In Places Hidden

by Tracie Peterson

  The people around her began to relax, and even Camri eased back in her seat and drew a calming breath. Her foundations had been shaken in so many ways, but God had brought her here amidst the quakes and tremors. He wouldn’t leave her orphaned. Just as He wouldn’t leave Caleb alone in his plight.

  After the sermon, Camri made her way to where Pastor Fisher and his wife greeted their flock. “I don’t know if you remember me,” she said to him, “but I’m Caleb Coulter’s sister.”

  “I do remember you,” Pastor Fisher replied. “When I saw you in the congregation, I thought perhaps Caleb had returned.” He clasped her hand. “Quite the welcome you had.”

  Camri nodded. “I’ve heard about earthquakes, but I’ve never experienced anything like that.”

  Judith and Kenzie came to stand beside her. Camri made the introductions. “This is Miss Judith Gladstone and Miss Kenzie Gifford. We came to town together, and they’re staying with me at Caleb’s house.” She waited until the parties had exchanged pleasantries before continuing. “You mentioned thinking Caleb had returned. Do you have any idea where he’s gone?”

  The pastor shook his head. “No, but my son Micah was under the impression he had family business. Let me call him over.” He looked around a moment. “Micah!”

  A handsome dark-haired young man looked up from a circle of young women. He smiled and nodded at his father’s motion to join them. Camri watched as he excused himself and made his way to where they stood.

  “I don’t know if you had a chance to meet our youngest son, Micah, when you were here before,” the pastor said to Camri.

  She smiled. Micah’s piercing blue eyes held her gaze. “No, but Caleb wrote of their friendship.” She extended her gloved hand. “I’m Caleb Coulter’s sister, Camrianne.”

  “I’ve heard a great deal about you,” he replied, taking her hand. “Caleb is a good friend.”

  “These are my friends.” Camri introduced them, not missing the particular way Micah looked at Kenzie. It seemed the redhead had caught his notice. Kenzie, however, had no interest whatsoever in him and quickly looked away.

  “You all look to have survived the quake,” he said, grinning. “Just San Francisco’s way of welcoming you.”

  “Micah was most likely away at school last year when you visited,” Pastor Fisher explained. “He went back east to study surgery. Now he’s returned to us and is working with a group of doctors here in the city. They specialize in helping the poor.”

  “An admirable position.” Camri pulled back her hand. “We’ve been looking for some clue that will help us find Caleb. Your father says you believe him to be away on family business. Why did you assume that?”

  “I didn’t assume anything. Caleb’s employer told me.”

  Camri fought to keep her expression fixed. “Mr. Ambrewster told you he was away on family business?”

  “Yes. Caleb failed to join me for our regular Friday night dinner. I thought perhaps he’d had to work late and simply forgotten to call, but when he didn’t show up to church on Sunday, I knew something was wrong. I went to his office and spoke with Ambrewster, who told me Caleb had some pressing family matter and had left the city. He had no idea when he would return. I asked where I could reach Caleb, but Ambrewster told me he didn’t know. I’m sorry to say I’ve been so busy with my cases that I haven’t had a chance to try to contact Caleb. I suppose I presumed he would soon return to the city.”

  “That is very strange. There was no family matter for Caleb to see to, and I’m not at all sure why Mr. Ambrewster would say such a thing. When I spoke with Mr. Ambrewster the other evening, he told me he had no idea where Caleb had gone. He thought perhaps he had eloped.”

  “Eloped?” Micah replied. “Caleb was seeing no one special, certainly no one with whom he’d elope.”

  “Mr. Ambrewster said he was quite taken with the sister of a man called Patrick Murdock.”

  “Yes, Murdock has a sister. Her name is Ophelia, and Caleb knew her well, but I assure you that any feelings were all on the side of Miss Murdock. Caleb represented her brother when he was falsely accused of murder, and Miss Murdock saw him as a heroic prince rescuing him from certain death.” Micah smiled. “There was nothing more to it. Caleb was kind to her—even helpful while Murdock was in jail—but I assure you he wasn’t in love.”

  “Still, I would like to talk to her. Do you have her address?”

  Micah shook his head. “No, but I believe I can get it for you. One of the doctors I work with is her physician.”

  “Thank you, I’d be grateful.”

  “Miss Coulter, it would be our honor to have you and your friends share lunch with us,” Mrs. Fisher interjected. “It would be nice to hear of your journey.”

  “That’s very kind, Mrs. Fisher.”

  “It’s our pleasure,” Pastor Fisher declared. “Let us finish saying good-bye to our friends here, and then we can walk over to the house.”

  Camri knew the parsonage was just behind the church and nodded. “Is that all right with you two?” she asked Kenzie and Judith as the pastor and his family moved away to speak to others.

  “I’d prefer to return home, if you don’t mind,” Kenzie replied. “I can get there myself, so you don’t need to give up your afternoon.” She didn’t wait for Camri or Judith’s response, heading across the sanctuary without another word.

  Camri looked at Judith. “How about you?”

  “I’m more than happy to come,” Judith replied. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Luncheon with a handsome man is always preferable to my own company.”

  Camri smiled in spite of herself. “He is rather dashing, but I’m much more attracted to the fact that he was Caleb’s good friend. Hopefully he’ll think of something that will help our search.”

  Patrick Murdock sat across their tiny table from his sister, Ophelia. He was a tall, broad-shouldered Irishman whose quick wit could match any man’s. In his younger years he’d been known to fight for money, but the appeal of that had faded with each passing year and new responsibility. And now that their father was dead, there were plenty of responsibilities.

  “You’re for sure gonna waste away if ye don’t eat,” Ophelia admonished.

  He looked up and smiled. “And do I really look as if that’s possible?”

  She smiled. “I suppose not.” She got up and went to the cupboard. “I’ll be needin’ more brandy for the Christmas pudding.” She opened a bottle and poured the last few drops of its contents on a rounded bag where the pudding was keeping and curing for its unveiling at Christmas dinner.

  In years gone by, Patrick had watched their mother do the same. Ophelia had copied her recipe and upheld the tradition in the nine years since their mother’s passing.

  “I’ll see if I can’t find ye a bottle,” Patrick said, getting up from the table. “My thanks for the stew. It was hot and fillin’ and all that a man could want from a meal.” He could have eaten at least three more bowls, had there been any stew left. Their meager meals were necessary, however, due to his limited pay. Some days they had little more than oatmeal and soda bread purchased from his landlady.

  Since losing the construction business his father had started, Patrick had done well just to keep a roof over their heads. Had Ophelia not hidden his tools when the creditors came, Patrick wouldn’t even be able to complete the occasional odd job. Jobs doing what he knew and loved were now refused him. Construction jobs of any kind were only had with the approval of the powerful men who ran the city. They dictated who could work and who couldn’t. Patrick had been lucky to pick up work here and there with friends since the conclusion of the trial. He was even luckier that Caleb Coulter had been able to save him from being branded a murderer.

  “I’m gonna lie down for a spell,” Ophelia said, coming to him. She stretched up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Ye’d do well to take a bit of a rest yourself.”

  “Now, don’t go worryin’ for me.” He smiled and kissed the top of her reddish-
blond head. “I’m perfectly capable of seein’ to myself.”

  She nodded. “Aye, that’s true enough.” She coughed and pulled her shawl a little tighter around her thin body.

  Patrick watched her walk away. She went to the bedroom and closed the door, leaving him to wonder how much longer she’d be with him. She had the same consumptive disease that had taken their mother nine years earlier. Perhaps she’d even caught it from Ma.

  He tried not to think about how life would be once Ophelia was gone. She was the last of his family. Oh, there were some aunts and uncles in Ireland along with their children, but no one Patrick knew all that well. His parents had married and moved to America the year before Patrick was born. He’d never even met his father and mother’s siblings.

  Settling into a wooden chair by the stove, Patrick frowned. Since Caleb Coulter had disappeared, Patrick hadn’t had a moment without worry. His fear was that Caleb’s disappearance was his fault. His friend had agitated the entire city on Patrick’s behalf.

  He might still be here if not for me.

  It tormented Patrick day and night. Was Caleb dead? If not, then where was he? Had he been shanghaied and forced from the country? Everyone knew sailors and no-name men were drugged and forced to work as slave labor on ships bound for the Orient. Those ships were gone for months, even years, and the men were seldom heard from again. If that had been Caleb’s fate, how would Patrick ever be able to prove it—to settle whether Caleb was dead or alive?

  No matter how Patrick considered it, Caleb’s ongoing absence only made the situation more desperate. He owed his life to this man, and yet he seemed unable to do anything to help him.

  There has to be a way. I have to find him—even if he’s dead. I have to find him.

  CHAPTER

  6

  The next day, after long hours of packing candy for Mr. Lake, Camri was surprised to arrive home to company. Henry Ambrewster’s 1904 Winton and driver were parked along the curb, while Ambrewster waited for her in the front room. He had a huge bouquet of flowers in his hands and a smile on his face.

  At Camri’s appearance, he jumped to his feet. “I hope you will forgive the unannounced visit.”

  Kenzie and Judith quickly excused themselves and hurried upstairs while Camri pulled off her gloves. “What can I do for you, Mr. Ambrewster?”

  He extended the bouquet. “First of all, I brought these for you. And second, I thought you were going to call me Henry.” His tone was a mixture of enamored suitor and reprimanding father.

  She looked at the lovely arrangement of flowers and smiled. “How kind. I’ll ring for Mrs. Wong. Did she offer you refreshment?”

  “She did, but I hope to entice you to join me for supper. I have reservations at the Cliff House. I don’t know if you’ve yet eaten there, but it is one of the finest places San Francisco has to offer, and the view must be experienced to be believed. Sunset is the best hour. Not only that, but they have the most amazing chocolate drink. It’s a Guittard creation. Are you familiar with Guittard chocolate?”

  Camri hesitated to take the flowers. “Not really. I only know the name because Mr. Lake is certain they wish his demise.”

  As if anticipating her need, Mrs. Wong appeared in the doorway before Camri could ring.

  “Mr. Ambrewster has brought these lovely flowers and I wondered if you would be so kind as to put them in water?” Camri asked.

  Mrs. Wong nodded. Camri took the flowers, pausing only long enough to smell them before handing them off to the housekeeper. “Mmm, they have a very sweet scent.”

  “You eat here tonight?” Mrs. Wong asked.

  “Yes.” Camri glanced over her shoulder at Ambrewster. “I’m much too tired to venture out, I’m afraid.”

  “Mr. Ambrewster eat here too?”

  Camri didn’t give him a chance to reply. “No, Mr. Ambrewster has reservations elsewhere.” Mrs. Wong gave another nod and hurried away. Camri could see that her conversation hadn’t pleased the older man. “I am sorry, but I’ve been working since dawn and long only for a hot bath and a quiet supper.” She unbuttoned her coat. “I also need to write a letter to my parents.”

  “I cannot pretend I’m not disappointed, but I do understand.” He helped her with her coat and laid it over the back of the nearest chair. “It seems so strange to me that young women desire to work for themselves these days. In my younger years, we were taught that women were to be cherished and cared for.”

  “Yes, well, it’s my opinion that both genders should be cherished and cared for in some manner.” Camri gave him a patient smile. “What can I do for you?”

  “I came hoping to discuss your brother.”

  “Have you learned something new?” She removed her hat and sat it on top of her coat, watching Ambrewster with guarded interest.

  “Let’s sit, and I’ll tell you what I know.”

  She allowed him to lead her to the sofa but then took her brother’s chair instead. “Please continue.”

  Ambrewster sat on the sofa alone. His expression changed to worry. “I’m afraid I don’t have good news.”

  “Any news at this point is useful.”

  “Well, I went through your brother’s papers and files in the office.”

  “You’re only just now doing that? It’s been over three months since he disappeared.”

  “I went through them before, but there were other records that I wasn’t aware of. Caleb kept meticulous notes and ledgers, but it seems some of his dealings were less documented. Dealings in which I had no involvement.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He leaned back and shrugged. “As I mentioned before, this town is full of deception and graft. I fear that it’s possible Caleb was caught up in it.”

  “Are you suggesting my brother had illegal transactions?” She tried to keep the emotion from her voice. After what Micah told her on Sunday, she was suspicious of anything Henry Ambrewster had to say. However, she didn’t want to reveal herself too soon. As Father had often said when dealing with dishonesty, “Give a man enough rope, and he’ll hang himself.”

  “I don’t know. I found some things that made little sense to me. However, the connection to certain nefarious characters can’t be ignored. As I mentioned to you, Caleb represented a young man who stood trial for murder. Our firm handled their company’s legal dealings, and when Mr. Murdock was arrested, Caleb insisted we help him. It wasn’t in Caleb’s normal duties to handle a trial, but there was no talking him out of it. At the time, I just saw it as a kindness. No one expected the young man to be found innocent.”

  “My brother must have, or he’d never have taken the case.”

  “Nevertheless, it’s possible that the jury and judge were persuaded to find him innocent.”

  Camri shook her head. “Am I to understand that you believe my brother bought people off in order to win Mr. Murdock’s freedom?”

  “It’s possible.”

  She’d heard enough. “You cannot say such things and have any real understanding of my brother’s heart. Caleb is first and foremost a man of God. His faith isn’t something he practices on Sunday alone. He lives daily with God’s Word to guide him. He would never allow such corruption to enter into his life.”

  Ambrewster held up his hands as if to ward off her words. “I know this is difficult to imagine, but I wouldn’t mention it if I didn’t have proof. I was very fond of Caleb.”

  “Was? You speak as if he’s dead. Do you know something more than you’re telling me?” She fought to control her fears.

  “Of course not. I didn’t mean it that way. But people do change, and perhaps your brother set himself upon a different course. If he was involved with some of the men mentioned in his notes, then he might well have met with trouble, and sadly enough, it could very well lead to his death.”

  Camri felt her temper rise. “Mr. Ambrewster, I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing. I would like to know why you are telling me this now, when just a few months a
go you told Dr. Micah Fisher that Caleb had gone home on family business.”

  Ambrewster dropped his gaze to the floor. “I’m not . . . well, I’m not sure who this Dr. Fisher is or when I had a chance to speak with him.”

  “He’s Caleb’s friend, and he came to your office the Monday after Caleb went missing.”

  He looked up, nodding. “Yes. I remember him now. He came at the close of day and asked for Caleb. I had no idea who he was. I certainly wasn’t going to tell him anything about Caleb. After all, he could have been there to cause him harm.”

  Camri raised a brow and cocked her head. “Why would you have thought anyone would want to harm my brother? You told me you’ve only just found these notes that suggest he was dealing with dangerous men.”

  “As a matter of practice, I don’t give out information on anyone. I didn’t know this Dr. Fisher, and it seemed wise at the time to suggest Caleb was merely away on family matters. If the doctor turned out to be the friend he said he was, then he would surely know how to reach Caleb in such an event. But instead he asked me for your family’s address. I refused to give it, telling him I wasn’t sure what the address was. I was merely protecting Caleb. After all, he’d just handled a difficult case weeks before, and some people were unhappy with the outcome.”

  “But you said nothing of this when we first spoke. Instead you suggested his interests were with a girl—that perhaps he’d eloped.”

  Ambrewster composed himself and smiled. “My dear Camri, you must understand. You are a member of the weaker gender, and I felt an obligation to protect you from the uglier aspects of life. I didn’t wish to alarm you.”

  She stiffened. “Mr. Ambrewster, this is 1905, and I am neither weak, nor in need of protecting. I’ve spent my life in Chicago, and my work with the suffrage movement and women’s concerns is well documented. I have seen more than my share of the uglier aspects of life. I’ve also become very good at discerning lies.”