Once a Thief

Seven

Where had the excitement gone? Blake walked into the theater and glanced around. His masterpiece had lost its glow. Was it the lead actress’s fault or was it the play itself? He wasn’t sure.

Bosley stood in the wings talking to someone. None of the cast was in sight.

Blake walked up the stage steps and stopped short at the sight of Rhonda Vale’s red face.

Bosley patted Miss Vale’s arm, while murmuring something in her ear. She nodded and walked away.

Blake frowned and approached the manager. “What’s she doing here? Not trying to get her part back, I hope.”

Bosley narrowed his eyes and stuck a cigar in his mouth. “No, she was asking for a part as an extra.”

He stared at Bosley. “What? With as much experience as she has?”

“That’s right.” Bosley struck a match and puffed on his cigar until it lit. “Most of the upcoming shows already have a full cast. And Rhonda can’t afford to wait. She takes care of her mother and kid sister.”

Blake’s stomach tightened. “I didn’t know. Do we have anything for her?”

“ ’Fraid not. All the parts are filled and everyone seems to be working out, except for Hannah.” He heaved a loud sigh. “She can’t seem to get Peg’s character right, either.”

“I know. Maybe she’ll do better today.”

“Maybe. I hope so. Mr. Vaughan says the prospective backer won’t be put off much longer. He wants to see the show soon. But if we can’t get Peg right, there’s no way he’ll invest a dime.”

Great. Vaughan was their main backer, but he’d made it clear if no one else came in to help he’d probably drop his support.

Blake sat and cringed throughout the practice. Whether Hannah knew she wasn’t playing the part the way Blake and Bosley wanted it or something else was bothering her, she stumbled over the simplest lines. Her frustration threw the whole cast off. But Blake felt so guilty about Rhonda Vale he couldn’t bring himself to ask Bosley to fire her.

He chewed on his bottom lip. Without the right actress, maybe he needed to let Peg in Dreamland go. But maybe. . . He snapped his fingers and left the theater, whistling Peg’s theme song.

❧

Danielle glanced around and darted behind the shed where she and Cobb had agreed to meet. Where was he?

A shadow loomed beside her and she started, clutching her stomach. A large dog trotted on past her with barely a glance.

Relieved, she pressed her hand against her heart and inhaled deeply, letting it out slowly. Peeking around the shed, she peered up toward the bridge, squinting in the early afternoon sun. All she needed was for Blake Nelson to show up. She’d never be able to convince him she was here by accident.

A shock of red hair and a burly set of shoulders sauntered toward her. Cobb. Finally.

She grabbed him by his shirtsleeve and pulled him behind the shed. “What took you so long?”

“Got held up, Danni. Don’t be so crabby. I’m only five minutes late.”

“Fifteen is more like it.” She took a deep breath. “What did Sutton say?”

Cobb grinned. “He said you better be tellin’ the truth or you and your brother might end up in the river.”

A vivid picture of Jimmy sinking in the filthy Chicago River popped into Danielle’s mind, and she shuddered. “You tell Sutton I’m not lying. I took a solid gold chain and locket.” There, that was true. He didn’t need to know she gave it back.

“So where is it?”

“Somewhere safe. I’m still waiting for an opportunity to get at the wall safe. As soon as I do, I’ll take what I can and get out of there.”

Cobb’s narrowed his eyes. “Don’t double-cross him, Danni. He wasn’t kidding about the river.”

“I know. How’s Jimmy? Did you give him my letter?”

“Yeah. He sent you this.” He pulled a scrap of paper from his coat pocket. Danielle reached for it and he jerked it back, laughing.

“Give it here, Cobb, or I’ll clobber you.” She doubled her fist and glared.

With his head thrown back, Cobb guffawed. “Like you could. But here you go. I was just teasing.”

She took the small scrap he offered her and clutched it tightly.

“Thank you, Cobb,” she whispered. She reached into her pocket and retrieved an envelope. “Here, will you take this one to him?”

Not for the first time, Danielle was thankful for the tutor Sutton had provided. Even if the man did show up drunk half the time, he was brilliant, a scholar. He not only taught them to read and write but also to speak correctly and to use social graces. Sutton had laughed and said their skills might be useful someday.

Cobb took the letter. “Sure, Danni. Be careful. I know you learned a lot in the practices, and you were good, but this is the real thing. If you get caught, you’ll land in prison, and there won’t be any blarnin’ your way out of it.”

Danielle fought the moisture burning the backs of her eyes. Cobb had been her friend ever since the day he’d rescued her and Jimmy. But could she really trust him? She took his hand. “I’ll be careful. I promise. And you’ll watch after Jimmy?”

“You know I will. Anyone tries anything with Jimbo, they answer to me.”

She took comfort in his words. No one would dare hurt Jimmy with Cobb around. That is, no one but Sutton, if he took the notion. Even Cobb was afraid of him.

On the walk to the El station, snow began to fall. She picked up her speed and breathed a sigh of relief when she stepped into the crowded car. A short ride brought her near the Kramers’ home.

A sharp wind slapped her face as she stepped onto the sidewalk. At least it had stopped snowing. A typical October teaser. She pulled her fur-trimmed hood up around her face and crammed gloved hands into the pockets of her warm coat, thankful for the gift from Mrs. Kramer. After a short walk, she burst through the door and headed for the kitchen. Warmth from the cookstove welcomed her.

“Well, look at those rosy cheeks, young lady. Get over here by the stove and thaw out.” Sally bustled over and took Danielle’s coat and hat.

“Thanks, Sally. It’s getting colder and the wind is really strong.” She walked across the linoleum-covered floor and rubbed her hands together to warm them. The wonderful aroma of stewing chicken rising from the big soup pot tickled her taste buds. She sighed.

If only Jimmy were here. If only they could both live in a big, safe, warm house like this forever.

❧

The roaring fire in the library drew Blake like a magnet. He hung his coat on the coat tree in the foyer and stepped through the heavy double doors. Finding the room empty, Blake warmed his hands briefly then went in search of his mother.

He found her in the front parlor in her little rocking chair near the corner fireplace, her knitting needles clicking as the dancing flames crackled and popped.

When he entered the room, she glanced up and smiled. “Blake, come by the fire and warm yourself. You look frozen.” She raised her cheek to his kiss and motioned to the wingback chair across from her.

“I believe I will, Mother.” He sat down and cleared his throat, wondering where to begin.

She gave him a glance and laid her knitting on the small round table beside her. “What’s wrong, son?”

“I’m not sure if anything is wrong, except perhaps with me. But I do need to talk to you, if you have the time.”

“I always have time for you. You know that.” She leaned forward and peered at him then rang the bell on the table.

He strummed his fingers on the arm of the chair and shifted. “Several things are on my mind. I thought perhaps you could help me get them straight.”

She nodded but didn’t offer any comment, so he continued. “Well, we’ve run into a problem with the leading lady. We can’t seem to find the right actress for the part of Peg.”

“You rang, ma’am?” June stood in the doorway.

“Yes, dear. Please bring a cup of strong coffee for my son and a cup of tea for me. Maybe some of those Russian tea cakes as well.” She smiled at the girl who curtsied and left the room.

Blake sighed and continued. “I was instrumental in getting the first actress who played the part fired.” He looked down at his shoes. “Today, I found out she is the sole support of her mother and a young sister.”

“Ah, I see.” She lifted her eyebrows. “So what are you going to do?”

Blake felt his lips turn up in a grin. She knew him so well. “What makes you think I’m going to do anything?”

The dimple beside her mouth dipped and seemed to wink at him. “I think I know my son pretty well by now. You have something in mind.”

“You’re right. I do. You see, she is really a fine actress. So is the actress who replaced her. But they simply aren’t right for the part.”

June entered with a tray and poured the hot drinks. “Will that be all?”

“Yes, thank you.” Blake smiled at the girl and she left the room, closing the door softly behind her. He stirred his coffee and took a sip of the hot liquid.

“So, I’m going to write a part in for them. Something big enough to make them happy but not so big that the backers will complain. Perhaps friends of Peg, or maybe one could be her older sister.”

“But that still leaves you without a leading lady.”

“Umm hmm.” Blake picked up his spoon and gave full attention to stirring his coffee again. But the action didn’t stop the vision of Danielle’s enormous eyes.

“Have you prayed about it?”

Guilt stabbed at him. When was the last time he’d prayed or even picked up his Bible?

“You haven’t been to church since Easter.”

Blake looked at her in surprise. “Has it really been that long?”

She nodded. “Yes, it really has.”

“I’ll go with you this Sunday. I promise.”

“I think I’m going to hold you to that.” She smiled. “But there’s more, isn’t there?”

Blake leaned back and gave a little laugh. “Yes, but it’s crazy.”

“Why don’t you tell me about it.”

“You’re not going to believe this, because I hardly believe it myself, but the one person who comes to mind when I think of Peg is Miss Gray.” There, he’d said it.

“Danielle?” She frowned and gave him a puzzled look. “Can she act? Or sing?”

Blake laughed. “Trust me, Mother. The girl can act quite well. And yes, I’ve heard her sing. She has a very good voice.”

She stared at him, then her eyes widened. She bit her lip and smiled.

“What?” Now what was she thinking?

“Oh, I was just thinking you should probably talk to Danielle. Find out if she’s even interested in acting. She might not be.”

Blake thought for a minute. Mother was right. But how could he find out if the girl had any interest in acting? He couldn’t just ask her outright, could he? And what would she think if he asked her to try out for the part? This was getting more and more complicated.

“Well, dear. I’m sure you’ll know what to do. Now, I’m going to lie down and rest for a while. But you will pray about this, won’t you?” She put her cup down and stood.

“Yes, I promise.”

He smiled as she leaned over and gave him a tender kiss on his forehead. She closed the door softly behind her.

Blake sat in the silence for a moment then closed his eyes. “Father, I’m sorry I’ve left You out of my life for so long. Please forgive me and show me what You want me to do. Remind me to keep You first, Father. Guide me in Your ways. Show me how to help Rhonda and Hannah. And let me know if You are the one putting the idea of Danielle in my mind or if it’s my own crazy idea. In the name of Jesus, amen.”