AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Louis made sure the staff was loyal to him. Including my own maid. Now that he’s dead they are all probably expecting to be fired. I don’t want to deny anyone their livelihood, but I am extremely uncomfortable with the way things are now. I feel as though with Louis dead they’re spying on me for the police.”
“Has Louis’s attorney contacted you yet? I assume there is a will that needs to be probated?”
“I’m sure there is. That is another issue I need to deal with.”
Jesse put his plate on the small table in front of the settee. “I came here today to let you know that I will be doing my best to get this resolved as quickly as possible. As the attorney of record for the man accused of your husband’s murder I cannot get involved with you in any legal way. But anything else I can help you with, just let me know.” He reached into his pocket and took out a notebook. He scrawled his hotel information on a blank sheet and tore it off.
“Here. This is where I’m
staying. I hope to get Hunter out on bail by tomorrow. I have a couple of judicial contacts in Oklahoma who will vouch for me, so hopefully the local authorities will release him into my custody.”
She took the paper. “Can I see him?”
“That will be tricky. I want to see you dragged into this as little as possible. I’m visiting with the police department later today to get as much information from them as I can, and then I’ll see the District Attorney. The fact that they are aware of a relationship between you and Hunter could bode serious problems for you.”
Her face paled. “What do you mean?”
“There have been cases where a married woman and her lover conspired to have the husband killed.”
She stood, her pale face now bright red. “We are not lovers! Despite what my husband was, and how he treated me, I am not an adulteress.”
Jesse rose and took her ice cold hands into his. “That is none of my business, but I just want you to know the possibility exists. Just be careful.”
She nodded, twisting the handkerchief again. “I will see you out.”
As they strolled toward the front door, Jesse said, “I would like to help you more, but once the newspapers get wind of who I am, it wouldn’t do well for us to be seen together, either. Once I establish what my defense will be—if it goes to trial, that is—I will most likely want to call you as a witness. But until then . . .”
“I understand.”
“I can have my wife travel down here to stay with you. I have plenty of other family in Guthrie to look after our children.”
She shook her head. “No. I don’t want to disrupt your life. I’ll manage.”
He gave her a hug and left the house.
Now to see about getting Hunter out of jail.
“Mrs. Smith, might I ask you something?” Maria had just finished preparing Emily for bed. The maid stood near the door, her hands fiddling with the dress she had planned to work a stain out of.
“Yes, Maria. What is it?”
“Now that Mr. Smith is—gone, a few of the staff are wondering about our future.”
“I see.” Emily rose from the chair in front of her mirror and pulled on her dressing gown. “I really wish I could assure you all that your jobs are not in jeopardy, but . . .”
“What is it?”
Emily sighed. “Mr. Smith’s attorney, Mr. DeMarco, sent word shortly after dinner that he will be here Friday after the funeral for the reading of the will. He indicated no one need be present except me and Mr. Smith’s partner, Mr. Sanders. Until I hear from Mr. DeMarco what the situation is, I can’t promise anything to anyone. I have no idea what my husband’s wishes were, or what the financial situation is.”
She tried a reassuring smile for the maid. “I will call everyone together tomorrow to let you know what I have decided.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Smith.” Maria opened the door, then turned back. “I just want you to know that Mr. Smith—God rest his soul—was a difficult employer.” She seemed to give herself time to gather her thoughts. “I know you were aware that I reported your activities to him. For that I am very sorry, but I need this job, and he said if I didn’t obey, he would dismiss me with no references.”
Another woman he’d abused. Maybe not with his fists, but certainly with a means that could destroy her if he so desired.
After Maria took her leave, Emily moved to the window and gazed down at the grounds. Truth be known, she was quite nervous about the will being read. When she and Louis had married, he assumed control of her entire inheritance, including what he’d received from the sale of her childhood home. He never discussed money with her, so she had no idea how much was left for her to live on.
Whatever future she might have or not have with Hunter, she still wanted her own funds. Never again would she be trapped.
