“Oregon,” Katherine whispered. “Grandfather has a plan, but I don’t know what it is or why he chose there. I don’t know anyone there or what I’m going to do once I get there.”
“Oregon?” Billy whispered back, his eyes wide. “That’s a world away? I’ll never see you again!”
“It is very far away,” Katherine agreed, looking down at her plate with the half-eaten sandwich. “Billy, you have to understand. I don’t want to go, but it’s either that or be killed. That isn’t much of a choice.”
“Can I go with you?” Billy asked hopefully. “I don’t want to stay here after you go and I can be useful, Miss Katherine. You’ll need a friend out there. I hear there’s nothing but pine trees and fish.”
Katherine bit her lip. Her initial reaction was not to get Billy involved any further than he already was, but as she thought about it, he had a point. She didn’t want to leave him here at the tender mercies of the Clarks. She wasn’t sure the Clarks would actually do anything to the staff, but it wasn’t beyond the bounds of possibilities. “Maybe. I’ll talk to Grandfather about it, Billy. I promise.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I don’t want to be left here alone. Not with the likes of them in charge. I’m sure Mary would become the head housekeeper. She knows you and I are friends and I think she’d do bad things to me.”
“She would after today, at least,” Katherine said, angry at the mention of the maid.
“Why?” Billy asked.
Katherine grinned. “Because I slapped her.”
Billy’s eyes popped open in surprise. “What?! Oh my gosh, you have got to tell me what happened! If anyone deserves it, it is her.”
“I caught her spying on me after I left breakfast. She said she was dusting, but there wasn’t anything nearby to dust and then she…she said something that cause me to slap her.” Katherine finished, uncomfortable talking about the reason. She recalled how Mary had all but taunted her with Eustice’s infidelity, hinting that she was going to do it again and soon. She had long gotten over her marriage to Eustice Clark. Knowing that the man had been a part of killing her father had erased even the slightest loyalty to the man, but for Mary to feel confident enough to say so in front of her had just been too much.
It had also been a hint that Mary was feeling confident enough in the current affairs to feel safe from retribution. A thought struck her, one that should have occurred to her before, but Mary had the access to her grandfather’s room, and she certainly had a good reason to see them out of the way. Could Mary have been the one to help try to kill her grandfather?
Whatever the answer, she was going to watch Mary closely from now on. “Billy, keep an eye on Mary. Don’t spy on her, but if you see her doing anything suspicious, let me know right away. Someone helped the man get into our house, and I think it might have been her.”
Billy nodded soberly, taking another bite of his sandwich as he thought carefully about all that had been said.
Chapter 15
The trip back to the house was quiet as both Katherine and Billy sat in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. She hoped that Eustice was no longer there, having settled his business and left back to whatever decadent amusements he would concoct that evening, but her heart quailed when she saw his electric car parked next to the steps leading up to the front entrance. It forced Ben to park behind them giving Katherine farther to walk in the deep snow.
“Sorry, ma’am,” Ben said, getting down to help her and Billy carry the small number of packages inside.
“It’s okay, Ben,” Katherine said as she stepped down. “It’s not your fault that some people have no manners.”
“Too true, ma’am,” Ben answered before following the two quietly up the stairs.
As the door opened, James came forward to take the packages from Ben, letting the big man return to take the still-rumbling car back into the barn and out of the cold. “Ma’am,” James said as he flinched from the cold of outside. “Your grandfather wishes to see you in the upstairs study at your earliest convenience.”
“Thank you, James,” Katherine said, surreptitiously looking around for any sign of Eustice. When she didn’t see him, she breathed a sigh of relief and turned back to James. “Do you happen to know if my husband is in the study with him? Also, I would love some tea if you could have some sent up?”
“Mr. Eustice is not in the study, ma’am. He’s currently retired to his rooms with the request not to be disturbed,” James said before pausing. He didn’t say anything further, but Katherine got the impression that he didn’t approve of something and suspected that Mary was likely busy as well.
After placing the packages on one of the tables in the foyer, James helped Katherine out of her coat. Katherine gave Billy a hug before he left to return to his duties around the house, then proceeded up the wide stairwell to the upper hallway. She moved quickly, hoping that her grandfather might have some more answers. Last night, he’d told her he was still working out some of the details and she was anxious.
Turning left, she decided to take a pathway through some of the rooms rather than try sneaking by the entrance to Eustice’s room. Most of them were dark since they weren’t being used, but Katherine had grown up in the massive Victorian and knew the way by heart, sneaking around the covered couches and moving from door to door.
Suddenly, a hand reached out of the darkness and grabbed her arm, gripping it painfully as a furious voice whispered into her ear. “I knew you would try to come this way,” Eustice hissed darkly. He yanked her around and pushed her up against the wall, leaning into her with a dangerous growl as one of his hand stayed on her arm, but the other wrapped around her throat.
She was frozen in fear. This was not the first time that Eustice had cornered her and treated her roughly, but it was very dark and she couldn’t see his face. His breath reeked of alcohol which mixed with the scent of perfume that didn’t belong to her, telling her more than words could that Mary had already told Eustice what had happened to her.
She felt his hot breath move closer to her, whispering in a dark and deadly voice directly into her ear. “I heard you like to hit the staff, dear Katherine. Most I wouldn’t care about, but the one you struck was special to me.” He squeezed her throat on the last word, making Katherine choke and struggle to breathe. The high fabric of her dress provided little comfort from his strength and she could feel his fingernails digging into her skin.
Katherine could see flashes of light shooting and whirling on the edges of her vision. It would have been beautiful if it wasn’t for the danger and panic that was setting in. She raised her hands to his arm, struggling to pull it away but his arm didn’t budge.
“What? Are you trying to say something, little poppet?” Eustice growled. “Perhaps you should beg for forgiveness or at the very least keep your hands and words to yourself.” His hand suddenly disappeared from her throat, and before she could react, his fist crashed into her stomach, sending her to the floor in a gasping heap.
She lay there, shivering and crying as she tried to catch her breath and listened to the sound of Eustice walking away in the darkness. His foot slammed into a chair, making it screech across the floor as he cursed. She couldn’t see him, but a moment later the far door opened and the faint light from beyond showed him leaving.
She lay on the floor for a long time, holding her arms around her stomach as she sobbed and hiccupped in the darkness cursing her weakness. She wished she’d never met the Clarks, or that some horrible accident would befall the man that she’d married. It was a wish she’d muttered to herself many nights, but just as always, she’d not wake up the next morning free from her nightmare.
Eventually, she crawled to her hands and knees, then pushed herself up against the wall. Eustice’s fist had left bruises and she was having some trouble breathing but at least there were no sharp pains. She didn’t think he’d caused her permanent damage and as she regained her feet, she opened the door and continued deeper into the house.
Instead of heading for the study, she made her way slowly to her rooms. It wouldn’t do for her grandfather to see her in pain, nor with her face mussed from crying. Washing in the water basin, she gently padded a towel before slowly reapplying makeup. It was slow going, but eventually she was satisfied she’d covered most of the effects from her crying.
At least she would no longer be dreading the attack. Usually, Eustice left her alone for a while afterward. She hoped that would be the case this time, but she realized that with the uncertainty surrounding their last few days, things might have changed. They’d killed her father, and tried to kill her grandfather. She should be thankful it was just a fist she’d received, rather than the grave.
Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes before opening the door and heading for the study. Leaving suddenly wasn’t looking so bad.
Chapter 16
“I don’t know where she is, sir,” James’ voice came through the door. “She said she was on her way to the study over half an hour ago. I can check her rooms if you like?”
“Yes, please do, James,” her grandfather’s voice answered, sounding worried.
Katherine quickly pushed the door open and walked in, smiling at the two men. She knew she needed to make sure they didn’t suspect what had happened. The last thing she needed was her grandfather losing his temper and she needed to keep him focused. “Hello, grandfather, sorry I’m late,” she said. “I had to stop by my rooms and take care of something.”
“Miss Katherine,” James said from behind a cart with a tea service on it. “I’m afraid your tea is not as hot as I’d like. Shall I get you some more, ma’am?”
Katherine shook her head. “No, James. My stomach is a bit upset. Maybe some chamomile later?”
“Very good, ma’am,” James said, pulling the cart away from the small table her grandfather sat at and nodding his head to the older man. “If there won’t be anything else, sir?”
“No, James, but if you can please make sure none of the staff bother us?”
“Yes, sir,”
Katherine waited for the man to leave before coming to sit in the chair next to her grandfather. Unlike her, he had taken a cup of tea and sipped it as he studied her while she took her seat.
“What really happened, Katherine?” he finally asked, setting his teacup down on the saucer and giving her a frank look. “I know Eustice is in the house, and I heard about you slapping Mary.”
Katherine frowned and breathed out, shaking her head. “I didn’t want to say anything.”
Her grandfather reached out and put his hand on her chin, tilting her head. “I don’t see any marks. You are quite good at covering up the bruises, dear Katherine.”
She was thankful for his concern, but even more that he wasn’t angry. “He didn’t hit me in the face…this time.” She gestured to her stomach. “I’m sorry, grandfather, I just didn’t want you to get angry.”
He sighed and sat back in his wheelchair, looking down at his wrinkled hands. “I wish I could do something, but you are right. Now is not the time to lose my temper. Or should I say, again. Once was enough and it put us in great danger. I’m sorry, Katherine. It hasn’t given us much time.”
“Tell me what’s going on, grandfather,” Katherine asked. “What did Eustice want this morning?”
“He was pressing me for information, much as he did with you at breakfast, I imagine. You must have done a good job because it didn’t take much convincing that we thought it was a simple robbery. Still, he also pressed me to sell the business to them.”
“Why don’t we just do that, then?” Katherine said, “Why not sell the business and be done with them. That’s what they want, isn’t it?”
Her grandfather gave her a frank look. “No, I think they want everything. All of our wealth and power, and they plan to use you to get it. No, Katherine, we need to get you out of here.”
“Wait, grandfather, you’re not mentioning yourself,” Katherine said, suddenly suspicious. “We’re going to get out of here, right?”
“No. I’m far too old, dear Katherine. There is no way I’d survive the trip.”
“Grandfather, it’s not like we’ll be taking covered wagons. What do you mean you won’t survive? The trains these days are very comfortable.”
“You won’t be going by train, Katherine.” Her grandfather leaned forward. “If they look for you, that’s the first place they will start. No, I have another plan though I’m still working out the details but I have to stay here. I have to keep them occupied while you escape.”
Katherine got up and moved around to her grandfather, kneeling in front of him and taking his hand as she looked up into his eyes. “No, grandfather! No, I won’t lose you too. You can’t stay here! They already tried to kill you!”
“Katherine! Get a hold of yourself this instant,” he said, grabbing her shoulders. “Katherine, if I don’t stay here they will find you and then all will be lost. Listen to me. I’ve already moved as much of our wealth into gold as possible and changed my will to leave you as my only heir. It’s all official, but I’ve had the records sealed for twenty years. If you or your heirs do not appear, it will reseal for another twenty years. That should give you enough time to figure out what to do.”
“But grandfather-”
“No buts,” he said, interrupting her. “This is the way it must be, Katherine. They are too powerful, and I will do everything in my ability to make sure you have a chance at a happy life. One longer than a few years.”
Katherine’s face froze in a mixture of horror and sadness but finally she nodded, accepting her grandfather’s words. She didn’t want to. She would do anything to forget what he’d said, but she knew she couldn’t. She knew they would haunt her for the rest of her life.
“Okay, grandfather,” she said quietly. “Okay. I’ll do as you ask. Now, if I am not going by train, how am I going to get to Oregon?”
“By ship, Katherine. It will take some time to make all the arrangements, but I’ve already begun. I’ve also bought us some time by agreeing to the demands of Eustice. As far as he is concerned, I will be selling my shares of the business to his uncle for a very reasonable price. It should provide us the time that we need.”
“Is there anything I can do?” Katherine asked.
“Yes, you can help me think of a way to distract the Clarks so once you leave, they will follow the wrong trail.”
Chapter 17
It was two weeks later and only a week before Christmas. Despite the fear and worry, the staff had finally decorated the house and grounds for the holiday. She loved it, visiting the main dining room that held the massive Christmas tree. There were decorations that went back over a hundred years, some well maintained, but others showing the wear of years, all of them loved.
Her grandfather had told her they would be meeting someone this afternoon. From the way her grandfather had talked, it was someone important to their plan. From the way it had sounded, everything was almost in place.
Katherine was growing anxious. Eustice and his uncle were coming to the house more and more often, and she could tell they were becoming frustrated with something. Most likely, her grandfather’s stalling was making them angry, but how long did they have before they became suspicious?
She wasn’t sure, but at least she had been able to commiserate with Billy. She’d shared with the houseboy what her grandfather had told her and that they’d also be going by ship. She was determined to take Billy with her, and the boy had been overjoyed at her intent. She hadn’t told her grandfather yet, but she would and soon.
Just as soon as she worked up the courage to tell her grandfather that there was yet another person that knew about his plan.
They would be meeting at the old Athenaeum on Beacon Street, a prestigious old library that their family had been a member of since well before she was born. She didn’t go there often, since very often it was a meeting place for stuffy old scholars, but today it seemed like the perfect place t
o be. Eustice most certainly would never be seen in a place that had to do with education, though she wasn’t sure about Daniel.
When they arrived, the library was graced with bright red bows and garlands set against the light tan bricks. The sidewalks and road in front of the library were kept clear of snow, though it was a never-ending job as evidenced by two men who were outside with brooms. Still, it made it easier for Ben to help her and her grandfather out of the car.
“Who are we meeting with, grandfather?” Katherine asked, listening to the wheels of the chair roll along the marble hallway. She nodded politely to the few people they passed, most of which ignored their presence in favor of the old books they were using at the various tables.
“Our salvation, I hope,” he answered. “We’ll be meeting in one of the private meeting rooms. Hopefully, our young friend is already here. Let’s ask one of the attendants.”
They stopped at a desk and a younger man with a mustache looked up, smiling pleasantly and stood to lead them to their meeting room. “Yes, sir, he arrived about ten minutes prior to your own arrival. A pleasant looking man, if a bit lower class than we usually see here. It’s a good thing you sent word ahead, Mr. Moore. Otherwise, I’m afraid we would have not allowed the man entrance.”
He led them through the storied hallways and left them at the entrance to a small but well-appointed meeting room done in rich emeralds and browns. There was a young man, perhaps about Katherine’s own age sitting at the carved wood table who stood when they entered.
“Mr. Moore, it’s good to see you again. I trust your trip here went well?” he turned and took Katherine’s hand, bowing and brushing his lips against her knuckles. “And this must be Mrs. Clark? I understand I’ll be helping you with a rather delicate matter?”
Three Carols of Cozy Christmas Murder Page 14