Refining Fire (23 page)

Once she had time to think through why those Chinese girls were locked up and what Welby no doubt had in mind for them, she'd have a difficult time ignoring the evil generated by men like him. And certainly Welby had to have had a hand in all of it. Abrianna might be willing to question him first and listen to whatever story he chose to tell, but Wade knew otherwise. He'd once seen Welby on the docks with his men. There was also a small woman who had tried to run from them, but she'd been caught and put into Welby's carriage. Those women in his basement were not there by mistake.

“All right. Take her upstairs, Selma, and get her dressed. I
want a word with Wade and Mr. Cunningham, and then we will decide what is to be done.”

Before she could address her concerns, however, Lenore and Kolbein Booth were ushered into the house by Liang, the Chinese house girl.

“Oh, Mrs. Madison, we wanted to come and check on you. Kolbein came from the city and everything is afire,” Lenore said, moving to the older woman's side.

“We know. Wade has just returned with Abrianna. They were there and very nearly consumed. They had to jump into the bay and be rescued in order to keep from being burned alive.”

Kolbein stepped forward. “Are you all right?”

“Abrianna got too cold, but I think she's all right now,” Wade told him.

“You must have had quite a shock, as well.” Kolbein nodded to the shawl one of the ladies had put around his shoulders. “Why don't you come back to the house with me and I'll get you some dry clothes.”

“First we need to know what is to be done,” Mrs. Madison said. “Do you suppose we should flee?”

“The fire is moving this way,” Kolbein replied. “I have no way of knowing whether it will continue in this direction or not. The wind is against it, but that hasn't stopped it from spreading in all directions.”

“Oh dear. Oh dear.” Miss Poisie popped back up on her feet. “It's like the fires of hell. Oh, Sister, I'm quite distraught. Where are Miss Muffy and the others?” She began searching behind the settee.

“Miss Muffy?” Kolbein asked.

“The cat. One of three, actually,” Mrs. Madison replied. “We all are distraught, Poisie, but you must remain calm. We have to think of the girls here who depend on us. They are awaiting
our decision and watching the fire from upstairs.” She turned back to the men. “Do we go or stay?”

“I don't think it would hurt to be overly cautious,” Wade said. “We could at least go up the hill and wait it out in the park. It will give us a good vantage point, and it seems that others are doing likewise.”

“He's right,” Kolbein said. “I've already sent my household staff away. Look, I have two carriages that we can use to get everyone out of here.”

“And Wade just this afternoon brought us our new omnibus,” Mrs. Madison added. “Goodness, but it seems that was years ago. I'm afraid this fire has taken a great deal of my energy.”

Wade thought she might well collapse and went to her side. “Why don't you sit a moment.”

She nodded and allowed him to help her to a chair.

“Then it's settled.” Kolbein turned to his wife. “Lenore, you stay here and help the ladies gather their things. Wade will come with me and change clothes, and then we'll be back.”

“We need horses if we're to take the omnibus,” Mr. Cunningham said.

“I'll bring all I have,” Kolbein said. “After all, we can't leave them to the fire. Just wait for our return, and we can help you.”

Abrianna and Selma rejoined them. Abrianna had donned another of her old skirts and a well-worn blouse. Her hair was pulled back and tied with a ribbon, and Wade could see her color had returned. She was holding the cat Mrs. Madison called Buddy in her arms.

“Oh, you found one of them,” Miss Poisie exclaimed, clapping her hands. “Now, if we can find Miss Muffy and Mr. Masterson.” She went to Abrianna and took the cat. “I shall put her in the laundry hamper, although I daresay she will not like it.” Miss Poisie paused, looking most perplexed. “Do you suppose she would prefer a wooden crate?”

Abrianna ignored her aunt's dither as she caught sight of her friends. “Lenore! Kolbein! Oh, have you seen the great tragedy?” She rushed into Lenore's arms. “Wade and I were nearly taken by the flames. We had to swim to escape, but I was overtaxed after we helped those girls.”

“What girls?” Lenore and Abrianna's aunts questioned.

“It's a long story.” Abrianna threw a quick glance Wade's direction.

“Welby was up to his old tricks, but this time he's going to have to answer for it.” Wade wasn't about to let the man get away with what he'd done. “Apparently he had ten girls he was holding hostage in the basement of the Madison Building.”

Abrianna nodded. “Someone held them hostage. Suffice it to say we helped some Chinese girls get away, and they will join us later.”

Wade all but growled at her comment. Would she defend Welby even after all they'd gone through?

“They will find us departed,” Mrs. Madison declared. “The men believe we should move to higher ground, farther from the fire, and I agree.”

“We can't leave them without hope,” Abrianna said, looking to Wade as if she expected him to intervene on her behalf. “Militine is with them and plans to bring them to this house. I'll leave them a note.”

Militine and Matt found themselves aboard one of the ships in Elliott Bay. The Chinese girls were huddled in a group just behind them, but Militine refused to leave the railing. She watched the glow of the city fires and thought only of Thane. Somewhere out there, he was fighting to save lives with no thought of his own. She knew he would never think twice about risking himself for another. It was a self-imposed price to pay for all those lives
his father had taken. She had heard him say as much once. Fear tore at her from every side. What if tonight all claims came due?

As the night wore on, the ship's crew brought buckets from their fresh water supplies, as well as bread, cheese, and baked potatoes. Those who had either sought refuge on the ship before it sailed or who had been rescued in the harbor, as had Militine and the others, offered their gratitude, but most of the food went untouched.

“Do you think Miss Abrianna and Wade made it out?” Matt asked.

Militine felt ashamed that she hadn't given those two much thought. She looked at him and nodded. “I'm sure they did.” She turned back again to the burning city. “They must have.”

It sickened her to imagine that she could lose all three of her dear friends. These people were the most important in her life.
Oh, God, how can I go on if they are taken? Please hear our prayers. Let the fire be put out and please, please
, Lord, don't let a single life be lost.

M
ilitine had never been so exhausted in her life. She arrived at the bridal school with the Chinese girls in tow later that evening only to find the place deserted. There was a note to let her know where everyone had gone and why. Apparently Mrs. Madison was worried that the fire might spread and claim the school, as well.

Glancing around the dark neighborhood, Militine found the silence eerie. It would seem everyone had abandoned their houses.

She turned to the young woman who spoke a bit of English. “I believe the others left in case the fire came this far, but I think we're safe. I'm not sure where Mrs. Madison would have me put you all, but I'm going to just take my chances.” The girl looked at her oddly. Clearly she couldn't follow Militine's words.

“Come on.” Militine motioned to the house. “We go inside.”

By three in the morning, it was clear that the fire had finally been contained and would be no threat to the school. Much to Militine's relief, the others returned.

“Oh, you are safe!” Abrianna cried, embracing her. “I was worried about whether you'd found refuge.”

“A schooner captain picked us up. We were later put off on a dock nearby. We walked the rest of the way. Matt was kind enough to watch over us until we got here.” She turned to Mrs. Madison as Abrianna let go of her hold. “I didn't know what else to do, so I gathered blankets and had the girls bed down in the spare room off the ballroom.”

“That was good thinking, Militine. We will go check on them. I would suggest the rest of you get to bed. We will of course cancel our festivities. I believe it would be reasonable that you all sleep in for as long as needed.”

The students of the school dispersed while Abrianna went with her aunts. “If any of them are still awake, I'll introduce you so they won't be afraid.”

With her responsibilities discharged, Militine made her way upstairs. She crawled atop her bed fully clothed, still filthy from her ordeal. Her mind struggled to find peace. On the boat they had heard hideous rumors of hundreds of firemen killed, as well as victims who were trapped in the raging inferno. And then at the docks a great many people had gathered, and with each newcomer came a new dreadful rumor. The tales were so disheartening that many stood in a numb state of shock.

But I'm not numb. The pain I
feel is acute and will not be relieved until I know Thane is safe.

Militine gritted her teeth and closed her eyes tight. She tried to keep from crying, but tears seeped out all the same. There was a certain kind of despair that came in not knowing the truth one way or another. The waiting and watching left her emotions raw. Over and over the image of Thane being burned alive came to mind. Over and over she fought it off with pleas to God.

She wandered around the house until she could no longer stand the confinement and then slipped into the gardens just as
dawn broke. The world around her was uncanny in its silence. Even the birds were quiet, as if they knew cheerful noise was uncalled for. A smoky haze still hung over the city.

Militine looked at the abandoned preparations for the ball. Her wedding was to have taken place that evening at the party. She would have married Thane and moved with him to his little apartment. They would have set up housekeeping together and been happy.

“I know we would have been happy.”

Stop this. He's not dead. He's
not
.

She sat down on one of the metal garden benches and began to sob. Her faith was so weak, so fragile in its newness. Did God understand how hard this was? Did He know how much she hurt? How frightened she was?

She had endured a heinous childhood full of violence and beatings. She'd watched her mother lose the will to live—had lost it herself. She had prayed for death so many times but found herself abandoned even in that. Why would God give her a taste of happiness only to tear it away from her? She buried her face in her hands. It was all so unfair.

“Militine.”

At first she thought she'd imagined Thane calling her name, but then she felt his arms enclose her. And he was there, holding her. Just holding her. He smelled of sweat and smoke, but he was there, and she never wanted him to let her go.

“Don't cry, my darling. I'm here.”

She tightened her hold. “I feared the worst.”

“As did I. And then I knew I had to trust my life to God or go mad.” He stroked her hair until she calmed.

Pulling away just the tiniest bit, she looked into his face. His skin was blackened with soot and ash, and even his red hair was matted and dark. But none of that mattered. She gazed into his eyes, so thankful that God had brought him back to her.

“Is it as bad as they said? Hundreds dead—everything gone?”

“I don't know about the people. The town is burned to the ground. If we hadn't had the help of the Tacoma Fire Department and others, we might still be fighting the flames. As it is, everything is still smoldering.” He stood and pulled her to his side. “What about Wade? Abrianna and those girls?”

“Everyone's safe.”

Thane pushed back her hair and took hold of her face. “You were all I could think about. I just knew that God would keep you safe. When I thought my strength might give out, I remembered you would be here waiting.”

“I kept praying, but I wasn't even sure I was doing it right.” She shook her head and finally offered him a smile. “I guess in times of trouble maybe God doesn't need us to have certain words or to be on our knees. He just needs us to trust Him.”

“I think you're probably right.” He kissed her then. It was a long and slow kiss, sweet and gentle, just like his spirit. Militine lost herself in the moment and hoped—no, prayed— there would be many more to come.

A knock sounded at the parlor door a little before ten-thirty. Thane had tried to sleep on the floor, but his concerns for the city weighed heavy on his mind.

Kolbein stuck his head in the doorway. “Thane, I came for Wade, but learned you were here, as well. I realize you were probably fighting the fire all night, but there's going to be a meeting of all Seattle businessmen who lost their places—some six hundred, as I hear it. The meeting is being held at the armory. The governor will be there, the mayor and the council, too. I figured Wade would want to be there—you too.”

“I'm definitely coming along.” He had slept only a few hours,
but it was enough. He needed to return in the light of day and see what was left of Seattle.

“Will you come back and tell us about the meeting?” Mrs. Madison asked. “I want to know if there is anything we might do to help.”

“I will learn what we can do,” Kolbein assured her.

Thane and his companions were stupefied by the scene that unfolded as they drew nearer the city.

“I thought it was bad seeing it all in flames,” Thane murmured. The burnt remains of telephone and telegraph poles still smoldered. They were like tall charred sentinels standing guard amidst the rubble.

“Someone may get hurt if those brick walls come down,” Wade said, pointing to a precariously balanced wall that stood amidst the rubble.

For over twenty-five city blocks—a hundred twenty acres—nothing but destruction and lost dreams remained.

“I've never seen anything like it,” Wade murmured. “Never.”

“Me either,” Thane admitted. Kolbein remained silent, though Thane could see he was just as disturbed.

The closer they came to the devastated downtown area, the more people they found wandering around in a daze. The National Guard had been assigned posts and guarded the remains of the town from looting and did their best to instruct the lost as to where they might find help.

“How in the world can we hope to come back from this?” Wade shook his head.

“It will no doubt take years.” Kolbein's words echoed Thane's thoughts.

Years and years of work would be necessary to clear the debris and rebuild the town. And where would all the money come from?

As they approached the little church they attended each week, Thane was surprised to see the structure still standing. Pastor Walker was standing on the church's doorstep preaching to a gathering of victims. Kolbein drew the carriage to a halt.

“The fires of hell have been unleashed on this sinful generation. God has released His wrath upon you and demands that you turn from your wickedness. Like Sodom and Gomorrah of old, this den of liars, thieves, and murderers has been called to account for its sin.

“I stood last night at this doorway—this sanctuary of God—and demanded that the fires not touch one stone, and as you can see not one stone has fallen. I stood toe-to-toe with the Devil himself and called him down. I single-handedly saved this church, and now I am calling you to repentance. Repent before it is too late! Repent before God sends another disaster to get your attention.”

“The way I see it,” Kolbein murmured, “God is the one who saved the building, not Walker.”

“Is that how God really works, Wade?” Thane wasn't sure he could abide a god whose idea of grace and mercy was such utter and total destruction. “Is this God's punishment?”

Wade seemed to think on the question while Kolbein urged the horse forward. “I know there were times in the Bible where God took a heavy hand with the people. I can't really say one way or another why this fire came about. The truth is we live in a world that is full of sin and sinners. But I will say this much, the Bible shows that God is love. I believe He loves His children in a never-ending way.”

“But this isn't love,” Thane said, sweeping his arm toward the blackened landscape.

“Sometimes love comes in unexpected ways,” Wade replied. “And sometimes God's answers come in ways we don't recognize. I'm not saying this fire is that kind of thing. I'm not saying
it isn't. I won't try to second-guess God. What I do know is what the Word of God says. ‘That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.'