Touching the Sky (24 page)

He nodded and took hold of her hands. “I will. I will see that he is apprehended as soon as possible. Just remember—if we don’t manage to get the proper evidence against him, Malcolm could well go free. Then things will truly get ugly.”

A trembling started in Laura’s knees and spread throughout her body. She was terrified of what might happen. The very thought of Malcolm being arrested only to be set free had never crossed her mind. “Oh, Brandon, God alone can see us through this.”

He nodded. “You speak the truth. God has the only means to see justice done. We must trust Him to watch over the entire affair and reveal evil where it has its hold.”

After Brandon left, Laura hurried upstairs to check on her sister. Their mother had finally gone to bed and Laura could see that Carissa was far from being sleepy.

“Do you want to talk?” Laura asked.

Carissa nodded. “Did you send a note to Malcolm?”

“Yes. I had it sent soon after we arrived. Brandon reminded me before he left.” Laura sat on the bed beside her sister. “He also had a good idea. He suggested that I speak to the doctor and let him know of how Malcolm mistreats you. He believes, as do I, that the doctor will keep our confidence. We can have him suggest that you need to stay here due to your condition—that you need to have the care of someone in case you faint again.”

Carissa met her sister’s gaze. “And he doesn’t want you anywhere near my house for fear of what Malcolm might do to you.”

Laura thought to deny Carissa’s comment, but decided against it. “Brandon said that if a man will beat his wife—threaten the mother of his unborn child—he would have no trouble hurting me. I suppose that his statement is true enough. That’s why I’m begging you to allow me to speak to the doctor. I will go first thing in the morning on the pretense of bringing him here. I will tell him what he needs to know. Are you agreed?”

Carissa placed her hands on her still slim belly. “I am. Let us see if we can arrange this without Malcolm causing either of us further harm.”

I
t was easy enough to get the doctor to agree to Laura’s request. He had no patience for men who hit their wives and promised to keep Carissa’s secret. He also spoke directly to Stanley Marquardt, suggesting that Carissa needed to remain with her family in order to be properly cared for. Laura and Carissa exchanged a look of relief.

“I don’t believe she needs to be bedfast,” the doctor explained. “However, due to her penchant for fainting it would be dangerous for her to be alone.”

“I completely understand,” Father replied. “Of course she shall remain with us. I will let her husband know the situation when he returns to town.”

The doctor nodded, then gave Laura a quick smile. “I believe I’ve done all that I can here. Don’t hesitate to send someone for me, however, if there is a problem.”

Once he’d gone, Laura gripped her sister’s arm. “We should go to the house and get your things before Malcolm returns.” She looked to their parents. “I can go with Carissa. She can sit and point to what needs to be retrieved.”

“Take Esther with you,” Father suggested. “That way you’ll have additional help.”

“That’s a wonderful idea, Father. Thank you.”

Carissa and Laura rose in unison, but it was Carissa who spoke. “I’m so sorry to bring this on you. Thank you so much for allowing me to stay.”

“Don’t be silly,” Mother replied. “This will always be your home. We want you and the baby to be properly cared for.”

Within the hour Laura and Carissa walked through the back door of the young bride’s house. Esther followed with a couple of carpetbags. There was no sign of Malcolm, and the note that had been delivered the night before remained on the kitchen table.

“Apparently he’s still gone,” Laura said, looking around the small room.

“We’d probably best get right to it,” Carissa declared. “I don’t have any idea of when he’ll return.”

Laura directed Esther to go upstairs with Carissa. “Start the packing and I’ll be up shortly. Carissa, don’t waste any time.”

“What are you going to do?”

A thought had crossed Laura’s mind only seconds earlier. “I’m going to see if there’s any evidence we can take that might make the case against Malcolm.”

“He has an office, but he keeps it locked,” Carissa said, pointing down the hall.

“A skeleton key would most likely work,” Laura said. “Have you one?”

“Yes—in the drawer just over there.”

Laura went and rummaged through the contents until she found the key. “This should work. You go ahead and get your things. Hurry.”

Esther and Carissa understood the urgency and rushed from the room. Meanwhile Laura made her way to the locked door of Malcolm’s office. She hesitated for a moment. What if Malcolm came home while she was in his office?

“I have to try,” she whispered to no one.

The key easily did the trick and she entered the room without further delay. Unable to see very well, Laura pulled back the drapes and went quickly to Malcolm’s desk. The newspaper from nearly two weeks earlier was still sitting on the edge of the desk with a pen and inkwell, but otherwise the surface was clean.

Laura pushed back the chair and opened the center drawer. She took out a handful of papers; nothing there looked overly important. Shoving them back, she went next to the side drawers. The first two revealed a variety of items. Several books, a few letters, and writing paper. Digging deeper, Laura found a bottle of whiskey and shook her head. It only surprised her that he’d bothered to try to hide it.

The bottom drawer proved to be locked. There was no evidence of a key anywhere. Laura pulled at the handle again, but the drawer refused to budge. Just then, she remembered a time when she’d managed to get some pieces of clothing caught in her dresser drawer. Carlita had resolved the problem by removing the drawer on top.

Laura went back to the second drawer and pulled it all the way out. It was heavy and she very nearly spilled the contents as she wrestled it to the top of the desk. Once this was done she glanced to see if she’d gained access to the bottom drawer. She had. Her heart picked up its pace a bit as she reached into the darkened hole.

Her search uncovered two small rolled maps and invoices for black powder. There were also several pages of handwritten notes, but Laura didn’t take the time to study them. She collected everything from the drawer and glanced around the room to see what she might put the papers within for transport. Seeing nothing suitable, she merely tucked them inside her snug jacket and secured the middle drawer in place.

Once she’d reached the hall, Laura relocked the door and went in search of her sister and Esther. The two women were just coming down the stairs when Laura was about to start up. She could see that the carpetbags now bulged as Esther struggled to heft them.

“We got everything we could,” Carissa declared.

“Then let’s get out of here,” Laura instructed. “I found enough evidence that I believe Brandon’s superiors will have little trouble convicting your husband.”

Carissa’s eyes widened. “Truly?”

They’d reached the kitchen and Laura was about to reply when she heard the sound of horses and men talking. She glanced out the window. It was Malcolm and five other men.

“He’s here, and he has friends,” Laura said, turning back to her sister.

“He will know we’re here because of the carriage,” Carissa said, shaking her head. “What are we going to do?”

Laura looked at Esther. “Leave the bags, Esther.” She reached into her jacket. “These papers must reach Brandon. Do not give them to anyone else. Leave by the front door and don’t let yourself be seen. Brandon may be at the army headquarters, so try there first. When you find him, let him know what’s happened—just in case we don’t make it home.”

Esther’s eyes widened. “I don’t wanna leave ya here alone.”

“It’s the only way,” Laura said, pulling the woman through the house. “Carissa and I can tell Malcolm why we’ve come and how the doctor wants her to be with us because of the baby. If he’s not suspicious we will be able to get to the carriage and start for home before he can realize that I’ve taken his papers. Now go.”

She pulled the metal bar from its place as Esther stuffed the papers inside the bodice of her gown. Laura all but shoved the woman through the front entrance. She had barely closed the door and replaced the bar when she heard her sister greeting Malcolm and the others.

Making her way casually to the kitchen, Laura reached for the carpetbags. “If you’re sure this is everything . . .” She stopped talking and smiled at Malcolm. “Oh, we’re so glad you’re home. I’m sure you read our father’s letter.”

Malcolm frowned. “What letter? And what’s with those bags?”

Laura acted as though it were nothing more important than a Sunday school outing. “The doctor wants Carissa to stay with us. Given that you are so very busy and often travel, he felt it important to her health. You see, she keeps fainting. It’s because of her delicate condition, of course.”

The men seemed rather put off by the subject, but Laura continued. “The doctor felt that Carissa needed other women to tend to her needs, and we knew you’d understand. See there on the table? We sent you word last night. Carissa was with me when she passed out. It might have been quite tragic if I’d not been there.”

Malcolm looked at the letter and then back to his wife. For a moment Laura felt sure he would fight her on the idea, but to her surprise, he simply nodded. “I think that would be a good idea. Carissa should stay with you—probably at least until Christmas. My work should settle down by then, and I’ll be able to arrange a housekeeper for her.”

Laura smiled. “How grand. Well, then let us be on our way. Carissa, I’ll just put your things in the carriage.”

“Thank you,” Carissa said in a barely audible voice. Laura feared her sister’s nervous state might well give them away.

“Just a minute,” Malcolm said as Laura moved toward the door. He motioned to the men standing there. “One of you take those bags to the carriage for her.”

A tall, scruffy-looking man at Laura’s right reached out and took the bags. “I got ’em, boss.”

Malcolm’s gallantry surprised Laura, but she struggled to maintain her composure. “Thank you.”

Malcolm gave his wife a nod and headed for the hall. “I have to get something in my office, and then we’ll be on our way, as well. I probably won’t see you again before the first of the year.”

“Do . . . be . . . careful,” Carissa said.

“Come along, sister. You’re starting to look pale again. I don’t want you fainting.” Laura took hold of Carissa’s arm and all but dragged her toward the back door. She wanted to run, knowing they’d have very little time to get away before Malcolm was able to learn the truth about his papers.

“We should hurry,” she whispered to Carissa.

Laura had just assisted Carissa into the carriage and was hurrying to the other side when Malcolm appeared at the back door. “Ladies, I need to show you something before you go.”

Laura turned and forced a smile. “She’s really tired, Malcolm. Can’t it wait?”

He smiled, but his expression was cold and sent a chill down Laura’s spine. “No. It can’t wait.”

Carissa hesitated, and Laura felt at a loss as to what to do. She had been relieved to get out of the house and into the open. There weren’t any other houses in the area, but she somehow felt safer being there than inside the house with those men.

“Carissa.”

The single word was a command.

Laura looked to her sister and nodded, not knowing what else to do. “I’ll come with you,” she said in a hush. Taking hold of Carissa’s arm, Laura helped her from the wagon. Together they walked back to the house.

“What is it you wish for me to see?” Carissa asked.

Malcolm took hold of her and pulled her away from Laura. “Come with me, and I’ll show you.” He glanced at Laura. “You too. I think you’ll both find this interesting.”

Laura trembled.
Dear Lord,
she prayed.
We need your help. We need your protection.

She followed Malcolm and Carissa back into the house and through the kitchen. Laura had a horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach when Malcolm stopped at the room where he kept his office. Pushing open the unlocked door, he did nothing but stand there.

Carissa looked to Laura and then to her husband. “What is it? What do you want me to see?”

“I thought you might like to see how nice the sunlight is.”

Carissa frowned. “We were just outside, Malcolm. I could see the sun there.”

Laura felt as though she might be the one to faint. She’d forgotten to refix the draperies. Malcolm had known without ever needing to search his desk that someone had been in his office. She frantically searched her mind for an excuse—some reason that he might accept for her having been there. Of course, once he found his papers missing, he would blame her no matter what.

“It is lovely,” Laura finally said, forcing the words. “I can see why you have your office here.”

He glared at her. “I keep the drapes closed. Someone opened them.” He narrowed his gaze at Laura. “I don’t suppose you’d know anything about that?”

“Why should I?” She did her best to sound unafraid. “I had no reason to be here. I’ve been helping Carissa with her things.” Laura prayed he’d believe her and let them go before searching his desk.

“I see,” Malcolm replied. He toyed with the fountain pen on his desk before moving around to the other side. For a moment he paused, and the tension only mounted. Laura looked behind her, wondering if they might make a run for it, but Malcolm’s cohorts were blocking the hall. Malcolm slowly leaned down and unlocked the bottom drawer.

“Hmm, I suppose you don’t know anything about my papers, either.” He straightened and fixed Laura with a hard look.

“You’re being rather obscure, Malcolm. What papers are you talking about?”

“The papers I keep in this drawer.” He eyed Laura with a withering look.

Laura stood her ground and feigned surprise. “Well, since the drawer was locked, I suppose no one would have knowledge of the contents.”

“The office was locked, too, but someone still managed to get inside.”

At this, Carissa looked at Laura and then to her husband. “I’m not feeling well, Malcolm.”

He laughed. “I’m sure you aren’t.” He motioned to one of the men. “Joe, go get those bags from the carriage. I have a feeling I’ll find what I’m looking for in them.”

Laura stiffened. She knew they wouldn’t find the papers there, but she had no idea what Malcolm’s next move might be after that. He had no way of knowing that Esther had come with them, but when he couldn’t find the things he was looking for, Laura knew he would be determined to know the truth. Would she be able to refrain from admitting her guilt? What if he decided to torture her? Worse yet, what if he threatened to hurt Carissa?

In less than a minute, Joe was back with both bags. He tossed them on the desk and Malcolm immediately poured the contents from each. Laura clutched Carissa’s hand and squeezed her sister’s fingers.

Malcolm shuffled through the clothes and then looked back to the two women. “Where are they?”

Laura shook her head. “Malcolm, we haven’t a clue what you’re talking about. However, your wife is ill and needs to rest. Now, if you are done with this game, I suggest you help me get Carissa to the carriage.”

“You two aren’t going anywhere until I get those papers. If you’ve hidden them in this house, I will find them.”

To Laura’s surprise Carissa stepped forward. “Malcolm, you keep this office locked. How is it that you could possibly think we’ve taken anything? Perhaps we’ve been robbed.”

Malcolm laughed. “And the thief just happened to relock the office door before leaving with nothing of value? Those papers aren’t good to anyone but me. Unless, of course, someone was of a mind to turn them over to the authorities.”

Laura struggled to keep up the pretense. “Why would the authorities care?”

“You two play a good game, but I’m not convinced.” He came around the desk so quickly that Laura nearly stumbled as she stepped backward. “Take hold of her,” Malcolm said to the man nearest Laura. He did so with an ironclad grip that dug painfully into Laura’s arms.