Tilly paled. Richard had done this before. “How did Mr. Menton die?” she asked.
“We are not sure my dear. Some said it was natural causes, others believe he was poisoned.”
“What happened to his daughter, Richard’s wife?” Tilly asked
“She died, in childbirth.”
“The poor lady. At least Richard didn’t murder his wife.”
“Well, I guess not although by abandoning her, he left her in poverty. He ran off with another woman but she too was abandoned in San Francisco.” The sheriff’s tone left nobody in doubt who he held responsible for the woman’s death.
Tilly shuddered. “How did my father meet him? He was always so careful with his business and his money.”
“I believe your father was introduced to Weston by a mutual acquaintance, a US senator. Your father…” the man coughed as his cheeks turned pink.
“My father…” Tilly prompted. “Please speak freely. You cannot possibly diminish his reputation any further in my eyes.”
The man coughed before continuing. “It would appear your father had made several investments in what one would call unsavory businesses. The risk versus the potential return was enough to ensure your father and men like him closed their eyes to the actual business practices. The results made people rich so they didn’t ask any questions.”
“What type of business was my father involved in, Sheriff?” Tilly’s voice shook prompting Almanzo to step closer to her.
“Among other things, your father owned part of a slave plantation in the south. There are also a number of houses of ill repute.”
Tilly sank into a seat as she swayed. Her father owned slaves and invested in brothels.
“Sheriff, does Miss Masterson really need to hear the rest of these details?” Almanzo asked, his tone slightly belligerent due to his worry for Tilly.
“Please continue Sheriff Rodgers. I want to know the truth. For once,” Tilly said firmly.
The sheriff bowed his head slightly before continuing. “Mr. Weston wanted to run for office and believed he had a better chance in Oregon. He had a number of friends including your father, willing to vouch for him. His intent, we believe, was to marry you and become more respectable. Once he became a senator, then who knows what he was planning to do. He had a lot of supporters. People including our own…”
“George Harvey. I knew they were connected,” Almanzo said.
“But why, if they were friends, did Richard kill my father?” Tilly asked Sheriff Rodgers.
“That my dear is not clear. We suspect from what Harvey has told us, your father may have changed his mind. It appears he may have had second thoughts about your relationship with Mr. Weston.”
“I doubt that. They must have fallen out over money,” Tilly said so quickly, the other people in the room smiled. She flushed not realizing she had spoken aloud.
“If your father treated money more highly than you darling, he deserved everything he got and more,” Almanzo said with conviction.
“Almanzo, nobody deserves to be murdered,” Jo remonstrated with her son.
“That’s a matter of opinion Mrs. Hughes,” Sheriff Rodgers said dryly.
“But why did Richard come after Tilly?” Almanzo asked.
“We don’t believe he did. I know it looks that way but I think he may have been after David or more precisely Mrs. Clarke and the children.
“Eva? He wanted my sister and her babies” Jo said, her voice trembling with horror.
“Harvey told us Richard seemed to believe David Clarke knew all about his scheme and would publish information in the paper. He planned to take Mrs. Clarke hostage to blackmail David,” Sheriff Rodgers explained to the startled group. “I think Mr. Weston may be completely mad.”
“That’s an understatement. I didn’t know anything about Mr. Weston or his business dealings. I spoke to H….”
“Harvey. I knew he had to be involved in this,” Almanzo interrupted. “Sheriff I know you can’t lock him up for killing Indians but can you not press charges against him now? He killed my ma and she was white.”
The sheriff looked so embarrassed Tilly felt sorry for him. “I know son but from what I heard your ma looked and dressed like an Indian. Harvey couldn’t have known she was white.”
“He knew,” Almanzo’s tone suggested he could kill Harvey himself. Tilly gripped his hand tighter.
“Can’t you try Harvey for shooting Almanzo?” Jo asked.
“No Mrs. Hughes, we don’t have any witnesses. Almanzo doesn’t remember who shot him and nobody else saw.”
“What Sheriff Rodgers means is nobody white saw. I was busy but my Indian brothers saw him lift the gun and shoot Almanzo. Mia, Almanzo’s sister also witnessed the attack.” Scott’s opinion about the law was clear from his expression.
Clearly uncomfortable, Sheriff Rodgers fingered his hat, the sweat beading on his forehead. “Now you good folks know I don’t hold with Indians not being allowed to give evidence but the fact is my hands are tied. I can’t try Harvey on the word of an Indian or a half breed.”
“Don’t call her that,” Almanzo spat.
“Sorry son didn’t mean no disrespect.”
“It just isn’t good enough. Nothing is going to stick to Harvey. He will get away with it.” Almanzo put into words what the rest of them were thinking.
“Not necessarily,” Fiona said, her eyes twinkling.
Everyone turned to look at the young Irish girl. “What are you up to now?” Tilly asked.
“We know Harvey knew Master Richard. Harvey doesn’t know how much we know so let’s see if we can bluff him into telling us.”
Everyone stared at Fiona. “You are all looking at me as if I have a bush growing out of my head. As I told Tilly, you don’t survive in the orphanage system to the age of fourteen without learning a thing or two. Tilly can pretend she knows everything.”
“But I don’t. I only know what Sheriff Rodgers told us,” Tilly said.
“Yes but Harvey doesn’t know that,” Fiona replied. “From what the others have said, he is a greedy little varmint and he thinks you are really well off.”
“He hates me. He isn’t going to believe Tilly would be on his side,” Almanzo said, looking skeptical.
“He will if you and Tilly have a very public argument,” Fiona insisted. “Perhaps about her owning a slave plantation. He knows your views on the subject. Tilly can pretend she feels the same as Harvey.”
“I am not sure I am that good an actress,” Tilly said doubtfully.
“You never let on to your parents we were friends, did you? You lived in their house. He’ll believe you. He’s a man and won't be able to resist a pretty face.’
“Nice to hear you have such a high opinion of us men, Miss Murphy! Come on folks, let Tilly talk this over with Almanzo. I need some coffee and some of Bridget’s pies.”
“Trust you to think of your stomach Scott Jones,” Della called as the crowd dispersed into Della’s house. Jo and her children had moved in until their home could be repaired.
“I don’t know if this is a good idea Tilly, you could get hurt.”
“I won’t. You won't be far away. We have to try. He and his friends killed too many people, your ma, Rick, and my father plus those men and women traveling in our wagon train.”
“Are you sure?” Almanzo asked, his eyes telling her she didn’t have to do this.
Tilly wasn’t at all sure she wanted to have anything to do with Harvey but she needed to do something. It would help ease the guilt she still felt over Rick being killed.
“None of this was your fault, Tilly.”
She smiled at Almanzo as he put his arms around her gathering her close to him. “I know but I can’t help how I feel. This may help.”
“I hope Fiona knows what’s she doing.”
Tilly didn’t reply but reached up to touch her lips against his.
“When this is over, will you marry me?”
“I thought you would nev
er ask.”
“I did but you were otherwise engaged if I remember correctly,” he teased, the expression of love in his eyes making her breathless.
“Oh you, don’t bring him into it again.”
Almanzo captured her lips once more. There was no more talk or thoughts of anyone else.
Chapter 51
Portland
Tilly quelled the nerves in her stomach. She was doing this for Almanzo and his family. She owed Rick and wanted Harvey and his friends to be convicted for their part in the tragedy. They stood in the center of the boardwalk near to the hotel.
“He’s coming. Look unhappy,” Almanzo prompted. Tilly tried to slap Almanzo’s hand away but he grabbed her wrist holding it in a vice like grip.
“Nice to see your true colors, Miss Tilly. Just wanted a little fun until you buried your rich fiancé?”
She tore her hand free and slapped his face. “I didn’t start anything as well you know. You kissed me first you varmint!”
“Excuse me Miss Masterson but is this man bothering you? Could I walk you to Mrs. Newlands?”
“Why thank you Mr.…”Tilly flashed her eyelashes hoping she wasn’t overdoing it. The man in front of her pushed his chest out as he swept his hat from his head. She stared at the buttons on his waistcoat straining across his belly.
“George Harvey, Miss at your assistance. Get lost farm boy,” Harvey snarled at Almanzo as he held out his arm to Tilly. She took it giving Almanzo a dirty look in the process. At the look in his eyes, she wondered if she had been too convincing.
Mr. Harvey walked on a little bit, his grip on Tilly’s arm forcing her to accompany him.
“Miss Masterson, I meant to pass on my condolences for the loss of your fiancé. Such a terrible tragedy. I hope it hasn’t made you make plans to leave our little town.”
Tilly forced a smile. How did anyone bear being near this idiot? She wished Fiona had been the one to make eyes at him. She wasn’t nearly as good an actress as her friend believed her to be.
“Actually Mr. Harvey, may I call you George? I am a little bewildered. Between losing my father and Richard, I find myself all alone. I am rather worried I am vulnerable.”
“My dear young lady, we can’t have you feeling like that,” he said, insincerity dripping from his words. “Why don’t we go for a cup of coffee? We can sit in the hotel lounge and talk for a while.”
“Thank you kindly. I would like that. I need a businessman’s advice.”
Tilly almost laughed as George Harvey puffed out his chest even further. Did he really believe he was that irresistible to women? She noticed a few people staring at her, walking down the street her hand on his arm. For a second she worried about her reputation and then decided to let them talk. They had little enough to worry about.
She sat at the table and waited for George to find a waiter to bring coffee. She saw Fiona come in a few minute later in the company of Blacky and Mrs. Newland. They sat at a nearby table, not too close to cause comment but close enough to come to her rescue. She relaxed a little bit.
George came back and took a seat, his knee uncomfortably close to hers. She wondered what Richard had told him about her. She decided to follow the script she had prepared with Almanzo, Scott and the Sheriff.
“What were you and young Price arguing about? It looked very serious. I thought you were friends.” Harvey took a sip of his drink, his eyes assessing her. She swallowed hard, not wanting to mess this up.
“Friends? With a man like that?” Tilly held a hand to her chest, using a shocked voice. “I had to appear to be grateful for him rescuing Fiona and I.”
“Richard didn’t approve of him.”
“Yes, I know and I quite agreed with my poor fiancé. Did you know his mother lived with the Indians? She was killed in that last raid.”
“She shouldn’t have been living with them. No decent woman would do that. She got what she deserved. Pity her kid got away.”
Tilly’s heart beat faster. How would he know Mia was unhurt if he hadn’t been there. She gripped the table. What a vile man he was. She wanted to tip his coffee over him but instead, she smiled despite it hurting her face. She had to keep up the pretense to help Almanzo.
“I didn’t hear about her child. Where is she now? In town?”
Harvey’s eyes darkened as he looked at her, a suspicious frown on his face. She had to change the topic and quickly.
“Look, Mr. Harvey, forgive me for being blunt but I really don’t care about the Indians. I have a problem and I need help.” Tilly looked around her as if worried she would be overheard. Then she leaned closer to Harvey. “My father left some investments. I found out they include some land and other property down South. Mr. Price and his family believe I should hand them back to their rightful owners.”
“Why? Your father didn’t steal these investments did he?” Harvey asked.
“No of course not but…”Tilly lowered her voice and moved closer t him, “some people would not approve. He owned some slaves.”
Harvey laughed a grotesque sound which made Tilly want to pick up her skirts and run. “Oh my dear, what nonsense. Your father was obviously an astute businessman. There is lots of money to be made in those and similar investments. If I told you how much I earned from recent sales of Indian lands you would marry me today.”
“Marry you, sir?” Tilly hid an amused look as an air of panic crossed his face. “I’m afraid I am not in the market for a husband. I must mourn my fiancé.”
“Of course, my dear. Quite right too. I didn’t mean to be uncouth. Now about these investments, what do you think you will do with them?”
“I was considering selling them but I believe it can be difficult. I also have some other items which, well, that is to say, I am not sure how my father came to own them.”
“Can you tell me more?” Harvey asked.
Tilly hesitated as if she was afraid to trust him.
“Come Miss Masterson. You of all people must have known how close myself and Richard were. We owned a number of similar investments, in fact, he owns a share of my business on the docks.”
Tilly smiled graciously. “Forgive me, Mr. Harvey. You can’t be too careful especially a woman alone. Richard told me some of his business dealings but he didn’t think I needed to know the details. I was going to ask Deputy Davitt for help, he seems so knowledgeable. But then I was worried. I mean, I don’t think what my father did was legal.” She whispered the last word so Harvey had to lean closer to hear her.
“Davitt does as he is told. Don’t worry about him. How many investments are we talking about?”
“About twenty thousand dollars, I believe. My father seems to have owned a number of properties. I found several bills of sale only the money he had hidden in the wagon appears to have gone missing. I meant to ask Richard if he knew where it was but now. Oh Richard, how could he die and leave me?” Tilly started sobbing, blowing her nose loudly. She toned it down at bit at the dirty look Fiona sent in her direction but Mr. Harvey appeared to be falling for her act.
“Please don’t distress yourself my dear Miss Masterson. Such matters are not for a young lady to concern herself with. As it happens, Mr. Weston had confided in me some of the details you mention. I may be able to help you liquidate some of your father’s holdings.
“But I don’t remember my father owning so many properties. He never mentioned anything to mother.”
“I expect he didn’t. Women don’t have the brains for this type of investment. You leave it all to me. I will take care of things.”
“Can you really sell everything and give me the cash? I know it’s vulgar to speak of money but I wish to return home. I don’t want to stay in this town any longer than I must.”
“Of course I can do that. There will be a small fee for my services you understand.”
“But of course Mr. Harvey, George.” Tilly patted him on the arm but when he moved closer she drew away hastily.
“Where are the papers Mi
ss Masterson?”
“I hid them in Richard’s room. I guessed that would be the last place people would look but the hotel has asked me to clear the room out by tomorrow.”
“I can take his things for you. In fact, why don’t we go to the room now and pack up his trunks.”
Tilly adopted a horrified expression. “I can’t go into a hotel room alone with you, Mr. Harvey. What would people say?”
He looked aggrieved for a moment.
“My maid, Miss Murphy, is having tea with a couple of her friends. Would you like her to accompany us? She is discrete – it helps she can’t read or write.”
“Well if you insist. I would prefer it was the two of us but I expect people will talk and I do have a reputation to consider.” Tilly coughed. “And of course you do too Miss Masterson,” he said patting her knee. She wanted to kick him.
Tilly called him every bad word she could think of as she walked across the room to speak to Fiona who came immediately acting the part of a dutiful maid. She even curtsied to Harvey. “My mistress said you require my help with packing.”
“Miss Masterson will instruct you. We don’t have all day so put your back into it,” Harvey replied dismissively.
Fiona scowled at him, she didn’t need any acting skills to show him what she thought. Tilly had to hide a smile. They walked up the hotel stairs toward the room. Harvey producing the key making Tilly curious as to how often he had searched the room before.
“Oh, I am so silly I forgot my shawl. Could you be a dear and retrieve it for me please Mr. Harvey?”
Chapter 52
George looked nothing like a gentlemen as he rushed back down the stairs leaving Tilly and Fiona alone for a few minutes. Fiona pulled the package out from under her skirt and shoved it under the mattress. Then she stood waiting, looking so innocent butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. George returned.
Tilly looked in a couple of places before turning to the mattress. “I believe he said it was kept in the best place so that must be it,” she said pointing at the mattress.
Oregon Discovery (Trails of the Heart Book 4) Page 22