Just Above a Whisper (16 page)

“Look at the soot on you!”

“We worked past dinner. Would you mind fixing me a plate?”

“Didn’t Opal offer you something?”

“Yes, but I wanted to get away from the smell for a little while, so I told her you had food for me here.”

“Well, of course I do!”

Mrs. Greenlowe having gone into the kitchen, Reese sat down on the ground, her back against the fence, and waited for her food. It had not been a bad morning, and she liked to stay busy, but she only had two dresses and was concerned that at this rate they would not hold up.

It had not been much of an issue at Mr. Zantow’s. She had done all aspects of housework and not simply cleaning. Cleaning was tough on fabric, especially when things were so dirty.

“Here you go.” Mrs. Greenlowe talked all the way down the porch. “You eat all of that now.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Reese took the plate before bowing her head. She kept her prayer brief, knowing she had to get back to the Berglunds’.

Mrs. Greenlowe had grabbed the old wooden stool she kept outside and sat nearby. Reese could see she was ready with questions, and it occurred to her in that moment that she was this woman’s window to the world. Mrs. Greenlowe didn’t leave her house or yard much but depended mostly on word from other people to tell her what was going on in town.

Reese ate swiftly and answered questions just as fast. Unfortunately for Mrs. Greenlowe, she didn’t know much. She had to remind her landlady that she was not allowed to ask how the fire had started. Her job was to work.

“Thank you,” Reese said as she stood and gave her the plate.

“You’re welcome. That bank manager doesn’t have another job for you this afternoon, does he?”

“I don’t think so. I’m sure I’ll be at Berglunds’ the rest of the day.”

“Take care now” were Mrs. Greenlowe’s final words. Reese only waved, planning to do just that.

“Hello,” Lillie said, greeting the man at the door rather coldly.

“Excuse me,” Troy offered, his hat in hand and his tone kind. “I’m looking for Mr. Jenness.”

“Well, he won’t be here,” she replied, frowning. “He’s at the bank at this time of the day.”

“Actually, he said he wasn’t feeling well and was coming home.”

Lillie blinked and stared at him.

“I’m sorry to have disturbed you,” Troy said as he read her look over his news and began to back away. Lillie’s voice stopped him.

“Who are you?”

“I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself. I’m Troy Thaden. Are you Mrs. Jenness?”

“I am, yes. Who are you exactly?”

“I’m here with Mr. Kingsley. I’m his business partner.”

“Mr. Kingsley’s here?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“So the bank is being audited.”

“Not exactly. It’s just been a long time since anyone has visited.”

For a moment she stood in silence and then asked, “Why did my husband leave the bank?”

“He said he wasn’t well. Has he not been here?”

She shook her head, her face pale. “I’ve been home all morning. Maybe he went to dinner early. He eats at the tavern.”

Troy wasn’t going to look all over town for this man. It was not his job. However, he wanted to be gentle in the way he handled this.

“When you see your husband, Mrs. Jenness, will you please ask him to come to the bank or send word to me as to when he’ll be returning?”

Mrs. Jenness could only nod. Troy thanked her and went on his way. He wasn’t aware of the way she moved to the window and watched him, hoping beyond hope that history wasn’t about to repeat itself.

“How did it go?” Conner asked as soon as Troy returned to the house.

“You won’t believe it. The man looked like his heart was going to stop in his chest, and then he left.”

“Left for where?”

“He said home, but when I went there, his wife said she hadn’t seen him.”

“What did you talk about that got him so upset?”

“We started on Reese Thackery’s situation. At first he seemed pleased with his decision to retain her papers, but the more I questioned him, the more strained he became. When I mentioned seeing the books and the safe, he said he was ill and had to leave.”

“But he didn’t go home?”

Troy’s brows rose as he wondered whether Mr. Jenness realized how bad this looked for him.

“I didn’t get a chance to buy anything for lunch. Let’s go to the tavern and eat.”

“I’ll get my coat,” Conner agreed.

Not until they were almost to the tavern did Troy remember that Mr. Jenness might be there. Part of him hoped they would not see him. Right now he just wanted to eat dinner in peace.

The morning had not been easy for Conner. He had walked around the house, unable to fend off the memories of the place.

He could still see his grandmother sitting in her favorite chair but couldn’t hear her voice anymore. He could envision his parents, Dalton, and his sisters around the dining room table when all of them would visit Tucker Mills. In the later years of visiting the family home, Conner would come with just one of his sisters, usually Maggie. They were the youngest, and their lives hadn’t taken the busy tone of his older siblings’ lives yet. They still had time to come and see Grandma, especially after Grandpa had died.

With the memories and feelings that surrounded him, Conner wanted out of the house for a while. He’d forgotten how beautiful the area was. It was a warm day—a little too warm, actually—but he didn’t plan to be out long or overwork his mount. He escaped to the barn and saddled one of the horses they’d brought, planning to head toward the outskirts of town for a long, leisurely ride.

“Has there been word from Mr. Jenness?” Troy asked Mr. Leffler when he returned to the bank.

“No, sir.”

“Did I see you at the tavern for dinner?”

“Yes, I was there.”

“Did anyone mention seeing Mr. Jenness?”

“I was asked about him, but no one had seen him.”

“Is this normal behavior for Mr. Jenness?”

“Not at all, sir. He’s very punctual and conscientious.”

Troy stood for a moment in indecision.

“And what of Miss Thackery? Will she be in today?”

“She was in this morning and was given her job for the day.”

“Cleaning a house, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, the Berglund home—a kitchen fire.”

“When does she come back again, in the morning?”

“Exactly.”

“Mr. Leffler, thank you. I’m going to start on the files. Tell me if Mr. Jenness or Miss Thackery arrives back.”

“Did you want into the safe, sir?”

“Probably not today.”

Mr. Leffler went back to work behind the counter, thinking of the times he’d wondered how he would do as the bank manager. At the moment, he couldn’t have been happier that the position was filled by another man.

Seven

Reese got to the bank at the normal time on Saturday morning, the key in her hand so she would not forget. Preparing to smile and greet Mr. Leffler, she stepped inside as she always did but found him coming around the counter to meet her.

“There’s someone here to see you, Reese.”

Reese stared at him, trying to gauge the serious look on his face. Mr. Leffler was usually so cheerful.

“His name is Mr. Thaden, and he’s using Mr. Jenness’ office.”

“Where is Mr. Jenness?”

“Feel free to ask Mr. Thaden,” Mr. Leffler said, following his instructions.

“Have I done something wrong?”

“Not at all. You’ll like Mr. Thaden.”

Reese nodded and looked toward the alcove. As usual, the bookshelves kept her from seeing anything, so she went that way.

Troy, who had heard every word of the conversation, was looking up when she came into view.

“Miss Thackery?”

“Everyone calls me Reese.”

Troy came to his feet. “I’m Troy Thaden.” He held out his hand, and Reese shook it. “Please sit down.”

“Thank you.”

Reese took a seat and looked at this well-dressed businessman. He seemed kind, but Reese was still under the impression that she might have committed some infraction. Not until she felt the key biting into her hand did she realize how tense she was.

“Mr. Thaden,” Reese began. “I have the key to the Kingsley house. Should I leave it with you or Mr. Leffler?”