did my father hold a major share in rebuilding Bertha’s father’s cotton mill, he invested in several northern mills as well. My father’s interests were diverse. As they now belong to me, I need to see to them when issues arise.” When he turned to face her, his voice was calmer than he felt inside. Still, he smiled. “I know you wouldn’t want me to lose money, would you, my dear?” He could see her mind working. No, of course you wouldn’t, you deceitful murdering bitch.
“I see the wisdom in that, all I ask is you wrap up your business as quickly as possible and send her on her way. I’ve asked Bertha and Richard to spend the holiday and the week after with us.”
“Oh?” He wracked his mind trying to recall on what holiday he’d met her accomplices. Yes, I remember. The town had a rather large Fourth of July celebration planned—a parade and picnic in the park. Thinking how much Lanie might enjoy that brought a smile to his heart, but his inner smile vanished when his wife spoke again.
“Yes, well, they traveled all this way, and I miss Bertha so. It just made sense to prolong the visit.”
And you miss dear Richard, too, we mustn’t forget that. “Yes, that does make sense. It will give you an opportunity to catch up with your old friends.” He turned to the cheval glass mirror and did his tie, his eyes on her as she wove her lies. It just made sense to prolong the visit.
Her words spurred a memory. Yes, he remembered this conversation now. He remembered talking to her reflection in this mirror. Cathy had been angry that he’d received a telegram saying the daughter of a business associate would be in town. He had planned to invite the woman to dinner. The memory came flooding back. Cathy had insisted he make other arrangements in which to conduct his business. Seeking to make his new bride happy, he had acquiesced. Had he known then what he knew now…
“Well, I hardly know Richard, of course, but Bertha has always spoken so highly of him.”
“Oh, that’s right, I’d forgotten you barely know each other. I recall now you telling me Bertha’s brother ran in different circles than the two of you.”
She hurried him off topic. “Yes, well anyway, please send your business acquaintance on her way as quickly as possible.”
“I won’t be rude, my dear. How long she stays will depend upon what needs to be addressed. With her father gone, the woman may need guidance. That’s the least I can do for James O’Keefe.”
“But Jason …” She crossed her arms, clearly piqued.
“I won’t be swayed, Cathy. When we’ve concluded all the business we need to see to then I will send her on her way, but not until everything is said that needs to be said.”
“Really I…”
His eyebrow rose, and she stopped in midsentence. “And I’ll tell you now, if it becomes more efficient for her to stay through the entire length of your cousin’s holiday as well, then I shall extend the invitation for her to do so.”
He’d never spoken to her this way before and could see a sharp retort forming on her lips. Instead, she said, “I hardly think that’s proper…”
“I’ve said my last on this, Cathy. James O’Keefe was my father’s good friend. I’ll take our work into the study, and Addy will to see to her needs as they come. Her stay will not impact your time with your cousins.”
She clamped her lips closed. This contrary Jason threw her off-kilter. It wasn’t like him not to accommodate her. She gave him her prettiest smile as she came to straighten his tie. She knew Jason thought her beautiful when she smiled.
Jason saw the pretty transformation. There was a time when her smile would have wrapped him around her little finger. But no more. He was well-acquainted with the black-hearted bitch’s motives now.
“There, that’s better,” she said, smoothing the silk under her hand, “All right, my darling, I’ll see you downstairs.” With that she left missing the tightening of
“I see the wisdom in that, all I ask is you wrap up your business as quickly as possible and send her on her way. I’ve asked Bertha and Richard to spend the holiday and the week after with us.”
“Oh?” He wracked his mind trying to recall on what holiday he’d met her accomplices. Yes, I remember. The town had a rather large Fourth of July celebration planned—a parade and picnic in the park. Thinking how much Lanie might enjoy that brought a smile to his heart, but his inner smile vanished when his wife spoke again.
“Yes, well, they traveled all this way, and I miss Bertha so. It just made sense to prolong the visit.”
And you miss dear Richard, too, we mustn’t forget that. “Yes, that does make sense. It will give you an opportunity to catch up with your old friends.” He turned to the cheval glass mirror and did his tie, his eyes on her as she wove her lies. It just made sense to prolong the visit.
Her words spurred a memory. Yes, he remembered this conversation now. He remembered talking to her reflection in this mirror. Cathy had been angry that he’d received a telegram saying the daughter of a business associate would be in town. He had planned to invite the woman to dinner. The memory came flooding back. Cathy had insisted he make other arrangements in which to conduct his business. Seeking to make his new bride happy, he had acquiesced. Had he known then what he knew now…
“Well, I hardly know Richard, of course, but Bertha has always spoken so highly of him.”
“Oh, that’s right, I’d forgotten you barely know each other. I recall now you telling me Bertha’s brother ran in different circles than the two of you.”
She hurried him off topic. “Yes, well anyway, please send your business acquaintance on her way as quickly as possible.”
“I won’t be rude, my dear. How long she stays will depend upon what needs to be addressed. With her father gone, the woman may need guidance. That’s the least I can do for James O’Keefe.”
“But Jason …” She crossed her arms, clearly piqued.
“I won’t be swayed, Cathy. When we’ve concluded all the business we need to see to then I will send her on her way, but not until everything is said that needs to be said.”
“Really I…”
His eyebrow rose, and she stopped in midsentence. “And I’ll tell you now, if it becomes more efficient for her to stay through the entire length of your cousin’s holiday as well, then I shall extend the invitation for her to do so.”
He’d never spoken to her this way before and could see a sharp retort forming on her lips. Instead, she said, “I hardly think that’s proper…”
“I’ve said my last on this, Cathy. James O’Keefe was my father’s good friend. I’ll take our work into the study, and Addy will to see to her needs as they come. Her stay will not impact your time with your cousins.”
She clamped her lips closed. This contrary Jason threw her off-kilter. It wasn’t like him not to accommodate her. She gave him her prettiest smile as she came to straighten his tie. She knew Jason thought her beautiful when she smiled.
Jason saw the pretty transformation. There was a time when her smile would have wrapped him around her little finger. But no more. He was well-acquainted with the black-hearted bitch’s motives now.
“There, that’s better,” she said, smoothing the silk under her hand, “All right, my darling, I’ll see you downstairs.” With that she left missing the tightening of
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