The students didn’t seem to notice him as he elbowed his way into the middle of the herd, the rain dousing all of them. And the keeper didn’t notice Victor either as he unlocked the gate. He seemed anxious to get the rowdies off the streets, back inside his fence.
The men floundered into the muddy yard, and Victor laughed along with them as they wobbled in unison toward the dormitory.
Once they were inside, Victor asked one of the men where Alden Payne’s room was.
“Third floor,” he directed sluggishly. “But Alden’s not there.”
“Where is he?”
The man leaned against the paneled wall. “He—”
Victor watched with disgust as the man slid down the wall, landing with a thud on the polished floor.
Victor stepped over the man and rushed upstairs. Another student directed him to Alden’s door, and he found it unlocked so he walked inside.
There was a student working at the desk, reading by an oil lamp. His pulse began to race until the man turned around. The drunkard was right. Alden wasn’t here.
“I’m looking for Alden Payne,” he said, angry that his brother-in-law had eluded him.
“He’s gone.”
“Gone for the night?” Victor pressed.
“No. He didn’t return to school after Christmas.”
Victor balled up his fists in his coat pockets. Had Alden really taken Isaac away to free him? Self-righteous fool. He had no idea how well Victor cared for him. Isaac wouldn’t be treated that well in Canada or anywhere else.
If Alden took him north, Victor would search all of Canada if he must to find him.
The man glanced at the open door. “We’re not permitted visitors here after dark.”
“I’m his brother,” he said as he closed the door behind him. “The family was concerned when he didn’t send word that he’d arrived safely back to school.”
The student studied him. “Alden doesn’t have any brothers.”
“Brother-in-law,” Victor said, frustrated at having to explain needless details. “I married his oldest sister.”
“My name’s Patrick. Alden and I have been roommates for almost three years.”
“Then you must be concerned as well.”
“Not exactly.”
Alden wanted to shake the man’s shoulders until the information he was withholding dumped out of him. “His parents will be heartbroken if I can’t tell them where he’s gone.”
Patrick rose from his chair and moved to a desk on the opposite side of the room.
“A letter came for Alden over the holiday.” He picked up an envelope and handed it to Victor. “Your family will want to read it.”
Victor looked down and saw that it had already been opened. “What does it say?”
“It’s from Judah Fallow. He said he’s relocating his practice to Sacramento City.”
“Who’s Judah Fallow?”
Patrick paused again, and Victor felt as if he might explode.
“Who’s Judah?” he repeated.
