The Housekeeper's Proposal

by Barbara Goss

  “Sure,” she said as she smoothed his quilt. “Here?”

  “Yes.” He led her to the nook where he had a sofa and armchair. “Have a seat,” he said. She settled on the sofa, and he sat on the armchair.

  “I need to clear my name of Helen’s murder,” he said, making a steeple with his fingers. “Is there anything you can tell me that might vindicate me?”

  “To be truthful,” she said, “I thought you had killed her. I wouldn’t have blamed you none—she was a piece of work.”

  “The thought of harming her never entered my mind, Ethel. She was a difficult person—that much is true—but I’m a Christian man, and I would have led my whole life in misery rather than hurt a hair on her head.”

  “Really?” she asked.

  “Yes. I did, however, have a plan that I feel rather ashamed of now: I approached our marriage as if it were a business—separate rooms, no love…I knew she wouldn’t be able to handle it for long. I hoped she’d leave and seek an annulment so she'd be able to marry her baby’s father.”

  “Maybe that’s where she went when she left,” Ethel said.

  “Why was Abe upstairs helping you turn mattresses on the day Helen’s body was found?” he asked abruptly.

  The question seemed to stun Ethel for several moments. “Jeb had gone to fetch the mail, and I didn’t think I could get all three beds made up in time unless I had someone help me right then. Abe happened to be in the garden talking to Jake, so I opened the window and asked him to help me. He did, and I thanked him.”

  “Why was turning the mattresses so important?” he asked.

  “I like to turn the mattresses once a month so they don’t sink in one spot. Jeb usually helps me,” she said. “No one has used those beds for years, so I thought it would be a good idea to turn them and make them up fresh and clean.”

  “Just one more question,” he said, “besides me, who else would you think capable of killing Helen?”

  “Well,” she said, and hesitated as if thinking, “Jake happens to be the only one who liked her, so I’d have to say Abe or Jeb.”

  Jeremy stood. “Thank you, Ethel. You’ve been very helpful.”

  Kate parked the buggy at the church but walked home instead of going inside, since she'd arrived too late for the service. She felt too disheartened to face anyone, anyway. Facing her aunt would be trial enough. Kate was thankful her aunt had gone to church with Griff, so she could be alone for at least another hour. She needed to invent a logical reason as to why she’d left Jeremy Walker’s employment.

  Once she had unpacked, she went into the kitchen and made a slice of toast. She wasn’t hungry but felt she should have something to sustain her. She peeked into the oven to see that Aunt Bertha had already put a nice, plump chicken in to roast.

  Her house just didn’t feel like home anymore. She felt as if she were away from her real home, and she couldn't shake the uneasy feeling she’d forgotten something—she supposed she had; she'd forgotten Jeremy.

  After an hour and fifteen minutes of solitude, Aunt Bertha and Griff came charging into the house. “Kate!” they both greeted.

  Griff walked over and gave his sister a loose hug. “Why so glum?”

  “I’ve quit my job and I’m hoping I did the right thing,” she said.

  “You didn’t find what you needed to hang Walker?”

  “No,” she said calmly, “because he didn’t kill Helen.”

  “Hogwash!” Griff yelled, visibly upset. “Of course he did!”

  Kate thought it a rather strong reaction. “I’m resigning as your secret deputy, and I’m going to my room for a while. I’ve just developed a headache.”

  Kate held her forehead, walked briskly into her room, and closed the door. She lay on the bed and prayed for Jeremy to solve the mystery quickly. She knew she’d have to try to convince Griff that Jeremy was innocent, but because he felt so strongly about it, she wondered if it were even worth the effort.

  As soon as Jeremy got home the next afternoon, he sought Jeb out, since he was the most outgoing. He found him in the stable, washing a palomino.

  “Are you giving Scout a bath, Jeb?”

  “Yeah. He got into some mud by the creek when I let him out for a run today,” Jeb said.

  “Can you give me a few minutes of your time in my office?”

  “Sure,” Jeb said. “I’ll be right there.”

  He walked into his office and waited. When Jeb arrived, he sat down in front of Jeremy’s desk.

  “Since I didn’t kill Helen, I need to find out who did. Where were you the morning the body was found?” Jeremy asked.

  “That morning? I did what I always do: I went to fetch the mail.”

  “Then what?”

  “I came back, gave everyone their mail, and started working in the stables,” Jeb said.

  “I need you to think back, Jeb, all the way back to when I first brought Helen home and up to the present time, do you recall ever seeing anything unusual or out of place?” Jeremy asked.

  Jeb rolled his eyes as if in thought. “Helen liked to sit and talk to Jake. I did see the sheriff here a few times during the day, talking with Jake—I heard they were old school friends.”

  “Griff visited while I wasn’t home?” Jeremy asked.

  “Yes, a few times. Like I said, he talked with Jake, since they were old friends.”

  “Anything else?”

  “Well, now that you mentioned it,” Jeb said, “I saw Helen running through the fields the day she went missing, which I thought odd because she and Abe never got along, but what else could she want out there?”

  “Did you see her come back?”

  “No.”

  “Anything else?” Jeremy asked.

  “Well, just that no one liked her much, including me.”

  “Why didn’t you like her, Jeb?”

  “She came in here and ordered me to drive her into town,” Jeb said. “I told her that it wasn’t my job to transport people, and she turned around and called me a dung cleaner.”

  “Ouch,” Jeremy said.

  “You know I go out of my way to do favors for Geraldine, Ethel, and for Miss Kate. They talk to me respectfully and when they ask, I always oblige,” Jeb continued. “I might not have the most esteemed job, but I try to do it well.”

  Jeremy tried to think about how Jeb must have felt having Helen talk down to him that way. Jeb did a great job and he trusted him completely. He felt as if he needed to do something to show him how much he liked what he did.

  “You do a great job, Jeb, and I appreciate everything you do. How would you like the job title of stable manager? It comes with a slight pay raise.”

  “Are you kidding?” Jeb asked with a wide grin. “I accept!”

  “Who do you think killed Helen?” Jeremy asked.

  Jeb thought for a few minutes and then said, “Ethel. She despised the girl and I heard her say once that she wanted to ring her neck.”

  Chapter 15

  After hearing Griff had visited Jake, he decided Jake was the next person he would interview. He walked to the garden and found him sitting beneath a tree, wiping perspiration from his brow.

  “Hello, Mr. Walker,” he said. “I just finished planting the last of that hedge you wanted to separate the house from the shed.”

  “It looks good. I can hardly wait for them to grow knee-high,” Jeremy said, taking a seat on the ground beside him.

  “Those plants are fast-growing. You’ll see—they'll be knee-high in about three or four years,” Jake said.

  “Good,” Jeremy replied, thinking about how he might start the conversation. He had to be careful with Jake, since he’d probably report everything to his friend, Griff. Had he known they were friends, he’d have never kept him on, but he couldn’t very well fire him now. That would only serve to make him look even more suspicious.

  “Who do you think killed Helen?” Jeremy asked.

  Jake didn’t even hesitate before saying, “You—everyone
thinks that.”

  “Is that right?” Jeremy asked. “Well, I hate to disappoint everyone, but I didn’t kill that woman. I aim to find out who did, though.”

  “Other than me, is there anyone else you’d suspect?” Jeremy asked.

  “No, not really.”

  “I see.” Jeremy grimaced. “I hear Helen came out and talked to you almost daily. Were the two of you friends?”

  “Yes,” Jake said. “Helen told me your marriage was cold and unaffectionate and she wasn’t happy.”

  Jeremy had heard enough. He stood and said, “Not that it matters now, but it wasn’t a marriage of choice. My father’s gambling debts forced the union.”

  “I’m not judging—I'm simply telling you what she told me,” Jake stood, also. “She was a very likeable young lady.”

  That last statement gave Jeremy the feeling Jake might be the killer. No one had liked Helen other than him—and, it didn’t seem that anyone else felt like they needed to say they liked Helen so they wouldn’t look guilty.

  “I have just one more question for you, Jake. You work here in the garden all day, and the root cellar is in plain site of the garden. Are you going to tell me you didn’t see anyone carry a body down into the cellar?”

  Jeremy noticed Jake pale slightly, and he paused, as if trying to think up an answer.

  Finally, Jake said, “I didn’t see a thing.”

  That lie would have been enough to fire Jake right there on the spot, but it wasn't the time. He didn’t like him, but he’d have to keep him on until after the case had been solved.

  By the time he'd finished with Jake, it was after six, and he went into the house to try to enjoy whatever Geraldine had made for him to eat.

  His after dinner tea hadn't seemed as enjoyable as it once had. He felt so alone, and there would be no walk in the woods or kisses to look forward to. He sighed. One thing he knew for certain, Griff wasn’t doing his job. He hadn’t been questioning anyone but him and was most likely just waiting for something to trip him up. Why was he Griff’s only suspect? Was it just because he felt Amos Walker had a hand in killing his father? There had to be more to it than that!

  After leaving the lumberyard the following week, instead of heading home, Jeremy walked across the street to see Monroe. He’d gone back on his regular hours since he’d concluded his investigations. There was no one else to interrogate.

  The clerk showed him in and he sat in the same chair as Kate had sat on the day of the interview. He wished she were there now, and that gave him an idea.

  “Has Kate been here lately?” he asked.

  Horace Monroe smiled. “Every day since she’s been back. She asks if there’s any word from you.”

  “Tell her…” Jeremy felt a bit embarrassed giving Monroe the message, but he had no choice. “Tell her I miss her.”

  Monroe slapped the desk with his hand and laughed. “I knew it!”

  “It took me somewhat by surprise, but I’ve fallen, and fallen hard,” Jeremy said.

  “I’ll tell her. If her brother finds out—”

  “That’s why I’m here. Griff Hammond is not investigating anyone but me. We both know I didn’t kill Helen, yet he hasn’t spoken to a single person who might have seen something. Kate and I have been doing all the investigating ourselves,” Jeremy said.

  “That’s odd,” Monroe said. “He’s usually right on the crime scene, checking everything and everyone. Are you sure he hasn’t been out investigating while you weren’t home?”

  “I’m positive.”

  Monroe leaned back in his chair. “The only option you have is to contact a federal marshal. His authority exceeds that of the local sheriff. When I tell him how Griff is neglecting the investigation, he’ll probe the case thoroughly.”

  “How might I contact a marshal?” Jeremy asked.

  “There’s one stationed in Selena. I could wire him for you.”

  “What exactly would this man do?”

  “He’d investigate the crime for you, as well as why the local sheriff isn't doing his job.”

  “What do you suppose Griff will say when he finds out?”

  “He’d be madder than a wet hen.”

  “All right—let’s do it then,” Jeremy decided.

  “Don’t tell Kate about it. I’m not sure how she’ll take it,” Jeremy said thoughtfully. “She might feel hurt that I’m accusing her brother of not doing his job.”

  “I’ll just give her the message that you miss her,” Monroe said.

  “Would it be all right if I meet her here one day to talk?”

  “I suppose that would be okay. You love her, don't you?”

  “I do. Can you tell her to meet me here on Friday at about five?”

  “Consider it done. I leave early on Fridays, so you can have the place to yourselves if you don't mind locking up.”

  Jeremy rode home, wondering how long it might take for this marshal to arrive.

  He worried about Kate finding out. She might not like it much, but he had no choice. He felt sure that after the crime had been solved, she’d realize it had been the best solution in the long run. Surely, she would.

  Kate was sitting on the porch sipping lemonade as Griff approached her from the barn where he’d taken his horse after work.

  “What’s with you, Kate? You’ve been moping around ever since you returned from Walker’s place,” he said. “There’s something you’re not telling me.”

  “You wouldn’t like anything I have to say about my stay at the Walkers,” she said.

  “You suddenly think Jeremy Walker’s innocent? Ha! I should have known he’d charm you.”

  “Yes," she said, I guess you could say he charmed me—we’re in love.”

  “What?”

  Kate thought she saw flames in Griff’s eyes, she’d never seen him so angry.

  “There’s no way, Kate!” he roared. “You will not marry him—I forbid it.” He turned around and mumbled under his breath, “I knew I shouldn’t have let her go there.”

  “As soon as his name is cleared he’ll court me and I’ll marry him. You can’t forbid me,” Kate said.

  “He killed his last wife—are you crazy?” Griff asked.

  “Griff, Jeremy couldn’t swat a fly, let alone hurt a person. You have to believe me and start searching elsewhere for the killer. Why aren’t you doing that? Why have you zeroed in on Jeremy without considering any other suspects?”

  “He did it, I tell you,” Griff said between his teeth before storming off the porch and walking toward the barn.

  Kate sipped her lemonade calmly. She refused to let Griff upset her, and he would never talk her out of her love for Jeremy. She felt like half a person without him. Maybe there’d be a message at Monroe’s office from him tomorrow.

  Bertha came out and sat beside Kate. “I suppose you’re so melancholy because you want me to leave, now that you’re back,” she said.

  “No! I think you should stay here permanently,” Kate said, patting her hand. “You’re doing a great job.” She could well afford to invite Aunt Bertha to stay since she’d be marrying soon, and Griff would need her. It was best just to endure her until then. Aunt Bertha really wasn’t so bad once you got used to her taking over. Suddenly, Kate no longer cared.

  “I’d love to. I’ll have to wire Cousin Bert to send me the rest of my things, if you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure. We’d love to have you, Auntie.”

  In the morning, Kate rode into town and stopped at Monroe’s office.

  “He’s in a meeting,” the clerk said. “He knew you’d be stopping by, so he gave me the message from Jeremy Walker to give to you.”

  Kate’s heart thumped loudly in her chest. “What’s the message?”

  “Now, remember this is from him…he said to tell you, ‘I miss you.’”

  Kate smiled and held her hands over her heart. “Thank you!”

  “And,” the clerk said, “he wants you to meet him here on Friday, about five.”<
br />
  Now that she knew, she wouldn't have to go back to Monroe’s office until then. She wished he’d have left some clue as to how the investigation was going.

  As she left the lawyer’s office, she gazed across the street at the lumberyard. What might Jeremy do if she just showed up there? She stood there wondering if she dared to go inside or not. Finally, she decided against it. If Jeremy had wanted her to visit him there, he’d have told her she could. The meeting had been set for Monroe’s office—if he had wanted her to stop by the lumberyard, he’d have made that the meeting place. He must have had a reason. Maybe he feared that if she'd visited the yard, it would eventually get back to Griff. She couldn’t wait until Friday!

  Since Jeremy had been leaving the yard early every day, he’d managed to question each of his staff again. On Friday, he left work at about four so he'd be able to speak to Monroe before his meeting with Kate.

  The clerk had him wait for several minutes while Monroe finished with another client before calling him into his office.

  “Jeremy, I have good news for you,” Monroe said as Jeremy entered his office.

  “I need some,” Jeremy said.

  “I got a wire from the U.S. Marshal’s office in Selena. They're sending an agent out sometime next week, a man named Daniel McCall,” Monroe told him. “He’ll report to me, and I’ll fill him in on the whole case.”

  “Should I tell Kate?” Jeremy asked.

  “That’s up to you. I wouldn’t, if it were up to me. It’s your call, though.”

  “Why wouldn’t you tell her?”

  “I’d be afraid she’d tip Griff off and I think it best if I caught him by surprise.”

  Jeremy rubbed his temples. “That makes sense. I hate to keep things from her, but when she finds out why I couldn’t tell her, I’m sure she’ll understand.”

  After Monroe had left for the day, Jeremy paced the lobby, waiting for Kate. When she walked through the door, his whole body reacted, as she looked more beautiful to him than ever. She wore her hair back with combs, just the way he liked it. She was wearing a blue blouse and beige riding skirt—the color of the blouse made her eyes look bigger and bluer.