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Show 137 "Parker! I told you, I'm not in that racket anymore." She leaned back, feeling desperate. "How are you gonna believe me? I broke in at your place . . . right . . . I know. But I'm not into that stuff anymore. I'm not! All this happened last winter, over a year ago. Frog and I stole hundreds of dollars worth of private property- conjointly-only I ended up with whatever pin money he wanted to give me. Not much. Saturday, they caught up with both of us." Parker's eyes were still questioning. She hadn't convinced him. "The police got onto him with a search warrant. Frog had never fenced a single coin, kept every collection intact in its own boxes and folders. Cripes, you'd think a professional would be smarter than that!" "I guess . . . this isn't your first arrest, then." "My second. Frog ran off and left me once. I was on probation after that, but it didn't involve any property." Dyna searched Parker's face. His brown eyes were grave, they weren't forgiving. Suddenly, her voice turned sharp. "So how'd you get your registration money last fall? 'Hey, Dad, I need a check. Make It out to Bonneville for thirty-seven bucks.' Right? Tell me, am I right?" Parker nodded. Dyna turned away, fingering the buttons on her sweater, considering the matter of her own pride. She was a worthy person. Why was she so eager for Parker's approval? "Keep talking, Dyna." "The first day of school I hooked up with Frog again to get registration money. I couldn't ask Oscar or the old mums. They all live on pensions. I didn't think about going to the principal or anything. Gram and I were flat broke at the time-really broke!-and she had her heart set on me going to a good school. Thought it would civilize m e - " Dyna smiled ruefully. "I guess I figured, 'One last B and E. • I must have thought it was worth the risk, you know?" "So now you have to pay." "Yeah, I have to pay." "How'd you ever get started with this guy?" |
