The 15th Star (A Lisa Grace History - Mystery) (15 page)

Keiko was wrong and she was right.

***

Arriving at work, Keiko saw Jacks, heading her way to help her open the door.

“Thanks Jacks. How’s school going?”

“
Great! You look terrific today, Keiko,” he said as he held the door for her. “Some of my friends and I are going to the Palace of Wonders over on H Street again tonight, if you’d like to join us,” Jacks asked as he walked with her to the elevator.

“
Thanks Jacks, but I have a lot of work today, a project that I’m going to be busy with for awhile, but you guys have fun,” Keiko said as the door slid open and she got on.

“
See you later,” Jacks said as the doors closed and Keiko said, “Later.”

Back in her office Keiko looked through the next packet of letters in the box and found another that filled in some gaps on Grace Wisher
’s story. She couldn’t wait to show it to Julian.

April 29
th
, 1814

Dear Louisa,

I have been learning the lessons you have been kind enough to send me. I had Mrs. Tommie Lynn a birthing lady, help me with the writing on this one which is why the spelling is much better. I don’t know if I can remember everything you are trying to teach me, but I do appreciate your help so much. I have had my childe as you might expect. He came early on April 2
nd
. I am so sad on what I must share with you next.

Mrs. Tommie Lynn and I kept quiet about the birth. Please tell everyone the baby died. You can tell them it was a girl. Mrs. Mary and Miss Caroline were gone visiting family not expecting the baby to come so soon. As soon as my pains started I went to Mrs. Tommie Lynn's as she has birthed many babies. I am crying so it is hard for me to tell her what to write. The tragedy for me is the baby looks white. He is beautiful with light brown eyes and brown hair. I do not know how it happened, there is nothing of me in him. Maybe because I prayed so hard to God not to have this baby, that he is taking him from me now.

Mrs. Tommie Lynn took the baby in the wee hours, she made me tell who the father was, even Miss Mary, Caroline and Rebecca here do not know. She took my baby to that man’s house so he could raise him as his own. Mrs. Tommie Lynn said he was glad to have the boy as he has no heirs, his wife being barren. They both thought it a miracle of God. I don’t know why my life has to be so sad. I miss him so already. Since you know that man so well and move in the same peoples, please tell me how my boy is doing.

I know he better off in that house growing up rich and educated like a gentleman. But right now I don
’t even know his name. I can’t talk anymore, I am too sad. They all think it’s cause my baby died. Only you, Mrs. Tommie Lynn, that family, and I know the truth. God bless you.

Grace Wisher

Keiko sat back and cried for that poor woman
’s sorrow. And of course that’s the moment Julian walked in.

“
Hey, are you okay? Did I come at a bad time?”

“
No, come on in. I’m alright. It’s just this.” Keiko laughed and dabbed at her eyes with the back of her cloth glove. “Here, read it.” She held it out along with a spare glove for him to use like a handkerchief. He took the glove and letter, and read it.

“
Wow. I sometimes forget that the Indians weren’t the only ones that had it rough. She had a hard life, huh?”

“
Yeah, she did.” Keiko nodded and took a deep breath to gain her composure.

“
Well if you’d like to read some more heartbreaking stories, come on down to my department. I’ll pop some popcorn, you can cry it all out, and then maybe I can find away to make you feel better,” he said as he sat on the edge of her desk, “chocolate or ice cream?”

Keiko laughed as she dried the rest of her tears away.
“I can’t help myself. These were
real
people who lived these tragic lives and my heart breaks for them. I guess that’s why I love history so much. I don’t want these memories to be forgotten or trivialized.”

Julian set the letter down,
“I get that. That’s exactly why I do what I do, to honor my ancestors and make sure they are not forgotten.”

Julian stood up,
“Enough sadness. Let’s go grab some lunch.”

Julian looked into her eyes and she suddenly didn
’t feel so hungry herself. A shiver of happiness went down her spine as she understood that she had the same affect on him that he had on her.

“
Yeah let’s get out of here.”

He helped her into her jacket, and then she put her purse over her shoulder. He took her hand as they walked out of the building. It felt so natural that Keiko didn
’t even realize until they were leaving the building and she saw the look on Jacks’ face.

He looked shocked and hurt. Keiko had never led him on but she had thought his puppy love crush was kind of cute. She forgot that he was only a year or two younger than her and although he had never asked her out on a date, Keiko had known that he liked her.

Julian noticed her slight hesitation and said, “Is something wrong?” as they headed out the main doors.

“
Boy, you are scary good at noticing things.”

‘
It’s my Indian heritage, seriously,” he said as he saw her smile.

“
It’s just Jacks, the young security guard? Saw us holding hands. He’s kind of had a crush on me since I started working here. I’ve never led him on but I could see he was kind of shocked.”

Julian looked down and realized they were holding hands,
“I’m sorry. I didn’t notice.” He quickly let go.

“
It’s okay,” Keiko said.

“
It just felt natural,” he said in way of explanation.

Keiko nodded, not sure how to answer.

At lunch they discussed the letters, and the unusual relationship between Grace and Louisa. Keiko still had the last letter from Grace to read and then to call and set up an appointment to look at the Pickersgill letters at the Flag House. She also wanted to search for the flag.

“
Would you like to go on a treasure hunt with me?” Keiko asked.

“
Sure, are you planning on looking for the star? When?”

“
Are you free tomorrow? I want to visit the Flag House in Baltimore. I want to check their letters and then I want to see if we can make some sense of the clues and find the star. Are you up for it?”

“
Just say the word, I’ll drive. I’m assuming you don’t have a car.”

“
You’re right. Who drives in DC? It’s not in the budget right now. What do you drive?”

He smiled and started to laugh,
“What else? A Jeep Cherokee.”

Keiko laughed too.

Back at the office she looked up the number to the Flag House.

She typed the number into her cell,
“Hello? This is Keiko Zorben, I work at the Smithsonian in the American History Division. I’d like to make an appointment for tomorrow morning to look at the archived Mary and Caroline Pickersgill letters. Oh, and if you have any addressed to or from Grace Wisher I need to see those too.”

“
How about ten o’clock?”

“
Great.”

“
Thank you.”

Keiko hung up.

***

On the other end of the line the receptionist who answered the phone rummaged around in her desk and pulled out a slip of paper with a phone number on it. She waited till the room was empty then dialed.

“Congressman Rivers? Hi it’s Cecelia Robinson over at the Flag House? A ‘Keiko Zorben’ who works for the Smithsonian made an appointment tomorrow at ten to come in and see the Pickersgill letters and asked to see any addressed to or from a Grace Wisher also. You asked me to call if anyone came in, so I am. No. No one else is here, just me.”

“
Thank you sir, you don’t have to do that. Sure I can meet you tonight. For dinner? That would be lovely. Of course. I understand about being discreet. How about the corner outside my apartment, on Lexington and 25
th
? Eight p.m.? Perfect!”

With that history continued to roll into the future.

***

Keiko went over to Doc
’s office to get a fresh cup of coffee and saw Julian walking out with a Coke.

“
Hey handsome,” Keiko said before she realized what she’d spoken aloud. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

Julian smiled and raised his eyebrows,
“Hi
u-wo-du-hi.
It means beautiful,” Julian said.

“
Thank you,” Keiko said, blushing from her faux pas and his response. She continued, “I set up our meeting for ten o’clock tomorrow morning. Bring a shovel and a pick axe.”

“
So you’re bringing me along so you can use my tools and brawn.”

“
Why else?” Keiko smiled. As Keiko walked into Doc’s office she saw him sitting behind the desk.

“
Well that sounded interesting,” Doc said.

Keiko laughed as she poured her cup,
“We’re going on a treasure hunt.”

“
Really? Sounds like fun. Mind if I come along? Don’t look so disappointed. I’m kidding. I wouldn’t want to interfere with whatever is happening between the two of you.”

“
It shows?”

“
My dear, you can feel it, even if you’re half-blind like me,” Doc said as he peered over the top of Teddy Roosevelt styled glasses.

“
I was just wondering how long it was going to take before one of you made a move. I was planning on getting the both of you in that old elevator and then tripping the fuse. Thank God I didn’t have to resort to such drastic means. It’s actually been kind of fun. The plotting and planning, I mean. Oh well, have fun on your treasure hunt. I’m assuming it has to do with the letters you’ve found. Of course, you‘ll let me know if you find the ‘treasure’ so I can pretend I was in on it since the beginning,” Dr. Writer continued after looking at his pocket fob-watch, “I have to leave for an appointment or I would be pressing you for details.”

“
Absolutely,” Keiko said, “This search might be a dead end. If I’m onto something, I’ll let you know as soon as I know.”

Keiko walked back down to her room, slipped on her gloves, and opened the last packet of letters in the box. She found one last Grace Wisher letter. It was in one of the few unmarked envelopes.

June 1
st
, 1819

Dearest Louisa,

I am so sorry for the sorrow in your life. I pray every day for you and baby Georgina. The Lt. Col. was the only good man I ever know. The best man I ever know. I thank you and you have touched my heart that you give me such a great gift in your times of sorrow.

I will treasure the star. And the letter you sent, I will kep as proof. I don no for what I need proof, I can never claim my boy as mine, but I no you smart and if you sees a need, I no you are right. So I kep them together, just as you say. Thank you for remembering me. I pray for you and I love you.

Grace Wisher

Keiko sat back, elated. This last letter
proved
Grace had the star. Proof of who the father was could be in Louisa’s letter. A child of rape. Raised by his white prominent father. Grace, left to mourn the loss of her son. Never to be able to acknowledge he was hers. Louisa recognizing Grace’s loss. Her confidante. Keiko’s elation turned to sadness. How could she be happy over finding this letter when it showcased so much sorrow? Guilt settled into her heart. Then anger. Keiko would find the star and the missing letter that contained the name of who had committed such an evil act. Keiko laid out all four letters and spread them out on her desk. This man may have murdered to keep a secret. Again, if he were going to do that, why not soon after the birth? Why all those years later? What had happened to make him feel threatened at that time? Were there other letters at the Flag House that would fill in more of the story? According to Grace: Mary, Caroline, and Rebecca were all led to believe the baby had died. Chances were the archives at the Flag House would reveal little or nothing.

She knew Julian would appreciate the significance of the letters. She placed the letters in an acid free envelope. Keiko got up and went to see if she could find him. Julian
’s office was down the hall past Doc’s, third on the right. She heard some music coming from under the door as she knocked. She heard the squeak of his chair as he got up to answer the door. “Come in,” he said as he stepped aside to let her in.

“
Did I catch you in the middle of something? Is now a good time?”

“
I have time. I was just deciding on what cuts to put on the new gaming disc. What’s up?” he said as he offered her a seat.