Killing Gifts by Deborah Woodworth Read Free Book Online Page A

me?”
    Dulcie wilted. She knew what would happen if she defied Theodore—and the truth was, she didn’t want to do so. She just wanted him to take care of her. That was all she’d ever wanted, and it was the one thing she couldn’t ask of him now.
    â€œI’m sorry,” she said. “I was being selfish, but I’m just so tired.”
    Theodore squeezed her elbow a little too hard. “All right, then, you go back and have a short nap. Later we’d better have a talk. The police are asking questions.”
    â€œThey’ve already asked me a million questions,” Dulcie said. “What can be left?”
    â€œThey’ve been asking everyone here about you and Julia, whether you had fights or anything, and how you were getting along before she died.”
    Dulcie’s knees buckled, and Theodore’s strong arms kept her from falling.
    â€œLook, don’t worry, okay? I told them you two got along fine, and nobody’d know better than me.” Theodore gave her a shake. “I’m taking care of this, got it?”
    â€œBut Julia and me, we fought a lot,” Dulcie said. “Especially at the end, but all the time we were growing up, too. Carlotta knows that.”
    A crunching sound from near the Poultry House made Theodore loosen his grip, and Dulcie pulled away.
    â€œIs anything wrong, Dulcie?” Esther Jenkins, bundled in a heavy wool coat and high boots, crossed the snow toward them. A few feet away she stopped and glared at Theodore. “Dulcie is frail, Theodore. You know that. You shouldn’t keep her out in this weather.”
    Dulcie did not appreciate the concern, nor did she care for Esther, who was always telling her what to do. Esther had a perfect oval face that always looked to Dulcie as if it belonged on one of those cameos that rich women wear. Even at her kindest, Esther sounded like she was directing the servants. You’d hardly know she was as poor as the rest of them, and even poorer once her husband, Johnny, up and joined the Shakers, leaving her with six little ones to feed. No wonder she’d shown up at the Hancock Fancy Goods Store one day, herding all six children, and said she wanted to be a novitiate.
    Theodore put an arm around Dulcie’s shoulders and directed her toward the Brick Dwelling House. To Dulcie’s relief, he said nothing to challenge Esther. After all, Esther was a novitiate, and they couldn’t afford to have Theodore lose his job. It would mean they couldn’t get married, and it occurred to Dulcie that getting married soon would be the answer to her prayer. Then maybe she’d feel safe.

FIVE
    A FTER A LONG AFTERNOON SPENT SITTING AND WATCHING the countryside glide by, Rose and Gennie were more than ready to head for the dining car. Their coach seats were softer than the typical Shaker ladder-back chair, but neither woman was used to being sedentary for more than a brief spell. The porter had just come through, announcing first call for dinner, but there was no need to hurry. As a Shaker, Rose was accustomed to a timely supper, to save evening time for work or worship or perhaps a Union Meeting. The other passengers, however, were of the world and showed little interest in early dining. Rose and Gennie had plenty of time to refresh themselves in the women’s washroom before joining the short line waiting to be seated in the dining car.
    Rose was glad to see Gennie excited again. She’d come back from her exploration of the train looking shaken. When Rose had asked if she’d had a scare, Gennie had said only that crossing from one car to another had made her a bit nervous. Then she had turned her face toward the window and studied the scenery until her head drooped against the back of her seat.
    As they stood in line, Rose noticed that Gennie’s eyes darted among the other passengers, as if looking for someone.
    â€œGennie, are you certain nothing is wrong?” Rose