“Miss Coulter, I don’t know what’s come over you.” He peered down his nose at her. “We have only days before Christmas arrives, and the orders must be filled and delivered. I need your mind to be on your work.”
“I know, and I am sorry, Mr. Lake.”
Camri tried her best to look contrite. She was sorry, but at the moment all she wanted was to go home. That would mean facing the Wongs, however, and the thought of that left a sour taste in her mouth. Why couldn’t they just tell her what was going on? They knew something, and she had to find out what it was. But how?
“. . . and it isn’t a desire of mine to terminate you, but my reputation is of the utmost importance.”
Camri realized she hadn’t been listening. “I am sorry, Mr. Lake, but you must admit that until today, I was handling my responsibilities quite well. I can’t see that one day of mistakes merits termination.”
He began to pace in his customary fashion. “Which is why I am not firing you. However, if this lack of attention continues, I’ll have no other choice. I find females to be flighty, which is why I haven’t been willing to hire them until now. Would that all women could be as sensible and staid as my dear cousin.”
Irritation threatened to work its way into rage, but Camri forced herself to remain silent. She had no spare energy to devote to a battle of women’s rights with Mr. Lake. He felt no different than most men.
“Again, I apologize, Mr. Lake. I’ll be quite competent on the morrow, I assure you.” She got to her feet. “Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.” She had often used this phrase to conclude other meetings in her life. It tended to leave the other person at a loss as to how they could continue. She moved toward the door as the clock struck the hour. “Good evening, Mr. Lake.”
She left the room before he could say anything else and hurried to fetch her coat and hat. Judith and Kenzie were already waiting.
“What was that all about?” Judith asked.
“He just wanted to point out that I did not give him quality work today.” Camri pulled on her coat.
“As much as he scolded you throughout the day, I wouldn’t think it necessary to point out your mistakes again,” Judith said, shaking her head.
“He’s just anxious about the orders and his concerns about sabotage,” Kenzie said, opening the door for them to exit.
Camri secured her hat. “I deserved his reprimand. I let my thoughts command me today. It wasn’t right.”
They walked from the building, hurrying to make their cable car. The crowded sidewalks were filled with vendors and pedestrians who all seemed determined to act as obstacles to Camri and her friends. They barely reached their destination in time.
Kenzie and Judith took the only seats available while Camri stood directly in front of them, holding on to the bar to keep from falling.
“I want you both to know that I’m sorry for the way I acted this morning at breakfast. Especially to you, Kenzie. I never meant to cause you pain. I know I’m headstrong and prideful, and I often say things based on the life I’ve led and the people who have influenced me. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
Kenzie gave a slight smile. “I do. You didn’t intend to harm me.”
“No, I didn’t. I simply spoke without thinking—which seems to be a growing problem. I never realized just how much I speak my mind without thought to others. And lately, with all that’s going on, I seem particularly rude.”
“You’ve got a lot on your mind,” Judith threw in. “We all do. I can’t help but wonder if any of the people around me might be my aunt. It consumes me sometimes.”
The trolley passed Mr. Ambrewster’s office, as it did every day. Camri glanced up as the car slowed to let off passengers and forgot all about her apology. Mr. Ambrewster was standing near the corner of the building in deep conversation with Mr. Wong.
“Look!” She pointed toward the two men.
Judith and Kenzie twisted around to see. “It’s Mr. Wong.” Judith gasped.
“And isn’t that Caleb’s employer?” Kenzie asked.
“It is.” Camri narrowed her eyes as Mr. Wong put something into Mr. Ambrewster’s hands. She couldn’t see what it was, but a dozen ideas ran through her head. Could it be information about Caleb? Might it be money to pay for some deception? Maybe the Wongs knew exactly where Caleb was and this was the address needed to find him.
“What do you suppose he gave to Mr. Ambrewster?” Judith asked as the cable car moved on down the street.
Camri shook her head. “I don’t know. It doesn’t make any sense to me that they should be meeting for any purpose.”
“Do you think perhaps Mr. Wong owed Mr. Ambrewster money? Maybe because he was your brother’s employer, Mr. Wong went to him when Caleb disappeared in order to borrow some,” Kenzie suggested. “They would have needed something to live on.”
A woman and her five children pushed past in order to squeeze into the newly vacated space opposite Judith and Kenzie. Camri nearly fell into Kenzie’s lap when the mother whirled on her heel to count her children. She offered no apology as Camri straightened and steadied herself.
“I think that makes sense. Caleb wouldn’t be around to give them their salaries. It’s possible Mr. Wong had to borrow money,” Judith said. “After all, how else would they survive?”
Camri nodded and tried to speak above the noise of the disgruntled children. Apparently they’d just come from the dentist and some promised treat was yet to be delivered. “I suppose you could be right. I’m afraid my first thoughts ran to more devious ideas. Perhaps when next I see Mr. Ambrewster, I will ask him about it. After all, if the Wongs are repaying a loan due to Caleb’s absence, I can help.”
“And if it’s not a loan?” Kenzie asked.
Camri shook her head. “What do you mean?”
“Simply that if you ask Mr. Ambrewster about it, and it turns out to be something more . . . sinister, then they’ll realize you know they’re up to something.”
It wasn’t like Kenzie to come up with such an idea, but Camri knew she might be right. Mr. Ambrewster had lied about Caleb and might be lying still. And the Wongs were clearly involved in some capacity. What if they were all conspiring together? What if they each played some role in Caleb’s disappearance?
That evening after dinner, Camri decided to visit Ophelia. Her trip would serve two purposes, beyond befriending Ophelia. First, she would get Mr. Wong to drive her over, and during their ride, she might find out what he was doing with Mr. Ambrewster. And second, she would have a chance to apologize to Ophelia’s brother.
Mr. Wong seemed less than happy to be driving her back to the Irish neighborhood, but Camri promised him they wouldn’t stay long. She only wanted to check on Ophelia, since she was so sick. He finally relented, but on the way to the Murdocks’ apartment, he said very little.
Ophelia was delighted to see Camri again, but Patrick was nowhere to be found.
“I’m afraid Patrick is still off workin’. He had a chance to help a friend.”
“I really came to check on you.” Camri saw the look on Ophelia’s face. “Well, and to apologize to your brother. I’m afraid I was rather brusque with him.” She knew that was an understatement but didn’t want to ruin her brief time with Ophelia by explaining her issues of pride.
“I know he’ll be sorry to have missed ye.”
Camri took a chair beside Ophelia, who sat snuggled up by the stove. “How are you feeling? Is there anything you need?”
Ophelia shook her head. “I have all that I need. Patrick and the good Lord see to that. But I’m wonderin’ if maybe I can do somethin’ for yerself. Ye seem rather troubled.”
Camri didn’t want to burden the poor girl with all of her troubles. She shook her head. “It’s really nothing. I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”
“Our ma used to say that when a person has a lot on their mind, it has a way of blocking out yer eyes and ears so as to keep ye from hearin’ and seein’ what the Lord has for ye
to know.” She smiled. “All of our troubles are made lighter by sharin’ the load. I may not be strong enough for physical burdens, but spiritually, I assure ye, I’m quite strong.”
“Of course, you are. I didn’t mean to imply otherwise. I . . . it’s just that . . .” Camri wrung her hands. “I feel like so many people are lying to me or, at best, guarding me from the truth. I don’t like it. Not one bit.”
Ophelia reached out and stilled her hands. “I can’t say as I blame ye. Ye’ve a great deal of worry about your brother and it doesn’t help when ye feel that everyone is settin’ up obstacles rather than helpin’ ye to uncover the truth.”
“Exactly. It’s all so exasperating. Even those who claim to be my friend are deceiving me. I’ve never been able to abide deception.”
“Nor should ye.” She smiled, but her sunken eyes betrayed her pain. “But just remember, God hates deception as well. Give it to Him, Camri. The truth will win out.”
A sense of peace settled on the room, and Camri found her fears ebbing. “Thank you. I needed to hear that. I know the truth of it, but I . . . well, I suppose I’m just weary.”
“Aye. There is a weariness that goes deep to the soul, but as the Word says, ye’ll reap—if ye faint not. Rest in the Lord, Camri. He’ll see ye through this.”
Camri nodded and got to her feet. “I’ve taken up too much of your time, and I assured Mr. Wong I wouldn’t be long.”
“’Tis no problem. What little time I have, I’m happy to be spendin’ with a friend.”
“I’ll try to come back soon.”
“Do.”
Camri hesitated to leave but knew there was nothing more to be said. She hurried from the apartment and was heading through the building’s outer door when she ran headlong into Patrick Murdock. He smelled of horse manure and sweat.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.”
He steadied her for a moment, then quickly dropped his hold. “What are ye doin’ here?” His tone sounded almost accusatory.
“I wanted to check on your sister and see how she was feeling.” Camri fought back her immediate urge to take offense. “I also wanted to speak to you.” She glanced past him to where Mr. Wong sat in the old wagon. “I suppose, however, that now is neither the time nor the place.”
He just stared at her for several long moments, leaving Camri uncomfortable. She knew she should apologize for her previous behavior, but somehow the words wouldn’t come.
“Well?” he finally said.
“I should go. We can speak another time. I’m sure I’ll be back to visit Ophelia soon.”
With that, she made a dash for the wagon. Her heart wanted to pound out of her chest, and not for the effort of reaching the wagon. Why did Patrick Murdock leave her feeling so confused—so incapable of speaking a simple apology?
Patrick sat opposite his good friend Liam O’Connell. The big man matched Patrick in size and ability when it came to all things physical. Liam had, in fact, once worked for Patrick’s father, and their friendship had been solidified over many a contest of brute strength.
“Busy night?” Patrick asked. He’d come to see Liam just as the night shift at the factory ended and suggested they breakfast together.
“Aye, to be sure.” Liam rubbed grimy fingers across his brow and yawned. “And what of yerself?”
“I worked some for a friend, then had a strange encounter with Caleb Coulter’s sister.”
“His sister, ye say?” Liam grinned.
“Oh, get on with yerself. It wasn’t like that.”
“And what was it like?”
“I can hardly tell ye.” Patrick ran his hand back through his thick hair. “She’s a puzzle. Prideful and all full of fire. She’ll give ye a lashin’ with her tongue, but then turn her eyes on ye all soft.”
Liam laughed and slapped the table. “Sounds like a fine Irish lass.”
“I don’t think she’s that, but she’s got the feistiness of one, to be sure.”
“Seems like she’s gotten herself under your skin.”
Patrick leaned back and crossed his arms. “Hardly that.” But even as he said it, he wasn’t sure exactly what Camrianne Coulter had done to him.
The waitress appeared with two large mugs of coffee. She placed them on the table, then left again without a word. Just as quickly she came again, this time with a plate of Irish sausages and two bowls of stirabout.
“That’ll be four bits,” she announced, putting the food on the table.
Patrick reached into his pocket, but Liam handed her some money and waved Patrick off. “’Tis my treat. Ye bought last time.”
The waitress went off to take the order of another table while Liam put a generous amount of sugar into his stirabout. The Irish porridge was thin as soup, but the portion was large and filling—especially the way Liam added to it.
“They make this any thinner, and they’ll be serving hot water,” Liam said with a grin. He handed Patrick the sugar. “This’ll thicken it up.”
With a laugh, Patrick took the glass jar and added an ample amount of sugar to his porridge as well. “For certain it cannot hurt.”
They settled into eating before getting down to the business at hand. Patrick had asked Liam to keep his ear to the ground for any word about Caleb, but also about the shanghaiing business in general. Given Caleb’s complete disappearance, Patrick was almost certain this had become his fate. Now, if he could just prove it and find someone who remembered which ship he’d been put on.
“There’s been plenty of activity,” Liam offered without prompting. “I’ve asked around about our friend, but if anyone knows anything, they aren’t sayin’.”
“For all the time that’s passed, it’s unlikely anyone will be rememberin’ him. Still, I cannot lose hope. Caleb saved my life, and I owe it to him to keep lookin’ and maybe even save his. If he were dead, a body would have turned up by now—even if he’d been thrown into the bay.” Patrick sliced into his sausage and took a bite before continuing. “Somebody somewhere knows somethin’.”
“No doubt they do,” Liam replied, “but for sure they ain’t talkin’ about it. However, I’ve had a thought on the matter.”
“Do tell.” Patrick eased back in his chair.
“Ye said that ye tracked him to a place called Daniels’ Dance Hall and Drinking. A friend of mine has a brother workin’ there. They have a reputation for findin’ men to serve aboard ships.”
“Ye mean they shanghai them,” Patrick said matter-of-factly. His eyes narrowed. “Are they in the habit of takin’ men right off the streets? Because Caleb wouldn’t be gracin’ the Barbary Coast. As I understood him, Caleb intended to be in the neighborhood to meet a potential client. Nothin’ more.”
“Malcolm Daniels would take a man from his granny’s garden,” Liam said with a grin. “He’s ruthless and has no concern whatsoever about whether a man is from a good neighborhood or a bad. He has quotas to fill, and he’s not the only one, as ye well know.”
“Aye.”
“Better still, it’s been rumored amongst seedier folk that he has an agreement with Abraham Ruef to take troublesome folks off his hands.”
Patrick leaned forward. “For sure?”
“Aye. It’s said that once Daniels was hired to confine the son of a rich man and hold him until his father gave in to Ruef’s demands. Another story tells of Daniels being paid to rid the mayor of a particularly annoying opponent. I have it on good authority that the man was drugged and put to sea under a ruthless captain who wasn’t at all moved by the promise of reward should he return the man to his family.”
Patrick nodded. “If Daniels has that kind of reputation, he could very well have been paid to take Caleb. The whole thing about meetin’ a client could have been a ruse. Ruef could have had someone arrange to meet Caleb, only to take him hostage.”
Liam smiled. “That was my thinkin’ exactly.”
“So how would I go about findin’ out what he knows? I’d need to get close to him without arou
sin’ his suspicions.”
“I’ve already thought of that. Ye didn’t happen to go into Daniels’ place, inquirin’ about our friend, did ye?”
“No. I had no reason to think anyone there would know anything. Besides, even if they did, they’d not be speakin’ to me.”
“True and good it is that ye refrained, for they’ll not know ye.”
“Know me?”
Liam nodded. “My friend with the brother workin’ there owes me a debt, and I’m thinkin’ I could call it in by having him help ye get a job at Daniels’ place.”
Patrick shook his head, frowning. “I couldn’t be involved in shanghaiin’ helpless men.”
“I doubt they’d let ye help with that right away. Ye’d have to be provin’ yourself first. Still, with my friend’s brother workin’ for Daniels, he could hopefully clear the way and get ye in.”
“And once I’m in, then what?”
“Faith, man! Do I have to be doin’ all your thinkin’?” Liam asked in an indignant tone.
Patrick laughed. “Somebody ought to. I’m not doin’ such a great job on me own.”
Liam’s expression was amused. “Well, I won’t be takin’ it on. I can get ye a job, hopefully, but after that, it’ll be up to yerself to figure out what to do with it. Are ye game to try?”
Patrick considered it for a moment. He hated the idea of working in such a place, but this was the best lead he had. “Aye, I’m game. Talk to yer friend. If Caleb was shanghaied, it seems logical that Daniels might have been the one to do the job.”
CHAPTER
13
Camri spied Patrick Murdock sitting on the front steps outside Caleb’s house before he saw her. She slowed her pace to study him as she walked. Something about him appealed to her, and yet he was nothing like the men she usually found attractive. Patrick was all muscle and brawn, yet he had such a gentleness about him. There was a roughness to his appearance that betrayed the difficult and physical life he had lived. Most of the men she’d known had been educated and refined. Their hands were smooth, even soft, where Patrick’s were calloused.
In Places Hidden Page 11
