Betting on Death

by Megan Mollson

  I knew that the window with the crushed flowers was fifth from the front of the house. Counting windows, I moved backwards and realized that this particular window was inside a large closet. I turned the knob and entered this room, pulling the chain on the naked bulb as soon as my groping hand bumped it.

  The room housed the linens for the downstairs as well as cleaning supplies. I observed a pair of beaters for rugs, a broom and dustpan, a mop and bucket, a tidy pile of cleaning cloths, and a number of items for which I had no name.

  I walked to the lone window and opened it, paying close attention to the jerky way it opened as well as the loud creaks and groans it made on the way up. There was a screen in place, but when I lifted my hand to test it, I found that it popped loose with almost no effort at all.

  “You found it,” Will’s voice drifted up to me as soon as I leaned out to examine the ground below.

  His words caught me by surprise and my head knocked against the frame of the window when I jerked backwards.

  “Ouch,” I said, only meaning it a little, as I lifted a hand to check that my hair was still in place.

  “Apologies,” my partner said with a smile. He had been leaning against the wall, apparently waiting for me to find the correct window and appear as I had.

  Really, I should have known he’d be there. Will was proving quite dependable and every bit as dedicated to our cases as I was. He might slouch around and roll his eyes a bit, but those eyes were sharp and he loved solving mysteries.

  “Which room are you in?” he pressed.

  “It’s a large closet that’s full of cleaning items and extra linens for the downstairs.”

  Will thought about that for a moment. “That makes me think that a servant is involved in whatever this is.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “If it was a thief, he wouldn’t waste time by entering through a room where he knows there’s nothing of value. A thief would want to get close to the thing he wants to steal; as close as possible.”

  “That’s true,” I said slowly. “On the other hand, if this is the only window that he can open, he would enter this way.”

  Will stepped back and gave the window careful consideration. “Is the window latch broken? I can’t see from here.”

  I pulled my head inside and lowered the glass, then examined the latch. As I pulled the window back up to resume my conversation, it got stuck and had to be convinced to finish being raised.

  “The lock isn’t broken,” I replied, putting my head back out. “The screen was easy to remove, but this window doesn’t lift easily.”

  Will rubbed his chin. “That’s interesting. Whoever is coming and going would have a time getting that window open, especially if it was locked.”

  “Someone on the inside must have unlocked it,” I mused. “It’s possible that someone on the inside opened the window, too. It’s noisy and took some effort, but that wouldn’t matter since the party is on the other side of the house.”

  My partner nodded slowly, considering this. A noise at the front drew his attention for a moment. “I believe the guests are starting to arrive. I’ll hide in those bushes back there.”

  “I’ll position myself inside so I can see who comes to this side of the building.” We exchanged a serious look before parting ways.

  After replacing the screen and lowering the window, I made a quick detour to the kitchen. Everyone was bustling about and had no time to do anything but toss me an annoyed look for entering their domain. I wasn’t sure that there was anything to be learned and made my way back to the west wing to where the guests were congregating.

  The ballroom was well lit with electric lights in decorative sconces and under a full chandelier. Music flowed from the quartet of musicians in the corner, though songs for dancing wouldn’t begin for a while yet. People had begun to mill about, greeting each other and sipping beverages that were served from tables along the edge of the room.

  I made my way to a group of young people I’d met through Will. We spoke of the weather and the latest news. I mostly listened and smiled. I couldn’t help but wonder if any of this group had visited the illegal casino. From their talk, I knew they believed themselves to be the smart set of their generation. These were the people who were first to follow trends and prided themselves on bucking rules that restrained their fun.

  Naturally, no mention was made of such activities in a room full of such a variety of people. It was impossible to know who might overhear. The casino wouldn’t remain open if its members had loose lips. Still, I wondered about the young people around me.

  Chapter Ten

  Paula and her parents stood near the door and greeted their guests. I noticed that Paula’s older brother, Karl, and his new wife arrived. Karl received a warm reception from his parents, but they were definitely cooler towards Florence. I smiled to myself. The pair had a great deal to overcome in this room tonight since Florence was the daughter of a local shopkeeper. I made a note to make certain I spoke with them at some point.

  My eyes were trained on the dark hallway that led to the east wing of the house. I sipped lemonade and interacted with this group and that, but my attention never wavered from the hallway.

  Jimmy Wilson struck up a conversation with me not long before the dancing would begin. He was a pleasant young man and we chatted lightly for a few moments. Paula finally was released from her duties as daughter of the host and came to join us.

  “This is a swell party,” Jimmy said.

  “Thank you,” Paula smiled serenely. “My mother loves to have important people over whenever she can manage it.” Her eyebrows rose briefly on the word “important.”

  Jimmy and I laughed. We both understood Paula’s meaning, having both met her mother.

  “I hope everything’s going well,” Paula said, giving me a significant look.

  This time, only I knew what she meant. I smiled and said, “Everything seems to be in place. I suppose we’ll have to watch and see how the evening progresses.”

  Paula gave a decisive nod. Then she shot Jimmy a smile, dimpling prettily, and said, “There’s nothing worse than having guests who aren’t enjoying themselves.”

  Two other young men drifted to our circle and Paula greeted them cordially. I watched as she confidently handled the three fellows in our group and I marveled at her ability to do so. After seeing her blushing and ducking her head when she was around Will, I had assumed she was uncomfortable around all young men. Here was proof, I supposed, that Will was the exception, not the rule.

  To my dismay, the next two to join us were none other than Miss Edith Whitmore and Miss Annabelle Austin. Their unkind words from our last meeting had followed me around, nipping at my confidence for days. I had no desire to speak to either of them.

  I was relieved, therefore, to hear the musicians strike up the notes for the first dance less than a minute after the pair joined our group. Jimmy was quick to ask Paula to dance and the two headed off, arm in arm, towards the center of the dance floor. One of the remaining young men asked Annabelle to dance and they hurried off, leaving the last young man in a pickle with two young ladies left.

  He looked between us and gulped, his Adam’s apple doing a nervous jig. He had no desire to give offense by leaving one of us out of the dancing, yet he might upset us both if he failed to ask either of us.

  “Why don’t you dance with Miss Whitmore,” I offered magnanimously. “I think I’ll refill my punch cup.”

  The young man looked enormously relieved and stuck out his elbow to Edith. She took it and gave me a look that was full of superiority. The two twirled away and I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at her.

  “I told him to dance with you, you ninny,” I said under my breath.

  In fact, I was asked to dance repeatedly as the evening wore on. If it had been a normal event, I would have enjoyed the variety of dance partners who graciously held out an elbow to me. But I knew that I wouldn’t be able to watch the hallway
to the east wing if I was spinning about the room. Nothing would be worse than failing in my duties.

  So, I made up an injury and hoped that the fib wouldn’t count as an actual lie. “I turned my ankle,” I said with a regretful smile, time and again.

  It helped when I slowly amalgamated myself into a group of older guests who were disinclined to dance. To my surprise, I realized that the gentleman on my left was none other than Melvin Finney.

  I surreptitiously observed him as I nodded along with the conversation buzzing around me. He was having an impassioned discussion with two of the men about gambling laws. Knowing what I did about him and his wife, I found this particularly interesting. Did he participate in betting? Or did he merely advocate for it?

  Unfortunately, that was all that I found interesting about him. Mr. Finney was of average height with a middle-aged paunch that seemed to be the vogue, if this particular circle was any indication. His hairline was receding, his mustache small and neat, and none of his features were particularly remarkable.

  “The revenue from gambling could greatly benefit the state,” he said emphatically. “If it was legalized, we could lower taxes. I’d like to see a candidate run on that platform.”

  I noticed Lillian Finney in her own circle not far away. I doubted the ladies over there were discussing gambling. Though ladies might participate, they would never talk it about it in polite company and they never spoke of politics.

  It was just about then that I glanced back and saw a skirt disappearing down the dark hall towards the east wing.

  My heart leaped and my focus narrowed to that lone hallway. I moved faster than was probably wise towards the retreating figure. Fortunately, no one paid me much attention and I was able to pick up the chase easily.

  I’d only seen the back of the woman as she’d slipped into darkness, so I had few clues as to her identity. Still, I was sure that she was a servant. None of the ladies wore such a plain, black dress or had her hair in a simple knot at the back of her head.

  As I stepped into the darkened hall, I told myself that this might not be someone who was at all involved in the mystery of the trampled flower bed. Perhaps Mrs. Dennis had left something behind and sent a maid to fetch it. It was possible, too, that someone had spilled and required fresh linens.

  The light was on in the closet and my heart began to beat faster. Perhaps the culprit was about to be caught. I relished the excitement as I moved stealthily towards the open door.

  From the hall, I could see the backside of a woman wearing a servant’s black dress. She was leaning out of the window and talking quietly to whomever was outside. I moved closer to listen.

  Unfortunately, her conversation was over by the time I drew near. She ducked back into the room and turned. To my surprise, I saw that it was none other than Mrs. Norris, the housekeeper. I’d never have guessed that the housekeeper herself might be involved in whatever sort of foolishness that was going on.

  A scuffle and raised voices outside drew both of our attention. Mrs. Norris cried out and I hurried to see what she was looking at. I ducked down and saw that Will had grabbed a man who was holding a large wicker basket. The man was trying to give an explanation and wrest his arm out of Will’s grasp at the same time.

  “What is going on?” I asked, turning to the housekeeper.

  She sagged and said, “Oh, for goodness sake. I suppose we’re caught out.” Then she raised the window and called, “Come around to the kitchen, Mr. Edwards. I’ll tell you everything. Stop fighting him, Ed.”

  I found this rather cryptic, but followed the housekeeper as she led the way to the back of the house and into the kitchen. On the way past the ballroom, I was able to catch Paula’s eye. She said something to her dance partner and began to weave her way through the crowd. By the time Will arrived with the captive Ed, Paula was no more than a step or two behind. Mrs. Norris ordered us to sit around the table.

  She flopped into her own chair and began apologizing immediately. “I didn’t think that any harm would come of it. Truly, I didn’t. Don’t blame Ed, here. It was all my idea.”

  Paula’s eyebrows rose at this as, I’m sure, my own did. “Can you explain what’s going on, Mrs. Norris? I’m afraid I don’t understand.”

  Not able to resist, Will reached down and took the basket from Ed. He pulled back the cloth and revealed smaller bundles.

  Images flashed through my mind of us unwrapping the family’s jewels or other valuables. However, as Will pulled open the bundles, he revealed a loaf of fine bread, a few burned tarts, and other food items I recognized from the spread upstairs.

  All eyes turned to Mrs. Norris who looked sheepish.

  “Why were you giving this man food?” I asked. Suddenly, the case was taking an unusual turn. I found myself quite curious.

  Mrs. Norris hugged herself and began to speak. “This is my brother, Ed. He hurt his leg last year while he was working at the trainyard. I try to help him when I can, but I don’t always have much to spare.”

  I glanced at the man and thought I could see the resemblance between them.

  “When Mrs. Dennis throws these big parties, there’s always so much food left over. The help is allowed to eat as much as we like after the party and we still have some we can’t get through.” She chanced a look at Paula who nodded encouragingly.

  The housekeeper then gave her brother a fond smile and said, “Well, I thought of Ed, of course. I knew that he could use it for himself and his family. A few months back, I filled a basket with some of the darker cakes that we couldn’t serve and then put in some of the extras I knew we wouldn’t eat. I gave them to him the next day, but they were a bit stale.”

  “I didn’t mind,” Ed piped in.

  “Still, I didn’t think we were doing any harm,” his sister continued. “I just didn’t want to draw attention to myself. I told Ed to meet me at the window to the closet during the party. No one would notice him there and we didn’t have to be too quiet either.”

  She trailed off and all eyes turned to Paula. She looked from Mrs. Norris to Ed and then between Will and me.

  “I don’t know what Mother will think of this,” she said slowly. Her eyes dropped to her lap and she sat quietly for a moment before looking up. “I wish I could promise that nothing will happen, Mrs. Norris, I really do. Unfortunately, Mother can be rather… firm in her convictions.”

  “I hope that this can be resolved peaceably,” I pushed in.

  Paula pursed her lips. “So do I. Mrs. Norris, I’ll speak to Mother and try to smooth things over.”

  “Do you need us to talk to her as well?” Will asked. I thought this was quite considerate of him, especially considering how he felt about Paula’s fondness for him.

  “It’s kind of you to offer, but I think it would be best if I speak to her alone.” Paula smiled at him adoringly and Will studiously looked at the contents of the basket. Paula blinked at his failure to meet her eyes and quietly added, “I’ll speak to her later tonight or early tomorrow.”

  I gave Mrs. Norris’ hands a hopeful squeeze and got to my feet. “If that’s all, I believe that we’ll be on our way home.”

  Paula stood quickly. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay?”

  In truth, I would have liked to go back in to the party. I would have enjoyed dancing with some of the young men who had asked me earlier now that I was free to do so. However, Will wasn’t invited and it felt like too much of an affront to leave him to walk home in shame.

  “I’d best be heading home to my father,” I excused myself.

  Will looked all too happy to leave with me and came around the table to stand at my elbow.

  “I don’t know what Mother will say,” Paula said to Ed, “however, I’d like you to take this basket home with you tonight.” She replaced the covering and handed the basket over.

  Ed opened his mouth to speak, but at that moment, Jimmy Wilson entered the room. “There you are, Miss Dennis! We were wondering where our lovely hostess
had gone. Can I escort you back? They’re about to start the foxtrot and you promised me that dance.”

  Paula straightened her shoulders and glided over to Jimmy, every inch the well-bred young lady that she was. “Thank you, Mr. Wilson. You may escort me back. Good evening, Mr. Edwards. Please call on me soon, Rose.”

  The pair made their way back towards the lights of the hall and I turned to Will. To my great surprise, he was watching Paula’s retreating form intently. I couldn’t read his expression and decided not to try and unravel this new mystery tonight. I wanted to bask in the happiness of having solved the other mystery so handily. Diving into the strange labyrinth of a man’s moods was beyond even my detective skills.

  Chapter Eleven

  Despite having finished a case successfully, I awoke the next morning feeling glum. Really, the Dennis case had been very simple. If she’d been so inclined, Mrs. Dennis could have solved it without our help.

  And since it had been solved so quickly, Will and I were back where we’d started. We didn’t have any answers about Jane. There wasn’t much more to do on the Finney case. Cal had made no progress on Hugh Meriwether’s murder.

  All we could do was wait for a new case or new information and I’ve never been good at waiting. Having work to accomplish is infinitely preferable to sitting about hoping for something to happen. Unfortunately, I was stuck in the horrible limbo of waiting for clues to emerge on all sides. I couldn’t move on the Finney case until damning evidence came to light. I couldn’t do anything to help Father or Cal with the Meriwether case either.

  When I arrived at Maple House later that morning, Will was waiting on the porch in a clear state of agitation.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked as he took my elbow and steered me away from the house.

  He glanced over his shoulder and hissed, “I don’t want Mother to overhear me. Let’s go for a walk and I’ll tell you all.”