of the aunt?” I asked.

  “No.” She was assessing me. “How frankly may I speak, Mr. Ryle?”

  “I prefer frank to evasive linguistic games.”

  She nodded.

  “The aunt, my neighbor, cannot take care of the girl.”

  “Drugs or men or mental illness?”

  “She’s not mentally ill.”

  “But the others?”

  “Both.”

  “I see. Please pardon me, Miss Drake, but I do not see exactly why you are here.”

  “I’ve met the little girl, Jennifer, several times. Indeed, I became friends with her mother. The mother and Jennifer came to visit the aunt and ever since then I’ve tried to keep up with the girl’s progress. I don’t know whether you had time to tell, but she’s an utterly remarkable little girl. When she came for a visit, my brother was there. He was in Viet Nam and has a wooden leg. Most children keep far away from him. Jennifer sat down on the floor next to him and talked to him about what it was like to have a wooden leg.”

  Hannah Drake began to cry.

  “I grew to love that little girl more than I can say. I came here to Long Island to find her and see if I could adopt her. The problem is I don’t have a husband or brother or sisters for Jennifer, so they may not let me. I’ll worry about that later, though. First I’ve got to find her.”

  “If you find her, will you turn her over to the police and to that social worker?”

  “Of course. That’s the law. Then I’ll try to adopt her.”

  “And if you can’t?”

  “Then I’ll stay in touch with her wherever she goes. Her aunt can’t take care of her. I can try.”

  I got her some water. She drank it slowly.

  “Can you help me find her, Mr. Ryle? I don’t know whether you know it or not, but you have quite a reputation. I must say I expected a much rougher man when I heard descriptions of you.”

  “I’m sorry, Miss Drake. I don’t think I can help. I don’t know where she is. Perhaps you can go home, and the police will contact you when Jennifer is found.”

  I didn’t tell her that they wouldn’t let her adopt the child. She wasn’t a relative. She didn’t live in the neighborhood. No family. There wasn’t a chance for her.

  “You’ve been very kind, Mr. Ryle.”

  “I wish I could be more help,” I said.

  “No one has really helped. I guess I have no choice but to go back home and wait for a call.”

  She stood up and I stood up with her. I walked her to the door and she went outside.

  I watched as she got in her car and drove away.

  Then I prepared my list for interviews the next day.

  I was going to the bank.

  CHAPTER TEN

  I thought maybe Mayor Zachary Stauffer visited the Bank of Waterbend the way some politicians visit a favorite bar or restaurant. Zachary was standing there again as I walked in. He was seated next to the glass door where people went to access their safety deposit boxes and talking to a bank employee who served as the official guard dog for that door.

  The Mayor looked up and saw me. Another false smile grew on his face.

  “Danny. Are you checking to see if your face is on one of these wanted
posters?”

  And that was a fair measure of the good Mayor’s fatal attempt at being funny.

  “Nobody wants me, Mr. Mayor.”

  “I know the feeling.”

  “I heard you were out of town.”

  The Mayor smiled. This one was more genuine.

  “A long trip. I started out in Albany trying to get the Governor and the Senate and Assembly to stop the mandates. They decide we need some item, which half the time we don’t, but they won’t give us any money. So we’ve got to raise taxes or take the money from another item.”

  “Any luck?”

  “Have you met the Governor? I had no luck at all.”

  He put his feet up on a chair. He felt relaxed and happy.

  “I went to Washington. Met with a bunch of party leaders. Don’t believe what people say. These are smart people. Maybe they only talk to me because of the Stauffer family fortune. But that’s okay. I get inside stuff. For example, I heard that the Governor of Ohio has a good shot at the nomination in two years.”

  “I don’t really follow the politics of an election this early.”

  “You should, Danny. It’s as good as following football, and that’s really good.”

  It was my turn to offer a phony smile.

  “Have you seen Otto Chance around?”

  “He’s in the back. Counting out the money, I expect.” He leaned over. “Mary, would you call Mr. Chance and tell him the Mayor and a very important guest wish to speak to him?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  I would have objected, but the Mayor now thought I owed him a favor. That was fine with me. He could think whatever he wanted. He used his father. I used my working for Congressman Lucey. And in the rare moments when I’m being honest with myself, I use my father as well. People can’t help a feeling of fear and excitement when they stand next to the son of a known killer who was never caught.

  Otto came to see us.

  He looked surprised at first, but recovered as quickly as a professional banker can, which is very quickly.

  “Danny.”

  He stopped. I was worried that he’d ask me if my family was planning to rob the bank. Bank humor needs some work. But he didn’t say anything of the sort.

  “Otto, I was hoping you could help me.”

  “Will it take long?”

  “No. The Congressman would appreciate it very much.”

  And there were the magic words.

  “And would a lowly banker refuse our Member of Congress a favor?”

  I wanted to say “You wouldn’t dare,” but instead I said, “The Congressman always appreciates your help.”

  “And what can I do for him?”

  “The Congressman sat down next to me the other day. It wasn’t a good moment because I was writing a speech, but I listened.”

  Not a word of that was true, but I had Otto listening.

  “What was the trouble, Danny?”

  “I’m a bit ashamed, but the Congressman thinks I’m financially illiterate. I’m even more ashamed to say he’s right. I’m trying to read, but the Congressman suggested I talk to prominent people in important economic institutions. I’m hoping someone here can guide me. Very briefly. I don’t want to take up a lot of your time. I just need to get an overall sense.”

  “Who did you have in mind to help you?”

  Translation: Don’t ask me, Danny boy. Who can I unload you on?

  “As I understand it, you have a Board of Directors. Indeed, Mr. Meadows was a member of that Board. I was hoping to meet the Board and discuss the role of Board Member. Nothing they need to look up. Just an explanation of what they do for the bank. Can you do that?”

  We both knew he couldn’t refuse.

  “Of course. As you say, we are down one Director. But I can introduce you to the other three.”

  “Perhaps five minutes with each. I want to get different perspectives, so five minutes with three people is better than fifteen minutes with one.”

  Otto looked confused, but he knew he had no choice.

  We walked across the floor.

  They were at three consecutive desks.

  Jimmy Moore, Tim Crane, and William Benedict.

  I thought it was odd. All three of them were about the same age as Otto Chance.

  I chatted with each for a few minutes. I didn’t have a sense that they carried other than financial secrets, but these were men I would have to return to. I was staring at my current suspect list.

  On the way out, the Mayor said to me, “I saw you chatting with Bill Benedict. Be careful. Do you know how he got this job?”

  I shook my head.

  “He was fired from a job at a Riverhead Bank. He says they were cutting down on the top jobs. He was friends with Otto. So Otto, he ups and fires a young guy who is both competent and well-liked. And so now there’s a vacancy.”

  “And he hires his friend Benedict.”

  “That he does. I’m not accusing Benedict of anything illegal. I’m just telling you to keep an eye on him. “

  “Is it all right if I ask you about all the Directors? You seem to know the place pretty well.”

  “I just know the gossip, Danny. Sure. You can go ahead and ask, but don’t count on me for valuable information. I don’t have it.”

  I walked from the bank to a diner, where I ordered some apple pie and coffee and took out my notebook. I began writing down ideas, although I couldn’t see a motive for Meadows’ killing except competition and jealousy by another Director. But then why kill Mrs. Meadow unless she was an unexpected witness?

  It didn’t make any sense yet.

  But it would.

  I drove home and was surprised at the visitor awaiting me.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  I asked Cromwell, “What are you doing here?”

  “Aren’t you glad to see the man you’ve just freed?”

  “I’m grateful for your help, Cromwell. I really am. You made a big difference and even helped save someone. But if you’ll excuse me, you’ve never won and never will win the George Washington Award for Honesty. He never told a lie. You never told the truth.”

  “I’m hurt, Danny. To my core. But, on the other hand, at one time there was a sad truth to your words.”

  “This is me, Cromwell. Stop with your ridiculous statements. Just tell me what you want.”

  “See, Danny, it’s like this. Let’s face it. I was a thief. If you’ll forgive my ego, a master thief. But I’ve changed.”

  “Sure.”

  “I mean it. There’s a woman.”

  “A real live woman who likes you, Cromwell? I find that very difficult to believe.”

  “I don’t blame you. But it’s true. We met in AA. I know what you’re thinking, but she’s got the pin and all. She’s ten years sober.”

  “And you’re ten minutes.”

  “Hey, Danny, I never claimed to be perfect. I’m doing my best. But I mean it. She’s changed me. She’s made me into a new man. None of the women I’ve been attracted to have been attracted to me.”

  “That’s so easy to believe, Cromwell.”

  “Yeah. Sadly, I guess it is. But this girl is different. She’s had some rough times, but our relationship together just works. We’re the peanut butter and jelly of recovering drinkers.”

  “Mazel Tov,” Ari said.

  “Thanks,” Cromwell said.

  “So, you’re happy. How wonderful. What do you need me for?”

  “There’s a small problem.”

  Groans from Betsy, Ari, and me.

  “What’s your small problem? Please recall that my father is retired and doesn’t kill people any more, and I work for a Member of Congress.”

  Cromwell was looking at the ground. He did seem deflated emotionally.

  “Never mind,” Cromwell said.

  This was an attempt at manipulating me. He wanted me to feel sorry for him and coax out the reason for his visit. He wanted me to own a bit of his problem.

  I almost told hi
m to leave but then I remembered Jennifer again. I supposed I owed him.

  “Cut out the ‘never minds,’ Cromwell. Straight up, tell me the problem.”

  “See, I may have committed a final crime. This was just before meeting the woman.”

  “Okay. So return the goods. Drop them by the front door or put them in the mail.”

  “They are jewels, Danny. Expensive jewels. I can’t confess for obvious reasons. I can’t go to the police and tell them I was strolling downtown and happened to spot these glittering jewels on a bench. I can’t just return them. Someone might steal them before the owner gets them.”

  “I see your point. There are so many dishonest people roaming our streets.”

  He let it go.

  “So, Cromwell, I get your dilemma, which you so perfectly gave to yourself. What do you want me to do? If I return them, the cops or the owner or anybody is going to ask where I got them. You know I won’t lie about this.”

  “I know, Danny. But I’ve come up with an idea.”

  “Uh-huh,” I said with as much skepticism as I could put in my voice.

  “No, really. It’s a good idea.”

  “I’m waiting.”

  “It’s Golden Jewelry and Coins. You know it?”

  “Yes. Just outside Main Street in Patchogue.”

  “That’s it.”

  “And what am I expected to do?”

  “Break in and return the jewels. They’ll think they just misplaced them. They’ll have all their jewels back. You’ll have the satisfaction of helping your friend. I’ll have my woman and my happiness. Everybody wins.”

  “I want a bit more.”

  “Come on, Danny. I just got free.”

  “Two more years of helping me.”

  “Six months.”

  “Two years.”

  “One year, Danny.”

  “Two years. That’s my deal.”

  A very unhappy Cromwell said, “You’re taking advantage of me.”

  “You want the deal or not, Cromwell?”

  “I didn’t understand the full cost of love.”

  “Write a song about it.”

  “All right, Danny. One last thing.”

  “And then maybe one last year.”

  “No, no. This is simple. I know the combination on the outside lock. It will be nothing for you to get in. Then you just drop the jewels on the counter in a bag. You don’t have to open the safe. Wear a mask because they have a camera. But that’s it. Go in. Drop the jewels. And leave.”