“It’s just as well. I’m sure she’s safer there than here. Lakewood’s initial threats are against Seth and Nancy, so I figure we start there.”
“He’s obviously threatened you too.”
Faith gave a solemn nod. “Yes, but I believe with Andrew’s help I can handle it.”
“Let me get this straight,” Major Wells said, signaling the sergeant to bring the notes he’d been writing as Faith told her story. “Lakewood gave the order to attack Seth Carpenter, and now Carpenter lies near death.”
“Yes. He was responsive today, which was better than last night, but he’s still gravely ill, and the doctors will probably have to operate again to relieve more pressure on the brain. Frankly, he may never be the same, even if he recovers.”
“I understand.” Wells scanned the notes.
“We need men who can guard Carpenter and his family. We don’t trust the police,” Andrew added.
Wells nodded. “And Lakewood is insistent that you help him with the Indian wars but didn’t say exactly how.”
“Yes. I got the impression he wanted me to go to the reservation on the pretense of my medical work. There’s someone there he’s working with. He said my uncle Adam was part of it, but at the same time said he wouldn’t cooperate. Major, if you knew my uncle, you would never believe that he has anything to do with what’s going on there. He has lived with the Indians and broken bread with them. He has prayed at the beds of their sick and has stood alongside them as their advocate. I don’t think he could change so much that he would now want to harm them.”
“Still, we’ve had others mention him as well. We can’t overlook what part he may be playing. None of us wants to think badly of our loved ones. What about his children?”
“My cousin Isaac was named after Uncle Adam’s brother. The man who was my father.” She didn’t feel the need to explain further. “Isaac attended college back east but lost interest. He came back to the reservation and has been helping my folks and the Indian Affairs agent. His sister, Constance, is in Washington, D.C., finishing her education at a female seminary there. I’m not sure what she has planned for the future.”
Wells made notes on the paper. “Did Lakewood say who he answered to?”
“No. As I said, he implied that there was a connection with Uncle Adam but also others.”
Wells leaned forward. “Do you feel Lakewood would do you harm if you were to pretend to help him with his plans?”
“She’s not going to work with him,” Andrew said.
“But she might be able to give us the name of the man in charge. She might be able to overhear their plans.”
Andrew slammed his fist on the table. “He wants her to be his mistress. She’s going to be my wife, so don’t even think of asking her to work with him.”
Well’s eyes widened for a moment, and then he smiled. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Lakewood summoned Gerome to meet him that evening at the house where they often conducted business. It was the same house in which he intended to install Faith. He sat down and wrote a short letter to Faith, instructing her to meet him the following day for lunch. He would expect her answer to his demands at that time. He sealed the letter in an envelope, then instructed the houseboy to see it delivered immediately. Everything was coming together nicely.
He was dressing for his meeting with Berkshire when the butler interrupted.
“Young Enoch has returned. He needs to see you.”
The valet finished tying Lakewood’s tie, then stepped back. Lakewood pointed to one of two coats before speaking.
“Bring him to me.”
“Yes, sir.” The butler left the dressing room.
The boy appeared just as Lakewood’s valet helped him into his coat. Enoch held up the sealed envelope.
“What’s this? Why didn’t you deliver it as I told you to do?”
“The ladies at the boardinghouse said Miss Kenner is gone. She won’t be back for at least two weeks.”
Lakewood took the letter and struggled to hold his temper in check. How dare she try to disappear or escape his hold! He tucked the letter in his coat pocket.
“Get out of here,” he yelled.
The wide-eyed boy turned and ran from the house.
“Leave me, Prescott,” Lakewood told the valet. Prescott made a quick dash from the room, and Lakewood slammed the door behind him.
Rage coursed through every fiber of his being. Faith Kenner had defied him, and no one did that and got away