The Harvey Girl - Part #16

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“Wait here!”

I shouted, racing for the door.

Not knowing if Fin understood or followed my hasty request, I darted outside the Harvey House, attempting to intercept my father. Looking up and down the street, I spotted his figure running away. Running away for me?

His direction? Toward his house, but I could not fathom his actions. Even wearing a long skirt, I could easily catch up to him. And I did, within a block of his home.

“Father,” I shouted, “please, stop!”

He slowed until gravity pulled at his bones, causing a full hault. Working rather hard to catch his breath, he turned my way. His look was one of shock and dismay. I truly felt like he had not really known it was me until that moment.

“Willa, could it really be my only daughter?” He blinked, rubbing at his eyes.

“You can trust what you see,” I assured him. “It is your daughter who has falsely identified a dead man as you. A lookalike of your own choosing, I have no doubt, although the police are uninformed on the matter.”

A cloud settled on his continuance. He grumbled a bit before actual words formed. “Why did you do that?”

“To protect my father.”

“You put yourself in danger,” he moaned.

I decided it was not my place to tell him the danger lay elsewhere, but he needed to know that I knew how to avoid trouble. “Lying to the police can be explained,” I said, laying out a simple but effective plan. “If they should discover the truth, I will own that I made a mistake, most certainly due to shock. After all, it was the first dead body of my acquaintance.”

Father shook his head. I could not ignore how our time apart had aged him. The sag in his jaw held no joy, which was his usual appearance. “The danger is not from the Land Officers, my dear.”

I had a very good idea that the danger came from his assorted, despicable partners.“What are you doing in this mess?” I asked. “The treasure is false, and you’ve certainly been duped, or worse.”

“What could be worse?”

“Are you part of the scheme?” I pulled no punches. While I would not allow others to besmirch my father, I had to know the truth. “Has circumstance contrived and made you part of this dastardly business? I must admit, you reek of it.”

Father coughed, and I feared he needed a chair and strong spirits. The blow I’d delivered hit harder than I imagined. It signaled more distress for our family.

“Have I fallen so far that you would think so ill of me?” His eyes lowered to his shoes.

“You promised Mother, and you cannot tell me you kept it. Whatever this is, it is of your own making.” I hated proving my point, but he could not wiggle out of his actions, even if my love for him would forgive anything.

“I will not contradict you, Willa, but I will implore you to go home.” His voice turned stern, a sound I had never heard from him before. He was usually a most indulgent parent.

“I shall go nowhere until you tell me everything.” Taking a step forward, I held my hand out and crooked the pinkie. It had been a handshake of ours from a very young age.

He did not notice the comforting gesture. Shame overtook his expression. He admitted in the lowest of voices, “They have used my name to fool the good people of this town. From the Mayor on down, they used the lookalike, bought a house, and killed the man they created, so I cannot even speak for myself. They created a man who is more me than me. It is hopeless. Now, will you go home?”

“No.”

Father coughed again, doubly shocked. I imagined he’d not heard that tone from me, either.

“No, you say?”

“I am not the Willa you left in New York. I am the woman who has come here to save you, even if it must be from yourself.” I crossed my arms over my chest, every inch defiant.

I had no notion how my dear father would respond, and I may never know. A shot rang out!

We ducked, and someone shouted my name.

The thud of feet and the rush of at least seven men caused a commotion that knocked me to the ground. Eyes fluttering, I saw two thugs roughly pull my father away. A scream must have escaped my lips, for my throat painfully constricted. Arms grabbed me from behind, and everything went dark.

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FINDING FATHER WAS NOT ALL WILLA HOPED IT WOULD BE! No one likes it when a reunion sparks an attack. Tune in next time for more of the adventure! There are only a few more installments left in this story.