Whispers of Winter

by Tracie Peterson

  “‘I will close this letter to further tell you that it has also been decided that the village will be evacuated. Most of the remaining Inupiat are heading to Teller or Wales. A few are going to Nome. Last Chance Creek will be no more.”’

  Leah let the paper fall to the table. “I have no words.” She shook her head and let out a heavy sigh. She felt as though her tears were dried up and there were no possible explanations that could make sense of anything she’d just read.

  Jayce picked up the letter and read, “‘I will be in touch and hope to hear from you. I have written my Minnesota address at the bottom of the page. I hope you will all pray for us. Love, Emma.”’ He put the letter down and reached out to take Leah’s hand.

  An eternity seemed to pass with Leah and Jayce doing nothing more than holding on to each other. Leah tried not to think too much of her old friends—it hurt too much. Her mind seemed to blur, and it wasn’t until she felt a tug at her sleeve that she opened her eyes and met Wills’ grinning face.

  “I eat, Mama.” He patted his stomach liked he’d seen Adrik do on occasion.

  Leah lifted him in her arms and held him much tighter than she’d intended. She needed to feel his warmth—to hear his breathing. She needed just to know flesh to flesh that he was alive and well. “Oh, Wills,” she said, burying her face against his neck.

  Helaina read the letter sent by Stanley for the third time before tucking it into the pocket of her skirt. He had finally been able to provide her with information about Cheslav Babinovich. At least he provided information about a man who was notorious for using that alias and posing as a Russian.

  Stanley had told her that the man was wanted in several states for trying to defraud a variety of people regarding the sale of faux jewelry, furs of poor quality, and even land deeds. His real name was Rutherford Mills, an actor originally from New York City. He had a list of names he used across the country and seemed to prey particularly upon wealthy women. His latest scheme of posing as Russian royalty raising money for the czar and his family had been seen up and down the coast of California, Washington, and now Alaska.

  Worse than his thievery and fraud, however, Mills was considered to be a prime suspect in the disappearance of several women. Women last seen in his company had simply disappeared, leaving no trace of their whereabouts. Mills would also disappear, leaving the authorities no chance to question him. He was considered very dangerous.

  Helaina began to pace the small living room space. Stanley had told her there was a good-sized reward for the man if she wanted to get back in her old line of business. Of course he knew from her letters that she was expecting a baby, but he may not yet have received her own letter telling of Malcolm’s birth. Stanley’s wife, Annabelle, had given birth to a son earlier in the year, and it pleased Helaina to realize that she had become both aunt and mother within a matter of months. Stanley was obviously quite proud of having a son of his own. He’d been completely captivated by his wife’s daughter, Edith, a spunky four-year-old whom he’d adopted, but Helaina knew this son meant someone would carry forward the family name. Still, the matter of Babinovich or Mills captivated Helaina.

  “Are you ready for a grumpy little man?” Jacob asked, bringing her a fussy Malcolm. “I’ve changed his diaper, but I believe there is more to the matter.” He grinned. “I think he’s hungry.”

  Helaina smiled and took her son. He cried, but there were no tears. “You are such a little duper.” The words were no sooner out of her mouth than Helaina thought of Mills. Mills had duped so many. Old feelings flooded Helaina’s mind and heart. Yearning for justice, to see people pay for their mistakes— of demanding retribution instead of offering forgiveness. Still, she knew there was a difference between those who sought to change their ways and those who only appeared to change when backed into a corner.

  “So what did Stanley have to say?” Jacob asked as Helaina moved to the rocking chair.

  “He said that the family is doing well. He’s beside himself with joy, thanks to his son, and has felt even closer to Edith as she embraces her new role of sister.”

  “Did he have anything else to share? Word of the war?”

  Helaina shook her head. “I had hoped he would tell us the war was over, but no such luck. He did, however, have some interesting news.”

  “News about what?”

  “About Mr. Babinovich. It seems he’s not Russian—just as Adrik suspected.”

  “If he’s not Russian,” Jacob began, somewhat confused, “what is he?”

  “A confidence man—a trickster breaking the law for his own benefit.”

  Adrik smiled at the young woman making her way through the crowd at the dock. It seemed she’d matured greatly in the six months since he’d seen her.

  “Father!” Ashlie fell into his open arms.

  Adrik held her tight and just enjoyed the moment. He didn’t even mind the more formal address of Father instead of Papa. It was just good to see her—to see the reflection of her mother and the beauty of the young woman Ashlie had become. “I was so glad you could make it home. I hated missing your graduation. I want to hear all about it—including your speech.”

  Ashlie laughed and pulled away. “Cousin Myrtle cried bucketfuls. It was rather embarrassing.”

  Adrik put his arm around her and moved her toward the hotel. “Your brothers are beside themselves waiting for you to get here.”

  “How’s Oliver?” The concern was evident in her tone. “Your telegram was so brief.”

  “He’s much improved. We had planned to return to Ship Creek this week. I’m glad we could arrange for you to come with us. However, I need to let you know that we won’t remain long in the area. I promised the boys we’d go back to Ketchikan.”

  “Honestly? But why? I thought the work was good here.”

  Several rowdy people pushed past them, causing Adrik to pull Ashlie against him in a protective manner. “Your brothers are miserable.” He began to fill her in on the turn of events.

  “I can’t believe they would run away. That must have been awful for you to face.” Ashlie sounded so grown up to Adrik. It seemed she had been just a girl when she’d first gone away, but now a lovely young woman had returned in her place.

  “It wasn’t easy. Then when Oliver came down sick, I thought for sure I’d lose him. He’s better though, and we can head to Ship Creek on the next train if you like.”

  “I don’t mind at all,” Ashlie replied. “I had good accommodations on the ship and slept quite well last night. I’m ready to move on.” She paused and looked up at her father to add, “But there are a couple of things I’d like to talk to you about without the boys around.”

  Adrik heard what sounded like caution in her voice. He knew whenever Ashlie took this tone with him in the past that something was afoot. “You have my attention—and my suspicion.”

  Ashlie laughed. “I suppose you know me too well for me to try and fool you. I suppose, too, that it’s best to just come out and tell you what’s on my mind rather than to beat around the bush until I’ve driven everything out but what I intended to reveal.”

  Adrik shook his head and laughed out loud. “You sound just like your mother. She would reason around a thing rather than just deal with the matter itself.”

  “I just don’t want to give you further cause to worry or fret.” Her brow furrowed as she seemed to give the situation deep consideration.

  “Stop stalling.” Adrik finally said. “What do you want to talk to me about?”

  Ashlie drew a deep breath and squared her shoulders. “Two things. My future education and … well … a young man named Winston Galbrith.”

  Chapter Twenty-four

  So this man is very dangerous,” Jacob said after Helaina explained who Rutherford Mills was and what he stood accused of doing.

  “Yes. Stanley says he’s the prime suspect in the murders of several women,” Helaina replied. “Authorities have been searching for him for over four years.”

&n
bsp; Jacob rubbed his stubbly chin. “I don’t understand why a man like that would come to Alaska.”

  “Probably because of the isolation. He no doubt feels he can lay low here and then return south after things have calmed and the search has been given up. Stanley says there’s a hefty reward for the man’s capture. He wondered if I wanted to take on bounty hunting.” She grinned.

  Jacob shook his head. “Knowing you, you’re probably already planning something.”

  “No.” Her tone reassured him. There was no hint of desire or longing for such a task.

  “I suppose I could go to the authorities and let them know what we know. We can give them your brother’s information and offer descriptions and details of his approach to women—how he came to you with his sad story about the czar. Apparently he’s no fool. He knows enough to keep up with world events and use them to his advantage.”

  “I know. I thought of that too. Most men like him are very intelligent. It’s why they manage to keep at it for so long without being caught. I remember reading a case about a man in Chicago who killed dozens—maybe hundreds—of people.

  He was a great businessman and people liked him. He had a charm that seemed to get him into places he’d otherwise never be invited.”

  “It just makes that kind of person more dangerous,” Jacob replied. “They aren’t suspected and no one sees any need to shy away from them. They aren’t perceived as dangerous.”

  “No, there was nothing of Babinovich that suggested danger. In fact, the man seemed quite mousy and meek.”

  “My ma always said the devil would come to us as a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She said a lot of folks figured the devil to be a monster—ugly and scary and obviously evil—but that the Bible said otherwise. If the devil will come to us as an angel of light, why wouldn’t a mere man try the same tactic to gain the trust of unsuspecting people?”

  “Exactly. Most of the criminals I’ve dealt with are that way,” Helaina replied. “Mills seemed genuinely concerned about his loved ones, and that seemed to motivate his actions.”

  “Well, we know now that this wasn’t the case. I suppose I can go to the authorities and take your brother’s letter. I can explain his work with the Pinkertons and what we experienced with Babinovich here in Ship Creek, as well as what happened in Nome. If they choose to do nothing, we’ll have to take it from there.” He eyed her with what he hoped was a stern expression. “Just promise me you’ll have nothing further to do with this situation.”

  Helaina leaned forward and kissed him on the forehead. “I promise. I’m a changed woman.”

  “Oh, sure. You’re so changed that for months you’ve been trying to dig up information on this man, even while carrying my unborn son. That kind of change is hardly comforting. Knowing you, you probably staked out the man’s hotel and lay in wait for him.”

  Helaina laughed. “Not quite.” She picked up an iron from the stove and tested the heat. “I did ask after him, mentioning that I wanted to buy jewelry from him, but otherwise …”

  Jacob rolled his eyes and got to his feet. “That’s enough. I don’t think I want to know anymore. Please just promise me that you’ll leave this in my hands now.”

  “Of course,” Helaina replied with a sweet smile. “I’m quite happy to turn the matter over to you.”

  “Uh-huh. I’ve heard that before.”

  Jacob left his wife and son and headed to Jayce’s cabin. Since Adrik had sent a telegram saying that he and the boys were returning home, Jayce and Leah had decided to move back into their own place. Jayce was in the back sharpening a hoe when Jacob approached.

  “There’s something we need to talk about,” Jacob announced. “I could use some advice.”

  “Sure, pull up a stump,” Jayce said, motioning to the thick log stumps he had yet to cut into firewood.

  Jacob did as instructed, then began to tell Jayce about Mills. “I doubt he’ll come here or be any real threat to our families. He knows Adrik will discover the truth regarding his Russian heritage or lack thereof, and he might fear Helaina learning the truth about the jewelry.”

  “But he needs to be apprehended,” Jayce said, running the hoe’s blade against the sharpening stone. “There’s no telling what a man like that will do.”

  “I agree. I figure we can go to the authorities at the railroad and let them know what’s going on. They are the only law in this area right now. They want people comfortable with coming to the territory and settling in around the line. They would surely want to see Mills captured.”

  “I think that’s a good idea. Better than our trying to apprehend him ourselves. I’ve learned I make a poor law official.”

  Leah worked the dirt of her garden, feeling great pride in the appearance of new growth. The long hours of sun had worked out favorably for her garden, and she meant to take every advantage. There would surely be enough to can for the entire family.

  “Did you miss me?” a female voice questioned.

  Leah straightened to see Ashlie standing at the end of the carrot row.

  “I didn’t know you were coming home!” Leah put down her hoe and ran to where Ashlie stood. “Just look at you.” Leah gave her a hug, being careful not to get dirt on Ashlie’s pristine blue-and-white day dress.

  “I wanted to surprise everyone.”

  “Well, you have certainly accomplished that. Your father was quite ornery to keep this from us.”

  “Don’t be too hard on Father. It’s my doing.”

  “You look so grown up. I can’t believe it. At Christmas you still appeared so much a child, but now you are clearly a woman—and a beautiful one. You’re doing something new with your hair, aren’t you.”

  Ashlie smiled and reached up to touch the carefully pinned creation. “Actually, I am. But I may soon be cutting it all very short.”

  “Surely you’re joking.” Leah had seen some women cut their hair short, even in Alaska, but that was usually the result of fever having damaged it or some other such reason.

  “I’m not joking. That’s kind of why I came out here. I wanted to tell you what I’m thinking about.”

  Leah dusted off her hands. “Why don’t we sit over there?” She pointed to a large bench under a collection of spruce, hemlock, and alder. “Jayce built that for me just a couple of weeks ago. It makes a nice place to sit and watch the children.”

  “I can hardly wait to see the twins,” Ashlie declared. “Father said they were very sick. I’m glad they’re better.”

  “They’re napping now. Those times of slumber come in fewer intervals, but I still insist on an afternoon rest. For them and me.” She grinned. “So what’s your news?”

  “I know I didn’t write much, but I found myself very busy. Cousin Myrtle was of course so sad about Mama. To my amazement, however, instead of making her more reclusive, it caused her to get out more. It’s almost as if seeing Mama die young was an announcement to her that she needed to cherish and use the time she had left.”

  “That’s understandable. It definitely made me more aware of how fleeting our time on earth can be.”

  Ashlie nodded. “That’s why I started doing some serious thinking about what I wanted out of life.”

  “And what did you come up with?”

  Ashlie folded her hands and straightened her shoulders. “I want to be a nurse. I just kept thinking of how things might have been different for Mama if she’d been in a place where there were better-trained people who could have helped her. Of course, I do not say that to make you feel to blame; I know you and the doctor did what you could for her. I just wish there might have been a nice big hospital with the newest innovations and a well-trained staff. As I thought about this, I figured I would do well to be a part of the solution instead of the problem. Then I met someone who really helped to confirm what I was thinking.”

  Leah leaned back and waited for Ashlie to continue. The girl was clearly excited about her decision. No wonder she seemed more grown up. She was full of adult thoughts
and feelings and now was planning a future that would take her into a job of helping people on a full-time basis.

  “I’m in love.”

  Leah hadn’t been expecting this. She looked at Ashlie, knowing her expression must have registered the shock she felt inside. “Love?”

  Ashlie grinned and nodded. “He’s a wonderful man. His name is Winston Galbrith. Dr. Galbrith. He’s been studying to specialize in surgery. He’s working now with a physician in a Seattle hospital. He’s pledged four years of work with this man and hopes to be a highly qualified surgeon after completing his study. Meanwhile, I’ll train to be a nurse at the same hospital.”

  “Whoa. Back up a little. How did you meet this young man?”

  “We actually met at a church dinner. Our church has everyone bring food and share it together once a month. Myrtle decided since it was so blustery outside that this would be a good way to spend the afternoon instead of venturing across town to see one of the relatives. While at the social I met Winston. It was love at first sight for both of us. We sat and talked nearly the entire time, and when the social was over he looked at me and said, ‘I feel as though I’ve known you all of my life. Would you permit me to call on you?’ I told him I felt the same way and would very much like for him to call. We’ve seen each other nearly every day since. He tells me about his cases at the hospital, and he helped me to get into the training program for nurses.”

  “My, but this all seems so sudden,” Leah said, shaking her head. “What does your father say?”

  “He’s concerned,” Ashlie admitted. “However, I’ve persuaded him to come to Seattle and meet Winston for himself. I even managed to talk those ornery brothers of mine into coming as well.”

  “That couldn’t have been easy,” Leah said with a chuckle.

  “Well, once I explained how important this was to me and that I couldn’t move forward until I had their approval as well as Father’s, I think they saw the importance. Father said we will all head down in a couple of weeks. I wish you could come too.”