Harriet Beamer Strikes Gold (25 page)

“That’s fine, dear,” Harriet said. “We’re not in a hurry.”

Harriet sipped her drink. “Isn’t that sweet, she always puts a cherry in it.”

Martha looked into her drink. “Hey look, she gave me one too.”

“Another signal, I bet,” Harriet said.

“A signal for what? Nothing has happened.”

Harriet took a breath and glanced around the small café. “Boy, am I nervous. I need to relax.” She closed her eyes a second. “I can do all things through Christ.”

“Yeah, can’t let Lily see how nervous you are. She might catch wind before she tells you the whereabouts of Crickets and then cop a heel.”

“Cop a heel? Did you just say that?”

“Hey, I watched
The Untouchables
.”

Harriet shook her head. “Oh boy, here come our French fries.”

“You and French fries. It’s a wonder your arteries—”

“Shh, there she is.” Harriet waved.

Martha adjusted her seat a little to make more room at the small table.

“Hey, Harriet,” Lily said. “What’s up? I can’t believe you want to take me shopping again.” She sat down at the table.

Harriet took a deep breath. This was going to be so hard. Lily looked very cute in another one of the outfits Harriet had bought for her. That day she wore the jeans with the ripped knees and a longish but frilly orange blouse. Her hair was still tar black, but Harriet was beginning to not mind it so much.

“Hi,” Lily said to Martha. A shock of the black hair fell over her eyes. She pushed it behind her ear.

“Hi, honey,” Martha said. “I’m glad you could meet us.”

“Are you hungry, dear?” Harriet asked. By now her foot was tapping so hard from nerves she thought she might strike gold right there in the café.

“Sure.”

“Good, because I already told Cindy to bring you an order of fries. You can have anything else you want.”

“I thought we were going shopping. I told Pop we were going shopping.”

“We are,” Harriet said. “I just thought we’d get something to eat first.”

Lily fidgeted. “Okay, I guess. But are you sure you want to buy me more clothes?”

Harriet reached across the table and took Lily’s hand. “I care about you, Lily. I really do.”

“Me too,” Martha said. “We both do.”

“Thanks,” Lily said.

“So how is every little thing?” Harriet asked. “Getting along okay? It can be tough being a teenager.”

Lily’s eyebrows crinkled. “I’m cool. Everything is good. Terrific.”

“I’m terrific too,” Harriet said. “In fact, I’m super terrific.”

Harriet felt Martha kick her under the table.

Cindy brought Lily’s fries and Coke.

“Thanks,” Lily said. She grabbed the ketchup and made a large puddle in the basket.

“Soooo,” Harriet said, “you know who I was thinking about earlier?”

“Who?” Lily said, munching.

“Old Man Crickets.”

Lily swallowed. Hard. “Crickets? How come him?”

Harriet attempted to look in the direction of Agent Willers.

“Well, it sounded like he was eager to lease the mine, and I was just wondering how he was doing. And if I’d ever get a chance to actually meet him.”

Lily didn’t look up from her plate. “He’s good, I guess. Yeah, he’s all right. But he doesn’t come out much. Pop says he’s a hermit type.”

“Do you ever see him?” Martha asked.

This time Harriet kicked Martha.

“Not much, once or twice. Pop visits him mostly.”

Harriet swallowed a fry. “Oh, so he lives around here?”

Lily munched. And then she sipped. “How come you’re so interested in Crickets?”

“I told you,” Harriet said. “I was just wanting to know if he’s okay.”

“Yeah,” Lily said looking at her plate. “He’s okay. Crickets is always okay.” She squirmed a little. “I need to use the bathroom. Excuse me?”

“Oh, sure,” Harriet said. “And when you get back, we’ll finish our snack and head out to the stores.”

“Okay,” Lily said.

“She knows something,” Martha said. “I can feel it in my knees.”

“Your knees?”

“And my elbows. My arthritis acts up when I get vibes. You know that.”

“Oh, like the time your knees and elbows told you that that nice Mr. Eckles from down the street was a jewel thief.” Harriet munched a fry. “Just relax. I know what I’m doing.”

“I hope so, Harriet. I wish this was over.”

“Shh, here she comes,” Harriet said.

Lily slid into her seat and grabbed a fry.

“So you said Crickets lives around here?” Harriet said.

“Over in Rough and Ready.”

“Rough and Ready?” Martha said. “That’s the name of the town?”

“Yeah. It’s a cool little place. Crickets lives in a weird little house over there. I think it was on Quail Alley. He never comes out. People bring him all his food and stuff.”

“Really. That must be nice,” Harriet said.

“He is soooo fat,” Lily said. “Pop says he weighs two tons.”

Then, without warning, Agent Willers approached the table. Harriet’s heart pounded in her temples.

“Excuse me,” the woman said. She reached into her pocket and produced her small black wallet with a badge and ID. “Agent Willers, FBI.”

Harriet put her arm around Lily’s shoulder. “Don’t hurt her.”

“Ma’am, excuse me,” the agent said to Harriet but still looking at Lily. “Are you Lillian Bagtree?”

Lily looked down at the table. She pushed a fry around on Harriet’s plate.

“Are you?” Harriet asked. “Is that your name? I thought your name was Jump. That’s your dad’s name, Winslow G. Jump. So your name must be Lily Jump.”

Lily looked up and shook her head.

“Sorry, but no,” Agent Willers said. “Her real name is Bagtree.”

Harriet looked into Lily’s eyes. “Were you lying to me the whole time?”

“Not … exactly. I … didn’t want to do it. Pop made me.”

“Do you have any identification, Miss Bagtree?” Agent Willers asked.

Harriet reached into her bag and grabbed her wallet.

“Not you,” Martha said. “Lily.”

Lily shook her head. “No. I don’t.”

The agent nodded to two police officers who had appeared and were standing near the door, and Harriet noticed they were drawing lots of unwanted attention. Harriet wanted to tell everyone to mind their own beeswax, but that would have only caused a bigger ruckus.

The police officers approached them.

“Now, if you’ll come with us, Miss Bagtree,” Agent Willers said.

Lily looked at Harriet with the most frightened eyes Harriet had ever seen.

“No,” Harriet said. “She’s a minor. You can’t take her anywhere.”

“Sorry, but we can. She’ll be released to the court’s custody soon enough.”

Harriet looked at Lily. “Listen. I’m going to get you out. You must do what they say, okay? Don’t worry?”

“What about her father?” Martha asked the agent.

“They picked him up about ten minutes ago.”

Lily stood. “I’m scared, Harriet.”

“I know, dear. But try not to be,” Harriet said. “I’m going to get this straightened out.”

“I’m sorry, Miss Bagtree, but I have to handcuff you.”

Harriet’s stomach sickened. “Do you really?”

“Yes,” the female police officer said. “It’s for her own safety.”

Harriet and the entire population of the small café watched the officers lead Lily out.

“I just don’t believe it,” Harriet said. “Did this really just happen?”

“They won’t harm her,” Agent Willers said. “And you will need to go to the FBI field office in Sacramento and make a statement and answer some questions.”

“Now?” Martha said.

“Soon,” Agent Willers said. “You’ll be notified.”

Harriet, who suddenly realized she was standing, sat down. Her stomach wobbled. “So I’m free to go?”

“Yes,” Agent Willers said. “But don’t leave town.”

“No, no, of course not,” Harriet said.

Agent Willers smiled … sort of. “The FBI thanks you for your help.”

Harriet looked up at her. “Sure. Anytime.” She spied Henry walking into the café. “Henry,” she called.

Henry rushed to the table and hugged his mother. “It’s all over, Mom. You did great.”

“Then how come I feel so awful?”

“Because you’re worried about Lily,” Martha said. “I am too.”

“Mom,” Henry said, “she’s not an innocent child. She knew all along what her father was doing. She was helping him.”

“I know. But she didn’t want to.”

Harriet looked around the café. All eyes were still pinned to her.

“Can we get out of here?”

“Yes, let’s go home,” Henry said.

“Where’s Prudence?” Harriet asked.

“Talking to one of the FBI agents.”

Harriet, Martha, and Henry made their way through the restaurant. Harriet tried not to make eye contact with anyone. Anyone except Cindy.

“Good work,” Cindy said. She reached into her uniform pocket and produced an FBI badge.

“I knew it,” Harriet said.

Cindy laughed.

“I told you, Martha,” Harriet said. “I told you she was a secret agent.”

“Come on,” Henry said. “You can leave the BMW. I’ll drive us home.”

Outside, Harriet saw Lily sitting in the back of a patrol car while Agent Willers was talking to an officer. “Oh, this is awful. That poor child.” Harriet caught Lily’s eye. “That poor child.”

“Oh, look, here comes Prudence,” Henry said.

“Good. I want to speak with her,” Harriet said.

“About what?” Henry asked.

“That child needs a lawyer.”

Prudence heard her and picked up her pace. “They will assign her one if she needs one. I doubt she will.”

“Someone has to represent her,” Martha said. “She’s innocent.”

“That’s for the police to decide. But even if she is innocent, and she most likely will be found innocent, she’ll become a ward of the state. They won’t just let her free to roam the streets.”

“Come on, Mom,” Henry said. “Let’s go home. Like I said, let’s leave the BMW. I’ll get it later.”

Harriet caught one more look at Lily before the officers drove her away.

“Where will they take her?” Harriet asked.

“To the county police station, the one right here in downtown Grass Valley. They are on their way to the FBI field office in Sacramento with her father, and from what I could ascertain from the FBI just now, they’re on their way to get Crickets.”

“Wow,” Harriet said. “I guess this is all my doing.”

“If not you, then someone else, I’m sure,” Prudence said.

“We’re finished here,” Henry said. “Let’s go home.”

“You and Prudence take her car,” Harriet said. “I’ll drive the BMW.”

“Are you sure, Mom? It’s been an exciting day.”

“I’m sure. And you really don’t want to leave your precious car alone in town, now do you?”

“I guess not,” Henry said.

“Okay, Mother,” Prudence said. “And besides, I would like to get an order of those fries I’ve been hearing about.”

Henry kissed Harriet’s cheek. “Straight home, Mom. No shenanigans.”

“No shenanigans,” Harriet said.

“Don’t worry,” Martha said. “I’ll make sure she goes home and nowhere else.”

Henry and Prudence went back inside the restaurant to get Prudence an order of fries.

Cindy was gone. Another server behind the counter took his order. “Just be a minute, sir.” Then she looked at him almost cross-eyed. “Lots of excitement around here this morning.”

Henry grunted.

“Well, now, look, at least your mother got out of that before she lost everything. I could tell you some stories that would turn your hair gray, young fella.”

“I’m sure you could.” Henry didn’t want to be rude. He just wanted his fries and to get in the SUV and go home. Crime-stopping was exhausting. But he asked, “How do you know what was happening?”

“Everybody in the place knew. Well, most of us did anyhow. That Cindy—and by the way, that ain’t her real name—took over for me. I spent most of the day in the back. Collecting tips for reading my magazines while she did all the work. Not too shabby.”

“How nice for you,” Prudence said.

“Yes siree Bob, nice for me. I’ll just go get them fries.”

“Mom was pretty upset about Lily,” Henry said, drumming his debit card on the counter. “I hope she doesn’t try anything.”

“I know. I know,” Prudence said. “There isn’t anything she can do. Not really. It’s out of her hands even though I don’t know for sure what will happen to the girl. Most likely nothing. Not in a white-collar crime. But, with her father in jail and no relatives, she might have to be put into foster care until she turns eighteen.”

“Oh man, that would be awful.”

“Well, not too bad. Harriet said she turns eighteen in June. That’s in about ten months.”

“Long enough.”

The server returned with Prudence’s fries.

“Thank you,” Henry said as he handed her his debit card.

“Come on,” Prudence said. “Let’s go home. Your mother and Martha are already on their way, and I think we all should be together this afternoon.”

H
ARRIET STOPPED AT THE FIRST STOP SIGN SHE CAME TO
on Main Street. Then she pulled over and parked.

“What are you doing?” Martha asked.

“I want to go to the county police station.”

“Well, thank goodness. I thought you were actually gonna go home.”

“What? You mean you’re with me?” Harriet could hardly believe her ears.

“I can’t help it,” Martha said. “I like Lily. I want to make sure she’s okay. She’s probably scared half out of her mind. We have to at least go and make sure she’s okay.”

“I’m so glad you said that, because I was gonna go to the jail with or without you.”

Harriet saw a nice-looking young woman pushing a stroller across the street. “Excuse me,” Harriet called, leaning out the window. “Can you direct me to the county police station?”

“Just down there.” She pointed. “Down Auburn. You can’t miss it.”

“Thank you,” Harriet said. “Oh, and your baby is adorable.”

Harriet drove ahead a ways until she could make a legal U-turn and head back to Auburn.

“There it is,” Martha said. “On the right. That brown building. Looks like a log cabin.”

Harriet parked the car at the police station right next to a patrol car. The same one, she thought, that brought Lily.

Martha pushed open the passenger door and stepped out. “I sure hope this is where they took her. But Prudence said it would be.”

The police station was pretty small and rustic. Harriet almost expected an old timey Western jail, but it was pretty modern with computers and water fountains and mercifully a restroom, which they both used first. Harriet washed her hands and looked at herself in the mirror. “I look a fright. All this stress is not good for my skin. I think I see a new wrinkle.”

Martha smiled into the mirror. “These lights are like interrogation lights. I look terrible.”

“No you don’t. You look sweet. As always.”

They went to the lobby and waited. And waited. But no one was exactly rushing to their aid.

“I’ll just find someone to ask.”

Harriet approached the counter and dinged the small silver bell. A few seconds later an officer appeared from behind closed doors.

“Can I help you ladies?”

“Yes, yes,” Harriet said. “Excuse me, officer I was wondering. Was a young woman about seventeen years old brought in just a little while ago, maybe with an agent of the FBI?” She said that last part almost in a whisper like it was a big secret.

The officer shook his head. “I’m sorry. I can’t tell you that. Privacy issues.”

“But, but, I’m the victim. She’s the—”

The officer shook his head again. “Even more reason. I’m sorry.” And then he left.

Harriet’s heart sank. “Dang stupid privacy laws. Don’t they
know we’re the only friends that child has? You’d think they’d want to see us.”

“Now, now,” Martha said. “Let’s just think a moment.”

Harriet spied a bench and sat.

“Maybe if we sit here they’ll take pity on me and let me visit. That’s it. Doesn’t she get visitors? Maybe her one call?”

Harriet dashed to the counter and dinged the bell. The same officer reappeared.

“Doesn’t she get visitors? Even the worst criminals—and I’m not even saying Lily is a criminal—but please, even the worst get visitors.”

The officer shook his head. “Sorry.”

“Harriet, let’s go home,” Martha said. “Maybe Prudence will know what to do. Maybe she can pull some strings and we can visit tomorrow.”

“Maybe. But what if she can’t? What if Lily is sent away to some wretched foster home tonight? I’ll … we will never see her again.”

Martha grabbed Harriet’s hand. “At least she’s safe now. We’ll figure out what to do for her at home—legally.”

“Okay, okay. But I just wish I could see her.”

“I know. Me too. I’ve grown kind of fond of Lily myself.”

Harriet started to walk toward the front door when she saw Agent Willers come out of a side room, reading some paperwork. “There’s the FBI lady,” Harriet said.

“Agent,” Martha said. “The FBI agent.”

“Whatever. Let me go talk to her. Just to find out.”

Harriet broke away from Martha. “Yoo-hoo, Agent Willers. Yoo-hoo.” Harriet waved.

The agent stopped, startled. “Mrs. Beamer. Is everything okay? I said we’ll call when we need to talk to you.”

“No, it’s … it’s Lily. I’m worried about her.”

“She’s fine. I think she might even be relieved this is all
over. She’s very upset with her father. And a little frightened. But she’s okay.”

“So she’s still here?”

Agent Willers nodded. “For now. She’ll be sent to a temporary Children and Youth Services house in a few hours.”

“Where?” Martha said.

“Can’t tell you,” Agent Willers said. “Best thing for you is to go home and wait until you are contacted. You are material witnesses and so is Lily. But from what I hear, her testimony won’t be needed. The old man is spilling his guts like Niagara Falls.”

“Confession is good for the soul,” Harriet said. “I read somewhere that most criminals actually want to get caught.”

Agent Willers only smiled. “I’m sorry, but I really need to get going. Have a nice day. We’ll be in touch.” She walked past Harriet and Martha toward the front door, but Martha stopped her.

“She can come with me,” Martha said. “I’ll take her.”

“What?” Agent Willers said. “Lily?”

“Yes. Release her into my custody. Now, I know you can do that.”

“It’s not that easy,” Agent Willers said. “You have to go through Children and Youth Services. But for tonight, they have temporary houses they use. She’ll be okay.”

“Oh, I just hate that idea,” Martha said. “Couldn’t she just come with me?”

“Sorry,” was all the agent said.

Harriet took Martha’s hand. “Come on. Let’s go home before Henry gets the police looking for us.”

Henry parked the SUV in the driveway. He stood there. Looking. Just looking. His BMW was not in the driveway. He heard the construction still going on out back. They had no clue about the intrigue inside the house. And Henry was glad for that.

“She’s not home,” Prudence said. “She should have gotten here before us.”

He shook his head. “I knew it. I knew she was going to try some funny business.”

He grabbed the empty French fries bag and went into the house.

Humphrey, who could smell food from blocks away, was already dancing in the entryway.

“Sorry,” Henry said. “Empty. Pru ate them on the way home. No donuts.” Humphrey didn’t say a word. He just trotted into the living room and lay down, full on his belly, and rested his head on his paws. Henry had never seen a more dejected-looking pooch.

“Okay, donuts tomorrow,” Henry called. “Right now I have to find Mom.”

He tapped her name on his phone. He waited. It went to voicemail.

“I knew it, Pru. I bet she went to the county police station. I knew I should have insisted I follow her home.”

“Maybe you should call the station,” Prudence said.

“Good idea.”

Henry followed Prudence into the kitchen. They sat down at the table.

“What’s the number?” Henry asked.

“I don’t know,” Prudence said.

“I wouldn’t call 911, right?”

“No. Call information.”

“Oh, what am I so worried about? The police will tell her what to do. They’ll send her on her way. If that’s where she went.”

“Sure she did. Where else? I would not doubt it for one minute if she wasn’t trying to get Lily released into her custody.”

“You think so?” Henry said. “But … but that’s crazy. We can’t have a teenager here. We barely have room for ourselves.”

“Don’t worry. I don’t think they will release her. Not yet anyway.”

Henry shook his head. He took Prudence’s hands in his. “How are you holding up? Maybe you should go rest.”

“I’m fine. I’m not tired. Really. I never felt better.”

Henry sighed. “I need a Little Debbie.”

Harriet pushed open the front door. “Yoo-hoo,” she called. “Anyone home?” Of course she knew full well that both Henry and Prudence and, of course, Humphrey were all home and waiting for them. But every so often the forgetful senior citizen trick worked wonders in an otherwise difficult situation.

“I don’t think they’ll buy the dementia card this time around.”

Martha giggled. “You just better face the music. And don’t be upset if Henry is pretty angry with you for not coming straight home.”

Harriet slipped off her sneakers and then hung her black cardigan on the coatrack. “I’m not worried. Too much.”

“Shh, come on, they’re not here. Probably in the kitchen.”

Harriet and Martha strolled nonchalantly into the kitchen and waited until they were noticed.

“Mom,” Henry said. “Where have you been? I gave you strict orders to come straight home. Now, where did you go?”

“Oh, Henry,” she smiled. “It always makes me smile when you talk like that.”

“Mother,” Henry said, “did you go to the county police station?”

“When, dear? Did I go to the county police station when?”

“Don’t play games.”

Harriet sat down at the table and put her head in her hands. “I’m bushed. Working with the FBI is tiring.”

“Well?” Henry said. He was unwrapping a Little Debbie snack cake.

Martha sat down at the kitchen table. “Yes,” she said. “We went to the police station. Harriet just wanted to check on Lily. She’s grown kind of fond of her. And, well … so have I. She really is a sweet kid. A little misguided, maybe, but that’s understandable.”

“I hope they treat her right,” Harriet said. “The FBI lady said she’s upset with her father, but I bet she misses him—considering everything.”

“It’s standard procedure,” Prudence said. “They’d want to keep them apart. As I said, they told me they took him to the FBI field office in Sacramento. As long as you were there, did you give a statement, Mother?”

“Not yet. Agent Willers said I should wait and the FBI will call me.” Harriet took a breath. “Imagine that, the FBI calling me.”

The sounds of hammering drifted into the room.

“Look,” Henry said, “why don’t we all go into the living room? It’s more comfortable and it’s getting noisy in here.”

“But it’s a good sound,” Harriet said. “It means they’re framing the walls and rafters. It’s the sound of normal.”

Once in the living room, Prudence settled into the over-stuffed chair. “How was she? Did they say anything? Did they let you see her?”

Harriet sighed. “No, they wouldn’t let us see her. Not even to say a quick hello and check on her, you know? I didn’t like that. But like we said, we did run into that nice FBI lady.”

“Agent,” Prudence said.

“FBI agent,” Martha said. “She told us Lily will be going first to a children’s house of some sort.” She let go a deep sigh.

“Are you okay, Martha?” Prudence asked. “I bet you weren’t expecting this on your vacation.”

“No, I wasn’t, but I’m okay. Just thinking. That’s all.”

“Martha offered to take her,” Harriet said.

The room fell silent until Prudence said, “Really, Martha. You would consider taking her?”

Martha nodded. “I … I would. I know it sounds impulsive, but I’ve been thinking and asking God about it and … well, yeah, if it could be worked out, I would take her.”

“Martha,” Henry said with a little squeak. “You can’t be serious. “She’s … she was working with her father. Scamming old ladies.”

“She was doing what she had to do,” Martha said.

“I guess, but still, she knew right from wrong. She could have gone to the police.”

“Really?” Harriet said. “A kid? Go to the police and turn in her father? The only family she has? Poor thing lost her mama a few years ago and everything went kablooey after that. She has no one else.”

“But still. People should know right from wrong.” Harriet looked at Martha. She could only imagine what she must have been thinking—about Wyatt. “I will still take her,” Martha said.

“Why would you want to do that?” Prudence asked. “She’s probably a handful.”

“Nah, I don’t think so. I think she desperately wants a stable home life. It would be good for both of us.”

“I could check into it for you,” Prudence said. “But don’t get your hopes up. I’m pretty sure you living in Pennsylvania will make it impossible.”

Martha tilted her head. “Oh, I didn’t think of that.”

“Why, Martha?” Henry asked. “Why would you want to take a troubled kid, I mean, at this time in your life?”

Martha’s knees shook, and Harriet could see tears form in her eyes. “I guess it might have something to do with Wyatt. It’s kind of like a second chance. Maybe I can keep Lily out of trouble.”

“But what if you can’t?” Henry said. “What if she’s too far gone?”

“Like Wyatt?”

“Maybe,” Henry said. “I’m sorry, but … you could be getting yourself into a lot more heartache.”

Martha took a breath. “Oh, sweetie, there’s no greater heartache than what I’m carrying these days. At least not for me. I just know in my heart that I’ve got to at least try. Try to help that girl.”

Humphrey scooted into the room. He flopped near Martha. “See? Even Humphrey thinks it’s a good idea.”

“Okay,” Prudence said. “I’ll make some calls. I can’t promise this will work. I seriously doubt they’ll let her cross state lines.”

“Thank you,” Martha said. “That’s all I ask. Try. It would mean the world to me and to her.”

Harriet felt tears well up in her eyes. “Oh dear, this is just … well, it’s been such a day. Such a day.”

“It certainly has been a day,” Prudence said. “I think we all deserve a peaceful evening.”

And fortunately, it did turn out to be a mostly peaceful evening. For the rest of the afternoon Henry and Pru worked while Harriet and Martha rested. Harriet hoped Prudence was trying to figure out a way for Martha to take Lily—if that was what Martha really wanted. Then Martha was still resting when Harriet and Henry were sitting on the deck before starting dinner, after the workers had gone home.

They heard Florence’s “Yoo-hoo” around five-thirty.

“Yoo-hoo,” Florence repeated. “I brought corn. Fresh corn.” She carried a paper bag onto the deck. “Just bought it today. And I thought after the day you had it might be welcome.”