Uneasy Spirits: A Victorian San Francisco Mystery (55 page)

As Nate looked for a place to tie up the horses, Annie asked if he knew the purpose of this meeting.

“
When I talked with Mrs. Hunt on Wednesday at the office, she said that it would be good for Evie May to see you outdoors for the first time, since the trauma you both went through happened in such close quarters,” Nate replied.

“
That makes perfect sense. You mentioned seeing her in your office? Does Mrs. Hunt feel she needs legal protection for Evie May? Has Jackson tried to interview her again?”

“
No, he hasn’t. Frankly, after I told him a little of the girl’s history and her strange behavior, he decided that any testimony he did get from her wouldn’t hold up in court.”

Nate got down from the carriage, tied the horses to the rail, and then came around to help Annie alight.

As Nate grabbed her around the waist to lift her down, she slid her hands up his arms, feeling the strong muscles he’d used to free her from her assailant and later to carry her down a ladder out of a burning building, and she felt an unexpected warmth, not entirely attributable to the autumn sun. When she was back on her feet, she said, “Tell me, why were you meeting with Mrs. Hunt?”

“
She has asked me to work informally with Mrs. Gordon to draft up papers of adoption for Evie May on behalf of her and her husband.”

“
I am so glad! If anyone can help that young girl, Mrs. Hunt can. I don’t know what horrors happened in her childhood, or while she worked for the Framptons, but something terrible happened to make her the way she is. And then to see her own mother killed.”

“
Yes, Mrs. Hunt feels that given her own history and their financial resources, which will help her get the girl the medical help she needs, they are the best persons to care for her. I think the court will agree.”

“
Is there any chance that relatives might come forward to contest the decision?”

“
Mrs. Hunt has, on my advice, hired a local detective firm to make enquires back east, but even if she located Evie May’s siblings, she has the resources to challenge them in court. No, the most troublesome threat to adoption might come from Judge Babcock, who has made noises about becoming the girl’s guardian.”

“
No, that would be terrible,” Annie exclaimed, her stomach turning at the idea of Evie May under the control of that clearly deluded man.

“
I think that his claim that Evie May is his reincarnated daughter will probably not go over well with the court, and Mrs. Hunt seems to have satisfied him by promising that he can visit Evie May, with the girl’s permission, and under strict supervision.”

As they walked up the hill to the Conservatory, Annie saw what looked on the surface to be a perfectly normal family grouping, Mrs. Hunt and her husband, sitting on a bench and looking fondly down at a young girl, perhaps, twelve or thirteen, playing on the grass at their feet with a silky-haired spaniel. Annie realized she was very nervous about this meeting with Evie May, not knowing what to expect, or whom, for that matter, she would meet.

As Nate went over and shook hands with the Hunts, Annie came and lowered herself to the ground so that the puppy was between Evie May and herself. She said in as pleasant and neutral a voice as possible, “What an adorable dog. Does she have a name?”

Evie May ran her hand along the dog’s ears and said happily, in Maybelle’s voice, “Yes, I named her Annie, after you. She’s got the same brown hair and brown eyes as you, can’t you see?” Startled, Annie looked up at Flora Hunt, who said reassuringly, “Evie May has decided to let Maybelle come to the park today. She wanted to tell you about the puppy.”

Putting her hand on Evie May’s shoulder, Mrs. Hunt said to the girl, “Mrs. Fuller is very flattered that you named the puppy for her. We think Annie is a beautiful name. But would Evie May herself feel comfortable spending some time with us?”

Annie watched in fascination as the girl straightened, stared at nothing for a split second, and then pulled her legs around to sit more demurely. She reached out a hand to Annie and said with the self-conscious politeness of a maturing girl, “I am so glad to see you, Mrs. Fuller. Mrs. Hunt has told me that I have much to thank you for, not the least, for introducing me to her. I hope you don’t mind that we named the puppy for you, but it made the child happy.”

Annie shook the slim hand that was offered her and said, “It is my pleasure, Evie May, and I am delighted to have such a lovely namesake.”

For a moment nothing was said, as both she and Evie May played with the puppy, who had turned over to offer them her belly. For some reason, Annie felt sad, sitting with this very proper girl, and once again that afternoon she found herself sighing.

Evie May looked up at her with those odd hazel eyes, glanced over at Nate, who had come to sit down next to Annie, and suddenly grinned, a very familiar grin. Eddie then winked and said, “Lady, mighty glad to see you’re doing all right. Maybelle and I, well, we think someday when you decide to get hitched, you will make a great ma.”

Annie leaned against Nate’s shoulder and smiled.

The End

Acknowledgements

First, I would like to express my appreciation for all the indie authors whose guidance, support, and enthusiasm have made my career as an author both possible and successful. A special thanks goes out to April Hamilton, Joel Friedlander, and the members of the Historical Fiction Authors Cooperative, particularly Martha Marks and Iva Polansky.

Next, I would also like to acknowledge all the people who bought my first book, wrote reviews, and sent me personal words of support, since they have made this whole business of writing and self-publishing a complete joy.

Finally, I would like to thank Catherine Coyne, Wendy Cregan, William Drescher, Dottie Huber Engel, Pamela Lyons, Pat McClintock, Gloria Robinson, and Kay Zoldos, fans of my work who took the time to be beta readers. Any errors that remain are my complete responsibility!

Unless otherwise noted, all chapter tags are quotes from the 1879
San Francisco Chronicle.

About the Author

M. Louisa Locke, recently retired from over twenty years as a professor of U.S. Women’s History, has embarked on a second career as the author of novels and short stories set in Victorian San Francisco. She is a proud and successful indie author, and her first book,
Maids of Misfortune
, and the short story,
Dandy Detects
, are best-sellers in the historical mystery category. She currently lives in San Diego with her husband and assorted animals, working on the third installment in her Victorian San Francisco Mystery series, featuring teachers, entitled
Bloody Lessons
. Check out
http://mlouisalocke.com/
for information on her journey as an indie author and a deeper glimpse into the world of Victorian San Francisco.