Hoofbeats on the Trail

by Mark Littleton

  “What’s the rush, anyway?” Nick asked, struggling to keep up with Ally.

  “If Jeff is doing this, maybe it’ll be easier if we talk to him tonight with his aunt there. I don’t know. I just feel we’ve got to get it settled.”

  “Okay, I’m with you.”

  They found the tree fort, undisturbed and quiet. Ally climbed the rope ladder first. Nick followed. This time she gave the contents of the tree fort a much closer inspection. She found a sleeping bag, a knapsack with various camping items in it, and what appeared to be several old flashlights. There was the stack of electronic devices in one corner. She looked at them closely. None appeared new. Several looked pretty beat up.

  “What could he do with these?” Ally asked Nick as he rummaged through the sacks of oats and other items.

  Nick answered, “Remember, Mr. Bell said they ‘fence’ the electronic stuff.”

  “What is ‘fence’?”

  “I think it’s like selling them to people who can get stolen items back into the mainstream. Middlemen, I guess, who can then sell the stuff for real.”

  “What would he use the money for?”

  “Go live somewhere else?” Nick answered, studying a pair of riding boots. “He doesn’t seem to like living with Miss Kruck that much.”

  “You think he wants to go live with his father?”

  “That could be it. But where is his father?”

  “We don’t know.” Ally picked up a VCR and pushed her finger into the slot. There was a tape lodged in it.

  “There’s a tape in this one.”

  “Well, that pretty much proves it,” Nick said.

  “What?”

  “Would someone throw away a VCR with a tape in it?”

  “What are you thinking?”

  “I was thinking Jeff might have found these things at the landfill or some place. But with a tape still in it…”

  “Maybe it’s just stuck. Maybe the VCR died with the tape in it.”

  “Died with its boots on, huh?”

  “Cute.” She set it back down and sighed. “If Jeff is the one doing this, we should persuade him to return all the stuff. That way, they might not press charges.”

  “But what about him tearing up the houses? There was a lot of damage.”

  “Rats. I forgot about that.”

  A stick broke outside, and Nick and Ally froze. Ally scurried to the window and looked out.

  “Oh no!” she whispered. “It’s Jeff!”

  “What do we do?” Nick set down the boots and stared at Ally with fear on his face. “He’s real uptight about people betraying him.”

  “Okay, this is my fault. I’ll just say—oh, man, I’d have to lie.”

  “That might be better than telling him we’re spying on him.”

  Another stick cracked, and the sound of someone brushing through the branches came closer.

  “Okay, I’ll do the talking,” Ally whispered. “God, please give me something to say!”

  They heard Jeff grab the rope ladder. He started climbing upward. Before he reached the top, he shoved a VCR through the hole in the floor into the tree fort. Ally stared at it, then prayed for God to give her the words to say.

  “Hey, Jeff!”

  Ally jerked. The voice came from outside. She froze and listened intently.

  “Jeff, whatcha doin’?”

  It was Coombsie.

  “Hey, Coombsie, what’re you doing here?”

  “Just practicin’ my violin.”

  Jeff’s hand disappeared from the hole, and he climbed down the rope ladder.

  “What’s up?”

  “Just hangin’ around. Want to see something cool?” Ally heard Coombsie say.

  “Sure. I’m not busy.”

  Coombsie and Jeff began to walk away. Ally nervously stepped to the window and looked out. As she peered out the window, Coombsie turned around and caught her eye.

  His eyes narrowed, but then he winked and turned back to Jeff. Ally watched them vanish into the depths of the woods.

  Ally closed her eyes briefly. “Thanks, Lord. That was close.”

  “It’s a good thing Coombsie came along,” Nick said.

  “I wonder how he happened to be there? Nick, you’ll never believe this, but when I looked out the window, he turned and winked at me.”

  “So he knows we’re here.”

  “I guess.” Ally was silent for a moment. “I don’t want Jeff to think we’ve betrayed him, but I think he’s lying to us,” she finally said. “I just don’t think we have the evidence to prove it.”

  “So what do we do?”

  “Get out of here, first, before he comes back.”

  Nick glanced down at the VCR. “Well, I guess we’ll find out if another house was broken into today. This could be from it.”

  “Yeah, let’s go call Mr. Bell.”

  Twelve

  The Call

  “Is this Mr. Bell?” Ally asked into the phone as Nick stood beside her at his house.

  “Yes, who is this?”

  “Ally O’Connor.” Ally nodded at Nick. “Look, I was just wondering. There hasn’t been another break-in, has there?”

  “Not that I know of. Why, do you know something?”

  “No, not really. Just wondering. We’re trying to be vigilant is all.”

  “If I find out about one, I’ll let you know. But I can tell you that we’re closing in on someone.”

  “Oh, really?” Ally asked, trying to sound casual.

  “Yeah, a kid who lives down the way from your street. Kind of a roughneck.”

  “Oh, who is he?”

  “Can’t say at this point. But we’ve got him in our sights.”

  “Well, that…is a relief,” Ally said, giving Nick a look.

  “Yes, it is. And thanks for your help,” Mr. Bell said and hung up.

  Ally stood there with her eyes closed, feeling overwhelmed and terrified for Jeff.

  “What’s up?” Nick asked.

  “They think they’ve got someone—a boy who lives nearby.”

  “Oh, man. Jeff, right?”

  “Yeah, I would guess that. Mr. Bell didn’t give me a name.”

  “Man, Ally, we’ve got to do something.”

  Ally glanced at her watch. “Mom is having Jeff and Miss Kruck over for dinner tonight. Maybe I can try to talk to Jeff again then.”

  “Good idea. I’ll be praying.”

  Ally left Nick’s house, full of anxiety about that night.

  Jeff and Miss Kruck arrived at the O’Connors at precisely 6:00. Ally greeted them at the door and led them into the house. “My mom’s in the kitchen and Dad’s in the study,” she said to Miss Kruck. “Jeff, you can sit out here. We’ll be ready for dinner in a few minutes.”

  Jeff sat down and said, “I could go for something to drink.”

  “Coke, ginger ale, orange juice?”

  “Coke’ll be fine.”

  Ally stepped into the kitchen to get a couple of drinks for her and Jeff. Miss Kruck and her mother talked animatedly about cooking, and it sounded to Ally like Miss Kruck really liked learning new recipes.

  She returned to the family room and sat down across from Jeff.

  “So what’re you so quiet about?” Jeff said after taking a sip of Coke.

  “Nothing,” Ally replied, wishing her mother would hurry up with dinner. “I’m just a little nervous about having you over is all.”

  Jeff grinned. “Hey, don’t be. We’re friends, right?”

  “Yeah.” Ally knew she should just plunge right in. “Jeff, I talked to Mr. Bell today.”

  “Who’s he?”

  “I told you. The man who’s involved with these house break-ins.”

  “Oh, that again. Man, can you lay off it? I’m not the person. Coombsie isn’t the person. You’re relentless!”

  “Well, I just wanted you to know what he said. They think they’ve got the person identified, and they’re ready to close in on him soon.”

  �
�Cool. That’ll put it behind us.”

  Ally studied Jeff’s face, trying to see if he was telling the truth or not. He just smiled back at her with a friendly expression. If he was lying, he was the best liar she’d ever encountered.

  “You still think I’m doing it, don’t you?” Jeff said coldly, his friendly expression changing. “It’s beginning to put a real crimp in our relationship.”

  Voices from the kitchen resounded in the hall, and Miss Kruck and Ally’s mom walked in carrying plates. “Dinner’s ready, folks. Ally, would you go call your father?” Mrs. O’Connor said.

  Ally jumped up, wishing she had the courage to bring up the tree fort and its evidence. She had to find the right time and place and just get it out. But when?

  She hurried down the hall to her dad’s study and told him dinner was ready.

  With gusto everyone dug into the spaghetti Mrs. O’Connor had prepared. Everyone except Ally. She kept listening for the slightest piece of incriminating evidence in Jeff’s words.

  Meanwhile, her mom and dad kept up a battery of questions for Miss Kruck. Jeff even chimed in, not being closed and angry like he’d been in some other situations. He seemed to be enjoying himself. At several points in the conversation, Jeff talked about roller-blading. He reminded Ally that they had to practice their carnival routine for several hours before the actual event.

  Deep down, though, Ally worried that Jeff wouldn’t be at the carnival. He’d be in juvenile detention.

  The phone rang at about 8:00, just as Miss Kruck and Jeff were leaving. Ally picked it up.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello. This is Mr. Bell. To whom am I speaking?”

  “This is Ally.”

  “Oh, hello. Well, I just wanted to let you know there’s been another break-in,” Mr. Bell said. “A number of things taken, and the house really beat up.”

  “I’m sorry,” Ally said.

  “Look, Ally, I know you’re a good kid and everything,” Mr. Bell intoned. “But if you know something about this, I think you should come out with it.”

  “I would if I could,” Ally said. “But thanks for letting me know.”

  “All right, but there is such a thing as being a conspirator or an accessory to a crime, Ally. I’d hate to see you charged with something for withholding information.”

  “Mr. Bell, I really…”

  Everyone was staring at her, obviously wondering what this conversation was about. Jeff’s eyes on her felt like daggers.

  “We’ve got company, Mr. Bell,” Ally said quickly. “I’m going to have to go. I’ll let you know about anything I find out, though.”

  “Good. Have a nice evening.”

  Ally hung up.

  “What on earth was that all about, honey?” Mrs. O’Connor said.

  “Oh, he just told me there’s been another break-in.” Ally’s eyes were on Jeff. She sensed his dismay.

  “And why is he telling you?”

  “I asked him today if there’d been any more, that’s all. I’m kind of interested. That’s all. It is our neighborhood.”

  “Let the police do their work, honey,” Mr. O’Connor said. “They’ll get to the bottom of it. You don’t need to get involved.”

  Mrs. O’Connor turned to Miss Kruck. “It was certainly nice meeting you, Babs. I hope you’ll feel free to come by anytime.”

  “Oh, of course,” Miss Kruck said. “I’m so glad Jeff and Ally have become friends.”

  Ally could still feel Jeff’s eyes on her, but she didn’t look at him.

  “Thank you, again, for a great dinner and talk and everything,” Miss Kruck was saying. “I’ll have to have you over sometime soon.”

  “That would be great. Bye, now,” Mrs. O’Connor said.

  Jeff said good-bye and walked out the door with Miss Kruck. The moment they were gone, Mrs. O’Connor turned to Ally.

  “What is going on here, young lady?”

  Ally hung her head. “I think Jeff is the one doing the break-ins.”

  “Why?”

  “Just some things I’ve found out.”

  “Like what? That’s a serious accusation, Ally.”

  “I know. I know!”

  “Then what evidence do you have?” Mr. O’Connor said.

  Ally suddenly burst into tears. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I just have to think about this.”

  She dashed from the room and jumped onto her bed, burying her head in the pillow.

  Seconds later, Mrs. O’Connor stood by the bed. She sat down and caressed Ally’s hair. “I’m sure you have good reasons for this, Ally. But be sure you’re not making too many assumptions, okay?”

  Ally nodded into the pillow.

  “Jeff seems like a very nice boy.”

  “He is, Mom. He is.”

  “Then why do you suspect him?”

  Ally rolled over, took a deep breath, and told her mother about the tree fort.

  “Boy, that does sound serious,” Mrs. O’Connor said when Ally was done. “Let’s pray about this, okay? That’s the best thing to do when you’re faced with a troubling situation.”

  “I know, Mom. But what can I do besides pray? Should I talk to Jeff? I just don’t want him to think I’ve betrayed him.”

  “You’re trying to help him, honey. That’s all this is.”

  “But he’s got this thing about being betrayed. It’s really a big deal with him.”

  “We’ll work it out, okay? Let’s pray first.”

  “Okay.”

  Ally bowed her head, and Mrs. O’Connor prayed for Jeff and his aunt. When she concluded, Mrs. O’Connor said, “Feel any better?”

  “A little.”

  “Well, get some rest. I’ll call Jeff’s aunt tomorrow—I’d like to get to know her a little better. Maybe she can come over for tea.”

  “All right, Mom. Thanks.”

  “Sleep well, honey.”

  Mrs. O’Connor left, and Ally got her pajamas on and brushed her teeth. Then she crawled into bed and closed her eyes. “Lord, please help this whole thing. That’s all I know to pray. Amen.”

  She tossed and turned for over an hour until exhaustion set in and she fell asleep.

  Thirteen

  A Meeting of the Hearts

  Ally puttered around the house the next morning until Nick came by. There was a phone call at about 11:00 that Mrs. O’Connor answered. When she finished, she walked into the family room where Nick and Ally sat sipping Cokes and talking.

  “That was Mr. Bell. He says the police are going to do a stakeout of some of the houses.”

  Ally gave Nick a worried look. But she was glad Miss Kruck was coming over later that day. Maybe she would tell them something about Jeff.

  Miss Kruck came by at 2:00, and Mrs. O’Connor offered her a cup of tea. Then she, Ally, and Nick sat down with her to talk.

  They talked about the weather, their gardens, and recent summer vacations. After a half hour had passed, Ally began getting antsy. She wanted to talk about Jeff. She was just about to bring up the subject when Miss Kruck did it for her.

  “I’m so glad you two have become friends with Jeff,” Miss Kruck said, looking at Ally and Nick.

  “We’re glad too,” Ally said. “Jeff’s a good guy.”

  “Jeff needs good friends like you.” Miss Kruck turned to Mrs. O’Connor. “Jeff’s had some difficulty adjusting to living with me. I suppose he’s told the kids that he lived with his father?”

  Ally and Nick nodded their heads.

  “Well, I feel it’s important for you to know a little bit about Jeff’s background. Jeff can be difficult, but I don’t want you to think he’s a bad kid.” Miss Kruck took a deep breath. “Jeff’s father—my brother, Steven—was getting into trouble from the time he was a teenager. By the time Jeff was born, he was into drugs and had landed into jail. So when Jeff’s mother died, Jeff came to live with me. Then, when Steven got out of jail, Jeff went back to live with him. He lived with his father until just recently, because my brother�
��s in jail again.”

  “Oh, how awful for Jeff!” Mrs. O’Connor said sympathetically, reaching for Miss Kruck’s hand and giving it a squeeze.

  “I know,” Miss Kruck said. “That’s why I try to be understanding when Jeff gets…difficult. He doesn’t like my rules and my asking him questions. But I’m just trying to be a good parent, or whatever it is I am.” Miss Kruck sniffled. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry.” She picked up a napkin and blew her nose in it. “I should’ve brought some Kleenex.…Look, I don’t expect you to solve Jeff’s problems. He’s a decent kid. He just wants to…not live with me is about it in a nutshell.”

  “I’m sorry,” Mrs. O’Connor said, touching Miss Kruck’s hand again.

  “If Jeff doesn’t live with you, who would he live with then?”

  “Oh, he has this crazy idea that he’ll get his father out of jail and they’ll be back together and all will be bliss. It’s never going to happen. His father’s in for ten more years without parole. He did a lot more than just deal drugs. I’m trying to make it sound as good as I can, but it’s really very horrible. I just wish I could make Jeff understand how much I really care about him.”

  “I’m so sorry,” Mrs. O’Connor said. “Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help.”

  Miss Kruck smiled. “Thank you. I really appreciate that. Well, I better be off. I’m going on my weekly visit to the sundae shop. It’s my one culinary pleasure in the week so I make a trip of it.”

  “Well, why don’t we all go?” Mrs. O’Connor said. “I could use a sundae myself. What do you say Ally? Nick?”

  “I don’t have any money,” Nick said.

  Ally laughed. “You never have any money. I think my mom’ll pay for you, Nick.”

  “No, I’ll pay for everyone. It’ll be a treat,” Miss Kruck said. “Let’s go. I’d love it.”

  “We’re there then,” Mrs. O’Connor said. Seconds later, they all piled into Miss Kruck’s car and headed for town.

  Miss Kruck had everyone sit at the counter. The man behind the counter said, “So what’ll it be today, Babs?”

  “These three want sundaes, Gene. I’ll have my usual.”

  Gene turned to Mrs. O’Connor and Ally. “What kind of sundaes, ladies?”