Written In Stone

on him and led him away.
    "Father, see to Angela," Gavin yelled over his shoulder.
    "I will, son. Don't worry about a thing."

Chapter Nine
Arrested!
     
    "What is going on?" Angie cried.
    "Now dear, everything will be alright," Mattie wrapped an arm around Angie's shoulders and held her.
    "I don't understand." Angie wailed.
    "I know you don't, and I can't explain it to you. I can promise you; however, that everything will be just as it should be."
    "Did Gavin murder those men?"
    "Oh, dear, of course he didn't murder them." Mattie assured her. "Do you think he is capable of murder?"
    "I've only known him a short time, I don't know."
    "Yes, you do. Look into your heart, Angie. What does your heart tell you?"
    Angie sniffled and wiped her nose again. "I didn't think he was that kind of man. He's so polite and sweet and, no, of course he couldn't commit cold-blooded murder."
    "There, you see," Mattie consoled her. "You know my son better than you think you do."
    "But not as well as I want to."
    "What do you mean dear?" Mattie asked innocently.
    "I, well, that is to say, I think I'm in love with him," Angie admitted.
    Mattie wiped a tear and hugged Angie as tightly as she could. "Well, now, isn't that grand? Have you told him?"
    Angie shook her head. "No, I only just realized it myself."
    Mattie laughed at that. "Well, I won't spoil the surprise for him. You can go see him tomorrow and tell him yourself."
    "At the jail?"
    "Of course. He could use a little good news."
    "Now what is going on over here?" Gav asked as he approached.
    "Girl talk." Mattie beamed radiantly at him.
    "All right, I won't press any further. I think we need to get this girl back home so she can get some rest."
    ~ * ~
    " Mrs. Waterston," Angie said, "please stay close by. I've never been to a jail before, and I need you."
    "Don't you worry, dear, I'm right here with you, and Ben will be close as well."
    "Yes 'm, I won't leave your side a'tall, Mrs.," Ben assured her.
    "Thank you both," Angie told them as they entered the jail.
    The jailer showed them to the cubicle where they could visit Gavin then left them alone. Ben pushed Angie's chair to the door, and Mrs. Waterston opened it. Angie looked up and saw Gavin standing with his arms around another woman, and she was crying. Angie couldn't speak; she just stared with her mouth open. Gavin held the woman's face in his hands, said something to her, and then kissed her gently on the mouth.
    "Get me out of here," Angie whispered.
    Mrs. Waterston stood gaping at Gavin and the woman. "Come along Ben, let's take our girl home."
    Gavin's head jerked up. "No, Angie," He started to follow but the officer standing guard stopped him.
    Angie heard his name as she was wheeled back down the corridor.
    ~ * ~
    "He sure had me fooled," Mrs. Waterston said, shutting the front door of the house with more force than necessary.
    "It may not have been what we thought it was," Ben suggested.
    "Men! You're all alike! What else could it be?" Mrs. Waterston challenged.
    "I'm not sure, but you've obviously made your mind up already." Ben shrugged. As he walked away, Mrs. Waterston thought she heard him mutter something about having 'real work to do', and 'arguing with a woman was more of a job than he could handle', but she wasn't sure.
    "I'm going to my room," Angie said. "I don't want to be disturbed."
    "I understand dear. I'll get you some tea."
    "No, Mrs. Waterston. No tea, no nothing. Just leave me alone for awhile, please."
    "Of course dear," Mrs. Waterston nodded as Angie rolled her chair toward her room. "Well, I need tea in any case," Mrs. Waterston said and headed to the kitchen. Just as she reached the parlor, the doorknocker sounded. Mrs. Waterston huffed and turned around to answer it.
    "Yes," she said to the woman on the steps. "May I help you?"
    "I would like to see Mrs. Elliott, please."
    "She's resting and not accepting callers at this time. May I tell her who called when she finishes her nap?"
    "My name is Madison Hawklin, I'm an associate of Mr. Gavin Stone, and he has asked me to speak with Mrs. Elliott."
    "Oh," Mrs. Waterston said in stunned surprise as she recognized the woman. "You're the one from the jail. How dare you come here after what we just witnessed?"
    "Please, I need to speak with Mrs. Elliott."
    "You will not," Mrs. Waterston snapped, and shut the door in her face.
    Madison took a deep breath, opened the door, and stepped inside. "I'm sorry, but this is necessary," she said.
    "Ben!" Mrs.