The girl pulled away from Elizabeth’s hands. She cowered close to her two companions and to Kum Yong.
Donaldina touched Elizabeth’s back. “It’s all right. They cringe from me, too. They don’t know who to trust.”
Elizabeth glanced down the hall. “Could there be others?”
“Perhaps. But not the one we seek.”
“How will we find her?”
Donaldina’s gaze flickered to the woman scowling in the doorway. She leaned close to Elizabeth’s ear. “Our contact said to come back tomorrow if things didn’t improve. I expect he may have other ideas.”
Elizabeth thought back over the apothecary’s words. She’d assumed he’d been talking about the medicine. Then again, he’d sent no mysterious herbs, only candies.
Until tomorrow, then.
***
Charles lifted the next stack of legal volumes from the shelf and balanced them in the crook of his arm. Spencer had assigned a ridiculous amount of research. Charles’s eyelids already grated like sandpaper, but the idea of returning empty-handed curdled his stomach.
The first time he’d cracked a law book, five years ago, the thrill of the crisp pages had filled him with confidence. Enough study and he’d understand how to prevent the type of atrocity that cost his sister her freedom.
He plunked the books down on the desk. Rifling through financial cases struck him as somewhat less intriguing. Charles sat down and pulled the volume close, bending his head over the yellowed pages to read about the 1868 earthquake. The forty-year-old text’s references to the “Great Earthquake” coaxed a snort of disbelief. Perhaps every earthquake seemed “great” until the next big one rolled through. He scribbled a few notes, ignoring the knot growing between his shoulder blades.
Charles pushed a hand to his forehead, focusing on the words. The darkness outside the office window and the glare of the desk lamp did little to help his tired eyes. His thoughts wandered back to Elizabeth and her new life. Had she enjoyed her first day teaching? Charles dug his heels against the floorboards and pushed back the chair, stretching his back. Why did his mind keep returning to her? She obviously wanted nothing to do with him.
Henry walked past, depositing a full coffee mug on the desktop. “Here. Looks like you’re going to need this.”
Charles brushed a wrist across his bleary eyes. “Only five books to go. How long could it take?”
His friend leaned against the neighboring desk. “All night, if your eyes keep sinking shut. What’d you do to earn this abuse from Spencer?”
“Perhaps he’s just breaking me in.”
“Breaking your back, more like. I’ve seen him be kinder to first-year clerks.” Henry reached for one of the volumes. “Let me give you a hand.”
Charles put his hand on the stack. “No. Thank you. I need to prove I can do this. To myself, if not to Spencer.”
“It’s half past two. You’re going to be a wreck tomorrow if you don’t get some shut-eye.”
“You mean today.” Charles swallowed a yawn before it could validate Henry’s argument. “I’ll get there. But first, I’ve got some dues to pay.” He eyed the heap of books. “A lot of dues.”
***
Elizabeth stole into the kitchen before dawn, the black and white tile floor cold beneath her feet. After a few restless hours spent tossing in her bed, a cup of tea might settle her jangled nerves. She couldn’t help thinking what might happen to Tien Gum, trapped with her captors. Had they already smuggled her out of the city? Elizabeth rubbed a fist against her eyes, determined not to cry. She wouldn’t survive this job if she fell to pieces before the third full day.
Elizabeth filled the kettle from the tap and carried it to the gas stove. She might as well enjoy the few moments of peace before the kitchen staff arrived.
A rapping at the door made her heart freeze mid-beat. What now? She crept over to the door, careful to stay out of sight. Elizabeth peeked around the shelves of pots and pans, tightening the belt on her wrapper.
George Wu peered through window grille.
She hurried to unfasten the door. “George, why are you here?”
“Miss King.” The shopkeeper bobbed his head twice, glancing behind him before stepping inside. “I heard you were unable to retrieve Tien Gum.”
“Yes, that’s right. We brought home three girls, but they said she’d been moved shortly before we arrived.”
He ran a hand over his long dark shirt. “I’m told she is back at the same house. If you hurry, you’ll find her there. But they plan to move her soon. They say she’ll be transported to a mining camp in Idaho.”
Elizabeth’s heart jumped to her throat. “Let me get Miss Cameron.”
He touched her wrist. “I cannot stay. Just give her the message. And hurry.”
She nodded. “Thank you.”
He ducked outside and hurried away.
Elizabeth bolted the door as the kettle hissed. In her rush, she yanked it from the stovetop, splashing scalding water on her arm. With a yelp, she dropped the pot into the sink and grabbed a damp towel from the rack. Pressing it to her forearm, she dashed out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
“Donaldina!” She pounded on the bedroom door.
A rustling from inside met her ears. The door creaked open, Donaldina’s eyes wide. “Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth explained the situation, blinking back stinging tears. The angry blisters rising on her wrist seemed the least of their problems.
Donaldina leaned against the door frame. “Wake Kum Yong, and tell her to meet me downstairs.”
“What about me?”
“Elizabeth, I don’t have time to arrange a police escort, and you’ve only been on one rescue. I’m not sure it’s wise.”
Elizabeth drew herself upward, tucking her injured arm behind her back. “Please—I’d like to accompany you. There’s safety in numbers, isn’t there?”
Donaldina pressed fingertips against her eyes and sighed. “All right. But you will stay close to us, you understand?”
“I will.” A surge of energy ran through Elizabeth. “Let’s bring Tien Gum home.”
10
Charles’s chair jerked, waking him from a sound sleep. He jolted upright, swiping a hand across his chin.
Spencer drew back his foot, a cocky grin spreading across his clean-shaven face. “Well, if it isn’t the next mayor of San Francisco. You’re not drooling on my notes, are you?”
Charles reached for his watch. How long had he been asleep? “I . . . I stayed late.”
“Obviously.” The senior attorney snorted. “Don’t worry, McKinley, your uncle isn’t in yet.” Spencer yanked the documents from under Charles’s elbow. “Let’s see if you found anything useful before drifting off.” He pressed the papers against his chest, striding down the row of desks toward his pigeonhole office.
Charles battled the urge to lay his head back on the desk. Ten more minutes rest and the idea of wakefulness might become appealing. He struggled to his feet, instead, and staggered off to the washroom. I’m going to be chewing gum under Spencer’s shoe.
His reflection announced the verdict. Charles’s tie hung loose above a coffee-stained shirt, the imprint of a book engraved into his cheek, ink smudges on his eyebrow. With a groan, Charles splashed icy water on his face, the liquid doing little to cleanse away his morose attitude. He should be grateful Spencer woke him before Uncle Silas arrived.
Charles fastened the celluloid collar and buttoned the vest over the discolored spot. Rolling down his sleeves, he jammed the cuff-links into place and sighed. His mother had picked out the baubles with great care, but they appeared simple and sentimental compared to those of the other attorneys. Chosen with love.
Plunging his hands back into the water, he ran damp fingers through his hair, scowling at the crimped crease. He leaned toward the glass and checked his teeth. Nothing amiss. Had he eaten since the midday meal yesterday? Man cannot function on coffee alone.
A knock at the door chased
off his self-pity. “Charles, that you?” Henry’s voice wafted from the other side of the frosted window.
With a final glance at his reflection, Charles pulled the door open.
Henry whistled a low tone, shaking his head slowly. “You look like last week’s garbage pail. Spencer is crowing to everyone how you slept at your desk. He thinks it’s an insult, but as I figure—it makes you look industrious. I think it’ll backfire on him.”
Charles slumped against the doorframe. “He’s right. I’ve got nothing to show for it but a smelly shirt and a bad attitude.”
“Classic case-file hangover. Too many hours at the desk without sustenance. Here, I brought you some breakfast.” He held out a brown paper bag.
“You what? How did you know?” Charles straightened.
“I’ve seen it before.” He lowered his voice. “And just between you and me, I’ve got my own reasons to want Spencer brought down a peg. Assistant—remember?” The man winked and shook the bag. “I stopped at the bakery down the street. Fresh sweet rolls and a hunk of cheese. That should see you through. Oh, and I keep a clean shirt at my desk. Figure you’ll need it more than me, today.” His nostrils flared. “You smell like a livery stable.”
Charles shook his friend’s hand, resisting the urge to fall at his feet in gratitude. “I owe you, Henry. Thank you.”
The rotund fellow folded his arms. “Introduce me to the lovely heiress you mentioned yesterday, and we’ll call it even.”
“She’s hardly an heiress, and if she meets you, she’ll never look my way again.” Not that she had, anyway, but no sense in encouraging Henry’s interest.
“A fellow can hope.” Henry grinned.
***
Elizabeth dressed by the faint light drifting in the bedroom window, not wanting to waste time with the lamp. Stiff from the cold, her fingers fumbled as she wrapped a scrap of linen around her blistered forearm. Managing to fasten a few buttons on her wrist, the sleeves concealed her foolishness. The last thing Donaldina needed was one more person to worry over.
Kum Yong stuck her head inside. “Are you ready?”
Elizabeth snatched a coat from the hook. “I am.”
The pair hurried down the stairs to where Donaldina waited in the front hall, a picture of calm. She fastened a pin through her hat, her mouth a firm line. “Let’s go. I don’t intend to miss Tien Gum again.”
Elizabeth slipped the jacket over her arms with care. “George said they were moving her to Idaho. Would they really take her so far just to escape you?”
“They’d take her to the moon, if they were able.” Donaldina stepped out onto the street.
The women hurried to Chinatown with only a scattering of words spoken between them. Elizabeth’s heart raced. What awaited Tien Gum in Idaho—a dirty camp reeking with sweaty miners? She brushed away the thought. No need to borrow trouble, as her father used to say.
The neighborhood buzzed with early morning activity. Shopkeepers propped open doors as they prepared for business while crowds of neatly dressed Chinese men made their way down the street, presumably to service jobs elsewhere in the city.
Donaldina stopped around the corner from their destination, turning to Kum Yong and Elizabeth. “Remember, we are without police support on this. George’s information should be accurate, but there’s always a chance things can go wrong. If we get separated, return home as fast as you can.”
Kum Yong nodded, taking Elizabeth’s gloved hand. “We will follow as close as your shadow.”
The missionary brushed back a strand of silver hair. “The enemy crouches like a roaring lion. Keep prayers on your lips.”
Glancing up and down the sidewalk, Elizabeth fiddled with the lace on her sleeve. What did the bystanders think of this tight bevy of women, talking in the street? She forced her shoulders into a more relaxed position, considering Donaldina’s advice. God, protect us. And Tien Gum.
Donaldina grasped their elbows. “I am thankful for both of you.” A smile softened her grim face. “Let’s go.” Without another word, she ducked around the corner.
Elizabeth caught her breath and hurried after. Kum Yong followed a few steps behind.
The missionary twisted the doorknob, pounding on the wooden panels.
The door swung open, and a boy with huge eyes waved them inside. “Upstairs. Hurry.”
Donaldina paused for only a moment at the unexpected welcome. She shot through the doorway, powering up the stairs, skirts flapping.
Elizabeth’s throat tightened as she dashed after her new mentor. Hopefully, Donaldina wasn’t hurtling into disaster.
Donaldina halted at the top of the stairs. She turned to a door on the right, gesturing for Elizabeth and Kum Yong to take the room opposite.
Fumbling with the brass knob, Elizabeth pushed through a strange door. What kind of foolishness was this? Anything, or anyone, could be inside. She gazed around the shadowy room, filled with narrow cots and pallets. A small window stood open, the curtains flapping in the cold morning air.
She stepped over twisted bedclothes scattered on the floor and poked her head outside, the sight of a rickety fire escape confirming her fears. If Tien Gum’s captors climbed down to the street, they could be anywhere by now. The ladder appeared undisturbed. Elizabeth ducked back inside. “Would they go up to the roof?”
Kum Yong paused from checking under cots. Her dark eyes widened, nearly filling her pale face. “Yes.”
Elizabeth hoisted the window open further and sat on the sill.
“What are you—Elizabeth, no!” Kum Yong rushed over and gripped Elizabeth’s elbow. “We need to get Lo Mo.”
“Go.” Elizabeth’s heart pounded in her ears. She couldn’t let them take Tien Gum to Idaho. She couldn’t.
“Wait for us.”
As her friend dashed from the room, Elizabeth swung both shoes out onto the metal structure. It wouldn’t hurt to get in position. Her stomach tensed as she gazed down at the street. Was it really only one story? She grabbed the rickety railing and stood to her feet.
Elizabeth tore off her gloves and jammed them in her pocket, preferring a firm grip on the icy steel. She took a tentative step, followed by another. Miss Cameron could only be a moment behind. A cry from above dissolved her restraint. Elizabeth surged upward, digging her soles against the narrow steps. A trickle of sweat ran down her back.
Pushing up onto the roof edge, she took a moment to steady her nerves. She scanned the rooftop, the flat surface dotted with chimneys and pipes.
Two forms huddled in the far corner. A man jumped to his feet and yelled a string of Cantonese words at her.
“Tien Gum?” Elizabeth’s voice sounded far away to her ears.
Donaldina clambered over the roof edge, huffing as she swung her skirts into place.
Tien Gum lunged out from behind him, her loose hair doing little to obscure a bleeding lip and blackened eye. “Lo Mo! I’m here.”
The man flung an arm in front of her. “She’s staying.”
Donaldina gestured to the girl. “She’s one of my daughters. You’ve no right to her.”
A twisted smile curved his mouth. “You talk of rights? You’re nothing but a thief, posing as a Jesus-woman.” He grabbed Tien Gum’s arm and twisted it behind her. “You come too close, she goes off the side. We’ll see how well she flies.”
The bruises on Tien Gum’s face tore at Elizabeth’s heart. Would the man really kill her?
Donaldina raised her hands, white gloves stained with dirt. “Don’t be foolish.”
“You go back the same way you came.” The man leaned close to Tien Gum’s cheek. “See your Fahn Quai? She not save you.”
Tien Gum’s eyes bulged, her ragged breathing evident from a distance.
God, please. Elizabeth’s stomach knotted. The highbinder couldn’t be allowed to disappear a second time. “You can’t leave.”
“You going to stop me?”
“She’s wanted by the police. They’re waiting downstairs to arrest he
r. And you, presumably.” The falsehood caught in her throat.
His eyes widened. He glanced around, as if gauging escape routes. “You lie.”
“Perhaps.” Elizabeth settled both hands on her hips so he wouldn’t see them tremble. “Go downstairs and you’ll learn the truth.”
“I tell you, I’ll throw her down to the street.”
Elizabeth swallowed, trying to relax her voice enough to sound confident. “And add murder to the kidnapping charges? You’ll hang.”
Tien Gum fell to her knees, as if trying to make herself small.
He yanked her up. “You can’t—”
The roof access door rattled, freezing his words. The man shoved Tien Gum, sending her stumbling toward Elizabeth. He spun and darted across the roof. With a wild leap, he cleared the gap to the next building, landing on hands and knees.
Elizabeth wrapped her arms around the sobbing child, tears blurring her own eyes.
Kum Yong pushed through the door, followed by the boy from downstairs.
Donaldina joined Elizabeth, placed a trembling hand on Tien Gum’s back, and drew them both close. “Elizabeth King, you are a wonder. I don’t know whether to reprimand you or pledge my undying gratitude. Perhaps a little of both.”
Elizabeth let her head fall forward against the girl’s shoulder. Thank You, Lord.
***
Elizabeth’s trembling worsened as she followed the others home along Sacramento Street. All this, and she still had a class to teach. She gazed at Tien Gum’s back, the young woman’s arm looped through Kum Yong’s. It was worth it.
“I can’t wait for breakfast.” Donaldina sighed as they climbed the hill to the Mission. “We’ve earned it today, I think.”
Kum Yong slowed her pace. “There’s an auto out front, Lo Mo.”
“Oh, dear. I hope it isn’t the police. I’d like to have a few minutes to get everyone settled before I deal with the authorities.”
“Would they take her away, again?” Elizabeth came up beside the missionary. “Hasn’t she been through enough?”
Tien Gum pressed into Kum Yong’s side. “I want to stay.”
Donaldina took her other arm. “I know, dear one. We may need to call that attorney fellow again.”
Through the Shadows Page 10