January 8
The doorknob rattled and slowly started to turn. Rosemary gasped. "I thought you locked the door!" Dottie went stiff beside her.
"Hurry! Behind the counter." She practically pushed Dottie to the floor. They crawled behind the fixture and hid themselves quickly. Dottie's eyes were as round as saucers, her face ash white. She felt quite peaked herself. A footstep echoed into the room, then another, and another. She could hardly hear over the hammering of her heart. Wait- did the steps stop? She held her breath and listened. Yes, it was quiet. No doubt Kirill or his minion, Mr. Fife, were considering what to do next. Well, she was not going to be a sitting goose. She silently searched through the shelving in front of her, looking for something, anything, to use in defense against the scoundrels. Finally, her eyes rested on a heavy stapler. Not her ideal weapon, but it would work nonetheless. A good knock to the head and he'd be down for the count, at least long enough for them to run for help. She gripped the large stapler. Dottie's eyes widened as she realized her intent. Now they just had to wait it out.
"Rosemary?" The voice came loud and clear from the front of the store. Why that sounded like…Lee?
"Oh, Lee!" She pulled herself to her feet and threw a shaky smile at her hero.
"Why are you girls hiding behind the counter? And what's with the stapler?" He motioned to her uplifted hand, where, sure enough, the stapler was poised for attack. "Rosemary, what's going on?" His face instantly tightened with concern.
"Oh thank goodness it is you, Lee." She held her hand to her chest, her heart pitter-pattering within her chest faster than hummingbird wings. She gently placed the stapler on the counter before moving from behind the counter to his side. "We have had a most eventful morning."
"Is everything okay?" His blue eyes quickly searched hers and then swept over her body and landed on her growing midsection. "This excitement, it isn't good you or for the baby."
"Oh, we are unharmed. I'm just so glad it was you." She rubbed her belly, then gripped his hand and planted it on her midsection, hoping that would diminish the deep concern in his eyes. After waiting a moment, it must have worked, for he sighed deeply and then reached for her hand and locked their fingers together.
"So what is going on?" Lee looked around the store.
"It's just that…well, there is no easy way to say it, there is a huge problem concerning the man you hired for my surprise."
At this Lee's eyes widened and his shoulders visibly sunk. "You know about your surprise?"
"That's beside the point. The fact of the matter is Kirill is a full out scoundrel! He's come to town to demonize Dottie for one of Silas's past debts."
"What?" Lee's eyes roamed over to Dottie. She came around the counter to stand with them.
"It is true. I thought I had just imagined it all, but a man Rosemary has identified as Kirill, has been following me. I also have some money and a few documents that are missing recently. Not to mention a threatening note." Dottie's voice shook.
Lee rubbed a hand over his lightly whiskered jaw. "I can't believe this. I was so desperate for help I bypassed the whole screening process when a fellow businessman out of Cape Fullerton recommended the man. I knew he was a bit rough around the edges but never imagined he was a criminal. Does Bill know? Or Jack? He's still in town for another day or so, right?"
"You walked in just as we were going to report it." She relinked arms with Dottie. Lee opened the door and ushered the two women out, his hand soft against the small of her back.
"I still don't understand how you know Kirill, but I guess that is besides the point. Let's find Bill right away."
Rosemary lifted her skirt, willing the dust from Main Street to settle. Yes, they had a tragedy at hand, but she didn't plan to arrive at the Northwest Mounted Police Station with her newest maternity skirt soiled. She lifted her eyes. There they were; the motley crew. Bill was sitting on the porch talking with Jack, who was sitting on the porch steps petting a napping Rip.
"Bill, Jack, we have a matter that we must discuss with you," Her voice perked them up out of their revere. Even Rip raised his weary head at the urgency in her voice.
Lee was at her left hand. "Let me handle this, Rosie."
"Bill, Jack." Lee reached out to shake their hands. "Mind if we come inside?"
"After you." Bill stood and held the door open as all three of them walked in.
She patted Dottie's arm- still linked with her own. It would take a large amount of courage for Dottie to get through this ordeal. The poor dear. She wouldn't leave her side until that horrid man was apprehended.
They proceeded to the sheriff's desk. Bill shuffled by them and sat on the edge of the sheriff's desk. He was the acting sheriff in Jack's absence and it looked as if he was handling the case today. She looked over her shoulder. Jack had followed them in. Good, they might need him.
"What kind of crime have you all committed today?" He teased dryly.
Honestly? The man was going to attempt humor at a time like this? She would set him straight.
"Mr. Avery—"
"Ah, Bill—" Lee gently placed his hand on her arm and approached the desk, "We have quite a serious situation for you. It seems a man who recently came under my personal employment is not as reputable as I imagined. Mrs. Ramsey here has a few troubling events she needs to speak with you about."
Lee didn't expect her to just sit by, did he? She helped puzzle this predicament together, and by golly, she was going to have a say in it. She felt Lee watching her from the corner of her eye. He cleared his throat.
"Mrs. Ramsey?" He gestured towards Dottie, signaling her it was her turn.
Bill whipped out a notepad and pencil from his front vest pocket. "Okay, Mrs. Ramsey, what event have you come to report?"
Dottie hesitated.
She elbowed her gently. "Go on, Dottie."
"Oh, umm… well, since Tuesday I have had a few odd things happen. Three of the occurrences could be considered crimes, but to be honest I can't confirm who the guilty party is. I just have speculation." Dottie addressed Bill.
"Okay let's start with the crimes. What occurred and when?" Bill's pencil was poised above the paper.
"Tuesday, I noticed our rent payment for the shop was missing. I had placed it on my entryway console in the morning and was planning to hand it in that afternoon." Dottie's cheeks blushed.
"So you found it missing that afternoon?" Bill looked at Dottie.
Dottie paused for a moment too long. Someone had to answer his question. It may as well be her.
"Yes, Tuesday afternoon."
Bill glared at her over the notepad, then turned his attention back to Dottie. "Is that right, Mrs. Ramsey?"
"Yes about 3 p.m. At first I thought perhaps in my emotional state I had misplaced it, but I am sure I left it there." Dottie clenched her hands nervously.
"Yes, it was there all right. I handed in my half to her the morning before." Again, Rosemary piped in without being asked. But who could blame her? She did want to be helpful, did she not?
"Okay, thank you, Mrs. Coulter." Bill looked perturbed but continued anyway. "Mrs. Ramsey, were the doors locked? Windows? Everything locked up tight?"
"Yes, since Silas' death I have always been a bit paranoid like that."
"That's a good thing." Bill nodded. "Okay, and what was the second crime?"
"Go ahead, tell him, Dottie." She urged her friend.
"Mrs. Coulter, please." This time Bill truly did roll his eyes.
"On Wednesday, I noticed my document for the deed of the house was missing. Now I did not know when I last saw it, probably at least six months to a year ago. I, again, usually keep my files locked up, so the lock was recently pried open. I know it had not been trifled with before Monday. That is when I logged my payment in my business book, inserted it into the files, and locked it."
"I hate to say it, Mrs. Ramsey, but both of these crimes could have been avoided if you had your money and your documents in the bank." Bill tapped the pencil on the notepad.
Dottie nodded. "It's just I don't feel safe with it in the bank because of my husband's less than honorable business deals. I didn't want an old accomplice or enemy of Silas' coming into town and cleaning out my life savings."
"That's understandable." Lee chimed in.
"But that's not all." She stepped forward. "Dottie, tell him about the license."
"This is the third crime?" Bill jotted in his notepad.
"Yes." Dottie turned towards her, as if searching for encouragement.
She smiled. "You are doing great."
Dottie nodded. Then continued. "In the same cabinet I keep my personal files, I also keep my business file. When I noticed the house deed was gone, I looked through my business file and sure enough our business license is missing."
Bill scribbled on the notepad.
She couldn't refrain herself. She leaned forward into Bill's line of sight. "Did you get that? It's our business license. Someone is trying to get away with not only stealing money but also weaseling into our business!"
Bill looked up from the notepad, not even trying to mask the irritation in his eyes. "Yes, Mrs. Coulter. I got that." He turned back to Dottie. "I presume the business license has both your names on it?"
Both she and Dottie nodded. "Yes."
"It should not be easy for the crook to weasel into your business affairs in a town this size, with two well known, and reputable ladies, such as yourselves. Jenkins would never allow access to your business account from someone he did not know, even if the man had a license in hand. The same for any orders from the mercantile."
Instead of relief, she waited for the other shoe to drop. There had to be more he wasn't telling them. Sure enough, Bill cleared his throat. She tried to swallow the dread that was rising in her throat.
"But it could be a problem if he tries to access the business account through a bank in a larger town, or if he makes a substantial order in a different town using the credit of the business and the information provided on the license."
"He could do that?" Dottie's hand went to her throat.
"It is a possibility."
"Well, what are we waiting for? Let's go round up the scoundrel immediately, before he gets away with all our hard-earned savings, not to mention the reputation of our business." She couldn't believe Bill was still just standing there.
"Is there anything else, Mrs. Ramsey?" Bill's voice was irritated, but not for the right reason. Wasn't a sheriff supposed to be annoyed at the perpetrator, not the victims? How did this man ever qualify for sheriff?
"Umm, yes, I have a few other items pertinent to this case." Dottie continued. "Earlier this week, I was alone at the shop and saw in my mirror a reflection of a man peering into the store. It about scared me out of my wits."
"Are you sure he was not just checking out your store, Mrs. Ramsey? Maybe he wanted to buy a dress for the misses?"
"Now, Bill." Lee stepped forward and placed a hand on her back in support.
"Oh Mr. Avery, do you think we are as simple minded as that! Honestly." She felt the ire rising in her chest. What this town needed was a true blue sheriff. Someone they could count on. But wait! There was one more police officer present. She searched him out. There he was, by the stove. "Jack, tell me you can do something about this preposterous situation. Immediately. Every minute we wait is a moment he could be getting away with our livelihood."
Jack pushed off the wall next to the stove and tapped his foot. His eyes were on the floor. Slowly, his eyes lifted up to meet hers.
"Rosemary, we need to get the facts before we do anything rash. I do agree that this whole situation does sound quite suspicious, given the other details you have provided." Then he turned to Dottie. "Can you give us a description?" Jack inquired.
"Well, the man I saw was well built, probably 6 feet tall, blonde, with some stubble on his jaw." Dottie explained.
She nodded her agreement to Dottie's assessment, then remembered the one thing that would definitely help them identify Kirill. "Don't forget the scar."
"Oh yes, he had a long scar on his cheek. Overall, he was quite rough looking."
"Does this sound like the man who is in your employment?" Bill sent a questioning look toward Lee.
Lee somberly nodded. "Fits him to a tee."
Although her husband looked as if he regretted his choice of worker, she on the other hand, felt excitement rise in her chest. Now they were getting somewhere. "And his assistant, this Mr. Fife, was well built although not as tall as his boss. He had dark hair, I'd say a deep chestnut brown. Or was it more nutmeg brown?"
Bill raised his eyebrow.
"Anyway, his face was dotted with all types of pokey whiskers as of the man hadn't shaved for a week! He had a lumberjack shirt on and oh, these horrid old clunky boots and—
"That will do, Mrs. Coulter."
"I was just going to say I believe his eyes were an emerald green, no perhaps more of a hazel—"
Bill cleared his throat loudly.
"Okay, okay." She lifted her palms up in surrender and took a step back. Goodness, she was only trying to help.
"Did you get all that, Bill?" Jack turned to the sheriff and did he wink? Oh, now Jack was making fun of her, too.
"Yep." Bill scrawled on the notepad and then flipped the page.
Dottie rummaged through her satchel and then extended the note in her hand. "Here is the note I found on my door yesterday evening."
"A threat." She nodded. It was about time the men take them seriously. They should have started by showing them that.
"Now we're talking. Some hard evidence." Bill reached for the note. She wished Dottie would have withheld it from him until she had more time to elaborate on Mr. Fife's appearance, this time uninterrupted. His hair was more of a nutmeg brown now that she had time to think on it.
The men gathered around the read the note as the ladies waited. They stood there in silence. For far too long.
"So what are we to do?" Try as she might, she couldn't keep the frustration out of her voice. It was way past time for some action.
Bill turned the note over, and then sighed. "Well, I honestly can't do much. I can send a spy on his tail. I can take him in for questioning."
"That's it?" She couldn't believe it.
"Now, Rosemary." Lee gave her a look that said "I'm impatient too, but let's try to be courteous here." She shrugged her shoulders. He sighed.
Jack sighed and picked up his hat. "I'm afraid so, Rosemary. It's about all we can do right now. I'll ride out and take a look."
"We'd appreciate it." Lee smiled, but she couldn't bring a trace of a smile to her lips. She bit her nail. There just had to be a better way to nab the thief.
"But what if he is not forward with the truth? What will you do? He won't be allowed to go free will he?" Her eyes pleaded with Jack's.
"Rosie—"
"Mrs. Coulter, unless he confesses to a crime, or is found with one of the items in question, we can't arrest him, not until he does something illegal and is caught in the act." Bill chimed in from the desk, but he was not the one she wanted to talk with. Her eyes roamed Jack's serious eyes. He merely nodded his agreement to Bill's statement.
"But—he'll notice the police on his tail and high tail it out of town, with our money, Dottie's deed, and our license to boot. We are just to stand around while he steals our livelihood from us?"
"I'll search him, question him too." Jack turned towards the group as he buttoned his red serge jacket. "There will be no way he will be allowed to leave town if I even suspect he is withholding information."
Rosemary nodded. Well, at least there was a hint of confidence from the town's authority.
Bill pushed himself up from the desk he was leaning back on. "If he's a full out scoundrel, as you seem to believe, he will not be forthcoming with the information we need. It may take us some time to get to the bottom of this. The best thing to secure his arrest would be a witness. If only someone could testify against this man's reputation. It would have to be someone who knows who this man is and has evidence against him."
"But who would be able to do that? No one in this town even knows Kirill." Lee shrugged.
The five of them stood together quietly. If only there was someone who could testify against this man's character. But who?
A throat cleared from within the jail cell. She shifted her eyes that direction, along with everyone else in the room. Until this moment, no one had noticed someone occupied the jail cell.
"I'll tell you what I know. It's enough to get the fool behind bars." The scratchy voice came from the shadows. They all watched as the one who could put this case to rest came forward. It was none other than the one man they couldn't, no, wouldn't trust… Henry Gowen was back in town.