The Cogan Legend (19 page)

“Lewey, I think the best thing to do is throw a blanket on the floor and cover what remains.”

Lewey agreed.

More than an hour passed until they finished with the coach and team.  When Lewey entered the lodge, he noticed how helpless Charles appeared, not the strong stoic businessman who was his employer.  

Charles asked, “Lewey did you…” Then paused. “…take care of everything?”  

“Yes, the team and coach are ready to go.”

Ann's eyes were closed, and she appeared to have gone to sleep in her father's arms.  Charles looked at Phillip. “Lieutenant, I must ask you a huge favor.  I need you to drive the team to Philadelphia.”  

Lewey quickly interrupted. “Charles, I can handle the team.”

“No, Lewey, you can't.  You only have one good eye, and we don't need another tragedy.”

“Lieutenant?”  Charles reiterated.

“I'll be glad to handle the team, sir,” Phillip replied.

Phillip wanted to go over and comfort Ann, but he knew he would be out of line so he asked, “Mr. Fairchild, may I assist Ann to her room? It appears she needs rest.”  

Charles looked at Ann and agreed. “Yes, last room on the right.”

Phillip lifted her in his arms and carried her up the stairs.  He pushed the door open with his foot, laid her down and covered her, then sat on the bed.  “I love you, Ann.  We'll get through this, I promise you we will.  I'll find those two and make them pay.”  He kissed her forehead and left.  

As he came down the stairs Phillip heard Charles ask, “Lewey, what about Rachel's body?”  

Phillip answered before Lewey could. “With Mrs. Lentz's help, we cleaned and wrapped her in several blankets and have her body securely tied in back of the coach.  Both Lewey and I scrubbed the coach as clean as we could, sir.”

“Good, we must leave by dawn and travel as far as we can without exhausting the team.  Lewey, if you feel up to it, you can sit in the cab and direct the Lieutenant.”      

“I'll be fine; the pain has stopped.” Lewey said.

“Lieutenant, you're sure you're up to this? It's cold, and it's a long ride.”

“Yes, sir, it won't be any problem.  I do need to write to my Captain and explain my circumstance and request additional time.  If I give Mrs. Lentz the letter, would she be able to deliver it to a post office?  I'm on leave but only until Wednesday.”  

“You write the letter, and I'll make sure it gets to the post office,” Mary said.  She then insisted, “Let's all sit down and eat something.  I know we're not really hungry, but we must keep our strength.”

When they sat down, Mary asked, “How's your eye, Lewey? It looks horrible.

 “It's okay. It's getting better.  It'll be fine in the morning.”

Charles finished eating and looked at Mary.  “Mary, do you want to accompany me back to Philadelphia?”

“Charles, it's not the proper time.”

He shook his head. “I understand.”

Charles placed his fork down and looked at Phillip and Lewey. “Gentlemen, excuse me, but it's time to put this tragic day behind us.”

He headed for the steps. “I'll see you bright and early.”

Mary stopped him “Charles, I'm concerned about Ann.  I'll prepare some food for the trip, for all of you, but she must eat, or she'll get very weak.”

“I know.  I'm concerned too.  I'm hoping she'll be better tomorrow.  Losing Rachel this way is more tragic than the loss of her mother.  Goodnight, Mary.”

Excusing himself, Lewey headed to his room.  

“Lieutenant, I hope you don't mind sleeping on the sofa?”  Mary asked.  

“No, ma'am.  Not at all, that's fine.  All I need is a blanket.  I don't think I'll sleep very well anyhow.”  

Mary stayed up and prepared food for the trip.  It took her over an hour to get everything ready, and the clanging of the pots wouldn't have disturbed Phillip at all.  He lay awake reliving the events of the day.

Charles rolled around in his bed all night blaming himself for the tragedy and dreading the thought of telling Mrs. Miller and Tom of Rachel's murder.  He was also concerned for Ann in her present state of mind and how the tragedy would affect her.

Mary couldn't sleep thinking about the tragedy and their long trip to Philadelphia.  She was concerned for Charles and how this would affect their relationship, especially if Ann became ill.

No one slept well that night, and at dawn Mary was rustling in the kitchen.  She helped Ann dress and pack a few things for the trip.  Ann was silent the entire time.

Charles was ready and waited downstairs.  “Lieutenant, would you help Ann downstairs so we can eat and be on our way?”

“Certainly, I'd be glad to.”

Phillip became hopeful when he entered her room and she smiled.  He sat on the bed and kissed her cheek but she still didn't say a word.  “I'm glad to see a smile on your face.”

When Phillip and Ann came down the stairs, everyone looked at her hoping to see a more alert and responsive young lady.   They were disappointed.  After they ate, it was time to get the long journey started.  

 

The long somber journey to Philadelphia began early in the morning.  Lewey and Phillip waited as Charles and Ann climbed into the coach before they got into the cab.  

It was an awkward, silent journey. Charles tried to engage Ann in conversation, but she merely glanced at him as if she had heard his voice but didn't understand what he had said.

At times, Ann stared out the window, and at other times, she closed her eyes and seemed to be asleep.  

Charles turned his attention to the conversation that he would all too soon be having with Tom and Rachel's mother.  He rehearsed over and again in his mind how he would tell them about the tragedy.

They traveled a great distance that first day pushing the team until Lewey felt they shouldn't go on. The first night's stay was at an unfamiliar but comfortable inn.

Ann declined dinner.  Phillip looked helplessly at Charles.  “Mr. Fairchild, would it be alright if I took Ann a light meal and stayed with her for a while?”

Charles nodded.  “I think that would be a good idea.  I can't seem to reach her.   Maybe you'll have better luck.”

Charles met Lewey in the pub for dinner.

“How is she?” Lewey asked, concern evident on his bruised face.

Charles sighed.  “I truly don't know.”

Lewey toyed with his food.  “I'm so sorry, Mr. Fairchild.  I can't eat for thinking of that poor girl's mother and fiancé.  I could have done something.  I just don't know what.”

“We have to leave that in the past, somehow,” Charles said.  He studied Lewey for a moment.  “You would've given your life for hers that I know. The man – or men – got the drop on you. If you would've been careless…” he let the thought hang between them for a moment before adding, “But you weren't.”  Bitterness clouded his face. “Any coward can bushwhack someone.”

Lewey pushed mashed potatoes to the edge of his plate and then dropped his fork.  He shook his head. “I can't help but feel guilty.  I thought we'd be safe enough with the Lieutenant following behind us.”

Charles glanced at the pub's dirty windows, “I'm relieved the weather has been in our favor and the temperature has remained below freezing, or we would have problems with Rachel's body.”

Lewey shook his head sadly.  “I've never felt this helpless in my life.”

Abruptly, Charles changed the subject.  “I see your eye isn't as swollen.”  

Lewey visibly brightened, glad to think about something else besides the girl lying dead in the back of the coach outside. “I removed the bandage this morning, and the cold air seems to have helped.  I can actually see out of that eye again.”

“I'm glad to hear that.  I thought you might lose sight in that eye.”

Lewey ate a few more bites and then pushed the plate away again.  “Charles, I'm exhausted and if you'll excuse me, I'm going to bed.  This has been a long cold day.”

“That goes for me too,” Charles said.  He stood and put a hand on Lewey's shoulder.  He let it rest there for a moment before turning and walking to his room.

Before he retired to his room, Charles knocked on Ann's door to check on her and let Phillip know of the plans for the morning.  Phillip came to the door and invited Charles inside.

“How is Ann doing?  Were you able to get her to eat anything?”

“She smiled at me and took my hand. Then she ate a few bites of soup and bread.”

“Maybe in the morning she'll be hungrier,” Charles said.

“Mr. Fairchild, I'm concerned that in Ann's fragile state she could have nightmares.  Someone should be close by to comfort her.  Would you mind if I slept on the floor or on the chair in her room?”

Charles paused for a moment, “Perhaps you're right.  Somebody should be close by.”

Charles leaned over his daughter and tenderly kissed her on the forehead.  She looked at him, briefly smiled, and to his surprise said, “Good night, Father.”

As Charles turned to leave the room he looked at Ann, then Phillip and said, “This is a good sign.”

Phillip grinned at Charles and inquired, “When do you anticipate leaving in the morning?”

“We're going to leave at the same time as today.”

In the morning while Lewey hitched the team and readied the coach, Charles had the cook prepare a basket of food for the long trip.  Meanwhile, Ann dressed herself, and Phillip assisted her to the lobby.   When Lewey pulled the coach to the front of the inn Phillip, Ann and Charles were already waiting.  

Ann wouldn't sit in the corner of the coach where Rachel was murdered.  The night's rest had done Charles some good, but he doubted Ann had slept.  She looked paler and seemed even more withdrawn than she had the day before.

Charles steeled himself for another long, quiet trip punctuated by sobs that seemed to break randomly from the depths of Ann's soul.  As quickly as the tears broke forth, they would stop. Ann would not look at her father and perceptibly seemed to shrink as the day wore on.

The coach swayed from side to side as they traveled over rough dirt roads.  Now and then, the wheels would fall into a chuckhole created by the erosive forces of nature or hit a rock dislodged from the cliffs that paralleled the road.  The carriage was well made, and the repairs Lewey and Phillip had affected after the attack kept most of those jolts from the passengers.

As they drew within thirty miles of Philadelphia, the coach's wheel found a particularly large boulder that lifted the right side of the carriage into the air.  The wheel slammed down, jolting the passengers out of their seats and onto the floor.

Ann seemed to wake up as if suddenly loosened from chains that had kept her imprisoned.

“Oh, that really hurt,” she said as she climbed back onto the seat.  Charles smiled at her, relieved that she'd spoken.

She returned his smile briefly.  When she spoke, it was about a memory from the past. “Father, do you remember the first time we had a conversation about Rachel?”

“Yes, I remember explicitly that night at dinner when you were so excited to tell me about a young lady you had met while shopping.  You proceeded to tell me that she knew your mother.”

“You don't mind if I talk about Rachel, do you, Father?”

“Of course not, I want you to tell me everything you can about her.”  Charles felt relieved that his daughter wanted to talk.  He was hoping she would let her feelings flow, let them all out.

“I'll never forget when Lewey pulled the team up to the dress shop that Mother frequented.  I don't know why I chose that shop, but I did, and now I'm glad I did.  While I was looking at the fashions, Rachel walked over to me.  She was pretty with long brown hair to her shoulder, hazel eyes and very well-dressed.  She was shorter than me, but I was pretty sure she was older. She said,
‘
Hello, Miss. May I be of assistance
?'
  I told her about Mother bringing me to the store when I was younger and that I had just come in to browse. Then she asked, ‘Is your last name Fairchild?'

“Father, I looked at her and asked how she knew. Rachel said, ‘You look exactly like an elegant lady who frequents the shop.  Her name is Mrs. Fairchild.' I told her that's my mother.”

Ann continued, “She looked around and asked, ‘Did your mother come along?' I had to tell her Mother passed away in November.” She looked sad when she told me, ‘Oh, I'm so sorry.  I don't remember seeing that in the paper.  I can't believe I missed it.  I used to assist your mother quite often and we were actually on a first name basis.  Your mother's name was Elizabeth.” I was impressed at how well she knew Mother.  

“Then she introduced herself. ‘My name is Rachel, Rachel Miller, and I'm truly sorry about your mother.  She was such a wonderful lady.  She used to talk about you often, she was very proud of you, Ann.'

“Then I knew she really did know Mother. Father, Rachel was quite a talker and a saleslady.  Before I knew it, I had several items to purchase.”

“Ann, you're right. Rachel was indeed a talker.  She impressed me as well.  Please go on,” Charles urged.

“I remember a customer came into the shop with her husband while I was there, and Rachel flirted with him when his wife wasn't looking.  She told me, ‘Every time he comes in I melt, he's so handsome. If he'd only get rid of his wife.' I couldn't help but laugh, and she laughed with me.”  

Charles chuckled. “I can see why she made such an impression on you at that first meeting.  I'm enjoying this Ann, please continue.  You're helping me get to know Rachel better.”  

Lost in the memory, Ann didn't acknowledge her father's words.  “She said to me, ‘Ann, I'll bet we could have a lot of fun if we ever went out together unless you have a beau of course.'  Ann's eyes started to tear as she looked at her father.  “I miss her, Father.”  Ann had to pause for a minute to regain control of her emotions. She used a handkerchief to wipe her tears.