Chapter XXI
MAE TRIED TO quiet her flustered thoughts by looking down at the small desk stacked high with paperwork, schedules, and ticketing information.
The conductor took advantage of Mae’s hesitation to sit down in his seat.
He was an older gentleman with graying dark hair.
His lanky frame filled the small chair on which he sat.
He steepled his fingers in front of his chest with his elbows on the armrests.
“Good afternoon, ladies. I’m sorry to keep you waiting.
How may I be of assistance?” The irritation at the interruption was apparent, though he was trying to keep his voice pleasant.
Stepping toward the conductor, Mae took the lead.
The hostess hid partially behind her, and Winona shifted her weight.
“We understand, sir. There was an incident earlier today involving your hostess, Beatrice, and a male passenger in the vestibule between the observation car and the Pullman sleeper car.” The conductor shifted to look at the young woman behind Mae, but did not respond.
Mae continued hesitantly, “Well, sir, he attacked her in the vestibule, and Mrs. Kerr and I came upon them in mid-assault and were able to fend him off. We wanted to bring it to your attention so that you were aware and could follow proper procedure to ensure that he is removed from the train and reported to the authorities.”
Mae finished speaking and raised her eyes to meet his expectantly. After an extended moment, he responded, “This is a very serious allegation that you are proposing. Are you sure the events played out as you’ve assumed?”
Mae's eyebrows shot up before she could stay them. “Yes, sir. It was an unwarranted advancement on the man’s part.”
“Well, this is an unfortunate event which will be handled delicately.” He reached for a pen and paper on his desk and pushed several stacks of paper to the side to make room to write. “Please, if I could take down your names and if Beatrice could relay her story to me directly.”
“I am Mrs. Mae Turner. And this is Mrs. Winona Kerr. We are passengers heading to Topeka, Kansas.” Mae moved aside for Beatrice to come forward.
Beatrice inched forward and kept her eyes on the floor. “Your full name and position, Miss?” At his question, Beatrice’s shoulders curled in on herself. Mae resisted the urge to coddle her; instead, she focused on the conductor’s serious countenance.
“Beatrice Wallace,” she mumbled, not raising her gaze. “I’m the observation car hostess.”
“And this man. Is he one of the passengers?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Would you be able to point him out?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And had you given him any reason to think that his advances were warranted?”
“No, sir.”
“Had he spoken to you prior to the event?”
“No, sir.”
“Why were you in the vestibule during working hours?”
“Another passenger had requested that I tell the Pullman porter to make up her berth. I was relaying the request to the porter, sir.”
“I see.” The conductor was jotting down the pertinent facts on his piece of paper. “And in the quick minute between cars, he managed to corner you and attempted to assault you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I watched ‘im, sir,” Winona chimed in. “Followed ‘er directly. Then I saw ‘er strugglin’ through the door’s glass.”
The conductor’s gaze fell upon Winona and eyed her rough appearance.
His mouth turned down at the corners, and he set down his pen.
“Well, ladies, this is a serious situation. We value discretion just as highly as safety in our operations. I will take the matter in hand and see that it is properly settled at the next major stop. Thank you for coming to me with this information.”
Mae appreciated his firm and fact-collecting approach to the information.
She nodded earnestly and hoped she conveyed her appreciation through her functional smile.
He seemed like a genuine man who valued order and justice.
Surely he would follow through on his word.
“We appreciate your attention to this matter. We know how much safety is valued for passengers and staff alike.”
Glancing at Winona, she saw her companion’s face cloud over as she reached over to clasp Beatrice’s shaking hand. Beatrice still had her eyes trained on the floor. Her blonde bob created a curtain, which precluded Mae from sensing her reaction.
Gently, Winona ushered Beatrice out of the space and through the curtain. Mae followed, dipping her head once more at the conductor.
Mae and Winona had looked for Beatrice all morning, but had not seen her familiar face in the observation car.
A seed of doubt hardened in Mae’s gut regarding yesterday’s meeting with the conductor.
She tried to convince herself that Beatrice was just getting some well-needed rest after yesterday’s difficulties.
Winona didn’t seem as easy to convince of this turn of events.
“I haven’t seen ‘er yet. Do ye think she’s okay?
They wouldn’t’ve given ‘er the day off. There be no sick days on a train like this…” Winona’s worries washed over Mae and slowly eroded her certainty.
They had seen the man from yesterday’s attack in the observation car that morning.
Mae had kept him within view for most of the morning, while Winona had glared openly at his back.
Her vehemence toward this man was palpable, and Mae worried that she would do something that would ensure their removal from the train.
Winona had repeatedly suggested seeking out Beatrice to reassure herself of her well-being, but Mae had argued that as long as the offending man could be watched, Beatrice would be safer in her service compartment.
Winona had ground her teeth, then, looking back once more at the man before a huff escaped her throat and she turned toward the window.
It was almost lunchtime when the train whistle blew, announcing their arrival in Kansas City. As people shuffled through the cars to attend to their luggage, the train’s apprehensive approach to the station mirrored Mae's turmoil about her decision to inform on the man the night before.
She glanced over again at the man sitting with his back to her.
He didn’t appear as though he was getting ready to disembark.
She saw no train attendants scanning the car to find him.
The abhorrent man just sat peacefully, legs crossed, flipping through the newspaper.
His calm demeanor infuriated Mae, and an irrational urge rose inside her—to stand, to point him out—but she forced it down.
Mae stood abruptly and turned to Winona. “I need some air. I will be right back.”
Winona nodded imperceptibly without removing her glare from the back of the man’s head.
Mae meandered through the throng of passengers moving about and tucked herself into the corner of the Pullman car to watch the atmosphere of Kansas City station come into full view.
The slow chug of the train and the cool air radiating from the window calmed her irritation.
With the loud brakes engaging fully, the train came to a halt.
As the doors opened, passengers poured out and scattered in various directions on the platform.
The joyous reunions of families hugging loved ones tore at Mae's chest. She couldn’t wait to do the same to Simon when they were finally reunited.
It had been days since she had seen his sweet face, and the yearning for their reunion imprinted itself on her arms and face as if he were truly in her arms. She closed her eyes and let the feeling soothe her.
She opened her eyes to the platform, and her heart skipped a beat.
There, being walked out of the train, was a small blonde figure accompanied by a train employee carrying a suitcase.
As he set down her valise and tipped his hat, Mae recognized her.
Beatrice stood aloof and forlorn on the platform.
She picked up her suitcase, looking up and down the platform like a deer in headlights.
Mae banged hard on the train window and waved incessantly to get her attention.
With all the commotion, Mae's attempt to attract her attention failed. She needed to get to her. How long would they have at this stop? A few more minutes ? She knew she couldn’t exit directly through the Pullman.
She looked out again. Passengers were already beginning to board again.
She turned toward the aisle of the car and—Oomph.
She fell back stunned from a dark gray coat as the smell of stale cigarette smoke infested her nose. “Excuse me, Madam.” The calm, deep voice jarred her senses all the more.
Mae looked up and her mouth fell agape—it was him. The man was unmoved by her sudden impact. “Ex-excuse me,” she breathed. Her pulse quickened as all thoughts of Beatrice were replaced with fear of this man’s appearance.
“Of course. It is hard to keep order when so many events are occurring all at once.” His mouth turned up in a smile while the rest of his face remained stoic.
“Yes, so many people,” she croaked.
“Keeping order while chaos wants to reign is of utmost importance.”
Mae blinked. She tried to move to the side. People were still filing onto the train.
His calm, deep voice stopped her in her tracks.
“Life is funny like that. Most people fare better when they don’t fight the current.
The more we make waves, the more likely life is to push us down to quell the ripple.
” She followed his gaze out the window, and her eyes came to rest on Beatrice, who was still standing motionless, the valise hanging limply in her hand.
Mae's mind turned over this comment for a moment. Had he masterminded this little scheme? Was Beatrice just a discarded pawn in his game? She looked back at him, and he held her gaze.
“A little piece of advice, Mrs. Turner. I like order. People who draw attention to themselves often find doors closing quietly.” His mouth closed into a flattened smile. As Mae stood dumbly, he turned and sauntered away.
She stood where he had left her. Her hand was settled firmly on the watch. She dropped it instantly, hoping he had not seen her holding it.
The sound of the train doors slamming shut rang out in her periphery while the train began its slow chug away from Kansas City. Mae's eyes shifted to the lost girl still standing on the platform. She watched as her frame became smaller and smaller until she was no longer there.