Hydrofoil Mystery (9 page)

“Thank you,” I said, taking it from her. I ripped the top off and dumped the contents in my hands. I counted out eleven dollars. It was far from a fortune but it was a handsome amount and it would give me the bankroll I needed.

“Before you go, I need to talk to you, Billy.”

“Sure.”

“Sit down, please.”

I hesitated; my time in town was ticking away. “Don't worry, you'll still have time in Baddeck,” she said, reading my mind.

Reluctantly I sat down and she pulled up a chair beside me.

“You know your mother and I go back a long time. Oh, the stories I could tell you about the good old days we shared …” She paused. “But that's not what I need to talk to you about.”

Thank goodness, I thought.

“You were given this job on my recommendation.

Dozens and dozens of young men apply to work here each summer. It's quite an honour to be selected.”

I didn't see how coming up here and mucking stables and chopping wood could be seen as any sort of honour, even if the pay was good.

“And your performance is a reflection upon me and my recommendation. And thus far I have received complaints.”

“Complaints? About what?”

“Your attitude, your work habits, your laziness.”

“I know who complained. That old man at the farm wanted me to do all the work while he just sat there on the wagon!”

“If you mean Isaac, yes, he has voiced concern. As has almost everybody with whom you've come in contact. Complaints have been registered across the estate.”

“Everybody's complained? They're just mad at me because …” I stopped. I didn't think it was smart to tell
her they were angry with me because I took some of their money playing dice.

“Some of them are mad at you over the gambling, but that isn't why they complained. And not everybody has complained, but only two people have had good things to say about your work.”

One had to be Simon, but who was the second?

“I want you to be on your best behaviour in town today.”

I didn't answer. She reached forward and placed a hand on my shoulder. “It hasn't been easy for you, Billy. I know things have changed since the war, with your father gone most of the time and—”

“You don't know nothing!” I yelled, jumping to my feet.

“Billy!”

I was filled with a rush of anger and pushed out the door and ran down across the porch and off down the laneway. I ran quickly, not looking back. I didn't need a ride to town, and I certainly didn't need to hear anything she had to say. All I needed was right in my pocket: my bankroll and a pair of dice. I didn't stop running until I'd cleared the front gate and set foot on the road to town.

I slowed to a walk, panting to get my breath. Why did I care what any of these people thought, anyway? What did I care what anybody thought? So they didn't think I was doing a good job, so what? The worst they could do was fire me! Even if I couldn't go back to Halifax right away, I could find someplace else to go. Part of me wanted to leave right now. What was there here for me, anyway? Wouldn't it be better to quit instead of waiting around to
be fired? I didn't even need to go back for the few things that were in my room. They were practically worthless anyway—worthless, like everything I'd ever had.

I heard the sound of an automobile coming up the road behind me. I held out my thumb, hoping to hitch a ride. The car slowed down and before it came to a stop I recognized the driver; it was Casey Baldwin, the engineer working on the hydrofoil. Other than meeting him on that first day at the boathouse, and then at the party that night, I'd seen him only in passing. He always seemed to be working.

The car pulled over to the side of the road up ahead and I ran to it.

“Need a ride, kid?” he asked as I climbed in. “Thanks.”

The car started back into motion. It was a nice car, new and shiny. I noticed that Casey wasn't dressed for going to town—he was still wearing his old work clothing.

“Are you going to Baddeck?” I asked.

“I have to pick up some new equipment that came in on the
Blue Hill
today … things I need. I'm anxious to get it and get back to the boathouse.”

“You're going to keep working on it today?”

“Today, tonight and tomorrow. But, to be truthful, I don't think of it as work.”

“You don't?”

“No,” he said, shaking his head. “It's never work to do things you love doing. I wanted to join up, fight over in Europe, when war was declared. But Alec convinced me that my efforts would be better spent here, working on the
HD
-4. It's the most important thing I could be doing right
now. Sure, it seems like I never get a break, but on the other hand, I don't think I've worked a single day since I came up to Beinn Bhreagh.”

“I can't say the same thing. It all seems like work to me … and according to the talk I hear, I'm not doing it very well.” Why was I saying any of this to him?

“Funny, Alec seems to think you're doing a fine job.” “Alec?”

“Mr. Bell.”

“Mr. Bell said I was doing good?” I asked in disbelief. “Yes. He was very complimentary about your work at the party and was impressed by how quickly you picked up the game of bridge.”

“I can't believe he had anything good to say about me.” “Just because you called him batty?” Casey asked and started to laugh.

I felt so embarrassed. I didn't think Bell would have repeated my comment to anybody.

“Alec chuckled about that for days. Don't be fooled. He's one difficult book to read by the cover. I've known the man for a long while and most of the time I can't figure out what's going on inside that head of his.”

“How long have you been here?”

“A long time. After university I came up to spend a summer, just like you, and never left. Funny how things turn out differently than we might expect. Well, here we are. Where do you want to be dropped off?”

“I don't know. Where would be a good place?” I asked. “Main Street is where most of the activity happens.” “It's hard to believe Baddeck even has a main street,”

I laughed.

“Oh, it's not London or Paris or even Toronto—” “It's not even Halifax,” I interrupted.

“Or even Halifax, but there are things to keep a young man amused.”

“Things like what?”

“Well, if I were a lad of fifteen or so I think I'd browse the shops, maybe buy something small to send to my mother when I mailed her a letter … the post office is just beside the courthouse, by the way. Maybe I'd catch an early evening show at the cinema, have a bite at the restaurant and top it all off with an ice cream soda. Who knows, I might even meet some of the local people … perhaps even a pretty young girl my age,” he said, turning to face me with a big smile on his face.

He pulled the car over and came to a stop directly in front of the courthouse.

“Have fun, but be careful. Most of the people are friendly, but a few of the old-time locals still don't take too kindly to us outsiders.”

“Outsiders?” I asked.

“Anybody who wasn't born and raised in Baddeck or the county. Even after all these years, some of the people still see Alec and his wife that way, so you mustn't be surprised if they view the likes of you and me with a suspicious eye.”

That was exactly what Simon had said. “I'll be careful,” I said to humour him, although having grown up around the docks and warehouses of Halifax I didn't think there was anything here I had to fear.

I climbed out of the car and leaned back in through the open window. “Thanks for the ride. You're going to be working on the hydrofoil tomorrow, right?”

“Tomorrow and every day until it's finished.”

“Do you think you could use a hand?” I asked. “You've been working hard all week, you should take advantage of your Sunday off.”

“That's okay, I'd like to help.” I could see the brushoff coming a mile away.

“I appreciate your offer, but I'm afraid that isn't possible, Billy. It's all pretty technical work.”

“Maybe I could clean up or get things …”

“I'm sorry, Billy, it's just that it's all so hush-hush.

I know it sounds silly, but we can't have just anybody—” “It's no big deal,” I interrupted.

“I'd like nothing better than to have you come and help out. I know it sounds like something out of a dime-store novel, but—”

“Don't worry. I'd rather sleep in.”

“Now you're just rubbing it in,” he laughed. “I'll be up there and working by seven in the morning while you'll be sleeping. Hardly fair, is it?”

He was right about that, but what in life was fair? “Take care, and have a good day,” Casey said.

He pulled away from the sidewalk and started off down the road. Maybe he was friendlier than Bell, but it all meant the same. They thought so little of me that they didn't even want me around when I was offering to work for nothing.

Forget them! Forget that fancy boat of theirs! I was in town to have a good time!

Baddeck was much busier than when I'd first arrived. Along with Casey's automobile were half a dozen others, either parked or driving, as well as a
multitude of wagons and horses. The sidewalk was crowded and people had to push past along the narrow planks.

“Billy!” a voice called out.

I turned and saw Herbie crossing the street, waving a hand at me. I couldn't say I wasn't happy to see him coming.

“I told you we'd run into each other. Do you have the time to buy an old man a cup of coffee?”

“Nope, not a cup of coffee,” I answered. “But maybe a piece of pie and a cup of coffee. Where's the best place in town to eat?”

“I can show you the best place, but I'm afraid it won't do for the two of us dressed the way we are. Instead I'll bring you to the place that makes the best chow around these parts. All the sailors eat there.”

“My father always said sailors know the best food for the best price,” I said.

“He was right, he was. Come on, lad!”

“W
ELL, WAS I RIGHT
about the food?” Herbie asked.

“You were right. Everything was good. I'm glad I ran into you.”

“Me, too. I had a pie-shaped space in my stomach needing to be filled.”

“I wasn't sure where to go, or what to do. Is there much action in this town?”

“Plenty! There's a park in town where there's usually a ballgame going on, a band will be playing in the band shell this evening. And of course there's always the beach and swimming.”

“I didn't bring my bathing suit, and baseball wasn't the game I had in mind.”

“What game were you thinking about?”

“I don't know. What sort of things do you do for fun?”

I asked innocently.

“Me? What I do wouldn't be of much interest to a youngster.”

“I used to spend time doing things with my father. Sometimes he'd even take me with him when he got together with his friends. You know, they'd talk … and maybe play some cards.”

Herbie gave me a questioning look.

“You know … poker and blackjack … sometimes they'd throw dice. Does any of that go on around here?” “I never heard of a place where it didn't,” he answered. “Do you think you could get me into a game?”

“I could … but I ain't going to.”

“Why not?”

“The men at these games are real sharks, and I'm not about to bring a new little fishy for them to gobble down.”

“I wouldn't even need to play,” I protested. “I just like to watch.”

“Nobody just watches a poker game, and I'm not going to just watch you lose all your money. The answer is no.”

“Come on, Herbie, I'll find a way to get there with or without you. Wouldn't it be better if you were there to make sure I didn't lose too badly and that nobody took advantage of me?”

He didn't answer right away, which was a good sign. He was really thinking about what I'd said.

“How much money do you have, laddie?”

“Eleven dollars, I mean eleven dollars minus what I have to pay for our bill.”

He nodded his head slowly. “Is that your pay for the week?”

I nodded.

“I told you they paid well up there. Tell you what, I always eat my Saturday suppers with the widow Johnson. You think long and hard about this, and if you're still interested I'll meet you right back out front of this place at nine tonight. Okay?”

“You got a deal, and you won't regret it,” I said enthusiastically.

“I know I won't regret it, but I'm afraid you might. Then again, you might leave with less money and more wisdom.”

I 
SAT ON THE EDGE
of the sidewalk, kicking up little clouds of dust with my feet. The sun had been down for almost half an hour and it was clearly later than nine o'clock. Anxiously, I'd seen that 
RCMP
officer patrolling the streets. Luckily he'd been occupied with other concerns and hadn't taken notice of me.

My stomach grumbled. I'd only eaten a bite for supper because I wanted to save all my money for gambling. Now that it looked like Herbie wasn't going to show, everything was closed and there was no place for me to get anything to eat. If I left right now I might still be able to get something back at the house. All day I'd played around with the idea of not going back. Just leaving. There really wasn't any place to go. On the other hand, there really wasn't any reason to stay, either. But not tonight. It was too late.

As I rose to leave I saw Herbie ambling down the street. He was walking with a strange gait and I could hear him singing to himself.

“Was hoping you wouldn't be here,” he said in a slurred voice. It was clear he'd done more than eat. I could smell the liquor on his breath. “Do you still want to go?”