Once a Thief

Seventeen

The piano tinkled a random tune beneath Blake’s restless fingers. For the first time in a long while, he had no interest in writing music. All he could see was Danielle’s long lashes against her cheek as he’d kissed her closed eyes.

After last night’s sleepless round of tossing and turning, he’d come to a startling discovery. As much as he loved to write musical comedy, he couldn’t see himself making a career of it. Besides, if he proposed to Danielle, as he had every intention of doing, shouldn’t he have a solid future to offer her? He also had to admit he missed law school. Maybe it was time to go back.

When he went downstairs, he was surprised to find his father still at the breakfast table. Usually, he was out and about early, even on holidays.

Blake filled a plate from the sideboard and sat at the table. “Good morning, Mother. Anything interesting in the paper this morning, Father?”

“Not really.” Blake’s father laid the paper down and picked up his coffee cup. “I do have some news for you, though. I’ve heard from the private detective Alan Hite, whom I hired to track James Sutton.”

Excitement coursed though Blake. “So what has he turned up?”

“Sutton spends a lot of time at a house across the river, near the docks. He asked around and it turns out Mr. Sutton owns the place.” He frowned before continuing. “Which is a little strange, since most of the people in and out of there are young people. Hite said he’s counted around twenty of them who appear to range in age between about nine and the early twenties. There’s also a drunken old crone who says she’s the cook. He couldn’t get any information out of her. Said she’s only been there a couple of months and doesn’t know anything.”

Blake jumped up. “So what do we do next?”

“Nothing yet. Hite has one of his people on surveillance night and day. But until we have a valid reason, we can’t go bursting into the place.”

“But what about all the kids?”

“Sit down and eat your breakfast. For all we know, the children are cousins or nephews he’s caring for. Maybe neighbor kids who simply happen to like to hang out there.”

Blake snorted.

“I know, I know. But until we have something more to go on, there’s nothing we can do.”

“All right. Are you going to church for the Thanksgiving service this morning, Father?”

“Actually, I thought I would.”

“Good. By the way, I’m thinking about taking my last two classes.”

His father’s eyes lit up. “You mean your law school classes?”

“Yes, sir.” Blake grinned. “I thought that would make you happy.”

“You thought right. I’m more than happy. Does that mean you’ll come in with the firm?”

“Well, I haven’t completely made up my mind, but yes, if I do decide to practice law, of course I’ll join the firm, if you’ll have me.” He grinned. “You can help me get ready to pass the bar.”

His father laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. “Would this change of heart have anything to do with the pretty Miss Gray?”

“Well, yes. In a way. But to be honest, I actually miss poring over law books until three in the morning. And the challenge of mock trials. Writing music is wonderful, and I don’t think I could ever give it up completely, but I’m not so sure anymore it’s my life’s work.”

“I know you have show business in your blood, son. Nothing wrong with that. But I’m glad you’re considering law as your career choice. And I’m more than glad you wish to join the family business.” He grinned then stood and squeezed Blake’s shoulder. “I’m going to get ready for church.”

Blake turned to his mother, who watched him intently. “What do you think, Mother?”

“You’re serious about this?”

“Yes, I think I need to at least finish law school.”

A smile burst across her face like sunshine, and she clapped her hands together. “I’m so happy for you. I know you have a wonderful talent and God will be sure to use it, no matter which choice you finally make. But I’m thrilled you didn’t wait ten years or so and then realize you should have finished law school.”

“I appreciate how you’ve supported me in my choices, Mother.”

“It has been my pleasure to watch you exercise your gifts, of which the practice of law is one, I have no doubt.”

“Thank you, Mother.” He reached across the table and took her hand.

“Are you escorting Danielle to church?”

“No, but I’m driving her over here afterward.” He grinned.

“It’s so nice the Kramers agreed to come. I don’t think we’ve ever done Thanksgiving together in all the years we’ve been friends. I don’t know why we haven’t done this before.”

❧

Danielle leaned back in the porch swing, her shoulder against Blake’s. She’d had a wonderful time with the Nelsons. She’d already known she loved Blake’s mother, but she’d finally gotten to know his father better. Their open-armed acceptance of her had touched her deeply. But they didn’t know her past. Neither did Blake. And she shouldn’t let this go any further until things were settled with Sutton.

She shivered. “We must be crazy to sit out here. It’s freezing.”

“Not quite freezing. But it will be before morning.” Blake curled his fingers around hers.

She considered pulling her hand away, but instead, with a contented sigh, she let it rest in his. She didn’t know what would come tomorrow or the next day or next week. But no matter what happened, they would have this moment.

❧

Danielle tried to sit up straight, but the inviting depth of Amelia Kramer’s boudoir sofa seemed to draw her in until all she wanted to do was sink into the plush cushion. She hadn’t realized how tired she was until this moment. A tea service for two sat on a silver tray on the table in front of the sofa.

Mrs. Kramer, sitting next to her, smiled and reached for the teapot. “You just sit back and relax, dear. I’ll pour and then we’ll have a nice chat.”

Danielle took a deep breath. Was this a mistake? After her tender moment with Blake last week, she knew it was time to make her move to get Jimmy out of Sutton’s clutches so he couldn’t use him against her any longer. But she also knew that she couldn’t go into the man’s lair without letting someone know her story. Otherwise, if something happened to her, Sutton would continue his evil plans. She’d considered speaking to Mrs. Parker, knowing that the lady would be kind to her no matter what she’d done, but after praying and sincerely asking God what He wanted her to do, she knew the time had come to be truthful with her benefactress. If she turned her out of the house, or even over to the authorities, Danielle would simply have to deal with it. She’d waited long enough. And she had to have some help for Jimmy’s sake, even if it meant spending time in prison. So, this afternoon, after she’d arrived home from rehearsal, she’d asked to speak to Mrs. Kramer privately.

The hot tea soothed her throat and stomach, as well as her mind, and soon she relaxed and sank back. She wished she could close her eyes and go to sleep. Perhaps off to some dreamland where she never had to face the reality of her plight.

She sat up straight again and cleared her throat. “Mrs. Kramer. . .”

“Amelia. I’ve told you many times you could call me Amelia.” She shook her finger playfully.

“Amelia, then.” She cleared her throat. “I have something to tell you. Something that will probably cause you to hate me.”

Consternation crossed Amelia’s face. “Oh no. I’ve come to love you like a sister. The little sister I always wanted. I could never hate you.”

Just wait until you hear. A tremor ran through Danielle’s body. She knew she had to get it out now or she never would.

“I lied about the robbery. I was part of the gang.” She took a deep breath and threw a fearful glance at Amelia.

Surprised, she saw Amelia’s smile widen. Hadn’t she heard what she said?

“Why, I know that, silly. I’ve known it all along.”

“Wh–what?”

“Perhaps you could fool Officer Brady, but I saw right through your performance. That’s why I wasn’t a bit surprised when I heard how well you were doing in Blake’s show.”

“But, why in the world did you bring me home with you, if you knew I was guilty?”

Amelia reached over and patted her hand. “Because I could see you were scared half to death. Besides, God told me to.”

Danielle gasped. “What do you mean? I didn’t hear Him say anything.”

A trilling laugh emitted from Amelia’s throat. “I don’t mean I heard Him with my ears. But I heard His voice deep inside me. And I knew you needed help.”

“But why didn’t you say anything?”

“Because I wasn’t sure what God had in mind, and I didn’t want to mess it up. But I had an idea you’d tell me the true story someday.” She smiled encouragingly. “How about now?”

“I hardly know where to begin.” Dear God, was it true that she’d known all along? She knew and didn’t turn Danielle in to the police.

“I’d say the beginning would be the best.”

Danielle let her mind drift back. When she began to speak, she felt as though she were in a dream. “My father died at sea when I was nearly ten and my brother was three. Mama was expecting a baby and we had no means of support. We moved in with a friend of Mama’s who owned a boardinghouse. Mama and I both worked for her in exchange for a room and our meals.” She stopped as memories of her parents bombarded her mind.

“Take your time, dear.” Amelia patted her hand.

Danielle felt tears behind her nose and eyes. She gulped and cleared her throat. “Mama and the baby both died. And Aunt Mary turned us out.”

“Oh, how heartless. You poor child. Is that when you and your brother went into an orphanage?”

At the sympathy in Amelia’s voice, Danielle glanced over and saw her friend’s eyes flooded with tears. Shame washed over her at the lies she’d told. “No, ma’am. I lied about that, too. Jimmy and I were never in an orphanage. And while I’m at it, I need to tell you my brother isn’t dead, either.”

Amelia looked at her with concern. “Then where is he? He must still be very young.”

“Yes, he’s twelve and has a crippled leg.”

“Oh dear. An injury?”

“No, he had an illness when he was two. I’m not sure what it was. But it left him lame.”

Amelia sighed. “I’ll stop interrupting. Tell me what happened next.”

“It was very cold and windy that day, and Jimmy and I hadn’t eaten since the day before. We hid behind a crate on the docks and watched some men unloading a boat.” She hesitated then confessed. “I stole some food from one of them. He chased us down the street. I had to half carry Jimmy. I can still hear the thumping and bumping of his crutch. Then a boy helped us get away. He took us to a house and introduced us to a man named Sutton. It looked like heaven to me at the time, and Sutton was our guardian angel. But he turned out to be the head of a gang of thieves, most of them children.”

“Do you mean he made the children steal for him? Is that it?” Something like fury crossed Amelia’s face.

“Yes, ma’am. But he felt sorry for Jimmy and took a liking to me. He never sent us out. I helped around the house. And Jimmy did a few little odds and ends, like shining Sutton’s boots.”

“So, if he didn’t send you, why were you with the gang that robbed the bank customer?”

“Sutton made advances to me one day. When I slapped him, he was furious. He sent me out on the job to teach me a ‘lesson.’ ”

Amelia closed her eyes. When she opened them, they were full of grief. “Danielle, did you steal anything?”

“No, I was the decoy so they could get away. I was supposed to walk away in the other direction, but I got scared and ran after them.”

“I see. And that’s when you and Blake collided. Does he know?”

Danielle’s stomach sank. “No,” she whispered.

“Well, maybe we’ll keep your secret a little while longer until I think this through.”

Danielle wanted so badly to stop now and leave things at this point. But she knew she owed it to Amelia.

“There’s something else.” Tears filled her eyes and she blinked hard. “When I was trying to keep Sutton appeased, I sent him the pearl necklace your mother gave me. I’m so sorry. I can never replace the sentimental value of her gift to me. But I’ll pay her back for the cost of it.”

For a moment pain filled Amelia’s eyes, then blinking, she smiled. “The cost doesn’t matter, my dear. You did what you felt you had to do at the time. Mother loves you and she’ll understand. Don’t worry about it.”

Danielle fell into her gracious friend’s arms and cried.