Now Playing: The Silent Child
Episode Four concluded with:
“It’s ‘Clarence and me’, Dehner instructed, then asked, “You mean you haven’t
been able to make your mortgage payments?”
Clarence shrugged his shoulders. “Right now
there are so many payments we are behind on, you can pretty much take your
pick. We got lots of payments, not many customers. Most folks prefer to shop at
Harper’s Mercantile. Can’t figure out why.”
Rupert held up an index finger, “Maybe it’s
cause the Harpers are more helpful, their store is cleaner and their prices
lower.”
Clarence nodded his head in a thoughtful manner,
“Guess that could have somethin’ to do with it.”
Episode Five
“Maybe
you can help us out, Rance.” Hope permeated Rupert’s voice. “We got anythin’
here you’d like to buy?”
“I’m hoping my little friend might
like some candy,” Dehner replied. “Do either one of you gentlemen recognize
her?”
Neither Bushrod brother had paid any attention
to Pixie when Dehner brought her into the store. Both men now gave the child a
cursory glance.
“She does look a mite familiar,”
Clarence offered.
“Do either one of you know her
name?”
Both men shook their heads, then
Rupert exclaimed, “Oh boy!”
“Do you remember her now?” Dehner
asked.
“Na, but I sure remember her mother.
Her name was Judy.”
“Oh
yes,” Clarence’s face brightened. “I remember Judy, too. A really beautiful
woman. She brought the kid here because they was sold out of candy across the
street.”
“We
never sell out of nothin’,” Rupert added.
Dehner
watched Pixie carefully. The little girl had no reaction to the mention of her
mother’s name.
“How
long did Judy stay in your store?” Dehner threw the question out to either
brother.
Rupert
caught it. “Not long enough. Did we mention that she was real good lookin’?”
“I
recall words to that effect,” the detective said.
Rupert continued: “After she bought the kid
some rock candy, she talked for a few minutes ‘bout the ranch she and her
husband were startin’. Gonna raise horses as I recall. Then she looked out the
door and saw the Harpers helpin’ her husband load up his buckboard. She took
the girl and went to help.”
“Is
that the last time you saw her?”
“
‘Fraid so,” Clarence ran a hand through his thinning hair. “Seems a shame, a beautiful
woman like that workin’out on a ranch when she could have a great job right
here in town as a saloon girl.”
“The
kid did come back for a moment,” Rupert added. “She brought a penny with her
and bought more candy.”
“It’s
getting’ to the point where we remember every sale we make with great
fondness,” Clarence declared.
“Thanks
for the information, gentlemen.” Dehner placed a couple of coins on the counter
and took several pieces of rock candy from a jar. He tried to hand one piece to
Pixie but she didn’t respond at all. Her hands remained at her side.
The
detective felt baffled. What had the little girl witnessed and why were there
people out to kill her?
Monday: Episode
Six of The Silent Child
