And about three-fourths of the way down his jacket, there was a blank spot where a button should have been.
Sykes!
Noah's suspicions were already on high alert after the reported second robbery, especially from the way Sykes and George kept sending knowing looks to each other. Their answers flowed in synchrony, his brother's concern too sedate.
And the fact that there was no trace of an intruder, not even footprints, in the direction Sykes pointed, despite the damp ground, deepened Noah's suspicions.
The knowledge of the missing button only confirmed those suspicions.
But why? Why would Sykes join forces with George? And why would George steal from his own business he claimed to want to save?
Noah took the next few days to look for his own clues, even questioned Jones, and after some prodding at the man's hesitancy, Jones admitted to concerns about Sykes and George.
“I ain't sure, sir, but I just overheard a few things. They talked at different times, all after work hours.” Jones shook his head. “And Mr. Lewis gave Sykes some money. I saw that plain as day.”
But how to prove it?
Cash wouldn't leave a trace.
And Sykes wouldn't implicate himself by betraying George.
He'd told Jones to keep a close eye on any exchanges between Sykes and George and to await further instruction.
If he could get proof, he would not only have answers, but perhaps even use the knowledge to change George's ways.
And save the mill.
Chapter 22
KIZZIE BARELY HAD TIME TOturn her mind to Mr. Sykes and the thief. She'd told Noah about the missing button on Sykes’ jacket, and he'd shared his concerns about George. Then, he'd surprised her by stopping at the store later that week to inform her of what he'd learned from Jones, as if her opinion was important to him.
She liked the notion that she mattered enough for him to go out of his way to get her opinion. Especially since it gained her the attention of a man she admired so much. But no evidence pointed to Sykes or George. Or at least, not enough to incriminate them.
Though Noah planned to use Jones to keep a keener eye out for more evidence.
Even though there was little they could do about the robberies, there was a whole lot they could do about getting more workers for the mill. Over the next two weeks, Kizzie, Victoria, and Noah readied the mill cottages and discussed plans for the women to start their new jobs. Noah mentioned how George asked when the workers planned to start, which Noah saw as a good sign.
Or at least a sign that his brother bowed to necessity over convention, which proved positive for Gayle's girls as well as the mill overall.
Noah held a private training with them on the Saturday evening they moved into the cottages in order to make their transition to work on Monday as successful as possible.
And it was. Hettie and Mary brought five more women with them, including Mrs. Carter's newest boarder, Jessie, a seventeen-year-old with a one-month-old baby to tend.
The two twelve-year-olds proved indispensable, with Noah pulling from his own limited cash to pay the babysitters.
Mrs. Carter even volunteered to help one morning a week.
And Noah kept growing dearer to Kizzie with each day.
Watching him oversee the mill and relate to his workers only strengthened her admiration. He genuinely cared for them, asking personal questions about family members or inquiring after an illness.
Hardships had changed her, but they'd also made her stronger. Wiser. She noticed things now she'd have never noticed with Charles. The way Noah treated his mother meant more to her. The kindness he showed to all classes and stations. The diligence in his work and care for others.
Telling a woman her bonnet strap was loose and too close to the machines.
Warning an older worker of a slippery spot on the floor.
What other employer would notice things like that and make a point to protect his workers?
