Celeste’s face, an interesting study in mixed emotions, suddenly became a blank mask. Hearing footsteps, the woman mumbled something and scurried away.
Lorinda came down the stairway. “Oh, Penny!” she exclaimed, grasping her hand. “I’m so glad you came! We’re in such trouble!”
“Your mother is worse?”
“Yes, she is failing rapidly, and the visit of those three bankers upset her dreadfully.”
“The men I met on the walk?”
“Yes, they’re members of the First National Bank board. They told Mother she must make up the $250,000 bond loss within forty-eight hours, or my stepfather will be exposed as a thief, and the estate sued! It seems Mr. Potts convinced them my stepfather had the bonds when he disappeared.”
“What will your mother do?”
“What can she do? Nearly all of her property is in real estate. She might be able to raise $30,000 cash within the required time, but never the amount they demand.”
“You’ve heard nothing from your stepfather?”
“Not a word. The police haven’t contributed any worthwhile clues either. They didn’t go deeply into the case.”