"On the contrary. I think it would be very easy."
"Okay. You're throwing me out. That's fine as long as you let me come back again."
"We have lots of things we need to talk about, lots of things we need to decide."
She wouldn't allow herself to think how much she wanted him back in her arms. She knew she loved Holt, but they had made no promises to each other. She didn't want to think about Vivian, but she knew that nothing could progress to the next stage as long as that woman was in his life.
Holt pulled on his pants, then leaned over and kissed her. "You know I'm not going to be able to keep my hands off you, don't you?"
"Everyone thinks you're going to marry Vivian. You can't be in love with both of us at the same time."
"I'm not going to marry Vivian," Holt said, reaching for the rest of his clothes. "I did offer to marry her and take her back to Virginia, but only because I thought it was my duty. She doesn't want to marry me, because I will always be poor. When I told her I felt responsible for her, that I'd promised to take care of her, she practically ordered me not to worry about her ever again. So you see, I'm only thinking about one woman, and I'm with her right now."
Felicity was ready to confess that she was a selfish woman. She probably ought to be thankful that Holt had finally overcome his fascination with Vivian, but that wasn't enough. She wanted it all--the love, the passion, the confession that she was the only woman in the world he had ever truly loved, the only one he could ever love. A woman who was truly born to love shouldn't be expected to settle for less.
It's time to face reality. You've lived in a fantasy world too long. Nobody is born to be loved. This may be the best you'll ever have. Don't throw it away for a fantasy.
She knew that was good advice, but she didn't know if she could follow it.
Felicity didn't know what to think when she opened the door to find two policemen on the porch. One of them was Billy Privett, a man she'd known for several years. "Hi, Billy," she said. "Do you need to see the doctor?"
"This isn't a personal call," the other man said. "I'm Captain Lytle. We're here on business. Is Holt Price staying here?" he asked.
"Yes."
"I want to talk to him."
"He's seeing a patient right now."
"We can wait."
"Come in. I'll let him know you're here." Felicity decided to put them in the parlor. She didn't want them upsetting patients. She'd hardly come back after speaking to Holt when she had to answer the front door again. It was Mrs. Bennett.
"I saw two policemen come in. Is there some trouble?"
"I don't know. They want to see Holt."
"What about?"
"I don't know."
"I'll ask them."
She marched into the parlor and did just that.
"There have been some robberies recently," Captain Lytle said. "We're questioning everyone who's been in the houses involved."
"You're wasting your time here," Mrs. Bennett said. "You won't find a more honest and upstanding man than Dr. Price."
"That's not the information we received."
Charlotte had mentioned some recent robberies, but Felicity hadn't thought much about them. Considering how destitute some people were, she wasn't surprised that some of the incredibly ostentatious homes on Broadway would be burgled. Some of the dresses she'd seen cost enough to feed a whole family for a month.
"And just what information might that be?" Mrs. Bennett asked. "And more to the point, who gave it to you?"
"I can't divulge that information," the captain said.
"Well, you'd better be divulging it," Mrs. Bennett said. "The doctor has been talking to me about taking rooms in my house. I have a right to know whether I'm in danger of being murdered in my bed."
"We're only investigating theft," Captain Lytle said. "We know nothing of any murders he may have committed."
Felicity had to fight down an urge to slip out of the room to warn Holt. She was certain he had nothing to do with the robberies, but she didn't know if he could convince the captain of that. But she had waited too long. Holt had entered the parlor.
"Good afternoon," he said. "I was wondering how long it would be before you came to see me."
The policemen looked as startled as Felicity felt.
"Let me guess," Holt said. "Someone has given you information suggesting that I might be responsible for the robberies that have occurred recently."
"How could you know that?" Captain Lytle asked. "The ladies here never left the room."
"I also know who gave you the information," Holt said. "Laveau diViere."
The captain broke out into a cold sweat. "Either someone has been telling what they had no business telling, or you're a mighty cool customer."
"Why didn't someone from the army come?" Holt asked.
"They were going to, but this is a civil matter. And civil matters are supposed to be handled by the local police."
Felicity got the impression that Captain Lytle had had to fight hard for the honor of arresting Holt. Though she was relieved the army hadn't come to her door, she was still worried. Why would Mr. diViere say Holt was stealing, and how could Holt know he would say it?
"Let me tell you a little story," Holt said.
"I'm not here to listen to stories," the captain said. "I'm here about the robberies."
"The story is about the robberies," Holt said.
"Okay," the captain said reluctantly. "But if you're just playing for time--"
"If you want to arrest me after you've heard what I have to say, I'll go with you," Holt said. "But it's only fair to warn you that you'll be facing some mighty angry ex-soldiers."
"I don't pay attention to threats," the captain said. "I fought in the Mexican War."
"Good," Holt said. "You're going to need every bit of your courage if you want to bring this particular criminal to justice."
"And what criminal would that be?"
"Laveau diViere. Let me tell you about him."
So Holt told him about the betrayal of his troop, the rustling of cattle, and the attempted robbery of a bank.
"Why should I believe this? Mr. diViere is a trusted member of the Reconstruction government. Why would he steal?"
"Because he hates all Texans. In case you didn't know, his father and grandfather fought for Mexico in 1836 and 1848."
Captain Lytic looked thunderstruck. "Are you sure this is true?"
"Yes."
"Does the Union Army know?"
"I doubt it, but it's easy to prove."
Felicity could tell the wheels were turning in the captain's head.
"There's more to this, isn't there?" he said.
Holt smiled. "You're very perceptive."
"Don't flatter me. What do you know?"
"Not as much as I would like. When I came to Galveston, I heard whispers that Laveau knew more than he should and was taking advantage of it. I haven't been able to learn much, but it wasn't hard to guess. Laveau has tried blackmail before. It seems he finds bits of information--perhaps that a wealthy businessman has a connection with the Confederacy he's managed to hide--and agrees not to make this information public for a monetary consideration. Laveau knows I can prove he's a thief and a liar. I didn't know what he would do, but I was sure he'd soon come up with a way to discredit me. When you showed up asking about these robberies, I figured Laveau was behind it. They started after I got here. And I'll bet ten to one I've been to a party in every house that was robbed."
The captain nodded. "So you're saying Mr. diViere committed these robberies?"
"I doubt it. Blackmail affords more room for financial gain with comparatively little risk. I expect he's hired someone to do the break-ins for him."
Captain Lytle didn't look happy. "Anybody could make that kind of accusation. Why should I believe you?"
"Because he's an honorable man," Mrs. Bennett said.
"That may be as you say, but I need some proof. Mr. diViere is a man of considera
ble standing in Galveston."
"What you mean is he's got the Union Army and the Reconstruction government behind him," Mrs. Bennett said.
Captain Lytle held his tongue, but Felicity guessed he'd very much like to bring down one of the Army and Reconstruction government's favorite citizens. They had been very heavy-handed with the civil government.
"What do you suggest I do?" Captain Lytle asked Holt.
"Put a watch on the biggest houses on Broadway that haven't been burgled. Sooner or later someone will attempt to break in. Follow the culprit and you'll capture the thief and possibly recover the previously stolen items."
"Supposing I had enough men to watch every house--which I don't. How is this supposed to implicate Mr. diViere?"
"I'm sure a little of the right kind of pressure would induce the thief to divulge the name of the man who hired him."
"That's as may be," Captain Lytle said, "but you're under suspicion. I have to search this house."
"Are you implying that I'm involved in thievery?" Dr. Moore asked. He'd entered the parlor in time to hear the last sentence.
"I'm not implying anything," Captain Lytle said, "but I have my orders, and my orders are to search this house."
"You might as well search my house, too," Mrs. Bennett said. "Dr. Price stayed with me for a time. I'm a poor widow. I can always use extra money."
Captain Lytle looked thoroughly beleaguered, but he was dogged about his duty. He and Billy Privett spent more than an hour searching each house.
"It's time for a war council," Mrs. Bennett said after they'd gone. "We can't leave the initiative to the enemy."
"What can we do?" Dr. Moore asked.
"We have to look for someone who could be hired to rob houses," Holt said. "And someone who's being blackmailed and is willing to report it."
"I can help with the thief," Mrs. Bennett said. "One of my sons works at the docks. If anybody knows about thieves, it's the dock workers."
"I'll ask Charlotte to help find out who's being blackmailed," Felicity said. "I'm sure Lillie will help, too. Then you and Papa can talk the person into reporting it to the police."
"I'll stick to Vivian," Holt said. "The men around her are often careless about what they say."
Felicity didn't like Holt having anything to do with Vivian, but that course of action had as much chance of success as any.
"Thanks for believing in me," Holt said to Mrs. Bennett.
"What's to believe in?" she asked. "With the three of us looking over your shoulder, you couldn't have sneaked as much as a teaspoon past us. Besides, you're one of those people who's compulsive about telling the truth. I hope you don't ever find out anything on me."
* * *
"So you see why you have to help me," Felicity said to Charlotte and Lillie. "If we can't prove Holt is innocent, he could go to jail."
"The Union Army would probably hang him because he was a Confederate solider," Lillie said.
That was not what Felicity wanted to hear.
"I'll do what I can," Charlotte said, "but my husband might order me to stop. He says there's no way to fight the Reconstruction and the Army."
"We don't want to fight them," Felicity said, "just find out who Mr. diViere has been blackmailing."
"How can we be sure he's blackmailing people if nobody will speak up?" Charlotte asked.
"I don't know who's doing it, but I do know somebody is blackmailing people," Lillie said. "I overheard one of Clifford's clients telling him about it. He was worried it might happen to him."
"But if they're willing to pay money to keep their secrets, how are we going to persuade them to go to the authorities?" Charlotte asked.
"That's where the men take over." Felicity said. "Our job is to find at least one person who's being blackmailed."
"How do we do that?" Charlotte asked.
"Have you noticed dramatic changes in anyone recently?" Felicity asked. "Someone who used to be happy and carefree but who's now nervous or seems constantly upset or on the verge of tears?"
"Maybe somebody who's wearing the same dress to parties," Lillie said. "Or has stopped coming to parties."
"That's Megan Fraser to a tee," Charlotte said. "Mavis and I were just remarking on it two days ago."
"We have to talk to her," Felicity said.
"Which one of us will go?" Lillie asked.
"All of us," Felicity replied.
* * *
Megan looked startled when the three women were shown into her sitting room. "I wasn't expecting company," she said, looking flustered.
"This isn't a social visit," Felicity said. "We've come on business."
Megan looked even more confused. "I know nothing about business. I leave that to my husband."
Charlotte sat down next to Megan on the sofa. Felicity and Lillie took seats across from her. "This business concerns your whole family," Felicity said. "Is your husband being blackmailed?"
For a moment Felicity thought Megan would faint. Many women feigned exaggerated reactions when they wanted to avoid facing a difficult situation, but there didn't seem to be anything false about Megan's white complexion or look of fear.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Megan managed to say at last. "We have nothing to hide."
Charlotte took her hand and held it tightly. "We all have things to hide, especially from the Reconstruction government," she said. "You don't have to be afraid of us. We want to help you."
"I really don't know what you're talking about," Megan insisted. "Who could be blackmailing us?"
"Laveau diViere," Felicity said.
"I've heard things from other people," Lillie said. "You're not the only one he's blackmailing."
"I told you nobody's blackmailing us," Megan said. "I don't know where you got such an idea."
"From watching you," Charlotte said. "You're not the happy, contented woman you used to be."
"Things have been a little difficult with the business lately."
"That's not true," Charlotte said. "Just a few days ago my husband was saying your husband's business is the most successful in Galveston. He was speculating on when you'd start building your own mansion on Broadway. You already own one of the biggest lots."
"Your family must have already outgrown this house," Felicity said
"I must insist that you stop talking like this," Megan said, looking like a cornered animal seeking desperately for a way to escape. "I don't know what gave you the idea--"
"He's blackmailing other people," Lillie repeated.
"And unless we can stop him, he's going to keep on until he ruins you," Felicity said.
"Why do you care?" Megan asked, angrily turning on Felicity. "You haven't spoken to me for years."
"After Papa lost his money, a lot of people stopped talking to us and inviting us to parties," Felicity said. "I assumed no one wanted to have anything to do with us. I didn't realize that some people just didn't know what to say. I was angry and felt rejected, so I refused all overtures. I'm sorry for my mistake and want to make up for it, but I'm here today for selfish reasons. Mr. diViere has accused Dr. Price of being behind a recent string of thefts."
"Why should Laveau do something like that?" Megan asked.
"He knows Holt can expose him," Felicity said, "so he's trying to discredit Holt." Felicity told her what Holt said Laveau had done in the past. By the time she finished, Megan looked ready to faint.
"Something's wrong," Lillie said. "You've got to tell us, Megan."
"It's Richard," Megan said. "He's got a gun. He says he's going to kill diViere."
"Now you know everything," Richard Fraser said to Captain Lytle. "I'd rather be ruined by you than by that son-of-a-bitch."
Alerted by Felicity to Richard's intentions, Holt and Clifford Hart had been able to persuade Richard to tell Lytle that Laveau was demanding a partnership in his company for his continued silence. Holt had convinced Richard that Laveau wouldn't be satisfied until he had stripped Richard and his wife of
everything they owned.
"I will need everything you've told me in writing," Captain Lytle said.
"Give me pen and paper," Richard said. "I'd rather get it over and done with now."
"I'm sorry I didn't believe you," Captain Lytle said to Holt once Richard was occupied, "but he's a very important man."
"I understand that."
"Do you think you can convince more people to come forward?"
"I'd rather capture Laveau without ruining innocent people."
"How do you propose we do that?"
"Mrs. Bennett--you remember meeting her at Dr. Moore's house--has learned through her son that a couple of dock workers have been flashing around more money than they could earn honestly. Have someone follow them. Don't arrest them until you find out where they're hiding what they steal. Under pressure I'm sure they'll implicate Laveau."
"It may still be impossible to prove his connection to the thefts."
"If it is, I have friends coming to Galveston with enough evidence of rustling and robbery to convict him in any court."
"He's one of the two men Mrs. Bennett's son pointed out to me," Holt said to Captain Lytle. "The other is at the bar getting beer."
"They don't look like thieves," Lytle said.
"Laveau would never use obvious thieves. They'd be too easy to spot."
Holt had taken Lytle to a rough, all-night bar down by the docks on Galveston Bay. It wasn't the place where he wanted to spend his evening, but so far the captain had been unwilling to assign men to the investigation. If they were going to catch Laveau, Holt would have to do some of the legwork himself.
"You really think he's behind the thefts?" Captain Lytle asked.
"Why else would he lodge a complaint against me?"
"Because you're the thief?"
"They're not staying to drink their beer," Holt said. "We've got to follow them."
"I don't have any men with me."
"Then we'll have to do it ourselves."
"I'll get one of these fellas to take a message to the station."
"We don't have time," Holt said.
"You follow them. I'll catch up."
Holt had never intended to trail the thieves by himself. He was a doctor. He hadn't been trained to fight. He had waited in camp for people to bring him the wounded. Nate and Rafe were the ones best suited for this kind of work. They could follow a rattlesnake across rock. He couldn't capture the thieves by himself. They were both bigger than he was.
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