Alex and Seth stick close together. Alex is the first to speak to the man behind a small gate. “State your name please.”
“Alex Denning, from London, England.”
“What is the nature of your visit, Mr. Denning?” He asks, flipping through his papers.
“I am… visiting family.” Alex stutters. The man stops flipping papers and for the first time makes eye contact.
“Mister Denning? Denning… Denning, oh yes, I have a letter for you.” He reaches under his desk and pulls out a letter and slides it towards Alex. It bears an official seal from Harvard University on it. Alex takes the letter with trembling fingers and tucks it inside his coat pocket.
“I will need to know the name and address of your destination?”
“Summer Denning, the last known address was…” Seth hands Alex Summer’s letter with the return address, who passes it to the agent.
“Excellent. How long is your visit going to be for?” He asks writing down the address.
“I don’t know exactly.” Alex answers.
“Right. You are to be given a temporary visa for thirty days. After that, you must return to your country or apply for another visa. Luggage tickets, please.”
Alex slides his brass letter B, toward the clerk who spins to retrieve his cases. The noise around him is chaotic. It sounds like the buzzing of a beehive. He is surrounded by people, all speaking in hushed tones, and agents run to and fro, collecting luggage. He prays the letter holds good news. Stepping aside to gather his luggage and wait for Seth to process, he reaches in his pocket to pull out the letter from the President of Harvard and breaks the seal. The message offers his condolences and explains that arrangements have been made for them to stay in a hotel completely paid for by the college. Alex gives the address to the agent who offers to have his luggage sent over directly. It also provides an address for where to find Summer. Tears fill his eyes, and he traces the address with Summer's name. “She's alive,” he whispers.
Seth is going through the same motions as Alex.
“Sir, will you require a rail ticket or steamship ticket?”
“No, we are staying in the city.”
“You may also exchange any gold or silver for the currency of the country.”
“That's efficient isn't it, Alex,” Seth grumbles and glances back at Alex. With a swipe of his eyes, he stuffs the envelope into his jacket pocket.
“Quite, as long as it is done honestly.” Alex looks around and sees people sleeping on the ground, those who are destitute are offered a chance to try to hang around and procure work, or they can be taken to Ward's Island, where every precaution is taken to protect the immigrants.
“Sirs, your carriage will be waiting out front for you. Give this brass number to the agent, and he will get you on your way. Welcome to America.”
Alex and Seth are ushered outside where a carriage is waiting. When the driver walks up, Alex stops him and asks directions to the address for Summer.
“Do you know this address? How far is it?” He demands.
“Yes, sir, it’s out of town. You will need to take a ferry to get there. They don't run at night. The first ship departs at eight am. Then you have a forty-minute ride or so. I can arrange to pick you up if you like and deliver you to the ferry docks?”
“Excellent.” Tomorrow he will find Summer. Seth pats him on the back and urges him to enter the carriage.
The Douglas Hotel is exquisite. No detail was missed. From the beautiful spires that shoot straight out of the green tin domes on top, to the stone cornices. Alex is oblivious as they step outside under a covered walkway leading into the luxury hotel.
“Welcome to the Douglas Hotel.” The bellman says as he opens the doors.
Seth guides Alex inside after speaking to the driver and paying him. A generous tip ensures he will return first thing in the morning.
They step inside and stare up at a grand circular staircase spiraling up into the four floors above. It separates the lobby from the dining room and bar. Alex greets the desk clerk and is given keys with directions to the suite on the fourth floor. Seth is offered the adjoining room which was reserved for Summer Denning.
“I feel the need for a stiff drink before we go to our rooms.” Seth states following a heavy sigh.
“My thoughts exactly.” Alex enters the bar and stares at the glistening mahogany woodwork. It still has that new build smell, but the cigarette smoke will soon take care of that. Seth orders two drinks, and they find a table in a corner.
“Seth, I find I am quite nervous about tomorrow. What if…” he can’t bring himself to say it. Instead, he shoots his drink and orders another.
“No what if’s, Alex. She is smart and a Denning. One more night friend and we will begin to hunt this bastard down.”
“Then he will pay for all he has put us through and taken from us.”
Chapter 37
“Is everything ready?” Victor asks the cook.
“Yes, sir. Your picnic is being set up as requested. The blanket and basket are waiting under the weeping willow. The horses are saddled and ready to go.” Cook smiles at him, and her eyes disappear in her chubby brown cheeks.
“Miss Sarah, you are a gem. Thank you.” Victor presses a kiss to her cheek, and she smacks at him.
“Go have fun, Mr. Yates.”
Victor walks through his house. He knows where to find her at this time of day. It's amazing how quickly they are falling into a routine as a family. When he steps quietly into the library, he sees Summer
