Through reading the Bible and trying to understand what it meant to be saved, one thing was becoming clear to her. There were many things in her life that were not pleasing to God. It was easy to think she was a good person. That she was kind to those who had less than her, that her money didn’t mean anything. But that wasn’t true.
Class. Status. Society. Wealth. Those things had been open doors that got her places. But Martha was starting to see that they could also be things that blinded her to what truly mattered. Mercy. Compassion. Humility.
“God, I know I am a little new at talking to You like this. But I need Your help.” Her thoughts went back to Jacob. He’d shown her all those things and more. She chewed on the inside of her cheek. She’d been so harsh with him just now. It wasn’t right that she didn’t give him a chance to explain himself. But could she trust him?
Another thought struck.
Was all of this just some big plan to stop her dig?
Martha sighed and walked toward the staircase. She didn’t know what to think anymore. Exhaustion licked at her heels constantly. The tension in her household was too much. Her mother was becoming someone she didn’t know anymore. Lily Rose, too, had become a stranger.
Oddly enough, the biggest hole Martha felt was the absence of her father. Though they’d never been close, he’d been warm with her at times. It was strange how cold life could feel when warmth was taken from it.
Martha slid her hand up the polished banister absently. Was that what she was doing with Jacob? Extinguishing his warmth from her life by being unwilling to listen?
She pressed a palm to her forehead. Perhaps with some food and sleep she would know better what to do in the morning.
A loud pounding pulled her from her thoughts. She turnedto see her butler scurrying to the door. He pulled it open, and Martha saw Jacob’s outline in the doorway.
“Please, let Miss Jankowski know I’m here. It’s urgent.”
“Young man, you are not welcome in this household. The young miss has made that clear. Now go.” The older man moved to shut the door, but Martha scurried down the stairs.
“It’s okay, Gerard.” She spoke loud enough for Jacob to hear her and stop his pleading.
“But miss. Your mother will be put out by the disturbance he is creating in the neighborhood.” The butler’s bushy eyebrows dipped so low it was almost impossible to see his eyes.
She swallowed down her hesitance and shook her head. “She’s not in currently. And this will only take a moment. I will see to it.” The least she could do was offer Jacob a chance to tell the truth. And to offer him forgiveness. As hard as that might be.
The faithful butler stared at his young mistress for a moment, then bowed and stepped away.
Taking a deep breath, Martha opened the door fully and looked at Jacob, an eyebrow arched in question.
A crumpled piece of paper fluttered between his fingers. “It’s the telegram.” Jacob’s words were hushed. Reverent. “I forgot I had it in my pocket. This will show you I’m not lying, Martha.”
She took the paper and read it, noting the date and time stamped in the corner. “August 5, 5:27 p.m.” She read the urgent message then looked up at Jacob.
She’d been so wrong. Again. Her shoulders sagged. She should have known better. Despite all that had happened to him, Jacob had always been truthful with her. Even when she’d been so hurt learning he’d worked with the other team, Jacob had still stuck to his word. Sheknewin her heart who he was—why did she have so much trouble accepting that?
Martha handed the telegram back to him, her fingers brushing his. “Jacob, I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I doubted you.” But theneverything else came back. “Wait... oh no. The police said you were spying for the other team—”
“I would never do that. I told you the truth. They let me go. Without telling me what I did wrong. The foreman even told me I was his best worker. ... I fear there is something sinister happening and I’m worried for you.”
“For me? You should be worried about yourself. Someone has gone to great lengths to blame you, and heavens, they tried to kill you!” She covered her mouth with her hand.
“The letter...” Jacob released a groan and paced the top of the steps. “I had a letter from my mother in my pocket the day I was fired. In it, she told me about my cousin John taking a mining job up in the mountains.” His eyes widened. “That was after I overheard some men scheming to spy on your dig. They must have taken the letter. Planted the telegram.” He stepped toward her and grabbed both of her hands. “Somehow, they got the note I left with my landlady. The one that was supposed to be delivered to you at the café.”
She stepped back. “But what does this mean? Who could be behind—”
“Stop! Step Back! Is that him, Miss Ducasse?”
Two burly policemen bounded up the small stairs of the Jankowski porch. Truncheons in hand, they grabbed Jacob by his elbows and roughly turned him around.
Martha cried out and pulled at the officer’s jacket. “What are you doing? You’re hurting him! Be careful. He’s recovering from wounds.”
“Wounds received while murdering a man, Miss Jankowski,” the officer growled. He looked at the figure outside on the planked path. “Are you sure this is him?”
Martha took two steps forward and gasped. “Lily Rose! What are you doing? What is happening?”
