The Pink Bonnet

by Tolsma, Liz;

  Darcy gave him a playful swat. “Stop it. The sun will be hot later, and Pearl is fair. We don’t want her nose to freckle.”

  “Yeah, Daddy, no freckles. I be pretty.”

  He tweaked her nose. “Freckles or no freckles, you’re the prettiest girl in all Memphis.”

  “Mommy pretty too.”

  “She’s the prettiest lady in the city.”

  Pearl squealed with delight and chattered the entire trip on the tram, right up to the zoo’s entrance. Or near to it, anyway.

  The driver halted the trolley about a block away from the usual stop. “Folks, there’s an accident ahead so I’m going to have to let you off here. Sorry for any inconvenience.”

  A few people mumbled about the trouble, but since it was Saturday, many had been planning to end their trip at the zoo anyway. The brief walk did nothing to dampen Pearl’s enthusiasm for the outing.

  They happened upon the scene, several people crowded in a circle around a woman who bent over a person lying on the road. All R.D. could distinguish were the soles of a man’s shoes. He turned to his wife. “Take Pearl to the entrance. Let me see if I can help. I’ll join you in a moment.”

  “Hurry, darling. I’m not sure I can contain our daughter too much longer.”

  He threaded his way through the crowd to the accident and peered over the woman’s shoulder to get a look at the victim.

  No, it couldn’t be. Griggs bit on his fist. Vance lay battered and bloody in the middle of the street. The woman kneeling beside him sobbed. “Oh Percy, no, don’t die. Please, don’t leave me alone again.”

  Griggs turned to one of the other onlookers, a man dressed in overalls. “What happened?”

  “From what I hear, a car came out of nowhere, hit the man, and took off, but not before the driver shouted something about teaching the man a lesson.”

  The slender woman beside Percy wept. “Where is that ambulance?”

  R.D. slipped from the crowd and hustled to his waiting family.

  Darcy touched his arm. “You’re as white as the courthouse stone. What happened?”

  “A man hit by a car. Nothing I can do. Let’s go and enjoy the day.” But he wiped his hands on his pants. This is what happened to people who messed with Tann.

  Cecile knelt on the hard, warm road, giving Percy’s scraped cheek a gentle rub. “Please, please, wake up.” At least he had a pulse. At least his chest still rose and fell.

  Blood gushed from his temple. With her embroidered handkerchief, she worked to stem the flow of crimson. His eyes remained shut.

  The insistent beep of a horn intensified and then stopped. The crowd around them parted. One of the white-clad stretcher bearers touched her shoulder. “Ma’am, we have to ask you to step aside.”

  “But I can’t leave him.”

  “He’s in good hands.”

  He wasn’t though. This was no accident. Someone wanted to harm him and had been successful. At least partially. Who was to say they wouldn’t find him and return to finish the job?

  And she was the one who had put him in this danger.

  The nurses, also dressed in white, tended to Percy, but the scene blurred in front of her eyes. She couldn’t catch her breath.

  She turned to one of the medics. “Can I ride along with you?”

  “Are you his wife?” The man smoothed his dark mustache.

  “A friend. Please, he doesn’t have anyone else here. He’s not married.”

  He nodded. “Very well.” He and his counterpart lifted Percy onto the stretcher.

  Percy moaned. She stroked his arm. “You’re going to be fine. And I’m going to be right here with you.”

  The medics loaded Percy into the ambulance, curtains covering the three back windows. She climbed in behind him. With the horn screeching, they raced off to St. Joseph’s Hospital just down the road. The ride took a matter of a few minutes, but it might as well have been a lifetime. All the way, she never let go of her grasp on his hand. His steady pulse beneath her fingertips helped her keep her composure. Nothing else. She couldn’t lose him, couldn’t imagine her life without him. In a short amount of time, he’d become so dear to her, so important to her. But what they were doing was fraught with peril that she’d brought upon him.

  At last, they reached the all-brick building. A statue of the patron saint stood guard, and crosses adorned the peaks of the multiple roof lines. She had never been here with Nathaniel. They had no money for treatment at such a place. A simple doctor and her home nursing had been all they could afford.

  What if Percy died like Nathaniel had? Why were all the men in her life torn away from her? She fanned away the burning in her eyes.

  The caustic odor of antiseptic assaulted her as she entered the building. The medic with the mustache pointed toward a door. “You are going to have to wait on the sun porch so the doctor can assess him. The nurse will come to see you as soon as they know something.”

  Though she had to rip herself from his side, it was the best for him. She retired to the bright room, dark wicker chairs scattered around the room’s perimeter, a couple of large area rugs covering the tile floors. The bitter smell of coffee brewing somewhere sent waves of nausea through her. She raced for the lavatory and retched away her small breakfast. After rinsing her mouth with water and washing her hands and face with the disinfectant soap, she returned to the sunny room. In an office inside the main building, a telephone rang. With a beeping of the horn, another ambulance arrived.

  Back and forth, she paced the room. No family came to sit with her. She’d had no answer to the letter she sent to her parents weeks ago after Millie disappeared. Were they even praying for her? If only she had someone to talk to, someone to confide in. Someone to be here to hold her hand and tell her Percy would be okay. But even if he pulled through this time, what about next time? Whoever did this wouldn’t be satisfied until Percy lay in Elmwood Cemetery. And his blood would be on her hands.

  There was only one way to ensure his safety. That way would leave a wound in her heart. Then again, so would his death. Lights flashed in front of her eyes as pain exploded in her temple. There had to be another way, a different path that would keep him from harm. But there wasn’t.

  She’d just about worn holes through the soles of her shoes by the time a nurse in a starched white hat entered the room. “Are you here for Mr. Vance?”

  Cecile hurried to her. “Yes. How is he?” Like the waves on the shore, her blood whooshed in her ears.

  “He’s awake. Other than a nasty bump on his head and a gash on his face, he’ll be fine.”

  Cecile sank into one of the cushioned chairs. “Thank the Lord. When can I see him?” One last time.

  “Right now, if you’d like.”

  “Yes. Yes, please.” She followed the nurse, whose shoes squeaked on the polished tile floor, into a room much like any bedroom. A spindled table sat beside the bed, and a mirrored dresser huddled in the corner.

  Percy lay on the bed, a bandage wound around his head. She rushed to his side. “Percy?”

  His eyes flickered opened. “Hi.”

  “Hi yourself. Don’t ever scare me like that again.”

  “I’ll try not to.” He chuckled then winced.

  “Just lay still.”

  “What happened?”

  She lowered herself to the hard wooden chair beside him. “You don’t remember?”

  He shook his head and groaned. “The zoo.”

  “Yes, we were leaving there. A car came around the corner and hit you. The driver yelled something about teaching you a lesson.”

  He shut his eyes. “Man or woman?”

  “Man.”

  “Tann?” He slurred his words, likely groggy.

  “Perhaps associated with her.”

  “It wasn’t enough to fire me.”

  “If it was Tann, do you think it means we might be getting close to the truth?”

  “Don’t know.” He yawned, his eyes still closed.

  He w
as right. But maybe whoever was after them believed they were. The nearer they got to Millie, the more dangerous it would become.

  And despite her vow to be there for him, she couldn’t bear it if he lost his life because of her.

  “I’m sorry.”

  She blinked three times. “What do you have to be sorry about?”

  “My fault.”

  “You weren’t driving the car.”

  “This mess.”

  “I think that knot on your head scrambled your brains.” She was the one to blame. Because of her, he’d lost everything and almost his life. She would rather have him alive in the world than dead beside her. She no longer hated him. Walking away would hurt, but she had to do it before anything worse happened.

  How would she go through with it though? And how could she convince him not to pursue Millie’s search any longer?

  She bit her lip. “I just realized that I know the voice of the man who ran you over.”

  “Who?”

  “My father.” Would he believe her lie?

  “Father?”

  “He must have resealed my letters when he returned them. He’s the one who took Millie. I have to go home. To Massachusetts. Tonight.”

  “I’ll go.” His eyes flicked open.

  “No.” Her words were harsher than she intended, but maybe that would be enough to stop him. “You’re in no shape to go anywhere. Besides, I have to do this alone. No telling what my father would do to you if you came. I thank you for your help, Mr. Vance. And I pray for a speedy recovery for you.” Her throat burned. She turned to leave.

  “Wait.”

  She halted but didn’t face him.

  “Are you coming back?”

  She shook her head and walked out of the room.

  Now, she was truly alone, and she would have to find Millie on her own.

  Once on the street, she meandered away from the hospital. From the corner of her eye, she spied a green DeSoto driving beside her, matching her pace. She walked faster. The car drove faster. She slowed down. So did the car. She came to a corner but didn’t dare cross the street. The car idled at the stop sign. A cafe’s entrance was to her right. She ducked inside.

  “Can I help you, ma’am?”

  Ignoring the waiter, she sprinted through the restaurant and into the kitchen.

  “Excuse me, you can’t be in here.”

  She dashed out the back door and into the alley. By now, night was falling. She zig-zagged her way through the city. Every now and again, she caught sight of a car the same color as the one from earlier. Farther and farther she ran until she arrived at her apartment building and scrambled inside.

  A single bare bulb lit the hallway. Two at a time, she raced up the stairs. Once inside, she bolted the door. At the edge of the table sat the cake. She smashed her hand into the middle of it. “Why, God, why?”

  Chapter Eighteen

  A soft September breeze flowed in through the screens on Percy’s front porch, and he took a deep breath. A week had passed since his so-called accident. If he took life easy and didn’t move too fast, his head didn’t pound too much. His injuries could have been so much worse.

  The police hadn’t yet found the hit-and-run driver. But nothing compared to the pain in his heart. When Cecile had walked out of his hospital room and out of his life, he’d lost his taste for everything. The sun had ceased to shine on him.

  Her story didn’t ring true. He’d been too groggy at the time for it to process, but the more he pondered it, the more he wondered. All of a sudden, she figured out her father took Millie? Why would he do that when he had disowned his daughter? Despised Millie’s father?

  No, Percy didn’t believe a word she said.

  Since he’d been released from the hospital a few days ago, he’d been holed up in his home, doors locked. Cecile’s father hadn’t gotten Tann to abduct Millie. Danger continued to lurk in every shadow. But today’s beautiful weather beckoned him outside. Still, he kept constant vigil. Any cars slowing down. Any people strolling by, casing the house. Anything out of the ordinary.

  So far, nothing. A couple of girls sat under a shiny-leafed magnolia tree across the street and threw a tea party. A team of boys gathered together for a game of stickball. All the time, the cicadas sang. From down the street came a family out for a Saturday afternoon walk. A mom and a dad with a little girl skipping ahead of them, behind them, between them.

  As they approached, Percy furrowed his brow and leaned forward. The family passed the front of the house, but this wasn’t just any family. This was Griggs, his wife, and his daughter. His young adopted daughter with bobbed brown hair. From his lookout, he couldn’t identify the color of her eyes, but from the way Mrs. Griggs continued to call to her to keep up with them, she was a handful.

  Percy’s mouth went dry. Could it be? Could she have been under their noses the entire time? An idea that could right this entire situation struck him. Perhaps it would bring Cecile home. If she’d even quit the city.

  Three hours later, Percy had left the shelter of his house and had done a bit of shopping. He shifted the package in his arms as he pressed the doorbell at the Griggs’s residence. While staying home was his safest option, he’d been careful not to be followed and had driven his car instead of walked. Driving had been better for his head too. This was the only way he could think to get a better look at the child. Pearl was her name, wasn’t it?

  Just as he was about to press the button again, the woman he’d seen with Griggs came to the door. A half smile crossed her face. “May I help you?”

  “I’m Percy Vance, a friend of your husband’s. Is he at home?”

  The woman bit her lip, her face rather pale. She glanced over her shoulder and back around. “Can I ask what this is about?”

  “I’m so grateful to your husband for all he’s done for me the past few months. Without his help, I don’t know where I would be.”

  She crossed her arms, her smile disappearing. Still, she maintained her facade. “That’s kind of you. We heard of your accident and trust you are on the mend.”

  “Yes, I am, thank you. In gratitude for all your husband did for me, I’ve brought a small birthday gift for your daughter.” He held out the square package wrapped in pink paper with yellow butterflies dotting it. “A little birdie told me it was her special day just about now.”

  Actually, it was nothing more than a hunch.

  If possible, more color drained from her face. “It’s next week.”

  “Four, I believe.”

  “Y–y–yes. But you can’t be here. You have to leave.”

  “If I can just give it to her. As I was shopping, I spied this in the window and knew a little girl had to have it.”

  “Isn’t that thoughtful?” She reached out to take it.

  He pulled back. “I’d like the pleasure of presenting it to her myself.”

  “Oh, well, oh, I see.” The woman futzed with the corner of her yellow and green ruffled apron. “I don’t know.”

  “I won’t stay long.” He remained on the porch.

  She shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “I would rather you didn’t.”

  “I won’t take no for an answer.” He flashed her his most charming grin.

  “Wait in the living room. I’ll get R.D.”

  She granted him access, and he made himself at home on the long, green couch. He got up to meander to the french doors that led to a pleasant backyard loaded with roses of every hue. He fingered the change in his pocket then wandered to the ebony baby grand piano in the far corner. Did Pearl take lessons?

  “He’s what?” R.D.’s voice boomed from the back of the house.

  Soft little footsteps sounded on the stairs and then across the floors. He turned to greet a brown-haired child with a cherubic face. No wonder Cecile’s heart was breaking.

  “Hello, are you Pearl?”

  She nodded, her curls dancing in time.

  “I’m Mr. Vance, a friend of your father�
�s.”

  R.D. appeared behind her. “What the devil—”

  “The birthday fairy made a terrible mistake.”

  At that, Pearl made eye contact with him, her green eyes round. “She did?”

  R.D. continued to blubber. He reached out to nab Pearl by the shoulder, but she darted from his grasp.

  “Oh yes. She brought me this package with your name on it.”

  “She did?”

  Like an out-of-control barnstorming plane, his heart spiraled in his chest. “She came a little early.” No surprise that Tann had fudged the birth date just a little. “Had so many presents for you, she couldn’t bring them all in one trip.”

  Now a huge grin cut across her face, and she stepped toward him. “What is it?”

  “Vance, I’m warning you.” R.D.’s face was redder than any Percy had ever seen.

  “You’ll have to open it and find out.”

  While Pearl worked at removing the bow and ripping open the paper, he studied her. Cecile had said Millie’s hair was bobbed, but this girl had sausage curls that brushed her shoulders. Then again, several weeks had gone by since Cecile had last seen her daughter. Hair grew. And so did children, and a three-year-old photo didn’t do him much good now. Her face wasn’t as round as Millie’s had been at a few months old, but again, children thinned out. She might have lost her baby fat.

  A gasp from Pearl cut short his observation. “A top!”

  R.D. snatched the box from the girl. “Really, Mr. Vance, you shouldn’t have.”

  “It would mean the world to me if you would allow her to have it. It will never make up for your help, but I hope it will go a small way toward paying my debt.”

  “Please, Daddy.”

  R.D. tapped his toe and studied the box. He huffed. “Fine. But consider your obligation more than paid, Mr. Vance.” While polite on the outside, his words carried a chill. “Remember, you promised to stay far away from me. I never want to see you at this house or around my wife or daughter again, or I will report you to the authorities. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Very.” Perhaps this hadn’t been the best idea, but he had gotten to see Pearl up close. And he had one more test to verify her identity.