Eleanor Tatum

Egad!

Trevor Coffman and Jacob Newsome have successfully retrieved Catherine Randolph’s trust fund documents from the First Bank of Charleston. Now, as they race through the city cemetery, they need to plan their next move. This step proves difficult since they are not together. They need their friends, Joann, Ross, and Catherine. The problems are love and money or is the difficulty because of love and money. Both?

Chapter 10, page 111

“Wait”, Trevor hesitates, “Can’t we check on Catherine first?”

Jacob stalls, “Best not to. Today’s Tuesday.”

“Excuse me? Where are they anyway?”

“They’re safe. There’s an empty room in the basement, the place where we ate when we first arrived. Today’s free meal will bring in a crowd and knowing your ladies, I’m sure they are volunteering in the kitchen. If we go in there now, we’ll bring unnecessary attention to them. Let’s go back to the hotel first and pack up. Ross will come with us tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow!” Trevor’s whiney complaint fell on Jacob’s back. He’d already crossed Madison and had headed for the narrow allies behind the hotels on Meeting Street. He caught up with him and forced a face-to-face. “Jacob, our friends from the bank will be searching for us soon as our theft is discovered.”

“Which won’t be for some time,” he interrupted. “We didn’t take the obvious cash.”

Trevor snapped, “More importantly, I’m concerned about Catherine and Joann. I know Ross must be, too.” He hesitated long enough to study his friend. “Just what are you not telling me?”

Jacob jerked away, “Nothing. Come on then. Let’s get Ross.” His anger irritated a bit, but not enough to change his willingness to hold Catherine.

They found Ross pacing the confines of their expensive suite of rooms. “Well, God Bless America! Where the devil have you two been? That was one long fancy lunch with Pettigrew,” he tilted his head to search behind them, “and where’s my Joann?” He goose-stepped in obvious anger toward Jacob, who had the good sense to back up.

“Hold steady, good friend,” Trevor jumped between them. “The ladies are safe.”

“Who says? The Jew!”

The walls barely held the silence and tension, but the hurt, embarrassment, and pain grew with a deafening roar.

“Lord, man,” Ross let out a breath, “I’m sorry, Jacob.” He turned to the windows, locked his elbows to allow his arms to support his weight on the sills, and hung his head in shame and worry. “I’m overwrought about her.” He turned to face them and added, This city is slimy with fear and meanness and she’s not a city-girl. But Jacob, I had no idea my own fear for her would fire out at you. I’m so sorry. You’re a good man and you didn’t deserve that.” He slowly walked to the center of the room. “Please take me to her.”

“Of course, I will,” Jacob’s soft and forgiving response startled Trevor. He watched him meet Ross in the middle of the room and he offered his hand in friendship. “You, too, are a good man. We all have hatreds for a vast variety of reasons.” They shook hands and added a brief hug. “Someday, we should discuss them, but not just now.”

Trevor breathed a sigh of thankfulness, “Good. Gentlemen, our bags?”

“Done,” Ross grabbed the handles and handed off two bags to each man. “We’ll need to use the servants’ stairs. Our Mr. McBride’s on duty and he’s already been here one time this afternoon with a statement of services, his term, not mine.” He pointed to several papers on the table.

“Good idea. We don’t have the money right now to keep him happy. Did you leave the fancy clothes? Those might help to pay part of the bill.”

“Yeah, I left them, especially those damn neck ties, or cravats, and cuff links.” They headed out the door and down the hall, away from the hotel’s elaborate main staircase, decorated lobby, and crowd of elite, always found in the formal dinning room.

Enough! (until later)