“There’s something else here. Something I don’t understand.” Camri pulled the dance hall flyer from the papers. “What do you know about this?”
Patrick took the paper and studied it a moment. “It’s the last place I could track Caleb to.”
“A dance hall? Why would he go there?”
Patrick looked up. “I don’t know. He ne’er went such places as far I knew.”
“No, he wouldn’t.” Camri shook her head. “Do you know who or what Liling is?”
“No. I cannot say I do.”
“He wrote it on that bill along with the name of his household servants. You can see that for yourself. There’s also a room number.”
“Aye. I see it. But ye should be rememberin’ Wong is a common name here among the Chinese.”
“I don’t know what to do about any of this. I intend to question the Wongs, but what with it being Christmas, I wanted to wait. Besides, they’re not even here today. They’re off visiting friends or family in Chinatown. At least, that’s what they told me. They’ve been very suspicious in their actions of late. I can’t help but think they know more about this than they’re letting on.”
“Camri, I must be tellin’ ye somethin’ else.” He frowned and shook his head. “It’s unpleasant to be tellin’, but ye need to hear it.”
She could see it was serious. “All right then, tell me.”
“As ye know, I’ve been lookin’ for Caleb ever since he disappeared. I felt certain it was my fault that he was missin’. The last place I could track him to was this dance hall, so I got a friend to help me get a job there. I just took it up.”
“You’re working at a place like that?” She couldn’t keep the disgust from her voice and made no effort to hide her expression of distaste. “But why?”
Patrick again took hold of her arm. “I think it’s the only way to find Caleb. See, Daniels’ place is well-known for taking men hostage, shanghaiing them. They get ’em drunk and then slip somethin’ in their drinks to knock ’em out. Sometimes they just hit ’em over the head, but they don’t want them injured or killed because they can sell ’em to the ship captains as crew. I’m thinkin’ maybe that’s what happened to Caleb.”
Camri had considered the remote possibility on more than one occasion. She preferred thinking Caleb was forced into service on a ship to him being dead at the bottom of the ocean. “Have you been able to find out anything?”
“Not yet. I’ve only worked there a few days. I’ll have to be winnin’ their trust before they’ll be free with what they say and do in my presence.”
“I still don’t understand why Caleb would go there in the first place. I don’t know what it has to do with the Wongs, but I’m going to learn what they’re hiding. They know something, and they blame themselves for some part of it. They were involved with Mr. Ambrewster, and now they’re simply going to have to answer to me about it. I’ve put this off as long as I dare.”
“Don’t ye think that if they knew something, they’d be tellin’ ye?”
“I don’t know.” She shook her head. “Sometimes I don’t think I’ve done right by Caleb or my family. I should probably be doing a lot more than I am. Mr. Ambrewster introduced me to a man who was helping him find Caleb, so I think tomorrow or the next day I should go speak to him.”
Patrick stepped closer and, to Camri’s surprise, drew her into his arms. “Ye need to promise me that ye’ll leave it alone. I can go see this man, but it’s too dangerous to go yerself. I don’t want anythin’ to happen to ye.”
She was so stunned by his actions that she could scarcely think. When he said nothing more, she lifted her face to meet his gaze. His eyes betrayed such longing that she thought her heart might stop beating all together.
“Promise me, Camri. Promise that ye’ll leave it to me. I’ll find out whatever I can and report back to ye. I’ll tell ye the truth, no matter what. But ye need to promise me that ye’ll not say or do anythin’ more.”
His mouth was only inches from hers, and his breath was warm against her face. Camri had never found herself in such an intimate position. She wanted to speak, but more than that, she wanted him to kiss her.
Which he did.
She didn’t know what to expect from a man’s kiss. Growing up, she had heard girls speak of stolen kisses and palpitating hearts. She’d thought it silly, useless to her ambitions. It didn’t seem so now.
Her knees buckled, but Patrick held her fast. She wanted the moment to go on forever. In his arms she felt that the world was finally set right. There was nothing she couldn’t face with him at her side. Nothing she wanted but him.
When he ended the kiss, he barely drew his face away from hers. She knew if he asked her to do most anything in that moment, she probably would agree. Thankfully he only asked for one thing.
“Promise me ye’ll not go findin’ that man,” he whispered.
“I promise.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead, then let her go. “I’ll be lettin’ ye know what I learn.”
Then, without another word, he left the room. Camri collapsed into the desk chair. She touched her lips, still stunned to think that Patrick had kissed her. Her gaze fell to the desk and the place where she’d set the papers only moments ago.
They were gone.
CHAPTER
22
Are you sure you don’t want to come with us?” Judith asked Camri for the third time.
“No. I have some things to tend to. Besides, I’ve never really cared for roller-skating.”
Judith laughed. “I’ve never been, so I can’t say if I care for it or not, but Micah promised to help me. Kenzie did too.” She fussed with her bonnet, trying, with no great success, to get her baby-fine blond hair to cooperate.
Kenzie came into the room, pulling on her gloves. “I heard my name mentioned.”
“Judith was just saying that you promised to help her learn to roller-skate.” Camri picked up her teacup and sipped the tepid tea.
“I am fairly accomplished at skating,” Kenzie admitted. “I did quite a bit of it back in Missouri. Ice-skating too.”
“I tried ice-skating in Chicago,” Camri admitted. “I was even worse at it than roller-skating.”
“I’m just excited to try it,” Judith interjected, finally satisfied with her hat and hair. “I think it was awfully nice of Micah to invite us to go.”
“Given that all of the young people from church are attending,” Kenzie said, “I hardly think it was anything personal.”
“I don’t know,” Judith said in a teasing tone, “I think Dr. Micah rather likes you.”
Kenzie’s face flushed. “I’ve done nothing to encourage that and would appreciate it if you would also do nothing. If he speaks of me, tell him I’m not at all interested.”
“Interested in what?” Judith asked.
“Anything,” Kenzie snapped. She frowned. “Maybe I shouldn’t go.”
“Oh, nonsense.” Camri got to her feet. “Go and have fun. It’s not like you to back down from a challenge.”
“There’s nothing challenging about roller-skating.” Kenzie headed for the door.
Judith grinned like an impish child. “No, but there might be to keeping your heart guarded.”
Kenzie said nothing and headed out the door, which left Judith no choice but to follow, giggling all the way.
Camri thought about Judith’s comment. Guarding one’s heart wasn’t an easy task. She had lost her own battle to hold off her feelings for Patrick. Their Christmas kiss had left her completely flustered, and his absence from her life since that day had caused her no end of worry and frustration.
He’d sent several notes, which at least let her know that he wasn’t avoiding her. Although given the way he’d kissed her, Camri was fairly certain avoidance was the last thing on his mind. She had considered asking him to accompany her to Mr. Ambrewster’s funeral, but then thought better of it. She was certain he wouldn’t have the appropriate clothes for such an e
laborate occasion. Not only that, but she had hoped Mr. Johnston would seek her out after the service, and she didn’t want him to avoid her because Patrick was at her side.
However, Mr. Johnston hadn’t sought her out. The funeral had been one of the biggest she’d ever attended, and it seemed perfectly understandable that there would be no opportunity to speak on private matters.
Since then, Camri had often wanted to invite Patrick for supper, but knowing he was working at the dance hall, she refrained. He wouldn’t be able to slip away, and there was no sense in making him feel bad. Luncheon on Sunday was also difficult because Patrick would have worked all night on Saturday. Perhaps breakfast before church would work. She thought about this for a moment, given it was already Saturday. She could have Mr. Wong take an invitation to Patrick.
Thinking of Mr. Wong led Camri back to her concerns about the handbill. How were the Wongs involved in Caleb’s disappearance? What did they blame themselves for? She had promised Patrick she wouldn’t go in search of Frederick Johnston, but she hadn’t said anything about not questioning the Wongs. Ever since seeing their name on the handbill, she had been trying to figure out how to address the matter with them.
She glanced at the clock. It was nearly two, and the girls would be gone for at least three or four hours. Longer, if everyone decided to eat supper together at a local restaurant. It would give her more than enough time to question the Wongs.
Camri knew the situation would require patience and kindness. The Wongs were extremely private, and she had no doubt her mere appearance in the kitchen would put them on their guard. It seemed praying for guidance was in order as she headed for the stairs.
“Lord, help me handle this matter in a way that will allow the Wongs to speak openly about whatever they know. I had hoped to avoid troubling them at all. Even from the start, I didn’t want to upset them, but now I think I must. Especially since Patrick is risking his life to learn the truth.”
The Wongs sat at opposite ends of the kitchen table, each busy with their own tasks, when Camri entered the room. They jumped to their feet despite her insistence they remain seated.
“Please sit. I hoped we might have a little talk.”
The husband and wife exchanged a glance, then reclaimed their seats. Camri took a chair on the side, putting Mr. Wong on her left and Mrs. Wong on her right.
“I want to say first how much I appreciate all that you’ve done to keep Caleb’s house running smoothly.” She could see there was still great apprehension in the servants’ eyes. She supposed there was no hope of easing their worries. “I know Caleb treasures you both, as do I. He has always held you in the highest regard.”
She tried to think of what else she could say that might help the couple relax. A thought came to mind.
“Caleb once told me about you inviting him to celebrate Chinese New Year in Chinatown with your friends. He had such a wonderful time. I know it’s nearly that time again. Do you have plans?”
Mrs. Wong gave a little nod and resumed peeling the boiled eggs that sat in front of her. “We celebrate with friends.”
“I believe someone told me it’s the year of the horse.”
Again Mrs. Wong nodded. “Fire horse.”
“Oh, is there a difference?” Camri hoped the question might inspire the Wongs to relax and speak more openly.
“Yes.” Mrs. Wong offered nothing more.
Camri couldn’t help but frown. It would seem this wasn’t going to work the way she wanted. She decided to take a direct approach.
“I know this has been a difficult time for you. Caleb’s disappearance has been hard for all of us, however . . .” She paused and tried to carefully word her thoughts. “I also know it’s been harder on you.”
“It hard to worry for his safety,” Mrs. Wong murmured.
“Especially when you blame yourselves.”
Camri let her statement sink in. She didn’t miss the exchange of looks between the Wongs.
“I know this is difficult to talk about, but I need to know why you think yourselves to blame for his disappearance.”
Mr. Wong had been sharpening knives and stopped. His expression was grim, but he remained silent. Mrs. Wong had tears in her eyes. She folded her hands in her lap and bowed her head.
Camri held back the urge to demand answers. She didn’t know what they had done that made them feel so guilty or why they blamed themselves, but they owed it to Caleb to speak up. Their silence may have already cost him his life.
“You clearly know more than you’re saying. I overheard you talking, and you said you blamed yourselves. I also found something that Caleb wrote with your name on it.” She hesitated only a moment, then decided to drive the point home. “Who is Liling?”
For a long while, no one said another word. Camri was beginning to despair of ever getting an answer. It was obvious the Wongs were set against telling her anything. But then, just as she decided to leave, Mrs. Wong spoke up.
“Liling is our daughter.”
Camri tried not to let her excitement get the better of her. “What does she have to do with Daniels’ Dance Hall?”
Mrs. Wong looked at her husband. He nodded. “She work there. She forced to work there.” The housekeeper’s words were filled with pain. “She not grateful child and run away. We not know where she go for long time. Then we come work for Mr. Caleb. He find her and go to get her. Then he not come back.”
Camri began to understand. “Caleb found out she was working at the dance hall and went to bring her back to you, but something happened.”
Mrs. Wong had tears streaming down her face. “We not know what. Mr. Ambrewster tell us it might be that men take Mr. Caleb because he make them mad. It might not be for trying to get Liling.”
“You were working with Mr. Ambrewster to find her?”
“When Mr. Caleb not come home, we go talk to him. We tell him what happen, and he tell us to say nothing to anyone else. We say nothing . . . until now.”
Camri sighed and tried her best to understand. “I wish you would have at least confided in me. You knew I was only here to find Caleb. You even knew I was working with Mr. Ambrewster.”
“We know you look for brother with Mr. Ambrewster. Since he know the truth, we didn’t need to speak,” Mr. Wong finally said.
She knew it would do little good to berate them further. They were in pain from their guilt, but also from their daughter’s situation. What parent wouldn’t be?
“Patrick is helping me.” She decided confiding in them might help the Wongs at least have a bit of relief. “I found a paper in Caleb’s office—a handbill for the dance hall. It had Liling’s name and a room number written on it. Patrick has that now, and he’s taken a job at the dance hall. He’s hoping to find out what happened to Caleb, but I’ll ask him to also find out about your daughter.”
“It too dangerous,” Mrs. Wong said, shaking her head. “Mr. Patrick good man, and we not want him to go like Mr. Caleb.”
“Nor do I, but I think it more dangerous for him not to have all the facts. Mr. Wong, I’m going to write an invitation for Patrick to join us for breakfast tomorrow. Will you take it to him this afternoon around five? He has to be at work by six, so hopefully he’ll still be at home.”
The old man said nothing for a moment, and Camri began to fear he’d refuse her. She wondered how dangerous it would be to walk the distance by herself. Surely God would protect her.
Mr. Wong got to his feet and nodded. “I take it.”
Camri breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank you. I’ll go right now and see to it.”
She left the older couple in the kitchen and hurried upstairs. Patrick might not like that she’d been open with the Wongs regarding what she knew, but it was important he know the truth.
Kenzie sat on the side of the rink, watching the other skaters enjoy the afternoon. She remembered the first time she’d coaxed Arthur into going skating. He hadn’t wanted to try it, but to please her, he’d given it a go and fo
und that his sense of balance and grace made him a natural. They had made quite the skating pair. People actually stopped to watch them and more than once had come to comment afterward about how beautifully they performed.
“I haven’t seen you smile like that all day,” Micah Fisher said. He took a seat beside her on the bench.
Kenzie stood. “I wasn’t aware you were keeping track.”
He chuckled and got back to his feet. “You seem determined to keep me at arm’s length. You won’t skate with me, and you constantly run away from me.”
“I’m not running away. I simply have nothing more to say.” She fixed him with a stern look. “I’m sorry if that offends you.”
“I’m not offended, but I am rather amused.”
She couldn’t hide her surprise. “Amused?”
“Absolutely.”
“I see no reason to be amused by me.”
“Perhaps I should enlighten you.” He grinned. “I know you’re nursing a broken heart, but I don’t think you’re completely unwilling to notice me.”
“It’s hard not to notice someone who is so obviously determined to be noticed.”
To her surprise, he sat back down and stretched his legs out in front of him in a casual manner. “I don’t usually have to work so hard at it.”
Kenzie knew it would be better to just go and find Judith, but for reasons she couldn’t explain even to herself, she sat down. “Why do you feel the need to work at it at all? I’ve made it quite clear that I’m not looking for a suitor. Why continue to pursue me?”
“Miss Gifford . . . Kenzie,” he said, as if trying the name on for size. “Kenzie is such an unusual name. Why did your parents choose it?”
She’d been asked this question so many times. “My father fought in the War Between the States. He named me after his commanding officer, Colonel Merton Kenzie.”
“A rather masculine name for a daughter.”
In Places Hidden Page 20
