The Carousel Painter (37 page)

Josef grasped my elbow and propelled me forward. “We should not discuss this in front of the neighbors. Mrs. McDougal repeats everything she hears.” He clacked his fingers and thumb together like a quacking duck.

I smiled at the gesture. “Fine, but I want to talk when we get home.”

Josef didn’t agree or disagree, but the discussion was forestalled by Mrs. Wilson’s flurry to greet us the minute we entered the house.

She held an envelope in each of her hands and waved them overhead like miniature banners. “One for each of you.”

I glanced at mine. “From Augusta.”

“From Reinhold,” Josef said.

We walked back outside and sat down on the front porch. “You first,” I said, staring at his missive. Reinhold was Josef’s final hope; the remaining friend he’d written to in Philadelphia; the last possible investment partner in the factory. I held my breath while he ripped open the envelope and extracted the letter. There was no need for Josef to tell me the contents. His crumpled features said it all.

“Your turn.” Instead of waiting, he stood up and gestured toward the door. “I will go in and clean up for supper while you read.”

I didn’t try to stop him. There was nothing I could do or say that would make the news he had received any easier to bear. “I’ll see you at supper.” I traced my finger beneath the envelope’s seal and unfolded the two pages. The first page was news that Augusta’s father had developed a medical problem and the family would return home on August 11. Next Monday! I wondered if Mr. Galloway would bring word from the investors that they wished to move forward at the earliest opportunity. I would wait until later to tell Josef. He didn’t need more bad news before supper.

Near the bottom of the first page, Augusta lamented the fact that they would depart the Thousand Islands prior to one of the grand parties scheduled for the end of August. From the tone of her letter, I could only assume Mr. Galloway hadn’t yet disclosed the depth of his medical condition. Perhaps he wanted to wait until the family returned to Fair Oaks.

Turning the page, I continued scanning the page until my breath caught in my throat. Near the bottom of the letter, Augusta said her Mother’s necklace had been recovered and that Detective Lawton hoped to have the crime solved very soon. The letter ended with a promise to explain more fully when next she saw me. I folded the pages together and replaced them in the envelope. Augusta’s comments made no sense. If the necklace had been recovered, didn’t that mean the crime had been solved?

CHAPTER
26

T
ime passed over the next few days much too quickly—and much too slowly. While I had wanted time to stop so that we could formulate a plan for Josef to purchase the factory, I’d also wanted the days to hurry by so Augusta would return home. I had anticipated hearing from her yesterday, but when bedtime arrived and there’d been no word, I assumed their train had arrived late. Since early afternoon today, I’d been eagerly contemplating the end of the workday.

I’d already cleaned my brushes in preparation. At the sound of the buzzer, I yanked off my canvas apron and, with a hefty toss, smiled when it landed on the hook.

Mr. Tobarth chuckled. “You’re becomin’ quite accomplished at hittin’ that hook.”

“Lots of practice,” I called over my shoulder.

With a wave I raced toward the front door. I’d already decided to take the streetcar to Fair Oaks if there wasn’t any word from Augusta when I returned to the boardinghouse. I could wait no longer. If I didn’t soon receive answers about Mrs. Galloway’s necklace, I would burst with curiosity. Josef was still sitting in his office when I skidded to a halt outside his door.

He glanced up and tapped the papers on his desk. “Go ahead without me. I have to complete these records.”

I didn’t argue. Even though I knew he’d appreciate my help with the figures, Josef was more than capable of finishing the task on his own. He’d been doing it without my help long before I arrived in Collinsford. I glanced up and down the street on the chance I might see the Galloways’ carriage but quickly determined it was nowhere in sight and hurried onward.

When I turned the corner and saw the carriage sitting in front of the house, I hiked my skirt and raced down the sidewalk at full tilt, my lunch pail clunking my leg with each step. I hoped I wouldn’t discover Tyson waiting to fetch me to Fair Oaks. I squinted against the harsh descending sunshine that shone in my eyes, and the moment I spotted Augusta standing on the front porch, I wanted to shout for joy. Ever the lady, she leaned across the porch rail and waved her handkerchief instead of calling out to me.

I inhaled a giant breath and bounded up the front steps. Augusta held her arms open, and I breathed heavily as we embraced. “I’m so happy to see you.” I panted for air and collapsed into one of the chairs. She sat down opposite me.

“And I’m every bit as delighted to see you, although I hadn’t expected to have our vacation cut short.” She snapped open her fan and wagged it back and forth with little conviction. “This summer wasn’t at all what I had hoped for.” She sighed and touched a hand to her high-crowned straw hat. Fancy bows of green ribbon adorned the brim and matched her dress to perfection. “Do you like my hat?”

“It’s lovely.”

Augusta didn’t seem herself, but I told myself we’d been separated for nearly two months and we’d need a short time to reacquaint. She’d become accustomed to discussing fashion and attending parties with her wealthy friends, while I’d remained busy with my life as a factory worker. We’d been living in different worlds with nothing but a couple of letters to connect our lives.

“Mother and I managed a few shopping trips before we departed for the Thousand Islands. I don’t think you’ve ever seen this dress or hat.” She smoothed the luxurious silk skirt.

I thought it a fancy choice to wear when calling in The Bottoms, but I didn’t say so. “Would you care to join us for supper? I’m certain Mrs. Wilson can set another place.”

Augusta wrinkled her nose. “I haven’t forgotten that woman’s lack of culinary skill. You should know I’d never dine at her table. I’d likely be sick for a week.”

“I’ve managed to survive, and you’ll hurt her feelings if you refuse.”

“Then we shall take the carriage and go to the tearoom downtown. They serve a light evening meal. Run upstairs and freshen up. I’ll wait.”

I didn’t argue. I wouldn’t win. Besides, I wanted to hear about the returned necklace. I performed my toilette as quickly as possible and stopped downstairs long enough to advise Mrs. Wilson of my plans.

“But I’ve made cabbage rolls for supper, and you’re going to miss out.” She rubbed her hands together. “I know they’re one of Josef’s favorites, and I hope to cheer him.”

I didn’t think Mrs. Wilson’s cabbage rolls were going to cheer Josef. Perhaps the ones his mother had made when he was a young boy had been a favorite—but not the ones prepared in Mrs. Wilson’s kitchen. “I hope you all enjoy them,” I said.

“I’ll save one or two for your lunch pail tomorrow.”

The thought of cold cabbage rolls, especially Mrs. Wilson’s cold cabbage rolls, was enough to send me skittering out the door without comment. Augusta hooked her arm through mine, and soon we were on our way. When I tried to quiz her about the necklace, she interrupted and said we’d discuss the necklace over supper.

Once the waiter had delivered a cold chicken salad and warm rolls, I reiterated my question. “Who stole your mother’s necklace?” I bit into the warm roll, the fragrance reminding me of the bakery beneath our apartment back in France.

“As I mentioned in my letter, the detective said he’s still in the process of investigating. I’m not supposed to be discussing this with you, but we are best friends. Besides, I don’t believe the detective.”

The bite of roll stuck in my throat. “About
what
?” I croaked.

“Well.” She whispered the drawn-out word and leaned across the table, her gaze darting around the room. Did she think Detective Lawton might peek out from beneath one of the linen-clad tables?

I pictured the detective with one of the freshly starched tablecloths draped across his bald pate, his beady eyes trained upon us, and burst into a fit of giggles.

“Oh, do stop, Carrie. This isn’t funny. If my parents discovered I was telling you any of this, I’d find myself in a great deal of trouble.”

I thought Augusta’s parents had much more worrisome problems to focus upon, but her recrimination and thoughts of Mr. Galloway’s medical malady did bring my laughter under control. I covered my mouth with my fingers. “I won’t laugh. I promise.”

Augusta fixed her lips in a prim, tight line that matched the ramrod frame of her shoulders. I realized that during the past two months she’d become the socialite daughter her mother so desperately desired. I knew we would never again walk barefoot in the grass or stroll down the sidewalk eating warm bread. My old friend had disappeared, just like my father’s paintings. Had the detective mentioned the missing paintings to Augusta or her family? I’d said nothing to Mr. Galloway, though Josef may have reported the theft to him.

At my encouragement, Augusta finally continued. “This truly is an exciting happening. That’s why I wanted to tell you in person.” Once again she looked around the near-empty room. “At a recent party hosted at the home of—well, it doesn’t matter where it was hosted; you won’t know the people. Anyway, I was standing with some of my friends waiting for the orchestra to begin, and the butler announced Mr. and Mrs. Summerly, people I’d never before seen. They entered the room, and that’s when it happened.” She paused and stared at me.

“What happened?” I asked, becoming increasingly annoyed by Augusta’s theatrics.

“Mother screamed, and I went racing to her side. She appeared to be frozen with her outstretched index finger pointing at the woman who’d entered the room. Mrs. Summerly was wearing Mother’s necklace.” Augusta clasped her hand across her neckline.

“No!”
I could barely contain my excitement. My ravenous appetite had completely disappeared, and I pushed aside all thoughts of my earlier exasperation. Had we not been in the tearoom, I would have jumped to my feet and danced with delight.

“Indeed!” Augusta’s eyes shone with excitement. “Isn’t that the most amazing thing you’ve ever heard?”

Who could argue? The news was more than amazing—it was very strange. Why would a woman wear a stolen necklace to a party where she might encounter the owner? My enthusiasm dissipated. “There’s more to this, isn’t there?”

“Yes, of course. Mrs. Summerly didn’t steal the necklace—nor did her husband. Though I must admit he was served a giant slice of humble pie.”

“How so?”

“He had presented the necklace to his wife for her birthday and said it had cost him a fortune.” Augusta winked. “He purchased it at a pawnshop in Cincinnati.”

Realization dawned like a blazing sunrise. “So the thief pawned the necklace, and the detective still hasn’t been able to discover the identity of the actual thief.”

“This is the part he doesn’t want you to know.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “The owner of the pawnshop said a woman brought the necklace and two rings to him. He gave a description, and the detective thinks it is
you
.”

“
What
? That’s ridiculous! He needs to do his job and find the true thief. From the very start, he’s been determined to make me the guilty party. Surely you know I would never do such a thing, Augusta. I’ve never even been to Cincinnati.”

She patted my hand. “Of course I know you didn’t take the necklace. And my parents continue to believe it is someone else, as well. As far as we’re concerned, all is well. Fortunately for Mother, the couple agreed to return the necklace without a fuss, though I think Mr. Summerly will now be out even more money.” Augusta took a sip of her water before she continued. “His wife insisted upon a new necklace—and this time she said she would accompany him to the jeweler. Isn’t that delicious?” After taking a bite of chicken salad, Augusta grinned. “Almost as delicious as this chicken salad.”

The chicken salad held little appeal now that I knew the detective still held me in his sights. “Do you think Detective Lawton will search for the real thief, or do you think he’s going to appear one day soon and take me off to jail?”

Augusta giggled. “Father would never permit such a thing. He wouldn’t bring charges against you.” She spread a teaspoon of jam on a bite of her roll and popped it into her mouth.

“From what the detective told me in one of our earlier conversations, the charges are filed by the attorney who represents this district in Ohio. Your father’s consent isn’t needed.”

“Why, that’s absolutely dreadful. I’m going to have Father talk to that detective and set things aright.”

Mr. Galloway had more pressing problems to contend with at the moment, yet I didn’t discourage Augusta. I feared she would question why I wouldn’t want Mr. Galloway’s help, and I might misspeak about her father’s health. In truth, I wanted any help I could get, and I’d let Mr. Galloway decide if he was physically able to meet with Detective Lawton.

“Tell me what has been happening where you and Tyson are concerned.” Had the two of them become engaged, Augusta would have immediately shown me her ring. Besides, I’d looked the moment she removed her gloves. Her ring finger remained bare.