Part 30 (1/2)
After Mrs. Weems had finished with the phone he called the newspaper office only to be told that Jerry Livingston had not put in an appearance.
”At least he might have communicated with the office,” Mr. Parker said as he hung up the receiver.
He went back to lawn mowing but paused now and then to stare moodily toward the Kobalt river which wound through the valley far below the terrace. Penny finished drying the dishes and went outside to join him.
”You're worried about Jerry, aren't you?” she asked after a moment.
”Not exactly,” he replied. ”But he should have been back long ago.”
”He never would have stayed away without good reason. We both know Jerry isn't like that.”
”No, he's either run into a big story, or he's in trouble. When I sent him away this morning, I didn't look upon the a.s.signment as a particularly dangerous one.”
”And yet if he met those two seamen anything could have happened. They were tough customers, Dad.”
”I could notify the police if Jerry isn't back within an hour or two,”
Mr. Parker said slowly. ”Still, I hate to do it.”
”Where did Jerry rent his boat, Dad?”
”I told him to get one at Griffith's dock at twenty-third street.”
”Then why don't we go there?” suggested Penny. ”If he hasn't come in we might rent a boat of our own and start a search.”
Mr. Parker debated and then nodded. ”Bring a heavy coat,” he told her.
”It may be cold on the river.”
Penny ran into the house after the garments and also took a flashlight from her father's bureau drawer. When she hurried outdoors again her father had backed his own car from the garage and was waiting.
At the twenty-third street dock, Harry Griffith, owner of the boat house, answered their questions frankly. Yes, he told them, Jerry Livingston had rented a motor boat early that morning but had not returned it.
”I been worryin' about that young feller,” he admitted, and then with a quick change of tone: ”Say, you're not Mr. Parker, are you?”
”Yes, that's my name.”
”Then I got a letter here for you. I reckon maybe it explains what became of the young feller.”
The boatman took a greasy envelope from his trousers pocket and gave it to the editor.
”Where did you get this, Mr. Griffith?”
”A boy in a rowboat brought it up the river about two hours ago. He said the young feller gave him a dollar to deliver it to a Mr. Parker. But the kid was mixed up on the address, so I just held it here.”
”Dad, it must be from Jerry,” said Penny eagerly.
As her father opened the envelope, she held the flashlight close. In an almost illegible scrawl Jerry had written:
”Following up a hot tip. Think I've struck trail of key men. Taking off in boat. Expect to get back by nightfall unless Old Man Trouble catches up with me.”