AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’re going to pay a visit to an old friend of yours.”
“Sam, I’m not even certain Stella was involved with Mr. Hendrickson’s death.”
As he turned them toward the shoreline of Lake Michigan, he said, “Fair enough. So let’s have it. No more secrets, Ivy. Tell me everything you know.”
“I’m not sure if it’s even connected,” she whispered against his cheek, not wanting her voice to be heard, but in the process sent a little shiver of delight down his spine.
“Let me be the judge of that.”
“A few weeks before that night, Stella drew me aside. Apparently Mr. Hendrickson had taken his dissatisfaction with me to his mother.”
“His dissatisfaction? You mean because you refused to sleep with him?”
“Aye. You see, the staff falls under Stella’s charge. It was her duty to reprimand my behavior.” She paused. “Which she did.”
“Let me get this straight. You were reprimanded for not sleeping with the boss’s son?”
Ivy only nodded in reply.
“Christ.” He couldn’t control the muttered curse. Even that was far tamer than how he was feeling inside. He had a good mind to reveal those folks for who they truly were.
“I was informed that if I cared to keep me position, I’d heed to all of Mr. Hendrickson’s needs. All of his needs. She then threatened if I left and took me accusations with me, she’d deny all allegations and ensure I’d not find any decent position within the city.”
Sam fisted his hands around the leather reins, the only part of him unable to hold back the rage boiling angrily inside. It shouldn’t be Ivy put on trial, it should have been those low-life scums.
“I couldn’t believe me ears,” she said, then whispered, “I had trusted her.”
As she had Sam. He felt a thousand times worse and knew no matter how long or how hard he tried, convincing her to trust him was more than impossible.
“So that was why you stayed?”
“Aye.” She nodded. “After I left the Earl’s residence back in Ireland, I spent many years struggling to survive. I got labor in the workhouse in London, but the conditions were dreadfully awful, so I pocketed me pennies until I earned enough to purchase a ticket to America. Life wasn’t much easier for me here, but at least I was safe. Then when I got work at the Hend
rickson’s, I truly thought me luck turned for the better. And it had.”
“Until Phillip Hendrickson returned home?”
She nodded. “I was too much of a coward and feared losing me position. The idea of going back out there frightened me. I suppose he must’ve seen me staying as consent, for his sexual endeavors only grew worse. That night, after he attacked me for the last time, I knew I couldn’t live like that anymore. So I ran.” She turned and looked at him over her shoulder. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the incident with Stella. It was too humiliating.”
“I suppose at the time you had no reason to think she may be involved in the murder.”
“I still don’t. It makes no sense, Sam.”
“We have a dress covered in blood found in her possession. Her daughter lies and frames you for the murder. I’d say that’s pretty damn good reason for you to suspect.”
“Do ye think Becky witnessed the real killer that night?”
“I don’t know. Possibly, but it’s all speculation at this point. That’s why we need to talk with them and discover the truth. Fact is, someone killed that man, even if well deserved. If someone is goin’ swing from a noose for it, we’re going to make damn sure it’s not you.”
Sam followed Ivy’s direction to the Hendrickson’s east end home south of town. He knew they didn’t have much time. The alarm would go up and the first place they would come looking is the one place Sam needed to go.
Following Ivy’s directions, he turned the horse south. They passed the courtyard of the jail house and both fell silent. Just on the opposite side, the gallows for her execution sat and awaited her. No matter what it took, Sam was going to ensure she never made that appointment. He propelled the horse away from the twenty-foot wall and down the street.
A dampness hung in the air from a rainfall the previous day. Puddles lay scattered all over the road. The silence seemed loud as the horse’s hooves walked along the narrow streets. He kept a watchful eye on their surroundings, his senses on high alert.
They crossed over the Chicago River, then proceeded to head south. The homes lining that part of the city were huge with elaborate architecture. To their left a large park lay on the shore of Lake Michigan. The first glistening of the morning dawn sparkled on the lake. Servants stirred and began their daily routines.
When she at last pointed to a tall three-story red brick home, Sam let out a low whistle.
