“Yes, but as you’ve already said, your nerves are exhausted, and Father will be no better, knowing that his dear wife is ill to the point of possible death.” Susanna shook her head. “I remember how hard it was when Mark was sick. You will thank me later for being there to manage the financial demands and stand as support. We will speak to the doctor tomorrow. I’ll come and get you first thing in the morning.” Susanna paused and looked at her mother. “By the way, who is your doctor? I’ve not had time to meet any of the medical folks in this area. I know there are doctors for the Santa Fe and that the railroad has its own little hospital, but I have no idea what is available to those not associated with the railroad.”
“I have managed for myself, Susanna. I don’t need you to speak to my doctor.” Mother’s agitation was growing, and Susanna had taken all of the lies she was going to stand for.
“There is no doctor, is there, Mother?” Susanna signaled the Harvey Girl. “I’d like to pay the check.” She handed the girl some money. “Will this cover it?”
“More than.”
“Good. You keep the rest as your tip.”
Susanna got to her feet while her mother watched with her mouth clenched tight and her eyes wide in fear. When Susanna headed for the door, she heard her mother’s chair scaping across the floor as she hurried to follow.
They were outside before Mother called to her. “Susanna, wait!”
Susanna turned and shook her head. “How could you lie about something so important as being sick enough to die? Did you honestly expect that I would just hand over my money without checking into what was going on?”
“You don’t understand. I simply don’t want you in the middle of it. I have my pride, you know. My health is my business.”
“Mother, you have always made your health issues the business of anyone and everyone who was close enough to hear your complaints.”
Her mother gasped and put a gloved hand to her mouth. “That isn’t true. Oh, you are a heartless child. It is hardly my fault that I am so weak and frail.”
Susanna laughed out loud. “I know of no one stronger or healthier than you, Mother.” She fixed her mother with a look and shook her head as she sobered. “And for that I am glad. I only wish you were.”
Susanna looked around her rooms in disbelief. Everything was a mess. Drawers had been pulled out in the kitchen and at the desk. Someone had clearly gone through every corner of the living area. The bedrooms too showed signs of someone having rifled through their belongings.
Gary and his friends were nowhere to be found. Neither was Father. She had fully expected to find him at the front desk, but he wasn’t there.
She drew a deep breath and wondered what she should do. It would probably be wise to get the local law officials involved.
She stepped outside the hotel and spotted a couple of boys playing kick the can. “Boys,” she called, “could you come here a moment?”
They both looked fearful, as if they knew they were in trouble.
She smiled to reassure them. “I wonder if you might fetch the constable for me.”
“Sure. He’s just down the street.”
Susanna nodded. “Thank you. Just tell him that I need to see him at the Grand Hotel.”
The boys made a mad dash down the sandy dirt road, each trying to outrun the other. Susanna might have laughed had the situation not been so grave. She waited outside, glancing up and down the street, wondering where her father had gone. She had begun to pace when the boys returned with the lawman.
“Miss, these boys said you needed to see me.”
“Yes, thank you, boys. Here’s a nickel for each of you.” Susanna smiled at the way their eyes widened. They nudged each other, then stepped aside for the constable.
“What seems to be the trouble?” he asked.
“Someone broke into our private living quarters here at the hotel. They went through everything.” She led the way into the hotel.
“Is anything missing?”
“Yes. About ten dollars in coins and paper money. I kept it in my bedroom.” She pointed to the open door across the room. “That one is my room. The other is my brother’s. I’m not sure what he might be missing. I suppose if we can locate him, we can ask. I think he might be at my folks’ house.”
“The Medford place?”
“Yes.”
“You think the money is the only thing missing?”
“Well, it was the only thing of any value.” She looked around the room. “We haven’t been here that long, and I haven’t added any personal decorations. I don’t have any jewelry to speak of since I’ve been in mourning—at least nothing that’s worth money.” She sat down at the table, suddenly feeling very shocked by this turn of events.
“Susanna?” a voice called from the front of the hotel. Owen looked into the room. He immediately frowned as he caught sight of the constable. “George, what’s going on?”
“Owen, do you know this young woman?”
“I do. We go to church together—and we’re friends.” Owen came to where Susanna was sitting. “What happened?”
“Someone broke in and . . . well, you can see for yourself the mess they made.”
“Where’s your father?”
“I don’t know.” Susanna shrugged. “Mother stopped by and asked me to join her at the Harvey House for dessert. Father was here at the hotel to watch over things, and Gary and his friends were still here at the time but had plans for an evening of fun.”
“Is anything missing?” Owen asked.
“We were just covering that,” the constable replied before Susanna could speak. “Apparently some money but nothing else.”
“Unless Gary had something of value in his room.” Susanna shook her head. “Although I don’t know what it would be other than money.”
“There’s been some other robberies of late. A few of the stores have been broken into as well. We figure it’s probably the same folks responsible. It seems like they’re clumsy and not all that good at this—probably kids or young men just getting started in a life of crime. Keep an eye out for anything unusual, but I don’t think they’ll be back. They know now that there isn’t anything of value.”
“But what about the hotel guests?” she asked. “I haven’t checked to see if any of the rooms were broken into.”
The constable nodded. “I’ll swing upstairs and talk to whoever is here. I doubt the thieves would have risked it, though. They wouldn’t have any way of knowing whether people were in their rooms or not, so taking that chance wouldn’t have been wise.”
“Thank you.” Susanna forced a smile. “I appreciate that you came so quickly.”
“I wish I could do more, but like I said, I think we’re just dealing with kids. Whoever it was probably saw your father step out and decided to give it a go.”
“We have some new boomers who started last week,” Owen offered. “You could check in with them. A couple strike me as rather underhanded.”
“I’ll do that. I know there were some new cowboys too. Meanwhile, just keep things locked up and someone on duty. That is the best advice I can offer.”