Once a Thief Page 8

  Sutton threw his head back and laughed. “Oh, I don’t think so, my dear.”

  “Why not? You don’t want me to stay?” Surprise cut through her. What was he up to?

  “Oh, I’d love for you to stay, dear girl. But not quite yet. First there is a little matter of a safe that needs to be unburdened of its contents.” He scrutinized her face. “And I’m very much interested in hearing more about this job you’ve acquired.”

  Her heart thumped wildly. What could she tell him? Maybe a short version of the truth would be best.

  She put on a bright smile. “You aren’t going to believe this, because I hardly believe it myself, but I’ve acquired a small part in a musical. You know I’ve always liked to sing.”

  Amusement crossed his face. “Well, you surprise me. I never thought you’d lower your sweet self to being a chorus girl. And you won’t earn much money that way. That is, unless you catch the eye of some rich wolf on the prowl.”

  Mortified, she felt her face burn, but she breathed an inward sigh of relief. Let him think she was a chorus girl somewhere.

  “And now let’s talk about the family you’re living with and the elusive safe.”

  “Wh–what do you want to know?”

  “Who they are, where they live, and the contents of the safe.” The words shot from his lips like bullets.

  Danielle swallowed hard. Please, God. Breathing deeply, she fired back, “I’m not telling you who or where, but I will tell you about the safe. If that’s not enough, then you can tie me up and beat the life out of me. But I still won’t tell where I’m living or with whom.”

  Sutton’s eyes blazed with anger for a moment, then he laughed shortly. “Well, still spunky, I see. Very well, then, tell me about the safe and why you haven’t done the job yet.”

  Relaxing a little, Danielle searched her mind for words that would satisfy the man without forcing her to lie.

  “I don’t know everything that’s in there, but I do know there are diamonds and cash.” There, that much was true. She’d heard Mr. Kramer ask his wife one day to wait in the carriage while he got some cash from the safe. Another time, Mrs. Kramer had handed a diamond necklace to her husband and asked him to put it back in the safe for her. “I’m trying to discover the numbers for the padlock. Then I’ll have to wait until I’m alone in the house.”

  A greedy look crossed Sutton’s face followed almost instantly by suspicion. “You’d better not be lying to me, girl.”

  ❧

  “I told you she’d be good, didn’t I?” Blake grinned at Bosley, who slowly took the band off his cigar.

  “Yeah. You did. And you were right.”

  “So you really like her? She’s perfect for the part, isn’t she?”

  “Calm down, Blake. You’re acting like a schoolboy with a crush.” Bosley cast a half smile at him.

  Blake felt his face flame. “That’s ridiculous. I’m simply happy to finally have my Peg.”

  “Well, she really is good at the part. You had that right. Not that she’s perfect. She needs to work on her lines. Tell her not to overdramatize every sentence.”

  “I know, I know. She overdoes the lines a little, but we’re working on it. She’ll be fine before opening night.”

  “Well, you seem confident, so I’ll take your word on it. Remember, we open two weeks before Christmas.” He waved and headed backstage.

  Blake walked to the lobby and waited for Danielle. His mother had suggested they come to lunch and do their rehearsing in the library. He suspected she planned to be there.

  Grinning, he thought about Pop’s revelation. Blake hadn’t yet found the opportune moment to ask Mother about her short stint in show business, but he had every intention of doing just that when the right time arose.

  Danielle walked into the lobby. One long curl had escaped from the wide sweeping hat she wore, and she lifted a small hand to tuck it back. She glanced around, and when she saw him waiting, her face lit up. Quickly she composed her expression and walked over. She laid one hand on his proffered arm and they stepped out onto the broad sidewalk.

  Blake resisted the urge to cover her small hand with his. A sudden need to protect her rose in his chest. Surprised at his own feelings, he laughed inwardly. Like she needed protecting.

  As the buggy rolled down the streets toward home, he shoved the feeling aside and turned to her. “Don’t be surprised if Mother watches us rehearse. She’s very curious about how you’re doing.”

  “Really? Oh, I hope I don’t make a lot of mistakes, then.”

  “If she makes you nervous, I can try to make an excuse to banish her from the room.” He laughed and waved his arm dramatically.

  “No, I don’t think it will bother me to have your mother there. I like her.”

  Warmth filled Blake’s heart, and he smiled. “I’m glad. She likes you, too, you know.”

  “Does she really? I’m so glad.”

  They pulled up in front of the wide steps, and a stable boy appeared to take the reins.

  ❧

  “My dear, that was wonderful.” Mrs. Nelson stood and clapped her dainty hands. “You are just about perfect.”

  Danielle blushed. “Thank you for your kind words. I know I’m still a long way from perfect.”

  “Well, you are just as good or better than most of the girls we see on the stage today.” She gave an emphatic nod and turned to Blake. “Don’t you agree?”

  Blake grinned. Here was his opportunity. “Absolutely, Mother. And you should know. After all, you were in the business yourself once, weren’t you?”

  Danielle cast a surprised glance at Mrs. Nelson, who gasped and blushed. “Well, I. . .that is. . .” She took a deep breath. “Yes, as a matter of fact I was on the stage for a while. That father of mine. He told you, didn’t he?”

  “I don’t think he meant to, Mother. But why be so secretive about it?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. I was afraid it would hurt your father’s career, I guess, or at least his social position.” She looked at Blake sternly. “But never for an instant should you think your father felt that way. He didn’t care who knew.”

  “Then why is he so against my show?”

  “I think he feels it’s different for a man. The law firm will be yours someday. He knew I’d give up the theater in a minute for him. I did, too. But the man is the breadwinner. He wants to make sure you have a reliable means of supporting yourself and the family you will undoubtedly have someday.” She cut a glance at Danielle and gave her a smile.

  Warmth rushed to Danielle’s face, and she stared at Blake’s mother. Surely she didn’t think. . . Oh no. Danielle cast a glance at Blake, who seemed oblivious to his mother’s misunderstanding of their relationship.

  “So, Mother, tell us a little about it. What did you do in show business? And how did you get started?”

  Mrs. Nelson sat back down on the settee and stared across the room with a faraway look in her eyes. “I was so young. I’d just turned eighteen. I remember arriving in Chicago that day. That’s where I saw your father for the first time, Blake dear. I ran right into him. But it was just for an instant. Then he was gone and my father was there holding me close.

  “The smell of smoke hung heavily on the air. It was the summer before the Great Fire and already the horrible drought was causing an outbreak of fires throughout the city. But I was so excited to be riding down the street with Pop toward the theater, I hardly noticed.

  “Then we drew up in front of a large, colorful building. There was a big sign across the top. HARRIGAN’S MUSIC HALL AND THEATER. I loved it from the moment I stepped inside. At first Pop wouldn’t hear of my performing. But then, Mr. Harrigan talked him into allowing me to sing before the opening each day and night. I felt like I was in heaven. Later, one of the actresses was injured, and Pop allowed me to step into the small part of the girl who took her place.”

  A smile tilted her lips. “Your father reserved the same seat every night. First row, middle seat. Then the
fire came. They eventually rebuilt the theater, but by then I was engaged to be married to your father. He would have let me go back. But I no longer had much excitement for the stage. I had only one love. Sam Nelson. And I’ve never regretted devoting myself to him.” She gave Danielle an intent look and smiled.

  Oh dear. Danielle bit her lip. She must let Mrs. Nelson know there was nothing between her and Blake.

  Eleven

  Danielle shivered as she waited for Cobb behind the shed, which provided no barrier to the cold wind. Ordinarily on a day like this she would have stayed home from their weekly meeting, but she had to find out why Jimmy had looked frightened when Sutton came into the room. Besides, she hoped the money she’d brought for Sutton would satisfy him for a while.

  Cobb came around the corner, his body hunkered against the wind. “It’s freezing out here,” he scowled. “We need to find another place to meet.”

  “Well, see if you can think of some place where everyone’s nose wouldn’t be stuck in our business.”

  He grunted and gave a brief nod, obviously not in the best of moods today.

  She opened her purse and drew out a wad of bills. “Here. Will you give this to Sutton? Tell him it’s most of my first paycheck.”

  “Sure.” He stuffed the bills into his pocket. “He wanted me to tail you, but I won’t.”

  “What?” She shouldn’t have been surprised. Could she trust Cobb to go against Sutton?

  “He really wants to know where you live. But he won’t find out from me. He’ll beat the tar out of me if he finds out, but I won’t betray you, Danni.” He tightened his lips and a grunt of anger emitted from his throat. “But he’s almost sure to find out where you’re working.”

  “How?”

  “Well now, how many musicals are running at one time? All he has to do is visit one theater every night until he finds you. You shouldn’t have told him.”

  Danielle picked nervously at a tiny loose thread on her sleeve. Cobb was right. Why hadn’t she thought of that when she’d bragged about singing in a musical? She would have to keep close watch to make sure she didn’t lead Sutton to the Kramers.

  Two ragged boys ran down the street, flying toy airplanes. Their laughter fell like screams on Danielle’s ears and she started, angry at herself for being so jumpy. Nodding to Cobb, she said, “I guess I’ll just have to be careful.”

  “I dunno, Danni. When Sutton wants something, he usually gets it.”

  “I don’t want to talk about that now. Tell me about Jimmy. Why did he look so frightened when Sutton came in? Is he being hurt in any way?”

  “Naw. He ain’t been hit or anything. But Sutton has been saying things about you just to rile him up.”

  “What kind of things?”

  “Oh, how if you didn’t come through with the goods soon he’d drag you back here by the hair of your head and how he’s going to have you someday, one way or another.”

  Nausea washed over her. “He said that to Jimmy?”

  “Yeah, and other stuff, too. Jimmy got really upset. I thought he was going to tear into Sutton a couple of times.”

  “Oh, Cobb,” she whispered. “I have to get him out of there.”

  “Don’t try it, Danni. I don’t know what Sutton would do. But you couldn’t pull it off, that’s for sure.”

  “I have to think of something. I can’t leave him there much longer, and if Sutton meant what he said, I can’t go back. I’d die first.”

  “Don’t talk like that, Danni.” Cobb peered at her with something that looked like genuine concern.

  Impulsively, she reached over and gave him a hug. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t be much help to Jimmy dead, would I?”

  ❧

  Pain and anger battled within Blake’s heart as he watched Danielle’s arms go around the big, hulking redhead. When he’d asked to take her to lunch after morning rehearsal, she’d made an excuse of having errands to run. But something evasive in her eyes had made him suspicious, and he’d followed her. Now, he almost wished he hadn’t. But if she was interested in someone else, he needed to know.

  Only, why had she given the man money? Was he some sort of scoundrel who lived off women? Or did he, perhaps, have a bigger claim on her? For all Blake knew she could be secretly married. . .or worse. A chill washed over him at the last thought. Then he shook it off. He wouldn’t believe such a thing of Danielle. She was too pure for that. He was sure of it.

  He started to leave before she came back across the bridge but then stopped himself. He might as well find out the truth now.

  He waited at the end of the bridge and watched her walk across, her eyes down as if she were deep in thought. She lifted them just before she reached Blake. A spark of anger appeared in her eyes. “Following me again, Blake? I won’t believe it’s just a coincidence.”

  “Yes. I saw the look in your eyes when you said you had errands, so I followed you to see what you were up to.”

  “Oh.” She shot a searing glance at him and walked past.

  Stunned, he hurried to catch up with her. “Is that all you have to say? Who was that fellow you were so chummy with?”

  He almost ran into her when she stopped in her tracks. Spinning around, she glared at him. “Who I speak to is hardly any of your business, Blake. And what makes you think I have to explain my every move? Just because you got me the part in your show? Because if I’d realized that gave you ownership of me, I’d have refused.” She whirled back around and sped toward the theater.

  Blake hurried after her, taking her arm. “Wait a minute. It’s not like that.”

  She stopped and looked at him. “Then what is it?”

  He sighed. Yes, what was it? “You intrigue me, Danielle. And I’ll admit you frustrate me as well. I no longer believe you’re a robber, but I also don’t believe you knew nothing about it. And I’m almost positive most of the story you told us was concocted on the spur of the moment.” There, he’d finally come up with what he really thought about the day they’d run each other down. He wasn’t sure until this moment he’d ever figured it out himself.

  Surprise and horror stabbed at him as Danielle’s eyes filled with tears. “Well, you are correct, Blake. On all points. I’m not a robber. And I do know more than I told about the pickpockets.”

  “Then why didn’t you say so? If you were innocent, you had nothing to fear.” He handed her a handkerchief.

  She sighed and dabbed at her eyes. “Please, Blake, don’t ask me to tell you anything right now. I would if I could, but it’s not possible. But soon, I promise.”

  He took the handkerchief and dabbed at the moisture on one cheek she’d missed. “What would you do if I wasn’t around with my handy handkerchiefs when you needed them?”

  She laughed. “I don’t know. I never used to cry at all.”

  “All right, Danielle. I believe you and I trust you. I hope that someday soon you’ll trust me enough to tell me what’s going on. Because something is wrong, and I only want to help you.”

  “I do trust you. But there are too many things at stake here.” She bit her lip. “This much I will tell you. The man I’ve been meeting is a friend. Nothing more. I’ve known him since I was a little girl. I’m sorry. That’s all I can say for now.”

  “Then that will have to do. But if, at any time, you wish to confide in me, I’m here for you.” He smiled. “And now, I’m starved. We still have time for lunch if we hurry.”

  The tantalizing aroma of hot dogs drew them to a little stand on the corner. They ate the mustard-and-onion-topped frankfurters on the way to the theater, arriving just as rehearsal was starting.

  While Danielle hurried onto the stage, Blake took a seat in the middle of the front row so he wouldn’t miss anything. Suddenly he remembered his mother’s story about his father buying tickets for front row, center seat, and he grinned. Well, that story had a happy ending, so maybe this wasn’t coincidence. One thing he knew. He was in love with Danielle. But under the circumstances, he had no ide
a what to do about it.

  He looked up as Pop scurried down the front aisle and sat in the seat next to him.

  “Hi, Pop.”

  “Hello yourself. How did it go this morning?”

  “The whole cast did great. There wasn’t a single hitch. And Danielle played Peg to perfection.”

  “Well, she’s a bonny lass and a smart one, too. You could go a long way and not find one like her.”

  Blake darted a glance at his grandfather. Was he talking about her acting ability or something else?

  Pop stared straight ahead and whistled a bar of Peg’s theme, then he turned and winked at Blake.

  Blake grinned. The old fox. He’d been onto him from the beginning. He thought about the day he’d first found out Danielle was staying with the Kramers. Even before Blake himself realized his feelings for the girl, Pop had picked up on it.

  He turned as Danielle stepped out on stage and instantly became Peg. Peg in Dreamland.

  Am I in some sort of dreamland, as well? Am I fooling myself that Danielle might care for me and trust me enough to reveal her secrets?

  ❧

  Danielle’s eyes found Blake. How she longed to bare her soul to him. To lay her head against his chest and feel comforting arms around her and gentle words telling her everything would be all right.

  But what if he didn’t respond that way? What if he thought it was his duty to report Sutton and the gang to the authorities? She didn’t really think he would turn her in. But Jimmy was at Sutton’s. What would happen to him? No. She couldn’t risk it. She’d have to wait. God would show her how and when. She had to believe that.

  Blake’s grandfather, seated beside him, gave her a wink and she shook herself from her thoughts and smiled at the kindly white-haired man.

  She dove into the part she was playing, and in spite of her troubles, playing the part of Peg gave her a reprieve from her anxiety.

  Afterward, Blake drove her home. She was glad Mr. O’Shannon was with them. Blake wouldn’t try to question her with his grandfather right there. They pulled up in front of the Kramers’, and he hopped down then helped her out on the driver’s side. “I’ll walk you to the door.”