“She would make sure he understood that she would win the support of the wives of all his friends. He’d be socially ostracized. Even though his friends might not care what he had done, their wives would make certain he was never invited anywhere. The threat of such a fate would be enough to ensure his discretion.”
“Now he doesn’t have to worry about that,” Sarah mused.
“No, he doesn’t, but I still don’t understand why he’s letting the police investigate the murder.”
“I got the feeling the whole thing was Miss Yingling’s idea. She dressed up and went to see him, sort of like in the Bible, the way Queen Esther dressed up to go see the king to plead for the safety of her people.”
“It’s a trick as old as time.”
“And she convinced him to do it.”
“Yes, she did,” Mrs. Decker said with a frown. “But why? Why would she care so much?”
“Maybe we misjudged her. She had good reason to be grateful to Mrs. Van Orner, who’d rescued her from the depths of degradation and given her a place in her own household and a respectable way to earn her living. I can’t even imagine how grateful I’d be to someone who had done that for me.”
“You’re right. I hadn’t thought of it that way before. She hasn’t shown it, but she must be devastated that Vivian is dead.”
“And if Vivian was murdered, Miss Yingling would surely want to find out who did it and see them punished.”
“That would be perfectly natural, and the only way to find the killer is to involve the police.”
Sarah nodded. “So that explains why she went to so much trouble to make sure Mrs. Van Orner’s death was investigated.”
“And if they find out Amy is the killer, she’ll be rid of an annoying problem into the bargain.”
“Yes, everything would work out very neatly for Miss Yingling . . . but only if Amy is the killer.”
11
“MOTHER, COULD YOU HAVE YOUR DRIVER DROP ME OFF someplace?” Sarah asked, even though they were almost back to the Decker home.
“Of course, dear. Where would you like to go?”
“I need to see Mrs. Spratt-Williams. She was very concerned when I told her Amy had left the rescue house, and I’d like to let her know she and the baby aren’t in any danger.”
“I’m sure she’ll be surprised to learn she landed at the Van Orner house.”
“Maybe not. Amy certainly gave plenty of hints that she was involved with Mr. Van Orner.”
“Still, hinting and moving in with the man are two very different things.”
“Would you like to go in with me?”
“Yes, but I don’t know Mrs. Spratt-Williams and I have a feeling I don’t want to. She’ll surely be looking for patronesses to replace Vivian. Your father would never permit me to support such a cause, and I’d rather not have to refuse her.”
“Since when do you worry about what Father approves and doesn’t approve?”
Mrs. Decker shook her head in mock dismay. “Sarah, I was trying to be discreet. When I don’t want to do something, I always blame your father. How unkind of you to make me admit it.”
“I’m so sorry,” Sarah said with a grin. “Then I won’t force you into an acquaintance with Mrs. Spratt-Williams. Do you know anything about her? She said she’s a widow.”
“Hmmm, I seem to remember some scandal about her husband. He’s been dead a number of years, though, and there have been so many scandals in the meantime that they’ve started running together in my memory. I could be completely mistaken, too. I do know she doesn’t go out in society. She’s probably one of those widows who devote themselves to good works.”
That seemed to describe Mrs. Spratt-Williams perfectly.
Mrs. Decker gave her driver the address, and they chatted about Catherine for the rest of the drive. Mrs. Decker had taken a healthy interest in the child who would likely be the closest thing to a grandchild she would ever have. Mrs. Decker instructed the driver to wait until Sarah had been admitted into Mrs. Spratt-Williams’s house, and Sarah waved good-bye before stepping through the front door.
Mrs. Spratt-Williams looked much better today than she had yesterday. She was dressed and groomed, and her color was good and her eyes clear.
“Mrs. Brandt, what a delightful surprise. Please come in and sit down. I’ll order some tea.”
“Oh, don’t go to any trouble for me. I can only stay a few minutes. I just thought you’d want to hear some good news for a change.”
Mrs. Spratt-Williams looked oddly wary. “Good news?” “Yes, we’ve found Amy.”
“Amy?”
“Yes, and her baby. They’re both safe and sound.”
“Oh, my, that is good news,” she said, although she didn’t seem as relieved as Sarah had expected. “Where has she gone?”
“I’m afraid this may be a bit shocking to you, but she’s staying at the Van Orner home.”
She did find this shocking. “At Vivian’s house?”
“Yes, she . . . Mr. Van Orner has taken her in.”
The older woman’s expression hardened. “The scoundrel!”
Sarah decided to withhold comment. “I knew you were worried about Amy and the baby, so I wanted you to know they weren’t out on the streets.”
“I almost wish they were. Oh, dear, I suppose this means Amy’s claims were true, that Gregory is the father of the child . . . Or at least that he was involved with her and has reason to believe he could be.”
“I learned long ago not to make assumptions,” Sarah said.
“Vivian knew he had a mistress, but so many men do, you know. They get tired of us when we aren’t young and pretty anymore, and to tell the truth, most women are relieved when their husbands turn their attentions elsewhere, if you know what I mean.”
Sarah knew exactly what she meant. “So she didn’t mind?”
“She never said. Vivian kept the secrets of her heart very closely, but I don’t think she was jealous, not of Gregory, at any rate. She was desperately jealous of the child, though.”
“Amy’s child?”
“Yes, she wasn’t able to have any of her own, you see. She suffered several miscarriages, and then her physician told her she shouldn’t even try anymore. Her life could be in danger if she lost another one.”
“So seeing Amy’s baby and knowing it might be her husband’s child . . .” Sarah gestured vaguely, encouraging her to go on.
“I’m sure that’s why she was so determined to turn the poor girl and her baby out. She never would have been that heartless with anyone else.”
“Do you think Amy was frightened?”
Mrs. Spratt-Williams looked at Sarah in surprise. “Frightened? I’m sure she was, but Amy wasn’t one to simply quake in her boots. She gave as good as she got from Vivian. That’s why Vivian hated her so much.”
“Did Amy hate her, too?”
Sarah waited while her hostess considered the question. “What are you really asking me, Mrs. Brandt?”
“Someone poisoned Mrs. Van Orner. Do you think Amy would do something like that?”
Plainly, Mrs. Spratt-Williams wasn’t used to answering such frank questions. “I can’t say for certain, of course. I didn’t see her do anything, and she hasn’t confessed to me, but as I told you before, Amy has had a difficult life. She came from a respectable family, but her father was involved in some unsuccessful business dealings and lost all their money. He couldn’t stand the disgrace, so he killed himself, leaving Amy and her mother destitute. They struggled for a time, but when Amy started blossoming into a lovely young woman, her mother arranged for her to be taken in by a protector, a man who had been a friend of Amy’s father, I believe.”
“Mr. Van Orner?”
“No, Gregory got her later. Her first protector passed her along to him. I’ve heard that’s fairly common.”
“And when he tired of her, he gave her to Mrs. Walker,” Sarah said, telling the part of the story she
