Page 98 of Life, Love and the Pursuit of Happiness

As she sat in her car, waiting for the ferry to cross over into Bell Cove, she relived her conversation with Ms. Gardner:

“I understand that you notified your employer of your felony status,” Ms. Gardner had said.

“I did? I mean, of course I did.”

“When I first talked to the office manager at the salvaging company last week, I got the impression that he had no idea of your background. But Mr. Good informed us this morning that he had been well aware of your parole status.”

He did? Oh, thank God! “Of course, he did.”

“But our first suspicion that you’d failed to notify your employer of your background led us to do more investigating. We are concerned, very concerned.”

What’s with the “our,” “us,” and “we” business? she’d wondered, immediately followed by the ominous words, “more investigating” and “very concerned.” She’d taken a deep breath for calmness and asked, “So, you’re satisfied that I informed my employer?”

“For now, but of course that led to further questions.”

Oh, my God!

“Did you send a wire for ten thousand dollars to your grandmother in New Jersey?”

“Yes.”

“Where did you get that kind of cash?”

“It was an advance from my employer. I sent it to my grandmother for moving expenses for her and my daughter to come to Bell Cove from New Jersey.”

“That’s a very unusual employer who gives a new employee such a generous advance!”

Delilah had ignored the sarcasm in that remark, barely.

“What is going on in those motel units of yours? There appear to be a number of men and women going in and out. Are you by any chance running a brothel?”

Delilah had gasped with outrage. “Are you serious?”

“Serious as sin. And what is happening out on that boat for a week at a time? Men and women shacked up together? I’m telling you, Ms. Jones, this does not look good. Are you perhaps involved in a house of ill repute, or rather a boat of ill repute? Ha, ha, ha!”

“That’s not funny, and I don’t think Mr. Good would think so, either. Are you prepared to face a slander suit in court?”

“Are you threatening me, Ms. Jones?”

“No, but Mr. Good is in a better position to defend himself than I am. I doubt he would appreciate the implications you’re making about his company.”

“Hmpfh! Is your grandmother by any chance involved with loan sharks?” The parole officer had moved on.

“What?” Oh, my God! I am screwed if this comes out.

“Does your grandmother have a gambling addiction?”

Screwed to the wall and shot full of holes.

“And smoking. Do you think it’s acceptable to have a smoker in the house with a young child?”

“She doesn’t smoke. She vapes.” That argument sounded lame, even to Delilah. “I object to your slander. My grandmother is a churchgoing woman who has taken good care of my daughter while I dutifully fulfilled my prison sentence. If you have problems with her, perhaps you should be complaining to the authorities in New Jersey who approved her as guardian while I was in prison.”

Ms. Gardner had ignored her protest. “And this is the person . . . a smoking gambler with a shady past as a showgirl . . . you’ve chosen to care for your child in your absence while you are high-flying off on some pleasure boat?”

“Now just wait a minute. My grandmother is perfectly capable of caring for my child in my absence. As for high-flying and pleasure boat, Sweet Bells is a salvaging vessel, pure and simple.”

“Hmpfh! Do not leave Bell Cove for the time being. I expect a further investigation will result in a hearing to determine temporary guardianship of your child, and possible revocation of your parole.”