They carried Thomas down the ridge on a narrow board supported by two men.
The journey took more than an hour.
Ruth walked beside him with water, while Gideon cleared stones from the path.
Isaiah stayed near the rear with Abel, watching Curtis.
They had tied the overseer’s wrists with a length of rope.
Curtis remained silent until they reached the orchard gate.
Then he leaned toward Isaiah.
“You think this changes what you are?”
Isaiah kept walking.
“You will still wake up tomorrow where you woke up yesterday.”
Isaiah looked at him.
“That may be true.”
Curtis smiled.
“Then you have gained nothing.”
Isaiah glanced toward Thomas, who was speaking softly to Ruth.
“I have gained a witness who can walk out of this place.”
Curtis’s smile faded.
At the mansion,
Price and Ada were waiting beside a carriage.
Ada ran forward when she saw her husband.
Thomas tried to stand without help.
His injured leg buckled, and she caught him before he fell.
For a moment they held each other without speaking.
Isaiah turned away to give them privacy.
Esther stood near the kitchen door with Micah asleep in her arms.
She crossed the yard and touched Isaiah’s shoulder.
“You found him.”
“We all did.”
“Curtis?”
“Abel is keeping him by the stable until the constables return.”
Esther looked toward the house.
“Mr. Whitcomb has shut himself in the library.”
“And Mrs. Whitcomb?”
“She is waiting upstairs.”
Isaiah felt his stomach tighten.
He knew what that meant.
Another room, another door, another demand for silence.
He looked at Esther.
“I will not go to her.”
Esther nodded.
“Then do not.”
Price approached with Ada.
“Mr. Bell, Thomas wants to speak with you.”
Isaiah followed him to the carriage.
Thomas reached for his hand.
“I remember the day you helped me with the wheel.”
Isaiah shook his head.
“I only showed you how the wood would split.”
“That was the problem I could not solve.”
Thomas looked toward Gideon.
“And the boy knew enough to stop the demonstration.”
Gideon stood awkwardly beside the carriage.
Price watched the exchange.
Thomas continued.
“I intend to finish the invention in Baltimore.”
Isaiah felt the familiar pull of a life beyond the estate.
He also knew the limits of that possibility.
“Then I hope it works,” he said.
Thomas tightened his grip.
“I want you and Gideon there.”
Silas appeared on the steps.
“They are not going anywhere.”
The courtyard fell silent.
