Chapter 13 #2
Any further response stuck in his throat as the younger man momentarily glanced his way. Astor felt as if he’d been transported back in time to that moment in the alleyway in Philadelphia. The Pinkerton agent held him at gunpoint, and Astor was trapped.
“I’m so sorry,” the man said, reaching out to steady Astor. “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”
“Quite all right.” Eugene forced the words and lowered his gaze.
There was no doubt in his mind that this was the son of the man he’d killed.
He was the spitting image of his father.
There could be no doubt about it. Then realization hit.
The woman called herself Vogel-Duval. The man he’d killed had been Harrison Duval.
He hadn’t thought about a possible connection.
This was Cheyenne after all, and that incident had been twenty years ago in Philadelphia. Duval wasn’t that uncommon a name.
Eugene didn’t so much as look back as he walked to the gate. Would Duval’s son recognize him? The younger man hadn’t seemed to. There had been no narrowing of his eyes or questioning expression. His tone had remained cordial and even.
Astor took a deep breath and started down the road.
Even if Duval recognized him, there’d be nothing he could really do.
Eugene Astor would never face a court or execution for his sins.
There wasn’t time enough to even begin to set up a trial against him.
He was already sentenced to death. What more could they do to him?
Marybeth Vogel checked the oven for the second time. She was making a batch of scones and was struggling to keep the oven at an even heat. The weather wasn’t helping. The wind had been blowing all day, and now it looked as if it might start snowing.
She straightened and closed the oven as someone entered the house through the back door.
“Smells good in here,” her husband called as he came in from the mud porch.
She smiled and went to embrace him. “And to what do I owe a visit by the chief of police?”
“Just thought I’d come home and have lunch with my favorite gal.” He kissed her, then let her go. “Besides, you seemed out of sorts this morning. I was hoping you’d tell me why since everyone is out of the house.”
She shook her head. “How did you know everyone was out of the house? Were you having me watched?”
He chuckled. “No, I listened well at breakfast. I heard Greta say she was going to be busy helping Melody clean out her storage room, and Rosie offered to go and help. I figured that would give us a little time alone.”
“You are a good listener.” She leaned back against the counter. “I guess I’m just worried about Carrie. She’s up to something.”
“I know.”
“I just can’t figure out what. It’s clear she’s uneasy about being around us. More so than usual. Usually she’s just quiet and observant, but now she’s guarded as well.”
“Spencer is too. The two of them have a secret, but they aren’t ready to tell us. I thought he might talk to me the other day. Seemed like he wanted to share something, but I got called away. I keep hoping he’ll just stop into my office or come by one of these evenings.
“Maybe we should stop by and see them. Go check out the place they’re living in. I have some new crocheted doilies I could offer as a gift and an excuse for coming.”
“We could do that. Maybe slip by after supper some evening.”
“Yes, that might be good. That way we wouldn’t have to worry about one of the other children or any of your officers showing up to interrupt.”
She stopped and checked the scones again. They finally looked golden brown. She pulled them from the oven and placed the pan on the counter to cool. “I just want them to trust us. No matter what’s going on.”
“There’s no guarantee they will. Carrie’s been gone a long time. She’s a completely different person now.”
“Not completely,” Marybeth said, looking at her husband. “She has changed some, but there is still the foundation of who she’s always been. She’s not comfortable living a lie or keeping a secret. She never could do it for long.”
Edward laughed. “That’s for sure. Do you remember that time you were planning a surprise party for my birthday? Carrie did her best to keep the secret. She even attempted to lie right to my face and tell me something else was going on.”
Marybeth started moving the scones to a plate. “I do remember that and how at supper she finally blurted it out, telling us that she couldn’t keep a secret anymore. I tried to distract her by calling her to come with me to the kitchen, but the damage was already done.”
“I knew about the party before that happened. There’s rarely much that stays secret around here.” He stepped to where she was placing the scones. “Are those for eating or giving away?”
Marybeth looked at him and smiled. “For eating and for giving away. You want some coffee to go with it?”
“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”
He gazed into her eyes for a long moment and leaned forward to kiss her again. Marybeth forgot all about the scones and wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck.
She sighed as they pulled apart. “It’s never too much trouble to do things for you, Edward Vogel. You’re the love of my life, and pleasing you pleases me.”
“Strange. I feel the same way about you. Guess it’s a good thing we’re together.”
“A very good thing.”