“I’ll be ready, Sheriff. I agree that rules are necessary to a good life. I hope she doesn’t get free.”
“You’ll have to remember to call me Jim.” He pushed away from the table. “Thanks for the pie and coffee.” He retrieved his hat.
Gideon stood. “I’ll see you out, Jim. I’ll be glad when this part of our lives is resolved.”
When he returned, Gideon appeared worried. “I hadn’t thought much about the trial. I didn’t know you or Orla would be called on to testify. Surely testimony from the sheriff and Dr. Norton would be enough.”
“I suspected I’d be called because of the sugar bowl. The defense attorney will try to say I didn’t see her put the arsenic into the bowl, which is true. I figured he’d try to say that someone else sneaked in and put it there or even that I did.”
“What a mess this is. We can’t get her sentenced soon enough to suit me.”
Keira hugged her arms. She had such misgivings about Ella and felt a cloak of darkness hugging her. “What if they don’t sentence her? What if the defense attorney is successful in raising doubts with the jury? After all, no one actually saw her commit any poisoning.”
“Auch, I don’t see that happening. When things are added up, there’ll be no doubt.”
Keira hoped her husband was correct in his prediction. She simply didn’t feel they’d finished with problems from Ella Price.
Chapter Twenty Seven
Gideon worked on a handgun while Darren visited him. His brother-in-law sat on the upended crate he always used.
Darren wriggled on the wooden makeshift set. “When are you going to get a decent chair in here for visitors?”
He looked up at his friend and laughed. “You’re the only visitor I have unless you count customers who are here for five minutes. Bring your own chair.”
“Ha, I may do that. Won’t you be surprised when I lug a chair in here?”
“As long as you don’t mess with mine I won’t mind.”
“You ever had anyone mess with your safe?”
“Never have. I figure kids or drifters would break in if I didn’t keep the guns in the safe, though. Too much temptation.”
“How are the nightmares?”
“Better and I expect them to keep getting that way.” He told his friend about the talk he and Keira had and his visit to the minister. “I hadn’t told anyone how Travis died. I was too hurt and ashamed.”
“Alec and I knew. We weren’t that far away, Gideon.”
He gaped at his friend. “You’ve known all this time?”
Darren scrubbed a hand across his face. “We heard him pleading with you and then the shot. We should have come to stand with you but you’d already saved us once and we were protected where we were.”
“You don’t think I was wrong?”
“What else could you do? I’ve felt like a coward for shirking my duty as a friend and not coming to your aid. I didn’t mention anything about it because I thought you were in too much pain to discuss it.”
“Auch, you’re right I was but you’ve naught to be concerned about. I’d worried you would lose all respect for me if you knew. Thank heavens you haven’t. I can put that fear to rest at least. Can we talk of more pleasant things?”
Darren wriggled a bit and set his feet this way and that.
He sent his friend an amused glance. “You’re going to march off the box if you’re not careful.”
Darren sat up straight. “To tell the truth, I’ve been worried. Did the sheriff come to see you and Keira?”
Gideon held the gun in the light for inspection. “Aye, he dropped by last evening to prepare Keira for testifying. I gather he spoke to you and Orla?”
A deep frown appeared on Darren’s face. “He did and she’s in bits about the trial. I wish the whole thing were over.”
Gideon rose to lock the repaired gun in the safe. “Don’t we all? Well, all except Ella Price.”
“Is Keira upset about testifying?”
Gideon was proud of his wife’s spirit. “A mite but she’s determined to hold her own.”
“You think she’d talk to Orla? Nothing I say calms her.”
He tidied his work space. “I hate to have my sister upset. I’ll ask Keira to speak to her about the trial if you wish.”
Relief spread across Darren’s features and he stood. “Please. Perhaps Orla would listen to her. She trusts Keira.”
“Consider it done. Shall we go see what our wives are doing?”
Darren rubbed his abdomen. “I hope mine is preparing supper. I’m starving.”
“When have you ever not been hungry?”
Chapter Twenty Eight
The next morning as soon as she’d tidied from breakfast, Keira went to talk with Orla. “Did the sheriff talk to you about the trial?” She knew the answer but didn’t want to say she’d been asked to talk to her.
Orla wrung her hands. “He did and I’ve been a mess ever since. I’m not sure I can testify without crumbling into a weeping ball.”
“I’m eager for the trial so we can put this nasty mess behind us. I won’t mind appearing, no matter what the defense attorney says.”
Her sister-in-law’s eyes widened. “Surely you’re not serious. Aren’t you terrified about how he’ll manipulate the truth?”
Keira put on a brave front. “Just let him do his worst. There’s enough against her that he can’t refute everyone’s testimony. I want her to get what she deserves.”
“So do I but I don’t want to be a part of it. I don’t see why they can’t rely on the sheriff and Dr. Norton’s evidence.”
“Their testimony will be powerful, no doubt. Did Darren tell you that Ella brought Gideon a jar of hot tea and some sugar and milk to the smithy?”
“You’re not serious? That brazen hussy.”
“See, from that she knew that he didn’t use sugar in his tea or coffee. When she poisoned the sugar at our house, she targeted me. I’m sorry you were made ill because I was the intended victim.”
Orla laid her hand on her cheek. “The doctor said one more dose would have killed me. She used straight arsenic granules to replace the sugar.”
“She must have been lightning fast. I’ll bet she dumped the sugar into her purse. What a chance she took. My back was only turned for a few seconds.”
“Incredible.”
Keira pointed at her friend. “So you agree that we want her punished for what she’s done and what she intended to do.”
Orla sighed. “I-I do, even if I have to be a part.”
“You’ve already been a part, Orla, and now you’re just tidying up the finish. That woman had murdered before she came here. The way she took Gideon tea proves she planned Alf’s and then my death for a long time. Who knows how long before she tired of Gideon and poisoned him?”
“Poison my brother? Oh, my word, you’re right. Eventually, she would have poisoned my brother.”
Defiance shone from Orla’s eyes. “That devil of a woman. I’ll testify if I have to starch my dress so stiff I can’t crumble.”
“Now that’s sounds like a stubborn Scotswoman for you.”
Chapter Twenty Nine
Keira wished she were as confident as she’d pretended to Orla a few days ago. She was determined to remain calm on the outside no matter how she felt inside. The prosecuting attorney, John Bolton, had rehearsed her.
So far she’d been able to withstand the gibes and goading he used to prepare her. What she’d do in a room full of people she had no idea. She’d find out tomorrow at the trial.
The next morning, she dressed carefully in her gray dress as John had advised. Goodness, apparently every part of the trial was staged. Gideon left Mark in charge of the smithy as he’d be testifying also.
The courtroom was packed. John signaled the two of them to sit near him. They joined Orla and Darren as well as Doctor Norton and the sheriff.
Across the aisle, Ella Price sat looking innocent as a lamb. Defense attorney Werner Crandall
occasionally conferred with his client.
Keira leaned near John. “How did she choose her attorney?”
“Only two of us in town and we take turns. Fortunately, this is his time for defense. I believe he prefers that side as he often trades with me. I wish we could make our choices permanent for I prefer prosecution.”
The bailiff announced for those in attendance to rise for the judge. They did and Judge Robert Forest entered and took his seat. Each attorney made opening statements.
Keira was so nervous she could hardly sit still. Gideon clasped her fingers in his or she would never have lasted.
Doctor Norton was called first by John Bolton and cross examined by the defense. Then Keira was called. Her heart pounded so hard she was certain everyone in the courtroom heard. When she’d been sworn in, she took her seat. She gripped the chair’s arms with white knuckles.
John smiled and went through the testimony as they’d planned. The vise around her chest relaxed slightly. Perhaps she could get through this with her dignity intact.
Werner Crandall took the floor. Haverhill was not a large town and Keira had met him at church. There he’d been friendly. She suspected he would reveal a different side.
“Mrs. Ross, you said the defendant put arsenic in your sugar bowl, is that correct?”
“No, I said she could have.”
“If you didn’t see her adding arsenic to the container, how did you come to this conclusion? Why would you target my client?”
Keira recounted the incident and the illness the substance caused Orla. She added in that Ella knew Gideon would not use the sugar and how.
“That proves nothing. Do you keep your doors locked?”
“We only lock them before we go to bed each night.”
He paced back and forth in front of her. “So anyone could have come in during the day and substituted the arsenic for poison. Isn’t that correct?”
“Only in theory. I would have heard someone in my home.”
He whirled and pointed at Keira. “Which is why I suggest you’re the one who added the arsenic to rid yourself of Mrs. McVie and eliminate any distractions for your husband.”
Keira fought to tamp down her anger. “You are wrong, Mr. Crandall. My sister-in-law is my best friend. I have no reason to poison her and every reason to protect her wellbeing.”
“Can you say you don’t resent the closeness between Mrs. McVie and your husband?”
Her temper won. “Sir, that is insulting to Mrs. McVie, to my husband, and to me. I do not resent their closeness. Rather, I admire the way they look out for one another. I feel fortunate to be a member of this family.”
He faced the jury. “I contend that it was Mrs. Ross who added poison to her sugar bowl.”
Jack Bolton jumped to his feet. “Objection. Mrs. Ross is not on trial.”
The judge rapped his gavel. “Sustained. Jury members will disregard that accusation. Mr. Crandall, you may question the witness but do not make any further conjectures.”
Werner’s shoulders drooped slightly. “I have no further questions for this witness, Your Honor.”
Shaking from anger and relief, Keira returned to her place beside Gideon.
He clasped her hand and entwined their fingers. “You did well.”
Werner called Reverend Joe Wells as a character witness for Ella. The minister would only say she attended services and contended he did not know her outside church.
Werner called Gideon, who recounted the episode with the tea at his smithy.
Werner walked toward Gideon. “You must resent Mrs. Price after she refused to wed you.”
“No, I’m glad she did or I’d not have the perfect wife I now have.”
Keira smiled at him.
“No further questions at this time but I reserve the right to call this witness again.”
Jack glanced at her and then back at Gideon. “Have you spoken privately to Mrs. Price other than when she brought you her revolver to repair?”
“I’d rather not say.”
Jack said, “I know you are a gentleman but I remind you that this is a murder trial and you are under oath.”
Gideon took a deep breath. “She came to the smithy one evening. She asked me whether or not I would marry her if she divorced Alf?”
Jack nodded. “And what did you answer?”
“That she should be ashamed of herself for being unfaithful in her head and her heart.”
Ella screamed, “That’s a lie. He’s lying.”
The judge rapped his gavel and pointed at Ella. “You will compose yourself or be taken to a cell until the end of the trial.”
Gideon stepped down.
Jack called Darren. “Will you explain to the court what you overheard?”
“I was on my way to visit Gideon for a chat one evening and heard voices. I turned to go back home so as not to interrupt until I realized one speaker was Mrs. Price. After Gideon sent her on her way, I told him I’d heard. He is a gentleman and said he didn’t want the conversation to get out. If this were not so important, I wouldn’t be confirming the conversation now.”
Finally, the sheriff was called by Jack Bolton. Once he detailed the accusations against Ella from her previous home and read the wanted poster, the trial was essentially over. Werner tried to prove the poster could have been someone else, but his efforts were futile. The wanted woman’s description fit Ella too well.
After only an hour’s deliberation, the jury rendered a guilty verdict.
Ella wailed, “Noooo!”
The judge rapped his gavel and looked at Ella. “Mrs. Price, please stand.”
When Werner had helped her rise, he had to support her.
Judge Forest said, “You have been found guilty of murder and attempted murder. For this you would be sentenced to life in prison. Taking into account the charges from your previous residence, I recommend you be sent to the Asylum for the Insane.”
Ella screamed, “No, it’s all her fault.” She pointed at Keira. “She wants to keep Gideon and me apart.”
Judge Forest rapped his gavel. “Mr. Crandall, calm your client. Bailiffs, take Mrs. Price back to the hotel and double her guard.”
The bailiffs had to forcibly drag her from the courtroom while Werner spoke soothingly.
The remaining bailiff said, “All rise.”
Judge Forest left the court.
Chapter Thirty
Keira’s relief at the trial’s end didn’t leave her confident. She and Gideon sat in their new parlor chairs that evening. “I can’t explain why, but I still feel threatened by Ella Price.”
“To be expected after the rough time you had at the trial. The feeling will go away soon enough now that we’re done with her and the trial.”
“I know I’m being silly. Fancy a game of chess or checkers?”
“Aye, I might even let you win.”
“Let me? I think not and I’m not going to let you win either, in spite of Mam telling me men don’t like to be bested by a woman.”
Gideon set the chess set on the table between them. “Your mam was right where most are concerned. It’s a good thing you don’t heed her advice with your husband. I’d not want my wife to fear revealing her true nature to me.”
“Thank you, Gideon. That’s a grand thing to hear. You’re a treasure among trinkets.”
The next morning, Keira washed their breakfast dishes. She heard someone come in the front door and called, “In the kitchen, Orla.”
She continued with her chore until the sound of someone behind her captured her attention. Why hadn’t Orla answered? Keira turned in time to avoid the downward slash of Ella Price’s knife-wielding arm.
Keira yelped in surprise. “How did you escape?”
Ella tried again with what looked like a huge butcher knife. “I’m smarter than any bunch of lawmen.”
Keira reached behind her, hoping to touch something to use for defense. She’d used a knife to slice the breakfast bacon. Before she grasped anythi
ng helpful, Ella struck, missing Keira by less than an inch. Keira whirled out of her reach.
“You may as well stand still. I’m going to kill you for interfering. If you’d stayed where you belonged, Gideon would be mine now that Alf’s out of the way.”
Keira dodged to the opposite side of the table and scanned the room for a weapon. She wished for gun, a club, any defense. “Nonsense. You denounced him in front of everyone. He’ll never forget that.”
Ella smirked. “He would if I enticed him. You underestimate me in every way.”
Keira made a dash for the knife. Ella was fast and blocked her access. Keira watched for an opening to grab the woman’s arm.
“You underestimate Gideon’s integrity. Even if you’d been found innocent, he’s too smart to become involved with a murderess.”
Ella successfully swiped across Keira’s arm. “You’re wasting your time clinging to him in that pathetic way you have. Men hate that kind of attention. He loves me, you know. ”
Pain shot through Keira. Blood ran down her arm. How long did she have before she lost enough blood to lose consciousness?
Keira was taller than Ella and had longer arms but not adding on that large knife. She’d heard the insane can become powerfully strong when aggressive. Ella proved that to be true.
She fought for a distraction. “Ella, tell me why you believe he does?”
A sly smile settled on the woman’s face. “A woman knows these things. I can tell by the way he looks at me. He plays it safe when you’re around. You don’t know he comes to me at night, sometimes even in my dreams.”
There was no reasoning with a woman who’d lost all power to think logically. “Why do you think you’ll get away? By now the sheriff will know you’ve escaped. He’s smart and will know to come here.”
“Doesn’t matter because I’ll explain why I’m here. He’ll understand that Gideon should be mine. I know the sheriff will see I’m right and agree. Then Gideon and I will live here in this nice house and be happy.”
“If you believe that, you are crazy.”
Ella shrieked, “Don’t dare call me that.” She caught Keira with a slice to her other arm. “I taught those people in Missouri what happens when I’m called insane. You’re going to get a sample of that treatment.”
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