Wishes on the Wind (48 page)

    Unable to respond, Terry slipped out into the hall and pulled the door closed behind him.

    Minutes later at Lawler's saloon, drink in hand, Terry looked down at Sean where he struck a deceivingly casual stance at the bar beside him. His voice was heavy, his expression tight.

    "Do ye despise me, Sean, for the deceit ye must practice on your own sister to keep me presence here secret?"

    Raising his glass to his lips, Sean took a sip, pausing to swallow before he responded. "It's for my sake and for the sake of every self-respectin' Irishman as well as your own, and I don't deceive myself that it's anything else. Every man in the Brotherhood knew from the day you set foot in Shenandoah that you were wanted by the police in Ireland, and we knew the only way we could use your experience was to conceal your identity. We knew the torment you faced when you were forced to flee the old sod, and we considered ourselves lucky to have a man like you with us."

    His expression flickering, Sean paused. His eyes narrowed as he continued in a softer tone. "But I admit I didn't expect I'd be protecting you from my own sister in the end. And now that you're bringing it all out in the open, I'm tellin' you that although you play the part well, I've spent many a night wonderin' why you condemned yourself to the pretense of bein' a man other than your true self in your own home. For that's what you'll be forced to do all of your life, if you expect to grow old as man and wife with my sister."

    "If it makes ye feel any better, I feel less a man for lettin' ye take Meg's abuse when it's I who should be sufferin' her questions."

    Sean shrugged, suddenly averting his gaze. "Meg is Meg. She's true to her convictions, and would've spoken the same no matter what part I played in the train wreck today. But the truth is, Meg'll forgive me anything, just as I'll forgive her. And for that reason, and the love she gives me, it stings that I've deceived her."

    His spirit aching, Terry whispered, "It's not the way ye think, Sean. I'm thinkin' ye'll find it difficult to understand, but I'll try to explain, because ye have an explanation due ye."

    Terry paused, grimacing as he searched for the right words. "Ye see, me heart was turned to stone in the old country. Hatred festered inside me for the landlords and all them that treated me family and our like no better than animals, killin' us with their greed. There was not a drop of pity left in me when I was finished watchin' me Ma and all of me six brothers and sisters taken by slow starvation and sickness while them same landlords raised their rents higher and higher. And all the time, them in power turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to the sufferin'."

    Terry's heavy features hardened. "I buried 'em all, Sean. And then when they was gone and I had nobody but meself to worry about, I stood up like a man to make the bastards take notice. They knew me name, Sean. They knew that when I called the Brotherhood together, they couldn't hide behind their money anymore, because someone bearin' me message would find 'em out.

    "And so the blood flowed, and I had not a single regret. Had it not been for an informer in the midst of it all, I'd still be there, doin' the work that need be done. I barely escaped the hangman's noose, but the truth is that when I made me way to this place, I carried the hope inside me that it would be different here in this 'land of plenty.'"

    Terry's face hardened into familiar lines. "Plenty! Hah! Plenty for some, but precious little for them of us with a pick and shovel in our hands and coal dust on our faces. Aye, Sean, and when I saw the misery and the hunger was the same, and the sufferin' and dyin' of the babes and young ones still goin' on while no one cared, me frustration turned to blood rage."

    Pausing, Terry took a deep breath and reached for his glass. He emptied it and turned back to Sean. "And then I met Meg. I didn't think I had it left in me, but make no mistake about it, I love the woman, Sean." Terry hesitated, his voice dropping a notch lower. "And the truth is, me heart's as pure as the driven snow when she's in me arms."

    Pausing again, Terry continued. "Ye think I don't know that Meg would never had married me if it hadn't been for ye, Sean, but I do. Funny, isn't it, that she thought to save ye by marryin' me, when it's I who's leadin' ye in the path she despises?"

    Sean's eyes clouded. "Nay, you're wrong. Meg loves you."

    "Aye, I believe she does, now. But I'm second to ye. I always will be."

    Sean did not bother with denial, and Terry gave a short laugh. "The truth be known, I've slept many a night with yer sister in me arms and jealousy gnawin' at me, knowin' she'll never love me as much as she loves ye. And each time, I pulled her closer, knowin' she belongs to me and knowin' she chose me over all the others, and consolin' meself with the sheer luck of havin' her."

    Terry laughed again, but there was little mirth in the sound. "So ye see, I'm two men, Sean. One who's sworn to fight to the death, and another who's sworn to love yer sister all of his life. And if the truth be known, both men are in trouble tonight, boyo. And you and I both have a way to go to redeem ourselves in Meg's eyes. I'm thinkin'"

    Halting abruptly, his head jerking toward a commotion outside the saloon door, Terry felt his warmer feelings drain away as young Chris O'Reilly burst through the doors with a shout.

    "There's been a train wreck an explosion on the tracks! The police are headed this way!"

    Affixing a familiar facade, Terry concealed his true reaction to the boy's announcement with the aid of long practice. Dismissing Meg from his mind, he cast Sean a hard glance.

    "Drink up, me boyo. We've a few hard hours ahead, but we can console ourselves that it's precious little to pay for the good work we've done today. With any luck, Gowen will be lookin' for a new mine supervisor soon, and if not, we've the consolation of knowin' that no coal will be travelin' on them tracks for a while. Aye, we've done good."

    His gaze unblinking, Terry raised his glass to his lips.

Chapter 20

    The conversation progressed in conservatives tones but David was having trouble concentrating. He knew that the vague sense of predestination he presently experienced would have been far sharper were his head not throbbing so incessantly. However, seated across from Franklin Gowen and Captain Linden in the study of Lang Manor where Uncle Martin had conducted so much of his mine business, David realized only too painfully that vague sensitivities were the least of his troubles.

    Raising his hand to his forehead, David pressed his temple lightly and closed his eyes in an attempt to control the pain pulsing there. He had been delivered to Lang Manor semiconscious after the train wreck, and the progress of events after that was still unclear to him. He remembered awaking this morning in the master suite that Uncle Martin and Aunt Letty had once shared, to find himself surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Every bone in his body had ached they ached still but Dr. Hiram Wilson had introduced himself and assured him that, despite his discomfort, his injuries were minimal.

    Unwilling to remain in bed to be inundated by fragmented memories of bursting light, tumbling cars, and a shadowed figure whose light blue eyes gave him no peace, he had made his way downstairs to find his present visitors at the door. His agitation controlled, Gowen had expressed his regrets at the infamous reception he had been accorded, and they had been seated in this room ever since.

    Suddenly aware that the room had gone quiet around him. David opened his eyes to find himself the focus of attention.

    "I apologize, David." Ben Gowen's aristocratic face bore a sincere expression of regret. "In our outrage against this incident. Captain Linden and I have been inconsiderate of your injuries."

    Attempting a smile, David shook his head. The effort was a mistake that set his head to pounding with greater intensity as he strove for a coherent response. "My injuries are minor, a few cuts and bruises that are causing me momentary discomfort. I appreciate your concern and the time you took out of your busy schedule to extend your reassurances personally."

    Gowen did not smile, and David had the feeling that the man had not a smile left in him. He supposed he couldn't blame him. The train wreck had made a difficult situation even worse in the valley, by tying up shipments at a time when enough miners had deserted the lingering strike to enable coal to be produced with reasonable regularity. He knew the interruption in rail service was a victory for the strikers and the Mollies, whether they were truly one group as Gowen claimed, or separate from each other as the strikers adamantly professed. But he was learning firsthand that Gowen was a fighter who did not flinch at the sight of blood.

    "I have several reasons for my visit here today, David. Not the least of them was to pledge to you my continuing support in whatever tactics you plan to use to combat this situation. I find it personally repugnant that an intelligent man like yourself cannot embark on a project of importance in these coal fields without having an attempt made on his life. And I tell you now, I'm pledged to effect a change in the intolerable situation here."

    David hesitated, his eyes intense as he considered that thought for the first time. "Do you really believe
I
was the target in the sabotage of the train?"

    Gowen's response was unblinking. "Yes, I do. Support for the strike has been waning here. Finances are becoming tight for the miners and a symbolic gesture needed to be struck. I think the bloodthirsty bastards would have been far more satisfied if you were seriously injured or killed, but the interruption in rail service, as well as the personal setback your injuries will accomplish, will have the desired effect of instilling fear in the hearts of any other men who might have been considering returning to work."

    David's jaw stiffened. "The setback will be of short duration."

    "But I feel I should warn you, sir, that this probably will not be the end of it." Captain Linden's solemn interjection turned David's attention toward the big Scotsman as he continued in his characteristically level tone. "I've no doubt that you'll be closely watched, and your success here will depend on the attitude you display when you formally take over operation of the colliery."

    The big policeman's warning stirred heated sparks of gold in David's eyes. "I'm no stranger to violence perpetrated by the Mollies of this area, as you may recall, Captain, but the difference this time is that I'll be in a position to fight back."

    "Aye, that may be a problem." Linden's face was grave. "If the Mollies don't feel they've instilled enough fear in you to make you malleable, they'll try again."

    David's expression tightened further and Gowen interrupted their exchange. "The situation isn't as black as it's presently painted, David. We're winning here, you know. The strikers can't hold out much longer, and the days of the Mollies are limited."

    Observing the interest his last comment evoked, Gowen added, "That isn't loose talk either, my boy. In view of the pressures under which you will be taking this position, I'm going to confide a secret I've told no one else."

    Captain Linden's head jerked toward Gowen in spontaneous protest. "You're making a mistake, sir."

    Gowen was obviously annoyed. "This is
my
decision. I trust this man, Captain. Our secret will be safe with him."

    "The walls have ears, sir." The big man's reply echoed similar sentiments expressed to Martin Lang long ago, and David did not doubt that the policeman's words bore a note of truth. But Gowen was not dissuaded.

    "I realize the staff here is new and will have to be appraised as to its loyalty, but David deserves reassurance." Addressing David directly, Gowen lowered his voice. "We have an operative in the Molly organization. He's a Pinkerton man who has been working effectively within the group for some time. He'll soon have enough evidence to decimate the heinous organization once and for all. Of course, his safety depends on our silence, and I will expect you to maintain this confidence."

    "Of course, sir." David's head was throbbing more strongly than before, and he fought to maintain his concentration. His physical discomfort did not go unobserved by Gowen, who then drew himself to his feet.

    Waiting until David and Linden stood as well, Gowen extended his hand. "I apologize again for keeping you this long, but I wanted to reassure myself that you were all right, David. It's my belief that your presence here will be the salvation of this mine and this area. We've not had an effective man here since your uncle sold the mine to me, and its future depends upon you, as do the futures of the very miners who will resent you the most. It was my thought that you might be feeling very alone here right now, injured as you are and surrounded by an unfamiliar staff. You've    had a poor welcome, and in the hope that you'll continue to call this place your home, at least until you've satisfied yourself that you've beaten the problems here, I've arranged for the transfer of a block of Lang Colliery stock into your name."

    Startled, David protested, only to have Gowen continue with a small smile. "It's not a gift, David. The transfer is effective under the condition that you remain in your present position for at least a year. You will earn each and every share."

    Not allowing David to reply, Gowen turned toward the door. "Don't bother to see Linden and me out. A carriage is waiting to deliver me to Mahanoy City where I have some additional business to conduct. The captain will remain in Shenandoah to assist you in any way he can. Get some rest. Your first day in Shenandoah hasn't been a good one, but I have confidence that you'll change things to suit you."

    Gowen paused, turning back to look directly into David's eyes. "You impressed me from the first day I met you, David, those years ago when you were still a boy. I saw reservations in your observance of me, a keen intelligence, and a determination an arrogance, if I may use the word without your taking insult that reminded me of myself at your age. Those attributes have served me well, and I know they'll serve you well, also. If you need me, don't hesitate to get in touch. Otherwise, I leave the rest to you and Captain Linden, with utmost confidence."

    Standing in the foyer, David waited until the front door closed behind the two gentlemen before turning toward the staircase to the second floor. Bound for his bed and the powders Dr. Wilson had prescribed, David experienced new uncertainties, not the least of which stemmed from the implications involved with the thought that
he
had been a target in the train wreck.

    As for the dubious compliment of being compared to Gowen in his youth, David was too weary to react.

    "Tell me true, Sean! I want to know. Did you know all along that it was David Lang who was on that train?"

    Catching Sean's arm as he walked through the front door, Meg ignored her husband as he entered behind, her mind intent on her brother's response.