“Yes, I’ll help you Liza. You get your man to us and we’ll make sure he gets where he needs to be,” said Cole. “I don’t know how you are going to get him to me and I don’t want to know.”
“You won’t see him until at least two days after you’ve left here and then you’ll only take him to join the wagon train coming up from the south going towards New York. While you’re here, can you buy some clothes and they will think at the general store they are for you and some for Jack. You are both about the same size as my friend and he will need civilian clothes, although he will be in Indian ones when you see him. I’ll give you money for him and a letter telling him what I have arranged for him. When he has read it, he had better give it back to you to destroy. He’ll need a gun no doubt and he’s going to have a new name. When he joins the other wagon train, he will no longer be your responsibility, but he will have an Indian to guard and guide him until he nearly reaches New York. I won’t tell you what will happen then, it will be better that you don’t know,” said Liza.
“You seem to have covered all angles, Liza, but I can’t say I’m happy about it,” said Cole.
“I’ve still got to get him out of prison and that’s going to be the difficult one. Also he is an honourable man and his conscience tells him that he should answer for his crime. When you meet him, you’ll find it difficult to believe that he has killed anyone, let alone the woman that he loved,” said Liza.
“I hope it won’t be a problem but I must tell Jack. We have worked as a close team for a long while now and he has a right to know what he is getting into. He likes you and has great faith in you, so I don’t think he’ll have a problem helping your friend. He’ll moan and groan, but out of earshot of everyone else. We’ll be leaving in two days’ time so you have that time to get your plans into operation. I have a feeling that once you have achieved what you are planning, Patrick will know, I believe you can’t lie to him, and even if you did, he would know,” said Cole.
“I know, I’m finding it difficult now. Will you join us for dinner tonight Cole? I hope you won’t find it awkward to be in Patrick’s company, he would really like to see you,” said Liza.
“Yes, Jack and I will come to you this evening, I won’t tell Jack until after tonight. I know he won’t be happy, but we’ll work together and if, as you say, your friend is basically a good man, then we won’t have a problem travelling together. I presume Zelma is still with you. Have you ever had any word about your other friend?” asked Cole.
“Yes, Zelma is a tower of strength as always. Unfortunately there is still no word about Kate. It may be just as well if she’s dead, but I would like to know either way,” said Liza.
“Well, Jack and I still keep our ears open and if we hear of any white woman we go and investigate or tell the local army post,” said Cole.
“One day, no doubt, I’ll find out. If I was brave enough I’d go to various Indian encampments myself. But I’m not that brave and of course, I do have a family now,” said Liza.
The arguments in the back of the room had stopped and now it was just words of excitement and laughter. Liza and Cole went back to see them and all three had managed to piece together a great part of the press with Laurie telling everyone where parts should go.
“Would you like to come back tomorrow Laurie; we could do with your help,” said Liza and Greg nodded vigorously.
“I’d love to, Liza, thank you. I’ll see you then,” said Laurie as she left for her home.
“She knows more than I do, Mrs Kelly,” said Greg worriedly.
“Don’t worry, Greg, I could do with both of you,” said Liza.
At home the boys were pleased to see the guests and especially pleased to see Jack as he was quite skilful at playing ball with them. Liza was surprised as she always thought of Jack as quite elderly, but on reflection could see that he was possibly the same age as Cole. Appearances can be deceptive, Liza concluded.
It was a very convivial evening and Liza managed to forget her troubles. Patrick was delighted to see them and he was also intrigued as to how Liza’s printing press was and if she had started printing anything yet. He was also interested that Laurie had experience and he asked Liza if she was also going to be employed.
“It would seem to be a sensible move if she’s interested. I think Greg would be quite relieved that it wouldn’t be totally his responsibility. We’ll have to see how much work comes in,” said Liza.
When Cole and Jack left, Patrick said how nice it was to see them and that her new printing press had seemed to cheer her up. He didn’t like to tell her that General Maybury would be arriving at the end of the following week, so Mark’s fate would be determined then, although it really was a foregone conclusion.
The next day was Friday and when Liza arrived at the printing office she was greeted by both Greg and Laurie who were once again pouring over the press, but this time they were putting words down and were about to practice exactly how it all worked. “You two seem to work well together, at least you both know what each other is talking about. Can I see you please, Laurie?”
Laurie followed Liza into the front of the office looking concerned. “Don’t look so worried, Laurie; I just want to ask you if you are any good at writing articles or compiling advertisements, or any other written requirement?”
“I used to teach English at one time, so I don’t think I would have a problem,” said Laurie.
“Well, if you’d like a job then we can come to some arrangement. It would be a pressure off me as I thought I would have to take that on as well as everything else I do. Although, in a way, I was looking forward to it,” said Liza.
They agreed terms and Liza looked at Laurie and said, “How did you get here, Laurie, and I don’t mean to Benson? You’re not stupid and the way you speak shows that you’ve been well-educated.”
“It’s an old story, Liza. I fell in love with a totally unsuitable man. My parents threw me out when I was pregnant and of course, I was shunned by everyone I knew. I moved to another town with my lover, but he soon found somebody else. He no longer found me attractive with a lump growing in my stomach and I was left in rooms with no money. There was only one way I could earn any money,” said Laurie.
“What, you did that while you were carrying a child? Did you find many customers? I’m sorry, I don’t mean to pry, but I am fascinated,” said Liza.
“I lost the child, which really was just as well. I just seemed to go from one man to another, mainly soldiers, until I ended up here. I do now have the corporal who I am very fond of and I think he’s fond of me. He pays my rent, as did Frank Wyley and of course, you remember him,” said Laurie.
“I most certainly do remember him. That’s a while ago now. Are you ever in touch with him?” said Liza.
“Good Heavens no! He was a very cruel man and a very heavy drinker, which I became when I was with him. Bart hardly drinks you know, just high days and holidays. He told me to stop seeing Felicity; he said she would do me no good. But I needed the money,” said Laurie.
“Well let’s hope things will get better for you now,” said Liza.
“I think they’ve started for me now,” said Laurie.
Liza smiled and left Laurie and Greg to sort out the new printing venture. She went home to check on Meg who had spent a restless night. It was quite warm for the end of October and little Meg loved riding in the buggy, it made her contented so Liza decided to take her with her to see both Ada and Bea and before she made her way home she would call in on Mark so that he could see his goddaughter again. She would also have the opportunity to tell him that everything was arranged. She wouldn’t tell him that the whole of her plan could fall right from the start if she was caught getting him out of the prison.
Ada couldn’t wait to tell Liza that she and the colonel would probably be taking Felicity’s daughter into their home. Bea was there and she had put forth words of wisdom regarding taking on a child at their age, but Liza was pleased for Ada as she seemed to n
ow have an aim in life.
“How are you going to introduce your granddaughter, Ada?” asked Liza.
“I truly think that the best way is to be honest, otherwise both Eugene and I will be living on tenterhooks in case anyone finds out the truth. I believe most people here in Benson knew what Felicity had become and won’t be surprised that she had a daughter. It will just be the first few weeks that people may talk behind our backs. What happens later in her life, she will have to be strong enough to take on the chin,” said Ada.
“Benson is a very forgiving town, Ada. You have people like Kathy and Joe, as well as George, Angela, Caroline Browne, Charlie Penn and his wife, Greg, well, you name them and they are all supportive no matter what they see and hear.”
“And we have you and Patrick and Bea and Marshall and probably many, many more people who won’t let her parentage go against her. I believe she will be better off here than anywhere else,” said Ada.
“How is she going to get here?” asked Liza.
“I’ve written to her father – it had to be via the Fullers as I didn’t have his exact address – and we’ll have to see what he suggests. I’d like her here by Christmas, but I think that could be a forlorn hope,” said Ada.
“That would be good because after Christmas we could get snowed in again,” said Bea.
“What’s her name?” asked Liza.
“Oh, Good heavens, I don’t know,” said Ada.
Liza and Bea laughed and Liza said, “She can be whatever you decide to call her. It’s all very exciting. Angela will soon have her work cut out. We really are becoming a town of children.”
“How’s little Meg, Liza?” asked Bea looking into Meg’s carrying basket.
“I felt she needed a breath of fresh air today, she was very fretful through the night but she does enjoy a ride in the buggy,” said Liza avoiding the true question which was obvious from Bea’s concerned look. Anyone could see that Meg was not faring well.
“Are you going to visit Mark today?” asked Ada.
“Yes, he likes to see his goddaughter,” said Liza.
“I suppose he has very few pleasures in life now. General Maybury is arriving at the end of next week. Did Patrick tell you?” asked Ada.
“No, he didn’t tell me. I suppose it will all be over and done with very quickly,” said Liza.
“Yes, it’s all very sad. It’ll be just another young life lost. I wish he would at least attempt to defend his actions,” said Ada which Liza found strange considering it was her daughter that he had killed.
“He won’t do it; he says that to spend years in prison would be worse than death and he made me promise that I wouldn’t ask the general for clemency,” said Liza. “I doubt that I would be able to sway the outcome anyway.”
“You did with Frank Wyley,” said Ada.
“And I sometimes wonder whether that was wise. Fifteen years hard labour probably is worse than death, so I don’t think that I did him any favours,” said Liza.
“I feel very sorry for young Mark. He was always so kindly and thoughtful and an asset to the army. It’s such a shame that he couldn’t see what was so obvious to everyone else,” said Ada and once again Liza was surprised by her understanding.
“Love can do that to you, I’m afraid. It can send you mad. I’ve told you what Amelia has always advocated. Love and hate are very strange bedfellows. She has been proved right on so many occasions. Yes, it’s all very sad,” said Liza.
Both Ada and Bea nodded their agreement. Liza gave Meg her feed and changed her before heading off to the prison. As always, Mark was pleased to see her and especially Meg. He seemed to have a way with her; she always smiled at him and lay contentedly in his arms.
He looked at Liza and said that he didn’t think that Meg looked too well. The sergeant was getting used to Liza visiting and when she had Meg with her he opened the cell door so that Mark could hold his goddaughter. He then waited outside until the visit was over.
“I hear that the general is arriving next week,” said Mark.
“I’ve heard that too,” said Liza, “which is why you’ll be leaving here on Tuesday. It’s all arranged. You’ll be taken to your means of transport by an Indian scout and you’ll have to change your clothes so that another Indian can wear them to go in a different direction to you. Once you join your means of transport, you’ll have a letter of instruction so that you know what you are doing and where you are going. I don’t want you to think that I am bossing you around Mark, but you have to do what I’ve organised or many people who have helped will be in serious trouble. What you do when you are out of the country is up to you, although I have arranged lucrative work for you in Liverpool. Documentation in your new name will be waiting for you in New York. That’s as much as you need to know for now.”
“I’d like to know my new name, Liza,” said Mark.
“Michael Decker; known as Mike Decker. You’ll have everything you need and need to know when you are on your way,” said Liza.
“I don’t think I should do this, Liza. It doesn’t seem right,” said Mark.
“It isn’t right, but it has to be done. So start concentrating on your new name; worry about everything else when you are on your way,” said Liza. “I’ve got to go now and just remember that you have to have a future for the sake of others.”
Patrick rode in just as Liza was making her way towards her buggy. “Have you just been to see Mark?” he asked.
“Yes, he likes to see Meg whenever possible. It seems to comfort him. You didn’t tell me that General Maybury was arriving next week. I suppose you were trying to spare my feelings,” smiled Liza.
“How’s Meg now? She seems quieter than through last night. Are you going home now?” asked Patrick.
“As you know Meg enjoys being in the buggy; it does seem to settle her. I’ll be home before the boys come from school. I suppose they’re looking forward to the weekend,” said Liza.
“I’m not sure what time I’ll be home; we are short a man now. Ben will be taking the morning patrol. I think he quite enjoys the change. I’ll see you later, my Liza,” he said and he waved as he made his way to report to the captain.
She watched him move away and thought how handsome he looked and then wondered what duty he would have on Tuesday. She hoped that he would be away from the fort when she got Mark out. She had to finalise in her mind how she was going to do that. She still could only think that she would somehow have to hide him in her buggy. She could, of course, take the buckboard, but what reason would she have to take that? She couldn’t think of one, but she still had time to work on that.
Corporal Shaw came over to her. “I hear you’re going to employ Laurie at your printers. It’s going to be so good for her. She’ll do a good job for you; she’s quite clever, you know.”
“So are you, Corporal. You managed to get her to the right place at the right time, well done, Corporal. I hope Laurie appreciates you,” said Liza.
The corporal just laughed, saluted her and walked off.
At home Liza spent some time with the boys whilst Zelma looked after Meg. Si was with them and they all wanted her to make up one of her stories for them. She had quite a good imagination and often entertained them in a make believe world.
Cole and Jack joined them for supper; Patrick was still at work. Jack was very quiet which made Liza think that Cole had told him what was planned. They left soon after supper saying that they would see her sometime tomorrow. Gabriel came to collect Si and the boys went to bed. Liza then sat down to compose Mark’s letter.
In it she told him that it was going to be difficult for her to think of him as anyone other than Mark but from now onwards he would be Mike Decker. By the time he read this letter he would already have been taken to Cole Heston’s wagons by an Indian scout, having firstly changed out of his army uniform and given it to the scout’s colleague. Appropriate clothing had been organised for him. From Cole’s wagons he would transfer to a wagon train that was travel
ling onto a place near New York. At that point the Indian scout, who was protecting him, would leave and he was then to take a train into New York and go to the docks. He was to look for the Marchant & Fuller premises and ask for Walter Anderson who would be expecting him. Documentation in his new name had been organised by Walter as well as temporary sleeping quarters. Also he was then to be employed under Walter in the security division of the company. A new section of that company was being set up in Liverpool by Walter who would be travelling there as soon as it was practical and he would travel there with him. He was to remain there to work and possibly run that company if he found that he had an aptitude for it. If, after a suitable time, he wished to leave and take up other employment, that would be his decision, but if he was happy and found it rewarding then that would be a good outcome for everyone. She wished him well in his new life and hoped that the financial contribution that she was enclosing with the letter would keep him afloat for some time. At some future date, she told him that she knew they would meet up again and reminded him that it would be better if he destroyed the letter once he had familiarised himself with the contents.
She would get the letter to Cole the next day. Still, she could not think of a satisfactory way of getting Mark out of the prison. She would easily be able to get him out of the cell, but hiding him in her buggy was not as efficient as she would have liked.
Patrick was home late and she served him a warmed up supper. He looked very tired which was understandable as he and Sean were taking on the duties of a third lieutenant between them. Also they had both had a disturbed night as Meg had been very restless the night before. She seemed quite settled at present so Liza hoped that they could get more sleep that night.
“If Meg is disturbed again tonight, I’ll take her into the spare room with me so that you can have a good night. She’s not too well at the moment, I’ll keep her comfortable and warm,” said Liza.
“No Liza, she’s ours and we’ll keep her comfortable and warm between us. I know she’s not doing too well and I’d like her to be with us as much as possible,” said Patrick.
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