15

Abrianna paced the room and went once again to the front room window. “I cannot bear all this waiting.” She looked for any sign of Wade. At breakfast she had gone to Lenore’s in hopes that Kolbein would still be home. He had already left, but Lenore sent the Booths’ gardener to find and instruct him to go at once to the school. Kolbein came promptly and commanded Abrianna to wait until his return, but that had been two hours ago, and now her patience had run out.

“I’m going to go to the jail myself,” she declared to her aunts. “And no one is going to stop me. I’m sorry, Aunt Miriam, but sometimes a lady has to take matters into her hands.”

“But you put Mr. Booth to work on the matter,” Aunt Poisie reminded. “It would hardly seem beneficial for you to leave and be at some unknown place when he returns.”

“But he should have already returned to let me know what was going on.” Abrianna shook her head and took up a shawl. “I will just walk down to the armory myself and demand answers.”

“You cannot do that, Abrianna,” Aunt Miriam said in her patient but stern manner. “The men down there are more of the sort you dealt with at the real estate office. Men in general are not going to do business with a lady. You must wait.”

A sigh escaped Abrianna. “It isn’t fair. What is the use of coming of age and having money if you can’t get anyone to do what you want them to do?”

“But you did,” Aunt Selma countered. “You hired Mr. Booth, and he is seeing to the matter. He has proven himself quite capable, despite having come from Chicago.” She looked at Poisie, who nodded in approval. Turning her glance back to Abrianna, she continued. “Now you must wait, and though that is most taxing to your patience, it is for the best.”

“But I can’t just stay here and do nothing.”

Liang appeared in the small parlor. “Mr. Booth, he come back.”

“Where?” Abrianna hurried to where the young girl stood. She pointed behind her in the hall. Abrianna could see the grim look on Kolbein’s face. “What is it? What’s happened to them?”

Kolbein pushed past Liang and took hold of Abrianna. “Come and sit down.”

“No. I don’t want to sit down.” Abrianna gripped his arm. “I’m about to lose all reason. Tell me.”

He pressed his lips tight and nodded. Nevertheless, he led Abrianna into the parlor. Nodding to the older women, Kolbein appeared most uncomfortable. Finally he spoke. “The news is quite grave, I’m afraid.”

“Is he . . . is Wade . . .” Abrianna couldn’t even say the words. The thought of him being dead was unthinkable.

“He’s alive but injured. Someone hit him over the head.”

“Take me to him,” Abrianna demanded. “I know you’ve been long away from Lenore, but I must insist. Take me to Wade, so I can assure myself he’s getting proper care.”

Kolbein frowned and cast his glance to the floor. “I can’t.”

His refusal wasn’t at all what Abrianna expected. “Then tell me where he is. Where my father is. I will attend to the matter myself.”

“Abrianna, perhaps if you give Mr. Booth a chance, he can give you the entire story,” Aunt Miriam said.

She squared her shoulders. “He can tell me on the way to the stable. My father showed me how to hitch the smaller carriage, and I will take that to get me wherever I need to go.”

Kolbein took hold of her and gave Abrianna a slight shake. “Stop it. You aren’t going anywhere. Your father is in jail, and Wade is, too.”

“Whyever would they put our Wade in jail?” Aunt Poisie asked. “He is the most virtuous of men and quite well received among people of high regard. Goodness, he even owns two pairs of shoes.”

Aunt Selma spoke up. “It must be some kind of a mistake. Perhaps it was another man with the same name. Although I can hardly imagine there being two Wade Ackermans in the same town.”

“Perhaps not even the same state,” Aunt Poisie added.

Abrianna shook her head and kept shaking it. “Jail? But why? I mean, I understand my father being there, but why is Wade there? What reason did they give?”

“He’s been arrested,” Kolbein said, then gave a long pause before finishing. “He’s been arrested for murder.”

Abrianna felt her knees give way. Kolbein’s hold on her tightened, and he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the settee. Abrianna fought back blackness. It wouldn’t serve anyone if she were to faint. She searched Kolbein’s face for some sign of hope. There was none.

“Mr. Booth, do tell us everything.” Aunt Miriam came to sit beside Abrianna on the settee. She took Abrianna’s hand and rubbed it in a tender fashion. “Everything, Mr. Booth. Do not leave any detail out.”

Kolbein remained standing. “Apparently Wade found your father in jail and couldn’t get him released because they said he’d been uncooperative and had fought with them. Not only that, but Mr. Greene . . . was pressing charges of attempted murder.”

He paused and Abrianna let the words sink in. She nodded, staring at the floor. “Go on.”

“Wade went to see Mr. Greene. He wanted to see if he could talk the man out of pressing charges against your father. Greene was livid that Wade would approach him and demanded he leave. Wade did, and once outside, someone . . . someone hit him over the head and knocked him unconscious.”

“If Wade was unconscious, how could he have harmed Mr. Greene?” Aunt Miriam asked the very question on Abrianna’s lips.

“Mr. Greene’s house servant said that Wade came there threatening and ranting. He said it so frightened him that he hid in the pantry while Wade took advantage of his master. He said that in the end, Wade fought with Mr. Greene, and Greene in turn fought back as best he could.”

“And he said that Wade killed him?” Abrianna questioned, finally raising her eyes to Kolbein’s face.

“Yes. He said that he didn’t actually see the murder, but that when everything fell silent, he made his way out to the office room and found Mr. Greene bludgeoned to death and Wade unconscious in the backyard. He believed Wade was attempting to flee the scene.”

“Then if he didn’t see it, isn’t it possible someone else might have done them both in?” Aunt Selma asked.

“It is,” Kolbein assured. He squeezed Abrianna’s hand. “I know it looks bad, but I think just as you do. I believe someone else was involved. You and I both know that Wade isn’t capable of murder.”

Her stomach churned, and bile rose in the back of her throat. Abrianna fought it down and tried to steady herself. All of her life Abrianna had prided herself in being strong, in trusting God, but never had a situation been this horrific.

“Is there anything at all I can do?”

“No,” Kolbein replied. “It’s best you stay out of it and leave this to me. I already have some men looking into the matter. They will help me collect information and hopefully find other witnesses. I need you to just stay calm and out of the way.”

Another time she might have protested, but given the severity of the matter, Abrianna knew it was best she listen and obey. “All right. But you will be thorough, won’t you? I can pay you to hire as many people as you need.”

He shook his head. “I don’t want or need your money. Wade is my friend, too. I’ll handle it. I just need to know that you’ll be here . . . safe.”

“We will see to it that she stays here,” Aunt Miriam said. “Abrianna can be quite determined, but I’ve never known her to refuse counsel when placed in such a grave situation.”

“Oh, but this is such a tragedy.” Aunt Poisie blew her nose into a lace handkerchief. “I am quite overcome. Do you suppose we might send him some cookies? He has always liked cookies.”

“I can’t take him anything,” Kolbein replied. “They won’t allow it.”

Aunt Selma spoke up. “If there is anything that any of us can do to help, Mr. Booth, you will let us know, won’t you?”

“I promise you that I will.” He looked Abrianna in the eye. “I will come here every day and let you know what I’ve learned.”

A kind of void engulfed Abrianna’s mind. Rational thought was impossible. Nothing in her life had ever prepared her for this moment. Nothing had ever been as seemingly hopeless.

Oh, God, where are you? Why have you let this happen?

Those two questions echoed over and over, but the answers didn’t come.

Despite the tragedy Aunt Miriam said that they had to go on with a pretense of normalcy for the sake of the others in the school. With that in mind, the monthly reception for the bridal candidates was held the following Saturday. The day turned rainy and windy, which kept them from hosting the reception outdoors as they had originally planned.

“I know this is difficult, Abrianna,” Aunt Miriam began, “but I want you to help at the refreshment table.”

Abrianna knew better than to argue. Besides, she didn’t have the strength. “All right.”

Aunt Miriam took hold of her and hugged her close. “Dear child, I know you think me cruel for forcing you to do this, but I assure you I am not. I, too, have dealt with tragedy in my life, and keeping busy was much better than sitting and imagining all the things that have gone wrong.”

Already Abrianna had imagined such hideous things happening to Wade and her father that she couldn’t share such worries with Kolbein, much less Aunt Miriam. She held tight to her aunt for a moment and then straightened. “I’m sure you’re right. Thank you for directing me.”

She took her place behind the refreshment table. God, please give me strength to endure this. She bit her lip to keep from dissolving in tears. I have always been strong and capable. Now, more than ever, I need to draw on those abilities. It will do Wade no good for me to be otherwise focused.

The reception dragged on for nearly an hour, with all of the students preforming their various musical talents. Abrianna filled cups with punch and offered her best chitchat when someone came for refreshments, but all the while she wanted to run from the room in tears.

“Um, Abrianna, I need to talk to you.” Flora’s whispered words came as a surprise. “That man, Mr. Welby . . . you know, the one with the big ears?”

Abrianna nodded. “What about him?”

“He wants to see you. He’s standing at the back of the room and said to tell you he will meet you downstairs in the first-floor parlor.”

Looking out across the ballroom, Abrianna spied Welby in the corner near the door. He nodded her way then left the room. Abrianna had no idea why he’d come, and she was in no mood to deal with any of his nonsense. Even so, she pulled off her apron and decided to go see him, knowing that if she didn’t, he was just rude enough to make a scene.

“Do you want me to come, too?” Flora asked.

“No. That won’t be necessary. If any of the aunts ask after me, tell them I had to attend to something and I’ll be right back.”

Abrianna made her way from the room, taking the back stairs in case Welby had paused on the way down to wait for her. She wanted a moment to compose her thoughts. An idea came to mind. Welby was a powerful man with many connections in the city. Perhaps he could help her. The murder and accusations toward Wade had been splashed across the newspaper, so no doubt he knew all the details of the matter. It gave her a flicker of hope that quickened her steps. She was very nearly breathless when she came to the large parlor and found Priam Welby standing by the hearth, a bouquet of flowers in hand.

“You wished to speak to me?”

“I heard what happened to your . . . to Mr. Ackerman.”

She nodded. “No doubt everyone has.” She didn’t know whether to remain standing at the entry or to take a seat. Perhaps he was only here to offer his condolences, but then again, he hardly seemed the type to waste time on such matters. “Is that all?”

“No.” He motioned her to the settee. “These are for you.” He handed her the flowers. “I thought it might cheer you.” She looked down at the flowers as he continued. “Please sit. I want to discuss something with you.”

Abrianna thought to protest but didn’t wish to get on his bad side in case he might assist her. She took her place on the settee and continued to hold the flowers. Welby pulled a chair up and sat so close that their knees almost touched. Abrianna felt the heat of his suit, warmed by the fire, and she straightened. The intimacy of the moment made her most uncomfortable. “What is it you’ve come to say?”

“The situation for Mr. Ackerman is quite serious, as I’m sure you already know. Murder is an offense that upon conviction will demand his life be forfeit either by death or life in prison.”

She swallowed hard and nodded, still refusing to look up. If he came here to gloat, Abrianna was afraid she might very well take the fireplace poker to him. She bit her lip to keep from saying anything and tasted blood.

“I am not a man of words, and it seems to me that getting right to the point is probably your preference, as well.”

Again she nodded, but this time Welby reached out and put his fingers beneath her chin. With the slightest of pressure he raised her face to meet his. His dark eyes seemed to bore holes through her walls of defense. Abrianna steeled herself. She would not show emotion and give him the satisfaction of seeing her cry.

“Abrianna, you know how I feel about you. I have made it quite clear. I am, as you know, a man of power in this city. I am not without my influences, and I believe it within my power to see your father and Mr. Ackerman set free.”

She couldn’t help the sharp intake of air. The gasp seemed to echo throughout the room, and only the crackle and pop of wood in the fireplace made any other sound.

Welby grinned in his leering fashion and dropped his hold. “I thought that might get me your full attention. Would you like me to go on?”

Abrianna drew a deep breath. “How could you possibly ask me that? They are innocent. Of course I want you to continue. What can you do to help them? How can you see them set free?”

“As I said, I’m not without my friends. There are also those who are indebted to me.” He sat back and despite their nearness crossed his legs. “Guilty or innocent, I believe I can arrange for all of the charges to be dropped.”

“How? How would you be able to do this? Our lawyer has found no witnesses to support Wade’s innocence. And while my father did in fact hit Mr. Greene, he would never have threatened to kill him. So how can you arrange their freedom?”

He chuckled, which only served to irritate her. “My dear, you are such an innocent. Men and their testimonies are easily bought and sold. I can have a dozen witnesses declare Mr. Ackerman to be nowhere near the murder site.”

“And why would you do this?” There was something in his tone that made her want to run from the room.

“I think you already know the answer to that. I would do it for you, because of my feelings for you.”

“You would lie and cheat for me? How very noble.” She shook her head. “I don’t think either Wade or my father would approve.”

“Perhaps not, but they certainly can’t agree or disagree to the matter if they are dead.” He stood and pulled her up with him. The flowers were crushed between them. “I’m through playing games, Abrianna. Either you want them to live, or you’re willing to let them die.”

She began to shake from head to toe. “I want them to live, of course. I would do anything for them.”

“Anything?”

The thought of all that word might encompass stormed through her mind. His sneering smile left her little doubt that he was thoroughly enjoying her discomfort.

“What is it that you want, Mr. Welby?”

“You, of course.”

His matter-of-fact answer left her cold, while his grip on her arms seemed to burn. She couldn’t find the words to order him out of the house. The thought that there might be no other way to save her father and Wade left her unable to speak.

Without warning, Welby dropped his hold and stepped away. “You have until Monday to decide.”

“And what is it that I’m to decide?” she managed to say as he reached the door. She turned toward him, determined to prove that she was stronger than he thought.

He paused and slowly faced her. “You have until Monday to decide if you will marry me. If your answer is yes, then I’ll see your loved ones set free. Otherwise . . . well, I’ll do what I can to hurry their demise. It’s entirely up to you. You hold their lives in your hands.”

“But how can you do that?” She fought to keep from sounding frantic, but it was no use. “You appear to know they are innocent, yet you are willing to have them . . . killed?”

He laughed. “I eliminate obstacles, dear Abrianna. I’ve done so all of my life, and it has gotten me great wealth and position. Now I am willing to use that wealth and position once again in order to have what I want.”

“But to have innocent men killed just to get what you want is . . . it’s . . . evil.”

His eyes narrowed, and his expression went completely blank. “Call it what you will. It really doesn’t matter to me. Your father and lover will be dead in a very short time unless you agree to marry me . . . and quickly. I won’t brook any nonsense of long engagements. We will marry immediately, and you will be my wife . . . in every way.”

He started to leave and added, “Oh, and if you say one word about it either way, the outcome will go against them. This is a matter strictly between you and me.”