He returned to the office where he found Ezra waiting. He was sitting down at the desk, looking through the notebook they had discovered at the Gay Lady Saloon.
“Hello, I’ve just got back from seeing the Hanson family,” Jack stated.
“I saw your note. What is going on?” his partner asked expectantly.
“Faith had to tell me about her brother. It looks as if he was kidnapped. They have gotten a ransom note for her brother’s return.” Jack sat down across from Ezra and pulled a cigarette from his coat pocket. “We are to deliver the money to the Washington Monument on behalf of the family and see to the return of Lawrence.”
“How much money are they asking for his return?”
“An even thousand dollars. The old man Hanson will be sending the money our way to secure the release.”
“That’s a tall order,” Ezra said. “But I really don’t see how this would fit in with the missing plans. If someone has the papers, why would they expose themselves by trying to ransom Lawrence? Surely those government plans are more important than a mere thousand dollars, or even someone's life.”
Jack lit the cigarette, took a large draw of smoke and looked at Ezra. He exhaled. “I was thinking the same thing. If someone had an interest in these papers, then they would try to remain in hiding until they could secure the money for them. Perhaps that part of the deal is already done and Lawrence can be freed. By the way, did you find out anything new about Stevenson or Abbott?”
The black man nodded and sighed. “We are running into big trouble here. I questioned a few people to get this information. It appears that Stevenson has been working for Abbott quite a while. As for Abbott, I heard a few choice words about him.”
Jack looked up expectantly. “If there’s anything I haven’t heard yet, let me hear it.”
“He may have been involved with the missing diamonds of the socialite Miss Emma Winston. No one could ever pin anything on him, so he managed to escape with his honor intact. He must have made quite a tidy sum in that venture. Then I also heard he was seen with a woman named Ann Taylor. She ended up running away from her husband with most of their life savings. She was later found dead and penniless in a hotel down in New Orleans. Of course the verdict of the court was suicide, and Lewis Abbott was never openly accused of any wrongdoing. There are other similar situations that he's been involved in, but he either bribed his way out or disappeared at just the right time.”
“He must be a man with connections,” Jack said with a whistle. “He and Stevenson just have to be involved in this situation in some way. Is it possible they could have been working with Lawrence to steal the papers and sell them?”
“But if it was Lawrence who took the papers for Abbott, then why are they trying to ransom him?” Ezra asked.
Jack shook his head. “You are right; something here just doesn’t make sense. If they could get the thousand dollars, then that would be enough traveling money to get out of Washington safely. But Abbott doesn’t look like he’s short on money.” He paused and thought for a minute. “Our best bet is to go out tonight and meet with the kidnappers. I’m sure they will be able to answer our questions with a little persuasion.”
Ezra grinned. Usually Jack’s idea of interrogation consisted of something violent. Eventually any man would break from that kind of treatment and would be happy to answer any questions.
“Do we have anything else on Stevenson?” Jack asked.
Ezra put his finger tips together and looked over them. “I found out where he is staying when he is not with Abbott. It took some asking around, but he lives over on Louse Alley in a little house that he uses for business. If the kidnapping business falls through, I know where we can find him.”
“Good,” Jack replied. “Before I forget, did you find out anything more about that woman, Elizabeth Mulholland? She may know something about Lawrence.”
“She is still here in Washington, living in a run-down apartment on Maryland Avenue. Apparently she has taken to working the streets to earn her keep. If need be, she’ll be easy to track down.”
“You have been busy,” Jack said with a smile. He knew that his partner had many connections, but was always surprised on the quality of information that he provided.
“You just have to know the right people in this town,” Ezra replied proudly.
Jack laughed. “The right people, you say? I’m not sure if I would want to meet half the people you know.”
A sound of footsteps echoed up the stairway. Then there was a timid knock.
“Come in,” Jack shouted.
A small man with glasses and a tidy suit walked in, looking about nervously as he mopped his forehead with a small handkerchief. Behind him stood a man with a dark bowler hat and a shotgun held in his hands. The small man cleared his throat. “Are you Mister Jack Blackwood? I’m from the bank and need to make a delivery on the behalf of Mister Hanson.”
“Yes, I’m Jack Blackwood – I’m glad to see you here.”
The bank worker pulled out a thick paper-wrapped package from his breast pocket and put it on the desk. “If you could count the money and make sure it matches one thousand dollars and then sign this receipt, I will then be on my way.”
Jack quickly counted ten one hundred dollar bank notes and signed the receipt. “Here’s a dollar for your troubles.” He handed back the receipt and a silver dollar to the bank clerk. The clerk looked surprised by the unexpected tip and slid the dollar into his waistcoat pocket. He turned and left with the guard following.
Ezra eyed the pile of money, his eyes gleaming. “That’s a nice pile of cash there. We could probably take it and leave this city far behind. With the war going on, I don’t see anyone following us very far.”
“True, I’ve thought of it myself, Ezra. It would be nice to leave this town, but this case has me a little more interested than I thought. Anyways, stolen money is usually nothing but trouble so let’s just take care of business.”
“Yeah, we would probably blow through that stack of hundreds in a week anyways,” he sighed.
“Yes, you’d spend the money on women, and I’d spend it on whiskey,” he laughed. “Now let’s get ready for the meeting tonight. We’ll go out and get some dinner first. Then let’s come back to collect some firepower. I want you to carry the shotgun, and fill both barrels with Double-00. Make sure to bring some extra powder and shot. I’ll carry my Starr and bring my rifle.”
“Seems like a lot of firepower for just Abbott and Stevenson.”
“Remember, I got jumped by three men that night. We don’t want to be outgunned. Let’s also be sure we get there plenty early. It will give us time to set up an ambush.”