Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [1]
“The rent is up next week. When I get to Charleston and find a place to live, I’ll sleep in for a few days. It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it, Elmo?”
“One of the prettiest I’ve seen in a long time. Good weather predicted for tomorrow, too. I’m closing the store to attend your graduation,” Elmo said gruffly.
“Really! You’re closing the store!”
“Yes, and the dean gave me a ticket for a seat in the first row.”
Annie walked behind the counter to hug the old man. “I don’t know what to say. My brother wrote to say he couldn’t make it. Mom doesn’t . . . what I mean is . . . oh, Elmo, thank you. I’ll be sure to look for you.”
“I’m taking you and Jane to dinner afterward. Won’t take no for an answer. I might even have a little gift for the two of you.” He twinkled again.
Annie laughed. “Don’t forget, you promised to write to me. Oh, oh, what’s that?” Annie asked, whirling around.
“Backfire. Dang bunch of kids racing their motors is what it is,” Elmo grumbled.
Annie pocketed her change. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Elmo.”
“You bet your boots you’ll be seeing me. Go on now. I know this is your sentimental walk before it all comes to an end. Walk slow and savor it all.”
Tears welled in Annie’s eyes. “I will, Elmo.”
“Git now, before you have me blubbering all over this white coat of mine.”
“Did I ever tell you that you’ve been like a father to me, Elmo?”
“A million times. Did I ever tell you you were like a daughter to me, Annie?”
“At least a million times,” Annie said in a choked voice.
“Then git!”
Annie fled the store, tears rolling down her cheeks.
She rounded the corner, walked two blocks, sniffling as she went along, before she cut across the campus parking lot. She was aware suddenly of running students, shrill whistles, and wailing police cars. She moved to the side to get out of the way of a careening police car, whose siren was so shrill she had to cover her ears. “What’s going on?” she gasped to a young girl standing next to her.
“The cops just shot someone. I think he’s dead.”
“Was it a student?” Annie crossed her fingers that it wasn’t someone she knew.
“I don’t know,” the girl said in a jittery-sounding voice.
Annie advanced a few steps to stand next to a police officer. “What happened, Officer?”
“Two guys robbed the Boston National Bank. One of them got away, and the other one was shot.”
“Oh.”
“Move along, miss, and be careful. Until we catch the other guy, don’t go anywhere alone and keep your doors locked.”
“Yes, yes, I will.”
Annie weaved her way among the rows of cars, passing her own Chevy Impala, the bucket of bolts that would hopefully get her to Charleston, South Carolina, the day after tomorrow. Parked right next to her car was Jane’s ancient Mustang. She took a moment to realize the windows were open in both cars. Neither she nor Jane ever locked their cars, hoping someone would steal them so they could collect on the insurance. It never happened. She shrugged as she eyed the array of cars. Beemers, shiny Mercedes convertibles, Corvettes, and sleek Buicks. All out of her league. Any car thief worth his salt would go for the Mercedes or the Beemers. She shrugged again as she made her way to the small apartment she’d shared with Jane for the past six years.
Annie opened the door to the apartment and immediately locked it.
“Oh, Annie, you’re home. Thank God, I was worried. I just heard on the radio that the bank was robbed. I have three hundred ninety-five dollars in that bank. What’s it mean? Is that what all the ruckus is about out there?”
“Yes. I was talking to one of the cops, and he said not to go anywhere alone and to keep our doors locked. One of the gunmen got away. My two hundred eighty dollars is in that bank, too. They’re covered by insurance, but I’m taking mine out first thing in the morning. How about you?”
“I think we should go now and do it.”
“We can’t. The bank is a crime scene now. Tomorrow it will be business as usual. I don’t think we have anything to worry about.”
Jane Abbott crunched her long, narrow