The watchman looked interested, but amused. “How can you help me?” he demanded.
“My father owns the Riverview Star. Perhaps he can use an extra watchman at the newspaper building. If not, he may know someone who will employ you.”
“I’ve always worked around the waterfront,” Mr. Oaks returned, brightening a bit. “You know I ain’t able to do much walkin’ or any heavy lifting. Maybe your father can get me another job on a bridge.”
“Well, I don’t know,” Penny responded. “I’ll talk to him. Just give me your address so I can notify you later.”
Mr. Oaks scribbled a few lines on the back of an old envelope and handed it to her. He did not express appreciation for the offer Penny had made, accepting it as his just due.
“I suppose the police questioned you about the bridge dynamiting,” she remarked, pocketing the address.
“Sure, they gave me the works,” he acknowledged, shrugging. “Kept me at the station half the night. Then this morning they had me identify one of the suspects.”
“Not Burt Ottman?”
“Yeah.”
“You didn’t identify him as the saboteur?” Penny inquired in dismay.