"Are you sure Mr. Barnes is telling the truth?" Tommy Patton asked the next day over coffee. "I can't believe the Stevenses would ever condone theft, or completely ignore someone's correspondence like that." He'd arrived after Joe had finished off the chocolate cake, but before Mandie and Joe had figured out their next step as they convened in the dining room.
Mandie set down her empty coffee mug. "We aren't certain he is, but there was a break in at the bookstore, the door was professionally lockpicked."
"So, what's the plan?" Tommy asked. "I can only stay a couple of days before my parents will expect me home, but I'll help all I can."
Mandie grinned. "I was hoping you'd say that. Now that you're here, I think we should talk to the Stevenses again. They might be more open to questions with someone they know."
"Good idea," Tommy agreed.
"The hotel is too far to walk." Joe stood. "I'll hitch up the wagon."
"I'll tell Mother where we're going," Mandie said.
Tommy stood when Mandie did. He smirked. "I'll finish my coffee and be ready when y'all are."
Once the trio entered the Franklin Hotel, Mandie was surprised to find Anna and Robin sitting in the lobby. Robin tugged at his sister's hand and whispered loudly, "It's Maid Marion."
Anna's face, wistful a moment before, turned radiant with a smile. She stretched out her hand in greeting.
"Joe's here too. And a friend of ours." Mandie returned Anna's warm clasp. "I'd like you to meet Tommy Patton. Tommy, this is Anna and Robin Stevens."
"Nice to meet you both."
Anna turned her head toward Tommy's voice. "How do you do?"
"What are you and Robin doing here?" Mandie asked.
Robin harrumphed and started to speak, but when Anna frowned in his direction, he clamped his mouth shut.
"We came to see the Stevenses," Anna replied. "I'm tired of going through their lawyer and thought I'd try talking to them in person. Mr. Haskins met us and said they don't wish to be disturbed right now."
Tommy flushed. "There must be a misunderstanding somewhere."
"We've been waiting thirty minutes," Robin piped up with a look of disgust. "Not that it matters where we sit—Little John won't let me do anything fun for a whole week." He glanced at Tommy. "On account of me being at the bookstore when it was broken in, she's scared to be alone."
"There's Mr. Haskins now." Joe nodded toward the reception desk where the lawyer greeted the receptionist.
The lawyer's back was turned to them but as they moved his way, Mandie heard him say, "Is there any mail for the Stevenses? They want me to bring it up."
Mandie slowed and put a hand on Tommy to stop him. Something about the lawyer's manner bothered her.
The receptionist handed the lawyer a bundle of mail, which he sorted, stowing one envelope in the inside pocket of his suit. He stuffed the rest in his pant pocket and turned. He gave a start at seeing them, but quickly approached, hand outstretched to Joe. "Why Mr. Woodard, Miss Shaw, how are you? Wish I could stay and chat, but I have a bit of business—" He stopped short when he recognized Tommy and for once seemed at a loss for words.
"Hello, Mr. Haskins. Would you please tell the Stevenses my friends and I are here to see them?" Tommy asked.
Mr. Haskins's bland smile surfaced. "Good to see you, Mr. Patton, but I'm afraid now's not a good day for a visit. Mrs. Stevens isn't well today—terrible headache."
"I'm sorry to hear that, but as I'm not in town for long, I know they'll want to see me if only briefly."
Mr. Haskins tucked his chin in a nod of sorts and swiveled toward the staircase. His clipped movements belied he was none too happy.
Tommy leaned toward Mandie. "Let's not lose our advantage." He followed after the lawyer up the stairs, and the rest fell into step behind him.
Robin laughed but stopped abruptly when Anna gave him a look.
They ascended the stairs and trailed behind the lawyer. Stopping, he raised his hand to knock at door 203 but looked at the young people first.
"We'll wait here," Tommy said.
His bland smile struggled to surface but wobbled and fell. Mr. Haskins rapped at the door, then entered at the hearty "come in" from inside. A moment later, the door flew open, and Mr. Stevens popped out into the hall. "Tommy!" He shook Tommy's hands with both his own. "It's good to see you boy, but what's this? A whole party. Come on in everyone, we'll order tea." He ushered them inside the suite, where his wife smiled and nodded at each of them as they filed in, looking sprite in her white blouse and lavender skirt despite the lawyer's claim of her suffering a headache.
Mr. Haskins stood grim and silent behind her. A balcony door was ajar letting in sunlight and fresh air into the spacious sitting room.
Robin and Anna, having hung back, were the last to cross the threshold. When they did, Mrs. Stevens gasped, and her hand flew to her heart. She stared at Anna. "You look like my son."