M oe looked at the clock on the mantel. Three hours until delivery. That’s how Officer Maxwell referred to the meeting at the park. He scratched his white hair beneath the gray cap. Each minute that passed seemed to last an hour.
He had sent a telegram to the Matthewses’ place informing them that he had a family emergency and was unable to return at this time.
He knew Mr. Matthews wouldn’t be pleased with the turn of events but he wouldn’t be terribly upset either. Moe was a devoted worker and could count on his hands the number of times he had taken an extra day for himself. Besides there was enough of his homemade bread and jam in the icebox along with hard boiled eggs and vegetables.
He wished he could accompany Toby to the park to make the exchange but Officer Maxwell had deemed it too dangerous due to Moe’s advanced age. Moe’s bushy brows pulled together. Who was he calling an old man? Nevertheless he understood. The meeting in the park was a serious one. One mishap could cause the kidnappers to panic and he didn’t want to think what could happen then.
