I fed Smoky Joe, ate a quick lunch, and headed for work. So much had happened this morning, I’d almost forgotten that Michelle and her father were stopping by. Evelyn made an appearance the moment I entered the library. Poor Smoky Joe let out a howl as I released him from his carrier. Being in Evelyn’s presence always spooked him. Cool cat that he was, he immediately regained his composure and, tail in the air, trotted off to visit with patrons.
“We have to find a place where we can talk,” Evelyn instructed. She knew that Trish worked till midafternoon and was probably in my office.
“Sure, soon as I drop off the cat carrier.”
I greeted Trish, told her I’d be back in a few minutes, and joined Evelyn, who was hovering outside my door.
“Let’s go downstairs to the supply closet,” I said. “Nobody hangs out there.”
As we headed for the staircase, Mabel Obsprey, a talkative patron, stopped to ask me when they were planning to start work on the new library addition.
“In September. I’m not sure of the date.”
“I hope the library won’t have to close,” she said.
“Almost all the construction work will be outside this building. I don’t know if they plan to close the library when they link the two buildings. But I’m afraid there will be a good deal of noise at times.”
“That’s too bad. Speaking of noise, they’ve already started shooting off fireworks to celebrate the Fourth. Last night I couldn’t fall asleep until well past midnight.”
Evelyn exhaled her annoyance, a sound only I could hear.
“Excuse me, Mabel, but I really must take care of something.”
“Don’t let me keep you, Carrie.” She smiled and went on her way.
When we reached the supply closet, I switched on the light and glanced around before closing the door behind me. It was a good-sized space with shelves that were well stocked with various stationery items, paper goods, even a few old printers and computers. I leaned against the shelves facing the door and nodded to Evelyn. “Okay. Talk.”
“When are Harold and Michelle coming?” she asked.
“Very soon. Within the hour.”
Evelyn beamed. “I can’t wait to see him.”
“Why?”
She blinked several times, as if I’d offended her. “Why? Because he’s my brother.”
“There’s more to this story.” I pursed my lips. “After finding Harold and arranging to have him come here so you can see him, I think I’m entitled to know.”
“Yes, you are.” Instead of looking annoyed, there was a glint of admiration in her eyes. “You’re entitled to know why I must see for myself that Harold is well and happy.”
I waited.
Evelyn cleared her throat. “The last time I saw my brother, I’m afraid I wasn’t very kind or charitable. He was desperate and wanted me to lend him a large sum of money to pay back the money he’d taken.
“I talked it over with my husband that evening, and Bob was adamant that I not give him a cent. He said gamblers threw away their own money along with whatever they could beg, borrow, or steal. Bob said we couldn’t afford to make Harold a gift of that much money because we’d never see it again. I must have felt the same deep down because I didn’t argue. I called Harold to tell him we couldn’t help him. The next day he was gone.”
Evelyn looked so sad, I wished I could comfort her with a hug. “And you feel responsible. For him taking off and leaving his family.”
She shrugged. “I didn’t make him gamble away the money and I never would have told him to take it from a client, but he’s my brother and I didn’t help him.”
“Bob was right. You never would have seen that money again. You weren’t in a position to cover his debt.”
“My sister told me the same thing. He’d asked Frieda for money too, but she had no problem saying she couldn’t afford to pay his gambling debts. Still, he’s my baby brother. I can’t help feeling I should have done something to help him.”
I smiled. “I think it’s time you stopped feeling guilty and gave yourself credit for helping your niece and your brother. Michelle is starting over with many options in front of her, and Harold has his daughter back in his life.”
“I suppose I could look at it that way.”
“Please do.” I grinned. “And now I have another surprise for you. One you’re going to really appreciate.”
“Really? Do tell.”
When I finished telling Evelyn how upset Bradley Forbes had looked after Donna broke up with him, she was laughing uproariously. “How fitting,” she commented when she could speak.
“And it looks like he’ll be up on criminal charges as well.”
“Getting what he deserves.”
“Now let’s go upstairs so we’ll be in my office when your brother and his daughter pay us a visit.”
Donald, or Lee as he preferred I call him, turned out to be a pleasant man in his sixties. He kept telling me how grateful he was that I’d managed to track him down and reunite him with Michelle. His love for his daughter was obvious.
“I want Michelle to come to Albuquerque to meet my new family. I know they’ll love her.”
“I will, Dad. I promise. But first I have to get settled in my new job.”
“Of course. I understand,” Lee said, then he turned to me. “I know I’m no one to talk, but I’m furious at that miserable excuse of a husband—deserting Michelle the way he did.”
“I don’t blame you,” I said.
Michelle touched her father’s arm. “Dad, don’t get worked up over Brad. I’m better off without him. Besides, Mr. Talbot will deal with him. Then I want to divorce him as quickly as I can.”
Lee patted her hand. “Honey, I don’t mean to cause you any more grief, but that creep deserves a kick in the butt. Not a free pass to take up with some other woman.”
While Michelle calmed her father down, Evelyn and I exchanged knowing glances. Yes, Mr. Bradley Forbes. You’ll be getting what’s coming to you!
Michelle and Lee left shortly after, and Evelyn and I rehashed my conversation with them. I’d never seen her so happy. She didn’t stop beaming, even as she began to fade.
“Thank you, Carrie. I’ll always remember this afternoon.” She blew me a kiss as she disappeared from sight, and I finally settled down to do some work.