Then Patrick broke the silence. “I believe he’s alive. I don’t know where, but I feel that he is. Otherwise I wouldn’t be lookin’ for him.”
“But you’ve found nothing?”
“Not yet. But I won’t give up.”
Camri nodded. “Neither will I.” She looked at Ophelia and smiled. “I know we’ll find him, and who knows, maybe one day he’ll return your feelings, Ophelia.” She was surprised to find that she didn’t mind the idea of her brother falling in love with the impoverished Irish girl.
“Nay, it will never be,” Ophelia said with great resignation.
“You don’t know that,” Camri countered. She gave Ophelia’s hand a gentle pat. “You’re a beautiful young woman with a sweet spirit.”
“But a spirit that will soon be taken up to God.” Ophelia squeezed Camri’s hand.
Camri shook her head. “What?” No other words would come.
Ophelia gave her a sad smile. “I’m dyin’. The doctor said I haven’t long.”
The words struck Camri like a slap across the face. Surely the doctors were wrong. There must be something they could do. She looked at Patrick, who had already turned away. The truth was apparently as hard for him to accept as it was for Camri.
CHAPTER
9
After church on Sunday, Camri cornered Micah Fisher to thank him for the Murdocks’ address.
“Mr. Wong took me, and I met with Ophelia and her brother, Patrick.”
The handsome doctor beamed at her. “They’re good people. I’m glad you didn’t go alone, however. The poorer neighborhoods can be dangerous. A hungry man will do most anything to get food, especially if he needs to feed a family.”
Camri nodded, but the risk was the least of her concerns. “Ophelia . . . she says she’s dying.”
Micah’s smile faded. “Yes. She has tuberculosis.”
“But she seemed to breathe just fine and didn’t cough even once while I was there.”
“Hers is what we call ‘extra-pulmonary.’ It affects other parts of her body. Even so, her lungs have been compromised from the disease.”
“And is there truly no hope? Can’t something be done?”
“Every attempt was made. She’s been sick for some time, but the added stress of losing her father and then her brother being jailed . . . well, it took its toll. They lost everything, and while Patrick was in jail there was no money for doctors and treatments. When Caleb found out she wasn’t getting proper care, he stepped in and started taking her to her appointments and getting her medicine, but it was too late.”
Camri felt a deep sorrow. “She’s such a sweet woman—and so young.”
Micah nodded. “I wish I could offer some glimmer of hope, but I haven’t got one. The poor in this town suffer many woes, and disease is just a daily part of their lives.”
“Caleb said there were troubles with bubonic plague in the last few years.”
“We have ongoing cases. We’ve done what we can to quarantine people and clean up their living conditions, but so many reside in situations that can’t be improved. And disease comes to port with every ship.”
“I do understand that. Chicago also has its share of the poor, and while we don’t have an ocean, we do have Lake Michigan, which is vast. I’m sure the two cities have more in common than we might think.”
“No doubt. But tell me, were you able to get any news regarding Caleb from Patrick and Ophelia?”
Camri shook her head, doing her best not to sound as hopeless as she felt. “Patrick did say that he’s been trying to find Caleb on his own.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. Caleb saved his life. If he’d been convicted of murder, he would have surely been sentenced to die.” Micah lightly touched her arm. “Don’t forget, I’m looking into this as well. I’ve talked to many people and will continue to do so.”
“Thank you. It’s a relief to know that. Mr. Ambrewster assured me that he’s looking into the matter as well. I don’t feel I can truly trust him, however.”
“It’s good to be cautious. This is a town of lies and liars.”
On their walk home, Camri told Judith and Kenzie all that she’d discussed with Micah. She couldn’t shake the sadness she felt over Ophelia’s condition.
“I wish I could do something for her.”
“Be her friend,” Judith suggested. “Friends are always needed at times like these.”
Kenzie agreed. “I’m sure it’s hard to be so weak you can’t leave the house. You would grow very weary of being confined. Perhaps you can visit her—take her some books to read.”
“I don’t even know if she can read. I wouldn’t want to make her feel worse.” Camri shook her head. “I just wish I knew what might comfort her.”
“Why don’t you ask him?’ Kenzie said, pointing to the front steps that led up to their home.
Seeing Patrick sitting there caused Camri to misstep. Judith righted her just before she completely lost her balance.
“Thank you. That would have been embarrassing.” Camri straightened, noting that Patrick had jumped to his feet at her near accident.
“G’day to ye, ladies,” he said, tipping his hat. “I hope ye’ll be forgivin’ the intrusion.”
Camri looked at Judith and then Kenzie. “This is Mr. Patrick Murdock.”
Kenzie nodded. “I recognized you from Camri’s description. I’m Miss Gifford.”
“Ye look to be a fine Irish lass,” he replied, taking off his hat and giving a bow.
“Scottish,” Kenzie countered.
“Ah, then we’re all but cousins.” He looked at Judith. “And who might ye be?”
She laughed. “I’m Judith Gladstone, and I love the way you talk. Are you from Ireland?”
“I was born here in America, but me da and ma were both Irish and came to this country when they were young. We’ve always lived among folks from the old country, and it just seemed natural to speak as they do.”
For a moment no one said anything else, and Camri took that opportunity to speak up. “I’m sure you came today with a purpose, Mr. Murdock.”
“Ye agreed to be callin’ me Patrick,” he reprimanded.
Camri couldn’t help but smile. He could irritate her, but also amuse. “Patrick, would you care to stay for lunch? I know the girls and I are famished, and Mrs. Wong promised us a nice roast.” He looked hesitant, and Camri quickly added, “I know there will be more than enough. So much, in fact, that I will send some home with you for Ophelia.” She knew the size of the roast might not be quite as big as she boasted, but she would see to it that he had something to take to his sister, even if she sent her own share. “Speaking of which, you should have brought her.”
“She could never have made the walk, but thank ye for your kindness. For sure, I will join ye.”
They made their way inside with Patrick bringing up the rear. Camri introduced him to Mrs. Wong and then asked the housekeeper to set another place at the table.
At first Camri worried about how comfortable Patrick might be seated at their dining table, given his living conditions, but then she remembered that the Murdocks were once better off. Perhaps not rich, but certainly capable of furnishing a decent house.
Patrick appeared completely at ease, and Kenzie and Judith did as well. They posed a variety of questions about his Irish roots and parents, and Patrick seemed more than happy to answer them.
“I’ve never been to Ireland, but I had plans to go,” he said after loading his plate with food. “Me ma was quite homesick. She had family there, as did Da, and she longed for a visit. When the construction business started doing well, Da decided to take us back for a trip. But it didn’t happen.”
“Why?” Judith asked.
“Our ma took sick. She was never all that well. She died before Da could take her home.”
“How sad,” Kenzie murmured.
“Aye. It was a sad day indeed. Never a day goes by that I don’t think of her and miss her laughter.” Patrick gla
nced around the table. “I’m supposin’ we say grace at this table?”
Camri gave a nod. “I’ll pray.” She bowed her head. “Father, we thank You for the bounty You’ve provided as well as the company. We ask Your blessings on Patrick and his sister, Ophelia. We ask for guidance as we seek to find my brother, and wisdom for our daily living. Amen.”
“Amen,” Judith and Kenzie murmured. Patrick said nothing and instead began to eat.
The conversation covered the sermon and the pleasant but chilly day. Camri wondered why Patrick had come. He said very little as they ate but seemed to enjoy the discussion. When they had finished eating, Judith and Kenzie dismissed themselves and left Camri and Patrick to make their way to the front sitting room, where Mr. Wong had prepared the fireplace. The warmth from the fire welcomed them like a friend.
Camri wasted no time. “Have a seat and tell me why you came.”
He grinned. “You’re right to the point. Are ye in a rush to be rid of me?”
She shrugged. “It seems you must have come with a reason, and since you didn’t reveal it at lunch, I thought perhaps you desired for us to be alone.”
He chuckled. “Aye, I can’t deny that desire.”
Camri was momentarily taken aback by his tone. Was he actually insinuating his interest in her, or was he simply playing on her words? She started to sit in her brother’s chair, then instead offered it to Patrick.
“I’m sure this chair would be to your liking. It’s Caleb’s favorite.”
Patrick sat and smiled as he gripped the leather arms. “And for certain it’s a fine chair. Fit for a large man.”
Camri took a seat on the sofa. Her corset was tight and made relaxing impossible, so she maintained her perch on the edge of the cushioned seat. “I spoke with Dr. Fisher today at church. He told me your sister has tuberculosis.” Patrick looked at her blankly, so she added, “You might call it consumption.”
He frowned. “I know full well what tuberculosis is. It took our ma’s life.”
“I’m sorry. I realize your circumstances probably didn’t allow for you to have an extended education, so I was just trying to simplify.”
He leaned back. “I see. From where I’m sittin’, it sounded more like ye were puttin’ on airs.”
Camri stiffened. “It’s not putting on airs to support education. I know from your stories at dinner that your family spent a great many years in poverty. You said that your education ended before graduating high school. So many young men have been forced to do exactly that, while young women aren’t encouraged to attend school for any other reason than to find a husband.”
“And ye disapprove of husbands?”
“Of course not.” She knew her tone betrayed her irritation. “But I do disapprove of them being the reason girls stop attending school. Education is important, Mr. Murdock—Patrick.” Hopefully using his first name would stave off his belief that she was putting on airs. “I’ve fought long and hard to see women better themselves.”
“Better themselves according to your standards of better?”
The conversation had taken a turn Camri hadn’t anticipated. She knew he had come here for a reason other than this debate, and after all, what could she expect from him? His background hardly gave him reason to appreciate the benefits of an education.
“I believe we’ve gotten off onto a rocky path.” She forced a smile. “You didn’t come here to hear my support of education.”
“No, but now that we’re discussin’ it, ye might be givin’ me a chance to speak my thoughts.”
Camri folded her hands and kept her gaze fixed on them. “If you wish to discuss education, I am more than happy to comply. However, I would rather ask after your sister and how she’s feeling.”
Patrick was silent for so long that Camri glanced up. She found him watching her with a stoic expression on his face. She wasn’t sure what he was thinking, nor could she figure out his mood. It made her uncomfortable. She was usually astute at reading people.
“Ophelia enjoyed your visit,” Patrick finally said. “She takes to her bed more and more these days, and havin’ someone near to her own age to pay a call cheered her day. I had come in part to thank ye for that, and to ask ye to come again soon.”
Camri nodded, hoping they could put aside the previous irritations. “It was my pleasure, and I’d be happy to come again. I was just discussing my desire to do something for your sister on our walk home from church. Can I bring her something?”
“Yourself would be enough. She hasn’t many needs this world can accommodate.”
“What about sweets? I could bring her some chocolate. I work at one of the factories.”
“Truly? That hardly seems the place for a college-educated woman.” His tone dripped with sarcasm.
She tried not to reveal the needling effect his words had on her. “A wise person does whatever she must in order to accomplish her goal. I came here to search for Caleb. This requires money, and while our parents are comfortably settled and I had a good savings set aside from teaching, this town is expensive. Besides, I agreed to help Judith and Kenzie with their own searches.”
“Well, at least you’re not too proud to help a friend.”
Her anger returned, and she found it impossible to remain silent. “I’m not proud, but if I were, there is nothing wrong with taking pride in knowledge. God encourages knowledge and wisdom.”
“He also makes it clear that pride goeth before a fall. Ye might do well to be rememberin’ that and to realize that some folks have knowledge and wisdom that don’t come from book learnin’. Ophelia, for example. She has a heart of gold and has more Scripture memorized than most clergy. She knows a lot about usin’ herbs for cookin’ and healin’. Is that somethin’ you’re an authority on?”
He didn’t wait for her reply but continued. “There’s a whole world of folk, Miss Coulter, who haven’t the opportunities in life that ye’ve had yourself. It wasn’t for a lack of desire, but for the place the good Lord put them in life. Maybe ye should be instructin’ God as to what ye think best rather than telling it to me.”
Camri found words failed her. She had never been taken to task in such a manner. Patrick’s words struck a chord, however, and she regretted how she’d treated him. She had been presumptuous and condescending.
But rather than give her time to apologize, Patrick got to his feet. “I’ll be goin’. It’s not good to leave Ophelia for too long, despite our neighbors bein’ good to look in on her.”
He headed for the front door, and Camri could do nothing but follow him. She started to speak while he donned his coat, but she wasn’t at all sure of herself. Should she apologize? Should she try to explain further?
Patrick opened the front door with one hand while pushing his hat onto his head with the other. He stepped out onto the portico and turned. “I’ll keep lookin’ for Caleb unless ye feel I’m too uneducated for the task.”
He left Camri standing at the door, still unable to speak her mind. She watched him walk down the street until he disappeared around a corner. It was only then that guilt began to wash over her in undulating waves.
“Lord, I don’t know what got into me. I’m sorry for my prideful behavior.” She sighed. Father had always told them that just as it was wrong to look down on others for their circumstances and limitations, it was wrong to be prideful of your accomplishments and see yourself as their better. She was ashamed for the way she’d acted and knew that her mother and father would have been too.
She closed the door and leaned against it. There was nothing she could do to take back her words or attitude, but that didn’t remove the necessity of giving Patrick Murdock an apology. She owed him that much.
CHAPTER
10
I told you! I told you! Someone is out to ruin me,” George Lake declared as he ran in circles around his ransacked office. He pulled off his wire-rimmed glasses and wiped them with his handkerchief while sweat ran down his face. “It’s an utter disaster
. Who knows where they have their spies?”
Camri looked at the mess of papers and overturned furniture. Even the filing cabinets had been opened and emptied. It seemed George Lake had good reason for his anxiety and suspicions.
Kenzie was already on the floor, picking up papers. “Cousin George, do you have any idea who would want to see you ruined?”
This caused him to halt. He replaced his glasses, nodding. “Of course. It must be Ghirardelli or Guittard’s people. I’ve told you that at least a dozen times before. It’s why I must be cautious about who I allow to work for me. There must be a spy—but who?”
Camri started to point out that with as small an operation as George Lake ran, he could hardly be much of a threat. She doubted his yearly profits were even a tenth of what the larger companies realized. But seeing how upset he was, she decided to keep that thought to herself.
Judith pointed at the broken window. “This must be how they got into the office.”
Mr. Lake nodded. “They were after my recipes, but they didn’t get them.” He pointed to his head. “I have them all up here and in a bank box. No one is going to steal my secrets.”
“Did you call the police?” Camri asked.
“I did. They came and made their notes and left again. They said it looked like nothing more than a random burglary. Apparently other businesses in the area were also burgled. Probably in an effort to disguise their attack on me.”
Camri righted one of the small tables. “You can’t know that for certain.”
“You sound like the police,” Mr. Lake countered in exasperation. “I’m telling you, the other factories want to put an end to my work. I’m a clear threat to their success. No doubt they’ve learned about the new products I’ve been creating.”
“The new fillings for the boxed candies?” Kenzie asked.
“Yes.” Mr. Lake began to pace again. “I knew it would come to this. I’ll have to hire some guards. Oh, but who can be trusted?”
He continued ranting, but Camri found her thoughts on other matters. “I suppose,” she interrupted, “it would be wise if we got to work. After all, you have many orders that need to be filled before the close of day.”
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