Promise Me Forever

by Janelle Taylor

  Dan fused his gaze with hers. “I know you did, Rachel. I suppose it didn’t seem real because we’ve been separated for so long and I didn’t see him die. Maybe I kept thinking your ruse about his trip was real and he would return home any day now. Seeing that ring brought him to life.”

  Rachel understood his meaning. She remained silent while he dealt with his anguish and loss and quelled his guilt over her.

  Soon Dan smiled wryly and suggested, “Let’s get busy before church is over and Milton decides to make a visit here. If he’s in on something strange with Harry, he could be on alert.”

  “Before we get started, I need to show you the warning I received last night.” Rachel took the note from her bag and read it to him. “It says, ‘Do not double cross me, Señor McCandless, or your wife is dead. If you think you can protect her from us, ask her how many times we have threatened her and been close enough to keep our word. There is no place you can hide her we cannot find her and slay her. Do as you agreed and she is safe.’ It was pinned to my door with this.” She held out the knife to him.

  Dan examined the weapon. “It’s the kind anyone can buy almost anywhere, so no clue there. You didn’t see or hear anyone?”

  “No, thank goodness. But this tells us one important fact: the client doesn’t know Phillip is dead, so he couldn’t have murdered him.”

  “Don’t be misled, Rachel. The message could be for you and was only meant to appear it’s to Phillip so you won’t think he harmed him. The timing is suspicious, as if Phillip’s heir needed to be warned before the news of his demise was announced… Let’s talk about it later; we have to finish here before church is over and Baldwin’s on the streets.”

  Dan jimmied the lock on the man’s desk without damaging it. Rachel pulled out a record book, opened it, and scanned the pages.

  “Look at this, Dan!” she shrieked in excitement. “A notation about a cargo ship reserved on May fourteenth to sail to Haiti. Isn’t that close to Cuba?”

  “About forty-eight miles away, within sight from a mountain or crow’s nest on a ship. You mentioned Cuba yesterday. Who do you know there?”

  “No one. At least, I don’t think I know anyone. These two sets of initials mean nothing to me. C. T. and J.C.,” she murmured. “This is Milton’s handwriting, so he isn’t totally in the dark.”

  She reasoned aloud to stimulate Dan’s astute thoughts. “Harry said Milton denied knowing who the client is, but that could have come from loyalty to Phillip by honoring Phillip’s request to hold silent. I wonder if Milton’s been told Phillip is dead. The authorities said they looked for a doctor who might have been summoned to tend Phillip, so they questioned others before confronting me. They must know I told Milton that Phillip was up North on business. They might even know I deluded his other partners, and even know where I was. Maybe they didn’t tell me because they hoped to entrap me. I’ll bet I shocked them when I told the truth. They can’t prove you lied to help me, so they’re bogged down with three witnesses in my favor. I wish I knew which of his partners is lying. Since only initials are listed, maybe Phillip was the only one who knew the details of this deal. I wonder if Milton would reveal anything if I questioned him. With Phillip dead, I am his partner, so why withhold facts? If Milton’s involved in this wild scheme and it’s trouble, probably not.”

  Dan was intrigued. “Tell me again what Phillip said about Cuba.”

  “I don’t know what it all refers to.”

  “Then repeat every word you heard, Rachel.”

  She obeyed his request as best she could: “Your life, everything in danger…. Enemies, get to you anywhere…. Stop at nothing… to get what they want…. Guns and ammunition…. Must return the money…. Sell anything to repay them…. Only way to stay alive and safe…. Need guns badly . … War…. Freedom…. He’ll come soon and help me…. Don’t double cross Harry and the—Must honor the deal…. All those warnings came…. Tried to stop deal…. Killing me…. got the money hidden…. You’ll be blamed…. Can’t go to the law …. Go see him in Cuba…. He’ll help…. He’ll stop them…. Only hope…. Sorry got you into this mess….”

  Dan scowled as he studied the words for clues and facts. Perhaps Phillip had been referring to him as the first helper! It was fortunate his brother hadn’t called out his name during delirium. Or had he? No, he didn’t believe she knew his true relationship to Phillip.

  “I can see why those words frightened you, Rachel, for they hold definite warnings. In your place, I would have taken the same course of action. It surely sounds as if Phillip took their advance and hid it. That would match the hints those two partners gave us. I wish I knew who he was talking about in Cuba; I don’t recall any friends or business associates there. If a treacherous or greedy friend got him into this deal, he wouldn’t have suspected anything was wrong; but something happened to change his mind. Until we get a real clue about the final destination, it wouldn’t do any good to sail there; it’s a big island with too many people. We couldn’t go around asking who ordered arms and ammunition for a rebellion.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Cuban Rebels have been fighting for their independence from Spain since ‘68,” Dan related. “A purchase of that size and price could only be to fight a war for freedom: that’s what Phillip’s clues imply. The American position is one of sympathy but noninterference. Of course, we almost got drawn into the conflict two years ago when Spain captured the Virginius and executed fifty-three sailors. She was a gun-running ship, Cuban owned, but some of the crew members were Americans and she flew the American flag. Trouble was averted when King Alfonso XII wisely compensated the families involved—if you can pay for lives you’ve taken! From what I’ve heard, horrible atrocities are going on there, so Spain isn’t endearing herself to us. We already have trouble with her in other locations: Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. Those are major shipping routes that have to be protected. The rebel leaders are Antonio Maceo and Carlos Manuel de Céspedes; so you can see, those initials don’t match these in the book.”

  Rachel was alarmed. “If one gun-running ship was captured and sailors slain, that means it is dangerous and deadly to supply arms. It also means our government is trying to remain neutral. If we interfere by providing arms, or they had, it means trouble with the authorities—trouble I don’t need. Selling weapons to rebels is risky, and must be illegal.”

  “And profitable, very profitable, Rachel. Did Phillip need money?”

  “Not that I knew of, unless it had to do with a gambling debt. The news that he was a gambler came as a shock to me, if it’s true. Both men may be lying for a reason.”

  Dan liked the way Rachel always seemed to give his brother the benefit of doubt and to protect Phillip’s image when possible. “I hope they’re wrong.”

  “Now that my husband’s death is exposed, I can check his will, bank account, and all records. I’ll start on that tomorrow. And I’ll speak with Milton, too. I bet he hates the reality of us being partners, or just being in business with a female; so will Harry and maybe George. Tell me, Dan, how do you know so much about Cuba?”

  He chuckled and scolded in a playful tone, “Suspicions about me returning already, woman. Shame on you. I’m a sea captain who delivers cargoes around the world. If I don’t keep up with the trouble spots, I could get myself and my crew killed and my ship sunk or confiscated.”

  “I understand, and shame on you for thinking I didn’t,” she chided. “I told you about those incidents Phillip considered warnings; from Harry’s words about the backdown; the timing matches for that to be true. Those were violent crimes I want solved. Do you think Phillip meant they were killing him, or his guilt or illness was killing him?”

  “Either or both, or neither. Maybe it was the fever talking.”

  “Not with cholera.”

  “I haven’t seen it up close; what does it do?”

  She hated to relate how his friend had died. “Vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, fast and heavy drying u
p of the body, cold and withered skin, drawn face, faint pulse, and enormous thirst. It’s infectious, painful, and swift. It usually is spread through contaminated water or food. That’s why Burke thought Phillip caught it from drinking that filthy-black river water. I’m certain it wasn’t that, or others would have contracted it.”

  “How does that imitate a poisoning?”

  “Arsenic has the same symptoms.”

  “What was that about almonds that you mentioned concerning William’s death?”

  “Strychnine can look like a heart attack if the right amount is used. The victim sometimes grabs his chest and has a grimace of agony on his face that freezes there if death is rapid.”

  Dan pushed aside how his brother had spent his last day on earth, in agony and alone. His heart pumped turbulently with dread at Rachel’s revelations, her vast knowledge of such matters. Slips? Surely not. “That’s gory, but fascinating. How did you come by such learning, woman?”

  Chapter 13

  Rachel wondered if Dan was trying to sound casual but was really tense. It was best to be honest. “Some from the plantation, from poisons used to kill rodent and weeds. Some from Craig, about chemicals used in the textile and milling processes. And some from doctors during the investigations of me. Does it make you nervous to discover I know so much about those things?”

  “Don’t be foolish,” Dan scolded. “You said Phillip might have been poisoned; I wanted to know how you came to that speculation. It’s evident Craig didn’t think you were capable of murder or he wouldn’t have told you such things. Did you have other suitors between your husbands?”

  That took her by surprise. “That’s a strange question.”

  “From a jealous lover?” he teased. “There isn’t anyone around who’s going to battle me over you now that you’re free again, is there?”

  “No. The only men who approached me were making lewd advances. They wanted to bed me but not risk becoming one of my victims. Most of them shied away in terror of me putting an evil spell on them.”

  “Ah, fear of the Sea Witch stealing their souls,” he jested.

  “Can you be so sure of me this soon, Dan? You’ve heard the rumors and you’ve witnessed what the law thinks of me. You know I buried Phillip in secret, and you only have my word for why I did it. I could be lying about everything. How can you trust me?”

  “The same way you can trust me, Rachel—on blind faith and feelings.”

  Should she confess that her heart coaxed her to accept him swiftly and totally, but her wary mind cautioned her to go slowly and to hold back from committing herself fully? She wanted to follow her heart, but her bad experiences with men warned her to listen to her keen mind. “I suppose I’m just anxious about how rapidly and unexpectedly we got so close. I worry about making another mistake with a man. I have to be certain it’s you I need, not just a man to protect me when I’m so vulnerable and afraid.”

  “After what you’ve suffered, I can’t blame you for having doubts and worries about all men. Complete faith and love will come, Rachel, if you don’t fight it out of fear I’m like all the others who’ve hurt and used you.”

  “You aren’t like any man I’ve ever known. Maybe that scares me more. Your power frightens me sometimes. You, Daniel Slade, can hurt me more than anyone has if you aren’t being honest and sincere.”

  “The same is true of you, my enchanting siren. No woman has been this close and special to me. I want you so much that, even if I learned you were guilty of being a Black Widow, I would still love you and want you; I would believe the power of our love is strong enough to break that curse on you. I never thought a woman would get to me as you have. You’re right; it is scary. It will take adjusting on both our sides. We won’t rush it, love. Let me finish checking this book and locking Baldwin’s desk, then we must leave.”

  As Dan read and turned pages, Rachel observed him. She told herself she shouldn’t be so skittish and leery. They cared about each other and about what happened to each other. They were being helpmates to each other. They shared most of the same goals, dreams, and hopes. Even when mistrustful, neither of them was childish, petty, vengeful, or reckless. Weren’t those qualities and traits of true love?

  “We’re all finished. Let’s leave while it’s still safe.”

  “What now?” Rachel queried.

  “You handle your normal business with the banker and lawyer. See what response you get from Harry and George from your telegrams to them tomorrow. See how everyone reacts to this news. Then all we can do is wait for May fourteenth to see who comes and what’s in store.”

  “What about us, Dan? We can’t risk seeing each other at home or in town, not with an investigation of me in progress.”

  “We’re friends and business acquaintances, so that will cover the visits.”

  “That isn’t what I meant,” she murmured, her cheeks flushing.

  Dan pulled her into his embrace and kissed her. “Don’t fret, love; we’ll be together soon; I promise. But for now, we must get out of here; it’s late. We’ll meet for lunch tomorrow, in public to prevent suspicions, in the cafe down the street at one. You can tell me all you’ve learned.”

  They kissed a final time, checked the office for slips, and departed.

  Again, Rachel was shot at on her way home. Before she could dash for cover, she decided to see if it was only a scare tactic. She halted and glared in that direction. As suspected and hoped, no second bullet or enemy approached her position. Assured somebody wanted her terrified but not dead, courage and daring filled her. “Stop threatening me or the deal is off!” she shouted. “Be nice and everything will be fine!” Those words provoked no response, so she rode for Moss Haven.

  Early Monday morning, the two police investigators arrived at Rachel’s home. They told her they had come to take down affidavits about Phillip’s death and secret burial. Rachel, Lula Mae, and Burke were placed in different rooms with closed doors. Rachel guessed it was to prevent them from overhearing each other and was done without warning in hopes of ensnaring them in a lie. She knew the aggressive men would compare their words with hopes of discovering inconsistencies.

  One man took down her explanation in detail, while another did the same with Lula Mae and Burke. She presumed they would take down Dan’s statement, too. She prayed that after telling him everything he wouldn’t make a mistake and get all of them into trouble.

  “Why did you lie to Mr. Baldwin, Mrs. McCandless?” the surly man asked Rachel. “That point confuses me.”

  “It was to gain time to carry out important business details. If I had told them Phillip was dead, they would have panicked and we couldn’t have completed our business. As long as they believed I was acting on Phillip’s behalf, they cooperated. I’m sure you realize that men do not like doing business with a female, not even a wife. I deceived Milton Baldwin until I could finish in Athens and Augusta, then meet with him in person to take Phillip’s place in their firm. It wasn’t wise or kind to leave him a note or drop that shocking news in his lap, then take off for several weeks. I didn’t want to leave him worrying over how his partner’s death would affect him and their firm. I needed to be present with plenty of time for discussion. Besides, I didn’t think I should tell them such news before I told the law.”

  “What business could be that important?”

  “This is a confidential report and paper, is it not?”

  “Of course, ma’am.”

  This time she had to lie. “That’s good, because Phillip’s motive could create problems and ill will if his partners learned why I truly went to see them. Phillip told me there was a big problem with a very large deal he had worked out with a client, a deal that is crucial to the survival of those two companies. He suspected that his partners were stalling orders, perhaps even making secret deals and not paying him his total share of the profits. As you recall, I worked for Phillip before I married him; I understand books, orders, inventories, and such. Phillip wanted me to get the fact
s about the companies’ actions. The trip was planned early Thursday. Before he died on Friday morning, he begged me to rush there to do my snooping before they learned he was dead. He said that if they panicked, they might lie and cover the truth. The crux of the matter is, he thought he was being cheated. He wanted me to catch them by surprise with an unexpected visit before they could destroy evidence of their guilt, so I pretended Phillip was away on unrelated business and I was on holiday.”

  “Did you obtain the facts you needed?”

  “Not really. Neither man would let me study the company’s books without Phillip being present or sending a letter of authorization. I’m afraid neither my husband nor I thought of that angle. I plan to telegraph them today about his demise. Now they won’t have any excuse to keep me from the books; after all, I am their partner. Will there be a problem with me taking another short business trip soon? I assure you I shall return home.”

  “After I examine your statement and the affidavits of the three witnesses, I’ll inform you if you can leave town,” he replied.

  “Tell me, sir, how and when did your office get this tip?”

  “A letter was slipped under our door last Thursday morning.”

  Rachel realized that was when she and Dan were leaving Athens. Who had known her schedule? Dan, her servants, Luke Conner, the men in the Athens and Savannah telegraph offices, and possibly an unknown spy. “What did it say? Surely I have a right to be told why an anonymous note influenced you.”

  “There’s no reason not to tell you, ma’am. It said: ‘Phillip McCandless has been dead since March 26. His wife killed him. She buried him in secret. She went to Augusta and Athens on March 29 to steal his companies. She will return late April 16. Get that murdering Black Widow this time.’ We figured it was simple to learn if Mr. McCandless was alive and the letter was a joke. But with you gone and him claimed gone, we couldn’t. We did what little investigating we could during your absence.”