“She didn’t show up.”
At the sound of voices Ainsworth appeared from the library in his dressing gown, book in hand. He looked over at Rafe and Jerome. “What’s happening?”
“Eden’s missing,” Rafe said bluntly. “She could be in danger.”
With a shocked expression Ainsworth entered the room. “Missing? My granddaughter? How is that possible!” He turned to Jerome. “Has that scoundrel Herald Hartley been up to something? I never trusted him from the moment he arrived—poisonous herbs and all that.”
“He couldn’t be involved, sir,” Rafe said before Jerome could reply. “He’s still under the marshal’s supervision. Have you seen Eden at all today?”
“I haven’t. I assumed she was spending time with you in Honolulu.”
“She didn’t show up for dinner, and she wasn’t in the meeting at Iolani. That’s what worries me most. She wouldn’t have missed the queen approving the clinic.” Ainsworth removed his dressing gown and snapped an order to the butler to get his jacket. “We’d better go into Honolulu. I want the marshal’s men out looking for her.”
Rafe turned back to Jerome. “Why wasn’t Eden with you and Nora at Iolani?”
“She’d been attending one of the special patients she cares about, a young girl. She was to meet me at the palace. There was a hackney waiting out front, so I knew she’d have no difficulty getting there.”
Rafe’s hopes climbed. “Then you did see her this afternoon, after the meeting with the queen?”
Dr. Jerome’s mouth tightened. He released a breath. “In point of fact, no. She’d left a note on my desk … saying she would spend the afternoon with you, and then dinner tonight. I thought—” His face tensed and his brows came together.
Taut silence held the room. Jerome groaned and sank into a chair as it dawned on him that she might not have written the note.
Rafe’s suspicions were growing like a wildfire. “Zach mentioned someone prowling about his houseboat the other night. And Eden told Ambrose early this morning she was being watched.”
“Watched!” Grandfather Ainsworth said with alarm.
The door opened and Ambrose walked in with the wind, his long preacher jacket blowing. He swept off his hat. His dark eyes scanned the frowning men. Keno stood behind him by the door.
Rafe, who knew Ambrose so well, understood by his countenance that something was amiss and Rafe stepped toward him. “What is it?”
“Gentlemen, this isn’t easy to say. After praying with Eden early this morning I had a strong motivation to go into Honolulu and send Parker Judson a wire. I felt we should inquire if the Pinkerton detective Rafe had hired had any news on Townsend. I stayed in town and Parker’s reply just came in a half hour ago.” He pulled it from his pocket and read:
Been hunting day and night for T. D. No success. Found out he boarded steamer for Honolulu tenth of October. Danger assured. Notify Honolulu authority.
P.D.A. Charles Morris
The silence enclosed them like a tomb.
For a moment Rafe couldn’t move. He was trapped in a nightmare. Townsend. His greatest fear, which he’d tried to deny, but which had persisted in the back of his mind, had struck. It felt as if the ground was rumbling beneath him and hot lava was ready to erupt.
Rafe slammed his fist on the table, shaking the lamp.
Keno came to his side. “Take it easy. We’ll stop him. God’s on our side. Eden belongs to Him.”
Rafe struggled to control his rage. Townsend. The deed of abducting Eden shouted that this was his wicked handiwork.
“If I get my hands on him—”
Both Dr. Jerome and Ainsworth exchanged quick glances with Ambrose.
“If he’s laid a hand on her I’ll kill him.”
Ambrose came forward, an iron grip on Rafe’s shoulder.
“No, Rafe. Don’t even entertain the thought. That’s what he wants. He knows he’s finished. He’s planned it this way. He wants to see you go down with him. It was never Celestine or even Kip he was after, and it’s not Eden, though he’ll use her. It’s you. Don’t give him a victory, Rafe. ‘Wringing his neck,’ as you young people put it, isn’t worth ruining your life in the process.”
“Yes, he’s right, Rafe,” Dr. Jerome said. “I’ve known my brother had psychotic problems since we were boys. He was a bully, domineering, selfish, and never willing to accept his own guilt for anything. It’s shackled him from humbling his soul before God. He claimed he needed no Savior, and when he did sin, he’d always say it was somebody else’s fault.”
Grandfather Ainsworth groaned, pacing. “I should have moved at once. I put the Derrington business before the truth. I’ve been a fool. Dear God! What have I done?”
Rafe walked over to the window and threw it open. He stood facing the darkness, hands on hips, struggling with hate.
How could I have expected him to remain in San Francisco when everything he wants to destroy is right here?
Keno spoke in a low voice. “Look, pal, we can beat Townsend at his own game. We’re on to him now. The viper is loose in the garden, but we’ll stop him. We’ve got to outmaneuver him.”
“Townsend made one mistake. And it will cost him. He was expecting me to board the steamer in the morning,” Rafe said. “He thought it safe to make his move now. He knows it takes two weeks to reach San Francisco. By the time I’d concluded he wasn’t there and returned, I’d be looking the fool, with everything I cherish greeting me in rubble.”
“But he’s blundered,” Keno said.
“He should have waited until the steamer was out to sea before taking Eden. He’d been watching her, learning her hours at Kalihi, planning the best time to make his move.”
“And when Zach came here to stay at Kea Lani,” Keno said thoughtfully, “Townsend must have stayed on his houseboat. He was careful not to touch anything, not to eat anything to give himself away.”
“If the Hawaiian boys hadn’t seen a light the other night, I doubt Zach would have guessed that something was happening on the boat.”
Keno shook his head in dismay. “He’s a shrewd one. The more he’s pushed into a corner, the more he reveals the nature of Cain.”
“He’s almost always taken what he wanted, and what he wants now is revenge on me for his losing Celestine, Hanalei, the pearl beds, and his position as Ainsworth’s heir.”
“Just like evil, isn’t it?” Keno said. “Satan wants to take as many to the Lake of Fire with him as he can. Even when he knows he has but a short time left he goes forth with great fury to destroy. There’s no repentance, only evil revenge.”
Rafe quickly turned to the others. “Since Townsend wants to strike me where it will hurt and destroy the most, where would he take Eden, and what would he do?”
Every head turned toward him. In the silence the wind shook the windows and eaves.
“Hanalei” came a low unison of voices.
“Exactly,” Rafe said firmly. “He’d take Eden to the Easton estate. And if he sees no further future for himself in the Islands, as Ainsworth predicted, then he’ll want to destroy Matt Easton’s estate and everything on it. I can see him burning it down, just as he burned down Ling’s hut.”
A groan of affirmation came from the others, as though they too anticipated the worst.
“That’s his mind-set, all right,” Ambrose said grimly. “Jealousy and pride want to destroy and hurt.”
“I’ve got to search Zach’s houseboat to make sure Townsend isn’t still there. He could be hiding below with Eden, waiting for morning light to head for the Big Island. If he’s not there, I’m heading out tonight.” He turned to Grandfather Ainsworth and Dr. Jerome. “Sirs, could either of you alert the authorities here in Honolulu, tell the marshal to send a wire to the police on the Big Island. I want Ling warned to watch his back. And Ambrose—” he turned to his uncle.
Ambrose stood arms folded, blocking his way spiritually with an even stare that only Ambrose could give him.
“I’m
coming with you,” Ambrose stated firmly.
“If necessary this will be a rough journey by sea tonight.”
“Just you make headway, lad, and don’t worry about me keeping up. I’ll do just fine. We don’t know what has happened, or what the purpose of God may be with Eden—so it’s not wise you go alone into such a test.”
He’d rather go alone. He could handle Townsend. But Ambrose knew that, which was probably why he insisted on going with him. He should be grateful for Ambrose and Keno, but Rafe was too distraught to think about that now.
“Then let’s go,” Rafe demanded, restless and impatient over details.
The hotel coach was parked in the carriageway. Ambrose was talking to Grandfather Ainsworth on the front steps. Ainsworth’s silver hair tossed in the wind. His lean, lined face was solemn.
He’s afraid, Rafe decided. Afraid for Eden this time, instead of the family name or the enterprise.
Ainsworth came down the walkway where Rafe and Keno stood by the coach.
“I’ll have the marshal get his men out. I should have seen it before. Townsend knows the end has come for him, one way or the other.”
On the front lanai, Dr. Jerome was speaking to Great-aunt Nora. Nora looked fragile and trembling in a chill wind. Candace came and put an arm around her to lead her back indoors. She glanced over at Keno as if pleased to see he was at Rafe’s side. Stand firm with him, she seemed to say.
Dr. Jerome had grabbed his knee-length jacket and hat, and came down the steps with Ambrose. The low voice of Grandfather Ainsworth drifted to Rafe, though it wasn’t meant to reach his hearing—“And Rafe, we’ve got to stay with him. We can’t permit the young man to destroy himself, which he could do if he gets his hands on Townsend. Townsend would like nothing better than to bring Rafe down with him.”
“We can’t let that happen,” Dr. Jerome answered. “Keno can stop him.”
“Yes, Keno—another fine man with character. Candace has made a sound choice. I see that now. I see so many things—when it’s too late.”
“Maybe not too late, Father,” Jerome said. “For Townsend? Yes, unless he comes out of his stupor in time. But not too late for Zachary and Silas. And Candace will remain loyal now that you’ve seen Keno for what he is.”
“Thank God, my dear son Jerome.”
Rafe glanced at Keno over what they’d overheard. Despite the dire moment, they exchanged faint smiles.
The moment confirmed to Rafe that even at the darkest hour, the light was never fully extinguished. If the Almighty promised to work some good out of the worst of circumstances, then who was he to doubt Him? Amid the hay, wood, and stubble there may be found a morsel of gold, silver, and precious stones.
Rafe didn’t think Townsend was out on the streets, though he approved of Marshal Harper sending his men out to search. Townsend was either on Zach’s houseboat or on his way to Hanalei.
“Does your cousin Liho still run his boat?”
“It’s tied up at the wharf now. I’ll alert him, just in case Zach’s houseboat has already set out for the Big Island.”
“Will Liho risk it? The wind’s picking up.”
“He’ll risk it.”
“Let’s go.”
A few minutes later the horse-drawn coach left Kea Lani and turned onto the road to Honolulu.
When they reached King Street, Rafe was swiftly out, and onto the street, Keno and Ambrose with him.
“We’re going to the houseboat,” Rafe told Grandfather Ainsworth and Dr. Jerome.
“We’ll notify the marshal,” Ainsworth said.
“Be careful, both of you,” Dr. Jerome called out as the coach drove toward the police station.
On the waterfront Rafe hurried along the wharf in midnight darkness, the wind blowing in from the Pacific.
“Looks like a storm,” Ambrose warned.
Rafe stopped. His gaze narrowed on the vessels tied up to the posts. Rafe knew the boat to be a white and green yacht that had been turned into a houseboat. When Eden had come to Hanalei from Tamarind House with Zach several months ago, they’d come on this boat, which Zach had named Lily of the Stars.
He looked ahead with relief. Zach’s houseboat was there. A small light burned like the hope in his heart.
Chapter Twenty Six
The Challenge
Once aboard Lily of the Stars, Rafe walked silently across the deck toward the cabin where a dim light burned above a desk. The door was open a few inches, creaking in the wind. Keno was on the other side of the door in the darkness. Ambrose was some feet back out of view. Rafe gently pushed the door inward. Nothing.
The lamp hanging above the desk swung to and fro as the wind and tides rocked the vessel. Rafe’s eyes moved cautiously about the small room, into dim corners and along the flooring. Nothing. He pushed the door against the wall before entering to make sure Townsend wasn’t behind it, waiting. He entered, went to the desk, and looked behind it on the floor. He unhooked the lamp and brought it close to the floor. Blood … brown, sticky, some hours old. He stooped and looked under the desk, half expecting to see a crumpled corpse, but saw only a pair of slippers, evidently Zach’s.
Rafe stood, frowning, hands on hips as Keno entered.
“Blood,” Rafe said. “Not much, a few drops. Someone’s been pulled from here.”
“To the hold?”
“Most likely.”
They lifted a hatch and saw steps down to the hold where Zach had some storage.
“Watch those steps,” Ambrose whispered.
Below, there was a low cramped space with crates. Rafe had to stoop as he reached the bottom due to the low headroom. He paused by a barrel, and Keno turned up the wicks on several lamps.
“No one here,” Keno murmured. “Townsend would have come at us like a growling, mad bear if he were.”
Rafe agreed. “This is dark news. We’re too late. He must have already taken Eden to the Big Island. He’s not a good sailor. I hope he can handle whatever boat he’s using.”
What about the drops of blood? Rafe refused any thought that would make it his beloved’s. The Lord will keep her, he kept reminding himself. But always his doubts resurfaced. Would He? Others who had belonged to Him had died. Many murdered. Many through violent deaths. At times He delivered in His purpose, and at other times it was His purpose not to intervene. Always his mind went back to the apostles James and Peter. Peter was led out of prison by an angel. James was killed with the sword. Why? God had His purposes. Did He love Peter more than James? Of course not. He’d given His life for every individual sheep and loved them.
Eden, my love, you are ever in His care. Stay strong.
A groan! A thumping sound. From where!
Keno was looking behind the crates, pulling them out and away from the hull. Ambrose hurried over to a large canvas sea bag.
“It’s moving,” Ambrose said, stooping.
Rafe drew the knife from his jacket and carefully slit it open.
“Zach!” Ambrose said, and quickly removed a gag from his mouth while Rafe cut a rope that bound his hands and feet.
In a moment Zachary was trying to gain his breath and the use of his vocal cords. In a raspy voice he choked: “Townsend’s here. Has Eden.”
Rafe grasped his shoulder. “We’re onto him. How long ago?”
“This afternoon. He crept up on me. I caught sight of him just as he was about to smother me with chloroform. I got a whiff of it before he could act.”
“Did you see Eden?”
“No.”
“Whose blood in the cabin?”
“Probably mine,” he groaned, reaching a hand to his head. “As I said, I saw him and jumped him and we had a real tussle. He’s bigger than me and finally landed me a good one. My jaw’s still swollen.” He rubbed it, wincing. “That’s about as much as I remember. I do recall voices—I’m almost sure it was Laweoki.”
“Your sailing captain?”
Zachary gave a nod. “He was due to come this afternoon. I
was thinking of having him dock the boat at Koko Head during the time I was away in San Francisco—say! What time is it? That steamer leaves at eleven a.m.”
“What happened with Laweoki?”
“Don’t know for sure. I think they were in an argument, and another dust-up. Laweoki must’ve refused to sail the ship for him. I remember something about the Princess Kaiulani.”
“That’s my cousin Liho’s vessel,” Keno said quickly. “It’s docked here in Honolulu too. Townsend must be using it.”
“It’s a fast one,” Ambrose said. “Liho brought me to Hanalei in swift time when I needed to alert you on Townsend.”
Rafe remembered. “Refusing to sail Zach’s boat is the best thing Laweoki could have done for us. We need it to reach the Big Island tonight. What do you say, Zach?”
Zach smothered a moan. He rolled over onto his knees and tried to push himself up. Ambrose lent an arm and told him not to rush it. “You’ve been hit again on the head, poor lad.”
“Least it’s on the other side,” Keno said, and received a smirk from Zachary. “Thanks for reminding me.” He looked at Rafe. “He has Eden. We’ve got to stop him.”
Rafe turned to Keno with an arched brow.
Keno ran his fingers through his hair. “Can we do it?”
“After sailing the Caribbean?” Rafe scoffed. “Remember that storm?”
“I remember.”
Rafe turned to Ambrose. “Are you up to working those sails with Keno?”
“It’s been a while, but I can manage it, lad. You’d better stay quiet and rest that head,” he told Zachary. “This is going to be an all-nighter.”
Rafe went up the stairs and out on deck. Keno and Ambrose were checking out the sails.
Rafe took the ladder to steerage helm. He looked over the magnetic compass and tested the wheel. All was in order. Laweoki was a careful captain.
He leaned out past the canvas canopy and peered up at the sky. Clouds were rolling in but the moon and stars were still visible. The wind was picking up force, but at the moment it was warm and pleasant. The Lord is over many waters. The God of glory thunders!
Hawaiian Crosswinds Page 31
