matter. Auntie Lil even checked behind Bob Fleming's desk, but the frustrating truth was all too clear—Timmy had fled. For whatever reason, he had changed his mind about retracting and taken to the streets again, leaving the director of Homefront to grapple with the charges against him as before.
"He's gone, isn't he?" The deep voice startled her and she jumped, knocking the receiver of a telephone off the wall. Bob Fleming was too distraught to care. He just brushed past her and sat down at the desk, head in hands. "I knew he wouldn't stick around. He was too scared. I'm surprised he even came here in the first place." The big man sighed. "I'm not surprised Annie could talk him into telling the truth, but I'm even less surprised that they got to him again."
"They?" Auntie Lil stared at Fleming. His despair was genuine and so, she thought, was his innocence. "Who's 'they'?"
He shook his head. "I don't know. It could be anyone. I step on a lot of toes if I do my job right. When I take kids off the street, I'm taking money out of someone's pocket. It could be a lot of people. But if I knew..." His voice trailed off and he stared out the window at the empty sidewalk. "He won't be back."
His hand flashed down with one swift, sudden slap and a small container of paper clips shattered into plastic shards. Bob Fleming took no notice.
Auntie Lil did. Whether Bob Fleming was innocent or not, she became acutely aware that she was alone with him in a small room with an exit that was easily blocked and a storefront that was too far west to attract much traffic this time of day. She edged toward the door, clucking sympathetically. Two more steps and she was only an arm's length away from the opening.
"Where are you going?" Fleming asked her suddenly. She took another step toward the door and he watched her with an absent, perplexed scrutiny as he played with the paper clips scattered across his desk.
"I've got to get back to St. Barnabas," she said as calmly as she could, confused by the sudden fright washing over her. "They are terribly shorthanded and need help serving."
Bob Fleming stared out the window. "Annie's there."
"Yes, she is. But I'm sure she needs help." Auntie Lil backed up carefully, feeling the doorjamb behind her. One more step and she'd be home free.
"Perhaps I should go with you. I might as well help out." Bob Fleming stood abruptly but she was already out the door, pretending not to have heard. Without looking back, she waved a cheerful goodbye over one shoulder and walked rapidly east. His brooding preoccupation disturbed her. He looked as if, beneath the surface, emotions were simmering at dangerous levels; when he finally cracked the explosion would be considerable.
She headed toward Emily's street, thinking of her next step. She had told Bob Fleming the truth; her final destination was St. Barnabas. But first she needed to talk to Herbert Wong.
When Auntie Lil walked past the Jamaican restaurant, Nellie was back on her table perch, surveying the streets. Their eyes locked briefly but Nellie's face showed no signs of recognition. Perhaps she had truly forgotten who Auntie Lil was. Or perhaps she was just a very good actress.
Herbert was once again ensconced in the parking lot across from Emily's house. This time no attendant was in sight and his only companion was a large, mangy-looking dog that slept quietly at his feet.
Herbert rose and bowed respectfully. "The attendant and I agreed that so long as I was here, I might as well help him out. Therefore, he is in a bar nearby enjoying his newfound freedom and I, being a scrupulously honest man, collect the tolls for him. It gives my pose much legitimacy."
"I thought disguises were superfluous and New Yorkers supplied their own blinders," she pointed out somewhat archly.
"Forgive me." Herbert bowed again. "I was in a distraught state when you found me. Tired and depressed from a night of fruitless work. Besides, if I help out the parking lot attendant, he will tell me what goes on in Miss Emily's building when I am not here."
"Where's Franklin?"
"He is seeking the man who first spotted The Eagle. He was seen near Madison Square Garden early this afternoon, so Franklin is down there now."
"At last." Auntie Lil stared at the facade of Emily's apartment building. "Anything unusual happen today?"