Daniel’s pulse began to race. He felt that he was on the right track at last. He asked the reference librarian to make him a copy of the map. After that, he would call his father. For once, he would have some good news to impart. The best news of all, at least from his perspective, was that he could delay his homeward journey for a long, long while.
Chapter 38 – Tipped Off
Leroy Hunt stood in front of a familiar red brick building with white columns. He felt nothing but aggravation. How hard could it be to find one little country bumpkin lost in the city? He’d come full circle. None of his other leads had panned out, and he’d just gotten the bum’s rush from Miz Wilma at the Home for Unwed Mothers.
“I said I’d call you if she contacted us,” was her waspish reply to his inquiries. “Did you receive a phone call from me?”
He admitted he hadn’t. With that, she gave him the air and showed him the door.
Leroy fantasized about plugging her right between the eyes. Although it might relieve his feelings a tad, it wouldn’t move his investigation any farther along. He shuffled despondently up the street, thinking a short walk would clear his head. One block up, he came to a busy intersection. His attention was drawn to an elderly woman climbing into a yellow cab. The sight gave him an idea. It was a long shot, but he had a hunch. Cabbies usually cruised around the same taxi stands. If little Miss Hannah had any money on her, she might have used a cab to stage her getaway. Maybe somebody would remember her.
He crossed the intersection and stationed himself under the cab sign. Within a few minutes, a taxi appeared. He bent low to peer into the front window.
“Sorry to bother you but I’m lookin’ for somebody.” He flashed both his fake detective ID and the half picture of Hannah. “Any chance you might of drove her someplace?”
The cabbie shook his head and pulled away from the curb. Leroy went through the same monotonous charade half a dozen times before he struck pay dirt.
A cabbie with a stained shirt and a surly attitude nodded. “Yeah, I remember that chick. She came across like she’d never been off the farm before and then stiffed me on my tip. A real smart ass! She said she didn’t know what a tip was! Can you believe it?”
Leroy tried to suppress his elation at the news. “I don’t suppose y’all recollect where you dropped her off.”
“Yeah, I do,” the cabbie replied. “She made my day if you get my drift. I don’t remember the address, but I know the street. I can take you there if you want.”
“Oh, I surely do,” Hunt said, climbing into the back seat. “And don’t you worry yourself none about the tip. You just earned yourself a fat one.”
***
When the taxi dropped him off in front of the antique shop, Leroy couldn’t believe his eyes. It had been dark the last time he was here, but he’d bet his soul it was the same place. He squinted up at the sign above the door. This development raised a whole new set of questions. How in the hell did little Miss Hannah find out about the granite key? He didn’t think old Abe would be stupid enough to confide in his wife about that business. She must have found out some other way. Daniel? Did he even know where the antique shop was? If he did, why would he tell her?
Hunt rubbed his forehead. This Hannah was smarter or more devious than he’d given her credit for being. He hesitated for a moment before entering. Was there anybody inside who might recognize him? He didn’t think so. That shopkeeper was all alone the night she had her unfortunate accident.
The bell above the door tinkled as he entered.
A plump, forty-something woman was standing behind the counter. Upon seeing Leroy, a dazed look crossed her face and then she blinked a few times before putting on a smile. “Good afternoon. Is there something I can help you with?”
“I hope so, ma’am.” Leroy went into his act about being a detective tracing a runaway from down state. He showed her his fake ID and the photo.
The woman stared at the girl’s image until it seemed like her eyes were going to burn a hole in the picture. Then she looked back at him and blinked a few more times. “Yes, I do remember her.”
Hunt leaned forward eagerly. “That’s gladsome tidings. Her folks will be real happy to know that.”
A frown crossed the face of the shopkeeper. “She came to ask about the sister of my late business partner. A girl named Cassie. She said they were chums at school.” Without waiting for a response, the woman continued. “My partner’s name was Sybil. She died recently.” She stared hard at Leroy. “It was a botched robbery attempt. A terrible accident. Did you hear anything about it? It was in all the papers.”
Leroy backed away from the counter a few paces. “No, ma’am. Where I come from we don’t get the big city news. I’m sorry to hear
