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Solstice had arrived with its accompanying heat. I was planning to get away from the business. Tax season
had backed me up so much it took me two months to catch up. The complications of the Affordable Care Act had taken a toll
on my business. Harry Tate, one of my business tenants, walked in as I was just finishing an audit. "Well, Bud,
are the boys ready for the trip?" I looked up with annoyance. "Are you coming, Harry?" Harry
nodded his curlipate. "I just finished a case, and I really must get away from my work." "I'll have
my hands full with three boys," I smirked. "I can always use some help. The boys have become quite restless since school
ended this month." "So, when are we leaving?" "Today is Saturday, so Monday looks good." Early
the next morning, we began to get ready for a pleasant week, unbeknownst that our vacation would be postponed. Harry and
I were in my office that evening when my cellphone rang. I didn't quite recognize the number. "It's Brian McConnell.
Do you remember the last time I needed you?" "Yes, I called it the 'Case of the Frank Franklin'. Both Pete and
Marty were kidnapped after a chase through Franklin Mills. Meanwhile, I was investigating peculation at a wholesaler." "How'd
you like to do it again?" "I just finished an audit. Am I to work for free again? I'm no amateur detective." That
last statement intrigued Harry. "When did you play detective?" "Who's that?" Brian asked. "Harry
Tate, a professional detective," I revealed. "Perhaps he can come along, too." "Brian, I don't think Harry
practices pro bono publico," I winked. Harry jumped in. "What are you talking about?" "Brian has
a case for me involving embezzlement at -- what was the name of the place?" "Derrick and Crete," Brian answered
telephonically. "Did anything much change there?" I asked. "Well, they did get another assistant controller
after we jailed the one who was there at the time." "What does the owner say?" "Bud, the owner has died;
his sons took over." "It has been a while, Brian. When do they want me there?" "We're near the end
of the month, so they figure you can come there under cover of audit." "I can make it tomorrow, so tell them I'll
be there on Tuesday." After I hung up, Harry looked at me mischievously. "So, who's taking care of the
boys?" Harry asked. I feigned surprise. "Didn't you just agree to take the boys camping?" "You want
me to take of them alone?" "No," I corrected. "Don was coming with us." "Are you sure Don will want
to go camping when you get a nice mystery in Philadelphia?" "Yes, he will go with you, but only if I promise to
call him should the case become a mystery." "What if the boys want to come with you?" "I don't think so;
they'd rather go camping, I refuted wryly. "Besides I may be back before the week is over. I certainly expect
to return before the Arts Festival next month. I want to mime again."
Monday morning drizzled and the boys and the guys took off for nearby campgrounds. It
took me the morning before I was ready for the four-hour drive to suburban Philadelphia. Brian agreed to meet me in
the early evening to brief me on the case. I checked into a local motel in Bensalem just past five o'clock. I called,
but Brian hadn't come home yet. I left a message on voicemail, then went to a fast-food joint. I was just
sitting down when my cell rang. "Where're you at, Bud?" "Bri, I'm at a local restaurant. Can you
meet me at my motel?" "I can't make it tonight. Can you go to Derrick and Crete yourself? You should know
the way -- down Bristol Pike then across Grant Avenue." "Whom shall I meet there?
"I have you scheduled to meet
with the president, Mike Crete." "Don't you mean Art Crete?"
"He passed on about halfway between the last time
you were there in 1996 and now. However, many are still there who remember how you uncovered embezzlement." I
felt silly because I had forgotten that my client had passed away. It had been a complex adventure, but it had a happy
ending, so I looked with fondness upon coming back for the challenge. When I arrived I felt as though I had been
at the wrong place. A rather large warehouse greeted me, one much larger than I'd remembered. Our meeting was at
nine o'clock, and the parkinglot was already filled in the front. The receptionist gave me a badge, a procedure initiated
in 2011. However, Brian still had not arrived. I sat and waited, knowing the office was just around the door
I faced. Five minutes later, Mike Crete opened the door and invited me in. Despite the intervening years, I recognized
everyone in the office: Mike's brother Hal, brother-in-law Scott, and maternal aunt Nagina.
After formalities and small talk, Mike brought us to my purpose. "We seem to have a strange problem here." "Missing
inventory, supplies, or cash?" I ventured. "Unexplained happenings at the end of the week, usually past midnight." "Such
as," I continued "It all began after we expanded the warehouse and moved the loading dock. After hours started
showing unauthorized activity, but the police kept checking with nothing found." "So, did you hire private detectives?" "We
want something more substantial, just in case we're dealing with more than petty theft." "So, where's your controller,
and we can begin." "No, I want an independent audit all the way. So we picked the week he's off. I want
you to look at our internal procedures and how our banks audit us. Brian has gone undercover to check out the other side.
We could use another undercover agent. Do you know of anyone with such experience? Brian is mostly a parole office, not
a detective. If something should be happening, we'd need some professional input." It looks
as though Harry Tate would have a challenge to a vacation after all, I thought as I spent the day going through the procedure. As
a tax professional, I had just taken a course on proper auditing for fraud. That evening I called Harry, who was happy
to help out, despite the relatively low pay. For once I wished I still had Keith Cahill in State College to
watch the boys so Don Hough could join us. Don had more knowledge of camping, but we could have delayed the trip
until after the case. Because I had started on a Tuesday, the week went fast. I audited everything I could. The
accountants were also there at the end of the month and the quarter. Unlike the last time, I could not find any instance of
embezzlement. Early evening I went to my room,, wrote down my impressions, and even recalled how I had uncovered
the crooks the last time I was there. I longed to go undercover with Brian, hoping he would find a lead the following
Friday. Derrick and Crete closed during the weekends, so I waited for Brian to report to me what was happening that evening. Late
Saturday morning Brian called me to meet him at an industrial park in Bensalem. He was already there, so I drove over cautiously
checking for followers. I went into one building, out the other side, and into another building, then down to the basement. Brian
met me in the first room on the left. "What happened last night?" Brian shook his head. "We
closed as usual, so I looked for somewhere to hide and observe. I thought of a restroom, but I could not find a place, so
I left and hid outside. "Approximately midnight, after several lights around the dock remained on, a Camaro pulled
up. The warehouse night manager, Connie McKeith, came out. I thought he was asking for something, but he gave the driver something
which looked like a plasticine bag. I noted the license and tried to follow, but I lost him in Bensalem, right near your motel." "It
does suggest that the nefarious events may not have anything to do with finances of the company. Thus we should try a different
strategy. I will let up on the finances while Harry and you check out this angle." "When's Harry coming?" "We've
arranged for him to join you in the warehouse on Monday." "Is he stopping here?" "We could meet here on
Sunday rather than risk my motel room."
After the three of us met, Harry and Brian began their more
thorough investigation on Monday. They did not dare meet after work or with me until the end of the week. Independence Day
occurred on Saturday, which unfortunately meant that the warehouse would not be open on that Friday. The last week
in June proved more fruitful as I shifted my investigation toward outside illicit activity around the warehouse. I continued
the charade that nothing was amiss with the finances, which in fact was true. Tuesday was the closing of the books, so I began
to find an excuse to leave before someone had become suspicious. Because Independence Day was on a Saturday, Derrick and Crete
followed the schedule of the shippers and closed Friday as well. So Thursday I decided to announce my departure. I began gathering
my belongings, intending to hand in my report that afternoon. I was going on my hour break when the controller, who had returned
that week, called me into his office. A surprise awaited me. Earlier that day, I had gone into Mike's office
to make arrangements for the upcoming Independence Day weekend. This time Mike and Hal were in Mike's office. I reported no
irregularities from my viewpoint. So I expected the controller to give me some additional information to exchange
before I left. Instead Nagina was sitting at a round table in the room. I was so stunned, trying to figure why I
was there, and sat down by the table in the room. "This is your last day at Derrick and Crete," Nagina reported . "I
was thinking the same," I replied somewhat annoyed. "I've found no irregularities in the books, and I must get back to
State College." Nagina appeared disappointed as I walked out of the office, gathered my boxes, and left. I
assumed Harry and Brian were still in the warehouse., but they too would soon leave.
Independence Day was the following Saturday, and I took the boys camping. We were sitting by the fire Sunday night
when Don mentioned the last case. "I thought it was a waste of time for me. If there had been fraud, I couldn't
find it. What did Harry say?" "Harry is still there, Bud." "He what?" I stammered. "I
don't think management even knows he's undercover. When Harry suspects something, he follows it regardless of whether
he's paid. Right now Derrick and Crete has him on their payroll." A thought hit me. "Is Brian still
there?" "I don't know. I suppose Nagina had dismissed him as well. Surely she knew he was part of the
investigation." "What's her angle, anyway?" "Rumor has it that Nagina insisted that the company auditors
were sufficient to detect fraud. They also have bank auditors." "That may be, but any conspiracy could cover
up the fraud. There's also the issue of high turnover. The company has sextupled since I was there in 1996, which
means there are six times as much opportunity for fraud."
Don stared ahead, deep in thought. "I'd
better call him," he decided while pulling out his cellphone. He frowned as his handsome face reflected the light from
the campfire. "No signal?" I guessed. "No answer," Don shook his curlipate. "Let me call Brian,"
I answered. I too had no luck on the call. "When are we leaving tomorrow?" Don followed up. "The
Arts Festival will be starting on Tuesday night, and I want to pitch in. So, I expect to leave tomorrow morning to give
me a full day at the office. Besides, Wednesday is Children's Day. I will be busy that day at the festival."
I
was still busy Tuesday afternoon when the phone rang in my office. Don had news. "Harry says he may need you
after all, despite what the owners say. He's coming tomorrow to see us." "I'll be at the festival. I
agreed to mime." "Oh, yes. It's Children's Day." "When can we meet. He'll have a time trying
to find me at the festival." "Harry said he's leaving Philadelphia early, about seven o'clock. It should take
four hours to drive the four hundred kilometers. He says he can meet you at noon." "Tell him I'll meet him
at the Hetzel Union Building. I'll be in the lobby. We may lunch in the rear."
All through the day I wondered what Harry needed me to do. Every day at Derrick and Crete I could find nothing
irregular in the finances. Still, it must be that there are irregularities on Friday nights. What could it mean? Management
had to be covering up some operation.
I was still slightly behind in my work, which occupied
me the rest of the day. I figured Harry would update me in due time. Besides I had to make up enough work to push me ahead
a few days.
"The boys might not recognize you," Don remarked. I was in full mime makeup. "I
do well for my age," I teased. Don dropped me off, and I began a morning of prancing around the festival with clowns
and other mimes, mostly entertaining the kids. As usual, the heat was beginning to get to me in late morning.
I began worrying the July humidity would melt my makeup, or at least the sweat would dissolve it. I withdrew to an alley
for some shade and water. As I sat, I heard a lawn mower's buzzing. Then I heard an explosion drown out the
buzzing. A piece of branch of a tree floated past me as another explosion spattered bark of the tree under which I sat.
I instinctively dove for cover into the bushes surrounding the tree and the bench upon which I was sitting. By this
time, I heard footsteps. I glanced toward the source of the shots, and saw no one. I was not happy I had left
my pistol home.
Don reached me first and helped me up. "You were lucky," he admonished.
"With your height and get-up, I don't know how anyone could have missed!" "You're such a comfort," I replied sarcastically. Don
smiled. Harry is waiting for you." I smiled back. "I hope he excuses my appearance." The police arrived,
but the assailant was long gone. I made a quick statement on what had happened and where they could reach me. I wanted to
join in the investigation, but Harry was waiting. I began a long walk onto campus, up the mall, and toward the building.
There was nothing unusual until I walked far enough away from the festival. Oh, the stares I received when I entered
the lobby. I ignored them all and found Harry in the back of the lobby. He pulled a chair for me, and as I sat
down, he said, "Bud, I need you back." "How can I come back? Nagina has dismissed me." "I was looking
elsewhere." I glanced over at Don. He gave me a wry smile. "We have quite an obstacle here." "I
would think so. How can I sneak back there without notice?" I protested. "Harry just arranged for you to work there
at night." "How's that?" "A false identification, Bud. You'll also need a dark wig, unless you dye your
hair. We need as many undercover as possible." "Why not Don? Nobody there knows him." "Because," Don answered.
"I must stay with the boys. Besides, you know more about the case." "I expect the case to break soon. I have almost
enough evidence for the police. I traced the dealing of the methamphetamines to a business building on Street Road near the
casinos. Brian and I are going to check it out after work tomorrow night." "Wait a minute," I soughed. "Suppose
the one who shot at me works the night shift!" "Therefore, the disguise," Don suggested. "As if you need
one now!" Harry added. "It's possible that your assailant really doesn't know your face." Then Harry paused and
said, "Do you have copies of your reports and the list of employees at Derrick and Crete?" "My assailant could be
in there," I caught on. "I kept copies in case I needed proof of my work. We can start with the night manager and work our
way down. Let me work it out, and then I'll come back to Philadelphia and join you by tomorrow. We can compare notes with
what I have and what you and Brian find out."
Because of the assault on me, the police banned all the mimes that afternoon, so I had an excuse to go home and search. My
prime suspect was the night manager, who must have known about the shenanigans late Friday nights, but he could not have done
it alone. There must be at least a core group who works on that night and an outside group. How clever they must
be to know what the owners would do, so one of them must know the owners well. As I went through the names, I began another
thought, perhaps the mastermind used to work there. So I needed a list of former employees, but how could obtain one? With
that thought in the back of my mind, I started out early Thursday morning for Philadelphia and Derrick and Crete. Because
Brian and Harry had worked the night shift, I didn't expect them to be awake before noon. When I arrived at
my motel, I went straight to my room to nap. I had just lain down when I heard a tap on the door. Thinking it room service,
I ignored it. The tapping became persistent, so I finally arose to answer it. My draw dropped when I opened the
door. There stood Harry. "I wasn't expecting you already," I confessed. "Wait until I bring you up to
date," Harry stumbled into the room. "What happened?"
"Brian and I are not sure how, but we stumbled upon another
aspect of the case. We were following a lead from the warehouse when Brian happened to overhear something about an eyesore.
So after work last night, we went to that business building near the casinos. We thought we might find evidence of what was
going on in the warehouse. We managed to sneak in the back window."
"A risky adventure," I commented. "A bit
too risky. Brian and I had just made it to a rather empty room with just a few computers, when we heard someone at the front
door. We ducked into a closet and waited." "Let me guess: the owners." "We're not sure. We must have
been in there only a few minutes when we smelled smoke. It was just our luck the door jammed. By that time, we heard
the crackle of a fire. Brian and I tried to break open the door, which must have locked when we scurried inside. We did
manage to knock open the door. By that time, the room was full of smoke. Brian and I moved down to the floor and just managed
to escape back out the window, which we had left open upon entering." "So, where's Brian?" "He sprained
his shoulder when we knocked open the door. He won't be able to work tonight. We're going to investigate without him." "What's
the theory behind the fire at this iSore?"
"It's too much a coincidence. There must have been evidence of drug dealing
there. Right before we smelled smoke, we has smelled the pungent odor of turpentine." "Which makes it more imperative
we find evidence at the warehouse. It's Thursday, so we have only one day to find it," I concluded. "The fact that
Brian is out of the investigation may make it easier, because the upper management won't know us." "Unless one of
them spots me over the next two day," I reminded. "We still don't know who took a shot at me. I think we'll have to give up
after Friday night."
Thursday afternoon I took Brian's place. Connie McKeith accepted me, perhaps too readily. I began as a picker of orders,
with open ears. Everything seems so routine until my hour off. As I approached the lunchroom, I overheard two of the
employees' mentioning that "Talag would destroy our caper." I paused enough to hear, "Proctor would kill him if
he did." Then I continued on my way as I heard footfalls enough to think it prudent to leave the area. The
rest of the evening ran routinely, but I knew who Hank Proctor was. He had been at the firm only a short time and had been
promoted to assistant manager of the night crew. I also knew he had worked in Langhorne for a call center briefly. I
thought I had enough information to share with Harry once we came together. Midnight we each left separately, planning to
meet around noon at the same secret place. Friday morning I was up around eight o'clock. The local news had more
coverage of the fire at the local business near the casinos. The fire had gutted the entire section, and the police suspected
arson. The reporters noted the presence of an accelerant, and how it helped spread the fire. I could only think
of how fortunate Brian and Harry were to break out of the closet in time to escape.
That afternoon
Harry and I went to Derrick and Crete as usual. This time I did not overhear anything significant. McKeith occasionally walked
through the aisles in various aspect of his work. As midnight approached, the other workers prepared to leave. I briefly
came within earshot of Harry, who motioned to meet him outside. When the work ended, Harry and I remained apart
on clocking out. Once outside, we hid behind the buildings to observe the antics around the loading docks. Once
again we saw a van pull up to the docks. "That's the same white van," Harry whispered. McKeith came out
of the warehouse, walked up to the passenger side and out of our view. We moved closer for a look but could not get the
right angle. I motioned to follow McKeith, expecting him to get back to his office. Because the action was on the
docks, I took advantage of the diversion to sneak into a position observing the office. McKeith went into his office with
a small plasticine bag. Of course, I though, they bribe him with drugs, probably methamphetamines! Then I heard
more coming, so I slipped up the stairs to be out of sight. Below me I heard the men talk about the haul of drugs,
and how they were delivering the cash to Hank Proctor at come place called "Hard Cranks". I wondered where Harry
was at the time. Surely he was getting the same information. I did not want to call the police in case he had, I also wanted
to get as much information as possible.
Then out of nowhere, I caught a glimpse of a short blond man in his early twenties
down the end of an aisle. I ducked out of sight and paused wondering whether I should stay or leave. I chose the
latter and began to move toward the conveyor belts to get down to an exit. At that time I remembered what Deryl Talag's description
was. Why would a former employee be lurking around? I was almost ready to descend when Talag must have spotted
me behind him and started running. Impulse forced me to chase him, but as I ran down the last set of stairs, I slid.
I had almost fallen off, catching the banister. I had just caught my fall when I felt a jab into my arm. I saw the floor come
up to meet me as everything went black. I felt as if the next few hours had disappeared. When I came back to consciousness,
it felt like a nightmare.
As I felt my awareness return, I found myself gagged and tied to a pole. Cleave-gagged and wrists bound behind, I sat
on the warehouse floor below a girder. Having no idea how long I was out, I realized that no one seemed around. From
behind the étagčres, Talag appeared. An evil smile broke across his face. "I see the ketamine finally wore off.
I was afraid you'd slip away before I had a chance to have my revenge." My biggest worry at the time was the strangeness
of the situation. Where was Harry? Where was the gang? Where was the police? Talag stood right beside me and pulled
out a pistol. "Stand up," he commanded. As I slowly arose and shimmied my wrists up the pole, I realized how small
Talag was, about a meter and a half. Hey eyes slowly rose with me, finally realizing I was around four decimeters taller. After
the initial shock, he backed off, then the wicked smile returned. "It's time to take my revenge on Derrick and Crete
and one of its members." I could not understand what he meant. I was in no position to argue, so I stood there quietly.
Talag came around behind me, then silently left. I continued standing and wondering what to expect next. Then I
felt another presence behind me. "Bud, it's Harry. Hold still." Then we heard an outrage. "No!
Stop! Get away!" And explosion hit the girder about a half meter above my head. Harry had just cut the
ropes, so we both ran. We turned into an aisle when, instead of another shot, we heard an explosion. Another shot
rang out with a scream. Before either of us could stop running, we heard girders begin to collapse. A huge and coordinated
screech from several steel pillars outshouted the screams as the second floor over the destroyed girder collapsed onto the
ground floor. Harry and I were stunned as a cloud of dust spewed at us. I quickly took off the gag and
used it for a filter. Harry pulled out a handkerchief and did likewise. A minute passed then we cautiously moved around the
aisle to see a mass of twisted metal and squashed boxes. A police siren arose outside. Harry looked at me, then
averted his eyes. "They won't have any more to arrest tonight", he stated.
Harry told me
he'd give me the details later, so I drove to my motel in fifteen minutes and collapsed in bed. I was still sleeping when
a persistent knock on my door awakened me. Brian and Harry were on the doorstep. I invited them in and
began to dress. "I waited until the gang had passed the exchange. Brian directed the police to wait until then to
move in. We caught all of them except one, and the night manager. As you suspected, he was quite addicted to the methamphetamine.
He confessed and implicated the gang." "What will become of McKeith?" "After testimony, he may be sent
to Chicago under an assumed name for all I care," I spat. "Obviously Derrick and Crete will fire him." "As the gang
left the warehouse, I had the police catch them," Brian continued. "Then the police came back to the warehouse. "Why
didn't they look for me?" "In the chaos, the police didn't find you in the warehouse. Our guess is that Talag managed
to cover your body like a bundle, enough to fool the police in a cursory search. The police assumed you were no longer in
the warehouse," Brian answered. "But I didn't believe it," Harry interjected. "I knew you had gone into the warehouse,
yet your cellphone produced no answer. In essence, you did not check in with me. It was past 1 AM, so I began a furtive search
of the warehouse until I caught sight of Talag and followed him to you. "When I saw him, then you, I knew I had
been right. I waited until he had withdrawn from the area, I rushed to get you out of there before he detonated the explosive. "Do
you remember tales of an account representative about a year ago who died in a gun accident?" The question startled
me. "Yes, wasn't it around Lancaster on a weekend?" "That was Talag as well. Apparently he had been discharged two
years so he's been plotting revenge since then, waiting for a chance to get back at Nagina and the Cretes. Our unfortunate
rep became a target when Talag suspected he had overheard the plot, so he made the effort to track him down from Philadelphia." "How
did you find out about this?" "Your suspicions,Bud. Remember you started becoming suspicious of former employees
after you had left Derrick and Crete." Brian, who had been silent the entire time, spoke. "We have a further
the mystery for you." "What's that?" "We did not capture Hank Proctor. The police have a bulletin
out on him. Could you figure where he'd be hiding?" I thought a moment. "He was in a call center in Langhorne. Is
there one called something close to Hard Cranks, or was it just a joke?" Harry, who had been sitting, jumped up. "That's
it, Brian!" "I know where that is," Brian caught on. "Give me time to get dressed," I followed the logic
as I ducked into the bathroom.
I was out in five minutes. Because it was near noon on a Saturday, the traffic was becoming heavy into Langhorne. Harry
took us in his car and weaved through traffic. Soon we were at the call center. The place was barely lit as we walked
in with an employee. She looked at us strangely and asked, "Can I help you?" "We're looking for Hank the Crank,"
Harry responded. "Did he tell you he'd be here?" "He said whenever we needed him, he'd be here at noon
on a Saturday." "Wait here," she commanded, while holding up a card to the door. It beeped and left her in. Harry
moved quickly as he and Brian blocked the door from closing. Before she could protest, I caught a glimpse of Proctor. Unfortunately,
he saw us as well! Instantly I pushed ahead to catch him with Brian and Harry right behind me. I had just enough
of an aperçu to notice he had turned left. However a maze of cubicles greeted us on either side of the aisle, but we had the
disadvantage of chasing in rather dark environments. Despite the approach of noon and strong sunlight through distant windows,
it was quite dank in a large room of mazes without overhead lights. When I finally turned right, I lost Proctor.
Harry, who had gone down a parallel aisle, yelled, "He turned left!" By the time I reached the corner, Harry,
was there, still sprinting forward. I joined him, but there was only an option to turn left. As Harry and I reached
a wide, long aisle, we saw Proctor almost at the exit. Before we had gone ten meters, Brian, who had taken another path,
sailed at Proctor and knocked him down right in front of the vestibule. Brian's shoulder must have really hurt, I thought
as Harry and I made up the meters among us. Harry helped hold Proctor down while I called the police.
EPILOG Harry liked to tease me. "Did you figure out who took a shot at you?" "Obviously Talag. If
he had been ambitious enough to go to Lancaster, he certainly would go to State College," I replied. "I figure someone in
the gang had told him I was there for some nefarious deed, perhaps to cover for Nagina." "How do you think they
convinced Talag that Nagina did not want to get rid of you?" Brian joined in. "After thinking about it, I suspect
they told Talag some tale that I was going to help her do something against Talag," I continued. "Someone had to supply
my address, and he must have seen me as a mime. Talag probably thought he'd get away better by mixing with the crowd in the
Arts Festival. Talag must have been quite mentally unbalanced. Derrick and Crete should not have discharged him so abruptly." Harry
smiled and patted my shoulder. "Somehow Talag become convinced that you were working for her, and when he saw you,
he guessed you were spying for her. Talag had nothing to do with the drug passing in the warehouse. He was simply out for
revenge." "Some revenge," I muttered. "I suppose he'd wanted to set the warehouse on fire when he blew it up." "Quite
so," Brian added. "They found explosives all over the warehouse." "So now that it's all over, I think I'll call
this caper, 'The Case of the Imprintable Impressions'". "Bud, it certainly made quite an impression," Harry agreed.
"So, let's go back home and give Brian a chance to recover." "The next time I have a similar mystery, I'll be sure
to call you," Brian half kidded. "The next time I'll charge a fee," Harry threatened. "I'll also add some for Bud." We
bade Brian goodbye, entered our vehicle, and sped away. I had much to do in State College that weekend, and the Arts Festival
topped the list. This time I had three boys in mind for entertainment.
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