The Forgotten Door by Alexander Key

Author:Alexander Key
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media

He Is Accused

IT WAS NEARLY DARK when they reached the house. Little Jon glimpsed Brooks and Sally running from the barn to meet them, and he could hear Rascal whining impatiently in the enclosure, eager to see him and yet reproachful at being left alone all day. He wished suddenly that he had managed to take Rascal with them. The big dog would have loved it. Maybe, tomorrow …

“Remember,” Thomas was saying, as he set the brakes and turned off the motor, “if Bush insists on asking you questions, let me think the answers before you tell him anything. He can’t make us answer— only a court can do that. But I don’t want him dragging us into court.”

“Hi, Dad!” Brooks called. “School’s out today! Yow-ee!”

“Mommy said you’d gone rock-hunting,” Sally said eagerly, running ahead of Brooks. “Did you find any pretty stones?”

“A few. Where’s your mother?”

“Here, Thomas,” said Mary Bean, appearing from around the side of the house. “What kept you so late?”

“Trouble,” Thomas said hastily. “We ran into Gilby and that deputy on the way back, and Gilby recognized Jon. Bush is on his way over to ask more questions. Keep Sally and Brooks in the kitchen. Jon, you might stay out of sight in the living room — but close enough to hear. I’ll talk to Bush on the porch. Hurry — here he comes.”

It was a warm evening, and the windows had been opened. Little Jon, huddled in a chair in the darkened room, heard the deputy’s feet on the porch, and Thomas Bean’s polite voice offering him a seat.

“Would you care for some coffee, sir?” Thomas asked. “I think Mrs. Bean has a fresh pot ready.”

“No thanks,” came the deputy’s grating reply. “I just want to talk to that boy. Will you get him out here, please?”

“I don’t see any real reason to, Mr. Bush. I’ll answer your questions.”

“Mr. Bean, by your own admission, you didn’t see that boy until Saturday evening. How can you tell me what the boy was doing the rest of the day?”

“I know where he was,” Thomas said. “I know he’s no thief, and I don’t care to have him questioned about a matter that doesn’t concern him.”

“You told me his parents are dead, Mr. Bean. Are you his legal guardian?”

“I have charge of him for the time being.”

“Then I gather you’re not his legal guardian. Will you kindly tell me who is?”

Thomas stood up, and Little Jon could feel the rising anger in him.

“Mr. Bush, the only thing that concerns you is to clear up that theft. You’re not going to clear it up by wasting your time here. There are other boys in this area you should be investigating.”

“Mr. Bean,” said Anderson Bush, in his deadly patient voice, “you’re being very evasive. When people are afraid to answer questions, that means they have something to hide. What are you trying to hide, Mr. Bean?”

“I’m trying to protect an innocent boy who’s had a very bad experience.”

Little Jon could almost see Anderson Bush shaking his head.

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