Again, she gestured towards the wooden casket sitting before Judge Preston, until he began pulling things from it, and examining them.
Victoria pointed to one of the photograph he'd lifted up and said, "I also should have recognized the marks sooner. But, I didn't.
"Do you see these bruises on the girl's neck?" she asked, pointing to specific marks on the girl's neck. "They aren't from fingers. You can see finger marks, too. Quite clearly, in fact. No, those marks were made by an object. And then, I remembered Harding's signet ring and how it matches the marks we found on both Lori and Lisa's bodies."
"So, once you figured Harding was behind it, what did you do?" Judge Preston asked her.
"First, I had Kit and Eva help me get the men onto beds. Then I sent them to harness the buggy so Eva could drive out to Gus' place to tell her mother what was going on and bring help. When Kit came back, I told her to make coffee and do her best to get some of it into the men.
"Meanwhile, I scribbled out what I thought was going on, and left it in an envelope on the table... in case... in case, something happened to me.
"Just before Eva left, she told me about the gun Gus gave to Meg last year, and that she kept it in her nightstand. So, I retrieved it and I worked out a plan.
"Earlier, when he arrived for dinner, Gus brought Meg a large piece of beef. I took it from the ice box, where he'd placed it, and injected all the morphine and laudanum I had into it, and then I left it on the porch. You see, I knew that Harding's huge dog would accompany him.
"Then I ran across the street, screaming and banging on Harding’s door. I told him the others were sick and insisted he come help me. It took some doing, but I finally got him to go back with me. We went inside, and just as I'd hoped, the dog found the meat and stayed outside on the porch gorging himself on it." She made a face and added, "I'm afraid I did all I could to present myself as a weak and inept female, both traits I abhor." She looked at the men as if she expected them to laugh about this.
When they all remained silent, she continued with her story, "As soon as Kit reentered Meg's, I told her to get some things from the surgery—and luckily, with her usual insight, she picked up on what I really wanted, for her to be out of harm's way.
"By then, I think Harding was becoming suspicious. But any pretense was over when he saw Gus' men riding into town. Once he realized they were charging his building, he told me to put out the lamp and be quiet. But, I wasn't about to do what he said, not with Meg, Neil, and Gus unconscious and unable to protect themselves, so I pulled Gus' gun from my waistband, and pointed it at Harding.
"I told him I would shoot him if he came towards me. I even told him I'd shoot him in the knee. However, he must not have believed me because he lunged at me. So, I did just what I said I would, and shot him in the knee. I told him I would shoot him in the other one if he moved again. This time he must have taken me at my word because he stayed where he was.
"By that time, Gus' men gathered up Harding's Oriental man servant, Mr. Lee, and the woman, Belle Porter, as well as the men that were being... ah... entertained. Miss Murphy brought Lynn and Kathy to Meg's. And, after I did a cursory exam on the girls, Kit, who'd returned when she heard the ruckus, helped Lynn bathe and get into bed. Eva came back to the workshop about then. So, while I bandaged Miss Murphy, who had been stabbed by Belle Porter, she got Kathy into a hot tub, and then into bed.
"Luckily, Miss Murphy's injury was little more than a cut, since her rib had deflected the knife strike. So, once the girls were abed, Kit and Eva helped Miss Murphy get washed and into a bed, while, I went to take care of Mrs. Porter's face and hand, and Harding's knee."
"Can you think of anything else?" the judge asked.
"Well," Dr. Thorne added, after thinking for a minute, "at some point Mr. Gunderson and Mr. Stratton came to, and they carried Meg to my hotel room. But, I can't think of anything else, at least, not right now."
"All right," Judge Preston said, "why don't you all go rest? I'll go talk to the sheriff."
Chapter Two
Gus took Meg's arm, while Neil took Victoria and Miranda's, and they walked towards the workshop. Whenever someone came up and asked questions, the men insisted they still weren't allowed to speak about anything and walked on.
"Now, I was serious about taking you home with me," Gus told Meg. "Ma was very specific. So, you pack up a few things and we'll get going."
"But..."
"No buts,” Gus countered. "Neil and I will make sure that Miranda and the doctor have everything they need."
"Gustav Gunderson!" Meg said. "I am not going to the spread. There is absolutely no reason for me to. I got the most rest of all of you."
"But you're still a bit wobbly," he insisted.
"Yes, but I'm sure we ladies will be doing a lot of talking. So, even while we're making plans, I'll be sitting. Now, if you feel the need for it, I'll write a note to Ma, so you won't get into trouble," she finished grinning.
Scowling, Gus answered, "That won't be necessary. And, I suppose you have a point about not needing more rest. I'm sure Ma will see that, eventually." Then his face broke into a smile.
As they approached Meg's home, Victoria whispered to Miranda, "Perhaps, it would be better not to mention anything about your wanting to adopt the girls. Let's find out first if you are sure about doing it and whether the judge can pull a miracle out of his hat, before we get their hopes up."
Miranda frowned, but nodded in agreement.
Eva must have seen them coming, for she met them outside on the porch. "We've been doing all right. Miss Colleen has been helping. But those girls are getting antsy. They want to know what will to happen to them.
"And people have been coming into the workshop all morning; a few even came around to the back door. That hasn't helped any. So I shut the curtains, told Kay to supervise the workroom for the rest of the day, and that I was bolting the door from the workroom."
"Yes, I was afraid of that," Dr. Thorne said, frowning. "Well, I'd planned on giving the girls a thorough going over, but I think I'll wait until tomorrow. Right now, I'll check on them again."
To Eva she said, "Meg, Miranda, and I need to have a long talk. Could you fix something for us to eat that you can leave? We can serve ourselves when we're ready. Then you and Kit are to go to the hotel and have Ann put you in my room. You two need rest; you've been up all night, too."
Eva looked towards Gus, and when he'd nodded, she agreed, "Yes, ma'am. Kit made chicken and dumplings already. And there are fresh biscuits, too. If you want more, I can open a jar of string beans, or something, and, maybe jar of peaches for dessert."
"That's wonderful," Dr. Thorne said, "but we'll take it from here. Kit, you and Eva have done a splendid job. But now you two are going to the hotel, so go get a few things together. And, I expect you to stay there and rest, until someone comes—tomorrow—for you. All right?”
"I won't argue with you, Miss. But, like I said, Miss Colleen's been helping too. So, we really are all right."
"Yes, I heard. Now first, I want to check on Colleen's wound. But, meanwhile, you two go get ready."
Victoria looked at Miranda and asked, "Can we send the girls out to stay with you?"
"Of course."
"Thank you." The doctor turned to the men and said, "I was afraid people would be curious, but didn't expect them to be so obvious. We need to move the girls to Miranda's, but secretly. Otherwise, people will keep dropping by to gawk at them."
"How about this?" Gus began. "After you all make your plans and gather what you'll need, I'll come back with a closed carriage."
"Do you have a closed carriage?" Meg asked.
"No, but I can rent one from the livery stable. Then, I'll make sure lots of people see me, first stopping here and then driving off towards my place."
"But..." the doctor started, before Gus cut her off.
"I won't take them there. I'll just leave town that way, but once I'm out of town, I'll turn and go to Miranda'
s. People won't just drop by my place.
"That will leave Neil free to gather whatever you all need and take it out later, again leaving by this end of town, as if he were going to my place." Gus stopped, and after a moment said, "I'll be coming back later in a wagon, since I'm sure that Ma has already gathered the supplies she thinks you'll need."
"Now, you plan out everything you'll require. And have the clerk put anything you need on my account."
When Victoria leaned forward, as if she were about to argue, he added, "We can work out how we will handle the business end of all this later.
"But right now, you ladies need to work out your plan, and make a list of what we men can do to help you. Miranda needs to go back to her place soon, alone. She'll probably have things she wants to do before she's ready for the rest of you."
"But..." Miranda began.
"Meg and the doctor can take care of getting things together here in town. And, like I said, I'm sure Ma will have things for you all. Neil can transport everything from town out to Miranda's. And I'll bring whatever Ma's put together. Then I'll come back and take whichever of you all are going out there, again, heading towards my place first.
"Now, can you come up with anything, off hand, you'll need from my place?"
"No, not really," said the doctor. "We need to sit down with pencils and paper and figure out what we'll need, where we are to find it, and who would be the best person to get it.”
"I expect we'll come up with a viable plan," Meg said. "But, right now, I think you two men need to leave."
The doctor smiled at Neil and said, "And, I will trust you to escort Eva and Kit to the hotel. I believe there is a second bedroom attached to my suite. Have Joe open that room." She reached for his arm, and added, "And, I'm counting on you to see that Joe understands they're to have everything they need, including food."
"Of course, I will. I'll take care of everything. Don't you worry about a thing, dear."
Then she added, "Girls, you go get a few things to take to the hotel. And, I don't expect to see you until after noon tomorrow. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Miss," both girls answered in unison. Then the young girls looked at each other and nodded their heads and went into the smaller bedroom to gather up their things.
After several minutes, Gus left, and then Neil left with Kit and Eva, leaving Victoria, Meg and Miranda alone with Miss Murphy and the two girls.
*****
"I will check on Miss Murphy," Victoria said. "But, I'm sure she is more than ready to get washed up and have some food. Perhaps, you could make coffee or tea?"
"All right," Miranda answered. She was still worried about whether the judge would be successful in getting her the guardianship of the two girls. Her anxiety gave her a burst of energy, and she scurried about, preparing both tea and coffee.
Meanwhile, Meg stirred the chicken and dumplings to make sure nothing was sticking or scorching, before she fetched Mason jars of green beans and peaches from the pantry.
Miranda wanted these girls. She wanted to take care of them and give them a good life.
She sat down hard on the nearest chair, asking herself, more than Meg, "What if they don't want to stay here? Or, they don't like me? Or..."
"It will be all right," Meg tried to reassure her.
Just then Victoria and Miss Murphy entered the room, Miranda pasted on a smile and hoped for the best.
"Whatever is cooking smells wonderful," Colleen Murphy said. "I can't remember when I last ate."
"Well, the girls made chicken and dumplings." Miranda told her. "And I have both coffee and tea ready. What can I bring you?"
"Oh," Colleen sighed, "I would love a hot cup of coffee."
"Now, you sit down, and I'll bring it right to you," Miranda told her. She looked in the doctor's direction and, seeing her nod, gathered up the coffee pot, carried it to the table, and set it on the hot pad. Then she returned for three cups and saucers, while Victoria retrieved the cream from the ice box, and joined Miss Murphy at the table.
"I'm glad you're feeling well. Once I finish my coffee, I will give the girls a cursory examination. Then, if they're all right, we'll all have something to eat while I talk to them about... well, about everything."
The doctor drained her coffee cup, sighed, and dragged herself up and over to the bedroom door. She knocked on it, but went in without waiting for an answer, leaving Meg and Miranda alone with Colleen.
"I hope you got some rest, Miss Murphy," the Miranda said.
"Yes. I fell asleep almost immediately. After all, I'd found the girls—done what I'd come to do. And, they were now safe."
She went quiet as she stirred her coffee and took a sip. Then, she said, "They're thin and scared, but seem all right.
"I'm pretty sure Kathy, the older girl, is pregnant. And, they're both used to having opium every day."
"Yes, that's one thing Victoria needs to talk to them about. It will not be an easy thing to free them from its yoke."
"I'm sorry, but I don't know your names."
"I'm Mrs. Hendriksen, but you can call me Miranda."
"And, I'm Margaret or Meg, although the girls in the workroom insist in calling me Miss Meg."
"Well then, Miss Miranda," Colleen said, "I'd like to stay and help, with the girls, I mean. Sadly, I've had experience with opium addiction."
The shock of this revelation must have shown on both her and Meg's faces, for the younger woman hurried on. "It wasn't me. I wasn't the one taking it. No, it was my brother. The doctor gave him laudanum when he broke his leg when he was thrown from a horse. He kept taking it, even after his leg healed, and none of us realized it.
"After a while, the laudanum couldn't keep the anxiety and headaches away, and he began taking morphine. When my father discovered that, he, well, we all did what we could to free him from it.
"But, it was too late. He tried his best. But, he just couldn't do without his morphine. Somehow, he got a hold of some without us knowing about it. We thought he was getting better," she sobbed. "But, he wasn't. He was dosing himself so he didn't act anxious or ill. Then, my father found out what he was doing. Richard, my brother, was so ashamed, he killed himself with all the morphine he'd acquired."
Miranda reached out and took the young woman's hand in her own, and said, "I'm so very sorry, my dear. I wish..."
Meg whispered, "Oh, how awful."
"It was a long time ago," Colleen told her. "But, I know what those poor children will be forced to go through. And it will take a number of people to care for them, to watch out for them."
"But," Miranda asked, "what about your job?"
"The truth is," Miss Murphy admitted, "I was afraid. When I woke up, in the dark and only partially dressed, I was scared out of my wits. And, I had to give myself a good talking to get control of that fear. So, I'm not, at all, sure I'm cut out for detective work, Pinkerton, or otherwise." Then, smiling, she added, "Besides, there aren't very many females willing to be detectives. So, I'm pretty sure I could get my job back—if I ever want it back that is."
The bedroom door opened and Lynn came out, looking unsure about leaving the safety of the room.
Miranda held out a hand and said, "Come on out. Don't be shy. Would you like milk, or some hot tea?"
"No tea!" the child cried out.
"It's all right, Lynn," Colleen said. "It’s only tea, regular tea. You can drink it plain or put sugar and cream in it. But," she insisted, "it's just tea. I promise."
"All right, then." The young girl answered, "I'd like a cup of tea."
Colleen jumped up for the teapot before Miranda so she fetched another pair of cups and saucers and brought them on the table. She filled a cup with strong, hot tea, and placed it in front of the girl.
The child eyed it suspiciously, but after several minutes reached out, picked it up and sniffed it, before she took a tentative sip. The smile that spread across her face nearly broke Miranda's heart.
"It is just tea," Lynn said, smiling, a
s she added several spoons of sugar and a little cream, before she drank it, making it clear that she savored every single drop.
Meg sat in silence.
Victoria and Kathy soon joined them. As the doctor seated herself, Miranda motioned to the empty chair for Kathy, asking, "And, what would you like? We have coffee and tea. Or, perhaps you'd prefer milk?"
"Thank you, ma'am. Nothing for me."
"No, Kathy," Lynn said, "it's all right. It's just tea." Then she thrust her cup across the table and insisted, "Go on, taste it."
Kathy allowed Miranda to pour her some, sniffed it, and then took a sip. Smiling at Lynn, she reached for the sugar and cream.
"Now," Victoria began, "we all need to have a long talk. But first, we will have a nice meal.
"Eva, who's a good cook, made us a wonderful dinner. Which," she looked from one thin face to the other, "we will enjoy."
Miranda nearly sobbed when she saw the eagerness on their faces. She had to find a way to make up for all the horrors they'd gone through. She needed to protect them from now on.
Colleen jumped up and asked, "What can I do to help?"
Meg pointed to the Mason jar of string beans, and said, "You could get those on the stove. I'll heat the coffee and add hot water to the tea pot."
Kathy jumped up, saying, "I can do that, ma'am." Then she gave Lynn a look.
"I'm willing to help, too, Miss," she said.
"Why, thank you, girls," Miranda told them, smiling.
With everyone working, dinner was on the table in only a few minutes. Once everyone had a plate of chicken and dumplings, beans, and biscuits, Victoria cleared her throat, and spoke in a gentle, but firm voice. "Girls, we know you've been through a horrific experience. And, while you'll never forget it, it's important for you to get through it.
"The experience is over. And, we will do all we can to help you move on from here. Whether you know it or not, a group of us have been searching for you for months. And, now that we've found you, we all intend to see you have a happier life from now on. However, you have to work for it, too."
Miranda Takes a Stand Page 2