Dillard Beach Mystery – 57

Chapman studied the visitor, trying to determine if he really was who he claimed to be.

“On whose authority do you seek this woman?”

“On my own, sir, as an elder of this community. I have only just received a dispatch from our friends in Hyannis that this woman is to be taken into custody.”

“On what charge?”

“I am not at liberty to discuss the particulars of the case.”

Chapman shook his head. “I am sorry, Mister Kinnard. I cannot help you.”

“So you deny this Rand woman is a passenger on your vessel?”

“I neither deny nor confirm, sir. I am a merchant selling goods up and down the Sound, delivering cargo to my trading posts along the inland waterways. I do not deal in ferrying passengers, sir. Perhaps she traveled to Saybrook by other means.”

“My information was quite specific, sir. Rebekah Rand left Hyannis yesterday morning on The Caroline. Your ship. The Caroline is now arrived in Saybrook Harbor. The woman in question, must be on board.”

“You are sadly mistaken. The woman you speak of is not on board my ship.”

“I believe you are lying.”

Chapman stood his ground. “Believe whatever you wish. The woman is not on board this vessel.”

Kinnard hesitated, unsure of his next move.

“You may be an elder of Saybrook, but I am Captain of The Caroline. You have no jurisdiction here.”

“We shall see about that.” he declared. “I will return with the local magistrate.” He turned and quickly walked away.

“What was that all about?” Charles asked, joining Chapman on deck.

“The man’s name is Kinnard. He claims to be a Saybrook town elder and he is looking for Rebekah.”

“To what purpose?”

“He wants to arrest her.”

“Why? What has she done?” Charles asked.

“I have no idea, but whatever it is, it is serious enough for the authorities to send an elder to investigate.” Chapman paused before continuing. “She and Ezra are on shore, exploring the marketplace. Your wife is with them.”

Charles gave Chapman a worried look. “What should we do?”

Chapman gazed at the shoreline, considering his next move.

“Did this elder see them leave the ship?” Charles asked.

“I do not think so.”

“If he never saw them on board, then we can claim ignorance. We deny our knowing anything. We tell him, he must be mistaken.”

Chapman frowned. “I do not think he is so easily fooled.”

“Then what do you suggest?”

“We cannot deny she came on board The Caroline in Hyannis. Too many people saw her and Ezra. But did they sail with us? That is one question we can leave unanswered.”

“The crew must have seen them on board,” Charles argued. “They will talk.”

Chapman shook his head. “I do not worry about my crew giving witness. They are loyal to me. If I spread the word that Rebekah and her son stayed in Hyannis and never sailed with us, they will swear to it.”

“You have more faith in your crew, than I would have,” Charles declared.

Chapman gave his friend a long look. “My crew and I have been together a very long time. They will do as I say.”

“Let us hope so.”

“Go below and remove any evidence that Rebekah and her son have been on board. They carried very little with them. There should not be much.”

“That should not be a problem. Any women’s clothes she left in your cabin we can claim as belonging to Emma.” Charles argued.

“I need to speak to the Quartermaster. We need to get our stories square. Stay on board and manage things here while I try to find Rebekah. If Kinnard comes back, make some excuse for my absence.” Chapman turned and quickly walked down the gangway and off the ship.

It took nearly an hour to find Rebekah. She had wandered about, visiting all the shops. Chapman thought she might stop in at the apothecary where he conducted business with the druggist, Thomas Stevens.

“Her name is Rebekah Rand, an herbalist, and midwife from Hyannis. In fact, you sell her salves and ointments here in your shop.”

“Rand’s Skin Balm?”

Chapman nodded.

“Very popular among the local villagers. They buy every jar I put out.” He paused, then continued, “What does this Rand woman look like?”

“About five foot seven, thin, with reddish hair and she would have a young boy with her.”

Stevens shook his head. “Sorry, Captain. I have not seen the woman, though I would be happy to meet her and find out how she makes the ointment.”

Chapman ignored the remark.

“Do me this favor, if anyone should come into your shop and ask, you have not seen her. You do not know the woman.” He placed a short stack of silver coins on the counter. “Do we understand each other?” he asked.

The druggist gave a slight nod and quickly picked up the coins. “I know nothing about such a woman and her boy, sir.”

“If you do happen to see her, please tell her the Captain is waiting at the new trading post. She is not to return to The Caroline.”

The druggist agreed.