Letters From Al by Pieper, Kathleen (ebook audio reader TXT) 📕

September 16, 1929

I finally got a job ina diner, not glamorous but it'll pay the rent. I love being on my own. Heard the family is really angry and talk of disowning me, as if I care. I'm working a lot of nights. Must becareful.

September 30, 1929

I thought I would miss the family but so far, okay. Don't know if the detectives are still looking for me. No one could drag me back now. Not enough money saved yet.

They stopped because Leland and his party were leaving. Looking professional as usual, he wore a sharp navy suit with a red tie and white shirt. They watched as Leland pointed out things on the outside of the house to the people. Maddy and Aunt Polly exchanged worried looks.

"He sure is pushing the positives at your place. You got to give the guy credit, he's a good salesman. Let's just hope not too good, however."

The couple with him seemed to be taking it all in, but from a distance, it was hard to tell how interested they were. They were inside a long time. The woman was young and well dressed, but she kept her arms folded and seemed in a hurry. The man hardly looked at the outside and was first to get in the car. Maddy found it strange they didn't look excited like a young couple should. If she were house hunting she'd be all over the place. They left and Leland came over to Aunt Polly's.

"Well, Leland, your pigeons fly the coop already?"

"Oh, really, Aunt Polly, business is hard enough without any jokes. Where is Miss Maddy?" He seemed a bit out of sorts. When Maddy joined them, the diary and letters were out of sight.

"Hello, Leland, well, what did they have to say?"

"I think they liked it a lot. The roominess impressed them. They wanted a lot of storage so they checked the closets and storage spaces. Pretty good prospects I think." He seemed pleased with himself.

"How much did they offer?"

"Well, they didn't give me a dollar and cents offer just said no more than a hundred thousand." He smiled smugly. Aunt Polly swallowed hard. It was more than the old house was worth.

"That's a pretty good offer. But, Leland, I've decided not to sell."

"It is a good offer. You want to turn it down just like that? You still want to keep that monstrosity?" His voice was incredulous as he looked from one to the other. "What about your job in Chicago? This is a big decision, have you given it ample thought, Maddy? I'm sure your aunt wouldn't want you to saddle yourself with such a responsibility. A hundred thousand is a good price, ask anyone. Aunt Polly, you tell her." He threw his hands up in surrender.

"Well, yes, it is a good price, if you want to sell."

"I give up. You get a good offer and they don't appreciate it." Leland's shoulders slumped in his well-fitting suit.

"Leland. I appreciate your concern, but I've only been here a short time and, believe it or not, it feels like home here."

"Well, it's Nielsen's gain, I guess. You probably wouldn't have liked that couple as neighbors anyway, Aunt Polly. They were rather odd. He'd go off one way and she'd go another. They went through every closet, drawer and cupboard. I could hardly keep up with them." Maddy felt uneasy hearing that. Their actions seemed odd to her too.

"Leland, what was their name?"

"Oh, that's easy. It's almost funny it's so common. It was Smith, Mr. and Mrs. John Smith." He gathered his paperwork and prepared to go.

"Leland? Did you tell anyone that Alec was coming over yesterday?"

"No, don't think so. I told you I would have taken care of it, remember? Oh, wait, I did talk to Jack Drake, he's been wondering how things are going, if the stock certificates have shown up. I told him you haven't found anything yet." He sounded resigned.

“We’re trying to find out who locked us in the attic.” Maddy watched Leland carefully.

“I can’t believe that happened yet. Did Deputy McKay find out anything?” Leland looked at Aunt Polly and then Maddy. They both shook their heads. “Well, I tried my best.”

"Yes, I know you did. That's okay. Thanks, Leland."

"Common name, isn't it, Maddy? John Smith." Aunt Polly raised her eyebrows after Leland left.

"It's a very common name. Almost untraceable, wouldn't you say?"

"Well, what do you make of that?" Aunt Polly said as they watched Leland drive away.

"I don't know. He sounded a little suspicious, too." Maddy dropped the curtain with a sigh.

"He would have made a hefty commission on the sale. I was surprised he gave in so easily." Aunt Polly was thoughtful. "I don't know, maybe he does have your well being at heart. Or, maybe he does want a date with you."

"Who wants a date?" Alec still dressed in uniform, his hand poised to knock when Maddy and Aunt Polly started to laugh.

"The man's got more clothes than I do. Plus, he's old enough to be my father, Aunt Polly." Maddy laughed. Even Alec had to join in.

Accepting a cup of coffee he yawned and sat down looking very tired.

"Just thought I'd drop in and tell you there's been no word on our mysterious van or burglar. It's like it dropped off the face of the earth or something. How'd you get along last night?"

"Okay, I think I'll do some more trimming on that tree outside the bedroom window though." She grinned.

"I'll put it on my list. I make a better tree trimmer than a detective right now. It's really frustrating."

"I know. I thought I might be on to something when I remembered I'd told Leland you were coming over to fix the light yesterday. Besides us, he was the only one that knew that." Silence surrounded them, and Maddy decided to kick things up a notch.

"Okay, enough of this. Who wants to accompany me over to my