M. Forsythe - While Rome Was Sleeping

Leo intercepted Jake’s remark, “Yeah, Davey, we thought we’d hang around awhile and see what you do here. Do some of these guys ever leave their stuff here?” He gestured toward a few of the men in conversation at tables in the room.

“Sometimes,” Davey replied, “And then we take care of it for them until they pick it up when they’re ready to go back to their ship. You fellas’ want to help out like volunteers, huh?” Davey asked eagerly. He looked at them and smiled, “Father Ben needs more help here.”

“That’s right,” agreed Leo and Jake nodded ascent as they tagged along behind Davey to the supply room. “Is this where you would put their stuff?” Leo probed

“Uh huh,” Davey responded, “Sometimes.”

Overhearing the conversation, Sister Ruth left the office briefly; she wanted to monitor a little more closely the questioning going on between Davey and the two newcomers whom she didn’t trust. She watched as Davey led them into the supply room. Davey was pointing to two rows of shelves on opposite walls “This is where we keep the supplies for the Center,” he announced proudly. It wasn’t everyday that he was able to show new volunteers around.

Ruth started to speak to Byron regarding the two strangers with Davey, but was interrupted by Ben’s return and Andrew a few seconds behind him.

In the supply room Leo quickly surveyed the shelves. He had an idea. “This looks out of place to me,” he said pulling a carton from slightly above Davey’s head. “Maybe it should be over here, what do you think, Jake?” Leo was looking for any possible spot where something could be stashed.

Jake quickly took up the looking game. “Naw, try the other shelf.” He said as he perused the shelf behind Davey. “That stuff looks like it should be over here.”

Davey was becoming confused; he pushed back his dark curly hair and tried to smile. He stammered, “Gee fellas, thanks, I didn’t see all those things out of place.”

While Sister Ruth, Byron and Andrew were listening to Ben’s report on the budget meeting at the Diocese, Ruth fidgeted in her chair. She was extremely concerned about the Center’s funding for the next year; and still, there was this additional feeling of unrest. She knew Byron wanted to talk about the events of yesterday even though Ben now seemed to be avoiding the subject. Perhaps he was tired; there would be time tomorrow. Ben thanked them for understanding as they got up to leave.

Sister Ruth cleared her throat as if to say something, then shook her head, “It’s nothing,” she caught Andrew’s eye as she rolled her eyes and looked toward the supply room. Seeing Jake and Leo exiting the supply room with Davey set off an alarm.

He understood the look Sister Ruth had sent his way. He asked, “Ben, who are those two guys with Davey? They don’t look like the kind of people you usually have helping down here. I saw them when I was here earlier today.”

“No, Andrew, I have no new volunteers. I have been in and out so much that I haven’t really noticed; Sister Ruth did mention a couple of men that seemed odd to her.”

“What do you make of them, Ben? Could they have had something to do with what happened here last night?” Andrew questioned.

“As you know, Andrew, we didn’t get a good look at Mr. Kelshaw’s attackers, everything happened so fast and we needed to help him; I could see that he was badly hurt. After last night, I too, wonder about these newcomers, but would they be so bold as to come here in the daylight?”

“In answer to your question, I guess it would depend on what they were after and how bad they wanted it, and yes, you need to be suspicious.” Andrew stood up, “In fact I think you and I should have a word with those two now. I don’t like the idea of them hanging so close to Davey,”

“Agreed” said Ben. “Let us speak to them!”

Andrew and Ben confronted Leo and Jake coming back from the storage area with Davey. “Hold on there,” Andrew spoke authoritatively, “I saw you two in here earlier. What brings you to the Center anyway?”

“Nothin’ in particular,” Leo answered nervously. “We were just lookin’ for a place to go and found this place. We thought we might like to volunteer…”

“To do what?” Andrew cut him off sharply.

Ben intervened, “This is a place of hospitality for seamen coming off merchant ships. This is probably not what you are looking for. Perhaps it would be better for you to find another place to spend your time,” he said kindly.

“Absolutely,” insisted Andrew firmly. He was watching Jake from the corner of his eye. He could see the anger rising on Jake’s face, but continued, “You had better leave now and don’t come back here. You are not merchant seamen and you sure don’t look like volunteers to me. Besides you’ve been asking a lot of questions that have nothing to do with being volunteers.”

Jake hung back, glaring at Andrew with a dark, menacing countenance. Andrew turned toward him and pointedly said to Leo, “Take your friend here with you,” nodding toward Jake.

Andrew was thinking, “Okay buddy, you want to get tough, now is the time!”

Leo grabbed Jake’s arm in a casual manner and spoke carelessly, “C’mon Jake let’s get outta’ here. Who wants to volunteer here anyhow?”

Jake jerked away from Leo and moved toward the door, then stopped in front of Andrew glowering at him. Andrew stood his ground looking Jake squarely in the eyes. “You have a problem?” Andrew asked sternly.

“No!” Leo answered for Jake as he pushed him toward the door.

They were both angry. Outside Jake told Leo, “I think we oughta go back and take him out now!” referring to Andrew.

“All in good time, Jake; first we have to call our friend Detective Maxwell and give him the news that we know who the guy is that was at the hospital with the priest. I think that’s a pretty good day’s work.” Leo smiled, pleased with himself.

“We didn’t find Kelshaw’s stuff that he’s so hot about,” Jake put in.

“No big deal,” Leo replied. “We’ll get it.”

Jake was still steamed, but the thought of possibly getting some more of their money eased the tension.

Back inside the Center Davey was nervously talking to Andrew and Father Ben. “They asked all kinds of questions about you, Mr. Kincaid.”

“What did they ask, Davey?” Andrew was uneasy.

“What your name was and where you worked and even where you live… stuff like that,” Davey answered and added, “but I didn’t know where you live.”

“Did you answer the rest of their questions, Davey?” Father Ben asked him.

“Yes, I did. Did I do wrong, Father?” Davey sounded worried.

“No, No. It will be fine, Davey, but if they come back, get me, Sister Ruth or Byron. Now finish your work and then I’ll take you home.”

“I don’t like this,” Andrew remarked. “I’m concerned about your safety and the safety of everyone here at the Center. I’m sure it has crossed your mind that they could be the ones involved in Kelshaw’s murder.”

“Do you think they were in here looking for the packet?” Ben asked.

“If they are the ones who attacked Kelshaw, I think it is very likely,” Andrew replied.

“Then we must be on our guard at all times,” Ben responded. “I should let the others know to be alert also.”

“But make sure you don’t mention the packet to anyone. It might be a good idea to have two or more volunteers here at all times. Just be careful,” Andrew admonished.

“And you also, Andrew,” Ben went on, “You must be watchful also. They obviously know quite a bit about you, your name, where you work and so forth.”

“Well, Ben,” Andrew reassured, “anyone who picks up a Seattle Times can find that out. Don’t worry. I have to get to the studio now and then meet Mrs. Thayer. I’ll let you know how that goes. Oh, yes, Ben, it might be advisable to alert the cop that has this beat, as to what’s going on here. Have him keep a little closer watch on the Center.”