Harriet took something from her pocket and held it out in front of everyone on her flat palm. Tamsen recognised it right away; it was one of the protective charms she’d given her children. It’s a lucky charm. It seemed absurd that such a little and innocuous trinket should elicit such fear and mistrust. Besides, its presence didn’t establish her guilt; it could’ve simply slipped out of one of her daughters’ pockets, but Tamsen didn’t dare to say so for fear of incriminating the kids instead.
“Are you denying it’s yours?” Harriet tossed the talisman towards Tamsen.
Tamsen remained deafeningly silent. Speaking would be equally as bad. Mary Graves, on the other hand, surprised her by pushing her way through the mob, an indignant expression on her face. “That’s ludicrous,” says the narrator. What evidence do you have that Mrs. Donner was involved in your child’s disappearance? It may have been put there by anyone. For example, someone who disliked her.” Tamsen saw Peggy Breen and Eleanor Eddy’s scepticism in response to Mary Graves’ idea.
“I’ve had enough of you.” Franklin Graves appeared out of nowhere at his daughter’s side, giving her a hard jerk to hush her.
But Mary was steadied by Charles Stanton, a tall, muscular, and resolute man. When Tamsen saw him, he felt a sharp pain in his stomach. Mary had definitely smitten him. She’d completely lost him to the girl at this point, and even though she’d given up on him for herself, the realisation still hurt.
“With all due respect, Mr. Graves, you should not speak to your daughter in that manner,” Stanton stated. She’s making more sense tonight than anyone else I’ve heard.”
Franklin Graves gazed at him, his eyes filled with venom. “You have the audacity to speak to me like way.” I should—”
But, before the quarrel could become any worse, George intervened, stepping in front of Tamsen and shielding her with his wide bulk. “Now, everyone, pay attention to me…” Mrs. Pike, you are incorrect. I can promise you that my wife has been in our tent with me all night. That item couldn’t possibly have been left at your campground by her. You have my assurance. We need to refocus our efforts on finding the boy.”
“Not you,” Franklin Graves stated emphatically. “You’re not going to do something like that.” We got rid of Reed when the power got to his head, and it appears that you’ll be next. I don’t care what the motive is, we can’t have killers among us.”
George’s chest grew like that of a tom turkey. Tamsen had seen that expression before, when he was about to scold a servant or confront the bumbling pastor in Springfield. “What a load of nonsense!” His voice rose above their heads, more assured than he had been in months. “I’m not going to waste my time defending Tamsen— I’ve already done it far too many times. “William Pike, on the other hand…” George came to a halt in front of the man’s body, where his wife was still sobbing. He took a deep breath and turned to face the assembled audience. “Pike was a decent fellow. However, he was behaving in fear. When we succumb to our fears, this is what happens. I apologise, but I’ll never apologise for defending my wife.”
Charles Stanton took the initiative and took a step forward. “There is a missing child, and we can’t keep yelling and debating until he’s found.”
But, as though in reaction, everyone started talking at the same time: Harriet Pike still wailing over her husband’s prone body, Peggy Breen sputtering, Patrick Breen rushing to his wife’s defence, Jacob Donner wedging himself between the Breens and his brother. Franklin Graves finally burst through the din once more. He smirked at George Donner and waggled his finger. “Enough! When I say I’m done with you… you Donners, with your money and arrogance, and now this! I think I speak for everyone when I say I’m done with you… You’re going around thinking you’re superior than everyone else, and another man has died! “Who’ll be the next, I wonder?” Tamsen felt a pang of terror as the gathering fell silent as they listened to Graves. “Enough is enough!”