The Key in the Attic(42)
“I expect she’s very successful at what she does, as long as you measure success strictly as getting what you want no matter what.”
“Ah … well, speaking of getting what we want …”
She gave him a significant glance, and he laughed.
“Oh yeah. You didn’t come here just to witness my masterful way of dealing with difficult people, did you? I take it you want me to find out what you want to know about land- clearing plans in Virginia—right?”
“It would be very helpful of you. And maybe—being the important person you are—you could find out quicker than just little old ordinary me.”
“But that brings us back to the same question I asked before. How are you going to know which trees are the right ones or even that they’re clearing the property where these trees are located? I mean, that sounds like a long shot to me.”
Annie smiled at him. “You just find out what I need to know and leave the rest to me. I can’t promise you it will solve the Burly Boy problem, but just maybe it will get Mary Beth’s clock back for her.”
****
Very late that afternoon, Annie’s telephone rang. She stuck an envelope in the book she was reading, marking her page, and picked up the receiver.
“Hello?”
The voice on the other end of the line whispered something unintelligible. It was a man’s voice, low and gruff.
“Hello?” Annie forced her voice to be strong and steady. “Who is this?”
“Seven owls fly low at midnight,” he repeated a little louder.
“Ian! You scared me half to death. What in the world are you talking about?”
He laughed. “Didn’t mean to scare you. I just thought if I was going to pass on classified information, I’d better use a password.”
“Very funny. Next time, try not to sound like some anonymous weirdo. Now, tell me about this classified information. From Virginia?”
“Yep.”
“Hang on while I get a pencil and paper. I want to make sure I don’t forget anything.”
“I don’t know how this will help,” Ian said, “but here goes. There are actually three places being cleared starting this week. All of them within fifteen miles of the old Whyte home.” He gave her the specifics. “That last one is starting the day after tomorrow.”
“Oh perfect. I want to get this done quickly, before our Mr. Sanders has time to figure things out.”
“Umm …”
Annie waited, smiling a little at his sudden uncertainty. “Yes, Ian?”
“You feel like having dinner sometime?”
She managed not to giggle. “I usually do most evenings.”
“I mean with me.”
He was so cute.
“When did you have in mind?” she asked.
“Umm . . . Friday night?”
“I think I can just pencil you in, Mr. Mayor.”
“That would be great.” She could hear the smile in his voice. “Seven?”
“Perfect,” she agreed.
“And this stuff about the trees …”
“Yes?”
“I still don’t see how this is going to help anything, Annie. The information I got doesn’t really tell us anything about particular trees or what they might lead the way to.”
“Don’t you worry about that, Mr. Mayor. You just hold Burly Boy off for a little while longer, and let me get the rest of my plan set up. Thanks for your help.”
“No problem, Annie. You know I’m always glad to help. Let me know if there’s anything else I can do for you. Otherwise, I’ll see you when I pick you up at seven on Friday night.”
Ian hung up, and as soon as she heard the dial tone, Annie called Mary Beth.
“Hey there. It’s Annie. Didn’t you tell me Mandy Culbertson has been helping you out at the shop lately?”
“Oh yes. I told her she didn’t have to. I mean her parents’ insurance paid for everything. It was pretty upsetting at the time, but at this point everything is back to normal and no real harm done. But she’s insisted on doing more, and I have to admit she’s been nice to have around.”
“Still, it’s great to have Kate back at the shop too,” Annie admitted.
Mary Beth sighed happily. “It certainly is. Between her and Mandy, the shop has never been so clean and well organized.”
“Do you think Mandy might be willing to help get your clock back?”
Mary Beth didn’t say anything for a moment. “What did you have in mind? I mean, she’s just sixteen. I wouldn’t want to put her in the middle of any kind of trouble.”
“No, no, nothing like that. Just a little acting job. What do you think? Would she do it?”