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House of the Forest

Page 15

by Diana Wallis Taylor


  Beth voiced Laura’s thoughts. “Your mother must have searched the house. I wonder what she found.”

  They hurried to the guest room, but her mother’s suitcases were still there and her dressing gown lay across the unmade bed.

  “Beth, I’m worried. Something has happened to her, I’m sure of it.”

  “Calm down, we don’t know that. She may have taken a walk or something. Let’s not jump to conclusions.”

  “I’m calling Mr. Howard.” She hurried to the phone and called the number he’d written on the napkin.

  He answered on the second ring. “Yes?”

  “Mr. Howard, I’m worried about my mother. The house seems in disarray, like someone’s been searching it, and my mother is gone. As you know, she doesn’t have a car.”

  “Are her things still there?”

  “Yes.”

  “Any signs of a struggle, violence?”

  “Well, no, just pictures at angles and stuff moved slightly.”

  Mr. Howard uttered an oath and then covered the phone while he spoke to someone else in the room. She could only hear the murmur of voices.

  He spoke again into the phone. “Look, is there any way she could have gone for a walk?”

  “I don’t know. Mr. Howard, I’m worried.”

  He seemed agitated. “Look, give her a half hour or so, and if she hasn’t shown up we’ll check into it.”

  “Should I call the local police?”

  “No!” He responded almost harshly. “Wait a half hour and call me back.”

  “All right.” Laura hung the phone up reluctantly, puzzled by his response.

  Beth saw her face. “What did he say?”

  “Wait half an hour and call him back if she doesn’t show up.” Laura flung her hands up in the air in exasperation.

  Beth frowned. “Well, maybe they’re working on something and can’t confide in you right now. We just have to trust that Mr. Howard knows what he’s doing.”

  “I suppose so, but if my mother doesn’t walk in that door shortly, I’m calling him back and he’ll get a piece of my mind.”

  She and Beth changed clothes and Laura sat on the edge of the bed while Beth packed her suitcase.

  “Laura, I’ll wait with you until your mother turns up. I don’t want you to worry over this alone.”

  “Thanks, Beth, I appreciate that.”

  The phone rang and Laura grabbed the receiver. “Yes?”

  “It’s Sam. Am I calling at a bad time?”

  “Oh, Sam, I thought you were someone else.” She could bite her tongue. That sounded worse.

  The tone of his voice changed. “I can call back another time.”

  “No, Sam, it’s all right. It’s just that we got home from church and mother isn’t here and it looks like someone’s been searching through the house and …”

  “I’m coming over.”

  “You don’t have to do that, Sam. We’re okay. I’m sure she’ll be back soon.”

  Her voice sounded unnatural, panicky.

  “I’ll be there in ten minutes.” The receiver clicked in her ear.

  Beth started pulling things out of the refrigerator.

  “I thought we might as well eat up some of these leftovers while we’re waiting. I’m starved.”

  “Beth! How can you think of food right now?”

  “You’re not going to do very well on an empty stomach. I know you. Your hypoglycemia will kick in.”

  Laura sank down onto a kitchen chair. “You’re right. I better eat something.”

  “Was that Mr. Howard?”

  “No, Sam Matheson. He must think I’m some kind of a ditz. First I grab the phone on the first ring, then I babble like an idiot.”

  “You’re upset. Did you tell him?”

  She nodded miserably. “I told him about mother missing.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He’s on his way over.” Laura put her chin in both palms.

  Beth stared at her a moment and began to chuckle. “You know there hasn’t been a dull moment since I came here. I hate to leave in the midst of all the excitement.”

  “Oh Beth, don’t laugh. I feel so foolish to involve him. What can I say?”

  “Just what you told Mr. Howard.”

  Laura stood in the kitchen doorway where she could see Sam’s truck when he drove up. She munched on a crustless egg salad triangle sandwich and gazed absent-mindedly around the living room. Suddenly her eye caught something on the table by the television and her sudden intake of breath caught Beth’s attention.

  “Laura? You aren’t choking on your sandwich are you?”

  “Look there, on the table,” and pointed.

  Beth came to the doorway. “How did that get there?”

  “I don’t know.” Laura walked over to the table and picked up an old photo of a man, her Aunt Estelle and a small boy in a cardboard frame.

  Just then the front door opened suddenly and Gloria breezed in. At the expression on their faces she stopped.

  “Good grief. You two look like you saw a ghost.”

  Laura stepped closer. “Mother, where have you been? We thought something had happened to you.”

  Gloria waved a hand at her. “Now why in the world would you think that? I just went for a little walk. It’s a nice morning.”

  “Because the house is a mess, like a tornado went through and you were gone, and we know you didn’t have a car. You could have left a note.”

  Gloria pursed her lips in annoyance. “Oh for heaven’s sake, Laura, let’s not be dramatic. I didn’t think it necessary to leave a note.”

  Beth sighed loudly and turned to give Laura a hug. “Well, now that our missing person has arrived safely, I better get on the road. Bye, girlfriend, take care of yourself. Keep me posted, will you?”

  Laura hugged her back. ‘Of course I will. Thanks so much for coming up and keeping me company.”

  With a brief smile at Beth, Gloria turned towards the guest room and Laura walked her friend out to her car.

  They hugged again and Beth Looked into Laura’s face. “You let me know if you’re okay. I’ll go crazy wondering about what’s happening with your slick cousin, Deke.”

  “I’ll be all right. The best thing you can do is pray.”

  “You know I’ll do that, friend.” As an afterthought, she grinned. “And I want to hear about dinner with Mr. tall, dark and handsome.”

  Laura shook her head. “You’re wrong, Beth, but I appreciate your concern.”

  As Beth started the engine, Laura leaned closer to the window with a knowing smile. “And you let me know if you hear from your policeman.”

  Beth grinned. “It’s a deal.”

  Laura stood and watched the large SUV pull out of the driveway and as it turned out of sight, she somehow felt bereft.

  Turning back towards the house, she puzzled over her mother’s brief disappearance. Gloria Kingsley hated exercise. Why would she suddenly go for a walk? Just then a bird sang a bittersweet song from a nearby tree and Laura took a deep breath. She loved the smell of the pines and the sound of the wind that blew through their branches. She stood in the sunshine a moment looking up at the sky. Lord, I need your wisdom and your help. I don’t know what’s going on with my mother, but give me grace to deal with her in your strength, not my own.

  At that thought, she went into the house to talk to her parent.

  Gloria busied herself sorting though her clothes and re-organizing the things in her suitcase.

  “Are you planning on leaving soon?”

  Her mother turned suddenly. “Oh, no, darling, just seeing what I’d brought. I hadn’t intended to be up here so long. When are you returning to San Diego?”

  “My boss gave me another week on top of my vacation, so I have two more weeks. I may not stay that long if I can get things settled here.”

  Her mother nodded slowly and carefully laid down the sweater she had in her hand. She sat down on the edge of the bed and patted the plac
e next to her. Laura sat. She knew that persuasive look on her mother’s face. Gloria wanted something.

  “Darling, have you given any thought to the money that Ray took and hid?”

  Laura shrugged. “You mean along with everyone else? Do we know that Uncle Ray even had the money to hide?”

  Gloria waived an impatient hand, “Deke said his father didn’t know where the money was, that his partner hid it. I knew Ray DuPont.”

  Laura glanced sideways at her mother. “Maybe you knew him better than we thought you did.”

  Gloria snorted. “And what is that supposed to mean? Of course I knew your uncle. My sister married him.”

  “But you didn’t see them that often. They lived here in Big Bear and you were in Los Angeles.” Laura had a sudden inspiration. “Did you write to him in prison?”

  The startled look in her mother’s eyes answered the question. Would her mother deny it?

  Gloria stood up and began to put things away in the dresser drawers. “Ray was alone, in prison. I thought he should hear something from family.”

  “That’s kind of you, Mother. Did Aunt Estelle write him too?”

  Her mother shrugged. “I don’t know, Laura, perhaps. Your aunt and I weren’t exactly on confidential terms.”

  Laura decided to jump in. “Did Uncle Ray mention the bank money, Mother?”

  Gloria turned suddenly and her chin lifted slightly. “No, why would he?”

  Suddenly Laura knew. “You and Uncle Ray were seeing each other before he went to prison.”

  Her mother started to deny it but in the light of Laura’s steady gaze, her shoulders slumped. “A few times. He felt badly about what he did to Estelle. We had dinner, that’s all. Then he met Deke’s mother, Mary, and had Deke. I didn’t want to complicate his life. I didn’t see him for a year or so. I had no idea he planned on robbing a bank.”

  “If he planned on avoiding Aunt Estelle, why would you believe the money is here?”

  “Why would your uncle come to this house unbeknownst to my sister before he went to prison? It’s obvious he needed a place to hide the money.”

  Laura stood up, a sinking feeling in her chest. “Mother, even if we do find the money, it’s not ours to keep. It belongs to the bank Uncle Ray stole it from.”

  “Of course, Laura, I know that. ou must admit one could do a lot with a million dollars.” She sighed. “I’m getting older. You’re not in any financial position to take care of me. My only hope is to marry again.”

  Laura sighed. “Mother, your security doesn’t have to be in a man.”

  Gloria put up a hand. “If this is the beginning of a lecture on God, spare me the religious advice, darling. God doesn’t pay bills and buy groceries.”

  “Mother, you have the income from my grandfather. Doesn’t that give you some financial security?”

  Gloria’s eyes widened. “How did you find out about that?”

  “I didn’t know anything about it until Mr. Devers told me both you and Aunt Estelle had the benefit of royalties from oil in Oklahoma. That’s part of what we lived on, isn’t it?”

  The sudden ringing of the doorbell interrupted their conversation. Laura froze. Sam. She’d forgotten him.

  “I’ll get it, Mother.”

  Gloria waved a hand and sighed heavily. “We’ll talk later.”

  Laura opened the front door and felt her heart skip a beat. Sam’s face was the picture of concern.

  “Did you hear from your mother?”

  “Yes, Sam. She just went for a walk. She’s all right.”

  As he stood there she suddenly remembered her manners. “Would you like to come in?”

  He hesitated and then followed her into the house. Gloria came out from the bedroom and greeted him with a charming smile.

  “Sam, so nice to see you again, did you forget something?”

  “No, I wanted to talk to Laura.”

  Gloria glanced at Sam and then at her daughter. “Ah, I see. Well don’t let me interfere with anything. I’ll just make myself a cup of tea.” She walked purposefully into the kitchen.

  Sam Looked after her a moment, then turned to Laura.

  “Are you free on Wednesday evening? There’s a little Mexican restaurant you might like to try.”

  “That would be nice, Sam. I love Mexican food.”

  “You’ll like this place. I’ll pick you up about six o’clock.” He glanced at the kitchen and they both knew Gloria was tuned to every word.

  Laura saw him to the door. “Thanks for being concerned, Sam. It means a lot to me to have so many people care.”

  He smiled at her then and her heart skipped a beat. What did Beth say? She shook off the thoughts. Get a grip, girlfriend.

  When Laura returned to the kitchen her mother sat at the small kitchen nook, her hands cupping a hot mug of tea.

  “Would you like some?”

  “Yes, I suppose so.” Laura reached for one of the mugs hanging from the kitchen wall.

  “Mother, where did the picture come from?”

  “What picture?”

  Laura went and picked up the picture and held it out to her mother. “This one.”

  “Oh, it’s the picture Ray took from Estelle’s bedroom.”

  “The one Deke found in the envelope the landlady gave him?”

  Gloria moved uncomfortably. “Yes, that picture.” She stirred her tea. “Deke brought it by.”

  “Deke’s been here?”

  “He just stopped by briefly, Laura. He thought you might like to have the picture. I thought it very thoughtful of him.”

  “Did he ask any questions? How long did he stay?”

  Gloria waved a hand and didn’t meet Laura’s eyes. “Oh, just a short time.”

  Laura’s frustration got the better of her. She held her mother’s eyes. “Did he stay long enough to help you look for the money or did you tear through the house by yourself?” Laura hated the cynical sound of her own voice.

  “Really, Laura, is this an inquisition? He knows we know about the money and that we’re looking for it. He offered to help.”

  Laura put a hand to her head, feeling the start of a major headache. “And what do you think he would do if you found it, Mother? He has a bad background. Do you think he’d just say, “Isn’t this nice we found it and can give it back to the bank?’”

  “Don’t be sarcastic. Of course he wouldn’t say that. I think a finder’s fee would be appropriate. Bank’s usually pay that.”

  Laura felt like shouting. “What are you thinking? We don’t even know it’s here and you’re already divvying it up between you?”

  “Calm yourself, there’s one factor you haven’t considered. Deke has the combination.”

  “What combination?” This was getting too complicated.

  “The combination to the safe, of course. When we find it, we’re going to have to open it and Deke has the combination.” Her mother gave her a pitying look. “Don’t be so obtuse, Laura.”

  Laura forced herself to remain calm. “Mother, you’ve obviously searched the whole house and there’s no sign of a safe. Half the house is single wall construction, which means there is no place to put a safe. You need to let this crazy idea go.”

  Gloria’s eyes narrowed as she studied Laura over the rim of her mug. “Perhaps you’re right, darling. You must admit it’s a lovely thought. Poor Deke has had a hard time. His mother died, his father went to prison, he was raised in foster homes and when his father finally gets out of prison, he dies. Deke’s worked at menial jobs all these years. I just thought he deserved to have something to build a new life on.”

  What Laura saw in her mother’s eyes disturbed her. Fear brushed across her heart and left its weight on her chest. What was her mother up to? Had she made some sort of a deal with Deke, a split if they found the money first?

  Gloria got up suddenly. “I think I’ll just read a while.” She put her mug in the kitchen sink and walked past Laura into the living room where she made a great sh
ow of settling comfortably in the lounge chair with a book. Laura understood the conversation to be closed, for now.

  She stared at her mother, resisted the temptation to scream and finally turned and went to her room. She took her Bible from the night stand and opened to Psalms. Her eyes fell on Psalm 16, verse 6 “The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance.”

  Lord, help me with this. I don’t know what to think. I need Your wisdom. I surely have a good inheritance, thanks to Aunt Estelle. I can’t stay here in Big Bear and I’m sure Alan has too many things planned to come up here much. I don’t know what to do. Don’t let me run ahead of You. Please show me Your path for my life. And please help my mother to find you, Lord. She needs You in her life. I think she’s got some scheme in mind and I don’t know what it is. It has something to do with Deke. Lord, I ask for your protection. Be my rock and my strong tower.

  She continued reading the next verse. “I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel; my heart also instructs me in the night seasons.” How often in the darkness had she heard the Lord speaking to her heart? He knew where she was and He would help her and see her through this difficult time.

  Thank you, Lord, for George and Ginny Morgan next door and for Pete across the street who offered to help me. Thank you for the caring of Mr. Devers and the Mathesons. As she prayed for the Mathesons, Sam’s face came to her mind.

  She didn’t know how long she prayed, but in time a sense of peace settled over her and the anxiety lifted. She’d put her problems into hands that were more capable than hers. She rose and went into the living room where her mother continued to read.

  Gloria looked up warily as Laura approached.

  Laura regarded this woman who had given her life and in that moment God once again let her see her mother through His eyes. Her mother needed something in her life, she just didn’t know that it was God.

  “How about lunch, Mother? There’s a lovely tea room up here.”

  Gloria brightened and appeared relieved not to continue the line of their former conversation. As her mother went to get ready, Laura knew this time was allotted by the Lord for them to be together, whatever the reasons and the present situation. Nothing happened but God knew about it first. Whatever God had in store, she’d be ready. She’d keep her eyes and ears open, but, considering what her mother had told her about Deke stopping by, she’d be on her guard. Suddenly she remembered Mr. Howard. She hadn’t called him back when her mother showed up.

 

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