Mr. Tibbs nodded as his frown deepened. “I saw him go into Albert’s study an hour before Miss Mills arrived. I heard them yelling, mainly Terrance.”
“Do you know—” Denton’s voice choked with emotion, so he cleared his throat and started over. “Do you know what they were arguing about?”
“The will.” Tibbs rubbed his clean-shaven chin. “The only two children who weren’t losing money were Wallace and Patricia. Terrance wanted his inheritance, but Albert refused. He told Terrance that as soon as he married Miss Mills, his will would go into effect, and none of the children would get a penny.” Tears filled his eyes. “I heard Terrance yell at his father, and the next thing I heard was someone falling to the floor.”
Denton tried holding back his own emotion as his heart continued to crumble over what his friend had done. “Did Terrance know you had heard?”
Tibbs nodded. “Terrance threatened me that if I said anything, he’d make sure I never worked as a butler again.” He shrugged. “I didn’t know whether he meant that he was going to kill me, or just ruin my reputation, but either way, I didn’t want to cross that man.”
Denton inhaled a shaky breath, trying to gain control over his emotions. “Does Clive or Louise know it was Terrance?”
Both the butler and cook shrugged. “I think,” Mrs. Jackson said, “that Terrance planted into their heads the idea of it being Miss Mills, and since nobody liked her, it was easier to believe she killed Albert.”
“All right, then Terrance acted alone.” He glanced at Tibbs. “And you said Terrance has gone to Stumptown?”
“Yes.”
“Then, I shall get him and arrest him.” Denton squeezed the older man’s elbow reassuringly. “I won’t let him get away with this.”
“Thank you, Mr. Reed.” A tear slid down the man’s face.
“Now, you two better get back inside before Clive or Louise notices you out here talking to me. Both of them acted very suspiciously when I talked to them, so I don’t want them doubting your trust.”
The servants turned toward the house. Suddenly, a gunshot blasted through the air, followed quickly by another one, breaking nature’s peacefulness. Pain exploded in his body. His heart dropped.I’ve been shot!He crumbled to the ground.
* * * *
COURTNEY'S HANDS SHOOKas she held the still-smoking pistol. She was too late. When the scar-faced man had pointed his gun at Denton, she aimed her gun at him, but his trigger finger was much faster than hers. Thankfully, though, the bullet from her gun had found its target, and the scar-faced man had fallen to the ground.
She ran toward Denton as tears swam in her eyes. The cook and butler were attending Denton, but she couldn’t see what was going on. As she neared, she heard them talking to Denton, and her hope grew in her heart.
“Denton!” she screamed as she reached them and fell to the ground beside him. His eyes were open, and he clutched his left shoulder. The cook’s apron had been wadded up and placed against the wound to help stop blood flow.
“Miss Mills,” Mr. Tibbs exclaimed in surprise. “What are you—”
“Will he be all right?” she asked, cutting him off.
“Courtney,” Denton said in a tight voice, “I’ll be fine. Just take me to a doctor so that he can remove the bullet.”
“You aren’t going anywhere,” the cook said in a commanding voice. “I’ll have Joseph ride out and bring back the doctor.”
Courtney nodded. “And have him bring the sheriff too.”
“Why?” Denton asked.
“Because Miss Louise hired the man who shot you, and she needs to be arrested. I witnessed the exchange.”
Denton tried to sit up, but Courtney placed her hand on his chest, trying to hold him down. “Don’t move. It’ll only make you bleed faster.”
“Courtney, where is the man who shot me?”
She motioned her head toward the group of trees. “In there. I shot him.”
“Is he dead?” Denton asked.
“I don’t know, but he fell to the ground. I was more worried about seeing to your welfare than worrying about him.”
Mr. Tibbs grasped Courtney’s gun and stood. “I’ll go check on him first, and then have Joseph fetch the doctor and sheriff.”
