Help, I Need Somebody!

Help, I Need Somebody!

An unkempt man came running into a convenience store.

“Call the police.’’

The clerk, CeeCee Wiggins, knew him. He panhandled across the street. He was never any trouble, so she tended to look the other way when he came in. She even gave him some food now and then.

“What’s the matter, Billy?”

“Somebody mugged me and took everything!”

“Do you know who?”

“Nope, never seen him before!”

Stay here, I’ll get the police for you,” CeeCee told him as she picked up the phone.

After she explained the situation, she hung up.

“They’ll be here soon,” she told him.

While they waited, she heated him some soup with extra crackers. A young patrolman came in the door.

“Which one of you is Billy?” he asked after showing his badge. CeeCee pointed to Billy.

“Full name?” he asked as he began filling out a form on his tablet.

“William Ambrose Vagabond.”

The patrolman wrinkled his brow.

“Are you one of the Thurston Vagabonds from New Hampshire?”

“Well, I’m outta the will, but I am one.”

“Address?”

“Under the Crosstown Bridge.”

“Do you have any money, sir?”

“I did, until this very odd-looking man mugged me and took my stuff, cart and all.”

“When did this happen?”

CeeCee interrupted.

“About twenty minutes ago.”

The patrolman looked at her and smiled.

“CeeCee Wiggins, officer. I can vouch for Billy. He’s no trouble. Never shoplifts or anything.”

“Did you see the incident, miss?”

“No, but I believe him, and I’ll swear to it.”

“Mr. Vagabond...”

“Call me Billy.”

“Billy, can you describe the man who robbed you?”

“As he did so, the patrolman got more and more excited.

“That sounds like the guy who escaped the Penn on the weekend. Everybody calls him Scarecrow. You could get a reward.