Alibi High

I nodded, listening.

He picked up a cord sitting in front of him and began to wind it up. “ Mostly, I depend on loyalty from people who've worked with me in the past. The good news is that I can get anything th ey ose bigger stores can get you and . s S ometimes faster.”

It sounded like something he'd said about a hundred times, rehearsed and rhythmic. A pang of guilt stabbed at my stomach. I always tried to shop locally and support the Moose River businesses, but I was just like everyone else. The idea of saving money and getting things delivered to my door sometimes outweighed putting money into the pockets of local business owners.

“Originally, I'd hoped to open a couple of stores,” Harold continued. “One here, one over in Walnut Haven, maybe one down in the cities.” He planted his hands on his hips and smiled. “But that just wasn't in the cards, so this is my only one. Gets hard sometimes, but at least the only way the boss can yell at me is if I talk to myself.” He smiled. “Or unless Harriet gets mad at me.”

I laughed chuckled . Harold was a nice man. Maybe Harriet was nicer, too, than I'd given her credit for. He had to be be to put up with his wife, I thought, remembering her antics with the business card.

“So that's my story,” he said , shrugging. . He stowed the cord in a box under the counter and grabbed another one. “Not terribly interesting, but it's the only one I've got.”

“I'm envious that you have your own business,” I told him. “I've always wanted to do that. Start something and own it.”

“It's not rocket science,” he sa id, placing his hands on the counter id. He tossed the second cord into the box . “Just takes a lot of stubbornness and a little bit of support. And, if you're like me, you can't be good at anything else.” He smiled again. “Computers and sales, that's all I know. Pretty sure if I tried my hand at anything else quit doing this , I'd end up panhandling on the street.”

“Oh, I doubt that,” I said. “If you've figured out how to run your own business, I think you'd come up with something.”

“Maybe,” he said , shrugging. . He reached down and grabbed a mess of jumbled cords and set them o n the counter. “I just hope I don't have to find out.”

I hoped so, too.

“So Harriet tells me you have something to do with the computers over at Prism?” he said, raising a bushy eyebrow. “That you're working on some sort of fundraiser to help replace the stolen ones?”

I nodded and laid out the basics of the talent sho w. w, purposefully avoiding discussing replacement options.

“Well, that all sounds pretty good,” he said when I'd finished. “We'll have to make sure we get over there and buy some tickets to watch the show . I'm sure Harriet can round up a bunch of folks for you through the PTA. She seems to know everyone over there at the school.”

“Yes, she's offered some help,” I said evasively . “Which I really appreciate.”

His eyebrows drew together. “She also said you might be looking to work something out as far as purchasing the new computers ,” he said, smiling. “ . Goes without saying that I'd be happy to be a part of that.”

I cleared my throat. “ Yes, right. Unfortunately, I don't have anything to do with the purchasing. I'm a volunteer and as far as I know, all I'm in charge of is putting on the show and then turning the money that we raise over to the school.”

He blinked several times and readjusted the glasses. stared at me through his thick glasses, the mass of cords still in his hands. His fingers tapped on the counter. He coughed into his hand.

“Oh, I see,” he finally said. “I guess I must've misunderstood Harriet. She said you were the one that who might be coming to place the order.”

“ Unfortunately, I'm not,” I said , shaking my head firmly . “I'm just a volunteer and this . This a a ll just sort of toppled fell into my lap.”

He nodded, the smile on his face smile dimming by the second. “Oh, sure, I understand. I was just...an order like that really makes a difference to a small business like mine. Be nice to have something like that walk through the door.”

The pang of guilt I'd felt earlier had morphed into a full-blown stomach punch. I felt like I was letting him down, even though I had no control over the situation . It was like I'd just sucked all of the air – and money – out of Data Dork.

“I do plan to let the school know, though, that we'd be best served using you,” I said quickly. “That you're local, that communication would be easy , and that you know and are connected to the Prism community.”

He forced the smile back onto his face. “That would be terrific of you. Thank you.” The smile faded again. “Though, I'd imagine with all of the turmoil there at Prism right now, it may take some time for them to get those computers purchased. So I won't be counting on anything quick.”

“Turmoil?” I asked. “You mean the theft?”

“Well, that and the changes that are coming,” he said. “I'd think things m ay ight be a little out of sorts for awhile.”

I had no clue what he was talking about. “Changes?”

“Anytime you bring in new people, there's usually a period of adjustment,” he said. “Which usually means things get set to the side or put off or whatever. Hard to think that the replacing computers would be set aside postponed , but I could certainly see it happening.”

I was still lost. “Harold, what changes are you talking about?”

“I would imagine that a new president also might have her or his own way of doing things,” he continued. He scratched his head. “Probably a list of vendors, too, that they use .” He shook his head. . “ So it may not matter anyway.”

I blinked leaned closer , making sure I'd heard his words right. “New president?”

“Not that I know Mrs. Bingledorf, but I'd guess I'd have a better shot of striking a deal with her because she knows Harriet than with whoever's gonna take over for her.”

“Wait,” I said, holding up a hand. “Wait a second. Mrs. Bingledorf is leaving Prism? Since when?”

Harold Hollenstork finally seemed to realize that we were having a conversation and that I was asking questions. “Oh. Maybe I shouldn't have said anything. I just figured that because you and Harriet had been talking, you probably talked knew about that.”

“So she's really leaving?” I asked, completely dumbfounded. “Bingledorf?

He suddenly looked uncomfortab le, his fingers tapping faster on the countertop le and he busied himself with a new cord . “I think you should probably talk to Harriet about it. I really don't know anything and I've probably gotten it all wrong. Wouldn't be the first time I'd gotten a story messed up.” He paused. “You should talk to Harriet.”

“I can't believe that's true,” I said , mostly to myself . “I haven't heard a word.”

“Like I said,” Harold said. “Wouldn't be the first time I've gotten a story backwards. I don't know. But you should talk to Harriet about it.”

I tugged on the strap of my purse over my shoulder and gave him a smile . “Harold it was very nice meeting you. And you can be sure I will talk to Harriet tomorrow.”

TWENTY NINE

Jake handed me the beer. “Okay. Talk.”