Refining Fire (20 page)

“Is Mr. Welby in?”

“He is not.”

Abrianna moved toward the still-open door where Militine stood. “It doesn't matter. I know my way around. We're just here to retrieve a small trunk from the basement.” She started for the basement door, but Welby's right-hand man again appeared out of nowhere.

“You can't go down there. I told you it was being reconstructed. Besides, I searched and didn't find anything.”

She didn't believe him. He had that look about him that suggested he would say anything to rid himself of their intrusion. “Well, thank you. I suppose I shan't bother further.”

His leering smile made her uneasy as his gaze traveled the length of her body. “It's never a bother to talk to a beautiful woman. The boss is lucky to have you.”

“He doesn't exactly have me. Now, if you will excuse us.” After enduring his perusal, all she wanted was to go home and take a bath.

They exited without another word. Abrianna could feel Carl's gaze watching her every move. She headed down the walk with Militine at her side, then paused when they reached the busy intersection. Instead of crossing, however, she turned left and skirted the Madison Building.

“Where are you going?”

“I know a way in.”

“Don't you think they'll have the back door locked?”

“I'm not heading for the back door.” Abrianna glanced down at her gown. The apron had protected her from food stains, but what she was about to do would ruin the skirt and blouse for good.

“Then where?” Militine took hold of her arm. “What are you going to do?”

“The coal chute is just big enough for me to get inside. Hopefully, the coal will neither be too high nor too low, otherwise it will be difficult to hand that trunk back up to you.”

“What?”

Abrianna laughed at her confusion. “When I was a little girl I learned early on all the various ways I could get in and out of the building unseen. The coal chute was just one of those.” They came to a metal flap positioned at the bottom of the brick wall. She lifted it and pointed. “Down the chute, as they say.”

“I'm not going in there.” Militine backed up.

Abrianna sighed. “Very well. I'll go and you stay here. When I have the trunk I will lift it up to you. I hope it won't be too big, or we'll have to take the costumes out and carry them separately. And Aunt Miriam is certain the rosettes will be there, as well.”

“Abrianna, you'll be covered in coal dust. Your aunt will know what you did.”

“I'll worry about that later. I'm sure I can slip in the back unnoticed while you take her the costumes and rosettes. She'll be so delighted, she won't even notice I'm not there.”

Without waiting another minute, Abrianna sat on the ground and wrapped her skirt around her legs. “Hold the flap open.”

Militine did as instructed, and Abrianna wiggled her way down the chute feet first. It wasn't as easy as when she'd been a child. Goodness, but she'd gotten fat over the years. Her aunts had installed a small slide for the coal. It didn't reach to the ground, however, so there was a bit of a drop when the coal was low. Fortunately, that was not the case. Abrianna maneuvered down the sharp chunks of coal and got to her feet. She
dusted off as best she could, thankful that the open flap held by Militine allowed her a bit of light.

“I'll be right back. It isn't all that big down here. I should be able to search it all in just a few minutes.”

“Please hurry, Abrianna. I'm frightened.”

“Silly mouse. I'm the one risking discovery.”

Abrianna crept toward the closed door of the boiler room. She hoped no workmen would be around to question her arrival. She opened the door with great care and listened. To her surprise, there was no sound at all. She slipped into the open area and glanced around. There wasn't much light from the windows. Most were boarded over. She could see that Mr. Welby had made serious use of the room for storage, but there wasn't much in the way of repair, with the exception of one walled-off area that appeared to have a locked door.

She looked around the room and behind numerous crates. She startled when a mouse ran out from one of the straw-packed wooden boxes. Weaving around the stacks, she looked high and low for any sign of a trunk. Nothing. Perhaps Mr. Welby had heard of their search and found the piece for them. Maybe he had even intended to deliver it but had forgotten.

Abrianna was just about to return to the chute when she heard the unmistakable sound of someone crying. It was muffled, but sounded like a child weeping. She moved to one side of the room, but the sound faded. As she crossed toward the locked room the sound increased. She could hear whispers and more crying. At the door she tried the lock, but it was secure. The crying stopped immediately.

“Hello? Is someone in there?” Surely she was just hearing street sounds. “Hello?”

“You go. Plenty in here, but big danger for you.” The broken English answer was clearly delivered by a woman.

“Who put you here?”

“You go. Those men come and put you here, too.”

Abrianna tried the lock again. “I won't leave you. I will get you out of here. What men did this? I will see them jailed.”

She wondered if this was Carl's doing. Worse still, did Mr. Welby know anything about it? The lock wouldn't give, and she tried to figure out what to do next. “I'll be right back. Stay quiet.”

Abrianna hurried to the coal chute. “Militine?” she called in a whisper. Nothing. She tried a little louder. “Militine.”

This time her friend's face appeared in the opening. “Hurry up. We need to get out of here.”

“I can't. There are some women—I think Chinese—locked in a room down here. There is a big lock, and I can't budge it. Go to the Post Building. It's just a couple blocks away. Matt got a job there stacking papers. Tell him he must come right now and bring his lock-picking tools.” Militine looked at her as if she were crazy. “Hurry, we don't have much time, and I fear Carl will come down here to check on his hostages.”

“This is much too dangerous, Abrianna. Come up and let's go for the police.”

“The police won't care what happens to a handful of Chinese. Please just do as I say.”

She could see that Militine was torn, but finally the young woman nodded. “I'll go.” She lowered the flap and the room grew dark.

Abrianna didn't know whether to go back to the girls and risk discovery or just close the boiler-room door and wait. It was abominable to think that Priam Welby had anything to do with keeping these women locked up in the basement. But it was his building. Surely he had to know what was going on. Still, by his own admission and her experience, he was seldom here. It was just as likely this entire matter was something his man had done, but for what purpose or perversion Abrianna couldn't imagine. Nor did she want to.

T
his is the finest omnibus ever created,” Mrs. Madison declared.

Wade stood back, quite proud of his accomplishment. “One of the city councilmen saw it and told me he was going to suggest I be hired to build the new trolley cars. That kind of job would give me enough money to relocate. I've already set aside a good bit for such a thing.”

“That would be a wonderful thing indeed.” Mrs. Madison ran her hand down the side of the painted sign.

The Madison Bridal School
had been painted in burgundy letters against an ivory background. The wagon itself had been painted a muted yellow on the bottom and burgundy on the top and the driver's seat. It sported three windows on either side. Mrs. Gibson had wanted more, but Mrs. Madison feared it would look too garish.

“Well, come inside, Wade, and I will give you the balance on this magnificent carriage. Mr. Cunningham, would you unhitch the horses while we tend to business?”

“Happily.”

Wade looked over his shoulder. “I'm staying the night, so if
you want to just put them in the carriage house, I can return them to the livery tomorrow.”

Cunningham nodded and began to lead the team away. “I'll secure the omnibus in the carriage house, as well.”

“Thank you, Mr. Cunningham,” Mrs. Madison called from the porch.

Wade followed her into the house. Glancing around, he wondered where everyone had gotten off to. “Seems awfully quiet in here. I've never known that to happen too often.”

“Oh, the girls are out in back decorating the gardens and tables. We are ahead of schedule, I'm happy to say. Having Mr. Cunningham around has proven quite useful.”

“How is Abrianna adjusting to the idea of having her father here?”

They entered the tiny room that Mrs. Madison used for an office. “She seems happy enough. Of course, only time will tell. Mr. Cunningham seems to be the good sort, and I haven't any complaint except for his lack of proper clothing. Sister suggested we take him shopping, but I find it an uncomfortable situation.”

“I could take him if you fear he'll run off with the money or not buy something appropriate.”

“That might be a wise way of handling it. After all, you would have better knowledge of the shops that might carry the appropriate clothing. That way he need never know there was any mistrust.” She sat down to her desk and drew out her cashbox. “I had thought to give you a draft, but since we were out to the bank yesterday, I decided to get the money for you.”

“That was very considerate, Mrs. Madison, though I've never known any of you ladies to be otherwise.”

She counted out a large sum in twenty-dollar bills. “This is the balance of our agreed-upon price.”

Wade didn't tell her that he'd quoted her a price nearly half
of what most people would pay. He knew the old ladies had no idea what the cost of such things would be, and he liked sharing his talents with them. They had been good to him over the years, especially after his parents moved to California. Even so, with all they had given and done for him, they wouldn't like thinking he was giving them charity.

“Thank you. Could I impose upon you to hold the money for me in your safe for the time being? I really have never trusted banks.”

“But of course.” She wrote him out a receipt and then put the money in an envelope and sealed it. She added his name to the envelope and then stood. “It will be here whenever you need it.” Moving to a small safe in the corner of the room, she quickly maneuvered the lock and opened the door. “As safe as the bank but not as large. Although Abrianna said it is a great risk to have one these days.”

“I hadn't considered it, but I suppose she's right. Should anyone learn that you have a safe, they might be compelled to steal it.”

“I had thought of that.” Mrs. Madison closed the safe. “Abrianna said if we were to have one, we should install one of those wall units so that a thief couldn't just load it up and take it away. I suppose I should have you build me one.”

Wade considered it a for moment. “It wouldn't be that hard to do. It would require I cut into the wall, but I think we could manage it. Speaking of Abrianna, did she and Militine get back safely?”

“Goodness, I'd all but forgotten about them. I've been so busy. My guess is that they would be in the garden with the others.” She paused a moment. “You care very much for Abrianna, don't you?”

Wade knew there was no use denying it. “I do.”

“I would even venture to say that you . . . love her.”

He nodded. “I do. I suppose I should have realized it sooner. I guess it just seemed she was always there and underfoot like an annoying little sister. But now . . .”

“Now you're in love with her and consider her in a completely different light.”

“Yes,” Wade admitted. “Am I that obvious?”

She smiled. “Not to everyone, but I've seen it coming for some time. I knew, however, that if it were meant to be, God would bring it about.”

“But now she's courting Welby.”

Mrs. Madison laughed heartily. “And you intend to sit by and just let that happen? If so, you're not half the man I believe you to be.”

Matt slid down the chute without trouble. “I'm here, Miss Abrianna, but we're gonna have to hurry. There's some big fire going on around here. The air is smoky, and bells are ringing out all over town.”

“I know. It won't take you but a moment,” Abrianna said, leading him to the locked room. “I'll keep watch.” She leaned against the door and spoke to the girls. “We're back and we're going to get you out. Don't make any noise.”

“We be quiet” came the same voice from earlier.

Abrianna maneuvered herself so she could watch the basement door. The stairs were clear across the large basement, and there was plenty to hide behind should someone start down. Even so, her heart raced.

Matt had no trouble with the lock. It popped open, and he hurried to free it from the door. Abrianna left her perch and came to help the victims. To her amazement there were several small Chinese women—very young and obviously terrified—all stuffed into the tiny enclosure. The smell of urine almost
overwhelmed her. She motioned to them to come out and asked who could speak English.

“Please to be sorry, I speak very bad,” a girl who looked to be maybe as old as fifteen answered.

“That's all right. How many of you are in here?”

“Ten.”

“Ten? Oh my goodness.” She took a brief moment to gather her thoughts.

“Tell the others that we're going to get them out, and they need to follow us and be very quiet.” The others barely moved from their places.

“We not eat. We not drink but sometimes, and then it taste very bad and make us sleep.”

They had been drugged. No doubt to keep them quiet, but why were they here? Her rage began to burn at the injustice. Was this Priam Welby's doing or that of his man, Carl? She would get to the bottom of it, no matter what.

“Matt, they're going to need our help. You take one and I'll take another. Let's get them all to the boiler room, and then we can help them outside.”

“We're gonna need help, Miss Abrianna. They're little enough, but I don't know that we can get them up that chute.”

She nodded. “I'll have Militine go fetch Thane and Wade.”

Abrianna hurried to the boiler room and called out for her friend. “You must get Wade and Thane. There are ten Chinese girls down here, and they are too weak to move on their own. We'll have to have help to get them out.”

“Thane may be busy with the fire,” Militine said. “There must be a big blaze nearby, because the air is getting thick with smoke.”

She hadn't considered that they might be in peril from the fire until that moment. “You have to hurry then. If the fire spreads, we might be trapped.”

“I'll run,” Militine promised. “I'm good at running.”

Abrianna turned as Matt brought the first of the girls into the boiler room. It was the one who could speak a little English. Abrianna went to her and pulled her over to the chute. “Stay here. We have help coming, but there's a fire outside, and we don't know how close it is.”

“Fire here?” the girl questioned, her eyes growing wide.

“I hope not.” Abrianna didn't want to frighten the poor child any more than she had. She smiled. “Stay right here. Do you understand?” The girl nodded.

Matt and Abrianna worked together to get all the girls into the boiler room. She had no idea when Militine might return or how bad things might be outside, but Abrianna knew they couldn't wait. Even if the fire proved to be no threat, they could still be discovered.

“Matt, I think I will be better at pushing than pulling. You climb back out, and then lie on your belly. I'll help each girl get up to the chute flap and then you pull them out. Agreed?”

“Sure, Miss Abrianna. I can do that.” He scurried up the pile of coal and then the metal chute as if it were no more difficult than climbing over a chair. Once he was in position he called back. “Miss Abrianna, I think the fire must be close. I can't even see down the alley if someone is coming.”

“Don't worry. We'll get out of here quick enough.” She looked at the ten souls who were watching her and waiting for their salvation. No matter what it took, she would see these girls to safety.

“Has Militine returned?”

“I don't see her,” Matt replied. “Come on, hurry up. We gotta get out of here.”

Abrianna motioned to the smallest girl. “We'll start with you.” The girl looked at her with large black eyes. She had no idea what she was to do, so Abrianna took hold of her hand and
smiled. She pointed to the chute and Matt. “You go up there. I will help.” She looked at the girl who had acted as interpreter. “Can you tell them what we're doing?”

“Some I can talk for. Some I cannot.”

Abrianna frowned. She hadn't thought about all the different dialects of Chinese. She knew a little of Liang's language and tried it on for size.

“We will go now,” she said, hoping that the words were correct. Three of the girls perked up and nodded. They understood. At least it was a start.

She pulled the small girl up from the floor and all but carried her up the coal and to the slide. Abrianna put her hands together and motioned the girl to step into them. The girl did so, though it seemed to take forever because of her weakness. Abrianna began to hoist her up, and the girl finally seemed to understand and took hold of the metal to pull herself upward. At the top, Matt took hold of her and quickly pulled her through to freedom.

Abrianna sighed. Only nine more to go.

Wade grew worried when he saw that Abrianna and Militine weren't back. It was clear there was a major fire somewhere in town. He climbed to the top floor of the bridal school and could see great billows of smoke. It looked to be in the area of his shop.

“I'm going to go back to my shop and see what's going on,” he told Mrs. Madison. He didn't want to mention that he would also look for Abrianna and Militine.