Deadly Promise

by Brenda Joyce

  "Let's get Beth Schmitt started on those photographs and sketches," he said.

  Francesca watched him walk to the door. Dismay immobilized her. How had they been reduced to such straits?

  Bragg turned. "He is winning, you know. Because this is exactly what he wants, to drive us apart, in every way, even as genuine friends."

  Their gazes locked. "You are wrong."

  He made a sound of disgust.

  But she was afraid. Afraid that he was right.

  An hour later, Beth had failed to identify the thugs who had abducted Emily, leading Francesca to believe that both men were rowdies and little else. Clearly they were the brawn for the brain behind the child prostitution ring. However, they did find John Cooper in the mug book.

  He had done time. Two years, to be exact. His crime? An odd con involving his daughter, whom he had claimed to be someone else's child, missing since birth. The ecstatic parents had paid him several thousand dollars for the return of their supposed daughter, and had Bonnie not been recognized by chance on the street, the con would have never been revealed. She had been three at the time.

  Nine years ago, the man had sold his own daughter, and here was the proof.

  "He did it again," Francesca whispered.

  Bragg had avoided looking at her for the past hour. Now their gazes met. "I shall enjoy interrogating this man," he said.

  Francesca was a bundle of nerves as she entered the grand entrance of the Fifth Avenue Hotel. Now, with John Cooper on her mind, she wished very much that she had put off Grace Bragg. But it was already a quarter past one and it was too late to send her a note canceling their luncheon.

  She entered the lobby where oak floors gleamed underfoot and paneled wood columns met a vaulted ceiling with a huge crystal chandelier. The lobby was filled with hushed conversation coming from the clusters of gentlemen, all in their business attire. Clerks in dark suits graciously registered new guests. Francesca saw Grace instantly, as she was the only woman in the entire lobby. She was seated on a coach in the central lounge area, and two distinguished-looking gentlemen had paused to speak with her.

  Francesca inhaled for courage, smiled firmly, and started toward the woman who would be, in a way, her mother-in-law. Grace saw her and stood.

  Francesca smiled, because Grace was wearing a very severe gray suit, as plain and drab as Francesca's navy blue one. However, the gray color did wonderful things to her fair complexion and brilliant red hair, which was tightly pinned back beneath a matching gray hat trimmed with black soutache. Her spectacles were hanging on a chain around her neck.

  "Hello," Francesca said as they embraced. "I am sorry I am late."

  "I understand. The case?"

  Francesca brightened. "We have several new leads today, and I am extremely hopeful," she said.

  "That is wonderful," Grace said, clearly meaning it.

  "Mrs. Bragg, good day."

  Francesca turned as a slim and dapper gentleman about Grace's age paused to greet her. He was exceedingly well dressed, his complexion very fair, his eyes pale blue.

  Grace hesitated and Francesca thought she was trying to recall the gentleman's name. "Mr. Murphy," she smiled firmly, and Francesca realized she was wrong—Grace knew this gentleman and did not like him.

  "Yes, Tim Murphy. We met at a function in Washington, I believe." He smiled at her. "I had heard you and your husband were back in the city and I wanted to say, 'Welcome.' "

  Grace's smile was cool. "How nice of you. May I introduce Miss Cahill?"

  Murphy turned and leveled his pale eyes on Francesca, smiling. "Any relation to Andrew Cahill?"

  She smiled politely. "He is my father," she said.

  "Well, I am pleased to meet you then," he said, taking her hand and politely lifting it. "Are you here for lunch?" he asked, his gaze now riveted on hers.

  "Yes."

  "Do enjoy. Chef Tomas is wonderful." He excused himself and left.

  Francesca glanced at Grace and saw her expression, clearly one of distaste. "Who was that?"

  "A Tammany rat," she said calmly. "He is a good friend of Croker's. I do believe he was in Van Wyck's administration. Shall we go in?"

  Van Wyck had had one of the most corrupt administrations in the city's history, and that on the heels of the reform administration of the previous mayor, Strong. Fortunately, Julia was not related to those Van Wycks. Francesca had been present at inauguration day to witness the happy event of Seth Low becoming the city's mayor and great good-government white hope. Van Wyck had not dared stay for the ceremony, he was so unpopular and so disliked. He had slunk away without a word the moment he had handed over the ceremonial keys to the city. And it had been good riddance, too.

  They were ushered into an elegant dining room filled with gentlemen—the only women present. Grace clearly did not care and she accepted many greetings as they were led to their table. As they sat, she asked Francesca if she would like a glass of wine with lunch.

  "No thank you," Francesca said. "I have far too much work to do this afternoon."

  Grace asked the maitre d' to bring them tea, and when he had left, she smiled at Francesca. "I am very pleased that you could have lunch with me."

  Francesca smiled grimly. "I feel as if I am on the executioner's block." The moment the words were out, she wished she hadn't spoken so frankly.

  "Oh, dear." Grace reached across the table for her hand. "I am very impressed by your intelligence and determination, Francesca. I like you very much."

  Francesca managed to smile. The unspoken word was but.

  "How much thought have you given to your engagement with Calder?" she asked.

  "More than you can ever know," Francesca said ruefully. She hesitated. "I accepted his proposal a month ago, Grace."

  She was surprised. "A month ago? And then you left town. Tell me, Francesca, why did you accept Calder's proposal? Are you in love with him?"

  She tensed. "I am very fond of him."

  "That is hardly love."

  "No."

  "Are you in love with Rick?"

  Francesca could not speak. She could only stare. Was she in love with Bragg? Hadn't she promised him her heart, forever, no matter what?

  "Have you asked yourself this question? I hardly think it fair to Calder if you marry him when you have given your heart to someone else."

  Francesca wished the afternoon would evaporate. "Calder doesn't love me, Grace. He doesn't even believe in love. But he is as fond of me as I am of him, and he wishes to marry me. Upon reflection, I think it will be a very interesting union." She felt herself begin to flush. She was so erudite, and that was the best she could do.

  "Calder is a complicated man," Grace said. "He seems smug and confident—I find him terribly fragile. You have clearly turned his head, otherwise he would not wish to marry you. I think he may very well be in love with you, my dear. But I don't think he is capable of admitting it, not now, perhaps not ever."

  Francesca stared, for one moment reeling, and then she recovered, because she knew Grace was wrong. "What are you really saying?"

  "I am very fond of you," Grace said. "But I don't want either of my sons hurt."

  Francesca stiffened, because Grace could not have been clearer. She did not want Francesca marrying Hart because of Francesca's remaining feelings for Bragg.

  Grace smiled, but it was firm and hardly reassuring. "I do not think you known what you want. The last I heard, you were very in love with Rick."

  Francesca knew she was supposed to respond, but she did not know how. "There is no one I admire more," she managed hoarsely. "But I support his marriage."

  "Do you have a choice?" Grace bluntly asked.

  "No," Francesca admitted, flushing. "But I truly support his marriage. I have encouraged Rick to forgive his wife, to give her a real chance."

  Grace stared. Then, "The fact that you and he would even have such a conversation speaks volumes. I support his marriage as well, Francesca."

  Francesc
a swallowed uneasily.

  Grace continued, "Leigh Anne was an immature young woman with stars in her eyes and many foolish romantic notions in her head when she met my son. He was as foolish—and as romantic. Both were naive when it came to relationships. Neither one knew the other, and the courtship was brief. An impulsive, somewhat selfish, and angry girl left my son four years ago. A mature and, I believe a very different woman has returned to his side. Leigh Anne has changed—and the change seems to be for the better. I want them to have a real marriage, Francesca. But first, they need a real chance."

  "Why are you telling me this?" she asked, dismayed. But she already knew what Grace's answer would be.

  "Because the bond between you and Rick remains—and it doesn't help his marriage at all."

  Francesca flushed. Carefully she said, "Then why aren't you encouraging me to marry Calder?"

  "Because you don't love him. Because it upsets me to see my sons fighting one another—over you." She toyed with her glass, then said, "I don't like it. I don't like this entire scenario. Not one bit."

  Francesca felt ill. "So you are asking me to break it off with Calder?"

  "I would never do such a thing. I am asking you to think carefully about what you are doing—and why. It is your decision to marry. Just be certain you are marrying for the right reasons. Not because you are hurt and cannot have the man you really want."

  Francesca felt real despair. She had been excited, she realized, about her engagement, and now she felt hurt and even, oddly, crushed. Francesca stared at the linen tablecloth. What should she do?

  Could she break it off with Hart?

  She couldn't breathe. The thought of breaking up with Hart made her ill, almost violently so. But she didn't love him, did she? She had briefly found true love with Rick Bragg, but what she felt now for Hart was so very different. It was wild and frightening and dangerous.

  She simply couldn't imagine being with Hart in a house filled with their children, a white picket fence about the yard. And it had been so easy to see herself with Rick Bragg that way.

  The only thing she could envision when it came to Calder was being in his bed. And that, dear God, was hardly love.

  Maybe Grace was right. Maybe she should break it off before it was too late. Maybe she was marrying him for all the wrong reasons.

  "Francesca? I hope I haven't been too brutal in my honesty."

  Francesca managed to meet her gaze and somehow managed to smile. "I appreciate your honesty," she said. "You are right. I am marrying for all the wrong reasons." She smiled, but she felt deathly ill.

  Grace smiled back. "I know you will do the right thing." Francesca could not speak. If she did the right thing, she was going to have to break if off with Calder Hart.

  It was a beautiful spring day, but her heart was so heavy that the skies seemed gray, not cornflower blue. Leigh Anne walked slowly down Broadway, so immersed in her thoughts that she had forgotten to open her umbrella. She was so fair that she burned easily.

  Images of last night came to mind, hot and torrid. But along with the tingle of need there was hurt and despair. He was punishing her, she knew, by refusing to give her a chance to have their child.

  If only she could hate him. When she had returned after their long separation, she hadn't known what she would really feel. The anger had faded long ago, leaving an odd wistfulness, a strange nostalgia, in its stead. Those old-fashioned dreams of true love, children, a happy home and handsome husband seemed quaint and as if they had belonged to another woman. Leigh Anne couldn't even identify with the spoiled and selfish child who had walked out on her husband that long ago and oh-so-fateful day.

  She paused before a window filled with beautiful hats and bonnets, not seeing a single one. Tears rapidly filled her eyes.

  She fought them, but she knew that the day that loomed ahead was a long one and this was her single chance to cry, and she quickly gave up. She wept, silently.

  For how much longer could she go on this way? Being ignored by day, being ravaged by night? Yet even if she could leave him again, she could never leave the girls. She had been hoping to bring up the subject of their adoption with him, but every time they came face-to-face, she changed her mind, afraid of his reaction, knowing what it would be. He would accuse her of using the girls to reach him. He had become such a bastard, she thought, and that was the real crux of the matter. Once he had loved her, now he hated her, and it didn't seem as if there would ever be any going back, no matter how hard she tried to be a good wife.

  She wiped her eyes. At least they had the nights. They would always have the raging, insatiable desire. Today it felt like a curse.

  What should she do?

  What could she do?

  She had come back because Bartolla had told her he was in love with another woman. She had left him four years ago certain he would never give his heart to anyone else— she had been so confident, so sure of it. When she had received the countess's letter, she hadn't really believed Bartolla's words. Yet when she had met Rick and Francesca at the train, when she had seen Francesca for that very first time, she had understood and she had been terrified.

  He worshiped the other woman because she was selfless, noble, and good. He had set her on a pedestal, and Leigh Anne simply could not compete. Nor did she wish to do so—it felt far below her dignity. Besides, she also admired and respected Francesca Cahill. In fact, had the circumstances been different, Leigh Anne suspected they might have become friends.

  Leigh Anne set her unopened parasol down and fumbled in her bag for a tissue. Feeling sorry for herself was utter idiocy. It solved nothing. The bottom line was, she had her marriage back and she wasn't giving it up. She wasn't giving Rick up—and that was that.

  She needed to be strong.

  Unfortunately, just then it felt as if the last reserves of her strength were waning dangerously low. For how much longer could she last? Where would she find the strength to renew herself?

  Then she thought about Katie and Dot and warmed. The girls needed her. He might not need her outside of the dark hours of the night, but the children needed her—just as she needed them.

  She reached for her parasol, opened it, and stepped out onto the sidewalk. And someone screamed.

  "Look out!" a man shouted at her.

  And she heard the hooves on the cobblestones, dangerously close; she heard the splintering of wood, the shrieking of carriage wheels, the grating of pressure brakes. And the snorting....

  Leigh Anne turned.

  The coach was out of control. The horses were on the sidewalk, galloping directly toward her. The frightened driver was a blur. He screamed at her. Leigh Anne felt sheer terror then, and as she stared into the whites of the horse's eyes she knew the end was near.

  She was going to die.

  Leigh Anne somehow moved. Screaming, she leaped aside, but too late.

  Iron-shod hooves caught her left leg and she went down.

  Time stopped.

  She knew she had to roll aside, but the pain was blinding, paralyzing, and she could see more hooves coming, directly at her, and the single, terrifying wheel....

  Sobbing, Leigh Anne tried to pull herself out of the way.

  She failed.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Saturday, March 29, 1902 — 3:00 P.M.

  Bragg was waiting for her on the street in front of the brown building with the blue shutters where they hoped the Coopers currently lived. They had made plans to meet before her luncheon with Grace. He smiled slightly as she approached. "How was your lunch?"

  Francesca tried not to wince. "I had a fabulous piece of cod," she said. It was a lie. She'd barely been able to eat.

  He started, his gaze piercing, sensing something was amiss, but she hurried past him to the building's front door. She was more upset now than she had been before, because Grace Bragg was right. She was marrying Calder Hart for all the wrong reasons, and it wasn't fair—not to anyone, not even to herself. She did not want to tal
k about it, especially not with Bragg. But could she really break up with Hart?

  She must not think about it now. There was work to do and not much time in which to do it. She had promised Sarah she would sit for her at half past four.

  Bragg said from behind her, "They're here. I checked with some neighbors. Flat Number Four."

  Francesca nodded. "Let's go up."

  He seized her arm. "You are distraught. What happened?"

  "I'm fine." She smiled too brightly at him.

  He studied her. "Grace can be too honest sometimes. But she means well. She is one of the kindest women I know."

  "I know all that. Let's see if John Cooper is at home. We have missing children to find, Bragg." She pulled free and hurried into the entry, a small, narrow windowless square. The fourth flat was on the second floor. Francesca did not hear a sound from within it and she was dismayed as she knocked sharply upon the battered wood door.

  There was simply no answer.

  She faced Bragg after knocking twice more. "No one is home."

  He gave her a look. "Let's go in anyway."

  She was startled. He smiled at her and tried the door— but it was firmly locked. Bragg took a small knife from his breast pocket and began fooling with the lock. It clicked. He smiled at her and tried the door, and this time the door swung open.

  "Very nice," Francesca breathed. "Have you been taking lessons from Joel?"

  He chuckled as they stepped inside, closing the door behind them.

  The flat was one room. It was not partitioned into separate sleeping areas. Francesca instantly became uneasy, glancing around. There was one bed on the far wall. "Where is Bonnie's bed?"

  "I don't know. The neighbor told me they have been here for about six months."

  "This is odd. I am worried." There were a series of wall pegs by the bed and she saw several garments, all clearly belonging to a grown man or an adult woman. In case she had missed something, Francesca went to them and inspected the clothing. "There's nothing here for a child."

  "Bonnie was twelve. She might have been tall for her age—she might have worn the clothing of a small woman."