“That can be explained easily. I suppose Brunner didn’t take the trouble to check up his record.”
“He was threatening the boy,” Penny reported, her eyebrows puckering into a frown. “I distinctly heard him say: ‘You’ll do as I tell you or—’ Then he saw me and broke off.”
“You’re certain that was what he said?”
“Of course I am! You don’t think I imagined it, I hope!”
“No,” Mr. Nichols laughed, “but one’s ears often distort conversation. It does seem a little odd that Brunner should have any connection with this boy. Still, there must be a logical explanation. Brunner’s reputation is above reproach, you know.”
“I don’t think he’s so very honest,” Penny declared. “After the way he acted about Susan’s car I wouldn’t trust him an inch.”
“Brunner does make glib promises,” the detective admitted. “In general, however, he seems to have operated his business honestly. He has made a great deal of money, Penny, and is considered one of Belton City’s leading citizens.”
“I don’t see where he makes all his money,” Penny complained. “Whenever you go into his garage it’s usually deserted, although he keeps a horde of discourteous workmen.”
“Brunner hasn’t been doing so well of late,” Mr. Nichols agreed.
“I think he’d bear watching,” Penny said darkly.
“I’ll turn the task over to you,” Mr. Nichols chuckled. “I shouldn’t care for it myself. Digging up the black history of influential citizens isn’t the most profitable occupation in the world.”
Realizing that she was being teased, Penny dropped the subject. However, no sooner had her father buried himself in his newspaper again than she thought of another question which she could not resist asking.
“What did you learn about that license number I gave you last night, Dad?”
“It was issued in this county. Without the complete number it will be impossible to trace the car.”
Mr. Nichols again turned to his newspaper and Penny permitted him to read undisturbed. She knew that he regarded her interest in the Molberg case with amusement. He was humoring her in her desire to play at being a detective. But while he listened politely to her questions and suggestions, he did not really believe that her contributions were of great value.
“I wish I could show him!” Penny thought determinedly. “Maybe I shall too!”
Mr. Nichols, blissfully unaware of what his daughter was thinking, left the breakfast table.
“I’ll be out of the city all day,” he informed. “I may get back late tonight but I can’t be sure of it. I guess you’ll be well looked after by Mrs. Gallup.”
“And by Joe,” Penny added. “Must he always trail me around, Dad? I’m getting so tired of it.”
Mr. Nichols smiled broadly.
“From Joe’s daily reports, I suspected he was the one who was growing tired. You seem to have led him a rapid-fire chase. He turned in a bill for nearly forty gallons of gasoline last week.”
“He must be drinking it then!” Penny retorted. “I’m sure my old car couldn’t have traveled any such distance. But seriously, can’t you discharge him?”
“Not until the case is finished, Penny.”
“And when will that be?”
“I wish I knew. If all cases were as annoying as this one, I’d soon be out of business. But we have several new leads. I’m hoping something will develop within the next week.”
“I may do a little sleuthing of my own just to hurry matters along,” Penny warned with a laugh.
“Go as far as you like,” Mr. Nichols said, undisturbed. “I depend upon Joe to see that you don’t get into too hot water.”
After her father had left the house, Penny went to the Y.W.C.A. where she taught a Friday morning swimming class. By eleven o’clock she was through her work and had the entire day before her.
Making her way to the business section of the city, she did a little shopping at one of the department stores. As she was buying a pair of gloves, she heard her name spoken. Turning, she found Betty Davis standing beside her.
“I saw you from across the aisle,” the girl smiled. “I was just starting home.” She hesitated, then said hurriedly: “I don’t suppose you’d care to take luncheon with me?”
“Why, I’d love it,” Penny responded instantly.
“I’m not much of a cook,” Betty confessed modestly, “but I can always scare up a sandwich or so.”
Penny welcomed an opportunity to visit the Davis home again for despite Betty’s peculiar actions, she felt that the girl really liked her. As they boarded a street car, it occurred to her that she had been invited for a particular purpose. The girl grew increasingly ill at ease. Conversation became difficult although Penny made a special effort to be agreeable.
Not until luncheon had been served and the dishes washed, did Betty bring up the matter which had been troubling her.
“I’m worried about Father,” she confessed. “The truth is, he’s in danger of losing his position and through no fault of his own.”
Penny remained silent and the girl went on with increasing embarrassment.
“I don’t know how to say it—you’ve been so kind to me. But I was wondering—do you think Mr. Nichols might be induced to intercede in behalf of my father?”
“I’ll speak to him about it,” Penny promised, “but I think perhaps it would be better if your father talked with him personally—”
“Oh, no,” Betty said hastily, “he’d never do that! You see, he doesn’t know that I have said anything to you. I’m sure he wouldn’t like it.”
“I see,” Penny responded quietly. “I’ll talk with Father, but I am afraid it will do no good.”
Betty’s shoulders slumped, although she tried to smile bravely.
“I shouldn’t have made the request. Please forget it.”
“No, I mean to talk to Father about it,” Penny insisted.
“It’s very kind of you. I’d never have mentioned the matter at all only I realize my father will never turn a hand to defend himself against unjust accusations.”
The conversation shifted to less personal subjects. As Penny arose to leave a half hour later she spoke casually of Betty’s brother and was surprised to notice a strained expression pass over the girl’s face.
“You were going to show me his picture the other day when I was here,” she reminded Betty.
“Oh, yes, so I was,” the other agreed but with out enthusiasm. “Jimmie is very good looking. I guess I told you he was a football player at Waltham High last year.”
“I’d like to meet him,” Penny remarked.
“Jimmie isn’t home very much of the time,” Betty returned hastily.
“But at least I can see his picture,” Penny said, watching the girl closely.
“Why, yes,” Betty stammered, ill at ease. “I’ll get it.”
She went into an adjoining room and did not return for some minutes. She did not bring the photograph. Avoiding Penny’s gaze, she said apologetically:
“I can’t seem to find it anywhere. I must have misplaced the photo.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Penny returned politely.
She had guessed instantly that Betty had made no real effort to find the photograph. For some reason the girl no longer wished her to see it.
After chatting for a short while longer, Penny took her leave.
“Now I wonder why Betty was so reluctant to have me see the picture,” she reflected as she walked slowly toward the street car line. “I’m more interested in it now than I was before.”
It occurred to Penny that if only she could find a copy of the previous year’s Waltham High School annual, Jimmie Davis’ picture was almost certain to appear in it.
“Margery Barclay’s brother attended that school,” she recalled. “I might be able to get an annual from him. It won’t be out of my way to stop at their house on my way home.”
When she called at the Barclay reside
nce, Mrs. Barclay answered the door. Upon learning that neither Margery nor her brother were at home, Penny mentioned the purpose of her call.
“Why, yes, we have one of the annuals,” Mrs. Barclay told her. “I am sure you are very welcome to have it for a few days. I’ll find it for you.”
She went to the bookcase and after searching through several shelves found a thick, dusty volume which she gave to Penny.
“I’ll bring it back tomorrow, Mrs. Barclay.”
“Keep it as long as you like. No one ever looks at it any more.”
Penny thanked Mrs. Barclay, and tucking the book under her arm, walked slowly toward the street car line. While she stood at the corner waiting, she turned a few of the pages.
“After I get home I’ll go through the annual systematically,” she decided.
A street car stopped at the corner and she boarded it. Seating herself near the rear, she again interested herself in the book. Although she found many photographs of football stars, she did not immediately locate the one for which she searched.
Then she turned a page and a face stood out. Beneath it, a caption gave the name of Jimmie Davis and a list of his scholastic achievements. Penny stared at the picture in disbelief.
“No wonder Betty acted as she did!” she told herself excitedly. “Now I understand perfectly why she didn’t want me to see the photograph!”
CHAPTER XVI
A Valuable Photograph
Convinced that she had made an important discovery, Penny hastily left the street car. Catching one which was going in the opposite direction, she went directly to her father’s main downtown office.
“Has Dad left town yet?” she inquired of Miss Arrow.
“Yes, I think he has,” the secretary informed. “At least he left here nearly an hour ago and said he likely wouldn’t return today.”
Thinking that possibly Mr. Nichols might have stopped for a few minutes at his temporary office opposite the Brunner garage, Penny went there. She found the room closed though not locked.
“I don’t know what to do now,” Penny thought, slightly bewildered. “It seems to me I have a valuable clue which should be acted upon at once.”
She considered taking Miss Arrow or one of her father’s detectives into her confidence, yet hesitated to do so lest she make herself appear ridiculous. After all, she had no real evidence upon which to base her theory. Even though the photograph of Jimmie Davis had given her a start, she could not be certain that she knew anything damaging concerning the boy’s past. It would be wise to move cautiously.
“I’ll say nothing about the photograph until I’ve had an opportunity to do a little investigating of my own,” she decided. “I may as well start by asking Jerome Davis a few questions.”
Penny was familiar with the policeman’s regular beat, but before trying to locate him, she went home for her car. It was Mrs. Gallup’s afternoon off, so there was no need to explain to the housekeeper where she was going.
“I might leave a note where she’ll find it when she returns,” Penny thought. “Still, I should be back by supper time.”
As Penny backed from the garage, she caught a glimpse of Joe Franey’s familiar black coupé parked across the street.
“I’m afraid Dad’s gasoline bill will take a big jump upward today,” she chuckled.
Penny dismissed the detective from her mind and became intent upon the problem which faced her. She must be very cautious if she questioned Jerome Davis for it might ruin all her plans if he suspected what she was about.
Approaching the policeman’s usual haunts, Penny slowed down. Presently she caught sight of the officer at a street corner. He was talking with someone.
“Why, it’s Jerry Barrows!” she exclaimed, pulling up at the curbing to watch. “The plot thickens!”
Penny made no attempt to interrupt the two. The policeman was talking so earnestly with the boy that he had not even glanced in her direction. She was too far away to hear what they were saying, but she observed Jerome Davis take a small roll of bills from his pocket. He peeled off three and gave them to the youth. The latter thanked him and moved quickly away.
“I can’t question Mr. Davis now or he would be suspicious,” Penny thought. “I’ll come back a little later.”
Recalling that she had never visited the Brunner garage to request Jerry Barrows’ address from the manager, she made that her next stop. As she parked outside the building, she noticed that Joe Franey, faithful to his trust, was still following.
“Poor man, he must think I am completely crazy,” Penny laughed. “Perhaps I am too!”
Upon requesting to see Mr. Brunner, she was informed that he was busy. She was forced to wait nearly three-quarters of an hour before he would see her.
“What can I do for you, Miss Nichols?” he inquired with forced politeness as she entered.
Penny reminded him of his promise.
“Oh, yes!” He laughed apologetically. “You know, the matter completely slipped my mind until this minute.”
“Indeed?” Penny inquired. She had not been surprised at the answer.
“If you will come back in a few days—”
“Can’t you get the address for me now? It is rather important that I have it immediately.”
The manager frowned. “I’ll see what I can do. Wait here.”
He left the office, returning a few minutes later.
“I can’t seem to find it on our records at all, Miss Nichols. The boy never worked here steadily. In fact, he has been discharged.”
“So you refuse to give me the address?”
“It isn’t that, Miss Nichols. We’d be glad to provide it if we could. Unfortunately, we can’t.”
“I see,” Penny returned coldly.
She left the garage and went back to her car. For a time she sat thinking. She could not make up her mind as to her next move.
While she sat debating, George Brunner came out of the building. Without noticing Penny, he climbed into his automobile, one of the latest and most expensive models available, and drove away.
“I wonder where he’s going in such a hurry?” Penny asked herself.
She decided that it might be worth her time to follow. Quickly, she shifted gears and took after him.
Without being aware that anyone was trailing him, the garage manager weaved from one street to another, gradually traveling toward the poorer section of the city. Penny had difficulty in keeping him in sight.
“What a silly thing I am doing,” she told herself. “I think I’ll sign off and go home.”
However, she could not resist following the car a few more blocks. Her patience was rewarded. Presently Brunner turned into South Lake Street.
“I’ll keep on a little farther,” Penny decided. “It may be that Brunner is perfectly honest and above board, but I have my doubts. I think he’ll bear watching.”
She was not greatly surprised when the garage manager halted his car only a short distance from the tire shop which she and Susan had visited only a few days previously. Penny drew up to the curbing on the opposite side of the street.
As Brunner alighted and looked carefully about to see that he was unobserved, Penny ducked down out of sight, pretending to be fixing something on the floor of the car.
Straightening up a minute later, she saw that the garage manager was making his way toward the tire shop.
“Now what does he want there?” she asked herself. “I must say he isn’t keeping very good company.”
Brunner entered the shop and Penny settled herself to wait. An hour passed. It began to grow dark.
“I really should telephone Mrs. Gallup that I’ll be late for supper,” Penny reflected. “Either that or I should give up this silly chase and go home.”
In her heart she did not really think that it was silly. The conviction had steadily grown in her mind that in some way the garage owner was involved with Jerry Barrows and others in a questionable business activity.
Noticing
a drug store nearby, she stepped inside to telephone her home. After several rings, the operator informed her that no one answered.
“Mrs. Gallup must have been detained,” Penny thought. “I’ll not need to hurry home now.”
As she was leaving the drug store, the door of the tire shop on the opposite side of the street opened and George Brunner emerged. Penny hastily dodged back into the doorway to avoid being seen.
Brunner walked directly to his car, preparing to depart. Before he could start the motor, the owner of the shop came running after him. It was the same man who had spoken so harshly to Penny upon her previous visit.
The two men conversed in low tones for several minutes, but as they became more excited, their voices grew louder.
“It’s too dangerous I tell you,” she heard the owner of the tire shop say. “The police are getting wise. And only a day or so ago Nichols sent his daughter around here to spy.”
“I’ll deal with her,” Brunner promised. “She’s getting too curious for her own good.”
“After tonight I’m through,” the other insisted. “The little I make isn’t worth the risk I take.”
Penny could not hear Brunner’s reply. He seemed to be arguing with the tire shop owner. She felt elated and excited at the information she had gleaned.
After tonight! The words burned into her mind. What coup were the two men planning for that evening? If only she might learn!
Could it be that Brunner was involved in the auto accessory thefts? It was generally believed that the disreputable owner of the tire shop made a practice of receiving stolen goods. Why then, should a man in Brunner’s position stoop to have dealings with such a person unless he too were guilty?
The evidence against the two was purely circumstantial, that Penny plainly realized. It seemed ridiculous to connect Brunner with the underworld and yet the very fact that no suspicion had ever been attached to him offered a measure of safety for his dishonorable activities.
“Dad warned me that one must move cautiously in trying to gather evidence against influential citizens,” Penny reasoned. “Yet, if I wait until I can talk it over with him, it may be too late.”
The Girl Detective Megapack: 25 Classic Mystery Novels for Girls Page 200
