Two days later, Bronnah stumbles along after him through a train depot in Ohio. She knows another train is coming in today and it’s the largest shipment of girls yet. “What’s the plan, Chase? How are we helping the girls?” She hisses as he keeps walking, holding tightly to her hand.
“Stay close,” he ignores her and walks to the ticket counter.
“As if I have a choice,” she replied as he steps up to the counter. Bronnah falls quiet and glances around the train depot.
"Two tickets for Indiana." He slides his badge out, and his voice fades away as she thinks about the past two days. They've changed trains three times in two days. This depot is the largest they have traveled in yet.
So many nationalities mill about, and Bronnah is struck by the absurdity of this situation. Somewhere inside of this train station, ten girls are trapped in a nightmare of someone else's making and yet, life continues. Part of her is tempted to scream at the top of her lungs and demand they help.
Stepping towards the crowd, she jumps when Chase grasps her upper arm. "Don't even think about it." She glares at him and pats her mousy brown wig. It's itching her, and she pushes at the spectacles he insisted she wear and sniffs her tiny nose.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Chase snorts and guides her quickly towards the train. “Our train is down on track five.”
“Chase? What about the girls?” Once more he ignores her, and she’s tempted to jerk away.
“Not now, Bronnah. We’re almost there.” He gives the porter his tickets as he greets them.
“Welcome aboard the Erie Railroad, Mr. and Mrs. Rivers, let me show you to your sleeper car.” Bronnah jerks in surprise but follows quietly. Mrs. Rivers? When did he say that and why didn’t she notice? The past two days they’ve traveled economy with large groups of people. Chase must be exhausted, he hardly slept at all, afraid to close his eyes for fear of being jumped.
The porter stops and opens the door to the car. He slides open the door, and Bronnah stares in amazement. "This is your drawing room. I hope you will be comfortable. I will be your porter if you need anything do not hesitate to pull the cord." Chase guides her inside a spacious living room with a wide sofa, two moveable chairs, and a wardrobe for hanging their clothes in.
"Inside the wardrobe, you will find your bags. You have a private toilet to your right, and this car accommodates one full-length bed, including an upper berth that will drop down from the ceiling, should you need it." Bronnah notices the two large windows framed in black walnut woodwork and French upholstery, polished brass fixtures. Glancing down at the dark green, thick pile carpeting on the floor she finds that she is speechless.
“Thank you,” she murmurs and steps towards the sofa seats in front of the windows. Bronnah spins as the door is closed and locked behind them. “Chase, this is amazing,” she draws her glasses off and stares at him.
"I'm glad you think so. I'm exhausted, and I'm sure you are too. This will give us the much-needed sleep we need." He steps towards her and cups her face in his hand. "Thank you for being so patient, Bronnah." Softly he kisses her and smiles, "Now come sit down, you won't want to miss this."
He draws her to the sofa seat and points out the window. Bronnah is confused but does as he suggests. Sitting down, she looks out the window just in time to see all hell break loose in the depot. A bell begins ringing and people part to allow the men to pass through. A group of about fifteen police, led by two U.S. Marshals run toward a train. Bronnah gasps and cranes her neck to watch as they surround a car that is waiting to be loaded. The lock is shot off, and when the door slides open, no one can believe their eyes. The young women cringe, cowering against each other and hiding their faces from the blinding brightness of the sun. They are chained like animals, in various states of dress. Some are beaten and bloody, while others seem too confused to realize what is happening. Tears stream down Bronnah's face as she watches the men unlock the girls wrapping them in blankets and helping them from the train. One, by, one, they are led to freedom. In the faces of the young women, she sees a vision of what her own future could have been.
Bronnah turns to look at him, and her heart falls as freely as her tears. She leaps across the space into his arms. “Thank you!” she sobs burying her face in his neck. “Chase, I couldn’t sleep for worry.”
Chase holds her and sighs with contentment. “How did you do this?” She asked when she can calm down.
“I’ll tell you everything.”
Bronnah nods, turning to watch as they load the last of the girls into the waiting carriages. A knock on the door has Chase drawing his pistol and walking to the door. “Who is it?”
“Mr. Carine, your porter.” Chase opens the door but keeps his pistol out in case he needs it. He hides it behind his back. “Mr. Rivers, our train’s departure will be delayed for a while, would you like to order some lunch while you wait?”
“Yes,” Chase orders lunch and tea while Bronnah turns away to continue watching the excitement out of the window. She glows with joy as the last of the carriages pull away. Exhausted he sits back with a sigh as she releases the curtains to give them privacy and sits on the couch across from her.
“Our train will be delayed. I’m sure you’ll want to get cleaned up
