“You’re worried about Jerry, aren’t you?” she asked after a moment.
“Not exactly,” he replied. “But he should have been back long ago.”
“He never would have stayed away without good reason. We both know Jerry isn’t like that.”
“No, he’s either run into a big story, or he’s in trouble. When I sent him away this morning, I didn’t look upon the assignment as a particularly dangerous one.”
“And yet if he met those two seamen anything could have happened. They were tough customers, Dad.”
“I could notify the police if Jerry isn’t back within an hour or two,” Mr. Parker said slowly. “Still, I hate to do it.”
“Where did Jerry rent his boat, Dad?”
“I told him to get one at Griffith’s dock at twenty-third street.”
“Then why don’t we go there?” suggested Penny. “If he hasn’t come in we might rent a boat of our own and start a search.”
Mr. Parker debated and then nodded. “Bring a heavy coat,” he told her. “It may be cold on the river.”