A wagon pulled by two horses roared toward me on Powow from the direction of town. Last summer a murderer had tried to run me down only a few blocks from here. Was it happening all over again? I took a quick step to the side of the road, but I tripped on a snow-
covered rock and fell, sprawling on my elbows. Flooded with fear, I tried to boost myself up and cried out from the pain in both my hand and my head. The horses were almost upon me. My throat constricted and blood pounded in my ears.
“Whoa,” a man’s voice called out. The horses came to a halt two yards away. A tall figure in an overcoat and white police hat jumped down and took two long strides toward me. “Miss Rose, what are you doing here?” Guy Gilbert knelt next to me.
I stared. “Guy? I could ask thee the same.”
The officer extended his hand and stood, helping me up. “Get in the wagon and I’ll tell you.” He handed me up into the passenger side and hurried around to climb into the driver’s seat.
While the back of the police wagon was enclosed for carrying prisoners, the front had only a roof overhanging our seats and open sides. Snow blew in everywhere. Still, it was better than walking. The comforting smell of warm animals wafted back and filled my nostrils. Gratitude flooded through me at being rescued by friend rather than run over by foe.
“We got a telephone call at the station from a house halfway up Powow, saying a woman was walking alone in the snow,” Guy said. “They knew the residents of the house farther up were away for
the winter. The unoccupied one is the last house on the hill, and after the news of the break-in at the Felch home, they worried this person was on her way back from robbing it.”
“It was me, so thee doesn’t need to search any longer.” A nervous giggle escaped me. “Did they think I was going to fill my empty satchel with valuables and then just walk home with it?”
“It did sound a bit far-fetched, but we told them we’d go see what was up. And I’m glad I did. What were you doing out in the storm, then?” He directed the horses, who turned the van around.
“I was summoned to a birth in the carriage house of the empty residence. But it was a ruse. There was no laboring woman. Someone hit me on the head, pushed me, and locked me in.” I shivered again.
Guy twisted in his seat to stare at me, concern written all over his face. “Are you hurt, Miss Rose? Shall I take you to a doctor, or to the hospital?”
“No, but I thank thee. My head does ache, and I managed to cut my hand. But it’s nothing needing urgent care.” At least, I hoped not.
“If you’re sure. But who would do such a dastardly thing to you? Did you see who it was?”
“I don’t know who did it, and I didn’t see anyone. I walked in and experienced a powerful blow to my head. The next thing I knew I woke up on the floor, with the only door locked from the outside.”
“How’d you get out, then?”
I told him about my battle with the window. “But I escaped, and here I am. I’ve been asking a few questions around town to assist Kevin in the murder investigation, and I think it must have been the killer trying to shut me away.”
“I guess you’re lucky to be alive, then.”
“I certainly am.”
“You know what Donovan’s going to say to you, I expect,” he said as we swung onto Central.
“To stop looking into Rowena’s death?” I asked.
“Precisely.”
“To be honest, I’ll be glad to cease my activities in that regard, and thee can tell him as much. Guy, does thee know what time it is?”
He pulled the horses to a stop in front of my house. “It was about three thirty when I left the station.”
While I’d had a life-threatening experience, I hadn’t been unconscious for too long. The house was dark. Mother must still be visiting Clarinda, the children were at school, Faith and Frederick were working. I gasped and brought my hand to my mouth.
“What is it, Miss Rose?”
“What if my attacker is inside? I received a threatening letter this afternoon before I went out.”
“You did?” Guy’s voice rose.
“Yes, an anonymous one.” I told him what had been written. “Would thee mind terribly coming in with me?” I asked. “Just to be sure I’m safe in there, since the family isn’t home yet.”
“Of course I will.” He jumped out and secured the horses to the post, then helped me down.
“And I can give thee the letter to take to Kevin,” I said.
“Let me take the note summoning you to the birth, as well.”
“Good idea.”
Five minutes later we’d checked every room in the house, not finding any lurking criminal, and Guy had left with the letter and the note safely stowed inside his overcoat. With lamps lit, the door locked, and the kitchen stove stoked, my only tasks were the domestic ones of dressing my cut and pondering what to cook for dinner. I felt safe. For the moment, anyway.
Half an hour later I sat near the wood cook stove with my hands wrapped around a mug of hot chocolate. I’d bandaged my left hand and wiped my spectacles clean, restoring them to my face. I wasn’t sure how to treat my head wound without help, so I simply left my hair in a long braid.
I couldn’t seem to grow warm despite having stoked the stove. I knew it was the shock wearing off which left me feeling drained like this, but I didn’t know how to fix it other than with a warm, nourishing drink. The steam from the rich milky chocolate curled up and floated away. I’d have thought Mother would be back from her visit by now. The snow must have delayed her. I glanced out the window to see the sky growing lighter as the storm passed through. It was snowing only sparsely now.
A stomping on the side stairs startled me, followed by a rapping on the door. Kevin’s voice rang out before I had time to grow afraid.
“Miss Rose?”
I stood too fast and my head spun. Grabbing the back of the chair, I waited until my vision cleared before unlocking the door. I greeted him and stood back so he could enter.
He stomped the snow off his feet and peered at me. “Miss Rose, you’re as pale as a shroud. Sit yourself down again.” His brows knit in concern.
“Yes, I’m still suffering a bit from my afternoon.” I gratefully took my seat again.
“May I look at your head?”
When I carefully ducked my chin down, he inspected my wound without touching it, then sat across the table from me. “It doesn’t look too bad. The monster who delivered the blow either held back or missed in his aim. Now, I want to hear every detail. If you’re up to it, that is.”
“Guy gave thee the threatening letter?”
“He certainly did. I don’t suppose the writing looked at all familiar to you?”
“No. It’s hard to tell with those block letters, isn’t it?”
“Yes, although I suspect it was written by a female hand.” Kevin drew out the letter and smoothed it out on the table. “See? The writing was formed rather carefully and the letters aren’t overly thick.”
“Oh, dear. Does thee mean …”
“Zula Goodwin? You have to admit it’s a possibility. Or it could also have been a lady companion doing a man’s bidding.”
“True.”
“Officer Gilbert told me only you were summoned to attend a lady in labor. What was the nature of the summons?”
I told him about the boy, who’d said a gent had paid him to bring the note.
“Did you know the boy?”
“No. I’d never seen him before. He wasn’t much older than Luke, though. Fourteen, maybe. Tall and skinny, with blond hair and a face reddened by acne.”
“You’re a sharp observer, Miss Rose. I’ll keep an eye out for the lad.”
“Did thee see the note I sent along, too?”
“I have it here, as well.” He produced the note and lined it up with
the letter. “The ink looks similar. We have a fellow in the department who specializes in analyzing this kind of thing.”
“Good. I didn’t recognize the name James Smith, and I knew I didn’t already have a pregnant client at such an address. But it’s hard for me to turn down a woman in need. So off I went.”
“You have a big heart that way.”
I shrugged. “It’s my calling. When I arrived, the house was empty and cold, but he’d said an apartment in the carriage house, so I slid open the door. I’d only stood there a moment when I felt the blow to my head. I fell, and when I awoke a while later the door was locked.”
“Did you have any clue at all to the identity of your attacker? Hear anything, smell anything?”
I thought for a moment. “I can’t say I did. It all happened so fast. But maybe a memory will come to me later. I do know I didn’t see any conveyance outside. The carriage house held a Bailey phaeton but no horses.”
“I’ll tell you, Miss Rose, I’m going to be of a mind to row that fellow up Salt River when I find him.” He clenched his fists like he was ready to start the beating right then and there. “Attacking a fine person like yourself. It’s just not right.”
“I thank thee, Kevin. But I’m sure letting our justice system deliver the punishment will be the better choice.”
“Of course. I just hate to see you hurt. Anyway, Gilbert said after you woke up you broke a window and jumped out?” He gazed at my hand. “And cut yourself, by the looks of it.”
“I did. A shard pierced my glove. But it’s not too bad.” I sipped my drink. “And when I saw Guy’s wagon charging me on Powow Street, I thought I was being attacked all over again.” I shuddered. “I’d never been so glad to see the driver was Guy Gilbert. I could have kissed him.”
Kevin laughed. “Let’s not get carried away, Miss Rose. He’s a happily married man, Gilbert is.”
“Thee knows I was kidding. Is Nell faring better now, does thee know?” Guy’s wife had suffered terribly from postpartum melancholia in the spring, and the herbs I’d given her to treat the condition had been slow to take effect. I scolded myself for not paying her a visit in too long.
“He says she is, thank the blessed Virgin. It was a rough spell, it was.”
“I’m glad to hear it. And how does thy boy fare, and thy wife?”
“Another blessing. They are both much improved, and thank you for asking.” He cleared his throat. “Now, Miss Rose. I know we have collaborated before in investigations, and I know you’re talented in that regard. But I must ask you to refrain from asking any more questions around town. We can’t be having you attacked. And I hope you’ll take great cautions when you go out, especially at night, until the murderer is behind bars.”
“I will, believe me. And I won’t be going to attend the labor of anyone I don’t already know, either. But speaking of bars—doesn’t this mean Hilarius can’t be the killer? He’s still in jail, isn’t he?”
Kevin shook his head slowly. “He was released this morning. Magistrate said we didn’t have enough evidence to keep him, more’s the pity.”
I tapped the table. “But why did thee arrest him in the first place?”
“A neighbor saw him at the house. We thought we’d find the club that struck the blow at Bauer’s house when we turned it out, but alas, we didn’t. I also hoped he’d crack under interrogation, but we had no such luck.” He held up a hand. “I know, I know, you predicted this. I never should have let the chief pressure me into making the arrest.” He exhaled a heavy sigh. “So Bauer is back out at large. I’m not sure he’s educated enough to have written either of these messages, though.” He stared at the papers.
After a sudden clatter of footsteps, the door burst open to three rosy-cheeked children and a rush of cold air. Matthew and Mark’s eyes lit up. They were always excited by a visit from a police officer.
“Detective Kevin!” Mark burst out.
“Can I wear thy hat again?” Matthew asked eagerly.
“Hello there, boys.” Kevin beamed. “Good afternoon, Miss Betsy.” He handed his hat to Matthew, shook Mark’s small hand, and ruffled Betsy’s hair. “And what did you learn in school today?”
All talk of attacks and murder suspects ceased, but our conversation had left me with new thoughts to consider. I filed them for later and concentrated on the blessed joy of children for the moment.
twenty-five
I was beginning to worry a bit by five o’clock when Mother still had not returned. The children had eaten a snack and were playing. The snow had stopped, so where was she? And for that matter, where was Faith? She was usually home by now, too. But worry would get me nowhere. And I was exhausted and in pain. “Children, I’m going to rest a bit.”
Mark barely looked up from the game of jacks he was playing on the kitchen floor with Matthew, but Betsy jumped up from tucking her doll into a small cradle.
“Auntie Rose, how is thy head feeling?” Betsy asked. They’d all noticed the matted blood on my head after Kevin had left.
“It aches a bit, my sweet, which is why I’m going to lie down. Let me know when thy granny returns, please.”
She stroked my arm with her small hand. “I’ll stand watch.”
I had to smile at her earnest expression. “I thank thee.”
In my room I unplaited my hair and reclined, half sitting, supported by pillows. It seemed I had only just closed my eyes when I felt a hand stroking my brow. I opened my eyes to see David bending over me, worry writ large on his face.
“David, what is thee doing here?” I struggled to sit up, but felt a sharp pain for my efforts, so I lowered my head again.
“Detective Donovan telephoned me. He told me what happened. He was worried about your injury and wanted me to make sure you were well.”
Mother appeared in the doorway to my parlor. “This young man kindly gave me a ride home. Clarinda called and asked him to.”
“I was happy to bring you home, Mrs. Carroll,” David said.
“None of this Missus stuff, now,” Mother said with a mock frown. “Thee shall address me as Dorothy and that’s that.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled.
“Mother, I was worried about thee.” I peered at her.
“I wanted to wait out the storm. And Clarinda and I were having such a good visit, the time flew by. I knew it would.”
I glanced at David, who winked at me, and back at my mother. Would wonders never cease? I’d never had what I would call a “good visit” with Clarinda. I held out my hand to David.
“Help me sit up, please.”
With the help of his arm around my shoulders, I sat slowly enough not to bring back the pain in my head. Mother bustled all the way into the room and lit both lamps. Faith popped her head in, too.
“Rose, thee was attacked?” she asked in a low voice.
“Did the children tell thee?” I’d told them only that I’d had a small accident so as not to concern them.
“No, but David and Granny Dot gave me a ride home from just outside the mill.” Faith’s place of employment was a short distance down the hill in town. “David told me about the attack on thee.”
“Good,” I said. I looked from face to face. “But I don’t want to relive the details right now. Is that all right?”
“Of course, dear,” Mother said. “Faith, let’s get supper on, shall we? David, will thee join us?”
“Thank you, but I’m afraid I can’t. I promised my father I’d attend a meeting with him. He’s been quite successful establishing a health clinic for his workers at the shoe factory, but we have business to attend to.”
“Be sure to check out Rosie’s wound before thee goes.” She and Faith left the room.
David perched on the bed next to me. “Tuck your chin down for a moment.”
I obliged, spying his black doctor’s ba
g on the floor. His hands were gentle, probing my scalp, but I jumped when he touched the wound itself.
“I’m sorry, my sweet. Now look directly at me.” He held a finger in front of my eyes. “Keep your eyes on my finger.” He passed it back and forth.
I tracked the movement without difficulty. He held up three fingers.
“How many?” he asked.
“Three.” I kept answering as he varied the numbers of fingers he held up.
He brought the small table lamp close, then pulled it to the side at arm’s length, then brought it back in front of my face.
“Good,” he declared.
“It looks like thee is testing me for a concussion.”
“Exactly. I guess I’m not surprised you know about shock to the brain.”
I smiled wanly. “Did I pass the exam?”
“I suppose. You cried out when you first sat up, though. Are you having headaches?”
I acknowledged I was.
“You’re going to need to rest and not do anything taxing for a few days to let yourself recover. I’d like to admit you to Anna Jaques for complete rest. The hospital nurses can monitor your status.”
I wrinkled my nose. “I’m not going to the hospital, David. Surely a trip there isn’t necessary? Mother is here, she’ll take care of me.” The hospital, only a few years old, was named for its primary benefactress. Anna Jaques, a wealthy unmarried woman with no heirs, died the year after the first patient was admitted, but she lived to see her dream of helping her community realized.
“Are you certain?” He waited a second, then went on. “It would keep you safe, too. I hate the thought of a murderer coming after you, Rosie. If anything were to happen to you, my life would be over, too,” he murmured.
How could I ever have doubted him? “I don’t want to go to the hospital.” I patted his hand. “But nothing’s going to happen to me. I already promised Kevin I wouldn’t go out alone at night, and that I’d cease my investigation. This afternoon frightened me badly.”
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