Chapter 7 #3
The Lucky Bull turned out to be a rather large building with three stories and a stable around the back.
It wasn’t far from the main street, and the proprietress, Mrs. Sparks, was very friendly.
She let them leave the horses in her stable for a modest fee while they conducted their business.
From the way she greeted them all, it was clear that the Unity folk spent quite a bit of money there.
Clary spent some time with the groom, a young man named Neville, making sure the horses were well cared for. Then she joined the group from Unity.
When she reached them standing in the drive, she instantly felt that something was off. They had been talking softly with their heads together as though discussing secrets. When Clary approached, Lucy spoke up loudly.
“Should we really be worrying about the fire?” she asked, wrinkling her nose. “The bucket line seems to have it well in hand.”
“Yes, but what about the folks who were staying there?” Dorothy asked. “What happened to them?”
Mrs. Sparks had come up behind them quietly.
“Oh, I can tell you that,” she said brightly. “Several made it out with their belongings and are now staying here. I hate to see Carl out of business. The poor man. At least we’re here to pick up the slack.”
“Well, this might turn out to be a stroke of luck. Is Mr. Douglas staying here?” Dorothy asked, an eager look in her eyes.
Mrs. Sparks gestured for them to follow her into the inn.
She led them through the doors to the reception, which was clean and polished.
It was a neat, well set-up space, and Clary wondered what the rooms looked like upstairs.
If they were like the reception, then they would be very nice and comfortable indeed.
Mrs. Sparks checked her ledger at the front desk. “Is he a friend of yours?”
“Yes,” Dorothy said. “He’s my father.”
“Oh, well then,” Mrs. Sparks ran her long finger down the list of names. “I believe Mr. Douglas is staying here. Yes, I think he’s in the dining room right now, having a drink with my husband.”
A look that Clary didn’t understand passed between the others. Even Thomas seemed to understand the significance of finding this man.
“Shouldn’t we go to the post office?” Clary asked Thomas.
“You said it was urgent that you reach Luke.” She was beginning to lose her patience with all of these secret looks.
Did they think she wasn’t trustworthy? Surely they had to know that she was on their side.
Perhaps if she got Thomas alone, she could find out what was really going on.
Thomas seemed to suddenly recall why they were there and nodded. “Yes. Yes, I must send Luke a message at once. We’ll be back.”
“Of course. Go,” Lucy said. “I hope everything is all right.”
“Thanks,” Thomas said, and he and Clary left the inn.
They walked up the street together. He offered Clary his arm, and she took it happily, grateful to have him there.
Despite the chaos on the main street, the side streets were oddly devoid of the noise and insanity that was so prevalent in other parts of town.
“So, who is this Mr. Douglas?” Clary asked when they had gone up the street and the others were no longer outside the inn. “He seems to be important to everyone, not just Dorothy.”
“He is,” Thomas said thoughtfully. “If he had been caught in the fire, that would have been catastrophic. And if the fire was set to get rid of him, then that is also terrible. There is no great scenario here.” He seemed to be trying to work something out in his head that he wasn’t telling her about.
“What? Why would someone set a fire to get him?” Clary asked, feeling completely lost.
“Because,” Thomas began but stopped. “Look, there are things I haven’t told you yet. Things that are vital for Unity’s safety and the town’s future. I can’t go into it now, not out here on the street.” He looked around as though expecting bogeymen to jump at him from every alley.
“Thomas,” Clary said, a little exasperated. “You’re being cryptic.”
“I know, and I will explain. We just need to send the telegram and get somewhere safe,” Thomas said. He patted her arm, which felt both condescending and caring at the same time. “I promise I’ll tell you everything as soon as I can.”
Clary stared at him as though he was insane. “What are you saying? What are you worried about?”
“Oh, so many things,” Thomas said. He turned to her and placed his hands on her cheeks. They were warm and, despite being callused, gentle. “I promise I will tell you everything in a little while. Okay? Just let me get to it in my own way and time.”
How could she disagree with that? Clary nodded. “Sure. I understand.”
Soon they reached the post office. Thomas gave her a half smile. “Would you mind waiting here? I’ll be out in a minute.”
“Okay,” she said, unsure of what was going on now.
Thomas leaned in and kissed her cheek. “Thanks. You’re the best,” he said, and he ducked inside the doorway and disappeared.
Clary began to pace outside. She didn’t know what was happening. Why was Thomas being so mysterious all of a sudden? Why did he want her to wait outside? It made no sense at all.