by Griggs, Winnie; Pleiter, Allie; Hale, Deborah; Nelson, Jessica
“I—I don’t understand…. Why did you want me?”
“You don’t remember?” His brows pulled together and his lips tightened. “My father visited your mother often. He brought me when I was twelve, and that’s when I first saw you.”
A rush of sickness rose in her stomach. She remembered him now. A young boy who had stared so much she felt uncomfortable and never met his gaze. She couldn’t recall his eye color, perhaps because she’d avoided him so much. Months later, she and her mother left in search of her father, and then her mother had dropped her off at Trevor’s.
“How did you find me?”
“By chance, as it were. I saw your mother on a business trip when I was a young man. She was frantic, searching for your father, and I realized we could help each other.”
“You bribed her.”
“It didn’t take much. Women are emotional creatures, and your mother’s loyalty is commendable. Too bad your father died before she could reach him.”
Mary pressed her fingertips against her forehead, willing the ache to recede. All this time she’d blamed Trevor’s mother for selling her, but it had been her mother who’d led the villains straight to her door.
Lord, help me. The prayer rose in her heart and crossed her lips.
Mr. Langdon uttered a harsh noise that masqueraded as a laugh. “God isn’t anywhere near you. In fact, I’m quite certain He abandoned you long ago, right about the time your father left.”
She flinched.
“That’s right. I know all about him. Your mother, too. Like I said, she’s quite loyal for a woman. Back to my proposition. In a moment, Baggs will be bringing your tea and some special paperwork regarding my newest offer. Don’t look so disgusted. You worked at Julia’s brothel, did you not? The one your mother left you at to chase down her foolish husband, the place where I found you.”
“I was a seamstress, nothing more.” The words sounded weak, even to her ears. She kept thinking of Lou’s the lady means nothing to me, and now Mr. Langdon’s assertion God was nowhere near. Had God left her again? Would He allow a repeat of the past? She could not bear such a thing, and yet it seemed certain to occur.
“You could have been more than—” his hand fluttered toward her “—this. You are more.” He placed his hand on her knee and squeezed painfully. “Stay here, with me. You’ll have your Josie then.”
A knock sounded on the door.
“Come in.” Mr. Langdon slithered to the other side of the couch.
Mary swallowed hard. She could make it to the door, but how would she escape this house?
Silverware clinked as Mr. Baggs shuffled into the room. Pattering steps followed Baggs and then Josie burst into the room, her eyes pink and tear-stained.
“Miss Mary,” she cried and launched herself at the couch.
Mary caught her, pulled her close and buried her face in Josie’s hair. My little girl. The thought didn’t startle her, but rather strengthened her. She would do almost anything to save Josie. She’d wait for the opportunity and then be gone from this place.
And Josie would go with her.
That’s kidnapping, prodded a voice from inside.
But what other option did she have?
“How did she get out?” Langdon’s voice bit into the room. He grabbed Josie’s arm, but Mary smacked his hand and he withdrew, brows narrowing into angry arrows. “You will pay for that.”
“I apologize, sir, but there’s a gentleman at the door for you. It won’t wait. You might want to see him out quickly.” Mr. Baggs inclined his head and whatever that meant, it propelled Mr. Langdon to his feet.
“Do you want me to take the girl?” asked Mr. Baggs.
Josie’s uncle looked at them, a calculating gleam in his eye. “No, let her stay. She shall encourage Miss O’Roarke in her decision, no doubt. Just keep an eye on them, Baggs.”
Mr. Langdon swished out of the room. Josie pulled away from Mary, tears spilling over her cheeks. “My mommy is dead.”
“I know, sweetheart.” She smoothed an errant strand out of Josie’s eyes as her thoughts raced. This was their one opportunity, but could she do it? Could she get them out? She glanced at Baggs. Her only option was to overpower him somehow, but the thought rattled her. Hitting an old man did not seem the right thing to do.
Mr. Baggs cleared his throat. He blinked and held out a hand to Josie. “I might miss your chatter. That’s all I have to say.”
“Why, Baggs, I shall miss you, too!” Josie didn’t take his hand but instead moved out of Mary’s embrace. As she beckoned Baggs closer, Mary stood and reached for the teapot.
Josie leaned up and planted a little kiss on the man’s weathered cheek. His eyes met Mary’s as she raised the pitcher. Her stomach churned.
“Do it,” he said, “or it’s my life on the line. There’s a door there.” He pointed.
“That’s my hideaway.” Josie hopped over and tugged open the door Mr. Baggs had brought Mary through earlier.
“Wait for me in the hallway,” said Mary, but Josie had already disappeared behind the door. She swallowed hard. “I am truly sorry, Mr. Baggs, and hope I do not hurt you.”
He gave her a curt nod. Drawing a deep breath, she brought the pitcher down upon his head. He groaned and crumpled to the floor. A line of blood appeared on the right side of his forehead.
Mary held in her sob and set the pitcher down. She dug in her luggage, retrieved her derringer and bullets and slid them in the pocket of her skirt. There was no Lou or Trevor here today. The onus rested upon her, and she’d do whatever necessary to save Josie. She raced to the door, spotted Josie near the stairs and ran toward their escape.
*
Lou paced the library, twirling his hat in his hands, as he waited for Mrs. Silver to appear. After his meeting this morning with O’Leary, he’d gone straight to the hotel to fetch Mary, only to find her room empty. While staring at the neatly made bed, he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt fear. True, bloodcurdling fear.
Despite its paralyzing hold, he forced himself to go to his office and make a telephone call to the director himself. After relaying the smuggler’s name and the suspected boat carrying Canadian whiskey, Lou hightailed it out of there and headed to the Silvers’.
Where he’d found nothing of Mary.
Something was wrong.
She should have been here by now. Where else could she have gone? He perused the hangings on the walls, impatiently tapping his hat against his thigh. Dusty antiques. Family photographs. Langdon looked supremely arrogant in his still shot.
“Mr. Riley. To what do I owe this visit?” Langdon appeared in the doorway, a smirk marring his even features. Smart man kept his distance, though.
“I’m here to speak with Mrs. Silver.”
“Ah.” His smirk grew. “She has unfortunately passed on, negating your need to see her. I shall show you to the door.”
Lou’s fingers clenched the brim of his hat. “Where’s Josie?”
“That’s none of your business, officer of the law or no. She’s my ward. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have funeral arrangements to attend to.”
He took a deep breath and settled into the kind of calm that gave a man an edge over his opponent. And Langdon was worse than an opponent. He stalked toward him. The man faltered for a moment but didn’t budge.
“I smell…something.” Lou sniffed. If this guy was a bootlegger, and based on O’Leary’s notes, Lou felt certain he was, there should be a kind of hint somewhere.
“Perfume from the arrangements. My sister’s favorite.”
“Indeed.” He took another breath and realized it was true, he did smell something floral, and not the prohibited whiskey he’d been ready to accuse Langdon of importing. “Funeral flowers aren’t a pleasant smell on you, but I suppose it works well to mask the odor from your day job…. You know I work for the Bureau of Investigation, right?”
“You flashed your badge in my face.”
“You’re a smart
man. Maybe coming into money soon?” Lou gestured around him, watching Langdon’s face closely.
His lids flickered. “The terms of the will have yet to be disclosed.”
“Maybe you’ve got your own money?”
“Maybe it’s time for you to leave, Special Agent.”
“Yeah, because your heart is real broken by your sister’s death.” Lou moved closer still, frowning when he whiffed that scent again. Something unforgettable… Mary.
His jaw clamped. Deliberately he loosened his jaw and bestowed a predatory smile on Langdon. “Heard you’re a rich man. In fact, I have a source who tells me your income is swimmingly large. You own a boat, right?”
“Are you trying to accuse me of something? You’re in my house, on my property—”
“You mean your sister’s?”
Langdon’s face settled into stubborn lines. “Get out of this house.”
Lou held up his hands. “Relax. I’m just here to pick up Mary.”
“Who?” But Langdon’s eyes flickered with recognition.
“Your new employee,” he said smoothly. “She asked me to meet her here.”
“Oh, yes, the nanny. She left moments before you arrived.”
“Really?” He leaned forward, anger a frigid weight in his chest. “I smell her.”
Langdon chuckled. “She’s very, how shall I put it? Friendly.”
Lou’s gaze snapped up to meet Langdon’s hard eyes. He had to play this smart. “Which way did she go?”
“The same way her type always goes. Now kindly leave this house or I’ll have you escorted out.”
“Thanks for your…help.” Lou flashed his teeth. “I’ll be back, though, and next time you might want to be more convincing.”
He spun and headed toward the door. He felt Langdon behind him and his rage grew. Fine way God took care of Mary. Bringing her to this place, putting her right into the hands of danger. They stepped into the hall and that was when Lou heard what had been covered by the carpeted study.
An uneven tap behind him. A sound that resonated in his memory. He stopped abruptly and faced Langdon. His gaze dropped to Langdon’s boots. Shiny, definitely expensive and outfitted with spurs. A vision of a dark alley crept through him. Moonlight. A gunshot and pain…
“Problem?”
Lou tucked his thoughts away and forced a grim smile. “Nope. Just admiring your shoes.”
“Some say vanity is an evil thing, but it’s served me well. I call these my lucky spurs. When I wear them, great things happen.” Langdon’s eyes flashed, belying his amused tone.
“Looks like I need a pair of those.” Lou pulled on his hat, tipped it and scooted out of the house. Once down the porch, he walked the block, turned a corner and hurried across the street. Sliding into the shadows of a different house, he removed his hat, untucked his shirt, slicked his hair back and stuck a piece of gum in his mouth.
The disguise would have to do for now. He bent the rim of his hat upward on the sides. It would ruin the fit and the leather, but circumstances called for it. He could always buy a new one. Adjusting his gait, he meandered down the sidewalk until he passed the Silversʼ place. One house down, he found a hiding spot near a newer home’s expansive porch.
No gate and the perfect spot to blend in.
From here he could see everyone entering and leaving the front of the Silversʼ. The servantsʼ quarters looked to be on the side of the house, and he thought he could see a gate exit near the backyard. This was the optimum vantage point.
He settled into the corner where the stairs met the house and waited. Heavy clouds warned of impending rain. There was a definite bite to the air. He hoped Mary was safe.
She might be in the house, but without a warrant, he couldn’t force his way in there. She should have stayed at the hotel and never taken this deal. Trusted him to take care of Josie. He chewed his gum, hoping for inspiration to kick in.
He could leave and get some men to follow Langdon. Now that he knew who his shooter was, it made more sense to personally follow him, but who’d take care of Mary? She couldn’t wander Portland for long by herself. She didn’t have any money that he knew of for a ticket home.
And he was sure she wouldn’t leave Josie.
He couldn’t, either. For all he knew, the will stipulated Josie be sent to relatives, but if it called for her to be left with Langdon… He mashed his gum. Not good.
This was the problem in getting involved with people. He liked his job of catching criminals. Investigating crimes. He didn’t like getting close because it worried him, and a worried man couldn’t accomplish anything.
Look at his past.
He’d held Sarah in his arms after Abby died. Instead of running for the doctor, he’d worried and fretted. Rocked her tenderly, but she’d lost the will to live and, letting the pneumonia have its way, slipped away quietly the same night.
O’Leary thought God had led him to Lou, but after losing his family that way, Lou had trouble believing God cared.
Yet Josie believed God had used him to find her in the desert. He swallowed hard now, feeling the rough wood of the house against his bare arm. It was solid and real.
Why couldn’t he feel God that way? Had he ever?
Watching the Silver place for movement, he let his mind stew on the thought. Maybe he hadn’t felt God the same way he felt this house at his side, but he sure felt some kind of presence when he’d gone to that church picnic with Mary.
Years ago, Sarah and he used to pray together, and there’d been a certainty inside that the God he talked to was real and cared about him. Thoughts jumbling, he blinked at the emotion encircling his chest. How could he have been so wrong then if things had felt so right?
And did that mean he was wrong now, despite how he felt?
He glanced at the sky for an answer. Swollen clouds greeted him. Back in the desert the air would be dry, ripe with the scents of rock and sage. He missed that. Selling the ranch had seemed like a good idea months ago, but suddenly it felt like the wrong move.
He scoffed at himself.
Dwelling on feelings changed nothing. They shifted like the clouds above, always at the whim of change. Just as he’d moved on…away from God, from faith.
The thought hit him square on.
He’d left God. Said goodbye and refused to let Him near.
An automobile moved into his line of vision. Classy high-end car. Black. He noted the rims and distinctive chug of the engine as it drew to a stop outside the Silversʼ gate. Arrogant Langdon was on the move, but how was he supposed to follow him?
Hissing between his teeth, he rose from his position and sauntered onto the sidewalk. He couldn’t follow, but he could intimidate. Langdon rushed out the front door. Lou stuck two fingers in his mouth and let out a piercing whistle.
Langdon jutted to a stop and, despite the distance, Lou saw anger in his movements. He waved, throwing his hand up and letting it flow casually above him.
“See you at the docks,” he called out.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Escapes surely put a cramp in Mary’s stomach. She bent against the neighbor’s manicured, thorny bushes, Josie at her side.
“See you at the docks” a voice called out. Lou? She peeked through the leaves and saw a man waving at a fancy automobile as it sped past. Then the man put a quick pace to his steps and started up the sidewalk. Definitely Lou. She’d know that swagger anywhere.
“It’s Mister Lou,” Josie whispered excitedly. “Let’s go get him.”
“No.” Mary shushed her, thoughts racing. She could do this. She could rescue herself and Josie without a man’s help.
The lady means nothing to me.
Her mouth tightened. He’d proved that and more. Selling the ranch out from beneath everyone. Always following his job wherever it took him. She had no right to be miffed, and she really didn’t want to be, but at the same time, thinking about his actions gave clearer insight to his character.
He didn’t w
ant chains. He didn’t want commitment.
But now she knew she did, and that changed everything.
Chin up, she beckoned Josie to stand. “Let’s go. Your uncle left in that vehicle, so we should be safe for a while.”
“Where are we going?”
They stepped onto the sidewalk, Josie’s hand fitting snugly within hers. She wanted to smile and reassure her, but her lips refused to relax. “I’m not sure, sweetheart.”
She could go to the police, but what would she tell them? Please help me save this little girl. Her uncle is a rich ogre who has had an obsession with me. Or perhaps they could disappear and she could find work elsewhere?
A solid plan, but could she break the law that way? Maybe Langdon had lied to her about Josie’s family. What if she had loving relatives who wished to take her in? The idea stabbed Mary’s heart, but she must face the fact that she wasn’t the only one who wanted Josie.
She might as well admit the only one who could help her now was on his way to the ports. Her best recourse was to follow him. Josie couldn’t go with her, though. Maybe waiting at the hotel might prove a better solution.
Yes.
She’d do that.
Feeling more secure in her decision, she smiled at Josie and hummed a little ditty she’d learned as a child. Josie picked it up and together they walked to where she knew a streetcar passed. The money she’d brought from home helped immensely. She might even have enough to bring both herself and Josie back to the ranch…although that presented a new set of problems. Namely, kidnapping charges.
Right now she could defend her actions as a rescue. Possibly. She frowned. Things were altogether confusing.
“Excuse me, ma’am?” An automobile pulled up beside them. A man leaned out the passenger door. His scruffy features sent a frisson of apprehension through her, prickling the skin of her palms.
She stopped reluctantly, placing Josie behind her. A fat droplet of rain splashed against the shiny hood. “Yes?”
“Thought you might need a lift. You and that young’un.”
“No, thank you, we’re quite fine.”
“Well, now, we weren’t asking.”
