“Yes. Hannah told me.” Lincoln pulled on Reese’s arm. “It doesn’t make him guilty. Besides, if he is in on it, we’ll never find her if you kill him.”
After giving Edward another shove for good measure, he released his hold on the man’s shirt.
“Reese, I believe Tessa has sent you a clue,” Aunt Sam said.
“Me?”
She held up a flower. “I don’t know who else she’d hope would get this.”
As if it were a treasured jewel, Reese cradled the tiny blossom in the palm of his hand. “It’s an orchid.”
“Come now, Reese.” Aunt Sam placed her hands beneath his. “You know our Tessa. She wouldn’t send you a common orchid. What’s special about it?”
Pressure welled in his chest. If this was a clue, what if he couldn’t figure it out? No, he wouldn’t think that way. He refused to let Tessa down again.
He met Aunt Sam’s gaze. “I need better light.”
In the parlor, she directed him toward the Tiffany gas lamp on the end table. He dragged an armchair over and sat down with the flower pinched between his thumb and forefinger.
“What can you tell?” Joel loomed over him with Lincoln by his side. Edward, thankfully, stood on the other side of the room, still insisting on his innocence.
“Gentlemen.” Aunt Sam nudged them aside. “Please step back and let Reese have some room.”
Reese looked at the flower. Like all orchids, this one had three sepals and three petals. “See this?” He pointed to the lower petal. “This one is oblong. The base is shaped like an arrowhead.”
Lincoln leaned in close and squinted. “If you say so.”
Reese prayed to recall all that he’d learned, then studied the flower again. There was a thick tubercle on the upper surface near the base. That was it! That alone separated this flower from all the look-alikes.
“Do you know what it is?” Joel asked.
“It’s a tubercled rein-orchid, and it’s hard to find. Very hard.” Reese turned the flower over in his hand. “It prefers wet meadows and prairies or sandy areas in marshes.”
“Sand?” Aunt Sam held out the envelope. “Look inside.”
Reese poured the contents onto a copy of Redbook. The white sand sparkled against the black letters on the cover.
“It’s another clue.” Aunt Sam smiled.
“White sand is everywhere in Minnesota.” Joel raked his hand through his hair.
“But not white sand and that orchid.” Aunt Sam locked eyes with Reese. “The clue is for you. She knew you’d be here. She knew you wouldn’t let her down. Where could she be?”
Reese closed his eyes. He had to think. He saw hundreds of flowers every day. How could he remember just one?
The image of the flower came to his mind. He’d seen those flowers, but where?
He was certain there were some by Cozy Lake in Como Park, but there wasn’t any of this white sand there that he recalled. Besides, where would they keep Tessa hostage?
In the back of his mind, he recalled Mr. Nussbaumer once pointing out a cluster at Phalen Creek in Swede Hollow, and there were some old shacks that would make a good place to hide Tessa, but the two of them had never visited the area.
Still, she believed he’d recognize the flower. Why? Where had they gone where this orchid might have been present?
A thought hit him like a medicine ball to the gut. He sucked in his breath, his heart racing.
Please, Lord, let me be right.
“I think I know where she is.”
36
Sleeping with your hands tied behind your back is impossible. Tessa would know. Add the threat of imminent death looming over her head, a rock for a pillow, and a crazy woman holding a gun, and it made for a long night.
On the bright side, Albert the letch was gone.
Clem had come in a few times and whined about the job he’d been assigned and how hungry he was. Marjorie had promptly sent him back out. Tessa had to agree with him on the hungry part. These three had thought of nearly everything they needed to pull this off—except food and water.
She added starvation to her list of reasons she couldn’t sleep.
She might as well strike up a conversation with Marjorie. Maybe she’d learn something useful. “You ride a motorcycle?”
“Of course I do.”
So much for chatting. “How long have you three been planning this?”
Marjorie shrugged. “I guess I hatched the idea about two weeks after the boys started working for Joe.”
“You know, you don’t have to kill me. I’m a good actress. I can tell them I don’t know who held me captive.”
Marjorie snickered. “Like I believe that.”
Tessa sighed and tried a different tactic. “How did you and Joe meet?”
“We went to school together. He noticed I didn’t bring a lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and he started sharing his with me on those days.” She got a far-off look in her eyes. “I’ve got five younger brothers and sisters. We didn’t have enough money for food for all of us, so we took turns on who got to eat.”
“Joe sounds like a great guy.” Tessa licked her dry lips. “I’m sorry you had to go without. I know how hard that is.”
“What does a rich girl like you know about going hungry?”
“Remember, I told you I’m not her real niece. I grew up in Iowa. After my parents died, we lost the farm. It seemed like we lived on beans for weeks.” Tessa chuckled. “Have you ever had bean pie? My sister was trying something new. I wouldn’t say it was her best recipe.”
Marjorie stood up. “It isn’t going to work. You’re not going to make me change my mind about killing you with some sob story about beans. You already said you’re a good actress.”
“I’m not acting.” Tessa closed her eyes and leaned her head against the rock. “But what’s Joe going to say when he finds out the truth about all of this?”
“He won’t.”
“The truth always comes out, Marjorie. Always.”
How had Reese gotten stuck with Edward?
He brought his car to a halt at the bluff top, near the path to Carver’s Cave, and Edward pulled in behind him. After he’d told Lincoln and Joel about the three areas where he thought Tessa might possibly be, they’d decided that each of them should take one spot. Lincoln was convinced Edward wasn’t involved, and since this site was the most likely, he told Reese to take Edward along as backup. He also promised to update the authorities on the ransom note and the orchid.
Reese and Edward drove separately in case one of them needed to go for help.
Climbing out of his car, Reese sighed. This was crazy. Who took the person who might be the perpetrator of the crime to the rescue?
“Stay here,” Reese barked. He reached in his backseat and pulled out his Remington Pump.
“I should come with you.”
“You don’t know the way, and it would slow me down.” He stuffed a fistful of shells in his jacket pocket. “It’s better if you stay up here. See those two motorcycles in the brush? Keep an eye on them. Why would they be here this time of day?”
“What if you need help?”
He shut the door. “You hear shooting? Come running.”
Tessa felt something warm on her wrists. She’d been rubbing them against the rock for almost an hour and only now could feel the rope begin to fray.
At some point in the night, Marjorie had decided to bind Tessa’s feet as well so her captor could sleep. While it frustrated Tessa, it also gave her a chance to work on the ropes binding her wrists without being noticed.
Through the cave entrance, she spotted a glimmer of light. Was it dawn already?
Then she saw a shadowed figure step into view.
“Tessa?”
Her heart leapt at the sound of Reese’s voice. “I’m here!”
Marjorie bolted from her sleep. “What’s going on?”
Another shadowy figure jumped to the earth behind Reese. Clem?
“Reese! Look out!”
But Reese didn’t have a chance. The other man struck Reese over the head, and he crumpled to the ground.
“No!” Tears sprang to her eyes. Had the man killed him?
As he began to drag Reese inside, Tessa saw that it was indeed Clem. Tessa watched Reese’s chest rise and fall and sent up a prayer of thanks. He wasn’t dead—yet.
“Who’s that?” Marjorie demanded.
“Reese King. Her fellow.”
She whirled toward Tessa. “How did he find you?”
“I have no idea.” Tessa shrugged. “He works for the park service. Maybe he saw the motorcycles up top.”
“Tie him up.” Marjorie pointed to the rope.
“We need to get out of here. He may have already alerted the police.”
“I said, tie him up.”
“Clem, you’re right.” Tessa felt the ropes on her wrist finally give way. “You need to get away now if you ever want to see a dime of that money.”
“Don’t listen to her,” Marjorie said. “We have a plan, and we need to stick to it.”
Clem spun and ran toward the exit.
Marjorie fired the pistol in his direction. It missed, and he kept going.
Tessa continued to hide her hands behind her back. “Listen, Marjorie, I know that’s a one-shot gun, and the way I see it, you’re two shots short of taking care of Reese and me. If I were you, I’d be hightailing it out of here before Clem and Albert take off with the ransom money and you never see a cent.”
Panic flickered in Marjorie’s eyes. She gave Tessa a final glare, hiked up her skirts, and bolted from the cave.
Tessa undid the rope around her ankles and hurried to Reese. She patted his cheeks and called to him. He groaned and slowly began to rouse.
“Reese?” Someone was calling for them. It sounded like Edward. Did she dare answer?
“Tessa, are you all right?” He entered the cave, picked up the shotgun Reese had been carrying, and looked at Reese. “Is he okay?”
“I think so.” How had Marjorie not seen the gun Reese had carried? God had indeed moved a mountain, but was she now facing another accomplice in Edward? Why else was he here?
She hated that he now had the gun. If he was on their side, she was in trouble again. “Did you see Marjorie?”
“I saw someone, but they weren’t on the path. I was trying to get down here to you. Reese said if I heard shots—”
She heaved a sigh of relief. He was with Reese. “Did Aunt Sam pay the ransom?”
He nodded. “She insisted. Listen, Tessa, I’m sorry for what I did.”
“Save it for later.” She pushed to her feet. “Stay with Reese. Is your car up top?”
“Yes, mine and Reese’s, but where are you going?”
“To catch the bad guys.”
About two-thirds of the way up the hill, it occurred to Tessa that she didn’t know how to drive an automobile, but how hard could it be?
She topped the bluff and scanned the area. Edward’s silver Underslung was nowhere to be found, but Reese’s white Model T remained parked. She started toward it, but the sun glinted off something shiny in the brush. Surely Clem had taken one of the motorcycles, but had Marjorie taken Edward’s car and left the remaining motorcycle? It made sense given how difficult it was to start a motorcycle alone.
She hurried over and nearly cheered when she saw the fender of the cycle. Perfect. This she knew how to drive.
She worked it free, mentally going over all that Edward had taught her. She remembered which lever turned the gas on and that she had to pump the oil into the crank case. He’d said something about an oil dripper and two drops every so many seconds. She set it, hoping she guessed correctly.
Eyeing the belt that engaged the engine, she cringed. She was wearing a skirt today. She’d have to raise it to a scandalous degree. Oh well, it wouldn’t be the first—or the last—time she shocked someone.
She recalled that Edward had started the cycle the first time for her by spinning the back tire hard while it was still raised on the kickstand. After three tries, she gave up on that method. She simply wasn’t strong enough to give it a sufficient spin. However, riding down the bluff should certainly do the trick.
With her skirts raised to her knees, she climbed on and pushed the bike off the stand and began to pedal down the hill. To her great delight, everything worked as it should. The engine sparked, the belt tension engaged, and the machine roared to life. The smell of the exhaust was a sweet perfume. She twisted the right hand grip, pushing the throttle as far as it would go and the roads would allow.
Zigzagging through the streets, she hoped to make up some of the distance between her and Marjorie, but she had no idea what she’d do once they met up. She ignored the drivers who honked at her, and one time she had to swerve to miss a delivery wagon when she didn’t see him barreling through an intersection.
Nearly half an hour later, she reached Como Park. At least she knew where the rose garden was. She prayed that Marjorie was still wandering the footpaths. No bicycles, and especially no motorcycles, were allowed on the sidewalks, but some rules were made to be broken. Still, she had to go slow in case of pedestrians.
She spotted Albert, Clem, and Marjorie in the garden with a motorcycle a few feet away. Apparently she wasn’t the only rule breaker.
Since this path wasn’t wide enough for an automobile, she guessed both the Ford that Albert had driven away and the Underslung that Marjorie had stolen were parked somewhere. So when the time came for them to leave, which crook would drive what?
They seemed to be fighting, all three crooks tugging on a satchel. Suddenly Clem turned toward her, and the gaze of the others followed. The rumble of her motorcycle must have alerted them. Why hadn’t she stayed farther back?
Albert yanked the satchel from Marjorie and climbed on the motorcycle behind Clem, leaving Marjorie no escape.
No! This couldn’t happen. After what they’d done to her and to Reese, she couldn’t let them get away. Not with Aunt Sam’s money.
Nerves pulled taut, she made a decision. It was now or never.
“Where’s Tessa?” Reese sat up and gingerly touched the knot on the back of his head.
Edward kept a steadying hand on Reese’s shoulder. “She went after Marjorie and the Henderson brothers.”
“Alone?” He moved too quickly and the cave tilted. His stomach fought to upend itself. He swallowed the bile in his mouth.
“She told me to stay and help you.” Edward gripped his upper arm. “And it looks like it’s a good thing she did. Besides, she’ll never catch them. She was at least fifteen minutes behind them.”
Reese stumbled to his feet. “Take me to her.”
“The only place you should go is a hospital.” He slung Reese’s arm over his shoulder.
“I’ll be fine.” Except that his head throbbed and he was seeing two Edwards. “Please, Edward, she needs me.”
They started for the cave’s entrance. “Tessa doesn’t seem like she needs anyone. She does quite well on her own.”
“It’s a charade.” Reese chuckled. “Mostly.”
“You sure you want her? She’s always going to be a handful.”
It hurt to smile too, but he did it anyway. “She sure is.”
If Clem and Albert were able to start their motorcycle, they’d get away. Excitement coursing through her, Tessa twisted the throttle and the motorcycle raced forward.
She intentionally clipped the front tire of the crook’s cycle, spilling the motorcycle and its riders. But now a planter loomed in front of her. She pushed the pedal backwards to stop her momentum.
Still, she was going too fast.
In a split second, her front wheel hit the planter, and she flew off the motorcycle and came down hard into a rosebush.
Whistles? Why was she hearing shrill whistles? Had she hit her head?
“You again!” The park officer loomed over her. “I should have known.”
Tessa s
truggled to get up, thorns digging into the tender flesh of her hands. She jabbed a finger toward the crooks. “Catch them!”
“They aren’t in a planter.”
“But they rode a motorcycle in your park!”
“Don’t worry.” The officer extended his hand and pulled her up. “My buddies have them, and you’re all going to jail. Look at these roses. This is a lot more serious than picking a few dead pansies.”
The other park officers handcuffed Clem and Albert. Both Marjorie and Tessa were marched back to the park office in the custody of an officer. None of the officers seemed interested in hearing the whole story. She’d need Reese’s help to get this sorted out.
Her heart grabbed. Was Reese okay? What if he’d needed more help than Edward could provide? Maybe she should have gone for Joel instead of chasing after criminals.
Would she ever learn not to be so impulsive?
The park officer came to an abrupt stop. Tessa followed his gaze, and a thrill shot through her.
Reese.
The park officer sighed when Reese approached. “Let me guess. You want me to leave her in your care.”
Reese picked a rosebush stem from her hair. “I certainly do.”
37
“Tessa, hold still!”
“I am perfectly capable of brushing my own hair.” Tessa yanked the brush out of Charlotte’s hand and stared at the image of herself in the dresser mirror. Scratches marred her skin, and dark shadows rimmed her eyes. She needed about two days of sleep, but every time she closed her eyes, she saw Albert or Marjorie hovering over her.
“But Tessa, honey.” Charlotte made a grab for the brush. “There are rosebush leaves and stems everywhere.”
“And there are thorn pricks and tears too.” Hannah pointed to the holes in Tessa’s dress. “I don’t think this one is salvageable.”
“I doubt if I’d ever wear it again anyway.” Tessa tugged a stick from the front of her dress. “Too many unpleasant memories.”
Charlotte gave up on the hair brushing and sat on the bed. “Can you talk about it?”
Tessa started at the beginning and relayed the story. To her surprise, neither sister interrupted or asked questions. They simply let her talk.
As Love Blooms Page 27
