A handful of typesetters and pressmen were busy preparing the machine, their over sleeves and fingers stained black. Carpenter introduced each of them, then motioned for David to return to the stairs.
“You change your mind?” he asked, as though he feared David had. “Want to try your luck at the Sun?”
David chuckled but did not let on that he’d already been there and been turned down. “No, sir,” he said.
“Good. Before you go, I’ve got some work I want you to take with you. Notes and outline are all in order. Just write the piece after you settle your business. It won’t take long.” From his coat pocket he pulled out a folded set of papers, handed them over.
So you’ll have me start immediately after all, David thought, but he wasn’t the least bit put out. Rather, he was intrigued. “What is this?” he asked as he quickly perused the notes.
“The city provost marshal, Colonel William Fish, has been arrested on charges of fraud and corruption. The man and his accomplices allegedly made a business out of arresting innocent citizens, accusing them of being rebel spies and whatnot, then interceding on their behalf.”
“For a price,” David guessed.
Carpenter nodded.
“I see.” It was exactly the kind of thing that made David feel so strongly about returning to Baltimore. There was already the risk of a rebel invasion. Elizabeth and her family shouldn’t have to fear the predations of unscrupulous, greedy bureaucrats, as well. David was again pleased to see his publisher had the courage to cover such a story, even if it would cast a shadow on a member of the Union army.
“I’ll have this on your desk first thing tomorrow,” he promised.
The man nodded matter-of-factly, then hobbled toward the staircase. “Eight a.m.,” he insisted. “Sharp.”
“Yes, sir.”
His own inexperience, coupled with the workload, was going to make his job here at the Free American a challenge. Keeping Elizabeth and his brother out of his thoughts while doing so was going to be an even bigger one. Even so, David had a feeling he was going to like working in Baltimore.
Leaving the paper, he returned to his room at the Hotel Barnum. The location worked well for his purposes, for the establishment was a fixture in Mount Vernon. This placed him in Elizabeth’s neighborhood, as well as close to the newspaper.
Sitting down at a small writing desk, David looked over the very detailed notes and outline Peter Carpenter had given him. Colonel Fish’s court martial was to take place in the next few weeks. If convicted, the man would be sent to prison in Albany, New York.
It was a straightforward, simple assignment. Although he wanted to dive right in, he didn’t. I can take care of this tonight, he thought, and he forced himself to leave pen and paper behind.
Feeling much more uncertain than he had knocking on Peter Carpenter’s door, David approached Elizabeth’s house. The wreath on the front door and the black crepe that had draped the windows at the time of his brother’s funeral had been removed. In the garden, crocuses were in bloom and the daffodils were just beginning to flower. Spring had come, yet David wondered if winter still held Elizabeth in its icy grip.
Drawing in a deep breath, he stepped to the porch and rang the bell. Trudy greeted him. Her eyes flew open wide the moment she recognized him.
“David!” she said, quickly hugging him. “What a surprise! Oh! It is so good to see you!”
He chuckled slightly. It was nice to know that someone had missed him. “Hello, Trudy. It is good to see you, as well.”
Stepping back, she happily ushered him inside. “Come in! Come in!”
She was an exact duplicate of her sister in features, yet whereas Elizabeth carried herself like a queen, Trudy was more like an excited child.
“It is so strange to see you out of uniform,” she then remarked.
It was still strange to him, too. He’d looked forward to the end of his service, but little had he known he would put away his blue wool for a black suit of mourning.
“The coat looks nice,” she said. “Have you come to Baltimore on business?”
He wasn’t certain how to answer that. It didn’t seem right just to blurt out, I’m here to look after you and your family. “Business in a matter of speaking, I suppose.”
“May I take your hat?”
“Yes. Thank you.” As she laid it on the table behind her, David realized just how fast his heart was beating. Any moment Elizabeth will round the corner or appear at the top of the staircase. What will I say to her? He wasn’t one who had trouble with words, except when it came to her.
“I’m afraid Mother isn’t here,” Trudy said. “She’s out on business herself, but she should be home very soon. Please, come visit for a while.”
He balked. She had not mentioned Elizabeth, but even if she was here, that meant the ladies were alone. “Perhaps, I shouldn’t...”
Trudy cocked her head and offered that delightful, innocent grin. “Don’t be silly. You are no stranger. You’re family. Mother will be pleased to see you.”
Yes, he reminded himself. Family. Elizabeth’s would-be brother-in-law.
She motioned toward the parlor. David stepped forward and drew in a shallow breath. The furniture had all been returned to its original position, but the setting from the funeral remained raw in his mind. He still had trouble believing his brother was actually gone. Some days he expected him to appear, as if returning from a long journey.
But he isn’t coming back. I buried him. His coffin was right there. I sat here...and she...she sat there... Her face flashed through his mind. He forced the memory of her heartbroken expression aside.
“Shall I fetch you some lemonade?” Trudy asked. “You must be thirsty after that long train ride.”
He knew he should be honest, and he felt himself redden. “Actually, I’ve been in Baltimore for several days.”
She blinked. And you are just now coming to visit? her look said. It was quickly replaced, however, with a smile. “Well, I imagine you must be thirsty, anyway. I’ll fetch you a glass.”
“Thank you, Trudy. I would appreciate that.”
She scurried for the kitchen. The moment she had gone, the floorboards above his head creaked. David swallowed hard, for he knew exactly who was treading overhead. Had she heard his voice? Was she now on her way to see him?
Will she be pleased to find me here?
He suspected not. Silently he prayed God would give him both guidance and grace to handle whatever was coming. He claimed a chair beside the fireplace, only to immediately stand. Trudy had returned with the lemonade.
“Oh, please,” she insisted, “sit.”
She handed him the glass, then a plate of freshly baked scones and afterwards took a seat opposite him. The creaking overhead had stopped. David kept one ear cocked toward the staircase but heard nothing further. Apparently Elizabeth wouldn’t be coming down anytime soon. He wasn’t sure if he was troubled by that or relieved.
Trudy seemed to know what he was thinking. “Elizabeth is upstairs,” she said, “but I’m afraid she won’t be joining us.”
“I see,” was all he could think to say.
There was a long pause. When Trudy bit her lip, the hair on the