“All right then. Let’s clean up this mess and I’ll see if we can get you some food over at the hotel.”
“Thanks, Jacob.” The man’s shoulders slumped. “You’re a good man.”
After getting a sandwich from the hotel, they walked back to Jacob’s apartment house.
Jacob nodded to Abe. “You can have the bed tonight. You’ll need some good rest to travel tomorrow and be able to help your mother. I’ll make a pallet on the floor.”
Abe didn’t respond.
But when they reached Jacob’s room, the door was wide open and his landlady stood there with hands on her hips. “I don’t know what happened. I heard a ruckus but by the time I got up here, the men were gone.”
“Men?” Jacob narrowed his gaze. His bed was overturned. The dresser drawers dumped all over the floor.
It wasn’t like he had a lot of possessions, but what little he had was destroyed. “I’ll clean it up, Mrs. Williams. I’m sorry for the noise.”
She patted his arm. “You’re a good man, Jacob. I’m sorry this happened. I’m not sure how they got into the house to begin with.” She walked away.
Jacob stared.
Abe drew up beside him. “Look ... I’ll find another place to stay tonight. Don’t worry about me.”
He nodded. Most likely, Abe had something to do with this. He’d been the distraction. But Jacob didn’t have the energy to deal with it. Anger wouldn’t get him anywhere. He walked into the room and started to pick up the mess.
“Let me help you. It’s the least I can do.” Abe was beside him and they worked in silence for the next few minutes.
Once they salvaged what they could, Abe went to the door with his hat in his hands. “Thanks for the sandwich, Jacob. You didn’t have to do that. But you did.”
Jacob swallowed. Weariness kept him from saying anything.
“I’m sorry about all this.” And then he left.
Jacob slumped down onto his bed. If his gut was correct, the guys from the other dig were behind this. To find what? Had they found out that he was working on the other dig? If so, they were probably looking for the location of Martha’s dig site. Or information of any kind on the competition.
The fact that he couldn’t tell Martha about working at theother dig ate at him. Especially now. What if he’d put her in danger?
SUNDAY, JUNE30, 1889•JANKOWSKIMANSION
Dressed in her best dress for church, Martha made her way down the hall toward her mother’s chambers. The events of the week had given her a bit of gumption and she was determined to put the accusations against her father aside. Today was not a day to allow her thoughts to get her down.
Jacob was meeting her at church, and it would be a great chance for him to meet Mother. That was,ifMartha could convince Mother to attend church. She hadn’t been since Father’s death.
With a deep breath, Martha rapped on her mother’s door.
Harriet, her mother’s maid, answered. “Good morning, miss.”
“Good morning, Harriet. I’d like to speak with Mother, please.”
She moved out of the door and allowed Martha entrance.
“Mother?” She took bold steps toward the sitting area.
“Yes, my dear.”
“I think it’s high time you joined me for church again.” Perhaps using the confident tone would help.
Mother turned toward her. The slow movements seemed perfectly choreographed. One eyebrow arched up. “Look who’s enjoying her job as foreman.” The slight amusement on Mother’s face was better than the somber looks of late. She stood. “But no, my dear. I will not be heeding your orders.” Head high, shoulders back, her mother glided across the room.
Martha huffed. “I’m not ordering you, but it’s time. It’s been long enough since Fath—”
