Trudy's Diary Read online

  “Is there anything wrong with that? I mean, if he’s really checking up on you, then he’s obviously finding out that you’re capable of doing the work. Now maybe he’ll leave you alone.”

  “But he calls me when I’m out of the office, too, to see what I’m doing.”

  “Maybe he’s just a control freak.”

  “Maybe,” Daisy said doubtfully.

  Over dinner Grover regaled her with tales from the wedding over the weekend. Apparently the bride had a hangover on Saturday and threw up right before the wedding. The groom got lost on the way to the church. Grover had Daisy in stitches before the end of the meal.

  “Stop!” she cried, holding her sides from laughing. “You have way more fun at work than most people.” Grover grinned. It was nice to see him smiling, and the worry lines had lifted from his forehead since arriving at her apartment.

  “So let’s get down to business,” Daisy said. “I haven’t talked to you in a few days. What do you hear from the police?”

  Grover sobered immediately. “I’ve been trying not to think about it. But two officers came to my apartment to see me Saturday morning. They wanted to know more about Walt’s refusal to pay the entire bill.”

  “I wonder why they wanted to know that,” Daisy mused.

  “I’ll tell you why. Because Melody reported that Walt’s wallet had been stolen. So now they think I took his wallet after I killed him because I wanted the three hundred bucks.”

  “You’re kidding,” Daisy said, her mouth hanging open in dismay.

  “I’m not. Do you think it’s possible that he was killed in a robbery that went south?”

  “I don’t know what to think. I want to believe Melody did it, but a robbery is certainly a possibility. Was anything else stolen?”

  “Not that I know of,” Grover replied.

  “Did the police ask to search your apartment?”

  “No. Do you think they will?”

  “I don’t know,” Daisy said. “I’m sure they got a good look around while they were there, but obviously they couldn’t have looked in drawers or anything like that. They might come back with a search warrant.”

  “So what do I do then?” Grover asked.

  “Call a lawyer.”

  “And if I don’t?”

  “Then let them search. Hopefully it won’t come to that,” Daisy said with a sigh. “What did you tell them about the dispute over the bill?”

  “The same thing I told them before. Walt complained, I disagreed, and then I ended up giving him a three-hundred-dollar discount.”

  “Did things get heated between you and Walt?” Daisy asked.

  “I wouldn’t say so. He was just being a jerk, Daisy. He didn’t want to pay the price he agreed to, and he was trying to put something over on me.”

  “So why did you take the three hundred dollars off the bill?”

  “Because I didn’t want him to bad-mouth DC Haute Cuisine. My reputation is worth the three hundred bucks.”

  “And that’s what you told the police?”

  “Yes. Almost word-for-word.”

  “We need to find out Melody’s story,” Daisy said. “Let me work on Brian and see what I can learn from him.”

  “Okay. Thanks for your help. I should get going. Want help with the dishes?”

  “No. You probably spent half the weekend doing dishes,” Daisy replied. “I’ll see you later.”

  After Grover left and the dishes were done, Daisy settled down to read more of Trudy’s diary. She was finding that a stillness came over her each time she opened the diary and she was eager to follow Trudy’s days in the early American west.

  Chapter 26

  November 15, 1865- Wednesday

  Thomas and I and the children had such fun on Saturday at church. I haven’t even had time since then to sit down and write about it because we got snow on Sunday and we’ve been busy making sure everything on the farm is ready for winter.

  Thomas and I attended a meeting in town last night. It was held to discuss the building of another store on Main Street. Thomas is interested in finding out as much as he can about the town since he is a new resident. He didn’t say anything during the meeting, but discussed it with me on the way home. He does not agree that the town needs another building, and especially not another store. He thinks the town is growing too big, too quickly. I’m not sure I agree with him and I told him so. He seems to like discussing things with me. He says I’m smart.

  When we got home Mama asked him to come to supper again on Sunday after church and to bring Lady and Jesse, of course. He said they’d all come, and I’m happy that I’ll be seeing him again.

  * * *

  T

  November 30, 1865- Thursday

  I have not been seeing much of Thomas and the children because the snow has come to stay for the winter. He has been working on the inside of their house. He has invited me to come see it when it is done, but he fears that won’t be until the springtime.

  Papa has spent a lot of his time with my brothers in the stable making all the repairs he did not have time to make during the autumn. Mama and Margaret and I have been putting up the last of the harvest for the winter. We have a lot of food. Sometimes it seems like we’ll never be able to eat all the food we have stored, but I know we will be running low by the time spring comes.

  The snow is about a foot deep right now. I like to walk outside when it’s snowing, but it makes Mama nervous so I don’t do it very often.

  I miss seeing Thomas and Lady and Jesse. I was getting used to seeing them at least one or two times a week. I’m afraid that won’t be possible again until the weather gets better.

  * * *

  T

  December 24, 1865- Sunday

  I can’t believe what just happened. Thomas and the children couldn’t come for supper today because Lady is sick. But Thomas came into church as the service was ending and gave me a package wrapped in newspaper. A Christmas gift! I haven’t opened it yet because he said to wait until tomorrow. I’m so excited!

  * * *

  T

  Chapter 27

  Daisy was dying to know what Thomas gave Trudy that Christmas back in 1865, but before she could read any further the phone rang. Annoyed, Daisy picked up the receiver.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello, Daisy? This is Brian. Brian Comstock. How are you?”

  “Oh,” Daisy said, surprised. “I’m fine, Brian. Can I help you with something?” She was wary, given the circumstances of her last encounter with Brian.

  “I’m wondering if you know whether Mark John has read the diary I sent him last week. The one from the mid-eighteen hundreds Nebraska. I was thinking about it tonight and I can’t seem to get in touch with him.”

  Daisy knew Mark John was supposed to be reading the diary, but she couldn’t lie to Brian. “Actually, I’m reading it myself right now. I asked Mark John if I could read it first and he said that would be okay. Is it all right with you?”

  “Oh, yes. Of course it’s all right. Are you enjoying it?”

  “Yes, very much. I read a little of it each night before bed. Do you mind if I ask where you got it? I’d like to include some of the material in an article I’m writing for the journal, but before I can use it I need to know where it came from.”

  “Uh, well, I don’t know exactly. I found it.”

  “Can you tell me where you found it?”

  “In a box.”

  “Where was the box?”

  “In my garage.”

  “Where was it before you found it in the garage?”

  “Um, I’m not precisely sure.”

  This was getting ridiculous. Was there some reason Brian couldn’t divulge where the diary had come from?

  Daisy suppressed a sigh of frustration. “Tell you what, Brian. If you’re able to remember where the diary came from, could you let me know? I’d appreciate it.”

  “Yes. Sure thing.”

  “While I have you on the phon
e, I was wondering if you could tell me a little bit about Melody Beecham.”

  There was silence on the other end of the line.

  “Brian?” Daisy thought maybe they had been disconnected.

  “I’m here. Why do you want to know about Melody?”

  “I’m just wondering. She’s lost a husband, you know, and I was wondering how she’s been handling it.”

  “I’m sure you know that Walt and my sister were having an affair before they died,” Brian said.

  “Yes.”

  “I begged Fiona not to do it,” Brian said. His voice sounded anguished. “Our parents are deceased, but they would have been so disappointed.” This wasn’t about Melody, but Daisy figured she should listen carefully. It sounded like Walt needed to talk and besides, she might learn something interesting.

  “Did you ask her why she was drawn to Walt?” Daisy asked.

  “Of course. She always said the same thing--Mark John never paid any attention to her.”

  “And Walt did?”

  “Walt was completely besotted. He told me he had found his soulmate.” Brian sneered the last word.

  “Wow,” Daisy said, unsure of what to say next.

  “Marriage is sacred,” Brian continued, a touch of scorn creeping into his voice. “You can’t just pretend your marriage vows don’t exist because you’re not receiving enough attention.”

  “Did you ever mention this to Mark John?”

  “No. I didn’t want to embarrass the man. I’m sure he didn’t want me knowing about all his marital troubles. But I did try to hint around to him sometimes, you know. For example, I would tell him about things going on in the community and suggest that he and Fiona go. Things like that.”

  “He didn’t follow up on your suggestions?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “So, getting back to Melody,” Daisy said, “how is she doing?”

  “She’s a mess. First she finds out her husband is sleeping with another woman, then he’s murdered. The poor woman doesn’t know how she’s going to explain this to her children when they get older.”

  “I’m sure she’s devastated,” Daisy murmured.

  “And the police won’t leave her alone,” Brian added.

  “Why not?”

  “Because she looks guilty, of course. The jilted wife, couldn’t take it, that sort of thing.”

  “Do you think there could be any truth to that?”

  “If you’re suggesting what I think you’re suggesting, Daisy, it’s highly inappropriate of either of us to make any such accusation.”

  Uh-oh. The last thing I want to do is antagonize Brian, thought Daisy. He’s one of the few people who can help figure out this mess.

  “Oh, no, no. I wasn’t making an accusation. What I meant was, do you think Melody could have been so upset she didn’t know what she was doing?” Daisy asked.

  “Oh, I doubt that. Anything is possible, I suppose, but Melody has a wiser head on her shoulders than that.”

  “I’m sure you’re right,” Daisy said in a soothing voice. “What a relief.”

  “I’ve got to get going, Daisy.”

  “Sure. Oh, one more thing, Brian. Where did you get my number?”

  “I found it online. It was surprisingly easy.”

  In the days that followed Daisy was busy with assignments for Global Human Rights. She went to work every morning still tired from the day before, and she went to bed each night exhausted from a long day. She didn’t even have a chance to pick up Trudy’s diary. She didn’t see Grover or Helena again until two weekends later, when the three of them gathered for an early lunch before Grover had to get to work for an evening garden party. Daisy finally had a day to herself without any deadline hanging over her head.

  Helena was telling them a story about her new boyfriend, Bennett, when Daisy’s phone rang. It was Mark John. Daisy excused herself from the table and took the call on the sidewalk outside the restaurant.

  “What’s up?” she asked.

  “What are you doing right now?”

  “Having lunch with some friends. Why?”

  “I just talked to Brian and he’s obsessed about that diary he gave me. He says you have it. Do you?”

  “Yes. You asked me to read it and you told me to let you know if there’s anything interesting in it so you could discuss it with him if he asked about it.”

  She could tell Mark John was thinking back, trying to recall the incident. Finally he said, “So you’re still reading it?”

  “I’ve been too busy for over a week now to even look at it. Do you want it back?”

  He sighed. “Not really. Is there anything in it I should know about?”

  “I don’t think so. It’s just a young woman from Nebraska and what seems like a courtship between her and a man with two children. I haven’t read enough to know for sure. Nothing you’d be interested in.”

  “All right. Keep it for now. I may have to ask for it if he doesn’t get off my case.”

  “No problem. Is that all you wanted?”

  “I suppose. Which friends are these that you’re having lunch with?”

  “Helena and Grover. You’ve probably heard me talk about them.”

  “Ah, yes. I guess I have. Well, enjoy.”

  Daisy shook her head as she ended the call. He’s so nosy, she thought.

  She returned to the table just as Helena was telling Grover about a man she had met recently. Daisy sat down and Helena turned to her excitedly. “I was just telling Grover about Dave, a guy I met last week. He’s not my type, but I think he would be perfect for you, Daisy.”

  Daisy replied without hesitation. “Not interested.”

  “Why not?” Helena whined. “We could double-date. Come on, it would be fun!”

  “Nope,” Daisy said. “I’m not looking for a date or a boyfriend or anything like that. I’m too busy.”

  “I’ll get a picture of him. You’ll change your mind.”

  “Want to bet?” Daisy asked with a smirk. Grover watched the exchange with interest.

  “Why don’t you want to, Daisy?” he asked.

  “I just explained why. I’m not looking for anyone. I don’t have time.”

  He looked at her thoughtfully. “You work too hard.”

  “Stop it. Now who wants to go to the Natural History Museum? My treat.” Daisy grinned. None of the Smithsonian museums charged an admission fee.

  “I’ll go,” said Helena.

  “Can’t,” Grover said, signaling the waiter. “Got to get to work.”

  Back at the office on Monday morning, Daisy decided to return to the Library of Congress to do more research for the articles she was working on for Mark John. She went straight to the Rare Book Reading Room and found the librarian who had helped her on her last visit. The librarian remembered Daisy and offered to get her the books she needed. Daisy spent the day doing the things she loved most—reading and writing. She took notes, worked on her outline for the articles, and pored over old documents and primary sources. She was tired when she went home that evening, but in a good way. She wished she could spend more time trying to help Grover and Jude, but if she was honest with herself, she didn’t know where to look for answers. What could she learn that the police couldn’t find out? And her job had to come first--without it, she’d be no help to anyone.

  That night she ate a quick dinner and sat down to read Trudy’s diary. She had been looking forward to it for a couple weeks, since the last time she set it aside. As she recalled, it had been Christmas Eve, 1865, and Trudy had received a Christmas gift from Thomas.

  Chapter 28

  December 25, 1865- Christmas Day, Monday

  It was all I could do this morning to finish my chores in the house and the barn before I opened the gift from Thomas. And what a gift it is! It is a beautiful brooch with a white enamel figure against a background the color of a robin’s egg. Mama protested that I couldn’t possibly accept such a gift from a man, but Papa just smiled and
said I should pin it to my dress to see how it looked.

  I looked just like one of the ladies in the magazines I see in the shop in town. I love it! I am very eager to see Thomas to thank him for such a beautiful and generous gift. I’m keeping it, no matter what Mama says.

  I wonder when I’ll see him again. And Lady and Jesse too, of course. But mostly Thomas.

  * * *

  T

  January 10, 1866- Wednesday

  What a surprise it was when Thomas visited this evening! He brought the children with him and Mama insisted that they stay for the evening meal. Lady and Jesse seem tired. I think they’re bored because they haven’t been able to spend much time outdoors—the weather has been stormy and wild. I don’t know how Thomas was able to get here over the drifts of snow between our house and the town, but I’m glad he did.

  I thanked him for the brooch while Mama looked on disapprovingly. Papa just smiled again. It was as if he knew Thomas was going to give me that brooch.

  Thomas had good news—the inside of his house is completed, so as soon as the weather gets better he’ll be able to get back to complete the smaller details on the outside. The house should be ready for him and the children to move into by spring.

  I hope he hasn’t forgotten that he said he would show me the house after he finished it.

  * * *

  T

  Chapter 29

  I knew it! Daisy thought when she closed the diary for the night. I knew he would give her something feminine and personal! Definitely a romance brewing.

  Jude was in a funk the next morning at work. Daisy hesitated to ask what the problem was, but the more often Jude walked past her office and let out a labored sigh, the more obvious it became that Daisy wasn’t going to get any work done if she didn’t find out what was troubling the senior editor.