Hope at Dawn (25 page)

Robert chuckled. “Not exactly. You’d also need to denounce these Boche friends of yours to the sheriff and the superintendent. Tell ’em you were verbally threatened to keep that man’s secret about going to jail as punishment for the last teacher being fired.” He spat out the words, his face hardening with each one. Apparently he’d garnered plenty of information from Mr. Foster, and who knew who else, about her and Friedrick’s situation. “Tell ’em you made a mistake in going along with their plans. Tell ’em you’re not a traitor to everything your brother Tom fought and died for, what your brother Joel is still fighting for.”

Despite her revelation earlier, his allegations still stung and brought a moment of doubt. Would Tom and Joel see her actions the same way? Livy shied away from the question and instead pictured her students, their families, and Friedrick. She remembered the pain on his face when he’d seen the bond poster.

No.
The word resounded in her head and heart.

She would not give in to prejudice. She’d experienced a taste of it herself when she’d first come here, and no one deserved such ill treatment. Joel might not forgive her, but at least she’d be able to live with herself by refusing to give in to Robert’s lies and hatred.

“Thank you for your proposal. You’re much more sober than the last time you brought up marriage to me.” She withdrew her hand from his and rubbed at the bruised flesh on her wrist. “Which also means you’re sober enough to remember what I have to say now.”

With head high, she stared down those darkening eyes of his. “I will not denounce these people. They are as American as me and you, if not more so. I will not break their trust, as you have broken mine, over and over again. I will wait for my parents.”

Robert stuck his face against the metal bars. “You think you’re so high and mighty? You’ve been duped, Livy,” he hissed. “These people don’t care about you. Where’s your German boyfriend now, huh? I don’t see him in here trying to negotiate for your release. And do you know why? He’s too scared.”

Livy gritted her teeth, trying to block out the misgivings Robert’s accusations created. She’d seen the look on Friedrick’s face before she’d been stuffed inside the sheriff’s car—he loved her. But she also knew there was little he could do now, not without hurting his family.

“I gave you another chance, one you’ll wish you’d taken before I leave town.” Robert jammed his hat on his head. “Your Boche is goin’ to wish you’d accepted me, too.” With that, he strode away.

“Robert?” Livy hollered as she rushed to the cell door. “Robert?” Panic squeezed her throat and lungs. What would he do that he hadn’t already done? Could she send a warning to Friedrick to be on the lookout? “Sheriff?” she yelled next, followed by a kick to the bars for more noise. “Sheriff Tate!”

The man lumbered toward her cell a few seconds later, a deep frown on his face. “What’s all the ruckus, Miss Campbell?”

“You have to let me out—now. That man, Mr. Drake, is going to harm Frie—I mean, Mr. Wagner.”

“Now, now.” Sheriff Tate removed his hat and wiped his brow as if the exertion of moving quickly had tuckered him out. “Did he say what he intended to do?”

“No, but he made a blatant threat.”

“You know I can’t let you out. Not without bail or without Mr. Foster dropping the charges.”

Livy slapped an open palm against the metal bars. “Then at least go to the Wagner place and make sure they’re all right.”

“Can’t leave the jail while there’s an inmate here.” The sheriff dropped his hat back into place. “Not unless the deputy is present, and his wife’s having a baby. Been having the pains most of the day.”

“Errr.” Livy pushed away from the door and began pacing the small space. “This is urgent. Is there nothing you can do?”

He shook his head. “Afraid not. But you get yourself some rest. Supper’ll be around soon.”

“I don’t care about your blasted supper,” she muttered beneath her breath as the man walked away. There was only one thing to do now. She stopped her frenzied pacing and sat down.

With her hands curled tightly around the edge of the cot, she lowered her chin. She prayed for the Wagner family’s protection, for a way out of jail, for a miracle, if possible. When she felt too exhausted to sit upright any longer, she lay down on the cot. Shutting her eyes, Livy continued her silent pleas toward Heaven until sleep claimed her.

T
he noise of an argument jerked Livy awake. The light in the cell had diminished. A tray of food, likely as cold as the jail by now, stood by the door. She hadn’t heard the sheriff slide it inside.

She’d had the most horrible dream, something about Robert threatening to hurt Friedrick. As she sat up, her conversation with Robert flooded back into her memory. It hadn’t been a dream after all.

Livy shot to her feet and went to the bars. “Sheriff?” she shouted. “Sheriff?”

The arguing stopped at once, then Livy heard light footsteps rushing toward her.

“Hey, miss, you can’t go back there,” Sheriff Tate hollered.

Maria Schmitt appeared in front of the cell. “Maria?” Livy gasped. “What are you doing here? Is Friedrick in trouble?”

Maria shook her head. “He was fine when I left him an hour ago.”

Livy’s relief was short-lived. Robert could still be planning something. She had to warn Friedrick. “I’ve got to get out of here.”

“I am trying to help with that.” Maria lifted a wad of cash and several handwritten notes.

“I told you,” the sheriff said, grabbing Maria by the elbow. “You aren’t allowed back here.”

Livy threw Sheriff Tate a beseeching look. “Please. I need to speak with her.”

The sheriff frowned at both of them, but the hard lines around his eyes softened after a moment. “Fine. But being that your friend here is…um…German…” His round face turned red. “I’ve got to stay close by.”

Maria arched her dark eyebrows. “Afraid I’m going to sell secrets to the enemy?” Sheriff Tate’s red face flushed deeper in color, but he didn’t move away. “Don’t worry, Sheriff. I’ve been trying to tell you for ten minutes why I’m here and it’s nothing so vial.” She looked to Livy as she continued. “Friedrick collected money from the families of your students. He also donated his paycheck. But he was only able to come up with seventy-five dollars.”

Friedrick had done that for her? Even at the price of punishment, he’d still tried to help—and she loved him all the more for it. She really and truly loved him. The realization brought warmth to Livy’s cold body. “And the letters?”

“All written by the parents of your students.” Maria separated them from the cash and passed them through the bars to Livy.

She read the first one, signed by Henry’s father, though Livy recognized that the handwriting was his son’s.
Miss Campbell has helped my boy work to go to the high school and on to college. She is not a traitor, but a gifted teacher.
Another one had Mrs. Keller’s signature on it.
Miss Campbell has taught these children well. She also helped save the life of Friedrick Wagner. She is innocent of wrongdoing.

Livy read them all, including one from Elsa, stating her gratitude for Livy’s teaching and nursing her son back to health. Their expressions of devotion, at the risk of their own reputations, brought fresh tears to her eyes. Like Friedrick, they, too, hadn’t abandoned her.

“Don’t these prove my innocence?” She shoved the notes through the bars for the sheriff to see.

“I told you, Miss Campbell,” the man answered, his jaw set, “I’ve got to have twenty-five more dollars for bail or Mr. Foster has to drop the charges. I’m sorry.” He gestured at Maria. “You’ve had your visit, now it’s time to go.” He started to walk away.

“Thank you for trying anyway, Maria.” Livy mustered a grateful smile, but it faded quickly in the wake of her growing despair.

“I’m not done yet,” Maria whispered.

“Miss Schmitt!” Sheriff Tate growled from down the hallway.

“Coming, Sheriff,” she replied sweetly before leaning toward the cell door again. “Friedrick said if the money and letters weren’t enough, I ought to find Dr. Miller. Apparently he and the sheriff are good friends, so the doctor might convince him to let you go.”

“Try the deputy’s house first. The sheriff said the man’s wife is about to have a baby.”

“Do you want me to lock you up, too, Miss Schmitt?” the sheriff intoned.

“I’d better go. But I’ll be back, Livy.” Maria strode down the hall.

Livy watched her go, then turned to face the high window. There was still a chance she’d be released tonight. Then she would beg the sheriff to drive her to Friedrick’s so she could warn him about Robert. He’d assaulted her and Friedrick once. What would prevent him from physically harming Friedrick again? Or taking out his fury on Elsa or the children?

If Maria could get the doctor, if the doctor could change the sheriff’s mind.
If, if, if…

She paced the cell again. The movement helped ease some of the concern lodged in the pit of her stomach.
Hurry, Maria, hurry. Find the doctor, find the doctor.

The remaining light in Livy’s cell receded little by little as she circled the small room over and over. Light spilled from Sheriff Tate’s office down the hall, casting shadows on the floor. Would she be freed in time? Had Robert gone after Friedrick already? Was the man she loved hurt, or worse?

Livy gnawed at her cheek until she thought she might bite a hole through it.
Please, God, please don’t let us be too late.
She rested her forehead against the rough, cool wall. Voices filtered down to her cell. She rushed to the door and pressed her face to the bars to see who was coming.

“I only want to talk to her, Walter,” she heard the doctor say in a weary voice before he reached her cell.

Hope rose painfully into her throat at the doctor’s appearance. “Dr. Miller.” Her voice broke on a sob of relief. “Thank goodness you’re here.”

“What is going on, Miss Campbell?”

“I was arrested for demonstrating sympathy toward the Germans.”

The doctor glanced over his shoulder as Sheriff Tate came forward. Maria followed close behind. “Who accused her?” Dr. Miller demanded of his friend.

“John Foster,” the sheriff said without looking at either Livy or the doctor.

Dr. Miller frowned. “On what grounds?”

When the sheriff remained quiet, Livy answered for him. “Mr. Foster asked me to share with him any incriminating information I might have learned about Friedrick Wagner. But I chose not to say anything about Friedrick being jailed or how I cared for him alone in the school when he was sick. I also took down the bond poster he asked me to put up in the school.”

“That is all?”

Livy nodded.

“What was the reasoning behind your actions, Miss Campbell?”

“My decisions weren’t based on any sympathy toward Germany. I did what I did because…” She swallowed hard. “Because I care about these people. Not as Americans or Germans, but as decent people trying to live right and care for their families, like all of us.”

Lines of fatigue etched the doctor’s face, but he held himself tall, his expression unyielding as he turned to the sheriff. “Let her out, Walter.”

Sheriff Tate sputtered. “But, Hans, you heard her. She didn’t tell Foster the truth. She hid information from him.”

“Like Foster hid information about Miss Lehmann?” The doctor shook his head in disgust. “How Foster was pressured into firing her because she was German? How some of the evidence used against her was likely manufactured to suit that scoundrel Joe Hilly and his thugs?”

Livy stared openmouthed at Dr. Miller, trying to process what he’d said. The superintendent had been pressured to fire Miss Lehmann, largely because she was German? Instead of jail, though, the woman had been sentenced to prison. For the first time all evening, Livy felt a measure of gratitude she’d only been given a temporary jail sentence.

“I don’t make the rules.” The sheriff eyed Livy, then turned away. “I can’t release her unless I get bail of a hundred dollars or Foster drops the charges. We’ve got to be careful in times like these. We can’t have people conspiring with the enemy.”

The doctor slammed a fist against the bars, making Livy jump. “She is not conspiring with the enemy. Miss Campbell endured great risk to herself by caring for Friedrick Wagner. If he had gone home instead, he might have given the influenza to his father, which would have killed him. According to Miss Schmitt here, Miss Campbell has also endeared herself to her students and their families. There is nothing traitorous about that.”

Sheriff Tate ran a hand over his face.

“If that is not enough to convince you…” Dr. Miller reached into his pocket and pulled out his wallet. After counting out twenty-five dollars, he slapped the bills into the sheriff’s palm.

Maria placed the money Friedrick had collected into the man’s other hand and closed his fingers over it. “I believe you have the required amount, Sheriff.”

His face red once more, Sheriff Tate stared at the cash. “I can’t take it, Hans,” he said quietly. “Florence would make me sleep on the couch if I did, and she’d have every right to do so.” He handed back the doctor’s money and faced Livy, no longer hesitant. He drew himself up to full height and puffed out his expansive chest. “I’m the law here—not Joe Hilly or Foster or anybody else. I’ll cover the twenty-five dollars you need, Miss Campbell, which makes full bail. You’re free to go.”

Livy grabbed the bars with both hands. “Thank you, Sheriff.”

He unlocked the cell door and held it open for her. Livy raced out and gave the man a hug. The sheriff coughed with embarrassment, but she caught a glimmer of startled happiness in his eyes when she released him. Latching on to Maria’s arm, she propelled the young lady down the hallway. They still had to get to Friedrick.

“We need to borrow your car, Sheriff Tate,” she said without slowing down.

“My car?” The two men followed after them.

“Friedrick may be in danger, but we can stop it.”

“Hold on, Miss Campbell,” the doctor said. “What is wrong with Friedrick?”

Livy spun around. “There’s little time to explain. A former beau of mine came to town yesterday. He’s the one who convinced Mr. Foster to press charges and have me arrested. He threatened to hurt Friedrick, too.”

Dr. Miller looked at the sheriff. “Sounds like you need to check it out, Walter.”

“But I can’t leave the jail.”

“Who is going to break out?” the doctor asked, amusement and irritation coloring his tone.

Sheriff Tate growled low in his throat and threw up his arms. “This better be real cause for concern, Miss Campbell. If I find everything nice and cozy at the Wagner place, I may drag you back here for good measure.”

“Then you’ll drive us?” Livy held her breath. She’d never get there in time if she and Maria had to walk.

“Why don’t we telephone first?” Maria suggested.

Livy wanted to rush to Friedrick’s side now instead of waiting, but if she could warn him beforehand…“You’re right. That’s a good idea.”

She followed the sheriff to the telephone. The operator seemed to take an eternity to connect Livy.

“Hello?”

Livy sagged against the wall at the sound of Friedrick’s voice. He was still there, unharmed. “Friedrick? Friedrick, you have to…” The line went dead. “Hello, hello?”

A moment later the operator came back on. “I’m sorry, miss. Something has interrupted the line.”

“Could you try again? It’s important.”

“Hold, please.”

Livy bit the inside of her cheek, hoping, praying.

“Still nothing.”

Replacing the earpiece on its hook, Livy gulped with sudden fear. Had someone cut the line? Someone like Robert?

“We need to leave—now. I think their phone line has been cut.”

The three of them hurried out the door after Livy. She and Maria jumped into the back of the sheriff’s car. Once the engine started, Sheriff Tate slid into the front seat beside Dr. Miller. He jerked the car around and sped down the street, heading out of town.

“We’ll make it.” Maria gave Livy’s arm a gentle squeeze.

Livy peered into the dark beyond the car, her heart beating wildly with dread. “I hope so.”

“Livy?”

Friedrick could have sworn it was her voice on the other end of the telephone.

“Operator?” He gave the crank a good turn. “Operator?”

There was no reply. A feeling of apprehension crept over him as he hung up the earpiece. Why had the line gone dead? Did it have anything to do with Robert and his threat to hurt Friedrick and his family if Friedrick attempted to help Livy?

If it had been her on the line, did that mean his plan had worked? Had Maria been able to convince the sheriff to let Livy go with seventy-five dollars for bail and the testimonies of her students’ parents?

Friedrick walked from the kitchen into the hallway and glanced through the open door of his father’s bedroom. How strange to see the bed empty for the first time in years.

Heinrich had refused, at first, to go to the barn with Elsa and the children, and Friedrick couldn’t blame him. A few hours in the old building might worsen his father’s condition, but Friedrick wasn’t taking any chances tonight. Not when it came to his family or Robert’s threats. If the man had no qualms striking a woman, he certainly wouldn’t let Friedrick get away unscathed for helping Livy. This time, though, Friedrick wouldn’t stand down.

To his surprise and gratitude, Elsa had agreed with his plans. She’d voiced her approval of using his paycheck to help with Livy’s release and had even dictated a letter about Livy for the sheriff. Friedrick wasn’t sure what had prompted Elsa’s change of heart, but he welcomed it. Whatever awaited them tonight, he could stand confident, knowing his family supported him.

A loud pounding at the door interrupted his thoughts. He’d been walking around the empty house for what felt like hours, anticipating trouble from Robert, but the sound of the knock still filled him with momentary dread.

He thought of Livy, alone and cold in the jail, and all because she’d helped him, loved him. His jaw tightened in anger. He would pay whatever price he must for securing her freedom, but he wouldn’t surrender without a fight. Tonight was his time to stand against injustice.

Friedrick sent a silent prayer heavenward and strode with measured steps to the door. The scene before him mirrored the one from eight weeks earlier so perfectly, he might have thought he’d gone back in time. The mob filled the yard, their torches cutting up the darkness. Joe watched him with a mocking grin. Everything appeared as it had before, except for Robert’s presence beside the mob leader.