“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Sir, I don’t kid about such things.” He motioned for Edward to follow him.
“Aren’t you going to question anyone but me?” Edward rose, shoving his hands in his jeans pockets. Best he keep them there or he might swing a fist in his anger.
“That’s my job, not yours.” He shoved Edward to the back side of the room and into a cell. “If you’re innocent, then there’s nothing to worry about, is there?”
“How do you propose I clear my name from this jail cell? I told my wife I’d be coming back.”
“Well, you were wrong. Best you spend some time sitting there contemplating your fate.” Archer slammed the metal door shut, then turned the key in the lock. Edward was the only prisoner in the stark cell block, and he was glad. He didn’t want anyone to know that he’d been there.
“Then at least let my wife know I’m in your cell, would you?” Edward heard Archer’s boots on the floor as he walked back to his desk.
“I’ll have my deputy let her know,” the sheriff offered.
Edward heard the front door close and looked at his surroundings. A cot with a questionable mattress was pushed against the wall, and there was a chamber pot nearby. Such luxuries, he thought. He finally sat on the edge of the cot and leaned over, putting his head in his hands. It bothered him a lot that his friend Waldo thought he might be responsible for the robbery. It bothered him even more that his reputation would be ruined, and he was devastated to consider what Anna must think.
He went over the trip to town in his mind more than once. He’d been in good spirits and looking forward to Anna’s dinner party. That was all that had been on his mind. Think, think, Edward. But he was tired of thinking. And here he was, stuck in this dingy cell on a glorious day, charged with a ridiculous crime. He should’ve allowed Anna to come too, but he really figured once he told Archer what he wanted to know, he’d be back home. He rubbed his temples—a headache right now was not welcome.
In the quietness he heard the front door open again. Archer must be back, he thought. But the footsteps were too light to be Archer’s.
“Edward?” He recognized Anna’s voice immediately.
“Back here, in the corner cell.” Edward hurried over to the cell door.
Two sets of footsteps rushed to where he was. He saw Sarah and was glad she was with Anna. He hated seeing the concern on his wife’s face.
“Edward!” Anna gasped. “I thought the sheriff was only going to ask you questions!” She wore a brown cape with a hood covering her head, making her appear small. She thrust her fingers through the bars to touch his hand, her eyes filling with tears.
“Me too. Hello, Sarah. I’m glad you came with Anna.” Turning his gaze back to Anna, he said, “He just keeps asking me the same questions over and over. He hasn’t officially arrested me—he’s just holding me for now. Besides, I already told him I left the bank right behind the teller.”
“What can I do to help you? Anything, just tell me. I feel helpless.”
“Should we get you an attorney?” Sarah added.
“The only one I know is Harvey.”
Sarah nodded. “I’ll go after him.”
“His office is just down the block, but he’s only open a half day on Saturday, so he may not be there.” He told Sarah where Harvey’s office was located, and she murmured to them that she’d return soon—hopefully with Harvey. Then she was gone, leaving them alone to talk.
Edward held Anna’s small hand tightly in his. “I’m sorry about the picnic. I wanted us to do something fun.”
“I know, and we will.”
“It’ll all get worked out soon. I just need some advice, that’s all.”
“I hope you’re right. It seems like a terrible dream.” She paused, then taking a deep breath, she asked, “You were the last one in the room, right? Do you have any idea who might’ve done this?”
Was that doubt he saw reflected in her eyes? Didn’t she believe him? “Anna! You do believe I had nothing to do with the robbery, don’t you?” His heart caught in his throat. He must have a wife who believed in him.
“I—yes, of course I do, Edward.”
He flinched. “You hesitated.”
Their eyes held.
She stiffened. “No, I—”
“You did,” he stated flatly, dropping her hand. He suddenly felt sad and hurt. But her solemn face gave away the truth.
“Yes, I’m sorry, I did have doubts at first. You seemed to know how we could get the money for the shelter, and you were planning to get us a telephone. But I can see in your eyes right now that you are innocent without a shadow of a doubt. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. I believe you, Edward,” she whispered, pressing her cheek against the metal bars.
“You must know I would never lie to you, Anna.” He stood stiffly but looked away, not wanting to meet her questioning eyes—the ones he’d let himself believe in. He’d thought he and Anna were indeed a perfect match. But something had just happened here—broken trust.
“I said I’m sorry.” She pulled back, staring at him. “Edward . . . do you . . . want me to leave?”
Edward tightened his jaw, then turned to look at her squarely. “That’s up to you, Anna.”
The front door rattled, and they turned to see Sarah and Harvey march in with Moose, who ran straight up to Anna. She gave him an affectionate hug.
“Edward, what in high heaven has happened?” Harvey asked. “When Sarah told me about this, I couldn’t believe it!”
“It’s true—Archer and Waldo think I robbed the bank last night.”
“Hmm, I see. I want to talk to you and Waldo,” Harvey proposed.
Sheriff Archer strolled in. “Guess you didn’t hear me come in.” He eyed Sarah, then looked back to Harvey. “I see we’re having a group meeting.”
Harvey inclined his head slightly. “Should that matter?”
Archer sniffed. “Not as long as you’re not conspiring on how to get him out of here.”
“Not conspiring, but I know his rights. You haven’t charged him with a crime, so you can’t hold him against his will.”
“I’m well aware of the law and don’t need you to tell me.”
Edward knew Harvey didn’t take kindly to that remark by the stern look that crossed his face. “Your shiny badge doesn’t mean a thing to me.” Harvey’s voice remained calm and collected.
The sheriff anchored his thumbs in his hip pockets and rocked back on his heels. “And just who are you?”
“Harvey Thompson, Edward’s attorney. I’m asking you to release Edward unless you have some evidence other than hearsay to keep him here.”
Archer scratched his head. “I suppose you’re right. I can let you talk to him, but I haven’t decided if he’s going to be charged or not. I still have some investigating to do.” He strode to his desk for the keys, then came back and unlocked the door.
Anna moved toward Edward, but he turned away to follow Harvey.
“You can have a seat by my desk and ask him anything you want. I’ll take notes.” Archer glanced back at the women. “You two ladies can have a seat over there.” He pointed to some chairs a few feet away. Anna and Sarah complied.
Archer sat behind his desk, propping his feet up and leaning back, a tablet and pencil in his hand. “Have at it, Mr. Thompson.”
Moose settled in next to Harvey’s feet. “Edward, let’s start with when you were at the bank. Sarah told me on the way over here that you left right behind the teller. Is that correct?”
“Yes. Waldo was the last to leave.”
Harvey paused. “So where did you go from there?”
“I hurried to catch the streetcar to my friend’s floral shop, Park Floral, to get flowers for the dinner party we were giving. Which made me later getting home than I expected.”
“So you won’t mind if I check this out with them?” Archer inserted.
“No, I don’t mind. The owner actually put the fl
owers together for me since they were just closing up shop.”
“What’s his name?” Harvey was taking notes.
“John Valentine.”
“Then after you picked up the flowers, where did you go?”
Edward sighed. “I caught the streetcar at the corner for home. After I got off, I sprinted the rest of the way to my house.”
“Or had time to sprint back to the bank and unlock the safe and take the money!” Archer said.
Edward nearly came out of his chair with a clenched fist. “I did not!”
“Calm down, Edward.” Harvey patiently took his time. “We won’t get very far if you can’t stay calm. Back to the bank. What do you do there?”
Edward leaned back farther in his chair. He was already tired of repeating these facts, but maybe Archer had missed something, so it was good that he was also taking notes. “Waldo hired me to set the vault’s new timer on the combination, which allows the vault to open only after a certain time has lapsed, and only by people who are privy to the safe’s combination.”
Harvey’s brows knitted together. “And you are one of them?”
“Yes, I have to be in order to secure the lock.”
He saw Anna lean forward to hear every word that was said. His mouth was dry now. “Could I have a drink of water, please?” he asked Archer.
Archer let his legs plop to the floor. “I reckon.” He strode over to a cabinet that held a pitcher and bowl on top. He poured himself a glass first and slugged the water down, then took another glass and filled it for Edward. Manners weren’t his forte, Edward thought. Gratefully, he took the water and drank it right down, then set the glass on the desk.
“What did you and Waldo talk about before you checked the lock?” Harvey continued.
“Let’s see . . . Oh yes. I mentioned that Anna needed a place to have a shelter for her rescued animals.” Archer frowned, so he explained the situation.
Archer tapped his pencil against his leg. “So that money would more than supply the lease for a building, wouldn’t it? Let me remind you there was no sign of forced entry.”
“Look, if I had the money, would we be sitting here like three old maids chatting?”
Archer sneered. “No need to get wise with me, son. I’m only trying to get the facts.”
“I’ve told you the facts! I’ve had enough, and I’m going home. You have no evidence to charge me with.” He stood up and Anna popped up from her chair. Sarah stayed seated, watching.
“Please, Edward. I have a few more questions for you.” Harvey got up to give him a gentle push on his shoulder. Edward and Anna sat back down and Harvey continued. “After you two talked about leasing a building, what did you do after that?”
Edward retraced his steps in his head. He remembered that the money had already been counted for the day and Leonard was there in the room, putting away the stacks of money and bonds.
“I recall Leonard, the assistant manager, was in the room, and the safe door was open. He’d just finished stacking the money. He told me he’d leave me to set the timer, and then he was gone. I heard him tell Waldo goodbye.”
“So you set the timer?” Harvey asked, pushing him to remember the details.
Edward’s hands tightened. “Yes, I was checking the combination—oh! I just remembered that the bank teller was still there too. He walked into the room where I was, so I closed the door to the safe.”
“What did he want?”
“I thought it was odd, but he told me he’d overheard me talking about renting a building and he had a friend who needed someone to take over his lease. I told him I was interested, then he said he’d let me know the details when he could.”
“That was all of the conversation?” Harvey leaned closer.
“Yes. Then we both walked toward the front of the building and told Waldo good night. The teller went one way and I went the other. I hurried away to get to the florist, like I told you.” Edward’s head was pounding now and he was done. He had nothing more to add.
“What’s the teller’s name?”
“I think he said Calvin . . . yes, that’s right. Maybe you should be talking to him, Sheriff.” He stood, ready to leave.
“I certainly will.” Archer nodded. “You can count on that.”
“Unless you have something else to ask, I’m leaving now. You know where to find me,” Edward said through tight lips.
“Wait just a minute,” Harvey said, pressing a finger thoughtfully to his lips. “You said you closed the safe door when Calvin entered the room, but did you actually set the timer?”
The only sound in the room was the ticking of the schoolhouse clock behind Archer’s desk as they waited for Edward’s response.
34
Edward froze, feeling the blood drain from his face. For goodness’ sake! In his haste, he hadn’t set the timer, only closed the door. He swallowed hard before facing Harvey.
“I don’t recall actually setting the timer at all.” Edward ran his hands through his hair and shifted on his feet. “I don’t even think I turned the combination around so the door would lock, much less set the timer! I can’t believe it, but I think I got distracted when Calvin started talking about the building. I was in a hurry with other things on my mind. This is not like me at all. I always do things by the book.” He glanced over at Anna, whose face was pale.
Edward sat back down in the chair and stared at the floor, spreading his hands wide in frustration. “I’m responsible for the bank robbery, but I did not take that money!” He would never be trusted now. He’d left the safe open—an easy target for any thief who was determined to get inside the bank. How could I have been so careless? What would this mean to the hardworking citizens who trusted their money to the bank? He had to find that money.
Archer grunted. “Well, now. That puts a different light on things. But from the look on your face along with your own admittance that you forgot to set the timer, I think you’re telling the truth. I’ll let you go tonight, but make yourself available for further questioning if needed.”
Harvey gave Edward a sympathetic look, but it didn’t make him feel one bit better. “You’ll have to explain to the bank about what you didn’t do, Edward.” Turning to Archer, he said, “Sheriff, I think you’d better talk to Waldo about this Calvin fellow. Seems Calvin made doggone sure he distracted Edward long enough to keep him from setting the lock. You’d better make sure he hasn’t skipped town by now.”
“I’ll head over there now,” he said, lifting his hat off his desk.
“There’s no need. The bank closes at one on Saturday,” Edward reminded him.
“Right you are. Then I’ll go have a word with Waldo at home about his bank teller. If we can’t locate this Calvin, he may be our man. I need to be hot on his trail.”
Before leaving, Edward shook Harvey’s hand, thanking him for the questions that had made him think through the events. “I owe you.”
Harvey chuckled. “No you don’t. Besides, your wife gave me the gift of ol’ Moose here,” he said, scratching the dog behind the ear. “We’ll talk again.”
With the afternoon almost gone, Edward turned the wagon toward home. Sarah sat in the back, but Anna was so grateful she’d been with her today. She glanced at her husband’s profile, noting the solemnness of his face. He looked straight ahead, and though she tried to make casual talk, he barely said a word. It was clear that her doubts about him being the robber had created a wedge between them. The look Edward had given her earlier chilled her. Would this affect their marriage to the point that he would ask her to leave? She tried to steady her hands in her lap. She wouldn’t let that happen. He had to forgive her. Oh, why had she ever doubted him?
“Edward, we can still have our picnic tomorrow after church as long as the weather stays nice. I’m sure your name will be cleared when the sheriff completes his investigation.”
Edward grunted, guiding Cloud around muddy holes in the road. “Let’s hope so.”
She plac
ed a comforting hand on his forearm. “It’s going to be all right. Harvey impressed me today, and I’m glad he was there to jog your memory.”
“You mean make me remember how careless I’ve become, don’t you?”
Anna wasn’t sure what to say, knowing that he felt completely responsible for the robbery. “You have to forgive yourself, Edward. No one can be perfect. If everyone was perfect, there would be no need for the Savior, would there? He’s the only one who’s ever been perfect. Even the best people mess up sometimes.”
“Well, I don’t!” he said, his voice rising. “Ever since you became my wife, I haven’t been able to concentrate the way I used to, and you’ve changed everything about the way I used to live. And those dogs you dragged into the fray . . .”
Anna felt like shrinking into the wagon seat. Pain pierced her heart. What must Sarah think? “I’m sorry you feel that way, Edward. I hoped that I was making your life happier,” she choked out.
He slowed Cloud as they neared Patty and Polly’s driveway and looked over at her. “You do . . . you did, but now . . .” He pulled against the reins, stopping Cloud in front of the house.
“Can we talk about this later, please?” Anna didn’t want to make Sarah feel any more uncomfortable than she surely already was.
Sarah hopped out. “Anna, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” With a brief wave, she scampered up the front porch steps, where Patty and Polly sat waiting in their rocking chairs, no doubt anxious to hear the news.
Anna and Edward waved, then drove around to their barn. While Edward unhitched Cloud and put him in his stall, Anna fed the dogs their supper. She had no idea what she and Edward would be eating—the sandwiches sitting on the kitchen table were many hours old and most likely dried out by now. But the truth was Anna was no longer hungry.
Edward was still in a bad mood when they left for church the next morning, so Anna dared not mention the picnic. Instead they would have lunch with his sister. Some members stared coolly at them, and others barely nodded hello. They had a right to be angry.
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