The idea would hold merit if the odds of it succeeding weren’t so small.Ezekiel gripped the back of Miss Pelton’s chair with all the strength of frustration he felt.“I’m fairly certain Adler paid them to pretend they didn’t see him.Even if they were willing to come forward, they’d have to see the ad, and I doubt a court would accept a witness testimony obtained that way.”
“We can let the lawyers sort that out,” Mr.Davis said.“If it even has the slightest chance of freeing my girl, then I say we do it.”
Graham took up pacing again.“Our best chance is to discredit Winston’s and Ursula’s characters.We need to prove that they are criminals, not upstanding citizens.”
“Wasn’t there a police report filed when Nora was kidnapped in New York?One that held their descriptions?”Ezekiel asked.
“Yes, and there would be a report with Scotland Yard.”Graham stopped walking, excitement taking hold.“I’m certain members of the Soldene Opera Company would also verify their true identities as Winston and Ursula.The members wouldn’t have spoken of their previous scandal to their faces, but I assure you it would have been a subject of private conversations.”
Miss Pelton caught his excitement and scooted to the edge of her seat.“Abraham could request a copy of the reports.Mr.Adler’s and Mrs.Reed’s previous malicious intent toward Nora and her family might be enough to bring Nora justice.”
Smiles abounded in the room.Even Mr.Davis was looking more hopeful.
Ezekiel hated to squash it.“Even with the use of telegrams, it will take time for New York and London to receive the requests, find the reports, and send them back.Then we have to convince those in charge to release Nora.Until then, she’s stuck in Longview as a ward of the state.”He shuddered at the thought of the treatment she would endure in that time.
“I’ll pay for Nora to have better care, just as I do for Constanza.”Mr.Davis’s scowl was back but not specifically directed at Ezekiel.“I’ll have to let Lily go for the time being, but I can hire her back once Nora’s home.”
“I hate to bring up another problem, but what if Adler recovers before we can convince anyone he and Mrs.Reed are the true villains?”Miss Gibson shared a look with Miss Plane.
She responded.“By that time, they’ll know what we’re doing.They’ll either find a way to silence Nora and her mother, or escape and bide their time for another attack.”
“Will my family never be safe?”Mr.Davis slumped onto a stool.
“Yes, if it takes to my dying breath, I will see to it that Nora, you, and Mrs.Davis are safe from them,” Ezekiel vowed.
“And we will help too,” the Guardians agreed.
“Don’t forget us, Mark.”Mrs.Jerden rose and patted Mr.Davis on the shoulder.“You’re not facing this alone anymore.It’s time to stop keeping people out, and perhaps you could give a certain young man a chance?He’s good for Nora, and he’s willing to work with you.”
Mr.Davis scrutinized Ezekiel before giving a curt nod.“Fine, but no more sneaking about with my girl once she’s free.I want to know about every instance of meeting between you.”
“So long as you promise to stop matching her with different suitors.”
Mrs.Jerden barked a laugh.“See?He’ll be good for you and Nora both.”
“Now about this problem of Adler and Mrs.Reed.”Miss Pelton rose from her seat.“My father can monitor Adler’s recovery while the Guardians and I follow Mrs.Reed’s movements.”
“Follow?”As in tail a woman who had already proven clever and dangerous?
“Oh, don’t look so horrified, Mr.Beaumont.We have plenty of experience with such activities.We’ll be safe.”
This must be why Detective Hall recommended soda mint tablets.Before everyone parted ways, assignments were made, and a prayer was lifted up for Nora’s safety and protection.
Chapter Thirty-Three
NORA BREATHED THROUGH HER MOUTHas she sat perfectly straight across from Dr.Chalfant, her handcuffed hands in her lap.The musky scent of sweat and unwashed bodies staled the air and coated her tongue, making it difficult to relax.She’d already endured a horribly embarrassing physical examination, and now she’d been brought here for a mockery of a verbal evaluation.Yes, she knew her name, the date, her birthday, her parentage—she even knew better than to say Mum was the real Constanza Brisbane.She knew Father’s story for their life frontward and backward.Each question tried her patience, but that was likely the point, and Nora would not give Dr.Chalfant the satisfaction of losing her temper and giving him more cause to deem her mad.
Ezekiel had been right.She was not insane.She was more certain of it now than ever before.Mrs.Reed was Ursula, and Adam Adler was Winston.He’d been outside her window yesterday morning, and he’d attacked her last night.He and Mrs.Reed had schemed together to make Nora appear mad.Then Mrs.Reed had lied about her brother’s stabbing and used her skills as an actress to play upon sympathies and turn all of Nora’s neighbors against her.
“And how long has Winston been following you?”
There was no answer Nora could give that wouldn’t play into the insanity narrative Mrs.Reed had written for her.For far too long Mum had declared thisimaginaryman a danger.
“Miss Davis, I asked you a question.”
“Whatever I say, you will use against me, so I see no point in answering.You made your determination about me before I was ever brought in here, so let’s have it.”
He laid aside her file.“Fine, if you wish to be direct, I can accommodate.There is a long history of madness being an inheritable trait, and regrettably I must deem you as much a danger to society as your mother.It is my recommendation you be placed under Longview’s care until we deem you no longer a threat.”
