14

When Abrianna’s father didn’t come home that night, Wade took it upon himself the next morning to see what he could learn. He dressed in his work clothes, hoping that once the matter was resolved, he might head off to his duties. Abrianna was inconsolable.

“I just know they have locked him up somewhere without regard to his welfare,” she told him.

“Well, since the jail burned down and they’re using the armory to keep law and order, I would imagine he’s there with the other prisoners. Try not to fret. I’ll see to getting to the bottom of this. He’s bound to have bail set by now. Maybe they’ve even processed the matter for dealing with it quickly. I’ve heard that in some of these lesser cases, that’s the way it’s done.”

“Do get word to me as soon as possible,” she said as he finished loading his tools in the buckboard.

“I promise I will.” He turned before climbing up. “How about a kiss for luck?”

She frowned. “We neither one believe in luck, so kissing for it seems completely uncalled for. I would have expected—”

Wade drew her into his arms and kissed her into silence. “There,” he said and pulled away, “that was a kiss for love—and silence. I’ve got to go now.” He climbed up into the wagon. “I’ll send word.” He took up the reins and gave them a snap.

The road system was still in upheaval, although the city made a little more progress each day. The obstacles of debris were gone for the most part, although here and there they had been piled up for removal. The newspaper said that a good portion would be used to fill in and level up the low-lying parts of the city.

There was plenty of activity when Wade arrived at the armory. An increase in looting, pickpockets, and scam dealers kept the police force busy, despite over two hundred men having been added to the force. After looking at his pocket watch for the tenth time in as many minutes, Wade was relieved to hear his name called.

“I’m here to see about James Cunningham,” he told a uniformed officer who acted as clerk.

The man looked through a stack of papers. “I don’t see him here.”

“He was just brought in last night. He never came home, and we’re quite worried about him.”

The man nodded. “That would account for it. I haven’t yet received that information. I can have you taken to where we keep the new prisoners, and you can see if he’s there.” He motioned for an older officer. “Sergeant Clemont will take you to the new prisoner holding area.” He looked to the sergeant. “This man is seeking a James Cunningham. Know anything about him? He would have come in last night.”

“I weren’t here through the night. Just came on this morning.” The man’s gruff response made it clear that he thought this all a great annoyance. “But I’ll take him.”

He led the way past the front office and down a long corridor. The older man said nothing as he unlocked a door and ushered Wade inside. Two other officers were there guarding the prisoners.

“This fella is looking for a James Cunningham. Would’ve come in last night.”

The men exchanged a look. “That’s the troublemaker we have set out by himself. You can have five minutes, nothing more. And we’ll need to search you before you see him. He’s a dangerous one. They didn’t even set bail for him.”

Wade thought surely they had the wrong man, but he said nothing. Holding out his arms he submitted to the search, and when they found nothing amiss, he remained in place until they directed him where to go. He didn’t want to give them any reason to believe he was anything other than cooperative. From what Abrianna said of the men who’d come the night before, it very well might be that the entirety of Seattle’s police force were more than a little anxious.

One of the officers motioned Wade to follow. They moved past several rooms and finally came to a door. The man took out a set of keys and unlocked it. “I’ll be back for you in five minutes.”

Wade nodded.

The man opened the door and all but pushed Wade into the dimly lit room. He slammed the door behind him and relocked the door. “Five minutes. No more.”

The only light provided emanated from the narrow rectangular window over the door. “Jay, you here?” He waited for his eyes to adjust, then saw something stirring on the floor. It appeared to be a man.

He went closer to inspect. “Jay?”

“Wade?” The word came out muffled as if the man had cotton in his mouth.

“What’s happened to you?” Wade tried to help Jay to a sitting position, but the man let out a moan of pain, and he stopped. “Are you hurt?”

“They . . . they beat me bad, Wade.” He could barely speak. “Said . . . I wasn’t cooperating with . . . the officers. But . . . I swear I was.” He slumped against the wall.

Wade knelt beside him. “This is uncalled for. Just because you punched Greene in the eye, this doesn’t make sense.”

“They said they . . . were gonna . . . keep me for some . . . some other things, too. Wade, I ain’t done anything . . . else.”

“I know that, Jay. Look, I’ve only got a couple of minutes. They won’t give me longer. I’ll go right away and talk to Kolbein. I have a feeling you’re going to need a lawyer to get out of this.”

“Don’t . . . don’t tell Abrianna about . . . the . . . beatin’. She’ll . . . she’ll just worry.”

“I’ll not share the details with her, but she is already worried. When you didn’t come home last night, she insisted I find out where they’d taken you. I don’t think any of us expected to find you like this.”

“I know. Me either.”

Wade reached out and gently touched the older man’s shoulder. “Why don’t we pray?”

“I’d like that. Been . . . been doing just that.”

Wade bowed his head. “Father, we don’t know why this has happened or how your purpose will be served, but we put our trust in you and ask for guidance. Help us to know the direction we’re to take and help Jay to heal from his wounds. Amen.”

“Amen.”

As if the guard had been listening outside, the door opened. “Time’s up.”

Wade rose, and as the light spilled across the room, he could see Jay’s battered face. The brutality had been fierce, and it was little wonder the man could barely speak. “I’ll take care of this, Jay. Even if I have to go see that Mr. Greene myself.”

He left the crumpled man and turned to the officer. “What are you holding him on?”

“Attempted murder,” the man said matter-of-factly.

“Attempted murder? Because he punched someone in the eye? That’s ridiculous. I demand to see your superior. Better yet, take me to the chief of police.”

The man looked at Wade and shrugged. “I’ll take you there, but don’t expect to be seen. The chief is a busy man and don’t brook interruption well, especially these days.”

“I don’t care. That man has been gravely injured and needs a doctor’s care.” Again the man shrugged but this time said nothing.

Wade was led back toward the front of the building where he’d entered and then directed to the office of the chief of police. A uniformed clerk looked up at Wade’s approach. “What is it you need?”

“I want to see the man in charge.”

“You have an appointment?” The man narrowed his eyes. “He doesn’t have time to see you if you aren’t here by appointment.”

“I don’t have an appointment, but he will see me.” Wade moved past the man’s desk and headed straight for the door. He opened it to find an older man behind a large mahogany desk.

“Who are you? What’s the meaning of this?” the man demanded.

“The name’s Ackerman. You have my . . . soon to be father-in-law, James Cunningham, locked up.”

The younger man followed behind Wade. “Sorry, sir. He just burst through. I told him he couldn’t come here.”

“Get back to work. I’ll take care of this,” The chief frowned. Fixing Wade with a hard look, the man rose. “I have a great many prisoners here. You need to see the clerk for posting bail.”

“I was told bail wasn’t set, as the man is being charged with attempted murder. Apparently your people believe him to be quite dangerous and beat him nearly to death. I demand you get a doctor to look him over—right away. I plan to go see a lawyer about it in the meanwhile. He’d better have had some medical attention by the time I get back.”

“You presume too much by ordering me around. Now get out of here before I have you arrested.”

Wade knew the threat was genuine and figured he’d be of no good to Jay if he got thrown in with the other prisoners. He left without another word and headed away from the armory. Kolbein had told him of his law office setting up business in one of the Denny Hill homes, but he couldn’t remember exactly where. The only thing he could do was make his way to the hospital. Kolbein said Lenore was to go home early and had hoped the doctor would release her today. With any luck at all Kolbein would be there.

However, on the way to the hospital, Wade realized that Greene’s real estate office was just one street over. He decided it wouldn’t hurt to take a moment to speak to the man. It was possible he could be reasoned with. Perhaps the entire thing had just gotten out of hand and the man exaggerated the seriousness of his encounter with Cunningham. No matter, Wade hoped to persuade him to see reason and drop the attempted murder charge. He turned the gelding to the east and made a right at the next corner. The office was just ahead.

Wade parked the wagon and made his way up to the small house. A sign encouraged clients to come in, so he did. Pausing just inside the door, Wade peered across a vestibule. In the room beyond, a rather rotund man sat behind a desk. When the man looked up Wade could clearly see his bruised and swollen eye. “Mr. Greene, I presume?”

“That’s right. How can I help you, young man?”

“I’m here to talk to you about James Cunningham.”

The man’s eyes narrowed. “I have no desire to speak to anyone but my lawyer on that matter. Who are you anyway?”

“Cunningham is soon to be my father-in-law.”

“Then that insufferable redhead is to be your wife.”

Wade narrowed his eyes. “I heard about the names you called Abrianna, and if you repeat them now, you’ll have more than a black eye to answer for it.”

“Are . . . are you threatening me?” the man sputtered. “I’ll have you arrested, as well.”

“As one gentleman to another, I only offer that as encouragement to conduct yourself in a more civilized manner. I’m here to ask why you’ve had Jay charged with attempted murder. You know full well the man made no such threat.”

“You weren’t here,” Greene replied. His manner suggested nervousness as he stacked and restacked the papers on his desk. “Nor do I see any reason to discuss the matter with you. My lawyer has the details of it, and I’m certain he will be more than happy to discuss it with Mr. Cunningham’s lawyer—if anyone will even represent such a vicious criminal. The man has murder in his past, and no doubt I barely escaped alive.”

Wade narrowed his eyes. “Who told you he had murder in his past?”

“That’s unimportant. Now, I demand you leave this office. I won’t have anything more to do with you.”

Wade stood in silence for a moment, fixing the man with a hard stare. He could see perspiration forming on the man’s brow. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe Mr. Cunningham’s lawyer will be more than happy to meet with your lawyer. Maybe he’ll even see fit to file some charges of his own for bearing false witness.”

The door opened to admit a tall, thin man. Mr. Greene got to his feet in an awkward manner. “Glad you’re back, Simpson. Usher this man out. He’s not to be readmitted, and take him out the back way. I have clients who will be here any moment.”

The older man looked at Greene and then to Wade. “Sir, if you will come this way.”

Wade decided it wouldn’t serve any good purpose to argue. He followed the man through the small house. “Mr. Greene lives here as well as works here?”

“I don’t see that it’s any of your business, but yes. I am his manservant.” The man took Wade into the kitchen and then to a side room where he opened the back door. “Good day.”

Wade stepped outside, noting that it had started to sprinkle. He stood for a moment on the back step of the house and wondered what he should do. Maybe it would be best if he left things in Kolbein’s hands. After all, Greene seemed to take offense at any mention of Abrianna or her father. There was no sense getting in the middle.

The rain grew heavier, and Wade decided to get over to the hospital and find Kolbein. He pulled up the collar of his coat, then snugged his cap down before heading across the tiny yard to where he’d left the horse and wagon out front. As he reached the edge of the lawn, a searing pain filled his head. Someone had struck him! Spots danced in front of his eyes as he fell to the ground, small pebbles digging into his palms. If he could just see his attacker. But the world spun around him, and his vision blurred. On his hands and knees, Wade thought of Abrianna and fought to keep consciousness. What was going on? He tried to blink and focus once again, but all he could see was a river of red mixing with the rain as it streamed through the rocks and dirt. The pain forced his body to convulse, and everything went black.

“But he should have come home by now,” Abrianna argued. “Even if he went straight to work after seeing my father, he would have come home for supper.”

“Perhaps there was an emergency in the city,” Aunt Poisie suggested. “Very often things happen that we cannot anticipate. Look at what happened with my dear Captain.”

“God rest his soul,” Aunt Selma murmured, looking up momentarily from her embroidery.

“Amen,” Poisie replied, hardly pausing for breath. “I certainly never thought when I waved good-bye to him on that fateful day that I would never see him again. There was no accounting for the storm that capsized his ship and took his life.”

“Poisie, I do not think your words are of a calming nature. Abrianna looks as though she is ready to set out in search of a shipwreck.”

“I can’t help but think something is terribly wrong.” Abrianna began to pace the room and tried to rationalize the situation. “He said he would go straightaway to the armory, where they are keeping the prisoners. He promised to talk to Kolbein, as well.” She snapped her fingers. “That’s it. Maybe he was kept overlong at Kolbein and Lenore’s, and they offered him supper.”

“That’s a possibility.” Aunt Selma gave a slight smile. “I wouldn’t fret, Abrianna. Wade is a well-respected man who is known for his caution. I’m sure it will just be a matter of time before he comes to tell us all the news.”

Hours passed and Abrianna couldn’t bear the thought that something might have happened to Wade. She begged Aunt Miriam to let her go in search of him, but all three of her aunts refused. Aunt Miriam even threatened to set up vigil outside Abrianna’s bedroom to keep her from sneaking off alone.

“Flora, he would have sent word.” Abrianna shook her head. “And it’s not so far that he wouldn’t have come home for the night.”

“Hold still. I can’t braid your hair with you bobbing your head about.”

Aunt Miriam had ordered them to bed, but Abrianna was not able to put her mind at peace. At the moment she was even calculating how difficult it might be to climb down the waterspout, given that everyone in the house had been ordered to keep watch on her.

With the ribbon finally secured to hold Abrianna’s braid in place, Flora stepped away. “There. Now you may shake your head and move it about.”

Abrianna got to her feet and went once more to the window. The carriage house remained dark. She bit her lower lip to keep from crying. It would serve her no good purpose to lose control now. “I fear this is my most arduous moment in life.” She toyed with the drapery and continued to stare into the darkness, as if wishing Wade there could make it happen. “I have never felt so completely helpless. I don’t like it at all.”

“My mama used to say that when things look like they could never get better, God always steps in with a plan. I think He probably has a plan, even for this,” Flora offered.

Abrianna let go the drape and turned to nod. “I know you are right and correct to remind me of God’s faithfulness. It’s just that this is increasingly hard to bear. Wade wouldn’t even be out there if not attending to business on my behalf. If something has happened to him, I will never be able to forgive myself.”

“You mustn’t fret so.” Flora took hold of Abrianna’s hand. “I know I’m not your dear friend like Mrs. Booth, but I try to imagine what she might say at a time like this. I believe she would encourage you to take your rest and put your fears in God’s hands.”

Abrianna appreciated the younger woman’s attempt to ease her mind. “You are a very dear friend, Flora Ledbetter. Much better than I deserve. Certainly such that I shouldn’t pose the request I’m about to pose.”

Flora looked at her oddly. “Which is what?”

“I’m wondering if you would help me climb out on the roof and down the waterspout.”

“I thought you’d never ask. Of course I will. Should we wait until everyone is asleep or go now?”

Abrianna smiled. “You are perfectly wonderful.” Abrianna went to the wardrobe and pulled out her old wool skirt. “This should suffice. I used to have a pair of boys’ britches, but Aunt Miriam threw them out when I wasn’t here to protest.”

Flora went to her trunk and took out an old skirt similar to Abrianna’s. Just then the door to the bedroom opened, and Aunt Miriam entered. She assessed the situation and shook her head.

“It’s just as I suspected. Abrianna, I believe you would rest easier tonight if you were to share my bed.” She crossed the room and took hold of Abrianna’s arm. “Leave the skirt. You’ll have no need of it. Flora, I will have this room checked on the hour, and if you aren’t in bed asleep, you will be expelled from the school.” She paused at the door with Abrianna at her side. “Do I make myself clear?”

Flora nodded and looked to Abrianna for suggestions. Abrianna shook her head. “Just go to bed. We have no choice in the matter.”