His nostrils flared as he thought of the troublesome deed and the extra work involved in covering up tonight’s mess. How he despised getting his hands dirty. After he disposed of Addie, he would need to go to the authorities to report Jewel missing. He would have to mention the months of her troubled mental state, her depression. It was inevitable. Jewel’s body would eventually show up. When it did, when the police knocked on his door to inform him of the sad news, they would no doubt rule her death a suicide. Quite distasteful to have that stigma hanging over his head, but it couldn’t be helped.
Hunsdon turned his cold blue eyes once more to the spot Jewel had vanished. He watched the reflection of the moon dance upon the water. How fitting. He thought of Addie’s words, May the Lord judge between thee and me . . . He smiled, his lips twisting into a satisfied smirk. Indeed!
On the drive home, his headlights cut through the predawn fog making twin beams of light that illuminated the sleeping expansion of Rivermont on either side. Lucky for him there were no vehicles on the road at this hour. He gripped the steering wheel, enjoying the squeak the expensive leather made beneath his palm. When he arrived at the house, he took his time, climbed the steps, and entered. No need to rush. The dead were in no hurry.
He would carry Addie’s remains out back, retrieve the tools needed, and then bury the only thing that could repudiate his claim that Jewel had wandered off. As he walked, he mentally clicked off the tasks. His steps came up short when he reached the foot of the stairs. He blinked and stared stupidly for several seconds at the spot she had lain. She wasn’t there! It wasn’t possible! Addie was gone!
Chapter 37
1967
A darkness loomed between Aiden and me as we trudged in silence back through the forest toward Greyson Manor. What had been a beautiful and peaceful landscape hours earlier, now took on a sinister appearance. Imaginary eyes peered out at us from behind the trees, and even the smallest noise became the arsonist returning to finish the job.
My trouble thoughts swarmed thicker than the insects whining above our heads. I waved an impatient hand to shoo them away, but like the gnats, my worries continued to gather, refusing to leave. Aiden walked just ahead of me. The unwavering set of his jaw and grim scowl left no doubt to his dark mood. My emotions swung from fear to anger and then to guilt.
What did Aiden even see in me? Clearly, I brought nothing but trouble. I complicated his life, and he deserved better. There would never be a future for us as long as someone was after me. This unknown enemy didn’t care who they hurt in the process. I shivered despite the muggy air.
“Sorry, Janie. I haven’t even asked if you were all right.” His steps ended so abruptly, I collided with him. He reached to steady me.
“I’m fine,” I lied. “I’m more worried about you. Once again you put yourself in danger to save me.”
“Janie, this isn’t your fault,” Aiden insisted.
“Maybe not, but if you hadn’t taken me in, you wouldn’t be in this position. You could have been killed today.”
He pulled me into his arms and shook his head. “I’m not sure the purpose was to kill us. It might have been a scare tactic, but the warnings are escalating. I don’t like it.”
We both knew he downplayed the incident for my benefit—it wasn’t working. I nibbled the inside of my cheek, picturing Nurse Albrecht. Should I mention the run-in I’d had earlier? “Aiden—”
“What is it, Janie? You’ve been holding something back all afternoon. Tell me.”
A loose thread on his shirt caught my attention. If I tugged hard enough, the button would fall off in my hand. Such random thoughts. I was stalling.
He lifted my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Janie?”
I took a deep breath and released it slowly. “When I told you I found the note this afternoon, I didn’t mention I ran into Nurse Albrecht outside my room.”
“Hilda?” Aiden’s eyes widened with surprise. “She has no business anywhere near that wing of the house!”
“She said it was because I was late, and she came looking for me.”
He frowned and pulled back. “Uh-uh—not buying that.”
“We can’t be certain, and I’m not comfortable confronting her.” Even if I did suspect her.
“It’s too coincidental.”
“But—”
“Janie, someone out there recognizes you. At least they want us to believe they do. This is a dangerous game, and the stakes just got higher. I don’t like it. Next time it might be worse.”
He released me, turned, and continued down the path. I trotted after him, taking hold of his arm. “Wait, Aiden. This is what I wanted to avoid. You can’t barge in and accuse Nurse Albrecht.”
“I’m not going to accuse her of anything. I’d just like to find out where she was this afternoon and why she was snooping around your room.” It was the first time he’d raised his voice to me. “You know how much you mean to me. You can’t expect me to sit still and do nothing. We need answers.”
“Don’t you think I want them, too? You don’t need to fight my battles for me, Aiden. If anyone is going to question her, it should be me.”
“Fair enough. But you aren’t talking to her alone.”
Well, that hadn’t gone as intended. I nodded and fell into step once more as we made our way back to the house. My stomach roiled at the idea of confronting Nurse Albrecht. My legs felt like dead weights as I plodded behind him. By the time we reached the driveway, I’d convinced myself I was paranoid. I wanted the entire matter swept under the rug. Although, I knew by the determined set of Aiden’s shoulders he wasn’t going to let the matter rest.
Aiden called out for Nurse Albrecht as soon as we reached the foyer. His voice rang through the house until Dr. Greyson arrived, wheeling himself into the great room.
“What’s all this shouting about, Aiden? This can’t wait? It’s almost dinner.”
“No, Grandfather, it has to do with Janie and the threats. Where’s Hilda? I have a few questions for her.”
“Hilda? What's she got to do with this?”
“Someone set fire to the cabin in the woods this afternoon.”
“What?” His mouth fell open. “You think Hilda had something to do with it?”
“These notes aren’t idle threats anymore, Grandfather. Someone shoved a chair in front of the door. Janie could have been seriously hurt.” Aiden rubbed his hand along the back of his neck. “We had to crawl out the window! I just have a few questions for her. Janie received another note earlier this afternoon . . . then the fire. We want to know why Hilda was upstairs snooping around her room.”
“I was not snooping.” All eyes pivoted to the buxom figure as Nurse Albrecht sailed through the door. “I merely came to see what was taking her so long.”
“But you were near her room?” Aiden questioned.
“Aiden, please. You said you’d let me handle this.” I cast a wary glance in her direction.
She sneered, her eyes not in the least hiding her contempt. “You’ve caused trouble since the day you arrived.” Hilda continued to glare at me. “Yes, I was upstairs. What of it? I’m not the only one privy to her room. Why don’t you interrogate that ridiculous little Betsy? I recall seeing her up there as well.”
“Janie, is this true?” Dr. Greyson studied me.
“Yes . . . she came to remind me of my therapy.”
Nurse Albrecht folded her arms, her eyes snapped with satisfaction. “I told you! She’s the one you should question!”
“Rest assured, we will. Where were you this afternoon?” Aiden pressed. “Someone set fire to the cabin, locking us inside. I don’t suppose you know anything about that?”
“I do not! And I refuse to acknowledge my whereabouts to you. How dare you question me with something of this nature? I’ve been a member of this household long before you were a gleam in your father’s eye.”
“Hilda, if what the boy says is true, I see no harm in telling us where you were. Certainl
y you are anxious to clear your name.” He settled himself into the chair, obviously irritated by her lack of cooperation.
A broad display of emotions played across her features. Like twin fires of heat, her eyes smoldered, then narrowed in on Dr. Greyson. “Fine! If you must know, I’ve been reading in my room. And for the record, no—no one saw me.”
“We should call the police.” Aiden stepped to the phone and picked up the handset. “The authorities can sort out what’s going on here. We can’t have an arsonist running loose on the property, especially one who has threatened Janie.”
“Just a moment.” Dr. Greyson held up a finger halting his grandson. “I don’t want to involve the authorities yet. That’s why we have James on the payroll. He’s a private investigator. I’ll have him check into the matter. I have more faith in him than the police.”
“But Grand—”
“Aiden, I said no. Our family doesn’t need the negative press. I’ve always preferred to handle matters in-house. We’ll question Betsy. Although, as far as I’m concerned, what you’ve brought me is circumstantial.” He turned kind eyes to me. “Do you still have the letter, my dear? James will want to dust it for fingerprints.”
I looked to Aiden as he reached into his shirt pocket and retrieved the crumpled paper.
“There weren’t any useful ones on the last note,” Aiden replied.
“You mean other than your own and Janie’s?” His grandfather raised a questioning brow.
“Now wait a minute! What are you implying?”
“Don’t get your dander up, son. I’m not implying anything. I’m stating a fact. You’ve both handled the previous note. Your fingerprints are the only prints on the paper. Well, other than that waitress and the person who delivered the first note.”
Aiden’s face glowed red. He clenched and unclenched his free hand into a fist.
“And you were right there when the last note appeared. Perhaps we should question you.” Hilda’s eyes gleamed as she spoke. Rage melted into a satisfied smirk.
“Now see here! I guess you’re going to tell me I locked myself and Janie in the cabin today—”
“That’s enough, my boy. I wish to point out that you can’t base things on appearances. I’ll have James inspect the cabin and question Betsy . . . and the rest of the staff for that matter. Any one of them has access to the room . . . or could have followed you to the cabin. What on earth were you doing out in the woods in the first place?”
“We were taking a walk. Is there a crime against that?”
“I’m sure I don’t care for your tone.” Dr. Greyson’s eyes tapered to twin slivers before dismissing his grandson. “James will get to the bottom of this. I’ve no wish to discuss it further. It’s time for dinner.”
Aiden snorted. “I’ve lost my appetite.” He nodded in my direction. “Janie, if you’ll excuse me, I need fresh air.”
Feeling helpless, I watched him leave. My feet itched to run after him, but Dr. Greyson’s voice stopped me. “I’m sorry you had to witness that, Janie. I’ve mentioned Aiden can be . . . rather hot headed at times.”
I nodded absently. He had alluded to it, although, until today, I had never seen his temper.
“Come. Do me the honor of escorting me to the dining room.” He extended a wrinkled hand.
I cast another fleeting look at Aiden’s departing figure as I stepped forward accepting his offer.
“There’s a love.” He drew my fingers to his shoulder and gave them a reassuring pat. “Would you be so kind as to push me?”
“Of course.” I did my best to smile, while inside my emotions churned. I stepped behind his chair, the well-oiled wheels whirred across the carpet as we made our way to the dining room. We left Nurse Albrecht to follow.
*****
Aiden did not return for dinner. In fact, the meal consisted of only Dr. Greyson and myself. Nurse Albrecht retreated to her room. I longed to do the same, fearing the night would be long and awkward. But I needn’t have worried. Dr. Greyson seemed to harbor no anger from the earlier confrontation. On the contrary, he appeared to shed years off his age throughout the dinner.
He put me at ease with his light-hearted wit. His eyes shone with a devilish twinkle as he regaled me with stories from Aiden’s youth. And what a talent the young Aiden had for finding mischief.
We chatted companionably. Amusement relieved some of my stressed nerves, and I laughed until my stomach hurt. To my surprise, I wasn’t watching the clock every minute. The evening slipped away.
“You’re quite beautiful when you laugh. It’s a shame about your scar. Such beauty . . .” His voice trailed in a wistful kind of way.
The comment caught me by surprise. The quality of air surged with something different. My cheeks flamed beneath this new scrutiny. I looked away, unable to find words.
“Ah . . . I’ve embarrassed you. That wasn’t my intent.” He patted the corners of his mouth and placed his napkin on his plate. “Shall I ring for dessert?”
I attempted a smile. “As tempting as that sounds, I couldn’t hold another bite.” I rubbed my protruding stomach as if the swelling were proof enough. “I’m stuffed.”
“Have you given any thought as to what you’ll do after the baby comes?”
An uncomfortable blush continued to flow, seeming to begin at my toes and work its way up my body. I looked away again. This wasn’t a subject I cared to discuss. He’d never asked me about the pregnancy. “I’m not sure.”
“Aren’t you? You’re quite taken with Aiden . . . and he with you. You spend a lot of time together.”
“Yes, sir. We’re friends.”
“Come, come . . . I wasn’t born yesterday, my dear. Anyone with eyes can see the chemistry between you. Is it prudent to get involved with someone with your identity still so . . . unclear?”
His words stung. Although not said unkindly, there was an underlying accusation in them. “Dr. Greyson, I would never hurt Aiden on purpose. He’s been a precious friend to me. You have to understand that.”
“Why, of course, dear. I’m glad we agree. How about something sweet? I hear Cook has a fantastic mousse prepared.”
“No, thank you. I’ve had a lovely evening, but I’m a little tired.” I slid the chair back and pushed away from the table.
“Now I’ve upset you.” His smile fell.
“No—no really. It’s been a long day . . . Too much excitement with the fire . . . and—I may read awhile and retire for the evening.”
“Yes, yes . . . of course. How thoughtless of me to sit here prattling on. You’ve been through quite an experience this afternoon. Please, sleep well.”
I left the dining area and lingered in the foyer. If Aiden had returned, he would have joined us. What could be keeping him? It was after seven. Perhaps he was still angry and had gone straight to his room. I paced the entrance a few minutes longer before climbing the sweeping stairs to my own haven.
In all the excitement there hadn’t been time to shower or change. All I wanted now was a bath and clean clothes. I kicked off my shoes and headed for the bathroom. My hand groped the wall for the switch. Light flooded the small, windowless room. Several seconds later, the exhaust fan sputtered to life. The bulbs were much too bright for the all-white fixtures. The glare hurt my eyes.
I adjusted the faucet, slipped out of my clothes, and into the warm water. It pulsed down on my shoulders doing little to relieve my worry. My thoughts were filled with Aiden as I poured a dab of shampoo into my palm. It didn’t take long for the tiny area to fill with steam and the fragrance of flowers as I soaped my hair.
For reasons I couldn’t explain, my skin pimpled with apprehension. Once again, I sensed someone stood just outside waiting for me. I turned off the valve, wrapped a towel around myself, and eased out onto the slippery floor.
I listened, convinced I heard the click of the door shutting. My heart stalled. I waited several seconds before peering into the bedroom. Nothing. I exhaled, letting my shoulders fall s
lack. You’re getting paranoid.
Grabbing the robe from the hook, I stuck my arm through the sleeve and stopped short. My knees went weak. Propped against my pillow was another folded sheet of paper. It hadn’t been there when I entered. I was sure of it! My ankles shook. Not again . . . I did my best to scrape up my courage, stumbled to the bed, and sat. The note was brief. The sloppy scrawl slanted across the page.
Dear Janie,
I apologize for losing my temper earlier. I went for a walk to cool down. While I was out, I found something you should see. Meet me in the stable.
A.
Aiden? Thank goodness! My heart returned to a normal rhythm, but what had he discovered? It was a good distance to the stable. I calculated the time it would take me to dress and reach the building. It would be dark. An icy dread ran its finger down my spine. I didn’t relish the idea of tramping across the grounds alone at night. Still, Aiden wouldn’t have asked if it weren’t important. He must have entered the room, heard the shower, and left me the note. At least we could return together. I toweled my hair dry, threw on fresh clothes, and slipped on my shoes.
As I crept through the corridor and down the servant’s stairs, I wondered what Aiden had found. Outside, there was a chill in the air as night settled around me. The sun blazed in a fiery ball of orange while the trees stood still and black against the skyline. Dampness from the grass seeped into my canvas shoes. I wished I’d thought to bring a jacket.
By the time I reached the stable it was almost dark. The structure loomed before me in the stillness. Where was he? “Aiden?” The wind whispered through the tall weeds behind me making the hairs on the back of my neck stand alert. No answer.
Sudden fear seized me. What was I doing? Aiden would never ask me to come out alone at night, would he? Not after what happened at the cabin. What had I been thinking?
Timeless Moments Page 27
