That settled it. No trip to Pine Top today.
Vicki went to one of the telephone booths in the corridor. She called the car rental agency and said she would want a car tomorrow, not today. Then, though it was early to disturb him, Vicki called the minister. He was at breakfast, and very glad and relieved to hear from her.
“Have you found Lucy, Miss Vicki?”
“Yes, I have.”
“At a place called Pine Top, and it isn’t good at all, Mr. Hall. I’m going to get her out of there—tomorrow, I hope—But, in order to rescue Lucy, I’ll need your help here in San Francisco.”
“Anything you say, Miss Vicki. Your tone of voice alarms me. Do you want to come to see me and talk it over?”
They discussed meeting. But since Vicki had to be back at her hotel by noon, they decided they might as well talk fully on the telephone. Vicki dropped more coins into the telephone box at the operator’s request.
“Well, Mr. Hall, Lucy is in serious trouble.” Vicki described the situation with Mrs. Heath.
“I don’t understand why this Mrs. Heath wants to detain the girl,” said the minister. “It is detention. But why? Can you tell me why?”