ENDING OF CHAPTER 21

BEGINNING OF CHAPTER 22

Bennie slammed his fist against the car dashboard. His frustration overflowed as the phone rang and rang. Hanging up, he called again, waiting for the voice mail to connect. "Why do you have a phone if you aren't going to answer it? Jesus, Pop! I'm out of town and could be dying alongside some highway, and you'd never know because you can't answer the phone."  

Bennie paused to take a breath, letting his anger subside. "Sorry! But you scare me when I can't get a hold of you, just so you know." He glanced around the parking lot and then resumed talking into the phone. "I'll be gone for a few days. Lance and I are on a road trip to the Smokies. I'm not sure, but I think we're headed to a small town called Trenton somewhere in Tennessee. I'll let you know for sure. Okay, Pop, I'll try to reach you later. Maybe by then, you'll answer my call. Love ya." 

Lance opened the car door and handed Bennie a sack of food and drinks before he slid behind the steering wheel. "Thought I asked you to park in the shade?" 

"I know, but I was trying to reach Pop." Bennie's thumb rubbed the back of his ring finger. "He didn't answer, and I really need to talk with him. Let him know where we are and remind him about things." 

Lance nodded and then pulled the car into the shade, away from the sun, where they shared a moment of rest as they enjoyed their lunch.  

Lance leaned his head against the car seat and closed his eyes.  

Bennie stared at him. "You asleep? Because I'm thinking we should really stay on the road." 

"I'm not sleeping." Lance sipped his soda before adding, "I was just thinking." 

"About the diamonds?" Bennie hoped Lance had changed his mind. 

"No, not about the diamonds. You've got a one-track mind." Lance took another long drink of his soda. "Bennie, how long have we known each other?"  

"All our lives, fool. We're cousins, remember." Bennie pushed a friendly fist into Lance's arm. "You ain't denying our kinship now, are you?" 

"I'm being serious, Bennie. You and I know we were 15 or 16 when we met." 

"Yeah, but that's beside the point. So, we aren't blood cousins, but you will always be my family." Bennie leaned his back against the door and smiled at Lance. "You'd moved to Shanty Town because your mother had passed, and the orphanage took you in. I was your knight in shining armor. Your friend for life." 

"I think I rescued you if we tell the story correctly. Lots of water under the bridge since that day, or should I say night." 

"Okay, I admit you saved my butt that night." Bennie chuckled. "You were shooting hoops on the church parking lot. I'd been the lookout on the corner while my so-called friend stole a six-pack of beer from the drugstore. A squad car pulled up. My turncoat friend stashed the beer and pointed down the street at me, screaming I was the one they wanted. He disappeared down the alley, and the cops chased after me. Those out-of-shape flat-foots weren't giving up the chase, and I ran out of breath. I plowed through the hedge and almost decked you." 

"Yeah, you were huffing and puffing like a steam engine. I tossed you the ball and told you to shoot." 

"I thought you were crazy. It couldn't have been two minutes when those winded cops stumbled around the hedge, asking if we'd seen a kid running through the yard. You, with your polite self, shook your head and said, 'No, sir, but I can get Sister Grace for you.' Luckily, he declined, and they continued their search." 

"That sounds about right. Sister Grace was special. She was leaning out the second-floor window of the convent, knowing exactly what went down, but only asking to know who my friend was." 

"And your sweet innocent face looked at her and told a bald-faced lie." 

Lance laughed. "I sure did. I said you were my cousin. Heck, I didn't even know your name." 

"I took you off the hook by introducing myself and telling her that Pop worked in the church's gardens from time to time. We almost bust a gut when she answered, 'Your dad is Rudy? Fine man.' I remember how she paused and added, 'when he's not hugging an Irish Whiskey bottle. We both almost split a gut trying not to laugh." 

"From that day forward, we were inseparable cousins." Lance laughed, and then a serious look crossed his face. "I've got to tell you something. Been meaning to say it for a long time, but it never seemed the right time." Lance cleared his throat and looked directly at Bennie. "I lied about my mother. She hooked up with this guy. He gave her everything, but he didn't want kids, especially teenage kids. One morning, I woke up in this ratty ole camper, and they were gone. Took everything but a can of beans. 

"I ended up at the orphanage, and luckily, Sister Grace took a liking to me. She sat with me for hours, working on my academic scores. When I graduated, they held a brief ceremony in the church library and presented me with a scholarship. Sister and another woman living nearby determined I made it through law school. Their prayers and effort got me through, even though it took a couple of restarts. I passed. I owe them and the church a lot." 

"Wow, cuz. You have definitely been holding out on me. I had no idea. Why tell me now?" 

"Well, it's the reason I can't take those diamonds. I'm not sure, but the rumor amongst the sisters was that the O'Hara's gave the church the money for my scholarship." 

Bennie's eyes widened in surprise. "You think the money came from selling the diamonds?" 

"No, because I don't think Sister Grace would have taken blood money regardless of what it was to be used for. I know I can't and won't do anything that might offend the same people who helped me. I took an oath to uphold the law, and that's what I need to do." 

Bennie released a long, drawn-out sigh. "I can see where you're coming from, Cuz." He touched his pocket and mentally noted Lance's promises didn't actually affect him. "I guess we're headed to Trenton, Tennessee."  

******************** 

"Mr. Costello, it's Officer Smythe. I hope you don't mind me calling, but I heard a bit of department scuttlebutt and thought you might be interested." Nervous, Terrence Smythe checked and rechecked the basement corridor, pacing back and forth, ensuring he was clear of anyone overhearing his conversation. 

"Juicy gossip from the police department. I'm not about to be arrested, am I?" Peter chuckled at the thought.  

"Arrested? Oh gosh, no." Terrence Smythe almost choked on the idea. 

Costello urged the officer to continue. "Please share. I'm listening." 

"Word is they found an expensive gold ring at the house occupied by the hospitalized man and his son." 

"Interesting, but not too helpful." Peter paused and added, "Now, if someone knew where the rest of the jewels were, that would be exceedingly interesting. Maybe a bonus." 

Terrence couldn't get the words out of his mouth fast enough. "The son left a message on the phone, telling his father that he was headed to Trenton, Tennessee, with his friend, Lance. Does that help?" 

"Hmmm, it just might, Terrence." 

"Oh, I'm surprised you remembered my name, sir." 

"I always remember my friends, Terrence. Or do you prefer Terry?" Peter stifled a chuckle as he imagined Officer Smythe's chest puffing out with pride.  

"My friends do call me Terry." 

"Then, Terry, it is. You've done a great job today. Now, can I ask one more little favor?" 

"I'll be glad to help if I can, sir. What is it you need?"  

"Is it possible for you to find out what cars the men own and the license plates? Or is that too much to ask?" Peter rolled his eyes as he pictured his pigeon falling all over himself, willing to do anything to help. 

"Slam dunk, sir! I'll get that information back to you within the hour."  

"That's great, Terry. You do that for me, and I promise you'll receive a nice fat bonus." 

"Thank you, sir. You can count on me." In his excitement, Terry almost hung up the phone but stopped long enough to say goodbye.