“We’re following up on a phone call you received from our associate, Mr. Grimlock. In order for us to clear up this business with the Monroe estate, we’ll need to see the sales records for his slaves.”
“I’m afraid you’ve wasted a trip, gentlemen. As I told Mr. Grimlock, those records are private. I can’t do anything more than confirm that the sales took place as prescribed by law. Anything more than that will require a court order.”
Jason nodded. “I understand. However, we were hoping that, in the interest of expediency, there might be a way for us to simply look at the records. We don’t require a copy of them or even to take them from the premises. Just a quick glance to make sure everything is as it should be, and we can be on our way.”
“That’s unacceptable. Our clients depend upon our discretion. Even at our auctions, we allow anonymous bidding by proxy. I can’t divulge any information other than that Mr. Monroe’s slave holdings were liquidated through this establishment.”
Tears pricked Kale’s eyes. Why couldn’t any of this be just a little easier? They weren’t talking about an estate. They were talking about his family. This one man got to decide if Kale would ever see his mother and brother again. It was wrong. Frustrating. Intolerable. “Please, sir.” Kale paused, attempting to gain more control over his voice. “We only need to see two records, for the slaves known as Adele and Thomas. Please. That’s all we need.”
“Why only those two? I thought you were settling an audit.”
Kale had nothing to lose. Desperation drove him. “They’re my mother and brother. I’m a free citizen of Naiara now, but before that I was a slave. I’m just trying to find my family so I can purchase them. That’s all.”
“I can’t help you, and I don’t appreciate being lied to. This is exactly why we don’t free slaves in this country. It causes nothing but trouble. Abigail, see these two men out.” Mr. McAllister’s gruff voice displayed the anger of a culture where the very idea of equality was offensive.
The girl stepped forward and gestured to the door. Kale couldn’t control the tears that flowed down his face. He had come so far, had fought every step of the way, and this was how it ended? All he wanted was his mama. How hard was that to understand? Why did his family not matter simply because they could be bought and sold? He allowed himself to be led out of the office and to the door. His body moved without his direction as his mind fell apart. He barely heard the whisper in his ear as the slave girl opened the door.
“I go to Cardinal Steakhouse each night at six-thirty to fetch my master’s dinner. Meet me there.”
Hope. The words were so welcome that Kale couldn’t believe she had actually said them. All he could do was stare at her in amazement. She couldn’t be real.
Jason stepped forward. “We’ll be there. Thank you.”
If Jason was replying, it must be real. Kale found his voice. “Thank you.”
Once out of the building, Kale strode quickly down the street, as if rapid movement would speed up time. It didn’t. None of the shop signs came into focus. Everything seemed to race by: people, horses, cars, window displays. It was all a blur. Jason’s hand on his arm finally stilled him.
“Kale, slow down. This is good, but you need to get control of yourself. Let’s go into the bookshop over there and look around. It’ll take your mind off the waiting.”
Kale followed Jason, trusting that he knew best. All Kale could think was that six-thirty seemed an eternity away. Inside the shop, Jason released Kale’s arm and started browsing. Kale tried to imitate him, but it was no use. Every title he scanned was just a jumble of letters. The words they formed refused to enter his mind, as if the words “Cardinal Steakhouse” and “six-thirty” took up every available space in his head.
Out of the corner of his eye, Kale noticed the shopkeeper glancing his way. When his path crossed Jason’s, he leaned in and murmured, “I think I’m making the owner nervous.”
Jason threw a glance over his shoulder. “I think you’re right.”
“This isn’t going to work. We might as well go back to the hotel.”
“All right. Let me buy something, and we’ll leave.” Jason selected a book and pulled some money out of his billfold, refusing the change.
The walk to the hotel was too short. Kale’s legs yearned to stretch, and his hands searched for activity. In the room, Kale immediately tidied all their clothes, putting everything away in its proper place. The room was a mess he could clean and make right. Retrieving a washcloth from the washbasin, he dampened it and proceeded to dust every available surface, taking great pleasure in the gleam his hand left behind.
“Kale, what are you doing?”
He didn’t even look up from his work. “Cleaning. This place is a mess.”
“No, it’s not. You’re a mess. Put the cloth down, and come here.”
“I can’t sit still.”
“Kale, stop.” Jason’s voice reached a volume Kale was not accustomed to hearing. His head snapped up at the tone, and he saw Jason had come to stand behind him. “You need to relax.” Jason’s hands on his shoulders made Kale realize just how tense he held them. With some effort, he forced them down, rolling his head to release the kinks.
“How do you expect me to relax when that girl knows something? How can I sit and do nothing as if I’m not going to finally find out where my family is after almost fourteen years in less than three hours?”
“Relaxing isn’t nothing, Kale. It’s important.” Jason’s hands began to gently massage. “You need a clear mind right now.”
Kale let Jason drag him to the bed. Pressure on his shoulders told him Jason wanted him to sit, but Kale couldn’t let his body rest.
“Sit, Kale.” It was the same tone as earlier. The same tone Jason used when defending someone he loved. It caught Kale’s attention and alerted him to the seriousness of the situation. If Jason felt Kale was in some sort of danger, then perhaps he was worse off than he’d thought.
Kale reluctantly sat. “I’m not taking another nap.”
Jason chuckled. “I wouldn’t dream of asking you to. There’s no way you’d be able to manage it.”
“As long as we’re clear on that.”
“Kale, I love you.”
It seemed to come out of nowhere, but nothing made Kale happier than hearing it. He knew Jason must derive the same pleasure from the words that he did, but Kale had a much harder time expressing such intimate feelings in such simple words. “I love you too, Jason. I just want to be useful right now.”
“Then read to me.”
“That’s not exactly useful.”
“It is to me. You know how I love hearing your voice, and it will give you something to focus on that won’t drive your body to exhaustion. Please, Kale. I hate to see you like this. We’re so close to finding what you want. You need to be able to enjoy the experience and be present in the moment.”
After all this time, the man in front of him still amazed Kale. It was so easy to fall into complacency and think he knew everything about Jason, that Jason couldn’t surprise him anymore, even when he regularly proved Kale wrong. Jason always had more depths than Kale thought possible and more heights he was willing to travel to, even if he had to drag Kale along. “What do you want me to read?”
Jason grabbed the book they had started earlier. “You can start with this. If you finish, we have the book I just bought.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to comprehend the words right now.”
“That’s fine. We have the rest of our lives for you to read it. Right now, I just want you to read it to me.”
Jason curled up against Kale’s chest, and Kale read. A few paragraphs in, he realized Jason was right. Reading was incredibly soothing. While his mind wasn’t immersed in the story, it also couldn’t muster the energy to travel to anxious thoughts. Jason’s weight grounded him. Kale had done this right. He had ended up with this man, and that had to count for something. Sure, he’d messed it up royally in the
beginning. He had caused so much suffering in their lives, but they had been able to come back stronger.
“That’s enough, Kale. It’s time for us to go.” Jason took the book and set it on the bedside table. Kale had become so lost in the task of forming his mouth into the words on the page that he’d lost track of time. His throat was scratchy and his mouth dry from reading. “Come on, love. Let’s go.”
Hearing Jason refer to him as love was usually too sappy for Kale’s taste, but at the moment, it reminded him that he was loved, and he needed it. It was a reminder that, regardless of what was about to happen, he still had Jason.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Jason clasped Kale’s sweaty palm in his own. It was the only way to stop his pacing in front of Cardinal Steakhouse. They didn’t need to draw any extra attention, and two men holding hands was more discreet than Kale’s frantic walking. With his free hand, Jason withdrew his pocket watch. There were still a few minutes before Abigail was due. He had made sure they were early, so there was no chance they would miss her. As he put the pocket watch away, Kale’s grip tightened on his hand. Jason followed Kale’s gaze and saw Abigail coming down the street.
Kale’s hand relaxed in an effort to pull away, but Jason held firm. If Kale confronted her, it might scare her off. It was better to let her take charge of the situation. She was the one doing them a favor.
She made no movement that indicated she recognized them. Jason wondered if she’d decided it wasn’t worth the risk. That could be why she was a few minutes early. When she passed them on her way to the door, Jason despaired. He didn’t know if Kale could handle another disappointment.
“Thank you.” Kale’s voice was soft. It wouldn’t carry more than a few inches in front of him.
“Good luck.” The girl’s voice was equally quiet. The entire exchange took only a second. Jason had almost missed it.
Kale led them down the street until they reached an alley. He ducked between two buildings, and Jason released his hand. Kale produced a piece of paper from his pocket. The girl must have handed it to him somehow. Jason hadn’t been able to see it.
“Slaves are exceptionally talented at slipping things to each other unnoticed. It would have gone smoother if I’d realized she was going to pass a note. I didn’t expect her to be able to read…” Kale’s voice faded as he read the message.
Jason wanted to snatch the note and read it for himself, but he contented himself with watching Kale’s face for a hint of its contents. He caught the exact moment Kale’s face fell. “What is it?”
“They were separated.”
Kale handed over the note, and Jason looked down at four different names in awkward handwriting, one across from Thomas’s and another across from Adele’s. “I’m so sorry.” Jason reached over and rubbed Kale’s back. “We knew this was a possibility.”
“I know, but I couldn’t help hoping.”
“This is good, Kale. You’ll reunite them soon enough.” Jason gathered Kale in a hug.
“I can’t believe she was willing to help me.” Kale spoke against Jason’s hair.
Jason pulled back. “Why not? You’re a symbol of hope to her. You couldn’t see it back at McAllister’s? I imagine she’s rooting for a happy ending.”
At the hotel, Jason took the piece of paper to the concierge while Kale went upstairs. “Do you know these two people?” He pointed to the names across from Thomas’s and Adele’s.
“Absolutely. Those are both well-known family names in this area.”
“Do you know where I might find them?”
“Well, Mr. Ellington passed away a few years ago. His widow still lives at their house just outside of town.” The man wrote down an address and directions on the piece of paper. “As for Mr. Driggson, I know the name, but not that particular member of the family.”
“That’s fine. You’ve been incredibly helpful. Thank you.”
“My pleasure, sir.”
Before he joined Kale in their room, Jason called Martin. He gave him the names to research in case he could find anything else. The fact that Mr. Ellington was dead was not promising. Widows often found themselves in the position of selling slaves to preserve the lifestyle their husbands had provided for them.
“Martin and Sophie both send their love and best wishes.” Jason tossed his suit coat on the desk and sat in the chair opposite Kale.
“Thank you. It’s nice to know so many people care.”
“They really do, Kale. Martin’s going to see if he can find any information that could be helpful to us. I got directions to the Ellington house, so we can start there tomorrow.” Jason didn’t want to diminish Kale’s hope, but he also wanted to prepare him for the possibilities. “You should know that Mr. Ellington died a few years ago.”
“So there’s a good chance my mother was sold to settle the estate.” Kale appeared calm, but Jason knew there was a turmoil of emotion beneath the surface.
“Not necessarily, but there’s the possibility. Try not to worry. We’ll know everything soon enough, and if we have to go to every slave owner in Arine, we’ll do it, and we’ll find her. I’m not going to let anything stop us, Kale. You’re going to see your mother again.”
Kale nodded, but Jason knew there was no amount of words that could put Kale at ease. Nothing would do that except for the sight and touch of his family. He ordered dinner to be brought to their room with some chamomile tea. He could only pray to the gods that they would be able to get some sleep.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The hot tea calmed Kale’s nerves. He hadn’t wanted any, but found it impossible to deny Mrs. Ellington’s offer. She had been in the middle of her morning tea when they’d arrived and had insisted they join her. The floral china looked picturesque on top of the lace cloth covering the small table. Mrs. Ellington herself completed the image, her willowy frame and stark white hair appearing almost angelic against a white lace dress that matched the table. The crow’s feet around her dark brown eyes softened her face and led Kale to believe she had spent much of her life smiling as unabashedly as she was now.
“Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Ellington. You may be wondering why we’re here.”
“Oh, I welcome the company. Is there something I can do for you?”
Kale no longer possessed the energy to act as if he was anything other than what he was. “Yes, ma’am. You see, I used to be a slave.”
“Used to?” Her face didn’t change from its pleasant demeanor, and her voice held a curious lilt instead of condemnation.
“Yes, ma’am. Jason here used to own me. We moved to Naiara so I could be free. I’m a citizen there now, and I’m visiting here legally.”
“Of course, dear. I wouldn’t have assumed otherwise.”
She made it easy to confide in her. Kale only hoped she had answers for him. He wasn’t likely to find anyone else as sympathetic to his plight. “Thank you. My mother and brother are still slaves here in Arine. I’ve been searching for them so I can buy them and take them home with me. I’ve found out that you purchased my mother, and I was hoping you could tell me where she is.” Kale didn’t mind letting her see the plea in his eyes.
“I’ve owned a great many slaves. What was her name?”
“Adele, ma’am. If you have any information about her, it would be greatly appreciated.”
“Oh yes, she was a wonderful woman.” Mrs. Ellington’s eyes peered off into the distance, into another time.
Kale’s heart sank. “Was?”
Mrs. Ellington focused back on him. “I hate to be the one to tell you, dear, but she died, oh, six or seven years ago.”
Kale’s mind crumbled. The strength to hold up his own body fled, and he slumped in his chair. Jason dove out of his seat and knelt on the ground to support Kale’s body against his. All this searching and working for nothing. It couldn’t be. Kale was here to rescue her, to make everything right. How could he make this right? She had died a slave. His dear, sweet mother. He had failed he
r.
The world melted. Kale felt Jason’s arm around him, but his body was numb and the sensation muted. The voices around him sounded far away.
“Would you mind telling us what happened, Mrs. Ellington?” Jason took control. Kale didn’t know if he’d ever be able to speak again. What words were there to say?
“Not at all. Adele was wonderful, one of the best housekeepers I’ve had. She organized the most extraordinary parties. One day, she took ill with a fever. It spread throughout the house. We lost her and three others. I miss her dearly. I was never able to find anyone else like her. I should have known she was your mother. You have the same green eyes.”
Kale shut the eyes in question, only to see his mother’s staring back at him. He opened them, not knowing what to do. This was where his mother had spent her last days, in a stranger’s home. “Where is she buried?”
“Here on the estate. I’ll have someone show you.” She rang a bell. The sharp peals pierced Kale’s ears, making him wince. “Stacy, take these two gentlemen to the burial plot so they can see where Adele is buried.”
Jason supported Kale’s weight as they walked outside to the back of the house. Off to the left, they were led to a grassy knoll next to a family plot. “This is where all the slaves are buried.” Jason dismissed the girl as Kale crashed to his knees.
Of course it was an unmarked, mass grave. No headstone, nothing to commemorate the woman who had born him, had raised him, had saved him from a life of hard labor. Somewhere beneath this ground rested the woman who had first taught him about love. Kale sunk his hands in the grass. He didn’t even know where she was, which specific piece of ground held his mama the way she’d held him.
Tears poured down his face, wetting the earth beneath him. There was nowhere for him to come back to in order to pay his respects. A hand touched his shoulder, and he jerked away. “Don’t touch me, Jason. This isn’t something you can fix.” He was all alone, just like his mama. Oh, gods. His insides twisted. Every part of him hurt with an endless ache. He wanted to puke, but he couldn’t. Not here.
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