Dillard Beach Mystery – 68

At first light, Rebekah carefully made her way down the stairs to the great room. Sunshine streamed through the tiny panes of glass in the front windows, sending shadows across the wide floor boards and granite stones of the hearth. She used the long tongs to stir the ashes and rekindle the fire. Once done, she set a large kettle of water to boil. Rebekah had just finished preparing a large bowl of thick breakfast porridge when Chapman opened the front door. A cold wind followed him into the great room causing her to shiver.

“Close that door tight as you can,” Rebekah commanded. “We need to keep the heat in for the new baby.”

Chapman nodded, pulled the door tight and walked to the hearth. He stood for a moment, warming his back.

“Where did you spend the night?” Rebekah asked.

“I bedded down in the stable. Not first class, but warm enough.” He turned towards her and smiled. “How are you, Rebekah? You look better than I expected.” He paused and took a moment before continuing. “I heard a rumor you have been in a bit of trouble since I have been away.”

“You could say as much.”

“And?” He waited for her to speak. She did not. “Are the rumors true?” He continued. “Were you really arrested on an accusation of witchcraft?”

Rebekah studied the Captain. “It was all a big misunderstanding, Edward.”

“How, Rebekah? Who accused you of such a heinous crime? On what evidence? What reason could there be for anyone to bring such a charge?”

His questions fell one after another. It was too much for Rebekah to bear.

“Stop asking questions for which there are no clear answers. I do not know for certain what was behind the accusations.”

“Can you speculate? Who would do such a thing? And for what reason?” He began to pace. “You must have some clue… some idea.”

“Only from what Charles has told me. He spoke privately with the magistrate after my arrest and discovered the accusations came from Simon Dillard of Hyannis.”

“The man who gave you your land?”

Rebekah nodded. “He accuses me of using witchcraft to capture his imagination and cause him to transfer the land to me. He claims he never gave me the land. Somehow I bewitched him into giving it over to me.”

“But that transaction happened years ago. The land was given to you free and clear. As a gift, if I recall correctly. It is just a thin strip of sand along the shoreline with no chance of growing anything beyond dune grass. What would a farmer such as Simon Dillard want with such a grubby piece of land?”

“All you say is true, Edward. But things have changed and the town wants to build a town dock on the land. Simon Dillard has his fingers in that pie and wants his strip of sand back.”

Chapman raised his eyebrows, a look of understanding on his face. “And if you were to be hung for a witch and your land forfeit, Dillard could reclaim the land and realize an unexpected fortune.”

“As you say,” Rebekah responded.

“What are you going to do?”

“I am going to prove the land transfer was legal. Simon Dillard signed over the land to me in thanks for saving his wife and child. What he may not remember is, I have proof.”

“What kind of proof? More than just your memory, I hope.” Chapman asked.

“I have real proof, Edward. I have the actual deed, signed by Dillard with his very own scrawl.”

Chapman looked at Rebekah, his face reflecting the doubt he felt. “And where is this deed? Have you it in hand?”

“It is hidden away in a safe place in Dillard. I must return to my home to get it. With the deed in hand, I can prove what I declare is true and Dillard speaks nothing but nonsense. I am not a witch. He gave me the land and house willingly.”

“Then we must return to your home at once.” Chapman declared. “It is unlikely Dillard will accept the magistrate’s decision without a fight. When there is a lot of money at stake, wealthy men do not easily compromise. I imagine he is, at this very moment, plotting against you. If there is a way to discount this proof you have, he will find it. The sooner we have the deed declared genuine, the better.”

“You will help me?”

Chapman took Rebekah’s hand and pulled her close. “Of course I will help you. Your safety and that of your son are of great importance to me. This Simon Dillard is no more than a wealthy farmer looking to pad his pockets at every opportunity. We will return to Dillard, retrieve the document and prove him for the cad he is.”

He spoke with such determination as to leave no doubt of his intentions.

“I will need a few days to be certain that Emma and her new daughter are doing well. But once she is settled I can leave. I will ask Mrs. Fisk to visit.”

“Then we are decided.” Chapman said. “We leave the day after tomorrow. The distance from Saybrook to Hyannis is less than a hundred miles. If the tides and wind are with us we can be there by mid week.”

“And if they are against us?” she asked.

He looked down at her and smiled. “The Caroline is a fast ship and I am a very good sailor,” he boasted. “No matter the tides, I will have you back in Dillard by next Sabbath.”

“I do not know how to thank you, Edward.”

“I can think of several ways.” He smiled, leaned closer and kissed her.