In Times Gone by

by Tracie Peterson

  The clerk smiled. “Of course.” He checked the boxes of keys. “It appears he’s here. I’ll send a boy to bring him down. Why don’t you have a seat over there?”

  Victoria looked at the plush sofa and chairs in the corner of the lobby. “Thank you. You are ever so helpful.”

  She took her seat, hoping Arthur would be quick about it. The last thing she wanted was to have to deal with her three jailers when she returned to the house.

  Within a matter of minutes, Arthur made his way down the stairs. He went to the front desk, and the clerk pointed him to Victoria even before she could call out his name.

  “I didn’t expect to have my sister come to see me,” he said, joining her.

  Victoria jumped up and hugged him. “Oh, brother dear, I’m so glad you were here.” She noticed the clerk smiling their way. “I need to know what you’ve found out for me.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

  Arthur nodded and waited until she’d positioned herself again on the sofa before he took the chair to her right. “You’re taking a big risk coming here.”

  “It can’t be helped. I must get away from those people. They have no intention of giving me my freedom, and I abhor them.”

  “Well, then you’ll be happy to know that Abraham Ruef is checking into what can be done.”

  He smiled, revealing perfect white teeth. Victoria thought him very handsome. He wouldn’t be a horrible choice for a husband, and he had spoken of establishing her in Kansas City. That reminded her of Caleb’s trip.

  “He can’t be quick enough. Mr. Coulter has gone to Kansas City and—”

  Arthur frowned. “Kansas City? Why?”

  She shrugged. “I think they’re trying to arrange a place to put me. They were all very hush-hush about it.”

  His expression turned into a scowl. “No doubt he’s up to no good. I’m afraid, however, it has more to do with me than you. It would seem we’re both running out of time. When did he leave?”

  “Yesterday. But why would his trip have anything to do with you?”

  “Because that’s where I live, you ninny.” His tone was impatient. “I should have known something like this might happen.”

  “Well, he’ll be gone for ten days—possibly longer,” she said, trying to ease his concern. “I still think it’s got more to do with me than you. They’ve been impossible to live with, and every time I do the slightest thing wrong, they threaten me.” It was a lie, of course, but she figured it might bring his attention back to her. “In fact, Judith slapped me the other night and told me she was going to put me away so that she could have all my money.”

  “Yes, well, power does corrupt,” Arthur murmured. “I wonder, do you know where the good doctor lives?”

  She raised her brows, hoping to look surprised. “Oh . . . oh, I do. He was at the house just before Caleb left. In fact, he’s been at the house quite a bit.”

  “No doubt,” Arthur growled. “Just tell me where I can reach him.”

  “He’s at the warehouse where we first met. Apparently he’s going to open a hospital there or something. I don’t know the details, but he’s definitely living there. I heard him discussing it and how he and that Irishman would take care of everything while Caleb was away.”

  “Good. Then I shall have to pay him a visit.”

  “But what about me?” She hadn’t meant to speak with such a whine, but she was sick and tired of everyone thinking more about their own problems than hers.

  “I’ll get word to you when Ruef is ready to meet with you.” He got to his feet. “Right now, I have other things to handle.” He took her arm and pulled her to her feet.

  Victoria noticed the clerk watching them and smiled. “Thank you. I’ll tell Mother that you’ll be in touch.”

  He frowned down at her, then seemed to understand. He bent and kissed her cheek. “Run along, now. Do you have fare for the ride home?” Victoria shook her head, and Arthur immediately turned to the clerk. “My sister needs a cab.”

  The clerk signaled the doorman, and Arthur walked Victoria outside, where the doorman had already hailed her ride. Arthur handed the driver money and gave him the address, then helped Victoria up into the carriage. “Good-bye, sister.”

  Victoria gave him a wave. “Good-bye, brother.”

  She sat back in the carriage and smiled, filled with elation. Mr. Ruef was already at work on her situation. She could imagine the looks on everyone’s faces when she told them that she was rid of them.

  “Oh, what a happy day that will be.”

  Micah hadn’t expected to receive an invitation from Arthur Morgan, much less to have it delivered at the warehouse.

  “It would seem I’ve been summoned,” he told Patrick. “Arthur Morgan has asked me to come to his hotel. Perhaps he intends to challenge me to a duel.” Micah couldn’t help but smile. “See for yourself.”

  Patrick looked at the invitation. “For sure that would be his kind of game. Are ye going to go?”

  “I suppose I will. I was going to go to Caleb’s house with you, but maybe I’ll go speak my piece with Mr. Morgan and then come over. It’ll depend on how long of a chat we need to have.”

  Patrick laughed. “I’m thinkin’ my evening will be much more pleasurable than yers.”

  Micah figured as much too, but there was no denying he was curious as to what Arthur wanted.

  The hotel seemed quite the gathering place that evening. Men and women dressed in their finery appeared to be trying to move on with their lives and forget that just beyond the doors, the city was still in disarray.

  Micah stopped at the front desk. “I’m Dr. Fisher. I’m supposed to meet Arthur Morgan. Can you tell me his room number?”

  “Of course, Dr. Fisher. Mr. Morgan said to send you up straightaway.” He gave Micah directions and sent him upstairs.

  When Micah reached the room, he wondered for a moment if it had been a mistake to come. The last thing he wanted was to get in a fist fight with Morgan. Perhaps he should suggest they go downstairs. There was a dining area off the lobby.

  The door opened, and Arthur Morgan nodded at him. “Thank you for coming. I wasn’t sure you would be willing.”

  “I must say it was a surprise.”

  “I’ve arranged a supper for us here. Won’t you come in?”

  “I didn’t come for supper.”

  Morgan paused and gave a slight shrug. “It’s of no concern to me, but I thought perhaps you’d enjoy it.” He continued toward the table. “The normal fare in San Francisco hasn’t been very appealing, according to what I’ve heard. You’ll find that I have only the very best.”

  Micah followed him into the large suite, wondering at Morgan’s game. He acted congenial enough, but Micah wasn’t about to let down his guard. Not while he was in Morgan’s hotel room—alone.

  “The food arrived only a moment before you did, so it should still be hot.” Morgan moved to his place at the table and motioned Micah to do the same. Morgan lifted the silver domes off each plate to reveal a thick steak, creamed peas with tiny pearl onions, and fried potatoes. In the middle of the table were rolls and butter. Micah couldn’t remember the last time he’d had butter or anything quite this grand.

  Micah took a seat and had to admit the aroma of the steak on his plate was mouth-watering. Morgan offered no prayer or even comment, but simply dug into the meal with great gusto. Micah prayed silently and picked up his fork and knife. What harm could come from enjoying a steak?

  The filet was tender and cut so easily that Micah almost didn’t need the knife. The piece melted in his mouth, and the flavor left him with a smile.

  “I pay extra to have food brought in daily. I had the most marvelous rack of lamb last evening,” Arthur said, smiling.

  Micah decided to enjoy a few more mouthfuls before pressing Morgan for the reason he’d invited him here. No sense in letting a perfectly good meal go uneaten.

  A man appeared moments later to pour additional wine into Morgan’s goblet. He glanc
ed at Micah’s untouched glass, then left as quickly as he’d come.

  “You don’t drink?”

  “No. Alcohol has never been to my liking, and besides, I never know when I’ll be called to help a patient.”

  “I see. That must put a damper on parties.”

  Micah shook his head. “I don’t attend many of those. As a doctor, I’m often busy with patients or exhausted from my day of work.”

  “I can imagine. It must be quite difficult right now. I heard that many of the hospitals were destroyed.”

  “They were, but we’re getting by. Good men managed to put ideas into action, and we’ve arranged new hospitals. Things aren’t quite back to normal, nor will they be for a while, but we’ve overcome the worst of it. In fact, I’m setting up a small hospital for the poor at Mr. Coulter’s warehouse where you first saw Kenzie.”

  “New hospitals. That must take a great deal of money.”

  “Yes. No doubt. New equipment must be purchased, and some of it is quite specialized.” Micah wiped his mouth on a fine linen napkin and placed it on the table. “But you didn’t ask me here to talk about hospitals. What is it you want from me, Mr. Morgan?”

  Morgan nodded. “I think you know. I want to marry Kenzie, and you are a complication.”

  Micah leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “I might say the same of you, but I don’t think you are much of a complication. Kenzie doesn’t love you. She loves me.”

  Morgan frowned. “I . . . well . . .” A forlorn expression came over his face. “You don’t understand. Kenzie was my whole world. I stood against my friends and family to have her in my life.”

  “And they connived so that your wedding was called off and Kenzie’s spirit crushed. I don’t think much of friends and family who would do that. I think even less of a man who would allow it to happen and do nothing to change the outcome.”

  “I was a fool. It never occurred to me that I couldn’t trust them. They’re my family.” Morgan took a long drink from his wine goblet. He held the glass and swirled the contents for a moment. “I would do anything to get her back.”

  “I don’t intend to let her go, if that’s why you’ve asked me here tonight.”

  “What if I made it worth your while?”

  Micah’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not for sale.”

  “Even if I were to build you your own hospital, complete with every possible piece of modern equipment? I could arrange for it to be named after you. I could speak with my father’s cousin, J. P. Morgan. With his help, we could make it the grandest hospital west of the Mississippi. If you truly care about treating the sick and injured, how could you refuse such an opportunity?”

  Micah could hardly believe what Morgan was suggesting. “Let me understand you. If I give up Kenzie, you’ll give me a hospital?”

  Morgan seemed to think Micah was actually considering the bribe. “Yes! You can see for yourself the opportunity. Imagine how much it would mean to the community. You would have the ability to help thousands, and it wouldn’t cost you a dime.”

  “It would cost me much more than a dime—it would cost me a lifetime of happiness. I love Kenzie and intend to marry her.” Micah got up from the table. “There is nothing you could offer me that would make me walk away from her as you did.”

  “But I never meant to.” Arthur Morgan hung his head. “I know you don’t care, but she’s the only woman I’ve ever really loved. The only one I will ever love.”

  Micah felt sorry for him. He appeared to be genuinely bereft. “I’m sorry you feel that way.”

  “At least you aren’t without compassion,” Morgan said, looking up. He gave a long breathy sigh. “I suppose there is nothing left for me to do but go home.”

  “That would be best,” Micah agreed. He certainly wasn’t going to suggest otherwise. “If you’ll excuse me now, I should be going. Thank you for the meal. It was delicious.”

  Morgan looked at him with the same lost expression. He nodded but said nothing, and Micah took that as his cue to leave.

  He made his way down the grand staircase, wondering if it would really be that simple. Would Morgan finally admit defeat and go back to Kansas City?

  “Dr. Fisher!” the clerk called to Micah just as he reached the front doors. Micah looked up and saw the clerk making his way across the lobby to him. “Dr. Fisher!”

  “What is it?”

  “A young woman was just here. She was looking for a doctor and thought perhaps we had one staying here. She said her mother is very ill. The situation is desperate.”

  Micah looked around the lobby. “Where is she?”

  “She just left, but she gave me the address.” He handed Micah a piece of paper. “It’s just down the street two blocks, then turn right. I’m sure if you hurry, you can catch up to her.”

  Micah nodded. “I’ll see what I can do.”

  He raced from the hotel, glancing around to see if the young woman was still in sight. The darkness made it difficult. A few of the gaslights had been restored, but not all of the streets had them.

  He picked up his pace and headed toward the address, though he wasn’t sure he could even help. He’d left his bag at the warehouse, certain he wouldn’t need it, so he would be limited on what he had available.

  The next street was his destination. He didn’t know the exact location of the patient, but figured as quickly as he’d followed, he might find the young woman just now reaching her door. He strained to see in the dark and finally spied a female figure.

  “Miss! I’m a doctor!” he called.

  She turned, but Micah didn’t know anything else. A heavy blow to the back of his head made him sway, and then blackness engulfed his vision and he fell to the ground.

  CHAPTER

  18

  Yes, sir,” a suit-clad man told Caleb, “Mr. Morgan plans great things. He’s arranged to buy up most of the area near the river in a little town about ten miles from here. Folks thought he was crazy, but recently plans were announced to incorporate that area into the city limits. Morgan is always one step ahead of everybody else. He’s going to have the largest locomotive shops west of the Mississippi. Not only to repair them, but build them.” The man shook his head. “He’ll make a fortune to add to the one he already has.”

  Having connected through friends, Caleb found the private investigator, John, to be a wealth of information. He reached into his wallet and pulled out several bills. “And you say he’s been having trouble with one individual?”

  “Yes. Joseph Gifford owns about eighty acres of prime real estate and won’t sell. Morgan considered just rearranging his plans and going around the old man’s property. He had people out there surveying the entire lay of the land, but it proved impossible to change his location without it costing twice as much. Gifford has remained a hold out, and it would seem no matter what Morgan offers him, he refuses to sell to him.” The investigator took Caleb’s money. “However, I’ve heard tell it won’t be a problem much longer.”

  Caleb cocked his head. “Why’s that?”

  John stuffed the bills in his pocket. “I’m not entirely sure. I just know from what’s being whispered about that Morgan believes he’s found a solution.”

  “I see.”

  And he did. Caleb believed Kenzie was at the center of that solution. If Morgan got his son married to Gifford’s daughter, no doubt he believed there would be a compromise. And if not willingly, then by making Kenzie miserable and forcing Gifford’s hand.

  “And what of his personal life?” Caleb asked. “Is Morgan stable? Does he manage his family well?”

  “From what I’ve seen, he rules them pretty much with an iron fist. They do his bidding or suffer the consequences. He has several children, some married, some not. All his boys are in the family business and answer to the old man.”

  “Do you know anything about their business dealings?”

  John shrugged. “A Morgan is a Morgan. They go after what they want and usually have little t
rouble getting it. They’re related to J. P. Morgan, you know, second cousins or something along those lines, and when they can’t get matters done on their own, they aren’t shy about seeking his help. I figure that’s how they plan to have this matter with Gifford taken care of.”

  Caleb hadn’t known about the connection with J. P. Morgan, probably the most powerful man in the United States. During the depression of the 1890s, he’d single-handedly saved the U.S. government from complete financial failure by putting up his own money. He had his hands in everything lucrative—steel, railroads, shipping, and anything else that tickled his fancy. If he truly were related to the Kansas City Morgans, they shouldn’t have any trouble at all in accomplishing what they wanted.

  “Let me know if you get any more information that you think I should know,” Caleb said. “I believe I’ll ride over to see where Mr. Morgan wants to set up his shops.”

  The investigator nodded. “I’ll keep on it.”

  “Thanks, John. Oh, and I appreciate the loan of your horse.”

  “You’ll be glad for him instead of my car. The roads are laid out well enough, but not always maintained, especially once you leave the city.”

  Caleb bid John farewell, then mounted the black gelding. It had been a while since he’d been on horseback. He nudged the animal into a trot and headed out to find Kenzie’s folks.

  Kansas City was hilly and packed with people. Everyone seemed to be anxious to be somewhere, and most appeared to be late. A few people were rude and intolerant of those around them, as was true of most large cities, but most were congenial. Unlike San Francisco, there was no ocean or even large open bay. The muddy Missouri River flowed along the northern edge of the city, offering river travel to the mighty Mississippi. The geographic position of Kansas City made it a nearly perfect center mark for the entire nation, and every major railroad had connections to the town. If Morgan could control even a part of that, he would not only make a fortune, he would control a vital part of the country’s transportation. It gave a clear motive to Morgan doing whatever he needed to do in order to get what he wanted.