“Very well,” Mead assured her. “It’s a ways from town, but I’ll make out all right. Just get me back there.”
Nodding Cara led the way to the transfer room.
Taking her keys, Cara went to the wall and unlocked and opened a panel that revealed row after row of colorful lights and switches. With her cell phone in hand, she consulted her calculations several times before nodding. Then she walked to her desk and unlocked a drawer, taking out a small safe. Inside was a small leather bag which she hefted in her hand.
“Make sure you give this bag to Morgan and no one else,” she warned, walking to Mead, and handing it to him. “It may be vitally important at some point.”
Taking it, Mead placed it deep in his pocket.
“Are you ready?” she asked.
“In a minute,” Mead replied. Stepping close to her he pulled her into his arms. Hugging her tightly and he began to speak. “I want you and Witt to know that I can never repay what you’ve done for me. Without your help I’d have been confined to that chair for life. It’s been an honor getting to know you. I’ll miss you both, Cara, and I’ll do everything in my power to right the wrong that’s been done in my absence. Hopefully that will return Witt to you. I know how much you love him.”
“Thank you, Mead. That means a lot to me. I’ll be waiting for Witt. I know you’ll do whatever you can to help him get back to me,” she whispered, choking back a sob. For a moment she held him, desperately seeking reassurance. Then she released him and stepped back.
“Ready?” she asked again, brushing a tear from her cheek.
Mead nodded, took a seat, and grasped the sides of the chair tightly. She smiled weakly at him and turned, walking to the control board. Just as her hand was poised to touch it, he called out to her one more time.
“Cara?”
She didn’t turn to look at him, only waited.
“No matter what happens, I don’t hold you responsible. Morgan told me it was a risky business at best and if things don’t work out quite like we’ve planned, it’s not your fault, honey.”
She nodded once, didn’t look back and began to enter a series of commands. Then her head dropped, her chin on her chest, as though she were trying to gather strength. When she turned around, Mead was gone. Shakily she made her way to the desk and collapsed. Laying her head against the cool hard surface, she began to pray.
CHAPTER12
1880
Lillian Piersal felt fortunate, very fortunate indeed. It seemed to her as though fate had answered her plea, for while she was in the Blue Bonnet having tea, she noticed a trio of men. Drifters most likely and a more unsavory lot she’d never seen. Taking a seat close to their table she held her scented handkerchief close to her nose as she ordered a pot of her favorite tea from Laurie Dixon.
Laurie looked at her a bit strangely. After all, there were plenty of other seats at that hour of the morning, many other places for Lilly to sit where she would not have to suffer the stench coming from these men. “Miss Piersal, you could move to another table,” Laurie quietly suggested.
“I’m fine right where I am, Mrs. Dixon,” Lilly replied haughtily. “After all, if they are going to reopen The Duchess, we might as well get used to this sort of riff-raff among us.”
Without a word, Laurie shrugged, turned, and walked away. A few minutes later she returned with a pretty China teapot and a cup and saucer, placing them within Lilly’s reach.
“Anything else?” she asked coolly.
Instantly, Lilly realized her mistake.
“Oh dear, I’ve offended you, Mrs. Dixon. Please forgive me. I know you sell your box dinners to the customers of The Duchess, and I understand you need that income, being a widow with three small boys and all,” she offered kindly.
“It’s all right,” Laurie replied. “We all do what we must to provide. Enjoy your tea, Miss Piersal.”
“Thank you.”
Pouring her tea, she listened to the conversation going on at the nearby table.
“Tain’t right,” is all I’m sayin’. All them pretty women and we can’t touch ‘em. What the hell they got ‘em for then?”
The man speaking was younger than the other two and seemed to be more pouty than angry.
“Stop your whining, Drake. We ain’t here to be cavortin’ with fancy women. We come to see the layout of the bank. That’s all.”
“I knows that Carl, but they ain’t no reason we can’t combine work with pleasure, and them there women are sure to bring plenty of that,” he snickered.
