The fear spiked on Rick’s face, but Rachel was taken aback. She frowned and shook her head, trying to take the conversation back, clearly not ready to let go of her anger. “What does that have to do with anything? You’ve interfered with my family for the last-“
Abby leaned forward, staring intently into Rachel’s eyes and making her come up short. “Where…does Rick work!” she growled.
Rachel stopped and her mouth worked for a few moments before she answered. “At the Prison. He’s a guard there. Why do you care where Rick works? He doesn’t matter!”
Abby’s eyes went wide, then she glanced at Lanie just as Rick bolted toward the door and raced outside. Lanie caught on quick and vaulted over the counter, running after Rick and followed by Reggie and Gabe, both men close on Lanie’s heels but Rick had gotten a good head start. Abby had no clue if they would be able to catch the man before he got away.
Rachel’s mouth worked like a fish out of water before she turned her confused gaze to Abby. “What…what was that about?
Abby shook her head. “Rick. Rick worked at the prison. If I’m right, and him running out of here clearly makes me think I am, then he’s the one that’s killed Buck and Demsey, and tried to kill Samantha.”
“What?” Rachel yelled, shaking her head. “Rick’s an idiot but he’s no killer! Why would he kill anyone? Much less that girl.”
“Probably because of exactly the way you just talked about them,” Abby said, her voice flat and angry. “You threw Samantha out of the family when she got pregnant. You even changed her name so no one would know she was related to you, then you sent her to live with the very men that got her that way. She needed your help, but instead your bitterness and anger made Rick think that killing them was a better idea.”
Rachel stuttered but finally just closed her mouth, stumbling over to one of the benches in the lobby and sitting heavily. She had a shocked look on her face, staring toward the door that led outside and shaking her head. “I… I never.”
“Thought,” John said from beside Abby. “You never thought. You’re a parent. It’s your job to take care of your kids, not set them up for failure.” He glanced at Abby, nodding to her. “Abby and her grandmother will take over from here. They’ll try to repair the damage you did, but it will probably never be gone. May I suggest that you just let it happen and don’t fight them becoming her guardian.”
Rachel stared at John in horror, but finally nodded and put her face in her hands, starting to cry. Shortly after that, the door opened and Sheriff Pearson stood there with Rick in handcuffs, surrounded by Lanie, Reggie, and Gabe. “Look what I found running out of the police station?” he said in his low, deep drawl. “I take it someone can tell me why I arrested him?”
Abby nodded, not even looking at Rachel. She probably wouldn’t be able to look at the lady again, as long as she lived, and she was just fine with that.
Chapter 31
It had been a few weeks since Rick Clawson was arrested for the murder of Buck and Demsey Dansen. The man had confessed, claiming that he did it for the family, but Abby noticed there was a clear lack of support from Rachel and the others at his hearing. She was not surprised in the least. Hazel and Abby had both attended, standing as a witness for Samantha since she couldn’t be there. She would probably serve as a witness at the trial, but Abby wasn’t sure. Robert Carrington had said she might not be needed if Rick pled guilty.
Still, they were pleased that Rachel had withdrawn her feeble opposition to Hazel becoming Samantha’s new guardian. The final paperwork had been filed and it was only a matter of time. Despite the good news, Abby had been anxious. Hazel had promised to show her the hidden room with the chests of gold, but more importantly she wanted to look through them to see if there was some clue as to why Senator Clark was so interested in their family.
They’d finally gotten their chance when Gabe had offered to go with Mr. Wilberson to his prepper car show that was up in Portland. It gave them plenty of time to move all of the food stuffs out of the cupboard. With everything out of the way, the first secret door swung wide, showing the strangely barren room behind it.
Sitting on some shelves were a few, small leather bags covered in dust. Hazel pointed at them and chuckled. “They have some gold coins in them, which would probably satisfy most people if they found it, but those are the red herring. The real treasure is below,” she said, motioning Abby to one side of the tiny room before triggering the second set of secret levers.
As Hazel did so, Abby could hear some wheels grinding behind the wall, and then the wooden floorboards descended and formed the first part of a stairwell which led deeper into the ground. She marveled at the construction, and ran her hands along the metal plates as they descended. The ones that said love, family, honor, loyalty.
“What are these, Grandma?” Abby asked as she helped Hazel down the stairs. They weren’t overly steep, but Hazel was old and Abby didn’t blame her for taking it slowly.
“Kat Morgan had them put in to remind us of where we came from, I suppose,” Hazel answered though she didn’t take her eyes off of the steps below her. “I don’t know about any of my other ancestors, but every time I walk by them, it does make me conscious of the words. When you’re a steward of an entire room full of gold, that’s probably a good thing.”
Finally, they reached the bottom and Hazel pulled out an old, metal key that she used on the large, iron door. It swung open, and inside the small room beyond were four old wooden chests. They weren’t small, either, and Abby’s eyes widened as she imagined the gold contained therein.
Still, they had a job to do, and immediately got to work. They first opened the chest that Hazel had been pulling gold from for her entire life. Despite how long the chests had been down here, Abby was surprised to see the thing still almost half full. Still, they got to work, emptying the gold bars onto the floor.
When they had finished, Abby wiped the sweat from her forehead as they looked at the bottom of the chest. There was nothing there, but Hazel didn’t look too surprised. It wasn’t until a few hours later when they’d reached the last chest that they found something, and only after they’d emptied it half way. Burrowed into a small nook that had been hidden under gold, they found what looked like a diary, and a scrapbook with pictures and some other paperwork.
Taking the papers and book to the small table, Abby stood over Hazel’s shoulder as they opened it, reading through the neat, well-crafted handwriting that was displayed before them. It seemed like some sort of introduction to the diary that lay before them.
To whom it may concern,
If you are reading this, than you are, I hope, a member of my new family. As you’ve no doubt seen, there is quite the fortune here, but this is by far and away not the most important part of my story. The gold is only secondary, taken from a family that sorely does not deserve it. Cruel and hateful, they used it for nothing but misery to their fellow man and woman.
The only shining light amongst them was my grandfather, who is probably gone by now. Still, he saw them for what they were, and swore to me that they would not take ownership of the family or its fortune. He told me in his lowest moment that he had created a will, leaving everything to me, his granddaughter.
If only it were that simple.
My uncle and my husband both found out and conspired against me, forcing me to flee in the darkest night. I was not able to take everything, but secreted these chests of gold, the will, and several deeds to land that I was able to liberate and that had already been signed into my name.
I know I would not live to force the reality of this will or other paperwork on them, so am fleeing to the West to one of the new states called Oregon. I shall make my life there, and I hope in time my new family that I will create, and who will never know me as my name this day, will triumph over their evil. My diary details my struggle, and I hope it serves you well.
Sincerest and Warmest wishes,
Katherine Moore Clark
&n
bsp; Abby and Hazel both looked at each other for a long moment. “Oh my goodness,” Hazel said, closing the diary slowly and putting her hand to her cheek. “We’re not Morgans. We’re Clarks.”
“Oh, jackrabbits.” Abby breathed.
Author’s Notes
You are amazing for reading this book. I hope you enjoyed it, and I took us back to some of the early villains of my first book. I enjoyed concocting this story, and in part redeeming Samantha in some small way. She is no longer just a murderer, she is now a member of the Morgans. Or should I say Clarks.
This will lead to the next book. In fact, I am supposed to write a story for a small anthology with two other author friends of mine that also live in the Portland Metro area. Carolyn L Dean, and Amanda A Allen. Carolyn also does a wonder Cozy Mystery series set on the Oregon Coast, and she is also the person that got me into writing. So far, we’ve been writing buddies for about two years! Amanda is another local author we picked up along the way, and will be working on a joint series together set in the San Juan Islands! Wish us luck!
However, back to the story! As you might have deduced, Abby and Hazel now have access to Kat’s diary which tells her story, so that will be what I write for that anthology, set during the Christmas Season. It will be interesting writing a period Cozy Mystery during the very early 1900’s. Oh, jackrabbits, indeed! I think it will answer some questions, and provide a fantastic history for the Morgans. Hold on! The mystery of Senator Clark is slowly being revealed.
I would like to thank Sally Kopp, Gini Pierson, Emily Foster, Ellen Hargraves, and Cynthia Herr (who is still dealing with arm issues. Please get better!). I deeply appreciate your help in editing, proofreading, and helping me to become a better writer.
If you want to reach out and chat, please post something on my Face Book Page. It’s an open forum that I pay attention to, and I want to hear what you have to say! Whatever questions or anything you want to say, is welcome (as long as it’s polite, of course). Also, my email address, which I promise to respond to, is [email protected] . Keep sending me emails! It puts such a smile on my face!
P.s. You may have noticed I did not get to Cheerio’s next short story. I need to get that written in November.
Please leave a review. Reviews are very important for writers, not only for honest feedback from readers, but they help tell other readers if my book is worth reading. You would do me a GREAT service by doing so.
Books by Angela C Blackmoore
Hot Tea and Cold Murder
Cold Murder and Dark Secrets
Dark Secrets and Dead Reckoning
Cheerio and the Caves of Gold (Red Pine Falls Short Story)
Dead Reckoning and Murderous Intent
Murderous Intent and Deadly Desires
Deadly Desires and Killer Instincts
Cheerio and the Day of Dread (November 2017)
Other Authors (Mysteries)
Carolyn L Dean – Ravenwood Cove Mysteries
Bed, Breakfast, and Bones
Dune, Dock, and a Deadman
Mistletoe, Moonlight, and Murder
Sea, Sky, and Skeleton
Time, Tide, and Trouble
Sun, Sand, and Secrets
CeeCee James – The Angel Lake Cozy Mysteries
The Sweet Taste of Murder
The Bitter Taste of Betrayal
The Sour Taste of Suspicion
The Honeyed Taste of Deception
The Tempting Taste of Danger
CeeCee James - An Oceanside Mystery Book
Booked For Murder
Deadly Reservation
Claire Kane – The Menopause Murder Society Mysteries
The Demise of the Lotto Queen
The Revenge of Pooky Poo
Daphne DeWitt - The Rita Reincarnated Cozies
Twice Baked Murder
Constance Barker – Witchy Women of Coven Grove
The Witching on the Wall
A Witching Well of Magic
Witching the Night Away
Witching There’s Another Way
Witching Your Life Away
Witching You Wouldn’t Go
Witching for a Miracle
Deadly Desires and Killer Instincts Page 11