The Daughters of Julian Dane

by Lucile McCluskey

  Addie was still snubbing. She swallowed hard, went to the desk and picked up the phone. Chief Bugg had asked Mrs. Cutler something, but they both stopped talking as Addie said, “Hello.”

  At the sound of her mother’s voice, Addie wanted to cry out to her, Mama, I need you, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t upset her mother. She didn’t want her to even know about this night’s happenings. But Della knew something was not right with her daughter. “Addie! You sound like you’ve been crying!”

  “Oh, uh, Miss Mattie and I were out in the summer kitchen in the night air. I guess we stayed too long.”

  “And now your sinuses are acting up. Take a long hot shower before you go to bed. Breathe the steam. It will help. And, honey, would you and Mattie mind if I stayed here tonight in my own bed? I’m feeling a little down. When I was carrying you, I missed my mother so bad. I cried myself to sleep so many nights, and well, I’m feeling a little that way tonight. I guess it’s because Ben is away. They asked about you – said they missed talking to you.”

  “I wish I’d been there, Mama.” Oh, how I wish I had been, she thought, but relieved that her mother wasn’t coming back to the mansion tonight. “I think it would be good for you to sleep in your own bed tonight. Are you sure you don’t need me to come?”

  “No, honey. One of us must stay with Mattie. We promised. And I’ll be back in the morning?”

  “I have some errands to run in the morning, and, Mama, I’m going to get us cellular phones. Then you can call me, and I can call you anytime. Isn’t that a good idea?”

  Della hesitated for a few moments, then agreed that it did sound like a good idea. Addie heard the screen door of the summer kitchen slam shut behind the medics. She wanted to stay connected with her mother, but she knew that Chief Bugg and Mrs. Cutler were waiting for her to finish her call, so she did.

  Chief Bugg now asked Addie and Mrs. Cutler, “What did Ryker want?”

  “He just called it ‘it’, and he hit Addie when she asked him.”

  “You’ve been with him for the last couple of days, and you don’t know what he came here for?”

  He doesn’t believe her, Addie thought as she accepted an ice-cold dishtowel from Mattie and pressed it to her face. Oh, please don’t let him ask me, she prayed. I can’t tell him about the money, and I can’t lie to him.

  “Ryker is, or was, a very closed mouth person. He told you what he wanted you to know and when he wanted you to know it,” Mrs. Cutler said.

  “But he brought you here with him on Friday night. Didn’t you know then why he came here?”

  “Chief Bugg, I did not come willingly either time. If you want to see the bruises he inflicted on me to force me to do his bidding, I’ll be glad to show you. I made the mistake of letting him buy me dinner at the hotel coffee shop on Thursday night, and accepting the offer of his couch to sleep on for the past three nights. I’m short on money.”

  “Chief,” Mattie said, “she apologized to Addie and me for having to do what he told her to. I don’t believe she would have come with him if he hadn’t forced her to.”

  The man looked at Mrs. Cutler for a few moments, then said, “Don’t plan on leaving town right away. I’ll be in touch.” Then he nodded to the three of them and left.

  “Miss Mattie,” Addie said, “mama is staying at the house tonight, and I’m so glad.” She knew the kitchen had to be cleaned up. “What can I do?”

  “I think you need to go to bed, dear. Take this pan of ice water with you. Keep that cold cloth to your face as long as you can. I know it will hurt. And I’m glad Della isn’t coming back tonight. She doesn’t need this. Mrs. Cutler and I will clean up the kitchen.”

  “Please call me ‘Helene’, and, Mattie, why were you boiling water on the stove?”

  “Oh. I do that a couple of times a month. I pour it down the sink to clean out grease.” Mattie shook her head. “I’m sorry the man is dead, but I’m glad I was boiling the water. I think he really would have stuck Addie’s hands in it.”

  “I know he would have,” Helene Curtis said. “And may I ask a favor? Could I stay here tonight?”

  “Well, of course you will. We wouldn’t think of you leaving. Would we, Addie? And, Dear, when we’ve finished, I’ll bring you a cup of hot chocolate. It might help you sleep. I have a feeling sleep is not going to come easy for either of us tonight.”

  “Mrs. Cutler,” Addie said picking up the bowl of ice water, there are plenty of bedrooms upstairs. Take your pick and stay as long as you need to. We’re glad to have you. And, Miss Mattie, I think I will go to my room.” She still was so close to tears, and she wanted her mother. As she headed for her bedroom, she thought of her mother’s longing for her mother and was determined that she would have her found before the baby came, if it was at all possible. And she had to call William.

  She wondered just what to tell him as she listened to the ringing of the phone. Why didn’t he answer? Surely they were not both so sound asleep this early. And the phone was on the chest beside the sofa bed. Finally, the phone was picked up, but no one said a word. She waited. Then, “William!” And he answered, “Hello,” in a low hesitant voice.

  “William, it’s me, Addie.”

  “I wasn’t sure I should answer the phone, but it kept ringing. What’s going on, Addie? The police and the ambulance ...”

  He sounded frightened. “William, it had nothing to do with you and Ozzie. We had an accident in the kitchen.” She tried to sound as offhanded as possible. “But everything is all right now. I just wanted to check on you two before I turn in. I’ll see you early in the morning.”

  After she hung up, she sat at the table and tried to write out a list of all the things she had to attend to on Monday. She ended it with a note to ask her mother to help her choose things from the fourth floor to furnish the South Street house. She felt sure Della would approve of what she was doing there. “Oh, Mama,” she muttered, “I really need you tonight. And, grandpa.” Somehow, she felt a need for him too. Funny, she thought, I’ve only known him since yesterday morning, but it seemed longer. “Grandpa,” she whispered almost in tears again.

  “Young Addie, you need me?” Came his words in her mind as he appeared beside the bed.

  “Grandpa!” And the tears came. “Oh, Grandpa, I needed you so bad tonight. Where were you?”

  “Why, child, what’s wrong? I’ve been in my easy chair watching that TV box. All you had to do was call me. I’ll be with you immediately as long as you are in the mansion. I can’t go outside the walls of this building.”

  “I didn’t know that,” she blubbered. “Didn’t you hear the sirens?”

  “Why, yes. But I thought they were part of this show I was watching on the TV. Were they on the grounds? What’s happened? Why are you crying?” he asked with concern.

  As soon as she had the tears under control again, she related to grandpa all that had happened. “I know you couldn’t have done anything to help me, but ...”

  “Don’t be too sure,” he hastily added. “Remember these cold hands of mine? I would have liked to put them around his throat. I never liked that fellow, didn’t trust him. I don’t think Willy did either, but she used him. I’m sorry you had to go through all that. And your mother?”

  “She’s staying at our house tonight. I’m glad she wasn’t here, but I sure wanted her. And, oh, Grandpa, I’m so exhausted. But I have so much to do tomorrow, and I’ve got to tell you about the three men I’m moving into the hospital room, and about Mooney, and William and Ozzie. Grandpa, could you stay with me until I go to sleep?”

  Surprised, he said, “Why, yes, child. I’d be happy to. You get ready for bed, then you can talk to me until you go to sleep.”

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Addie awoke early on Monday morning, after a night of troubled sleep, her bruised face very sore, and grandpa sitting in a blue wing back chair at the window. “Grandpa, have you been there all night?”

  “No, young Addie, but I did need to s
ee you before you’re up and gone. But first, I want to say I’m proud of you for putting this place to some good use, but I think there is a couple of things you’re overlooking.”

  “That’s why I have you,” she said as she flung back the covers and sat on the side of the bed. “I know you’ll see my mistakes before I make them.”

  He chuckled. “If you’re going to put William into one of the bedrooms on the fourth floor, what about your trips to the desk to get money? And how are you going to explain about a TV box being left on all the time up there?”

  “Oh, dear! You’re right. Where will I put the money?”

  “You could move the desk to this dressing room here. The door locks you know.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll have it moved first thing since I’m bringing William and Ozzie up here as soon as I can today. And, Grandpa, since you can go all over the mansion, where do you want the TV put?”

  “Why not on the desk? It doesn’t seem to be heavy, and the desk top will move back and forth just as easily with it on it. And I promise not to turn up the volume anymore than necessary. My hearing’s pretty good . We could try it.”

  “Okay. I’ll get them both moved, but now, you get. I have to get up. And thanks for staying up with me last night. I was missing my mother after all the rest that happened.”

  As soon as she was showered and dressed in one of the new pant suits that she had bought at Lilly’s, she wondered again why the woman had treated them as she had, and what the black haired woman had to do with it, and who was she? She picked up the brown envelope containing the trolley papers, then her shoulder bag, and looked in the mirror at her slightly swollen face, and hurried to the kitchen. She wanted to get gone before her mother arrived and saw her face.

  There was a tan leather suitcase and a black leather brief case sitting in the hall outside the breakfast room door. She was sure the suitcase must belong to Helene Cutler, and the brief case looked like the one Ryker had been carrying when he left Mr. Cutler’s office on Thursday.

  Miss Mattie and Helene were having coffee and reading the newspaper at the big round table. She said good morning to both women and asked how they had slept. Both agreed it had been a difficult night. Then Miss Mattie said, “Addie, there is just a short item on page two about last night. I guess the Chief didn’t want much attention paid to it. It says, and she began to read. ‘A former resident of Riverbend, Mr. B. J. Ryker was fatally wounded early Sunday night when he slipped in some water he had spilled on the kitchen floor at Stonegate and fell on a knife he had in his hand. The knife pierced his heart. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Riverbend Clinic.’”

  “That’s all?” Addie asked in surprise and thanksgiving. She was also grateful to Helene Cutler for not telling Chief Bug that Ryker was there for the rest of the one million dollars. She felt sure the woman knew exactly what the ‘it’ was. But should she mention it, or just let it pass? Miss Mattie nodded her head in answer to Addie, and told her that Della would be there in a very short while, that she had phoned a few minutes earlier. “I wish we could get her to accept the newspaper’s account, but she’ll want to know about my face.”

  “I’ll tell Della. We’ll have to say he slapped you, but we won’t elaborate.”

  “Thanks, Miss Mattie, and I need to tell you that I’m moving the two men in the gatekeeper’s cottage up to here today. Actually, I’ll be moving two more men into the hospital room with Ozzie, and William, the young one, will be moving into one of the bedrooms on the fourth floor. He will be caring for the three men. And you said the summer kitchen was fully equipped, so he can prepare meals for the men and my friend Deena Castle and her mother, who will be moving into the bedroom next to the hospital room.”

  “That sounds great, Addie. You are a busy young lady. Does Della know your plans?”

  “Not yet, but I’m sure she’ll approve.” She hoped. “May I get a glass of orange juice and one of your rolls?”

  “Addie, I’ll fix you a proper breakfast if you’ll just sit down for a few minutes.”

  “The roll and juice will be fine.” She was in a hurry to get away.

  “Okay. A roll and juice coming up. Does that young man know how to cook?” she asked as she was leaving the breakfast room.

  “He assures me, he is a good cook.”

  “That I’ll have to see,” Mattie said placing the roll and juice in front of Addie.

  Addie thanked her and asked, “Does the rain ever blow in through the screens of the summer kitchen?”

  “Oh, there’s double glass partitions stored in the bottom walls. You just pull them up, and they lock into place. It’s heated and air-conditioned out there just like the rest of the mansion.”

  That was good to know, Addie thought. But she was sure they wouldn’t be around to need air-conditioning. This was the first of April, and there was certain to be some rather chilly weather still. William would have to be shown the windows and everything. And she would have to stock the kitchen with groceries. William would need to make her a list. There was so much to do she was feeling overwhelmed. She needed to leave a note for her mother, she thought as she downed the last of her glass of juice.

  “Here’s Della,” Miss Mattie said as the black Lincoln could be seen pulling into the parking area in front of the garages.

  The roll and juice turned to a knot in Addie’s stomach. It was only moments until Della was rushing into the room. “What happened here last night?” she demanded. “I knew there was something wrong when I talked to you,” she said to Addie. “Your face! What happened to your face? Addie?” she exclaimed taking her daughter’s face in her hands.

  “Sit down, Della,” Mattie ordered. “I’ll get you some coffee, and we’ll talk.”

  “Thank you, Mattie, but no coffee yet,” she said taking the chair beside Addie, as Mattie introduced her to Helene Cutler, who was staring at her rather oddly.

  “I’m glad to know you, Della,” Helene said, “but do you have a twin? You look just like somebody I’ve seen before. If I could only remember where, or who?”

  Della acknowledged the introduction and suggests impatiently, that perhaps she had seen her before she left Riverbend. She was looking at Addie for an answer.

  “No. That’s not it,” Helene said.

  “How are you feeling this morning?” Mattie said.

  “I’m not feeling quite as bad, thank you, Mattie, and I’ll feel a lot better when I hear what went on here last night, and what happened to your face?” Della declared a bit irritably.

  The other three looked at each other in a silent question of who was going to explain to Della?

  “I thought I’d try to smooth it over for you, Della, but I think you need the whole truth. Helene?”

  “I guess I am the one to tell you,” Helene said, “since I know it all from the beginning.” And she began with Ryker forcing her to accompany him to Stonegate and told her everything up to the time of her phone call to Addie.

  Della listened in awed silence. Finally, she said, “I’m sorry he died, but I’m thankful that Addie’s swollen face is the only real harm to the three of you. What was he looking for?” she asked although she was pretty sure it was the money that Addie had found.

  “Who knows?” Helene said. And Addie was grateful to her for not mentioning the money. Then the woman said to Della, “And you don’t have a twin?”

  “No. But my mother always said my younger sister, Henrietta and I looked enough alike to be twins. Of course we were just kids then. Are you leaving us?” she asked, noticing the suitcase and brief case by the door.

  “I’m going to try. Not that I don’t appreciate your company and your hospitality, but I phoned my mother when I couldn’t sleep last night. I wanted her to know where I was, since I had left so suddenly, and she had quite a story to tell. Said she had gone out to check my hanging out places when I had failed to come home Wednesday night. But she hadn’t gone far when her car started acting up. So she drove it to the shop th
at takes care of it and took a cab back to the house. She walked into her bedroom to find her husband, the Judge, and the housekeeper’s underage daughter in their bed. She’ll be getting a quiet divorce and a very nice settlement. She said that’s the last man she’ll ever trust. She’s planning to buy a condo at Virginia Beach, and she asked me to come live with her. So I thought I’d ask Chief Bugg ...” She gasped. “I know. I know who you look like now. It just came to me.”

  Della looked at Helene and waited. Could it be possible that Helene had seen her sister, Henrietta? Could her family still be around Riverbend somewhere?”

  “It was just before I left here two years ago. I had discovered our phone wasn’t working after Grant had left for the office. I had to find a phone and call repair service. I’d seen the neighbors on both side of us leave, so I walked down two doors to the Willises.

  “Col. Willis had just moved back with his new wife. I hadn’t met her yet, and just as I got to their house I saw the two of them leaving, but a white uniformed woman was just closing the front door. So I went up and knocked on the door. I knocked and knocked before she ever came to the door. Then she barely cracked it open and asked, ‘What do you want?’

  “I told her who I was and where I lived, and asked if I could use their phone to report ours out of order. Well, she said I’d have to go somewhere else, because she wasn’t allowed to let anyone in when the Willises weren’t home. That seemed rather odd to me, and made me determined to get into that house. Finally, she allowed me inside. Then I saw that she was a cripple on crutches.”

  It couldn’t be Henrietta then, could it? Della wondered. Still, she listened intently as Helene continued.

  “One leg hung at an odd angle from the knee. And the whole time I was in the house, which couldn’t have been more than ten minutes, the girl was a nervous wreck. A situation like that you don’t easily forget. And, Della, she looked exactly like you. The same honey blond hair and violet blue eyes. You two could pass for twins. You must see her.”