The Big Exoneration by Dennis Sanchez

Author:Dennis Sanchez [Sanchez, Dennis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Indie Author Project
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

THE BIG WAIT

After Hildy and Jake related their conversation with Little Pike, Archer rubbed his chin in thought. “Little Pike didn’t say anything about Lefty?”

“Not that I remember.” Jake looked at Hildy for confirmation. “He only said Lefty was with them.”

“That’s odd,” Archer grunted. “I could see Little Pike missing the whole picture, but not Lefty. If Innocent thought something was not right, I’m sure Lefty would have noticed it too, wouldn’t he? Hmm.”

“What do we do now?” asked Jake.

“Wait.” Archer blew a breath. “That’s all we can do. Doll, see if my paper arrived so you can read me the news.”

Hildy walked into the outer office. Finding no newspaper on Velma’s desk, she turned to go back into the inner room, but stopped when she heard the door open. Spinning on her heels, she was surprised to see a small, chubby boy entering hefting six L.A. Times newspapers under one arm with the hand of the other arm holding them in place.

“Who are you?” Hildy asked.

“Who are you?” the boy responded in turn.

They stared at each other a long moment, both dumbfounded. Jake, hearing another voice, came out of the inner office and stared at the boy, befuddled.

“Who’s he?” Jake asked Hildy. She shrugged.

“I’m the newspaper delivery boy,” he said, proudly. “I deliver Mr. Wolfe’s paper daily. I have been since I was six. I’m nine, now. I’ve never seen you two before.”

Jake rolled his shoulders and straightened his tie. “We’re private investigators taking over the Archer Wolfe Agency.”

“Hogwash,” the boy spat. “You’re both kids like me. Maybe just a bit older.”

Jake and Hildy exchanged surprised looks. They leaned close and whispered.

“He knows we’re kids.”

“No one else does.”

“We’ve only come across adults.”

“We better not let him go in the inner office.”

“Yeah, but we should ask Archer about him.”

“After he leaves.”

“What’s going on?” the boy demanded.

Hildy reached for one of the newspapers. “I’ll take that.” The boy frowned suspiciously at both of them as he handed over the paper.

Jake tipped his hat back on his head. “Why are you delivering the newspaper? No one has been in this office for a long time.”

“I deliver the paper to other offices. Lately, I’ve noticed the door open so I delivered one here, too. Mr. Wolfe never stopped his subscription. Although, he used to leave me two bits, but I haven’t seen two bits on the desk lately.”

“Two bits?” Jake looked to Hildy for help, but she shrugged. He thought a moment. “Let me see if I have it in my desk in my office. Wait here.”

Reentering the inner office, Jake closed the door behind him. “There is a boy out there delivering your newspaper.”

“Smudge,” Archer nodded. “A bright kid. Can’t decide if he wants to be a newspaper reporter when he grows up or a private investigator. I told him he could be both. An investigative reporter. When I was around, he’d questioned me on my tactics. He’ll go places someday.”

Jake pointed to the outer room. “He says you usually give him two bits.

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