Meg’s tears had dried up by the time her mother finished speaking, and even though the reasoning seemed sound, Meg didn’t think it was much of an excuse. Her entire life she had been of the opinion her mother was also evil, just like her uncle, and she wasn’t able to budge her stance one bit based on these remarks. “Mother, we’ve decided we will marry before my birthday on one condition, and one condition only.”
Mildred’s face perked up just a bit as she turned to face her daughter. “What’s that?”
“You will testify to what you witnessed the day Bertram took advantage of me, just before I left to board Titanic.” The woman was already shaking her head back and forth. “If you want to show me that you truly do care about me, then you will do this. Otherwise, we will wait, and you will get nothing. And you can rest assured there will be no more wire transfers of funds from the Ashtons.”
“Mary Margaret, what you’re asking me to do… to testify against your uncle… you can’t be serious,” Mildred stammered.
“I’m quite serious,” Meg replied, standing. There was a loud noise overhead, like the sound of a large book or something else heavy falling on the floor, which caused Meg to momentarily look up, but she didn’t pay it much mind. “This is your one and only opportunity. You tell those officers everything you know, right now, and agree to testify in court, or else I walk out that door and the next time you see me, you will likely be sitting next to your very own attorney.”
Mildred inhaled deeply, her nose in the air, and Meg could see she was considering her options.
“Is Ezra in the carriage house?” Meg asked. “I need to speak with him.”
“I’m sure he’s out there somewhere,” Mildred replied.
“Very well. You have until I return to decide.”
“No need,” Mildred said, exhaling loudly. “I will tell them.”
Meg offered a small smile and nodded her head, relieved that her mother was at least motivated by money if not by love for her daughter.
“I’ll get Det. Weber and then meet you outside,” Charlie said, standing and looking at Meg to make sure she agreed.
She nodded and gave her mother one last glance before she headed off in the direction of the back garden.
Tessa was tidying a counter that didn’t need it and looked up and grinned as Meg passed her by with a humble smile in return. As soon as Meg opened the back door, her uncle’s dogs began to beg for attention, and she would’ve loved to approach the fence and scratch the heads of the two foxhounds had she not seen a familiar outline in the carriage house. Glancing behind her to see if Charlie was coming, and seeing that he wasn’t there just yet, Meg took a deep breath and stepped down off of the porch steps.
“Meggy? Is that you?” Ezra called as he began to head her direction. “Oh, thank goodness. We’ve all been so worried about you.” He looked up at the pristine spring sky, as if he was thanking God, and Meg had to hold back a snicker at his ridiculous antics.
They met a bit closer to the carriage house than the porch since she’d had a head start on him, and once he was before her, with his arms spread wide for an embrace, Meg wondered what she’d ever seen in him to begin with. He was quite handsome with his light blonde hair and inquisitive eyes, but something about the way he held his mouth should’ve let her know that only lies would come out of it. He had the slack jaw of a deceiver.
He stood there with his hands spread wide, and Meg just looked at him for a moment, absently noticing scratches on the back of his hands and near his wrists, wondering how much work he’d been doing in the garden lately. “Please, don’t call me that,” she said, making no move toward his open arms. Eventually, he put his hands down. “I’ve only come to speak to you about Charlotte. I’m concerned for her well-being.”
“I’m quite concerned for her as well,” Ezra said, his head hanging low. He slipped his hands into the pockets of his trousers, ones Meg noted she had purchased for him. “I’ve told the police everything that I know.”
“The police know that your story is a fabrication, you realize?” Meg asked as the breeze sent the loose strands of her hair flying about. “You told them I went with you and Charlotte when you left, but when you decided to come back, Charlotte stayed with me in the car. Obviously, they know that isn’t true now. They know that you left before me, and that you took the car, the one they found wrecked and covered in blood.”
Meg heard a noise behind her and turned to see Charlie standing on the porch, leaning against the brick enclosure that surrounded the perimeter. A sigh of relief escaped her lips before she even realized she’d been holding it in.
“Who is that?” Ezra asked, his voice changing just a bit. “Is that… Charlie?”
“I believe Mr. Ashton would be a more appropriate way for you to address him,” Meg replied, her eyes cutting.
Ezra swallowed hard, as if he was just beginning to realize he might not be able to charm Meg in the same way he had before. “I told the police that my initial story was a fabrication I invented in order to keep your mother from worrying about your whereabouts. I gave them my adjusted story just a few days ago. I told them the truth this time, and I’m certain they are doing all they can to find Charlotte.”
He looked sincere, and for a moment, Meg wanted to believe him. She didn’t. “What is the truth, Ezra? Where is Charlotte?’
“I told you, I don’t know. Meg, you must believe I didn’t want to leave with her. I didn’t have a choice.”
“Am I to believe that Charlotte kidnapped you against your will?” she asked, the snicker back in her voice.
“No, of course not,” he replied, withdrawing his hands from his pockets to rest them on his hips. “Meg, she came to me that morning, after you were back in your room, and she said she needed help. Once she told me what the problem was, I knew I had to help her.”