The Case Of The Good-For-Nothing Girlfriend

CHAPTER 6

A Chance Encounter

“What’s the news?” Midge asked in a sincere tone as she slid into the seat facing Cherry. Cherry blushed when she looked up and saw the great big grin pasted on Midge’s face.

“Mel said the car can’t possibly be ready until morning, but she has her assistant working on it right now while she drives to the next town to pick up a much-needed part. We can have it back first thing tomorrow,” Cherry reported. Cherry was frankly relieved that Nancy had not yet returned to the booth. How was she going to break the bad news?

“Is that all she said?” Midge wanted to know.

Cherry turned bright red. “Something big is broken,” was all she could remember of the detailed discussion she had had with Mel about the state of their automobile. Cherry had tried hard to concentrate but had suddenly become all light-headed when the handsome, husky girl with short gray hair, large expressive blue eyes, and a ready grin had slid into the booth next to her. Although potatoes were one of Cherry’s favorite foods—after all, they were loaded with essential vitamins and minerals—she had suddenly lost her appetite! Not only that, she had noticed the most unusual feeling in the pit of her stomach. She had hoped the potatoes weren’t spoilt.

While Cherry had tried to pay attention as the girl drew diagram after diagram of the underbelly of their car, she had found herself staring instead at Mel’s large, strong hands, so deftly sketching complicated mechanical parts Cherry couldn’t possibly understand. “She has the strong, yet dexterous, hands of a surgeon,” Cherry had thought, noting with her keen nurse’s eye that Mel had taken extra care to scrub her short-clipped nails especially clean that evening.

“I think it’s going to be very expensive, Midge,” Cherry gulped, quickly adding, “But Mel said if we didn’t have the money, I could leave my address and she would bill me.”

“That’s very generous of her,” Midge grinned as she lit a cigarette.

“People in Idaho are famous for their desire to help others, Midge. Why, did you know that there are more nurses here per capita than anywhere else in the United States?”

Midge looked impressed.

“She even worried whether we had sleeping arrangements for the evening,” Cherry continued.

“Did she?” Midge raised one eyebrow. “How very kind of her. What did you tell her?”

Velma suddenly appeared at Midge’s side. “Her time in the ladies’ lounge certainly wasn’t wasted,” Cherry thought, noting Velma had changed into casual Capri slacks topped with a snug peach sweater. “She looks like a movie star.”

“I always get dressed up on Friday nights,” Velma explained her festive outfit. Cherry admired her sophisticated French twist hairdo, exotic green eye shadow, and bright peach lipstick. Her bangle bracelets made a cheerful clatter as she playfully punched Midge on the shoulder. “Move over,” she said in a bossy tone. Midge moved.

“Cherry was just telling me that nice mechanic offered her a bed for the night,” Midge filled her in.

“She did no such thing,” Cherry shrieked. Cherry could never tell when Midge was pulling her leg, and more than once in the eight days since she had first become acquainted with the handsome blonde, she had found herself dizzy with confusion. For good-natured Midge had a gentle teasing manner that made Cherry forget her sworn duty to stay calm at all times. “When I reminded her that there were five of us, she helpfully directed me to a nearby inexpensive yet clean motel,” Cherry whispered urgently, her face all aflame.

“Ignore her, Cherry,” Velma said in a soft tone. She turned to Midge. “You’re such a tease,” Velma lightly admonished her girlfriend, giving her a little pinch on the thigh.

Midge flushed with pleasure. “I’m a tease?” she murmured, putting an arm around Velma and pulling her close. “That sweater should be against the law,” she sighed, as she nuzzled Velma’s neck.

Cherry hurriedly pretended to be engrossed in the menu. She hadn’t fully recovered from her embarrassment earlier that evening, when she had opened the car door to discover …

“Let’s get dessert, shall we?” she cried. “I see the special tonight is sweet-potato pie. It looks good, doesn’t it? Why don’t I go get Lauren and we’ll all have pie?” she babbled nervously. In her confusion, she grabbed Nancy’s summer straw bag instead of her own patent-leather purse, and fled. But before she could get out the door, she slipped on a wet spot on the linoleum floor and fell smack into a man and a woman waiting to be seated.

“Watch it, girlie,” the man growled as Cherry bumped into him and sent his straw hat and dark glasses flying. She flailed about, trying to stop herself from failing, and finally gave up, plunging face first into the bosom of a middle-aged woman outfitted in a shockingly casual shorts ensemble and silly Roman sandals. Nancy’s summer straw bag flew open, and her white leather jewelry case slid under a nearby booth.

“Mother says a real lady would never wear shorts in public,” was all Cherry could think as she went down.

CHAPTER 7

Mysterious Strangers

Cherry’s cheeks were as red as a summer tomato. “I’m so sorry!” she exclaimed as she took her hands off the strange blond-haired woman.

“Well!” was all the woman had to say as she glared at the flustered nurse.

“Next time be more careful,” the man barked. “You could have hurt my wife!”

“I’m so sorry, ma’am” Cherry stammered. “I’m a nurse. Perhaps I should give you an exam to make sure I haven’t hurt you.” She looked closely at the woman, giving her a quick visual check for bumps and bruises. Her eyes grew wide when she realized that the woman she had almost knocked to the ground was the very same passenger of the brown Impala that had passed them on the road earlier that evening.

“It’s you!” she cried.

The woman’s eyes grew big in alarm. “I don’t believe we’re acquainted,” she said icily. She hastily donned a pair of cheap white plastic sunglasses.

“No, it’s you. Now I’m sure of it,” Cherry insisted. “A man in dark glasses and a straw hat, and a woman with blond hair, a red scarf, and glasses just like yours passed us on the road outside town,” she explained excitedly. “You were in a dusty brown Impala.”

“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the woman glared at Cherry. “You must have us mixed up with some other people. Now, please stop before you further embarrass me.”

“Can’t you see my wife is very sensitive?” the man hissed. “Why don’t you leave her alone!”

Cherry felt dizzy with confusion. What a horrible mistake she had made! “I’m sorry,” she blurted out. “If there’s anything I can do—”

She was just about to offer the woman a fresh handkerchief when the husband waved Cherry away and snapped in an angry tone, “I think you’ve done quite enough already.” He hastily retrieved his hat and glasses and donned both, pulling the hat low over his face. “Now, just leave us alone before you really do some damage.”

Cherry was stung by the man’s harsh words. Tears filled her eyes. She who had given so selflessly to others now stood accused of deliberately harming another human being! She tried to explain that she had slipped accidentally, but the indignant couple would hear none of it. They turned their backs on Cherry. “Miss, we’re in a big hurry. Could we please be seated?” the man snapped at a passing waitress carrying a plentiful platter of potato pancakes.

“Please,” Cherry tapped the woman on her shoulder. “At least take an adhesive bandage with you. You might find a scratch later, and it’s best to keep germs and dirt out of an open wound.” She fished in the purse under her arm and realized with a start that she had left her handbag at the table and had taken Nancy’s summer straw bag by mistake.

“If this is Nancy’s purse, then where is Nancy’s jewelry box?” she exclaimed after a quick but thorough check of the bag’s contents. Now she really felt like crying! The jewelry box was gone!

In a flash, the strange couple was back at her side. “Did you say you’ve lost a jewelry box?” the woman asked in a helpful tone. She put a hand on Cherry’s arm. Her angry demeanor had vanished. In its place was a friendly face full of concern.

“Yes, it’s my friend’s, and it’s chock full of expensive things, like sapphires and diamonds, not to mention family heirlooms,” Cherry explained. “It was in this purse a minute ago. It must have flown out when I bumped into you.”

“You mean, when I bumped into you,” the woman insisted. “Really, it was all my fault. I can be so clumsy at times! I was just telling Harold—he’s my husband—well, I was just telling him that you seem like the nicest young girl, and so helpful, too! Isn’t it funny how you confused us with another couple? They say everyone’s got a twin somewhere.”

“That’s true,” Cherry blurted out, relieved to find a reasonable explanation for her mix-up. “As a matter of fact, I recently met a girl who looks a lot like me and—” But before she could tell the fascinating story of her recent adventure, the woman patted Cherry on the arm and said, “Let’s all look for your jewelry box, shall we?”

“We’re sure to find it,” her husband Harold said heartily. “Miss, you go look behind the counter while the wife and I search under the tables. I think I saw something fly from your handbag and land back there. Now isn’t that the darndest thing?”

Cherry slipped behind the counter and searched with all her might, but could find nothing more than a handful of pennies and some after-dinner mints covered in dust.

“Did you lose something?” a nice waitress bent over the counter and asked her.

“Yes, a small, white leather case, with a little brass latch and the initials N C stamped in gold on top!” Cherry cried.

“Does it look like the one that man has in his hand?” the waitress wanted to know.

Cherry looked at Harold. He was standing there with a big smile on his face. And in his hand was Nancy’s jewelry box!

“Oh, thank you!” Cherry exclaimed as she raced over to him. “I don’t know how to repay you,” she bubbled. “My friend has tons of nice jewelry at home, but still!” She breathed a sigh of relief. “If we hadn’t already eaten, I’d ask you to join us. The Potatoes Au Gratin here are simply delicious. We’re in a bit of a hurry ourselves,” she confided. “We’ve got to get to … well never mind. We’re just in a hurry. But our car’s been damaged, and a nice mechanic recommended this restaurant, and a motor court for the night, too. The Pocatello Komfort Kourt. Mel said it’s inexpensive but clean. Oh, I can’t even begin to thank you!”

“I should be thanking you!” Harold enthused.

Cherry looked puzzled.

“I mean, for your perfectly charming company,” the man added hastily. He handed Cherry the jewelry box with a flourish.

“Perhaps we’ll meet again!” Cherry cried to the nice couple. She waved good-bye and headed back for her booth, clutching the precious case in both hands.

“I imagine we will,” the man murmured softly. His companion raised one over-plucked eyebrow.

“I imagine we will,” she echoed with a sly smile.

CHAPTER 8

An Important Assignment

“Guess what silly thing I almost did?” Cherry cried the minute she got back to the booth. But she forgot all about her adventure with the nice couple when she spied Nancy’s tear-streaked face. “What’s happened?” Cherry cried, as she slipped into the seat next to Nancy and threw her arms around her chum.

“The police are after me!” Nancy choked out.

“What?” Cherry shrieked in surprise. “How did they find out you killed your father?” she cried.

The noisy restaurant, packed with the supper trade, suddenly grew very quiet. Cherry cringed when she realized everyone had heard her. The family behind them was peeking over the top of the booth and staring at the girls in alarm.

“We’re rehearsing a play,” Midge said in a loud, calm tone. “Hamlet.” That seemed to do the trick. People went back to their many delicious potato dishes and left the girls alone.

Nancy quickly filled her chums in on the terrible news. She took care to keep her voice down. “When I couldn’t get in touch with either Bess or George, I decided to call the prison and try to speak to Hannah directly, to let her know I’m on my way. I pretended to be Hannah’s sister and took care to disguise my voice. The head matron said Hannah couldn’t be summoned to the telephone because two members of the River Depths Ladies’ Club had come to call and were giving her a permanent wave so she’ll be ready for her trial Monday morning.”

“That’s not so bad,” Cherry blurted out. “At least Hannah will look her best. Sometimes a new hairdo is the perfect medicine when you’re blue.”

Nancy shook her head. “There’s more,” she whispered dramatically. “There’s an All Points Bulletin out on my car!”

The girls gasped in horror.

“I don’t want to be picked up on the way,” Nancy whispered fearfully. “What if we’re spotted and have to tangle with some local police who don’t know me the way the Chief does?” she shivered. “Without my evidence, I couldn’t possibly tell my story to anyone. And Chief Chumley is the only one who can help me!” Tears trickled down her cheeks.

“I’ll just disguise your license plate; that’s easy,” Midge said in a calm, commanding tone that let them know she wasn’t at all shaken by the news that state police would be looking for the snappy convertible. Midge’s time behind bars hadn’t been all for naught, for she had learned many useful things. “And then we’ll—” But she clammed up quickly when Lauren reappeared holding a big red rock.

“What’s the matter with you guys?” Lauren asked. “Did someone die?”

Midge shot her a dirty look. “Lauren, be quiet,” she ordered.

“How come no one’s saying anything?” Lauren insisted. She stared at Nancy’s tear-streaked face. “Is she blubbering again?”

“Lauren, go play with your rock,” Midge said gruffly. But Lauren just stood there.

“Lauren, why don’t you go to the candy shop across the street and get some sweets?” Cherry suggested.

But Lauren didn’t budge. “What’s going on?” she demanded to know.

“I sure could go for some bon-bons,” Velma purred. She reached into Midge’s shirt pocket and took out a dollar. “Lauren, would you be a dear and get me some chocolates?” she smiled prettily.

Lauren beamed from ear to ear. “Sure!” she said, snatching the dollar from Velma’s hand. “Coconut cremes or fruit centers?” she wondered excitedly.

“I’m sure whatever you choose will be just right,” Velma murmured.

Lauren flushed with pleasure. “Watch my rock,” she called over her shoulder as she raced out the door.

“Smart-aleck kid,” Midge muttered under her breath as she watched Lauren eagerly do Velma’s bidding.

Cherry smiled. She had never seen Lauren so cooperative as she was with Velma. When Cherry had first met the brash teen, she had frankly been taken aback by her obvious lack of good breeding. Since then Cherry had tried to set a good example for the young girl. It looked like her example was finally beginning to pay off!

“Now if I could only get her to take some pride in her appearance, I know I could transform her into the graceful young lady I know she really is,” Cherry thought dreamily. “An attractive, polite, nice-to-be-around girl. The kind of girl who thinks first before she blurts out unpleasant thoughts.” As an older, more experienced girl, Cherry knew it was her duty to show Lauren the way to womanhood.

“With the cops out looking, we’ve really got to keep Nancy’s identity a secret until we can get her home. What if the kid goofs and gives her away?” Midge groused.

“That’s a very real concern, Midge,” Cherry said solemnly.

“She’s smart enough to understand the gravity of the situation,” Velma declared. “Besides that, she’s hardly a child! May I remind you, Midge, that she’s only a year younger than you were when you went to prison?”

Midge threw up her hands in mock defeat. “Again, I am wrong and you are right,” she joked. “Happy?”

“Almost,” Velma said, giving Midge a sweet smile and batting her thick, dark lashes. She planted a big kiss on Midge’s cheek.

Midge grinned. “I say we go and check out that motel the mechanic recommended. I’m ready for bed!”

“Good idea, Midge,” Cherry said, checking her sturdy nurse’s watch. It was nine p.m. “It’s still early, but it would be wise for us to get a good night’s sleep. And I’ve got a full evening ahead of me yet. I simply must wash my hair and rinse out my undergarments, plus get out my maps so I can figure the quickest route through the Rocky Mountains tomorrow. Besides,” she added, lowering her voice to just above a whisper. “I feel creepy knowing the police are looking for Nancy. The sooner we get inside and away from prying eyes, the better.”

“I agree,” Midge said in a stage whisper. She made a big show of furtively looking around. “See that man over there in the gray suit? The one smoking a pipe?”

Cherry nodded. She stared at the man perched at a counter stool, reading the newspaper while eating a baked potato.

“I’ll bet he’s an undercover cop,” Midge whispered. “Notice his rubber-soled shoes? They wear them so they can follow people around and not make a squeak.”

“Pretending to be engrossed in the evening paper is a good ruse,” Cherry whispered back earnestly.

“Keep an eye out for him,” Midge warned.

“I will,” Cherry answered solemnly.

“You’re a good detective, Cherry,” Midge winked.

Cherry beamed. She tarried so as to get a good look at the man on the stool. “He’s clever to act so casual; as if he’s really here for supper,” she thought. Cherry was so intent on watching the strange man’s every move, she bumped smack into Lauren on the way out of the restaurant.

“Careful!” Lauren cried, clutching a gold and white candy box tied with a pink bow. “These are for Velma. Where did she go?”

“The others have run ahead to the motel,” Cherry explained helpfully. “I stayed behind to—” But Lauren took off, cradling the box of sweets to her chest.

Cherry took one last look at the man shadowing them; then, confident that she could identify him later, headed for the motel and a good night’s sleep.

CHAPTER 9

A Horrible Mix-up!

“What a horrible mix-up!” Cherry cried as she kicked off her flats and flopped onto the double bed she would share with Nancy that night. “I can’t believe the motel manager thinks Midge is a man and won’t let her in the room with us!”