He promised that he wouldn’t be alone. He had seen to that. He also told Judy he would soon be leaving for Washington. “I need that refresher course. A fellow has to keep in training to be able to defend himself against such men,” he said grimly. “I know how Lawson works, but I want to be prepared for his little surprises.”
“How does he work?” asked Judy.
“He makes people like him for one thing. He looks and acts like a perfect gentleman. He and his wife are just the type of people you expect to see in church on a Sunday morning. With a lovely young ‘daughter’ like Clarissa to cover up for him, nobody will believe he isn’t the real Pastor Valentine. He may get himself elected treasurer of the church as he did some years ago when he was known as David Barnes. I see what his plans are all right, but this time,” Peter said with a determined look on his face, “we’re going to nip them right in the bud. It’s too bad Clarissa didn’t put her street address on that letter.”
“Roulsville isn’t so big. Can’t you check with the real estate office and find out who’s bought property?”
“That’s the usual procedure,” agreed Peter. “I’ll check with the churches, too. We’ll find him if I have to canvass every house. It looks as if this case is going to wind up fast. Roulsville, of all places! Lady Luck has certainly smiled on us for once.”
“Was it Lady Luck or good clear thinking on Clarissa’s part?” asked Judy. “She didn’t say what she meant in that letter, but I could read between the lines. I know your work is secret and I shouldn’t talk about it, but if Clarissa did happen to overhear our conversation in the restaurant she may know you’re with the FBI. That letter could be her way of asking for help without arousing the suspicions of her so-called parents.”
“You’re right, Angel. Clarissa isn’t the only one who’s been doing some good clear thinking,” declared Peter. “Your nightmares haven’t affected your thought processes in the daytime.”
“I don’t have them any more. I wonder....”
Judy’s wonderings went on for mile after mile of uninterrupted driving. Were things falling into place too neatly? Certainly someone had planned this. Could it be Clarence Lawson himself? Had he dictated that letter and forced Clarissa to write it?
As they neared home Peter expressed what Judy had been thinking. “I wonder what Lawson is up to this time,” he said. “Does he really think Clarissa will keep on pretending to be his daughter? He may have threatened her into leading us right into his trap.”