“Thank the Lord, you found them!” Lilly threw open her front door and pulled everyone inside. “I have tea ready for you.”
Kate glanced around her grandmother’s home. Not as lavish as the Martin house but still very upscale. The Woods lived on the Upper East Side, too, a few streets down and a couple more blocks from Central Park. There was a friendly, welcoming vibe coming from the home, and Kate felt like she belonged. “Grandmother, your home is lovely.”
“Thank you, dear. I never thought you’d get to see it. Now come, and sit down. I’m sure you had quite a day.”
“Yes, we have, and I’m sorry we can’t stay long. We have to get back to the Martin’s to pack and say our good-byes.” Kate knew it would only be a matter of time before someone came looking for them.
Lilly seemed taken aback by the comment but said nothing.
“Dad’s coming with us, too. Right?” She gave him a “trust me” look. “For protection, you could say. We definitely want to leave tomorrow.”
“Yes, Mother. She’s absolutely right. Could I use the car? Your driver can pick it up tomorrow at the station.”
“Absolutely. I just want the three of you to have a safe journey.” Lilly dabbed her eyes with the linen napkin from her lap. “I just thought I’d have you a little longer to myself.”
Guilt crept over Kate. “Oh, Grandmother, don’t cry. You’re going to make me cry. I love you so much. Always remember that.”
“And the same for me. I love you more.”
Kate got up and went over to the person she felt had her back now more than ever. She knew Lilly kept the secret of Nicolas’ threat against her father and was grateful. They hugged and kissed and cried, and then Lilly whispered in her granddaughter’s ear. “Don’t forget. Go to New York City...Woods and Associates...as soon as possible when you get home.”
Lilly then turned to her son. “I’ll be waiting for this year’s pictures from the wedding. Don’t forget to put them in the mail. Always love seeing a postmark from the Grand Canyon.” There were more hugs and then final good-byes.
Drew was silent throughout the visit except for his usual polite greeting and good-bye. Now sitting in the car, he flipped around in his seat and glared at Kate. “We’re not going back there. Jack will become a prisoner, too, until we finally give in and stay.”
“Calm down. We’re not going back there. Dad, drive to Grand Central Station. We’re boarding the train tonight.”
“The Pullman! I forgot all about it.” Kate’s dad hit his head like he made a discovery. “Thank goodness you ordered that car, Andrew.” He patted him on the arm.
“We have somewhere to stay tonight, everyone.” Kate sat back and smiled, feeling proud. “If they come looking for us at Lilly’s she’ll truthfully be able to say she doesn’t know where we are if we’re not at the Martin’s. Andrew can make the arrangements to have the car attached to the train leaving tomorrow, and we’re out of here.”
A relaxed smile returned to Drew’s face. “That’s a great plan. My father may place men at the entrance, but even he wouldn’t figure out we’re already on the train. He doesn’t know about the Pullman and that we could already board. He’ll think we’re hiding out until tomorrow. When we don’t show up, they’ll think we delayed a day to fool them. Kate, you’re a genius.”
“Thanks.” Kate knew she and Drew had to discuss all that happened during the trip, but she could wait until they were safely on the train. She learned so much about Drew’s family her heart ached for him, but she was still filled with mixed emotions. Some were good. His mother was sweet and wanted the best for everyone. He had the most wonderful brother and sister that he’d never see grow up. On the other hand, Drew would always do battle with his father, or he’d have to finally give in if his life continued in New York City. Kate was convinced the latter would win out.
The most frightful discovery was that Drew’s father didn’t just have connections to the mob—he was the mob boss. He ordered her father’s death if he got too close to the truth. Kate shuddered and buried that conversation deep inside. It would always be a dark secret she’d keep hidden from both her father and Drew.
Her dad pulled up in front of the station, letting them out. “Drew, go ahead and make the arrangements. I’ll take care of the car.”
Drew took Kate’s hand and helped her from the car. He appeared back to normal and looked more like his young, handsome self than the brooding man she came to know over the last few days.
As they entered the building, Kate decided to wait for her father by the entrance and told Drew to go on without her. Choosing a bench near the door, keeping Drew in her sights, she sat down. The place was bustling with activity and she soon lost track of him.
Suddenly every man in a suit was her enemy and when one reached in his pocket, she gasped. He surely was pulling out a weapon and would slide in next to her on the bench, holding her hostage until her father and Drew showed up. Only this man was not the enemy. He was reaching for a cigarette. Kate exhaled. I’ve got to stop doing this to myself, or this will be the longest day of my life.
A voice interrupted her thoughts. Kate jumped at the sound of it. “Kathryn? Or is it Kate as I’ve been told to call you?” She locked eyes with an unfamiliar man standing before her. His smile was friendly, but she didn’t know him.
“You probably don’t remember me from the wedding. Drew’s roommate, Kenneth.” He stuck out his hand in greeting. “I stayed out in Arizona as you and Drew suggested. Just got in today. Fancy meeting you here.”
“Kenneth, yes, I remember.” Kate lied and shook his hand. She didn’t recall a roommate being present at the wedding, although some of the wedding still went by in a blur. She tried to remember more details this time, but it was still foggy. Keeping her hands folded neatly in her lap to stop them from shaking, all she could do was wish for Drew or her father to appear.
“Kenneth, you took our advice and stayed out west. I hope you don’t get demerits at school for that.” Drew’s voice was a welcome relief. Kenneth was at the wedding.
“Not as many as you have, Andrew, my boy.” Kenneth shook his hand. “Are you two just arriving?”
“No, heading out again after visiting my parents. I’m seeing Kate off to Ohio. I’ll see you back at school in a day or two after I spend a few more days with the family.” Andrew was so believable she felt she really was being sent back to Ohio alone. “Kate, I think your train’s boarding.”
“Nice to see you again, Kenneth.” Kate rose from the bench and took the hand he extended.
“A pleasure.” Kenneth bowed and kissed her hand.
“Don’t let those manners classes go to your head.” Drew teased him. “That doesn’t impress my wife.”
The couple laughed and waved, pushing through the sea of people, pretending to head for the boarding platform.
“One more encounter like that and I’ll have a heart attack.” Kate brushed her hair back and pulled on Anna’s black hat. “I’m going incognito from now on.”
Making their way back to the entrance, they found her dad waiting on a bench, hat in hand.
“You two sure know how to cause trouble,” he laughed. “I saw that young man from your school approach Kate and knew what she was thinking. Good job.” He reached out for a hug from his daughter, but she shook her head. “Oh, right. Forgot. I don’t really know you that well. Not quite the time or place, is it?” Her father rubbed his hands together as if that was his intention all along. “Kate, I’m glad you remembered him from the wedding.”
“I didn’t! Did you?”
“Yes, I met him and had a long conversation. We talked about Drew’s love of the canyon and how I first met him.”
“Sorry to interrupt, but the Pullman’s ready to board.” Drew said. “Arrangements were made to put it in place tomorrow morning. The porter’s living on the car, waiting for our arrival.”
The trio made their way through the station, finding the Pullman on its special holding track. Kate’s heart jumped as she spotted the familiar green car that would take them away from this nightmare. Climbing the short flight of steps into the car, Kate was surprised by what she saw. “Our luggage?”
The porter appeared and tipped his cap. “Afternoon, ma’am, those just arrived. I’ll be back to see if you need anything.” He disappeared down the stairs as Drew and her dad entered the cabin.
“Did I hear you say our luggage is here?” Drew sat down on the sofa, loosening his tie and taking off his jacket. “I don’t have to wear the same clothes for the next few days?”
“Don’t be so happy about that. Think. Isn’t this a sign they know we’re here?”
“Not necessarily. Maybe it was already arranged.” Kate’s dad sat down across from Drew.
Kate had her doubts but decided to open the suitcases and find some comfortable clothes. Digging through the pile, she pulled out some pale blue silk pajamas.
“Where did these come from? Must’ve gotten in here by mistake. They’re my size... or maybe belong to Maria. They feel so comfortable, I’m wearing them.”
As Kate slid her arm into the sleeve of the pajama top a piece of folded paper fell to the floor. “That’s odd.”
She bent over and picked it up. Not a price tag or receipt. Kate examined it closer. It was a pale blue color, like the pajamas, and appeared to be from a set of stationery. Slowly unfolding it, Kate was anxious to see what it was.
Written in the middle of the paper was only one sentence: Thank you for saving my son.
There was no signature, but Kate knew who’d written it. She recognized the beautiful flowing script of her mother-in-law. “Drew, come here.” Kate held out the note for him to see.
Drew took the paper from her hand. “She sent the luggage. She knew all along what you were doing. It’s her way of saying it’s okay. She understands.” Tears filled his eyes. They both walked over to the couch and sat down.
“I think you two need a minute. I’m going to get some fresh air.” Kate’s father left his seat and went down the stairs of the Pullman.
“Drew, how much did you know about your dad before the trip?” Kate waited until hers was out of sight before asking the question.
“I always suspected he had connections. That’s why I asked for his help to convince Albert to visit his mother on Christmas Eve. Lots of men visited the store office, but I always thought they were customers. I have to say I was surprised by all the guards at the house. I don’t remember that when I was growing up. I haven’t really been home in the last few years except for short visits. I always headed to the canyon in the summer since I was fifteen.” His sentences came out one jumbled thought after another. “How could I be so blind?”
“You love him. He’s your father.”
“One that wants to control my life.”
“True, but how long would that have lasted?”
“I don’t know. He was doing a pretty good job without me realizing it. I was neglecting you and letting you be held prisoner in my home. I didn’t even know. I feel awful about that.” Drew covered his face with his hands.
“You would’ve come to your senses.” Kate rubbed his shoulder.
“Only because of you. You made me see the light.”
“You couldn’t have stayed away from the canyon. One day we would have gotten back there, probably lived in the cabin.” Kate hoped that was true. She was the only one with information on how far Nicolas would go to get what he wanted. She could’ve been next on his list if she kept up the resistance. Would she have given in and lived there to keep the peace? She involuntarily shuddered.
“Are you okay?” Drew faced her and placed his arm around her.
Kate decided she couldn’t keep her adventure entirely to herself. She had to share some of it with him. “Did you ever go into the offices on the second floor?”
“Once in awhile but it was discouraged. We weren’t supposed to interrupt Father when he was conducting business.”
“Oh, he conducts business alright,” Kate scoffed.
“What does that mean?”
“I was exploring, waiting for you the first night we were there. I was in the office area when Albert was brought in to talk to your father.”
“You went in there! Did they see you?”
“No, I hid in the conference room. I heard them threaten Albert. It was awful. I think he was punched in the stomach by someone named Rudy.”
Drew sat quietly, rubbing his forehead. “That isn’t what I had in mind when I asked Father to talk to Albert. I hope you know that.”
“Of course, I do! You had no idea he was capable of beating someone up and threatening children.”
“Wait...what? You mean he threatened Albert’s sons?”
“Yes.” Kate hung her head. She needed to end it, or she’d continue with the story, unable to stop. “I’m afraid your father’s in charge. You know, the boss.”
Drew looked stunned as if it was the very first time he heard the news. He took the letter from his mother and held it to his heart. “She knew...she knows...and is doing the best for the family.”
“She also knows you’re free from that life. Think how happy she is right now.”
“Just for a few weeks until they get the news of my untimely death.”
“She’s very tough, resilient. She’ll be happy you got away and enjoyed those last few weeks of your life.”
“Yes, she would.” Drew nodded and leaned back into the sofa. He closed his eyes. “I finally feel at peace. Looking back on this, it was a stressful week. I love you, Kate. If I hadn’t found you...”
“Shhh.” Kate put her finger on his lips. “Just rest. It’s been a big day.”
* * * *
Drew stood, machine gun in hand, holding it steady on Kate’s father.
“Please, Drew, he didn’t know. He was just trying to write a story. He accidentally found out about the shipments. The liquor distributions. The payoffs. He won’t tell!”
“Be quiet.” Drew’s eyes could barely be seen under the black fedora he wore. It was cocked a little to one side and pulled down, almost covering those beautiful green eyes. “You asked him to stop, but he wouldn’t. Now he has to be silenced.”
“He’s my father. You can’t be that cruel.”
“I’ve got my orders.”
“Orders? Is that what it comes down to? Your wife is begging for her father’s life, and you have your orders?” Kate could hardly look at the handsome man, wearing the same suit he wore at her eighteenth birthday. She remembered thinking that day all he needed was a machine gun to finish the look. And now he had one.
Drew raised the gun and placed it at her father’s temple. “Just one shot should do it. Kathryn, you need to leave.”
“No!”
“Rudy, take her to my bedroom, lock the door and stand guard.”
Kate struggled as she was led away. When the door shut behind her, she thought she heard a gunshot.
“No!” Kate sat straight up and looked over at a sleeping Drew. His face was so innocent, so calm. She hoped she hadn’t wakened him.
“Everything okay?” Her dad ran up the Pullman’s steps.
“A dream, that’s all.” Kate wanted to say a nightmare but stopped. “What time is it, Dad? We must have dozed off.”
“Close to dinner. The porter will be here soon. I think we need a good night’s sleep, something I’m sure you haven’t had in awhile.” He touched his daughter’s cheek. “You shouldn’t have gone through this. I blame myself. I promised to never put you in danger again.”
“Dad...”
“No, I knew how bad it was. I knew what Nicolas really was and how he made his money. I let finding my brother blind me to everything else. You almost paid the price...again.”
“We’ll never go back there...ever. Promise you won’t either.”
“If it gives you peace of mind, I promise.”
“This time of year is off limits, right?”
“How many times do you want him to promise?” Drew sat up, laughing. “Did I hear someone mention food? I’m starving.”
Drew put his arm around Kate and pulled her close as if she needed protection. She didn’t want him or her father coddling her. She could take care of herself. She hoped he realized she’d never tell her father what happened to Albert. She wanted to protect him. Nothing good could come from her dad knowing the truth.
“Dinner is served.” The porter seemed to magically appear, placing a large tray on the dining table.
“Thank you.” Kate smiled at him, glad to see a friendly face.
Drew and her father joined her at the table. Tension seemed to dissipate as the family enjoyed the meal in blissful silence. Wine was poured, and glasses refilled as they finished the meal and headed over to the couches.
Kate looked at the two most important men in her life. This was the first time she was really angry with Drew, feeling lonely and scared even though they were together. The lessons learned on the trip would help them in the future. Make them stronger as a couple. Little did Nicolas realize he helped solidify their bond. Kate had always viewed her relationship as perfect. Now she learned that wasn’t the case. It’s not humanly possible to live that way. Mistakes will be made. The emotional wall she put up in New York was slowly coming down.
Watching her father as he poured more wine into his glass, Kate was silently grateful he was on the train where she could keep an eye on him. Since his confession of wanting to be an investigative journalist, she knew he wouldn’t stop until he got the answers he needed. She wanted him to think he had them.
Kate’s dad held up his glass. “To my best friend and son-in-law, Andrew Martin. Someone who I trust with my life...and my daughter’s.” They all took a long drink from their glasses.
“Jack, there’s something I need to tell you.”
Kate could tell Drew’s guilt was rising inside him. He wanted to say he didn’t protect Kate as he should have. “We love you and are glad you were here to help,” she quickly interrupted. She didn’t want her father exploding into a rage over what happened at the Martin house. Things had finally calmed down, and she wanted to keep it that way. “Isn’t that right?” Kate smiled at Drew, begging him with her eyes to agree.
“No, Kate, it isn’t. Let me finish. I did a terrible job of taking care of her, Jack. You have every right to be angry.”
“In the end, you did the right thing. Am I correct about that?” He put his glass on the table. “That’s all that matters. You two are very young and had to make decisions no one at your age should have to. I think you did an admirable job. Now how about if we get some sleep? It’s been a long day.”
Kate was more than happy to oblige, even though it was her father telling her to go to bed. They settled in for a night at the train station, hoping for the best. So far, everything had gone as planned.
* * * *
A loud bang woke everyone in the early morning hours. Kate muffled a scream as her dad and Drew jumped out of bed. The sound was deafening, like it was right outside the door.
“It’s fine. They’re just hooking up to the train.” Drew grabbed his watch. “It’s seven a.m. so we still have three hours to wait. I’d say so far so good.”
Kate’s heart still pounded from being startled awake. She wrongly assumed it was a gunshot. Relieved to know it wasn’t, she watched out the window as the Pullman was coupled to the train headed for Chicago.
“Let’s keep busy, shall we?” Her father spoke up. “Get ready for the day, and then I’ll let the porter know we’re ready for breakfast. No one leaves the car except me.”
“I don’t think any of us should leave.” Kate didn’t want to let her dad out of her sight. “We’re attached to the train, so the porter should be on board.”
“True, so it shouldn’t be a problem. I’m just saying if the need arises, I’ll be the one to go.”
Kate nodded like she was in agreement, deciding to argue her case only if needed. She went to the closet and pulled out some clothes to wear for the day. Not really caring how she looked, she grabbed something, hoping they were matching pieces.
Please let this train leave on time. I want to go home. Kate was a little surprised by her admission because when she usually said home she thought of the canyon. But this time home meant Ohio.
After breakfast they passed the time talking about Anna, the funeral, the guests who came, Carl and Renae, anything but the time spent in New York. When the train finally began to move, the mood in the cabin changed. It was like a weight had lifted, everyone could breathe again.
Drew pulled his watch out from his pocket and looked at the time. “Ten o’clock on the dot. Good-bye New York. Hello Grand Canyon.”
Kate knew it would be a few days before she was really home, but the progress they made would sustain her until then. She wanted to take Drew’s words and change them to “Good-bye New York and Nicolas. Good luck. You’ll never find us, no matter how long you look or how far you travel.”