The Last Honest Seamstress (40 page)

"You said it."

Maddie looked momentarily taken aback, but broke into a chuckle ready enough. "Seems we all got our problems with them, one way or another. Miss Gramm will be in as soon as she's finished."

"Thanks, Maddie." Fayth seated herself in the red velvet chair opposite Lou's desk, and settled in to wait. Lou bustled in a scant five minutes later. "Hello, Lou. You've put the latest professor in his place so quickly?"

Lou waved a dismissive hand in front of her. "Maddie talks too much. Unfortunately, I'm stuck with him for another week. The next man on the circuit won't be here until Friday."

"Have you considered hiring one of the women from the Christian Committee? I hear many play nicely."
 

Lou's throaty laugh filled the room. "What a dry wit you are! Trying to shut me down, Fayth? How very devious. What a picture that would be—pious ladies playing church hymns and preaching about the dire consequences of immorality and lust. Wouldn't that bring in the customers! And my girls—what would I do if they got religion?" Lou's laugh calmed to a chuckle.

"Hire more, I expect."

"You are so very right, but why borrow trouble?" She pointed at Fayth. "You must play?"

"Sorry, never learned. My hands were always busy with needle and thread. Besides, I've been banned from proselytizing, so what would be the point?"

"That's what makes you so very acceptable." Lou settled into her desk chair. "Well, we're both busy. I don't suppose you came to pay a social call, Fayth. What brings you here?"

"I came to make arrangements to repay my loan."

"Oh?"

Fayth could tell that she had caught Lou off guard.
 

"The Captain told me about it. You don't need to feign ignorance." Fayth straightened her skirt nervously. "Look, Lou, I know that he's been making the payments, but it's not his responsibility. It's time I took care of my own debts. I'm afraid there's only one problem—at the moment my cash flow is tight. I've come to ask for lenient terms. I was hoping that you would let me keep my interest current by allowing me to work off some of the debt."

Lou cocked an eyebrow in an exaggerated expression. "The Captain
is
a liberal man! He's consented to lend you to us?"

Fayth shook her head. She refused to let Lou’s sense of humor rile her. "With my sewing skills."

Lou smiled. "You can't pay me back at all."

"What?" A dozen angry thoughts welled up inside Fayth, but she was astute enough to bite them back. "Whatever our personal differences, I never imagined you to be vicious."

Lou held up a hand to silence her. "I'm not being vicious at all, my dear. Con paid off your debt before he sailed."

Fayth had to fight to keep her surprise and fear from showing. Somehow she finished her business with Lou. Minutes later, Fayth sat in Lou's parlor staring at the promissory note Lou had given her, waiting for Coral. Elizabeth wanted to adopt her baby.

Stunned surprise prevented Fayth from recalling with any accuracy the last minutes of her meeting with the madam. Her thoughts were consumed with Con. How had he managed it? Why? Part of her leaped with hope that he meant the gesture as a way of making amends. Another part feared that he was cutting his losses, and running. Paid in Full was stamped across the document just as if Lou were an institution as legitimate as a bank. Fayth cringed, remembering Lou's familiar use of Con's name, but her worry over it was trivial compared to larger issues.

From the construction bids, Fayth knew the cost of building her second story. Con could not have paid such an amount without robbing a bank, or cleaning his own business out of every dime of operating capital it had. His actions made no sense. Why should he rob his business to keep hers going? Did he have a plan? If he meant to sail out of her life, but had the decency to leave her solvent, had he succeeded? Couldn't her business be seized to pay his debts? Without consulting a lawyer, she couldn't answer the question. Instead, her head kept spinning around the inconsistencies and worries surrounding his actions. Indecision restrained her from action.

Coral walked into the room. Fayth told her about the adoption plans she'd made with her childless cousin Elizabeth, how much Elizabeth and Sterling wanted a child, how Coral would be sent away and her expenses paid for during her pregnancy and for several months after. Coral accepted the offer readily enough. As Fayth prepared to leave, Coral grabbed her harm.

"Your Mr. Tetch has been in here throwing away large sums of money, lately," she said. "Spending time with the most expensive ladies. Bringing them gifts. Buying the best liquor. He's spending as if he owns Con's business rather than works for Con. Watch him, Fayth. Something doesn't feel right about his new habits."

"What are you saying?" Fayth wanted to hear the accusation spoken.

"The Captain can’t pay him half what he’s spending. Just watch him."

Fayth spent the night on the edge of sleep. Morning came as a welcome relief. Restless thoughts plagued her. What did Con's actions mean? Mr. Tetch had to be embezzling from him. It all added up, but how to catch him? She brewed herself a cup of tea, made from dried mint she'd picked from the garden last summer and hung in the carriage house to dry. A knock on the front door shook her from the baffling puzzle of thoughts.

"Captain Bailey?" Fayth was momentarily taken aback by the presence of Con's friend on her doorstep so early in the morning. Worse still, he appeared worried and nervous, decidedly uncomfortable calling on her. "Won't you come in?" She stepped aside to let him pass. "If you've come to see the Captain, I'm afraid you've missed him. He sailed yesterday."

"Yes, ma'am. I know. Ran into him yesterday out on the water. Had a little race." As he smiled, the crow's feet at the corners of his eyes deepened. He swept off his hat and moved just inside the entry. "I'm sorry to bother you, Mrs. O'Neill, but I've come to see you. I hope I'm not inconveniencing you?"

"Me? No. I was just having a lonely cup of tea. Won't you join me?"

 
He followed her back to the kitchen, though she meant for him to wait for her in the parlor while she got the tea tray. But as he seemed more relaxed in the casual setting, she motioned him into a chair and set a cup of tea, the sugar bowl, and a spoon in front of him. He set his hat on the chair next to him before scooping two teaspoons of sugar into his tea and stirring vigorously. She wished she had a sweet to serve him, but he didn't seem to mind her lack of hospitality.

"You have my curiosity, Captain Bailey. What brings you out to see me?"

He blew across his cup and took a sip before speaking.

She smiled and matched his sip, liking his easygoing manner.
 

"I don't know exactly how to begin. I had my thoughts all organized, but now that I'm here…well, I'm a little nervous speaking to a lady. Especially about the matter that brings me."

Oh, heavens, what now?
Fayth forced a smile. "Then speak to me as you would the Captain."

"I don't think so, ma'am." The teasing twinkle in his eye quickly disappeared as he continued. "Truth is, I'm worried about Con. I'm worried his business is in trouble."

Although she should have been steeled to such news, although she believed it herself, her stomach tightened. She set her cup on the table. "What makes you think so, Captain?"

"I'm sure you know Con subcontracts his mail runs to me when he can't make them."

She nodded.
Oh, no, here came the demand for payment.

"When Con got the government contract last summer we entered into a gentleman's agreement, just shook hands. No paperwork, didn't need any. I've known Con since he was fourteen."

She nodded again, unsure where the conversation was leading.

"Are you familiar with the way government contracts work?"

"No, I can't say that I am."

Captain Bailey nodded. "Then I'd better explain. We bid on government mail subsidies. The powers-that-be select a contractor and specify an amount they will pay him to deliver the mail. It's up to the contractor to make sure the mail's delivered. Doesn't matter if he's sick, or his boat breaks down, the mail must be delivered. That's why we all have subcontractors. Men available to make our runs when we can't. Government lets us choose them and set the rates we pay them ourselves. Only stipulation is that subcontractors be certified."

"I see. You're my husband's subcontractor and you shook on the rate he would pay you for each run you make for him. What has aroused your concern?"

"I'm coming to that. Con agreed to pay me almost what the government pays him. It's a generous offer; most contractors keep more profit for themselves. Myself, I think he felt a little guilty for beating me out for the deal." He winked and set his own cup down. "Couldn't have a better friend than Con.

"Well, the point is, Con was as good as his word until yesterday. I went in to get my money from Tetch and he hands me a draft for a considerable amount less than I'm used to. Gives me a story along with it that Con has instructed him to reduce my payments. Business is slow and he's in trouble. Tetch tells me Con knew I'd understand." He paused. "So you can see why I'm concerned."

Fayth had a hard time concentrating on Captain Bailey's explanation. Too many thoughts jumbled and tumbled through her at once. What did Captain Bailey mean to imply?
 

"I can understand that you're upset about not getting what's owed you. I give you my word that we'll find a way to pay you what's due."

Bailey shook his head. "I don't want the money. You couldn't make me take it. Hell, I'd write the whole amount off for Con's sake. Pardon my language, ma'am." He watched her closely, as if looking for understanding.
 

When none came, he continued. "You must not realize the character of your husband. Con would never go back on his word. He'd let his whole business go to the devil rather than cheat a friend. His business is in trouble all right. Tetch is boldly skimming from the company coffers. This time at my expense. At who else's, I can't say."

Fayth went nearly lightheaded with excitement. Confirmation of Tetch's embezzling so quickly? But maybe Captain Bailey made a hasty assumption of guilt like Coral had yesterday. "How can you be so sure? Maybe the Captain did tell him—"

"Sorry to interrupt you, ma'am. But in the first place, Con would never back out of a deal. In the second, if he ever were to, he'd talk to me directly. We saw each other out on the water yesterday and he made no mention of it. And it's not like he'd forget it. Con's always been too blasted responsible."

Fayth remembered waking on the
Aurnia
the day after the fire, the
Eliza
snuggled next to it. Remembered the two friends shouting in friendly conversation from deck to deck, uninhibited. She believed Captain Bailey, but she had to pursue the truth.
 

"Why would Mr. Tetch steal from my husband now? He's employed him for years. I trust his opinion of people enough to believe he would have fired Mr. Tetch long ago if there had been any indication of this in the past." She held back her unfavorable opinion of Mr. Tetch, as well as Con's tolerance of him.

Captain Bailey chuckled and took another sip of tea. "I'm glad you have faith in my friend, but it's clear you don't know the half of the situation. Your trust is misplaced. Tetch has stolen from Con for years, with Con's tacit approval. But it's been petty stuff."

"No, I don't believe you." She stared at him, stunned.
 

Captain Bailey looked amused as he continued to drink his tea.
 

Fayth blushed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to call you a liar, but I don't understand."

"There's not much to understand. Tetch's father gave Con his start. Since then Con's felt he owed him, so he took Tetch on. Con has always been good-natured and generous. Money never meant much to him. Once he bought the boat, he had all he really wanted. As long as Tetch stayed within reasonable bounds and remained discreet, he let him take it. Saved Con having to give him a raise, so Con joked." Captain Bailey set his cup down.
 

His tone became serious. "Do you understand my concern now? The minute Con leaves town, Tetch starts his stealing. This time it's not just petty cash we're talking about. And he's stopped any pretense of discretion. In fact, it boils my blood to think of him lying in Con's name."
 

Captain Bailey flushed with anger. "I don't think Con suspects how greedy Tetch has apparently become." He shook his head in disillusionment. "And I don't think he believes Tetch would embezzle when the business is in such tough shape. Con's been worried about it for some time."

Fayth chewed her lip, trying to concentrate and understand. "What do you think this means?"

"I believe Tetch is planning to abandon the ship before it sinks, so to speak. And take all he can get in the process."

Fayth's mouth went dry, but she was too stunned to reach for her tea. Coral's suspicions, Tetch's behavior, Captain Bailey's evidence—pieced altogether Captain Bailey's theory fit. She had just one small doubt. "Why wait until now to mention this?"

Captain Bailey frowned in confusion. "What do you mean?"