Amara nodded. “Honey, uh, Miss Lovett hired me to tend to a gravely ill Loretta Adams. I did everything I could medically for Miss Adams, then left her in Honey’s good care.”
“And did Miss Lovett care for her adequately?” Mr. Morgan asked.
“Not only did she care for her, but she also saw that Miss Adams received a proper burial. And I was told by Mr. Geary that Honey paid for it and the marker with her own earnings.”
“Objection, hearsay and irrelevant.” Mr. Vessels stood.
“Overruled,” the judge said.
“Do you receive books from Honey’s outreach program?” Mr. Morgan asked.
“Honey delivers the books to me every Friday.” She looked appreciatively at me.
“Can you tell us what you knew about your neighbors, the Gillis family?”
“Objection!” Mr. Vessels called out.
I glanced over and saw the sheriff’s eyes flicker as he looked at Mr. Vessels.
“What’s the relevance, Mr. Morgan? And is this witness competent on the character of Mr. Gillis?” Judge Norton asked.
“Yes, Your Honor. I plan to show Miss Lovett’s true moral character and dispute the fabricated indecent one the state and sheriff have wrongly presented.”
“Overruled. You may continue, Miss Ballard.” The judge jabbed his chin her way.
“I treated their son, Johnnie, after he fell down their family well and caught pneumonia. Then I nursed Mrs. Gillis after her husband attacked her in my home. Honey was there and helped with the nursing too. Before Mrs. Gillis left, she told me that Honey climbed down in the well and rescued Johnnie. She saved his life, and her little boy told me this too. Honey also led the state police to Mrs. Gillis. And because of that, her murderer was arrested and the poor soul has now received a proper burial—”
“Objection! Your Honor—” Mr. Vessels called out, incensed.
“Overruled. As it happens, I have the signed statement from the state police in my file,” Judge Norton replied. “Please continue your questioning, Counselor.”
“No further questions, Your Honor.” Mr. Morgan sat down.
“You may cross-examine, Mr. Vessels.”
Mr. Vessels stood. “Miss Ballard, you’re a frontier nurse who cares for the sick. What type of books did Miss Lovett drop off to you?”
“Fun and entertaining ones that enlighten and educate. There are a lot of people around here who like to read and will read anything. But sadly, there are a few small-minded people in dire need of her service and who would greatly benefit from it. I commend Miss Lovett on her efforts to spread literacy.”
I heard a few smothered chuckles behind me.
“So you support and recommend feminism and immoral indecency?” Mr. Vessels said curtly. “These sex—”
“Objection.” Mr. Morgan rose.
“Sustained,” the judge answered. “Mr. Vessels, please refrain from injecting your manful interpretations onto the lady’s reflections.”
“Withdrawn. No further questions, Your Honor.” Mr. Vessels reddened.
“You may step down, Miss Ballard,” the judge said. “Call your next witness, Counselor.”
“Forest Ranger R.C. Cole,” Mr. Morgan said. After R.C. was seated and sworn in, Mr. Morgan asked if he was acquainted with me. Then he told him to describe what happened the morning of the fire.
“The young ladies were Sunday sober straight. They both tried to explain about the fire, and Honey’s suspicions regarding Mrs. Gillis’s disappearance to the sheriff. But Sheriff Buckner wouldn’t listen. Instead, he shouted and threatened to lock them up on false charges—”