Out of time, Delores reached for the top of her purse and access to her gun just as a loud knock came from the door. “Dixon. It’s me. Rodger. You in there?”
Thank God. Dixon placed his hand on Delores’s mouth. “Keep quiet. He’ll go away.”
But she pulled loose. “Yes, we’re in here,” she said loudly to the back of the door. She rushed over, pulled it open and mouthed thank you to Rodger.
Rodger stepped inside. “Sorry to butt in, but I saw you just got back. I’m going to the bank and wanted to see if you have any other money for me to take while I’m at it?” Delores reached into her purse for the money Mr. Kraft had given her previously. “I was just paying him my rent money,” she said. “I have it right here. The full seven hundred.”
Dixon glared at her and then looked at Rodger.
“I won’t need a receipt,” she said as she slipped behind Rodger and out the door. “You both know that I paid.”
Chapter Sixty-Four
There weren’t many rich people in Palmdale. Fewer still lived in the Valley Elementary School area, which made it a perfect place for Delores to do some volunteer work. She could relate to these students because both she and they were Hispanic and of modest backgrounds.
Contrary to her usual practice, she wore her uniform in hopes of showing the kids that they didn’t have to fear the police.
The school itself was comprised of two attached buildings. Stonework and deep-red bricks lent the older section a certain majestic coldness that was typical for nearly all the official buildings that were constructed a century earlier when the railroads sprawled across the country like daddy longlegs.
Later, perhaps in the late ’50s, another section had been added. Constructed of blonde bricks and smaller windows and doors, it lacked the architectural charm of the original structure.
The final bell had just rung and the departing students enabled Delores to bypass the security buzzer. She was told she could find the art teacher, Carlton Fayes, in the so-called “newer section,” by a cluttered bulletin board. Loud kids rushed through the stuffy narrow hallway with enough happy noise to remind her that there were plenty of positive experiences in life to offset some of the ugliness that she frequently encountered. Her quickened pace and swinging arms made her realize that Dr. Moreno was correct about finding something external to work on. Delores already felt good about being there.
A minute later, the wider halls, lower ceilings and brighter overhead lights indicated she’d reached the new section. Two doors down, she saw the cluttered bulletin board and its heading: Warning! Creative Minds at Work. Beneath the title, dozens of pictures of students, stapled one on top of another, competed for a piece of the board’s fame.
“Uh-oh. I guess I’m busted,” a man said from behind her. She turned to see a tall, thin man with an ivory smile that would light up a room. “Hi, I’m Carlton Fayes,” he said. “Principal Haley said there was a policewoman looking for me?”
“Oh, yes. I’m Delores Sanchez. I’m actually a detective but I sometimes wear a uniform so the kids know the police are their friends.”
“Good idea,” he said, pointing to his classroom. “Let’s step into my office.”
Inside, the walls were packed with paintings, drawings, posters and quotes of all types. Only a few boasted of genuine artistic talent, the remainder being just a notch above the kind of thing one might see on the refrigerator in the home of any normal student. The odd thing was, every single piece had a bold A+ on it.
Carlton twisted two student desks so they faced each other. “Have a seat,” he said, as he squeezed his lanky body into the farthest one. “So, I understand you want to do some volunteer work. Do you know any of these students?”
“No. I’m not a mom or anything like that,” she said, peeking at his bare ring finger. “I’m not even married. I’m just looking to be a positive role model for some of the girls because I know how difficult life can be for them.”
Carlton nodded, stretching out his legs. “Well, you hit your first nail perfectly. What did you have in mind?”
“I’m flexible, but something after school. I thought it should be fun, as opposed to studious or strenuous. That way we might get more participation.”
“We already have art class, so I don’t think they’d want to hang around after school for more of the same.”
“Well, I know a lady who does magical things with her fingernails. I could probably get some pointers from her and help the girls do their own nails.”
He curled his lower lip and cocked his head to the side. “That might be a problem. We don’t allow the students to wear nail polish in school. I don’t actually know why. But even if we could get an exception, they’d have to remove it before the next school day. Do you know any activities that would include the boys? We try to do things that include everybody.”
“Not really. I can’t sing or play an instrument. I guess we could memorize some poems?”
He curled his lip again. “Possible, but that sounds like extra schoolwork. What would you think of decorating cupcakes? I might be able to get Mrs. Carbone in the cafeteria to mix up a batch.”
Delores’s heart jumped. “I’m not real creative but it sounds fun.”
“And who doesn’t love a cupcake once in a while? Maybe we could even sneak in some information about cupcake history.”
Delores grinned. That sounded exactly like something a teacher would say. “I’d have to do a little studying myself,” she admitted. “I don’t know anything about cupcake history or decorating them or anything like that.”
“I’ve got a secret for you,” Carlton said while leaning forward. “You just have to know enough to stay one step ahead of the students. They’ll be happy that somebody is spending time with them.”
Delores thought it would be good for her to be around a handsome, single man in a safe environment. “I don’t have any of the pans or tools, do you?”
“I’m not sure what they have in the cafeteria, but it can’t be very difficult,” he reassured her. “Why don’t we do a little research? I’ll ask Principal Haley and Mrs. Carbone if we can use the kitchen. If I get the all-clear, we can get what we need and see if there’s any interest in the idea. If it works out, maybe next year we can expand it somehow, perhaps for the holidays.”
“That would be wonderful, but I have to be honest. I never know when I get called away on a case. I might have to miss a meeting in an emergency.”
“No problem. I can take over if that happens, but I bet the kids will be disappointed if you’re not there.”
That sounded a little like flirting. Maybe because she’d made that stupid comment about not being married. “At least the messes won’t be as permanent as if we spilled nail polish,” she said, grinning.
Carlton matched her smiling face. “Trust me. We’ll still have our hands full.”
Chapter Sixty-Five
As expected, Myles did indeed go to Oklahoma on Saturday to get his mother. Stump put in a long day painting the fence between Cal-Vista and the Connors’ property, then he spent some time with Maria before he and James went to the Target store and then to see the new Harry Potter movie.
Now it was Sunday morning and Stump had just jumped out of the shower. He was looking forward to a catch-up day. No work; no driving lessons; just a few hours to make some progress in his long-neglected schoolwork and then a few hours with Maria, hopefully at his place and all alone. Just then Maria called. “Are you checking up on me?” he asked, hoping she’d say something to the effect that she couldn’t live without him.
“There’s been an accident,” she said, breathing hard. “Mama was making sopapillas and splashed hot oil on her hand. I need to get her to a doctor.”
“Oh, no. Does she need an ambulance?”
“It’s not that bad, but it stings. The people at the medical center want to get some salve and a bandage on it before she loses too much skin. Dixon went somewhere with Manuel, and it’s Mr. Kra
ft’s day off. Can you come get her?”
The law required Stump to have a twenty-five-year-old licensed driver with him until he obtained his own license, and he didn’t like to borrow Myles’s truck without permission, but this was an emergency. “I’ll be right there.”
“Please hurry. We’ll meet you outside in the parking lot.”
Stump threw on his clothes and bolted to the truck. Behind the wheel, he cautiously hurried to Cal-Vista where he picked up Maria and her mother, whose hand was wrapped in a wet towel.
“It’s not super bad,” Maria said as she buckled her seat belt, thereby revealing she was still wearing that damn bracelet that Dixon gave her. “Mama just needs something for the pain.”
“Thank you for helping me,” Maria’s mama said. “You’re a good young man.”
“No problem. I know where that place is.”
Stump rushed Maria and her mama to the center and waited until Mrs. Quintana was escorted into an exam room for treatment. He tugged on Maria’s arm. “It’s going to be a while before she’s done. Let’s go to the truck. I have an early birthday present for you.”
Maria smiled. “You do? What is it?”
“You’ll see.” He grabbed her hand. “It’ll just take a minute. C’mon.”
At the truck, Stump handed her a small bag he’d gotten from Target the night before. “I think you’ll like this,” he said.
Maria pulled out a small white box, removed the lid, and screeched. “A bracelet. I can’t believe you.”
“That’s gold over sterling silver,” he bragged, “and a brand-new diamond, not a used rock like Dixon gave you. This is a better bracelet, isn’t it?”
“It sure is,” she said with a full smile. “It’s the nicest thing anybody’s ever given me.” She hugged Stump’s neck, then kissed his cheek.
“You deserve it,” Stump said without mentioning a word about it costing him all of his last paycheck—and two-hundred additional dollars that he authorized himself to borrow from his joint checking account with Myles. All he knew for sure was he’d given Maria a nicer gift than Dixon gave her and it felt great to one-up the bastard.
Maria’s mama was released a little later, sporting a large white bandage. They said she could expect a near-perfect recovery with minimal scarring. Once in Myles’s truck, Maria showed her mama her new bracelet, then suggested they go see the doggie park. “Stump made it for his own mama,” she said proudly.
Stump probably should have returned Myles’s truck but this was a good chance to impress Maria’s mama. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt,” he said with feigned modesty, “but don’t expect too much.”
Minutes later, they pulled into a good-sized parking lot where a large stone slab was engraved with Jean Randolph Park. “It’s lovely,” Maria’s mama said.
They walked down a short path to a life-size bronze sculpture of a woman and a young boy holding hands and facing two large fenced-in areas. Maria looked at the statues and lifted her hands to her mouth. “Oh, my God. That little boy is you.”
“And my mom,” Stump said, grinning. “We’re facing east so we can see the sunrise every day.”
Maria’s mama tapped Stump’s arm affectionately.
Maria grabbed Stump’s hand and read the plaque that lay near the base. “This park is dedicated to Jean Randolph and Rachel Louise Johnson. RIP,” she said. “Who’s Rachel Johnson?”
“The assistant principal at my school. They thought she committed suicide, but when I proved she was actually murdered, her grandmother felt a little better and gave me a reward.”
“And you used that money to build this park?”
“Kind of. When I said what I wanted to do with the money Granny was so pleased she donated this land too. So, we both played a role.”
Maria squeezed Stump’s hand. “That Granny must be a very nice woman.” Her mama nodded.
“She was, but she passed away just after the park was finished. The weird thing was, she didn’t have any other kids or anybody else to give her money to so she gave some of it to me.”
“So that’s the trust money that you’ve mentioned?”
“Yeah, but I don’t really get it until I’m 21—unless Myles says it’s okay.” He pointed at the fenced areas where there were over a dozen leash-free dogs running around and sniffing each other while most of the people gathered near a large cement picnic table.
He plucked a leaf from one of the bushes. “My mom loved the smell of lilacs.”
Mama grabbed Stump’s arm with her good hand as the trio watched several enthusiastic dogs of various breeds teach a tall man how to throw a saliva-drenched tennis ball. Stump was both happy and sad. This park never would have existed were it not for his mother, and for her death.
“We better take Mama home,” Maria said while grabbing Stump’s hand. Then she turned to her mama. “Would it be okay if Stump and I go see Harry Potter this afternoon?”
Stump turned his head. He’d already told her that he’s seen the movie with James, so there was a pretty good chance she was actually thinking the same thing that had been going through his mind.
* * *
A few hours later, Stump pulled his numb arm from under Maria’s head, causing her to stir. Then, “Oh, my God,” she gasped. “It’s almost seven. Mama’s going to kill me.”
They jumped out of Stump’s bed and into their clothes and hurried to the truck. “What am I going to tell Mama?” she wondered out loud. “I’m supposed to call her when I’m going to be late. She’s going to know that we didn’t go to a movie.”
“You’re only off by an hour,” he said, rushing along.
“Only an hour? That may not be a lot to you because your dad lets you come and go, but Mama worries about me.”
Stump considered defending Myles, but that wouldn’t soothe Maria’s feelings. “Tell her it’s my fault.”
“I don’t want to blame you. I’ll just tell her the first theater was sold out so we went someplace else for a later movie.”
Stump nodded. Up ahead, at Cal-Vista, a familiar red Cadillac was about to pull out of the lot and onto the street. Stump zipped around it and rushed to the rear of the lot.
Almost instantly, Dixon backed alongside them and jumped out. “Where the hell’ve you two been?”
“That’s our business,” Stump said.
Dixon bobbed his head toward Maria. “Not when her worried mother comes knocking on my door and asking for my help.”
Maria sighed. “I don’t have time for this.” She kissed Stump on the cheek. “Call me later.”
“A movie, huh?” Dixon said to Stump. “Who you trying to fool, rich boy?”
Stump stepped back. “Leave me alone.”
“I knew you couldn’t be trusted. Now, I’ve got all the cards and I want you to quit seeing Maria.”
“I ain’t doing that.”
“The hell you aren’t. It’s either that or I’ll see to it you lose your job; then it’ll be hard to get another one. It’s up to you, rich boy.”
Stump scoffed and pushed Dixon’s hand aside. “As usual, you’re full of crap. I ain’t quitting and I ain’t gonna stop seeing Maria. I still know all your scams and I can find copies of that notebook anytime I want and send you to prison.”
“You’re in way over your head, rich boy.”
“Screw you, Dixon. If you hurt me or Maria or her mama or anybody else I care about, I already have a plan to take you down.” Stump climbed back in his truck. “Just remember, you have a lot more to lose than I do.”
Chapter Sixty-Six
While Stump pumped enough gas into the truck to bring it back to the point where it was when Myles left town, he felt guilty as hell over all the money he’d borrowed from Myles without ever telling him about it. What a butt-head.
Back home he parked carefully and checked the mailbox on his way inside. There, he discovered an envelope addressed to him from Inspect Enterprises. Inside the envelope, there were two sheets of paper,
including a hand-written note: Stump, Sorry they wouldn’t let me knock off more. Geoff. Stump’s gut tightened. He’d forgotten all about the home inspector.
He flipped to the back page. Three hundred dollars? Damn it! He was hoping for a bigger discount. He threw the damn papers onto the floor. He shouldn’t have to pay a bill that came in so damn late, especially when the case was over and the power-hungry City Council wasn’t going to approve his plan anyway.
He clumped around the apartment for a few more minutes blaming and damning everybody, before he remembered who really screwed everything up. “Damn you, Dixon.”
* * *
Monday after school, still gloomy and ashamed for having spent money that didn’t belong to him, Stump made it to Cal-Vista on time by bike. It took his full shift to haul a shit-load of trash out of an abandoned apartment. As he threw remnants of somebody’s life into the bottom of the pit, it occurred to him that there were many decent people who lived on the verge of despair, yet they didn’t resort to stealing other people’s money as he had.
At the end of his shift, Stump and Maria met at the picnic tables. Almost instantly Myles called to say he and his mother were back from Oklahoma and he needed Stump to help unload the U-Haul truck.
Before leaving, Stump told Maria why it was important for him and Myles to take Grandma Pauline in. “She used to teach History and Current Events in a high school. But now, her brain is slipping.”
“Is she crazy?” Maria asked.
“Not crazy. It’s the early stages of dementia. Myles said she’s usually okay in the mornings. But as the day moves along she forgets simple things, like what day it is, or to take her meds. Sometimes they call it Sundown Syndrome.”
“But how are you going to help her and work and still see me?”
“We’ll take shifts. Myles hired another lady to stay with her in the daytime and he’ll stay with her until I’m done working, then I’ll watch her while Myles goes to his nightly meetings.”
“Sounds complicated.”
“I just have to do a little of it. I can still see you plenty.”
Maria kissed his cheek. “She’s lucky to have you. You know that?”
The ride home flew until Stump reached the stretch in the river where two weeks earlier he’d nearly lost his life. He thought about his mom and Grandma Pauline. They didn’t deserve their fates. Neither did Maria’s mama or the struggling tenants at Cal-Vista. Meanwhile other people were beneficiaries of good fortune. For instance, Dixon drove a flashy Caddie around that he certainly didn’t deserve and Stump had a trust worth several million. It made him realize that Myles was right about his earning the money for his own car.