by Dee Jones
"You haven’t told me what you found out," Louise whispered softly, stepping quietly into the room so not to disturb her daughter's rest.
"There wasn’t much to find,” he said in a hushed whisper. “A number of footprints, two sets mainly, a pile of horse shit and a single barefoot print in the dried mud.”
“Barefoot?” Louise gasped a little louder than she had anticipated.
“It doesn’t make much sense to me either,” Daniel said with a heavy sigh. “We also found these." Daniel showed her the piece of cloth and the cut section of rope. The older woman frowned, taking the items and examined them.
"I wonder where they came from?" she asked.
"I'm beginning to wonder if Julia didn't come upon a drifter after all, someone who was afraid she'd turn him into the sheriff," Jeremy suggested in a hushed whisper as he joined the two in the quiet room. "He may have panicked and did the quickest thing he could think of and hit her. It's possible they struggled and Julia ripped this from his shirt," he lifted the torn piece of cloth from the woman's hand. "She may have stumbled into the water and thinking she was dead, the man ran off."
“Really Jeremy; a drifter who wears silk shirts?” Louise looked scornfully at the two men. "You don't honestly believe that, do you?"
"I don't know what to believe," Daniel replied, his tone laced with irritation as he frowned. He hadn't spent much time considering the expense of the cloth or the implications it offered. "Until we get some answers, the only thing we can do is speculate."
A soft moan escaped the woman in the bed next to them and the three turned. Daniel watched Julia with a hopeful expression, but she didn’t wake; she just continued to sleep soundly. It was the first real sign of hope since her mindless talking a few hours ago. He looked up to Jeremy who nudged his arm and nodded his head toward the door. The three quietly slipped out into the hallway shutting closing the wooden barrier securely behind them.
"You two go downstairs and talk," Jeremy offered. "I'll sit with Julia for a while." Daniel gazed back to the closed door and reluctantly agreed. Over the past three days, he had relented his vigilant watch over his wife, allowing her mother or brother to stay with her from time to time while he rested or relieved himself.
Louise led her son-in-law to the library and closed the door behind them, blocking any nosy spectators out.
"Daniel, why do you think Julia was calling for Heather?"
"Was she talking in her sleep?" he asked, uncertain if he had mentioned Julia's outburst earlier or not.
"She was begging for Heather to forgive her," Louise said with a nod, choking back the tears as she recalled the soft pleas her daughter had uttered while Daniel and Jeremy were out at the pond. "I can't bear to think of Julia going through all of that again."
"Tell me about Heather, Louise. How did she die?" Daniel's own curiosity had gotten the better of him. He was determined to learn every deep dark secret his wife hid away from him, even if he didn’t like the story behind them. Louise drew a deep breath to steady her nerves, than began relaying the story as she paced slowly toward the liquor cabinet.
"It was summertime; the girls were out of school and spent nearly every waking moment together, as they had since they were small children. Julia wanted to meet Heather at the swimming hole just as they always did." The old woman began pouring herself a glass of cherry and lifted the brandy sifter toward Daniel who nodded silently.
"Victor wouldn't allow Julia to go out that day. He told her she'd been spending far too much time with Heather, neglecting her chores and taking time away from her family. We planned on sending Julia to Boston to finish her schooling and he thought she should be with her family while she still had the chance. Julia somehow managed to sneak out anyway and went to the swimming hole. She was always a stubborn, disobedient child when she wanted to have her own way. Takes after her father’s English blood,” she smiled taking the glass to Daniel and sitting in her favorite chair.
"Heather wasn't anywhere around and Julia thought she'd missed her. From what she told us at the time, she was just about to leave when she saw a piece of fabric floating in the water. She pulled on it and found it attached to what she believed to be a log, but the more she pulled the more it revealed until she saw the dress she had given Heather. She thought Heather might have thrown it in the pond in anger when Julia hadn’t kept her promise to meet her. When she tried to pull the dress out of the water she found Heather's hadn’t disposed of it at all. She was still wearing it.”
“You mean…” Daniel began, almost afraid to speak the words.
“The sheriff said it was an accident, but Julia has always blamed herself for Heather's death. I think she blamed Victor as well. She said if she had met Heather when she promised she would, none of that would have happened. Heather wasn't a very good swimmer and the sheriff felt she slipped and hit her head falling in the water and thus drowning."
"It's possible the same thing could have happened to Julia," Daniel summarized.
"Never; Julia's an excellent swimmer. She used to out swim anybody who challenged her. There's no way she could have fallen in and she would never have tripped or stumbled; she knows that pond like the back of her hand."
"There's evidence Julia wasn't alone. I wonder if she did come upon a drifter or perhaps some kids fooling around where they weren't supposed to be. She may have seen something someone didn't want her to know about."
"What could possibly be so important that the payment would be a young girl's life?"
"I honestly don't know, but I'll tell you one thing, we're never going to get any answers until Julia wakes up. I just don't understand how somebody would know she was going to be there, especially at night, and I can't figure out how Heather fits into all of this."
Louise sipped her cherry, watching him play with the amber colored liquor in his glass. She felt he should know more about his wife and her old habits and perhaps help him understand more about what may have happened to her.
"Julia used to ride out to the pond just before dark when she was younger,” Louise began. “She used to say the swimming hole was the only place where she could think; it was an old habit. Most everybody around here knew about Julia's love for the water, but very few knew that after Heather's body was found she never went back there. Even my sister Lena said Julia refused to go near water, even when they were on holiday at the seaside."
"It's possible whoever is behind this, didn't know about Julia's resignation for the sport. Perhaps whoever it was didn't know Julia had been away for so long either."
"Daniel," Louise began, "do you really think there's someone out to harm Julia? Is it possible someone besides Sharon blames Julia for Heather's death?"
"What do you mean besides Sharon? Who's Sharon?"
"Sharon Farnsworth, Heather's younger sister. Julia and I met her on our way to town the other day. Julia wanted to stop at the cemetery and Sharon was there."
"What reason would she have to blame Julia for Heather's death?"
"When Heather's body was found, Sharon went around town telling everybody it was Julia's fault; she's always been very good at spreading gossip. Sharon insisted Julia was jealous of Heather and they had argued. She claimed Julia had struck Heather, who fell into the water and drowned."
"Why would Julia be jealous of Heather?"
"She wasn't. If anything, it was the other way around. Heather didn't have a very good relationship with her family and would spend as much time here as she possibly could. Her father and mother didn't get along very well; they both had secret lovers in town and Sharon was too busy sleeping with every man within fifty miles of Mayfield. There were two brothers, but the oldest died from small pox the winter before Heather; Peter is the only one left living last I heard. Julia was more of a sister to Heather than a friend. They shared everything, dreams, stories, fantasies, everything."
"I still don't understand why this Sharon would blame Julia for her sister's death?"
"I think it may
have just been an outburst at the time. Grief and pain I suppose, perhaps a way of getting attention and sympathy. I really don't know. When we saw her at the cemetery, Sharon swore she no longer blamed Julia for what had happened. She said she'd grown up and realized Heather's death was an accident. She told Julia she was taking over her family's land and had arrived in Mayfield the day of Victor's funeral.”
“Arrived? From where?”
“Heather’s family moved away after her funeral. Her parents went to New York; stories were that Sharon was sent to a special school after they moved. She said she had decided to reclaim her parents’ land and claims to have dropped by during your wedding, just to say hello."
"You don't sound very convinced."
"I'm not," the older woman admitted, sipping on the red liquor. "I still remember her shouting at Julia the day Heather was buried. She accused her of being a cold-blooded killer. Julia was in a state of depression for months afterward. Julia never forgot the pain of losing her best friend. Sharon Farnsworth is a deceitful, hateful tramp. I don't trust her and I never will."
"Do you think she still blames Julia? Perhaps enough to attack her and try drowning her?"
"I wouldn't go so far as to accuse her of anything so despicable. I wouldn't doubt she'd try and scare Julia, perhaps cause her to have an accident, but to do it herself? I don't think she has the guts for it."
Daniel sat back on the sofa staring off into space. On top of worrying about Julia, he now felt he had to concern himself with a woman he had never met; a woman who may very well have a motive for wanting his wife dead.
The silence of the room was broken when Thompson knocked softly on the door. Daniel watched the older man come into the room, a look of stern disapproval on his otherwise emotionless features. He cleared his throat as he began to explain his interruption.
"I beg yer pardon, sir," he began, his deep Kentucky drawl revealing his heritage. "But Miss Farnsworth is here to see ya."
"Who?" Daniel asked, wondering if the ghost of Heather had come by to pay a visit.
"Sharon Farnsworth, sir. She asks to see ya."
"What does she want?" Louise snapped, glaring at the older man as though he had sprouted two heads with a fork tongue in each.
"I'll take care of this Louise," Daniel insisted softly. He stood and straightened his jacket and shirt the best he could, suddenly regretting the neglect of his appearance and the growth of hair growing across his chin and upper lip. "Please show our guest in." Thompson grunted low and soft, but did as ordered, returning a few moments later with the woman, ushering her through the library door.
Sharon was dressed in a soft velvet gown of dark green, with an unfashionably low cut bodice that revealed the swell of breasts and a tight fitted waistline. She smelled of lavender and ascended in the room, as though she were floating on a cloud. Her hair was pinned back in a wreath of pearls, with several small dark ringlets framing her oval face and long slender neck. Around her wrist she sported a bandage, barely peeking out from beneath the white cuff.
"Mr. Browning," she cooed softly, stretching a small delicate hand towards Daniel. "Can I call you Daniel? I'm so pleased to meet you at last. I must admit though, my timing does leave much to be desired."
"I should say so," Louise growled, but was flatly ignored by their guest.
"I must apologize for my interruption. I wasn't aware dear Julia had been injured. How dreadful. The stable hands said she was attacked by a band of escaped criminals from Texas."
"I'm afraid you've been misled and the reports you've heard are highly exaggerated. My wife merely had a fall and struck her head. It's nothing serious and I can assure you it was only an accident." Daniel shook the woman's hand rather than kissing it as Sharon had seemed to want, then led her to one of the large wing back chairs, trying desperately to ignore the reproachful look from his mother-in-law.
"Could I interest you in a drink?" he offered, politely.
"Thank you, no. Actually I came by on business. I'm quite interested in purchasing a few horses. I'm afraid there's so dreadfully much work to do at the ranch and I haven't anything to help. I was hoping a few work horses would come in handy, since I've hired on two ranch hands to do the labor."
"I'd like to help you, but Turner Stables deals in race horses and thoroughbreds. We haven't any labor horses here, but I will keep my ears open. I understand there's a gentleman in Graves County who has come upon some hard times and is interested in selling his stock. If you'd like, I'll check into it for you?"
"Would you? You're such a dear. I'm afraid I haven't much of a head for figures. I'd probably pay way too much and get jackasses, rather than horses."
"It would be my pleasure, Miss Farnsworth."
"Do call me Sharon, please, and I don't know how to thank you. I'm sure you'll make the best choice for me." Daniel smiled so freely Louise had to look twice to make certain she saw it. She was furious at the way the man was acting. They had only moments before been speaking of this woman, considering the possibility of her being behind Julia's attack and now here he was acting as though they were long lost sweethearts.
"Do you think I could see Julia before I leave? I would like to convey my best wishes to her." Sharon asked, standing up from her seat.
"I'm afraid the doctor has given her strict orders to have no visitors, though she is not happy about it. I'm sure if you came by in a few days, she'll be back to her spirited old self and more receptive to seeing you."
"I'll do that then. Well, thank you again so much, Daniel. I just don't know what I'd do, if I didn't have such wonderful neighbors," she purred seductively, smiling sweetly to the older woman. Daniel walked Sharon to the door leaving Louise to brood in silence. When he returned some ten minutes later he found his mother-in-law in a state of a full-blown fury.
"What the hell was that all about?" she demanded. "How dare you treat that woman as though nothing has happened? Don't you realize she could be the one behind Julia's attack?"
"Calm yourself, Louise," Daniel insisted, seeing a definite trait between mother and daughter; both quick tempered. "I'm not losing my mind. If it is Sharon Farnsworth who’s behind what's happened to Julia, it wouldn't be wise to make her suspicious. This way, if she thinks Julia is fine and had only a slight accident, she may become nervous and hopefully slip up. We don’t want to tip our hand and reveal that we suspect her of anything until we have proof."
"I suppose you're right." Louise felt a bit calmer after having been explained the situation, but even an explanation did little to ease her irritation.
"The nerve of that...that...person," she snapped. "Actually asking to see her; assuming we have common horses on this ranch, and you, how dare you invite her back here? If she is the one who attacked my daughter she may try again. What's to stop her from hurting Julia worse the next time?"
"I am. I have no intentions of leaving Julia alone with that woman. That's why I invited her back. If she knows she's welcome here, she won't try and sneak in when nobody's looking."
"Daniel, I don't like any of this. I don't like feeling as though my daughter's life is being used as bait."
"It's not Louise, trust me. Julia isn't going to get out of my sight again. I have every intention of making her a very protected woman; regardless of her objections."
"She's going to have plenty, I can assure you. She's not going to like being guarded."
"She won't even know there are eyes watching her." Daniel smiled, thinking about how easy it would be for him to keep his eyes focused on her. He watched her when she slept and when she was awake, when she ate and even when she yelled. He loved to watch her and the idea of doing more of it didn't exactly distress him much. The only problem was, the watching usually caused a much hotter reaction on his part. A reaction he swore would never again cause Julia any discomfort.
Chapter Fourteen
Nearly a week had passed since Julia's accident, yet she still hadn't awoken. Her nightmares became a regular occurrence and
she continued to plea with Heather, begging for forgiveness. Twice she called to her father, mentioning something about the fires of hell chasing after her before rendering again to the unconscious state of sleep.
Daniel was growing anxious for her to wake and grew weary of soothing her sleep filled terror. He knew she couldn't hear him, though he continued to stay with her, comforting her as best he could. He sat next to her every day, waiting, talking, pleading, arguing with her, but with no success. When fatigue would overtake him, he would lie on the bed beside her and sleep, though lightly so he could hear her when she woke.
He was growing irritable with time, frustrated beyond actions and found himself snapping at anyone who dared to approach him. He hadn’t left the house since the night he and Jeremy had returned from the swimming hole. He hadn’t thought of much beyond seeking out Dourn, but wasn’t all that anxious to leave Julia to do it.
Sometime after noon on the eighth day, he found his hunger unbearable, growling savagely in the pit of his stomach. He had barely eaten more than a few bites from the meals Bridget or Louise would bring up to him, though he made the attempt to satisfy all concerned and keep up enough strength to continue to wait. The hunger in his stomach, however, was nothing compared to the one in his heart. He needed her awake. The doctor insisted that each day was a good sign, but not having her awake was killing him.
Jeremy had come in earlier that morning and refused to leave, making Daniel's irritation grow thicker. He would sit next to Julia and talk with her when he was alone, breaking the monotony and fear raking his own conscious, but with Jeremy there, he couldn't do much more than pace in silence. He had twice barked his complaint to the boy when Jeremy insisted he sit down, or go downstairs to the dining room and eat. He argued about leaving Julia and insisted it was his place to stay beside her. She was his wife and he would care for her, nobody else.