Her head whipped around as Martin gave an exaggerated cough.
The sound had caught the Chief’s attention as well. He narrowed his eyes as if seeing the extra person in the room for the first time. “Who are you?”
“Martin Lopez. I am the driver for Mr. and Mrs. Smith.”
“Is that right? And do you know of anyone who would want to kill your employer?”
Martin hesitated and then shrugged. “No.”
“Chief, why did you ask if Louis was depressed? Do you think he might have killed himself?” Emily wanted the attention off Martin before he said anything that would implicate Hunter.
He dragged his attention back to her. “We’ll soon know when we finish here and take a look in the library.” He turned to Officer Mallory. “Any questions from you?”
“No, sir. You know my theory already.”
The Chief shut the notebook and stood. “Please wait here, Mrs. Smith, while we take a look in the other room.”
She nodded, glad to have the interview over. Martin stayed in the room with her when the officers left. The way he stared at her made her uncomfortable. He’d been very devoted to Louis. Or at least devoted to the paycheck Louis gave him.
“You don’t have to wait here with me, Martin. I’m sure if the Chief needs any further information from you, we can find you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Although respectful words, the way he said them made her skin crawl. She turned and looked out the window, wondering if Hunter would be waiting for her at Millie’s Shop. If not him, then maybe a note telling her what plans he’d made. She just wanted this awful day to be over.
After about twenty minutes the police officers returned to the room. They stood on either side of the doorway, their Chief between them. “Mrs. Smith, we’ve determined that your husband was killed by someone other than himself. We’ve notified the coroner and he will be here shortly to make his report and remove the body.”
“I see. Now what will happen?”
“Well ma’am, you’ll be relieved to know we have a suspect that we’ll pick up as soon as we leave here.”
“Already?”
The Chief nodded. “A man came into the station last week about an old murder.” He chuckled. “Accused Mr. Smith of the deed. Officer Mallory sent him on his way, but with a warning not to take the law into his own hands. It appeared he did anyway.”
As the Chief continued to speak, Emily’s heart started to pound and her breathing hitched. She licked her suddenly dry lips.
God, no. It couldn’t be.
Not wanting the answer, but compelled to ask anyway, she whispered, “Who was the man?”
The Chief checked his notepad. “A Hunter Henderson.”
Once again Emily crumbled to the floor in a heap.
“Sign here.” The desk clerk at the Galveston jailhouse shoved a book across the counter for Jeremy to sign.
He’d received a note from Hunter to come to the jailhouse where he was being held. Jeremy still shook his head at the terse note he’d received. What type of trouble had Hunter gotten himself into now?
“Sir, if you will wait here, a guard will escort you to the visitor room where Mr. Henderson will be brought out.”
Jeremy wiped the sweat from his forehead and paced. He needed morphine, and soon. The supply he’d brought with him was almost gone. He had maybe enough for another two or three days. He’d been so busy on the investigation, he hadn’t visited any of the pharmacies in the area. That was something he needed to do as soon as he left Hunter.
“Jeremy.”
He stopped and turned. “Hunter. What the hell is going on?”
“I can’t believe it myself, but it seems Louis Smith was murdered.”
“Smith? Murdered?”
Hunter waved at the two chairs across from each other with a narrow wooden table between them. “You might as well sit. This is a strange story.”
The man they were investigating for fraud, running a scam, and murder, was dead. A man so low, he beat his wife. Considering how difficult it would have been to actually make any of those charges stick, it should have been good news. But Hunter sitting behind bars for the murder was not good news. Still reeling from what Henderson had just said, Jeremy tried to focus on his friend’s words.
“I went out for breakfast this morning. When I returned home I was greeted by the Galveston Chief of Police and another officer. They told me I was under arrest. It took some cajoling on my part before they would even tell me what I was being arrested for.
“They both acted like I was naïve to question them. They treated my inquiries as a joke. They were convinced I knew exactly what I was being charged with. Considering the plans I had for today, you can imagine my shock not only at the news of his murder, but that I was being charged with it.”
“I don’t understand. With all the shenanigans Smith was involved in, why would they assume you killed him?”
Hunter tapped a cadence on the table with his index finger, his nervous gesture the only indication that he sat in a jail charged with murder. “Shortly after I recognized Smith as the man who shot and killed my father, I visited the Galveston Police and spoke with this Officer Mallory who was with the Chief when I was arrested. I told him my story, but he gave me a hard time.
“When I named Smith as the man who’d killed my father, Mallory all but threw me out of the station, claiming Smith was much too big in the town to be considered for an eighteen-year-old bank robbery and murder.”
Jeremy was beginning to see where this was headed. “Did your temper get the best of you?”
“Somewhat. I didn’t threaten Smith, but I indicated I would see that justice was served. Mallory took that as a threat and warned me to not take the law into my own hands.”
Jeremy let out with a low whistle. “Do they know of your connection to Emily?”
“I don’t think so. At least they haven’t said anything about that to me yet.”
“You know that will come out.”
“Of course it will. Her driver, Martin, caught us trying to leave Guthrie, and her dressmaker, Millie, has been covering for her so we could spend time together. These police are not dumb. Once they uncover that relationship, they will start building the hanging platform.”
“My friend, you are in trouble.”
Hunter leaned forward. “I sent for my Uncle Jesse. He’s an attorney and territorial senator in Oklahoma. If anyone can get me out of this mess, it’s him. But in the meantime, I need you to step up the investigation on Smith. Find out who else had a reason to see him dead. When Jesse gets here, I’m sure he’ll have other ideas, but at least for now I’ll feel like something is being done while I sit here.”
Jeremy studied his friend as he spoke. This could be a dangerous situation for him. His visit to the police station to accuse a prominent citizen of killing his father eighteen years ago was bad enough. But trying to leave town with a man’s wife only a few days before he got himself murdered would give the District Attorney a lot of food for thought.
“I’ve already spoken to a few of his clients who are suspicious of his investments,” Jeremy said. “I also planned to question his secretary. Being there every day, she must know more about the business than her employer would have thought. I find secretaries are usually a good source of information.”
“Thanks. And talk to his partner, too. Name of Sanders. He might know if one of their clients was getting more than a little angry with Smith.” He snapped his fingers. “There’s one more thing.”
Jeremy waited as Hunter seemed to gather his thoughts.
“Try to see Emily. I’m sure she’s in pretty bad shape right now. From what I’ve been told she found Louis’s body, and has also learned that I stand accused of his murder. She has no one to lean on, she’s all
alone. There is the funeral to get through, and business dealings with Smith’s partner that she’ll have to handle.”
He pounded his fist on the table, creating enough noise that the door opened and the guard stuck his head in. “Everything all right in here?”
Both men nodded.
“You have another three minutes, Henderson.”
Once the door closed, Hunter said, “Help her, Jeremy. Please. If you can’t do anything else, watch out for her. Since the police aren’t looking beyond me for a suspect, whoever killed Louis could have done it for a reason that puts Emily in danger, too.”
Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory
“Murder?” Tori sat abruptly and stared at Jesse. “Hunter’s been accused of murder? That’s preposterous.”
“Unfortunately in typical telegram style, he gives no further details.” He handed the telegram to her.
Arrested for murder(stop)Please come to Galveston(stop) Hunter
Jesse ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ve cleared my calendar for Franklin’s campaign. The case I’m working on now ends with today’s court appearance.”
“If you go to Galveston there goes your efforts with his campaign,” Paul said.
“Yes, I imagine you’re right.” He regarded this son of his on the cusp of manhood. “Tell me, Paul, you know how much I want the governorship for Franklin, and how I hope it will help me in my run for governor next time. What would you do if you were me?”
Paul appeared to give the question considerable thought. “I would go to Galveston.”
Jesse smiled. “Good boy. That’s precisely what I’m going to do. Remember, family always comes first.”
“Shall I go with you?” Tori asked.
“No. I have no idea what I’m walking into down there. This might be a simple matter that’s already cleared up before I even get there. Or, it could take a great deal of time to iron out. You’re needed here with the children.”
They walked out of the dining room together. Tori watched as Jesse checked his appearance in the small mirror in the hallway. “Will this really end you working on the campaign?”
He took his Homburg from the hat rack and leaned his shoulder against the wall, twirling the hat in his hands. “I’m afraid so. Even if it turns out to be nothing, you can bet whoever’s been feeding information to the newspaper will grab onto this one.” He shook his head. “Murder.”
“I’m sorry. I know how much you wanted to be involved in this.” She brushed a speck of lint from his jacket.
“I do. There’s no denying that. But I also want my family to be happy and healthy. That will always come first.”
“You are an amazing man, Jesse Cochran.” She raised up on her toes and kissed him. Jesse wrapped his arms around her and took the kiss deeper.
“Will you two please stop that!” Fifteen-year-old Priscilla hurried down the stairs and flew past them. “It is so embarrassing.”
They broke apart and grinned. Jesse settled his hat on his head and giving Tori a chaste peck on the cheek, left the house.
Chapter 17
Galveston, Texas
“Mrs. Smith, the Police Chief and another officer are here and wish to speak with you.” Martin, who had taken over front door duties with all the callers in the last two days, regarded her with the cool disdain he’d shown toward her ever since Louis’s death.
Murder. She shuddered every time she thought of that word.
It had been a horrible two days. The only thing she could compare it to was the death of her parents. But then she’d had Louis to lean on. As a friend of her father’s, he’d swept right in and took over everything. She’d been so grateful at the time. And look where that had gotten her.
No more trusting a man to solve everything for her. She cared a great deal for Hunter and welcomed his help, but there would always be a part of her that she held back. Never again would she place her complete trust in anyone else.
“I will see them, Martin. And please ask Cook to send in coffee and tea.”
Taking a deep breath, she tried to calm herself. She must appear saddened, not nervous. She schooled her features into the proper expression just as they entered the room. “Good morning, officers. Please have a seat.”
The men once again looked askance at the furniture offerings in the room, but eventually settled on two of the sturdiest looking chairs.
The Chief cleared his throat. “Good morning, Mrs. Smith. We hate to bother you at this difficult time, but we have a few questions we need to ask.” Once again he licked his thumb and flipped through the pages of his notebook.
Not yet sure of her voice, she nodded.
“Yesterday when we were here, I understand you were overwrought at the time, but I want to question you on something that has come to our attention.”
Nod.
“When we mentioned who we were about to arrest for Mr. Smith’s murder, you fainted.”
She licked her lips. “It was a terrible day, sir.”
“Yes, yes. I agree. Terrible time. Which is why we allowed your maid to attend to you and decided we would return another day to question you further.” He leaned forward, his eyes boring into hers. “Do you know Hunter Henderson, Mrs. Smith?”
Well, then. There was certainly no beating around the bush for the Chief. He waded right into deep waters. Waters that were about to drown Hunter.
“Yes, as a matter of fact I do.” She wiped the sweat from her upper lip. Where was the tea and coffee? She needed a distraction.
“You don’t say?” He glanced at Officer Mallory who smirked.
“According to our notes,” the Chief said, “Mr. Henderson spent the last ten years wandering Texas as a Ranger. Then after leaving the service he returned to Guthrie, Oklahoma Territory where his family lives.” He looked up from his notebook. “Given his background, how is it you know him?”
Oh, God. Here it comes.
She drew herself up, using all the dignity she was able to muster. “We met in Guthrie.”
Although she had the feeling the Chief already knew that, he raised his eyebrows, pretending surprise. “When were you in Guthrie?”
“I was there for a few months earlier this year.”
“Visiting family, I assume?”
“No.”
“Friends, then?”
“No.”
He continued to stare at her, obviously waiting for her to elaborate. Since he would find out anyway, there didn’t seem to be any point in refusing to answer his unasked question. “I lived in Guthrie for a few months working as a Harvey House girl.”
The chief sat back, aping disbelief. Everything in his eyes said he already knew the answers to the questions. Smart police officer—ask questions you already know the answers to. Or was that for attorneys?
“And Mr. Smith approved of this? I was under the impression the Harvey House only hired single women.”
“I felt the need to get away.”
“From Galveston? Or your husband?”
“Both.”
“How ‘close’ were you and Mr. Henderson?”
“We were friends.”
“Seems odd to me that a ‘friend’ would show up in a married woman’s town once her husband escorted her back to her home.”
So, they already knew about Louis dragging her back. There wasn’t any need to wonder who gave them those details, since Martin came to mind immediately. He’d better have saved money over the years because he was about to be fired.
“He was concerned for my welfare.”
“Is that right? Care to explain that, Mrs. Smith?”
The door to the sitting room opened and Martin carried in a tray with coffee, tea, and cookies. Grateful to have something else to focus on, she instructed
Martin where to place the tray and offered coffee and tea to the policemen.
They refused.
“As I was saying, Mrs. Smith. Can you explain why Mr. Henderson was concerned for your welfare?”
In the three years of her marriage, the only person she’d ever spoken with about her beatings was Hunter. Millie and Maria, having seen her undressed, most likely suspected, but the words had never come from her mouth until Hunter. She’d always felt embarrassed about it, as if it were her fault. Even now she felt dirty as she tried to form the words. “My husband beat me.”
To her absolute horror, both men glanced at each other and chuckled. “Mrs. Smith, you’re going to have to do better than that.”
She stared at them with her mouth open. “You don’t believe me?” Several times she had thought about going to the police, but didn’t want to call attention to herself, or embarrass Louis, thinking it would only enrage him further. But never had she thought they wouldn’t believe her. Of course, had she dragged herself to the police station after a beating there would be no question.
“No, I don’t believe you, and even if I did, what happens between a husband and his wife is not police business.”
Anger flared in her as blood rushed to her face so quickly she was afraid her head would burst. She fisted her hands at her side and stood. “Get out.”
Now it was their turn to look genuinely surprised. “Excuse me?” the Chief said.
“Am I being charged with anything?”
“No. We’re only looking for more information.”
“Then look elsewhere. If I am not being charged with a crime, then I refuse to answer any more questions.” She walked to the sitting room door and flung it open. “Martin!”
Anyplace But Here (Oklahoma Lovers Series Book 5) Page 16