The Devil To Pay (Hennessey.) (19 page)

‘Yeah, a pretty hat.’

‘Sammy, do you think you can describe this lady; and the hat too.’ Rosencrantz asked.

Sammy’s usually sunny face fell and he asked with concern, ‘is she in trouble.’

The two men laughed, ‘trouble?' Said Rosencrantz, 'no, far from it. She helped someone the other night, this guy’s sister, ‘he pointed at Guildenstern, ‘she was being attacked and this lady helped her. She took her to the hospital and then disappeared.’

‘She did? I mean she really helped your sister?’ He was looking wide eyed at Guildenstern who nodded, ‘yes, she did. But as my friend here said, she disappeared before we had time to thank her, we’ve been looking for her ever since, to tell her how much we appreciate what she did. She saved my sister’s life; Dina is all I have now that mom and daddy are gone.’

Rosencrantz just about controlled the burst of laughter he felt rising in him and said seriously, ‘yeah, saved Dina’s life. She’s a real Good Samaritan and we want to thank her personally you see. So if you could help us with that we would be very grateful, Sammy.’

Sammy’s eyes remained wide in his face as he said, ‘well, she was about thirty or so maybe and not too tall, couldn’t see the colour of her eyes but her hair was light brown and very long, she almost sat on it when she sat down, it was very damp from her sweating like but still very pretty.’

Well that’s just great, Sammy, thanks. Now did you happen to get her name?’

‘Oh no, I’m sorry, she didn’t say.’ Sammy looked worried now.

Guildenstern saw it and smiled reassuringly even though he was getting more and more frustrated. He said, ‘what about the hat, what did that look like?’

‘Was she wearing the hat when she helped your sister?’ Sammy asked Guildenstern.

‘Yes, yes she was, that’s why we’re so interested in it. My sister described it to us so if your description is the same then we know that it’s the right lady, you see?’

Sammy smiled, ‘oh yeah, yeah I see.’ The smile disappeared and he scratched his head, ‘I ain’t too good with describing lady’s hats.’

‘Let me help you, Sammy, ‘was it made of straw, with flowers around the brim?’

Sammy beamed, ‘yeah, that’s right, it had pretty coloured flowers around the brim and yellow ribbons below. I remember 'cos she had them tied under her chin and then pushed the hat down her back while she drank her tea and the ribbons were around her neck, see?’ He demonstrated by pretending to tie ribbons around his neck.

The two men smiled, ‘you see, you’re better than you thought at describing hats.’

Sammy looked well pleased and said, ‘does that sound like the hat your sister described too?’

‘Yes, Sammy, she described it just like that.’

Sammy’s face almost split in two with the smile that he gave. Rosencrantz asked, ‘she didn’t happen to say where she was staying did she?’

Sammy frowned, ‘your sister?’

Guildenstern felt an almost uncontrollable urge to punch the moronic asshole in the face but resisted. He smiled and said, ‘no, Sammy, the lady with the hat.’

‘Oh, oh no, she didn’t. Said she was doing a tour of all the southern states though, so maybe she left already.’

Sammy didn’t like the angry looks that crossed both men’s faces but then the big one smiled and said, ‘yeah, maybe, well if she has we’ll find her don’t you worry none about that. We’re determined to track her down and…thank her, ain’t that right, buddy?’ He turned to Guildenstern who nodded.

Sammy’s smile was not as
bright as it had been; he felt the greatest urge suddenly to get away from these two men. He said, ‘well I hope you do, but I have to go now or Mr. George will be mighty put out.’

‘Sure, Sammy. Thanks for your help, we appreciate it.’

Sammy nodded and walked around the two men then made his way to Georgestone ranch to complete his day’s tasks. As he walked he thought about the two men and wondered why he had this bad feeling on him, after all they were only looking for the lady to thank her for what she done. But then why would they feel the urge to track her down in another state? He would ask Jill about it, no, maybe not, she would get mad and say he shouldn’t be talking to strange men. But if he ever saw the lady with the hat again he would tell her about the two men.

The two men in question watched him walk away, uplifted that they at least had more than they had this morning, but disheartened that they did not have an address for the English woman.

Rosencrantz said, ‘since I ain’t much for coincidences, we know one thing for sure, the hat that woman wore is the same one that the girl we figured for Desi was wearing.’

Guildenstern nodded, ‘sure looks that way, yeah. And something else that ain’t coincidence, Desi went into these here woods and that woman had tea in the café over there, so I’m guessing that she’s staying near by. I say we go back where we went yesterday and this time we don’t get put off by no guy with a rifle.’

Rosencrantz laughed, ‘I like the way your mind works, Guildy old buddy.’

‘You do?’

‘Yeah, the same way mine does.’

They were both laughing as they took the path that led to the woods and Adela’s cabin.

                                                    ********

In the meantime Adela and Olivia were sipping lemonade and talking through the second part of Adela’s cunning plan. Adela was saying, ‘we’ll get a taxi to Mobile which is where I told them to deliver the hire car. I’ve been there once and there are some areas that are pretty quiet, no one will see us and even if they do so what, we’re just two tourists off to see the sights. I’ll tell them to collect the car from Memphis and I’ll fly back, or maybe get the train, yes the train, I’ve not been on one for ages, I’ll see more of the country too.’

Olivia was shaking her head in frustration, ‘I thought we had put to bed the question of your coming with me.’

Adela smiled, ‘
you
did maybe, but I never put to bed an argument I haven’t won.’

But Olivia was in no mood for jokes. Adela rushed on, ‘and this is where it gets really exciting. In Memphis we won’t go to the airport, well, not a commercial airport, one in which we could be spotted, oh no, we go to a private airfield and hire a private plane to take you wherever you want to go.’

Despite her protests and her fear for Adela Olivia was intrigued, ‘a…a private plane.’

Adela grinned at the look on Olivia’s face, ‘yes, a private plane.’

‘Just for me?’

‘Yes, just for you,’ Adela was still grinning like a Cheshire cat.

‘But…but those things cost a fortune.’

‘They’re a bit pricey yes, but in this case well worth it.’

‘A bit pricey? Are you a millionaire or something?’

‘Yes.’

Olivia sprung back as though she’d been pulled by an invisible rope around her waist. She stared open mouthed at Adela for a full minute then said, ‘you’re not kidding are you?’

Adela laughed, ‘no I’m not kidding. I won the money on the national lottery three months ago. One of the first things I did was book this holiday.’

Olivia continued to stare as though she was speaking in tongues, then she laughed too as her eyes scanned the room, ‘but with all that money you could afford a luxury five star hotel.’

‘I know, but I like this place, I wanted to be alone, to think, to read, to plan the rest of my life and to see something of the world.’ She was serious suddenly as she continued, ‘although I never thought I would see more of it than I wanted too.’

‘I’m sorry, Adela, I’ve ruined your holiday haven’t I.’

‘Oh no, no, Olivia, that’s not what I meant. I meant that I’ve learned things, seen first hand some of the evils of this world. No, no matter what happens I could never regret that I was there that night and was able to help you. And I will continue to help you no matter how many obstacles you put in my way.

She reached across the table and took Olivia’s hand in both of hers, ‘you’ve been alone all your life, you’ve never had anyone to rely on, it’s hard for you to accept help because you’re afraid, not only for yourself, but for the people who help you. But you have to know that I’m not going to leave you to face this alone, whether you want me there or not I’m coming with you. I’d be a liar if I said I wasn’t afraid, but I
have
to do this I
have
to make sure you’re safe. And he won’t ever find you; I’ll see to that, I promise.’

Olivia’s eyes filled with tears, she was feeling things she had not felt in a long time, emotions she thought dead and buried forever. In the last few days she had laughed and cried, and although she was still very wary she was learning how to trust again. But that awful sense of doom that followed her everywhere she went persisted very strongly in her still. She was about to speak when they both almost leapt out of their skin as a loud knock came on the front door. They both stared at each other then at the door then back at each other their eyes wide and fearful.

Adela acted first; she stood and whispered, ‘in the bathroom, lock the door and at the first sign of trouble use the phone to call the police.’ Olivia did not falter or question but turned to the bathroom, Adela grabbed her hand and said, ‘and, Olivia, I mean it, call the police, don’t hesitate.’

Olivia nodded and went into the bathroom closing and locking the door behind her.

Adela took Olivia’s cup and put it in the sink, then glanced swiftly around for anything that might give them away. She had no intention of letting anyone in but she might have no choice and she didn’t want any sign of Olivia to be obvious, but everything seemed clear.

She put on her sunglasses and just as she'd put on the new hat and was piling her hair inside it another knock came on the door, louder this time and more impatient.

She took a massive deep breath and planting an irritated look on her face opened the door.

The sight of the two men she recognised from the alley that night almost made her legs give way, she had to clutch the door for support hoping they would not notice her reaction. No wonder Olivia was so afraid of them they looked very dangerous indeed. She said, ‘
Ja?’

They both looked taken aback for a moment then the big one said, ‘we’re sorry to trouble you. We’re private investigators and we’re looking for a young girl, she’s a runaway and is wanted by the law for theft.’

Adela shook her head and in German said, ‘I am zorry, I don’t speek zee
Englisch.’

The two men stared at her and the big one who had approached Adela in the alley and therefore had had a better look at her narrowed his eyes. He did what most people did when confronted by someone who did not speak
their own language, he shouted, ‘we are detectives looking for a runaway, a young girl.’ He tried to recall any German words he might have heard over the years, from the movies maybe. He said, ‘er, young girl,
Freulein,’
he pointed to his eyes, ‘have you seen a
Freulein
around here?’

Adela frowned and shook her head, ‘
nein
,’ she pointed to herself and said in German, ‘zere’s just me.’ Then in broken English with a very pronounced German accent and as though she was struggling added, ‘
unt
my, er, huzband.’

The two men looked at each other then back at Adela who smiled, looked at her watch and said, ‘my huzband he will be waiting in ze car.’ She pointed to her glasses and said in heavily accented English, ‘I comes beck for zeez.’ The two men continued to stare and then shrugged and Guildenstern said, ‘is there an English woman staying near by? He waved his hand indicating the three other cabins and the surrounding area, ‘
Engliase
Freulien
here.’

Adela frowned then brightened and began speaking in rapid German, but as they continued to look frustrated she finished ‘
Englisch Freulein
, she leave. Go home I zink.’

The small man almost snapped, ‘when? He tapped his watch, ‘when did she leave?’

Adela pursed her lips as though thinking then said, ‘zizterday.’

‘Do you know her name, the English woman?’

‘She shook her head and raised her shoulders.

‘Was anyone with her?’ Guildenstern asked.

‘
Nein
.’ They didn’t need an interpreter for that one.

Adela looked at her watch again, stepped onto the porch then turned and locked the door as though she was indeed leaving for the day. For one awful horrible moment she thought they were not going to move. But to her immense relief the big man said, ‘thanks for your help.’ He didn’t sound very grateful to Adela’s ear
s. She managed a smile,
‘guten arbent.’

She watched them walk away. To her relief they went straight ahead through the trees. She walked down the steps and away from them as if going into town. About twenty yards in she stopped and turned around. She could see the two men walking into the dense undergrowth, moving quietly and keeping her eyes on their retreating figures she doubled back to the cabin. She hurriedly unlocked the door and went inside locking the door behind her, she leaned against it her heart beating so fast she thought it might burst out of her chest. She had to make several attempts before she could call out, ‘it’s all right, Olivia, they're gone.’