Safety Harbor. Chuck Cooper

to get down there to see if I can talk to him.”

      “You go.”

      “Thanks. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Oh, and don’t tell Lou. It’ll just upset him.”

      “I understand.”

      But it was not to be.

      Father Callaghan said, “Something’s afoot. Look! The whole parade has stopped. What do you suppose is going on?”

      “Well, the first time,” said Susanna, “it was the kids getting out of the bus. I can’t imagine that it’s anything to worry about.”

      “Something is not right here, Susanna.”

      “I agree with Frank. Let’s ask Ruth if she knows anything,” Lou said, punching his call light. “After all, I’m paying for this gadget. They have hovered so much that I haven’t needed to use it until now.”

      It was not Ruth who appeared at the door.

      “Where’s Ruth?”

      “Ruth has a family situation she has to attend to,” said Shirley. “She had to leave for a while.”

      “I hope it isn’t Little Therese. She’s in the parade and it’s getting very hot out there!”

      “No, Little Therese is okay,” she said.

      “What then?” Lou asked.

      “Maybe it’s her own business, Lou,” said Wendell.

      “Something is wrong,” said Father Callaghan. “I can feel it. You need to tell us if it’s important.”

      “By all means,” said Lou.