Cora (Southern Hearts Book 3)

by Felicia Rogers

  Frederic wrapped his arm around Cora's shoulders and pulled her close to his side. He leaned down and she giggled.

  "You really need to shave, that thing tickles."

  He drew back and rubbed the whiskers protruding from his skin. "I'll get right on that."

  The stagecoach stopped in front of them. No other passengers waited to board.

  Cora said, "I guess we're it."

  "Yes, I guess so." Frederic held back. Candlelight from various buildings created eerie shadows. Passersby, with pockets full of coins, jangled as they walked. Something wasn't right.

  "Good afternoon, Frederic," came the familiar voice from the door of the open coach.

  Frederic turned in time to see the man's face. He opened his mouth to speak, but something slammed against his head and the world went dark.

  Chapter Twenty

  Chains, all he could hear was rattling chains. Next were whispers. Someone called his name, their voice pleading. His eyelids stuck to his cheeks. His head pounded. A moan rent the air and he knew it came from him.

  "Frederic," came the hoarse whisper again. "Please, Frederic, wake up." The words were punctuated by extreme sobbing.

  "Please, please, wake up," the feminine voice repeated over and over.

  He gulped and forced his eyes open. The world was blurry. Blinking changed nothing. He licked his lips and spoke, the sound weird to his ears. "Cora?"

  A harsh laugh reached his ears. "Frederic! You're awake. Praise God you're awake."

  "Where are we?"

  "I don't know. I think we're inside an old grain silo."

  "Why is everything so dark? Am I blind?" he asked.

  "No. There is no light."

  He nodded even though he knew she couldn't see him. "Don't worry we're going to get out of this."

  "How? How are we going to get out of this?" she asked in a frantic tone.

  Frederic closed his eyes, it was easier that way. He took deep breaths sending fresh shafts of pain radiating through his skull. Memories flooded in one scene at a time. They were waiting for the coach when he’d heard the familiar voice.

  Josh.

  "What is he doing here?" he muttered.

  "What? What did you say?"

  "Nothing. How long have we been here?"

  "I don't know."

  "Did they hit you on the head too?" Water splashed against the hem of his pants and her sobbing grew. "What just happened? I just got wet."

  She sniffed. "I'm sorry. My arms are so tired I sagged a little bit."

  "Are we standing in water?" he asked.

  "I am," she said.

  "And where am I?"

  "Hovering on some kind of shelf above me, I think. I didn't see much before they closed the door."

  "Why did they put you down there and me up here?"

  "I have no idea," she said.

  "Why not?" he asked.

  "I guess because while they were throwing us in and chaining us up, I forgot to interrogate them!"

  He sighed. "Sorry."

  She didn't respond to his apology, instead she said, "The man who stepped out of the coach, you acted like you knew him."

  Frederic leaned his head back against the uneven stones. "That's because I do."

  "You do? B-but that makes no sense. Why would someone you know put us in a prison? I don't understand."

  "I didn't, but I think I do now."

  "What? What does that mean?"

  A door creaked and a flash of light flooded the circular tube. Frederic peered opposite his location, and blinked to adjust his vision. A wooden door embedded in the wall about three feet off the ground opened and Zeke descended a set of stairs. Water splashed as he approached Cora, who was secured to the east wall. Her arms were chained above her head and water covered her to the waist.

  Josh lifted his chin. "Ah, Frederic, finally you wake. I didn't think Zeke had hit you so hard. But it was just as well. Your little spitfire put up enough of a fight without your help."

  Josh ran his knuckles along her cheek. "Such soft skin. A pity you had to get wrapped up in this."

  Cora spit in Josh's face and he lifted his lip in a snarl, wiped the substance from his cheek, and backhanded her. Frederic tugged against his chains and Josh laughed.

  "Don't try to get loose Frederic. Even if you do, you can't help her. No one can."

  "She doesn't remember anything. Just let her go."

  Josh peered up at him. "I can't do that."

  "Why not?"

  "Because she may not remember right now, but eventually she will and when she does it is not only myself on the line."

  "Josh, let her go. She's just a girl."

  "Josh?" repeated Cora.

  "Ah, you remember me."

  "I do. You came to my home in Louisiana and questioned my sister about a criminal named Miles Jones."

  "That's true. That arrest was my finest achievement."

  "Wh-why are you doing this?" she asked.

  "Because after that crowning success I was spent, done for. Frederic and I couldn't get a job if our life depended on it. I hate to admit it, but I became addicted to living the high life. You can't just go from being somebody to being nobody overnight and still be satisfied."

  "You didn't," whispered Frederic.

  "I didn't what? Sell myself to the highest bidder? Well of course I did. Of course it took awhile to find the right one." He moved back to the platform, his face almost even with Frederic's feet. He shook his head. "Everything was going fine until that government worker showed up and offered us the job of finding the infamous Mr. Opium. I could see the glory in your eyes, Frederic. Nothing doing but you had to catch the culprit." He released a heavy breath and sadness entered his eyes.

  "I steered you away from every lead I could. The fish house was a dead end, or so I thought. I had no idea Jeffers worked there. Stupid man was supposed to keep a low profile. All he had to do was deliver the product to the boss and stay out of sight and he couldn't even do that."

  "You're not the one who shot Jeffers, I would remember," said Cora.

  "Of course I didn't shoot Jeffers." Josh drew on a pair of black gloves.

  "But if not you, then who?" asked Cora.

  "I would think it would be obvious," said Josh.

  "Well consider me clueless and just tell me?"

  Frederic interrupted, "It was the big boss himself."

  Josh lifted his chin and narrowed his eyes.

  "Now he has sent you to take care of his mess and you're just going to do it. You're going to kill us both and leave our bodies here and then you're going to return home and attend my funeral and act like nothing ever happened. You might even marry Rhonda and have a couple of brats running around, maybe even attend mass with Chance O'Malley."

  Josh rolled his eyes. "Please stop being so dramatic, Frederic. My intentions are nothing of the sort."

  "What?" Cora bit her lip and glanced between the two of them.

  Frederic frowned. "But you just admitted to smuggling opium into the country and kidnapping us. What else can you do with us?"

  "Admittedly I could kill you, but there is no way I'm marrying Rhonda and attending mass. That would be completely out of character."

  Cora groaned, and Frederic’s resolved strengthened. He needed to keep Josh talking until he could find a way out of this mess. Could he convince his friend to change his mind? Was there still some good left in him?

  "Josh, I've known you for a long time. You really don't want to do this. Yes, you've had your ups and downs but you're basically a good man. You just want a normal life. If you let us go, and we catch Mr. Opium together then you'll have the glory you always dreamed of. Money will line your pockets. Just release us and I'll help you."

  Josh shook his head and his expression looked downcast. "It's too late for that."

  Silent tears streaked Cora's cheeks and she lifted her chin. Frederic peered down at her, his heart thumped rapidly against his chest.

  "Just let
Cora go. You can do whatever you want with me, but let her go."

  Josh leaned against the wall. A splash echoed as he crossed his ankles. "Since when did you become so altruistic? Before it was all about the job. I don't remember you ever caring what happened to someone."

  "That's not true."

  "Ah, I get it. This isn't about Cora at all. This is about her remembering what Mr. Opium looks like so you can catch him and get your glory. You're just taking care of her so you can reach your own goal."

  Frederic clenched his fists.

  A tear slipped onto Cora's cheek. "Is that true?"

  Frederic gulped and looked away.

  Cora tugged against her chains. "You jackass! How could you do that to me? I trusted you!"

  Josh laughed under his breath and rubbed a spot between his eyes. "Poor Frederic never was good with the ladies."

  He twisted his neck to face Josh. "Shut up, Josh, and just do what you came to do."

  "Really, is that what you want?"

  "Yes, just get it over with."

  "All right."

  Keys jangled as he pulled them from his pocket. He climbed onto the rock ledge and twisted one of them in the lock. "You're free Frederic. Go home. Enjoy your life. Go date Rhonda or something."

  Frederic rubbed his raw wrists. "And what about her?"

  Cora faced the wall.

  "Sorry, but she has to come with me."

  "Josh, you know I can't let you take her."

  His partner snickered. "How do you plan on stopping me?"

  Frederic raised his fists, and Josh drew a gun. The tip touched Frederic's chest and he lifted his hands palm out.

  "That's right, I have a gun. Now climb down from the shelf and walk out of here. I suggest you do it fast because Zeke and his buddies will be back any minute and they won't understand."

  Frederic jumped into the water sending a spray up the sides and all over the front of Cora's dress. She still looked away and he grabbed her chin and twisted it until she faced him.

  "Cora, look at me."

  She narrowed her eyes, and gritted her teeth. "What?"

  "Things change."

  "What does that mean?"

  "It means we have a lot to talk about and we need time to do it. So don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you," he whispered and planted a gentle kiss on her lips.

  Tears coursed along her cheeks. He released his hold, climbed the stairs and disappeared through the small wooden door.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  "I hope you don't really believe Frederic will save you." said Josh as he undid her chains, shoved a gag in her mouth, and led her out of the silo.

  It was dark. A storm was brewing, and the trees swayed angrily in the wind. The surface of the water rippled toward the shoreline. A boat anchored against the dock rocked and dipped.

  Cora studied the ground fighting the fear that grew within her. Frederic had left and even if he hadn't there was no way he could help her. No matter his good intentions, Josh was armed and had friends, while Frederic was alone.

  Tears welled and spilled onto her cheeks. If Amelia was here she would be saying "I told you so." Millie would be the silent one sitting back and shaking her head. Cora sighed. She probably deserved everything that was happening. She'd been so busy worrying about making a way for herself in this life that she'd never stopped to think about anyone else.

  Josh settled her on a bench seat that ran along the sides of the boat. The unstable movements of the vessel affected her stomach and she bent over to heave. The gag blocked her action and she struggled for breath.

  Josh tugged the rag free and she expelled onto his shoes. Zeke and the others laughed.

  "She got you, boss."

  Josh raised his hand to strike her but lowered it just as quickly instead turning on his heel and facing his minions. "Zeke, are we ready to depart?"

  Zeke swallowed and replied, "Yep, but I don't think it is a good idea with the storm coming."

  "I don't care what you think. Cast off."

  Zeke shrugged his shoulders and did as he was bid. No sooner did the boat strike open water, then the sky opened up and sheets of rain fell.

  The men yelled to be heard. In the confusion Cora shifted along the bench toward the rear of the boat. Water beneath the vessel swirled in a mesmerizing fashion. If she wasn't bound then she could scoot off into the black depths and swim away. What would happen if she tried it anyway?

  Someone grabbed her hair and jerked her toward the cabin. She yelped in pain. A slap sent her head lolling backward.

  "Don't even think about jumping."

  "Why not? If I die then you don't have to worry about your precious leader being discovered in a murder. Wouldn't that be the simplest way? Just kill me and be done with it?"

  "Who said I didn't want the leader discovered?"

  Cora widened her eyes and Josh lifted his lips in a maniacal grin.

  ****

  Frederic waited outside the silo until Josh exited with Cora. Bound and gagged, she stumbled a bit as Josh escorted her to the docks and a waiting boat. The man must be crazy. The storm that was brewing promised to be a dozy and being on the water didn't seem like the best of ideas.

  Zeke casted off and Frederic rushed to follow. Every step brought pain racing to his head. He touched the area and his hand came away covered in blood.

  He removed his shirt and wrapped it around the wound. The cool night air and the sheets of ensuing rain pelted his exposed skin, stinging him like a swarm of bees. The tree limbs overhead offered scant shelter.

  The boat pitched from side to side and Frederic held his breath, fearing it would capsize and pin Cora underneath. She sat on a bench, her face pale in the moonlight, her hair slicked to her head from the downpour.

  Every now and then she would scoot toward the rear of the boat and he prayed she didn't try to jump. He would follow her into the water, but he didn't know if it would help. With his head bandaged, and the dark, rough water, he might never find her.

  Josh drew her farther onto the boat and Frederic breathed a sigh of relief until he noted Josh's raised hand. Josh and Cora conversed, but he couldn't tell what they said.

  Thunder boomed overhead and a streak of lightening rent the sky. Frederic hid in the shadows. The boat bobbed farther upstream and Frederic darted out of hiding between lightning bursts and rushed to catch up.

  A group of rocks loomed ahead of the vessel. Did the captain know of the danger?

  The boat rounded the bend. Zeke and his two men screamed and waved their arms in warning but it was too late. The bow of the boat slammed into the rocks. Sounds of wood splintering and snapping filled the air.

  No longer caring about the risk of being seen, Frederic rushed to the water's edge. Cora turned sideways and clutched the rail with her bound hands. Her eyes widened with fear. He was too far away to reach her!

  The river grew broader, and the boat continued to drift. Water spouted through various holes in the hull. Zeke and the men fought to control the rising water levels. The captain twisted the wheel toward shore.

  "Come on, just a little closer," whispered Frederic.

  If the captain could bring them close enough, Frederic would jump aboard and amidst the confusion, rescue Cora. He only needed a few minutes.

  His heart beat faster and faster as he anticipated the moment. He blinked rapidly as his vision blurred. Something warm dribbled down his chin and he used his palm to catch it. Crimson stained his hand and he braced himself against a tree.

  Not now, he couldn't pass out, not while Cora needed him.

  ****

  Lightning flashed and lit up the tree line. A figure leaned against a tree trunk. Cora squinted, and held in her gasp of surprise.

  The boat pitched forward and she plopped against the deck.

  "She's coming apart! We need to reach the shore," yelled Zeke.

  "Then do it," shouted Josh. He held to a pole in the middle of the boat, his chin jutted forward and his j
aw clenched. He faced her, and narrowed his eyes. "What are you staring at?"

  "You."

  He dropped to his haunches, eye level with her. "Why?"

  "Because I remember your overconfident attitude with my sister, and I wonder what happened to that man."

  He laughed deep in his throat. "Oh, he is still here, only now he doesn't want to share."

  "With Frederic, you mean?"

  "With anyone. Now be quiet and let me think."

  He straightened and studied the landscape. If he continued to study in that direction when the sky lit up again then he might miss Frederic. Cora bit the inside of her lip and made a decision.

  "I remember what he looked like," she whispered, her throat hurting.

  "What?" he asked, twisting his neck so he faced her.

  "I said, I remember what the murderer looked like."

  "Then tell me," he yelled above the howling wind.

  "You'll have to bend closer. I'm not shouting it for everyone to hear."

  He laughed and said, "Trying to keep some of the glory for yourself as well I see. I can respect that."

  He bent forward. She drew in a deep breath, and rammed her head against his. He staggered backward, his arms flailed through the air. The wind caught him and he fell overboard. Zeke and the others rushed to the side and cast a line, but they didn't reel him in.

  Zeke returned and slapped her. Her head flew back into the railing and everything went black.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  With a few rapid blinks, his vision cleared. He drew in deep breaths until he stabilized. The boat ran aground, shaking the plot of land he stood on. Frederic hugged the tree trunk.

  Pieces of the boat floated downstream. Zeke and his two men yelled above the raging wind. One of them climbed over the side of the boat and found their way to the shore. Frederic avoided him by hiding behind a bush.

  Zeke spoke with the captain. The other man leaned over the railing and yelled back and forth at the man on the ground. Cora remained unseen.