To Have and To Hold (30 page)

Audrey bowed her head, now ashamed she'd been so foolhardy. “I only hoped to help,” she whispered.

Mr. Morley placed his hand atop her wrist. “I know. But please—leave this to us. You tend to Bridal Fair, and we'll take care of finding who's behind all of this.”

When Ted didn't appear for supper that night, Mr. Morley settled his gaze upon Frank and nodded toward the empty chair. “Where's Ted this evening? Hope he hasn't taken ill.”

Frank's eyes darkened, but he hiked his shoulder with a nonchalant shrug. “I sent him to Biscayne to check on some orders and told him to take several days and see if there might be any skilled workers arriving.”

Mr. Morley raised his eyebrows. “You sent him? Since when are you in charge of such things?”

Frank shifted in his chair. “We'll need at least one more capable woodworker for all the detail work in the rooms. I heard there might be some men arriving from up north this week.”

“Don't take it upon yourself to send anyone to Biscayne. You're not giving the orders around here, Frank. Am I clear?”

Frank's only response was a grunt, but Audrey was relieved to know Ted was off the island, for she was certain he was responsible for Marshall's injuries.

Chapter 28

For the past two nights sleep had eluded Audrey, and it seemed tonight would be no different. Tired of tossing about, she pushed aside the bedcovers and paced the short distance between bed and wall until she could no longer abide the tiny space. Slipping a wrapper over her nightgown, she tiptoed into the kitchen and out the back door. If she was going to pace, she wanted the full length of the wraparound porch rather than the short distance her bedroom provided. A full moon filtered its glow through the mossy trees, and a host of stars twinkled overhead.

“Such a beautiful night.” Her words were a mere whisper as she circled and returned to the rear door for the second time, yet restlessness continued to nip at her heels. Dropping to one of the wicker chairs, she hunched forward and wrapped her arms around her waist. A shadowy figure crossed the path and then another. She squinted and leaned forward as the hairs along the back of her neck prickled to attention.

For a brief moment, she considered rushing down the steps to see if she could get a better view, but the warning from Mr. Morley and Marshall held her in check. She would go upstairs and awaken Marshall. Careful not to let the door bang behind her, Audrey hurried through the kitchen while uttering a prayer of thanks for the moonlight that shone through the lacy curtains. One of the steps creaked beneath her weight, and she stopped to listen. When no one stirred, she continued up the stairs. Her heart pounded as she lightly rapped on Marshall's door. At least the rooms Marshall and Mr. Morley occupied were far enough away from the other men that she doubted anyone else would hear her knocking.

She tapped again. “Marshall!” She hissed his name and tried once more. There wasn't time to stand in the hallway much longer, and she couldn't barge into his room. Glancing down the hall, she hurried to Mr. Morley's room and tapped on the door, quietly calling his name. When he didn't respond after several attempts, she returned to Marshall's door.

Her hand stopped in midair as a loud crack echoed in the distance. Beads of perspiration dampened her hand, and a knot of fear settled in her stomach. Were her ears playing tricks on her or had she truly heard a gunshot? She couldn't take a chance “Marshall!” When he didn't answer, she turned the doorknob and peeked into the room. Slivers of moonlight danced through the curtains and onto the empty bed.

Her fear mounted as she returned to Mr. Morley's room, knocked, and then opened his door. She swallowed hard. He wasn't in his room, either. Her feet slipped on the carpeted stairs, and she frantically grabbed at the railing to steady herself.

“Remain calm or you won't be able to help them,” she whispered to herself. The hushed admonition resonated in the nighttime stillness that accompanied her down the remaining steps.
What if one of them has been shot?
Her fingers trembled as she clutched the newel-post.

She'd done her best to follow Marshall and Mr. Morley's instructions. They'd said she should come to them with any further problems, but they hadn't said what she should do if they couldn't be found. She considered waking one of the other men, but how could she determine who was loyal to Mr. Morley and who was loyal to Ted Uptegrove? Uncertainty gripped her as she slipped back through the dining room and into the kitchen. She couldn't sit tight and do nothing. Her thoughts raced. Perhaps Dr. Wahler would help.

Marshall would likely disapprove of her leaving the house, yet something was amiss, and to stay idle wasn't an option—at least not to her. After fastening her skirt and slipping into her shoes, she wrapped a shawl tight around her shoulders and tied it in a knot. She considered retrieving Aunt Thora's shotgun, but if she came across danger, it would take her far too long to load the thing. Besides, she doubted she had the intestinal fortitude to shoot anyone, even if she could load the gun. Better to leave the weapon at home and seek Dr. Wahler's assistance. She'd already lost far too much time.

Careful to watch her step and keep her ears attuned to the night sounds, Audrey hastened along the path. Fear proved a powerful motivator: She made it to Dr. Wahler's cottage in record time. Her heart pounded as she knocked on the door and waited. Dancing from foot to foot, she muttered, “Hurry! Answer the door!” She'd lifted her hand to knock once more when the door swung open. “Dr. Wahler. I'm so happy you're here.”

His eyebrows furrowed and his lips drooped into a frown. “Where else would I be at this time of night?”

“I-I-I don't know.” His curt tone and abrupt question surprised her. She obviously hadn't wakened him, for he was still fully clothed. He could have been over at the workers' quarters tending to an ailing laborer, but she didn't think to mention that before he waved her inside.

“Has Thora's condition worsened?”

She grasped his arm. “No. Aunt Thora is sleeping soundly, but I do need your help.”

His frown returned, but he gave her his full attention while she explained there had been two men prowling outside of Bridal Fair. She detailed the concerns of sabotage and that she'd heard a gunshot only a short time ago. “I discovered that both Marshall and Mr. Morley have left the house. I fear one of them has been shot.”

“I didn't hear any gunshot, and I've been up reading. I think you're probably imagining things.” His voice faltered. “And the men you saw may have been Marshall and Mr. Morley—have you considered that possibility? I wonder if these claims of sabotage are really true or if Marshall and Victor are in on this together.”

Audrey's eyebrows furrowed and her mouth dropped open. “What? Why would you even think such a thing? That makes no sense at all. Mr. Morley is eager for the project to reach completion. That's why he's remained here at Bridal Veil.”

“This idea of a rivalry between the investors on Jekyl Island and Bridal Veil could be nothing more than a scheme to divert attention from the truth.” Instead of gathering his hat and medical bag, he sat down. “I know you're not familiar with the ways of men when it comes to money and business—few women are—but before you jump to the conclusion that someone is shooting at Marshall and Mr. Morley, I think you need to evaluate all possibilities.”

Forcing a feeble smile, Audrey did her best to overlook his patronizing tone. If she hadn't needed his help, she'd have told him she wasn't interested in his lesson on the frailties of men and money. “There isn't time for evaluation. We need to go and find them. What you're suggesting makes no sense.” She stepped toward the door and grasped the metal door latch.

Dr. Wahler didn't flinch—he didn't move at all. “What I'm saying makes complete sense. Mr. Morley could have plans to burn down the hotel and collect the insurance money—or perhaps he and Marshall have developed a scheme. After all, Marshall did appear at Bridal Veil rather conveniently. You're a kind young lady who can't even imagine what men will do where money and power are concerned.”

A twinge of doubt leaped into her consciousness, but Audrey immediately pushed it aside. Neither Marshall nor Mr. Morley would ever do such a thing. Dr. Wahler could think the worst of them, but she wouldn't entertain such thoughts.

“What's all the noise out here?” Sadie stood in the doorway, the twins following close behind in their cotton nightgowns.

“Nothing at all, Sadie. Miss Audrey and I were merely having a chat.”

The older woman frowned, obviously skeptical of the doctor's explanation. “Kind of late for a visit.”

The twins scampered around Sadie, both of them hoping to join the visit, but their father stood and waved them back. “Back to bed. Come on now, girls.”

While the doctor and Sadie herded the girls back to bed, Audrey slipped out the front door. If the doctor wasn't going to help, she'd find someone who would.

Chapter 29

Keeping to the path, Audrey did her best to avoid stepping on branches or making any noise. Twice she'd squeezed the tip of her nose between thumb and forefinger to avoid a sneeze. The thought of alerting a lurking prowler sent a chill quivering through her body, and she instinctively pulled her shawl tight around her shoulders. She'd be safer with one of the men, but there wasn't time to determine whom she could trust. Maybe she should awaken Irene. She didn't possess the strength of a man, but she could be trusted.

Audrey's breath caught and goose bumps raced down her arms as she approached the house and spotted a figure scurry to the side of the porch and then disappear into a curtain of darkness. Had Ted returned to the island? Cautiously, she stepped from behind a live oak and continued toward the back of the house. She longed to know who had been near the house and why. She silently weighed her options. To go alone could prove disastrous, yet she didn't want to forgo an opportunity to identify the prowler. She knew it wouldn't take long to rouse Irene, but the activity might awaken Aunt Thora. If so, she'd be forced to give up any hope of pursuing the shadowy figure.

“Why did you leave?”

A hand grasped her arm, and Audrey wheeled around. She slapped one hand to her mouth to keep a scream from escaping her lips. When she finally recovered from the startling encounter, she lowered her hand to her side. “I didn't hear you approach.” She squinted into the darkness to see if someone else was there.

“I was worried when I returned to the front room and discovered you'd left while I was with the twins. I had planned to escort you home.” Shadows and moonlight emphasized Dr. Wahler's frown. “You shouldn't have left without me.” Audrey attempted to free her arm from his grasp, but he tightened his hold. “You need to go inside and stay there. Take my advice, Audrey—don't venture outside again tonight. Is that clear?”

There was a menacing tone to his voice that caused a fresh wave of fear to wash over her. She had hoped to escape inside, but unless he loosened his hold, she'd remain his captive. “I want to know what's going on. There's obviously more to all of this than you're telling me.” She'd been unable to control the tremble in her voice.

A slow smile spread across his face, and she knew he'd detected her fear. “There's no need to be distraught, Audrey. Soon everything will be settled, and your life can go back to the way it was before Victor Morley and his wealthy friends decided to compete with the Jekyl Island investors.”

Her thoughts raced as she tried to digest exactly what he'd said. Undoubtedly Dr. Wahler knew more than he'd said—likely much more. Perhaps the Jekyl Island investors had a sinister plan in place—a plan that included the ruination of the resort on Bridal Veil. And if Dr. Wahler knew of the plan, he was a part of the sabotage that continued to plague progress on the development. How could a doctor be party to something that would place the lives of others in jeopardy? One thing was certain: Dr. Wahler wasn't at all what he appeared.

“How could you be party to something so despicable? You took an oath to save lives, yet you've been willing to do just the opposite. Knowing the pain you've caused others, I don't know how you're able to sleep at night.” This time, it was anger rather than fear that caused the tremor in her voice.

“I don't want you to think I'm some sort of ogre. My involvement in all of this is meager. I am a doctor, nothing more and nothing less. Men with much greater power and influence have orchestrated this entire affair.” When he dipped his head closer, she leaned her shoulders away from him. “You don't need to be afraid of me, Audrey. You've been good to me and to my children. They adore you, and I don't want to see you come to any harm. That's why I warned you to stay inside the house for the remainder of the night.” She made another attempt to wrest her arm from his grasp, but he shook his head. “First, you must give me your word that you're going to go inside and stay there.”

She tightened her jaw and glared at him. “I'm not going inside until I find out exactly what's going on.”

“I suppose there's no harm in your knowing. It's too late for you to do anything that will alter the plan that's already been set in motion. There will be a fire at the clubhouse here on Bridal Veil.”

She stared at him, her senses numbed by disbelief.
This must be some sort of dreadful joke.
Soon he would laugh and tell her he'd been teasing. She waited until she could no longer bear the silence.

“I can't believe that you can so casually accept the devastation that a fire will cause on this island. If you have no concern for the clubhouse—and it's obvious you don't—think of the possibilities a fire could create. What if it spreads to the workers' quarters? With a little wind, a fire could spread throughout the island and destroy plants and animals alike. Live oaks that have been on this island for hundreds of years could be burned to the ground. Men who have families could be injured or die. Have you no sense of compassion?”

With his free hand, he raked his fingers through his hair. “There needs to be an end to this entire affair. If Morley's investors hadn't been so determined to rebuild after the explosion, this fire wouldn't have been necessary.”

Her anger mounted. “How dare you blame this on the fact that the investors rebuilt after the collapse. I have no doubt you were at least partially responsible for that disaster, as well.”

He shook his head. “You may not believe me, but I had nothing to do with that incident. It wasn't until Morley moved ahead with rebuilding the hotel that I was presented with an offer I couldn't refuse. An offer that will provide me with the means to enrich my daughters' future and move far away from here. My part in this is minimal.”

Audrey couldn't believe her ears. “
Minimal?
If you've decided to align with these men and do the devil's work, then don't blame others. Have the courage to own up to your vile choices, for you'll live with the consequences for the remainder of your life.”

“My only consequence will be a tidy sum of money.” He straightened his shoulders and exuded his usual air of confidence. “No one will know of the part I've played in any of this.”

“
I
know. Do you believe I'll stand by and say nothing?” Once she'd uttered the challenge, she wanted to take it back. If he would idly stand by and see the island destroyed, no doubt he'd want to have her silenced—permanently.

He inhaled a deep breath, and then sighed. “It would be your word against mine. If you continue to harbor such an idea, I will simply state that you must have taken an accidental fall and hit your head, for I found you wandering near my house in the middle of the night in a delusional state.”

She didn't know if others would believe his explanation, but some probably would. After all, he was a doctor and well respected. “Where are Mr. Morley and Marshall?”

He shrugged. “Who can say where they are? You're the one who told me they weren't in their rooms. It only helps that they are out roaming the island. Victor will be held responsible for the arson, and further thoughts of building a resort on this island will disappear. He's the driving force, the one with enthusiasm and influence for this project. The other investors will survive their losses and move on to some other idea once he is out of the way.”

The doctor's words chilled her. This man who had appeared to be a kind and caring doctor and a devoted father to his daughters was a cold and calculating ogre who cared nothing about the welfare and reputation of others. “If you'll turn loose of my arm, I'll go inside.”

“Audrey.” The inflection in his voice and the tilt of his head told her that he'd not fall for such a ploy. “I'm afraid the time to trust you has passed. You asked to know what was going on, and I've told you. I can't possibly leave you alone now. We both know you would try to find Mr. Morley and Marshall. You'd feel honor bound to warn them, and I can't have that.”

“What do you plan to do with me?” Hoping to appear undaunted, she squared her shoulders and met his dark gaze.

“Though I dislike the thought, I believe I'll be forced to tie you up until all of this has come to a satisfying end.” As if deciding where he should take her, he turned his head and peered toward a stand of trees in the distance.

If she was going to get away from him, it would have to be now. She had hoped to escape into the house, but he'd positioned himself to block her entry. With all the force she could muster, Audrey propelled the toe of her work shoe into the doctor's shin.

When the doctor dropped his hold on her wrist to grab his ankle, Audrey ran toward the wooded area. The moon guided her path, but it also gave the doctor a clear view of her whereabouts. She may have injured his shin, but it didn't stop him from racing after her. The sound of his footfalls pounded in her ears. With his long strides, she feared he would catch up before she entered the stand of trees. She dared not take time to look.

Inhaling deep breaths, she pumped her arms and propelled herself forward until she finally entered the shelter provided by the immense trees. Beneath the foliage, she could easily hide from Dr. Wahler. She'd grown up beneath this canopy of live oaks, but the doctor was a stranger to the area. He would never find her. Nestled and protected by the low-lying branches, she waited and prayed.

When she was certain the doctor had moved in the opposite direction, she furtively moved toward the workers' cottages. She couldn't return home—that's what the doctor would expect. And if God answered her prayer, she would soon locate Marshall or Mr. Morley.

Careful to remain off the path and hidden by the underbrush and trees, Audrey picked her way toward the old slave quarters, the hooting of an owl in the distance the only sound she heard. Gathering her courage, she peeked from behind the mossy veil of a live oak. A breeze stirred and shadows danced across the trail like nimble elves.

Satisfied she wasn't being followed, Audrey stepped from the security of the trees. A branch snapped and she whirled around. A shadowy figure appeared and filled the path behind her. She stood frozen in place while fear pumped through her veins like ice water.