2. Christiana: Motive unknown. Addition: same as c above.
3. Someone who suspected he knew the location of the Pennington jewels?
4. Someone who suspected he knew they were involved with the theft/disappearance of Pennington jewels?
5. Jack Riley for the suspect in 3 and 4 (absolutely no clues, just a gut feeling).
6. Or could it be possible that Mrs. Miller was right and Clyde had stolen Burly Anderson’s prize horse? But Mr. Anderson was eighty-five, and his sons both lived in Chicago. Anyway, forty years was a long time to hold a grudge strong enough to kill for. (Mrs. Miller claims to have seen Gabe, the younger son, in town the night before Clyde’s murder.)
I printed the document and carried it to the parlor with me.
Benjamin arrived a few minutes later. He helped me bring in the tea cart, then went to the rec room and asked Frankand Martin to join us. I’d placed a few cookies on a plate as well.
After everyone had their drinks and sweets, I handed the list to Benjamin and asked him to pass it around. Finally, Martin handed it to me.
“What are your thoughts about it?” I asked.
“Corky’s going to be awfully mad at you if he sees this.” Martin shook his head.
The same thing had crossed my mind, which was one reason I hadn’t asked him and Phoebe to be here. “I know, but Jack Riley is a possible suspect.”
“I can’t really see that, Victoria.” Ben frowned. “You’ve suspected him of things before, and he always turned out to be innocent.”
“He could be innocent of certain things and guilty of something bigger. It seems obvious to me he knows something. I believe he’s always known something. I’m just not sure what yet.”
“Who is Christiana?” Frank asked. “You haven’t written anything by her name, but you have her on here twice.”
“Yeah,” Benjamin muttered. “I noticed that, too.”
Heat burned my face, but I pressed my lips together and lifted my chin. “She’s Laura Baker’s daughter, Frank. It’s just a hunch, but I’m pretty sure she knows something.”
Benjamin gave me a side grin, which made me want to punch him. He probably still thought I was jealous. I narrowed my eyes. He’d better not say it.
He winked. “Okay, let’s talk about this horse theft thing.”
“Mrs. Miller told me about it first. She’s convinced Clyde stole the horse, and I did see an old Gazette article about him being arrested for it. But he wasn’t convicted.”
“And Janis saw Gabe in town the night before Clyde’s death?” Miss Evalina had been silent until now.
“Yes, ma’am. Of course that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. He could have been visiting one of his cousins who live around the area.”
“It does place him here,” Frank said. “But I doubt he’d have killed Clyde over a suspected horse theft. Especially that many years ago.”
“They used to string up horse thieves,” Martin said with undisguised relish. “But they didn’t wait forty years to do it. They took them to the closest tree and—”
“Martin!” Miss Georgina’s voice sounded horrified, and I didn’t blame her.
“We get the idea, Martin.” Miss Evalina gave him a pointed look.
“Sorry.”
Frank glanced at Benjamin. “What do you think, Ben? Does any of it make sense?”
“I’m not sure.” He gave a little laugh. “Victoria, you seem to have a lot of suspects with very little evidence.”
“I know that,” I said. “I simply jotted down some ideas and observations with a few clues thrown in. That’s why I wanted input from the rest of you.”
“So, Clyde’s daughter is selling the shop,” Miss Georgina said. “I wonder where the animals will go.”
“I don’t know. I suggested she announce the sale to pet-store owners in the area.”
“Aggie might want Whatzit,” Martin said.
“He might make a colorful mascot for the new hotel,” I said.
Chuckles broke out, then stopped. We all glanced around with stricken looks. My heart felt like a stone. Where was she? And more important, was she alive and well?
Benjamin tossed a small log on the fire and sat beside me on the love seat. The seniors had gone to bed, and we’d sat mostly in silence for the last hour, cuddled up in front of the fireplace.
“Do you think we should postpone the wedding?” I’d dreaded bringing up the subject, but we had to talk about it.
Benjamin groaned. “No, please, honey.”
“But we can’t get married with Miss Aggie missing. I couldn’t bear it.”
He rubbed my shoulder and sighed. “I know. But let’s not make that decision yet. Miss Aggie could turn up any day. In fact, I expect her to.”
A spark of hope flared inside me at his words. “Do you really? Do you think she might be okay?”
“Yes, I do.” He leaned over and kissed the top of my head. “And so does Corky.”
“He does?”
“Yeah. His take on it is that she left the car behind on purpose, so she couldn’t be traced and then rented another car.”
“But why would she do that?”
“Corky says she’s been afraid of something since Clyde’s death. He thinks she ran away to hide.”
“But why wouldn’t she tell us so we wouldn’t worry?”
“Because the more people who know, the more chance the murderer could find her. At least, that’s what Corky believes is going on in her mind, and I’m inclined to agree with him.”
“Oh, I hope you’re both right. I don’t know what we’ll do if something has happened to Miss Aggie. Nothing will ever be the same.”
“Now, sweetheart, don’t talk like that. You can’t give up hope.” He traced my cheek with his thumb, and I leaned back against his arm and looked at him through half-closed eyes.
He pulled me closer and leaned toward me.
A sudden thought struck. “Ben!” I sat up straight, and he yipped like a puppy.
“Vickie, you hit me right in the mouth with your head.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry. But I just had a thought. What if Miss Aggie is holed up somewhere at Pennington House?”
He sighed and rubbed his lip, which looked like it might be swelling.
“Does it hurt?” Guilt riddled me, and I reached toward his puffy lip.
He jerked his head back as though I was going to sock him. The big baby.
“Not much. It’s okay. But to get back to your question, Miss Aggie is not at Pennington House.”
“How do you know? We need to search and make sure.”
“Corky thought of it from the beginning. He scoured every inch of the place, including the tunnels and the cave.” He shook his head. “She’s not there, Vickie.”
“Okay.” But I wasn’t convinced. I wouldn’t be satisfied she wasn’t there until I had checked the house and property myself. With some help from the seniors, of course.
“Don’t even think about it.” Benjamin turned a stern look on me. “I know that look in your eyes, Victoria.”
I couldn’t help the breath of exasperation that escaped from my throat. He knew me too well. “I don’t know why you always get the idea I’m up to something. Because I’m not.” Well, nothing I’d planned out anyway.
“Umm-hmm.” He stood. “I’d better go. It’s getting late. But if you absolutely must search Pennington House, ask Corky first. Don’t be sneaking around.”
I frowned at him as I walked beside him to the door, his arm still around me. He chuckled and leaned down to kiss me, then apparently thought better of it. He gave me a quick hug instead, said good night, and left.
I locked the door and headed upstairs, the idea that had germinated in my brain now growing tendrils. Corky would let me search, but he’d want to lead the way—and if he’d already searched and found nothing, that wouldn’t help at all. But when the workers left for the weekend, Corky would more than likely go to Jefferson City to see his parents.
I brushed my teeth and got into my pajamas, then crawled between the cool sheets and pulled my comforter up to my chin. I’d better run my current plan before God and see what He thought. Of course, I was pretty sure He wouldn’t condone me sneaking into Pennington House, so maybe I’d better get permission after all. I’d wait until Corky was ready to leave town, so he wouldn’t insist on escorting me through the place. My last thought before I dropped off to sleep was directed toward God.
Lord, please keep me on the straight and narrow and control my willfulness.
CHAPTER TWELVE
It was nine in the morning, so the truck stop parking lot only had a scattering of vehicles. I spied Phoebe’s Altima parked near the building and pulled the van into the space beside it, battling a smidgen of envy as my eyes glanced off the shiny, apple-red coupe.
For the jillionth time, I wondered if I could afford the payments on a new car. But even though the lodge was doing well, I’d resolved to keep most of the income, as well as my inheritance, in the bank for emergency repairs and other things.
For the first time, I considered taking Dad up on his offer of a new car. But the thought passed, and I shook my head at my moment of weakness. I was independent and planned on staying that way.
A country song was playing as I walked into the restaurant. I spotted Phoebe and headed for her booth.
“Isn’t this cool?” Her eyes danced with excitement. “This is the first time I’ve been here.”
“Yes, it is nice.” I slipped into the seat across from her and ran my hand over the shining table top. “I love the newness of the place.”
“Me, too. It even smells new.”
“It also smells like breakfast, which I skipped this morning.” My stomach rumbled in agreement.
“Well, that’s the point of meeting for breakfast, silly.” She giggled, and I grinned in response. Phoebe and I were almost exact opposites in personality. Nevertheless, we’d formed a deep friendship. “I’m so glad we have these second Saturday breakfasts together, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely. And our monthly lunches.” Of course Phoebe and I saw each other at the lodge, and sometimes we made a foursome with Corky and Benjamin to go to a movie or out to dinner. But our girls-only meetings were special and had helped us get to know each other better.
“None of the staff here are locals,” she whispered. “Or at least I don’t know any of them.”
I glanced around. She seemed to be right. “They probably drive over from Branson or Caffee Springs.”
“If any of them are from Branson, I feel sorry for them when the ice and snow hit.” She nodded emphatically, then smiled at the waitress who stopped at our booth, menus in hand.
“Would you like something to drink?” Her smile was friendly as she laid the menus on the table.
“I’ll have a Coke.” Phoebe flashed her a grin. “And I’d like pancakes and sausage please. Two of each.”
Good grief. Coke with pancakes?
“Coffee, please, and a glass of water.” I glanced over the menu, then placed an order for bacon and scrambled eggs with wheat toast.
When the waitress left, Phoebe looked at me and shook her head. “Why do you bother to look at a menu? You know you always order the same thing.”
“Not always.”
“When did you not?” she challenged.
“Hmm. Let’s see. Oh, never mind.” I laughed at her satisfied grin.
Our food came, and we bowed our heads and prayed silently, then dug in.
“Why, that’s Uncle Jack.” Phoebe’s voice held surprise as well as excitement. “I wonder when he got back.”
I turned my head slightly. Sure enough, Jack Riley had entered. I caught my breath as the sheriff followed him in. They found a booth across the room from us.
“Now why would he be with the sheriff?” I mused aloud.
“Why? What do you mean?” Phoebe frowned, and I realized I’d done it again.
“Uh, nothing. I just didn’t know they were friends.”
“Oh.” Her face relaxed. “I thought you were making another of your cracks about Uncle Jack.”
“No. Of course not.” But I couldn’t help wonder if perhaps the sheriff was suspicious of the man. Maybe he was investigating him. But on the sly. Of course, subtlety wasn’t Bob Turner’s usual tactic. I couldn’t really see him asking someone to breakfast to investigate them.
“Phoebe, would you like to ask them to join us? I know it’s been over a week since you’ve seen your uncle.”
“What a great idea. Thanks, I think I will.” She jumped up and headed across the room. Both men looked up insurprise when she appeared at their booth. Her uncle smiled and started to scoot over, but she shook her head. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but a few moments later, she came back and sat down.
“Are they joining us?”
“No. They’re talking business, but Uncle Jack will be at my house by dinnertime. He just got back this morning.”
My ears perked up. “Back from where?”
She shrugged and took a bite of pancake, following it with a drink from her Coke glass. I shuddered.
“You don’t know?” I should probably drop the subject, but how would I ever find out anything if I didn’t ask questions? Phoebe certainly wasn’t volunteering information. Of course, she didn’t know how badly I wanted to know, and I couldn’t tell her.
“He didn’t say. What difference does it make?” She darted a suspicious glance at me, and I knew it was time to change the subject.
“Oh, I just wondered. I thought maybe he’d have another adventure to tell us about.”
“Well, my goodness, Victoria. He doesn’t just go from one adventure to another. He has business to take care of, too, you know.”
I nodded. “So when do you go for your fitting?”
Her eyes lit up. “Next Tuesday. I’m hoping you’ll go with me. Mother can’t get off work.”
“I’d love to. What time?” I meant it, too. I couldn’t wait to see Phoebe in her wedding dress. I’d be having mine fitted in a couple of weeks.
“Two o’clock. But I thought if you wanted we could leaveearly and have lunch in Springfield.”
“Okay, but I’m not going to that place that throws your rolls at you.”
She laughed. She, Corky, and Benjamin had been trying to get me to that restaurant for months, claiming the homestyle food was great and the atmosphere fun, but I wasn’t buying it. After all, how much fun could it be to have food thrown at you?
I bolted upright in bed, blinking in the sudden light, my heart hammering. The phone on my bedside table rang again. I grabbed the receiver. “Cedar Lodge.”
“Victoria? Were you asleep?” Corky’s voice held surprise and something else.
I glanced at the clock. The display flashed 10:30. “Yeah, I must have dropped off to sleep while I was reading. What’s wrong?”
He didn’t say anything. “Corky?”
“My father just called. They found Aunt Aggie’s suitcase in a Dumpster behind the bus station.”
A chill slithered down my spine. I sat bolt upright, my heart hammering against my ribs. “What?”
“Someone found Aunt Aggie’s suitcase in a Dumpster behind the Jefferson City Bus Station,” he repeated. I heard him take a deep breath. “There were traces of blood on some of the items inside.”
I gasped and tried to breathe normally. “Oh no. Oh Corky, no. Dear God.”
“I’m going to call Benjamin, and we’ll probably come over if that’s all right.”
“Yes, please do. Please get here as soon as you can.”
I yanked on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt, then crammed my feet into a pair of moccasins. I bolted down the first flight of stairs, taking the steps two at a time, then slowed down and tried to be quiet as I walked down the second floor hallway to the next flight of stairs. I couldn’t face the seniors with this news. Not by myself.
I started the coffeemaker and got a fire going in the parlor
. Horrible pictures invaded my mind. What-ifs pounded me mercilessly.
I piled cups and saucers, spoons, sugar, and cream on a tray, and set it on the counter by the coffeemaker.
The doorbell rang, and I hurried to let them in. Benjamin stood there alone. He took one look at my face and pulled me into his arms.
The sobs broke loose. Sobs I’d been holding back since Corky’s phone call.
“It’s okay, honey. Let it out.” Benjamin’s voice and the gentle caressing on my back soothed me, and finally the wracking sobs dwindled to an occasional whimper. After one more gentle pat, he lifted my chin and searched my face, then gave me a kiss on the forehead.
“Thanks, I’m okay.” I tried to smile but felt my lips tremble with the effort.
Through the open door, I saw Corky’s truck pull up. He jumped out, went around and opened the passenger door, and Phoebe stepped down.
I went to the kitchen and filled a thermal decanter with coffee, then took the tray to the parlor.
The four of us sat in stunned silence, casting somber glances at each other as we drank the hot coffee.
Benjamin set his cup on the tray and cleared his throat. “Corky, could you tell us again, just what your father said?”
Corky inhaled deeply, then let the air out in a rush. “This afternoon Dad received a call from the police department. They said they’d found something that might belong to Aunt Aggie and asked him to come downtown and take a look. When he arrived at the station, they showed him a suitcase. He was pretty sure it was Aunt Aggie’s. Then they said the tag on the luggage had her name and the Cedar Lodge address.
“Finally, they opened the case and let him view the contents. He recognized some of the clothing right away. And he identified the silver hairbrush and mirror. Then they told him the maintenance man found the suitcase in the Dumpster behind the bus station. By that time, Dad was worried sick, wondering why the bag was in the Dumpster, but there was more. They told him they found traces of blood on one article of clothing. They’d send it to the lab, but they don’t want to trust the hairbrush because someone else may have used it. They needed an uncontaminated article of her clothing or something she’d used. Dad took them some things from the house that belonged to her.” His voice cracked on the last word, and Phoebe leaned closer to him and took his hand.
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