The Secret Pact by Mildred A. Wirt

Author:Mildred A. Wirt
Language: eng
Format: mobi, azw3, epub
Tags: sleuth, nancy drew. the three investigators, the hardy boys, girl detective
ISBN: 9781434430151
Publisher: Penny Parker Press
Published: 2011-01-05T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 14

AN EMPTY BEDROOM

Darkness was inking the sky as Penny drew up at the end of the road. Parking her car between scraggly box-elders, she walked swiftly along the river trail, soon approaching within view of the Parker cottage.

The fallen tree had been sawed into cord wood, the yard cleaned of sticks and debris, and only the damaged porch remained to remind one of the severe storm.

As Penny opened the screen door, Mrs. Weems came from the kitchen.

“Joe is asleep,” she warned in a whisper. “Perhaps we should talk outside.”

Penny nodded and followed the housekeeper to the porch swing.

“How is he doing?” she inquired.

“Oh, much better,” replied Mrs. Weems. “The doctor was here an hour ago. Joe is out of danger but must remain in bed for at least another day.”

“I was afraid when you telephoned that something had gone wrong here.”

“No,” confessed the housekeeper, “I was merely lonesome for news. Is everything going well at home?”

“Oh, yes, we’re getting along fine.”

“I hope you remembered to bring in the milk. And you didn’t neglect the dusting?”

Penny smiled ruefully.

“I might have known you would let everything go,” sighed Mrs. Weems. “No doubt it’s my duty to remain here, but I feel I should be at home.”

“Anchor Joe needs you, Mrs. Weems. Has he talked very much?”

“Not a great deal. He ate a hearty lunch and seems in no pain.”

“Did you see his back, Mrs. Weems?”

“Yes, the cut was an ugly one. The doctor changed the dressing while he was here.”

“I mean the tattoo,” said Penny impatiently. “Didn’t you notice it?”

“I saw that he had one, if that’s what you mean.”

“You didn’t question him about it?”

“Certainly not, Penny. Why should I?”

“Don’t you read the Weekly Times? Anchor Joe’s tattoo is a dead ringer for the one John Munn had on his back. Joe’s already admitted that he knows Munn. For all we know they may be bitter enemies. Perhaps it was Anchor Joe who pushed Munn off the bridge!”

“Penny, your ideas grow wilder each day,” protested Mrs. Weems. “I hope you don’t talk such nonsense to other people.”

“All the same, Anchor Joe bears someone a grudge,” insisted Penny. “He mentioned a person who had‘ratted.’ Didn’t you learn a single fact about him, Mrs. Weems?”

“His last name is Landa and he came to Riverview three weeks ago. He has no family.”

“I think I’ll question him myself when he awakens.”

“No, I can’t allow that,” said Mrs. Weems sternly. “The doctor would never approve.”

“I promise not to excite him.”

“The answer is no! Now I wish you would help me by bringing in the washing. I must start supper.”

Penny obediently took the basket and unpinned sheets and pillow cases from the line. She had just finished when she observed a tall, well-built young man with military stride, approaching through the trees. He tipped his hat politely.

“I beg your pardon,” he said, “I am trying to find the Parker cottage.”

“Your search is at an end,” answered Penny. “You’ve come to the right place.”

“Do you have a man working here named Joe Landa?”

“Why, yes, we have.

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