Lilah stopped praying and also looked at the knife. “It’s made with a very thin handle and blade for that very purpose. Back in Chicago when I met with him, your uncle helped me find it. Thank God.”
Wiggling against Charity’s leg and back, Lilah managed to sit up. In position, she gripped the knife in cold fingers. Holding it as tightly as she could, Lilah waited.
Charity moved the rope near her waist against the blade. “Yow, I cut myself.”
Warmth ran over Lilah’s fingers. It was only a small trickle so she encouraged her companion. “Keep going. I don’t think it’s very bad.”
Wiggling and moving as if she were scratching her back against a board, Charity worked the rope against the finely honed knife. At a sudden easing of the rope, she whooped with joy.
“It’s cut through.”
Lilah watched her move her shoulders and arms as the ropes loosened on Charity and fell away. The girl moaned in pain as she raised her arms and then lowered them, shaking them to get the blood moving.
After untying her legs, Charity focused on Lilah. “Maybe there is something to that praying thing. I can’t believe that little, thin knife actually cut through a thick, hemp rope.”
Feeling a wide smile spread across her face, Lilah nodded. “Miracles happen, and often for me. They’re the blessing my heavenly father gives me, if I only look for them.”
Charity wasn’t able to work the knots of Lilah’s rope free. In the end, she sawed on them with the knife. It took longer than before since the other rope it had cut dulled the knife, with Lilah receiving several small nicks. They were worth it as Charity helped her to her feet and the ropes fell from her slender body. The only benefit to not being very curvy—the ropes fell away easily.
Lilah watched Charity head to a pile of metal. The woman picked up a piece of pipe, not quite a foot long. She waved it experimentally and smiled. “This will work as a weapon.”
For herself, Lilah gripped the knife Charity had dropped. Perhaps they wouldn’t need weapons. There might not be a guard at the top of the stairs. After all, if Ledbetter wanted to remain inconspicuous, he wouldn’t leave a man guarding a set of cellar stairs.
Shrugging, Charity’s hands tightened on the makeshift weapon. “Doesn’t matter. If I get near Ledbetter, I’ll pay him back for this shiner.”
Stopping, Lilah’s mouth gaped. “The mayor hit you?”
“I don’t know if he’s the mayor, but the man you called Mr. Ledbetter slugged me.”
Lilah clucked her tongue. “That man has the whole town fooled. I would never have guessed at the streak of cruelty that runs through him.”
Nothing more was said after that. They moved silently, slowly up the stairs. Lilah cringed as Charity threw back one of the doors and rushed out, brandishing her pipe.
No one shouted or grabbed for them. Lilah recognized the street they were on. Her own house was only a block away. So close to home and in so much danger that she shook her head at the irony.
Charity stared at her. “Where to now? I don’t know this town, remember.”
Considering that, Lilah frowned. “Hansen might be at the sheriff’s office so we can’t go there.”
After a moment, she hissed, “Follow me. I think I know where we can get help.”
Lilah and Charity sidled close to houses and sheds as they made their way through the street. When they came close to Idyll Wood’s main street, Lilah moved to the back door of a business and knocked. When no one answered, she knocked louder and longer this time.
Merrilee Sittig appeared in the doorway. Her eyes rounded. “Lilah. You’re supposed to be kidnapped. Fred got a note that said so.”
After the tension of the last hours, Lilah laughed and it felt good. “Should I go back to the cellar where they put me?”
The other woman grabbed her new sister-in-law in a tight hug. “Oh, it is so good to see you.”
Then Merrilee pulled back. “But somehow, we have to get to Fred. He’s leaving town with the men Mayor Ledbetter organized.”
Charity snorted, bringing Merrilee’s attention to her for the first time. “Hello there. I’m Merrilee Sittig, and I bet your Charity Morrison.”
With a shake of her head, Charity corrected the woman. “No, my name is Charity Melrose. But, my uncle’s last name is Morrison.”
Merrilee nodded. “That must be why I remembered your name wrong. He’s been here with the sheriff discussing you. Since we run the mercantile, my husband and I hear and see a lot that happens in town.”
Lilah watched Charity’s face take on a glow. “He must have left Chicago just after me to be here already.” She looked at Lilah. “Could be this is another of those miracle blessings you believe in.”
“Yes, I’d say so. And I think we’ll see a few more before this business is done.”
Chapter 10
The Boss
James Strong refused to ride with the men. “Why would I leave town when the election is happening?” He’d growled his response at Mayor Ledbetter. That man only nodded meekly, not willing to push the banker.
Fred felt revulsion for both men creep like acid up his throat. The lawyer especially repelled him. Always had. Something seemed off about him. No man could always be that meek, not if he meant to make a living on the edge of civilized territory.
Ignoring them both, Fred turned to the men grouped around him. His deputy, Cully, stood nearby. Hansen, though, was absent. In fact, no one could find him that morning even though both he and Cully had searched for the man.
God willing, his ungrateful, rude deputy had left town, and Charity Melrose would be found here, left behind.
