The Escort - By Gina Robinson Page 0,91

going to help us?"

"I don't know! They're porco canes, May, every last one of them. The troops have taken over the telegraph office and closed the post office. There's no way to get a message out. They're holding us hostage. We're out of communication."

She plopped heavily into a chair. "I've been manhandled, fondled, propositioned, and a few things I don't even care to name. The troops treat every woman like a lady from the Lux and act as if it's their right."

May shook her head. "It appears you'd better stay put for a bit. So we can't get through to John."

"I didn't say that." She smiled mysteriously.

"Well? Are you going to keep me in suspense?"

"They're letting some folks leave town, those they've deemed innocent. Nokes evidently decided it was time for him to return to help in his father's banking business. He threw his name around and they let him leave, but not before I begged him to take a message to John."

"Good work, Angelina. We'll see; we'll have to wait and see."

Though she went every day, May would not let Angelina near the bullpen, no matter how much Angelina pleaded.

"The men, the guards and military folk, are a rough crew, Angelina. They're hostile and obscene, even to a plain woman like me. I hate to think what they'd do to a pretty woman like you. The prisoners aren't so much better themselves, but they like me." She winked. "After all, I bring them food and supply them with blankets."

"They'd like you anyway, May."

"The bullpen is no place for a lady, Angelina. I've seen life at its worst. It doesn't shock me. But you've led a sheltered life. It'd be too much."

"How can you still believe in my naiveté and innocence, May? I was nearly raped in an abandoned rail car less than a week ago. I spent an entire night in a whorehouse. I'm no longer a cloistered Italian girl."

May remained resolute. "That captain that arrested Tonio still thinks you're a whore. Heard that he's been to the Lux several times asking for you."

"How would you know a thing like that?"

"I have my sources. The captain was quite taken by you. It only adds to your mystery and reputation that it's rumored you were at the mine at the time of the explosion. On Tonio's arm."

Since Tonio's arrest Angelina had waited for the warrant to be issued for her own arrest. After nearly four days of waiting, she'd concluded that no one had mentioned her presence there that day. "Where did you hear that?" She was alarmed.

"Some of the miners at the pen. They say that Clell identified you, but the Feds aren't interested in what a lady might have been doing there."

"Clell!" She could barely say his name. It tasted like venom on her lips. "I'm sure he turned Tonio in. Who else would have? May, if there's any justice—"

"I know, honey, I know. After what he did to you he ought to be the one put away for good. The Feds don't quite trust him, but they're depending on his testimony against Tonio."

"Tonio didn't ignite the charge, May. I was with him! If I went to the General and told him, they'd have to let him go."

"It wouldn't matter. It'd be your word against Clell's. They have plenty of witnesses that claim they saw a man wearing a black leather fringed jacket set off the charge."

"That doesn't make any sense. Why would Tonio be wearing his jacket on such a warm day? I haven't seen him in it for weeks. And I know I didn't see it on him that day. They must be mistaken. I'll tell my story anyway."

May grabbed her arm. "No, you won't. Next time you encounter the captain he won't be put off so easily. Besides, they have other evidence against Tonio. They found his black jacket at the site, Angelina, and they have record of his meetings with Ed Baker. I don't believe it for a minute, but the Feds think Tonio planned the whole operation and set the charges. It won't matter to them that he didn't light the fuse. In their opinion, he's still responsible for the rest of it."

"You don't believe he did it?"

"No."

Angelina looked away, not wanting May to see her doubt. She wished she had May's faith in him. May noticed her reaction but didn't comment on it.

"The captain is not a problem. He has nothing he can prove against me," Angelina said.

"What about helping a fugitive