A Broth of Betrayal (12 page)

“What kind of carving?” a woman asked.

“It was a small carving of a house, a house in the colonial salt box style, most likely
the home of this man. Underneath that was a date—1777. And that’s not all—on the other
side . . .” Horace paused for a moment, making sure he had everyone’s attention. “On
the other side was carved, ‘
This horn belongs to Nathanael Jared Cooper, may this powder kepe saf my home.
’”

Cordelia Rank stood, her face white. Her husband took her hand and urged her back
into the seat.

“And,” Horace continued, “lodged in the remains was the projectile that probably killed
this poor man. We are having it analyzed to see if it is alloyed like the bullets
made at home in the Colonies. You may know this already, but many people melted their
household pewter—which is tin and lead—to make these lead balls during desperate times.

“More importantly—and this is the astounding fact—this lead piece showed evidence
of scoring that indicates it was fired from a rifle. The colonists had been using
rifles for some time, but British regulars shot only muskets. So, whatever killed
this poor man, it was not a British bullet. Perhaps he was killed by friendly fire,
as they say. Or perhaps he was killed because he was a traitor to the cause.”

Cordelia stood, her lips pinched, her face ghastly white, and shouted, “
You are a liar and a fraud. My ancestor was a patriot!
”

Chapter 20

N
ATE EDGERTON WASN’T
long on patience at the best of times, but before the meeting could erupt in shouts
and chaos, he took over. Horace, stunned by Cordelia’s outburst, relinquished the
microphone to Nate immediately. Professor Arnold looked from one to the other for
an explanation of Cordelia’s shouted words.

“All right, everyone, that’s enough. Settle down.” Nate’s voice held such authority
that people were silenced immediately and resumed their seats.

“After I’m done, you’re free to ask all the questions you like of Professors Arnold
and Winthorpe, but before everyone disperses and heads home, I have a very urgent
announcement to make.” Nate surveyed the room. “It appears, unless someone here has
evidence to the contrary, that Mayor Elizabeth Dove is missing.”

One woman cried out in shock. Lucky heard several gasps. Nate continued. “Lucky Jamieson
has brought it to my attention that Elizabeth hasn’t been seen since the evening of
August tenth. Her assistant at her office has not spoken with her, or heard from her.”

“How do you know she just didn’t go out of town for a few days, Nate?” a man called
out.

Nate heaved a sigh. “There’s always that possibility, but it doesn’t seem to line
up with what we all know of Elizabeth.”

Lucky felt a hand grasp her arm. Startled, she turned to see Edward Embry, a look
of shock on his face. “Is this true, Lucky? No one knows where Elizabeth is?”

“Yes. It’s true. I haven’t seen her or been able to reach her since the day of the
demonstration—or since Harry was discovered. And she hadn’t told Jessie, her assistant,
that she’d be away.”

“She definitely would have let someone in her office know if she was taking a few
days off,” he said thoughtfully.

Nate allowed the buzzing in the room to continue for a minute or so. Then he tapped
the microphone to get everyone’s attention. “We have to assume that she is officially
a missing person and operate accordingly. I’ve contacted the State Police, who have
already stepped in, and the FBI, who will be sending a team.” He glanced at Sophie,
who nodded affirmatively. “Flyers have been prepared and need to be distributed. Please,
everyone. Please pick some flyers up on your way out, and post them wherever you can.
Talk to everyone you know, and let them know about this. This will hit the news media
tomorrow.”

“Nate!” a woman called out. “Maybe she’s had an accident.”

“Could be, could be. But her car has not been reported. There have been no hospital
or morgue admissions that match her description. We are putting this out on the web,
as well. There are many organizations that do good work publicizing the missing and
locating them nationwide. We plan to use all the resources at our disposal. What I
want from all of you here tonight is to see me before you leave, and I emphasize this:
Let me know if you have seen Elizabeth Dove in the last four days. She was seen publicly
at the demonstration, and last seen leaving her office that evening. If you have any
knowledge of her whereabouts after the evening of the tenth, make sure you talk to
me before you go. My deputy Bradley is at the rear of the hall with Sergeant Steve
Woczinski of the State Police.” Nate nodded in his direction and several heads turned
to stare at the Sergeant. “We are organizing a ground search of areas around the town
and the woods and we desperately need volunteers. If you can help, please do so.”

“You got it, Nate,” Barry Sanders called out. He looked as shocked as the rest of
the crowd. Lucky was heartened by Nate’s quick response and the feeling of concern
in the room for Elizabeth.

“Give Deputy Moffitt your name and contact information. We’ll be starting early tomorrow
morning with the help of the State Police, but again, we need all the volunteers we
can get. We’ll split people up into groups and organize searches by grids and by areas.
Sad to say, people do go missing in Vermont and all across the country. Sometimes
they’re found. Let’s hope this is one of those times.” Nate turned and handed the
microphone back to Horace. He looked toward the back of the room where Bradley waited.
A small table had been set up with several pads of paper. Anyone who could meet at
the designated time was to list their name and contact numbers to join a search party.

“Nate,” a man in the rear called out. “What about Harry Hodges?”

Nate took the microphone from Horace. Before he could answer, a woman called out,
“Have you arrested anyone?”

Nate cleared his throat. “This is an ongoing investigation. I can’t comment on that
as yet.” Nate passed the microphone back to Horace and walked to the rear of the hall.

Horace spoke into the microphone. “Everyone, please, if you possibly can, fold up
your chairs and place them against the side wall. Thank you.”

Sophie stood next to Lucky, one of the cardboard boxes in her arms. “Let’s make sure
no one escapes without a bunch of these.” Sophie hauled a batch of flyers out of the
box and handed half the pile to Lucky. She took another stack and placed them on the
table where Nate, Bradley and Sergeant Woczinski stood.

Most of the crowd headed in their direction. It seemed everyone was ready to volunteer
whatever free time they had to join in the search. Lucky and Sophie blocked the exit
door, checking that every person leaving had a small stack of flyers to take with
them. Lucky glanced down. A photo of Elizabeth run by the
Snowflake Gazette
when she was elected Mayor filled one quarter of the page. The word
MISSING
was emblazoned across the top. Sophie had done a good job preparing the flyers. They
read, “Police are asking for the public’s help in finding a missing woman last seen
on August 10. She is described as 58 years old, 5’5” weighing 130 pounds. She was
last seen wearing a white blouse and navy skirt. If you have any information, please
contact . . .” and then the flyer listed several numbers and e-mails, with websites
for further information.

Lucky fought a wave of terror. A woman she had known all her life, summed up in one
paragraph that conveyed such dread. There was simply no way to shut off the pictures
that flashed through her mind of what might have happened to Elizabeth.

Marjorie and Cecily were the first to approach. “Oh, Lucky. This is just terrible.
First Harry and now this. What’s happening in Snowflake?”

Lucky wiped her eyes and took a deep breath. She could barely choke out the words.
“I don’t know, Cecily. I just don’t know.”

“Do you think this could have something to do with Harry’s murder?” Cecily breathed.

“You know, it’s strange. That’s what I’ve been wondering. It was the news of Harry’s
murder that first made me worry. Elizabeth would have certainly called us or come
to see us. That’s when I really started to worry—the fact that we didn’t hear from
her at all after that was just too strange.” Several groups had collected behind Marjorie
and Cecily. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to cut this short. I just want to make sure no
one leaves without several of these to post around town.”

“Of course,” Cecily said, taking a batch of the flyers. “We’ll stop in at the Spoonful
tomorrow to see you and we’ll sign up with Nate. Whatever we can do, we will.”

“Thank you.”

Janie and Jack had packed up leftovers and washed out the coffee urn. Jack had returned
to the hall and with Horace’s help was busy folding up the remaining chairs, stacking
them at the side of the room.

Professor Arnold, carrying his briefcase, approached Lucky. “Why don’t I take some
with me, back to the University. I can have some of my students post them at school
and around town.” He didn’t say it, but Lucky thought his tone implied it was a long
shot that any news of Elizabeth could come from another town.

“Thank you. I really appreciate that. Anything you can do.”

“I’ll talk to my students. Maybe they’ll have some time to volunteer in the search.
Tough business. I’m really sorry.” Horace followed Professor Arnold to the door and
shook his hand. He returned to offer help packing up.

“Thanks, Horace. I think Jack has everything loaded on carts, but we’d love a hand
back to the Spoonful.”

“Be glad to. And I’ll be going out with Nate and Bradley first thing tomorrow. Happy
to do all I can for Elizabeth. I’m sure we’ll find her.”

Lucky nodded, unable to speak. “I’ll just check on Jack and see what he needs.” The
first box of flyers was empty. The second box, half full. “Sophie, do you want to
bring these back to the Spoonful?”

“Sure, and I’ll take a pile up to the Resort and post them everywhere I can.” Sophie
reached out and pulled her close in a hug. Then she pulled away, grasping Lucky’s
shoulders and looking in her eyes. “She’s not dead.”

Lucky nodded in response.

“She’s not. I just know it.”

Chapter 21

T
HE NEXT MORNING,
Lucky and Sophie stood in the entry hall of Elizabeth’s home watching another police
officer as he moved carefully around the first floor, checking windows and door locks.
Charlie had bounded down the stairs, his bell jingling when he heard voices. At the
sight of two strange men, he trotted to the dining room cabinet and hunkered underneath
it.

Sergeant Woczinski was questioning them again. Lucky reiterated her movements. “The
only thing I found out of place was the mail on the floor right here and two magazines
and a flyer on the porch swing.”

“Where did you put them?”

Lucky pointed to the hallway table. “Right there. The magazines and the flyer were
too big to fit through the slot, so the mailman had to leave those on the swing outside.”

The other officer returned to the entry hall. “Doesn’t look like anything was disturbed
here. No sign at all of a break-in. Whatever happened, I’m inclined to think she left
home voluntarily.”

“Sophie and I thought we’d take another look through her desk and cabinet if that’s
okay. Just on the off chance there’s something that might give us an idea.”

“Go right ahead. We’ve already searched but maybe you’d notice something that we missed.
If so, let us know. Make sure no one else enters or knows about that spare key. We’re
going to canvas the neighbors now and then get back to the ground search. Here’s my
number.” He pulled two cards out of his pocket and handed one to each of them. “Call
me if you come up with anything, anything at all.”

Lucky followed the men to the front door and locked it behind them. She walked into
the dining room and knelt in front of the china cabinet, calling to Charlie, “Come
out, Charlie. Come on, big guy. The scary men are gone.” Charlie trilled and rushed
into Lucky’s arms. “Let’s get you some fresh food.”

Sophie followed Lucky into the kitchen. “That cat loves you. Listen to him purr.”

“He’s so sweet natured. Elizabeth’s doted on him his whole life.” Lucky gently lowered
Charlie to the floor and opened the refrigerator. Charlie rubbed against her legs,
knowing his dish would soon be full of food.

“This is such a nice room,” Sophie said, gazing around. Elizabeth’s kitchen walls
were painted a soft coral color. Pots and pans hung on a rack near the stove. Everything
was well used but spotless. Custom shades and curtains in pillow ticking, white background
with thin blue stripes, hung at the windows, and place mats and plaid napkins echoed
the coral and blue colors of the room. “It’s so cheerful and orderly.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Lucky responded. She filled a small watering can half full and
pulled a step stool close to the sink. She climbed up and watered the trailing ivy
that hung in the window. “When Elizabeth comes home, I want her to feel that everything
is in its place and has been cared for.”

“She will,” Sophie replied, watching as Lucky rearranged the trails of ivy leaves.
“Let’s go upstairs and start going through the filing cabinet.”

Lucky climbed down and put the small watering can under the sink. “This may be a complete
waste of time and there’s no time to waste, but I’d hate to think there was something
here that could help us find her.” Lucky folded the step stool away and replaced it
in the pantry.

They climbed upstairs and went straight to the small office. Lucky opened the top
drawer of the three-drawer filing cabinet. She pulled out a stack of files and handed
them to Sophie. “We just have to remember to put these back in order.”

“That’s easy. She’s labeled them all alphabetically.” Sophie flopped to the floor
and leaned against the daybed. She laid the folders next to her, and after opening
the first one, started to go through its contents methodically.

“Where was Elias last night? I didn’t see him at the meeting.” Sophie focused on the
papers in front of her, carefully turning each page over.

“He went to Lincoln Falls. One of his patients had surgery early today, and another’s
been admitted. He’ll be back late afternoon probably.”

“I feel awful going through her things like this. I hope she’ll forgive me whenever
she turns up.”

“I’ll feel more awful if there’s something here that I’ve missed.” Lucky rubbed her
forehead. “I should have sounded the alarm sooner. That’s what I keep kicking myself
about. I should have known when I didn’t see her at the Pastor’s ceremony or the dress
rehearsal on the Green.”

“Stop that!” Sophie said sternly. “You couldn’t have known. You’re not a mind reader.
Stop beating yourself up.” Charlie had followed them into the room and now jumped
on the daybed, purring loudly. Sophie reached up to pet him. He meowed and rolled
onto his back, enjoying the attention. Sophie gently pulled on Charlie’s ears. “Maybe
we should take him to your apartment. What do you think?”

“I’ve thought about that, but I don’t know. Cats are so territorial. It might freak
him out. Besides, he’d be just as lonely there. I’m never home.”

“Guess so.”

“I’ll just stop by every morning and make sure he’s okay.” Something in Lucky’s voice
made Sophie look up. “What do we do if we can’t find her in the next day or so? Oh,
Sophie! People do disappear, just like my parents disappeared.”

Sophie climbed out of her sitting position and grasped Lucky’s hands. “I know they
did. And it was terrible. And this is bringing all that up again. You’re not wrong
to be worried about her, but your perspective might be a little bit skewed,” Sophie
said, carefully gauging Lucky’s reaction.

“I don’t want to lose anybody ever again in my life, Sophie. I know that’s crazy,
but that’s what I want.” Lucky grabbed a tissue from the desk and wiped her eyes.
“It’s the worst thing in the world.”

Sophie waited patiently for Lucky’s outburst to subside. “It is. Nothing’s worse.
But we haven’t lost her yet, have we? We’ll find her. Nate’s doing all the right things.
He’s called in the right people who are organizing everything. It’s gone public as
of today and the State Police are making sure it’s plastered all over the media.”

Lucky was still for a moment. “I know they’ve organized ground searches, but instead
of joining one of those groups, why don’t we drive around, go up and down every street
in town, all around the Resort and every turnoff from here to the main highway. If
she drove away, and she must have because her car is gone, then her car is somewhere—somewhere
it hasn’t been spotted yet. Somewhere in the woods or off the road. Otherwise, it
would have been reported by now.”

“It could take days to cover all the roads and paths into the woods, but we could
do it early in the morning as soon as it’s light out.”

“Let’s split it up. I’ll get a map and we’ll divide the whole area into sections.
I know Nate’s had Bradley try to do that, but they’re not gonna have the time, especially
with Harry’s murder investigation. Let’s start tomorrow. You up for that?”

“Absolutely,” Sophie agreed. “I guess it’s something we can do until we have a better
idea.”

Lucky and Sophie waded patiently through every folder in Elizabeth’s filing cabinet,
every drawer in the desk and every drawer in the bedroom bureau. Time had passed and
nothing remarkable had been found. “Well, that’s it,” Lucky said as she gently closed
the last bureau drawer. “All this time wasted. We could have been searching with one
of the groups for the past two hours.”

Sophie heaved a sigh, replacing the last of the folders. She gave a rub to Charlie’s
stomach. “Does he have enough food?” she asked as they headed down the stairs.

“He’s fine. I’ll check on him tomorrow on a break.”

“Set your alarm. I’ll be at your apartment door at five o’clock tomorrow morning with
maps. Take pity on me and have some coffee ready. We can easily get in a few hours’
searching.”

Lucky locked the kitchen door behind them and returned the key to its hiding place
in the garage. They walked slowly down the driveway. When they reached the sidewalk,
Lucky looked up and down the street. “I know you and the police have already done
it, but do you think it’s worth talking to some of the neighbors again?”

“You need to get back to the Spoonful. Why don’t I do that? I can just say I’m checking
back with them and I can pass out flyers. They may remember something they didn’t
think to tell the police. They may not know what they know.”

“Thank you, Sophie. I can’t thank you enough.”

“Don’t thank me. I just want Elizabeth back. I can’t bear to see you in this state.”