Death by Deceit

by Abigail Keam

  “Tell that to Josiah. If I need help, I doubt she’ll let me use a phone.”

  “Don’t worry, Amelia. June will be fine. Won’t you, you old goat?” I said, handing Emmeline back to Matt, who put her in a car seat in the back.

  June shot back, “Old, ill-tempered women are bats. Old, ill-tempered men are goats.”

  Strapped in by her father, Emmeline was fussy, so Matt gave her a bottle.

  “I hope you put Benadryl in that baby formula,” I murmured.

  Matt complained, “You have no patience, Jo.” He turned to Amelia. “I’ll keep a close watch on all three gals and text you every so often so you won’t worry. We’ll be fine. Josiah’s a very good driver when she has passengers. She’ll make an effort not to hit the side of a barn.”

  Starting the car I said, “Heard that. Everyone got their seatbelts on?”

  No one answered. June was fiddling with her purse and Matt was tending to Emmeline, who had thrown her bottle on the car floor.

  Seeing that everyone was secure, I honked the horn for everyone to wave goodbye to Amelia, whose face relaxed into one of relief.

  “Amelia’s glad to see the back of us,” I commented.

  “I can’t wait to eat. I’m drooling over the black walnut cake,” June said. “It’s one of my favorites.”

  Matt said, “I think I’ll have some warm blackberry cobbler. I hope the Wickliffes have vanilla ice cream on hand.”

  “Have you been to Wickliffe Manor, Matt?” I asked.

  “Just a few times. Franklin showed me around before I left for California.”

  “You should see it now. Very spiffy. Hunter and Franklin have done a lot of work to it.”

  “I look forward to it. I brought a bottle of bourbon for Hunter and champagne for Franklin as a thank-you for inviting Emmeline and me. I very much appreciate it.”

  “I’m sure they’ll enjoy the libations,” I replied, looking at Matt in the rearview mirror. I could tell he was nervous.

  “Jo, could you drive a little slower around these curves? I don’t want Emmeline to toss her cookies on her new dress. I’d like to keep her clean until we get there at least,” Matt said, cleaning off Emmeline’s mouth with a wipe and arranging the bow in her hair.

  Emmeline stuck her fist in her mouth and gurgled.

  I slowed down. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a white Thanksgiving. We must have two inches of snow. Thank goodness the snow plows got out early this morning.”

  “Where’s Asa?” June asked.

  “She told me she would meet us at Wickliffe Manor but she didn’t give me a time,” I answered.

  June asked, “Is she bringing that man with her?”

  “You mean her Russian sidekick, Boris—or is he Ukrainian? I can never remember.”

  “I thought he was Georgian,” Matt said.

  I replied, “I don’t know. She didn’t mention him.”

  “Why isn’t Baby with us? He goes everywhere with you,” June said.

  “Yeah. Where’s Baby?” Matt asked.

  “Hunter came and got him last night. We didn’t have room for him in the car today.”

  “Watch it, Jo. Looks like there’s black ice on the road,” Matt cautioned.

  I slowed down and put on my emergency blinkers so the car behind me knew something was amiss. The car slid a bit but I maneuvered it out of danger. The car behind me wasn’t so lucky and slid off the road.

  We pulled over on the shoulder and stopped.

  Matt got out and ran over to the unlucky car. He talked for a moment with the driver and then got behind the car to push.

  I unbuckled my seat belt and hurried over to the disabled car, careful not to slip on the ice. I doubted that I was much help, but Matt and I pushed the vehicle back onto the road. I think Matt did most of the work. The couple waved a “thank you” as they ventured down the road to their own Thanksgiving.

  Matt and I scampered back to the warmth of my car feeling pretty good about ourselves and the world. I pulled back onto the road without incident and took my time traveling to Wickliffe Manor.

  After all, I had precious cargo in my car.

  35

  The massive iron gates to Wickliffe Manor were open with each gate gaily displaying a festive green bow with oversized red ball ornaments and ribbons.

  “Looks like Franklin is ready for Christmas, too,” Matt said.

  “He said he was going to have the house all decked out,” I said.

  June cried, “WATCH OUT!”

  I slammed on the brakes causing the car to skid to a complete stop. “Everyone okay? I’m so sorry. I didn’t see it around the curve.”

  In the middle of the road stood my beloved American Paint, Morning Glory harnessed to a bright red sleigh complete with gold trim and jingle bells.

  Hunter and Baby jumped down from the sleigh and ran over to us.

  Looking sheepish, Hunter said, “I’m sorry, folks. We were trying to meet you at the gate, but no harm done that I can see.”

  “What is this?” I asked.

  “This is your new toy. I didn’t think you would ride again after your fall, so I had Glory trained to pull a wagon.”

  Matt and Emmeline shot out of the car to explore the sleigh. “She’s a beauty, Hunter,” Matt said, running his hands over the sleigh’s trim.

  I got out and went over to Morning Glory. She neighed, tossing her head. “Hello, old girl. Miss me? I see that you’ve got a new gig.” Turning to Hunter, I asked, “Where did you get the sleigh?”

  “Borrowed it from a friend of mine. We can use it for as long as we like. Glory’s been practicing since yesterday.” He patted Glory’s neck and looked at me expectantly. His brown eyes looked as bright and shiny as two new pennies.

  “I’m amazed. The sleigh is a beauty, Hunter.”

  “Want a ride in it?”

  I stepped forward and gave Hunter a tight hug. “Very much so.”

  “Matt, can you drive Lady Elsmere to the house? I want to take my best girl for a spin.”

  “Sure thing, but can Emmeline and I have a ride in the sleigh, too.”

  “Be delighted to. Wait for me on the portico. After I drop off Josiah, I’ll take you two for a spin.”

  “Great. Thanks, Hunter.” Matt got into my car and drove toward Wickliffe Manor as Baby chased it.

  “How do I get into this contraption?”

  “Put your hands on these handles and pull yourself up.”

  “Give me a boost.”

  Hunter put his hands on my fanny and pushed me up, allowing me to climb in somewhat competently if not gracefully. He clambered in after I got settled. “Surprised?”

  “It’s a lovely surprise, Hunter.”

  “Look, Jo. It’s snowing.”

  Laughing, I stuck out my tongue to catch a snowflake. The air was icy and fresh with snow covering the tree limbs.

  Hunter huddled close and tucked a blanket around my legs.

  “You get under too,” I said, lifting the blanket so he could scoot under.

  “Look,” I said, pointing ahead.

  Baby ran toward us and jumped in the back, heavily panting, but looking rather pleased with himself.

  “He must have taken a bite out of my bumper,” I mused.

  Seeing Baby was secure, Hunter took the reins and gave a little twitch with them, saying, “Walk.”

  Morning Glory strained to pull the sleigh. It jerked forward and stopped.

  “Give her a minute,” Hunter said. “This is new to her.”

  “Maybe you’re giving her the wrong command,” I suggested. I dreaded the thought of walking the long driveway to Wickliffe Manor.

  “Let’s try this again. Morning Glory—walk!” Hunter said more forcefully.

  Morning Glory whinnied and moved forward, pulling the sleigh on a nice even clip. Other than the clomping of hooves and the jingling of the bells on the sleigh, all was silent. The falling snow enveloping us was magical.

  I broke out into song. �
��Jingle bells, jingle bells. Jingle all the way.”

  Hunter joined in—“Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh!” He finished Jingle Bells until he had to negotiate a bend, giving Glory commands, “Come left. Come left. Walk now.”

  “Hunter, I didn’t know you had such a wonderful tenor voice.”

  “You should hear me in the shower. I’m a showstopper.”

  I snuggled closer and hoped I remembered this to the end of my days. The snowy drive to Wickliffe Manor in a sleigh with my honey bun was one of the most beautiful events in my life. It’s always the small moments that stand out in one’s life.

  “Are we okay?” I asked.

  “Do you want us to be okay?”

  “I do.”

  “I hear a ‘but.’”

  “I’m no prize.”

  “Neither am I.”

  “I’m not going to change, Hunter. I like solving mysteries. I seem to have a knack for it.”

  “I don’t deny that.” Hunter pulled me closer. “I flew off the handle because I was frightened for both you and Franklin.”

  “What you do is dangerous, too.”

  “It’s different.”

  “Why? Because you’re a man?”

  Hunter grinned. “It’s hard to bypass those ideas drilled in when a child. Men protect women and younger brothers. It’s written on my DNA code.”

  “I think it’s a wonderful quality to have, Hunter, but I don’t need any protection right now. Can I let you know when I do?”

  The sleigh hit a bump as Morning Glory veered off the road.

  “Right now, I need your help in getting this horse in the right direction. She’s heading for the barn. Morning Glory, come right. Come right,” Hunter said as he and I tugged on the right rein.

  My little pony managed the correction smoothly. I was very proud of her.

  Once Hunter got Morning Glory back on track, he said, “I’ll never let you down, Jo. I’ll be there when you need me.”

  Was that a snowflake melting on my cheek or was it a tear? I quickly wiped it away. “Let’s have the most special Thanksgiving we’ve ever experienced, Hunter. I know I’ve got a lot to be thankful for. I’m very grateful for all my blessings.”

  Hunter looked at me with those bedroom eyes of his and said, “Me, too.”

  The sleigh jolted to a stop as Morning Glory rested in front of Wickliffe Manor’s portico where Franklin waited with hot toddies on a silver tray.

  Was this a postcard Thanksgiving or what!

  36

  Asa and Boris arrived at Wickliffe Manor before Hunter finished carving the turkey.

  Boris brought a jar of homemade borsht from his homeland as a gift.

  Franklin quipped, “How did you manage to smuggle this out?”

  From the startled expression on Boris’ face, it was obvious he had smuggled it out, which delighted Franklin all the more.

  Overcoming an anxious patois at first, Matt and Franklin fell into an easy parlance as though they had never been apart. Franklin brought his old high chair down from the attic and placed it between himself and Matt, so they could take turns dealing with the Emmeline. She had been denied a nap and over stimulated by a ride in the sleigh. You know what that means. Emmeline was a brat, but still every time she burped, Franklin snapped a picture.

  “Franklin, leave that baby alone,” I admonished.

  “Why is she even at the adult table?” June asked.

  Hunter chuckled, “Where are we to put her, Lady Elsmere? In the kitchen by herself?”

  “If you insist.”

  “As soon as we get some food into her, she’ll fall asleep,” Matt reassured.

  I spooned out a heap of mashed potatoes and filled her sippy cup with formula. “Try this, Matt.”

  Of course, Emmeline refused to eat, so Matt lifted her from the high chair and went to rock her in the old fashioned cane chair in Hunter’s office.

  “Shall we wait for Matt?” Asa asked.

  “The food will get cold. Let’s proceed,” Hunter suggested.

  We all bowed our heads and said a silent prayer until Franklin said, “Amen.”

  After unfolding my napkin, I helped June. As heaping bowls of steaming food came my way, I put small helpings of greasy green beans, milk skillet corn, sautéed heirloom beets, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, acorn squash casserole, fried okra, turkey, gravy, butter rolls, cornbread, and honey butter onto my plate and then on June’s before passing the bowls to my right.

  “Goodness! I don’t know if I can eat all this,” June exclaimed.

  “Just eat what you want, June,” I said.

  Franklin teased, “I’m sure whatever is left on your plate, Josiah will scarf it up.”

  “I thought that’s what the dog was for,” June groused, her feet resting on Baby’s back who was lying under the table.

  “Ha ha. Very funny. I don’t like to see food go to waste, that’s all,” I protested.

  A phone rang one time.

  Everyone looked up.

  “It’s not mine,” Asa said as everyone stared at her.

  “I think it’s the landline,” Hunter said, listening for another ring. Hearing none, he said, “Seems like they’ve changed their minds. Eat up, everyone. Eat up.”

  Matt popped his head around the dining room’s pocket door. “Excuse me. Hunter, there’s a call for you. It’s the police.”

  Hunter threw down his napkin. “Couldn’t this wait until tomorrow?”

  “Can you take it in the kitchen? Emmeline’s sleeping on your office couch.”

  “No problem.” Hunter looked around the table while rising from his chair. “Folks, I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

  Matt moved Emmeline’s high chair to a corner and took his place beside Franklin, who passed bowls and platters of food to him. Matt piled food on his plate until it overflowed. Noticing everyone’s curious expression, Matt said, “I don’t get a chance to eat such wonderfully prepared food without a baby sticking her dirty fingers in my hair, so I’m going to take advantage while I can. After I feed Emmeline and put her to bed, I’m usually standing over the sink eating a microwave dinner from a cardboard box.”

  “Oh, you poor dear,” Asa retorted in a mocking tone.

  Matt grimaced at her before he slopped another helping of milk corn on his plate.

  June said, “You’re going to make yourself sick.”

  “Wanna bet?” Matt said.

  Hunter came back into the room and sat down.

  “Who was it, brother dear?” Franklin asked, filling Hunter’s wine glass.

  “Just work. Nothing interesting.”

  Franklin and I glanced at each other. We both knew Hunter well enough to know he was fibbing.

  Hunter lifted his glass of wine and said, “This is what life is all about. Good friends, family, and good food. Salute.”

  We all lifted our glasses and cried, “Happy Thanksgiving!”

  37

  After dinner when everyone was napping, I caught Hunter sneaking out with his briefcase. “Where are you going?”

  “That was Norbet Drake calling. He wants me to come down to the police station.”

  “On Thanksgiving!”

  “You gotta move when the evidence is in and things are hot in this business. Don’t tell everyone I’ve left. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  “Hunter, it’s beastly out there. You shouldn’t be driving in weather like this.”

  “Sorry, Jo. I’m under contract. I’ve got to jump when the police say.”

  “I’m going with you then. We’ll take Asa’s Jeep. It will do better in the snow.”

  “Don’t, Jo.”

  “Everyone’s sound asleep, so they can wake up and partake in another run at the vittles. Matt can use my car to get home, but he’ll probably wait until morning. The roads look awfully bad, Hunter. Can’t you go tomorrow?”

  Hunter shook his head while pulling on his gloves. “Drake wants to make an arrest today
, and he needs me there to observe a suspect during the police interrogation.”

  Seeing that I couldn’t talk Hunter out of going to the police station, I hurriedly wrote a note and left it on the side table by the front door. Ransacking Asa’s purse, I found her car keys. “Let’s go.”

  “Won’t Asa be angry that we took her vehicle?”

  “Assuredly, but it’s too small for everyone to hitch a ride back to Lexington, so this is the best use of her car. Come on. Let’s go.”

  Hunter opened the front door and I stepped onto the portico covered with three inches of snow. “It’s really coming down. Let me help you, Josiah. The steps look slippery.”

  I was not about to get all huffy about Hunter acting as though I was an invalid. Hey, wait. I practically am. The bracing cold made my left leg feel stiff causing me to hang onto the handrail before stepping down. When I had negotiated the last step, I breathed a sigh of relief. Hunter helped me into the Jeep. “Hunter, do you think Glory is okay?”

  “I put her in the barn where she’s got plenty of hay and water.”

  “It’s so cold.”

  “I put a blanket on her. Glory’s fine. What about your animals?”

  “There are five Chilean interns on June’s farm taking care of the horses today and tomorrow. They’ll check on my animals, too. I hope they remember to break the ice if the water freezes.”

  “Let’s worry about us. I want to get to the police station before dark. We don’t have much time.”

  Hunter eased the vehicle down the driveway as I checked the radio for weather reports. What should have been a thirty-minute drive took us over an hour, but we finally made it to the police station in downtown Lexington, which looked like a frozen ghost town. Cheerful holiday lights and lighted decorations shone through the falling snow. Everywhere the holiday spirit was evident with Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, and Christmas symbols adorning Main Street, but the thoroughfare seemed eerily quiet. No parked cars. No people walking. No stores open. No noise. To be honest, it was creepy.

  Hunter parked in the No Parking zone right in front of the police station. I got out and followed him inside where Detective Kelly was waiting. Surprised to see me, Kelly gave me the once over, but Hunter said, “Josiah is working with me on this case.”