Chapter Thirty #2
Vesper paused. It occurred to her that Mrs. Oelrich truly believed at this moment that she could buy the justice she wanted, the ending to the story that she preferred. Vesper crossed her arms.
“There’s no journal,” she said. “I made that up.”
Mrs. Oelrich stiffened. “You what?”
“Frankie Everett’s mother didn’t give him the Oelrich name.
We’ll never know why, but I have to imagine she did it to spare both your husband from public scandal, and Franklin from a childhood of humiliation.
I would never have figured it out had I not spoken to the man you paid to say he did it.
Turns out he knew Francis Gladwell before he was the famous inventor.
Once I had his last name, all I had to do was look him up.
” She raised a brow. “Did you know that Mr. Oelrich is actually listed as his father in the Book of Vital Records? Anyone looking for a Francis Gladwell would find nothing, but for anyone who knew his true name?” She shrugged. “It’s quite straightforward actually.”
The corners of the woman’s mouth pinched.
“I knew that if I announced tonight that I had something of Franklin Everett’s, only a few people would recognize that name and come to claim his possessions.
” Vesper frowned. “I’d actually thought Mr. Oelrich was the one responsible, but you’ve saved me a lot of time by confessing everything. Thanks for that.”
She saw it, the moment Mrs. Oelrich realized that she’d been outmaneuvered, that the game was up and that she hadn’t won it.
She turned white as a sheet. Her beautiful face, so distorted by its cosmetic enchantments, reminded Vesper of a doll.
“Exactly what do you intend to do with this information?” she asked quietly.
“That depends.” Vesper kept her tone even. “You have the option to go to the police with the truth yourself. Tell them everything.”
“And if I don’t?”
“I have connections with a local newspaper,” said Vesper. “One word from me, and your secrets will be front-page headlines for everyone to see. The reputation you’ve taken years to carefully craft will be destroyed in a single day. You’ll be finished.”
It happened in an instant. In one moment, Mrs. Oelrich was standing a few feet from Vesper; in the next, the woman was charging at her, her teeth bared in fury.
Her body slammed into Vesper’s and they both crashed to the floor of the balcony.
Vesper tried to scramble away, but just as quickly, Mrs. Oelrich grabbed her and pulled her down.
One of her hands clapped around her mouth while the crook of her elbow snaked around her neck and began to squeeze.
It occurred to her that Mrs. Oelrich had killed once, and that she was willing to do it again.
Slowly, the world around Vesper grew fuzzy, a roaring filled Vesper’s ears.
“Vesper!”
Vesper heard a hard thud and a groan, and at once the pressure on her neck eased as Mrs. Oelrich was yanked away from her.
Vesper rose to her knees and took several lungfuls of air before she looked up.
Tom was standing over her with Chief Stettner.
Two other police officers were holding on to Mrs. Oelrich as she kicked and thrashed.
“Sorry about that, Evans.” Chief Stettner turned to her, apologetic. “I didn’t expect her to do that, or we would have come out sooner.”
“Unhand me!” Mrs. Oelrich was still struggling against the police officers. Loose strands of blond hair whipped around her face, and there was now a large tear in her once-beautiful dress. “I did nothing wrong, this woman attacked me! I demand you arrest her! Do you know who I am?”
“If I were you, Mrs. Oelrich, I would refrain from saying another word until you have legal counsel.” Chief Stettner’s eyes narrowed. “Believe me, you’ve already said quite a lot, and I’ve heard every word.”
“You can’t do this,” she whispered. “This … this is entrapment! I wanted Franklin dead, but … but I didn’t kill him!”
“Enough. Let’s get her to the station!”
The woman opened her mouth to argue more, but Chief Stettner and the officers were already guiding her back inside.
Past the glass doors, Vesper saw that several people were staring, their faces a mix of horror, confusion, and clear intrigue.
Only when the officers whisked Mrs. Oelrich around a corner and out of sight did she realize how hard her heart was beating in her chest.
“Well done, Miss Evans.” Only Tom was still on the balcony with her. Her editor was smiling. “You did it.”
Vesper smiled. “Thank you, Tom.”
It had taken a full day for her plan to come together.
At first, she hadn’t been sure that Chief Stettner would even listen to her, that she had enough proof to gather all the pieces.
Even from the moment she’d walked into the opera house, she hadn’t known if it would.
Her muscles relaxed, and it took her a moment to realize that the emotion flooding through her was relief.
“I suppose you’ll go home now?” Tom asked.
“No,” said Vesper slowly. “Actually … There’s one more thing I need to do. Please excuse me.”
She turned and ran out the same doors that Stettner and the police officers had just gone through with Mrs. Oelrich. They were already outside, loading her into a carriage, but she caught them in time.
“Stettner!”
The police chief looked over his shoulder. When he saw Vesper, his brows rose. “What is it, Miss Evans?”
“Can I ask you for one more favor?”
He looked confused, but nodded. “What do you need?”
“A ride to Basalton Jail.” Vesper smiled. “There’s someone I need to see.”