Sippi walked up to the door of another Brooklyn mansion. He had been to at least two others since the Franklin's the morning, only to have both doors slammed in his face. He made certain that if he checked every other place and no Lizzy turned up, he would bring the police to these other mansions and demanded to see the babies. He knocked sharply on the door.
After a long pause, an elderly man opened the door. "Can I help you?"
"Yes. I need to speak to the Webster's please."
The man frowned a bit. "Can it not wait?"
"I'm afraid not. It's very important."
He frowned. "All right. Come in. I shall inform them immediately."
"Thank you," Sippi said, following him inside.
He nodded. "Wait here please." A minute or two later, he returned with a very frazzled looking man.
"Are you a doctor?" the man asked.
"No sir, I'm actually a detective."
The man looked disappointed. "What can I do for you?"
"I'm searching for a kidnapped baby girl. She was left at the orphanage around the time you adopted your girl. I'd like to see her, please."
The man ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm afraid that isn't possible."
"Why not?"
"She's very ill...I sent for a doctor hours ago...but he hasn't come. Oh why hasn't that stupid doctor come!"
Sippi frowned a bit. "I know of a doctor you can take her to."
"It would be better if he could come here...I don't want her to get worse by taking her out in this weather."
After a pause, he nodded. "May I see her first?" Sippi asked, "Then I will send a note to my friend to come."
Mr. Webster was quiet for a long time before nodding. "This way please."
Sippi followed him down the hall. "How long has she been sick?"
"She had a slight fever yesterday...it was much worse this morning..." He opened a door to the baby's room. Inside a woman leaned over a crib, tears pouring down her cheeks.
Sippi frowned. Seeing this woman's tears was going to make his job that much harder if the baby was Lizzy. Taking a deep breath he walked over to the crib and looked inside. And though the little girl looked terribly ill, he knew that it was Lizzy.
He pulled some paper and a pencil out of his pocket and scribbled a quick note. "Mr. Webster...tell one of your servants to give this to any newsie and tell the newsie that it is very important that this note gets to Dr. Trent Gainsworth as soon as possible."
"A newsie?" he asked, perplexed.
Sippi nodded. "Yes. Dr. Gainsworth is just about the only doctor in the city that treats newsies at a price they can afford. They all know and love him."
After a moment, Mr. Webster nodded. "All right."
Lizzy began to fuss. Sippi looked at Mrs. Webster. "May I hold her for a moment?"
She looked up at him and nodded. "Who... are you?"
"I'm a detective," he said, gently lifting Lizzy into his arms. "It's alright, sweetheart," he cooed. "Uncle Sippi's got you."
Mrs. Webster gave him a puzzled look. A moment later Mr. Webster returned. "How long will it take this Dr. Gainsworth to come?"
"If he's not out on a call, he'll come as soon as he gets the note."
Mr. Webster nodded.
Lizzy's fussing soon stopped as she dropped into a fevered sleep. Sippi shifted her gently. "Shh..."
Mrs. Webster looked at her husband. "Frank... why do we have a detective here?"
"I can answer that," Sippi said. "I'm on the case of some kidnapped babies. A boy and a girl. Two in a set of triplets. I found the boy at the same place that you went to adopt this little girl."
"Oh?"
He sighed. "I hate to be the one to tell you this, but this baby is that girl that I've been looking for."
Mrs. Webster stared at him. "E-excuse me?"
"This baby's name is Elizabeth Conlon..."
"N... no, it's Emily Webster!"
"When Dr. Gainsworth arrives, he'll have his nurse with him...She was the one who delivered the triplets. A young man who lives with the Conlon's in also in town. I could bring him as well as several others who would verify that this child is really Lizzy Conlon."
Mrs. Webster let out a sob.
"Her mother is worried sick. Surely you can understand how she feels."
She nodded a bit.
The door opened and Trent rushed in, along with China and Chris. "Chris was with us when we got your note," Trent explained.
Sippi shrugged. "That's all right."
Trent took Lizzy from him and placed her gently in the crib. "I need to ask all of you to leave, please."
"What are you going to do?" Mrs. Webster asked.
"I'm just going to take a look at her and find out what is wrong. But I can't do that with all of you looking over my shoulder and asking questions."
Sippi waved his hands at everybody. "Come on. Let the doctor be."
~*~
Several hours later Sippi paced the parlor of the Webster mansion, while Mr. and Mrs. Webster sat across the room talking in hushed tones. Chris has long since fallen asleep on one of the sofas. What was taking Trent so long!?
Sippi stopped pacing and walked over to the Websters. "Mrs. Webster?"
She looked up at him.
"I've been thinking. Would you like to go with me when I take Lizzy back to her family?"
She was quiet for a moment, and Mr. Webster nudged her gently. "Go ahead..." She hesitated.
"I normally wouldn't ask...but I know that you are quite attached to her...and Rae will want to thank you for taking such good care of Lizzy."
After another long moment of thought, she nodded a bit. "A- all right. I'd like that..."
"I'd like to take her back as soon as Trent says that she's able to travel."
She nodded slowly, sniffling a bit.
He knelt in front of her. "Trent has a lot of cases that involve orphans. I'm sure he could find another child for you."
She nodded again and looked off.
Sippi stood and began to pace again. Quite some time later Trent finally came down the stairs. "Well?" Sippi demanded.
Trent sighed wearily. "I was able to bring her fever down some...but it is still quite high."
"Will she... be all right?"
He shook his head. "I don't know."
He frowned a little, but nodded. "How long until you know, do you think?"
"I need to get her fever down. Until it comes down..." Trent trailed off.
"Should she stay here until then, or be brought to your office?"
"She's too sick to be moved. China will stay and take care of her until..."
Sippi looked at Mr. and Mrs. Webster. "Will it be all right if China stays?"
"If she can help our baby...then yes."
"I can," China said.
Mr. Webster nodded. "You can stay."
"You can bring the fever down...can't you? She won't...." Chris asked.
"We'll try the best we can," Trent said.
Chris stood. "I'm going to go find Molly..."
"Be careful," Sippi said.
Chris nodded and walked out of the house, his shoulders stooped.
Sippi looked over at Trent. "Should I tell Rae I found Lizzy?"
"It might be better if we wait...knowing Rae like I do, she'll rush here. She'd have to bring James and Robert and we can't risk them getting sick too."
"All right..."
~*~
Molly answered the door when Chris knocked. "Where have you been? Kendra said you promised to take her to the park...and then you didn't come...she's been throwing a fit all afternoon!"
"Sippi found Lizzy."
"What? When? Where?"
"Several hours ago, at some wealthy couples' home."
"Is she alright?"
"She's very sick."
Molly gasped.
He kissed her forehead. "Where is that terror of yours?"
"She's in the bedroom, sulking.
"Should I go talk to her?"
"Probably."
He slipped past her and into the bedroom. "Hey Shortstuff."
"I'm not talkin' to you!" Kendra said with a pout.
"Well be that way...and listen to me."
She sniffled.
He sat on the floor. "Come here." Pouting, she walked over to him. He pulled her down into his lap. "I'm sorry I couldn't take you to the park today."
She looked up at him. "You promised," she said, apparently forgetting that she claimed she wasn't talking to him.
"I know, squirt, but I had something very important to do and I couldn't leave."
"What did you have to do?"
"Well...your Uncle Sippi found Lizzy..."
"Did he really?"
Chris nodded. "But she's really really sick..."
"Like Julie?"
"I'm ... not sure"
She rested her head on his shoulder. "Is she gonna get better?"
"I hope so."
"Can I see her?"
He shook his head. "Not right now."
"Why?"
"Because you might get sick as well."
"But I want to see her!"
"I know, but Dr. Trent said no."
"Please?" she begged.
"No."
She pouted.
He smiled a little. "Pouting won't get you anywhere."
"When can I see her?"
"When she's feeling a bit better." Kendra sighed. "There there... It'll be all right," Chris said. "You'll see her soon."
"Can we go to the park now?"
He laughed a little. "All right. Come on, kiddo."
"Yippee!" she said, jumping to her feet and rushing toward the door.
"Don't forget your coat!"
"Okay!"
"Wanna come?" He asked Molly, who was looking exhausted.
She shook her head. "I could use a nap."
He kissed her forehead. "Sleep well."
She smiled shyly. "I will... thank you.
"Do you think North would mind watching Kendra for a little while tomorrow night?"
"Um... I don't think so... Why?" she asked.
"I want to spend some time with you...alone."
Molly smiled a bit. "All right... I'll ask her."
"C'mon Chris!" Kendra called from the doorway, where she was struggling to put on her coat, hat and gloves.
He smiled. "Coming Kendra."
"Bye Mommy!" she called as Chris helped her with her coat.
Molly smiled and gave a little wave. "Bye sweetheart." Molly walked over to the door and watched them walk down the stairs. Kendra was holding his hand and chatting happily.
She smiled to herself. Kendra really loved him. Sighing wearily she stretched out on the couch and closed her eyes.
~*~
It was late by the time Sippi returned to his office. He wearily sat in his chair and began sorting through the piles of paperwork on his desk. It looked as if he was going to be here all night. There was a sudden knock on his door.
He looked up to see his partner in the doorway with a woman. "Yes?" he asked wearily.
"We have another witness to hide...they got room at the same place you sent the kid?"
"I don't know."
"It sounds perfect. Middle of nowhere...big house..."
"Well yes, it is. But I don't know if they have the room... or are willing to house another guest. I could find out... but I can't quite promise anything yet."
"Can you hurry, Wayne...it is rather important."
He gave his partner a look. "You could always call on them."
"But they don't know me, do they?"
He rubbed his forehead. "Okay... okay, here. You start going through my paperwork then. I'll take her."
"Oh no...the paperwork is all yours my friend..."
"Well make up your mind! I have a lot to do."
"Misha is yours...the paperwork is yours...I've got a dinner date..."
He scowled in frustration.
"Have fun," his partner said, closing the door.
Sippi groaned, thumping his head on the table. He then looked up at the girl standing before him. "It's nothing against you," he told her.
She nodded. "I understand," she said with a faint accent.
"You understand English then?"
"Yes."
"Good good." He smiled and held out his hand. "I'm Mississippi Wayne."
She delicately placed her hand in his. "You have a funny name."
"I have a funnier real name."
"Oh?"
He stood. "I haven't eaten all day. Would you like to grab a bite to eat with me at the little cafe around the corner?"
After a moment, she nodded. "I would like that," she said very precisely.
He offered her his arm. She took it, thanking him. "Do you know anything of America's War Between the States?" he asked as they walked down the stairs.
"War between the states?"
"Down South we call it the War of Northern Aggression."
"I do not think I have heard of it..."
"Have you heard of Abraham Lincoln?"
She thought for a moment and then nodded.
"While he was president the Northern states and the Southern states fought against each other..."
"Why?"
"Slavery mostly...but quite a few Southerners will say they fought for the rights of the states."
"It must have been a while ago?"
"Nearly fifty years ago."
"Your country... it has recovered well from it's war."
He was silent for a moment and then nodded. "Yes...it has."
"Why do you bring it up?" Misha asked curiously.
"My father fought for the Confederate States...under General P.T. Beauregard..."
"Is that good?"
"Not in my case...because he named me after General Beauregard."
Misha smiled a bit. "Is that right?'
"I told you that my real name was as funny as my nickname," he said, opening the door to the cafe.
"I do not think it is funny."
He smiled. "My younger brothers and sisters call me Beau...which isn't quite as bad..."
"Shall I call you Beau?"
"I'd like that, Misha."
She smiled. "Okay. Beau."
He held a chair out for her to sit in. She sat and waited patiently for him to sit as well. "So," he began, folding his hands over the table, "what brings you to New York and getting in trouble?" he asked with a faint smile.
"The Ballet"
He lifted his brow, quite interested. "Is that so?"
"I am a member of Les Ballets Russes..."
He smiled. "Are you touring here then?"
She nodded. "With the...All Star Imperial Russian Ballet."
"How did you end up here? I mean, having my partner bring you to me?"
"The man at the theatre...he threatened me...he says I saw something... I did not know where else to go."
Sippi nodded a bit, thinking. "What did you see?"
"He was talking to some man...and gave him some money..."
"I see..."
"My English is not good...but I didn't understand what they were saying...that man...he say he will kill me..."
"Then it is a good thing you got out of there..."
"Can you help me, Beau?"
"I will try my best."
"Thank you...not many people in your country have been so nice..."
"Well, you just haven't met the good ones," he said with a little smile.
"Your partner...he say that you will hide me..."
He nodded. "I'll find a place to hide you. Are you sure your company won't miss you?"
"I didn't think about them..."
"Did you want me to try and get you back so you can let them know what's going on?"
"The man will see me..." she said, her face losing all color.
"All right, all right." He nodded. He was silent for a moment. "I can send a telegram tonight...and hopefully will have an answer about a place for you to stay tomorrow morning..."
She nodded. "Where do I stay tonight?"
He paused in thought for a moment. "I have an idea...come with me."
