Midsummer Night’s Dream Party
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The party was in full swing when the guests began arriving. Most of them were dressed for a picnic, so it didn’t look like much out there to an onlooker who just happened by. But from within the house and yard, the scene would have been impressive indeed.
A large tent stood at each end of the lawn with two entrances on opposite sides of the yard, one on either side of the front door of the mansion. One of these tents had a small table set up in the center and three chairs, all made of white leather.
The other tent held a buffet line with tables holding pitchers filled with iced water and glasses ready for use, and another long table covered in crisp linen napkins and a single candle. The third tent housed a dance floor that could hold as many as fifty people, with enough room left over to accommodate musicians.
It also contained a few more tables where drinks and snacks waited for those who got thirsty or hungry.
Two long strings of lights illuminated the back of the house, which meant that anyone driving along the road couldn’t see what went on inside unless they were looking for something else and happened upon this party by chance.
That might explain why some of the guests arrived later than others. A few people had parked their horses nearby and walked into the estate. The servants knew not to bother them until they asked for help since no one wanted to be rude.
In addition to the three tables set up for food and drink, several more served as tables for games and activities such as horseshoes, badminton, croquet, jacks, chess, checkers, and cards. Some of the tables were already occupied. A game of checkers was being played between two men.
On another table, a young couple sat playing cards. The woman looked to be in her twenties while the man appeared to be in his fifties. She wore a simple sundress and sandals. He was wearing a suit that looked old-fashioned. They both seemed happy and relaxed as if having fun together.
Their clothes suggested they were country folk and the woman’s hair reminded her of a horse’s tail. The man was obviously very proud of her and loved showing off.
The main house itself wasn’t nearly as impressive as the outside appearance indicated. The windows were small and placed high up on the walls so that the occupants couldn’t see out. Instead, it had a dark, brooding presence, as if its owner were a person who liked keeping secrets and didn’t want anyone peering into his affairs.
The doors were tall and wide—almost four feet—with double brass handles that would allow for easier grip and less chance of dropping them. And it had a number of secret passages and hidden rooms, including a tunnel from the basement of one house to the attic of another, which was now serving as the library.
A single candle burned inside, leaving only a faint glimmer to light the bookshelves and desk of the man sitting alone at the desk reading a book.
He looked up when someone came through the doorway and smiled faintly at him, but he didn’t stand or even get out of his chair. “Come, come,” he said, waving the visitor forward. Then he turned back to the book he’d been reading. “Please sit down and tell me what brings you here.”
This was one of the advantages of having a library that no one entered or used except to borrow a book or two and leave it behind to be put back on the shelf after reading. There was never any rush to return anything.
“I’ve come about Mr. Denton, sir. I believe that my services may be of use to your family.”
“Mr. Denton is still under observation. He can’t leave the grounds yet. What kind of help do you need?”
She hesitated, unsure of how to phrase her request. The man’s demeanor made her feel as if she were being watched and judged, so she decided to simply say what needed to be said. “I’m a private investigator working on behalf of Lady Elaine Merton.”
Her words took him aback. His face turned serious and he looked her over carefully before responding, “How did you know to ask for me?”
“Someone in town told me you’d helped them recently.”
“What exactly are you doing for Lady Merton?”
“I’m helping her find a missing girl named Emily. She disappeared without a trace. The police think she ran away and they don’t seem to care too much about finding her since it doesn’t involve anything criminal, but there must be a reason why she left her home in a hurry and hasn’t been seen since.”
“And you’re convinced she met with foul play?”
“Absolutely.” She paused and gave him time to absorb what she’d just said. “But it seems like the authorities aren’t as interested as they should be. In fact, the sheriff has even accused her of murder because she might have stolen money from a client and fled to avoid arrest.”
“I can imagine how that would make Lady Merton feel.” He nodded slowly and then continued, “Why are you so certain Emily is alive? If you found her safe and sound somewhere, she wouldn’t be in hiding anymore.”
“She’s a young girl who looks much older than her years. I think she would have tried to contact someone if she was safe and able to do so. It would take someone very determined to keep her quiet, but we’ve found no evidence of her having been murdered.”
“That’s good news.”
“Yes, it is,” she agreed, hoping it was true. “My job is to find where she went. My employer believes she’s in New Mexico, probably traveling alone. I’ve been asked to locate her and bring her safely back here to San Francisco.”
His expression changed again, reminding her of a hunter’s gaze. This was a dangerous man. No matter how pleasant he seemed, there was something very ruthless about him. But the idea of bringing Emily home didn’t frighten her as it once would have.
“If you’re asking me to join your search party, I regret that I cannot. I can barely afford this house and I certainly cannot pay you for your services.”
“You’ll be pleased to hear I won’t charge you for mine.”
A smile flickered across his face and she caught the first hint of warmth and humor. “Thank you. That means a great deal to me. Now, why don’t you start by telling me all you know about Emily and how you became involved?”
***
“Where is she now?” Mary Ann asked.
The woman pointed down the road. “She’s coming toward us. You see those trees on her right? Take a right turn there. We’ll follow her trail until she stops and turns around.”
Mary Ann had already turned off onto the dirt lane. It was obvious which direction Emily had gone since the other path ended at a fence that ran along the edge of a cliff above the river below. They rode in silence, following Emily’s tracks in the sandy soil.
As they got closer to the spot where she’d turned off, the ground beneath her horse grew rocky and rough. “This part of the trail goes up steeply,” she commented.
“Then go slow.”
They followed her tracks up an incline into a stand of scrub pine and cedar trees and then through thick brush and rocks. At last, they stopped at a place where a stream of water spilled out of the mountainside and splashed against a boulder in front of them.
Emily stood on a grassy knoll overlooking the stream and stared down at it. Mary Ann couldn’t tell if she was relieved or upset when she finally turned to look at her companions.
Her eyes were red and puffy. The wind blew strands of hair across her forehead and framed her face with a halo of dark curls. A tear rolled down one cheek. She sniffled and wiped it away, but another drop fell. Her shoulders slumped and she looked away. Mary Ann wondered if she’d ever stop crying.
“It’s not too late to turn back,” Mary Ann suggested gently. “We can find a safer way to climb down.”
“No! Don’t leave me here!”
“I’m not going anywhere unless you want to be taken prisoner by that man.”
“Who?”
Mary Ann hesitated before speaking the name, knowing it would send Emily reeling. But it was important for her to understand exactly why she shouldn’t trust the man. “He’s called Colonel Rafferty.”
Emily started to tremble. “Did he hurt you?”
“I’m fine.” But I wish I weren’t, she thought as she waited for the full story. “Rafferty’s men arrested my friend, Lady Merton after she discovered some irregularities at her bank.”
“So what happens to the lady?”
“She’ll be brought to trial and convicted for theft. Then she will hang.”
Emily stared at her, horrified. “What kind of monster would do such a thing?”
“Someone who thinks he’s above the law,” Mary Ann told her softly. “There are some people in high places who use the law only to protect themselves. And others who misuse it. I’ve heard of many cases where criminals have been allowed to escape justice while the wealthy and powerful walk free. If Lady Merton gets convicted, her head will roll off in New York. And yours might as well.”
“That’s horrible!”
“But you won’t become a murderer like her just because of your friendship.” Mary Ann held out her hand. “Come with us, Miss Emily.”
When Emily still refused, Mary Ann continued. “I’ve seen firsthand that the colonel has no intention of hurting you. In fact, he’s hired me to bring you safely home. I think he’s a decent man. He may not seem it at first glance, but he is.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Emily took Mary Ann’s hand. “I want to come with you.”
The other woman squeezed it reassuringly. “Good! That makes two of us.”
“Why would you help me?”
“I’m a good judge of character,” Mary Ann said simply. “And you remind me very much of someone I once knew. Now come with me and let’s get out of here.”
***
“Miss Emily, we need to move fast if we’re going to reach a safe place before dark,” Mary Ann urged. “Please, take off your clothes and put them in that bag.” She opened her saddlebags and removed several items that she laid on the ground beside her. “These are things the colonel ordered me to pack.”
Emily reached behind her and untied the ribbon holding back the strings on her neck. When she pulled the scarf free from her hair, the wind whipped it out and sent it flying through the air.
“Don’t worry about that,” Mary Ann assured her. “We’ll get it later.”
Mary Ann picked up the scarf and handed it to her. “Here, tie this around your head so you don’t lose any more hair. It will keep you warm until we reach a safe house.”
“Is there anyone else coming along?”
Mary Ann shook her head. “We’re the only ones.”
“Where will we stay tonight?”
“In the barn. I’m certain it’s secure enough. But it’s going to feel pretty strange sleeping in a stable.”
The sound of horses galloping echoed in the distance and the sun sank into the western horizon. As twilight descended, Mary Ann led Emily past the rock wall that protected her property from the outside world and then followed the stream up the hillside. The path climbed quickly for half a mile or more, winding around the slopes, and finally leveled off near the top of the mountain.
They walked through a stand of pine trees and passed a small cabin. Mary Ann stopped and pointed to it. “We’re just over here. Please take off those shoes and slip inside.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll be right behind you.” She motioned with her finger for Emily to follow her. After they crossed the creek, they found the front door unlocked, but Mary Ann checked its hinges to make sure no one had tampered with it. Inside, she placed the rope ladder against the back wall and then lifted the latch on a window. “It seems clear,” she told Emily. “I’m going to take off the gag.”
Emily’s throat felt swollen and she could barely speak. “Thank you.”
“You should probably rest now. You’ll be hungry when you wake up.”
“How long do we have to wait?”
“I’d say an hour or so,” Mary Ann guessed as she returned to the front room. “But I can’t guarantee how fast Rafferty will arrive.”
“Then we must hurry.” Emily sat down on the sofa and pulled the blanket around her shoulders.
Mary Ann came in carrying a plate filled with ham sandwiches. “Sorry, but there wasn’t time to make anything fancy.”
Emily didn’t care what was on her plate, as long as it fed her body and nourished her spirit. “Are we alone?”
“Yes.” Mary Ann took a seat on the opposite side of the table from me. “Everyone except me is outside.”
Emily’s heart pounded wildly at the thought of the other guests arriving to find her bound and gagged on the sofa. She wondered if she would ever see them again. “Do you mind if I eat with my hands?”
“Not at all.”
Emily tore off a piece of bread and used it to dip into her plate of food. “What are you having?”
“Ham and beans. It’s delicious!”
She couldn’t tell by the expression on Mary Ann’s face if the woman really meant that or if she was making excuses for the meager meal. “Why aren’t you eating?”
“Because I’m too nervous. This is the first time I’ve been captured like this.” She glanced around nervously before continuing. “Besides, I’m not very hungry. It seems wrong to be stuffing myself while you haven’t eaten a bite.”
“It doesn’t seem right either, but I’m starving. And it looks terrible for a kidnapper to feed her victim.”
“That’s true enough, but—”
“Now you’re just trying to distract me from worrying about getting back home safely.”
“Maybe I am,” Mary Ann admitted. “And I suppose you could call it kidnapping, but we were under orders to capture you and bring you into custody.”
“Orders? From whom?”
“The colonel. I’m sure he wouldn’t want me to reveal his identity, so I’m keeping quiet. For now anyway.”
“If you’re not a prisoner, why are you wearing handcuffs?”
“Because Colonel Rafferty wants you to be comfortable for the trip. He knows you don’t know anything about riding a horse, and I’m afraid you might hurt yourself if you try. Now, let’s talk about something pleasant for a change. What do you think of me? Do I look trustworthy?”
“No,” Emily replied honestly. “I have no idea what to believe.”
Mary Ann leaned toward her. “Would you like some wine?”
“No thanks.”
A faint smile curved Mary Ann’s lips. “All right, but remember we need to stay alert. If someone comes in unexpectedly, you’ll be startled and that could cause you to fall or even injure yourself.”
Emily nodded absently, focusing instead on the fact that Mary Ann seemed to be a nice person. At least she hadn’t tied Emily up in her bed or forced her to sleep on the floor of the barn.
That made it easier for Emily to pretend that they were on equal footing, but she knew Mary Ann was a criminal who had killed people and kidnapped others. So she wasn’t exactly on the same moral level as herself.
As long as we’re together, she reminded herself. The only difference between us is that she does things for money, and I’m doing it for love—for God’s sake.
Mary Ann reached into the pocket of her coat and pulled out a bottle. “Drink up.”
“What is it?”
“Cherry brandy. It’ll help with your headache, and Rafferty gave me strict instructions not to give you any painkillers until we reach our destination.”
“I’m not feeling very good, but that won’t stop me from being alert,” Emily said, taking another swallow.
Mary Ann set down the bottle and took her hand. “Come on now, drink some more. We have to keep you warm. You might be cold because of the fever.”
Emily tried to pull away, but Mary Ann kept hold of her hand. “Let go of me. I’m fine. I’m not sick. Just leave me alone.”
“Don’t be stubborn.”
“I don’t want your pity!”
Mary Ann sighed loudly. “You’ll feel better after you’ve slept some more.”
“I don’t want to sleep! I’m going to fight you every step of the way if I have to.”
“Fight me all you want.” Mary Ann released her hand and took a seat across from Emily on the couch. “But don’t forget, if you refuse to cooperate, you’ll end up dead where we won’t be able to save you. Are you willing to take that chance?”
Emily hesitated. “Is that what happened to the other victims?”
“Yes.”
“What about the woman who went to Montana?”
“That was different. There were two others involved in that case. One died in Montana, and the other one is still alive. But she will never get out of prison. And if you ever mention it to anyone, we’ll hang you for treason. Now, would you like another drink or should I just pour it over your head?”
Emily’s stomach clenched, sending a wave of nausea through her body. She was shaking uncontrollably again. “How much longer do I have to ride like this?” she asked, her voice barely audible. “Do you expect me to live out my days in shackles? Why can’t we travel by stagecoach?”
“This is a shortcut,” Mary Ann explained patiently. “And I told you there’s nothing wrong with you. You’re probably just tired because of the fever and all that worry. We have to hurry and make it to our destination before nightfall. The horses will be tired too, and I want to get you there as soon as possible.”
“Why?” Emily demanded. “Who are we meeting at our destination? Is it someone I know?”
“We can talk about that later.”
“I want to know now. Who is he?”
“The colonel. He’s waiting for us.”
“What is he doing there?”
“He’s not there alone. Colonel Rafferty likes to play the game of cat and mouse. Sometimes it works to our advantage and sometimes it doesn’t work at all.”
“Does the colonel like cats or mice?”
Mary Ann chuckled. “Probably both.”
Emily didn’t laugh along. Her mind was racing. Did he suspect me of something when he sent his men after me? Maybe he knows who I really am. Maybe that’s why he was so angry, and why he shot at me.
Maybe he’s here looking for me. She couldn’t imagine what he’d say if he saw her now. She was dirty and weak, and she looked more like a fugitive than a princess.
If Rafferty found out how little she knew about him, he might kill her before letting her go. That meant that she had to convince him that she was worth rescuing. No matter how impossible it seemed, she had to somehow prove to Rafferty that she was innocent. Otherwise, she might never see her sister again.
She swallowed hard against the lump in her throat. If Rafferty was here, then he must have a reason for wanting to meet with her. Could he be interested in what she could tell him about the colonel?
“It looks like you need more sleep,” Mary Ann remarked gently. “Lie back down. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
After Emily lay down on the couch, Mary Ann tucked an arm under her legs. She leaned forward and wrapped Emily’s shivering hands around the blanket on her lap.
Mary Ann picked up the bottle of cherry brandy from the floor beside her and brought it close to Emily’s lips. “Drink this slowly.”
“No! Leave me alone!”
Mary Ann took the bottle away from Emily’s mouth and held it to her own lips instead. After a sip, she handed it to Emily once more. This time, she drank it all down without argument.
As soon as Mary Ann put the bottle back onto the table, Emily bolted up from the couch. “Wait,” she gasped, her eyes still closed. “Please let me rest.”
Mary Ann shook her head and took the bottle away from Emily’s mouth. “Rest until I call you.”
Mary Ann watched her closely, making sure she was settled back into bed, then left the room and shut the door behind her. It felt good to stretch out on the soft mattress, but she wasn’t ready yet to fall asleep. As long as she was awake, she could plan what she would say to Rafferty when he met with her. She only hoped that whatever she said would help her find a way out of this mess.
The End