The Night the Light Went Out by A.M. Reade

Author:A.M. Reade [Reade, A.M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9798987290170
Publisher: Pau Hana Publishing

CHAPTER 24

"What happened between Karl and your Uncle Horatio?"

We were interrupted by a footfall on the steps. We turned to see Henry standing at the top of the stairs.

"Henry, aren't you able to rest?" I asked. "I'm sure you could use some sleep."

"Can’t sleep. I'll take over up here," he said gruffly.

Jeremiah didn't say anything, but nodded once and pushed past me toward the stairway.

"Be quiet, Jeremiah. Everyone's asleep down there," Henry warned. Jeremiah looked over his shoulder and glanced archly at his father before hastening down the stairs. Was there something significant in that glance, or was exhaustion making me question things that weren't there?

"You can go downstairs, too," Henry told me.

“I think I’ll stay up here for a few minutes, if you don’t mind.”

Henry cast a wary glance at me. “Why?”

“I’d like to talk to you.”

A curtain of suspicion descended over Henry’s face. “’Bout what?” He turned around and took a step toward the storage room.

"What can you tell me about Abigail's brother?" I asked.

He stopped mid-step and jerked around to face me. "Horatio?"

"Is there another brother?"

"No."

"Then yes, Horatio."

For a moment I thought he might not answer, but finally he moved toward the storage room again. I followed him.

In the small room, Henry sat on an upturned barrel. "Horatio was Abigail's younger brother."

"Was?" I knew the answer, of course, but wanted Henry to tell me the entire story in his own words.

"Yes. He died eighteen years ago."

“Were they close?”

"As close as a brother and sister ever were. They were the two youngest in a large family from Philadelphia. A wealthy, influential family. Their siblings were much older than they were, practically adults by the time Abigail and Horatio were born, so my wife and her brother were always together. They were the best of friends.” Henry paused before continuing.

"Horatio had a fiery temper. He did certain things in Philadelphia that angered people. But because of the position of the family, he was never punished."

"What sorts of things?"

"Bad things."

I wondered if it mattered—perhaps the only important things were those that took place in Cape Island. "Very well. Go on."

"Horatio angered the wrong people, powerful people in Philadelphia. They plotted revenge against him. They tried to kill him."

"But they didn’t succeed?"

"That’s right,” Henry said. “He caught wind of the plot and fled, leaving his family behind."

"And Abigail?"

"She fled with him. She was afraid for him and didn’t want to always wonder what had become of him. She and her parents did not get on well, so she didn't mind leaving them behind."

"So Abigail fled Philadelphia with her younger brother. What happened then?"

"They came here."

"To Cape Island?"

“Yes.”

“But there are wealthy and influential families from Philadelphia who spent time in Cape Island in the summer months. Weren’t Abigail and Horatio concerned they would be recognized?”

“No. Abigail and Horatio didn’t frequent the same places as those folks. They didn’t worry about anyone recognizing them.”

I waited for Henry to continue, but he paused for a long time. Finally he spoke again. "They hadn’t even traveled as far as Cape Island the day I met them.

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