The Silent Boy (Emma McPherson Book 1) by A.J. Flynn (early reader books .txt) 📗

able to study air conditioning while he’d done his time, and planning to have his own business where nobody could ask him any questions was the only thing that kept him sane. She had even carried on working, so he could get started, and then so he could have enough money to branch out into home appliances.

She had done all that for him without a hint of complaint, and so once she learned he had gone, it was sure to be hell for her. The last thing in the world he wanted to do was cause her pain, but he simply didn’t have the courage it took to stay.

Hayley got dressed with her normal speed and the final result was as attractive as ever. She had put on a high-necked brown dress with lots of light silver jewelry. Her short, dark hair clung to her finely shaped head in small satined ringlets. Harry studied his wife appreciatively, and tried his best not to linger on the fact that he might never see her again. He was willing to do anything for her, except face the possibility of re-imprisonment.

They chatted about the usual things as they drove downtown. What would be good for dinner, how was Ernest working out at the shop, and hope you have a good day.

He let her out at the corner of Palisade and Walnut and sat watching as she sashayed up the street with her graceful stride. Once she was out of sight, he swallowed hard, set the car in gear and accelerated towards the appliance store.

It was still early, so he could be in and out before the office girl and servicemen had even arrived. They didn’t bank their cash until the end of the week, so there would likely be a fair amount in the safe. He didn’t know for sure how much, but it should be enough to take him a long way.

He let himself in through the back and straight to the restroom where he changed out of his suit pants and shirt. He’d forgotten to bring a hanger, so he was forced to roll up his good clothes. They’d end up getting wrinkled, but it couldn’t be helped.

He stepped out into the store and peeked through the front window. Nobody was watching, so he hurried to the safe and opened it. There wasn’t enough time to count the money, but there was a good-sized roll and it was clustered in small denominations. That was good. He wouldn’t have any trouble exchanging it.

After shoving all he could into his wallet and cramming the rest of it in his various pockets, he made his way to the office girl’s desk.

It was prudent to leave a note. With a note to calm their fears, nobody would start looking for him until Hayley had sounded the alarm, and he was sure that once she knew he had left, she would give him a good start.

He tore a sheet out of a scratch-pad, picked out a pen and began to write. “Dear Kyle: Got a chance to bid on some damaged appliances, so I might not be in today. I took some money from the safe. Please ask Ernest to take as many calls as he can, and I’ll catch up with you tomorrow. HV”

Once the note was finished, he went to the back door, turned around and took one last long look at the refrigerators, washers and dryers and other electrical gadgets, then hurried out and locked the door behind him.

The whole way out of town, and even once he’d entered the highway, he drove with excessive care. The road was riddled with radars, and he wasn’t in a position to be stopped. Every sign and signal received his undivided attention, even though the urge to stomp on the gas was strong.

Finally, he came to the Sagan Pass turnoff. It was a far older and winding road than the one near the south of town, but this was the last place he had to stop. He had to get another car.

It was only about ten miles from the turnoff to James Marlboro’s garage, but the trip seemed like it might take forever.

The old man had  been one of Harry’s first customers when he’d first gone into business and they had remained friends ever since. He was an opinionated old man, but with proper handling, Harry thought he might be able to exchange cars with him. James was an expert mechanic, and all you usually had to do was mention that something was wrong and he was off to the races, wrench in hand.

Finally, Harry spotted the sign that read “Marlboro’s Service” and pulled up beside the neatly-shaped building. James had just finished unlocking the pumps when he pulled in.

“Hey there, old timer,” Harry called as he stepped out.

The older man glanced around for a moment, then smiled and began walking towards him, hand outstretched. “Harry! Good to see you. I didn’t recognize you at first, without those fancy clothes of yours.”

The old man was nearing sixty-five and his posture was beginning to stoop. His face was wrinkled, but incredibly flushed. The red came half from the dry mountain air and half from his previous night’s whiskey.

Harry forced a grin. “Yeah, well I’m a working man today. Ernest, my serviceman, is out sick, so I’ve got to make a call at the grocery down in Santana. Their freezer is on the brink and I’ve got to get down there and fix it before the food spoils.”

“Well,” James said soberly, “I’ve never heard of food not spoiling just so a man can stop and visit.”

Harry punched him lightly on the shoulder. “Don’t get too happy. I had a reason for stopping by. Something’s wrong with my car. Three times since I started up the pass the thing damn near quit on me. I’ll be driving along then all of a sudden, no matter how hard I push her, I can’t seem to get more than fifty miles