Telegrams. 5th Story in the Alexandra Series.
Summary: You wanted to know the why, the when and the how Alexandra came about. Well here it is. Adam receives a wire from San Francisco. He embarks on a journey with Alexandra to bring Katherine home one way or another. He recalls the events of the past along the way.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bonanza, or any of its characters. David Dortort and Fred Hamilton created them and played with them for 14 years. The series is owned by NBC.
Warnings: None.
Recap…
"Quickly," urged the strange man, "In here." He pushed Adam through another stairwell door, and closed it hastily behind him. He then released Adam and pressed himself against the wall of the stairs landing and took a huge sigh of relief.
Adam went to speak, "What the hell…"
The man held up his hand, silencing Adam immediately. "Names Virgil. Virgil Carey. Judge Virgil Carey, and I've been trying to get out of this hell hole for a week.
The rescue continues….
Chapter 19: Alex and The Devine Comedy; Circles Of Hell….continued.
While Adam was grappling with his plight on the second floor of the East wing, Alex, Drew and the Monsignor were fighting their own battle trying to get the admissions guard to allow the Monsignor and his orderlies entrance.
"These papers are all in order," reiterated Drew Kennedy. He lent over the bench, "If it's more coin you need, good man to let us pass;" He whispered, "I have been instructed…"
The guard rubbed his grubby hands down the front of his not so white double breasted jacket, and looked tentatively around him, now unsure whether it was a good idea to even have let Mr Cartwright pass. He ignored Drew Kennedy's offer, pretending he knew nothing of any money Mr Cartwright had given him. "I've told you Warden Nichols need to authorize this. He should be here shortly," he said. The guard had been given strict instructions by Warden Nichols not to let anyone but he or board members enter or leave the premises. It was imperative, that no discharges were done until Monday, and his job would depend on it if he had failed.
Fact is the man already sensed his job was in jeopardy. Over the last month there had been strange things going on at the institution. Many of the experienced guards and orderlies had been let go, patients were being admitted without the correct paper work, and then there were the late night meetings of the board. There had also been a higher number of patients who suddenly took ill and with the shortened staff and extra-long shifts many patients could not be looked after as well as they had in the past, except those with wealthy families who paid the institution plenty to look after their mentally ill loved ones or in some cases their family secrets.
He had stalled the trio, when they first arrived but had let his greed override his instructions and he let the dark haired man pass. He blamed some of it on the fact they had brought the kid with them; Damn he could just about do any job, but not in front of a kid. Not wanting to take another chance, and receive the Warden's wrath, he continued to stall this lot, until his boss arrived.
Alexandra scowled at the man and was about to put in her two penny's worth when a large oriental gentleman entered the foyer and bellowed. "Is Warden Nichols in, I've been called for an emergency meeting of the board."
"Yes Mr Wang, sir. Third floor of the West wing."
"I know where the board room is," he huffed and proceeded angrily on his way.
"I thought you said the Warden wasn't in," scowled Drew.
"I didn't say that, I said he needed to authorize the discharge. He should be here soon."
"How does he even know we are here?" asked Drew in annoyance. "I haven't seen anyone leave to inform him." Drew had a pretty good idea Warden Nichols knew they were here or at least would be as soon as the hearing was over. Calling an emergency board meeting only aroused his suspicions. However his gut told him he best play along with the guard. "Well, please inform him immediately. These papers have been signed by a judge and a highly important government official, the transfer is in order. In fact the Warden no longer has a legal say in this matter. You will let us pass to retrieve our patient immediately, or I shall be forced to contact the law."
"No need to do that." Said the guard raising his palm to the lawyer. "But, I can't leave my post, the Warden always…"
Drew ignored the man's ramblings, turned to his back to the guard and walked towards the Monsignor. "I don't like what's happening here at all. Warden Nichols is up to something. I don't know what, and I don't know why. I'm going back with our driver back to get some constables. I'll take Alexandra with me. I think you best wait here Monsignor in case the Warden turns up and lets you pass."
The Monsignor nodded and indicated to his orderly that they should perhaps sit and wait. The two folded the stretcher and took a seat in the corner. "Yes, I think it best you take Alexandra with you… Alexandra? "
Both men turned back to the bench to call the child over, but she was nowhere to be seen.
"My goodness, she was here just a minute ago," exclaimed a surprised Monsignor. "She is fast isn't she?"
"Oh no!" Drew said in an absolute fluster.
"Don't worry she can't have gone far," said the Monsignor. "You go back with your driver. I'll find the child."
Drew took off for his carriage, while Monsignor went over to the guard. "The little girl that was here did you see where she went?"
"No… No… where did she go, nobody was supposed to leave here," said the guard, he was also alarmed.
"Well the child is missing. This is a dangerous place for a child. I think you should alert the warden straight away don't you?" suggested the Monsignor.
The guard looked around wide eyed.
"Go ahead, young man, I'll go look for the front," Suggested the Monsignor.
The guard, trusting a man of God, ran off towards the stairwell as fast as he could. As soon as the guard was out of sight, the Monsignor called his orderlies over. "I think we should retrieve our patient," he said. "Let's hope Alexandra headed that way. Either way, I think her father needs to know she is missing."
All three men headed off towards the East wing. However, they were wrong about Alexandra. She had well and truly lost her patience with the guard. She thought about heading off in the same direction as her father, however she had no idea how to get to the floor her mother was on. Her best bet, was to follow the large Asian man to the board room. Perhaps if she spoke to the Warden by herself, she could find out where her mother was. Alexandra just hoped she could control her temper if he started calling her Momma names again.
From a corner on the third floor Alexandra watched the large oriental gentleman barge into a room. "What's going on Warden? Why have you called us here?" he bellowed.
Alexandra snuck up to the door and watched through a slight opening. There she could see three men sitting around a table laden with a banquet of food and decanters of drink. Her stomach rumbled at the delicious smells coming from the room. She had not eaten since lunch and hadn't realised how hungry she was. Perhaps the Warden would be nice to her if she explained her story and they could have a nice old chat over a leg of chicken. She was about to knock when she heard the big man yell again.
"Nichols, you know I'm not a patient man," he said annoyed.
Alexandra didn't like the man's tone and felt a little frightened. She reconsidered her original plan, thinking it wasn't such a good idea and hid behind the door. She was bought back to reality when the big man spoke again.
"Do we have something to celebrate?" asked the man.
"No, but it will be a long night and we have much to discuss. I'm afraid we have to get our latest shipment out as soon as possible," said the Warden.
"So you have moved the last lot of opium, I supplied you?"
"Yes, Wang Lee and your share of the gold is here, but we need to move the other as soon as possible. I have extra workers down in the refinery pit, melting the gold into bars. From there we need to get it to our Southern contacts."
"Why? This shipment is not due out for another week. I have another opium shipment coming in then. I'll mix up your Laudanum compound and you can distribute the rest of the opium; get more of the gold and make two shipments as planned. What is your hurry?" asked Wang Lee.
"The hurry is; Warden Nichols has got to move it tonight, Wang. This place needs to be clean as a whistle by Monday," said one man pouring himself a large glass of red wine.
"Fine then, pay me what you owe me," said the Chinese man, not trusting these greedy men.
"I will but you need to help," said the Warden. "Here let me get you a drink, Wang Lee."
"Why so that you can get me drunk and take advantage of me? What is it you want me to do, Nichols? I am a very busy man. If you can't move my next shipment of opium, I need to pass it onto to my other contacts. They will get it to the gold fields as soon as possible."
"And then you will have a glut of opium out there. We've all made money from this venture Wang, and you needed us as much as we need you. We've pushed as much of the opium to westerners as you have to your Chinese workers. Thanks to the Government coffers subsiding pharmaceuticals, my clever bookwork and Doctor Murphy's chemistry we've built up the stockpile of opium and you've doubled your sales ."
"I am a business man, Mr Nichols. I want what is owed for the opium you've ordered."
"And you will get it. Calm yourself, Wang. We must lay low over the next couple of weeks and then we could be back in business."
"Why are we not in business right now?"
"Look, Wang, we are in danger of being exposed. Coordinating this business means doing favors not just for you but for others , others who can help the authorities turn a blind eye, to the over ordering of your opium, and to the late night deliveries of the gold from the gold fields where your opium is distributed among the European miners. That gold is bought back here, melted down and then distributed to the southern armies."
Nichols took a deep breath and continued his explanation of the complexities to Wang. "There is already talk of the government confiscating gold from California. In order to get certain authorities to forget what they see, we must provide a few favors. One of those favors was keeping a judge out of circulation while the railways and the penal system was being reviewed by the courts. With the South and the North about to go to war, it's imperative that the railway be controlled by the right people. This has been lucrative for all of us, but if we aren't careful it could all blow up in our face."
"Surely, you're exaggerating, Nichols. This women that you are so worried about, she's mad isn't she, how can she expose us?" asked the man sitting to the right of Warden Nichols.
"What woman?" asked a confused Wang.
"One of the female patients who is about to be released. She was found wandering and ran into the judge, on the floor below the hospital wards. She ran off in fright when one of the orderlies cornered her. Unfortunately she saw the old lunatic pits, the ones converted to the refinery. The kiln fires set her off and she's been blathering about hell and Dante's inferno. Doctor Murphy has been medicating her; keeping her confused. Hopefully anything that she remembers and talks about will be seen as the ramblings of a mad women. But, if someone believes her and decides to investigate, we need to get the shipment out tonight. She is going to be discharged Monday, and if she continues to ramble about what she saw and they come looking; they need to find nothing."
"What about the Judge?" asked another man to the Wardens left.
"I don't like it, but he may have to have an accident," frowned the Warden.
"Why don't we do the same thing to the women?" said Wang. "Or, if you like I can ship her out with my next lot of girls. The Dakota Territory will be far enough away," smirked the man. "Is she pretty?"
"Yes, but regrettably there would be too many questions asked if she went missing. She has been under the watchful eye of her own doctor. If she disappeared the family would ask too many questions, especially after the hearing today. It would be too much a co-incidence. "
"However, your greed will not stop you from killing a Judge. Surely if they find out …" Wang paused looking for the right words. "You take a bigger risk killing him?" he suggested.
"I say we put him in with the other inmates; medicate him and make him appear to be a raving lunatic like the rest. I'm not feeling confident about killing a Judge," said another man that Alexandra could not see.
"Look we are all in this together, we need to make a decision," declared Nichols forcefully. "We can try your way, Davis, but it's a bigger risk. Fact is, no one knows the Judge is here, but they do know the woman is."
"Okay, so how are we getting this shipment out early?" Asked the man on the Warden's right, as he poured himself another glass of wine.
"Well that's where I thought Wang could come in handy. He has a shipment of girls to move. We transfer the gold with them, take a detour to the drop off point and then, Wang can be on his way with… what did you call them, Wang? Your brides," mocked Nichols.
Alexandra was trying to make sense of what she was hearing. It sounded like the men were doing something bad. The name Wang rang a bell, but when she heard them mention a woman and Doctor Shultz, she concentrated on nothing else. Suddenly she heard footsteps echoing from the stair well to her right. She quickly dropped back from the door and found a rather large pillar to hide behind.
She watched as the guard from the front desk came through the stairwell door, only to suddenly stop himself when he heard a shout coming from the other end of the corridor. "Mack wait up."
"Jim, what are you doing here?"
"There's been a flood in the East wing. I thought I better tell the Warden about it. I need extra men there to help clean it up."
"Damn, and we got a kid missing as well. The Wardens gonna be fit to be tried. Those people that was supposed ta be transferring that patient Monday are here now, and they got all the right papers. I don't reckon I can stall them anymore. Especially with Doctor Shultz, upstairs. And now with this kid missing, nobody's going anywhere until they find her," panted Mack as he threw his arms about in dramatic exaggeration.
"Well they won't find her on the hospital ward. The fourth floor is flooded, probably a broken pipe, but if it's the tanks on the fifth we'll have real problems. And they won't get through there. It may just be the best excuse we have for tuning them away until Monday," said Jim.
"We better tell the Warden what's going on."
"Okay you go first."
"No you go first."
"Okay, maybe we best tell the Warden our news together. He can't blame us; we told him we can't work with only two of us on guard duty."
Both Jim and Mack took a big breath and knocked on the boardroom door. As soon as they entered Alexandra ran back down the corridor she saw the guard come from. She heard him mention the hospital wing and Doctor Shultz being there. Alexandra didn't understand a lot of what was said in the boardroom, but she was certain the woman they were talking about was her mother. And it seemed they were all in danger. She needed to find her dad and fast!
~oOo~
Meanwhile Adam and the Judge waited behind the stairwell door for the guard to disappear. Adam introduced himself. "I know who you are, Sir. I met your daughter on our way here. Eve asked me to send you a telegram saying she wouldn't be here to meet you."
"Well what a small world. But, I never got that telegram, Mr Cartwright."
"Please call me Adam."
"Well Adam, I will be very interested to hear how my Evie is. I wasn't too pleased about her leaving Parker. Winston; he's a good man, but, she is my daughter and I suspect she is still dealing with a lot of grief."
"They've worked things out, Judge. They are staying at Emerald Bay."
"Please call me, Virgil. Well that is good news; you must tell me all about it when we get out of here. I have to tell you, I am somewhat relieved Evie and Jeffery never arrived, I would have been very concerned about their safety."
"But, they would have been able to alert the authorities that you were missing. My Lawyer mentioned a judge being missing, but your name never came up. Most people assumed this missing judge had just gone off somewhere."
"No. I was kidnapped on my way to court last Friday. I don't know why, though I suspect it has something to do with the railway tenure. Somebody doesn't want me making my recommendations."
"I imagine there is some fierce competition. But, why bring you here?"
"Nichols is obviously doing someone a favor. I suspect he has done this type of work before; keeping people out of the way for a price."
"Still, I am amazed he'd take the chance with a high court Judge," scoffed Adam thinking of both the Warden's audacity and stupidity.
"That's because he has a lot at stake my good fellow."
"You think that this penal system review is going to cause that much financial loss for him?" asked Adam.
"Some, he doesn't know the options in front of the review board. One is the possibility of using Hell Island for prisoners from the south if the civil dispute between the states escalates." The judge paused before tapping his finger lightly on Adams shoulder. "And, there will be a few Californians who will not be happy about that. Even though they are part of the union, many still sympathize with their southern neighbors. Either way St Beatrice's would most likely keep some of their government subsidies as it is the only institute for the mentally ill that also caters to the criminally insane in the state. St Beatrice's would most likely remain that way until after the war."
"Too bad the Warden doesn't know this; we could have saved a lot of time," harrumphed Adam.
"Yes, it may have been his motivation in the beginning, building up a little nest egg, with extra jobs, but there is more."
"More?" Asked Adam.
"Yes, much more," said Judge Carey, "Follow me, quietly now." The judge led Adam down a narrow staircase, then around a corner. The staircase continued pass a small landing and spiraled around what appeared to be a round walls, like a tower. "You've heard of the Loony Bin, well this used to be one. Not now; not for a long time. Nichols has been working the old furnaces. Have a look; careful now," said Virgil as Adam, lent over the railing and looked down to the ground. There he could see, several men, some dressed in guard's coats, and some not. They were all very busy, unloading mineral ore of some kind, putting it a small stone crusher, stoking fires and loading wagons.
"So what do you think they are doing?" asked the Judge.
"Looks like they are refining gold," whispered Adam.
Virgil pulled Adam back against the wall. "Exactly. I don't know where they are getting the gold, but I'm pretty sure of where it's going."
"The Southern army," surmised Adam. When Virgil smiled and nodded Adam knew he had guessed correctly.
Virgil pulled Adam back to the landing and around the corner where they were out of sight from anybody below. "You found all this out in a week, do they know you know?" Adam asked quietly.
Virgil, put his fingers to his lip. "Shhh, I don't think so. Young Izzy… ahh… the guard's distraction, came across me four days ago. She was… let's say an unfortunate girl trying to make an unsavory living that ended up in my court some six months back. I gave her a break, ordered her to do community service rather than jail time. She's been working here voluntarily and has started studying nursing."
"Seems she hasn't forgotten her old skills," quipped Adam.
"Hmm, I just asked her to distract him for me while I started my escape. I really think she is smitten with James though. Last Tuesday, while she was working on the hospital ward, a young patient wandered away. She strayed into my ward. I'd was the only one being kept there. They thought they had sufficiently drugged and restrained me, however I was neither. That morning between shifts, I'd mapped out the fourth and fifth floor. I found this stair well; it goes all the way down and leads to the east side of the institution. I thought it would make an excellent escape route, however I found the pit, or rather basement, occupied."
Virgil paused and then continued, "I realized I had to find another pathway. By the time I'd gotten back upstairs, Izzy was there with her wandering patient. Izzy and I talked while I moved back to my bed and she restrained me before the guards arrived. The guards frightened the young woman out of her wits and she took off. I'd accidentally left this stairwell door open and she found her way into the pit below. Izzy and I hatched an escape plan. She would try and have the door unlocked. I decided to dismantle the water tank on the fifth floor, just in case Izzy couldn't get the door unlocked. A flood would cause a diversion; staff would be running a muck trying to fix it and get water back down to the furnaces. During all this activity I would slip out to a waiting carriage that Izzy organised by the east side boundary gates where the workers enter and exit."
"Why not just send her for the law?" asked Adam.
"I don't think they would believe her, besides, if Nichols had got wind of it, she would have been in grave danger."
"Well I think we are definitely in danger, including that young woman you mentioned. I'm sure it must have been Katherine. I won a hearing today for custody; I'm here to take her home."
"I don't think Nichols was threatened by her. If so he would have done something about it. If your wife…"
"No, she's not my wife, but she is the mother of my daughter and I care for her deeply," corrected Adam.
"Well Katherine didn't seem … if you don't mind me saying; all that mentally stable. It's probably why Nichols isn't worried."
"True, but it answers a few other questions I had about him wanting to keep her here longer. I have to get her out, tonight. I'm not taking a chance, especially with what you've told me."
"All right, young fella, as soon as the coast is clear you can head up to the hospital ward. The water should be almost gone now. But you don't have much time. They will be back any minute trying to fix that water tank. The pumps take the water up to the last floor of the hospital and down to the basement: they need it for the refinery in that pit."
Adam moved slowly towards the stairwell door and opened it slightly, listening for any voices from the hall way. When he heard none, he poked his head through the door and called the all clear. Both men stepped out to the empty hallway.
"Your friend Issy seems to be gone also."
"Hmm, hopefully she has headed to the carriage at the gate."
Suddenly they heard footsteps. "Someone's coming," said Adam. He grabbed the judge and pulled him behind the guard's station, and listened, hoping they would pass.
"Looks like no one is here," said the Monsignor. "It appears we aren't going to be able to get to the hospital ward this way."
Adam recognized the voice, and stood up. "Monsignor?" he called. The judge, stood up behind Adam and followed him out to meet Monsignor Toomey, whom the judge also recognized.
"Adam, and… Judge Carey… Virgil is that you?"
"Yes, it's me."
"What are…?"
"We'll explain later. I think it best you get your patient and Adam out of this institution as soon as possible," suggested the Judge.
"At least they let you pass at reception, Monsignor," said Adam.
"Not quite, but Drew handed them all the legal documents that matters. They cannot deny us entry Adam, but for some reason want to stall us."
"We think we know why," said Adam.
"And stall you; they have gentleman," interrupted the judge, juggling the doors handle. "I'm sorry Adam, but it seems the guard must have engaged the lock again on this door, we can't pass."
"That's not a problem. I have the key," said Adam holing it up for everybody to see. The others moved towards the door.
Monsignor placed his hand on Adam shoulder just before he had started to insert the key "Wait Adam, there's one more thing…"
"Dad, dad!" came a child's voice from the end of the corridor.
"Alexandra!" yelled Adam, "What the…he…are you doing here?"
"That's what I was about to tell you Adam; Alexandra went missing… Well at least the child is safe," sighed the Monsignor.
"Alexandra you can't come with us; go back and wait with Mr Kennedy," ordered Adam.
The Monsignor, shook his head before laying a hand on Adams shoulder once again. "I am afraid Mr Kennedy is gone, Adam. He didn't like what was going on, so he headed back to the nearest police post. He's gone for the law to aid us in enforcing the discharge orders."
Adam pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. "Alexandra Cartwright you promised to do as you are told… Not to sneak off! " Seethed Adam, angry and worried about Alexandra. "You are in so much trouble," he said moving around the Monsignor towards Alexandra.
Alexandra ran into her father's arms. "I'm sorry, daddy, but you promised too," exclaimed Alexandra flustered and just as concerned, and in far too much of a hurry to worry about a scolding from her father. "And anyway, I didn't jist sneak off. You told me ta help the Monsignor, so I went ta politely speak with the Warden, and… well dad, I heard them all talking. They had a big table of food an all. My stomach rumbled cause I'm hungry, it does that; I can't help it dad, I'm so hungry I could eat the crutch… ahh I mean the legs of a low flying duck. And I … and I nearly got caught, but I'm glad I didn't, cause I think they are bad men, dad. I think I was right ta kick the warden in the leg. But, t I didn't do it again dad, cause I remembered what ya said. Anyway, they's a whole bunch of men planning stuff about gold, and op or oppies something and Momma done seen it. I don't reckon they are happy about her leaving. They got some judge stuck here too, and I heard they was gonna kill him."
Adam knelt down in front of Alex. "Okay slow down, Alexandra. The trouble is if you'd stayed where you were you wouldn't be in this mess…"
"What mess dad, I don't understand. Mammas' in trouble, don'tcha care?"
"Yes I care, but now you are in danger also," growled Adam, giving the child a good shake.
"I didn't know that dad…"
"That doesn't matter!" said Adam, swatting her padded rump.
"Daddy, please, I've had a bad feelin' all along and I reckon I'm supposed ta be here. It ain't nobody's fault that I am. You can be mad all ya want at me, but right now we gotta get going; they comin' up here." Alexandra pushed herself into her father's arms and grabbed her father around his neck. Adam picked her up and they looked into each other's face. Tears pooled in Alexandra's eyes, as she spoke softly. "I ain't leaving without Momma. I ain't daddy, we can do this together; I know we can. Please daddy I'm begin ya. I don't mean ta be disobedient, but something terrible is gonna happen iffin we don't get Momma outta here tonight."
There wasn't a lot of time for Adam to contemplate this new predicament, Alexandra's behavior, or to review options. There didn't appear to be any other option, other than heading back without Katherine and taking a chance that she would be safe until they could return with help. Alexandra might be safe as long as the Warden wasn't suspicious of them. He looked down at the changing expressions of his daughter face; her determination, fear and finally a tearful plea and declaration; one that tugged at his heart and his promise. Perhaps Alexandra was right; this was meant to be. Fate had determined a lot of things in his child's life it seemed, and maybe that included the events of the day; the court case; the president, and then having no choice but to bring Alexandra along with them to the institution. At least they weren't alone. He took a huge calming breath embracing his resignation of the situation.
"Okay baby lets go get Momma," he softly whispered as he hugged Alexandra tight against his chest.
Alexandra pushed back and looked at her father, beamed from ear to ear and kissed his cheek.
The others had stepped back, but watched the moment patiently. When Adam declared their objective, all gathered round.
"The child's right," added the Monsignor. "She is probably safest with us, but we need to get moving. If they know Drew is coming back with the law, they'll most likely get that refinery cleared. Judge, I think you should also come with us."
"I think so too. My escape route is no longer a safe passage. Don't worry Adam, the Warden doesn't know you've found me. If necessary I can send them on a merry chase while you get out with Katherine. But the quickest way is through that door and the stairwell on the other side of the fifth floor."
Adam agreed and handed the judge the key.
"Judge dad? Is he the judge they was talkin' about? They …"
"Yes Alex, I'll explain later. Now stay close to me."
~oOo~
Once the Warden had all the details from Mack and Jim he tried to suppress his anger and panic. He chewed on his bottom lip, then drew himself up to his full height of five foot six and rattled off orders to the guards and the men in the board room. "Mack, get back to the front desk. No one goes in or out, especially that nosy lawyer. Tell them we have a maintenance issue and until we figure out how much they know, nobody leaves. Jim you're with me, we'll go find the judge first, then the Cartwright's. Get some ether from the infirmary and a gun. Where's Shultz?" he asked.
"With Doctor Murphy, Warden; he arrived late this afternoon," answered Mack.
"Okay I'll deal with him also. The rest of you go with Davis; you too Wang. Clear the basement completely. Wang take my men with you and the shipment." They all headed off in their different directions, while he and Jim headed to the East Wing.
By the time the Warden had finished assigning tasks, Adam and the others had made their way through the flooded fourth floor and up the short stairwell to the fifth floor. There, unfortunately, they hit another glitch. The fifth floor was still flooded at the far end of the corridor and had formed a foot deep pool blocking the entrance to the last staircase to the next floor and the hospital wards.
"We'll just have to wade through it, see if we can push the door open. We should be able to jam something up against it to keep it open."
"That will work Adam, but that water looks a little murky for my liking. Those things floating around look like medical waste; I can see bloodied bandages," said the Monsignor.
The judge looked around, then frowned. "The second water tank overflow must have hit the disposal hampers," said the judge. "I was afraid of that; thus my attire," he said pointing out his long oil skin pants and braces.
"Ahh, I wondered why you looked like you were going fishing," remarked the Monsignor.
"Yes… well I'm supposed to be a madman," laughed the Judge.
"Well," grimaced the Monsignor, "I don't think we should walk through it. If any of you have broken skin on your legs; you could end up with a bad infection; not to mention what other objects are in there that could cut you. Fact is we could all end up very sick."
"That's alright. I'll get you across," declared the Judge.
"But how Virgil?" queried the Monsignor, as Judge Carey moved away towards the pool, then disappeared into one of the empty wards.
He soon returned with a long gurney. "Here," said the judge, "Adam and Monsignor go first. Then I'll come back for you three," he confirmed, pointing at the two orderlies and Alexandra.
Adam and the monsignor climbed on. The judge pushed then towards the pool, and then slowly through the swirling debris. Adam grabbed a chair as they passed the nurses station. Once they made it to the door, they opened it and propped the chair against the jam. Some of the water gushed out.
"Maybe most of this water will drain away, that way we can return the same way," said the Monsignor.
"I don't think so," said Adam, "These stairs only go up; the landing stops."
"Can you make it to the steps without getting your feet wet?" asked the judge.
"Yes," said Adam and was able to jump to the first step. He then held out his hand to the Monsignor and helped the older gentlemen across, avoiding the murky mess below their feet.
The judge pushed the gurney back and picked up the others. Alexandra, sat on the lap of one of the orderlies while the other one grasped the rolled up stretcher. The gurney rolled a little easier this time. The water had subsided but now the murky liquid looked even more septic with the medical waste forming soggy mounds of blood and festering bandages.
As soon as they arrived at the door, the Judge lifted Alexandra and passed her to her father. Then he handed the monsignor the stretcher. Once Adam and the monsignor had moved up the steps the two orderlies managed to get to the safety of the bottom steps. Judge Carey pushed the gurney through the open door, closed it and then settled the gurney against it, effectively barricading g the door. However, he was not sure how they were going to get back down from the hospital wing or past the warden and his crew.
"Hurry along you lot," said the Judge. "I'm going to have to take off these pants; I'll catch up to you. The hospital ward you are seeking is Ward Ten, to your right," he said as he started to slip his arms through his braces.
"Oh No!" cried Alexandra, as she covered her eyes. "He's going to be in the altogether dad, I don't reckon we should look."
The judge laughed heartily. "Don't worry, I have a thick and sturdy pair of long johns on."
~oOo~
The six floor was the hospital floor, it consisted of an infirmary, an operating theatre, a therapy ward and two recovery wards. Katherine was in Ward Ten, where patients usually rested after having therapy. The theatre wards were empty, as was the infirmary. Within moments Judge Virgil Carey arrived wearing his sturdy long johns and joined the group. Adam held Alexandra's hand tightly and headed to the nurses station. They didn't get more than three feet when all of a sudden they heard crashing coming from the infirmary.
Adam stopped and tracked the corridors, trying to ascertain exactly where the sounds were coming from. Then angry voices could be heard. The group moved a little closer to the infirmary doors.
"That's Doctor Schultz's voice," exclaimed Alexandra. "He's in trouble." Alexandra let go her father's hand and ran towards the double doors. The others followed shouting at her to stop.
Alexandra was suddenly hauled off her feet as they entered the room. "Alexandra, stop!" growled Adam, grasping her tightly to his chest as the others gathered around them and turned to the scene taking place in the room.
In front of them was Doctor Shultz fighting with Doctor Murphy. Both men scrambled over tables and pushed chairs, keeping each other at bay, while they yelled.
"You're a disgrace to the profession, Murphy. Do No harm… it's an oath," accused Shultz.
"I have done no harm, Shultz, your patient is no worse off," he declared angrily at the insult.
"I beg to differ, and I suspect she is not the only one whose condition has been worsened. You deny patients proper medication. The medical vials prove it, the quantities of opium are half of what they should be, and the powder is cut with God only knows what. You've probably delayed most patient's recovery at the very least and most likely poisoned others. In God's name man; you call yourself a doctor… No sir, you are greedy, you are evil; you are a hypocrite…"
"In God's name…" scoffed Murphy. "There is no God here Shultz. The screams and ramblings of the insane, they're damned. I am not bound to your God!" he declared.
Monsignor stepped forward, "I'd say this is the very place that God would be, where he is needed. Your talk is heresy, young man."
"Yeah, Mister, God is everywhere, don't ya know that. Even I know that," sprouted Alexandra.
Doctor Murphy and Doctor Shultz both turned, stunned to find they had an audience. Both men were disheveled and sporting bruises and cuts. Doctor Schultz's eye appeared to be swelling by the second, but his determined expression never wavered.
"Hersey!" Mocked Doctor Murphy.
"Hysterical dad? That funny hysterical or sad hysterical? How come the doctors' hysterical dad?" whispered Alexandra.
"Shhh Alex, the Monsignor means he's a heretic."
"I am NOT a heretic," shouted Doctor Murphy. "Just because, I don't follow the rules of your God."
"No, because you have deviated from your gift, dissented from the morals of your profession. That sir, is sacrilege; it is a profanity that leaves a deep scar on the soul."
Doctor Murphy picked up a jar of clear liquid and held it high above his head, ready to hurl it at the intruders. "Get out of here; all of you. Take your wife Mr Cartwright and get out of here before Warden Nichols finds you and interns you all. I won't have a choice but to sign the papers. This is your only chance," he warned.
"Is he going to hurt Doctor Shultz dad? He…"
"Shhh," said Adam as he lowered Alexandra to the ground slowly and pushed her behind him into the hub of the orderlies and the judge, keeping his eyes trained on the deranged doctor. The group then walked backwards towards the door.
Doctor Shultz tried to keep his eyes on both parties. He waved his lowered arms at Adam indicating that they best heed Doctors Murphy's warning and take the opportunity to get Katherine out of here and all of them to safety. He wasn't making any sudden movements, deciding that he would try and stall Doctor Murphy until the others were clear. The one thing he wanted was for Murphy to lower that bottle, he had seen the label, and one drop landing on anybody would damage the flesh or worse, depending where it landed.
As the group reached the door, a deranged expression passed over Doctor Murphy. Nickolas Shultz was certain the man had changed his mind about letting anybody leave St Beatrice's this night. He was certain the doctor was about to throw the liquid. "You're a fraud Murphy"! He bellowed, startling the man from his fixation on the group trying to leave unharmed. "I won't even call you a doctor," added Shultz, as Murphy turned his gaze towards him. Sure he had the man's attention now, Shultz continued." You're a fraud and a treacherous villain. I won't let you get away with this. I'll report you; your career is over."
They were almost out the door, when all of a sudden Murphy screamed and raised the jar, ready to throw it towards Doctor Shultz. Adam saw the movement out of his eye and quickly drew the pistol from his side pocket and shot the class jar to pieces inches above Murphy's head. The man collapsed to the floor as the liquid ran down his head turning to steam and searing his hair. He screamed and covered his face as the liquid hit his hands.
Doctor Shultz ran to him, found the fire bucket sitting in the corner and doused the man with a gallon of water. "Stay still," he shouted, "don't let any get into your eyes," he warned.
Doctor Murphy whimpered, as the other physician, whom moments before had been his enemy, came to his aid.
Adam and the others turned back and looked on. "Adam take Alexandra to her mother," said the Monsignor. "I'll help Doctor Shultz; we'll be with you shortly."
"I'm sorry I had to do that, but I knew he was going to throw that jar. I couldn't allow Doctor Shultz to get seriously hurt."
"Don't blame yourself son," said Virgil. "You did nothing wrong in the eyes of the law."
"I know that, still the man is obviously deranged to some extent," said Adam.
"Maybe so, but we were lucky you were able to smuggle that gun in," said one of the orderlies.
"Well you can thank the judge for that one. The guard at the east wing station was somewhat distracted; too busy for the usual search."
"Why dad, what was he doin'?" asked Alexandra.
"Never you mind, Alexandra. Come on lets go get Momma…. And For heaven's sake…DO NOT LET GO OF MY HAND," scolded Adam.
"Okay dad, don't you go getting hysterical too."
~oOo~
Adam, with a firm hold of Alexandra's hand, quickly made his way to the ward where he believed Katherine to be. The Judge and the orderlies followed close behind with their stretcher and all entered the ward at the same time.
"Katherine?" yelled Adam, his tone urgent.
A portly nurse stood up immediately as they entered nosily. "Shhh, what are you doing here? You are not supposed to be here. Visiting hours are…"
The woman never finished her sentence, as Katherine appeared behind her in a long nightgown and burst forward towards Adam and Alexandra. "They've come. I knew they would come. Clarice told me."
"Clarice… old Clarice… Don't be silly child now get back into bed," snapped the nurse her stern tone matching her glare.
Katherine ignored her and stopped in front of Adam and Alexandra and then smiled. She looked up into Adams kind face, and remained silent as a single tear slid down her cheek. She lowered her gaze to her child and fluidly lowered herself to the floor and knelt in front of Alexandra. She examined her; first by just looking her up and down with a gentle smile curving her lips, and tears of joy, sparkling in her eyes.
Alexandra slowly lifted her free hand and ran her small index finger, crooked and gently down the side of mothers' face, wiping a tear away. Katherine then mimicked the action on her baby's chubby cheek.
From that moment on all sound seemed to fade in the room. The muffled conversations between Adam and the nurse, their explanations for being there and the reference to Clarice, a patient in the ward with Katherine until her death three days ago, were of no interest to the reunited pair on the floor beside them. For Alex and Katherine, they were only ones in the room; the only ones on this earthly plane and their universe. The activity continued around them as Alexandra let go of her father's hand, and took her mothers. Katherine stood up and let Alexandra guide her back to her bed by the window. There they sat, Katherine against the bedhead, propped by pillows and Alexandra tucked in against her chest and encased between Katherine's legs.
Alexandra lent against her, slanting her head as she looked up into her mother's eyes. "We've come to take you away Momma. You don't have to stay here anymore. We've come to take you away, so you can get better."
"You've had such an adventure, baby girl. Life's always an adventure," said Katherine stroking Alexandra's curls away from her forehead as she peered down at her.
"Yes Momma, a big adventure, and there are lots of people that have helped. Daddy has been the biggest help of all."
"My Adam?" whispered Katherine.
"Yes Momma."
Katherine nodded. "Good Clarice and Johnny told me, but I knew it anyway."
"Who are they Momma, how did they know?"
"They're angels, just like grandmamma. Clarice and little Johnny; a little boy angel, who once been looking for his brother."
Just a few feet away and having heard bits of the conversation between Alexandra and her mother, Judge Carey suddenly turned from the debate Adam was having with the nurse. He moved slowly towards Katherine and Alexandra. "Johnny, did you say a little boy named Johnny helped you?" he asked.
"Ohh hello there. You're the nice man I met the other day," said Katherine.
"Yes," said the judge, "You look a lot better," he said.
"A little better, I had to trick them, but a lot happier now that my Alexandra has come to take me from this place. I don't belong here and neither do you. Johnny told me," explained Katherine.
"Yes Johnny… I think… he…" The judge was suddenly overcome with emotion and finding it difficult to find the right words or even to make sense at what this woman was saying and what he was thinking.
Alexandra looked at her mother and then the judge. "Jeffery? Is it Jeffery's, Johnny, Momma?" she asked.
"Jeffery doesn't need Johnny now, but his grandfather does."
Alexandra accepted the statement without further explanation from her mother, however was stunned to have discovered another co-incidence; another person connected to the whole journey they had traveled so far. "So you're Jeffrey's grandfather," announced Alexandra. "Johnny helped my Momma?"
"Your Momma helped me," said Virgil.
"And you helped us…Momma?" Said Alexandra catching her mother's attention by grabbing her hand. "The judge helped us get to you, he carried me across the bad water."
"Clarice helped Johnny and they told me to be ready. They helped me to stay strong. I've been trying to stay strong for so long… so long."
"You are strong Momma. You are beautiful and strong and I love you. I have lots to tell you, about everyone, and how much you are loved."
"And how much you are loved, my baby girl… My baby girl," she whispered, as she placed small feathery kisses on Alex's head.
"Do you remember everything, Momma?"
"Yes, little things and some very big things, that are in my heart."
"Well Katherine, Alexandra…" said the judge, "We can't stay here. We have to…"
Suddenly Doctor Shultz and Monsignor Toomey burst into the room, guiding and half carrying Doctor Murphy between them. Doctor Murphy's eyes had been bandaged and the man could not see his way safely.
"Doctor Murphy!" Exclaimed the nurse. "We have to get out of here," said Shultz, interrupting the nurse. "Nichols is not far behind us he has at least four men with him."
Adam quickly went to the doors and closed them, then with the help of the orderlies pulled a hospital bed in front of them to barricade it.
"What are you doing?" demanded the nurse, "Warden Nichols…"
"Hush nurse," ordered Doctor Murphy, turning his head towards her voice. "Warden Nichols is not going to let anybody leave this place tonight…"
"But doctors…"
"Including you or me I suspect," added Doctor Murphy.
"I don't doubt that either," mused the Judge out loud. "I'm sorry I've got you all in this mess, but you know too much. Nichols will want to silence witnesses."
"But, when Mr Kennedy gets back with the law, he'll have a lot of questions to answer… he won't get away with anything," said the Monsignor.
"Maybe, and maybe not. Either way we could be in trouble," conjectured Doctor Shultz.
"Well, I'm not taking the chance," announced Adam. "Is there another way out of this building?" he asked the nurse.
The nurse wasn't convinced that she was doing the right thing, however the faces in front of her were determined and projected sense of urgency and danger. She shook her head in fear, "I'm not sure. It's a very old building perhaps…It was once a militarily fort for the Spanish. Perhaps if we wait and…"
"No," shouted Katherine. "Follow me." She slid from the bed and picked up Alexandra, but tittered a little.
Adam ran to her side. "No Katherine, I'll carry her."
"I can walk ya know," scowled Alexandra, "I ain't a baby."
"I know, but you're my baby, and I want to carry you. I haven't touched you in such a long time," whispered Katherine.
"Please Katherine," asked Adam.
"You're not strong enough girl," said the nurse, "Now come on, we can all walk. How do we leave here?"
"The widows walk," said Katherine pointing to her window.
All heads turned and looked at the small window. What they thought was a short arbor arched window was actually two thin doors. The bottom half and been boarded up and painted. They looked out and saw that it led to the roof and a small walkway that took one to the edge of the roof and a view of the bay.
"Yes, the old widows walk. We boarded up the bottom of the doors, and just kept it as windows. It was safer that way," remembered the nurse.
Adam grabbed a pair of scissors from a nearby tray and started picking at the paint to reveal the wooded planks that covered the doors. Meanwhile the warden and his men had made it to the ward and had started pounding on the doors. They tried pushing the doors open, but were having little success. However, it wouldn't be long until they were through. The orderlies reviewed this situation and then ran over with their stretcher. They removed the two poles of the stretcher out of their sleeves and threaded each through one door handle and then the other, crossing them over effectively and strengthening the barricade; giving them more time.
Adam quickly found the nails holding the door shut and pried them loose enough to create a gap. He looked around for something he could use as a wedge to pry the boards loose. He found nothing, but was surprised when the Monsignor knelt down beside him, and slid his long silver cross into the gap, and pulled it forward. The boards came away easily, once the Monsignor and Adam combined their strength. And, in no time the old arbor doors were open.
Judge Carey grabbed a long coat from a rack on the wall and wrapped it around Katherine's shoulders. He grabbed a blanket from the bed and wrapped it around himself. "You need something for your feet, Katherine," he observed.
Katherine looked at her feet confused.
"Momma do you have slippers?" Asked Alexandra.
"Ohhh… are we going now?" asked Katherine.
"Yes Momma."
Katherine nodded and then went to her bed. There she knelt down and pulled a small valise out. "I've been waiting. Molly packed this for me; it has all my treasures and memories in it." She sat on the floor and opened it up between her legs. "And, look slippers," she exclaimed and held them up.
Alexandra immediately went to her and helped her put them on and then buckled up her bag. The Monsignor helped her stand up. "Can you walk my dear?" He asked subconsciously, checking her color and pulse, and not really liking what he was seeing and feeling. Her pulse was weak and her color pallid. He wished that they could put her back to bed to rest or at least carry her by stretcher to the ambulance that they had waiting below. His medical training told him that's what should be done. However, his faith guided him differently. There was no way he would keep this woman and this child apart or from completing their journey. It was their right and what they wanted more than anything. He understood that Katherine would make any sacrifice to achieve it. But, this woman not only had a determination, but also an intrinsic strength, one that he believed was fed by her soul.
"I can hold her hand, Monsignor," promised Alexandra.
"Yes I'll be strong… We must go," she announced as the frustrated warden and this men began yelling from behind the door for whoever was in there to open up immediately.
"I'll go first," announced Adam.
Adam then led the way through the doors. Katherine followed clutching her valise with one hand and Alexandra's hand with the other. Soon the others flowed, with the nurse and Doctor Shultz bringing up the rear; Doctor Murphy between them. Tentatively, the walked towards the edge of the roof.
"There they are..." said Katherine in wonder, pointing to the sky. "The stars, the angels, we must follow them."
"They're beautiful Momma."
"Do we know where the walk leads to, Adam?" asked the judge from behind.
By this time Adam had reached the edge of the roof and saw what appeared to be the end of the widows walk. A bright star caught his attention and then one that seemed to fall from the sky and reflect off the bay. He turned to his left and saw the extension of the walk. It followed the roof of the east wing and finished at the round wall of the basement tower. He hoped there was a door there in the shadows. And, he hoped that they could descend the spiral staircase undetected by Nichols men and the activities below. It was a chance they would have to take. "Come on this way," he said.
"Momma said we should follow the stars, daddy, maybe heaven is guiding us. With all its angels up there," suggested Alexandra, pointing to the stars her mother continually glanced at.
"We've have some pretty special angels guiding us down here too," said the Monsignor from behind.
"We're going home Momma," smiled Alexandra. "We're gonna get home."
"Soon baby girl," smiled Katherine and clutched Alexandra's hand tightly once more.
~oOo~
The group made to the door when they heard the loud chasing footsteps of the warden and his men coming along the narrow steel walkway. Adam prepared for the confrontation by pushing Alexandra and Katherine behind him, and then side stepped through the others single file in front of him, before pulling his gun, from his inside pocket.
"Get inside," he yelled to the others.
The warden saw their grey shadows, just as the judge pulled on the door and finally got it open. "Mr Cartwright, is that you?" yelled the Warden. "It's not safe for any of you out here. Who is with you? Is Doctor Murphy with you?"
Adam didn't know what game the warden was playing, his voice of concern sounded strained and Adam suspected a ruse of some sort. "My wife and young daughter are with me Warden. I am taking them to St Mary's."
"Your wife is in no condition to…"
Again the Warden's words were cut off. "Warden!" Suddenly called one of his men from behind. "Look down there."
Adam couldn't see what they were looking at. He only hoped it was more help. Either way he wasn't going to wait to find out. He took the opportunity of the Warden's distraction to bustle the rest of his party through the doors, and slam it shut from behind.
"We don't have much time, Adam," said the judge, "We can't lock this door."
"We'll have to go down," said the monsignor, "Let me lead the way; Adam you bring up the rear."
They all bustled onto the narrow landing and got into formation. Again it was pretty much single file down the staircase.
"If we can follow the staircase around, I think we can get to the third floor door landing; where I first met Mr Cartwright. They will hear us from below and from above, so stay close to the walls," ordered the Judge as they descended several steps.
On the tenth step, Katherine froze. "I don't like these stairs," she whimpered, confused and fearful. She could not quite recall all the facts of her journey the other day, but the physiological fear had been instilled in her. "The pits of hell." She pushed herself against the wall.
The others looked on in concern; trapped by her stiff form blocking the narrow spiral staircase.
Alexandra tugged on her mother's coat sleeve. "Wow this is tall tower," she exclaimed, "Hey Momma, its jist like that play you done; the one about Rapunzel. Remember yer done let down ya hair. It took almost a week ta make that wig. Remember Momma? Rapunzel let down yer hair, called the prince."
"And the prince climbed up," said Katherine.
"The prince is already here, Momma; see daddy, he's here ta take yer from the tower," explained Alexandra trying to coax her mother from her motionless state.
"I'm here Katherine, take Alexandra's hand," called Adam quietly from the rear.
"Where are you; where are you Adam," cried Katherine.
Adam couldn't safely get past the others, but he had an idea. "I'm coming," he said. He passed his gun to the orderly in front of him and then climbed on the narrow rail of the staircase with the help of the other orderly. He turned and leaned towards the bluestone walls just under two feet away and laid both palms of his hands against it for support. Slowly he tight roped the rail, stepping his flat palms in line with his footsteps; all the time wondering whether the Warden was going to burst through the widow's walk door at any minute. He tried to ignore his concern and focus on his balance. He had to control his footing on the slippery rail. As he over passed each of their party they readied themselves for a hold, should he slip.
"Carefully daddy," whispered Alexandra; her heart in her throat.
Finally Adam made it to where Katherine was huddled against the wall, his child close by, still holding her mother's hand. He dropped down, blew out a relieved breath as he bundled them both into his arms. "Come on, we can do this together," he whispered into Katherine's golden damp hair. "Just look at me," he said.
The Judge and the Monsignor took his cue and hurried forward and downward. They could hear the commotion echoing from the basement. Men shouting orders, steam shooting off, and a barrage other sounds and cussing as the men bellowed, obviously trying to clear the room of the evidence of their traitorous and illegal trades.
Katherine shook all the way down the three flights of stairs. "I don't think we can go any further," said Adam.
"Well, we're here at the East Wing station, Adam, where I met you before. Just be careful, Nichols could show up any minute," said Judge Carey.
Adam and the others all looked above them, wondering why Nichols hadn't continued to follow. It made them all uneasy, and the sooner they were out of the building the better, but everywhere seemed fraught with danger; above was Nichols and below was his men.
"We can't go down," said Adam, "Katherine won't make it."
"And there's bad men down there, dad," said Alexandra. "Why don't I…"
"No Alex just stay here…" snapped Adam. He calmed as soon as he saw Alexandra's hurt expression. "Your Momma needs you, okay."
"Okay dad."
"This way is our best chance," said the Judge.
"Then, I'll go first," said the Monsignor, as he started towards the door. He opened it slowly peeking out, and then closed it quickly when he spotted the warden giving orders to four of his men. "Shhh… its Nichols," he warned. He pried the doors open a smidgen, so they could listen.
"Okay, it seems we have some visitors. It's probably that lawyer back with the law, how he got back so fast I'll never know. There's only a few of them, but take no chances. So, Jim, get back to your post here, if they come this way stop them. Anybody else comes by asking you questions, say nothing. You've been here on duty all night and nobody passed. Got it?"
"By myself, what if …"
"Got It!" Interrupted Nichols losing his patience. "You two get down to the basement. If they are headed down there you'll catch them; take those stairs, its faster. And make sure nobody finds that shipment. Once the coast is clear, get the wagons out of here."
The men started towards the door, all hiding there took a huge breath.
"No wait," called the Warden, "Better yet go down to the entrance. Find out what those men want… help them with what you can, just keep them away from the board room and the basement. Mack you're with me. I've got an idea."
"How are we going to get past them boss. These are the constables."
"Let's hope they are just looking for the Cartwright's. And let's hope they don't find them, not until we can get out of here with the evidence."
All breathed a sigh of relief, when the men disappeared. Jim secured the lock of the east wing doors, before taking his seat, mumbling something about anyone not being able to get in or out of there for the time being.
"Okay, the coast looks pretty clear we just have to get past one man… We need a distraction," said the monsignor.
"Too bad, Izzy's waiting at the front gate," mumbled the Judge.
"Perhaps I can persuade him," said Adam, reaching for the gun he had returned to his pocket. But stopped when Katherine gasped at the sight of it.
"Not Darcy," she cried, "I … not Darcy, he was a good boy."
"Perhaps I can appeal to the guard's conscience," said the Monsignor.
The conversation went along like that for some moments, before anyone noticed that Alexandra was no longer standing next to her mother. She had snuck down low and made her way to the door, and opened it enough to squeeze through and crawl along the floor.
Jim felt a breeze and looked up, towards the windows wondering if one of the high ones along the bridge had been left open. It was enough of a distraction that he didn't see the door close to the stairwell. Nor could he see over his tall bench of the guard station. If he had he would have seen a small child crawling towards him, before sitting flat against the bench and under the narrow recess of the bench top.
Alexandra waited until the silence set in and all she could hear was the beating of her own heart. She spotted the slight crack in the stairwell and could see a slither of a face peering at her, she couldn't confirm any facial features but the glare was pretty familiar, she knew it was her father staring out at her.
Alex crawled slowly around to the side of the bench and spotted the guard sitting up on a stool of some sort, his legs crossed at the ankles as they rested on the bottom rungs. The guard at the desk above her started shuffling papers, obviously not worried about any intruders, or perhaps he was starting to put on a good front should Mr Kennedy return with the law. Alexandra laid flat on her stomach and shuffled forward a few inches until she was in arms reach of the man's shoes and the bottom rung. She slowly and carefully untied his shoe laces crossed them over and then tied them to the bottom rung on the stool. Then as carefully as she had gone before, she reversed until she was once again sitting flat against the bench, under it and out of sight of the guard. She look at the eyes peering at her, smiled and gave her father the thumbs up.
Adam pulled his gun from his coat pocket and held it close by his side in case the guard was armed or raised an alarm to their presence. Katherine grabbed his other hand and squeezed between him and the Monsignor.
The Judge stayed back, letting the others pass. Earlier they had decided that he was the biggest threat to the warden's plans, the judge knew too much. At this point in time the warden could not have been sure if the judge was actually with them or had escaped by himself earlier. But by now the warden was aware of the confrontation between Doctor Shultz and Murphy, and was most likely never going to let them go until he himself was safe from the authorities. Nichols was never going to let the Judge go free and if they were found together they would all come to an unsavoury end. So with that in mind, it was felt that the judge should try and remain out of sight during any confrontation unless it got dangerous for them all.
"Alexandra," called Katherine once she cleared the door.
"Momma!" yelled Alexandra as she got up and ran to her mother.
The startled guard jumped to his feet, and hollered a warning. "Stop, you…" He never got to finish his sentence as when he tried to step away from his desk and around the bench, he dragged the stool with him. It tipped over and hit him in the back. Being tied to the stool so closely meant that the man buckled at the waist, fell forward and slammed his face flat into the bench in front of him.
Alexandra turned when she heard his warning and cringed when she heard the 'oofff' from the man.
The guard lifted his head just above the bench, his eyes rolled and his body swayed, before face planting the bench again.
"Mission accomplished!" declared Alexandra. "The coast is clear, everybody."
The Monsignor checked the guard while the others gathered around the bench. "He's fine, though he's out like a light. He'll have nasty headache in the morning."
"Hey well-done kid," cheered one of the orderlies.
"Don't encourage her," scowled Adam. "Alexandra that was…"
"Dangerous…" Interrupted her mother. "How many times has grandmama told you not to play pranks on the cast and crew? Consider yourself restricted for a week, Alex. And I can't promise that Ivan won't have something extra to say about it when he finds out; you know what happened last time."
Alexandra smiled and nodded. "Sorry Momma. No more pranks, I promise," she added for her father's benefit as well.
Adam pursed his lips and shook his head.
"Stop there all of you!" came an echoed call from the end of the hall way and their intended escape.
Adam instinctively put both Alexandra and Katherine behind him. The Monsignor and the judge stepped forward to stand beside him. Doctor Shultz and the nurse held Doctor Murphy tightly between them once again, and the two orderlies moved to either side of the group. Adam held his gun loose by his thigh and waited for the source of the voices to come into view.
~oOo~
Adams eyes went wide when Maverick's face was the first to appear around the corner. He was followed quickly by several constables with two of Nichol's men in custody.
"Maverick! What the hell?"
"Ohh, daddy you're not allowed to use that word," scolded Alexandra.
"I was on my here to find Jai's uncle. Hop Ming told me something this afternoon that had me concerned. I didn't tell Samantha, but I needed to speak with the man; make an offer. I was told he was attending a board meeting here. I recognized the name of the place. My instincts told me that I should seek the man out, but not without the law. Then we met your lawyer, Mr Kennedy, on the road outside. He told us that you were being purposely delayed. He went on for more men, they should arrive any time."
"How did you get up here, Brett?"
"There was no one in the foyer. We saw these two…" said Maverick indicating Nichol's men. "When they saw us they ran. So, we stopped them." He smiled.
The judge stepped forward. "Mr Maverick, constables. My name is Judge Virgil Carey. I have been missing for a week and held here against my will. Monsignor Toomey can attest to my identity. There have been plenty of crimes committed here tonight and over the last six months. I suggest you arrest the guards and any board members you come across. But, most of all find Nichols," said the judge.
"And Wang," added Maverick. "He took custody of Jai this afternoon. I couldn't do anything about it; he had the law on his side. But Hop Ming said he…" Brett hesitated when he saw Alexandra's features look up at him in alarm.
"Mr Wang; he's Jai's uncle… Now I knowed where I'd heard that name afore. He' the one that sells the oppies to the warden. The warden sells it to the miners who pay him in gold. They are gonna give the gold to the soldiers ta fight against Mr Lincoln. They must be very bad ifin they want ta fight him, cause he told the judge to let my Momma go."
The Judge looked down at the child. "She's right gentlemen and they will be moving all they have tonight. You need to get down to the basement; hopefully you'll find a shipment ready to go out."
"Yeah they gonna hide it in wagons that Mr Wang is gonna use to take his wares to the miners and some girls he's gonna marry off to the Chinese workers. I guess he thinks no one's gonna stop a bunch of brides on their way ta get married," announced Alexandra.
"I'm gonna stop them," snarled Maverick knowing too well what brides Wang was sending into the wilderness, never to be seen again."
"He'll be in the basement no doubt," said the Judge. With that the Judge assigned a constable to remain behind at the guard station. He, Brett Maverick and the remaining constables took their prisoners and headed to the basement.
"Come," said the Monsignor we need to get both Katherine and Doctor Murphy out of here."
The orderlies had scrounged up a couple of wheelchairs for Katherine and Doctor Murphy. The group made their way to the foyer and sign in station at St Beatrice's, but were dismayed to find the medical wagon missing. It wasn't where they had left it.
"Oh Dear," said the monsignor, "it seems the wagon has been stolen."
Meanwhile, Maverick returned with two constables and three of the guards from the basement, in custody. They loaded them into the police wagon along with some equipment and other boxes they had taken in evidence. One by one more constables followed with both criminals and evidence, the police wagon was slowly getting filled.
Maverick walked over to the dismayed faces of his friends. Once again their journey to safety had been delayed. "We've found many of your medical supplies Doctor Toomey. Some men are bringing them up now. The judge is coordinating that. It seems they used your wagon to load up the gold. Wang and one other man are unaccounted for."
"They shouldn't be too hard to spot, once they hit town," said Doctor Shultz, "It's a medical wagon."
"Unless they get back and change it over. If Wang takes it into Chinatown we may never find it", said Maverick." I'm heading back in there now. Hop Ming and his cousins may be able to help. I've got to find Jai, before…"
"Before what?" asked Alexandra.
"Ahh …" Maverick hesitated, "Before they take her away."
"You don't reckon Jai should be with her people anymore, Mr Maverick."
"Not these people, Alexandra."
"Maybe you should adopt her," said Alexandra.
"Maybe if she has no relatives and the law permits us."
"I'll be able to help with that," said the Judge as he came around the bend. "But we'll talk later young man; you get going… Find that wagon for us and your little girl."
Maverick nodded and mounted his horse. The horse suddenly spun at the sound of several horses' hoofs and the rattle of wagon wheel coming down the tree lined roadway of the institution. As the formation came into the open space and the moonlight, they could see a battalion of constables leading the medical wagon. Behind them was two smaller carriages and then more horses and another paddy wagon. "Ahh it looks like we have more help," said the Judge.
"And my medical wagon," exclaimed the Monsignor.
As the entourage lined up and came to a standstill, a young women and Drew Kennedy emerged from the smaller carriages. "Ah Izzy" smiled the judge.
The young woman jumped from the steps of the carriage. "Judge when you didn't arrive, I went for help."
"Yes," Drew Kennedy added as he came by her side. "Once Miss… Miss?"
"Devine."
"Really?" Asked Drew Kennedy raising an eyebrow at the pretty young woman.
Izzy slammed her hand on her hips. "Yes that is my name; now I'd be willing to change it, that's iffin you're willing ta make me an honourable offer."
"Ahhh I'm a happy married man… I mean, I meant you no offence Miss Devine, it's just that well your … name suits you… ahhh," Drew blushed.
"That it does," laughed the Judge, "and she is very brave."
"Yes well, we owe Miss Devine a great deal of gratitude. When she arrived at the station and told them about the Judge and then explained what had been going on here, they sent along every man they could spare. There was a changeover shift, so we got a hell of a lot of volunteers thanks to Miss Devine."
Both Adam and the Judge smiled at each other and raised their eyebrows.
"Yes… I mean. Oh dear," Drew blushed again before continuing. "We ran into the medical wagon on our way here. I thought they had finally released Katherine into your custody. But when we pulled the wagon over, I didn't recognize the orderlies. An oriental gentleman was driving the wagon."
"Wang!" seethed Maverick. "Where is he?"
"Over there," pointed Drew to one of the paddy wagons
Maverick immediately headed there to question the man about Jai.
"Very good," said the Monsignor, "Please, I'll need someone to restock the medical wagon. I want my patients back at St Mary's within the hour."
The Judge quickly took over and started organizing men assigning them the jobs that needed to be done to get everybody safely back to San Francisco. They watched Maverick mount up and head for the institute's gates. Alexandra hoped it meant he was going to get Jai.
Doctor Shultz suggested they wait in the warmth of the foyer..
No more than a half an hour past when the Judge returned with the Monsignor and the orderlies. "The wagon is ready," said Monsignor Toomey. "I'd like both Doctor Murphy and Katherine in there. Nurse, if you'll accompany me in the back we should be able to manage both patients safely."
"Doctor Shultz, Adam and Alexandra you'll have to follow in one of the carriages. There should be plenty of room," suggested the Judge. "Izzy and I will take the smaller carriage."
"I'll stay here," said Doctor Shultz. "They'll need help with some of the ill inmates."
"They have positioned constables at every guard station throughout the institution. Until we can establish who is involved, they will stay."
"I can help you with that," said Doctor Murphy.
"Very good, I'll be at St Mary's to take your statement," said the judge. "If you get a good lawyer I can attest to your cooperation and help you get a reduced sentence."
"Though I don't think you'll ever practice medicine again," said Doctor Schultz, "Besides your eyes, you've broken an old age trust, Murphy."
Doctor Murphy nodded his heavily bandaged head. "I understand that. I'm lucky to be alive. I'm sorry for all that I have done. And I'm sorry about my threats to you and your child Mr Cartwright. I panicked, Nichols welded some heavy power over us all."
The orderlies took Katherine and Doctor Murphy to the wagon. Alexandra held her mother's hand the whole way and stayed with her until it was time to go.
"Don't worry Momma, me and daddy will be right behind you. Then I'm gonna stay with you."
Katherine looked frightened at first but then smiled. She clutched her small valise close to her chest.
"You gotta be brave Momma, just a little longer. The Monsignor will help you and then you will feel so much better. But no one's gonna hurt you anymore. In the morning, I'm gonna tell you all about daddy and the Ponderosa and my uncles and grandpa and my friends. Sometimes its hard work, but most of the time it's the best place in the whole world. You should see the tall pines and the big blue sky and I have a horse and I have a chook named jasper and I … "
"Enough child," said the nurse, "It's time to go. "
"Okay…" scowled Alexandra at the bossy nurse, then turned back to her mother. "Boy some people forget real quickly about the danger I saved them from. But, don't you worry Momma, you have a big long rest cause I have so much ta tell you." Alexandra gave her mother a huge hug and a long kiss, trying to project all the love she felt.
Katherine hugged her back, tears forming in her eyes. "I'll be waiting baby girl. Always waiting for you. I'll wait some more."
"I'll be just behind you, honest."
Alexandra jumped from the wagon and watched as the Monsignor and the nurse climbed in the back. The wagon slowly took off after the Monsignor lightly taped on the wagons roof.
Alexandra watched until the wagon disappeared around the tree lined bend. This reminded her of the vision she had experienced a little over two years ago. At least this time there was hope. She would see her mother again.
Alexandra ran back into the building, only to find a commotion. "What now!" she thought.
"I tell you; I am Warden Nichols. I've been locked up in here for months. The man who has been running this place is an impostor. A doppelganger, you may say."
"I heard him screaming from one of the locked cells, Judge. I figured if you had been kept here against your will, maybe he was too; there might be more like you and him," said the young Constable that had been put on duty at one of the cell blocks.
"Well, I guess it's possible," said the judge, "they kept me here for over a week and nobody knew I was here. But a whole month?" Queried the judge.
"I tell you it's true. Had this constable here not heard my bellowing, I would have still been in there along with the insane prisoners they portrayed me to be. The guards never believed me," said Nichols.
"You mean ta tell me, there's two of them?" growled Alexandra as she pointed at the man, they now believed was Warden Nichols.
Warden Nichols ignored her. "I need to get into San Francisco," he said. "I can prove my identity there," he said.
"Hold your horses' man," said the Judge, "We better get you dressed properly first. And then, I'd like to see your books. There may be other patients being held here against their will. You should be able to help with that," said the judge. "It's your duty."
While the judge was explaining his reasoning to the warden, Alexandra circled the man. He was dressed now in prison clothing. He looked dishevelled and dirty but in all other ways he looked identical to the man she had kicked hard in the shin at the courthouse that very afternoon.
The Warden blustered and objected; saying he wished to get away as soon as possible. That the experience had been traumatic and he would be more than willing to return tomorrow and give the judge the information he needed.
"You sure do look like the man who called my Momma dangerous, and crazy and they was gonna keep her here and not let me see her," stated a confused Alexandra. "I kicked him so hard that he yelped like a cat with its tail stuck in the outhouse door. My daddy said that weren't very nice of me and really very naughty, and he done spanked me for it afore we come here. He said that I should be more polite ta grownups even iffin I don't like them, even iffin they are mean, and say things that I don't like, cause they could get mean right back at me and hurt me worsa than I hurt them. Then my daddy says that I should respect grownups and people until they do something that don't deserve my respect, but people should start of respecting everyone at first. I remember thinking that ya didn't deserve my respect, but since it wasn't really you who was the bad man, then I guess I done got a spanking fer nothin!" Finally surmised Alexandra. "Hey dad, I done got a spanking for no good reason, excepting… I remembered everything ya said. It was the dopey Warden instead, dad; he was a bad man and deserved ta be kicked."
The judge laughed at Alexandra's long winded objection. He looked down at her in with a smirk on his face. "You kicked Warden Nichols in the shin?" he asked surprised. "In a court of law?" He chuckled.
"Yes sir," sighed Alexandra, "that's also why my daddy weren't too happy with me. I kicked the dopey angle warden right here…" Alexandra poked the Wardens shin.
The man jumped back and yelped.
"What's the matter Mister?" Alexandra looked up in surprise at her father. "Dad, I didn't hardly touch him honest!" She said hoping that her father wasn't going to think she had broken her promise not to lash out at grownups.
"It's alright, Alex," said Adam frowning, as he walked towards the warden. "You have a sore leg?" he asked the man.
Judge Carey, eyes went wide… and he too went over to the man. He grabbed him and lifted him off the ground while Adam pushed his tattered trouser leg up. There on the man's shin was a fresh and nasty bruise about the size of Alexandra's new white shinny patent leather shoes.
"Ohhh you nearly had us fooled Nichols… very clever," sneered the Judge. "I wondered how you had managed to get clear of here without being caught by one of Maverick's men. Have a good look around, man, because you'll spending a lot of time in one of these places, if I have anything to say about it."
"Ya mean he is the real bad Warden and not the dopey angle one?" asked Alexandra.
"You mean doppelganger, Alexandra. There is no other warden. Warden Nichols here was just pretending that someone else was pretending to be him so that he would not have to face his crimes."
"So he is a real bad man right, dad?"
"Yep."
"And he is the one I done kicked in the shins?"
"Yep."
"And that's the the reason I got spanked?"
"One of them," replied Adam curiously.
"But, the main one dad, right?"
"Ahh… yes", said Adam growing suspicious of Alexandra's need for clarification.
"Soo… I reckon then that…" Alexandra walked around and faced the man that was tightly in her father and the judge's grip. "I got a spanking fer nothin and I'm owed a free pass!" With that Alexandra drew back her leg and swung it towards the warden's un injured left shin and let him have it. "There ya go, mister now ya got a dopey angle bruise ta match the other."
The man screamed in agony, the judge bellowed with laughter along with the others watching.
Adam just shook his head and mumbled. "Alexandra…"
TBC chapter 20: Musings of a Little Ones' Journey.
A.N. well here it is folks, the long awaited part 2. I hoped you picked up all the Dante references and the roles played by those whom Adam and Alex had meet along the way. I guess that's why this ended up being so long. But, then Alexandra doesn't do things by halves. Thanks to Lajoci for painstakingly going over this chapter twice; it should be good. Thank you to all those that reviewed the last chapter. Thank you for your understanding and kind words, your encouragement and most of all your patience. It could be another while until I get the next chapter out, but it will be finished.
