The four friends took their place in the long line. “What are you getting?” Billy spoke in Phoebe’s ear so his voice wouldn’t be drowned out by the chattering people.
“Guess.” She responded playfully.
“Ummm, let’s see…” He pretended he wasn’t already sure what she planned to order. “I think you will order one of those.” He pointed to a couple who were sharing a giant ice cream sundae.
“Actually, that does look good,” she said, licking her lips as she stared at the delicious looking creation. “But so does the fudge.”
“I have an idea. How about we share a sundae and order some fudge to go?” He pressed his lips to Phoebe’s forehead. “That way, you get the best of both worlds.”
“Good idea.”
After leaving the Village Candy Shoppe, Phoebe and Billy said goodbye to Jenna and Dave and walked toward Billy’s truck.
“Are you nervous about tomorrow?” Billy asked. He took Phoebe by the hand and led her toward the crosswalk.
Phoebe thought for a long moment. She was nervous, but she was even more determined. She had worked hard to get to this point, and she needed to know, once and for all, exactly what happened the day her mother died. She was ready to let everyone in Iron Spring know that her dad had nothing to do with her mother’s death. And, she was ready for the person responsible for the crime to be punished.
“A little.”
***
“You ready for this?” Billy angled his truck into a space at the prison’s parking lot.
Phoebe craned her neck out the truck window. The soaring guard tower adjacent to the parking lot caused Phoebe’s pulse to pound double time. “I don’t know. This place is already giving me the creeps.” She examined the towering chain link fencing that surrounded the compound. “I’ve never been anywhere like this before.”
If it wasn’t for Billy being with her, Phoebe was sure she would have chickened out. But, with a death grip on his hand, she headed through the first set of doors. There, they were sent through a metal detector just like the ones at the airport. Then, they were directed to head through another set of doors where they took their place in line.
Phoebe blew out a slow breath while watching the people ahead of her as they were called to step up to the platform. She hoped that by paying attention she could get a sense of the process before it was her turn. When the lady ahead of her—an overly skinny, boisterous woman with bleach blonde hair— reached the platform, she was asked a question by the guard. Phoebe couldn’t hear what had been said, but in response to the question, the lady set her oversized bright pink, excessively bedazzled, purse on the counter and began to search through it. In the process, she scattered the contents onto the counter before her.
Phoebe glanced at the guard’s face and, after seeing his annoyance, she leaned close to Billy. “I hope we don’t get that guy. He’s getting pretty ticked off.”
Eventually, the woman handed something to the guard which he held to his eyes for inspection. After asking the lady a question, she lowered her head and pointed to her black roots. To this, the guard nodded his head, rolled his eyes and let her pass.
After seeing this, Phoebe whispered to Billy, “You have ID right?
“Yeah. I have my driver’s license.” Billy was paying attention too. As soon as she was permitted beyond the podium to the visitor’s area, he took Phoebe’s hand and led her to the counter where they stood before the same steely eyed guard.
Great. Phoebe put a hand over her suddenly queasy stomach. To make matters worse—as if that were possible—the guard’s booming voice thundered in Phoebe’s head.
“Who you visiting?”
Phoebe opened her mouth but she couldn’t find her voice. The guard waited only a brief moment before roaring his question again.
“I said, Who. You. Visiting?” His eyes examined Phoebe in a way that made her very uncomfortable.
“Mike Smith.” Billy spoke up.
The guard raised his eyes over the wire rimmed glasses that sat on the tip of his nose and gave Billy a dull stare. “Mike Smith?”
“Yeah, Mike Smith.” Billy repeated.
“I’m gonna need more than that, son.” The man scoffed. “We got half a dozen Mike Smith’s in here.”
Phoebe dug her hand into her purse and pulled out the slip of paper Mr. Lewis had given her. Her hand shook as she read the birth date to the guard. “He was born on September 2, 1961.”
The guard shifted his gaze from Billy to Phoebe. “And you are?”
Phoebe cleared her throat hoping to find her voice. “Phoebe Levick. I’m a . . . uh…friend.” She felt sick calling Mike a friend but what else could she say? Mike and I aren’t related—thank goodness—and the only connection between us is my mother’s death, which he probably caused. No, I’m not going into that.
“Uh-huh.” The guard mumbled, typing on his keyboard. “Mr. Smith is no longer in this facility.”
Phoebe’s heart sank. “He isn’t?”
“Nope.”
Nope? That’s all you have to say? Phoebe searched for a response but she was too intimidated to think straight.
“We heard he was being transferred,” Billy said, nodding his head. “But, we didn’t know it had already happened.”
“Yep, it did, long ago.”
“Would you be able to tell us where he was transferred to?” Phoebe’s voice quivered. Ugh. I hate sounding like such a baby.
“Nope. Next!” The guard shouted. The man who was next in line approached the podium leaving them no choice but to step away.
***
They entered the freeway and were heading back to Iron Springs when Billy reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone.
“Here.” He handed the phone to Phoebe. “Call Dave and see if he can get us the information.”
“What information?” Phoebe flipped the phone open and searched Billy’s contacts. “It says you have five missed calls; all from the same number.”
“I know,” Billy said, apathetically.
“Who are they from?
“My dad.” Billy waved his hand in the air as if to say it was no big deal that his dad had called five times in less than an hour. “If I don’t pick up the moment he calls, he just keeps calling until I get sick of him and answer.”
“Maybe you should answer.” Phoebe suggested just as Dave answered his phone.
“Hi Dave, I need a favor.” Phoebe glanced at Billy. “What information am I asking Dave for?” She whispered.
“See if he can find out where Mike was transferred to.”
Phoebe nodded, feeling foolish she hadn’t thought of it. “Mike’s not at the prison anymore.” She crossed her fingers that with a couple key strokes, Dave could find out where he was transferred to. “Can you find out where he is?”
“I’m on hold,” Phoebe said to Billy. “About your dad . . .”
Billy rolled his eyes. “Feebs…”
“He called five times Billy. Maybe it’s important.” She held up a finger to let Billy know that Dave had returned to the call. Then, she gave him a look that was meant to convey that they’d return to the subject once she finished talking to Dave. “I’m here Dave, what did you find out?”
Phoebe had her notebook and pen ready but there was nothing for her to write down. “Thanks for checking Dave. We’ll see you later.” She ended the call and put the notebook back in her purse. “He doesn’t have access to that system, but he’s checking to see if anyone else in his office does. He said he’d call me if he’s able to find out anything.” Phoebe paused. “So, about your dad…”
“What about him?”
“He called five times in less than an hour.” Phoebe reminded Billy of the conversation she knew he was trying to avoid.
“I know.”
“Well, maybe you should call him.”
“Call who?” Billy teased.
“That’s not funny Billy. Call your dad.”
“I’m sure he’s
just calling to lecture me. Besides, we’re going there on Saturday, remember?”
Phoebe remembered, but she was not letting Billy off the hook that easily. “Billy, you need to at least see what he needs.”
Billy gave her a sideways glance. She stared persistently back at him and for a minute. This was an argument he was not going to win.
“Fine.” Billy relented.
He punched in the number and rolled his eyes at Phoebe while he waited for an answer. “Hey Dad. I missed your call.”
Billy listened for a minute, nodding his head. Phoebe’s ears perked up, but she couldn’t hear anything Billy’s father was saying but his fixed expression told her he was not happy with whatever he was hearing.
“Yeah, I was there. I was helping somebody.” Billy glanced at Phoebe and furrowed his brows.
“No, I’m not in trouble.”
After hanging up, Billy tossed the phone into the truck’s center console. “I swear that man has eyes everywhere.”
“What does that mean?”
“My dad and the prison warden are golfing buddies. I guess he got a call saying I was at the prison. My dad immediately assumed I’d taken up a life of crime.” Billy shook his head.
“So, the warden saw us?”
“I guess so.” He shrugged. “I’m not sure who else would have called my dad.”
“Weird.” A knot grew in Phoebe’s stomach. “I’m sorry I made you call.” She felt even more nervous about meeting Billy’s father. “I guess I didn’t realize he was that bad.”
Billy smiled. “There’s nothing to be sorry about.” He wrapped his fingers in hers and gave her hand a gentle squeeze. “Are you hungry?”
“Starved.” Phoebe hadn’t eaten anything all day and her stomach was starting to complain.
“How about I take you out to lunch?”
“Sounds good.” Phoebe scooted closer to Billy as he drove them toward Park Street.
They sat across from one another at the Corner Diner. Phoebe ordered a bacon cheeseburger, but by the time it arrived, her thoughts had caused her to lose her appetite. She glanced at Billy who was dipping a French fry in ketchup. “What if we can’t find Mike? I may never find out what happened to my mother.”
Billy reached across the table and took her hand. “We’ll find him. Don’t worry.” He looked in her eyes. “I promise; we will find him,” he repeated.
Phoebe nodded. She wished she shared his optimism. “I hope—
Billy’s phone rang and he silenced it before glancing at the caller ID. “It’s Jenna.” He handed it to Phoebe.
“Hello?”
“Whatcha doin?” Jenna asked. She talked so loud that Billy could hear every word she uttered.
“We’re at the diner, just finished eating.”
“Can you meet us at the park? Dave and I need to talk to you.”
“Sure.” Phoebe glanced at Billy with raised eyebrows. “Is everything okay?”
“Just come. Hurry!”
Billy paid the check and they raced to his truck. As they headed toward the park, Billy’s phone rang again, and he handed it to Phoebe.
“Hello?” Phoebe answered the phone. She didn’t recognize the number and she wasn’t comfortable answering Billy’s phone. “Yes, this is Phoebe.”
“Hi Gracie.” Phoebe glanced at Billy and shrugged. “How are you?”
“Sure, we can do that. Can you give us an hour?” After ending the call, Phoebe turned to Billy. “That was Gracie.”
Billy nodded. “What did she want?”
“She said she needs to talk to us. She wants us to come to her house. I told her we can be there in an hour.” Phoebe glanced at her watch. “We should have plenty of time to see what Jenna wants and make it to Gracie’s by four, shouldn’t we?”
“Yeah, I’m sure of it. I hope nothing’s wrong.”
Phoebe nodded her head. “Me too.”
Twenty Four
“What is it?” Phoebe stared, wide-eyed, at her friend from across the picnic table.
Jenna glanced slyly at Dave. Phoebe loved most everything about Jenna. But, her need to draw things out and dramatize everything was not as cute today as it may have been other times.
“Well,” Jenna paused before continuing.
Phoebe was sure she couldn’t take much more. She glanced, bewildered, from Billy to Dave before returning her gaze to Jenna. “What?” She asked. “What is it?”
Jenna slid a file across the table. “Here ya go.” She announced proudly.
Phoebe gave her friend a puzzled look. “What is it?”
“Read it!” Jenna insisted. She folded her arms in front of her body and smiled a wide smile.
Phoebe opened the file began scanning the page. It took a minute for her to grasp the reality of what she was reading. The words jumped from the page. She glanced up at Billy who was reading over her shoulder.
“Look at this.” She pointed to the document.
“I know.” His eyes were scanning the page. “That’s crazy.”
Phoebe glanced at Jenna. “Where did you get this?”
Jenna gave a sideways tilt of the head in Dave’s direction.
“Dave!” Phoebe shouted. “I thought you…I mean, how did you…”
“I asked around and found a lady in another office who was able to access the prison records.”
“Thank you!” Phoebe shouted, as she threw her arms around Dave’s neck. “I owe you big time, Dave!”
“It was nothing,” Dave said.
Phoebe grabbed Jenna and gave her a hug and before glancing at Billy. “Should we head to the prison’s infirmary?”
“We need to go see Gracie first. Then, we’ll drive out there.” Billy checked his watch. “It’s only a little after three. We should have plenty of time.” Phoebe and Billy sprinted toward the truck.
“Thank you so much.” Phoebe called out over her shoulder.
“Good luck!” Jenna shouted after them.
***
The person sitting across from them in Gracie’s living room looked like a whole new woman. Her countenance was cheerful and her eyes sparkled with optimism. After the necessary formalities were out of the way, Phoebe leaned forward in her seat and asked, “So, Gracie, you said there was something important you needed to say to us.”
Gracie smiled a wide smile. “I just had to thank you both in person. When Mr. Hall called me personally I just couldn’t believe it. I mean, the owner of Hall Properties calling me on the phone? It was something, I tell you.” She gave a shake of her head. “When he told me about Ted’s termination I was speechless. But, when he offered me my job back, I about fainted.”
Phoebe’s lips forced a confused smile as her eyes searched Billy’s face for an explanation.
“That’s wonderful, Gracie. But we didn’t do anything. You deserve the job. Congratulations.”
Phoebe nodded her head as she slowly put the pieces together. “That’s great! You deserve it. And Ted got what was coming to him.”
“I start on Monday.” Gracie beamed with excitement. “I’m just so happy. I got a big raise too.” She took a breath. “And, well,” she glanced at Billy. “I just wanted to tell you how much it means to me that you were willing to talk to your dad and tell him what was going on.”
Billy’s face flushed. “I’m happy I could do it; and congratulations.”
“We really are so happy for you Gracie.”
After promising to stay in touch, Billy and Phoebe left Gracie’s house and headed toward the prison’s infirmary to try and visit Mike Smith.
As soon as they were on the highway, Phoebe turned to Billy and gave him an Explain yourself stare.
Billy glanced at Phoebe before returning his eyes to the road. “What are you looking at me like that for?”
“Can you please tell me what just happened?” Phoebe folded her arms and stared hard at Billy.
“What do you mean?”
“Ummm, well, we can start with how you own Hall Prope
rties.” She made air quotations with her fingers. “Mr. Hall called her and offered her Ted Anderson’s job. Then, we can move on to you explaining why you never bothered to tell me you’re a gazillionaire.”
Billy chuckled. “First of all, I don’t own anything. I own this truck—actually, the bank owns this truck; I’ll own it in about twenty two more months. And, secondly, you never asked. I have no idea how much money your father makes, and I’m not offended. And third, I am not a . . .” He paused for a moment. “What did you call it? A gazillionaire? And by the way, I’m pretty sure that’s not even a word.”
“Billy.” Phoebe paused and massaged her temples with her fingers. “Your family owns Hall Properties?”
“Not my family.” Billy chortled. “My dad.”
“What!” Phoebe shook her head. “Wait a sec. Your dad owns Hall properties. You’re Billy Hall, of Hall properties? Owner of a bazillion resorts?”
“I am Billy Hall, owner of nothing,” Billy said, chuckling “My dad, William Hall, is the owner of Hall properties.”
“Still, you are the son of the owner of Hall Properties. And, since that’s the case, why didn’t you just tell Ted who you were when we met with him?”
“I thought about it, but that would have put him in a defensive position. He would have known his job was in jeopardy, and he might have reacted differently—he might not have told us where he got the cameo. This way, we got the information, that slime ball got fired, and Gracie got an even better job.”
“That’s true. But you should have told me. I mean, all this time . . . we’ve been hanging out, and I haven’t known who you were or what—
“Feebs, I am me. I’m the same person I was before you found out about my dad. He’s the successful business man. I’m just a poor working kid.”
“Well, at least you should have told me who you were when we went to the inn that you own it. I can’t believe you didn’t mention that at least.”
Billy blew out a breath. “Feebs, listen to me. I don’t own the inn. Honestly, that was the first time I’ve ever been there. And, it’ll probably be the last time.
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