Strangers in the Lane (7 page)

The man walked casually to the jewelry store entrance and disappeared from Jessie’s view. “Where is everyone?” Jessie squeezed past Robyn and stood by the booth. “Everything looks too quiet out there.”

All at once, police came from every direction. Two stood by the front of the store. One hurried to the gray car and Jessie even spied a blue uniform on the high courthouse roof across the street.

“I wonder…” Jessie ran to the café’s kitchen door and peeked through the curtains at the window. A police officer stood in the alley, gun drawn.

Jessie hurried back to the booth and watched through the window. Her scalp tingled with excitement. Moments passed. No one moved. She felt dizzy from holding her breath.

The nanny’s boyfriend appeared again.

“Stop!” ordered one of the policemen. He pulled out a gun. “Set down the briefcase and put your hands in the air.”

The robber dropped the case and raised his hands. Jessie could see his face clearly. He was smiling a kind of sneering smile and didn’t look at all afraid.

An officer stepped forward and ran his hands up and down Lena’s boyfriend. He pulled a small, black gun from inside the man’s dark overcoat. The policeman pocketed the weapon and said, “Put your hands behind your back.” Then he snapped on handcuffs.

Jessie decided it was safe to leave the café. She opened the door and stepped out in time to see Lena jump from the gray car screaming and crying. Everyone looked at the nanny. While the police were distracted, the robber bolted. Jessie watched as he dodged two cars and crossed the street to the Town Square. When he ran by the nearest park bench, a man reading the newspaper stuck out his foot.

The robber flew through the air and skidded on his stomach across the wet grass. Jessie smiled. Detective Benson put down the paper, rose and stood over the robber.

“You creep,” the robber shouted at the detective. “You coulda killed me—tripping me like that!”

The detective pulled the man to his feet and led him back across the street to Lena.

By now, a crowd was gathering. Jessie spotted Bryce with a proud grin on his face. And there was her mom with Phillip.

The nanny sobbed hysterically. She tried to grab her boyfriend’s arm, but he shrugged her off.

Detective Benson shook Jessie’s hand. “Well, Jessie, you did it! In a few years you can join the force.”

* * *

On Saturday morning after the robbery, the Hansons’ doorbell rang. Jessie, dressed in a red sweater and jeans, ran to open it.

“I’m ready to escort the town heroine to my practice session,” Bryce teased. He gave a little bow.

Jessie laughed. “You helped too. I’ve told everyone that.” She closed the door behind her. “And Tina was there for part of the investigation.”

“Well, I think that’s kind of you. But you’re the one who pulled it off,” Bryce said.

“Thank you.” Jessie looked up at him. She couldn’t get over how good he always looked. Today he had on a soft green sweater that matched his gorgeous eyes.

They hurried to the school and entered a side door that led to the auditorium. Cami Falkenborg was already seated at the piano practicing scales.

For the next two hours, Jessie watched in awe as Cami’s fingers flew over the keyboard. Bryce matched her on the violin. Each time Cami nodded, Jessie turned the page of her music. Jessie felt as if she’d entered a different world where beautiful sounds swirled around her.

After the practice session, Bryce walked Jessie home. He took her hand and held it in a firm grip. “You’re sure quiet. What’re you thinking about? You were a great page turner.”

Her hand warmed at his touch. But, she thought, being a page turner isn’t what I want. She looked into his eyes. She loved the way they went soft when he was serious or how they glistened when he laughed. She looked down at his hand holding hers and marveled that his hands could be so graceful when he played the violin. “I loved hearing the music. You play so well, Bryce.”

They parted at her house. He watched while she ran up the steps and turned to wave at him. He waved back and then crossed the street.

Inside, Jessie leaned against the door for a minute. Then she walked to the stairs and called up, “Mom, does the offer for piano lessons still stand?”

THE END