Page 93

“What’s happened?” Eden asked.

“Rusk has a way into town we missed.” Simon unfolded a damp sheet of paper. “A track from the old Chapman Road. It runs behind the church and comes out near this block.”

“Here?”

“Near enough.” Whit shut the door against the mist. “We’re checking the buildings along it. I want everyone inside until we know who’s using it.”

From the sickroom, Jesse called, “I can hear you.”

Bass started down the hall, but Eden caught his sleeve.

“Simon, would you explain what you’ve found to Jesse? You have the map, and he’ll want to see it.”

Simon looked relieved. “Of course.”

Bass hesitated, his attention still on the sickroom.

“Let Simon speak with him first,” Eden said. “Jesse doesn’t need all of us crowding around his bed.”

Bass stepped aside, though he didn’t look pleased about it.

Jesse was propped against the pillows when Eden and Simon entered. His gaze caught on her first, and the memory of his hand in hers that morning brought warmth to her cheeks. Then he saw the map.

“Rusk?”

“Still free,” Simon said. “Mr. Morris found mention of an old lane in the property records. Maddy spotted a matching line on the map we took from the horse thieves.” He laid the paper where Jesse could see it. “We think it reaches town behind the church.”

Jesse studied it. “Past the back of the clinic?”

“Possibly.”

“Then someone’s watching the alley.”

“Whit has men on it.”

Jesse’s jaw worked. “Where’s Izzy?”

“With Libby at the mercantile,” Eden said. “Rose is there too.”

“Get them somewhere safer.”

“Men are warning them now,” Simon assured him. “So is Marmee.”

Jesse reached toward the map with his left hand. His finger landed on the narrow stretch beside the churchyard. “A wagon couldn’t get through there in the rain.”

“No,” Simon said. “A rider might.”

Jesse shook his head. “Or a man on foot.”

Simon glanced at Eden. “That’s what worries us.”

A knock sounded at the front door. Three slow blows, with a pause between them.

Whit called from the other room, “Who’s there?”

No answer came.

Bass said something too low for Eden to catch. Floorboards creaked beneath his boots.