“You better sit down, there is more. Crap man, this is hard for me to tell you.” Donald finally found the words and told Jeb about Chu Ying's accusation. Jeb refused to believe it. Donald assured him it was true.
“I checked with the doctor and he said your symptoms all definitely point to arsenic poisoning. He gave me a written statement. I don't want to accuse your wife, Whittaker but the facts are all pointing in that direction.” Donald reminded him of the way Anna had taken over the mayoral duties in the past few weeks. He also told Jeb what Mrs. Smithers had said about some of the women quitting the association. “She is spending a lot of time in the church cemetery. Olga thought that was strange.” The pieces started to fall together. Jeb sat with his head in his hands.
“I need to talk with Chu Ying and Ling Ye, where can I find them?” He looked up at Donald, who felt terrible delivering such news to a friend. Donald tilted his head in the direction of the door. Jeb stood, still not wanting to believe his friend.
Donald, put on his hat and headed for the door, with Jeb close behind. Together the sheriff and Jeb rode to the blacksmith shop. The two young Chinese stood with their heads down when they saw Jeb. He approached them slowly.
“I have come to apologize for my wife's actions. Please tell me what you told the sheriff. Chu Ying, you saved my life once, I trust you explicitly. Please, tell me what you know.” All three sat on wooden chairs facing each other. Chu Ying was hesitant, but told Jeb about the arsenic, about Anna throwing the soup pot and how she fired them.
“Just want be sure you okay, Bossman.” Jeb didn't want to believe it, but he knew in his heart, it was true. He had trusted her explicitly and she had betrayed him. Jeb extended an outstretched hand and Chu Ying shook it. The two stared into each other's eyes for several seconds.
“Looks like you have saved my life once more. You will have your jobs back shortly; please stay here where you are safe. Donald will deal with Anna.” Jeb turned to Donald who stood listening to the exchange. Jeb ran his hand through his hair hesitating.
“Sheriff, do your duty. I believe Anna Whittaker tried to kill me and by the way, she is not legally my wife.” Donald nodded and left the blacksmith shop. He knew how hard this must be for Jeb. Bill Smithers, who was in the next room, jerked his head around in surprise at Jeb's last statement. Jeb stayed staring at the floor in utter disbelief. I actually loved you Anna, I loved you.
Anna Whittaker shrieked at the top of her voice. She tore the bed sheets to ribbons. She threw the metal dishes at the bars that held her. But no one paid attention to her. Life outside her jail cell continued.
Jeb Whittaker sat in his office. The past week had been very difficult for him but the town stood behind him. He had many friends here. At long last, he had the respect he desired, but at what cost? The one and only person he had loved and trusted had betrayed him. Not only had she lied to him, but tried to kill him. He could not understand it.
Picking up a piece of official Whittakerville stationary, he wrote a letter to Martha and Jeremy:
Dear Mr. And Mrs. Whittaker
This letter is to inform you that Anna; your daughter has been arrested for attempted murder. If you want to come to Wyoming to see her before her trial at month end, you must hurry. She will be sentenced to death by hanging if found guilty. I know that you do not feel kindly towards me, however I treated your daughter with the utmost respect and even love. She returned this by trying to poison me. I am sorry to give you such news.
Yours truly,
Jeb Whittaker
Mayor of Whittakerville, Wyoming.
P. S. Mr. Whittaker, I must apologize for hurting you, I was a very angry young man and am a much different person now. Surprisingly I owe it all to Anna.
Chapter Twelve
The Truth
The letter arrived in St. Louis on a bright sunny autumn morning. Charles delivered it with the other mail to Jeremy's study. After breakfast, Jeremy sat at his desk scanning the mail. He picked up the letter noting the return address, Jeb Whittaker, Mayor, Whittakerville, Wyoming. Curious and hoping it was a letter from Anna at long last; he sliced the envelope with the silver letter opener.
Jeremy stared at the paper before crumbling it into a ball and throwing it against the wall. He put his head in his hands and began to weep. Martha found him like that a few minutes later. She rushed to his side. “Jeremy what is it? What has happened?” He pointed to the crumbled ball. Slowly Martha walked over and picked it up, dreading what she would find. She straightened the paper and read Jeb's words. All of the color drained from her face. She stood frozen in place. Dear God in heaven, this can't be true. Anna, in prison, about to be hanged. Oh Dear God. Her knees began to buckle, she grabbed the back of the chair for support.
Jeremy regained his composure. “Charles, Charles.” He called the butler instructing him to send a message to Abraham and Isaac immediately. He also requested that the Wells family be called. Martha tried to console him but he told her to leave. “Let me be. I need to be alone.” Heartsick, Martha walked up the stairs to her room.
Martha cried, cursed Anna, cried some more and then tried to compose herself for the dreaded evening that was about to unfold. Jeremy had informed her that the truth about Whittakerville would be told. No excuse, no more secrets. It was time to tell the family the whole truth. She knew better than to argue with him, but she did not want to experience all of the pain over again. She did not want Isaac and Abraham to go through that horror again. She lay alone on her bed, sobbing.
It was not long before the entire Whittaker family and Austin and Loretta were seated in the dining room of the Whittaker mansion. Everyone looked confused and very concerned. Martha and Jeremy entered the room together.
“I am sorry to have to call all of you here, but we have some very bad news.” Martha looked over her family, tears formed in her eyes. Jeremy took control.
“I want everyone to eat their supper and then we will go into the parlor where you will hear all of the details. Thomas, you are going to hear all about Whittakerville. I know you have been anxious to hear for a long time but we had our reasons for not talking about those days. Unfortunately, now the truth must be told.” He looked from Isaac, to Abraham and Martha. She stared at him with tear filled eyes. ”The entire truth.” Austin and Loretta exchanged a concerned look.
Annabelle reached for Isaac's hand, Vivienne turned toward her husband. Both men were solemn. The family ate in silence. Sissy could not keep quiet any longer. “Is this going to be like one of Aunt Viv's stories, Granddad?” Jeremy shook his head and continued to eat, seated at the head of the table. Martha was nervous, picking at her food. Everyone ate in silence.
An hour later, the family was seated in a circle around Jeremy and Martha. The maid took baby Amy up to the nursery. The children sat on the floor restlessly awaiting the family history. Jeremy turned to Martha and signaled her to begin. Loretta and Austin sat to Jeremy and Martha's right.
“A very long time ago, I was an eighteen year old girl. I lived in England with my father. One day he told me that I was to be married to a man, ten years older than me with three sons.” She paused and looked from Isaac to Abraham. “I did not want to marry him and I did not want to be a mother.” Tears filled her eyes; she patted them with her handkerchief.
“After the wedding, Jebediah Whittaker, his boys, Isaac, Abraham and Ezekiel and I traveled on a ship to America. There was a terrible disease on the ship and many people died. I wanted off that ship. I tried to escape but Jebediah found out and he stopped me.” Isaac and Abraham looked at each other. They had not known this.
“Is that why he beat you, Mama?” Abraham reached out and held Martha's hand. “We didn't know.” She nodded.
“Yes, he found out and he beat me very badly. The boys were told to wait in the corridor outside the cabin.” Jeremy reached his arm around her shoulders for support.
“What a big meanie, someone should have thrown him overboard!” Sissy shouted. Ann
abelle calmed her and motioned for her to be quiet. Vivienne and Annabelle had no idea how bad things had been. They looked at each other tearfully.
“Go ahead, Martha.” Jeremy urged her on. She hesitated, not wanting to continue but knowing she must.
“We arrived in America and Jebediah told us we were to travel on a wagon. I was most unhappy. I didn't like him and the boys didn't like me.” Her eyes met Isaac's; he looked away in shame. “In those days many immigrants traveled west searching for a new home. The days were filled with dust, heat and hunger. It took forever to get to Wyoming. Ezekiel was bitten by a rattlesnake and almost died. It was horrible.” She stopped to sip her tea. “Isaac can you tell them about Wyoming please.”
Isaac hesitated; he turned to Abe who motioned for him to go ahead. “We arrived in Fort Laramie, then we moved to our own land and built a sod house. It was very small. I remember our getting a much larger log home later that year. To be honest, I don't remember much except hunting for buffalo with groups of men. I remember our father was the pastor of the church and we held services every Sunday. Mama is right, I did not like her then nor she me. I was not a very nice boy.” Abe patted him on the shoulder and took up the tale.
“Isaac was troubled in those days. Martha tried to be a mother to us but she was young. Isaac was ten, I was eight and Zeke was five. It was very hard for her. Our father beat us often. I remember having a dream about my friend, John. When I woke up, I was scared because I dreamt that he was dead. In the morning, we found out that he died that night. It really frightened me. Father was furious, thinking I was predicting the future. He said he would beat the devil's sight out of me. He dragged me to the shed.” Abraham looked to Martha. He was not sure how much to tell. She just nodded. “He beat me with a strap until Mama stopped him. He broke her wrist and locked us both in the shed for two days.” Vivienne put her arms around her husband.
“We need to stop now. This is enough. Annabelle, I don't think the children need to hear this.” Vivienne was very upset. She had no idea that things had been so bad for them. She rose from her chair. Jeremy told them all to stay where they were; this story was going to be told. Slowly, Vivienne sat back down.
“I told father about the dream.” Isaac told the others. “Father asked me to spy on Martha and the others. I didn't know then what I later remembered and I helped him. I am so sorry that I told him, Abe.”
“We have been over this many times Isaac, nothing to forgive. It is all in the past.” Abe reassured Isaac and then Martha continued.
“Jebediah tricked all of the homesteaders by lending them money. Later he foreclosed and took their farms. He pretended to be a man of God, but he was evil. He stole their land and he did despicable things. Things we can not talk about.” She stopped unable to go on. Jeremy picked up the story.
“Martha's father realized what a horrible man Jebediah was and asked Austin Wells and myself to go to America to find them. It took us many months but we finally found the family in Wyoming. We approached Martha but did not let Jebediah know we were there. We wanted Martha to take the boys and leave.”
“Let me, Papa.” Isaac interrupted. “I was down by the river. I saw Uncle Jeremy and something snapped. I started to remember our real mother and how she died. It all came back like a horrible dream that I had pushed to the back of my mind.” Isaac gulped for air. “I could see her at the top of the stairs, I went to find father.” Thomas stared at his father. Annabelle held her breath. Sissy sat silently beside her, staring at Isaac. Austin gripped Loretta's hand tightly. She knew something terrible must have happened next.
“Isaac don't.” Martha stopped him. She looked at Jeremy pleading him to stop this. Tears poured down her face. She was pale.
“It is time, Martha.” Jeremy told Isaac to continue. Isaac nervously gulped for air.
“Abe and Zeke were in the cabin. I found father in the church with Uncle Jeremy. They were arguing. I told father that I remembered how our Mother died. I remembered that I saw him push her down the stairs.” Annabelle gasped. Oh dear God, Isaac. Why didn't you tell me?
“Isaac that's enough. That is all you need to say.” Abe stood up and walked over to his brother. Isaac was breathing heavily.
“No, Papa is right. It is time. I confronted our father, I accused him of killing our Mother.” He paused, looking from Martha to Abe, then focused on Annabelle. “I had my rifle in my hand. I shot him dead. I killed my own father.”
“Thomas, Sissy, stay here. Isaac come with me.” Annabelle took Isaac from the room. He followed trancelike. Everyone else sat frozen in place.
“Jeremy, what have you done?” Martha ran after Isaac. Abe went to Jeremy who looked like he was about to collapse. The strain was too much for all of them. Vivienne held Sissy and Thomas tightly to her.
“I didn't know it was so bad, Auntie Viv. It is all my fault.” Vivienne reassured Thomas that none of this was his fault. She held him tight, filled with pain for this family.
“Pa killed that old meanie, I'm glad.” Sissy always reduced things to simple terms. Vivienne hugged her close.
Martha found Isaac sobbing in Annabelle's arms. She put her arms around them both. Abraham soon joined them. Annabelle slipped back to her children leaving Martha, Isaac and Abe alone. The three stood and sobbed for several minutes. Martha was taken back to Wyoming, over twenty years before. It was as if they were cleansing their souls of a terrible hurt that was festering for so long. All the pain, all the secrets had been released.
Jeremy waited patiently. It had been a difficult decision but he knew it was time for this secret to end. Vivienne and Annabelle talked to him quietly, reassuring him that the family would survive this. Austin and Loretta stood by, as ever lending support.
“I hope so, I pray to God that I have not done the wrong thing.” He looked from one face to the other; all of them closed their eyes in prayer. Sissy came and sat on his knee. At that moment, he missed Anna very much. The thought of Anna made him realize that it was because of her that all of this had come to be. A single tear rolled down his cheek. It also reminded him of the reason for this visit.
”Martha, boys, please come back in and sit down. We have more to discuss.” The three returned. Strangely lighter than before. Isaac and Abe even smiled at their wives. It felt good to have no secrets. Thomas ran to his father and Isaac held him tight.
“I ask all of you to forgive me for forcing this, but it was time.” Isaac and Abe put their arms around Jeremy. “Martha?” The family looked to Martha and waited. She stood staring at all of them, her face, stained with tears. Jeremy was praying that she would forgive him. She stood for several minutes without moving. Finally, as if a veil was lifted, she continued.
“Jeremy and Austin took us all away from Wyoming after Jebediah died. The townspeople never knew what a monster he was. They loved him and named the town Whittakerville. I don't remember the trip back east, I was just glad that that horrible man was dead. God forgive me for saying that, but life with Jebediah Whittaker was living hell.” She paused to catch her breath; her eyes met Isaac's. “Isaac did what was necessary, we never spoke of it again. We came as far as St. Louis and decided to stay here.” She looked at Jeremy. Slowly she walked over, put her arm around him and kissed his cheek. “Jeremy and I fell in love, we raised our boys to be fine young men. They married beautiful women and we now have grandchildren whom we love with all of our hearts.” Jeremy pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
“Aw, how sweet and they lived happily ever after.” Sissy chirped forcing everyone to laugh. The tension was broken, if just for a moment.
“I am very sorry but there is more. Martha please hand me the letter.” Jeremy looked at his family, his face held a great sadness. They could not imagine what was coming. He took the crumpled paper and began to read. Austin rested his hand reassuringly on Jeremy's shoulder. Loretta held Martha's hand. No oneknew what to expect but they knew it wasn't good news.
Dear Mr. And Mrs. Whittaker<
br />
This letter is to inform you that Anna; your daughter has been arrested for attempted murder. If you want to come to Wyoming to see her before her trial at month end, you must hurry. She will be sentenced to death by hanging if found guilty. I know that you do not feel kindly towards me, however I treated your daughter with the utmost respect and even love. She returned this by trying to poison me. I am sorry to give you such news.
Yours truly,
Jeb Whittaker
Mayor of Whittakerville, Wyoming.
P. S. Mr. Whittaker, I must apologize for hurting you, I was a very angry young man and am a much different person now. Surprisingly I owe it all to Anna.
No one spoke, no one moved. The entire room was silent as if they were frozen in time.
Chapter Thirteen
Family in Crisis
“We have to go to Wyoming, Martha. We have no choice. I must try to save Anna. She can't be guilty of this crime. Jeb must have framed her.” Jeremy paced the room.
“What if she is guilty, what then? Oh dear God, what if she is guilty? I can't take this anymore Jeremy. I can't deal with this.” Martha started to sob uncontrollably. Jeremy paced faster; he didn't go to her.
“You can't believe she is capable of trying to poison someone, for God's sake Martha, she is our child.” After several minutes of silence, he reached a decision.
“That's it. I am going. You can come or you can stay here, but I am going to bring my daughter home.” He marched from the room. He was angry and there was no solution to this disagreement. Martha watched him go through her tears. She didn't follow him.
Jeremy left the house and headed for his office. Austin was working late. “I have made a decision, Austin. I am going to Wyoming to bring Anna home.” Austin stared at his friend, weighing his words carefully.
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