Chapter 11 Homeward Bound
Steve Timmins slung Catalina's backpack into the backseat of Fran's Jeep. Catalina trying not to show nerves because of what was in the bag. She had left a farewell present for the priest and his nuns and she hoped that nothing would ever be said about it.
"You're always welcome here chica, not just on Sunday's." He grinned "You too," he said to Fran.
"I know. I'm overdue for an art lesson here. I'll be back soon for one. Promise."
"Holding you to that. Vaya con Dios, amiga."
She pointed to the locked console box "I trust God, but"
"Once a cop, always a cop." He finished for her. He didn't reveal that inside the box, Fran kept a fully loaded Glock 19. She showed it to him once after he expressed his concern about her being out in his neighborhood late at night. As a retired cop, she was allowed under Colorado law to keep weapons. She wasn't flashy about it like some ex-cops were, He suspected she had a weapon in her purse as well. Fr. Steve knew the reason for it. It was given him under the seal of confession. He would never say anything. He also didn't want Catalina to be worried, but if Fran were ever to draw it, when she was riding with her, there would be a legal, valid reason for her to do it, and she wouldn't miss her target.
"Watch your backs"
"We will." She gave a glance at her passenger. "Ready?" Turning the key, the Jeep engine came to life and they pulled out of the parking lot.
He was looking at the retreating car when he became aware of Sister Josefina standing next to him.
"Father, there's something you need to see."
"Can it wait? I'm dying to take off the cassock."
"Now father, please."
He followed the nun down the darkened corridors to the room Catalina Montez had recently had used. Sister Emmanuel met them at the door.
"Oh Father Steve, it's a miracle. Truly it is"
"What is Sister Em?"
"The young nun pointed to two stacks of bills on the neatly made bed. "That"
He went over to the bed to look. "Holy Mother of God..." His voice trailed off.
Sister Jo gave him a plastic bag and a set of salad tongs. "I know that the police will not want to see your fingerprints on these bills."
"He took the tongs and scooped the bills into the bag. "There must be several hundred dollars here."
"Oh no father, try thousands," Sister Emmanuel chirped.
He shot her a look.
"I didn't touch them at all. Father Steve. My mother was an accountant. I learned to estimate based on height. We can use this blessing in so many ways." Sister Emmanuel said.
Carefully Father Steve put the money in, the tong holding it by the edges. He would pay a visit to Ed Brown's office to discuss this in the morning. "Let's put this in the safe." He finally spoke. "Tomorrow I'll find out if this was a gift from God or the Devil, and sisters, let's not speak of this to anyone."
The two women nodded and left. He walked to his office, put the bag on his desk, and counted the bills without touching them. Twenty- two hundred dollars, all in small bills. He opened the safe and put the money in it. Where does an eleven -year old get that kind of money. What were his friends getting into by having Cat stay with them? The priest knew at least they would be better prepared to deal with things if something happened than he would at the church.
Fran headed west toward I-70, then just before the exit ramp, turned south. "I thought we could do a little shopping first. We don't have much that someone your age would like. You look like you could use some clothes, maybe some books, other things."
"I have no money." Catalina said, knowing she was lying to her new friend.
"No problem, It's my treat." A short drive later found them in the city of Englewood where Fran pulled into a mall parking lot. "We'll start with some clothes, then go from there."
By the time Fran drove through the gate of the Double B Ranch, the backseat of the Jeep was loaded with clothes, boots, shoes, books, a computer, and other needed accouterments of pre-teen life. Catalina was overwhelmed by the generosity of her friend. She was also overwhelmed by the view in front of her.
The Double B's mailing address was Idaho Springs, a small town forty minutes west of Denver. Ed had bought 100 acres of land in Buttermilk Gulch, that butted up into the mountains after he became Police Chief of Denver. Idaho Springs was in the neighboring county of Clear Creek, so he had no law enforcement responsibilities. It was perfect for him. He could just be a rancher. He'd renovated the house over the years, adding space for his mother, and another area called the workshop, He gave that to Fran as a wedding present. Two small cabins were on the property, one utilized as a guest house, the other claimed by his foreman, Patrice Gless. The main house was built from Ponderosa pine with large windows on all sides. Along the driveway, Catalina could see the cattle and horses they raised.
"We have chickens and a couple of pigs, and sheep as well." Fran broke into her reverie. "There's a garden, a creek and a pond in back. It's hard work, but we take care of ourselves here. If you stay, you'll have chores, and schoolwork." She parked the car. "Let's get your stuff inside and put away and you can meet Sarah."