The Oblivious Heiress: A Jane Carter Historical Cozy (Book Four) (Jane Carter Historical Cozy Mysteries 4) by Alice Simpson

Author:Alice Simpson [Simpson, Alice]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Published: 2018-04-20T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

It was close to dusk when I drew up at the end of the road. I parked Bouncing Betsy between a pair of scraggly box-elders and walked swiftly along the river trail, soon approaching within view of Dad’s new cottage.

The fallen tree had been sawed into cordwood, the yard cleaned of sticks and debris, and only the damaged porch remained to remind one of the severe storm.

As I opened the screen door, Mrs. Timms came out from the kitchen.

“Jim is asleep,” she warned in a whisper. “Perhaps we should talk outside.”

I nodded and followed the housekeeper to the porch swing.

“How is he doing?” I asked.

“Oh, much better,” replied Mrs. Timms. “The doctor was here an hour ago. Jim is out of danger but must remain in bed for at least another day.”

“I was afraid when you telephoned that something had gone wrong here.”

“No,” confessed the housekeeper, “I was merely lonesome for news. Is everything going well at home?”

“Oh, yes, we’re getting along fine. Dad misses you terribly, of course.”

Mrs. Timms blushed a faint shade of rose. I pretended not to notice.

“I hope you remembered to bring in the milk. And you didn’t neglect the dusting?”

I smiled ruefully.

“I might have known you would let everything go,” sighed Mrs. Timms. “No doubt it’s my duty to remain here, but I feel I should be at home.”

“Anchor Jim needs you, Mrs. Timms. Has he talked very much?”

“Not a great deal. He ate a hearty lunch and seems in no pain.”

“Did you see his back, Mrs. Timms?”

“Yes, the cut was an ugly one. The doctor changed the dressing while he was here.”

“I meant the tattoo,” I said. “Didn’t you notice it?”

“I saw that he had one if that’s what you mean.”

“You didn’t question him about it?”

“Certainly not, Jane. Why should I?”

“Didn’t you read ‘The Mystery of the Octopus Tattoo’ in the first issue of Carter’s All-story Weekly? Anchor Jim’s tattoo is a dead ringer for the one Richard Hamsted had on his back, albeit the names were changed in my fictionalized version of the tale. Jim’s already admitted that he knows Hamsted. For all we know they may be bitter enemies. Perhaps it was Anchor Jim who pushed Hamsted off the bridge!”

“Jane, your ideas grow wilder each day,” protested Mrs. Timms. “I hope you don’t talk such nonsense to other people.”

“All the same, Anchor Jim bears someone a grudge,” I insisted. “He mentioned a person who had ratted. Didn’t you learn a single fact about him, Mrs. Timms?”

“His last name is Loewen, and he came to Greenville three weeks ago. He has no family.”

“I think I’ll question him myself when he awakens.”

“No, I can’t allow that,” said Mrs. Timms sternly. “The doctor would never approve.”

“I promise not to excite him.”

“The answer is no! Now, if you wish to make yourself useful, you could help me by bringing in the washing. I must start supper.”

I took the basket and unpinned sheets and pillowcases from the line. I had just finished when I noticed a tall, well-built young man with military stride approaching through the trees.

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