John’s directions out of the city were easy to follow. The farms and pasturelands picked up almost immediately where the city’s buildings left off. Occasionally, rocky ravines and thickly forested areas offered contrast, but this was still agricultural land. Acres and acres of wheat and corn made a patchwork of the landscape, and from time to time there were open meadows with herds of horses or cattle feasting upon thick green vegetation. It was pretty country, but hot and humid, and Caleb found himself longing for a bath.
He felt fairly confident of what he’d hear about Joseph Gifford. Given what John had relayed, it seemed Morgan had given up conventional means of getting the property and now approved of the marriage of his son to Kenzie. If Morgan had truly interfered in his son’s life and Arthur knew nothing of his role, then Kenzie’s letter had no doubt awakened her former fiancé to what had happened. Arthur had probably confronted his father, and Morgan, being in a bind with Gifford, had used it as a means to get what he wanted. Maybe sacrificing the family’s social status by allowing his son to marry beneath him was worth it in lieu of getting the Gifford land.
After an hour’s ride, Caleb reached the tiny town where all the trouble was centered. It was quaint, typical of the Midwest, showing both a mixture of agricultural as well as river interests. There was a town square with a bandstand, and all around this were a variety of businesses. The library where Kenzie had worked was at one end of the square beside the post office. Gifford Emporium was across the square from that, nearer the river port and small train depot. There were a variety of other buildings—general stores, a bank, a barber’s shop, and a butcher. Caleb counted at least three churches, several cafés, and a book and toy store. Not far from the depot was a grain elevator and what looked like a hardware store. Houses were arranged beyond the city square in beautiful tree-lined neighborhoods. All in all, it was a charming place.
He spied a man wearing a star-shaped badge on his suit coat and stopped to inquire. Tipping his hat, Caleb asked, “I wonder if you could direct me to the Gifford residence.”
“Joseph Gifford?” the man asked. “I’m the law here. May I ask your business?”
Caleb smiled. “Of course. I’m a good friend of his daughter’s. I promised her I’d look him up when I came to town. Actually, he’s expecting me. The name is Caleb Coulter.” He leaned down from the horse and extended his hand.
The thick-waisted lawman shook his hand. “Always glad to meet a friend of the Giffords.” He smiled and pointed. “You see the Emporium at the end of the street? Just turn there and head two blocks down. You’ll see a large two-story white house trimmed out in green. Has a white picket fence that runs the length of the front yard.”
“Thanks. Nice town, by the way.”
“It is, although I don’t know how long it’ll stay that way. Kansas City plans to expand its territory. We’re soon to become a part of their fair city. Big men with big money want to change our way of life.”
“I can well imagine. Still, I suppose it could be good for you in that there will be plenty of jobs and new people wanting to come to the area.”
“There’s plenty of folks here already. If I wanted to live in a big city, I’d have settled in Kansas City to begin with. I prefer my small town. Less trouble and crime. Kansas City always has one problem or another. Big bunch of hoodlums in and out of there all the time, and the Pendergasts make sure things always break their way.”
Caleb had heard of the Pendergast family. They reminded him of Ruef and his style of politics. “Seems every big city has their power-hungry folks.” He tipped his hat. “I’m obliged for the help.”
The lawman tipped his hat in return, and Caleb urged his horse in the direction of the Emporium and down the street. It didn’t take long to find his way to the Gifford place. He tied the horse off at the fence, then made his way through the gate and up the porch steps to the front door. The windows of the house were open, as was the inside door. Caleb could see through the screen door that two people sat in the front room. The man was already getting to his feet before Caleb could knock.
The man bore the same blue eyes as Kenzie. “Can I help you?”
“I’m Caleb Coulter. I wired you that I’d be coming.”
Mr. Gifford smiled. “Kenzie’s friend. Welcome.” He opened the screen door. “We’re pleased to meet you.” He turned toward the front room. “Mother, it’s Kenzie’s friend Mr. Coulter.”
“Please call me Caleb. I’d like to be your friend as well.”
“I could use a friend. Times have been a little difficult around here.” The old man led Caleb into the front room, where an older woman sat in a rocker, knitting.
She smiled up at him. “We’re so glad to have you.” She paused her needles for a moment and looked at Mr. Gifford. “Call Etta in here. She should meet Mr. Coulter as well.”
Mr. Gifford nodded and headed back the way they’d come.
Mrs. Gifford smiled at Caleb. “My brother’s child came to live with us last year. She’s been mighty good to have around in Kenzie’s absence.”
“I can well imagine that Kenzie’s absence has been hard to fill. She’s a remarkable woman, your daughter.”
Mrs. Gifford gave a sad sort of nod. “I wish her father might have seen her value sooner. I’m afraid he never knew just how special she was until she left us.”
“Sometimes that’s the way of it.” Caleb heard the old man returning. “But it’s never too late to appreciate someone.”
Mr. Gifford reappeared with a mousy, bespectacled woman in tow. Her face was slightly bowed, but she raised her eyes to glance over her gold-rimmed glasses.
“Mr. Coulter, this is Cousin Etta. She cooks and cleans for us. Reads to us too.”
Caleb nodded. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m a good friend of Kenzie’s.”
Etta seemed too timid to speak, but she gave a slight nod of her head before doing an about-face to leave the room.
“Etta’s fixing supper. I hope you like fried chicken,” Mrs. Gifford said.
She looked up to see his reaction, and Caleb beamed at her. “I do. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that I love it.”
Kenzie helped Judith put supper on the table. The poor girl was a nervous wreck with Caleb gone and Victoria tormenting her.
“This stew looks delicious,” Kenzie said as she placed a big platter of biscuits beside the pot.
“I hope it is. I can’t remember if I salted it. You might want to taste it.”
“We can salt it when it’s in our bowls. Why don’t you let Camri know the table is set, and I’ll go fetch her highness?”
Judith giggled and relaxed a bit. “I appreciate that, Kenzie. You’ve been so good, helping me deal with her.”
Kenzie shook her head. “It’s not right for her to treat you as she does. She ought to be grateful, given the situation.”
“Well, thanks just the same.” Judith had started for the stairs when a loud knock sounded at the front door. “I’ll get it,” she said.
“I’ve got it,” Camri announced, coming from the front room.
Kenzie left them to figure it out and made her way upstairs. She knocked on Victoria’s door. “Supper is ready.”
Victoria opened the door. “What are we having this time?”
“Stew and biscuits.” Kenzie looked past her at the messy room. “You really should learn to pick up after yourself.”
“Sensible people would have a staff to do those things,” Victoria countered.
“Well, until you find some, you’d better see to it yourself.”
Kenzie made her way back downstairs, spying Patrick, Camri, and Judith talking in hushed tones at the entryway. They all looked up in unison with the same worried expression on their faces.
“What’s wrong?” Kenzie didn’t need to be told it involved Micah. He hadn’t been around in days, and she’d felt uncomfortable ever since Patrick had mentioned him going to see Arthur.
Camri answered. “Micah hasn’t been back to
the warehouse since the night he went to the Arthur’s hotel.”
Kenzie bit her lower lip and forced all sorts of unpleasant thoughts from her mind. “He’s probably just been too busy.” She walked down the last few steps.
“I was thinkin’ much the same,” Patrick said, “but then one of his doctor friends showed up at the warehouse this morning. He said Micah hasn’t been to work—not since that day.”
“Patrick also spoke with Pastor Fisher,” Camri added. “They haven’t seen Micah either.”
Kenzie nodded. The truth was too obvious. “Arthur’s done something with him.”
“With who?” Victoria asked, coming down the stairs. She looked at each person’s face, then settled on Kenzie.
“It’s none of your concern.” Kenzie turned back to her friends. “Do you know anything else, Patrick?”
“No, I’m sorry to be sayin’ I don’t. I wasn’t even worried about him—knowin’ how he can be with his work and all.”
“Micah wouldn’t let people worry about him if he had the ability to do otherwise.” Kenzie went to the door. “I’m going to see Arthur and find out what he’s done.”
Patrick reached out and stopped her. “You can’t be goin’ to the hotel alone, especially if that man has done somethin’ to Micah.”
Camri took hold of Kenzie’s arm as well. “He’s right. If Micah’s disappearance is Arthur’s doing, then he’s already done whatever it is he’s done. If you show up without protection, he might very well hurt you.”
“Then what do you propose I do?” Kenzie looked from Camri to Patrick.
“Let’s sit down and discuss it sensibly and come up with a plan,” Camri suggested. “Maybe you could send Arthur a message to come here. At least that way you’d have all of us nearby, and we could help you in case something went wrong.”
What Camri said made sense, but Kenzie wasn’t feeling sensible. Especially when Micah might be in trouble.
“You people are all fools,” Victoria declared, bringing everyone’s attention to her. “Isn’t it possible that Dr. Fisher has simply tired of you? Honestly, Kenzie, it isn’t that difficult to believe he might have found someone else to be interested in, especially given that you hardly seemed inclined to give him the time of day.”
“That isn’t true,” Judith said, positioning herself directly in front of Victoria. “You can say and do what you like where I’m concerned, but you have no right to hurt my friend. Now, go into supper or back to your room, but you aren’t part of this conversation.”
Kenzie had never seen Judith take such a stand. It was impressive, and even Victoria seemed to realize she’d gone too far. Without another word, she made her way into the dining room.
Judith turned back to face the others. “I’m sorry for what she said. You know it’s her goal to make us all miserable. I’ll go keep her company while you decide what to do about Micah.”
Victoria had seen the anger in Judith’s eyes and knew it was no time to make a scene. She needed to bide her time just a little longer, until she could meet with Abraham Ruef. If she caused too much trouble, they might find a way to keep her from ever having that meeting.
She sat down at the table and took a biscuit from the plate. Without worrying about the others, she began to nibble on it. It was light and fluffy. Actually, it was delicious, but she wasn’t about to admit as much. Judith had made them, and Victoria wasn’t going to praise her for anything.
“How can you be so cold and indifferent to the pain you cause others?” Judith asked in a hushed voice. “I have never met anyone with less compassion than you.”
Victoria stopped eating and shook her head. “I wasn’t trying to be hurtful, simply truthful. You all presume that because Dr. Fisher isn’t around, begging crumbs from Kenzie Gifford, that something bad has happened to him. I merely suggested that it’s possible he got tired of waiting for her to make up her mind.”
Judith sat down across from her. “But your intent is to cause pain and problems. It’s one thing for you to hate me. I completely understand, and were I not a Christian woman, I might return the favor. As it is, I can honestly say there is nothing about you that I like. You are mean-spirited, vindictive, and hateful. However, given your upbringing and the people who were responsible, I have to pity you.”
“Don’t.” Victoria hated the very idea of Judith pitying her. She could deal with hate and anger, but not pity. No one pitied Victoria Whitley. “I don’t want your pity. I don’t want anything from you, except my money and freedom.”
“Believe me,” Judith said with a sigh, “I want that too. I want to give you both and send you as far away from me as possible. And just speaking honestly about that makes me sad. We might have been friends—true family. We might have shared laughter and stories—daily events and memories. We might have offered each other comfort in our times of loss.” Judith shook her head in disappointment. “But instead you treat me worse than you would one of your servants. Frankly, I’d rather be completely without family than try to nurture something with you.”
Victoria kept her expression blank, but Judith’s words stung. “Then we’re in agreement on something.”
“Well, you need to be in agreement with something else.” Judith pointed a finger at Victoria. “You will leave my friends alone, or I will do whatever it takes to see you put where you cannot hurt them. It’s already been recommended that I send you back to that finishing school in Switzerland, and I just may agree to that.”
Victoria felt a momentary twinge of panic. She wouldn’t show fear, no matter what. She was better than Judith and more capable. She wasn’t going to be cast aside.
“You have all the power right now, Judith, but just keep in mind that I’m not without my ways.” Victoria smiled. “If you aren’t careful, you might even find yourself without a fiancé, and wouldn’t that be sad?”
Judith laughed, which wasn’t at all the reaction Victoria had hoped for.
The others came into the room, still discussing Micah and what was to be done. Shaking her head, Judith continued to smile. The others ignored Victoria but looked to Judith.
“What’s so funny?” Camri asked.
Victoria wondered how Judith would respond. She didn’t have to wait long.
“Victoria is threatening to take Caleb away from me.”
Victoria raised her chin and met Camri’s gaze. To her utter frustration, Camri’s lips raised at the corners. Not only that, but Patrick and Kenzie were smiling too.
Camri shook her head. “My brother has no interest in selfish little girls, Victoria. However, he is a great advocate of education, as I am. I believe the time has come for you to advance your learning. I think tomorrow we should arrange for you to return to the finishing school.”
“I think so as well,” Kenzie concurred.
Victoria couldn’t control her rage. “You can’t do that! I won’t go. I’m not going to be forced back there, no matter what you say. I have friends in this town who will keep you from it. You’ll see. You’ll all be sorry that you ever took a stand against me.”
She dashed from the room and up the stairs to the protection of her bedroom. It wasn’t much in the way of safety, but Victoria locked the door behind her and leaned back against it. She wanted to scream and cry all at the same time. Why couldn’t they just leave her alone?
Pushing away from the door, she began to pace amidst the mess of gowns and shoes, stockings and hats on the floor and strewn over the furniture. She looked at her half-emptied trunks. First things first. She would put her things in order. That way she could be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. She could never hoist the trunks downstairs on her own, but if all else failed, she would stuff what she could in her small traveling case and send for the rest later.
Of course, they might not allow her to have her things. She frowned and considered that for a moment. Her wardrobe was expensive and fashionable, even if Grandmother had chosen rather modest designs. Victoria didn’t want to lose an
y of it.
“I must be calm,” she told herself. There was no sense in worrying about something that hadn’t happened yet.
She picked up a large green hat and placed it in an empty hat box. She’d never had to look after herself, and it stirred her anger to have to do so now. Nevertheless, she bent and picked up a pair of gloves. They weren’t mates, so she placed them at the foot of her unmade bed and looked around the room. She spied one of the matching pieces and retrieved it. She continued searching until she found the other, and as she worked, she formed a plan.
By one means or another, she would get word to Arthur Morgan and explain the urgency of her situation. She would offer him whatever he desired, so long as he came and took her from this place.
CHAPTER
19
Micah wasn’t entirely sure how long he’d been a prisoner in the small, bare-walled room. There wasn’t a single window, nor a clock. His watch and wallet had been taken from him, along with his clothes. When he’d first come to after being hit on the head, Micah found he’d been dressed in canvas pants and a broadcloth shirt, the typical garb of local sailors, and manacled at the ankle. There was hardly even enough chain to walk. Probably to ensure he did nothing to try to escape.
The worst of it was the darkness. It was like being entombed. He sat alone in the dark, hour after hour, wondering when someone might come. It gave him a great deal of time to pray, which at the moment was all that was keeping him from complete despair.
The only way he could gauge time, the only reprieve from the darkness, was the daily visit from his jailers. There were two men, one large and barrel-chested, the other short and wiry. One held a gun on him while the other brought him a tray of food. They hung a lantern on the outside doorknob in order to give them enough light by which to work.
While Micah ate or pocketed the food on the tray, the same man who brought the tray took his waste bucket and empty water pitcher away. Both men would leave him in the damp darkness with his food and reappear later with the empty bucket and refilled pitcher. They’d leave those and take the tray away, and Micah wouldn’t see them again for what he deemed to be a full day.
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