House of the Forest

by Diana Wallis Taylor

“I’d have to leave right from work and get up there tonight, before the safe guy gets there tomorrow.”

  He listened again, willing her to shut up.

  “Okay, Gloria, I heard you. I’ll be up there tonight, as fast as I can. You’ll have to deal with your daughter your own way. Just keep Howard out of the picture.”

  He lowered his cell phone and let his mind race. She found the safe in the laundry room. That Laura was no dumb chick. She’d covered it up without telling her mother.

  He almost rubbed his hands together. The safe was accessible. He just needed to bring the combination. They’d deal with Laura when he got there.

  He stopped in Peavy’s office. “Look, I can’t make it back in today. I just got a call from my lawyer. There’s some problem with my stepmother’s house. Someone broke in.”

  His boss swore and gave him a hard time but finally let him off again. Deke knew he had no more days off coming.

  He tore out the door to his car. Maybe he could get there before Gloria’s niece got back. Then he stopped, smiling to himself. What did that matter? He could handle the two women. He didn’t want to hurt them, but maybe he could bluff that he had a gun in his pocket or something. One way or another, he’d get the whole shebang.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Laura entered the supermarket and decided to take one aisle at a time to find the things on her list. Turning the corner of the frozen food section, she nearly ran into another cart.

  Sam raised one eyebrow. “You know we have to stop meeting like this.” A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth.

  “Sam. You’re the last person I’d expect to run into,” She paused, realizing what she’d just said and done. “Well, anyway, at this time of the afternoon.”

  “I had to take a break and get some things to replenish my bare refrigerator.”

  She eyed the stack of frozen dinners. “You don’t cook?”

  He shrugged. “Not unless you call opening cans of chili and soup cooking. I sometimes depend on fair damsels to feed me an honest meal now and then.”

  She laughed and then remembering the morning’s discovery, she looked up and down the aisle. They were alone. She leaned forward. “Sam, I need to talk to you.”

  The smile tugged at his mouth again. “Well, it’s nice to be needed. It sounds pretty important. How about meeting at the coffee shop next door in about a half an hour?”

  “That’s sounds fine. Thank you, Sam.”

  Laura found the few items on her list one by one and finally hurried to the express check out lane. The woman ahead of her seemed to take forever to find her checkbook.

  After stashing the groceries in the trunk of her car, Laura turned to look for the coffee shop.

  Sam leaned against the corner of the booth with one arm along the back of the bench. Laura slipped in and took a deep breath.

  “Sam, we found it this morning.”

  “Found it?” He wrinkled his brow, puzzled, and then, “The money?’

  “No, I mean, not yet. I don’t know. We found a safe in the floor of the laundry room.”

  “Who’s we?”

  “The linoleum guy and me.”

  “You didn’t open it?”

  “I don’t have the combination. A man is coming from the safe company tomorrow morning.”

  He rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. “That ought to give you some suspense. What did your mother say?”

  “Oh, Sam, I’ve gone and done something terrible. I hid it under a rug after the linoleum man finished and I haven’t told my mother. Mr. Howard told me not to.”

  “What’s he going to do?”

  “He’ll be there tomorrow morning when the safe is opened. Oh, Sam, my mother will think I don’t trust her and probably won’t speak to me again.”

  “Well, he’s the police and if he tells you not to tell anyone, including your mother, that would be your out.”

  Her shoulders slumped. “I guess you’re right.”

  They ordered a couple of cokes and Sam leaned his arms on the table. “You’re nervous about what’s in the safe.” A statement more than a question.

  “Yes. I guess I’m wondering, if the money is there, why didn’t Aunt Estelle find it, and if she found it, what did she do? I know she didn’t tell the police.” She contemplated her coke. “I can’t believe Aunt Estelle would find the money and then keep it. She was such a strong Christian woman. It wouldn’t be like her to do that.”

  Sam shook his head slowly. “I’m in agreement with you there. I can’t picture your aunt doing that either.”

  He began to fish in his pockets. “Do you have a pen?”

  She found one in her purse and handed it to him. He took a business card out of his wallet and wrote on the back. “Here’s my cell phone number. If you run into any problems give me a call. I can at least be some moral support.”

  She smiled as she took the card. “It’s really kind of you to get involved in all this, Sam. I really need a friend.”

  “Maybe it’s time I got involved in someone besides myself.”

  The warmth in his gaze touched her heart. In spite of her good resolve, she found herself more and more attracted to Sam. Lord, help me to keep my feet on the ground here. I don’t want to run ahead of You.

  “It’s all in God’s hands isn’t it?”

  “The money?”

  “All of it. I just want all this cloak and dagger stuff to be over so I can get on with my life.”

  He suddenly noticed her left hand. “What happened?”

  “We broke up. I couldn’t marry Alan. I realized I wasn’t in love with him.”

  A slow smile spread over his face. “I hope you won’t mind if I’m not disappointed.”

  Sam looked at his watch and suddenly reached for his wallet. “I’ve got to go. Those dinners aren’t going to stay frozen for long, and I have to get on the job or my dad will have apoplexy. We’re pretty stacked with work.” He paused, “The cokes are on me.”

  She’d been fishing in her purse. “Oh. Thank you, Sam.”

  He opened his wallet and put some bills down on the table. Laura slid out of her seat and he walked her to her car.

  “Remember, if you need anything, call me. Okay?”

  “Okay. And, thanks, Sam, for being willing to listen.”

  His look was thoughtful. “Anytime.”

  Laura drove home, her thoughts tumbling about in her head. If the money was there, would Mr. Howard take it? Would her mother put up a fight or claim the finder’s fee? She saw Sam’s face before her, feeling again the effect those blue eyes had on her.

  She thought of Alan and sent a brief prayer that he’d find his way, out from under the mantle of his father.

  Later, as she got the grocery bag out of the car and carried it into the kitchen, she called out, “Mother, I’m home.”

  Gloria came from the direction of the laundry room and stood in the kitchen doorway, her arms folded across her chest, her eyes flashing with anger.

  “How long were you going to wait before you told me?”

  “You found it.”

  “I was going to wash the rugs. They didn’t look too big for the washing machine.” Her tone was sarcastic.

  Laura sank down on a kitchen chair. “Mr. Howard told me not to tell you. He’s the police, and I thought I’d better do as he says.”

  The words were clipped. “And did Mr. Howard say why he didn’t want you to tell me?”

  “He thought you’d call Deke.”

  “Deke has the combination. Why wouldn’t that be a good thing to do? Did he expect to just break into the safe?”

  “We don’t know anything about Deke, Mother. He could be involved in a gang or something. Mr. Howard is trying to protect us, don’t you understand?”

  Gloria paced the kitchen, agitated. “What if I called him? I talked to him for an hour on the couch after the funeral. Don’t you think I know how to judge a man’s character?”

  Laura’s eyes widened. “
You called Deke? Oh Mother, you yourself should be able to answer your own question about character. What about my two stepfathers?” As soon as they were out of her mouth Laura regretted her words. She jumped up and put her arms around her mother. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t called for. I’ve just been so worried since I called Mr. Howard about the safe. There is a man coming from the safe company tomorrow morning to open it. Mr. Howard will be here then too.”

  Gloria took her by the shoulders, her eyes glittering with passion. “Laura, you could ruin everything. What if the money is there? Think what we could do with it, where we could go.”

  Laura shrank back from her. Is this the same woman she went to the tea room with? Why would her mother be so possessed with finding the money?

  “Mother! Let it go!” Laura cried out with all her heart. “It’s not worth all the misery it’s causing. Let the police have it. It doesn’t belong to any of us.”

  Gloria blinked and for a moment seemed disoriented. She sat down suddenly on a chair, the picture of despair. She looked up at Laura as if seeing her for the first time. “It’s too late, I’ve already called Deke.”

  From the doorway a voice spoke. “Did I hear my name called?”

  Her mother looked startled. “How did you get here so fast? I thought you were coming after work?”

  “I took a late lunch and when you called me, made an excuse and took off.”

  Laura glanced at her purse on the chair in the living room, but Deke blocked the doorway. “Don’t even think about calling the cops. Just stay where you are.”

  She suddenly felt emboldened. “Do you just walk into people’s houses now, Deke? You don’t have a weapon, how are you going to stop me?”

  He smiled lazily. “I have a black belt in karate. I don’t need to carry a weapon. Just sit down where you are and don’t make any trouble and you’ll be all right.”

  That strange look was back on her mother’s face. “Let’s open the safe, Deke. We can be gone before anyone can get here.”

  He regarded Gloria thoughtfully. “You open the safe, Gloria, I’ll keep an eye on your daughter. She won’t interfere, will you, Laura?”

  She just sat and glared at him.

  Her mother took the paper from Deke with the combination on it and hurried to the laundry room.

  Deke nodded with his head, indicating Laura was to follow her mother. She didn’t know if he told the truth about the karate, but she decided it was better to be safe than do something foolish. She did as she was told.

  Gloria frantically turned the dial on the safe according to the combination. She had to start again three times.

  Suddenly another voice broke the silence. “Well, isn’t this interesting.” John Howard stood in the doorway, holding a gun. She wished she’d locked the front door.

  “All right Mrs. Finch. Go ahead and finish what you are doing.”

  Gloria’s face fell, but she finished the combination and finally, the dial clicked.

  She reached down to lift the metal lid. As it opened and the contents were revealed, Gloria gave a small cry and sat down suddenly on the linoleum.

  John Howard kept the gun on Deke, but moved over to glance down. A small plastic champagne glass sat in the middle of the safe. Laura reached in and picked it up. It had a couple of five dollar bills rolled up inside with a few trinkets and across the top a piece of tape said, Christmas, 1971.

  Laura looked at the glass in a daze. “It’s some sort of time capsule.” She held it out in front of her for the rest of them to see. Then she noticed an envelope lying in the safe with the words, “To Laura.”

  Deke ignored the gun and stared at the envelope.

  John Howard snarled, “Open it.”

  Laura unfolded the letter inside and read aloud,

  My Dear Laura,

  If you are reading this you know I’ve gone to be with the Lord. I found the money. I was shocked and surprised to get Ray’s phone call. I waited for him to arrive but he never showed up. I couldn’t imagine what it was he had to come and get in such a hurry and suddenly the Lord gave me insight and I remembered the safe the previous owners put in the floor here and fearfully opened it. The sight of the money frightened me. I understood he was coming back for it now that he was out of prison. I resolved that I’d see that he gave it back. I had an idea that I could talk to him and get him to see it was the right thing to do, that he needed the Lord and could turn his life around, so I put it in a safe place where it will eventually be found.

  I am so tired. As I write this note, just know that I wanted to save you from anyone else who knew where the money was. I know you will do the right thing. Remember my two favorite hymns for my memorial service. Stay true to the Lord, He has a plan for your Life. I love you with all my heart,

  Aunt Estelle

  John Howard lowered his arm with the gun and swore again. “A lousy time capsule, of all the stupid ideas. She’s hid the money somewhere and she’s dead.” He glared at Laura.

  Laura spread her hands, “Mr. Howard, I have no idea where it is. She wanted my uncle to take it back but as you know, he’s dead too.”

  “My boss isn’t going to like this.” He put the gun in his shoulder holster. “Too bad, guess we’re all out of luck.”

  Deke still stood, his body posture one of utter dejection. Gloria began to laugh softly. “That’s what we get for being greedy, Deke. Estelle had the last laugh.” She turned to the detective.

  “Sorry, John, a wild goose chase even for the police.”

  John Howard’s eyes narrowed and with a coldness that startled her, he sneered. “You were a waste of time too.” He turned and left the laundry room.

  Suddenly Deke slipped down and sat on the floor. “I needed that money. I have to get away, a new job, a new place. I can’t keep looking behind me. Maybe those guys still feel I’ll lead them to the money. They could even kill me like they did my father.”

  The women both stared at him. The bold young man who had threatened them looked like a lost little boy.

  “Deke, I don’t think anyone believes you know where the money is.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “You don’t know that.”

  “Mr. Howard will inform the police about what we found.”

  Deke’s tone was bitter. “You don’t understand. I don’t think Howard is a cop. If he is, he’s a crooked one. He could be an investigator for the insurance company but somehow, in my gut, I don’t think so.”

  Laura looked at her mother, her eyes widened. “He’s not a detective with the LA police department?”

  “Get real, cousin, the cops don’t send someone to find bank money 20 years after the fact. He works for somebody else.”

  Laura helped her mother get up from the floor. “Then if you’re in danger, so are we. What can we do?”

  Gloria headed towards the kitchen. “I think we could all use a cup of coffee.”

  They filed slowly after her and sat down at the table. Suddenly there was a screech of tires on the gravel and a lot of shouting outside. The front door burst open and Sam dashed into the living room. He saw Laura and headed for her just as she jumped up from the table and turned towards him. She found herself wrapped in two strong arms.

  “Are you all right? I saw Howard hurrying from the house and feared the worst had happened.”

  Behind Sam came Office Petrone. He saw Gloria and Deke at the table and looked from one to the other.

  “Wha Bewildered, Laura looked up at Sam. “What is this all about? I’m so confused right now.”

  Deke waved a hand towards the time capsule Laura had placed on the kitchen table. “There isn’t any money, just a plastic wine glass with a nice note from her aunt.”

  With one arm still protectively around Laura, Sam turned to Deke. “John Howard isn’t any detective, Deke. They didn’t have anyone by that name. We don’t know who he is but whoever he works for knew about the money. Probably the men your father owed money to. Your father stashed the money but kept a hun
dred grand, which was found on him when he was arrested. He was going to take you and your mother to Mexico. The police records showed that’s what she told them.”

  Petrone spoke up, “Your uncle must have decided to outsmart them and hide the money. Then he got caught and went to prison. Probably figured it was safe and he’d retrieve it when he got out. Unfortunately the bad guys play for keeps.”

  Sam shook his head. “Your uncle must have stuck to his story that his partner hid the money even when it cost him his life. The medical records show he was beaten pretty badly, but it was a heart attack that finished him off.”

  He turned to Officer Petrone. “I’m glad Joe here, believed me.”

  The officer moved into the kitchen. “Sam has a friend who works for the San Bernardino Police Department. He decided to check a little farther on all this for Sam’s sake.” He nodded at Laura with a grin. “Seems Sam was worried about a certain young lady, and his friend thought Sam would get in over his head.”

  Sam continued, “Dave called and told me Howard wasn’t who he said he was and we realized he was following Deke hoping he’d lead them to the money.

  Laura shivered, “How awful.” Sam tightened his arm and she made no move to step away. Right now she felt safe and protected.

  “Am I under arrest?” Deke lifted his chin at Petrone.

  “As far as I can see you haven’t committed a crime, at least not yet.”

  “Then I’m free to go?”

  “Yes, for now.”

  As Deke started towards the doorway, Laura had a sudden inspiration. “Deke, wait. What is it you’d like to do? That is, if you could get away from where you are.”

  “Why, what do you care?”

  She took a deep breath. “I mean, I can help you. What would you do if you could?”

  He stared at her a moment. “After what I just did, you’re asking me this?”

  She nodded. “Deke, God loves you. He’s protected you. What type of work can you do, or would you like to do?”

  He looked at her like she had come from another planet. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes, I’m serious. After all, you’re family.”

  Deke’s shoulders slumped and his eyes watered. He brushed them with the sleeve of his shirt. “No one’s ever told me I was family before.”