Chapter 8 – Things that go Plunk in the Night

Ginny took her time getting ready for her lunch with Temperance Mueller. Arthur had several daytime dresses made for her, and she chose the light brown one with the rust colored lace around the throat. The carriage had returned from taking Bret to the brewery, and she arrived at the Mueller house right on time. Unfortunately, Temperance was running late and Ginny waited almost an hour for her past their scheduled lunch date.

She passed the time in the Mueller stable with the horses. Right now Ginny wanted nothing more than to put on familiar clothes and get on a horse. This 'get-up', as she called the clothes Arthur had provided her with, was driving her as close to distraction as she had ever come. Just as she was about to take the carriage back to the hotel, Temperance drove up in the buggy, profoundly sorry and full of apologies. She didn't tell Ginny where she was or why she'd been delayed, and Ginny didn't ask.

They drove into town and went to have lunch at the Chase Park Plaza Hotel. They'd just ordered their food when Bret and Quinn Redicker appeared, Adolph Busch also being unintentionally delayed when the Busch family doctor was late arriving at the house. The company owner and president sent his brewery manager off with the 'Pinkerton Detective' so that he could catch up on what he'd missed this morning and spend the afternoon with Bret. The new 'bridegroom' joined his 'bride' and Mrs. Mueller and quickly placed their lunch order. Bret kissed Ginny and she flirted shamelessly with her new 'husband' – it was the most fun she'd had all morning, and they bantered back and forth as newlyweds might.

"And what have you done today, my lovely wife?" Bret teased.

"She got stuck waiting for me to get home and pick her up," Temperance explained. "Probably expected a home-cooked meal and got shuffled off to this overpriced place instead. I'm sorry, Virginia, if we try again tomorrow, I promise I'll be home on time. Do you have plans?"

"She does, Mrs. Mueller – with me." Bret jumped in to rescue Ginny and she was eternally grateful. She found his hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. Two days in a row with Temperance Mueller would try anyone's patience.

"Well, I certainly understand that. Perhaps we can make it later in the week? I'd really like you to see what I've gotten involved with." There was almost a pleading tone in Temperance's voice.

"That would be most agreeable, Temperance. Thursday or Friday? I can ride over to your place. I really need to get outdoors," Ginny answered her.

"Adolph would be happy to provide us with horses, Ginny, if that's what you want to do."

"I'd love to, darling. I do want to see Adolph's beautiful grounds. Do you think we could do that tomorrow? I'm so tired of being cooped up inside."

Bret nodded. "I'll ask him when we get back to the brewery. I can't imagine it will be a problem."

Lunch arrived, and everyone dug into their food. By the time they were finished, Bret and Ginny had learned that Quinn and his wife Irene had raised three grown sons, one of whom was employed at the brewery. A second was in college, and the third worked for his father at the ranch.

Temperance and Holden had a daughter named Helena, who was married with a child on the way, and Temperance was looking forward to becoming a grandmother at long last.

Quinn grabbed the check and paid for lunch, while Ginny decided to walk back to the hotel, which was only a block away. Bret accompanied her back there, to make sure she arrived safely, and then Quinn picked him up at the Union Plaza. Temperance drove home and the men returned to the brewery, where they were met by Adolph and Sherman Caulfield. The remainder of the afternoon was spent in one meeting after another, with Bret introduced to so many different people that he couldn't keep track of all the names.

By the time he returned to the hotel it had been decided that, due to the non-stop afternoon and the late lunch, dinner would be a peaceful, private meal in the Union Plaza dining room. Bart still wasn't back from John McGinley's, and Bret wanted to wait for him before they made any further plans for the evening.

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It had been another exhausting day, this one emotionally rather than physically, and Bart wanted nothing more than a quiet dinner and an early night. It seemed like there was always something that reminded him of Caroline when he was least expecting it.

The suite was deserted and he was more than happy to find it that way. Maybe if he lay down for a while the ache in his head would go away, and he could stop thinking of his dead wife. He was sound asleep by the time Ginny and Bret came back and he didn't hear them until they started discussing Temperance and the odd figure she presented. Both agreed it was a good idea to investigate her background and find out as much as possible about what kind of a business or enterprise she seemed to be currently involved with.

Bart emerged from the bedroom rubbing the sleep from his eyes and found them playing a game of poker. "When did you get back?" Bret asked him.

Bart pulled out his watch and looked at it. "Over an hour ago. Have you eaten supper yet?"

"Nope. We were havin' coffee downstairs. They've got this funny little thing they call a 'coffee shop' on the other side of the dinin' room. They serve coffee and tea and pastries all day long. You'll love it."

"In the mood for supper?" Bart asked Ginny.

"You bet I am. Bret?"

"Not really, but I'll go with the two of you. We can compare notes on today and see what conclusions we've come to."

Bart stopped in his tracks and looked at his brother. "Wait, you're not hungry? Since when? Are you feelin' alright?"

"I'm all right, I'm just not hungry. Come on, I'll show you this 'coffee shop.' "

They were on their way downstairs when a bellhop came running after them. "Mr. Maverick, Mr. Maverick!" Bret and Bart both turned around and answered, "Yes?"

"Mr. Bret Maverick?"

"I'm Bret Maverick."

"I have an urgent message for you from Adolphus Busch. Sign here, please." Bret signed for the message and Bart tipped the bellhop. Bret read the note and handed it to Bart, who in turn gave it to Ginny. The note read, 'Please come immediately to the Busch home. Temperance Mueller is dead.'