Some Saints Prey (Madeline Donovan Mysteries Book 4)

by Madison Kent

  Madeline asked, as politely as she could, "So you believe it to be another accidental death?"

  Mr. Davis replied, "Not sure yet, depends on what we find out when we catch the thugs who were conducting this operation. It may be Jeffrey was pushed, but I find it hard to believe someone would add murder to theft―that someone would kill over some stolen bottles of wine.

  "We'll see...we'll see."

  Edgar offered, "Madeline, didn't I tell you what a fine man inspector is? Great job, Davis. You're an asset to this city."

  It was the same scenario as occurred with Lonnie and Clifford; they did not seek to continue an investigation into the matter of Jeffrey's death.

  Madeline said, "I hope you will inform us if you discover, who is stealing from the church."

  Deputy John interjected, "Mrs. Donovan, these are very unusual circumstances. You will see that we are a city, and state, that is independent, strong, and takes care of its people. We will get to the bottom of the thefts, and then return to the general state of peacefulness we have maintained over the years."

  She replied, "I'm sure you will. Thank you for sharing the information about Jeffrey."

  Inspector Davis asked, "Are you satisfied now that this is the end of it?"

  She saw the look of surprise on Hugh's face, when she replied, "Yes, for the most part, I am."

  The visitors stayed for another quarter hour or so, and then left, as Edgar slapped Davis on the back in praise.

  Madeline and Hugh returned to the gazebo.

  Hugh commented, "Madeline, truly, do you think its the end of it?"

  "Of course not. I suppose I felt it did not serve any purpose to continue to alienate Edgar, and also, to incur the wrath of the inspector. Maybe it's best if he believes no one is looking into the deaths. It might make it easier to proceed."

  "I will bathe, and prepare for my engagement with Emma. What will you do?" asked Hugh.

  "I'm not sure, perhaps return to the harbor, Jeffrey's friends linger there to fish and commiserate."

  Hugh ended with, "Then I will see you sometime later in the day. Good luck."

  Chapter Ten

  The Harbor

  Fredrick drove Madeline to the harbor, requesting that he return for her in two hours. She thought, if she did not see anyone she knew, she would remain in the area, and dine at the eatery located a block away.

  As she reached the pier, however, she saw familiar faces. In the distance, were Oliver, Matthew, Austin, Inspector Davis and Deputy St. John. They appeared to be in the midst of a heated argument. Several other men, who she did not know, were also present.

  None of the men noticed her, even as she walked within a few feet of them.

  Davis said to Matthew, "You produce some evidence, or we're taking you in for questioning. Someone's come forward and named you."

  "That's outrageous. I was nowhere near the church, and I don't belong to any gang of thieves," responded Matthew.

  The inspector replied, "How do you explain your sudden spending spree? I've heard you were in town buying a new saddle, as well as treating your friends here to drinks?"

  "I told you. I placed a bet on the horse races, and it came in. No, I don't have any witnesses. I was alone," Matthew said.

  "You'll need to come up with something, or I'll take you in for further questioning. Do you have your winning ticket?" said the officer.

  By this time, Oliver and Austin had nodded to her, acknowledging her presence.

  Austin took her aside and said, "I suppose you overhead what's going on? The old man is looking for another easy answer to a complex problem. I'm beginning to think, we may never find out who's behind the deaths. But to blame Matthew for theft, that's puerile, although, it's strange―I mean―his recent splurging."

  Madeline asked, "I thought it was Oliver who was the gambler?"

  "Everyone gambles―don't they? It's part of life, but some of us choose to up the ante and make some money on it," said Oliver, overhearing Madeline's words.

  She said, "I'm sorry...I"

  Oliver interrupted, "Oh, don't apologize. I make no secret about it. I find it stimulating and essential to a man's life. It makes the heart race, and the mind work to outwit those around you. Perhaps Matthew has spent too much time in my presence―it looks like he has caught the bug."

  Austin said, "We'll finish here with the inspector, and then would you agree to join us for a drink. There is a place to go not far from here, The Beachfront."

  "Yes, I saw it. I was planning to stop in there. I will walk over to the water. It's a pleasant view, and I can observe the dolphins swimming. When your business concludes, you will find me there," replied Madeline.

  Inspector Davis and Deputy St. John said a cursory "hello" to her, but the men were too absorbed in their argument to engage with her. She decided she would converse with her friends later, and try to discover what had led Davis to believe that Matthew organized the burglaries at the church.

  The seagulls flew overhead, flying down like bullets to pick up the left-over pieces of fish that lie on the pier. She walked a short distance away, picking a spot to sit on the retaining wall, along with a few pelicans. The fins of dolphins were apparent, and also one or two sharks. The dark waters were radiant, as the sun reflected off of them―the strong rays producing a white glare.

  She wasn't sure how long she had sat there, maybe fifteen or twenty minutes when it happened. Her right hand was horizontally set on her forehead to block the sun, giving her only one stabilizing hand. Facing the water, she was unable to see the person who pushed her from the ledge. She screamed for help, as she fell into the bluish-black waves―and hit the water with some force. Madeline's head was spinning, but she knew her life depended on keeping her wits. If she could make it to the surface, she could swim the short distance to the pier. Reaching her goal, she struggled to breathe, but she could see a fishing boat coming towards her, and they yelled for her to "hold on".

  Her boots and heavy clothing were weighing her down, and she could feel herself pulled under the water. She could hear people calling to her from the shore. Treading water, all she could manage now was to stay afloat till the boat came. It had proven much more difficult to swim against the force of the waves than she imagined.

  Two sunbaked, older men dragged her from the water into their fishing boat. Gasping for air, she gratefully fell into the arms of one of the men. He had a dirty cloth in his hand that he wiped her face down with, and the other gentleman put a raincoat, smelling of fish, around her. Although the water was warm, the shock of what happened, and her drenched clothing made her shiver. The man with a large, floppy sun hat said, "Miss, what happened? How did you fall into the water?"

  "I didn't fall―someone pushed me."

  The other man said, "Are you sure, Miss, that's a mighty serious accusation? Of course, we've had some rowdy tourists who've come to town―could've been one of them with too much to drink in 'em."

  Madeline replied, "You'll forgive me, but all I wish to do is return to my home. If you bring me back to the pier, I will be all right."

  They both lifted her onto the wooden dock. Before they returned to their fishing outing, they asked over and over again, if they should stay and assist her.

  She said, "The heat from the sun will comfort me and dry my clothing. I have friends that I am here with, and they will care for me," she said.

  She thanked them and asked if she could reward them in any way, but they declined and said they were happy she was alive.

  Strolling up and down the pier, she looked for the group of men, but they were no longer there.

  Her legs were shaky and her muscles sore, but she wanted to return to the site where she fell. Her satchel was still there, and perhaps something was dropped by the person who attacked her. The men had kindly left her the raincoat, which Madeline promised to return. She pulled the garment tightly around her, as the water dripped from her clothing. Her thoughts were scattered, trying to understand why, and
who would have done this. She thought, Did the person who pushed her think she would perish? The wall she sat upon was not of any considerable height, and the nearness to the pier would have made it unlikely she would drown. However, it was possible, she could come to harm if she became trapped in seaweed or was attacked by an ocean predator. Madeline knew she would soon feel the effects of her watery submergence, but right now, she continued to the scene, hoping to discover some clue to the attacker's identity. She wondered what had happened to her friends, and thought they may have gone directly to the restaurant. She would proceed there once she discovered if her belongings were recoverable.

  Her satchel was on the ground, with its contents strewn everywhere. Apparently, whoever shoved her, was only interested in harming her, not stealing from her, for even her derringer was still there. After gathering her possessions, she continued to peruse the area but found nothing.

  Her wet, tousled hair, a raincoat with a noxious, rank odor, and water falling from her clothing as she walked, called attention to her appearance. Several people, who had witnessed the event, asked if she needed help, but she declined, assuming that Oliver and Austin would not leave without seeing her first.

  She thought they might be at the restaurant where they had planned to meet and headed in that direction.

  Madeline walked slowly, as her ankle was sore and rubbed against the wet leather of her boots. Oliver was the first person she saw coming down one of the dirt roads. When he saw her, he ran towards her, calling her name, "Madeline, what's happened?"

  "You must take me home, please. I do not feel well. I looked for all of you. Where did you go?"

  "We thought you would be at the eatery. When we didn't find you, we separated, and each took a different path to look for you."

  "I went to sit on the wall by the water, wishing to take in the view, and let the sun set upon my face. I was enjoying watching the dolphins pirouetting in the water when I felt someone's hands on my back. They then pushed me off the wall into the ocean. For a moment, I didn't know if I would live. The weight of my clothing dragged me under. It was terribly frightening, but I was able to tread water to keep my head up. Within a few minutes, I saw a fishing boat coming for me―it was the most beautiful sight to see. I knew I would survive then.

  "I'd like to inform our skeptical inspector of what occurred before he leaves. Maybe now he will finally believe there is a murderer who walks freely in this city."

  Oliver replied, "Oh, he left after you walked away from the pier. He and the deputy said they had business elsewhere, but he would be back to question Matthew."

  She was still quivering as he said, "I see Austin coming down the other road."

  Austin put his arm around her to warm her, and asked, "Good Lord, what has happened now? Did you fall into the water?"

  "I will explain it all when I can get into a carriage, and am on my way home to dry clothes and a bath. Can either of you secure a ride for me?" Madeline asked.

  Austin replied, "We both came by horseback, but I believe Matthew came by carriage. I'm not sure where he went. Oh, I see him―there―he's coming out of the restaurant."

  Matthew walked down the hill from the eatery and then waved when he saw them. They waited for him to approach.

  "What could have occurred in such a short time? Did you take a boat out, and it overturned?" Matthew asked.

  "Please, gentlemen, please get me home," she said, as she began to sneeze.

  Oliver said, "Austin, old man, will you take my horse? I'd like to ride along with them."

  He replied, "All right, but when you retrieve it, you must tell me all."

  Matthew and Oliver listened as she retold her story. When she began to talk, Oliver took her hand in his, as if trying to reassure her that she was safe. At this moment, she did not mind, she was comforted by his presence, and the warmth of his touch. However, another idea plagued her; she wondered who would want to harm her, and who, but the men on the pier, even knew she was there. She thought, Is it possible that the man's hand I hold is the one who pushed me? Or could it be Matthew, could he be tied to a criminal element that would force him to do terrible things because he owes money?

  She knew she could not divulge any of her doubts to any of her three friends because, in her mind, they were now also suspects. The one thing she did remember about the person who pushed her was that he reeked of tobacco and fish. She had smelled this odor on the five men she encountered on the pier. However, it was not an uncommon aroma, as most men here both fished and smoked. She now only had Hugh to confide in, for she trusted no one in this town, not even Emily and Edgar―for she believed it was one of them who read her journal.

  Matthew said, "I know I didn't see anything. Did you, Oliver? Obviously, we would have come to your assistance. When I didn't find you at the Beachfront, I thought perhaps you took a walk, and I went down one of the brush paths. When I didn't see you, I returned to the restaurant and waited. When no one came, I left, and that's when I saw you in this condition."

  Oliver chimed in, "Yes, the three of us missed the whole thing. I, too, had walked down of the scenic paths, perhaps thinking you might be picking kumquats―the area is thick with them."

  Madeline said, "I'm grateful I was not injured, other than being frightened to death. But this is the second time someone has tried to harm me, it cannot be a coincidence. It convinces me that none of these "so called" accidents are."

  "Matthew, please join us this evening to discuss these charges brought by the inspector. We will take drinks in the drawing room, and you and Hugh may have a game of billiards―you must come," Madeline concluded.

  "I will. I'm appalled by his accusations, and I feel I need to speak with someone. I will return to your home this evening. Will eight be convenient?"

  She replied, "Yes, it will give us time to bathe and have our dinner. We can have a private conversation, without Edgar and Emily present."

  Oliver said, "Dear God, you may have been killed. Will you go to the police?"

  She replied, "I'm not sure this time. I feel it only would bring forth ridicule from him. He probably would say I slipped. After my recent conversations with him, I think that is the most logical outcome. He is trying to portray me as a hysterical buffoon―destroying any credibility I have.

  "After I speak to Hugh, I will make a final decision, but right now, all I want is a hot bath."

  They had arrived at Montgomery House, and she thanked them for bringing her home.

  Frederick was the first to see her. He was outside preparing the carriage. She assumed he was about to leave to collect her.

  "Miss, my goodness, you look like you fell into the swamp, and if I may say so, you smell like it to," said Frederick.

  "It's was terrifying, Frederick―I was forced off a wall into the ocean. It was not a significant drop, and I was fortunate that two men that were fishing in a boat nearby rescued me. I was close enough to the pier that I think I may have been able to swim to it, but it might have proved difficult. I know whoever assaulted me meant to harm me."

  "Let's get you inside, Miss. I will fetch Charlotte to help you with that wet clothing, and I'll bring you some towels to dry yourself."

  "Thank you. Has Mr. Scott returned yet?"

  "No, Miss, not yet. Only people in the house are Miss Montgomery and the servants."

  "I'll wait outside for Charlotte. I do not wish to come inside like this."

  When Charlotte arrived, she stared at her and said, "Oh, Miss, what can I do?"

  "Please get me a robe, and I will leave my wet things in the foyer."

  When she submerged into her bath, she relaxed and was glad that Emily was outside in the garden. It would be good to relax before facing her. She had requested Charlotte bring her a bourbon to steady her nerves. Resigned now that it would be up to her and Hugh alone to solve the puzzle of the murders, she spent the next hour soaking and thought up a plan of action.

  When she returned downstairs, Charlotte had already c
leaned the area where she left her filthy garments. She greeted Emily but decided she would wait until Hugh and Edgar returned for dinner so that she could tell her story to all three of them at once.

  She requested that Frederick bring Sapphire around so that she could ride for a while and clear her head. Afterward, she wandered out to the gazebo, bringing her journal with her.

  She wrote:

  After a harrowing experience at the harbor, I find myself wondering if Oliver's gambling debts, and whatever other mischief he may be into, could have caused him to commit these crimes. Of course, all the men present at the site, including the inspector, are suspect to me now.

  I can only hope that Hugh's time with Emma will provide some insight as to why these tragic events are occurring.

  She closed her journal when she saw Emily walking toward her.

  Emily said, "It's good to see you. You've been absent so much lately; I've hardly had a chance to speak with you. Did you enjoy your outing?"

  Madeline told her of meeting the men at the pier, and how lovely the surroundings were, but said she would speak to her at dinner about what happened.

  "You cannot leave things like that, young lady. What is it?"

  After Emily had pleaded with her for several minutes, Madeline relented and told her the story.

  "Madeline, Edgar warned me about your involvement in these repugnant events. He believes you are upsetting the locals, and someone may be targeting you for your interference. Edgar thinks the inspector's conclusions are correct, and whatever is happening to you has only to do with political vengeance. He thinks even a well-meaning citizen could be guilty of trying to threaten you. Perhaps you should say nothing at dinner, tell your friend, but not Edgar."

  "Perhaps you're right. Mr. Montgomery is such a fine man, I'm sorry to bring such discord to the house, but someone must act."