Ethics of a Thief (23 page)

While he was gone, she said a quick prayer. I need wisdom, help me not be rude, or fall into his arms, he is so perfect for me.

When he returned with a coffee, he sat across from her.

“I’m sorry for my attitude, Matt.”

“Enough with ‘I’m sorry.’ I know what you thought.” He gazed at her until her face was flushed, and she turned away.

While he sipped his coffee, she had a chance to regroup. “What do you know about the case, is there anything new? Has anyone been arrested?”

“After Forelli spoke with the FBI, he was told not to leave town. But, they kept him under surveillance. When he tried to split, they arrested him. Now, he’s their official prime suspect for the murders.”

“What evidence do they have?”

“I’m not sure. His bosses, the Top Dogs, aren’t providing him with a good attorney. It would be a waste of money, with his federal criminal record to deal with.

“Do you think he did it?”

“He’s maintaining his innocence, so who knows. It’s possible someone else did it.”

“I think so, too,” she said.

“Why?”

“Probably from watching too many TV shows, oftentimes the obvious person is later eliminated as a suspect.”

“But, if he is innocent, why would he jump ship?” Matt asked.

“Most likely because he didn’t want to get caught with two dead bodies and four thieves. That would give a man a reason to flee. But, that’s just one woman’s opinion.”

“And, I’m one of the thieves, I get your point.”

“I wasn’t intentionally trying to make a dig.”

“Do you want to hear more or not?” he asked.

“There’s more? What?”

“Someone else was arrested: Luke Percy, Forelli’s direct boss.”

“Why?”

“For many reasons, the FBI discovered he had a beef with Mr. Kilgore about some business deal gone wrong. Plus, Luke and Forelli were tight, so they concluded Luke might be behind the murders. They also heard that Luke’s company had an audit. It resulted in evidence implicating Luke in embezzling several hundred thousand dollars from his partners. So, once the FBI discovered all that information, he became a suspect with a motive.”

“What was the bad deal between Larry and this Luke fellow?”

“Robert said Larry smuggled something and used Luke’s underground auction contact. When Larry received his money, he shortchanged Luke about a hundred thousand dollars.”

She sat and stared, trying to digest everything. She said, “Based on what you’re telling me, Forelli might be the murderer. That means my female instincts just left town.”

“You’re so cute. I love your humor.”

When Abigail noticed the children walking toward their table, she gave a warm smile.

Danny postured himself by the table. “When can we visit Robert and Brent?”

“Right now,” Matt said, while standing and waiting for Abigail. When she was ready, he said, “I’ll show you the way.”

While walking to the wheelhouse, Danny asked about the Fabergé egg.

“It’s not what we were searching for, but it is valuable, so you’ll get your telescope.”

While grinning, the boy said, “Really, my own telescope?” He turned to his aunt. “Did you hear that? Matt’s getting me a telescope.” But, she didn’t respond.

“Promise me something,” Matt said. “You must let your sister look through it too, okay?”

Lisa gloated when Danny reluctantly had to agree.

“When can I get it?”

“That’s up to your aunt -- today, if she agrees.”

Suddenly, Danny stopped and spun around. “Can we get it today?”

Quickly, she said, “We’ll discuss that later.”

As they walked up the ladder to the wheelhouse, Abigail’s face reddened.
How dare he use the children to get to me?
Once they entered the wheelhouse, the children ran up to Robert.

Suddenly, Matt pulled Abigail aside, “Look. I’m sorry if you’re offended. But, I feel obligated to that boy. It was he who found the Fabergé egg. And, I did promise him a reward. Would you let me do this one thing for him?”

“You set me up. If I say no, I disappoint and hurt him. You seem to make a habit of placing me in awkward positions. That boy has gone through too much already, so you know I can’t say no! In the future, please don’t offer either child anything without speaking with me first in private!”

“Does that mean we have a future?”

“No. That’s not what I’m implying. I’m saying you have invited them to lunch, to a movie and now offered to buy a telescope, each time putting me on the spot. I don’t like it! Those children are in my care. I need to protect them.”

“From a thief like me … is that what you’re insinuating?”

“Okay, if you want honesty, then, yes!”

“But, you told me that all saints have a past and all sinners have a future. I guess that doesn’t apply to me.”

“It does, if you’re a saint or a repentant sinner. So, let me ask you: Did you decide to no longer be a thief? Have you repented or paid restitution? Have you accepted God’s grace and forgiveness? Frankly, I don’t think so. Am I wrong here?”

As the Harbor Cruise came to an end, Abigail and the children thanked Robert for inviting them. “Let Brent know that we missed not visiting with him, will you?”

“Sure.”

After a while, Matt said, “Can I walk you to your car?”

“Sure,” Lisa said, while reaching for his hand.

As they headed for Abigail’s car, they leisurely walked, and Abigail listened to him interact and laugh with the kids. She questioned why she was so judgmental and disapproving of him.
Is it to push him away? Was it right to assume he was being nice to them to get to me? That doesn’t seem fair to him or the children.

Deep inside, she knew he enjoyed them and wanted Danny to have a telescope. But, that meant Matt was in possession of the Fabergé egg. So, indirectly, the boy was being paid for helping a thief.
Talk about inner conflict: I have to decide what’s more important, my high standard or Danny’s dream coming true.

When she thought about the recent days, and how they had been trying to survive their family crises, she decided,
I’ll gladly exchange self-respect for Danny’s happiness.
Her next decision was how to handle its purchase. Should Matt help select it, or should they choose, and he pays later? She decided to let him help select and buy it. They could take it home and be done with it. No further contact.

As they neared the car, she listened to them talking. Lisa asked, “Can I get a dollhouse?”

Matt said, “No.” Abigail beamed and wanted to give the man five gold stars.

She swiftly turned to Danny. “Which stores sell telescopes?”

“There’s one at the mall. A science store, I think it’s on the same floor as the theater.”

“I know the place,” said Matt. “When do you want to go?”

“Today,” Danny said, with his eyes bright, giving the situation his full attention.

“That’s your aunt’s decision,” Matt said. “Would today work for you?” He searched her face, as he waited for her response.

First, she transferred her weight to one foot, placed her hand on her hip and took in a deep breath. She let out her breath and said, “Around three thirty.”

“Call if plans change.” He handed her his card.

“No, thanks. We have one, remember?” She then, softly, grabbed hold of his arm. “I truly appreciate the update. I find it interesting.”

He grinned, “You’re welcome.” He turned to the children. “Goodbye, have a safe trip home.”

As they drove off, they waved.

The first thing Danny did was tune the radio to his station, then glanced at his aunt. “I wish my parents had a safe trip home.”

She reached for his hand. “I know, Honey, so do I.”

“Where now?” he said.

“Your house, to get clothes for tomorrow.”

“Can I pick my own outfit?” Lisa asked.

“Yes, you may, Sweetie Pie.” She smiled.

While driving, she thought about the arrests, but questioned if Forelli was the murderer or an easy scapegoat. To her, she wanted justice to be brought to the right person, whoever that might be.

When they reached her sister’s home, she searched for the right key. When she opened the door, it smelled stale, so, speedily, she opened the windows. The children headed for their rooms. Abigail yelled, “Don’t forget. You need something for both the viewing and the service.”

At once, Danny came and found her. “What’s a viewing?”

“It’s a place to visit your dad in his casket. It’ll be open so you can see him.”

“Why?” He asked.

“So, you and others can say goodbye, or remember him. Close friends and family will be at the viewing, but, at the service, there will be a much larger group.”

“Why have both?”

“The viewing is for you, the service is for everyone who wants to pay their respects and say goodbye to your dad. It’s like a church service, but people will come up and talk about your father.”

“Do I have to say something?”

“No. Not unless you want to.”

“I don’t,” he said, while quickly shaking his head. “Is there anything else?”

“Yes, after the service, the casket is closed and brought to the burial site. You and your sister will sit next to me in chairs. The minister will talk, say some prayers and then we leave. When everyone is gone, the casket will be placed underground.”

“Do I need to say goodbye at each place?”

“Only, if you want. You can also look at him, touch him, talk to him or just recall things about him. The viewing helps you to accept his death.”

Soon, his shoulders slumped and his eyes drooped. He silently returned to his room and sat on his bed in thought. When she checked on him, she sat and held his hand. “Danny, I’m so sorry you have to go through this at such a young age. Are you going to be okay?” After nodding, he stood and walked to his closet and selected some of his Sunday’s best clothes, and some games.

“Can I bring these?”

After, Abigail nodded yes, Lisa called out. When she entered Lisa’s room, she saw some dresses and pants outfits on her bed. With tears, she said, “I don’t know what to wear.”

“Pick your two favorite dresses and a pants outfit -- tomorrow you can decide.”

“But, which shoes should I wear?” she asked, while sniffling.

“Show me what you have.”

Lisa dragged out three pairs of shoes from her closet. Abigail pointed to the black patent leather. “These will work, they’ll go with everything. Do you have a hanky and a purse?”

The girl found a small handbag, “I have this.”

“That’ll work.”

The girl gathered some dolls and stuffed animals to sleep with. “Can I bring these?”

“Sure. That’ll be nice.”

Once they packed, locked up, and left, they headed for the grocery store. When they finished, they returned to Abigail’s place and made sandwiches for lunch. Soon, Danny and Lisa retreated to their separate rooms with games and toys in hand. Abigail decided to lie down for a few minutes, but soon fell asleep. Once she woke up, she quickly checked on the children. They, too, were sleeping.

After walking into the kitchen, she took out a container of frozen apple juice. After putting it in a pitcher, she added water and ice. While stirring, her thoughts were of Matt.
What a mess. I need to nip this and tell him not to contact me again.
She laughed at herself.
I’m the one that visited his friend’s workplace, and placed myself in a position to run into him. I feel like an idiot, thinking about pushing him away when he isn’t pursuing me. The truth is, I’m desperately trying to avoid falling in love with the man.

Soon, Danny came into the kitchen. “What’s the time? Do we need to go? Should I get Lisa?”

“Not yet. Have some apple juice.” She handed him a full glass. “When you finish, go get your sister.” But, as he turned, Lisa was walking toward them.

While rubbing her sleepy eyes, she said, “I fell asleep.”

“We all did, Honey. We needed it.”

“Can we call Mommy?”

“Yes. Have Danny dial for you.”

As she listened to them speak to their mother, they were much more talkative and didn’t seem to mind that she couldn’t respond. They avoided asking questions she couldn’t answer. Instead, they eagerly told her about their day.

Quickly, Abigail grabbed the phone. “I need to talk.” She said, “Hi Alisa, I want to tell you that you did a wonderful job raising your children, I’m proud of you. Lisa and Danny love you so much.” After placing her hand over the speaker, she said, “Don’t say anything about the funeral, she doesn’t know Daddy died.”

After grabbing the handset, Danny nodded.

When the call ended, they sat silently while sipping their beverages. Danny asked, “When’s Mommy coming home?”

“This week, that’s my understanding.”

“Can she go to the funeral?”

“No, she needs to get better before going anywhere.”

“But, she is coming home, to San Diego.”

“I know. But, she’ll have a team of medical professionals to keep her stable.”

“What does stable mean?”

“To make sure she is okay. They’ll check her blood pressure and vitals.” As they listened, they also quietly tried to process.

“Now, go get dressed. We’ll get to the mall early and look around.

Lisa looked at her feet. “I need socks.”

“Anything else?”

“A hanky.”

“You can use one that belonged to your great-grandmother.”

After Abigail finished her shower and got dressed, she felt refreshed. She went to check on Lisa. “Need any help?”

“No. Come in.”

When she entered, she saw Lisa’s dolls and animals propped up on her pillows.

“Did they take a nap with you?”

She grinned and nodded.

“Ready to go?”

They got in the car and headed to the mall. When they arrived, Abigail decided to shop for socks first. After finding them, Danny asked to check out the boys’ department. He found a shirt he liked that fit. “Can I wear this to the viewing?”

She nodded. “It looks nice on you. Your parents would be proud of your taste.”

Abigail thought they were both dealing with their father’s death as well as could be expected. But, she was somewhat concerned about the viewing the next day. “Okay, you two, we need to go. Danny, lead the way.”