CHAPTER
5

Their first Sunday in San Francisco, Camri insisted they attend Caleb’s church. She explained to Judith and Kenzie that they might find someone there who could give them clues about Caleb’s disappearance. After that, if they desired to attend a different church of their choosing, she would completely understand.

The day was rainy and cold, but the girls made the short walk nonetheless. The miserable weather made them grateful for the warmth of the sanctuary, despite the curious looks of the congregation. Camri enjoyed singing hymns and listening to Pastor Fisher speak on Christ’s birth. Prophecies from the Old Testament were the focus of his sermon. He stressed to the congregation the anticipation that the Jewish people would have felt, looking for their Messiah to come. They had watched and waited for years—centuries—and still nothing.

“But the Messiah didn’t come to them as they thought He would. They expected a fierce king to come and set them free—to bring them success and prosperity—to set all that was wrong right again. They were watching, even searching, but they weren’t looking in the right place.”

His message about their hopes and desires struck a chord with Camri, especially Pastor Fisher’s comment about the Jewish people not looking in the right place. Where was the right place to look for Caleb?

The sermon continued with the pastor sharing verses from Isaiah and other Old Testament books that gave insight as to where Jesus would be born. Camri glanced at Judith and Kenzie. Though they had come into her life unexpectedly, Camri already felt as if they had all been friends for a very long time. Still, she couldn’t help but remember the last time she’d visited this church, when Caleb had been at her side instead. His absence at the house and now here at church left a desperate emptiness within her.

Camri tried to keep her thoughts on the spirit of the holiday to come. She didn’t want her situation to cause Judith and Kenzie to think her less than joyful for God’s blessings. She glanced up, determined to pay closer attention to the sermon, when the room began to shake.

Kenzie gasped, and Judith reached to take hold of the pew in front of them. This was nothing like the little tremor they’d felt before. This was a noticeable earthquake.

Pastor Fisher held fast to the pulpit and waited until the shaking stopped. He smiled down at the congregation. “As Luke tells us in the twenty-first chapter, ‘And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.’ But we needn’t be afraid. These things must happen, and though the very foundations be shaken . . . we will not be moved, for we are the children of God, and He will watch over us with tender care.”

The people around her began to relax, and even Camri eased back in her seat and drew a calming breath. Her foundations had been shaken in so many ways, but God had brought her here amidst the quakes and tremors. He wouldn’t leave her orphaned. Just as He wouldn’t leave Caleb alone in his plight.

After the sermon, Camri made her way to where Pastor Fisher and his wife greeted their flock. “I don’t know if you remember me,” she said to him, “but I’m Caleb Coulter’s sister.”

“I do remember you,” Pastor Fisher replied. “When I saw you in the congregation, I thought perhaps Caleb had returned.” He clasped her hand. “Quite the welcome you had.”

Camri nodded. “I’ve heard about earthquakes, but I’ve never experienced anything like that.”

Judith and Kenzie came to stand beside her. Camri made the introductions. “This is Miss Judith Gladstone and Miss Kenzie Gifford. We came to town together, and they’re staying with me at Caleb’s house.” She waited until the parties had exchanged pleasantries before continuing. “You mentioned thinking Caleb had returned. Do you have any idea where he’s gone?”

The pastor shook his head. “No, but my son Micah was under the impression he had family business. Let me call him over.” He looked around a moment. “Micah!”

A handsome dark-haired young man looked up from a circle of young women. He smiled and nodded at his father’s motion to join them. Camri watched as he excused himself and made his way to where they stood.

“I don’t know if you had a chance to meet our youngest son, Micah, when you were here before,” the pastor said to Camri.

She smiled. Micah’s piercing blue eyes held her gaze. “No, but Caleb wrote of their friendship.” She extended her gloved hand. “I’m Caleb Coulter’s sister, Camrianne.”

“I’ve heard a great deal about you,” he replied, taking her hand. “Caleb is a good friend.”

“These are my friends.” Camri introduced them, not missing the particular way Micah looked at Kenzie. It seemed the redhead had caught his notice. Kenzie, however, had no interest whatsoever in him and quickly looked away.

“You all look to have survived the quake,” he said, grinning. “Just San Francisco’s way of welcoming you.”

“Micah was most likely away at school last year when you visited,” Pastor Fisher explained. “He went back east to study surgery. Now he’s returned to us and is working with a group of doctors here in the city. They specialize in helping the poor.”

“An admirable position.” Camri pulled back her hand. “We’ve been looking for some clue that will help us find Caleb. Your father says you believe him to be away on family business. Why did you assume that?”

“I didn’t assume anything. Caleb’s employer told me.”

Camri fought to keep her expression fixed. “Mr. Ambrewster told you he was away on family business?”

“Yes. Caleb failed to join me for our regular Friday night dinner. I thought perhaps he’d had to work late and simply forgotten to call, but when he didn’t show up to church on Sunday, I knew something was wrong. I went to his office and spoke with Ambrewster, who told me Caleb had some pressing family matter and had left the city. He had no idea when he would return. I asked where I could reach Caleb, but Ambrewster told me he didn’t know. I’m sorry to say I’ve been so busy with my cases that I haven’t had a chance to try to contact Caleb. I suppose I presumed he would soon return to the city.”

“That is very strange. There was no family matter for Caleb to see to, and I’m not at all sure why Mr. Ambrewster would say such a thing. When I spoke with Mr. Ambrewster the other evening, he told me he had no idea where Caleb had gone. He thought perhaps he had eloped.”

“Eloped?” Micah replied. “Caleb was seeing no one special, certainly no one with whom he’d elope.”

“Mr. Ambrewster said he was quite taken with the sister of a man called Patrick Murdock.”

“Yes, Murdock has a sister. Her name is Ophelia, and Caleb knew her well, but I assure you that any feelings were all on the side of Miss Murdock. Caleb represented her brother when he was falsely accused of murder, and Miss Murdock saw him as a heroic prince rescuing him from certain death.” Micah smiled. “There was nothing more to it. Caleb was kind to her—even helpful while Murdock was in jail—but I assure you he wasn’t in love.”

“Still, I would like to talk to her. Do you have her address?”

Micah shook his head. “No, but I believe I can get it for you. One of the doctors I work with is her physician.”

“Thank you, I’d be grateful.”

“Miss Coulter, it would be our honor to have you and your friends share lunch with us,” Mrs. Fisher interjected. “It would be nice to hear of your journey.”

“That’s very kind, Mrs. Fisher.”

“It’s our pleasure,” Pastor Fisher declared. “Let us finish saying good-bye to our friends here, and then we can walk over to the house.”

Camri knew the parsonage was just behind the church and nodded. “Is that all right with you two?” she asked Kenzie and Judith as the pastor and his family moved away to speak to others.

“I’d prefer to return home, if you don’t mind,” Kenzie replied. “I can get there myself, so you don’t need to give up your afternoon.” She didn’t wait for Camri or Judith’s response, heading across the sanctuary without another word.

Camri looked at Judith. “How about you?”

“I’m more than happy to come,” Judith replied. She lowered her voice to a whisper. “Luncheon with a handsome man is always preferable to my own company.”

Camri smiled in spite of herself. “He is rather dashing, but I’m much more attracted to the fact that he was Caleb’s good friend. Hopefully he’ll think of something that will help our search.”

Patrick Murdock sat across their tiny table from his sister, Ophelia. He was a tall, broad-shouldered Irishman whose quick wit could match any man’s. In his younger years he’d been known to fight for money, but the appeal of that had faded with each passing year and new responsibility. And now that their father was dead, there were plenty of responsibilities.

“You’re for sure gonna waste away if ye don’t eat,” Ophelia admonished.

He looked up and smiled. “And do I really look as if that’s possible?”

She smiled. “I suppose not.” She got up and went to the cupboard. “I’ll be needin’ more brandy for the Christmas pudding.” She opened a bottle and poured the last few drops of its contents on a rounded bag where the pudding was keeping and curing for its unveiling at Christmas dinner.

In years gone by, Patrick had watched their mother do the same. Ophelia had copied her recipe and upheld the tradition in the nine years since their mother’s passing.

“I’ll see if I can’t find ye a bottle,” Patrick said, getting up from the table. “My thanks for the stew. It was hot and fillin’ and all that a man could want from a meal.” He could have eaten at least three more bowls, had there been any stew left. Their meager meals were necessary, however, due to his limited pay. Some days they had little more than oatmeal and soda bread purchased from his landlady.

Since losing the construction business his father had started, Patrick had done well just to keep a roof over their heads. Had Ophelia not hidden his tools when the creditors came, Patrick wouldn’t even be able to complete the occasional odd job. Jobs doing what he knew and loved were now refused him. Construction jobs of any kind were only had with the approval of the powerful men who ran the city. They dictated who could work and who couldn’t. Patrick had been lucky to pick up work here and there with friends since the conclusion of the trial. He was even luckier that Caleb Coulter had been able to save him from being branded a murderer.

“I’m gonna lie down for a spell,” Ophelia said, coming to him. She stretched up on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. “Ye’d do well to take a bit of a rest yourself.”

“Now, don’t go worryin’ for me.” He smiled and kissed the top of her reddish-blond head. “I’m perfectly capable of seein’ to myself.”

She nodded. “Aye, that’s true enough.” She coughed and pulled her shawl a little tighter around her thin body.

Patrick watched her walk away. She went to the bedroom and closed the door, leaving him to wonder how much longer she’d be with him. She had the same consumptive disease that had taken their mother nine years earlier. Perhaps she’d even caught it from Ma.

He tried not to think about how life would be once Ophelia was gone. She was the last of his family. Oh, there were some aunts and uncles in Ireland along with their children, but no one Patrick knew all that well. His parents had married and moved to America the year before Patrick was born. He’d never even met his father and mother’s siblings.

Settling into a wooden chair by the stove, Patrick frowned. Since Caleb Coulter had disappeared, Patrick hadn’t had a moment without worry. His fear was that Caleb’s disappearance was his fault. His friend had agitated the entire city on Patrick’s behalf.

He might still be here if not for me.

It tormented Patrick day and night. Was Caleb dead? If not, then where was he? Had he been shanghaied and forced from the country? Everyone knew sailors and no-name men were drugged and forced to work as slave labor on ships bound for the Orient. Those ships were gone for months, even years, and the men were seldom heard from again. If that had been Caleb’s fate, how would Patrick ever be able to prove it—to settle whether Caleb was dead or alive?

No matter how Patrick considered it, Caleb’s ongoing absence only made the situation more desperate. He owed his life to this man, and yet he seemed unable to do anything to help him.

There has to be a way. I have to find him—even if he’s dead. I have to find him.