Chapter 2 #2
Over their meal, Carrie explained Nelson stealing her research and publishing it as his own.
Her hurt over the betrayal left Spencer with a strong desire to pummel Nelson, but of course he wouldn’t.
However, he was quite happy to hear she’d ended her relationship with the man.
He’d never liked him and felt he was always up to something underhanded, not that Carrie had ever spoken against him until today.
Now Spencer knew why the man made him feel that way.
“I really thought we had something special,” she said, pulling apart a piece of bread to dunk in her stew. “I thought he believed in me.”
“He did, but only so far as it helped him get ahead. That’s not your fault.
He’s a trickster and a thief. Men like that think only about what will make their own lives easier.
Stealing your research was a simple matter for him.
He knew the public would be far more accepting of new insight coming from a man.
If you dared to say anything about it, he could merely point to you being a woman to have you disbelieved.
He could even say you’re just jealous of his brilliance and ability. ”
“I know. I thought of hiring a lawyer to go to the journal and explain my situation but figured no one would care. They’d think me simply a scorned woman because I’m sure Oswald will tell the world he ended our engagement.
He threatened me. Told me he’d make certain to ruin my career.
I don’t know what to think or do. Well, I do in part.
I’m going back to Cheyenne and my family.
At least for a time. I need to be away from this place. ”
Spencer didn’t like hearing her plans to leave. “I wish you wouldn’t go.”
“I live in the very building where Oswald lives. I’m sure to run into him and have no desire to do so.
I feel certain that he believes once I calm down, I’ll come crawling back.
Or that I’ll be at ease enough that he can come to me and beg my forgiveness.
He’ll promise me equality and assure me that he will never again steal my findings.
But I know better. He’s already done it more times than I care to admit.
” She shook her head. “I have no feelings left for him but anger and frustration.” She paused and lowered her gaze to the table. “I don’t believe it. He’s here.”
Spencer looked behind him and saw Dr. Nelson approaching their table. “Don’t worry, Carrie. I’ll keep you safe.”
“I can’t believe you’d be seen in a dump like this,” Nelson said as he stopped at the table. “I’ve been searching for you everywhere. I even went to that ridiculous theater where you playact. Someone mentioned you might be here.”
“There’s absolutely no reason that you should have been looking for me,” Carrie replied, looking up to meet his gaze. “I have nothing to say to you, Oswald.”
“I think we have a great deal to say. All of this is just a misunderstanding. You need to put aside your pride and come back to the clinic in the morning. We’ll forget all about this, including your indiscretion with this . . . man.”
“Spencer is a good friend to me. He’s never played me false, unlike you. So please just go. I have nothing more to say to you.”
Carrie’s blue eyes narrowed. Spencer wasn’t sure what a rage of anger from this woman might look like, but there was no sense in letting her be the one to make a scene. That would only give Nelson a sense of power over her.
Spencer got to his feet and gave Oswald Nelson a small push.
It was just enough to put his body between Carrie and Nelson.
“I’m afraid you are interrupting our dinner.
I’m going to ask you nicely to leave now.
If you choose to go, then nothing further will be said or done.
If, however, you desire to fight, then I can guarantee you a beating that you’ll always remember. ”
Nelson’s eyes widened, and even in the dim lighting, Spencer could see him pale. Nelson seemed to consider the matter, then backed away another step.
“Carrie, this isn’t over. Letters are rolling in regarding the article. Several universities back east would like to hold a symposium on our findings. You must give me—us—another chance.”
Standing beside Spencer, Carrie shook her head. “I gave you several already. I’m not fool enough to keep giving you my findings. Those were my findings—not ours, not yours. I’ll be interested to see what you come up with on your own, Oswald. I think your colleagues will be as well.”
“We can change the world together, Carrie. This man can’t give you what I can.”
“I don’t want what you have to give. Spencer gives me honesty and kindness. I trust him far more than I trust you. He has never stolen from me. Never sought to undermine me or lie to me.”
“All men lie, my dear. If he tells you otherwise, that proves my point.” Nelson’s expression turned smug, but Spencer held his temper in check. He had dealt with a hundred Nelsons over his career. Men who thought they knew more than everyone else. Men who thrived on deception.
Carrie shook her head. “I’m done with you, Oswald. Go now and leave me be.”
She reclaimed her seat, and Spencer straightened, hoping the six inches he had over the shorter man would add just enough intimidation to send him on his way. For added measure he squared his shoulders and moved his arms away from his body as if to prepare for throwing a punch.
Nelson hesitated a moment, then left. Only after he’d exited O’Malley’s altogether did Spencer return to his side of the table.
“I’m sorry about that,” Carrie said, obviously unhappy at the situation.
“Forget about it and him.”
“I just know he’ll be waiting at my apartment.”
“Then I’ll walk you home and see you safely inside.” Spencer smiled. “Don’t let him ruin the evening for you. He already took the day.”
She nodded. “You’re right, of course. I’m not sorry to have ended the engagement, but I will miss my patients. They’re good people, and helping them has been so fulfilling. I plan to continue studying on my own, but it won’t be the same. Cheyenne has nothing like this going on.”
“Then why return there?”
“My family is there. I haven’t made myself very available to them over the last few years. My research has taken all of my attention. I know they miss me. My folks came just last year to see me. When they left, I thought my mother would never stop crying.”
“I lost my mother when I was fifteen. I’d give anything for more time with her, so I can understand how you might feel.”
Carrie reached out and put her hand atop his. “I will regret losing you as a friend.”
“You’ll never lose me, Carrie. I’ll always be your friend.”
“Oh, I know, but I mean leaving here and not working with you at the theater. Not being able to talk to you. I’ve really enjoyed our evening together, despite Oswald’s interference. I always find it easy to talk to you.”
“Would you two be wantin’ anything else?” an older woman asked, interrupting the tender moment. Apparently Eileen was busy elsewhere.
Spencer looked to Carrie, who was already gathering her cloak and purse. He fished money out of his pocket and handed it to the woman. “No, I guess we’re done here.”
He followed Carrie to the door, where he helped her on with her cloak. “How soon do you plan to leave Chicago?”
Carrie handed Spencer her small purse, then did up the frogs on the cloak.
She pulled on her gloves as they stepped outside.
“I’m not sure. I have to pack up my apartment.
Of course, most of the furnishings belong to the landlord.
There are a few things I’ll give to my friend Rebecca because I certainly don’t want to have to ship everything home.
I suppose the end of the week will be soon enough.
I should probably say good-bye to a few folks I know. ”
“Good. Then we’ll have time to get together again.” He handed her back the purse and was glad to see her tuck it under her mantle.
“You’ll be busy with rehearsals. Don’t forget the play is soon to open.”
“I know my part well enough. Promise me you’ll go out with me again. Maybe lunch on Wednesday or supper tomorrow?”
She laughed. “You sound like a desperate man. Of course we can meet again. I won’t leave without saying good-bye.”
Spencer offered her his arm. He didn’t want her to say good-bye at all, but he knew he could hardly beg her to stay.
She had to heal over all that had happened.
Besides, Spencer was in no position to get serious about a woman.
What was he thinking? There was still Eugene Astor to capture.
Until he was able to bring that man to justice for his father’s death, Spencer wasn’t going to be worthy of any woman’s love.
He glanced over at Carrie as they made their way to her apartment. He cared about her. He had from their first encounter. How could he just let her go? Leave for Cheyenne and never see her again?
His mind wrestled against him. He wanted Carrie in his life, but his life was devoted to hunting down Eugene Astor.
That search had taken him from the East Coast to Texas and then to New York.
After two years in New York, he went to St. Louis and now Chicago.
He was always just a few steps behind Astor.
The man was good at being hidden away. He knew what he was doing—knew, too, that the Pinkertons were on his trail.
He saw Carrie to her front door, then tipped his hat and bid her good night.
Thankfully, Oswald Nelson was nowhere in sight.
Spencer headed for his own apartment, anxious to figure out what he should do.
He could hardly ask Carrie to remain in Chicago.
Her mind was set on going home. Maybe he could tell her what he was doing and why it mattered so much.
If he explained how his father had died, maybe she’d be willing to wait for him.
The Pinkertons had already spent twenty-five years on their pursuit of Astor.
It could take another twenty to actually capture him.
If it did, Spencer would be fifty-five by that time.
His entire life would have been devoted to chasing a ghost in order to avenge his father’s death.
Was it worth giving up everything? It wouldn’t bring his father back.
Astor had to be in his sixties by now. He probably wouldn’t live another twenty years.
But then Spencer remembered the look on the man’s face. He didn’t seem at all sorry for what he’d done. He’d left a ten-year-old boy with his dead father. No concern. No remorse. Someone had to bring Astor to justice, and Spencer had promised his dying mother that one day he would be that man.