The Cogan Legend (21 page)

Mrs. Miller stepped outside.  “Mr. Fairchild, where is Rachel?  Where is my little girl?”

Charles continued walking toward her, “Mrs. Miller, Carrie, let's go inside and sit down.”  

“No!  Where's my daughter?” she demanded. “Tell me where Rachel is, Mr. Fairchild.”  

Charles had no choice but to tell her. “Mrs. Miller, just before we were to leave for Philadelphia something very tragic happened.  Ann and Rachel were approached by two men whose intentions were to take advantage of them.  Rachel tried to fight, but she couldn't stop them.  She was determined not to succumb to their wishes, and one of them pulled a knife and stabbed her. She didn't make it.”  

“Please tell me this isn't true.  It can't be.”  

Mrs. Miller sagged, and Charles tried to catch her but couldn't.  He yelled, “Lewey, Lieutenant Matter, come here and help me!”  

Together, they picked her up, carried her inside and placed her on the sofa.  

When Mrs. Miller opened her eyes, her first words were, “She's not dead.  Please tell me Rachel isn't dead!”  She sobbed uncontrollably.  

Charles put his hand on her shoulder but she rejected it, shrugging him off.  

Tom's shift had ended shortly before they arrived, and he nonchalantly walked toward the house when he saw the coach from a distance.  He began to run with excitement. His Rachel was home! When he opened the door and walked in, Mrs. Miller looked up and yelled, “You bastard! You greedy bastard! You killed my little girl.”

Tom stiffened. “I didn't kill anyone! I just got home from work.  I saw the coach and… Oh my god! What do you mean, I killed Rachel?”

With tear-filled eyes, Charles turned toward Tom as he spoke, “Tom, this is the worst news I've ever had to deliver.   A tragedy took place, a tragedy I still can't believe.  Ann and Rachel were attacked by two men, who tried to take advantage of them.  Rachel tried to fight them off, but one of them pulled a knife and stabbed her.  We couldn't save her...”  Charles couldn't hold back his tears any longer.  

“Charles, please tell me this isn't so.  Please tell me Rachel isn't dead.”  Tom sank to his knees and started to cry, muttering, “Rachel, my love, come back to me.  Please God bring her back to me.  I beg you please bring her back!”  

Charles, Phillip, and Lewey sat in silence as the shock of Rachel's death sank in.  

After considerable time, Tom finally looked at Charles with swollen and red eyes, “How did this happen?  Were they walking, what?”

“They were in the coach returning to the lodge from a trip they took.  A trip I should never have allowed, but I did.”  

“Where was the coach driver, Lewey?” Tom wanted to know.  

“They knocked him unconscious.  Lewey, show him your eye.”  

Tom's fists clenched. “I can't believe this, we just got a letter three days ago telling us she would soon be home.  Now you're telling me she is dead.”  Tom shook his head in disbelief.  “Where is she, where's her body?  I want to see her.”  

“I want to see her too,” Mrs. Miller demanded.

Charles said, “We took her to Steiner's Mortuary.  When you're ready, we'll go.”  

Mrs. Miller made an effort to get ready, but she broke down again and had to be assisted to her room.  “You kiss her for me, you hear.”  

“I will,” Tom reassured her.

“And I want her wake here in this house.  Do you understand?”  

When they arrived at the mortuary, Charles knocked at the door. The mortician greeted them, and Charles introduced Tom. “This is Rachel's fiancé he would like to see her.”

The mortician escorted him into the room. “Oh God, my sweet love,” Tom said as he approached her.  “How can this be?”  He looked at the mortician, tears streaming down his face.

“I'll leave you alone,” Mr. Steiner said.

In the meantime Charles made all of the arrangements for the services. “Mrs. Miller has insisted on the services in her home.  Whatever Mrs. Miller wants, please provide.  I'll take care of all the expenses.”

Later that evening when they returned home, Charles sat alone in his study reliving the events of the past few days.

That night Charles didn't sleep well; his conscience wouldn't allow it.  The blame for Rachel's death continued to run through his mind.  He knew this would haunt him for the rest of his life.  If only he would have said no to Ann.   

Phillip woke early but didn't want to be the first one downstairs.  He looked down the hall toward Mr. Fairchild's room and saw light seeping from under the door.  Phillip fumbled around in his room before he dressed.

“You're up early, Lieutenant,” Charles said looking a bit surprised as he entered the hallway.

“Yes sir, I am.  I probably won't sleep well until those two men are apprehended. Mr. Fairchild, would you mind if I look in on Ann?”

“By all means!  I sensed some progress yesterday.  I'm hoping for a better day at least until the wake.”  

Phillip knocked, and upon hearing her acknowledgement, he pushed open the door. Ann gave him a welcoming smile as he sat down on the edge of the bed.  

“I'm feeling better.”

“I'm so glad.  Everyone was concerned about your health and state of mind, Ann.”  He leaned over and kissed her.  “I love you, and I know your father will be pleased that you're feeling better.  Why don't you get dressed and join us for breakfast?”  

“I'll be down shortly.”  

Phillip left Ann to get ready and went downstairs with the good news. “Mr. Fairchild, you were right.  Ann is feeling better and is going to join us shortly.”

“Splendid!”  Charles exclaimed.  

Soon they could hear footsteps down the stairs and all eyes were on the doorway.  “Father, Lewey,” Ann said as she sat down next to Phillip.  

“Ann, you seem better today,” Charles commented at the sight of his daughter. “Did you rest well last night?”

She looked at her father. “I had a dream.”

“What was it about?” Phillip asked.

“Rachel visited me in the dream.  It was as real as if she was in front of me, and she spoke to me.”

“What did she say, Ann?”  Charles asked.

“She doesn't blame me for what happened.”  

Lewey glanced at Charles with a strained look.

A moment passed before Charles spoke again. “It's good to hear you feel Rachel has forgiven you.  We thought we were going to lose you at first. I wasn't sure of your recovery, but now I'm hopeful.”

As they ate Phillip put his hand on Ann's. “Perhaps this isn't the appropriate time, Ann, but do you remember anything that happened?”

She stopped and paused for a moment. “I remember that beast in the coach, and I remember the screams.  I knew Rachel was dead because I was holding her in my arms, and she was lifeless, but I don't remember anything else.  I guess I don't want to.”

“It's okay. It doesn't matter, Ann. I know who I'm looking for, and I know where they live.”

Ann and Phillip were the last to finish breakfast.  Ann grabbed Phillip's hand, pulled him through the main entrance and outside to where the coaches pull up.

At Phillip's protest, Ann said, “This will only take a minute.”   She looked up at the house and said, “I remember Rachel's first visit here.  She couldn't get over how elegant father's coach was.  She told me she couldn't stop rubbing her hand over the soft cushioned seats.”

She took Phillip's hand and led him back inside.  In the foyer, she continued, “Rachel was in awe when she stood on this spot.  She gazed in all directions and shook her head as she looked up at the cathedral ceiling and huge staircase.  It made me laugh when she said, ‘Ann, this is definitely not like my mom's house.'  

“She told me she couldn't imagine living in a place like this; she was worried she'd get lost! Then she looked at me and said, ‘Your father must be the wealthiest man in Philadelphia.' Then she told me she envied me.  

“Imagine that.  I envied her because she seemed to have so much freedom.”  She turned to Phillip. “I couldn't see it then, but she was right.  I had the good fortune of being born into this family and without a doubt, I'm lucky.  The first time Rachel met Father, he shook her hand and when he spoke his deep voice startled her.  Rachel said to me later, ‘Your father is a handsome man and taller than I imagined.'  

“That evening Father started the conversation and asked Rachel to join him in a glass of wine.  She declined and I'm sure he thought, ‘That's a good thing.'  

“Father said, ‘Rachel, Ann can't stop talking about you.  I want to know all about you. I hope you don't mind.  I'm very protective of my daughter.'  His first question was ‘are you married?'  

“‘I'm not married, but I have a beau.  Actually Mr. Fairchild, my beau, Tom, works for you.'  Rachel told me later that she didn't know if it was the appropriate time to tell him about Tom, but she had decided it was.

“Father raised his eyebrows and asked, ‘Do I know him?' Rachel told him, ‘I don't think you do; he works on the docks.'  

“To that Father said, ‘I am going to have to make it my business to check this young man out.   Ann told me you live on Vine Street; do you live with your parents?'  Rachel responded, ‘I live with my mother; my father passed away several years ago.'  

“Father asked Rachel how long she worked in Geist's Dress Shop.  He knew Mother bought dresses there.”

“Rachel was no longer nervous and told Father, ‘I've been working there almost five years.  As a matter of fact, your wife was one of my first customers.  I remembered our first encounter.  I was really nervous when I greeted her, she must have sensed that because she immediately put me at ease.  She was a wonderful person.'

“I knew I had better wait until the next night at dinner to find out how he enjoyed the evening with Rachel. I was surprised at his response, he told me, ‘I don't see why not, she seems very sensible.  I like her. I think she would look out for your best interests.  If you want to spend time with her, you have my blessing.'

“From that time on we became the best of friends.  We were together a lot, even when I was being punished.  She helped change my personality and character, taking me in a different direction; I was coming into my own. That's why I miss her so much.”  Her eyes watered as she smiled.

Phillip took her in his arms. “I thought I was going to lose you and the love we hold for each other.  I'm so relieved.”  He tenderly kissed her.

“I couldn't think about anyone but Rachel.  I felt so much guilt until she came to me last night.”

She put her arms around him and gave him a kiss.  As much as I have enjoyed this, I think it is time to get ready,” Ann said.

Phillip reluctantly agreed. “I guess you're right.”  

 

Little conversation took place on the ride from the Fairchild estate to the Miller home.  Ann and Phillip sat holding hands while Charles looked out the window.  Lewey sat on the cab dressed in his finest attire.  He very seldom participated in the events when he escorted the Fairchild's, but this time he wanted to pay his respects.

Rachel had many friends, and they all turned out to say goodbye one more time.  Mrs. Miller and Tom were seated up front.  Mrs. Miller tried to control herself, but she broke down when she talked to Rachel's friends as they passed.

Tom could not hold back his emotions either and vowed, “I will find whoever is responsible, and I will make sure they pay for what they've done.” No one left with a dry eye.  Everyone expressed their sorrow and sympathy at the tragic loss.  

Charles, Ann, and Phillip were seated behind Mrs. Miller and Tom and they stayed for the entire wake.  Lewey joined them until grief overcame him and he had to excuse himself.  Charles shouldered all the blame and took full responsibility for Rachel's death.  He felt the guilt for what had happened, and he knew it would haunt him forever.

At the conclusion of the wake, Charles informed Mrs. Miller he would make an announcement inviting everyone to his home following the funeral tomorrow.  Even though Mrs. Miller blamed the Fairchild's for her daughter's death, she didn't refuse his offer because of her physical and mental state.  Charles felt he couldn't do enough to make up for her loss.  

Upon their arrival home after the wake, Ann was in a somber mood and said, “Father, I hope you will forgive me, but I'm not much for conversation.  I would like to go to my room.”

“I understand, Ann.  I'm not up for conversation either, but I do need to try and calm down before I retire. Phillip, would you join me for a drink in my study before you go to your room?  A brandy may help us to relax.”

Phillip nodded and followed Charles into the study.   

Charles began the conversation with his plans for Ann. “After this tragic ordeal is over, I have intentions of sending Ann away to school.  She has had no tutoring since her mother passed away.”

Phillip interrupted, “I know this isn't the proper time to tell you, but I have every intention of marrying Ann.”  

Charles glared at him. “You're right; this is not the proper time for that discussion. I'd rather know how you are going to catch those murderers.  What are your plans when you get back to the fort?”  Charles asked.

“I will put together a search party and find them.  I don't think it will be that difficult.”  

“Good, because I want to join Mary at the lodge as soon as my business affairs are in order and I feel that Ann can carry on sufficiently without me.  When you find those men, I want to be present for the trial.”

“Yes, sir.”

Charles finished his brandy and sighed.  He stared into the fire before he spoke. “Have another brandy, if you like.  I'm going to turn in.”