by Donna Doyle
"Dora," she called out already as she was approaching the car. "Change of plans. Please drive to 6 Portman Road."
"To that ugly place again?" Dora wrinkled her nose.
"That's right," Molly Gertrude blurted. "And hurry."
Dora parked her Kia Rio again at the same spot as before. The light was now very different from when they had been there in the evening. The glare of the sun was quite bright, and unlike the other time, there were several customers at the Cash'em-Right who were pushing their shopping carts around.
Molly Gertrude assessed the situation. "Staying here will not help us any. Let's walk over to Bald-Head's house again. Of course, we need to be careful, since Swaggart has seen us in Trenton Valley, but nothing ventured, nothing gained."
Dora agreed, and both women climbed out of the car. After Dora had locked her doors, they walked again in the direction of the house.
"What exactly do you hope to accomplish?" Dora whispered while they were walking down the street. "We can't very well just ring the bell and ask Swaggart what he is doing here."
"I don't know, Dora," Molly Gertrude replied. "We can only try, try, and try some more. If we are faithfully checking up on all leads and possibilities, we may eventually stumble upon the right puzzle piece." She chuckled. "Sleuthing women need lots of patience, Dora. Lots."
"I guess so," Dora mumbled back, but she did not sound convinced.
"You know how many times Thomas Edison failed in inventing the light bulb?" Molly Gertrude went on in a cheerful voice.
Dora shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. Ten times, maybe?"
"Wrong," Molly Gertrude said with a laugh. "Almost a thousand times. You see, Dora, victory belongs to the most persevering."
"At least Edison knew what he was looking for," Dora objected. They were now almost at the house.
A shiny, blue Corvette was parked in front of the rusty gate of the house of Bald-Head. One of its front tires was carelessly parked on the sidewalk. A strange sight, to see such an expensive car in front of the dilapidated building.
"Y-You think, that car belongs to Swaggart?" Dora whispered as she let her fingers slide over the hood.
"It has to be," Molly Gertrude replied. "I am going in."
"What?" Dora's face paled.
Molly Gertrude pointed to the other side of the street, to a cement electrical building. "You hide behind there, and wait for me. If I am not back in say 15 minutes, you call Digby."
"But… what are you going to do?"
"The garage door is still open. There's light enough. I am going in, hoping to find out more."
Dora shook her head. "Miss Molly Gertrude Grey, you are absolutely crazy! You are not going to do it."
Molly Gertrude's eyes widened. "You are not going to try to stop me, are you?"
"I am," Dora replied. "I will go in your stead. And you are the one that's going to hide behind that slab of cement."
Molly Gertrude gasped. "A-Are you sure, Dora… I thought you would be a little scared."
"I am," Dora fired back. "But don't talk me out of this. If I let you go in, stumbling around with your aching joints, leaning on a walking cane, we are sure to get caught. I'll do it. Just wish me luck."
"Come here, Dora," Molly Gertrude said.
Dora tilted her head, not understanding why Molly Gertrude asked her to come over.
"I need to give you a hug," Molly Gertrude whispered. "I am proud of you. Snooping around brings out the best in you."
Never before had the minutes gone by so slow for Molly Gertrude. Her hushed prayers for Dora’s safety wafted heavenward as she did her best to survey the house for any signs of a scuffle.
She had positioned herself behind the small cement building. Deciding not to get annoyed by the constant buzzing sound coming from the generators, there was nothing else to do but wait. Dear Dora had amazed her.
Molly Gertrude had not really wanted to go in, knowing full well she was not able to move as stealthily as was necessary for such an undertaking. But, there had been no alternative. Dora had been acting a bit scared before, and she could not subject Dora to such adventures. But apparently, the lioness that had been lying dormant within Dora's heart had been awakened, and the girl was well on her way to becoming a trustworthy detective.
But why was she taking so long?
Molly Gertrude glanced around the wall of the cement building again. Everything seemed still. Nothing moved. No sound was heard.
But just as Molly Gertrude pulled her head back, there was a sound. The front door of Bald-Head's house opened and Swaggart appeared. His bulky soldier frame stepped out onto the porch. He seemed agitated, nervous and hard. He turned around and shook his finger at someone who was not visible. It was impossible to hear his words, but right then the face of Bald-Head appeared in the doorway.
The man laughed, although laughing was really not the right word. He snickered and mocked, and pointed to the shiny Corvette, as if to signify that Swaggart needed to leave. The more Molly Gertrude saw of Bald-Head, the more convinced she was that she had seen him before.
The dentist too seemed more familiar than he had before.
Swaggart descended the steps of the porch, and hurried off to his car. Just before he stepped inside, he turned around and waved his fist in the air. "I am warning you… You are playing with fire."
"So are you, Wilmot," Bald-Head cried out in a loud, angry voice.
Wilmot? Why did Bald-Head call Swaggart by that name? Molly Gertrude's heart skipped a beat. Had she heard correctly?
Swaggart started his engine and drove off with screeching tires. Bald-Head stared after the car for a while, and when Swaggart had disappeared around the corner, he stepped back into his house and slammed the door closed.
Where was Dora?
Molly Gertrude peered around the corner again… No sign of her yet.
Dear God, bring Dora out safely.
Then, to Molly Gertrude's great relief, she saw Dora sneak out of the garden. Good girl… she had not gotten herself caught.
The gate creaked again as Dora came out, and seconds later the two women stared at each other with relieved and joyful faces.
"D-did you hear what Bald-Head called Swaggart?" Molly Gertrude whispered, barely able to keep her voice down. "He called him Wilmot."
Dora frowned. She did not understand.
Molly Gertrude grabbed her purse and fished out the picture Billy had given her and pointed to Willy Wilmot. "Recognize this fellow? I thought he looked familiar…"
As Dora stared at the picture her eyes widened. "That's Swaggart," she confirmed.
"That's right," Molly Gertrude hissed. "Swaggart knows Abe Mortimer. They were buddies before. Billy told me all about this picture."
Dora took the picture again out of Molly Gertrude's hand and studied it some more. Then she shook her head and looked up at Molly Gertrude, her eyes round and big. "And that boy we know too," she gasped as she pointed at the boy in the background next to Billy Monroe. "That is…” Dora paused for a moment in silenced disbelief, “Bald-Head!"
"What?" Molly Gertrude grabbed the picture out of Dora's hand and stared at it again. "Are you sure? How can you tell? It's a bad picture."
Dora pressed her lips together. "I know it's one and the same. And it's confirmed by what I heard inside, and by what Billy told you about this man."
"What did you hear?"
"Let's not stay here," Dora suggested. "We'll talk in the car. I am not feeling very comfortable behind this slab of cement, right near the house of a would-be killer."
"Good idea," Molly Gertrude replied. She glanced around the corner again to see if the coast was clear. Then, both women walked with a steady pace away from 6 Portman Road to the safety of Dora’s Kia Rio.
16
Rattling Albert Finney
"So," Molly Gertrude asked as she and Dora had climbed back into their car. "What did you hear?"
"An argument. Swaggart was furious." Dora chuckled. "It wa
s child's play getting in the garage and these two fellows were so mad that they were shouting at each other. Thus, overhearing what they said was a piece of cake too, no pun intended."
"What were they arguing about?"
"I demand respect," Dora mimicked Swaggart's dark voice. "After all I have done for you, you treat me like this? I took care of you and that miserable Billy when you were just castaways; waifs without a future. But I helped you."
And listen to what Bald-Head then answered. "If I am going down, you're going down with me. You always wanted me to do your dirty work… but I am sick and tired of the way you've been treating me." Molly Gertrude couldn't help but giggle, as Dora's voice matched Bald-Head's to a tee. "Look at the place I am staying at, while you live in wealth and luxury. How dare you even show up here in that stupid Corvette of yours!"
"They were at each other’s throats," Dora concluded. "There was more talk about JJ Barnes going to arrest both of them, but I could hear no more, as Swaggart ran out the door."
Molly Gertrude leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes for a moment, as she thought things over. "Things are getting much clearer, Dora," she mumbled without opening her eyes. "You know, I always told you I had the feeling I met Bald-Head somewhere before?
"And?" Dora asked.
"I think I've got an idea." She opened her eyes. "Let me muse over it for some time. I still want to talk to Charmayne as well…" Then she changed the subject and asked, "But, weren't we on our way to Albert Finney?"
"We were," Dora agreed.
"Then let's go there," Molly Gertrude thought out loud. "There is still much that is unclear. What did Finney do at Swaggart's dental clinic? And why did he get that strange, brown envelope… What's his connection to all this?"
Dora snorted. "I have no idea."
"Then let's find out," Molly Gertrude eyes lit up like two, adventurous little lights. "I'll talk to Finney, and you excuse yourself while there."
"What do you mean?"
Molly Gertrude shrugged her shoulders. "Tell him you ate something bad and your stomach is upset. While I am keeping Finney busy, you do some more sleuthing and see if you can come up with something, anything really, that ties Finney to this case. I don't think I want to confront him straight out with his visit to Trenton Valley. It may be too early for that. "
Dora chuckled. "This is getting exciting, Miss Molly."
"Life is exciting, child," Molly Gertrude exclaimed. "You just have not discovered that yet."
When they drove up to Albert Finney's place, to Molly Gertrude's relief, they saw his Toyota sitting in the drive way. Albert Finney was home. But they did not receive a warm welcome. The man was not pleased in the least to see Molly Gertrude and Dora again.
"I am busy. Extremely busy," he almost shouted out when he opened the door and saw who it was that was standing on his porch. "I will not let you in."
"Oh," Molly Gertrude said, greatly disappointed. "Actually, I don't need to come in at all."
"You don't?"
Molly Gertrude shook her head. "No, I don't. But I would like to ask for your expertise about cars. I am afraid there's a terrible, rattling noise under the hood, and Dora and I have a long journey ahead of us."
"So? What does that have to do with me?" A big scowl hung over Finney's face.
"We were just driving by," Molly Gertrude spoke in a sheepish voice, "when we heard that strange rattling noise."
"And?"
"Well, the nearest garage is at least a two-mile drive, and we saw your house. I know you are a real gentleman…" she lowered her eyes. "Would you please help two damsels in distress, and at least take a look at the motor, to see if it's safe enough to continue on our journey?"
At that moment, Dora cringed and made a painful sound.
Finney turned his head. "What's wrong with you?" he barked.
"I don't know," Dora stammered. "Something I ate, I presume… May I use your bathroom for a moment?"
Albert Finney wrinkled his nose. He clearly had no mind to help, but he did have a name to uphold. He shook his head in disgust and made room for Dora to enter. "Second door to the right."
"In the meantime I'll show you the car," Molly Gertrude said, and without waiting for Albert's reply, she turned and walked towards the Kia Rio.
Albert looked helpless, and followed her like a dog who had just gotten a beating.
"Here's the car," Molly Gertrude said.
"I can see that," Albert Finney croaked. "Of course you have problems with this clunker."
"Why, Mr. Finney?"
"Because it's as old as the Garden of Eden," Finney whined.
Molly Gertrude frowned. "Adam and Eve didn't have a Kia Rio, Mr. Finney."
Finney cast her an angry stare. "Do you think I am stupid, Miss Grey. It's a saying… a smart saying to indicate that this car is a piece of trash."
Molly Gertrude acted hurt. "It still drives, Mr. Finney. Let me open the hood."
She opened the car door and felt with her fingers under the dashboard for the handle with which she could open the hood. After she had felt around for some time, she stuck her head out of the car again and said with a tired voice. "Can't find it, Mr. Finney. Would you take a look?"
Finney growled. His patience was sorely being tried. "Get out of the way, old lady."
"Sure." Molly Gertrude moved aside as Finney searched for the handle. Seconds later the hood sprang open.
"Do you see anything wrong?" Molly Gertrude asked.
"There's nothing to see," Finney fired back. "The motor is not running."
"Ah… I see," Molly Gertrude said. "Then I guess, I will have to turn on the motor."
"Yes," Finney growled, grinded his teeth. "That may be a good idea."
Molly Gertrude opened her purse and began to rummage around. She looked up and cast Finney an apologetic smile. "I am sorry, Mr. Finney… a woman's handbag is like a jungle sometimes. We women have to carry loads of stuff around."
"Whatever," Finney replied while tapping his foot on the pavement.
"Oops," Molly Gertrude cried out after she had been searching for several minutes. "I don't have the key." She cast Finney a weary smile. "You see, this is actually Miss Brightside's car. I thought she had given the key to me, but I suppose she still has it in her bag."
Finney was done. He was finished. "What utter nonsense," he cried. "I've lost enough time already. Good day, Miss Grey."
He turned and walked back to the house, and Molly Gertrude could almost see the angry clouds of fury rise up out of his head. She desperately wanted to keep him near the car, but her reservoir of tricks had been exhausted. But then, and to Molly Gertrude's great relief, Dora stepped out of the house, onto the porch.
"Thank you, for letting me use your bathroom, Mr. Finney… I feel so much better." Then she asked in a cheerful voice, "Is the car all right?"
"I would not know," Finney blurted out in passing, "And frankly, I don't care." The cake maker let out another growl, hopped onto his porch, and after he had entered his house, he slammed the door closed.
"Nice man," Molly Gertrude commented as she noticed the door was still shaking on its hinges. She turned to Dora. "I am so glad you made it out of there on time. You probably didn't find anything."
"As a matter of fact," Dora cooed, "I did," Her face shone. "But before we talk, let's move away from here, I don't like the idea of that man staring at us through the window."
Molly Gertrude agreed, and soon they drove away from the Finney house.
"I found that brown envelope." Dora began as soon as she felt free enough to talk.
Molly Gertrude stared at her. "You did? Where?"
"In the bathroom. There was aspirin in the envelope."
Molly Gertrude tilted her head, not quite understanding what Dora said. "What do you mean?"
Dora cast her a quick glance. "Aspirin… the stuff you take when you have a headache."
"I know what aspirin is," Molly Gertrude snorted, "but why would Swagg
art give that to Finney?"
Dora shrugged her shoulders while steering her car towards Molly Gertrude's house. "I don't know. There were several full boxes of aspirin in there. Two empty ones too."
Molly Gertrude scratched her head. "Why would he need so much aspirin?"
"I don't know," Dora commented. "Maybe he drinks too much. You should see his stash of liquor. I bet he is well-acquainted with the effects of a hangover."
Molly Gertrude discarded the idea. "I don't think so. He got this from Swaggart, and that man is a dentist." Molly Gertrude closed her eyes. She usually did that when she really wanted to think.
"Aspirin is not only for headaches," she mumbled. "Some doctors prescribe it to help prevent the risk of a stroke, while I've heard it being used as a heart regimen as well."
She tapped her finger on the dashboard. "I am going to do a bit more research about this."
"Sure," Dora said, trying to be helpful. "But can I ask you something else?"
"Of course."
"That party for Saturday night… It needs our attention. There are still some decisions to make. Sheriff Barnes sent us a list of people he would like us to invite. Furthermore, we need to hire a few waiters, buy snacks, drinks and we need to decorate the place. Finally, we still need to arrange for a live-band or a DJ."
"That's a lot of work," Molly Gertrude agreed.
"My point," Dora quipped. "We may need to put this investigation on the back burner. After all, we need the income too."
Molly Gertrude's face lit up. "Great. Let's divide the chores."
"Good," Dora answered.
"I'll hire the waiters, and I will send out the invitations," Molly Gertrude said in a decisive voice. "If you can give me the list of all the people that were hired for the wedding, then I can see if I can hire a few of the same characters. You handle the rest."
Dora frowned. "But then, my job is way bigger than yours."