Eleanor wanted something in exchange, and she was not yet willing to say what.
Chapter Thirty-Three: A Bargain Refused
Benjamin met Eleanor in a public room above a stagecoach office, accompanied by Marian Cross and a clerk who recorded the meeting.
Eleanor arrived with Hester’s former sewing box, now filled with loose papers and the damaged silver locket.
She looked older than she had at Hawthorne, with shadows beneath her eyes and a tension in her shoulders that no expensive dress could conceal.
Benjamin remained standing until she sat.
“You asked us here,” he said.
“What can you show us?”
Eleanor placed the locket on the table.
“This belonged to my sister Clara.”
“We know.”
“She gave it to me before she died.”
Marian leaned forward.
“And what did she ask you to do with it?”
Eleanor hesitated.
“She wanted it delivered to her son.”
“Did you deliver it?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“My father said the child was dead.”
“Did you believe him?”
“I wanted to.”
The admission hung between them.
Eleanor removed several pages from the sewing box.
They included a copy of the order sending Clara’s infant to Elias Voss and an old inventory showing a silver locket among the child’s belongings.
“The inventory was altered after my father’s death,” Eleanor said.
“I kept the earlier version.”
Marian examined the papers without touching the locket.
“You have evidence that could help Jonah Dunn understand his origins.”
“Yes.”
“What do you want in exchange?”
Eleanor looked down.
“I want Caleb Mercer brought back to give a statement.”
Benjamin closed his portfolio.
“No.”
Eleanor looked startled.
“You haven’t heard what I need him to say.”
“He has already given a truthful statement.”
“Nathaniel intends to accuse him of fathering my child.”
“That allegation cannot be resolved by forcing Caleb to return.”
“Then what do you propose?”
Marian answered gently but firmly.
“You can give us the records about Clara without making another person’s freedom the price.”
“And my son?”
“Your son needs protection and medical care.”
“He also deserves a truthful record of what is known and unknown about his birth.”
Eleanor’s eyes filled with tears.
“You don’t understand what Nathaniel will do.”
Benjamin looked at her.
“We understand the threat of a powerful man.”
“Caleb understands it far better than any of us.”
Eleanor stood abruptly and moved toward the door.
Marian did not stop her.
“If you leave with the papers, the court may still obtain them,” she said.
