Searching for Home (Spies of Chicago Book 1) (32 page)

“True.” His voice came across the divide like a soft embrace. “Open your eyes, half-pint.”

She did. And the longing in his eyes made her insides grow warm.

A sad smile pulled his lips. “That girl you wished you’d banished? The one who teases and pinches and jumps ahead irrationally? She’s the one I’m in love with. So please, as far as it depends upon you, don’t ever make her go away.”

“In love? But you said—”

“I lied. Forgive me for that. If I had known leaving wouldn’t keep you safe I would have never subjected either of us to it.” He shook his head. “I should have taken your uncle up on his offer.”

“I love you, James.”

He rubbed his foot back and forth over hers. “I know, sweetheart. I should have swept you up when I could have. If I had been the man you deserved, I would have.”

“I only ever wanted you.”

James expelled a deep sigh. “I don’t know why. I can’t seem to succeed at anything worthwhile. I can’t do anything right by my parents, I misjudged my best friend, I made a terrible spy, and I couldn’t even rescue you.”

“Oh, I don’t know.” She smiled. “You sure succeeded at making me fall for you. Besides that, you make me laugh and keep me balanced. You don’t put up with my tantrums, and you let me beat you at chess.”

His laugh floated to her. “I don’t let you win. Believe me. If I could, I’d trounce you.”

“Do you think it’s wrong to not want to die? I heard Moody say we should long for our home in heaven, but I don’t want to go there yet. Not when there’s a chance at a life with you. Is it a sin to think that way?”

“I’m no expert, but I don’t think it’s a sin. As far as I understand it, God created us to be in relationships. Marriage is one of His high callings.”

Her eyes misted over. “Are you asking me to marry you? Here, in the shipping yard?”

“Seemed like a good time. I know I’ve bungled things this week, but if we get out of here, would you consider it?”

“I don’t need to consider anything. I’ll marry you the second we’re free.”

“Good.” He smiled. “Because I’m not letting you leave my side. Not ever again.”

Keys jingled in the hallway in time with the sound of boots slapping the concrete at a lazy pace. The door creaked open.

Ellen’s jaw dropped when her brother strolled in, impeccably dressed in a suit as black as his hair. For all the pleas she’d stored until this moment, her tongue dried.

Lewis grinned. “These declarations are beautiful and all. I’m truly enjoying them, but I believe it’s time we get down to business.”

James strained against his tethers. “How dare you. You’d harm your own sister? You’re a demon, Lewis.”

“Hush, old man. I might grow tired of you before you’ve served your purpose.” He crossed his arms. “I will have to admonish you both for your recklessness this past week. But then, this would have happened eventually, even if you had behaved.” He paced to the doorway and called out to his cronies.

Clomps announced their arrival. “We did good, didn’t we Mr. Ingram?”

“I have more tasks for you.” He pointed at a stout man with a red beard. “You, find Downing and have him send Abel and Reuben to meet me by the lakefront. The rest of you are needed at the planning meeting on the west end. We need to rectify the mistakes made at Haymarket.”

“Where on the lakefront should I have Abel and Reuben meet you?”

Lewis tossed his hands in the air. “Am I the only person in possession of a functioning brain? Near the spot where we dump bodies! I want to be there when it happens, but—call me old fashioned—I certainly can’t off members of my family with my own hands.”

Chicago, May 4, 1886

Wanted to off his family members….

Despite the chill, Ellen’s palms started to sweat. Her heart pummeled her ribs like the galloping hooves of a horse and a wave of lightheadedness washed through her brain.

Would it hurt? Dying?

Her brother closed the door, sealing away the other men.

“Lewis?” Ellen’s heart raced. She licked her lips.

James jerked his head and motioned with his eyes in
if-we-get-a-chance-attack-him
code. Her gaze darted from him to Lewis’s back.

Waning moonbeams striped the floor, but Lewis stood in the shadows. Outside the cracked window, boats bobbed against the docks with a loud rubbing sound.

“Please, Lewis. Speak to me. This isn’t like you.” She heard the edge of panic in her own voice. Rubbing her legs together, she tried to wiggle loose of the restraints. No use.

Ellen looked again at James. His face turned a deep shade of red as he battled the ropes binding him. The scar on his face stood out, growing whiter.

Her brother placed one hand on the door and dropped his head. His shoulders heaved with three deep breaths. After a few minutes he pivoted to face them.

“All right.” Black dress boots scrapping, he strode toward Ellen. “I just heard the front door close, so we have at least thirty minutes before they come looking for me. You can be a good clip away from here by then.”

“I … I don’t understand.”

Dropping to his knees, Lewis pulled a knife from his coat. Moonlight glinted off the blade.

Ellen flinched and tried to scoot away.

“You don’t have to fear me.” Coal-black hair spilled onto his forehead. A frown creased his lips. “Hold out your arms.”

“Don’t touch her,” James growled.

Lewis ignored him. He pointed the blade of the knife toward the ceiling. With care, he slipped the cold metal between her wrists and sawed at her restraints.

While he freed her, Ellen studied the familiar angles of his jaw, his pale skin, and the dark lines under his eyes.

Tears slipped down her cheeks. “You’re not going to kill us?”

He removed the ropes from around her legs and then pulled her into his arms. “Didn’t I ask you to believe the best about me?” He set her back, a sad smile painting his features. “Have you no faith in your brother?”

“But you—”

“Come.” He took her hand. “Let’s get James loose before he breaks into a conniption.”

Ellen tore at the knot near James’s ankles while Lewis sliced through the rope near his wrists.

James glared as he zeroed in on Lewis. His nostrils flared like a bull pawing the ground.

The moment Lewis unbound him, James pounced, slamming her brother onto the floor. Ellen stifled a scream. The knife clattered to the ground.

James jumped on top of Lewis and grabbed fistfuls of his coat, shaking him hard enough to rattle teeth. “What game are you playing?”

Lewis put his arms out in surrender, but his eyebrows rose as if he was dealing with a petulant child. “Really—as amusing as this is—we’re short on time.” He brushed James away and rose. “Now, Ellen—”

But James lunged between them. In a swift movement, he tucked Ellen behind him and jammed a finger into Lewis’s chest. “After what you’ve done—and said, you have no right to speak to her. I don’t care what happens to me, but tell me now, what’ll it take for you to set her free?”

“First, if you haven’t noticed by now, she’s already free.” Her brother crossed his arms and leveled a daring scowl. “Second, what supposedly have I done that’s wicked enough to deny me the right to speak to my sister?”

Ellen stepped from behind James. But James held out his arm to block her from moving closer to Lewis. “We know you’re a leader with the anarchists.”

He tossed his head back and laughed. “The anarchists! Really? That’s funny.” He took a deep breath. “I’m not with the anarchists. Their zest will die out soon enough. They amount to nothing in the big scheme of things. I’m afraid they’re unknowingly being used as pawns in a much more dangerous plot. One which I hope to crack.”

“But, Lewis.” She brushed past James’s outstretched hand. “We were at The Rat Palace. We heard you talking to the men in the alley.”

He rubbed his head. “I know. I had that conversation for your benefit. How else would James have known where we’d take you if you were caught?” He stepped closer. “Did you really believe a man could be knocked out cold with a book?” He reached for her but then fisted his hand and shoved it into his pocket.

“Then the man…? Then you … were you?”

Lewis nodded. “Yes, I played the role of your warden. I’m sorry Mary struck you. I would have stopped that if I could have.”

Ellen nodded, remembering the long greasy wig and the oversized clothes he had worn. “It was so dark. Your disguise. I never could have recognized you. But why didn’t you tell me then?”

“If I wanted to ensure your safety, I had to make it seem as if you got away. They had to hear the scuffle, and your emotions had to be real.”

“But you still could have—”

“Had I revealed my identity in the tavern, you would have tried to stay and convince me to leave as well. You would have wanted a conversation that took too long. Mary would have come back and harmed you further.” Lewis touched her chin. “Promise me you won’t try to outwit a man with a book again anytime soon.”

“It was a rather large book.” Ellen offered a weak smile.

“And don’t try to flirt your way out of troubles anymore, either. Well unless it’s with that lot.” He pointed at James. “Then a bit of flirting is probably the quickest way to get what you want.” His smile reminded her of the old Lewis, the one she knew and trusted. The one who tried to resuscitate the barn kitten when it fell from the hay loft and the one who let her put the vegetables she didn’t want to eat on his supper plate.

Ellen moved to hug her brother.

But James yanked her back to his side. “I’m not so sure I’m as quick to trust you again. None of this makes any sense. If you’re not an anarchist, then what exactly
are
you doing?”

“Same as you. I’m spying.”

“That’s clear enough. But for whom?”

Ellen held up her hand. “Don’t we need to get away before those men come back?”

Lewis shook his head. “We have a little time. I sent all the men away, so we’re the only ones in the building at present. They’re terrified of me so they’ll follow my orders precisely. The horde of them will attend a meeting that’ll last into the morning hours. My two henchmen will wait near the lake for at least thirty more minutes before they abandon post, wondering where I am. But you should clear out by then, because they will eventually come looking for me.”

James furrowed his eyebrows, a deep wrinkle cresting his forehead. “You haven’t answered my question.”

“And why do I owe you an answer? So you can trot on back to the Cygnus Brotherhood and give me up?”

James paled.

Lewis stalked to the desk. From the side drawer he produced a file. Her brother thrust a stack of photographs into James’s hands. As James flipped through them, his hands shook. Ellen peeked over his elbow and saw pictures of James on window sills and in disguise.

“Did you think I wouldn’t know? Honestly, James. In my position, I have to know everything that goes on in this city.”

In his position?
Ellen’s mind raced.

James tossed the photos onto the desk. They scuttled across the surface and fanned out onto the floor. “I don’t want to know because of the Brotherhood. You owe me an answer in the name of friendship. We were friends once. That must mean something to you.”

Lewis rubbed his jaw. “Once? Well, that makes things awkward, because I considered us friends still.”

“Stop dodging and answer the question already.”

“Let’s just say, I do what I do for someone far more powerful than the likes of Hugh Gunther.” He yanked his cigarette tin from his trousers and fiddled with the lid. “Speaking of that man, you have no need to concern yourself about him tonight. I had a letter fall into his possession that is written in your own hand.” He pointed to James. “It says you’re safely back at the Danby residence.”

“I didn’t write any letter.”

“No, but ten years of reading over your schoolwork made me an expert at copying your handwriting.” Lewis pulled out a cigarette and rolled it between his fingers. “Your penmanship always did lack creativity.”

“Are you with the police?” Ellen whispered.

He shook his head. “I’m with someone with much more influence. My leader orchestrates a great deal more than they do.”

“You’re one of the Mayor’s right hands.” James offered.

Lewis rocked on his heels. “He’s a great deal higher than the Mayor.”

Ellen narrowed her eyes. “But who is higher—”

“The president.” James’s voice held a note of awe.

“Look at you, friend.” Lewis came beside them and cuffed James’s shoulder. “You’ll make a spy yet! I’ll tell you as much as I can, but there is one consideration you must agree to.”

Her hand clasped in James’s, they both agreed.

“You must never tell another soul. Not mother, not cousin Alice, not the Danbys. Not anyone. When you leave here tonight, you will continue with your life and live as if I never existed. You must agree to never come looking for me.”

So everything was still the same? Lewis didn’t care about her. He wanted nothing to do with her.

Tears filled Ellen’s eyes. She clenched her free fist. “I know you want nothing more than to forget all about me, but I could never pretend you didn’t exist. After Grace died … I know you loved her and only ever tolerated me. Straight from the funeral, you just left us. I don’t know what I did to make you hate me.”

Lewis’s head jerked back. “Hate you?” He pried her away from James and pulled her into a rib-crushing hug. “Know that I love you, and I’m always watching out for you. I always will. You’re the reason I do what I do. The day that….” His voice caught. “When we lost Grace, I vowed I’d do whatever I could to keep you safe. I couldn’t rescue our sister, but at least I can protect you.”

She pressed her nose into his chest. Fibers from his coat scratched her cheek. His scent, tobacco mixed with the spices from his cologne, filled her. “Are you trying to save the poor? Because if that’s the case, I think you’re going about it in the wrong way.” Ellen grabbed his hand and pumped it twice. “Please come home. Mother is coming to town tomorrow to fetch me. Leave with us.”

Taking her by the shoulders, her brother set her away from him. “I’m not helping the poor. Well, if I succeed, I’ll end up helping them along with everyone else. But they alone are not the end goal.”