The Housekeeper's Proposal

by Barbara Goss

  He rushed forward, and she ran into his arms. “I missed you so, Kate!”

  “I’ve felt empty since I left your house. How much longer?” Kate asked.

  “Not too much longer. I have some new ideas, and I’ve learned a few hints this week,” he said. “I’m thinking it was Jake.”

  “I think so, too!” she cried. “Why can’t Griff arrest him?”

  “I’m afraid Griff isn’t doing much except trying to find me guilty,” he replied, stroking her cheek.

  “I’ll talk to him.”

  “No need. I think I have things covered for now. Just pray that it happens quickly.”

  “I will,” she cried. “I will.” She took the initiative and kissed him passionately.

  Jeremy melted. She knew how much it heated him when she was aggressive. “I love you so much!” he murmured, squeezing her tightly.

  Chapter 16

  Daniel McCall hadn’t shown up yet, and Jeremy had begun to worry. It had been over a week, and he should have heard something. He'd promised himself he’d stop that very day to see Monroe after he'd left the yard, but he was detained by mix-up in an order, and by the time he'd left, Monroe had already gone for the day.

  He rode home wondering how long it would be before he’d hear something. He hadn’t seen Kate in over a week, and he missed her something fierce. He’d never been an impatient man—until now. He’d had this black mark against his good name long enough. He wanted to be able to walk around town with his head up. Most of all, he wanted to marry Kate.

  He trotted up the lane to his house, and spotted a strange horse tied to the hitching post. Who could possibly be visiting him? He hoped it wasn’t Griff.

  He dismounted and handed his horse over to Jeb. “Whose horse is that?”

  “I don’t know. A giant of a man and he’s been going around asking a lot of questions,” Jeb said.

  Could it be the marshal? Jeremy hoped so, and he practically ran to the front door. He heard voices in the sitting room and found Geraldine pouring tea for a huge, hulk of a man. He was wearing a black suit jacket over a vest. His coat was unbuttoned and a watch fob and gun belt was visible. A badge with a star inside a silver circle was attached to the lapel of his jacket. His large, wide-brimmed hat was on the sofa beside him. Dark brown hair with brown and reddish sideburns added to his very distinguished appearance. His dark, questioning eyes pierced straight through a person.

  When Jeremy entered the room, the man stood and held out his hand.

  “Dan McCall, Federal Marshal,” he said in a booming voice. “You must be Jeremy Walker.”

  “Yes. Thank God you’ve come. Jeremy was anxious to get started, so he asked, “Has Monroe filled you in?”

  “He has, and I’ve already conducted an investigation here. I’ve been here for hours already.” McCall sat back down on the sofa and Jeremy took a seat on the wing chair.

  “What is your feeling about the case?” Jeremy asked, holding his breath in anticipation of an answer that might give him some hope.

  “Before I answer, let me tell you what I accomplished this morning,” McCall said. “I called on the coroner and he gave me a complete report on the condition of the young woman’s body.”

  “Then, I visited Sheriff Hammond’s office. He wasn’t happy to see me, I can assure you. He demanded to know who’d sent for me. Don’t worry, I didn’t tell him.

  “I wasn’t too surprised to see that same type of rope hanging in Hammond’s office. Of course, anyone could have that kind of rope, so at this point, it doesn’t mean too much.

  “Mind you, I’m not implying Hammond had anything to do with the murder, but he sure as shootin’s hiding something. I’ve had years of experience interviewing people and can spot something like that right away. I think your suspicions about Hammond are well-founded.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Jeremy said.

  “Call me Dan. My nickname’s Big Dan McCall, but to you, it’s just Dan.”

  Jeremy nodded. The man exuded respect and the feeling he had everything under control. He felt relieved Dan was on his side, for he knew McCall could be a dangerous adversary.

  “So, what’s next?” Jeremy asked.

  “Monroe is letting me use his office while I’m here and I want to bring Jake Haskell in for a formal interrogation. Bringing a suspect in for an official interview always produces better results than an informal talk at a place where they feel comfortable. That man is hiding something. He worked just a few feet from the entrance to the cellar. He had to have seen something. He’s lying through his teeth.”

  Big Dan McCall stood and picked up his hat. “I understand you own the lumberyard across the street from Monroe’s office. If I need to talk to you, do I have your permission to drop in?”

  “Certainly. Come in the side door, walk straight down the hall, and you’ll run right into my office,” Jeremy said.

  Jeremy’s only worry now was what Kate’s reaction would be when Griff informed her of the marshal's taking over of the investigation. She’d either be thrilled to have the case solved faster, or she’d be angry because he’d gone over her brother’s head by calling in the marshal.

  Kate had seldom heard Griff swear, but when she came outside to sit on the porch, she heard him in the barn, swearing up a storm. She walked to the barn and found him pounding on the wall, spewing words she’d never heard before.

  “What is it, Griff?” she asked, suddenly frightened to see him so upset.

  He pointed his finger at her and shook it. “It’s your friend, Walker’s fault. That’s who did this! I know it was him. Are you going to stick up for him over me now?”

  “Griff, what are you talking about?” Kate asked.

  “He sent for a federal marshal, that’s what! He’s taken over the investigation of Helen’s death, insinuating I haven't done enough to solve it. Do you know how that makes me look in the eyes of the town?”

  “Oh, dear,” Kate said. She didn’t know what to think about the situation. Of course, she wanted Jeremy’s name cleared, and quickly, too, but to ruin her brother in the process? Where should her loyalty lie?

  “Are you sure it was Jeremy?”

  “Who else?” Griff barked. “How could you love a man who’d do this to your brother—the man who reared you after our father died? How could you?”

  Kate felt tears stinging her eyes. She loved both men. How could she choose whom to support? Her love for Jeremy was a different kind of love than what she felt for her family. She supposed she’d wait before deciding, to see if it really had been Jeremy who’d sent for the marshal and if it really would hurt her brother to have a marshal look into Helen’s murder.

  In bed that night, Kate tossed and turned. She loved Griff, despite his over-protectiveness. He loved her, after all. And up until six weeks ago, Jeremy Walker had been a complete stranger—how could she condone his trying to ruin her brother and perhaps cause him to lose his livelihood? If the marshal could prove he hadn’t been performing his job, he could easily be fired. Griff had worked hard to get where he was, and now, what he had worked so hard for could suddenly be yanked away from him. Was Jeremy going to be the cause of her brother’s destruction?

  After Jeremy had eaten a hasty lunch at the lumberyard, he looked up to see Big Dan McCall walking down the hall toward his office, and he stood to welcome him.

  “News, already?” Jeremy asked.

  “Not yet,” McCall replied. “I’m interviewing Jake Haskell at two today in Monroe’s office. I wondered if you’d like to be there.”

  “I would, but I’m wondering why you'd want me there?” Jeremy asked.

  “To catch any downright lies, and also, it will present a formidable atmosphere for Haskell. He’ll know we mean serious business and that he could be in serious trouble.”

  “Monroe will be there?” Jeremy asked.

  “Yes. Jake will be facing three men who aim to get the truth, one way or another.” McCall winked and turned to leave. “See you at
two, then?”

  “You bet. I’ll be there.” Jeremy said.

  Minutes before two that afternoon, Jeremy had started to put away the papers he‘d been working on when he looked up to see his front desk clerk escorting Kate to his office.

  “Kate! What are you doing here?” While surprised, the thump of his heart reminded him of how glad he was to see her.

  “I need to talk to you,” Kate said.

  “I have an important meeting across the street—”

  “It won’t take long,” she interrupted. “I just have one quick question to ask you, and then you can go

  “All right. Would you like to have a seat?”

  “No, I’m not staying,” she said curtly.

  Jeremy could tell she knew about McCall and that her cool demeanor meant trouble for him. He braced himself for what he’d feared might happen.

  “Did you call in the marshal to take over the murder case?”

  “No, Monroe did, but I approved it.”

  “That’s all I needed to know.” She turned, walked through his office door, and swung her head back to say, “I won’t keep you—ever.” She walked down the hall and reached for the doorknob of the side door.

  “Wait!” Jeremy called, running after her. When he caught up with her, he grabbed her elbow and swung her around to face him. “I thought you were as anxious as I am to clear my name so we could marry.”

  “How can I marry the man who ruined my brother? He’ll most likely lose his job over this!” Kate exclaimed.

  Jeremy quickly dropped her arm. He felt hurt from the look in her eyes. “If he had done his job, he’d have nothing to worry about. You know he didn’t investigate—he just kept pointing his finger at me.”

  “He may not have done the job he should have, but I can’t marry the man who ruined my brother’s life.” She turned and stormed out the door.

  Jeremy sat in his office, holding his head. What now? He’d traded his good name and reputation for the woman he loved, but there was no backing out now. His thoughts turned from grief over losing Kate to the thought that she’d chosen her brother over him. He raised his head slowly, realizing that he should be the one who’s angry, not her. Filled with resentment and the feeling that her love had never been real, he walked to Monroe’s office with a purpose.

  Monroe, Dan McCall, and Jeremy sat facing a visibly tense Jake Haskell. Jeremy noted McCall’s demeanor. He sat with his arms across his chest, wearing a look on his face that would scare a bear from honey. Monroe’s serious, business-like face added to the scene facing Jake. Jeremy tried to put on a similar look and hoped he’d been successful.

  McCall asked Jake, “How long have you worked for the Walkers?”

  “Five years. Amos Walker hired me,” Jake replied.

  McCall nodded and continued, “How did you come to know the deceased?”

  “Helen would stop by and talk to me while I worked. She was lonely, I guess,” Jake said, glancing briefly at Jeremy.

  “Lonely?” McCall said. “I wonder why she didn’t seek the friendship of the other members of the staff if she felt so lonely. Why’d she pick you?”

  “I couldn’t say,” Jake said, shifting in his seat.

  “I have it on good authority that Griff Hammond is an old friend of yours. Is that right?” McCall asked.

  “Yes, we attended school together.” Jake once more squirmed in his seat.

  “Do you see him often?” McCall asked, never letting more than a few seconds pass before firing off the next question, as if his query were rehearsed. The speed and efficiency with which McCall was questioning Jake seemed to be making him perspire.

  “No, I seldom see him anymore.”

  “Really? That’s interesting, because two witnesses saw him visiting you on the Walker property before the murder.”

  Jake simply shrugged, but McCall wasn’t accepting that as an answer.

  “Why was Hammond visiting you?” he barked. When Jake shrugged again, McCall said, raising his voice, “Why?”

  “Just a casual chat,” Jake snapped back.

  “I think you’re lying, Haskell,” McCall shouted. “I’ve been in this business for years, and I can spot a lie when I hear one. You’re seriously involved in a murder case. You could go down for murder and hang. You had the opportunity, I just haven’t figured out the motive yet, but it won’t take me long to find it.”

  McCall stood and paced in front of Haskell. “You work just a few feet from where the body was found. It was placed in the cellar in broad daylight, and you claim you saw nothing?”

  Haskell paled, and Jeremy thought he might be cracking.

  “Well?” McCall roared at the man. “What did you see?”

  “N-nothing, I swear. I didn’t kill her,” Jake said.

  “Then you sure as shootin’ know who did,” McCall said loudly, leaning over Haskell.

  “I carried the body down to the root cellar, but I didn’t kill her!” Haskell cried.

  McCall squatted down so he’d be eye to eye with Haskell. “Who asked you to put her there?”

  Haskell squirmed. “I can’t tell you. He’s…he’s got something on me.”

  McCall turned briefly and winked at Jeremy, then turned back to Haskell. “So, what’s Hammond holding over you? Whatever it is, it can’t be as bad as murder, and you can hang for being an accessory to murder.”

  Haskell’s head shot up. “I didn’t even know he’d killed her! He came to me after the fact and blackmailed me into helping him hide her body—I had no choice.” Haskell had tears in his eyes. It was obvious he was frightened. “He also ordered me to insinuate Walker committed the murder.”

  “Now,” McCall asked, resuming his seat, “what does Griff Hammond have that he’s holding over your head?”

  “What will you do with the information if I tell you?” Haskell asked.

  McCall rested his elbows on his knees, and leaned toward Haskell. “Whatever it is, it can’t be as bad as murder or accessory to murder. I’ll drop the accessory charges and take into consideration whatever Hammond is blackmailing you with if you tell us what he’s holding over you.”

  Chapter 17

  Silence filled Monroe’s office. Jeremy was afraid that if he blinked, he’d miss something. He never expected this sort of outcome to the meeting.

  “I raped a woman,” Haskell confided, looking down at his feet. “Griff caught me at it. He paid the woman off to keep her quiet, and then he told me I owed him. That was eight months ago. I thought he’d forgotten all about it until recently,” Haskell said, tears streaming down his face.

  “Who was the woman?” Monroe asked, speaking for the first time.

  “Dorothy Cramer,” Haskell said softly.

  Monroe laughed. Jeremy thought he was laughing with relief that it hadn’t been someone he knew, but Monroe’s next words shocked him.

  “Haskell, you didn’t rape that woman,” Monroe said.

  Jeremy wondered where this was going. McCall looked on, visibly curious, too.

  “Yes, I did,” Haskell confessed. “She came onto me outrageously, but I’d barely gotten started with the act when she abruptly started to fight me off, and that’s when Griff came by and broke it up. It was out on the Old Post Road—”

  “Dottie works at Annie’s Boarding House. She’s a prostitute.”

  A light seemed to dawn on Haskell’s face. “Are you implying it was a setup?”

  “It might have been,” Monroe said. “I don’t know if Hammond set you up with her in order to hold something over you, or he stumbled onto the alleged rape and then got the idea.”

  Jake Haskell’s face suddenly turned to anger. “Then maybe I need to tell you the rest.”

  “We’re listening,” McCall said.

  “Griff had been seeing Helen for months before she married Walker. The baby was his,” Haskell said.

  “He told you this?” McCall asked.

  “No, Helen told me. I befriended her because I felt sorry for
her. She liked me, for some reason,” Haskell said. “She’d sit and talk to me and I’d just listen. She said Griff met her at his old homestead next door at least once a week and that the baby she carried was his. At Griff’s insistence, she’d told her father it was the farmhand who’d fathered the baby. Griff had ordered Helen to throw herself at this Otto so he could be blamed for the baby—to let himself off the hook. I guess this Otto had turned Helen down and left town, so she threatened to point the finger at the real culprit—Griff Hammond.”

  “Interesting,” McCall said. “But that only proves he fathered the babe, not that he killed Helen, although it’s the perfect motive. What, exactly, did Griff tell you when he asked you to plant the body in the cellar?”

  Haskell scratched his head. “If I remember correctly, he simply said that someone had killed the woman and while he didn’t know who’d killed her, he needed to pin it on Walker. He didn’t say why,” Jake said. “He told me to dispose of the body or he’d arrest me for raping that woman. Putting her in the cellar was my idea; I didn’t know where else to put her.”

  “So,” McCall said, “he never actually confessed to the murder?”

  Haskell looked up at Jeremy and said, “No. I’m sorry, Mr. Walker. I was desperate.”

  “I understand,” Jeremy said, still stunned by the facts that had just been exposed. All he could think of was poor Kate—this would break her heart.

  “I think that’s enough to warrant an interview with Griffin Hammond. I’ll summon him to appear here, tomorrow, at two in the afternoon,” McCall said. “You, too, Haskell.”

  Jeremy returned to the lumberyard to finish for the day, but his mind wasn’t on his work. He was glad the truth had come out, but at what price? He grieved over Kate and knew he’d probably never hold her in his arms again. He needed to pray, but he didn’t know what to ask for. He knew Griff was guilty, and he’d likely be imprisoned or hanged. Since the discovery had been his fault, he knew a continued relationship with Kate would probably never happen.