The Lightkeeper's Bride

  Only silence answered her.

  She jerked the cord from the switchboard and broke the connection. Unease twisted her belly. She’d already dispatched the constable to the lighthouse. But what if Eliza was in trouble? Her fingers trembled so much she had trouble slipping the jack back into the switchboard. She muffled her mouthpiece with her hand and asked Nell to come back early. She had to make sure Eliza was all right.

  TWO

  WILL WATCHED THE physician minister to the two men on the parlor floor. “Will they live?”

  The doctor nodded. “The bullets missed anything vital, but they lost a lot of blood. This fellow has a concussion.” He indicated the younger man, who was still unconscious. “He nearly drowned, but I think he’ll be all right.”

  The older man groaned and rolled over before vomiting seawater onto the carpet. Will rushed for a cloth and mopped up the mess. Poor fellow. He glanced out the window and saw the constable walking toward the lighthouse. “Excuse me a moment, Doctor.”

  The lawman was on the porch by the time Will exited the house. “Find anything?” Will asked.

  Constable Brown shook his head. “No sign of the pirates. Before I came out I called the towns up and down the coast and told them to be on the lookout for the ship. So far, five bodies have washed ashore here. Terrible thing.” He nodded toward the door. “Are these men able to answer questions?”

  Will shook his head. “They’re still barely conscious.”

  “I’ll check in on them at the hospital tomorrow. Now tell me exactly what you saw.”

  Will relayed his first sight of the pursuing pirates and the actions he’d taken. “It sailed off to the north,” he said.

  “There’s been no piracy in these waters for years. Odd. They were too far away to identify any of them?”

  “Much too far.”

  “Pity.” The constable turned to go back to his buggy. “Let me know if you remember anything else.”

  “Of course.” Will watched him whip his horse into a trot, then noticed a figure walking along the water. He was almost upon the lighthouse. Was that Philip? The man waved and Will waved back then strode down to greet his brother.

  They met at the base of the cliff to the beach. Will enveloped him in a hug and pulled back when he smelled whiskey on his breath. He quickly hid his dismay. “You’re the last man I expected to see today.

  What are you doing here?”

  “Can’t I just show up to make sure my big brother is settling well into his new job?” Philip asked, returning the hug, but Will could feel him peering over his shoulder, trying to get a look inside. He was a younger version of Will, right down to the dark curls and even deeper brown eyes, but his build was like their father’s while Will was taller and leaner.

  Will studied him. His brown tweed suit must have come from Macy’s. His raven hair fell over his forehead from under his hat.

  When had he turned into such a dandy? Will had tried to raise him right, but the lad’s course was far from the one Will would have chosen for him. Becoming a private eye. Their father would roll over in his grave.

  Philip started for the lighthouse. “I’m famished. Anything to eat in this place?”

  Will pressed his lips together, and his arms dropped to his side.

  He fell into step with his brother. “I have a pot of soup on. It should be ready.” He knew better than to ask again why Philip was here.

  The man never revealed anything until he was ready.

  Philip’s expression turned sulky, and he stared up at the lighthouse.

  “When you said you were taking this post, I thought you quite crazy.

  Now I’m sure of it. There’s nothing out here.”

  “I like it that way.”

  Philip rolled his eyes. “You’ll never make a decent living doing this. Join me in my business. You’re observant and astute. You’d be an asset.”

  “No thanks. I’ll be able to study the weather without distraction.”

  Two horses pulling the ambulance stopped in the road by the lighthouse. Philip stared as two orderlies ran toward the lighthouse. “You rescued the injured sailors?”

  Will stopped and turned toward his brother. “You know about this already?”

  Philip shrugged. “There was another boat taken about a month ago just north of here. The owner retained me two days ago. He received a tip from a woman here that another ship was in jeopardy. I was heading this way, but see I was too late. Did you watch it happen?”

  Trust Philip to be in the right place at the right time. Will finally nodded. “Yes, but I’ve already told the constable all I know.”

  Philip’s smile was ingratiating. “So, tell your brother too. Recognize anyone?”

  “No. They were too far away. I managed to rescue two sailors they threw overboard, but that was all.” He stopped as the orderlies came out with a stretcher. They slid the injured man into the back of the ambulance, then went back for the other one.

  Philip started toward the ambulance, and Will grabbed his arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “To question the witness.”

  Will restrained him. “You will not. Both those men are too befuddled to talk to you anyway. Let them be.”

  Philip tried to shake off Will’s arm, but Will held fast. “You will not take advantage of my position.”

  “This has nothing to do with you,” Philip said, raising his voice. His face reddened. “I’m just doing my job.”

  Will continued to block his brother. “You can do it tomorrow.”

  The orderlies appeared with the other man, and Will restrained Philip until the ambulance clattered away with the doctor’s buggy trailing behind. “Come inside and eat.”

  “I want you to take me seriously,” Philip said, his voice rising nearly to a shout. “This is my chance to launch my career in the right way.

  When I get enough money, I can buy my own boat, have a nice house.”

  “Philip, you have better talents than to spend your life this way.

  Digging into the lives of criminals. Consorting with unsavory people.

  It’s time to grow up. You’re twenty-two. There’s still time to go back to school. Papa wanted more for you than this.”

  Philip waved his hand. “He wanted me to be an engineer. There’s not enough money in that. This is the way to make something of myself. You’re doing what you want. Why shouldn’t I?” He cast a sly glance Will’s way. “I suspect the idea of some solitude to study the coastal weather played a part in your decision to put in for this job.”

  There was no getting through to his brother. Will shrugged. “I might manage to put a balloon or two into the atmosphere in my spare time.”

  Philip turned to look at the whitecaps rolling in on the tops of the blue waves. “Pretty place to do it.”

  Will nodded toward the lighthouse. “You want to see inside?”

  “What’s to see? It’s just a lighthouse.”

  Will bit his tongue. Philip reluctantly followed him to the sentinel on the cliff. The sound of the waves was a soothing murmur. Seagulls cawed overhead and dived toward the flotsam of seaweed the white foam left behind on the sand. In a few hours he would attempt to light the lens and get that foghorn going.

  “I don’t know anything about maintaining a lighthouse,” Will said. He gestured to a wooden bench at the cliff ’s edge. “I’ve arranged for a day’s instruction though. He’ll be here tomorrow.”

  “I still can’t believe you put in for this. What’s even more miraculous is that you got it with no experience.”

  Will sat on the bench. “The man who interviewed me was intrigued with what I knew about weather and tides. I believe he thought the knowledge might help me here.”

  Philip joined him on the bench. “Indeed. So, Will, what did you see?”

  He wouldn’t rest until he heard Will’s story. Might as well tell him now. Will pointed to the right of their position, out past a point that jutted into the bay. “The shi
p was taken right out there.”

  “It was for the gold onboard,” Philip said.

  Will glanced at him. “How much was it worth?”

  “Two hundred thousand dollars.”

  He whistled. “It would be heavy then. They’d need buckboards to transport it when they’re ready to take it off the ship.”

  Philip nodded. “Or a team of pack animals. So someone here probably had the conveyances ready and waiting to off-load it. Is there any way to a main road without going through town?”

  Will shrugged. “I just got here myself. I have no idea of the lay of the land yet.” He glanced at his brother. “What of this female informant?”

  Philip hesitated. “I don’t think she’ll talk to me. I hoped you might speak with her.”

  Will frowned. “I don’t understand. You know her personally?”

  His brother turned his face toward the sea. “I’ve met her.”

  Will struggled to keep the exasperation from his voice. “When? How?”

  His brother hunched his shoulders but didn’t turn to face him. “We had a fling for a while, okay? It’s none of your business.”

  Will’s fingers curled into his palms, and he struggled to keep his voice even. “You’re forcing me to make it my business.” The lad was never going to grow up. And why should he when Will was always there?

  Philip turned a pleading gaze on Will. “You surely want to see those butchers brought to justice.”

  Will’s protest died on his lips. He did want to catch the barbarians who had done this. “What do you want me to do?”

  “Just go see a woman by the name of Eliza Bulmer. Tell her you’re investigating the taking of the ship and heard she might know something of it. See what she tells you. Ask her what she knows of Albert Russell. She mentioned the man’s involvement.”

  “Very well. But that’s as far as I’m prepared to go. I need to focus on learning how to run this lighthouse.”

  “Good luck, Will,” Philip said, rising from the bench. His gaze was already on the boat down at the wharf. “Call me in a day or two and let me know how it’s going.”

  “You’re leaving?”

  “I have some other avenues to investigate. I’ll be in touch.”

  Will watched his brother jog down the hill then over to the beach.

  He stood there until Philip reached the distant quay and mingled with other figures. He turned and stared at the lighthouse, then back at his bicycle.

  He’d ride to town and find this Eliza Bulmer.

  THREE

  BY THE TIME Nell arrived, it was already nearly time for Katie to get off work. Maybe she’d overreacted to what she’d heard. Eliza might have left the house—that’s why there had been only silence on the telephone. Katie turned over her headset and exited the building into the last of the day’s rays. Addie North was waiting outside for her. The two had been best friends since Addie moved to town a year ago. That friendship had continued even after Addie married John North. They had fallen in love when Addie took a post as governess to his son Edward.

  “Something has happened,” Katie told her. “Do you mind delaying our dinner for a few minutes?”

  Addie’s gleaming auburn hair was on her shoulders, though she wore a chapeau. Her green eyes glowed with enthusiasm. “I’m at your disposal for the evening. Is something wrong?”

  As she strapped on her skates, Katie told her friend what she had overheard. “I’m sure she’s fine, but I want to check on her to ease my mind.”

  Addie skated alongside Katie. “I would call John to accompany us, but he’s outside with Edward. Since we leave tomorrow, he wanted to tire the boy so he’s not a whirling dervish onboard the ship.”

  “I simply want to check on Eliza.” She glanced up at her friend. “How is your mother?”

  “Driving everyone crazy. Even a badly sprained arm isn’t enough to keep her from wanting to putter in the garden.”

  “Perhaps I can stop in and keep her company for tea one day this week.”

  “She’d like that.”

  Out on the sidewalk, Katie paused to let pass the seamstresses hurrying home from the garment factory across the street. Church bells pealed out the time. The scent of bread wafted from the open door of the bakery. “I’m quite sure I’m overreacting.” She smiled. “We’ll check on Eliza, then go to dinner.”

  The quickest way to Eliza’s house would be down the alley behind the drugstore and over to Ocean Boulevard. When the way cleared, they skated across the street. Lifting her skirts free of the mud puddles from the afternoon rain, she skated down the alley to exit on Redwood Boulevard with Addie on her heels. The houses here were more modest than Katie’s home by the sea. Most were single story and the paint was peeling away from the corbels and gingerbread.

  Two women eyed them as they moved toward the Bulmer house. The kohl on the women’s eyes and the smears of red on their lips proclaimed their occupation.

  Katie slowed, admitting to herself why she normally avoided this part of town. No one, not even her best friend, knew this part of her history . . . but that wasn’t why she was here. She was here to check on Eliza. Eliza, she said firmly to herself.

  But as they skated on rough brick sidewalks toward Eliza’s, Katie slowed. The house was on the corner, the last one before Cannery Row. The modest five-room home with only a covered stoop out front turned its curtained windows as a blank face toward the street.

  It was in better shape than most.

  Katie eyed the seemingly empty building. No shadow of the woman who bore her lingered in the house next to Eliza’s. If she walked inside, she wouldn’t smell lily of the valley or catch a glimpse of her skirt swishing around the corner. Wherever Florence Muller had landed, she’d never be back here again.

  Addie’s breath came fast as she kneeled to remove her skates. “What’s wrong?” She glanced from Katie to the house.

  “Just assessing what to do.” Despite her brave words, Katie’s limbs still refused to carry her across the street. Florence had been gone from this place for many years. She drew in a breath. “Let’s go.” She walked briskly to the front door and rang the bell. The bell rang inside, but she heard no steps coming to the door.

  “See if it’s locked,” Addie suggested.

  Katie tried the knob, but the door wouldn’t open. “Locked.” She listened and thought she heard a faint cry from inside. “Did you hear something?”

  Addie shook her head. “You’re still concerned, aren’t you?”

  “I think we need to make sure Eliza’s all right. Let’s get the constable.”

  “We could call from a neighbor’s,” Addie suggested. She pointed to the house next door.

  Florence’s old house. “Not there,” Katie said, turning the other direction. She hurried to the dilapidated house around the corner. There was no doorbell, so she rapped on the peeling paint of the door. When a man with a grizzled chin opened the door, she drew back.

  “Whatcha want?” he demanded.

  “Could you place a call to the constable and ask him to meet Katie Russell next door?” She pointed to the Bulmer residence.

  “What’s Eliza done now?” the man asked.

  “I’m concerned for her safety,” Katie said.

  He shrugged. “She always lands on her feet.”

  “If you’d be so kind,” Katie said. “Tell the constable we’ll await his appearance at Eliza’s front door.”

  “I don’t have a telephone.” He shut the door in her face.

  “Let’s go back,” she told Addie. They traipsed back to the Bulmer house. Katie tried ringing the bell again and got the same response of silence.

  “Maybe she had to go out,” Addie said.

  “Maybe.”

  “But you won’t be content until you know for sure,” Addie went on with a smile. “That’s so like you, Katie. Always trying to fix things.”

  Katie smiled. “It’s a curse.” She knocked again. Nothing. She sighed.

  “Let?
??s get the constable.”

  With the skates dangling from their hands, the women walked along the street back toward downtown. The constable was in his office, but he wore a harried expression. A strong odor of smoke filled the room. Constable Brown was a slender man. He wore a badge on the lapel of his tan suit.

  He nodded at the women. “Miss Katie, Mrs. Addie. What brings you here at the dinner hour?”

  Katie told him about the call she’d overheard. His brown eyes sharpened as he listened. “I tried ringing the bell but no one came to the door. I—I thought I heard something from inside. A cry.”

  Brown rose and reached for his bowler. “We’ll check it out.” He opened the door for the women, and they went to his buggy.

  There was just barely room for the three of them. Though Katie prayed Eliza was all right, she realized she would look very foolish if the constable broke in and nothing was wrong. But what if she was right?

  The buggy stopped in front of the Bulmer house. A bicycle leaned against the side of the house, and the door stood ajar.

  “I thought you said the door was locked,” the constable said.

  “It was.” Katie scrambled down from the buggy without waiting for the constable’s assistance. She rushed toward the door, but he called her back.

  “I will go first, if you please, Miss Katie.” He strode past her and entered the house with the women on his heels. He tucked his nightstick under his arm and doffed his hat.

  Katie peeked past his shoulder as they stepped into the entry. The stench of mothballs hung in the air. Maybe Eliza had been packing away clothing. She said she was trying on a wedding gown . . . Pausing, she listened. She and Addie exchanged a glance. A faint sound came to her ears. There. “Down the hall,” she said. Lifting her skirts from the scarred floors, she darted past the constable. The pocket door to the parlor stood open by two feet. She peeked inside.

  A man stood with his back to them, looking down at a baby girl lying on the sofa. Katie guessed the child to be about a year old. Brown locks curled around her pudgy cheeks. She was just waking up and was making the nonsense sounds Katie had heard.

  The little girl sat up. “Ma-ma?” she asked, glancing around the room. The child didn’t seem to be afraid of the man. Katie tore her gaze from the child and realized there was no sign of Eliza. There was also no phone in this room, so the scuffle she overheard did not happen here.