A Fragile Design

by Tracie Peterson

  ‘‘Not nearly as much as I’d like another hour of sleep,’’ the older woman replied with a feeble smile. She patted Bella’s cheek. ‘‘Don’t look so forlorn. I’ll be right back.’’

  Bella nodded. She didn’t know if she should start a fire or not but finally decided she’d wait. Perhaps Miss Addie would go directly back to bed after hearing her concerns. If so, there certainly wouldn’t be time to lay a fire, much less heat water for tea.

  The back door opened and Miss Addie bustled back into the kitchen, obviously more awake than when she’d left moments earlier. ‘‘Now, then, what did you need to talk about?’’ she inquired, pulling a chair away from the small worktable and seating herself.

  ‘‘Ruth,’’ Bella replied. ‘‘She’s not in bed.’’

  Miss Addie gave her a look of concern. ‘‘She didn’t come home tonight?’’

  ‘‘I don’t know. I went to bed before the others. Daughtie said she didn’t see her come home this evening. I noticed she wasn’t in bed when I got up a little while ago. Now I’m worried. She was making stops at boardinghouses last evening to tell them we’d soon be having a meeting to elect delegates for the Mechanics Association committee. I fear some harm may have come to her.’’

  Miss Addie patted her hand. ‘‘Let’s not panic just yet. She may be sleeping in one of the other rooms. She may have even decided to remain at Mrs. Desmond’s for the night. I know you girls do that from time to time,’’ she said with a grin.

  ‘‘That’s true,’’ Bella acquiesced. ‘‘I suppose it would be best to wait until morning and see if she appears.’’

  Miss Addie nodded. ‘‘There’s only an hour until first bell, and we won’t resolve much in that short time,’’ she said, giving Bella a comforting smile. ‘‘I’m going to return to my room and rest until then. I suggest that you do the same. You’re going to be weary.’’ Miss Addie walked her to the foot of the stairs. ‘‘Off with you now. Try to get a little sleep,’’ she instructed.

  ‘‘I will,’’ Bella hesitantly replied, though she would have preferred to remain in Miss Addie’s company. Instead, she trod up the stairs and walked to the bedroom, though her steps were heavy and halting. For a moment she remained in the doorway of the bedroom, her gaze lingering on Ruth’s unoccupied section of the bed.

  CHAPTER 26

  One look at Miss Addie’s face dashed Bella’s expectations. ‘‘Nothing?’’

  ‘‘No,’’ Miss Addie woefully reported. ‘‘I enlisted Mintie and Mrs. Desmond, and we spent the entire afternoon going to all the boardinghouses. Many of the keepers reported Ruth visited at their houses last night, but she didn’t remain very long at any one place. Mrs. Desmond told me that Sally Nelson went along with her but grew weary after an hour and returned home. Sally reported that Ruth appeared determined to continue calling at the boardinghouses until curfew.’’

  ‘‘Did Sally say what direction Ruth was headed when they parted company?’’

  ‘‘It seems Ruth called upon the houses on the east side of the street on her way to Mrs. Desmond’s house and was calling upon houses on the west side of the street on her return. Of course, she may have gone off onto the side streets along the way. I doubt whether there’s any way to track exactly where she was at a specific time. Folks don’t tend to remember those little details,’’ Addie replied. ‘‘I think we should report Ruth’s disappearance to the police. I do wish John were here. He’d know what to do. Did you speak to Ruth’s supervisor regarding her absence?’’

  ‘‘He was more angry than concerned, saying his production was already off this week. He said Ruth’s absence would only make matters worse for him and unless she had a very good excuse, he’d make certain that she would never be hired again. I told him Ruth was responsible and needed her job, but he wouldn’t listen. He thinks she’s run off with a man,’’ Bella replied.

  Janet Stodemire glanced toward the ceiling and arched her eyebrows. ‘‘You’re the only one who thinks she’s met with foul play, Bella. The rest of us are more realistic. She was very interested in that salesman, but I’m sure you didn’t notice,’’ Janet remarked.

  Bella’s jaw tightened as Janet spoke. ‘‘And you don’t even know if the salesman was in Lowell yesterday,’’ she argued from between clenched teeth. ‘‘I’m willing to appear foolish in order to learn what’s happened to Ruth.’’

  ‘‘Now, girls, bickering won’t solve anything. We need to be unified if we’re going to help Ruth,’’ Addie cautioned.

  ‘‘You’re right; I’m sorry,’’ Bella replied.

  ‘‘It’s still early. Why don’t we go and pay a visit at the Cheever home? I’m certain Lilly would be pleased to see us, and if Matthew isn’t home, she can relate our concerns to him. I think someone from the Corporation should be informed of our apprehension.’’

  Bella jumped up from her chair. ‘‘I’ll get my cape.’’ She moved swiftly and retrieved her wrap from one of the pegs near the door. Tossing the shawl around her shoulders, she then turned back toward the parlor. ‘‘Aren’t you coming?’’

  Miss Addie nodded. ‘‘Yes, but I’m not planning on running a foot race,’’ she replied with a grin. ‘‘We should be back by nine o’clock,’’ she told the girls who were gathered in the parlor visiting.

  Although it was difficult, Bella was forced to slow her stride in order to accommodate Miss Addie. She wanted to run at full tilt rather than promenade down Merrimack Street at a snail’s pace. Somehow she needed to expend some physical energy in order to feel as if she were actually doing something to help Ruth. But she knew Miss Addie could walk no faster, and she couldn’t rush off, leaving the older woman behind. It seemed an eternity had passed by the time they reached the front door of the Cheever home.

  ‘‘Miss Addie—and Bella! What a wonderful surprise,’’ Lilly greeted as she opened the front door. ‘‘Do come in,’’ she offered, stepping aside to permit them entry. ‘‘Let me take your capes,’’ she said. ‘‘Matthew, come see who’s here to pay a visit,’’ she called out.

  Matthew strode into the foyer with a smile curving his lips. ‘‘This is an unexpected pleasure,’’ he said, leading them into the parlor.

  Addie gave him a bright smile as she followed along. ‘‘I hope we’re not taking you away from anything important.’’

  ‘‘Not at all. I had just completed plans for the dedication ceremony for the Catholic church. I’m hoping it will be a momentous occasion for the Irish folks.’’

  ‘‘With you in charge, I’m sure it will be grand. I didn’t realize work on the church had been finished,’’ Addie said.

  ‘‘Sit down, sit down,’’ Matthew offered. ‘‘Construction of the church is still in progress, but the only date the bishop is available is the first Sunday in September. So completed or not, we’ll have it dedicated on that date.’’

  Lilly placed a hand on her husband’s shoulder. ‘‘Now, Matthew, no more talk of work. Ladies, make yourselves comfortable, and I’ll get us some tea.’’

  ‘‘No, we don’t need tea, Lilly. Please sit down and relax.’’

  Lilly gave Matthew a winsome smile. ‘‘You sound like my husband. He says I’m not happy unless I’m fluttering about.’’

  ‘‘She doesn’t listen well,’’ he answered, returning her smile before turning toward Addie. ‘‘To what do we owe this unexpected visit?’’

  Addie wriggled forward just a bit. ‘‘Actually, it concerns one of my girls, Ruth Wilson. She attended the tea you hosted. Ruth is fair skinned, her hair a rather mousy brown, and she has—what color are her eyes, Bella?’’ Addie asked.

  Bella furrowed her brow, anxious to give an accurate description. ‘‘Gray—yes, cloudy gray. She’s rather thin, not very big at all, and her teeth protrude just a bit,’’ Bella explained, looking at Lilly rather than Matthew.

  ‘‘I remember her. She was quite taken with my garden.’’

  Bella straightened in her chair and bobbed her head up and down. ‘
‘Yes! That’s her. She loved your flowers.’’

  ‘‘Well, what about her?’’ Matthew was obviously ready for the discussion to move forward.

  ‘‘She’s disappeared,’’ Bella proclaimed. ‘‘Without a trace.’’

  ‘‘What? One of the mill girls has truly disappeared?’’ he questioned loudly as he stood and began pacing.

  ‘‘We think she’s disappeared,’’ Miss Addie said, her voice calm and steady as she revealed the facts of Ruth’s departure the evening before and their subsequent efforts to find her.

  ‘‘So she did have a gentleman caller?’’ Matthew asked.

  ‘‘Not last night,’’ Bella quickly replied. ‘‘I don’t believe he was in Lowell yesterday. At least nobody remembers having seen him since last week. He wasn’t due back until the end of the month.’’

  Matthew glanced toward Lilly and then at Bella. ‘‘I doubt she would have confided her plans to run away, and I’m sure her suitor would keep himself secreted in order to keep from arousing suspicion.’’

  ‘‘I know Ruth, and she didn’t run off with a man. Something terrible has happened to her. Why won’t anyone help?’’ Bella lashed out in frustration. ‘‘Now I understand how the Irish people must feel when no one will help find their missing girls.’’

  Matthew came to attention at her words. ‘‘You think your friend has been kidnapped?’’ He appeared to think the idea incredible.

  ‘‘Yes, I do,’’ Bella replied. ‘‘She vanished, just like the other girls. She visited a number of boardinghouses last night. Why would she have even bothered to do such a thing if she planned to run off?’’

  ‘‘You have a point,’’ Matthew agreed. ‘‘Have you gone to the police, Miss Addie?’’

  Addie tugged at the lace border of her handkerchief. ‘‘No. I wasn’t sure what I should do,’’ she said. ‘‘Do you want me to go and talk to them?’’

  ‘‘No, I’ll go and talk to them. If they want further information, they can stop by the house and talk to you. Bella, did you happen to notice if any of her belongings are missing?’’

  ‘‘All of her belongings are in the room. Nothing has been disturbed,’’ she replied with certainty. ‘‘If she’d been running off to marry some salesman, she surely would have taken her clothes and other belongings. Why, she just bought a new pair of gloves,’’ Bella added as though that should sum up the speculation and assure them Ruth had been taken against her will.

  ‘‘I don’t want to be an alarmist, Matthew, but if Ruth has actually been kidnapped, it’s not safe for any of us to be out and about at night,’’ Lilly said.

  ‘‘If you can manage to encourage the girls to travel in groups without causing undue alarm, it would be wise,’’ Matthew said to Miss Addie. ‘‘You might want to pass that instruction on to the other keepers, as well.’’

  Bella wasn’t certain if Mr. Cheever’s words brought a sense of satisfaction or dread. Perhaps it was a strange mixture of both, for a tight knot had now formed in her stomach, and her mouth was curiously dry as she attempted to speak. ‘‘So you do think Ruth was abducted.’’

  Matthew gave a one-shouldered shrug and raised his eyebrows. ‘‘I’m not certain. But it makes sense to take simple precautions, don’t you think?’’

  ‘‘Yes,’’ the three women replied in unison.

  ‘‘I do believe we should return home,’’ Addie said, obviously taking her cue from Matthew, who was fidgeting with his pocket watch.

  ‘‘I was just planning to leave, myself. Permit me to take you in the carriage,’’ Matthew insisted as he leaned down to place a kiss on his wife’s cheek.

  They journeyed in silence, each of them wrapped in disquieting thoughts, until the carriage drew to a halt in front of the boardinghouse. ‘‘I plan to stop by the police station on my way home,’’ Matthew assured Miss Addie as he held out a hand to assist her.

  ‘‘Thank you, Matthew.’’

  ‘‘Should any news of Ruth surface, please let me know. I’ll do the same,’’ Matthew said before bidding them good-night.

  ‘‘Any news?’’ Daughtie inquired as they stepped inside the house.

  ‘‘No, I’m afraid not. Mr. Cheever is going to talk with the police, though. Perhaps they’ll agree to help,’’ Miss Addie replied. ‘‘Bella, I’d like to visit with you a moment in my parlor before you retire for the night.’’

  Bella followed Miss Addie and seated herself. ‘‘What is it, Miss Addie?’’

  ‘‘I’m probably acting like a foolish old woman, but all this talk of the missing girls has caused me additional worry about John. He said he wasn’t feeling well in his last missive, and it’s been longer than I expected between letters. I know he’s probably fine and my concerns are likely unnecessary,’’ she confided.

  Bella took Miss Addie’s hand. She wanted to comfort her, yet she respected the older woman too much to spout platitudes. ‘‘How may I help?’’

  ‘‘I’m going to pen a note to Taylor and ask if he’s heard from John. I was hoping you would deliver it for me,’’ she said. ‘‘Of course, you mustn’t go alone—but I want your companions to be discreet.’’

  Bella swallowed hard before answering. ‘‘I’m sure there are any number of girls who would be pleased to deliver your note to Taylor. Why don’t I ask one of them?’’

  Miss Addie wagged her head back and forth. ‘‘No. I don’t want all the girls chattering about my personal business. I know you wouldn’t breach my confidence. I can’t be sure about the other girls. I’m worried, Bella. Won’t you do this small thing for me?’’

  Bella’s lips formed a tight line. ‘‘You know I would do almost anything for you, Miss Addie. However, I must refuse this request. I can’t deliver your note.’’ Her shoulders drooped. She couldn’t meet Miss Addie’s gaze.

  ‘‘Something has happened between the two of you, hasn’t it?’’ Miss Addie asked, placing the palm of her hand under Bella’s chin and lifting her head until their eyes met.

  ‘‘Yes.’’ Her voice was a hoarse whisper.

  ‘‘Tell me, child.’’

  ‘‘You remember we went on a picnic?’’

  ‘‘Yes, of course,’’ Miss Addie replied, her eyes filled with concern.

  ‘‘Taylor’s behavior was less than gentlemanly. He kissed me and then laughed, saying I’d fallen prey to his charms. I was so angered by his behavior that I ran from him and walked home alone, and I haven’t seen him since. If I go and deliver your note, he’s sure to think it’s merely a ploy so that I can see him.’’

  Miss Addie’s face had gone ashen. She appeared horror-struck by the revelation. ‘‘I do believe that young man needs to be taken down a peg or two. Don’t you give the delivery of my note another thought! I believe I’ll pay our young Mr. Manning a visit tomorrow evening.’’

  CHAPTER 27

  William Thurston hunkered down in a rickety chair near the rear of Neil’s Pub. His gaze remained fixed on the door as he hoisted a tankard aloft. The barkeep nodded and sent a buxom waitress in his direction. The woman leaned forward in order to reveal a bit more of her bosom and gave Thurston an exaggerated wink. She shoved a full tankard in front of him. ‘‘See anything else you’d like?’’

  ‘‘No. Get out of the way. I can’t see the door.’’

  She leveled a steely glare at him before walking away. He knew she was intentionally obstructing his view of the entrance as she undulated her hips in suggestive movements and sauntered back to the bar. William Thurston knew her type. She wanted him to lose his temper and create a scene, some sort of confrontation that would make her the center of attention. But he wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. Instead, he took a drink of his ale and silently seethed.

  Jake Wilson and Rafe Walton walked into the pub a few minutes later. They stopped and picked up their drinks before joining William at his table. Jake had already downed half of the dark, stout ale before seating himself.

  Rafe pulled a chair away from the tabl
e and seated himself. ‘‘Your message sounded urgent.’’

  Thurston kept his gaze fixed on Rafe as he leaned forward and rested his arms on the pockmarked wooden table. ‘‘Is everything arranged?’’

  Rafe nodded. ‘‘Just as you instructed. Is there a problem?’’

  ‘‘No. I merely wanted affirmation. Let’s go over the plan one last time,’’ Thurston insisted. ‘‘I worry about him,’’ he continued while pointing his extended thumb toward Jake.

  ‘‘No need. He’ll do as he’s told. Come this evening, the Yanks’ll be storming the church, all of ’em hoping to walk away with gold lining their pockets or at the very least enough dead Irishmen to assure themselves jobs.’’

  Thurston rubbed his hands together. ‘‘This is going to be delightful. If this ruckus doesn’t make the Associates take a long, hard look at Kirk Boott and his inability to manage the Irish, nothing will,’’ he said before emitting a malicious laugh. He glanced to his left, where an old Irishman sat staring out the dingy window and nursing a half-empty mug of ale. ‘‘Lowell will be better off without the likes of him,’’ Thurston said as he pointed to the old man.

  Pushing away from the table, Rafe looked at William. ‘‘Are we through?’’

  ‘‘As far as I’m concerned, we’re through,’’ Thurston replied. He stood up and edged his way between the tables, the other two men following close behind. Thurston turned toward the two men once they were outside the pub. ‘‘I expect you to be merciless. Destroy that church if you must! Do you understand me?’’

  ‘‘Yeah. Now quit your worrying. Everything will go as planned,’’ Rafe replied.

  Thurston nodded, turned, and walked off. ‘‘It better,’’ he muttered when he was out of earshot.

  Liam cleaned and packed his tools into his old wooden toolbox. He’d worked later than usual, but there was no reason to hurry. The Flynns were in Boston for a funeral and wouldn’t return until tomorrow. He decided to eat supper at the pub, drink a mug of ale or two, and have a quiet evening at home. He examined the stones he’d laid in the form of a cross only a short time ago and gave a quick nod of satisfaction. The pattern had turned out better than he’d expected.