Frank jumped from the boat ,landing on the sandy bottom in knee deep water. He scrambled over round wobbley boulders to the shore and into the trees, out of sight of the boys. It looked to him like trouble with the boat and he sure in h... didn't want to be called back to help, especially since Ben still held a firm hold on the shotgun. From the safety of the trees, Frank watched and as he expected the boat was sucking up gravel through the grate and into the impeller cutting off power and steering. The engine was laboring and smoking as it over heated. Ben frantically gave it gas. It dislodged from the bar and drifted sideways down the river. Yelling and cursing was the last he heard from the boys as he took a trail back up river to where he could cross.
Harriet had finally left the closet thinking if the men were still in the house with Frank she would face the problem with him-- not hiding like a scared animal. She was relieved to see Frank making his way up the long steep stairs. "Frank, what happened? Are you okay?" She yelled out to him from the edge of the yard.
"Yes, Yes, I'm okay. Step aside Dear, I've got to get to the phone and call the police!"
"I've called already."
"They coming?"
"They'll send someone when they can. You know no crime, so they weren't concerned."
"Those idiots took our race boat. I guess they'll come now!"
"Frank, we've got to get the dog to the vet. I'll get him in the car. You call, then come on out! Okay?"
The dog whimpered and groaned from the back seat, where Harriet attended it..
"They just better not damage that boat." With each word uttered Frank pounded the steering wheel.
"Why couldn't you have just driven them to town in the car?"
"Said they had to pick up someone down on the river. Look there-- Harriet--the boat. There it is!" Frank squeezed the car onto the narrow shoulder on the river side. He stood looking down through the trees at the boat then turned to Harriet and said: "Now, how in h... am I going to get that boat?"
Frank!" Harriet screamed, "here they come!"
"What?"
"Look out, Frank. They're right behind you. . .Frank!"
Frank whirled and faced first Ben then Stewart. Ben in a screaming rage ordered Harriet out of the car. Stewart tried to calm his friend. He cute him off and began screaming.
"We've only got ten minutes to pick up Pat. Now give me a hand here, Stewart, and stop being a jerk. Look lady, get out of the car!"
Stewart got in on the passenger's side and when Ben bent to check for the keys in the ignition Frank pounced on his back. The soft gravel shoulder gave way as Ben shrugged Frank off his back. Frank tumbled backward down the bank, accompanied by a blast of profanity from all three of the men.
Ben again screamed at Harriet to move it! She stumbled on leaving the car and pitched head first down the bank. The car spun out, spraying gravel into the trees above their heads.
"Are you hurt Harriet?"
"I don't think so. Just torn up a bit. Let me be, for a minute. How are you Frank?"
"Harriet, I hear a siren...about time something went right here!"
"Be careful, dear, he's coming fast!"
At Frank's frantic waving the patrol car fish-tailed to a stop. A quick exchange of questions and answers and the patrol car was back on the road, sirens screaming. The stolen car had very little gas and Frank had strongly suggested that they be on its tail when it ran out.
Harriet smiled, wondering to herself how she could ever be afraid with Frank. "I'm ready to get up. Will you help?" As she crawled up the bank with Frank pushing from the rear she was saying how being his navigator next week was going to be easy after this ordeal. Then she remembered the dog.
Frank said he'd ask the officers to get someone to take the dog to the vet when the car was stopped. Frank was wondering what had become of his shotgun.
"Lets get back to the house. Are you up to the walk?" Harriet nodded yes. "I'm starving. What was for lunch anyway?
"Well, if it isn't too dried out, it is parfait of chicken livers with braised sultanas."
"Wow, another Atkin's recipe! He slipped his hand arouond her waist and promised to get them drinks while she put lunch together. Then he added, "We still have our "date" tonight?"
Harriet smiled. "How about right after the braised sultanas?"
Frank was thinking excitement was good for Harriet and then he stopped in mid-stride. The boat. He still had to get the boat home. "Harriet..." So much for love in the afternoon!"
The End
( I do hope you have enjoyed this story. Please forgive errors. My computer loves turning off at just any moment leaving me in awful situations!) Click here to go back to first page.
