The Whole of the Heart by Gilianne Heitman

Author:Gilianne Heitman
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gilianne Heitman
Published: 2022-11-18T13:50:21+00:00

Chapter Ten

21 January 1901

“Who are you?” The words impale me through the heart, the spike of the icicle dripping its freezing liquid into my veins. “Answer me!” Her composed stature and elegant demeanor radiates off her. Her rigid posture and cold eyes reflect her status and stare at me, waiting for me to speak. They were evidently lying in bed, but the dark purple paint stroke under their eyes indicates they were not sleeping.

The silver handle glistens in the candlelight, the damned light that drew them all to see me hiding between the shrouds of death in the child’s room. A knife. I am unarmed in this battle.

“Please!” I manage to get out. I should have just left and walked off the property with Teddy. I would never be in this situation if I had. Why did I stay? Why did I come back? “I am Ann Yoder, and I am here to help!”

“Ha!” Her hand tightens on the handle as she pulls her little brother closer to her, out of the way. “What have you come here for? Hm?” She takes one step forward, and the threat of the knife breathes down my throat. “Money? Gold? Jewels?” A catch in her voice eats away at her façade as she utters the last word, “Gossip?” I can see the desperation to hide her emotion under a stoic demeanor. Her icy blue eyes match her behavior but contrast with her raven hair tied away from her face. They are shrouded in a cloak of grief; it shines from them and blinds everyone within view. Dark clouds hang above, and tears pour from them on the dead child’s siblings.

“No! Nothing of the sort! I am here to help.” The floorboard whines as I take a small step back, out of range from the tip of her weapon. She does not move with me. My hands clench at my sides, and I begin to wring them. What else should I say to prove myself to them? Is there anything I can say? Will any amount of convincing be enough?

“What could we possibly need your help for?”

“Your sister—”

“What about her!” She lunges forward, bringing the knife back to its original place. “What did you do? What do you know?”

“I am here to find who did this, find who…” The rest of the sentence stays in the back of my mouth, unable and unwilling to admit the truth.

“Find who killed her?” she says, with no hesitation. “The constables were already here; we have no reason to enlist help from bored civilians.”

“I am no bored civilian; I work for Scotland Yard!” I plead, trying to defend the shreds of my dignity.

“A woman? Working for Scotland Yard?” Her laugh is slow before reaching a booming cackle echoing through the room. “You must truly be mad to think I would believe you! Much less accept your help!”

“It’s the truth!”

“Albert.” Her gaze locks with mine as she tightens her grip on her brother’s arm. “Go, alert mother—”

“No!” I beg, unable to do anything more.

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