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“I see.”
With so much paint on her face it was hard to determine her age, but her hands had the visible veins and spotted skin of a woman past her prime. Above the mantle hung a large portrait of a handsome younger man with dark hair and eyes, very much in his prime. Raven noted Welch staring at it. Mrs. Stipe apparently did, too. “That’s Aubrey, my philandering, adulterous husband. Pretty, isn’t he?” she asked bitterly.
Raven and Steele shared looks of surprise. Welch appeared taken aback as well.
“Mr. and Mrs. Miller, bring your bags and come with me. I’ll show you your quarters.”
They followed her silently.
The trek took them outside to an area behind a stand of trees. They passed a brick building with a line of windows across the top. Mrs. Stipe explained, “The former owner had quite a few slaves and they lived in this building. The kitchen’s inside and so is the laundry. You can explore it later.”
A short walk later, they passed another barrier of trees and shrubbery that led to a small one-story cottage. It was made of wood and painted white. On the porch was a rocker. Planters holding red and pink flowers flanked the blue painted door.
“This is where you’ll be staying.”
Raven found it way nicer than she’d expected.
“The former owner’s mother lived here. I gave it to Dahlia and Sylvester because it didn’t make sense to leave it empty, and it gave them some privacy.”
Inside they found the interior small, but the front room had enough space for a sofa and a chair. There was a hearth and a small kitchen. Off the kitchen were a bedroom with a large bed and a connected washroom with a claw-foot tub.
“The pump’s out back,” she informed them.
Raven was extremely impressed.
Mrs. Stipe said pointedly, “Mrs. Miller, I’ll expect you to prepare my meals, keep up the house, do the marketing and the laundry. Mr. Miller, you’ll do the driving, chop any wood that’s needed, and keep the trees and shrubs trimmed. Sylvester was also my husband’s valet, but since being elected he spends most of his time in Columbia and is rarely here, so you’ll drive me instead, especially on Wednesday afternoons when I visit my sister, Emaline. She lives on the other side of the city.”
He nodded.
Raven hoped the document they were after was in the house and not in the husband’s legislative office.
“Dahlia and Sylvester left on short notice, but the pantry is well stocked and I’ve had a friend provide me with meals since their departure. We’ll go to the market tomorrow so you’ll knowwhere it is. I know you just got off the train but I’m paying you to work, so I’ll be expecting supper by five. You can rest up after. If you’re hungry now, get yourself something to eat. Here’s the key to the building.”
“Thank you.”
“Any questions?”
Braxton spoke up. “How many days a week will we be expected to work and what are we to be paid?”
“You’ll have Sundays off. As for pay, your kind worked for free in exchange for food and a place to live all my life. So forgive me if I forget that times have changed,” she explained with a tone that didn’t hold an ounce of remorse. She then quoted a compensation sum Raven deemed low, but not low enough to argue about because she didn’t plan on being employed long enough for it to matter.
With that, Mrs. Stipe left them.
Detective Welch spoke first. “She was certainly interesting.”
“Did you know the husband wouldn’t be on the premises?”
“Him being a state senator, I assumed most of his time would be in Columbia.”
“And if the document is there and not here?”
“Then I suppose I’ll have to come up with another plan, won’t I?”
Raven hated Welch’s flippant attitude. Solid information was vital for an operation like thisto be successful. If the document was indeed in his office, this trip would be a waste of everyone’s time and energy. She also didn’t like the possibility of being further tethered to Welch if a new plan became necessary, because who knew how long it might take for the detective to come up with one?
Welch asked, “Do you have any questions for me?”
“Where will you be staying in case we need to speak with you?”
