Page 76 of Because I Could Not Stop for Death

“He was going to the places where people gossip the most,” Emily said. “But I wonder if this was his undoing. After so many times loitering around the post office, bakery, and butcher, people would start to ask questions about why he was spending so much time there.”

“And knowing Henry’s reputation, they would assume that he was there to steal something,” I said reluctantly.

“But the killer might not. Somehow the Reader realized what Henry was really doing. It might have been the questions he was asking. People talk.”

I nodded. “I wished he had told me what he was up to.”

She leaned back in her chair. “What would you have said to him if he had?”

“I would have told him to stop because it was dangerous.”

“And so you know why he didn’t tell you,” she said gently.

Near the end of the diary there was a list of names of prominent men in Amherst and in Massachusetts.

Emily stared at the page. “My father’s name is on this list. So are many of his friends. These are all names of businessmen, politicians, and educators.”

“His list of suspects before he narrowed it down to one person?” I asked.

“I can tell you that my father has nothing to do with this. He’s a Whig. He wants peace and has not taken a public stand on slavery in either way. He would not put himself in this conflict.”

I frowned.

“You need to go back to Amherst. Tomorrow. And see what you can learn.”

I stared at her. “But we were to be here another week.”

“I know, but if we are going to solve your brother’s murder, there is no time to waste.” She sighed. “I wish that I could come with you, but I’m expected to stay here and then go on to visit friends in Philadelphia. Believe me when I say I wish I could go home with you and continue in the investigation. I will give you the address of where we are staying in Philadelphia and ask that you write me with a full report every few days.”

“But I don’t have a ticket to get home.”

“Leave that to me. Father will purchase the ticket. I will tell him that Margaret has written me asking for your speedy return to help with the house. There is truth to that. She will certainly welcome the help. She will have been cleaning the house from top to bottom by herself all this time. An extra set of hands will be welcome.”

I nodded as my mind whirled over going back to Amherst early. A large part of me was homesick for the familiar, but a smaller part of me wanted to stay. I knew it was unlikely that I would ever be in a place like this again. I did not have the means to get here or the lodging when I arrived, without the Dickinsons. However, when it came down to it, I worked for the Dickinson family, and if they wanted me to return home, that is what I would do.

Emily worked quickly, and by midmorning the next day, I had a train ticket in hand and I was saying goodbye to Emily outside the front door of the Willard Hotel. Buford and Betty Sue waited patiently for me a few feet away.

Emily handed me Henry’s diary. “You should take this with you. We have both read it cover to cover, but Henry would want you to keep it close.”

I accepted the diary and held it to my chest. “Thank you.” I paused. “I’m sorry if I have caused conflict between you and your sister.”

She shook her head. “Vinnie will come around. She always does. She didn’t care for Susan when we were first friends. This was before Susan had any relationship with our brother. Now, she loves her like a sister.” She looked thoughtful. “Vinnie feels the weight of the world on her shoulders. She carries the burdens so that I can fly. Sometimes, I have to remember what she carries is too heavy for her slight build.”

I nodded, knowing that Emily was speaking again from the special place in her mind that I never would quite be able to comprehend.

“I will be home in less than a month. Gather information, but don’t do anything rash until I’m back in Amherst. I want to be there when we catch the killer.”

“Are we going to do rash things when you do return home?” I asked, unable to keep the concern from my voice.

“It’s always possible,” she said with a smile. “Now, go.” She gave me a little shove in the direction of Buford. “You don’t want to miss your train home.”

I told Emily goodbye and walked over to the carriage. Buford took my carpetbag from my hand and set it in the carriage. “I have to say, Miss Willa, I hate to see you go.”

I scratched Betty Sue’s nose. “I’m sorry to be going, but there are things I must take care of at home.”

He nodded. “We all have responsibilities. It’s good that you are going home to face them.” He opened the carriage door for me.

“Can I sit up with you in the driver’s seat?” I asked. “Just one last time?”

---