Rebecca Vale arrived without announcing her presence to the Whitmores.

She stopped at the house of a free seamstress named Miriam Ellis, who had known Lydia through a church relief committee.

Miriam sent word to Mrs.

Fenwick that Rebecca had brought an attorney and a witness willing to speak about missing travelers.

Elijah met them at the edge of the orchard under cover of darkness.

Rebecca resembled Catherine around the eyes, though her face carried the steadiness of someone who had learned to refuse demands plainly.

The attorney, Stephen Alden, wore a patched coat and carried a notebook bound with string.

Alden did not promise that law alone would save the people in the cellar.

He had represented free families in cases where documents were ignored and testimony dismissed because of race.

“A stamped paper can be useful,” he said.

“It can also be a weapon when the person holding it controls the courthouse.” Rebecca asked what evidence would be difficult to suppress.

Alden said original signatures, contradictory transaction records, witnesses outside Richard’s influence, and testimony from the people whose lives had been altered.

Elijah showed him the nursery register and explained where it had been found.

Alden recognized several names listed as apprentices, although records in Richmond described them as free.

Rebecca asked whether Catherine was safe.

Elijah answered that safety was uncertain for everyone connected to the house.

“My cousin has money and family,” Rebecca said.

“She can leave with me.” Elijah looked at her.

“My wife and children cannot simply leave because they choose to.” Rebecca fell silent.

The distinction was one she could no longer overlook if she meant to help.

“Then we find a way that includes them,” she said.

Alden nodded and asked how many people Richard might move the next night.

Elijah did not know.

They agreed to gather witnesses along the road rather than rely on a single rescue attempt.

Miriam offered her workshop as a temporary meeting place.

It had two exits, a back lane leading toward the river, and a loft where someone could rest unseen.

She warned that the workshop had been searched before when local men accused her of helping escapees.

“I won’t let you pretend this is safe because I said yes,” she told Rebecca.

The women exchanged a long look.

Rebecca answered that she would not demand courage from anyone while keeping her own door locked.

She offered funds for transport and promised to write to relatives who had sheltered people before.