24. Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Four
When David returned to the dining room fifteen minutes later, he had a troubled look on his face.
“Who was it?” Mildred asked.
“I got there too late to answer,” he said. “Just as I put my hand on the receiver, it stopped ringing.”
“Couldn’t have been Jacquelyn, then.” Mildred pursed her lips and shook her head. “She wouldn’t have given up so easily.”
David didn’t look convinced. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that. I just called the Sheridan Girls’ Home. It took some time, but I finally got through and talked to Mary Howard. It seems that my sister left a little over an hour ago.”
“So she’s on her way here?” Jane hoped that was the case.
David said, “Not necessarily. She left to walk into town to find someone to drive her home. Mary said that she only had thirty-seven cents on her. Apparently, they took up a collection for her and that’s all they could come up with.”
Jane was surprised they’d come up with that much. The girls rarely had money, and if Mrs. Irving got wind of it, she held on to the cash for safekeeping.
David continued. “Mary said it’s quite cold and windy there and that she found it unlikely that Jacquelyn would find someone to drive her all the way to Whitefish Bay, especially the day before Christmas. Even after warning her of all this, my sister would not be dissuaded.”
In the background, the radio played the song “Joy to the World,” the uplifting words a contrast to the conversation in the room.
Mildred set down her scissors. “But why didn’t Jacquelyn call if she wanted to come home? You boys could have been up there in no time.”
“The topic of calling home did come up,” David said. “Apparently, the director of the home has a lock on the telephone to prohibit unauthorized calls. Jacquelyn wanted to call but couldn’t remove the lock to dial the operator.”
“She must have been furious,” Eddie said, suddenly serious.
“Yes, and when she’s angry she doesn’t always make the best decisions,” David said, folding his arms. “Frankly, I’m worried.”
His worry caused Jane’s breath to catch in her chest. If Jacquelyn Sheridan, the heiress of the Sheridan family, was injured or killed and her actions had played a part in causing it, she would never forgive herself. She should have just said no. That’s all there was to it. She’d been spineless. If only she’d listened to her intuition and refused to change clothing, none of this would have happened.
If only.
The truth was, though, that secretly she’d always wanted a taste of a different life. A better life. But was it better? More comfortable, certainly, but it didn’t feel like a good fit for her, probably because it wasn’t rightfully hers. And now Miss Sheridan was out in the cold, alone and lost, and Jane was to blame.
“So what do you think we should do?” Mildred asked. “Call the police?”
David shook his head. “No, not just yet. She was fine an hour ago. I think Miss Shaw and I need to drive up to the girls’ home. You and Eddie stay here and keep on top of the telephone. With any luck, she’s gotten discouraged and walked back to the home, but if that’s not the case, she’ll find a telephone somewhere and try calling again.” He exhaled. “My sister is nothing if not persistent when she wants something.”
“How will we know what happens with you once you leave?” Mildred asked. “Not knowing is going to make me a nervous wreck.”
“I’ll call you when we arrive and let you know what we find out,” David said. “Someone in the village has to have seen her. She couldn’t have gone far.”
Eddie stood up. “I’d be happy to go with you to take Miss Shaw home. It won’t take two people to guard the telephone.” He gave Jane an encouraging look .
“Nice try,” David said, “but you’re staying here. I’m fully capable of driving, and it’s my sister who’s missing. Besides, your mother will need you to drop off the cookies at the mission. We don’t have room for you in the Rolls anyway. We need the space for the presents.” He gestured to the mound on the other end of the table. “But since you’re so set on being of service, you can help me carry these out.” His gaze went from Eddie to Jane and back again, as if to show he knew Eddie’s real interest was not in the well-being of Jacquelyn Sheridan.
“Of course,” Eddie said, meeting David’s eyes. “You know I’m always glad to help.”