I Love to Write
Capricorn in Aquarius - Part Two
The policemen - there were four -entered and stopped inside the doorway as Kathleen struggled to close the door against the wind. The two in the rear helped her to do it, then the lead patrolman shook off the crystals of ice and sleet from the crown of his plastic-covered hat. Behind his back, Kathleen made a face as the mess cascaded onto her clean floor. He put his hat back on, then addressed her directly.
"Mrs. Nolan? I'd like to see the two young gentlemen I spoke to you about, if you please."
"They aren't here," Kathleen replied. "I told you the last time you were here. A week ago. I haven't seen either of them in nearly a month - "
"And I say you're a damn liar," growled the grizzled patrolman just behind him. He spoke sotto voice, but it was so quiet in the room that we heard his words.
"Murphy - !" The lead patrolman turned on him. "Don't instigate the public." He turned back to Kathleen. "Sorry, ma'am. I have orders to take them downtown for questioning. They were seen shoplifting and robbing two stores and one was carrying a pistol in his pocket. The manager of one was able to trip the silent alarm behind the counter, and when the officers arrived, there was a struggle. The gentleman with the gun shot the senior patrolman and then they took off in this direction. He died this morning."
Kathleen turned white. I was more interested in knowing why all these policemen were all together here on a routine call. No one had taken notice -yet - of me. It was evident no one was here to accost me and bring me home. Or were -
"I can't turn over for custody men I don't have here," Kathleen protested. "Besides, I just told you -"
"This is the local shelter, ma'am," said Murphy. "They were seen in the general area. Where did they go, if not here?"
I wondered that myself. From behind me in the hallway, I could hear whispering and the soft scraping of someone's slipper behind the closed door. The police seemed to take no notice.
Kathleen took time formulating her answer. "I don't truly know - "
Two of the other policemen grunted. It was plain they didn't believe Kathleen. I was sure the two men they wanted were behind that hidden door panel just three feet down the hall in the other direction. Was the director going to endanger us for their sakes?
(To Be Continued.)
The policemen - there were four -entered and stopped inside the doorway as Kathleen struggled to close the door against the wind. The two in the rear helped her to do it, then the lead patrolman shook off the crystals of ice and sleet from the crown of his plastic-covered hat. Behind his back, Kathleen made a face as the mess cascaded onto her clean floor. He put his hat back on, then addressed her directly.
"Mrs. Nolan? I'd like to see the two young gentlemen I spoke to you about, if you please."
"They aren't here," Kathleen replied. "I told you the last time you were here. A week ago. I haven't seen either of them in nearly a month - "
"And I say you're a damn liar," growled the grizzled patrolman just behind him. He spoke sotto voice, but it was so quiet in the room that we heard his words.
"Murphy - !" The lead patrolman turned on him. "Don't instigate the public." He turned back to Kathleen. "Sorry, ma'am. I have orders to take them downtown for questioning. They were seen shoplifting and robbing two stores and one was carrying a pistol in his pocket. The manager of one was able to trip the silent alarm behind the counter, and when the officers arrived, there was a struggle. The gentleman with the gun shot the senior patrolman and then they took off in this direction. He died this morning."
Kathleen turned white. I was more interested in knowing why all these policemen were all together here on a routine call. No one had taken notice -yet - of me. It was evident no one was here to accost me and bring me home. Or were -
"I can't turn over for custody men I don't have here," Kathleen protested. "Besides, I just told you -"
"This is the local shelter, ma'am," said Murphy. "They were seen in the general area. Where did they go, if not here?"
I wondered that myself. From behind me in the hallway, I could hear whispering and the soft scraping of someone's slipper behind the closed door. The police seemed to take no notice.
Kathleen took time formulating her answer. "I don't truly know - "
Two of the other policemen grunted. It was plain they didn't believe Kathleen. I was sure the two men they wanted were behind that hidden door panel just three feet down the hall in the other direction. Was the director going to endanger us for their sakes?
(To Be Continued.)
61-69, F
