I went into the luncheonette just across the sidewalk from where I was parked. I checked the telephone on the wall to make sure it worked. Then I bought a bottle of water and took it back out to the car.
I compulsively checked my watch. I told myself this was a sign of good planning rather than outright panic. But I knew the truth.
I waited until a half hour before it all began. Then I got out of the car, walked to the bank, and went inside. I was looking for the Mayor. There he was, talking to some customers, no doubt wealthy ones. The bank was like a gold mine to him, and he kept digging here.
“Mr. Mayor,” I said, “I need to speak with you for a minute. It involves your father.”
He had a look of panic for a minute, but he walked away from the two men to whom he was speaking.
“What about my father, Danny?”
“He’s fine. He’s partly why I’m here.”
“I liked riddles when I was six years old. Not now. What are you talking about?”
“Listen, Junior, and listen hard. There’s something that’s going to happen in the bank in twenty-five minutes. Soon after that there will be cops involved. You could easily be arrested. Your career will be over.”
“What’s going to happen?”
“You’re going to sit in my car with me and be a witness. That’s all I can tell you.”
“That’s the question, Danny. Why are you telling me?”
“I don’t know how much you are involved, but I owe it to your father to find out before you land in jail.”
Junior was smart enough to shut up.
“Walk casually outside with me and follow me to my car. Don’t speak to anyone or say good-bye.”
We went to my car and sat inside. The windows were down because of the heat. A breeze helped, but we were still warm.
“When are you going to tell me what’s going on, Danny?”
“Soon enough.”
I was trying to ignore him as I kept looking at my watch.
I started to get out, stopped, and turned to Junior. “For your own sake, don’t move. Don’t speak to anyone who passes by. Pretend you’re sleeping. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
I was violating my agreement with Mr. Blaine. I was supposed to call Al Flanagan in twenty minutes, but I thought I could trust him.
Fate has its own sense of humor. Al would be back in twenty minutes.
I went back to the car.
I saw Mr. Blaine’s car and two others pull near the Bank. The drivers stayed in the car, but all the others inside got out and went into the bank.
The bank had officially closed three minutes earlier. That was my agreement with Mr. Blaine. He had my cooperation as long as no one got hurt, no guard, no bank employees, and no civilians. He wasn’t happy, muttering words to the effect that I was tying his hands, but he agreed. The men pulled out weapons just as they entered the bank.
I checked my watch and went back to make my calls. Junior never moved. His eyes were focused on the bank robbery in progress.
First, I called the police and told them that a robbery of the Bank of Waterbend was in progress. They had me on tape so I deepened my voice, didn’t give my name, and didn’t speak for long.
Then I called Al Flanagan.
“Danny, I’m busy. Look...”
“The Bank of Waterbend is being robbed as we speak.”
“Did you call the cops?”
“I did. But the robbery isn’t the big story.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The Board of Directors was planning a giant inside job, robbing the bank of all its assets. You’ve got to arrest them. I’ll help you sort it out.”
“Who’s involved?”
“Start with Otto Chance. He’s the Chief Operating Officer.” I gave him the names of the three other members of the Board of Directors. “And, Flanagan, just a side bit. Meadows was also on the Board. He was involved in the robbery but backed out. You’re going to solve two murders while you save the town.”
“Then why am I wasting time talking to you? I’ve got calls to make.”
He slammed down the phone.
I went back out and sat with Zachary Stauffer Junior.
“What’s going on, Danny? I mean obviously it’s a robbery. And, you’ll excuse me, but you seem to be part of it. Bank robbers go to prison, Danny.”
“It’s just a bit of a charade, Junior. They’ll take the money, give it to me, and I’ll return every last dollar. I’m a very inefficient bank robber.”
“So why do it?”
“Some of the people in the bank were going to steal all the money. When the cops show up, it might scare them off. But the D.A. is involved as well and that means there will be a complete investigation. The inside job will be exposed. Everyone involved will be arrested. Part of this involves a double murder.”
I turned to face the Mayor.
“Tell me right now, Junior. You lie and you’re dead to me. I’ll lock you up myself. You tell me the whole truth and you have a chance. That’s me doing a favor for your father, not you. Were you involved in this?”
“I swear I wasn’t. You must know I hung around with them for the money. Senior wouldn’t give me any for my political ambitions.”
“You mean your run for the White House.”
“Oh, you know about that too.”
“I do. You’re not stupid, Junior. You saw these guys up close and personal. Didn’t you have a sense something was wrong?”
A loud sigh.
“I did. They were bragging of what a good life they were soon going to live.”
“Big question, Junior. Who was the leader? Who organized this?”
“I’m not sure. I mean it, Danny. You want a guess, I’d say it had to be Otto. He could fire the others. He and his wife are re-creating the Civil War. He wants out.”
I nodded.
“Good, Junior. Who’s the weakest?”
“You’re looking for a stool pigeon?”
“I’m looking for someone who wants to do himself some favors.”
“William Benedict. Describe prison life to him. He’ll cry and tell you if he cheated on a third grade spelling test. And everything else he knows.”
There was noise. I still hadn’t heard any gunfire, which was good. I was trying to decide if I believed Junior about not being involved. For now it didn’t matter. It would all be sorted out later.
Then the robbers came out and went back to the cars. A guard followed them. Blaine turned around and fired a shot. I could see it was about ten feet over the guard’s head. It might hurt a brick in the bank’s edifice, but no humans would be harmed in the committing of this robbery.
The cops arrived about three minutes after the robbers got away. I had to admit Blaine was some sort of a criminal genius. Every part of his plan had worked so far.
“Where am I supposed to go?” Junior asked me.
“Can I give you some advice?”
“You just saved me from getting caught up in this. I’m listening.”
“Otto and the Board of Directors are all going to be arrested now. If you were there or I thought you were involved, you’d be arrested. I did think you were involved, Junior, and if you’re lying to me, you’re going to have the worst cellmate in the worst prison there is. You understand?”
“I’m not lying. You didn’t tell me what I’m supposed to do.”
“Go to Southampton and stay with your father. Tell him everything that’s going on. Don’t hold back.”
“I’m not going to be running for President, am I?”
“No. You drop out in a few days and consider yourself lucky.”
“What if the police come for me?”
“Have your dad call me and pray I’m going to be able to carry out my plan.”
“And what if you get arrested?”
“Then all bets are off. Then you’re on your own. But if I were you, I’d want my father on my side.”
He nodded.
> “Are we done?”
“Yes,” I said. “And, Junior, don’t even think of running. You’d last about two minutes.”
“I know.”
He waited a few seconds.
“Thanks, Danny. I mean it. We’re not that close as friends. But you did a kind deed here, and I won’t forget it.”
“Don’t make me regret it, Junior.”
He let silence be his reply as he stepped out into the sun.
I watched him walk to his car and circle widely away from the increasing number of police cars.
Then I drove home.
Betsy greeted me at the door.
“Somebody left a pair of nice suitcases for you. They seemed very heavy. I didn’t feel as though I should open them up.”
“That was a good move, Betsy. I have to return their contents anyway.”
“Good. And Hannah called. She sounded hysterical. Honestly, she was yelling in a high-pitched voice so I couldn’t understand her. I did get that she needs to see you immediately. That there’s some problem involving Jennifer.”
I put the suitcases in my trunk and immediately drove over to where Ari, Hannah, and Jennifer were staying.
I parked.
Hannah was waiting outside.
She was waving her arms.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
I found it difficult to calm Hannah down. I first asked if Jennifer was all right.
Hannah couldn’t speak, but she nodded.
I was confused.
“If she’s all right, what’s the matter?”
Hannah had trouble talking, so we went inside and sat down. Ari had taken Jennifer to another part of the house. Hannah was breathing heavily. I made her some tea and brought over a few cookies.
Hannah sipped the tea, and then she held my hand. It felt comforting to be with her, to feel the strength of her hand and see the warmth of concern in her face. It was as though her appearance had disappeared and in its place was a glittering portrait of her soul.
It still took several minutes.
Finally, she said, “It’s Jennifer’s aunt, my neighbor.”
I just nodded. I didn’t want my voice to interrupt hers.
“She changed her mind. She wants to adopt Jennifer.”
I was confused.
“Isn’t that good, Hannah? Isn’t that what we wanted?”
She ignored my questions.
“What about that girl you know? The one in the office where you work?”
“Janet doesn’t want a child.”
“You don’t understand,” she said.
She was right. I didn’t.
Another pause. Some sips of tea. I noticed for the first time that Hannah’s skin looked paler. I wondered if she was sick.
“What’s the matter with the aunt?”
Hannah looked at me. “Don’t you understand? There are stories all over the place about Jennifer. To all the world she’s still missing. When you send her to the authorities and the aunt gets her, Jennifer will get the insurance money. She’ll get lots of offers. A book. Maybe a movie or some television movie. You see a sweet, kind, caring little girl, Danny. Her aunt sees dollar bills. Lots of them.”
I didn’t want to tell her that lots of people who might adopt Jennifer would see exactly the same.
“And there’s more, Danny.”
Hannah wasn’t breathing right.
She needed to be calmer.
“I’ll fix the problem,” I said. “That’s my job.”
Her face brightened.
“Really?”
“Really, Hannah. Tell me what else is wrong with the aunt.”
“I’m not supposed to.”
“What do you mean?”
“My daddy used to tell us not to gossip. That it wasn’t nice.”
“That’s true if you’re going to hurt someone. Here you’re trying to protect someone.”
Danny Ryle, professional therapist.
She nodded.
“She’s a drunk. That’s in public. I’m her neighbor, so I know. She uses drugs. She forgot that the sixties ended. There are a lot of drugs around her house. She’s selfish. That’s why originally she didn’t want Jennifer. It wouldn’t be safe to send any little boy or girl to live with her. You have to stop the social worker from sending Jennifer back to her.”
I avoided asking how exactly I was supposed to do that.
“I’ll stop them,” I said. I didn’t think it was a lie because I really did intend to try. I just couldn’t see how I could do it.
Jennifer came running into the room.
I said, “Jennifer, I need to get some of your energy.”
“Oh, it’s easy Mr. Ryle. You just run.”
“How are you doing, Jennifer?”
“I love Miss Drake and I love Ari. Only I miss school and I miss my friends. At night when I’m alone, I cry into the pillow, Mr. Ryle. I cry because I miss Mommy and Daddy and they’ll never come back. Never. I keep hoping everyone is wrong and one day they will walk through the front door and get down on one knee and I will run to them as fast as I can and hug them and never let go.”
Jennifer began to cry.
I got down on one knee. She ran to me and held on for dear life.
“Jennifer, I want to ask you a question. It’s a big girl question, so I want you thinking hard.”
“What is it, Mr. Ryle?”
“Suppose your aunt changed her mind and wanted to adopt you. What would you think of that?”
“You mean she’d move here?”
“No. It means you’d move to her house.”
“But I wouldn’t know anybody. And I’d have to leave my teacher and school. Right?”
“Yes. Right.”
Jennifer’s head was down.
“What’s the matter, honey?”
“I’m not supposed to say.”
“What do you mean? You know you can say whatever you want in front of me or Ari or Miss Drake.”
Jennifer started shaking her head.
“No. Mommy told me not to say it. It’s about my aunt.”
I looked up at Hannah.
She leaned down next to Jennifer.
“Your aunt is my neighbor. You remember that, don’t you?”
A nod.
“Good. This is what Mr. Ryle meant about a big-girl question, Jennifer. If there is something you want to say about your aunt, it is very important that you say it now.”
“But I’m not supposed to.”
Hannah leaned forward. “I have an idea, Jennifer. Suppose you don’t say it, but you whisper it to me. I know you and I know your aunt. I also knew your mom. I think she’d be proud of you if you whispered it.”
“Really?”
“I promise you she would.”
“All right.”
Jennifer leaned toward Hannah’s ear and whispered. Hannah looked horrified.
When Jennifer was done, Hannah said. “That was very brave. I bet your mom is looking down on us from Heaven right now and wants me to hug you.”
“That’s a good idea,” Jennifer said.
Hannah looked up at Ari.
He said, “Hey, Jennifer, that show you like is on tv in a few minutes. Come on, we’ll watch it together.”
The two left.
Hannah sat at the table with me.
“She didn’t want to say it, Danny. Once her mother was visiting her sister. How’s an aunt supposed to behave toward her niece? This aunt didn’t behave that way. Jennifer did something to annoy her, and her aunt slapped her twice. The mother left the house on the spot.”
“The aunt will just deny it. She’ll say we coached Jennifer to say it.”
“But we know we didn’t.”
“You’ll be there, Hannah. Right next door. Maybe Jennifer can visit you very often.”
Hannah stared at me.
“I thought you were going to fix it.”
Danny Ryle, therapist had failed.
Hannah stormed out of the house.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Al Flanagan and I were eating at a Chinese restaurant in Lake Grove. Flanagan knew the family that owned the place, and he always got generous portions. He’d do very well in a pepper steak eating contest. He’d do very well in any eating contest.
I had returned the money to him, and he had it for evidence. His bosses were very pleased with him.
He looked pleased.
“You handled that robbery well, Danny. They were very glad to learn that eventually they will get the money all back. The cops look good. The junior officers of the bank who will take over look good.”
“Thanks.”
“So why are we here? You did what you were supposed to do.”
I explained what I wanted.
“You know I can’t do that, Danny.”
“How much have you learned from them?”
“Nothing. Those clowns set an indoor speed record for asking for a lawyer. They’ve all shut up.”
“I’m not a cop. I don’t need to question them. I just need to speak with William Benedict.”
“Good luck. I tried to get stuff out of him. His lawyer kept telling him to shut up. It didn’t matter because he cried like a baby.”
The spare ribs arrived, and I had no chance against them. Then the pepper steak and fried rice and Flanagan was in Heaven. I waited a reasonable amount of time and continued.
“You can tell him I asked to give him advice. Not legal but stuff that can help him. If he says no, then it’s no. But I think he’ll say yes. He knows me. He knows about my father.”
“I checked, Ryle. I’ve done 5,436 favors for you and you once bought me an ice cream cone. This is not the basis of a good relationship.”
“I just called about the bank. This is going to help you. You haven’t found the guy who killed the two Meadows. This guy Whitey. Give me a shot. It can’t hurt. I’m a fixer, Al. Let me fix. We both know you have the power to do this.”
“I thought you liked me for my pleasant personality.”
“That’s second on the list.”
He got up and went into the kitchen in the back of the restaurant where there was a private phone.
“Benedict is still hanging around the D.A.’s office. He said he’ll speak to you but you shouldn’t ask him about the case. He only wants your help.”
The Hunted Girl Page 12