Murder Under a Silver Moon by Abigail Keam

Author:Abigail Keam
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Mystery
ISBN: 9781732974364
Publisher: Worker Bee Press
Published: 2020-06-09T00:00:00+00:00

12

Mona woke to the sounds of Althea slamming the front door. Startled, she raised up from her pallet near the potbelly stove.

Dressed and sipping on coffee, Farley jumped up from his chair. “What’s wrong, Althea?”

“Some lowdown, thieving numbskull has stolen the mules!”

Rupert threw a cup across the room in anger. “I told you. I told you not to trust these people.”

“Could it have been the Fugates?” Chester asked.

“I can’t believe Rose Fugate would have any part in stealing. She’s not that kind of person,” Mona said, coming to Rose’s defense.

“What about the horses?” Farley asked.

“They’re fine,” Althea spat out. “Horse thievery is considered very serious in these parts still. Out here, not having horse transportation can mean loss of life.”

Chester asked, “Why just the mules and not the horses, too, Althea?”

Althea answered, “Mules are more valuable because they are steadier on their hooves than horses. Horses are considered fragile in comparison.”

“Let’s you and I saddle the horses and see if we can find them,” Farley suggested to Althea.

“I think that’s a good idea. Those mules are the property of the Frontier Nursing Service. I need to get them back,” Althea answered.

Mona got up and pushed back her hair. “Give me a moment.”

Farley held up his hand. “You’re not going.” When Mona protested, Farley said, “I’m sorry, Mona, but you not a good enough rider. Althea and I can cover more ground without you.”

Realizing the truth of Farley’s words, Mona said, “At least, let me fix you a hot breakfast and food to take with you while you saddle your horse.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Farley said. “Althea?”

“Yes, you three carry on with your exploring. Farley and I will track the mules. With luck we’ll be back early.”

Chester offered, “I bet it was Popcorn Pearse who took them.”

“If it was, we’ll hunt him down,” Farley said, following Althea out the door.

Mona didn’t even bother with her morning ablutions. While Rupert made breakfast, Mona filled Farley’s and Althea’s canteens with purified water. Then she made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for their lunch including a bottle of Ale-8-One, two oranges, an apple, two chocolate candy bars, two boiled eggs, and a slice of the country ham. “Thank goodness we brought the supplies into the house before we went to sleep.”

“This whole trip was supposed to be a secret,” Rupert mumbled. “Now we’ve got the locals stealing from us. They know where we’re camped. I think we should move our location.”

“The mules could have wandered off on their own. Let’s wait until this evening before we make another assessment,” Mona cautioned.

“Yeah, let’s wait,” Chester added. “I don’t want to sleep outside on the ground anymore. At least, this place has a bed and a roof.”

Mona turned and rolled her eyes. If anyone had to have the bed, it should have been Althea but Chester and Rupert had confiscated the only bedroom before anyone else had a chance. She returned to the task of packing lunches for Farley and Althea and tucking them into their saddlebags.

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