by Lynn Landes
“You don’t scare me!” Neal struggles violently kicking, trying to free himself. Chase pulls out a small silver skewer and holds it up in front of Neal. “We shall see. They liked to use wooden picks, I prefer, metal. It is much easier to clean.” He places it under the nail of the swollen purple finger of his right hand and picks up his large bowie knife. Chase flips the knife over intending to use the heavy handle as a hammer.
"No! What kind of Marshall are you?" He cries out in a hoarse voice. Chase grins, and Neal pisses his pants.
“The kind who gets the job done. Tell me what I need to know, Neal.” He pulls back the knife and prepares to drive the metal skewer beneath the fingernail.
“I’ll talk!”
Chase sighs inwardly with relief. Neal begins to talk. He spills all the details, names dates, and facts in promise for a new identity and protection from the U.S. Marshalls.
“Congratulations, Neal. You’re now in the witness protection program.” He sticks the toothpick in his mouth and laughs at Neal’s look of outrage.
“I carry my own toothpicks with me.” His smile fades, “They have multiple uses. If you run or go back on your word to testify against those you’ve named, I will finish what I started here. You and your family will be placed in a safe house until it is time to testify.”
Neal nods eagerly. “Anything you say, Marshall." Still tied in the chair, he remembers the message. "Check my pocket. There’s a message for you.” Neal says.
Chase growls, “You’ve been stealing my messages?” He scans the message and glares at Neal.
“Not stealing, just picking them up, like you asked,” Neal stammers. “The point is The Chen are after a witness in New York. If you hurry, you can get to her before they do. It’s only a day’s ride to New York by train.”
“I’ll go first thing in the morning. Now to get you out of here to safety.” Chase quickly unties Neal and offers him some water.
“How about something stronger, Marshall. I still need to explain all of this to my wife. Jackie keeps a bottle in the nightstand.”
“Help yourself,” Chase said as he rolls up his leather pouch. Neal limps over to the end table and grabs the bottle from the drawer. Taking a deep swig of whiskey, he sighs as it burns its way down his throat and points Jackie’s pistol at Chase.
“You should think this through, Neal. I’d hate to kill you after all of this.”
Neal laughs a semi-hysterical laugh and holds the gun with his swollen hand. His right hand was still usable. “As soon as your witness goes to the train station, they will have her. You’ll be the only one dying tonight, Marshall! On your knees, now!”
Chase starts to kneel, but leaps instead, knocking the tiny derringer out of his hand and drawing his pistol at the same instant. He hesitates only long enough to see the look of understanding enter Neal’s eyes before he shoots him point blank in the forehead, killing him. “Less paperwork this way. Now to get a ticket to New York.”
Chapter 16
Every time, Aimee tries to go to the train station to buy a ticket she is scared away by the men in the depot. The Chen have a specific look that identifies them. They wear all black clothing with a long shirt, pants, shoes, and hat to the single black braid down between their shoulders. Plans had to change. The first of two telegrams were sent by runner. One to the United States Marshall's headquarters in Kansas and the other to the Rivers family who owns the shipping railcars.
After a week of waiting, Bronnah is going stir crazy. Aimee is working hard in her shop, but Bronnah must remain hidden until it is safe. “What of those, who can’t fight back?” Bronnah groans thinking of the three girls she left behind. How can she help them? What clues did they leave behind? The dress! Moving swiftly to the closet by the front door, she pulls out the bag of clothing she brought with her. Inside are the corset and stockings with a skirt. Maybe this will hold some answers?
Bronnah waits until Aimee returns at lunchtime to talk to her. "It came, Bronnah!" Aimee is speaking rapidly and waving a piece of paper. “It’s a message from the Rivers family. They said you are to wait for a U.S. Marshall, named Chase Rivers. He’s been investigating this case in Chicago.”
“That’s wonderful, but every day that I wait, more young women are being stolen. I will go to him.”
“Do you think that is wise? They said for you to wait, Bronnah.”
"I know, but you said yourself that The Chen have been searching block, by, block, looking for me. I'm out of time, and I don't want to have this tied back to you."
"It's true that they are looking. They've been to my shop twice in the last week. We are out of time. How will you get a train ticket?"
“Exactly. I can’t go by train, but if not by train then how do I get to this Chicago?”
"I can help you with that. Mon Amour is a Captain of a schooner, called the Harbor Breeze. He will help us, I'm sure of it."
“What is a schooner?”
“It is a wooden ship with three large white sails and masts. Hand built, custom ships, lovingly crafted with his family. He is proud of his work. They are fast and used to move cargo, like grain or coal. Sometimes for the right price, they transport people. Lucky for us, I know just how to satisfy him." Aimee laughs at the blush on Bronnah’s face. “I’m having dinner with him tonight on his boat. I will ask him then.”
“Perfect.” Bronnah jumps up and grabs the corset and skirt, handing it to Aimee. “Is it possible to tell where this was made?” Aimee looked at it and frowns. She flips it and turns it inside out while chewing her lip.
“Oui, sometimes we hide our tag inside the material. As proof of who the designer is.” She moves to the small kitchenette and pulls out a knife. “Let me just…” she slices the seam on the back of the corset and smiles in triumph. “Voila!” Inside is a small piece of material stamped with a circle and in the center of the circle is the word ‘Mario V.’ “Of Course! Mario Vacante. His shop is near Central Park.” Aimee stands up and begins to pace.
“Does every shop make this kind of… apparel?” Bronnah asks.
"No. Especially those in the upper city. I couldn't afford the rent there. This is a specialized item. We will talk more when I return. I need to think about this." She gathers her bag to go and turns to Bronnah. "Don't worry, you'll be spending September with the Rivers family. If they are anything like Cassie, you will be in good hands."
Bronnah waits for Aimee to leave for her date and sneaks down into the dress shop. One of the mannequins has a black wig. Perfect! She will visit this Mario Vacante and find out what he knows. The dress she chooses is a forest green silk and brocade, afternoon dress with a tight waist. Her hair is secured beneath the wig. Long black curls pulled on the sides, and she finishes the look with a matching hat. Hopefully, this will hide her face enough to allow her to move unseen. The sleeves are three-quarter sleeves, allowing her tattoo to be seen. Bronnah chooses a drawstring bag with a thick ribbon to wrap around her wrist. It will conceal the flower on her wrist, and she will be able to carry her derringer. Time to go meet this Mario.
Chapter 17
Rose stares at the four Chen warriors bowing in front of her. She's dressed in a traditional red silk dress, with her hair twisted up into an elegant bun and her lips are painted crimson to match her nails. Two young Asian girls wave fans to cool her off.
“There is a child who works the docks, named Kai. Follow him. He will lead you to the girl. I want her recaptured. I have another group watching the railway depots. Do not harm her face. Leave the child, he’s of no use to me. This girl belongs to Mr. Chen, I would suggest you not fail him. Do we understand each other?”
“Hai!” They say in unison and back out of the room in a show of respect for her station. She waits for them to leave and snaps out an order in Chinese. The girls retreat, leaving her alone.
Already the police have been sniffing around and now some reporter. This girl is resourceful. Eve grins, but no one escapes the Chen. Another shipment arrives this
evening, and she needs to be ready for them.
Taking a carriage, Eve heads to the small hotel that will be housing the next batch of girls until they are ready. On the way, she stops at one of the Opium dens masquerading as a laundry. Eve enters carrying a bag of clothing, to be cleaned and pressed.
“Good morning, Ms. Eve.” The older lady accepts the bag and snaps out an order. Two young boys run from the back and retrieve it to begin the process. “Your last order is ready.” She spins and moves back into the back room, pushing open a door she returns with the clean dresses, pressed and ready.
“Excellent. It’s a fine day for Oolong tea, don’t you think?” She asks with a small smirk.
Understanding dawns and she nods, “Oolong is a perfect way to refresh one’s self. Right this way, please.
They travel through a back door, down a flight of stairs to what would seem to be a cellar door. After opening the door, the old woman steps backward, “Enjoy your tea, Ms. Eve.”
Eve holds a cloth to her mouth and steps inside, closing the door behind her. Immediately the smell is overwhelming. A scorched floral scent permeates everything followed by urine, sweat, and sex. On the wooden floor of the large room, people in varying states of dress are smoking. Two older women are passed out on the floor, one with her corset completely open, baring her breasts to the man who is fondling her and smoking. He glares at Eve as if to threaten her.
She steps past them to a hidden door and knocks out a code. The wall unlocks, and the door swings open inside, before closing behind her. Eve waits for her eyes to adjust and smiles when she hears his voice.
“Evie, my lovely Asian flower, did you miss me?”
"Of course, Jonas, but that's not why I've come." She turns to stare at the handsome young man. Dressed in the finest suit with his mustache perfectly trimmed and his lush black wavy hair, her mouth waters at the sight of him.
Jonas moves to her and holds up a small vial. "I was surprised to get your telegram, Eve. The last bottle should've lasted longer than this." He circles her, smelling her neck and pulls a pin from her hair, moaning when it falls like a gorgeous black shower around her shoulders. His hand trails down the silky path of her spine to cup the perfect curve of her pert ass.
“Jonas,” she groans and spins meeting his hot mouth with her own. Fast and furious, they pull and tug at each other’s clothing. He takes his time, relishing the way her dress pools around the ground at her feet, revealing the porcelain of her skin.
Standing behind her his hot mouth traces over her neck, sucking and nibbling driving her crazy with need. Eve’s arms reach up behind her to hold his head, revealing a small tattoo on her wrist.
“Tell me what you want, Eve,” his husky voice teases as he pushes her over the wooden table inside the room. The sound of his pants hitting the floor behind her has her body clenching in anticipation.
“You, inside of me, now, Jonas!” She begs.
"You know what I need first my love," he orders raining kisses over her spine and pinching her tiny nipples in between his fingers. Her gasp of pleasure has him laughing, and he whispers, "How much time do we have?"
"Hours, Jonas. You can drop me off at the back of the Cosmopolitan Hotel later. Please…" she groans as he grabs her black hair and rams into her. She turns her face sideways, and he snarls.
“Open,” when her red lips part and her tongue sticks out, he drops some of the straight liquid on her tongue, then flips her over to take her mouth as he uses her. Together they ride the high until they are a gasping, sweaty, heap on the bed in the corner.
“How much longer do I have to do this, Jonas?” she asks, tracing her fingers through the hair on his chest.
"I am working on it, my love. You take care of Mr. Chen, and we will own this city. How are you going to get him to come to New York?" She grins and crawls up his body to sink back down on him.
“I have my ways,” she laughs thinking all the ways she will hurt Mr. Chen before he dies. Jonah laughs and grabs her waist.
“You certainly do.”
Chapter 18
Bronnah waves down a carriage and climbs inside with assistance from the driver. “Vacante Dress shop near Central Avenue, please.”
"Yes, miss," the driver replied in an Irish accent. Bronnah hides her surprise and places her tapestry carpet bag beside her feet. Inside is her money, the paperwork she stole and one bustier. Leaving the ledger behind was not an option, so she packed it to keep it secure. She settles in for the ride and stares around her at the city. The streets are busy with vendors, people horse-drawn wagons and carriages. After being isolated for so many days, the sound of the hooves and din of people is intense. Any other time she would have loved to explore. The street vendors have wooden carts with wheels, and they are full of many things. To see that much opulence is mind-boggling for Bronnah. Thousands of people are starving in Ireland.
Focus, Bronnah. The ledger she stole said another shipment came in last night, but not which hotel the girls would be taken to. If she's not able to locate an address, she will try the railroad car. Rivers Refrigerated cars should be easy enough to find.
Going to the police is out of the question, they were "bought" according to Rose Killian. "I will help as many as I can, and this Chase Rivers can do the rest," she murmurs to herself. The carriage pulls up in front of a three-story brick building with the words, "Vacante Dress Shop," etched into the glass windows.
The driver opens the door, “Wait here, please,” Bronnah requests. Straightening her spine, she hurries inside, aware that she's no longer invisible. With her coloring and beauty, not many who pass her look away. Dressed in the green silk dress, her eyes take on an ethereal appearance. She avoids making eye contact at all costs.
Wing it, she thinks as she enters the shop and glances around. Rows of tables lined with gorgeous fabrics in every shade. Beautiful dresses are hung up in various areas, and cases with accessories line the desk register.
“Welcome to Vacante, how may I assist you?” A young dark-haired woman asked. Her name tag said, Carmen.
Bronnah wanders around the shop, slowly removing her hat, she holds it out, and the woman immediately takes it from her. "I've heard so much about Monsieur Vacante, is he available?" She asked as she trails her fingers over a bolt of pink silk.
“He’s in the middle of a fitting, Miss?”
"Miss O'Dalaigh." Bronnah pouts as she moves to the desk and sets her small bag down. She glanced at a display of jewelry and picked up a gold choker with a cross. "It's lovely." Turning to face the young woman she holds it up to her throat. "What do you think?"
The young woman’s smile fades as she spots the tattoo on Bronnah’s wrist. “What are you doing here?” She hisses and stomps towards her.
Bronnah feigns insult, “Ouch, that’s no way to greet your best customer, now is it?”
Carmen shoves her hat at her and reaches for Bronnah’s arm to guide her from the shop only to stop, when Bronnah, snaps, “Mr. Chen doesn’t like for anyone to touch his property.”
The girl loses all her color, “Where’s Rose?” The clerk asked quietly.
Returning the necklace to the table, she answers, “Carmen, Rose got careless and met with an unfortunate accident.” Bronnah reaches into her carpet bag and draws out the bustier and shoves it at the girl. “This is too garish, Mr. Chen wants elegance, not trash.”
“The last shipment was not satisfactory?” She gasps taking the corset from her.
“No.” She picks up her small purse, “I’m afraid there is talk of trying a new designer on Fourth Street. I imagine you’d hate to lose the business. Bring Vacante out here, I need to talk to him about the next shipment and inspect it.”
“Please, you can’t do that!” She hisses and pulls Bronnah to the corner away from the windows. “Rose understood that this was just between us.”
“I see. Carmen, how would you like to handle this?” Bronnah asked as she picks up a silver cuff bracelet from the shelf and slips it
on.
"Take the next order. It is ready, and I'm sure he will be satisfied," stammering now, "and the bracelet if you like."
Bronnah smiles at her. “Very well, he can be so tiresome with his demands. If you’d like I would be happy to deliver them for you. Load them in the carriage out front and give the driver directions. I should like to look around.”
Hope blossoms in her eyes, “Perfecto, I shall do it right away.” She rushes to the back room while Bronnah sighs. The girl returns with five boxes and carries them out front while Bronnah rubs a sheer pink silk material to her face.
“Exquisite,” she said. Moving to a dress on the wall, Bronnah is captivated. It is a peacock blue with intricate embroidery. “Gorgeous,” she said and wonders what size it is.
"Mr. Chen would love you in that. It would really set off your eyes," the girl hints when she sees Bronnah touching it.
"I'm sure he would." Turning to the girl, she pins her hat back on and moves to the door. "Have a good day."
Bronnah hurries to the carriage and nods to the driver. He pulls away, and she can't help but wonder where they're headed. Her heart is pounding with terror. "Holy hell, that was close!" She slaps a hand over her mouth and blushes three shades of red as her Irish accent returns with a vengeance. The driver laughs out loud.
“So, that’s the way of it, then?”
Bronnah grins, “Aye. Tell me the address she gave you.”
"The Cosmopolitan Hotel, Miss."
Bronnah frowns and sits back.
The carriage drives five blocks away towards the Hudson River, and soon they across railroad tracks. Bronnah's heart sinks. "Of course, it's near the railroad," she gasps. When the driver stops and opens a door, she steps down and looks around. They are standing in front of The Cosmopolitan Hotel. It's a four-story red brick building. A beautiful lacy balcony and gothic trim on the corners captivates her. She jumps when the whistle blows on a train, warning them of the impending arrival.