An Agent for Penelope

by Christine Sterling

  Chapter 8

  Penny hadn’t seen Deborah since she had been dragged off by that man. No one in the room talked about it, but there was an undercurrent of fear when they went to bed at night.

  Tamar curled up in her bed crying and Dorcas simply stared at the ceiling. Mary was moved to a new room and Ruth was quieter than normal. Penny tried to engage her in conversation to see if she might be an ally. Ruth appeared indifferent when Penny approached her about what was happening, so Penny decided to go in a different direction.

  It took a day to separate Tamar from the rest of the women. Penny pretended the heat was getting to her and asked Tamar to escort her back to their room. Once they were in the room, Penny shut the door and leaned against it, blocking Tamar’s escape.

  “What are you doing, Penelope?” Tamar asked.

  “I needed to talk to you, and this is the only way we can do it without anyone else around.”

  “We aren’t allowed to close the door.” Fear laced her voice.

  “I’ll open it in a minute,” Penny insisted. “I need your help.”

  “What kind of help?”

  “I need to leave here.”

  Tamar’s eyes went wide. “Y-y-you can’t do that,” she stuttered. “I’ll have to tell Brother Jonah.”

  Penny shook her head. “I think you want to leave too.”

  Tamar shook her head, “I can’t. They will…” she looked off in the distance.

  “They will, what?” Penny said.

  Tamar’s voice went very low. “They will take me to that building.”

  “The one with the fence around it?” Tamar nodded. “Do you know what that building is?”

  Tamar shook her head. “No. I know that the new leaders come there for training before going out to minister to other areas.”

  “Why would Deborah be afraid of going in that building?”

  Tamar’s eyes darted around the room as if she expected someone to jump out and catch them in conversation. “Women that go there, do not come out.”

  Penny’s eyes flew open wide. “Don’t come out? That is ridiculous.”

  Tamar leaned closer to Penny. “I don’t know what happens to them, but if they do reappear, they aren’t the same.”

  “Why would Deborah be taken to that room?”

  “She did something terrible.”

  “Like what?” Penny was listening intently.

  “She invited you here.” Penny gasped; she was the reason Deborah was taken away? “You should never have come.”

  “Come with me, Tamar. I can help you.”

  Tamar shook her head. “I can’t leave. My brother is here.”

  “Your brother?”

  “Yes. Our parents died and we had nowhere else to go. Billy met a minister at a tent meeting and then we came here to live. He is all the kin I have left.”

  “How long ago was that?”

  “About six months ago.”

  “Have you seen a lot of people coming and going?”

  “Yes. Mainly women. A few men come through, but they normally stay.”

  Penny reached into her boot and pulled out the picture she had tucked in there. “Have you seen this girl?”

  Tamar looked at the picture. “She’s very pretty.”

  “She’s my sister. She ran away with a preacher a few weeks ago. I’m trying to find her.”

  Tamar handed the lithograph back to Penny. “I’ve not seen her, but that doesn’t mean she isn’t here.”

  “I need to get out of here and see if I can find her. My family is probably very worried.”

  Tamar grabbed Penny’s hand and clenched it tightly. “I’ll help you. Simply because you shouldn’t have to stay here against your will.” She looked at Penny, pleading silently. “Promise me you won’t say anything when you leave here. If they even think I’ve helped you…,” she paused, leaving the thoughts unspoken.

  “I promise. How can we do this?” Penny gave the young woman’s hand a squeeze.

  “I don’t think this is a real church,” Tamar whispered. “I think there is something else going on.”

  Penny leaned forward to hear Tamar’s whispers. Tamar was about to speak again when a loud bang scared Penny away from the door. She slipped Alice’s picture back in her boot and went to the bed quickly sitting on it.

  “Why’s this door closed?” Brother Jonah asked, opening the door and coming into the room.

  “I am sorry, Brother,” Penny said, putting her head down. “I closed it automatically. I did it at home when I would walk to my room. Tamar was just reminding me of the rules. I won’t do it again.”

  Jonah looked around the room. His dark eyes looking around to see if anything was out of place. “Break the habit, Sister Penelope. We have the doors open for safety.”

  Penny nodded. “I won’t do it again, Brother Jonah.”

  He gave her a nod and turned to the other woman in the room. “Sister Tamar, you are needed in the ministry room. You’ve been selected to go with the prayer team this evening.”

  “Really?” she squeaked. “Thank you, Brother Jonah.” She sent a glance over to Penny before scooting out of the room.

  “I heard you weren’t feeling well,” Brother Jonah said, turning back to Penny.

  “No, I’m not. I think it was the heat. If I just lay down for a few minutes I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

  “Just be down in time for supper,” he said walking out of the room. She could hear his footsteps carry down the hall. They stopped and she could hear him talking to someone, but the words didn’t reach her ears.

  She didn’t see Tamar until supper time. Penny donned her apron again and walked with the rest of the women towards the center of the courtyard into the building that served as the dining hall.

  Tamar came running up to her as she went to take a seat at one of the long tables. “You’ll never guess, Sister Penelope.”

  “I don’t think I will. What has you so happy right now?”

  “I’ve been asked to be a part of the ministry team that will be going into the city tonight to pray for the heathens,” she exclaimed, loud enough for everyone to hear.

  Penny raised her eyebrow. “Really? That is wonderful. Have you done that before?”

  “No,” Tamar said. She leaned in and lowered her voice. “But it gives me a chance to look around for you.”

  Brother Jonah walked behind them as Tamar took a seat at the table. Penny looked at him, as she placed a hand on Tamar’s shoulder. “What an honor to be chosen as part of the ministry team,” she said loudly as Jonah walked by.

  When the women were seated, a man who Penny hadn’t seen since arriving at the compound, walked to the center of the room. Murmurs were heard across the table.

  The man was definitely older than Penny’s father, with white hair that flowed down to his shoulders. He had a long beard and wore a brown robe, tied with a jute rope. The man raised his hands to still the chatter. “I’m here to break bread with you tonight. Let us pray.”

  Penny lowered her eyes and listened to the man speak. When they were done, the women passed bowls around the table and spoke in hushed tones. Penny could see that the man with the white hair was sitting on the far side surrounded by young women on either side. He placed his arms around them and pulled them in close before whispering in their ears.

  Penny took a bowl of potatoes and put a spoonful on her plate. She passed the bowl to Tamar and leaned over to whisper to her, “Who is that?”

  Tamar looked across the room. “That is Father Price. He is the head preacher here.”

  “Price?” Penny had heard that name before. She just couldn’t remember where.

  “Yes. Father Abraham Price.”

  Abraham Price! That was the name Silas Benson mentioned when he was visiting in the garden!

  Before Penny could ask another question, the woman spoke again. “We are all his children,” the woman across from Penny said, handing her a platter of meat. Penny recognized her as being named R
ebekah. “It is wonderful when he comes for dinner. We get a bit more to eat and then there is dessert.”

  Penny noticed that the platter did have more meat than usual on it. Their diet mostly consisted of broth made with leftover chicken carcasses and whatever vegetables were harvested in the garden. She slid two pieces of meat on her plate.

  “Where’s Sister Ruth?” Rebekah asked, cutting her meat into bite size pieces.

  Tamar pointed with her knife to the table where Father Price was seated. “She is sitting there tonight. Father Price had a guest, and she is sitting next to him.”

  Penny turned to look. Ruth was sitting with her back to them. She leaned over to the man sitting next to her and said something in his ear. The man laughed and rubbed the back of his hand against her cheek.

  A noise must have caught his attention, as the man turned around and Penny gave a gasp. Silas Benson! He had shaved his mustache and he had several scratches on his face, but Penny would have recognized him anywhere. If Silas was here, where was Alice?

  Penny dropped her napkin on the table and pushed herself up to go speak to the cad. Tamar grabbed her arm and pulled her to sit back down.

  “What are you doing?”

  “That was the man my sister ran away with. I want to speak with him.” Chatter flew around the table.

  “You can’t do that. He is a guest of Father Price’s. No one speaks to the guest until they have been invited.”

  “Watch me.” Penny pushed herself up from the table again and strode over to where Father Price, Silas, Ruth and a few other people were eating around the table.

  Father Price caught sight of her, and he looked displeased, his lips thinning as he watched her approach. When she came to the table, his face shifted, and a smile appeared. “Sister,” he said, raising his arm. “I don’t believe I have met you yet.”

  Penny shook her head. “I came to see your guest.”

  Father Price looked at Silas. “Brother Hiram, do you know this lady?”

  Silas turned and glanced at Penny, the color draining from his face. He quickly turned away and hunched over his plate, pulling it closer. “No, I don’t recognize her.”

  “Well, I recognize you, Mr. Benson. Where is my sister?”

  Father Price made everyone leave the dining hall immediately and insisted that Penny sit down. “How do you know this man, Sister?” he asked.

  “My sister ran away with him to be married,” Penny countered staring at Silas/Hiram with all the hate she could muster.

  “Is that true, Brother?” Father Price asked.

  Silas nodded his head. “Yes, Father, it is,” he whispered.

  “Where is the young lady in question at this moment?” Father Price leaned forward on his elbows looking at Silas.

  “She didn’t come to San Francisco.”

  “You liar,” Penny cried.

  “Calm down, Sister …?”

  “Penelope,” she responded.

  “That isn’t a very biblical name. We will have to fix that.” Father Price stroked his beard. “If Brother Hiram said she didn’t accompany him to San Francisco, then where could she be?”

  Silas lifted his head and looked at Penny. “She went home.”

  “Where is that, Brother?”

  “Nebraska. She went back to Nebraska.”

  “When did she go?” Penny insisted on knowing.

  “We were part of the way here when she insisted that she wanted to return. I sent a telegram to Father Price and returned her home. Then I came back out here on the train. I didn’t want to be with someone that didn’t love me.”

  Father Price smiled and patted Silas on the back. “I think what we have here is a simple misunderstanding. I’m sure your sister is right at home where she should be.”

  “You mentioned sending him a telegram,” Penny said to Silas. “that means you can send one too. I’d like to send a telegram to my parents to verify what he said.” It was so quick that Penny almost didn’t see the flash of anger that crossed Father Price’s face.

  Quickly he stood, “Of course, Sister Penelope. I just ask one thing.”

  “What?”

  “That while we are waiting for the reply that you’ll come observe us ministering this evening. I want to assure you that we are nothing more than a church looking to serve the community. You can carry that message back to Nebraska.”

  Penny tried to calm the racing thoughts in her head. If she went out with them tonight, then she might be able find help for her and Tamar. She nodded. “I’d be glad to.”

  Chapter 9

  Penny weaved in and out of the crowd. She followed Father Price and several of the sisters to a tall brick building a block outside of the compound. This was the first time Penny had stepped foot outside the wall since arriving there. She vowed to never take her freedom for granted again.

  The inside of the building was like a large warehouse. There were seats set up around an area that appeared roped off. It was in the shape of a square. It looked like a boxing ring. Penny remembered reading about the fighting clubs in the paper back home.

  The small group finally found a clear area and milled around looking at the crowd.

  “Why are we here?” Penny finally asked.

  “Because, my child,” Father Price said to her, pulling her close. “This is where the worst of the worst can be found. It is our job to minister to the sinners where they are.”

  Father Price released her and headed towards an office in the back. “Where is he going?”

  “He’s going to speak to the club manager,” Brother Jonah said coming up behind her. Penny stepped away. “Okay, Sisters, let’s go. Stay together and don’t get separated in the crowd.”

  The sisters started moving through the crowd, ministering to the men. There were several married women, as well as the sisters for whom this was the first time out. Each single woman was paired with one of the married women as they moved through the audience.

  Penny thought how easy it would be to get lost in the crowd. A hand came down on her shoulder. “Don’t think of it, Sister Penelope.” Brother Jonah. Why was he always around?

  She gave him a saccharine smile. “I wasn’t thinking of anything.” She looked around the audience. There appeared to be only men in attendance. Several of them were deep in conversation with the sisters that were sent to minister to them.

  Penny wondered if the reason the sisters were sent to preach was because the men would be more receptive to a pretty face trying to save their soul.

  Before she could think about it anymore, the sound of a bell was heard, and two men started fighting in the ring. They circled each other, jabbing blows as they danced.

  Penny couldn’t get a good look at the fight. She did notice, that the men weren’t wearing gloves. Fisticuffs!

  Penny pushed through the crowd to get closer to the ring. The two men were of similar size, neither had on a shirt and Penny could see their backs glisten. She had never seen a man in such a state of undress and quickly averted her eyes.

  She could see Tamar and one of the other sisters talking to a man on the other side of the ring. The man pulled the married sister closer and said something in her ear. The sister nodded and then the man looked at Tamar with a lecherous grin. He grabbed her arm and pulled her in, locking his lips with her.

  Tamar started to struggle.

  Penny pushed to the edge of the ring. “Stop that!” she yelled to the man on the other side. Her voice wasn’t loud enough to be heard over the crowd. She could see Tamar being pulled and they disappeared into the sea of people.

  “Help!” Penny yelled. “Help her!” The men around her broke away giving her room.

  “Ye daft woman,” a voice called. She looked in the ring and saw Angus looking at her with fury in his eyes.

  Angus! Penny tried to move through the crowd to the other side of the ring, keeping her eyes on him. His opponent noticed it too, and took advantage, letting his fist fly into the side of Angus’s face.
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  Penny shrieked as she saw his head snap back and he fell to the floor.

  “What in the name of Sam Hill are you doing here, Miss Chapman?” Angus pressed the cool rag to his cheek.

  Penny took the rag from him and began to press it against his skin. “I could ask you the same thing.”

  Angus couldn’t believe that Penny was in the room with those flesh peddlers. Angus forfeited the match to his opponent and grabbed Penny, pulling her from the building. Penny tried to break free and reenter the crowd to find her friend, but Angus held her back.

  He needed to get her out of town as quickly as possible. He didn’t even go downstairs to get his bag, instead he ran down the street, pulling Penny’s hand. He tried to ignore the stares they received, and he didn’t stop until they reached the apartment the Pinkertons had secured for him. Once inside, he went to wet a towel and try to clean up some of the blood on his face and chest.

  Penny leaned in as she blotted the wet cloth on his cheeks and forehead. Cupping his chin with her hand, she tilted his head, so he was looking at her as she nursed him.

  She was dressed in the most horrible rags he had ever seen, but her scent was intoxicating. She still smelled like flowers and sunshine. How did she manage that?

  “I got a telegram from Archie saying you were missing,” he said softly. “I thought I was going to go mad worrying about what happened to you.”

  She stopped blotting his skin and looked at him. Her bright eyes filled with tears. “When did you get the telegram?”

  “This morning, before I had to leave for the warehouse.”

  “I wonder why it took so long?”

  “Because your brother came to Denver looking for you. The agency assumed you went home to wait for some word.”

  Penny shook her head. “No. I followed you out here.”

  “You, silly girl.”

  “I wanted to help. I needed a place to stay right after I arrived. I met some women, one of whom was with me tonight. They gave me a place to stay. I couldn’t leave until tonight.”

  “What do you mean you couldn’t leave?”

  “I was behind a gate with a bunch of buildings. We couldn’t leave.” Penny gave a sob and put her face in her hands. Angus pulled her close, not caring if his blood stained her clothes.