“Ella tells us that you moved away from the family farm,” Lizzy began.
“Yes. I was fortunate enough to purchase a grand old place not six miles from my father’s property. It was in disrepair and took some renovation, but it was completed last May, and we were finally able to move in.”
“I remember you have two sons, is that right?” Lizzy asked. “How do they like the new place?”
“Nathanael and Beaufort are delighted,” Robert replied. “Thank you for remembering them. In return, I will share a bit of news that even Ella doesn’t know.”
Ella straightened. “Do tell.”
“Virginia is with child. She will be delivered in October.”
“Congratulations,” Lizzy said before Ella could reply. “And is your wife happy with the new place?”
“She is. I believe every woman prefers to be mistress of her own home, don’t you?”
Lizzy shrugged. “I’ve always enjoyed living with family. Of course, they are my own and not my in-laws.”
Mary listened to the conversation continue and wondered how she might pose a question about the type of things going on at Fleming Farm that merited death upon their discovery. Nothing came to mind, however.
They were well into the entrée before Mary finally interrupted the polite conversation. “I don’t wish to sour our dinner, Mr. Fleming, but you must know that I have questions.”
Robert dabbed his mouth with his napkin. “I do. I presume you wish to ask me something in regard to your brother’s death.”
“Yes.” Mary put her fork aside. “What in the world could he have seen that got him murdered?”
She was blunt and to the point and knew that her words probably shocked him, but to his merit, Robert Fleming only nodded.
“I know you believe him to have been murdered. Ella informed me of what she overheard, and frankly, I am of a mind to believe, along with my sister, that your brother met with foul play.”
This shocked Mary so much that she couldn’t even speak. She stared at him wide-eyed. He believed that August had been murdered?
“I can see that surprises you,” Robert said. “But you must understand that I know just how devious my father can be. Our grandfather was even worse, as I hear it. However, you must also understand that I have no idea what might have brought your brother to that end.”
“None whatsoever? Not even a guess?”
Robert shook his head. “My father has long been involved with a great many underhanded and illegal activities. As for Jefferson Spiby, well, the list of his offenses is too long to tell. However, even knowing that, I can say that it doesn’t matter in the least to the authorities of our county—and in some cases, our state. You see, both my father and Mr. Spiby wield a great deal of power. They are wealthy and not beyond buying the support and defense of anyone deemed useful. Those who won’t be bought are soon buried beneath a mountain of problems and ostracized by one and all.”
“So Ella has told us.” Mary feared that no matter what she asked, she would never get the answers she desired. “But someone must know.”
“Look, I intended to tell Ella this when we were alone, but I will state it for one and all, because I believe it’s important that you understand. Our father was greatly embarrassed by Ella’s accusations. It caused him to tighten ranks with Spiby all the more. Whatever those two are up to, I wouldn’t put it past them to make difficulties not only for Ella but also for the Brookstones.”
“They can try,” Lizzy said in a snide tone. “We aren’t without our own influence.”
Robert nodded. “Be that as it may, I feel it only fair to warn you. It would be in your own best interests to do nothing further to draw attention to your complaints.”
“But they killed my brother.” Mary felt her stomach knot so tightly that she feared she’d be sick. “My brother was a good man—a kind, God-fearing man—and they killed him.” She saw sympathy in Robert’s expression but knew his response would offer no comfort.
“I’m sure you take solace in knowing he’s in a better place,” he answered.
“She’d take more solace if Daddy and Jefferson were put behind bars,” Ella retorted.
“Perhaps, but it wouldn’t bring her brother back.”
Mary pushed away from the table. “No, but it might keep it from happening to someone else’s brother. If you’ll excuse me, I need some air.”
She left the dining room and walked toward the exit. She had no real destination in mind but knew that she didn’t want to continue speaking to Robert Fleming when there was no hope of him doing anything to aid her cause.
“I am sorry for your friend,” Robert told Lizzy and Ella. “I wish there was something I could do, but I won’t risk my family.”
“Do you honestly think they’re at risk?” Ella asked. “Would our father truly allow anything to happen to his own grandchildren?”
Her brother gave a shrug of his broad shoulders. “You know him as well as I do. You know too the influence Spiby has over him. Personally, I’m glad you got away from him. He is the lowest of sorts, and I have no doubt he killed Miss Reichert’s brother. Worse still, it was probably not his first nor his last murder. That’s why I’m begging you to say and do nothing more. I will continue to look for an opportunity to set matters right.”
“Truly?” This was the first time she’d heard him say anything that suggested he wanted to right the wrong.
“Ella, you don’t know what goes on in there. You’re a woman, and women are not a part of the business world. As a man, I’ve long detested the way Father treats others. I have few true friends because of him. Spiby too. Folks in our area have long planned on your marriage to him, and together, those two men are a formidable force to be reckoned with. As I said, I have no doubts of Spiby’s ability to cause harm—even death. I don’t know what happened that night with Miss Reichert’s brother, but I am keeping my ears open. My eyes too.”
“And you will share anything you learn with me?”
“I promise I will, but for now, we must let this lie. Otherwise Father and Spiby will tighten their own security in whatever measures they deem necessary.”
Ella drew a long breath and let it go. “I’ve been such a fool all these years not to know what they are capable of. I knew Jefferson is a womanizer, but nothing more.”
“That’s just as they desired. I doubt Mother knows even a fraction of it. She certainly would have no knowledge of anything underhanded, and while her circle of ladies at church might have their opinions of Jefferson Spiby, they would be careful discussing anything negative for fear it would get back to their husbands.”
“Husbands who are no doubt in debt to your father and former fiancé,” Lizzy threw out.
“No doubt.” Ella couldn’t believe how naïve she’d been. “I feel so bad for Mary. She loved her brother dearly. Losing him was hard on her. I know it would be hard on me to lose you.”
Robert smiled. “I don’t plan for you to lose me, but neither do I want to lose you. For all of our sakes, please be careful and let this matter go . . . for now. God won’t be mocked. The truth will eventually be known.”
“But who else will have to pay before the truth comes out?” Ella asked, shaking her head. “Who else might die at the hands of Jefferson Spiby before someone finally stands up to him and puts him away for good?”
nine
Things were arranged in a different fashion for the New York show. Given the huge venue and the large crowd, Oliver Brookstone felt they needed to go above and beyond. To stretch the show a bit, he and Jason hired a full orchestra to perform between acts. The crowd seemed enthralled.
When it came time for the trick shooting portion of the evening, Mary and Alice came out together and did a variety of simple tricks, with Mary using her rifle and Alice her bow. As the act continued, the tricks grew progressively more difficult, and the performers separated, with Alice continuing while Mary arranged for her riskier numbers. While they had allowed for thei
r shooting competition at the beginning of the show as usual, it had been agreed that they wouldn’t choose someone from the New York audience for Mary to shoot at. The last two performances had nearly been disastrous when the men chosen to assist Mary proved unable or unwilling to obey directions. Jason feared legal ramifications and suggested they use one of the crew. Phillip DeShazer had eagerly volunteered, and so he would be selected from the audience as if he were a complete stranger.
Alice earned a standing ovation as she stood on the back of her horse and shot flaming arrows at a variety of targets. When the targets were hit, the arrows set fire to the structures that had been created in various designs. They quickly lit and burned out, and the crowds loved them.
When Mary came back to the focus of the act, she rode around the oval ring they’d created and fired her rifle at glass balls that Carson and Wes slung high. A special sling was used by each man to get the balls as high in the air as possible. As Mary pushed the horse to go faster and faster, so too were the men required to produce the targets quicker. All the while, Oliver urged the audience to applaud and marvel at her abilities.
“Isn’t she amazing?” he cried out. “Surely no one can best our Mary!”
Despite the distraction, Mary never missed, and after fifty in a row, she slowed the horse and took a bow. The crowd loved her. She gave a wave of her red Stetson and dismounted as Oliver announced that her next tricks would further prove her amazing skills.
“Now our Mary will show you just what a deadeye she truly is. We will choose a volunteer from the audience.”
Hands went up, and many men jumped to their feet as well. Oliver gave Mary a nod, and she did a slow walk, circling the arena. After a careful perusal, she pointed, and Phillip ran out to join her. There were boos from the disappointed gentlemen but cheers overall.
Phillip had donned a fancy suit and hat—both loans from Jason Adler. He looked quite dashing, Mary thought, and beamed him a smile of approval. As she took him to stand in the appropriate place, Oliver announced that she would be putting on a most deadly display.
“Our Mary is going to shoot the buttons off this gentleman’s vest—a feat that requires a very even hand and absolute silence.”
Mary helped Phillip from his coat. “You put the padding beneath your shirt like I suggested, didn’t you?”
“I did.” He grinned. “But I’m betting you could have managed without it.”
“Oh, of course, but it gives you a little extra protection.” She smiled. “Usually I can just clip the buttons off, but I warned Jason that sometimes a bit of material goes with them as well. The padding will make the buttons stand out a bit more, as well as keep you from any accidental injury. The important thing is that you stand absolutely still.”
“You can count on me, Mary. It won’t be the first time I’ve been shot at—but it will be the first time I won’t move a muscle.” He laughed.
She lined him up in front of a custom-made, two-inch thick curtain. The weave was something special that easily absorbed the spent bullets. In the very center was a tightly woven bamboo sheet to offer further protection.
Once Phillip was in place, Mary gave each of the buttons a tug just to make sure they were separated from the vest. Next, she stepped to her place. She carefully laid out her bullets and picked up her rifle.
Oliver cued the orchestra, and they began to play a low hum of strings and muffled snare drums. Mary lowered the lever of her Stevens Crackshot and chambered a round before returning the lever to its original position. She pulled back the hammer just as Oliver silenced the orchestra and asked everyone to be completely still. The arena went quiet.
Mary smiled and drew the rifle to her shoulder. She could have shot those buttons off in a hurricane, but the drama made for more excitement. She took careful aim and fired. The first button popped from the vest, and the audience applauded as she reloaded. The next four buttons followed, and the crowd went wild with cheers and applause. A few gifts of flowers even rained down.
After taking a bow and thanking Phillip for his bravery, Mary did a series of other tricks with targets, using her rifle and her pistol. The crowd was particularly excited when she shot the center out of pennies that Oliver himself threw in the air. He handed these out as souvenirs to various people in the audience.
“Isn’t she wonderful?” Oliver asked as Mary hurried from the arena to change into her fancy dress and jewelry. “Mary’s own dear father, God rest his soul, was once a participant in Buffalo Bill Cody’s show. Mary has long loved performing and learned to shoot practically before she could walk. While we wait for her, I have a special surprise. Our own Gertie is going to sing.”
Mary rushed to the dressing room where Ella stood ready, as did Alice. They helped Mary from her western outfit and into a beautiful mauve silk gown. The Edwardian fashion was the very latest, with a squared neckline and draped ivory lace for sleeves. The body of the dress was long and straight with only the ivory lace to embellish it at the waist. As Alice finished with the buttons up the back, Ella secured a beautiful necklace of paste diamonds and pearls while Mary attached matching earrings onto her lobes. The final task was to style her hair atop her head in a wave of pinned curls.
“Here,” Alice said, handing Mary long ivory gloves.
“Do I look all right?” she asked, pulling them on.
“You’re perfect,” Ella said, fastening a diamond paste bracelet before stepping back with Alice. “Now, go thrill them.”
Mary returned to the arena entrance so Oliver could see that she was ready just as Gertie finished the final refrains of the popular song “A Bird in a Gilded Cage.” Many of the women in the audience were dabbing away tears. The song was always a huge hit.
“Thank you, Gertie,” Oliver said. “That was beautiful and heartwarming all at the same time. Ladies, may you never marry without love.”
The audience applauded once again.
Oliver smiled and allowed a few moments for the din to die down. “And now, ladies and gentlemen, just to show you what a beautiful and talented lady our Mary truly is—she will show you further skill while dressed for a night of elegant dining and dancing. Perhaps you thought her talent was due to her western style of dress, but the most elegant fashion dictates are now observed, and I believe you will be just as impressed.”
The crowd remained silent until Mary stepped forward and the spotlight found her. She glittered and sparkled as she waved and then curtsied deeply, as if she stood before a king or queen. The crowd clapped with wild abandon.
Mary went into her final act, again using Phillip as her target. He held a lit cigar in his mouth for Mary to shoot. Then he stood facing her with a target screen behind him and a bevy of balloons secured around him. Mary took up her rifle and mirror and turned her back to Phillip for her final shots. One by one, she popped the balloons while the audience exclaimed in awe.
Finally, her act was complete, and she exited the arena to wait for the final parade of performers.
“Mary?”
She turned to find Chris emerging from the shadows and felt conflicted. Part of her wanted to smile, and another wanted to snub him. He made it easier on her, however.
“Look, I know I don’t deserve your kindness, but I want to apologize.”
She relaxed a bit. He seemed more like his old self. Ella and the other Roman riders went by as they rode their teams into the arena. The applause momentarily made it impossible to hear anything Chris might have to say.
“I know now is not a good time, but I was hoping you’d let me take you to dinner after the show. I want to talk to you in private.”
Mary nodded. “I’d like that.”
He smiled. “Thank you. And by the way . . . you look beautiful.” He glanced to his right as Jason Adler approached. “Until then.”
He gave Jason a nod and then left without another word. Mary wondered if Chris would finally tell her what was causing his ill temper.
“Mary, you were superb as usu
al,” Jason Adler said. “Do you by any chance know where I can find Wesley?” His tone and expression suggested something was weighing heavy on his mind.
“Is there a problem?” Mary asked.
“I’m afraid so. I’ve had a telegram from the ranch.”
Mary frowned. Telegrams were hardly ever good news. “The Brookstone ranch?”
“Yes. I’m afraid Mrs. Brookstone has had some trouble and needs Wesley’s immediate return.”
“But we’re leaving tonight for England.”
“Yes, I know. It’s all rather inconvenient.” Jason shrugged. “I suppose, however, that Mrs. Brookstone’s needs must come first. Carson and Phillip can surely manage the horses.”
“Yes, I would imagine, but Lizzy can’t be as easily replaced.”
Jason shook his head. “Lizzy wasn’t asked to return. It’s just ranching business, not a personal issue with her mother.”
“Yes, but I don’t know that she’ll see it that way.”
“But her mother insists she continue with the show.” Jason looked momentarily shaken. “And you know the Brookstones have always been firm on the show coming first.”
Mary thought his attitude was strange. “Yes, but I also know Lizzy would do anything for her mother. Not only that, but Wesley won’t be eager to let her go to England without him.”
“I’m sure whatever is going on at the ranch can be cleared up quickly, and then Wesley can rejoin the troupe. I’ll make sure he has a ticket to cross over when he is able to return to New York.” Jason smiled as if that had resolved the entire matter. “It will be harder without him, but I’m sure we’ll manage.”
“Especially when it comes to managing Lizzy.”
“What?” Jason asked, looking surprised.
Mary put her hands on her hips. “I know how you feel about Lizzy. You’ll be glad to have Wes gone so you can work on her feelings, but it will be a waste of time. Lizzy has loved Wes for a great many years.”
Jason smiled. “While I won’t do you the injustice of lying, I will say that my feelings for Elizabeth Brookstone are of no concern to you.”
Wherever You Go Page 9
