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Chapter 15 continued...

XL walked away from Fred and sat on a bench near the end of the bridge that went over the small lake. He looked over toward the Sea Lion show, where Anna was tossing a ball back and forth to Fred's children, as their mother sat and watched.

He was thinking about Fred's demand for money. "There are some things that just shouldn't be bought and sold," he thought, "and friendship or love definitely fit into that category. However, this should not be my decision. It is up to Florence."

"Anna has a cell phone, so I could borrow it and phone her to tell her that she needs to pay him $10,000. I really don't feel good about that idea, though, because I really don't think its fair. Maybe I could just let them work it out between them. Florence could send him another letter, and if Fred wants money he could send a letter to tell her so himself. Then I wouldn't be involved."

"On the other hand, I'm involved already and I came all this way. I really don't want to wait. Florence will feel badly anyway, now or later. She might as well send the money now, if she is going to."

He walked over to Anna. "Anna, can I borrow your cell phone please?"

Anna pulled her phone from her pocket. "Here."

XL took the phone from her hand and walked away. Meanwhile, Anna resumed playing ball with the children.

XL went back to the bench near the bridge, and sat down. There he could talk without either Fred nor Fred's family hearing him.

Florence was listed in the contacts on Anna's phone, so XL picked "Florence" from the list and started the call. He listened while the phone rang a few times, and then Florence answered. Her picture appeared on the screen of the phone. She was sitting in the rocking chair in her living room. "Hello XL," she said.

"Hello Florence," he replied. "We're here at Edmonton for our Easter vacation, and I thought you would like to know that we came across Fred and his family at the West Edmonton Mall marina."

"Oh, that's wonderful," she said. "How are they?"

"He has a nice family," said XL. "Anna is with his wife and two little children, at the Sea Lion pool. Anna is playing ball with the kids while I make this call. Meanwhile, Fred is doing some work on a submarine."

"I'm glad they are well," said Florence.

"There is one more thing I must tell you," said XL. "I was talking with Fred, and he wants you to send him $10,000."

"Oh dear, is he in financial difficulty?" said Florence.

"He didn't say," replied XL. "He said only that you didn't give him enough money long ago. He says he won't speak with you until you send it."

Florence did not reply immediately. XL could see on his cell phone screen that she had tears in her eyes. Finally, she said, "I don't know what to say. I feel so badly. Did he tell you where to find Susan?"

"No," he replied.

Florence pulled a Kleenex from a box beside her and wiped her nose. "I haven't been feeling to well, and now I feel worse. Sometimes I wish I had my happiness pills again."

"That would be the end of your life, if you did," said XL.

"I guess my husband and I didn't raise our children well," said Florence. "But I don't think giving Fred more money will correct it. I will think about it, but I don't intend to send him more money now. What I have, I need to live in my retirement."

"Don't give up hope," said XL. "He may change his mind too, after a while."

"O.K." said Florence. "Please excuse me, but I have an appointment coming up. I invited some guests for lunch, who will be here any minute."

"Bye now," said XL. "Maybe I'll have more news for you when I get back home."

"Bye," said Florence, as she disconnected from the call.

XL did not think he would have more news for her, but he didn't want to tell her that. It seemed like they were at a dead end.

XL got up from the bench and walked over to where Anna was playing with the children. It was very nice of Anna to do that, because the children's mother was clearly very tired. "Is Fred finished his work yet?" Sheila asked XL as he approached.

"I'm not sure, but probably yes. I think he was just about done a few minutes ago," XL answered.

"That's good," she replied, "because we are all very hungry. We didn't have time for much breakfast this morning." Sheila got up from her chair, thanked Anna for her help, and took her children by the hands as she walked away toward Fred.

Anna and XL watched them as they departed. "They are a nice family," said Anna, after they had walked out of hearing range.

XL gave the cell phone back to Anna. "I'm afraid Fred isn't so nice," XL commented. "He wouldn't tell me where his home is, nor where his sister Susan lives either. He said he would tell us if Florence gave him $10,000. I phoned Florence, but she isn't willing to pay it."

"Well, I know where Susan lives," said Anna.

"Really?" replied XL, incredulously.

"Yes, it turns out that the two children really enjoy playing with their cousins Dana and Tina, who are about the same age. They just love it when Auntie Susan and Uncle Terry come to visit and bring their kids. They especially love to visit Auntie and Uncle at their country home, during the summer.

"Did you happen to discover Uncle Terry's last name?" asked XL.

"Why of course," said Anna. "I found a way to ask their mom about it, without appearing too nosey. The family's surname is 'Kerchoffsky,' and they live on an acreage not far from Waskesiu, Saskatchewan."

"I'm impressed," said XL. "You make an excellent spy, Anna."

"Why thank you," Anna answered. "It's all in knowing how to ask the question."

Copyright Arthur de Leyssac, 2017. All rights reserved.