Mrs. Adams reached over and squeezed Eliza’s hand. “It’s all right, dear. Grief is a difficult path to navigate.”
Eliza blinked rapidly. She wouldnotcry over breakfast, even if her hostess’s kind understanding warmed her hurting heart. “If you don’t mind, I am going to meet Deborah in a short while. Might I take something to eat on the way? And I know it’s a great imposition, but I was hoping to pack a lunch as well.”
Mrs. Adams stood and laid her napkin down. “It’s not a problem. You grab what you want. Louise was gracious enough to pack a lunch for several people this morning when Devin arrived and said you would be gone all day.” She turned to her eldest. “Louise, dear, please fetch the basket.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Adams.” Eliza picked up the cloth napkin from her place at the table and opened it up. Inside, she placed two biscuits, cut them open and slathered them with butter and jam, put them back together like little sandwiches, and then wrapped them all up. She turned to Devin as Mrs. Adams and Louise came from the kitchen. “Are you ready?” She peered up into his blue eyes.
“Whenever you are.” His grin broadened.
Eliza felt her stomach twist, and she pressed a hand to her middle. What wasthat?
Louise broke the moment as she handed the basket to Devin and fluttered her eyelashes as she smiled. “It was so nice to chat with you this morning, Mr. Schmitt.”
He dipped his chin at her. “My pleasure.”
“Thank you.” Eliza aimed the appreciation at Louise, but the young lady had eyes for no one...
... but Devin.
THURSDAY, JULY13, 1916•JENSEN
The newspaper crinkled as she folded it in half. She tossed it on the table and picked up her coffee cup. Taking a drink, she relished the warm liquid sliding down her throat. It was almost as satisfying as the headline she’d just read.
Vandals and Thieves Play Havoc at Carnegie Quarry!
At least someone else had taken up her cause to stop the work at the quarry. This would help her a great deal. Now, if she only knew who it was, she could meet with them and perhaps join forces.
No. That was too risky.
But it was good to know that others wanted the work stopped as well. Who cared about the motivation, as long as it slowed down those fossil hunters?
The descriptions in the paper had portrayed a mess.
As she sipped her coffee, she rolled around the words the vandals had used.
Maybe she could use some of the same verbiage. That way, the other party would know someone else believed intheircause. Which just might stir them up some more.
Adding a bit of fuel to the fire couldn’t hurt, especially if it played out in her favor.
According to the article, cleanup was supposed to take at least a week. That gave her a bit of extra time, now, didn’t it? Movement in the back of the house told her it was her moment of opportunity.
She went to the stove and added the arsenic to the pot. All of it this time. For over a week, she’d been testing it in small amounts, enjoying the suffering it caused.
“I’ve told you not to touch my newspaper!” Her husband growled as he stomped up to the table and snatched it from in front of her plate. He wobbled a bit, and his face was pale and gaunt.
“Still not feeling well, dear?” She fetched his breakfast that she’d kept warm on the stove.
“No. And I’ll ask you to keep your mouth shut and let me eat in peace.” He plopped into the chair and grabbed the fork from her hand.
She clamped her lips tight. This would be the last time he ever told her to keep her mouth shut. As she poured him a cup of coffee, she smiled and sat back down in her chair.
How had she ever thought he was the love of her life all those years ago? What a fool she’d been. He’d done a fine job of wooing her and acting one way, then turning into a different person as soon as they came home from the church.
He sipped his coffee, ate his breakfast, and read his paper.
She stood and went to grab her bonnet.
“Where are you going?”
