Plain Murder (Amish Romance Mystery): Clean Mystery series (Amish Secret Widows' Society Book 8), page 1
Plain Murder
Amish Secret Widows’ Society Book 8
Samantha Price
Copyright © 2014 Samantha Price
All Rights Reserved
License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be resold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only,
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Thank you for respecting the author's work.
*****************
This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The personal names have been invented by the author, and any likeness to the name of any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Chapter 1.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
"I'm so excited to have this opportunity, Silvie." Sabrina grinned between sips of tea. "Fulltime work, and doing something I love to do. Mr. Caruthers said it’s more than likely that I’ll get more hours to add up to fulltime.”
Silvie whooshed around the kitchen in her usual early morning flurry to get her chores done before she went to her job at the bakery. "You've worked hard for that position, you deserve it."
Sabrina took the opportunity of Silvie's good mood to tell her about her plans. "But there's more."
Silvie turned to her, a curious peak in one brow. "More you say?"
"I found a great little place for lease, not far from here. I'm thinking of..."
The air left Silvie's lungs in a dramatic puff. "You want to move out?"
"You're married now. You should be allowed to enjoy married life alone with Bailey. You don't need me getting in the way every evening." Sabrina looked up at Silvie. “Now, I know that you’ve said no in the past, but can’t you take a moment to think about it properly?”
Silvie sat at the kitchen table with Sabrina. "How can you possibly afford it? I know you will be earning a fulltime wage soon, but they don't pay a woman nearly as much as they pay a man, you know. No one does. "
"But I can, I checked what I'll be earning with the fulltime position."
"Ach, Sabrina, mudder would not think it’s right for you to live alone.” Silvie held her hands in her lap. "You say that Bailey and I need to be alone, but that's not true. You're familye, and we want you here with us.”
Sabrina knew Silvie would do this, say these things, but her mind was made up. "I appreciate that. I really do. But this is something I need to do, something I want to do. I'll make sure Mamm and Dat understand that you did your duty, tried to make me stay but that I refused. Don't worry."
Silvie's cheeks reddened. "Is that what you think, that my protests lie solely in duty? Sabrina, how could you?"
"Nee, of course not, I didn't mean it like that. But Mamm and Dat will insist you stop me, and I know you will feel responsible. You're a good woman, of course, you will. I'm just saying that there is no need to feel that you should make me stay. I want to be by myself."
Silvie leaned across the table and pushed some loose strands of Sabrina's hair back under her prayer kapp. "It's so much more, Sabrina. You're my little schweschder. I've loved having you here. In spite of your drama before the wedding."
Sabrina gave half a smile at her schweschder; she had hoped that Silvie might forget all the things that she said about Bailey before they married.
"I'm going to miss you at the breakfast table." Silvie's eyes glistened with emotion.
Sabrina did not want to upset her sister. Silvie had put up with a lot from her in the past and had been through so much during her young life, so her needs meant a lot to Sabrina. But Sabrina had to live her own life. "I feel like I'm intruding on a familye here, Silvie. I don't feel I'm living in my own life, rather that I'm living in yours."
"Didn't we make you feel welcome?" Silvie’s eyes reddened as if she was going to cry.
"Jah, of course. But you're in love; I feel I'm in the way. You should be alone with Bailey, and I should be elsewhere living my life as I see fit. I'll still come by and visit you both."
Silvie frowned, her mouth drooping and her bottom lip protruding.
Please don't cry. "And I'll still be around when the little bopplis arrive. And let's face it, that will happen a lot quicker if I'm not here making you both feel uncomfortable."
Silvie's mouth upturned before she covered it with her delicate hand. "Ach, Sabrina, you’re awfully crude."
"Nee, just honest. So, I'm leaving then, and you and I are right with it, jah?"
“Let me think on it for a time. You know you’re extra special to Mamm and Dat because they thought that they were through with having bopplis and then you arrived a gut ten years after me. I’m surprised they even let you live with me since they’re too far away to keep a gut eye on you. It’s only because they trust me to do it.”
“I’ll be alright, Silvie.” Sabrina knew that what Silvie said was true, but she would have preferred if she were a little less special in her parents’ eyes. With all the attention, came expectation, and pressure to be the perfect dochder.
* * *
Sabrina did not want to hear her boss argue with his son, but her desk was right outside his office, and the walls were thin.
"Trevor, you come again for more money? Yet you've squandered every dime I ever gave you. Why would I feed this need in you? In which way does either of us benefit?"
Trevor snarled, "Well if you will listen to gossip father, there is nothing more to say."
"Gossip? I need only to look at the state of you, smell the whores on your body and the whiskey on your breath. I see nothing for the constant investment I make in you, for the faith that I have shown you. Nothing."
Sabrina winced at the mention of whores, feeling altogether unprepared for such subjects in a place of business or anywhere else in her world.
"It's going to be one of those days is it?" Trevor's voice did not sound in the least bit confrontational, rather than that it rang with boredom. "Should I get on my knees father, make a list of promises I couldn't possibly keep, and confess my sins to my perfect father? It’s not as if you’re perfect. I could speak of Mrs. Wright."
Mr. Caruthers, Sabrina’s boss, huffed in frustration. "Don’t mention her name, do you hear me? And as for having you make promises, that would be pointless and you know it."
Sabrina knew that Mrs. Wright was an Englischer, who often visited the auction house after she’d bought some horses. She wondered what Trevor meant by bringing up Mrs. Wright’s name to his father.
Trevor said, "Excellent, then we can bypass the drama and get down to the writing of checks?"
"What would you live on if I were not the generous father you despise so much?"
Sabrina heard a drawer open and papers rustling.
Mr. Caruthers continued, "What did I do to make you so hateful?"
Trevor yawned loud enough for the sound to carry through the walls until Sabrina peered up at the door and realized it had come ajar.
Sabrina wanted to close the door, but did not want either of them to know she had heard their argument. Instead, she got on with the work in front of her.
"You think I’m hateful? What father wouldn’t want to help his son out? It’s not as if you’re doing something that any proper father wouldn’t. If I had a son, I’d help him out.”
“Well, you don’t have a son, do you? Come to think of it you could be supporting three families on the money I’ve given you over the years.”
“I'm running dreadfully late, could we do this Q&A thing another time?"
Sabrina jumped as she heard something that sounded like Mr. Caruthers slamming his fist onto his desk.
"No, we damn well can't. You have nowhere important to be that's the point."
"Now, now, father, the staff will hear your temper and gossip will spread like wildfire that the great man himself is falling apart. As for having nothing to do, whose fault is that? I keep telling you I'm ready to go when the place is up and ready. I work hard around here and deserve a promotion and a hefty pay rise. If you paid me what I’m worth, I wouldn’t have to keep asking you for money."
"As if I could trust you to manage anything. Anyway, we may not be opening the other place. Money’s tight at the moment. This is the last dime you’ll get out of me. I’m cutting you off; this is your last check. See how you survive without my constant bailouts. Maybe you could try proving yourself like everyone else has to."
Trevor spoke through a searing rage. "Like everyone else but one. Let's face it father, I was never ever going to live up to the effervescent May, my saintly and ever so saccharine sister."
Their voices were not raised now, and Sabrina could scarcely hear what they were saying. She moved closer to the wall and pressed her ear firmly against it.
"No, you're wrong. She does prove herself worthy everyday." Mr. Caruthers’ voice shook with emotion. "Because she appreciates everything given to her, and she puts others first. May
“There we have it then, you answered your own question."
"What in tarnation are you talking about, Trevor? So you treat me like this because you're jealous, petty, and spoilt? But you were both born equal, Trevor. You were loved the same as children and treated the same. There’s no use talking to you.”
There was a snatch of something, most likely the check. "I'll take that and leave. You’re old, and soon you’ll be dead and I’ll get everything and I’ll run this place better than you ever did."
“Well, that’s something I’ve been thinking about too.”
“What do you mean that’s something you’ve been thinking about? You’ve always said you’re going to leave this place to me. I’m the only one who’s truly interested in this business.”
There was a moment of silence. Sabrina stayed perfectly still with her head pressed to the wall as hard as she could.
“Go on. You’re not thinking of changing your will, are you?”
“I don’t want to, Trevor, but I’d like to leave this world with the comfort of knowing my legacy will keep going for generation after generation. I’m trying to build a legacy that will live on. My fear is that you will squander it all away.”
“I won’t squander anything. I’ve just got to sort a few personal financial things out, and I’ll be fine.” There was silence for a time and then Trevor spoke again. “Look at it like this – I’ve got a degree in business and May, well May’s an airhead.”
“May has common sense and a natural flair for business. I put all my eggs in one basket, and that was wrong of me. I should have let May go to college too and not just you.”
“Trust me, Dad. You’ll be sorry if you change that will.”
“I’m seriously thinking of it, and I don’t say that to be mean, I say that to wake you up to yourself.”
Sabrina heard Trevor’s footsteps and flew back to her desk.
Sabrina smiled nervously up as he stormed past her desk. Trevor’s face was hard, and his eyes blazed straight ahead in a fixed stare.
Chapter 2.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2
"Sabrina." A frazzled looking Mr. Caruthers poked his head around his door. "Could you bring me a cup of tea?"
"Certainly, Mr. Caruthers." She made his tea strong with a lemon slice and moved swiftly to his office. After Mr. Caruthers’ row with his son, she doubted he would be in a good mood, and she did not want to get on his wrong side today. "Here you go, Mr. Caruthers, nice and hot." She turned to leave, but stopped at his request.
"Close the door and sit with me a moment, Sabrina."
She did as asked silently praying he wasn't the type to take a bad mood out on his employees, especially females who he was just about to promote officially. She sat in the high black leather chair opposite him and placed her hands neatly in her lap.
"I'm going to treat you with the respect you've earned during your time here, and not ignore the fact that you overheard my altercation with Trevor." He squeezed some lemon into his tea and took a sip.
She wanted desperately to deny it, but that would not be respectful and could lose her the job since he valued honesty. She could not lie to him. "I did hear bits and pieces, the loudest bits and pieces.”
"Well, from my recollection, that's pretty much the whole thing."
"Um, perhaps. If you say so, sir."
"I want to apologize for anything you might have heard. Much of which, no lady should be exposed to." Mr. Caruthers scoffed. "Trevor is a disappointment to me."
Sabrina felt sorry that a father should feel so let down by his own child and sorry that a son should feel such a let down to his father. But she had to come across as neutral as possible. "I wouldn't know I'm afraid, not knowing Trevor at all I mean." She did know Trevor well enough to know that she did not care to spend too much time in his company. He was loud and opinionated and condescending to all the staff.
"It gives me no pleasure in saying these things; you should know that, Sabrina. If and when I open the new auction stables, and Trevor doesn't instantly get the job he thinks he deserves, any former bad behavior will seem angelic in comparison." The stress of the argument with his son crinkled his forehead and his jaw flexed in a grinding motion.
Sabrina bit her lip; he had promised her fulltime work so if he did not go ahead with the new auction house, what would happen to her job? "I'm sure it will all work out for the best, sir." What else could she say? This wasn't her business; she had no right to comment on his personal life. She glanced awkwardly at the exit, wishing she could get up and get on with her work. "Who will get the job of managing the new place?"
"Ah," he smiled, clearly relieved to think of someone other than his son. "That would be a man who’s worked for me for ten years. He's such a wonderful fellow, and when he takes the job, I'll be able to sit back and relax, safe in the knowledge that the place is in good hands. I could never do that with Trevor. I mean, can you imagine? He'd gamble it away in a month; the boy has no sense of responsibility, no sense full stop."
"Oh, um." Change the subject. "I was under the impression that it was all going ahead.”
"Maybe, I’ve run into a few stumbling blocks though."
"Who's the man who’s worked for you for ten years?”
"It's John Steele.”
"Ah, John." Lovely, lovely John. Sabrina hid her inner swoon. "Yes, I know him."
A knock at the door disturbed Sabrina's roaming thoughts about John and her awkward conversation with her boss, and was soon followed by May entering the office. May was always bright and happy and lit up every room she entered.
"Hello Daddy, and Sabrina. I wondered why you weren't at your desk."
"I'll leave you two to chat. Can I get you tea, May?"
"Oh, do stay, Sabrina, no need to rush off. No to the tea, thank you.”
“Sabrina and I have finished our conversation.”
“I want her to stay.” She stared at her father. “I'm sure you know exactly what I'm here to talk about."
"I've no idea, I'm sure." Mr. Caruthers frowned as May sat in the chair next to Sabrina.
"Come now, Father. There's no need trying to deny it. Trevor told me you'd had a row about something again, and I mean to find out why."
"It really isn't your concern and I'm too tired to go through the whole sorry tale again. He's wasted enough of my day."
"Did he demand more money? That's it isn't it? And the horse auction you're opening soon at.... oh where did you say again? Anyway, was it that? Did you refuse to give it to him - the management job?"
"No, that quarrel is another thing I have to look forward to.”
Sabrina felt embarrassed at witnessing their personal conversation of family concerns. “I really have work to do.”
May ignored her and spoke to her father. "Can't you give him a chance? Is he really so useless? He might redeem himself, surprise everyone, given half the chance."
Her kindness reminded Sabrina of her own sister, Silvie. That may be why Sabrina had gotten along so well with May as soon as she met her.
"I've already chosen the man for the job, May. I can't give Trevor the chance to let me down again."
May's tiny nose wrinkled. "Oh, please stop."
Mr. Caruthers frowned at his daughter. "Sorry?"
"So, who's getting the job?" May asked.
“John Steele."
"John? Really?" Sabrina noticed the flush at May's throat and cheeks, the quickened blink of her lashes. "Heavens."
"A good choice?" Her father smiled at her reaction.
"Oh my, yes." May rose to her feet with a jump, and then the pretty grin slipped. "But he'll be... how far away will he be?"
"Around fifty miles. He'll have to relocate of course, which is a shame. I won't be the only one who will miss the fellow; he's very popular."
Sabrina now knew for certain that May had feelings for John Steele. Sabrina could not deny her own attraction to John, but she could not compete with May. For a start May was an attractive and wealthy Englischer and Sabrina was Amish, which had to be a distinct disadvantage if she was to gain John’s attention. Anyway, there was not much point to either of them liking John if he was going to leave the area. Today was going from bad to worse. "Excuse me, would you mind terribly if I got back to my work? It won't complete itself and I promised Silvie I'd be home on time tonight. She does so hate it when I'm late for dinner."
