_Escape_
At a gas station Vicki slowed down, looking around cautiously for any
car which might be Dorn’s before she stopped. No sign of Dorn--yet.
Vicki bought gas and did not linger. Out on the highway she picked up
speed and said to Lucy:
“Now, listen to me. Mrs. Heath and her son are trying to keep you away
from the Bryants and your rightful inheritance. They want the Bryant
wealth for themselves.”
“But how could they? I don’t understand--who is Mrs. Heath’s son?”
“He’s Dorn, a lawyer your grandparents hired to find you--that was
when Mrs. Heath was luring you out to the hills. Then when you were
practically a prisoner, Dorn brought a girl he said was Lucy Rowe to
your grandparents--”
“But I’m Lucy Rowe!”
“--and they’ve accepted her on his word and ‘evidence’ and because
of the silver ring she wears.” Lucy gasped. “Their next step is to
persuade you to go abroad and stay there. Now, this other girl, who’s
in collusion with Dorn and Mrs. Heath, is living in your grandparents’
house and pretending to be you.”
Lucy burst into tears. “That’s terrible. Are you sure, Vicki? How do
you know?”
“I met the girl at the Bryants’ house, that’s how I know. And I only
hope,” Vicki said tensely, “that Dorn and Mrs. Heath don’t stop us from
ever reaching New York.”
Lucy said, crying, “Even so, please let’s not go to the police. Not
even to report them. I don’t want my grandparents to hear about me
first from the police. I want to meet them in a--a happy way--”
“You shall. Don’t cry any more, Lucy. Don’t look so afraid. I think
Dorn and Mrs. Heath’s main intent now is to reach the Bryants first
with their story, before you and I do. They probably won’t waste time
trying to stop us.” Vicki did not entirely believe this, but Lucy could
not stand much more strain.
They were approaching the outskirts of San Francisco. Vicki stopped at
a public telephone booth and called the minister. It was a little past
three o’clock in the afternoon.
“Miss Vicki!” he said. “What a relief to hear from you! Are you all
right? Is Lucy with you?”
“Yes, Mr. Hall. Here she is.” Vicki handed Lucy the receiver,
whispering, “Be quick.” She moved away, but heard Lucy say:
“Oh, Mr. Hall, if only I’d listened to you!”
Lucy talked to him for a minute or two, then gave the phone back to
Vicki.
“I’m going to try to get us on a plane to New York this afternoon,”
Vicki said to him. “I think Federal Airlines will find room aboard for
us. Please don’t worry, Mr. Hall. Thank you for everything. We’ll keep
in touch with you.”
Vicki next called Federal’s reservations desk. As one of their
stewardesses, she could fly free on vacation and, in addition, she
could get a pass when she had the mileage coming to her. Luckily
she had it now. Vicki pleaded for a seat for herself and one for
her friend, Lucy Rowe. Since Vicki insisted this was an emergency,
Reservations agreed to accept her check for Lucy’s fare and told her
to go out to International Airport and wait. If, at the last minute, a
flight had two seats still unpurchased or had two cancellations, she
and Lucy were welcome to them.
First they returned the rented car, then traveled by taxi to the
airport. In the rotunda Vicki and Lucy made themselves as inconspicuous
as they could around a corner--Dorn and Mrs. Heath might walk through
the terminal at any time! The two girls waited out one flight after
another. Passenger traffic was heavy; not a single Federal flight had
space for them.
Vicki began to worry, and to grow tired and hungry. Lucy was drooping.
Vicki went again and again to the reservations desk, reminding them,
begging for seats. The evening wore on. By now, Dorn and Mrs. Heath had
had ample time to drive from Pine Top to San Francisco and, as they
themselves were doing, try to get space on a flight. Who was going to
win this grim race? Finally, at ten thirty Reservations cleared Vicki
and Lucy to go aboard a Federal DC-7 air coach. It wasn’t as fast a
plane as the Electra, but at least it flew a direct transcontinental
route. They would have to change planes at Chicago.
The two stewardesses were acquaintances of Vicki’s, and they were
surprised to see her come aboard. Noticing how tired she and Lucy were,
they brought them sandwiches and hot coffee once they were aloft, and
then blankets. The two girls were too exhausted to say or think another
single thing. They fell asleep and slept through the quiet night flight.
Next thing Vicki knew, a stewardess was shaking her. “Wake up, Vic.
We’re coming in at Chicago in five minutes.”
Vicki awakened Lucy. It was half dark and cold as they left the plane,
two bedraggled figures, and boarded another plane. Take-off time was
seven A.M. The girls slept again. At ten thirty A.M., New York time,
they landed at Idlewild Airport. A Federal crew car gave them a ride
into Manhattan. Vicki asked to be let off at the apartment she shared
with several other stewardess friends. It was just as well that no one
but their housekeeper, Mrs. Duff, was at home.