“Yes. And despite her love for us, she left with Lucas. When Father discovered her letter announcing her elopement, he was so furious, his heart gave out. He died after three days in a coma, and we've not heard from Clarice since.”
“I'm so sorry.” She touched his arm. “And you lost your wife and son? You've gotten more heartache in your young years than most folks feel in a lifetime.”
“It has been …” He swallowed so hard she heard it. “Difficult, but I pray God has used and will continue to use my hardships to stir up my strength, compassion, and trust in Him.” He waved toward her. “As He's done with you.”
And again, his simple statement proving he saw beyond just the superficial in her touched all the wounded places in her chest. A gentle touch. Healing and confidence-building.
His gaze held hers a moment before returning to the room. “Obviously, this is where we store finished product.” He led her through another door which opened into a large room of shelves and counters, much like a general store, except it only held textiles of various types. Socks, fabrics, some linens.
“And here is our mill store, where we sell our products and—” He paused, focusing on something across the room.
Kizzie followed his attention to a counter holding a huge cash register. The money drawer hung open.
Noah rushed to the register then moved to a shelf housed behind the counter, his movements frantic.
“What's the matter?”
“The register money is gone.” He drew a metal box from the shelf, dug into his pocket, and pulled out a key ring. After a little finagling to find the right key, he opened the metal box and looked up at her, his brows drawn almost together. “And so is the cash from the money box.”
She scanned the room as if some robber might still be hiding in the shadows. “But how? I don't see a broken window or anything like that.”
“How indeed?” He walked past her toward the door that led outside from the mill shop.
Kizzie followed.
Noah turned the knob and opened the door. “This is unlocked.” He looked over at her. “We never leave this unlocked.”
His gaze trailed from the carriage, along the side of the building, and over the area in front of him. He stepped forward, studying the ground. “Wagon wheel marks and footprints.” He pointed to the ground, still half covered in snow. Then he knelt down and picked up something from the mixture of snow and rock. Something small and white.
Kizzie drew closer.
A cigarette?
He raised another item for her view.
A blue-and-gold button.
Chapter 19
AFTER A BRIEF CONVERSATION WITHMr. Sykes, who appeared as shocked by the robbery as he did, Noah returned to the house with Kizzie, asking her to keep the current situation private from his mother until he could pursue further investigation.
Kizzie excused herself to feed little Charlie while Mother went to change into something with less baby spit on it, so Noah took the opportunity to phone the police department in town.
From what he could tell, someone stole at least one hundred and fifty dollars, and what was more disturbing was the fact that there was no sign of a break-in.
He needed to discuss the findings with George and make next steps.
Noah rolled the button around in his hand. A fine button. Not something from someone without either means or fashion interests. Or perhaps, a clothing item passed down from someone of means to a mill worker? A sliver of gold dotted the center of the button. Unique. Recognizable, if he could find a match on someone's jacket.
Kizzie assured him that she would keep her eyes out for a match too, though he felt certain finding the culprit through a button was akin to locating a mouse in a field. The mill had only been robbed once before, three years ago. The culprit only got away with a few pieces of fabric, two dollars, and the storekeeper's secondhand boots.
But with the amount stolen this time, how did Sykes not see anything or anyone? And the burglar must have been an expert lock picker too.
“I've already invited Kizzie to dine with us next Saturday, Noah.” His mother rounded the corner, tugging at the sleeves of her blue gown. “Just so you will be prepared.”
“I appreciate the preparation, Mother, but, if you'll recall, I have a meeting out of town next Saturday.” He walked forward and bent to kiss her cheek. “So you'll have to make do without me.”
“Oh yes.” She nodded. “What is it about again? Some sort of new machine?”
