“Sensible people would have a staff to do those things,” Victoria countered.
“Well, until you find some, you’d better see to it yourself.”
Kenzie made her way back downstairs, spying Patrick, Camri, and Judith talking in hushed tones at the entryway. They all looked up in unison with the same worried expression on their faces.
“What’s wrong?” Kenzie didn’t need to be told it involved Micah. He hadn’t been around in days, and she’d felt uncomfortable ever since Patrick had mentioned him going to see Arthur.
Camri answered. “Micah hasn’t been back to the warehouse since the night he went to the Arthur’s hotel.”
Kenzie bit her lower lip and forced all sorts of unpleasant thoughts from her mind. “He’s probably just been too busy.” She walked down the last few steps.
“I was thinkin’ much the same,” Patrick said, “but then one of his doctor friends showed up at the warehouse this morning. He said Micah hasn’t been to work—not since that day.”
“Patrick also spoke with Pastor Fisher,” Camri added. “They haven’t seen Micah either.”
Kenzie nodded. The truth was too obvious. “Arthur’s done something with him.”
“With who?” Victoria asked, coming down the stairs. She looked at each person’s face, then settled on Kenzie.
“It’s none of your concern.” Kenzie turned back to her friends. “Do you know anything else, Patrick?”
“No, I’m sorry to be sayin’ I don’t. I wasn’t even worried about him—knowin’ how he can be with his work and all.”
“Micah wouldn’t let people worry about him if he had the ability to do otherwise.” Kenzie went to the door. “I’m going to see Arthur and find out what he’s done.”
Patrick reached out and stopped her. “You can’t be goin’ to the hotel alone, especially if that man has done somethin’ to Micah.”
Camri took hold of Kenzie’s arm as well. “He’s right. If Micah’s disappearance is Arthur’s doing, then he’s already done whatever it is he’s done. If you show up without protection, he might very well hurt you.”
“Then what do you propose I do?” Kenzie looked from Camri to Patrick.
“Let’s sit down and discuss it sensibly and come up with a plan,” Camri suggested. “Maybe you could send Arthur a message to come here. At least that way you’d have all of us nearby, and we could help you in case something went wrong.”
What Camri said made sense, but Kenzie wasn’t feeling sensible. Especially when Micah might be in trouble.
“You people are all fools,” Victoria declared, bringing everyone’s attention to her. “Isn’t it possible that Dr. Fisher has simply tired of you? Honestly, Kenzie, it isn’t that difficult to believe he might have found someone else to be interested in, especially given that you hardly seemed inclined to give him the time of day.”
“That isn’t true,” Judith said, positioning herself directly in front of Victoria. “You can say and do what you like where I’m concerned, but you have no right to hurt my friend. Now, go into supper or back to your room, but you aren’t part of this conversation.”
Kenzie had never seen Judith take such a stand. It was impressive, and even Victoria seemed to realize she’d gone too far. Without another word, she made her way into the dining room.
Judith turned back to face the others. “I’m sorry for what she said. You know it’s her goal to make us all miserable. I’ll go keep her company while you decide what to do about Micah.”
Victoria had seen the anger in Judith’s eyes and knew it was no time to make a scene. She needed to bide her time just a little longer, until she could meet with Abraham Ruef. If she caused too much trouble, they might find a way to keep her from ever having that meeting.
She sat down at the table and took a biscuit from the plate. Without worrying about the others, she began to nibble on it. It was light and fluffy. Actually, it was delicious, but she wasn’t about to admit as much. Judith had made them, and Victoria wasn’t going to praise her for anything.
“How can you be so cold and indifferent to the pain you cause others?” Judith asked in a hushed voice. “I have never met anyone with less compassion than you.”
Victoria stopped eating and shook her head. “I wasn’t trying to be hurtful, simply truthful. You all presume that because Dr. Fisher isn’t around, begging crumbs from Kenzie Gifford, that something bad has happened to him. I merely suggested that it’s possible he got tired of waiting for her to make up her mind.”
Judith sat down across from her. “But your intent is to cause pain and problems. It’s one thing for you to hate me. I completely understand, and were I not a Christian woman, I might return the favor. As it is, I can honestly say there is nothing about you that I like. You are mean-spirited, vindictive, and hateful. However, given your upbringing and the people who were responsible, I have to pity you.”
“Don’t.” Victoria hated the very idea of Judith pitying her. She could deal with hate and anger, but not pity. No one pitied Victoria Whitley. “I don’t want your pity. I don’t want anything from you, except my money and freedom.”
“Believe me,” Judith said with a sigh, “I want that too. I want to give you both and send you as far away from me as possible. And just speaking honestly about that makes me sad. We might have been friends—true family. We might have shared laughter and stories—daily events and memories. We might have offered each other comfort in our times of loss.” Judith shook her head in disappointment. “But instead you treat me worse than you would one of your servants. Frankly, I’d rather be completely without family than try to nurture something with you.”
Victoria kept her expression blank, but Judith’s words stung. “Then we’re in agreement on something.”
