In Places Hidden

by Tracie Peterson

“We’ll coordinate that. I’ll have the cleaning boy block entry to the hall, and you’ll be able to bring them down the stairs and then on down to the cellar.”

  “What about the gamin’ rooms? Who’ll keep them from wanderin’ out?”

  Daniels laughed. “My dealers know the trade. They’ll manage it well enough. It’s all worked out, so you don’t need to concern yourself with it.”

  Patrick shrugged. “I wasn’t concerned. Just need to know what to expect. If I have to be knockin’ men out while carrying a body, it’s goin’ to be costin’ ye extra.”

  This seemed to amuse Daniels to no end. He laughed heartily and reached into his desk again. This time he pulled out a roll of money. He peeled off several large bills and tossed them to Patrick. “We’ll just consider this a retainer in case that event comes to pass. We start tonight.”

  Patrick took the money and stuffed it into the same pocket as he had the pictures. “I’m yer man.”

  “So tell me about Kenzie and Judith.”

  Camri looked up from the book she was reading. “What do you mean?”

  Caleb strode into the room, wearing a tailored brown suit. The color matched his eyes and made them seem all the more intense. Camri wondered if her brother had chosen the suit just for that purpose.

  “I mean, tell me more about them. Where they come from and why they’re here.” He took a seat in his leather chair and stretched out his legs.

  “Well, Kenzie is from Missouri and is nursing a broken heart. She was forsaken at the altar. As I understand it, the young man’s family didn’t think her good enough, but Kenzie seldom speaks of it. She’s the daughter of a merchant who inherited some money. She also worked as a librarian.”

  “And why has she come to San Francisco?”

  “To heal. I think her family thought it would do her good to get as far away from her fiancé and his family as possible. She has a cousin here, the man I told you about.”

  “George Lake, the candy manufacturer.”

  “Yes.” Camri couldn’t help but frown. “He’s going to be angry with me for taking these days away from work. However, I couldn’t leave you. Not yet. Now that mother and father know you’re safe, I don’t think I have to rush off. We need to get to the bottom of this corruption with Ruef.”

  Caleb laughed. “Yes, I’m sure that’s the only thing keeping you in San Francisco.”

  Camri felt her cheeks grow hot. “It’s important to defeat a man as corrupt as Ruef. He’s caused a lot of harm to—many people.” She met her brother’s amused gaze. “But of course, that’s just one reason to remain.”

  “You were never good at concealing things, Camri. Don’t try to start now. Remember, I walked in on you and Patrick kissing.”

  She looked at the book in her hands. “I know you did. I won’t try to conceal that I care about him. He’s a good man.”

  “That he is.”

  Camri wanted to talk more about Patrick, but right now didn’t seem the time. Kenzie and Judith were due back any minute. They had gone to help clean the church, and that task never took longer than two hours. “Judith is from Colorado. I’m actually hoping you can help her. She’s here to find her aunt.”

  “What’s so difficult about finding her aunt?”

  She looked at Caleb. “It’s a strange situation. Her mother and father always told her there was no other family. She grew up isolated on a poor ranch in Colorado, schooled at home by her mother. Her parents died, and when she was going through her mother’s things, she found a letter that her mother had been writing. To her mother’s sister.”

  “But if she has a letter, then surely she must also have an address.”

  “No. The letter only mentioned that her mother hoped this sister still lived in San Francisco.”

  “And what was the sister’s name?”

  “Edith. Edith Whitley.”

  “Hmmm, there could be hundreds, even thousands, of folks named Whitley. It’s not that uncommon of a name.”

  “I’m hoping that once you’re back in public, you could help her. She’s a very sweet young woman.”

  Caleb pulled on his sleeve cuff. “I should like to help her. I’m not sure what the future is going to bring, since Henry’s dead, but I have some money saved up, so even if I don’t go right to work for someone else, we’ll be all right.” He grinned. “Perhaps if things go well in helping Judith find her aunt, I’ll apply for a job with the Pinkertons.”

  Camri frowned. “Maybe it’d be better to return to Chicago. It seems that San Francisco is a very dangerous town.”

  “And you think Chicago isn’t?” He shook his head. “Big cities are full of big schemers. Anywhere there is money to be made, you’re going to have corruption. San Francisco has more than its fair share, but it’s no worse than any other city. However, good men must take a stand against the bribery, scheming, and even murder being done in the name of progress. I can’t leave without at least trying to put an end to Ruef and his dealings.”

  “Yes, but Ruef apparently is trying to put an end to you and your dealings. Henry was killed in his own office. What’s to stop them from coming here to kill you?”

  “Well, right now they think I’m already dead. That can be used to my advantage.”

  “But for how long?”

  Caleb shrugged. “I suppose for as long as I need. Patrick is more than willing to help me, and as I said, I’ve got enough money set aside that I can go some time without working. Ruef can’t last forever.”

  Camri straightened in her seat and set her book aside. “Then I want to help, and don’t say I can’t.”

  Her brother eyed her for a moment, then began to chuckle. “I wouldn’t dream of telling you that you can’t do something.”

  C

  HAPTER

  26

  Caleb glanced around his study, feeling a peace wash over him. It was so good to be home. Sometimes he could still feel the sway of the ship and smell the filthy bodies of his fellow sailors. They had been stuffed in a room not even half the size of this office. He shook his head, marveling at how God had taken such a wretched situation and turned it around for good. The months away had given him a new perspective on life, of that there was no doubt. It had deepened his walk with God and had given him a better understanding of the downtrodden. It had also given him new determination to see Ruef and his like defeated and put in jail where they belonged. Ruef and his political machine preyed on the weak and took advantage of hard workers, and Caleb prayed God would give him the strength to help effect an end to it all.

  He glanced at the clock. It was just six thirty in the morning, and soon he’d be at breakfast with his sister and her friends. That brought a smile to his face. It was completely unexpected to come home and find his sister in residence. Even nicer to find two beautiful young women with her.

  He was still smiling when Judith appeared at the door.

  She cleared her throat. “I hope I’m not, uh, interrupting.”

  “Come in, Judith.” He got to his feet and crossed to the door. “Camri told me she’d send you to see me, so I was expecting you.”

  The pretty blonde had twisted her ankle and was still walking with a cane. She took two steps and tripped over her own feet. Caleb easily righted her and took a firm hold on her arm.

  “Steady now. You’ll do yourself no good at all if you fall again.” He guided her toward a chair by the fire.

  “I’m so sorry. I . . . well, I’m sorry.” She gave him a nervous smile. “My ankle is still sore, but I’m much improved. Dr. Fisher said it wasn’t a bad sprain, and tomorrow I can give up this cane.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” Caleb motioned to the two chairs in front of the fireplace. “It’s nice and warm here, so why don’t you have a seat? Did you bring your letter?”

  “I did.”

  He let go of her arm, and Judith scooted past him to the nearest chair. She had nearly made it without incident when she knocked against a small side table that held a st
ack of books. She dropped her cane as her hands flew out to stop the books from falling to the ground, but it was too late.

  “Oh, my!” She shook her head. “I’m so sorry.”

  He came forward to retrieve the books just as Judith bent to do the same. Their heads crashed together hard enough to send them both stumbling backward. Caleb had no trouble regaining his balance, but Judith wasn’t so lucky. Falling onto her backside, she groaned and struggled to get back up.

  Caleb quickly came to her rescue. “It would seem your excitement to see me has been your undoing.”

  Judith’s face paled, and immediately he worried that something was wrong. “Did you hurt yourself? Perhaps reinjure your ankle?”

  She shook her head and barely managed to squeak out her reply. “No. Not really.”

  He frowned. “You looked upset just now. Are you sure?” He still held her arm. “If you need, I can call Camri or Kenzie.”

  “No. I’m . . . fine.” She looked away. “Just embarrassed.”

  He smiled. If that was the only pain she suffered, then he could help to easily dismiss it. “Nonsense. You’ve nothing to be embarrassed by. You’re eager to learn the truth about your aunt. There’s nothing to be ashamed of there. I can’t imagine learning about a family member after years of thinking there were none.” He helped her to sit, then retrieved her cane. “Here you are. Now, could I read the letter? Breakfast will come soon, and I know you’re heading to work.”

  “Yes.” She wedged the cane between her leg and the arm of the chair. “I’m so glad you’re willing to help.” She pulled the envelope from her pocket and held it out to him.

  Caleb looked at it. “Edith Whitley. That is your aunt?”

  “Yes. She addresses this Edith as her sister in the letter.”

  He pulled out the letter, then sat down and read through it several times. It was very little to go on, just as Camri had warned.

  “So you never heard your mother speak of her sister?”

  “No. Never. Neither she nor Father ever spoke of family. The few times I asked, they assured me that everyone was dead.”

  “It’s obvious from the letter that something took place between your mother and her sister—something your mother felt was unforgivable. What do you think this might have been?”

  Judith looked completely puzzled. “I have no idea. How could I?”

  Caleb turned in his chair to better study her. She was such a pretty little thing. She reminded him of a child’s china doll—dainty and delicate.

  “Well, were your parents, your mother in particular, religious people? Did they live by certain standards?”

  “They weren’t overly religious. We didn’t attend church, but we said grace over each meal.”

  He smiled. “It may seem strange that I would ask a question like this, but sometimes it helps to shed light on why people do what they do. For example, your mother says that what she did was unforgivable. Having had a more intimate relationship with her than almost anyone else, what kind of things do you suppose she would find unforgivable?”

  Understanding dawned and Judith’s face lit up. “Oh, I see. Of course. That makes a great deal of sense.” Her brows knit together as if she were trying hard to remember something. “I know Mother always said we were to forgive each other—that forgiveness was important.” She shook her head. “She didn’t say why, but I do remember her talking about how hard it was to live with regret.” She became rather excited. “In fact, I remember once when Father was upset with one of the hired men and he threatened to—well, as he put it, ‘beat the guy bloody,’ Mother reminded him that some things once done, couldn’t be undone.”

  “That’s good, Judith. It’s little things like this that might well help us. Now, I see from the letter that there was some money taken. It doesn’t say from whom, but it looks to me like your mother must have taken it from her sister.”

  “That’s what I presumed. It also seemed to me that her sister had plenty of money. After all, Mother says she realizes the money wasn’t important.”

  “Yes. I came to that same conclusion. Judith, do you know if your mother’s maiden name was Whitley?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know anything about her or her parents. Whenever I asked about my grandparents, she was quick to say they were dead.”

  Caleb wondered what had driven the young woman’s mother to lie.

  As if reading his mind, Judith spoke again. “Kenzie wondered if maybe Mother stole her sister’s beau or fiancé. That’s a subject near to Kenzie’s heart, since her fiancé abandoned her. Camri, on the other hand, wondered if maybe Mother had done something to ruin her sister’s reputation.”

  “All of those ideas are plausible, and given the way the human mind works, I could see any of them being thought to be unforgivable.”

  The clock struck the top of the hour.

  Caleb held up the letter. “Do you mind if I hang onto this for a time?”

  Judith hesitated. “It’s one of the few things I have left of my mother.”

  He put the letter back in the envelope and handed it to her. “I understand. Perhaps I could look at it again later.”

  She shook her head, refusing to take it from him. “No. I trust you. Keep it for now.”

  Caleb could see that the decision hadn’t been easy. He smiled. “I appreciate your trust, Judith. I promise to guard it with my life.”

  Camri looked up from the breakfast table in surprise when Mrs. Wong announced Patrick had come. He looked tired and unkempt, but Camri still felt as if her stomach were full of butterflies. This was only made worse when Patrick threw her a wink and a smile, making her feel like an infatuated schoolgirl.

  “I hope you’ll pardon the intrusion, but I needed to share some news.” he said.

  “It’s not an intrusion,” Caleb declared. “Sit. Have some breakfast and tell us everything.”

  Patrick took the seat by Camri. The unpleasant aromas of smoke, whiskey, and cheap perfume still clung to him. She grimaced and turned her attention to her tea.

  “I asked Mrs. Wong to be bringin’ her husband, so if ye don’t mind, we’ll wait for them.”

  “Of course,” Caleb replied. “I take it that you found Liling.”

  “Aye.”

  The Chinese couple came into the room. They looked at Caleb, who motioned for them to sit. “Patrick tells me he’s got news to share with you.”

  They nodded, and Mr. Wong took a seat at the far end of the table, while Mrs. Wong brought silverware and a plate for Patrick. She hurried to the sideboard and collected a cup and saucer for him as well, then joined her husband.

  “Daniels put me to work helpin’ to collect men for two ships. Daniels has been druggin’ sailors from his boardinghouse, and he’s keepin’ them until Saturday night. Then there’s to be a transfer. I’m supposed to be helpin’ with it.”

  “But what about Liling?” Camri couldn’t help but interrupt. She could see the worried expressions of the Wongs and knew they were desperate for answers.

  Patrick nodded. “I have to go upstairs now to carry the unconscious souls from the rooms. Daniels has the girls drug the men, and when they’re out cold, I come in and take them to the cellar. I wasn’t able to talk to Liling, but I was in her room.”

  “She is alive?” Mr. Wong asked.

  “Aye. She’s alive. She was well—at least as well as a soul could be in a place like that. It seems Daniels feeds her better and keeps her in more comfort than the others, although. . . .”

  “What?” Mrs. Wong asked, her voice breaking. “What although?”

  Patrick’s jaw clenched and unclenched. Finally he continued. “He has her locked up to keep her from running away.”

  Mrs. Wong began to sob into her handkerchief while Patrick continued. “I wasn’t able to talk to her alone, but I hope to. My plan is to try to say something to her the next time I go to retrieve a body.”

  “You will tell her we want her to come home?” Mr. Wong asked. “
We not angry anymore.”

  “Aye. I’ll tell her that.”

  Mr. and Mrs. Wong’s sorrow tore at Camri’s heart. Caleb had told her the full story of how Liling had caused her parents a great deal of trouble in her teen years. She had wanted more than they could provide and had taken to stealing it or doing whatever else she could to gain it. She had shamed the Wongs by flirting and acting in a rebellious manner. Eventually, she had run off to marry a white man who promised her the moon and stars. At that point, the Wongs had turned their back on Liling. They had declared her dead to them, had mourned their loss, and after that Liling’s name was never spoken. At least that was the case until they learned the truth. The man who’d promised their daughter marriage had been no good and refused to marry her. In fact, after using her as he desired for a while, the man sold her to Daniels. When the Wongs learned this, they knew they had to find a way to save their daughter from such a horrific life.

  Patrick was speaking again. “We’ll make a plan for how I can get her out of there. I don’t figure talkin’ to Daniels will do any good.”

  “No, it wouldn’t,” Caleb said, shaking his head.

  Patrick looked at Camri and smiled. “I’ve been thinkin’ on a plan, but I’m goin’ to need a bit of help.”

  “What can we do?” Camri asked.

  “I’m hopin’, Caleb, that ye might have a friend or two left on the right side of the law. One of those judges or friends on the police force who could help us.”

  “I’m sure we could get someone,” Caleb answered. “What did you have in mind?”

  An hour later, Patrick had sated his hunger and laid out his ideas. He hated the look of worry in the eyes of Liling’s parents. He’d tried to encourage them, to assure them that Liling was well, but they knew the truth. They knew that their daughter was in an unthinkably vile situation, and even if her own foolishness had lent a hand in putting her there, they loved her. There would be no comfort until she was safely back in their keeping.

  Camri’s friends had left for work, and Camri had gone to help Caleb make a phone call to his friend Judge Winters. Caleb wasn’t willing to let anyone know that he was alive and home—not over the phone. He knew Judge Winters would keep his secret, but he didn’t trust his office people to do the same. Camri would place the call for him.