In Times Gone by

by Tracie Peterson

  Kenzie couldn’t imagine that Arthur’s sister had come to San Francisco. She had been expecting a baby in January and surely wouldn’t travel with one so young. But Kenzie said nothing to challenge the clerk. She fixed him with a scowl. “I don’t care who else has come to see him. Get upstairs and give him my message. Tell him Miss Gifford awaits his company in the lobby, but will only wait three minutes.”

  The clerk considered this for only a moment, then nodded. He called to a bellboy and whispered something in his ear. The boy scurried up the main staircase without a word.

  “There you are, ladies. Now, if you don’t mind, I’ve other things to tend to.” He smiled again at Kenzie. “I must say that red hair of yours does your temperament justice.”

  Kenzie rolled her eyes and turned to survey the lobby. “Over there,” she said, motioning Camri and Judith to a quiet corner of the room. “You two can sit there, while Arthur and I sit in the little alcove.”

  They quickly took their places before someone else managed to claim the seats for themselves. The lobby was bustling, but given the hotel had a restaurant and ballroom, it wasn’t surprising to find the place filling up with evening visitors.

  Arthur appeared in less than two minutes. He was breathless and still buttoning up his coat, but he looked delighted. Kenzie had known that if he were in the hotel, he wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to see her.

  “I knew you would come to me.” The look on his face was elated. He figured he’d won, and his smug greeting irritated Kenzie.

  He tried to take hold of her, but Kenzie waved him off. “Please sit. We wouldn’t want to cause a scene.” She waited for him to pull up a chair.

  “I’m so happy you’ve come,” He perched on the edge of his seat. “I hope you’ve come to give me the answer I long to hear.”

  “I’m here to discuss it, yes.”

  “What’s to discuss? I will take you from here right now. We’ll go be married. I have all the proper papers.”

  She held up a gloved hand. “No. First things first. I won’t do anything until I have a chance to speak to Micah.”

  “But why, my dear?” He leaned forward and reached for her hand. “He’s no longer important to us.”

  Kenzie allowed him to take her hand, but she could see from the look on Camri’s face that she was just as unhappy about it as Kenzie was.

  “Perhaps he’s not important, but what I want to say to him is. I never settled matters with you, Arthur. You and I parted without any explanation or farewells between us. It nearly killed me. I suffered terribly this last year.”

  “I know, but I’ve already explained that it wasn’t my desire to hurt you. It wasn’t my fault.”

  “No. Of course it wasn’t. But if I had sought you out and spoken my heart on the matter, we would never have been parted. Isn’t that true?”

  “And if you speak your mind to Dr. Fisher, you think you’ll change his mind?”

  Kenzie drew from her limited skills to appear completely shocked. “Of course not! Why would I want that man to change his mind? He threw me over for a hospital, of all things. Another woman would have been bad enough—but a building?” She was pleased by how indignant she sounded.

  Arthur relaxed and chuckled. “So you wish to reprimand the greedy doctor. How perfect.” He paused, and his demeanor changed. “Still, I don’t, ah, know that I can reach him. He did promise me that he wouldn’t see you.”

  “Oh, Arthur, I’ve never known any challenge to be too great for you. Goodness, but you even convinced me to come here.” She smiled and patted his hand when she really wanted to slap his face. “I’ve no doubt you’ll be able to find him. I want to tell him exactly what I think of him. After that, we can be married.”

  She fully meant that she and Micah could marry, but she let Arthur presume what he would.

  “Wonderful. My darling, you won’t regret it. You can even ask your friends to bear witness to our marriage.” He glanced over at Camri and Judith and gave a nod.

  Kenzie started to get to her feet, and Arthur jumped up to assist her. “I’ll get word to you first thing in the morning,” he promised. “Oh, my darling, you’ve no idea how happy you’ve made me.”

  She looked up, forcing herself not to cringe at his arrogant expression. “Thank you, Arthur. It has made me quite happy, as well. This shall be very satisfying.”

  He lifted her hand to his lips. “The satisfaction shall be all mine.”

  Camri was still laughing as they entered Caleb’s house. “You really should perform on the stage, Kenzie. I never knew what a great actress you could be.”

  “I wanted to slap him,” Judith added. “He just puts me out of sorts.”

  “Well, that’d be two of us feelin’ that way,” Patrick said, coming from the dining room. “Where in the world have the three of ye been? Victoria had no idea where ye’d gone.”

  “We are grown women, fully capable of going out without you needing to raise an alarm,” Camri said, stretching up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. “There’s absolutely no reason for you to fret.”

  She stepped back, and Patrick eyed them all with great suspicion. “Right. So who was it ye wanted to slap, Judith?”

  All eyes went to Judith, who immediately paled. “I . . . well . . .”

  Patrick sighed and pointed to the front room. “Why don’t the three of ye sit down and tell me what ye’ve gotten yerselves into?”

  The girls hesitated only a moment before parading into the front room to sit side by side on the sofa. Patrick towered over them for a moment, then finally took a seat in Caleb’s chair.

  “Now—who’s gonna be tellin’ me about this?”

  “It’s my fault,” Kenzie piped up. “I don’t want you to blame Camri or Judith. They went with me because they were worried about my safety.”

  “Well, that makes me feel so much better.” Patrick glared at his wife-to-be. “I thought ye had more sense than to put yerselves in danger.”

  “It was important that we do this.” Camri softened her voice. “I’m sorry you were worried.”

  “I’ll get back to ye later,” he said, shaking his head.

  “Micah’s in danger,” Kenzie continued before anything else could be said. “Arthur has him but won’t tell me where. I went to see Arthur at his hotel. In the lobby,” she added quickly. “Camri and Judith went with me in case he tried to do anything untoward.”

  Patrick nodded. “Tell me the rest.”

  “Caleb sent a telegram telling us that Arthur was up to no good,” Camri offered. “He came here earlier, telling Kenzie that Micah had agreed to give her up and never see her again in exchange for a hospital that Arthur would build him. You know Micah has been missing and that he’d never worry his parents like that.”

  “And he would never take a hospital if it meant giving up Kenzie,” Judith added.

  “Indeed, he would not.” Patrick let out a long sigh. “So what did ye do?”

  “I told him that I would marry him, but not until after I saw Micah and let him know exactly what I thought of him. Arthur is a prideful and vindictive man. I appealed to his sense of revenge. This way, Arthur will have to produce Micah from wherever he’s holding him.”

  “So ye’re certain he’s holdin’ Micah against his will.”

  “Of course he is,” Camri interjected. “You know as well as I do that wild horses couldn’t keep him from Kenzie.”

  “But to tell the man ye’d marry him.” Patrick shook his head. “I don’t mind sayin’ that’s not so wise.”

  Kenzie leaned forward. “Patrick, will you help me?”

  His brows knit together as he frowned. “How would I be doin’ that?”

  “I’m not sure. Arthur said he’d arrange a meeting tomorrow. I don’t want to go alone. If he has taken Micah, as I believe he has, then he no doubt had help. He’ll probably have someone there to make certain Micah can’t get away or cause Arthur harm. If you could follow us to wherever Arthur takes me to meet Micah, the
n maybe you could help me set him free.”

  Patrick rubbed his chin. “For sure, I know that if I don’t, ye’ll be findin’ a way to do it behind me back.”

  “We should also involve the police,” Camri declared. “Or at least get some men to come with us. There’s power in numbers.”

  “Aye. That’s true enough.” Patrick’s expression was one of deep contemplation.

  “Then you’ll help me?” Kenzie didn’t hide the hopefulness in her tone.

  Patrick’s blue eyes narrowed. “But what if I lose ye on the way to wherever Arthur is takin’ ye? Ye’ll be plopped into a hornet’s nest, and there’ll be no one to help ye.”

  “That’s why we should all go,” Camri said. “We’ll rent a horse for you, then Judith and I will take Caleb’s car.” She smiled as if it were the perfect solution.

  “Ye don’t know how to drive. Besides, there’s no need for the two of ye to go.”

  “Of course there is,” Camri said, looking to Judith for help.

  Judith nodded and parroted her friend. “Of course there is.”

  Patrick shook his head. “No need that a reasonable man could be thinkin’ up.”

  Camri lifted her chin in defiance. “Either we figure out a plan together, or Judith and I will figure one out separately. You know we’re capable of it. And for your information, Mr. Murdock, I know very well how to drive.”

  He looked at each of the women and sighed as he cast his gaze heavenward. “God help us.”

  Kenzie smiled. “I’m already assured of His assistance, but what of yours?”

  Patrick shrugged. “What choice would I be havin’?”

  CHAPTER

  22

  The door to Micah’s cell opened, flooding the room with light. He couldn’t be sure, but it didn’t seem like the regular twenty-four hours had passed since he’d last seen his jailers.

  Micah scooted to the edge of the bed and touched his bare feet to the cold, damp floor. “Well, I must say this is a surprise.” He tried his best to sound nonchalant. “If I had known I’d have company this early, I would have straightened up.”

  “We’re taking you for a little ride,” the big man said, moving toward Micah. He yanked him to his feet.

  “And where would we be going on this fine day?” Micah squinted, still trying to get his eyes to adjust to the light.

  “The boss wants to see you.”

  “Arthur Morgan?”

  The man grinned. “Come along like a good fella. Don’t be causing me any trouble. I’d hate to have to mar that handsome face.”

  Micah wasn’t sure what to make of the situation but knew if he was to have any chance of escape, he needed to be free of this room.

  He walked with exaggerated slowness, hoping it would draw attention to his shackles. He stumbled a couple of times for effect. Finally, the larger of his jailers stopped him.

  “I’m going to take these off, but if you try anything, it’ll be the last thing you do.”

  Micah gave him a look of surprise. “What would Mr. Morgan say if you killed me?”

  The man smiled. “He plans to pay me to do exactly that. Leastwise, that’s my understanding. If it happens sooner rather than later, well, that’s just the way it goes.”

  “So Arthur Morgan is the one I have to thank for these long days of rest.”

  “Shut up and keep moving,” the man growled and gave Micah a hard push.

  They climbed one set of rickety steps and then another. At the top of the second one, Micah could see they were in some sort of warehouse. It was filled with crates of every size, but otherwise the place was deserted.

  He figured Morgan would step out of the shadows at any moment, but he didn’t. They passed through the warehouse to the doors and then out to a small wagon.

  “Climb up there. You’ll sit between us.”

  “There isn’t room,” Micah said, looking at the big man as if he were crazy.

  “He’s right,” the smaller man said with a shrug. “I’ll get in back and keep my gun on him. He won’t jump over the side without a bullet following him.”

  Micah took his seat but did his best to look for a chance to escape. He wasn’t going back into that cell, nor was he going to sit idly by and let these two kill him.

  His heart raced as he considered his odds. He wasn’t in the best of shape after several days of little food and no exercise. He would have to find a place where he could not only jump from the wagon, but do so in such a way that he had immediate coverage to protect him from the gun. He also needed to pick a place that wouldn’t risk the lives of anyone else.

  “Where are we going?” he asked.

  “It’s not important. Just keep quiet and don’t do anything that will get you or someone else killed,” the big man replied, nodding toward the street market just ahead.

  From that point on, Micah kept his thoughts and questions to himself. He figured by the growth of beard on his face and the number of times the twosome had brought him food that he had been captive for at least ten days. By now his family would be frantic, and his friends would know something was wrong. He was counting on that and hoping that the police were looking for him. Still, the two men who guarded him would most likely do as they threatened, and innocent people might be harmed if Micah made the wrong move. He had to wait for just the right opportunity.

  When they made their way out of the burned-out section of the city and into one of the remaining middle-class neighborhoods, Micah straightened a bit in the seat. His movement caused the man behind him to press the revolver into the space between his shoulder blades.

  “Don’t be moving around,” the man warned.

  It wasn’t long before they pulled up to the back of a large three-story house. The white clapboard was trimmed with black shutters. The big man at his side all but dragged Micah from the seat and held him fast as they made their way to the back door. Once inside, the man shoved Micah forward until they were standing in the middle of the kitchen.

  At the opposite side of the room stood Arthur Morgan.

  “I see you’ve survived,” the blond man said with a smug look.

  “Despite your meager accommodations.”

  “Yes, well, I hadn’t planned to accommodate you with anything but a grave. However, it seems my hesitation has paid off.”

  Micah tried to assess his surroundings without appearing to do so. He shrugged and leaned back against a wooden table. “So why am I here now?”

  “You’re going to clean up and dress properly, and in one hour you are going to meet with Kenzie for the final time. You see, she has agreed to marry me. We will be wed at exactly ten thirty this morning.”

  Micah frowned. “Why would she ever agree to marry you?”

  “I like to think it’s because she loves me, and in your absence, she was able to realize that. Of course, I helped her along by explaining that I had bought you off with a hospital.”

  “I see. And she was gullible enough to believe you?”

  Morgan crossed his arms and gave a casual shrug. “She’s always been gullible. She believed I was in love with her a year ago—that I’m still madly in love with her now.”

  “But you weren’t and you still aren’t. So why are you determined to marry her?”

  “If you must know, she serves a purpose in a bigger scheme. I’m bringing her here to tell you good-bye and to give you a piece of her mind. She’s very put out with you.” He laughed. “As she well should be.”

  “I’ll tell her it’s all lies.”

  Morgan’s eyes narrowed. “You will—if you want her to remain safe and unharmed—convince her that you no longer love her. You will tell her that the hospital I offered to build you was too big of a prize to let go. You’ll wish her well and tell her you knew we were always meant to be together. You will convince her that nothing is amiss and that this is what you want—no matter what she says to you. Do you understand?”

  “I’m beginning to.” Micah knew Kenzie would never b
elieve him—he wasn’t a good actor.

  “Good. Please understand that I will make her miserable if you do anything to interfere with my plan. I’ll start by having you killed in front of her.” Morgan smiled, and his nostrils flared. “Although as angry as she is at you, she very well might enjoy that.” He looked at Micah’s guards. “But enough of this tea talk. Boys, take him upstairs and see that he’s properly groomed. Shave him yourself, lest he get his hands on the razor and make a fool of himself. I’ll be back in twenty minutes, so waste no time. Have him positioned exactly as we discussed. That way you’ll have no trouble keeping your guns trained on him.”

  It was nearly a half hour later when Micah sat dressed and ready to receive Kenzie. He wore an expensive black wool suit with a vest of green striped silk. It wouldn’t have been his choice, but Morgan had guessed his size adequately, and the suit fit him well. He’d been instructed to take a seat near the fireplace and to look relaxed—disinterested.

  Micah knew it would be impossible. How could he look disinterested when Kenzie’s life was on the line? He eased back in the chair and undid the buttons on his suit coat. Next he crossed his legs and waited. He knew his guards were hidden close by. They had strict instructions to shoot him if he did anything wrong.

  He laced his fingers and prayed. There had to be a way to save Kenzie and himself. There had to be a way for them to escape Morgan. He glanced around the room. Four windows. Two . . . no, three different exits.

  The front door opened. A shadow fell across the polished floor, and then Arthur Morgan swept into the room with Kenzie on his arm. She was dressed beautifully in a short-jacketed walking suit of navy plaid. A large straw hat trimmed in navy and green graced her auburn hair.

  They locked gazes. Micah could see the pain in her expression and wanted nothing more than to wipe away the doubt and hurt Arthur had put in her mind. Could she really believe the worst of him?

  “It took some doing to convince Dr. Fisher to meet with us,” Morgan began, “but when it comes to pleasing you, there isn’t much I wouldn’t do.”

  Kenzie turned to look at him, and her expression changed completely. “Thank you so much. You’re a dear.” She patted his arm, then stepped away from his side and returned her gaze to Micah. With a haughty tilt of her chin, she narrowed her eyes. “While you, on the other hand, have been nothing but a source of irritation to me.”