Laura motioned for Lily to join her at the door where she whispered, “While he’s asleep, we have something important to do. As exhausted as he is, I’m sure he will sleep deeply. You can keep a close check on him between our tasks.”
“From your expression, it must be something serious.”
“It is, Lily. Since Richard will be here for a long time, we need to remove or conceal anything that might incriminate us. If he does any looking around or insists he help out after he’s better, we don’t want him to find anything suspicious.”
“How will we continue that task if we seal all of the peepholes?”
“If we can’t gather information in other ways, safe ways, dear Lily, we won’t do it again. Perhaps we’ve already done our share of helping the Union, and perhaps Richard’s arrival is a sign telling us it’s time to slow down or to halt entirely before we entrap ourselves.”
“Ben will be angry if you stop; you told me how strange he seemed at past meetings.”
“I know, but we have a good excuse why our hands are tied, so he’ll just have to understand.”
“I hope so, Laura, because I wouldn’t want him turning against you and getting you into trouble just for spite.”
“Trust me on this matter, Lily; he won’t endanger me. I’ve done too much for him, and I believe he truly likes and respects me. Besides, I know too much about him and his spy ring for him to betray me. If I’m exposed, so are they. When I explain the situation and tell him I’ll do the best I can under the circumstances, he’ll believe me.”
“I hope so, but…”
“Don’t worry; I can handle Benjamin Simmons.”
“What if he orders another agent to kill you to silence you?”
Laura smiled in an attempt to assuage Lily’s fears, but the female’s expression revealed her ploy had failed. Laura shrugged and said, “That’s just one more risk I’ll have to take, but I doubt he would get rid of Vixen and Angel since they might be of future use to him. After all, my dear friend, we have supplied him with some of his best information. Now, while Richard’s out cold and our guests are away in meetings, let’s close up our other business before it gets us into trouble.”
Laura glanced at Richard, who was a total captive of the laudanum, before she suggested, “You take care of your closet and the peepholes to rooms one and two from C while I go to the cellar and seal those to the parlor and dining room. You remember we discussed and practiced with Aunt Clarissa in the event of an emergency, and this certainly qualifies as one. When you finish, keep Belle and Cleo distracted while I take Ben’s photograph, that Union cipher key, and my money over to the house and hide them. If Richard hauls staples upstairs for me later, there won’t be anything hazardous for him to notice.” Laura quickly added, “I’m not implying he’s untrustworthy or nosy, but he could stumble upon a clue by accident.”
“I understand and agree. You can’t imagine how happy it makes me for you to do this to protect our secret and my future with him. I love Richard so much, Laura, and it would kill me to lose him.”
“I know, Lily. You’re lucky he’s alive and here with you so you can take care of him.” She didn’t mention how serious the man’s wound was, and how fortunate Richard was that he hadn’t lost his leg. Despite the near-incompetence of the aide, unsanitary conditions at the surgical site, and a lack of proper medicine with which to treat the injury, it seemed to be doing fine; and she would do her best to make certain no complications set in. Even so, Richard would have a large and permanent scar on his thigh and the damaged muscles in it would probably be weaker than in his other leg. That might result in a slight limp, though not a debilitating one.
When Lily returned from checking on him before they left the room, Laura whispered, “Let’s get busy before our good luck runs out.”
While Lily handled her assignments upstairs, Laura sealed openings in the bases of the six corner cabinets of the parlor and dining rooms, which were reached via the cellar. She rolled the barrel “steps” to other locations to prevent them from looking like ladders to the ceiling. She used an old cloth to brush away dusty telltale circles on the floor, then put crates or smaller barrels in those spots. She placed items, which had been concealed over suspended beams, in a sack to carry home with her. As she sneaked into the passageway, she heard Lily chatting with Belle and Cleo in the upstairs corridor, telling the two women about Richard.
In the house Clarissa Carlisle had left to her, Laura burned Ben’s photograph, as Lily no longer needed it for the man’s identification. She concealed the Union cipher key—a palm-size flat disk—in the soil of a flower pot. She hid the money under a board in the floor of Clarissa’s old room, covered by a braided rug and chair.
Afterward, Laura sat on her sofa and took several deep breaths to calm herself; the nervous state had plagued her since she and Lily began their chores, fearing somebody might intrude and guess their secret. All precautions she could think of had been taken, so she and Lily should be safe from exposure. In a strange way, though she viewed her work as important and helpful for generating a faster peace, she was relieved to put it aside. The many risks she had taken so far were enormous and hazardous to her very survival and to Lily’s.
Unless something crucial fell into her lap, Laura reasoned, she could relax for a while and enjoy life as much as the war allowed. It would be wonderful to see Jayce without worrying about staying on guard against slips or about him noticing something suspicious she had forgotten or lacked time to conceal, as he, she recalled with a smile, had a way of dropping in unexpectedly. As for Ben, he would have to accept the uncontrollable situation since there was nothing else he could do, she hoped.
Laura reflected on her Union contact for a moment. Considering her recent discoveries about him, it remained to be seen if Ben would be loyal to her when she revealed her predicament. If he did turn against her, Laura decided, she would speak to General Grant about him.
When she reached into her pocket for a handkerchief, Laura’s fingers made contact with an object she had picked up in the cellar from atop a crate she had moved; she hadn’t even glanced at it in her rush and anxiety. She withdrew the item and stared at it. Her joy and relief vanished. Her heart beat faster in alarm, her breathing became swift and shallow, and an ominous chill swept over her body. She wondered who its owner was, what he had been doing in the cellar, how and when he had gotten past the lock on its door and past her and her staff, and what he had discovered during his stealthy visit…
Chapter Fourteen
Laura turned the pocket knife over in her hand as she fretted over the implication of the answers to her mental questions. Her gaze widened and she stared at the initials on the other side: J. S. D.
Could it be…Jayce’s? she wondered in panic. If so, what did the D stand for and why had he sneaked down into the cellar? Had he only been curious or making certain she had plenty of supplies, as he had asked if she needed money for expenses? She knew he had the skill required to get past most locks, but she didn’t want to ask herself why he hadn’t merely requested to see the cellar. Had he suspected her of spying and gone there to check out his theory? If so, had he discovered incriminating proof he was right? If so, how long had he known and why hadn’t he confronted her or exposed her by now?
Laura reflected on his seven visits during the past five months, but couldn’t think of anything to indicate he had a single doubt about her.
That’s wishful thinking, Laura Adams! her troubled mind refuted. Remember when he almost accused you of passing along his deceitful statements to Grant!
But you didn’t, her defiant heart argued, and he believedyou.
Did he? her mind retorted. Perhaps he was trying to romance the truth out of you, and that’s why he kept returning.
That isn’t true! He loves you! Why would he lie to you?
To get the names of your accomplices and evidence against all of you, while enjoying himself in the process.
You’re wrong! Jayce
Storm loves you and trusts you!
Look at the initials again. What if Jayce Storm isn’t his name?
“Stop it!” Laura ordered the racing bickering in her head.
Lily startled Laura when she asked from the parlor doorway, “Who are you talking to when there’s no one here?” As she reached the sofa, she asked, “What’s wrong, Laura? Are you sick?”
“No, I’m fine,” she answered, her cheeks faintly rosed. “I was just talking to myself. Sorry if I frightened you.”
“You never do that, so something is wrong. Do you want to talk about it?”
Laura focused misty eyes on her best friend and nodded before she disclosed her dilemma in a quavering voice. After she finished recounting all details, she asked, “Well, am I reacting too strongly to something that probably has a reasonable explanation?”
“What do you think?” Lily responded as she sat down.
“Don’t be kind or a coward, Lily Hart. Answer honestly. Am I misjudging Jayce today, or have I been a fool where he’s concerned?”
Lily took a deep breath as she pondered the shocking information she had just received. “I don’t know, Laura. It is suspicious and alarming, but maybe he meant no harm as you said. From what I’ve seen, Jayce truly loves you, and he’s never acted as if he doesn’t trust you or he’s watching you, at least not in a suspicious manner. Perhaps that isn’t his knife and he was never in the cellar. Give him a chance to explain his behavior; it may be innocent. On the other hand, if I’m wrong, be careful around him in the future until you’re certain he can be trusted.”
“I hate doubting him, Lily, but I’m afraid our love is too perfect to be real. You know from experience how sly and convincing a man can be when he wants something from a woman, and how easy she can make it for him to get it when she loves him blindly.”
“You’re right, Laura, but Jayce Storm doesn’t seem anything like…my mistake. It’s no secret I’ve known a lot of men since that duplicitous man, so I should be a pretty good judge. If I have to choose between his guilt and innocence tonight, I’d have to say he’s innocent.”
Tears of joy rolled down Laura’s cheeks as she concurred, “So would I, dear Lily, so surely we can’t both be wrong; especially you, since you have a clear head where he’s concerned. But that still leaves us with a hazardous mystery: if the knife isn’t Jayce’s, who does it belong to, how did it get there, when, and what did the sneaky culprit find, if anything?”
“Maybe it belongs to Alvus; he’s the only one who goes into the cellar besides us. Perhaps Alvus found it, bought it, or someone gave it to him as payment for a favor; that would explain the unknown initials.”
“You’re right; it may be a coincidence that the first two are F and S. I’ll ask Alvus tomorrow. Now, let’s drop this mystery for tonight before I lose all good sense or cry my eyes out. Did you need something?”
“No, I was just checking on you because you didn’t return or tell me you wouldn’t be back this evening.”
Laura related what she had done with the items she had taken from the cellar and how she’d gotten distracted by the knife. “How’s Richard?”
“Still sleeping like you said he would. I should go check on him again before I help serve supper.”
“I’ll be along shortly, just let me freshen up first. Don’t worry; if trouble comes along, we’ll bluff our way out of it. We can always let Aunt Clarissa, God rest her sweet soul, take the blame for any evidence our culprit found. There’s no proof we’ve been involved in spying, so we’ll be safe. If anyone comes around asking questions, just act as if you are ignorant of those peepholes’ existence.”
“Relax, Laura; as you know, I can be a great actor when necessary. I’ve certainly had plenty of practice in the past. I’ll see you later.”
As Lily started to leave, Laura said, “I’m truly happy for you and Richard and I hope I haven’t spoiled your reunion with this problem.”
Lily hugged her, smiled, and vowed, “Nothing could darken this bright day for me. As soon as Richard’s well, he’ll protect us from all harm.”
“No, Lily, you can’t ever tell Richard what we’ve done. Don’t forget, we also stole information from him, so he could blame us for helping to cause Atlanta’s and Georgia’s downfalls. In his anger, he wouldn’t accept our motives and might never forgive you.”
“You’re right, Laura, and I had let myself forget that particular deceit. Much as I hate to do so, I’ll keep that one secret from him.”
As Laura watched Lily depart, she didn’t want to believe Jayce doubted her—or worse, didn’t love her and was using her—and would betray her; yet, despite her faith in him and his vows, something deep within her told her that was Jayce’s knife and there was trouble ahead for them.
With Richard safe and within her easy reach, Lily was as happy as a pig in a mud puddle when Laura saw her the following morning. After breakfast was served, Lily pampered her lover with a bath, shave, clean nightshirt, and fresh linens. She made him stay in bed to rest and recover; even his meals were eaten there. While he was sleeping again after his wearying journey and recent exertions, Lily pressed his clothes in the kitchen, after washing them last night and letting them dry before the fire in her room.
When Bertha Barton went to fetch a chicken from the stable to make a stew for the guests’ lunch and the other two women were doing chores upstairs, Laura spoke with Lily. “I talked with Alvus and showed him the knife, but it wasn’t his. I’m going to Petersburg to look for Jayce and see what he has to say about it. I should be home before dark.”
Lily halted her chore and stared at her friend. “How will you find him? There are thousands of soldiers there. And perils abound everywhere.”
“I should have thought of this idea sooner.”
“What idea are you talking about, Laura?”
“I’ll check with the office in Petersburg that handles the men’s mail; perhaps they have a list of the divisions assigned there and names of the soldiers serving in them.”
“What will you say when they ask why you’re searching for him?”
“I’ll tell them he left some of his possessions at my hotel when he stayed here and I want to get a message to him saying I’d hold them until he returns for them. I’ll carry food with me to give to the soldiers in the hospital there as an added excuse for going. I’ve done that before so it shouldn’t be suspicious, and I have a pass from General Ewell to do so.”
“What if you find him and he’s angry you came? What if he’s guilty and he exposes you when you confront him?”
“That’s a risk I’ll have to take, Lily, because I must know the truth. I don’t want to go for weeks in doubt, with my imagination running wild. He shouldn’t get angry with me for questioning him about a suspicious incident, since he did the same to me months ago; I understood and forgave him then. If he is guilty, I should make that discovery as soon as possible. If anything goes wrong down there, remember what I told you yesterday: act ignorant of any knowledge.”
When Laura returned just before dark, Lily hurried to see her. As they sat at the kitchen table, Laura revealed, “They couldn’t find a Jayce Storm listed anywhere. Of the only two Storms they had on record, one was slain during the Crater Incident and the other is with an artillery unit at Fort Mahone south of town; and he’s from Louisiana.”
Lily held Laura’s hand to offer comfort, as her friend seemed so depressed and tired. “What did they say when you asked about somebody who’s unlisted? How did you answer their queries?”
“I said I must have made a mistake about him being assigned near Petersburg. I charmed them and laughed it off and gave them treats to distract them. They apologized for being unable to assist me, but I told them it didn’t matter, that if Lieutenant Storm missed his possessions, he would write to me and send for them or return to collect them. I claimed I was only trying to do a favor for one of our brave men fighting for the Cause.”
“They believed you?”
“I’m certain of it; I put on a good act. But that creates another mystery, Lily, a worse one. Why wouldJayce lie about his whereabouts? To enable him to visit me every few weeks, he can’t be far from Richmond. I just don’t understand what’s going on with him and why he would dupe me.”
“What if he’s a Confederate spy and that’s why he has to be secretive, even with you; maybe that’s why his name isn’t listed.”
“If that’s true, Lily, why does he come to Richmond so often? It’s a Confederate city, its capital. What would he have to do here?”
“Perhaps report to the War Department, or the President, or his superior officer. The Army Intelligence Office is on Main Street, remember? Besides, he is in love with you, so maybe he comes only to see you.”
“If he loves me and trusts me, why hasn’t he told me the truth?”
In a gentle tone, Lily reasoned, “If you love him and trust him, why haven’t you told him the truth?”
Laura frowned. “You’re right, and my imagination is running wild. There must be a good explanation for the knife and his secrecy.”
“I’m sure there is, so wait to hear it before you turn against him.” Though she defended him, Lily had to ask, “If you learned he’s a Rebel spy, would you tell Ben?”
“Heavens, no! I would never betray and endanger Jayce. I love him.”
“Even if he’s guilty? Even if you’re on opposite sides, enemies?”
Laura looked Lily in the eye and said, “Not even then, I couldn’t.”
“Not even if he’s gathering information that endangers your father and brothers? That prolongs this terrible war? Or if he’s misused you?”
Laura searched her heart before responding, “No, not even then. If he’s a spy, he’s doing what he thinks is right, only doing his duty. I may be foolish and blind, but I believe he loves me. If he suspected me of spying, I truly believe he would try loving pleas to convince me to stop, not betray me.”
Defiant Hearts Page 27