“You are?” She asked before he had a chance to voice his made up story.
“I am, and my colleagues know I have been looking for you and your mother’s killer all this time. As a matter of fact, several of them originally helped with the investigation. Unfortunately, none of us ever turned up any leads, and the investigation has grown cold, and everyone but your grandfather and I had long ago given up any hope. Anyway, one of my friends on the force had seen your mother’s picture a bunch of times, and he was startled to see who he thought was Molly when he was on vacation in Salem. But, of course, he saw you, not Molly.”
“So your friend saw me and recognized my mother in me. When he did, why didn’t this friend just approach me himself?”
“He didn’t think it was his place. He said he would feel more comfortable letting me confront you, as it were.”
“So you just rented a private plane and flew to Salem on the off chance I might be your long lost daughter.” She focused on the front of the plane where Adam sat with Mike. “I assume Adam is paying the freight, not you.” It was logical considering how much money Adam gave Fred and the fact that he didn’t bat an eye at the prices in the restaurant that she thought had somewhat inflated prices.
“Yes, Adam is paying for the rental. No way could I afford to do it on my salary.”
“I thought not on a cops pay.”
He frowned at her less than seriously. “You said that like you don’t think much of my profession.”
“I haven’t had the best experience with cops, present company excepted, of course.”
“Well, I thank you for that, at least. But on to other business.”
“There’s more?”
“Yes. I knew I should prepare you for meeting your grandfather since he doesn’t look too well what with the chemo and all. He’s lost a tremendous amount of weight, he’s quite pale, and has to use a walker to get around. But there’s something else you need to know about him.”
“And just what that might be?”
He cleared his throat. “You grandfather is wealthy, and he wanted to find you more than ever now so he can leave most of it to you. That’s why he offered a large reward to anyone who found you.”
No expression crossed her face that would indicate the slightest bit of concern about the money she would soon inherit. Something else had been bothering her. “So, that’s what Adam is after and why he’s being so generous. That must be some reward.”
Robert frowned for real now. After all, Adam had done for both of them, he wouldn’t let her get the wrong idea about his benevolence. “You’re wrong. Adam doesn’t want any reward. He only wanted to help find you. As a matter of fact, he’s already quite wealthy himself.”
“You do seem to run in the best of crowds.” She winked at him.
“Is that all you have to say. I did just tell you-you're soon to be very rich.”
“And I’d gladly forget about any money I may or may not receive to have a grandfather I could visit on holidays.”
“You don’t have any idea how much it warms my heart for you to say that. That’s precisely how your mother was. She didn’t care about the money either. By the way, she was a student at West Virginia University when we got married, and I encouraged her to continue with her studies even after you were born. She loved going to school, and though she did let her father help her pay for it, she held various odd jobs over the years to pay for clothes and incidentals. She frequently wore clothes she found at thrift stores. She only owned one truly nice dress, but she only had that one because her father insisted she have something nice for her prom and graduation.”
“So she was going to college? What was she studying?”
“She was an American History major.”
Mary seemed taken aback. “She was?”
Robert nodded.
“I can’t believe it. That’s my major too. That’s why I work at the House of the Seven Gables and how I got the job in the first place. I’m on a volleyball scholarship, and the athletic department got me the job, but they wouldn’t have hired me regardless of the pressure the athletic department placed on them if I hadn’t been qualified. Therefore, I could have gotten the job on my own, and I’m glad I took it. I love being there. I’ve visited most of the historic sites around Salem. But, to my eyes, the House of the Seven Gables is one of the best historical sites in the city. It has such a wonderful history. Did you know…”
Robert held up his hand. “Adam and I took the tour, and I’m sure we learned everything about the mansion.”
“Oh, okay. I wouldn’t want to bore you.” Mary was slightly affronted because he didn’t want her to entertain him with her well-rehearsed speech.
“I’m sorry. It’s not that. It’s just that I thought I’d better finish what I was going to tell you before I forget what I was going to say.”
“What? Early-onset Alzheimer’s?” She grinned impishly.
“That sounds like something your mother would say. But what I wanted to say is that you may not believe this, but your mother played volleyball in high school. She didn’t make the team at West Virginia U, but she still played intramurals.”
“That’s…that’s…”
“Yeah I know,” Robert said. “That’s quite a coincidence. I guess you are your mother’s daughter.”
“I guess I am. Did you play sports in high school?”
“I tried, but I wasn’t athletic enough for the three major sports. However, I did run track and cross country. Having been a runner has turned out to be a good thing for a cop. Not too many perps can outdistance me.”
“I’ll bet not. Now if you don’t mind, sir, I’d like to rest a little before we land.”
“Of course I don’t mind. But can you do me a small favor first?”
“And what might that be?”
Robert appeared shy for the first time. He studied his shoes and then glanced at Adam and Mike who seemed to be deep in conversation. “I…I’d like you to call me Dad instead of Sir. Molly and I had a bet about whether you’d say Mommy or Daddy first. I complained that it wasn’t a fair bet because she got to stay home with you most of the time and could coach you, but you weren’t old enough when you were taken to say either. You weren’t talking yet other than goo-goo if that counts.”
Mary had to choke back a tear because there was only one man she had ever called Dad, but he was dead now. She was beginning to accept that Robert might actually be her father, but she’d have to have more proof than the fact that she resembled his dead wife and she recognized a bear in a really old picture. There had to be thousands of those bears around, and perhaps she had one with her real set of birth parents that had yet to be found. She was beginning to hope Robert was her father and she would have a grandfather, but she would need evidence he was who he claimed to be, and she was who he claimed she was. But, setting all that aside, what would it hurt to indulge him. She said; “I’m glad you didn’t give up on me…Dad. But I have a request for you too.”
“And what’s that my darling daughter?” Robert grinned widely.
“What was my name before?”
“That’s an easy one. Your mother and I called you Mary Beth.”
Mary was understandably startled by that revelation. Here was something else that would be difficult to absorb. “Surely that can’t be true.”
Robert held up his right hand and put his left hand out as if it were resting on a bible. “I swear it’s true. But I can call you just Mary if you’d prefer.”
“We’ll see,” Mary said as she put the back of her seat down and wiggled until she found a comfortable position. Before long she was sleeping peacefully. Robert was glad everything she’d had to absorb didn’t prevent her from being able to relax. He figured the next few days would be rather hectic for her.
Robert signaled to their stewardess and told her to bring a pillow and blanket for Mary. Mary woke up when Robert talked to the stewardess, and he apologized for waking her. She said she wasn’t sl
eeping and accepted the pillow. However, she was warm enough so she refused the blanket. She thanked the stewardess and Robert and then snuggled back down into the seat. She was quickly sleeping again. Robert smiled lovingly at the daughter he thought he’d never see again.
Chapter 42
The plane had just landed and was taxiing to a stop in front of its hanger at the Morgantown airport. They announced the passengers could turn on their cell phones now that the plane was on the ground. As soon as Adam turned his phone on, it rang. He glanced at the display but didn’t recognize the number.
“Hello, this is Ram.”
“Adam,” said a voice he knew he should know but couldn’t place. “This is your Aunt Mary. There’s been an accident.”
“Are you all right?”
“Of course I am. It wasn’t my accident. Sarah was hit by a drunk driver on her way to the store.”
“Is she all right? Were the kids with her?” Adam instantly broke out in a cold sweat. His heart almost stopped but instead began thundering in his ears like an Indian’s pow-wow drum accompanying their dance. He didn’t get a chance to see his sister or her kids as much as he would like, but he and his sister had always been close, and her kids loved him, and he loved them. Sarah had moved with their mother from Chicago to Maine and had taken care of her in the house they shared before Agnes’s cancer had returned. Then she visited with Agnes in the hospital as much she could before Agnes finally succumbed. Adam’s Aunt Mary had come to stay with Sarah and help her with the kids when Agnes went into the hospital. When Agnes died, Sarah had talked Mary into staying with them permanently.
“No, the kids were still in school. They’re home now, and we’re leaving for the hospital soon. I don’t think Sarah is seriously hurt according to the patrolman who called me. She had a few cuts from flying glass, but he didn’t know any more than that about her condition. He did say they had to use the jaws-of-life to get her out of the car and put her on a backboard to take her to the ambulance, but he said that’s the way it’s almost always done as they always err on the side of caution.”
“Where was she taken?”
“Eastern Maine Medical Center where your mother spent her last days.”
“Yes. I’m familiar with the center in Bangor. I just got back from Salem, and my plane is still taxiing. I’m sure I can get them to fly me to Bangor. How about if you and the kids head out and I’ll call you again when I get to Bangor.”
“That should do. I guess I’ll see when you get here.” Mary wanted to find out why he had been in Salem but thought that conversation could wait until Adam met her and the kids at the hospital.
“Okay. See you then.” Adam didn’t actually know if he could get his current crew to take him to Bangor but, if not, he could surely find another service that would. He had called several services in the area when he arranged the flight to Salem so he was sure he would be able to find someone who would be willing to accept his contract. He might have to pay a premium price, but that made no difference to him. He had to find a way to be with his sister and take care of her kids for a few days if need be. He knew Aunt Mary was there, but he might need to take the kids to school or make trips to the store or whatever. He would do anything anyone required without thought. But now, of course, he would have to tell the other passengers what he was up to. He would have liked to be there for the reunion of Richard and Mary, but being with his sister in her time of need was much more vital. He could always see Richard, Robert, and Mary when he got back.
Adam’s facial expressions indicated to Mike that something was not right. The part of the conversation he’d heard conveyed the same thing. “Sorry,” Mike said, “I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but you’re sitting right beside me, so it was a little hard not to. I take it you have to go to Bangor to see to someone.”
“Yes. My sister was in a car accident. Fortunately, her two kids weren’t with her. My Aunt and the kids are on their way to the hospital where my sister was taken. I’m going to see if these guys can turn this plane around and take me to Bangor. I’ll check with Mary, Robert, and her grandfather when I get back.”
“I…hate to bother you with this,” Mike said, “But how am I going to get home. I feel like I have to stay with Mary until I can make sure everything is okay with her grandfather but after that…”
Adam reached into his pocket and extracted one of his business cards for his foundation. “Just call this number and have Debbie send you whatever you need to be able to get you back to Salem and tell her how much I owe you for your time.”
“You don’t need to pay me for…”
“But I will,” Adam interrupted. “Your time is valuable, and I appreciate your coming with us to make certain everything was on the up and up. So I insist you tell Debbie what I owe you. I have an agreement with Debbie to pay back whatever I borrow from the foundation.”
“I guess I’m not understanding. I thought the foundation was yours because you started it with your money.” Adam’s foundation was one of the things they had discussed on the flight to Morgantown.
“That’s what I said, and it’s true that I started the foundation with my own money. But it’s important that the foundation is on solid footing so wherever I borrow money from the foundation, I always put it back. After all, I still have a lot of money of my own.”
“I understand. But now you had better go talk to the pilots about getting this plane turned around.”
“Yes, I’d better. But first I have to tell our two friends in the back what I’m up to.”
Mike nodded as Adam got up and went to the back of the plane where Robert and Mary were seated. He explained the situation to them and said he would catch up to them in Charleston. Then he advised their stewardess that he needed to talk to the pilots. He briefly spoke to the pilots, and they said they could probably take him to Bangor, but he would have to make arrangements in the office. In the office, they agreed to the flight but suggested another airplane that was already fueled and ready to go. He agreed, gave them his charge card, and soon he was in the air again.
On the ground in Bangor, he arranged for a car and got precise directions to the hospital. Even though he’d been there before it had been a while and he didn’t want to get lost. Before he left, however, he called Marti and updated her about their finding Mary Beth and his sister’s accident. Marti said she wished she was going with him because she and Sarah had become friends over the last few years she and Adam had been together. Adam said under ordinary circumstance he would have had the pilots take him to Charleston so Marti could meet the plane there, but this time he needed to get to Sarah’s side as soon as possible. Marti understood, and Adam said he would call to update her on Sarah’s condition. Marti also said she’d continue to take care of the dogs as long as need be.
“Uncle Adam,” Ryan screamed and ran to hug his uncle when Adam came through the door.
Shelia, his niece, turned from her mother’s bed and followed Ryan.
Adam hugged them both and kissed the tops of their heads and then gently shoved them aside so he could go to Sarah’s bed. Her face had a lot of small cuts and a rather large bandage wrapped around her head, but no casts were in evidence so she must not have broken any bones. The neck brace Mary had mentioned was gone. He was thankful for both of those items at least. “How you doing Sis,” he said leaning over to give her a kiss on the forehead.
“I think this whole thing is ‘much ado about nothing,’” she quoted Shakespeare, “and you really didn’t need to go to all the expense of coming up here.”
“Are you kidding? All Aunt Mary could tell me was you were in an accident and were taken to the hospital.” He scanned the room. “Where is she by the way?”
“She went to get herself some coffee. She should be right back.”
Adam remembered their time in this hospital when his mother was here. “I hope you warned her not to get it out of the machine.” Sarah had warned him the coffee from the machine on the cancer ward f
loor was not drinkable although he actually didn’t drink coffee. His beverage of choice was tea.
“I did. I told her to go down to the cafeteria. The coffee on this floor might not be as bad as it was on mother’s floor, but there’s no sense taking chances.”
Just then Mary came through the door. “Adam. You certainly made good time.” She sat down her coffee cup and came toward him with her arms outstretched.
He enfolded her kissing her cheek. “How you doing Aunt Mary?”
“Oh just fair to middling. It’s no fun getting old.”
“Old?” Sarah put in. “I’ve asked you not to say that. You’re not old. You’ve just barely reached your golden years.”
“Well, if that’s true where’s my gold. Did I lose track of it?”
Sarah gazed lovingly at Ryan and Sheila. “I’d say it’s standing right over there.” She pointed at her kids.
“You don’t expect me to argue with that do you?” Mary said looking at Sheila.
“There is no argument for that,” Sarah said.
Mary turned to Adam. “And now what’s the deal with your going to Salem. Were you on a story?”
“I was not. I was only following up on a vision I had.” From there he launched into the whole story.
“So you actually found the long lost daughter?” Mary asked.
“We did. And Robert is in the process of taking her to meet the grandfather she hasn’t seen for twenty years.”
The Dog Who Ate The Flintlock Page 30