Never an Absolution - Book ll

A Life so Changed

"Any news?" Ross questioned Archer, twirling his pen on his oak desk as he watched his assistant enter with a folder, tossing it onto the desk before sitting down across from him.

"Somewhat," He sighed. "Looks like Mr. Marston isn't too good at keeping his name hidden. Found out he had taken another loan out from the bank for a few hundred dollars, mentioning to his loan agent that he and his family were going to England for a "vacation."

"He was tipped off somehow." Ross grumbled, running his fingers through his hair.

"More than likely. But who?"

"Could be Mr. Van der Linde. Wouldn't be surprised if he's playing both sides."

"We haven't heard from Dutch since Micah was killed," Archer corrected. "For all we know, he's probably dead."

"All I need to know is where and why they went to England. I need to know who tipped them off. Do we know if Mr. Morgan and his wife were terminated?"

Archer shrugged, "I-I don't know. I haven't heard back from the posse I sent out a couple of weeks ago."

"Find out. If they're gone too, then we know they're there to see somebody they used to run with, then that'll be another one on our list to get rid of."

"Any ideas?"

"Start with getting a list of all of the ports on the east coast that have shipped out to England within the past three weeks. Passenger ships and cargo ships. Keep an open mind and see what you can find in other countries as well. For all we know, Marston was smart enough to tell the banker wrong on purpose. If you can confirm they're in England, send Hoffman a telegram to bring them back."

"Yes, sir."

*

"So, John, how'd you end up here?" Arthur asked from across the table.

"Trelawny tipped us off after sending a telegram to the bank. Uncle got the mail that day and came back to the ranch and told us. Before dusk we were out of there and camping out down towards Thieves' Landing across the river before taking the nearest train to a port. Apparently, Trelawny knows someone who is a traveling agent in the state and gave him the information..."

"Sadie." Minnie guessed, a smirk on her face, remembering that Sadie was wanting to become either a guard or an agent of the law.

"Too smart for your own good, Mrs. Morgan," Trelawny chuckled. "Mrs. Adler works well on either side of a wanted poster."

"That she does." Arthur agreed, taking a sip of coffee.

April 5th, 1912

The two families met in the town square of Southampton for lunch, seeing the massive ship that was set to sail in less than five days - the R.M.S Titanic.

"Could you imagine being on that?" Minnie gawked.

Arthur huffed, "Yeah. I couldn't imagine. One day, I'll be able to take you and Isaac on a ship like that."

"Ain't it funny how Trelawny helped design that ship?" John pointed.

"I remember him sayin' years back that he wanted to be an architect," Arthur recalled. "It suits him."

"You're tellin' me," John sighed, he and Abigail now walking along with Arthur and Minnie, both Isaac and Jack walking in front of their parents. "Some of these people don't look too friendly..."

"It's because they're wealthy, John, somethin' we won't never be."

"You never know," Minnie commented. "Say, why don't me and you go shop for dresses and have some coffee? I had a young girl tell me women don't drink coffee yesterday and I hope she's there again today so I can do it right in front of her."