Merrick whispered, “Rosalie.”
She turned.
Her brother had tears in his eyes.
She had seen Merrick drunk, arrogant, cruel, frightened, furious.
Never like this.
“What?”
Merrick stepped inside and shut the door behind him.
“I found something last year.”
Silas rose.
“Merrick.”
His son flinched.
“Merrick,” Rosalie repeated.
“What did you find?”
Merrick stared at their father.
Then crossed the room and pulled a loose book from the shelf.
Behind it was a narrow compartment.
Silas lunged.
Gideon intercepted him.
He did not strike him.
He simply caught Silas by both shoulders and held him.
Merrick reached inside the compartment.
He removed a small wooden box.
Inside were two objects.
An old brass cartridge casing.
And a newspaper clipping.
Rosalie unfolded the clipping.
LOCAL BOY INJURED IN RIDING ACCIDENT.
Nine-year-old Gideon Rook injured Tuesday afternoon after his horse bolted near the Ashford property.
Dr.
Silas Ashford attended—
Rosalie stopped.
“The
