Season of Fear (22 page)

"What did he say? Why did he call?"

"He said that he thought there was proof that Laura was murdered. He was asking me if I knew anything about it. He couldn't identify himself, and so I told him that I was quite in the dark about the whole thing. To tell the truth, it worried me a little, he didn't sound quite right."

Thoughts were flying through Robin's mind. Who would call Mrs. Manchester? Who would suspect the proof that they had found?

Was it the killer? Scared perhaps that the evidence had cropped out to indict him? Or her? Mrs. Manchester had said the voice hadn't sounded "quite right." Was the killer mentally unsettled, wondering what had happened to the incriminating evidence, the buried helmet that was proof that foul play had occurred?

Who else would have questioned Mrs. Manchester? Who else knew about the evidence? Only Duke, the police chief and Alex himself, and she could think of no motive for any of them to hesitate in identifying himself to his loyal and trusted retired housekeeper. Once again Robin felt the uncomfortable tingle of apprehension that she had felt in the jeep...

What would be the outcome of all of this?

"Do you think I did right?" Mrs. Manchester's voice brought her back to the present. "Was it right to give the impression that I had no idea what the fellow was talking about?"

Unhesitatingly Robin assured her. "Quite right," she said, "and if you ever hear from the person again, you use the same tack."

She looked at the dear little woman before her, elderly and alone, not deserving to be involved in such an ugly situation. What chance would she have with a neurotic killer who feared that she knew things that could incriminate him?

"Don't you worry about me, Robin," the cheerful voice said. "I am quite safe here, and certainly not planning to make myself a target for some lunatic."

She squeezed Robin's hand, and looked at her with clear, bright blue eyes. The knowledge that Mrs. Manchester was well aware of the situation calmed her nerves a bit.

But she couldn't totally shake her apprehensive mood as the three of them returned to the ranch in the jeep. Looking at the strong-hearted little woman beside her, Robin was more than a little glad that she would be spending a few nights at the ranch, in a house full of people, and not alone in the darkness that settled over Hamilton at night.

Robin settled Mrs. Manchester into one of the comfortable, cheerful rooms located along the same hall as her own. The clock proclaimed that the afternoon was fast coming to an end, and Robin decided to take the time to dress and get ready for the party early, so that she would be on hand for any last-minute assistance that might be needed.

The soothing bath water enveloped her as she climbed into the tub. She relaxed in its depths and rested her head on the ledge behind her. She was looking forward to the party, she realized suddenly, and was startled a bit by the fact. It had been so long since she had attended one...back during her collegiate days in Chicago. And even then, with her concentration on her schoolwork, her devotion to her father, and her responsibilities in their small but well-loved home, she had not spent much time with the frivolities and dreams of so many young girls.

She had occasional dates, attended various social functions for different organizations, but had been out of the mainstream of young social life. She had never felt that she was particularly missing anything, and so the excitement that she felt about the coming evening was a surprise to her.

She dried herself with a fluffy pastel towel and was soon slipping into a sundress, its delicately flowing material settling softly over her young, firm body. Its color was the palest of blues, setting off her tanned complexion. Her fair hair was vigorously brushed, its golden sheen hanging down over her shoulders.

She looked in the mirror and smiled at herself. She did not look sophisticated, she knew. She would win no beauty contests with Deborah. But she looked rather nice.

She would never be classified as sophisticated, but she was becoming more and more sure of herself, and that was good.

"Maybe you're finally growing up, my dear." She could almost hear her father's voice, so sure of what he would say and think if he had been present with her. She thought of him fondly, gave herself one last look, and picked up a white shawl for cover if the night turned chilly, before heading on her way.

The pool area looked lovely. Robin had to give Deborah credit for the job that she had done with the decorations for the party. Tiny colorful lights had been hung up and flowers were tastefully arranged here and there.

The children bathed and dressed, appearing one by one with their freshly scrubbed faces, anticipation peering out of their happy eyes. Robin glowed at Sara, looking charming and lovely in a pale yellow dress that complemented her thick black hair and olive complexion.

At the end of the day, the hands took off from the ranch with a hoot and a holler, their daily work done, their spirits high, looking forward to their own evening plans. In the morning they would be back... probably without sleep and feeling the morning-after pangs of their night of partying, but still would be able to tend to their daily duties.

Their noisy exodus lasted only a short time, and within a few minutes the bunkhouses were empty and quiet.

Robin saw Alex's familiar form in the distance by the big barn, talking privately to Duke. Both men looked intent and serious and Robin wondered if anything had happened on the ranch.

But Alex appeared at the house cheerfully within a few minutes in his work clothes and disappeared to ready himself to play the role of host to his guests who would soon be arriving.

Robin found the kitchen to be in a kind of bustling order that precedes the serving of a special meal. The tantalizing dishes were almost ready to display, their aromatic smells mingling teasingly with each other and promising a delicious treat. Cook's tasty cooking would be appreciated by many before the evening was through.

Mrs. Manchester was working at her side as Robin arrived to offer her assistance, and they clicked their tongues at Robin's words.

"You don't belong out here, Robin," chastised Cook with a twinkly look in her eye.

She was dressed in a gay floral dress, still covered by her ever-present wraparound apron, but looking delightful just the same.

"You should be out ready to receive the guests."

"But if you need help here—I'll be glad to. Cook, you know I always like to help you..."

Robin was puzzled by the look that passed between the two women. Mrs. Manchester smiled, then set the bowl she had been carrying down on the counter before her.

"I can help cook, Robin. Goodness knows how many years we've done things together. And you really do belong out there with the family, dear. I'm sure that Alexander is counting on you. Now leave the kitchen in these four able hands for one evening, and go and enjoy yourself."

Robin walked swiftly to her room, feeling confused and out of place. Mrs. Manchester and cook had the kitchen under control, obviously, and their words had been meant kindly. But Robin had the feeling of being neither fish nor fowl. She had been politely told that she was not needed and did not belong in the kitchen. She had seen Deborah's competent results in planning the party for tonight. Herman and Lisa had not yet emerged from their rooms. The children and Alex and Deborah would be greeting the guests as they arrived. Where did she fit into this picture? What should she do?

Since she still had an hour until the party would begin, where she could mingle easily with the guests, she decided to get out the budget books for the ranch, the household and family accounts, and review the balances.

The housekeeping accounts were quickly done, her weekly totals accurate and fairly consistent, with the exception of the added expense for the party preparations. She expected the family accounts to be the same, and efficiently computed the credits and debits for the recent entries. The entries were correct and just as expected as she went through page by page. She was ready to compliment herself on her accurate bookkeeping when she reached the last entry in the big blue checkbook.

The realization that came to Robin upon seeing it brought a lump to her throat. She had not written the check that had been attached to the stub still in the book. It was written in a man's large, masculine scrawl. There was no doubt in her mind that it was written by Alex himself.

"Pay to the order of Deborah Rankin," it read, right under today's date, "the sum of ten thousand dollars."

She could imagine Alex's hand signing the check with an intent look upon his face.

"Personal" was the notation on the stub.

Tears welled up in her blue eyes, and she brushed them aside, angry at herself for her emotional reaction.

Alex and Deborah were obviously very involved with each other, and it would be a natural course of events for them to become permanently attached, to be married. The thought stung her, and her heart ached. But she had to accept the fact.

She shut the book before her, and tried to brush her unhappy thoughts away. She remembered the feeling of being close to him, the way he had looked into her eyes. He was with Deborah now, and she must remember only that.

She remembered her promise to herself to go on with her life, to cope with the new hurdles and the problems that she might come upon. She quickly put the books away and left her room, shutting the door behind her.

Ahead, she could hear music and the first of the guests arriving. She would go and join the party, and be so happy on this night. She was not going to let her heavy heart get the best of her.

Chapter 20

By the time Robin reached the pool area, she found that a number of the expected guests had arrived. Alex was looking tall and handsome in a pale-blue open-necked shirt and tan pants. His hair, so often blown about by the wind, was well brushed and distinguished looking. His handsome face was smiling and cordial as he welcomed the visitors and offered them the hospitality of his home. Robin pried her eyes away from him as she saw Deborah approach.

Deborah looked gorgeous. She was dressed in sophisticated black, a simple, clinging dress that made heads turn. Her hair was demurely pulled back and pinned to the top of her head, giving her a tall and striking appearance. She was a beautiful woman, Robin had to admit. She watched while Deborah attached herself comfortably to Alex's arm, chatting with a guest in her animated way. Robin turned away, unwilling to torture herself with the sight.

The teenagers were gathering at one corner of the pool area, looking freshly scrubbed and excited. Sara sat in the middle of them, basking in the delight of having her friends around her. Gregory sat by her feet, younger than the rest of the crowd, but enjoying the activity. Robin made a mental note to keep an eye on him as the evening progressed, when his interest in the older teens would probably wane.

Many residents of Hamilton were people that Robin had not had the chance to meet during her visits to town. As introductions were made, she found them to be nice, hardworking individuals. Several were parents of the teens that Sara and Jacob had gotten to be friends with. There was much discussion about the coming school year, and their delight that the Ridley children would once again be attending the local schools. It was comforting to see the way the townsfolk were reacting to the family. The past seemed more or less forgotten, and the atmosphere at the party was relaxed and carefree.

Cook and Mrs. Manchester had loaded the waiting table with their delicious variety of tantalizing foods, and the guests casually helped themselves as the evening wore on.

Robin mingled with each small conversation group, and was surprised at how much she was enjoying herself. She found Herman at her arm, suddenly, and smiled at him warmly. He, too, looked as though he was having a good time. Since his arrival at the ranch so many weeks before, his appearance had improved so greatly. The tiredness had been removed from his face. He looked healthier and happier, and even years younger. Lisa, too, seemed to have benefited from their long vacation from the motel.

"You look beautiful tonight, Robin. Are you having fun?"

"I'm amazed at how much I'm enjoying myself. I think I could get used to a social life."

"You're a young girl, my dear, and that is just what you should do. I always hoped that you would get out into the world more and discover how much fun it is to live! Have you forgiven me for not presenting you with the news of your inheritance sooner? I did it for your own good, you know. I was so afraid that if you found you had means immediately, you would stay right where you were, trapped in your own little cocoon, and not have the need or motivation to make drastic changes in your life. I took a chance that you'd never forgive me, but it seemed right at the time. Are you glad you came to Montana?"