Turning around, Robert tried to take in this very clear and public display of wealth. Who are you trying to impress, Mr. Johnson? Or more importantly, intimidate?
Robert wasn't joking before, the foyer was grand and filled with all kinds of pieces of art. He got intrigued by some painting and moved to the corner for a better look.
“What are you doing here?” A feminine voice echoed through the space. Robert turned just in time to see a young girl, around Geraldine's age, coming down the stairs. From her vantage point, she couldn't see him. On the other hand, his view was perfect, and she looked furious while looking at Geraldine.
“It is good to see you too, Susannah,” Geraldine replied calmly.
The other girl stopped inches from her, getting into her face. Who is she? She was too young to be the mistress of the house, or so he hoped. Maybe she was the daughter since Robert knew Fergus had one. “You cannot simply waltz in here, this is not the square's market,” Susannah snapped. Robert instantly disliked her. She was too rude for his taste.
“I came here—” Geraldine tried to speak yet the rude girl interrupted her.
“Clearly not to try and sell your eggs,” she said snidely. “Mother would never buy them from you, so don't even bother.”
Geraldine was getting red in the face and pressed her hands close to her body as if afraid she could use them. “Susannah, please,” she tried again.
“Oh, I know,” Susannah clapped with her hands as if something wonderful just occurred to her. Robert seriously doubted that. “You came here looking for a job. Well, I am sorry to tell you this, but we have all the servants we need. Maybe you could try the Saloon,” the brat added snidely.
Robert had enough. “Would you be so kind as to stop harassing my assistant, it's getting on my nerves,” Robert boomed, using his most authoritative voice while approaching the two ladies.
Geraldine sent him a grateful look despite being embarrassed by this exchange. The other girl jumped in surprise. She too looked embarrassed, for being caught. That didn't last long.
“Who–” She started to say all haughtily before spotting his badge. The girl's eyes widened as she looked between him and Geraldine in utter confusion.
Robert actually didn't care what she had to say, he was spitting mad. “Who are you?” He asked in return. Since she continued to look at him, clearly too stunned to speak, Geraldine jumped in. “This is Susanna Johnson, daughter of Fergus Johnson.”
So, Robert was right on that account. So far, he wasn't impressed with what he witnessed. “I came here to see Fergus Johnson, so if you would be so kind to tell him Sheriff Robert Bradway is here,” he said very politely. “After you apologize, of course.”
That got her attention, Geraldine's as well. Susannah jerked as if he slapped her, which he would never do. No matter how poorly she acted, she was a member of the fairer sex and under his protection. “Apologize to her?” She shrieked. “I will not do such a thing. I did not do anything wrong.”
“So, you believe you behaved in the right way? I guess having proper manners means nothing in this house,” he chastised. By the way Susannah's eyes flared, he knew he hit a nerve. Nobody ever talked to this girl in such manner, he was sure of that.
On some level, Robert knew he was acting too impulsively, scolding that girl. In his defense, he couldn't simply stand by and watch while Geraldine was being attacked for no reason at all. It was clear to him the daughter of this house was simply spoiled rotten and bored.
Susannah was just about to say something when she got interrupted yet again. “I apologize for my daughter,” a newcomer drawled. It was clear he wasn't originally from around here; his accent was too thick.
“Daddy,” Susannah whined. Her words went silent after a look from the man that came to stand in front of Robert.
“You know how these girls can get,” he said with a smile offering his hand. “Fergus Johnson, at your service.”
“Sheriff Robert Bradway,” Robert responded, taking it.
“That is quite a grip, Sheriff,” Mr. Johnson tried to joke.
Oh, you have no idea
.“What brings you here today?”
“I have some very important matters to discuss with you.”
“Right,” Mr. Johnson replied, getting all serious. “Let's move to my office then.” Robert turned toward Geraldine, he wished her to be a part of this. “Let's leave the two lovely ladies to make their peace. It is so nice to see you here, Geraldine,” Mr. Johnson said in one breath.
“Good day, Mr. Johnson,” Geraldine replied politely before giving Robert the tiniest of nods. Her message was clear, to go without her. Robert knew it was silly, still, he wanted to make sure she was alright and could handle Susannah. Reassured, he followed Mr. Johnson to his study. It was grandiose and ostentatious like the rest of this house. Mister Johnson resumed his position behind the desk, sitting in a throne-like chair before offering Robert to join him. He did. “How do you fair our small city, Mr. Bradway?”
“It's Sheriff Bradway,” Robert corrected him immediately for which he got a simple nod in return. “It has its charms,” Robert answered his question.
“That it does. You know, I was inclined to reopen the Grand Hotel so guests like yourself could have more suitable lodgings while visiting.”
Robert wasn't a fool, he knew what Mr. Johnson was really implying. The news really travels fast. “The Laurels are immaculate hosts, and I am very grateful they tolerate me.”
“No doubt, no doubt,” Mr. Johnson was quick to reply, smoothing his beard. “Shame what happened to that family,” he added as an afterthought.
Robert was fed up of this charade. First, his daughter and now Fergus Johnson himself was trying to put shame on Geraldine and her mother. “From what I've heard, you had a substantial role in their misfortune,” Robert commented without holding back. He knew he shouldn't let this become personal since he was there for a different matter, unfortunately, he couldn't stop himself.
The only indicator Fergus Johnson wasn't pleased with Robert's remark was the slight tightness in his jaw. “It's just business, my dear Sheriff,” he said with a wave of his hand, and that really set Robert off. “Of course, but there's nothing wrong with being a decent human being as well.”
Mr. Johnson chuckled without actual humor. “It is good then you are an officer of the law and not a businessman with such notions.”
“And why is that?”
“With such a big, bleeding heart you would soon go bankrupt.” I would maybe lose all my money. At the same time, probably gain something greater.
“Are you saying the Laurels nearly bankrupted you?” Mr. Johnson didn't like this question one bit.
“I believe this pleasant chat got out of hand. I am sure you didn't come here to trade theories about the world of business,” Mr. Johnson said with a rather fake smile.
“You are right, I didn't.”
“Please carry on then.”
“I came here to speak with you about Elsa Potter's murder, of course.”
Fergus Johnson took his time responding. He leaned in his chair, petting his beard in contemplation, his eyes full of speculation. He is a businessman, through and through. “So, you learned about my indiscretions with Elsa?” Robert wasn't surprised Fergus Johnson decided to be straightforward with him. He looked like the kind of man that would do that. If he calculated that would serve him the best.
Robert didn't care about his motives as long as he answered all his question. “Yes, I did.”
“And now you came here to see if I had anything to do with it, am I right?”
“You are absolutely right. You should have been a sheriff, Mr. Johnson.”
“Oh, I could never do your job, it is too dirty.”
Robert found that hard to believe. He let it slide regardless. “It's all just a matter of practice and experience.”
“So, tell me, Sheriff, with your practice and experience, do you believe I could have killed Elsa Potter
?”
“Yes, I do,” Robert replied without a thought.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Watching the men walk away, Geraldine started counting in her head, Three...Two...One...“You witch,” Susannah snapped at her the instant Mr. Johnson and the Sheriff stepped into the study that was located on the right from the staircase.
I knew it, right on cue, she mentally sighed. Geraldine was mortified the Sheriff had to witness Susannah bullying her like that, with her acting all calm and placate when she wanted to slap the other girl senseless. On the other hand, hearing him defend her, calling her his assistant, felt pretty wonderful.
Geraldine turned with a sigh. She could wait for the Sheriff outside. “Do not walk away from me, I am not done with you,” Susannah sidestepped her and successfully blocked her way toward freedom.
“What is it, then?” Geraldine replied, not being able to fully contain her irritation.
“You did all that on purpose,” Susannah accused.
“Did what?”
“You intentionally made me look bad in front of the Sheriff.”
That is ridiculous, Geraldine was stunned by that amount of stupidity coming from her mouth. Or was it something even worse? Self-delusion? “I did no such thing,” Geraldine defended herself, despite knowing it was a lost cause.
“Yes, you did,” Susannah insisted. “You are trying to trap the Sheriff into marrying you, aren't you?”
What is wrong with this girl? “Susannah, that is quite enough. I would like to leave now.”
The other girl completely ignored her. She was having her moment, and nothing was going to stop it. “By the way, you shouldn't bother looking at the man like that.”
“Oh really? Why not?” Geraldine snapped, losing patience.
“Sheriff Bradway is way above your status.”
“Oh? Is he in yours then?”
Susannah laughed. “Don't be daft, Geraldine, of course not. Father wouldn't marry me off to someone like that. Mary Hobbs brags her mother will definitely arrange that marriage for her.”
Mary Hobbs?! Geraldine was outraged on so many levels, she didn't know what to do with herself. She felt like screaming. Naturally, she couldn't do that, so she swallowed everything down. “Well, I wish her good luck then,” Geraldine replied as politely as was possible, sadly, Susannah saw right through her.
“You are such a liar. Look at yourself, you are practically green with envy.”
It didn't matter to Geraldine if Mrs. Hobbs wanted her daughter to be wed with the Sheriff. After all, he was the one that needed to agree to something like that. And what if he says yes to that proposal? A small part of her questioned, hurting her heart in the process.
Geraldine had had enough. She looked Susannah straight in the eyes. “Why do you hate me so much? What did I ever do for you to torment me all these years?” Geraldine demanded.
Susannah's eyes were filled with fury. “You are the one that hates me. You act all innocent and sweet and yet you were always envious of me.”
Geraldine jerked back. “What? Me envious of you?” She parroted. The notion was completely preposterous to her.
“Yes. I have it all. I always had the prettiest dresses, everyone wanted to be my friend, and you were always jealous of that.”
She is completely delusional. “I never wanted your life, Susannah,” Geraldine said slowly so Susannah could really hear her. “I still don't.”
“You can say that, but I see right through you. You are rotten.”
“And you are putting too much of yourself unto me,” Geraldine said.
“Excuse me?”
“Take a good look at yourself, Susannah. You mayhap have everything but none of the things that truly matter. You need to stop acting in this manner, change if you ever wish to be happy.” And not as a miserable girl that can only find pleasure when tormenting others. Geraldine didn't say that last part out loud, of course. Despite what Susannah thought of her, she would never be that cruel.
“Why you...” Susannah fumed. “Who are you to speak with me in such a manner?” Geraldine didn't get a chance to reply since she continued speaking. “You are nothing, and you will always be nothing,” she practically spat in Geraldine's face.
That's it, I have had it with this wretched girl! Geraldine lost the last ounce of self-control she had on herself. She opened her mouth, and damned be all the consequences.
* * *
Fergus Johnson chuckled. “Why don't you tell me how you really feel,” he joked.
Robert shrugged, unapologetically. “You asked me if you could. My opinion is that you most certainly could. It is yet to be proven if you actually did,” Robert explained the difference.
“You are a candid one, Sheriff,” Mr. Johnson continued in the same light tone as if all of this was amusing to him. “I like that.”
“It's nothing personal. I believe everyone is capable of anything under the right circumstances.”
“That is a rather bleak take on life, Sheriff.”
“I prefer to think of it as more realistic. That is not important at the moment.”
“Right. Since you were honest with me, I will be perfectly honest with you,” Mr. Johnson offered. Robert remained silent, expecting the rest. If Mr. Johnson wanted him to express gratitude, this was going to be a rather long talk.
Luckily, he continued speaking. “I admit, I committed adultery. I was with Elsa while married to my Dorothy.”
So far, Mr. Johnson didn't reveal anything new to Robert. He allowed Mr. Johnson to have his moment without prompting. With these kinds of men, you had to know when to push and when to leave things be to get what you wanted. “What can I say,” he said with a sigh that was full of false remorse. “I was young and foolish. She was a bit older than me and took advantage.” Robert didn't expect that. He refrained from commenting. “She was only after my family money, you see, and I really fell in love.”
His story had more holes than Swiss cheese, and not only because he was trying to blame the deceased for everything. If he was already married, what money could Elsa possibly expect from him? And then it dawned on him. Blackmail?
Did Elsa try to blackmail him? No, he dismissed that instantly. It didn't make any sense, she had plenty of her own money to even bother. And if she wanted to be spiteful, she would have said something around the time the affair dwindled down. “It was just a phase, of course,” Mr. Johnson continued, unaware of Robert's little reverie. “That I outgrew.”
“And what does your wife think about that phase?” Robert intentionally borrowed his phrase.
Mr. Johnson chuckled. “I know what you're implying. I didn't have anything to do with Elsa's death. What happened between us was years ago.”
“And what about your wife? Does she share your point of view?”
“Dorothy doesn't know, so it would be outrageous to even entertain such an idea for a second that she harmed Elsa in any way.” Robert disagreed. “Besides, what would possibly be my or my wife's reason for killing Elsa now?”
“I will give you two. Fear of discovery and revenge.”
Fergus Johnson waved with his hand. “Please Sheriff, be reasonable. I am not that easily intimidated. I wouldn't last a day in the mining business if I was. And regarding Dorothy, I can assure you she would never behave in such a manner.”
“You cannot be certain of that,” Robert argued back.
“Actually, I can, I know my wife,” he replied smugly. “Even if she did find out by some miracle, it would be a nuisance and nothing else in our lives.”
“How so?”
“Women are simple creatures, my dear Sheriff. They can be easily placated with sweet words and expensive gifts.”
Hearing him say that, Robert thought of Geraldine, and couldn't disagree more. She would never be placated, let alone bought with trinkets. “You seem like you're speaking out of the experience,” Robert commented back.
Mr. Johnson spread his arms. “I am nothing but a man, and I sin.�
��
“I thought you are a businessman,” Robert threw back and Mr. Johnson wholeheartedly laughed.
“That was a good one, Sheriff, I will use that if you don't mind. Some of my associates will really appreciate that joke.”
“I am happy to entertain, that is why I came here,” Robert said, a bit irked.
Mr. Johnson sobered up immediately, realizing he went too far. “I do apologize. Did you want to ask me anything else, or are we done with this nasty business?”
Of course, they weren't done. “Where were you at the time of Miss Potter's death?”
The Sheriff's Rebellious Bride (Historical Western Romance) Page 22
