by Madison Kent
"You will all go look for her," beseeched Belle.
"Of course. We will split up and go in two groups. Do you have an idea of where we might start to look for her?" said Madeline.
"I honestly don't know. For all I know, she may have boarded a train to go to our home in Virginia. She may have decided to get away. She has money so that would be no problem," said Belle.
"We will start our investigation there at the train depot, and see if anyone matching her description bought a ticket today," said Hugh.
Jonathan pulled Madeline aside and said, "May I go with you? I have had barely a chance to speak with you since we've arrived."
"Yes. I also would like to tell you what I have discovered."
Mrs. Brown offered, "I have made soup and a plate of ham, sausages, and cheese in the kitchen. Please have something to eat before you go,"
They concurred they would do so before leaving.
The plates of food disappeared in short work. They had been spending more time partaking of alcohol than nourishment the last few days. The lack of sustenance would not do if they were to continue at this pace.
"We shall need to fill our bellies for we have a long day left ahead of us," said Walter. "It may be the only real meal we have today."
"I hear the horses. Father, take care of Belle and yourself. We may not return until late, perhaps Hannah will return of her accord."
Madeline began to leave, then returned to kiss her father's cheek and say that she loved him. It was not something they said to each other openly and was an unspoken truth. Today, however, she felt she needed to say the words.
She knew she could not stay at the Dauphine tonight, Hugh would have to create the charade for them both because she felt Father and Belle would need her to come home tonight.
It was decided that she and Jonathan would go to the train depot, and speak to any of the carriage drivers who made their living transporting locals. Walter and Hugh would check some of the local hotels.
In the carriage on the way to the depot, Jonathan said, "You keep touching your throat, is it painful still?"
Madeline answered, "It is. I find it difficult to swallow still. Father has given me a dose of morphine and says this new drug has none of the addictive qualities of opium but gives pain relief. I find it stimulating and along with the ointment Father gave me, I can manage.
"I never did divulge what happened while I was away from all of you. First, I came upon Guy Finaldi and his friends. I told him of tonight's rendezvous with Vinnie. He and his friends will keep watch in the event Vinnie or his friends result to violence and not just take the money from you."
"I have it tucked into my coat pocket. There is enough there and extra to satisfy the debt. With his reputation, I cannot imagine there will be no other altercation, but we will see. We will have the numbers now on our side. Thank you for that and for being my dear friend. I have missed you and being part of your adventures."
"Your presence here is a welcome one. I am so grateful for our accidental meeting aboard the SS City of New York. If it wasn't for Sherlock Holmes, we may have never met."
Madeline and Jonathan had both been reading the new novel penned by Arthur Conan Doyle. Jonathan had happened upon her and suggested they have a discourse about the enticing mystery author.
He laughed, "Somehow I think I would have noticed you, even without the novel."
She smiled at his attempt to flirt with her and was grateful for a moment to feel once again like a young woman, and not just a widow.
"The other news I have is about Anastasia."
"The old woman who sat with you and Hugh and let you into the dense forest area?"
"Yes, the one I thought had all good intentions, until the event. I saw her in the square. She ran from me, but then a group of children playing blocked her exit. Reluctantly, she stopped and spoke to me. She was most emphatic in her words that she did not harm me, and would offer an explanation to me if I would meet her tonight near the Lake Pontchartrain bridge."
"I hope it is not at midnight because I must accompany you to see this strange woman."
"It is at ten. We should have enough time to meet with her and for your return to town.
There is something else. I am afraid I might know what turned Hannah into such a state that she left."
They had arrived at the depot and stepped onto the platform amongst the train's bellowing engine steam, and the raucous noise of the crowd there.
"Let's go inside. I won't be able to hear you well enough out here."
"Yes. I will finish my story after we make the inquiries about Hannah."
She had brought a picture of Hannah with her. They questioned several passengers awaiting a later train, the ticket counter, and several porters. Only one man, an elderly porter with a distinctive white beard thought he had seen her.
"I think it might be her. She bumped into me, and I noticed that she was visibly upset. Most people stop me with an abundance of questions, but she didn't even seem to be aware she had all but knocked me over in her haste. Never a word she said to me. I had the feeling she might have been in some trouble."
They thanked him and moved to some unoccupied chairs in the farthest corner of the room.
"It is a little quieter here. From the behavior, it sounds like it might have been Hannah," said Jonathan.
Madeline proposed, "But if she did intend to leave by train, something changed her mind. According to the staff, there were no tickets purchased for Virginia this morning, and no one remembered seeing someone that fit her description.
"As to the reason I feel may have been a motivation for her actions...Andrew LeBlanc."
"What do you mean?"
"I knew it would upset her, but I felt it was important to discuss the letters. I held onto one back and gave her the others. She was taken aback and felt it was incredulous that they should find in Wesley's hidden compartment of his desk. She said, "my Andrew", the exact words she spoke, was not involved in harming Wesley.
"She was angry with me for having breached the subject and dismissed me rather curtly. Still, the way she spoke his name, I felt there may be some feeling for him left in her heart."
"That certainly sheds some light on her disappearance. Do you think she may have gone to confront him?"
"I think there is a definite possibility."
"Shall we go to his office then?"
"My thoughts exactly."
"I would sorely like an interview with Armand's aunt...that girl Marguerite. Even if she weren't completely coherent, her story would make for an interesting article," said Jonathan.
"Her brother, Pierre, is so protective of her, I wonder why he has not sought medical help for her. Unless, of course, he does not have the means to do so."
"She knows something...from what you've said before. I wonder if Madame Clarice has anything to do with her drugged state of mind."
"She is rather frightening. The hold she has over this community is hardly to be believed unless you see it for yourself.
"There is Wesley's office; it is the building on the end."
"Mr. LeBlanc? No," the receptionist said nervously, pulling at her sleeve. "No, he is not here. We are not sure when to expect him. I believe he's come down with an illness of some sort. He was doing rather poorly when he left this morning. Will that be all?"
"We're family of Wesley Randolph and needed to speak with him," said Madeline.
"I recognized you, Miss, from when you were here. I'm sorry. I will tell him you were asking for him when he returns."
She thanked the receptionist for her trouble and left behind a quickly penned note for Andrew to please contact her at once.
They spent the next few hours traversing the streets of the square, going down alley ways, and inquiring about Hannah at local shops. Some people thought they had seen her, but could not say when or where. Most just shrugged and walked away, not particularly interested.
By dusk, they were tired and ready for some
refreshment. They returned to the coffee house, their designated meeting place, hoping to see Hugh and Walter.
"As long as we are still in town, I believe we should see Madame Clarice again. I had hoped to come across Pierre or Marguerite, but perhaps they will be at her nightly rituals," said Madeline.
Within the hour, Hugh came upon them and said, "It is so crowded, and there doesn't appear to be anyone familiar. Do you think it's safe for us to sit together?"
"Why take any chances? We've come this far undetected. Maybe we can have dinner at one of the hotels," said Jonathan.
"I've secured the suite at the Dauphine. If we go there, we can freshen up in the room before our meeting later," said Hugh.
"That sounds like an excellent idea. I would like to wash some of this sweat from me, and maybe have a quick lie down," said Walter.
"I'll go ahead then and get us a table. Why don't you come around in ten minutes or so?" said Hugh.
Madeline was in awe of the beauty of the Dauphine. Since their arrival in New Orleans, everything they had done was related to their investigation. She probably would never have seen this hotel if they had not had to create the ruse for Mario.
"Jonathan, it is a marvel. Now I wish I could spend the evening here," said Madeline.
"I thought you were," said Jonathan.
"I had planned to until this incident with Hannah. I feel I must return to Father and Belle."
"Yes, of course."
"I will return in the early morning hours to be certain I am here when Mario arrives."
Hugh came forward and escorted them to their table.
After they had ordered a bottle of wine and fine New Orleans Creole cooking, Madeline said, "Hugh, this hotel is quite wonderful. The paintings of the birds on the walls were done with a delicate hand―such fine artistry."
"I wasn't aware of it, but the hotel staff informed me it is the work of the infamous John Audubon. Can you imagine having such a great artists work on display for our benefit?" said Hugh.
"It is quite impressive, but not the most interesting fact about the hotel. Hugh, tell them what you heard," said Walter.
"Well, let's just say Madame Clarice and Marguerite would be well suited to the place. It has a history of being haunted," said Hugh.
"Seriously, old man, is that what you heard. Tell us more," said Jonathan.
"They say the ghosts of the Civil War Patriots call into the night. They've been seen walking down the hallways and moaning from their wounds. I heard that the ladies of the evening frequented these rooms during war time―seen in flowing gowns on the balconies," said Hugh.
"I can certainly see Marguerite, her svelte figure moving along the hall, mesmerizing all she sees with those wild eyes," said Madeline.
As she had the chance to tell her friends earlier, Madeline related the details of her meeting with Anastasia.
"As I need to be in that area, I thought we might try to see Madame Clarice," continued Madeline.
"That's fine. Did anyone find out any news about our Hannah?" asked Hugh.
"Not even our Frank Dowdry has heard any news," said Walter. "She has disappeared like a nymph in the forest."
"I don't have the same feeling like Belle has that Hannah is in danger. I believe she is running away from her past, or trying to confront it," said Madeline.
"What do you mean?" asked Hugh.
She went on to tell them of her conversation with Hannah.
"That might explain what we heard about Andrew's behavior. It does seem too coincidental that he is nowhere to be found. Do you think there is a possibility they are together?" asked Hugh.
"I honestly don't know. It seems at first to be an unlikely situation, but they are both missing," said Madeline.
"If she had left town, I think someone would have seen her. She looked so gaunt, and her nervous behavior would have made her stand out. I think we should continue our inquiries within the city," said Walter. "Now, let us eat this fine food, drink our wine and I will have a fine cigar inside the suite."
Madeline smiled and agreed that they needed to de-escalate this chase they were on, at least for an hour or so. Soon enough, they would be amongst the esteemed Madame Clarice.
Chapter Fourteen
The Dauphine New Orleans
The suite gushed with ostentatious style. Silk bed coverings and shimmering satin curtains graced the room. Victorian-style golden chairs and settees graced the inch thick, lush carpets of gold and red. It took Madeline's breath away, and she could see from the men's expression they felt the same way.
"This place makes The Harrison look like paupers owned it," said Jonathan, referring to the hotel in Chicago that they investigated for the missing girls on Goose Island.
"Belle will reimburse you for the cost," said Madeline to Hugh.
"I can well afford it, and do not wish to impose on her for a manner such as this. Besides, a few days here will do us all good. It is an atmosphere of gaiety and beauty; that only is worth it," said Hugh.
The suite proved to be the most comfortable place she had been in a while. The doors were opened onto the balcony, blowing a fine breeze through the rooms. The time of rest flew by and promptly at eight; they resumed their quest.
"Will you stay with Madeline when she meets with Anastasia?" asked Hugh.
"I plan to. Walter and I will obtain transportation back into the city and await Vinnie and his thugs. Samuel will wait for Madeline to take her home," said Jonathan.
"I will wait with Samuel at the coffee house until you all arrive," said Madeline. "I could not return home without knowing you are safe."
"You can always return to the Dauphine and wait, it would be more comfortable," said Hugh.
"I know, but I would rather be about the city in the event that I might catch a glimpse of Marguerite or Andrew," said Madeline.
Hugh was forced to be on his own as they felt the presence of Walter might be suspicious. After the incident when Vinnie encountered Walter sketching him, they were concerned that he might be recognized.
Madeline, Jonathan, and Walter made their way as close to Anastasia's rendezvous point as they could.
"I'd like to see if I can find the tree she spoke about. She said she would place a marker, a kerchief of some kind, on the tree.
She said something to me of a curious nature; I had all but forgotten it because of Hannah. She said she was in some way responsible for Hugh having found me. I never asked him about it, but I would like to take another look around the area where I was accosted," said Madeline.
The banging of the Conga Drums lingered in the air so loudly that it pulsed through their bodies, making them feel as if they were moving to the rhythm that it set. Madame Clarice was not visible yet, but her followers, like always, were in abundance. She estimated there might be a hundred or more people already congregated at the site.
She tried to remember the path she had taken with Anastasia, but everything looked too similar.
"Maybe if Hugh were here, we could find the trail. It all looks too much the same to me," said Madeline.
"Then let us see if we can find the oak tree where you are to meet her," said Jonathan.
She had said it was close to the bridge itself, so they began their search there. Moving together, they trampled the grass as much as possible to create their own path back. Jonathan snapped the limbs of small branches so they would help recognize the path there and back.
"I think I see it," said Walter as he moved forward, pushing the palm fronds away from his face. "It is in a remote enough spot, all right, but there is the scarf. I don't know how she got it up there."
He was pointing to a place on the tree that was approximately fifteen feet above the ground. The tree was climbable, but she wouldn't have assumed that someone like Anastasia could complete the task.
"If it were Anastasia who placed it there, she could not be as old as you think her," said Jonathan.
"You will see when you meet her that she is unusual in e
very way," said Madeline.
"We've left enough markers that we should easily find our way back later tonight. There is a full moon. That will help guide our way," said Jonathan.
Returning to the clearing, they smelled smoke. Following the scent, they found an area where there was a crude fire pit made of stones in the ground. Standing over it, cooking a dead fowl, was Madame Clarice.
"The fire draws people to it. I knew it would bring you here. You are again searching for someone who is lost to you but does not wish to be found," said Madame Clarice.
"How...," began Walter, but Madeline touched his hand to stop him from speaking. She did not wish to give Madame Clarice the satisfaction of knowing she may have somehow spoken of something with some uncanny truth.
"I think we have found the person we are looking for. Is it you who wishes to remain in hiding? You that hides behind a screen of smoke?" asked Madeline.
"It is useless for you to dabble at outwitting me. I am a rightful descendant to Marie Laveau's powers. They flow through me, and I see everything. It is a gift that I do not squander in idle chatter. I speak only the truth.
"The one you seek is near. She is in no danger...for now," said Clarice.
"Why is it you feel the need to threaten those at Belle Magnolia? Guy Finaldi was proven not guilty by the law. You have turned public opinion against those who are innocent. The family is suffering. We heard you are responsible for the misdeeds occurring there?" asked Madeline.
"Be careful. Are you accusing me of murder?" asked Clarice.
"I am inquiring if what people are saying is true. Do you seek revenge on the family of the late Wesley Randolph?"
"Revenge is not a word I use. I seek only justice. The spirits will have it. I am their ambassador. They live through me. You must blame heaven itself, not me, for your troubles. Now, you must leave me. I am preparing for tonight. You and your friends are welcome to stay...if you dare disturb the karma. The thunder already begins. There were no clouds, but you have brought them," said Madame Clarice.