Camri knew such a cause required far more than she could manage. It would take God’s intercession for sure to see the lives of those women turned around. But Caleb made a good point. What did it benefit women to have the right to vote if they couldn’t even exist without degrading themselves in such a fashion?
Patrick got to his feet. “Like I said, I’ve seen nothin’ of her. What if Daniels got rid of her?”
“It’s possible but unlikely. She brings in quite a bit of money.” Caleb thought a moment. “Patrick, you have to find out if she’s still there. I think it will be to everyone’s advantage to keep my homecoming a secret. I asked the government officials to say nothing. They weren’t remaining here long anyway, but I told them about the corruption and problems we were dealing with, and they agreed they wouldn’t give me away. The men I crewed with were also willing to protect me by remaining silent, especially since I plan to help them get decent employment.” Caleb rose and reached out to take Patrick’s arm. “You have to be my eyes and ears, hands and feet. At least for a time.”
“I’ll do whatever I can.”
Camri got up. “I will too.” She raised her hand. “And before you tell me I can’t, just remember that I’m stubborn and headstrong and not given to letting either of you boss me around. I care too much about the both of you to do nothing.”
They laughed, but it was Patrick she looked to. His casual suggestion of marriage earlier that morning was still fresh on her mind. He might as well know here and now that she didn’t intend to be put in a corner.
“Next thing I know, Ophelia will be insisting I let her help as well,” Caleb said with a grin.
Camri glanced at Patrick and frowned. “Ah . . . Caleb, you . . . well . . .”
“Ophelia’s gone on to the Lord,” Patrick said, meeting Caleb’s look of confusion. “She died on the nineteenth of December.”
Caleb’s expression quickly changed. “I am sorry to hear that, my friend. She was a wonderful young woman. I know you must miss her.”
“For sure, I do.” Patrick looked at Camri. “Yer sister’s been a great comfort. She had a chance to get to know Ophelia, as well.”
Caleb nodded and smiled. “Well, knowing Ophelia, she’ll be putting in a good word for us with the Almighty.”
Patrick grinned. “And for certain she’d be doin’ exactly that.”
CHAPTER
25
But if God has a plan for each of us, how can we know for sure what it is?” Judith hobbled into the front room, still discussing the church sermon with Kenzie.
She stopped abruptly as her gaze immediately went to the young man who stood by the fireplace. He was tall, and his dark hair fell in a lazy manner over one brow. There was a rugged cut to his clean-shaven jaw but a softness in his expression. His dark eyes fell upon her, and a smile broke across his face.
“Would these be the young ladies you were just telling me about?” he asked.
Camri turned. “Yes, this is Judith and Kenzie. Look, ladies, my brother Caleb has returned.”
For a moment, neither woman could speak, but finally Kenzie posed the question on Judith’s mind. “I’m glad you’ve returned, Mr. Coulter . . . but where have you been?”
Judith thought she sounded almost accusatory. She wanted to say something in his defense but found the words refused to form. She was overwhelmed by the vision before her. Her heart raced, and her breathing quickened. Was it possible to fall in love at first sight?
Mr. Coulter was speaking now, and Judith tried hard to focus on what he was saying, but her mind ran away with her. This was Camri’s brother. The very man they’d been praying for and hoping to find. But he was nothing like she’d expected.
But what did I expect?
“. . . and of course that’s just a very abbreviated version,” Caleb said, then looked to Judith. “If that’s Kenzie, then you must be Judith.”
She felt as if someone had put a hand to her throat. She could scarcely draw breath, and rather than speak, she gave a brief nod.
Caleb didn’t seem to notice her inability to speak. “I’m glad you could both be here to help Camri keep her wits.” He noticed the cane Judith was using. “Are you injured?”
Judith could only nod. Caleb surprised her by moving forward and taking her arm. “Then you must sit.”
“She sprained her ankle roller-skating,” Camri offered.
Caleb gave Judith a sympathetic smile. “Ah, roller-skating. I once sprained something too, but given this is polite company, I won’t say what.”
Kenzie seemed completely unaffected by Caleb’s presence and spoke up again. “Well, I’m grateful that Camri has allowed us to stay with her. Now that you’ve returned, I suppose Judith and I shall have to arrange other accommodations.”
Judith hadn’t considered the possibility of being left without a place to stay. Surely Camri wouldn’t let her brother turn them out tonight. She still had most of her Christmas money, but it wouldn’t go very far if she had to rent a room.
“There’s no need for that, Miss Gifford. I have more than enough rooms, and given my sister is here, as well as Mr. and Mrs. Wong, there is nothing inappropriate about the two of you remaining.”
“That’s quite kind of you, Mr. Coulter.”
“Caleb. I want you both to call me Caleb.” He smiled, and his gaze fell again to Judith. “You certainly are a quiet one.”
“I . . . I’m. . . .” Judith forced herself to focus. “I’m just very surprised to find you’ve returned.”
“No more so than me,” Camri said. “I fainted dead away.”
“Well, if you’ll both excuse me,” Caleb said, heading for the entryway, “I want very much to change my clothes before lunch. We can sort through anything else while we eat. I, for one, am starved.”
He bounded from the room without so much as a backward glance. Judith knew this, because she hadn’t been able to take her eyes off him.
“Well, that certainly is an amazing answer to your prayers,” Kenzie declared.
“To our prayers,” Camri corrected. “I know it was the prayers of all of us together that brought him back.” She motioned at Judith. “Don’t you want to get out of your coat and hat?”
It was only then that Judith realized she was still clad for the chilly outdoors. She pulled off her gloves. “I supposed I’m just so shocked.”
“I know,” Camri said, smiling. “But it’s the very best of shocks. I don’t know when I’ve ever been happier. I swear I could float.”
Judith stood and shrugged out of her coat, grateful that Kenzie took it. She didn’t know what to say. For so long, Caleb’s disappearance had been the center of conversation. Now he was home, and Judith was quite beside herself. She had never felt this way about anyone.
I’m being silly. Completely ridiculous. It’s just the shock of it and the happiness I feel for Camri. That’s all this is about. There’s no need to be addlepated about it.
But something like this had never happened to Judith. She’d so rarely been around people growing up, and certainly never around handsome young men with dark chocolate brown eyes that seemed to know the innermost thoughts of her heart.
“Do you?”
Judith looked up. Camri seemed to be waiting for some sort of answer. “What? I’m afraid my mind was wandering.”
Camri chuckled. “I asked if you planned to wear your hat to the table.”
Judith reached up to pull the pin from the large straw skimmer. “Sorry.”
“Perhaps it was on too tight,” Camri said in a teasing fashion. “Perhaps the band wouldn’t allow for proper blood flow, and hence you are unable to concentrate.”
“I’ll be just fine,” Judith promised as Kenzie took the hat.
But that hasty conclusion didn’t prove to be true. Sitting at the table with Caleb just to her left made Judith all the more nervous. She found herself both longing to flee to her room and desiring never to be out of Caleb’s company again. By the time the meal con
cluded, she was exhausted.
The next day boded no better. All day at work, she was dropping things. Mr. Lake tried to be patient, noting her injured ankle, but finally he’d had enough. He demanded to know why she was in such a state, but for the life of her, Judith couldn’t give him an answer. How did she explain that she couldn’t stop thinking about her dear friend’s brother? At least Camri wasn’t there to witness it, for she surely would have guessed the problem. As it was, Kenzie seemed to watch her with a critical eye. No doubt Judith would have plenty to answer to on their ride home.
“I do hope you’re in a better state of mind tomorrow, Miss Gladstone,” Mr. Lake said as they concluded the workday. “We have Valentine’s Day orders to prepare, and Miss Coulter’s absence today, along with your nonsense, has put us behind.”
“I am sorry, Mr. Lake. I promise I will be better tomorrow.” Judith hoped it was a promise she could keep.
Kenzie wasted no time in getting right to the point as they headed for the cable car. “What in the world has gotten into you?” She held fast to her hat as the wind picked up.
Judith felt desperate to talk to someone. “Can you keep a secret? I mean really keep what I say to yourself and not share it with anyone? Because I would absolutely die of shame if you were to speak of it. I truly would. In fact, never mind. I don’t know why I’m even thinking of saying anything. It’s foolishness on my part, I suppose.”
“If you’ll stop talking long enough, I’ll pledge to keep your secret,” Kenzie said, shaking her head. “Honestly, I’ve never seen anyone in such a state. What’s wrong?”
They had joined several other people waiting for the same car. Judith lowered her voice. “I can’t . . . I . . . oh dear. I’m not sure how to say this.”
Kenzie looked at her with mild exasperation. “Just say it.”
“I can’t stop thinking about Caleb Coulter.”
“That doesn’t seem like a reason to make so many mistakes. Goodness, you dropped three boxes of chocolates today and then proceeded to put other chocolates into the wrong boxes. I know we’re all happy that he’s returned, but there must be something else.”
Judith gripped her cane a little tighter. “I know it sounds silly, but . . . Kenzie, I think I’m in love.”
For a moment, she feared Kenzie might laugh at her. The look on her friend’s face was one of complete disbelief, but then she smiled. Was she going to make light of Judith’s feelings?
Kenzie put her arm around Judith’s shoulders. “Oh, my poor dear. I should have guessed. From the first moment we walked into the house and saw him, you looked like someone tied to the tracks with a train bearing down on you. I thought it was just the shock of his sudden appearance, but now I understand. This makes much more sense.”
Judith shook her head. “It makes no sense to me. I’ve never felt this way before. I don’t know what to do.”
Kenzie gave her a sympathetic nod. “No one ever does.”
“Murdock, have a seat,” Malcolm Daniels said, ushering Patrick into his office.
Patrick did as instructed. He didn’t know what Daniels wished to discuss. It had been days since Caleb’s return, and while Patrick had tried to discreetly inquire about the girls upstairs, he feared that perhaps he’d given himself away.
“I like what I’ve seen in your work,” Daniels said, pouring himself a drink. He held up the bottle to offer Patrick one as well.
“Thank ye, no.” Patrick felt as if his shirt collar had suddenly shrunk. “I’m glad ye’re pleased.”
Daniels took his drink and sat down behind his desk. “You have a good eye for troublesome men. I’ve seen you head off many a fight before there was even a problem. I’m impressed, and because you’re good at what you do, I’ve a mind to use you in another area.”
“Another area?” Patrick tried to sound relaxed, almost disinterested.
“Yes, well, I know you understand what goes on here,” Daniels began. “Most of Frisco has at least a bit of an inkling.” He chuckled and drank down the contents of his glass before continuing. “It’s no real secret that ship captains are known to seek me out for their crews. After all, I have six boardinghouses that cater to sailors.”
Patrick nodded. “’Tis reasonable to expect they’d call on ye.”
“It’s the way we’ve done business for decades here. Most sailors don’t have the brains of a flea. They can’t be trusted to honor their word. I take ’em in, usually penniless, and they sign a pledge—well, a sort of promissory note for room and board. Then when it comes time to pay up, they think they’ll somehow get around it. I have no choice but to take matters into my own hands, and that’s where you come in.”
“How can I help?”
Daniels smiled. “We have a particular arrangement here that works well for us. No questions asked. Nelson or the girls upstairs slip something into the drinks, and then the men are easier to handle. We get them out of the dance hall below and off to their ships. The captains pay me what the men owe, and everyone is happy.”
“Well, I’m supposin’ that might be debatable.”
The older man shrugged. “Me and the captains are happy.” He laughed and slapped his hand on the desk. “And that’s all I really care about. In fact, I’m not too concerned about pleasin’ the captains, except they put coin in my hand.”
“I’ve heard it said that sometimes a man or two is put to work on the ships who had no intention of ever sailing. Men who don’t stay at yer boardinghouse.”
Daniels didn’t seem at all concerned by the question. “It happens from time to time. Does that present a problem?”
“I didn’t say it did.” Patrick shrugged. “I am hopeful, however, not to have the law breathin’ down m’ neck.”
A look of understanding crossed Daniels’ face. “Oh, but we have an arrangement for that as well. I can see why you think it might be a problem, especially since you had an encounter with the legal system once before. However, I assure you it isn’t. I have powerful friends. Friends who see things my way.”
“For a price?” Patrick asked, pretending to look at his fingernails. “I heard that was the way things were done.” He glanced up at Daniels and smiled. “Seems there’s nothin’ that can’t be bought.”
Daniels laughed. “That’s true enough. All of the Barbary Coast is proof of that.”
Patrick leaned back and crossed his legs. “Aye, that’s a fact. So what is it that ye’ll be needin’ from me?”
“Well, up until now, you’ve not had any dealings upstairs. I always put new men down here, working with the general population. That way I can keep an eye on them.”
“And I take it I’ve passed inspection?”
Daniels grinned. “More than. You’ve been better than ten men, and I’m giving you a raise in salary to prove my gratitude.”
There was no amount of money that would make working for Daniels worth it, but Patrick didn’t have a chance to speak even if he’d wanted to.
“In fact, besides the raise I give you, there are bonuses to be made. All I need from you is help getting the men upstairs.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
“I realize you know about the trapdoors, but we seldom use those unless we absolutely have to. Too many people can see and cause trouble for us if we start dropping drunks by the dozen from the main room. No, the best way is to get them upstairs with the girls. The girls have plenty of medicated liquor, if you get my meaning.”
“I do.” Patrick knew from Caleb that Daniels wasn’t against knocking a man out by other means either.
“You get the men upstairs, and the girls will do the rest. Then, once the men are unconscious, they’ll ring to let us know. When they do, it’ll be your job to go upstairs, get their clients, and get them to the cellar, where we can load them up and take them out to the ships.”
Patrick gave a nod. He thought it best to sound like any other poor Irishman. “And how is it I make these bonuses?”
Daniels roare
d with laughter. “Spoken like a man after my own heart. A lot of the men who come here to drink and dance are leery of going upstairs. They know the possible dangers. And although the siren call of a willing woman is powerful, the experienced sailor knows it’s safer to go to one of the street cribs. We want them feeling at ease and willing to go. I want you to carry these.” He reached into his desk and produced what looked like six or seven photographs. He handed them to Patrick. “Take these and show them to any able-bodied man between the ages of sixteen and forty-five.”
Patrick took the photographs and saw they were of women in various stages of undress posing seductively. He tried not to react in disgust and quickly tucked the photos in his coat pocket.
“After I go showin’ ’em around, then what?”
“When you show the pictures to one of the men, explain that the woman is upstairs. Tell him she’ll show him the best time he’s ever had. You can even go so far as to tell him that you can get the cost discounted because you know the girl personally.”
“But I’ve ne’er met the girls.”
“That doesn’t matter. You’ll get to know them well enough in the next few days.” He paused as if trying to remember something. “If they seem hesitant, offer them a drink on the house. Nelson will see they get the right stuff. We have to work fast. I have two ships needing crews by Saturday evening. Both captains intend to leave on Sunday, and we have to have the men to them at least in the wee hours of Sunday morning so as not to attract attention.”
Patrick considered the matter. This went against everything he believed, even when he wasn’t walking close with the Almighty. Still, he and Caleb had talked about the necessity of continuing if they were to have a chance to free Liling.
“So I’ll be gettin’ a man interested and then send him upstairs. Then ye’ll be tellin’ me when I need to go up there and fetch the soul. How am I supposed to get him down to the water without anyone seein’ him?”
In Places Hidden Page 23
