“She said to open them carefully. If there’s nothing criminal in them, then she’ll try and slip them back in his—”

Wyatt tore open an envelope, shredding it in his hurry. Then he looked up at Kevin and grinned. “Sorry, big brother. I can’t get too upset about how I treat Hawkins.” While he talked, he dragged out a white, embroidered handkerchief. “Spending time over here has been a mighty fine lesson in how to treat animals, hired hands, women, and probably God. Just do the exact opposite of Oliver Hawkins.” He handed the handkerchief to Kevin and looked in to find a single sheet of paper.

Wyatt read it aloud. “‘Dear Hannah, too many days have passed since I last saw you. No better woman has filled my days, and no one can take your place. If only you had been as good to me as I was to you. Now I must go on alone.’”

Kevin held up the handkerchief. A delicate, lacy thing with an embroidered corner. A single letter H.

“Who’s Hannah?” Kevin glanced nervously at the house. “I’ve got to get back in there.”

“Maybe one of those other housekeepers Rachel said was missing. She said a killer of the type Hawkins might be would keep some token or memento from a victim. That kerchief would qualify.” Wyatt tore the second packet open. This one made of brown paper like that used to wrap parcels at the general store. A jeweled pin fell out, like the kind that could be fastened to a woman’s dress bodice. There was another note. This one read, “‘Dear Lydia, with your vibrant red hair, you called out to me from the first moment.’” Wyatt jerked his head up. “There’s more here but the end is the same. ‘Now I must go on alone.’”

Kevin had the third and final envelope open. This one flat and lightweight. There was nothing in it but a sheet of unlined paper. He read, “‘Dear Amelia . . .’ That’s all it says. It must be a note he began to Amelia Bishop before she vanished.”

Kevin’s eyes met Wyatt’s for a single grim second.

“I’m going to pack my things,” Wyatt said. “This isn’t much, but I’m through here and so is Molly. I’ll saddle the horses Molly and I brought over, then I’ll come to the house and tell Hawkins I quit. We’re taking Molly with us whether she agrees or not.”

They’d already next thing to kidnapped her from the parson’s house. They were getting good at it.

“I think she’ll agree. She wants out.” Kevin handed his letter to Wyatt. “You hold on to all of these. I’m going in.”