Part Three

All throughout the day, Spot’s thoughts were a complete mess and full of turmoil. Something else was going on behind Bambi’s plan. He was sure of it. Something about her entire demeanor, and something behind her eyes was only too mysterious. She was hiding something. And whatever it was, she was being very keen enough to hide it from the average person. But Spot was not the average person.

Before returning home, he made a stop by Manhattan to speak to Jack about the “business trip” he would be taking. To avoid lying, he told Jack that his stepfather had died and that he had to continue some of his work. Jack fully understood and offered to look in on the Brooklyn goons every couple days.

He didn’t stay much longer after that and was grateful that Jack was so inclined to be of help. Yes, Spot trusted his newsies, but he had never been away from them for more than two days. And those two days had been filled with several accidents and mishaps, but no serious damage or injury was done. But if this much could happen in a forty-eight hour time period, he was afraid of what would happen during a twelve-day period.

The Brooklyn newsies were all absent went Spot arrived. He wasn’t surprised, for with the hot weather slowly beginning to die away, most of the newsies would spend the afternoon at the docks to go swimming. Spot couldn’t swim very well and chose not to go along on their swims.

Once he arrived, he went to his bedroom and twisted the doorknob. Surprisingly, the door wouldn’t open. The doorknob would turn, but something was blocking the door. Spot pressed his shoulder up against the door and pushed. His push had little impact, so he pushed harder. Then he slammed his shoulder into the door with all the strength he could muster up. The door opened a crack, but large enough for him to stick his foot in the crack to keep the door open.

Setting his hands firmly against the door, he pushed again and used his foot to pry the door open. Slowly, the weight pressing again the door was subsiding, and when Spot could fit through the opening, he slid through. His jaw dropped upon entering.

Someone had raided his bedroom. Books, clothes, underwear and paper were thrown about the room as though a tornado had torn through. The bookcase containing his mother’s diary and several books he had collected had been tipped over in front of the door and had been the reason for him not being able to come in.

As he made his way through the room, he picked up everything in his path to put them away. It took him nearly fifteen minutes to make the room look at least halfway decent. When he was nearly finished, he went to his bed to make it up again when he found a slip of paper on the pillow. He took the paper and found that there was handwriting on it.

I warned you not to go near her. She belongs to me. And I know what you’re planning to do. Take my advice and desert her now. If you don’t, I will kill you.

Angus. Spot shook his head. So he was the same man he had met the day before. Somehow, he didn’t believe that Angus could kill him, but he knew that he should tell Bambi about this. If he could find her. All he knew was that they were to meet at the boat docks at one tomorrow afternoon to board their ship.

Stomps and laughter were sounding from the bunkroom. The newsies were returning early from their swimming. Spot crumpled the paper in his hand and shoved it in his pocket, then went outside to see if RJ was among those who had just arrived. Sure enough, he had just entered the bunkroom.

“RJ, c’mere.” Spot called, beckoning at him.

RJ obeyed and went to his leader. “Wassup?”

“I toldja las’ night I’m gonna take care ‘f some ‘f my stepdaddy’s business. Well, if some Asian girl named Bambi comes by askin’ for me, let ‘er in.”

RJ’s brows raised. “I thought ya said not t’ accept any more ladies.”

“She worked with my stepdaddy. I’ll need t’ talk to ‘er.”

“If ya let one girl pass, a bunch ‘f others are gonna find ways t’ pass too.”

“Cut th’ sarcasm. If she comes, admit ‘er. In fact, get Shep ‘n’ Dix. Have ‘em go look for ‘er ‘n’ bring ‘er back.”

It was obvious to Spot the RJ was becoming suspicious. However, he also knew that RJ trusted and respected him as not only their leader but as a person, and was willing to do what he said. And sure enough, RJ nodded.

“Okay. Soon as they’re ready, I’ll send ‘em out.”

“An’ be sure t’ tell them that this’s really important.”

* * *

It was seven twenty-four and the sky was darkening. Four hours ago, RJ had sent Shep and Dix out to find Bambi, and they still hadn’t found her. Spot was sure she would be close by because of their quest, unless she was hiding from Angus.

Spot knew that Angus was going to be a serious problem. Bambi had mentioned that Angus did not have all the information that she had obtained by herself, but that he knew she had the information that he wanted and had been trying to find her to steal everything. But why would he have come to Spot’s lodging house to find that information?

The only piece of information that Spot held was the key to the chest that Bambi told him that bracelet would be kept in. Then he figured that Angus was trying to find the key. If Spot and Bambi were to leave without the key, they would not be able to access the bracelet. It was now that Spot was truly thankful he wore the key around his neck.

There was a knock at the door. Spot leapt to his feet to answer and found Shep standing in the doorway with his hands shoved in his pockets.

“We found ‘er, Spot.” He muttered. “Wasn’t easy, but we found ‘er.”

He moved aside for Bambi to pass. When her eyes met Spot’s, it was clear to him that she was not happy to have been brought here.

“C’mon in.” he said to her. “Shep, make sure we ain’t disturbed.”

Nodding, Shep backed away and closed the door behind him. Now in complete privacy, Bambi’s frown fledged fully into an almost raging manner.

“I told you not to try to find me.” She stated firmly.

“This’s an emergency.”

“It better be.”

“I think your friend Angus was here.”

Her fury evaporated from her face. “While you were here or while you were gone?”

“While I was gone. ‘E tore th’ place apart ‘n’ left me this.”

He handed her the note left behind by the intruder. As she read over her it, annoyance filled her face.

“The slimy little leach.” She murmured.

“I think ‘e was lookin’ for th’ key.”

“I wouldn’t doubt that. It’s just what he wrote here, that I belong to him. He knows that I don’t, nor will I ever.”

“‘E’s in love with ya?”

“He thinks he is.”

“So ya think ‘e’ll try t’ follow us?”

“He might. If there’s one thing he wants besides me, it’s that bracelet. And I know that if he got that bracelet, we could be in trouble.”

“Why?”

“He’s a control freak. He someday wants to run for president, and he could if he was rich enough. Then he could buy friends and start something we’d all regret.”

“So ya’d better get rid ‘f all th’ info ya got on gettin’ th’ bracelet.”

“Believe me, I will. We can’t have him following us.”

“No, I mean really get rid of it. Like throw it int’ th’ sea or burn it or somethin’.”

“Spot, don’t worry so much. I’ll take care of everything. Believe me, everything’s gonna work out for the best.”

There was an edge in her tone that Spot barely detected. She was hiding something, and he knew it. The question was what, and how he could find out.

“I’ll leave now.” She said, handing him the note back. “Meet me at the docks at twelve instead of one. Bring only what you need, like clothes, a blanket and money. I’ll take care of the food and other supplies.”

* * *

Spot was completely unable to sleep that night. Part of the reason had to do with the fact that he had never sailed on a ship before, and he was hunting for a bracelet with a woman he wouldn’t trust as far as he could throw her. Not only that, but he sensed that there was something within this plot that he had tried to figure out.

When dawn broke, he awakened and packed everything he needed for the trip. He packed two extra sets of clothes, a warm coat, and extra pair of shoes, a blanket, and most of his life savings. The cane he would have to leave here, but he was not going to leave without his slingshot. Last night he had collected ammo for his slingshot, including green walnuts, rocks, and marbles.

Everything was packed, but he still had six hours before he needed to meet Bambi at the docks. He was already feeling his stomach churn with nervousness. For twelve days, he was to travel with a woman he didn’t trust to a place far away to find a bracelet that supposedly had been left there by Vikings.

What if the bracelet wasn’t there? Or what if the key couldn’t unlock the treasure? And what if they ran out of supplies in the middle of the cave? What if one of them became sick or injured? What if they lost their way? Spot shook his head. Now wasn’t the time to think of what if. This was the adventure of a lifetime. Any obstacle in their path, Spot would take it like a man.

The hours passed slowly, and the silence was deafening. Once eleven thirty came around, he gathered his pack and left for the docks. The trek would take him at least fifteen minutes, and for the other fifteen, he wanted to make sure that Bambi would be there. If this was a trick, he didn’t want to be the last to find out.

Slithering through back alleys and shadows, Spot kept watch for Angus. Though his appearance gave him that illusion of being harmless, what he had written in the note was enough for Spot to put his guard up. Then he frowned. He was trusting something Bambi had told him.

‘I can’t trust her any further than that.’ He finalized. ‘She’s gotta give me some proof for me to trust her. If she doesn’t provide that, then I’d better guess that this trip won’t be what I thought it would be.’

He arrived at the docks later than he had expected. Carriages and upper-class couples were scattered all over, conversing of financial matters and where their exotic vacations would be taking place. Very few passengers in his class were waiting here. Bambi wasn’t among them.

Sighing, he found a nearby crate and sat down heavily. With his bag resting up again his legs, he relaxed and kept an eye out for Bambi. All the while, he was being eyed like a bug by some upper-class people who were nearby. If they only knew who he was, he hoped that they would think twice about those looked at him in that manner.

Fifteen minutes passed, and there was still no sign of Bambi. Not only that, but the passengers could now board the ship and find their assigned quarters. Spot tapped his foot impatiently, feeling like a sucker that he had fallen for Bambi’s charade. If she didn’t show up within the next fifteen minutes, he would leave. And he would take the key with him.

“You there, boy!”

The voice was directed toward Spot. Turning his head, he saw an older, upper-class couple with the man pointing his cane at Spot.

“Yes, you. You shouldn’t be in this establishment! This is first class!”

“I’m waitin’ for someone. She told me t’ wait ‘ere.”

“Then wait somewhere else. You’re an abomination to see here.”

Spot rooted his feet to the ground. “Look pal, I ain’t havin’ a very good day right now. Now I’m waitin’ for a lady, an’ she hasn’t shown up yet. So I’m stayin’ here till she comes.”

“Would you like us to call the authorities on you?”

“Oh, I’d bet th’ captain of th’ ship would love t’ hear that ya knocked off one ‘f his passengers just cuz some hoity-toity couple can’t face th’ sight of reality that they ignore!”

“This is simply outrageous!”

The man was about to say more when Bambi came bounding up to prevent a fight from breaking out. With a large pack under her arm, she set it down and tartly kissed Spot’s cheek.

“Play along.” She muttered through gritted teeth as she drew away. “There you are. I’m so sorry I’m late, I lost the tickets.”

“Ya din’t come a moment too soon.”

“I’m glad. Come on, we have a ship to board.”

Slipping her hand into his, she handed him her pack and he took both that and his own and went to board the ship. There were three docks from which to board: one first class, one second class, and the last, third class. Bambi led Spot to the third-class loading dock and drew out the tickets.

A sailor was waiting at the entrance to the ship. Once Bambi and Spot arrived, she handed the tickets to the sailor and waited for him to allow them to pass.

“Names?” he wondered.

“Conlon.” Bambi replied. “Gabriel and Bambi Conlon.”

Spot raised a confused and suspicious eyebrow to Bambi, but the frown she returned him with was enough to silence him.

“Okay.” The sailor voiced. “You’ll only be going to Maine?”

“Yes, sir.” Bambi answered.

“Very well. We’ll arrive in Maine in two days. You’ll be staying on this deck only, but you may visit the boat deck. There’s a dining hall off to the left and meals will be held at seven thirty in the morning, twelve noon, and five thirty in the evening.”

“Thank you.” Spot muttered, taking the tickets.

Hefting both packs, Spot passed through the doorway onto the ship’s hallway. The walls were plain, only painted white with brown doors every few feet. Each door had a number on it.

“Which room is ours, honey?” he questioned, adding an edge to the last word.

“I’m in cabin 68. You’ll be in cabin 65.”

“Separate rooms, an’ we’re supposed t’ be married?”

“It was absolutely necessary for me to say we’re married.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yes! It would be too suspicious if we traveled together with no relation. Being related couldn’t be done.”

“So now we’re married.”

“For now.”

“So if we’re supposed t’ be married, why’re we in separate rooms?”

“I don’t know about you, but I’d rather stay in separate rooms. It would be indecent if we shared one.”

“But ya said so, we’re supposed t’ be married.”

“We both know that we really aren’t, so you have nothing to worry about.”

“An’ jus’ how’s that supposed t’ look t’ other passengers?”

“Let them think what they want to.” She snatched her bag from his grasp. “This is my cabin. Yours is three doors down.”

Throwing the door aside, Bambi stepped in and tossed her bag onto a bunk. Then she grabbed the doorknob and readied to close the door.

“Enjoy your trip, Spot.” She said, feigning sweetness.

The door slammed, and Spot stood dumbfounded in the doorway. Who was this girl, pulling him into a controversy he had no idea about and then not keeping up with it to prevent the wrong assumptions forming? He scowled. He never should have come on this trip.

* * *


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