Armed with soup and sandwiches from the diner, Harry picked up Silas and drove out to Black's Farm, where they joined Joe for lunch.
Joe was watching for them and opened the door when he saw them drive up. "You think he's anxious to see us," Harry said, laughing.
"Could be," Silas said. "He's the only man on a farm with a house full of women."
Joe grinned and closed the door behind them. "Table's ready," he said.
Harry set the lunch items on the table and they sat down.
"You need info," Joe said.
"Right," Harry said. "Do either of you know anything about the previous owners of the Whyatt house?"
"Before Wyatt was Sherman," Joe said.
"They lived there about six years," Silas added. "They moved west when he got a better job offer."
"Anyone before Sherman?" Harry asked.
"I don't recall the name, but I know Sherman wasn't the original owner," Silas said.
"Guy who built house... never lived there," Joe said.
Harry looked at him. "Why not?"
Joe shrugged. "Don't know."
"He built it for his intended wife," Silas said, 'but she left him for a wealthier catch."
"Old man,' Joe added.
"Do either of you remember his name?" Harry asked. They both shook their heads.
Harry pushed back his chair and stood up. "Time to go, Silas. I want to get back to the office in time to see what Bertie found."
Joe looked at Silas. "Checkers? Stew for supper?"
"Tomorrow afternoon," Silas replied. "Apple pie for dessert."
Harry shook his head as they walked out to the truck. They'd developed a friendship since he'd started getting them together for information.
After dropping Silas off, Harry called Miss Pinkerton. She confirmed what Joe and Silas had said about Joshua Snook, who had built the house. Three weeks before the wedding, the girl had married a very wealthy man, nearly old enough to be her grandfather, at City Hall. She left a brief note in Joshua's mailbox as they left on an European tour.
"Is Snook still around here?" Harry asked.
"It's funny how things turn out sometimes," Miss P said. "He sold the house immediately and others started asking him to build their homes. He married a few years later, had several children, and moved to another town, but I don't know where. And Glory is shaking her head."
"Do you or Glory know if anyone else lived there between the time it went on the market, up to about six months ago?"
"A man named Kasey Buckler lived there for a few months before Parsons bought it," Glory said. "I don't know what happened to him."
"The Whyatt boys might know," Miss P said.
"Most likely," Harry replied. "Thank you, ladies. I'll drop by for tea soon."
Back at the office, Harry brought Bertie up-to-date on what he had learned from Joe and Silas, and also Miss P and Glory. "Personally, I favour Buckler for hiding the masks."
"Why him?" Bertie asked.
