"Okay," I said to him. "Tell us the new lead you thought of."

He didn't turn his head to look at us getting into the car. "As I'm sure you'll recall, we have been barking up the wrong tree."

"Aw, man..."

"I did telephone Lt. Gable. Unfortunately, he is out of town and unavailable today."

"Richard?" Steve asked, quietly.

"Yes?"

"Man, I ... I'm sorry."

"What?" Richard raised his head to look into the rear view mirror.

"I'm sorry I hung up on Doug. I mean, I know you're right. You gotta be. We gotta find the connection between Cygnet and Bud Worden. Doug's the only person right now who can do that and I went and ticked him off."

Richard sighed. "It's all right, Steve. It's not your fault. Anyone can make a mistake." But he didn't seem to believe it.

I turned on the radio and noticed Richard had set it to one of the stations they'd found on Mike's radio. The reception was perfect. "Keep it a-wailin' with WAIL-AM, 920 on your AM dial," said the announcer, with a distinct twang.

"You found no sign of Mike in town?"

"Zip."

"...about the risk?" said a voice.

"Lucky Man," quoth the radio, booming with happy authority. "It's worth it."

Richard turned it off. "I suppose we should check with the Hudsons. They're probably making plans to drive up. Would you two call them?"

I glanced sideways at Steve as we got out of the car. He shook his head. When Richard asked you to do something it was a bad sign. If he said "please" we might as well order flowers.

We crammed into the phone booth again and I found a dime. After a moment, Mrs. Hudson said, "Hello." But something was wrong. After a couple of awkward sentences she asked to speak to Richard.

Reluctantly, Richard got out of the car. Steve and I scooted out of the booth without a single joke and let him in. I stood next to him in the open door, trying to hear. After a moment I could tell Mike's dad had taken the phone.

"Yes, sir," Richard said. "No, sir, I'm sorry. We're doing our best, but ..." Pause. "When did it arrive?"

I only caught bits of what Mr. Hudson was saying, but they were enough. "Letters pasted out of magazines", and "10,000 dollars." Then, "No police," and, "kill him if."

I leaned closer, till my ear was against the other side of the phone.

" ... got me shook up," Mr. Hudson said. "Richard, you've always been a smart boy. I guess that's why I'm telling you. I don't know what else to do."

Richard thought a moment. "From where was the letter postmarked?

"Ann Arbor, Michigan."

Richard shut his eyes painfully tight. After five seconds they snapped open again.

"Mr. Hudson, don't worry. I'm going to ask that you call Doug. Doug is also very smart, though he doesn't advertise it like I do. I believe Doug will contact the FBI, and that is the right thing to do. But I must ask one favor."

"Anything."

"Wait one half hour before you call Doug. No more."

Mr. Hudson agreed.

"Tell Mrs. Hudson not to worry," Richard added, and hung up.

He turned to me and held out a big hand. "Give me a dime," he ordered.

© Copyright David T. Jarvis 1997, 1998, 1999

All Rights Reserved.