Chapter Nine
Monk shifted in his chair and surveyed the altered surroundings. Designed for one attorney and possibly a clerk, the original office had been crowded before Rafe had joined. In addition to the three lawyers using it on a daily basis, State Representative Alex Tremont—another of Grandpa’s grandchildren—used this as his office when he was in town.
This was Monk’s first time in the law office’s new conference room. When the shop next door to the office closed several months ago, the lawyers bought the building and enlarged their crowded space. Whoever designed the changes had done an excellent job. He suspected Sarah and Gabe’s wife, Katie, had supervised the decorating.
He was surprised to see the two Ainsworth brothers in the room. Though the men were less than sharp, they had helped solve a crime involving the bank. The two did errands all over town and saw a lot more than most folks realized.
Also present were Nate, Drake, Storm, Gabe, Rafe, Grandpa, Deputy James Mitchum, and Deputy Bob Winfield.
Panting, Sheriff Bill McAfee arrived wiping his face with a handkerchief. “Sorry to keep you waiting. Fox got into Mrs. Shoemaker’s hen house. Told her I couldn’t arrest a fox. Repaired a hole in the enclosure the fox had used.” He sat at the conference table.
Grandpa chuckled. “You’re a good man, McAfee. I hope she appreciated your work.”
Bill shook his head. “Naw, she’s still mad at the fox that killed some of her hens. Her anger spilled over onto me.” He waved his hand. “Anyway, let’s figure out how we’re going to catch this killer who’s about to arrive in Kincaid Springs.”
Grandpa went over each point they knew. “This man who’s coming won’t knock on the door and introduce himself. We have to figure a way to keep on the lookout.” He nodded toward the Ainsworth brothers. “Burris and Willard go all over town. They see a lot more than most people realize.”
Willard puffed out his chest. “We’ll sure tell His Honor or the sheriff if’n we see a stranger lurking.”
Burris nodded. “We sees a lot every day. We just don’t tell no one unless His Honor or the sheriff ask us.”
Monk wondered what they saw that they thought was worth keeping a secret. “This man will likely be dressed differently than men dress here. That will make him stand out.”
Nate laid his hands on the table, palms down. “We can’t count on that, though. If he’s clever, he’ll get western clothes before he gets here.”
Rafe leaned back in his chair. “Dudley should be here.”
Grandpa looked at his nephew. “He’s keeping guard at the house in case trouble arrives early. I haven’t told the ladies yet, but I’ll alert them tomorrow. Just hearing Downum’s name—he’s the man who sent this person to settle with Betsie—scared Fiona. She’s a strong woman but I thought she was going to faint. Fiona believes this Downum is responsible for the death of her first husband, Finn Galloway.”
Nate stood and paced. “Clearly, whoever is on his way means trouble. He must know by now that Betsie is staying with Grandpa and Fiona.”
Monk said, “I only hope the man didn’t get the information by hurting Mrs. Murphy, the neighbor who helped Betsie. I wouldn’t put it past him.”
Grandpa splayed his hands. “I reckon this man is going to try getting her from my house. Dudley’s a big help but he’s just one man. I’d appreciate it, Rafe, if you’d stay with us until this is over. Monk, you could do the same if you don’t mind leaving your house.”
Monk met Grandpa’s gaze. “I’ll say I’m making some repairs. Truthfully, I’ve thought of having a gazebo built and another room added, a solarium.”
“Good. We’re on the same page then. We can take turns keeping watch. I don’t think this will last long. He has to get Betsie and get out of town as fast as he can. He may try to get Liam too.”
Monk’s blood turned to ice at the thought of Betsie and Liam in a monster’s clutches. Before he thought, he said, “He’d have to kill me first.”
Everyone present stared at him.
He gave a wave of his hand. “I know he would without blinking an eye, but I think we can prevent that.”
Grandpa nodded. “We’re sure gonna try. Willard and Burris will report to me or the sheriff if they see anyone suspicious. Bill has alerted the stationmaster and Novak at the mercantile. Swore them to secrecy.”
He shook his head. “With Novak that’s not a promise. Man has a leaky mouth. I asked Abe to lookout for someone stealing food from Granny’s Kitchen.”
Drake pointed his thumb at Storm and then at himself. “You need us to stay in town?”
Grandpa rubbed his chin. “I’d feel better but that would attract a lot of attention. Also, you have to protect your own families in case the henchman wants to use someone else to draw out Betsie.”
Drake crossed his arms over his chest. “He’d better not try messing with my family.”
Storm matched Drake’s pose. “Or mine, but we have people at our ranches to help.”
The sheriff stood and indicated his two deputies. “We three will patrol frequently, not that a smart crook would let us catch sight of him. You never know, though. Crooks are sometimes not too bright. The rest of you keep your eyes open and report anything suspicious.”
The group disbanded.
Monk went to the bank. He knew a builder and sent him a note to please stop by his office. Meanwhile, he drew out what he wanted—a gazebo for Betsie and a solarium where Liam could play in cold weather. He hoped he wasn’t getting ahead of himself.
At closing time, he went home. His housekeeper, Aricello Lopez, was there.
“I’m going to be staying at Judge Kincaid’s home while I have some alterations made here. I want a solarium built on to the house and a gazebo. Mr. Hendrix is going to do the construction. I don’t expect you to clean with that going on. I’ll still pay you, of course.”
She eyed him up and down, her black eyes snapping. “If you pay, I clean. I don’t take charity.”
“It wouldn’t be charity, Mrs. Lopez, but do as you wish.” He figured she would anyway. “Did the soiled suit come clean?”
“Yes, but with much trouble. You have been baptized by a child now, eh?”
“Afraid so. He’s a nice boy, though. Not his fault I fed him too much. I don’t know much about children.”
She giggled. “You’re learning.”
He gathered the clothing he’d need and packed it into a bag. Just in case he was there a long time, he stuck in a pair of black twill pants and a black shirt. Should he include his boots or just his dress shoes? He included them. When he saw the book he’d been reading, he laid it on his clothes and closed the bulging case. Hating to leave his home but eager to see Betsie again, he set out for Grandpa’s.
As he trudged up the walk, Rafe hailed him. He waited until the other man caught up with him. They rang the bell and Mrs. Peacock answered.
“Come in, gentlemen. Supper is in half an hour. In the meantime, I’ll show you to your rooms. If you need anything, just let me know.”
They followed her up to the second floor and down a hallway.
She opened a door. “Mr. Rafe, you’re in here.”
Moving to the next room, she did the same. “Mr. Monk, this is where you’ll stay.”
Wondering how long he’d be here, Monk unpacked. He hung his suits in the armoire and put the other clothing items in drawers of the large chest. Boots were tucked at the bottom of the armoire. When the book was set on the bedside table, he decided to go downstairs.
Betsie sat on the couch with Liam beside her. Fiona was on Liam’s other side.
When Liam saw Monk, the boy hopped off the couch and launched himself at him. “Monk, you’re going to live here now?”
He caught the boy and swung him up into his arms and onto his shoulder. “For a little while.”
Liam laughed. “Look, Ma and Grandma. I’m up high.”
When Monk set the boy down, Liam asked, “Are we gonna play ball again?”
“I have an uncle?” He looked at his mother. “Did you know that, Ma?”
“Yes, son, you have several uncles and aunts.” She smiled and pointed at the stairs. “Here comes your… let’s see, Rafe. I suppose you’re a cousin.”
Rafe sauntered into the room. “Guess Gabe and I are Liam’s cousins at that. Get’s complicated, doesn’t it?”
Fiona patted Betsie’s hand. “What’s important is that we’re all family.”
After supper, Liam sat with the adults until his bedtime.
Betsie took his hand. “Time for you and Rover to get to bed.”
Fiona looked at her daughter. “Come back down when you’ve tucked in Liam.”
Twenty minutes later, Betsie returned to the room.
Fiona looked at her husband. “All right, Rob, now tell Betsie and me what’s going on that you’ve been hiding.”
He glanced at Monk and Rafe then directed his gaze to Fiona. “We’ve had word that someone is coming to town to get Betsie.”
Both women gasped.
Betsie started crying. “I’ve brought more trouble to your door. I’m so sorry.”
Fiona leaped to her feet. “Were you going to keep us in the dark with so much danger?”
Grandpa held up his hand. “Now, both of you stop and let me finish. This is why we hadn’t said anything yet. I was going to tell you tomorrow after breakfast.”
Fiona returned to her seat on the couch. “Tell us now.”
“We know from a man in Memphis when the man left and figure he can’t be here before tomorrow or the next day. That’s why Rafe and Monk are here. They’ve made it known around town they have reasons. Monk is building on to his house and Rafe is having his rooms over the law office painted and the smell of paint makes him sick.”
Monk took advantage of a pause. “We’ve talked over the situation. Bill and his deputies, the Ainsworth brothers, and the Kincaids are all keeping watch. Grandpa talked to Dudley. Bill talked to the stationmaster, Abe at Granny’s Kitchen, and Marcus Novak at the mercantile but swore them to secrecy. If a stranger shows his face in town, we’ll know.”
Rafe stretched out his legs and crossed them at the ankles. “You may think the Ainsworths are dumb, but they’re canny. They see a lot and are all over town several times a day. No one pays them any attention and they see and hear plenty. Nate tells me they saved an innocent man going to jail.”
Betsie dabbed a handkerchief at her tears. “I’m sorry I’m the cause of all this. I had to protect my son and simply didn’t know where else to turn.”
Grandpa sent her a soothing gaze. “Now, Betsie, this isn’t your fault. I’m glad you and Liam are here where we can protect you and catch this man. Leave everything to us. You and Liam spend your time in the house for a few days until we capture him. We don’t intend to let you down.”
She looked at her mother. “Mam, I hope they haven’t hurt or threatened Mrs. Murphy to learn where I’ve gone.”
Fiona paled even more. “I hope so, too. She’s been a dear friend to Betsie and me for many years. We each moved into our homes at almost the same time.”
Grandpa looked at his wife. “Now, Fiona my love, don’t worry. Maybe this man who telegraphed the information could check on her.”
Monk nodded. “I can wire him tomorrow. He’s a nice enough man and not likely to frighten your friend when he calls on her.”
Fiona smiled at him, but her eyes still held worry. “Thank you, Michael. I’ll feel a lot better if you do that for me.”
Monk wanted to believe they’d prepared for any eventuality. He’d been around criminals too long to think this would be simple. He sent up a silent prayer.
Chapter Ten
Breakfast was a solemn meal. Rafe and Grandpa tried to keep conversation going but without much success. Monk was contemplating the threat to Betsie and Liam and possibly to others here.
Grandpa laid his hands palm down on the table. “Rafe is going to stay here today. Dudley is patrolling outside. I’ll be in my study working on some things. We’ll all be listening for strange noises or intruders. You ladies go about your business but stay in the house.”
Rafe set down his coffee cup. “I’ll be downstairs but have work that must be done. I’ll be using one end of the dining table. Pretend I’m not here.”
Monk straightened his napkin. “I’ll go to the bank for the day as if everything is normal. This evening, I’ll stay awake until two and then Rafe will take over. We intend for one of us to be awake and on watch all the time. Obviously, Dudley has to have rest and can’t stay awake all the time. He said he’s a light sleeper. Deputies will include the house on their rounds.”
Fiona wrung her hands. “This is reassuring and I know you’re doing everything you can to protect Betsie and Liam. I warn you Pete Downum will send someone deadly.”
Monk sent Betsie what he hoped was reassurance. “We’ll try to end this matter without bloodshed.” He stopped at Liam’s high chair and laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Be extra good for Ma today and I’ll see you after work. Bye.”
“I’ll be a big boy. Bye, Monk.”
Monk wanted to hold Betsie and comfort her. Instead, he forced himself to walk away. On the way to the bank, he mulled over his growing attraction for her. He didn’t deserve a woman like her, but he was determined to try and win her heart. He already thought of her and Liam as his family.
At noon, he went to Granny’s Kitchen for lunch. He sat at a table with Gabe and Nate. He passed Nate a note requesting he send the wire and included Mrs. Murphy’s address.
Nate read the note then put it into his jacket pocket before he spoke louder than usual, “Hear you’re building on to your house.”
“Hendrix started this morning. Couldn’t bear to be around the mess so I’m staying with the Judge until the work is finished. Shouldn’t take long.”
Gabe asked, “What are you having done?”
“Adding on a room at the back, a solarium. Also having a gazebo built like the one at the Judge’s. I sure like that style and also the swing.”
Gabe nodded and chewed a bite of ham. “You planting flowers around it?”
“Plan to add roses and honeysuckle.” Monk chuckled. “Might take a few years before they look like those at the Judge’s. I plan to be in that house the rest of my life, so guess there’s no hurry.”
Abe stopped by. “Heard Rafe is at the Judge’s too.”
Gabe looked up. “The smell of paint fumes makes him sick. He’s staying there until Mick Adair has finished painting the rooms over the office and the fumes have dissipated. Smell doesn’t bother me.”
Abe shook his head. “I sure don’t like to be around that odor. Makes me want to throw up.”
Gabe raised his eyebrows. “Rafe gets all stopped up and has trouble breathing. When Adair is through painting, I’ll have to go up and open all the windows for a day or two.”
Abe patted Gabe on the shoulder. “Lucky the Judge has so much room.”
Monk nodded. “You have that right. Otherwise, we’d be staying in the hotel and miss out on those great suppers Polly cooks.” Since Granny’s Kitchen only served breakfast and lunch, he was in no danger of insulting the food served here.
***
Betsie paced the playroom where Liam napped. Her chest hurt so much she could hardly take a breath. Every sound set her searching. How long could she live under this threat?
What could she have done differently? She couldn’t consent to work in a brothel. What would happen to her son?
But, what would happen to her mam and to Grandpa? To the other Kincaids and to the staff? They must hate her and she wouldn’t blame them.
Trembling seized her. She curled up on the other child-sized bed. Though the weather was warm, she was free
zing. She pulled up the blanket at the foot of the bed.
Fiona came into the room and sat in the rocker. “Dear, go lie down in your room. I’ll watch over Liam. Rafe and Himself are downstairs and Dudley is also around.”
She grasped handfuls of the sheet. “I’d rather be here with Liam but I’m exhausted. I hardly slept last night. Mam, what have I done?” She buried her face in the pillow.
“You’ve done nothing to bring this on so stop feeling guilty. I thank the Lord that you came here. You’re not alone now, my dear. We’ll face this together, all of us, and the man will be caught.”
Betsie wasn’t so sure things would turn out well. At least, the presence of her mam always comforted her. She pretended to fall asleep but sleep wouldn’t come.
She knew Downum would send a horrid man to collect her. What must Monk think of her? She’d been so hopeful he was growing fond of her and Liam. By now, all chance of that relationship growing was probably destroyed.
What bank president could afford to mix with the object of a criminal? Even though marrying the wrong man was her only part in this, people would see her as responsible. That was human nature. She was tainted by association.
She must have drifted to sleep. The next thing she knew, she heard low voices. When she turned her head, Monk and Liam sat on the floor with a checker board between them. Instead of a suit, Monk wore a pair of work pants and shirt, all black.
Raising up on her elbow, she uncurled her legs and pushed aside the blanket. Her hand went to straighten her hair. “Goodness, it must be near supper time.
Monk caught her eye and smiled. “Close.”
Liam said, “Look, Ma, Monk’s playing with me. We were playing a quiet game so you could sleep.” He pointed to the checkers. “See, I won.”
“Congratulations. Have you been playing this game long?”
Monk met her gaze. “Not long. I’m teaching Liam to play checkers. Good way to learn strategy and planning. He’s a good pupil.”
“It’s lots of fun. Monk knows other games, too. He said he’ll teach me.”
“Thank you, Monk. Grandpa said you have a lot of patience.”
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