Chapters (50)
- Cover
- Half Title Page
- Books by Elizabeth Camden
- Title Page
- Dedication
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Thirty-Nine
- Historical Note
- Questions for Discussion
- In 2021, look for Luke Delacroix’s story in
- About the Author
- Back Ads
- Back Cover
She would have to confess everything to Mr. Alphonse if he was going to help her.
“My brother was arrested for espionage and treason in Cuba,” she admitted quietly. “He was consorting with Cuban revolutionaries who are trying to force an end to the American occupation of the island.”
Mr. Alphonse let out a low whistle of incredulity.
“He’s not guilty,” she rushed to say. “He confessed, but I think maybe he was tortured or wasn’t in his right mind. This doesn’t sound like my brother. Luke was always a little wild, but he was never evil. He doesn’t have any interest in politics! I have no explanation for how he could have gotten mixed up in this.”
“Miss Delacroix, no man guilty of treason will ever be pardoned by a sitting US president. Is Mr. McKinley aware of the pending charges?”
“He knows. I told him the day I learned of it and offered my resignation. He wouldn’t take it.”
“I think it would be best if I return your retainer,” Mr. Alphonse said. “I see no possibility of winning a pardon for your brother.”
“I won’t take it. I’m going to get that pardon.”
“Not before the election. Even if McKinley wins a second term, I don’t see him endangering his reputation until his very last week in office. You are in for a long wait.”
Caroline swallowed hard at the news. She couldn’t risk Luke’s freedom on the outcome of an election. If Mr. Alphonse wouldn’t help her get a presidential pardon, she would pursue one on her own.
The only person Caroline completely trusted to help with Luke’s situation was her older brother, Gray Delacroix. He was in charge of their family’s spice company, which had given him the freedom to go to Cuba several times over the three months since Luke’s arrest. He had returned from his latest visit only a few days ago, but duties kept Caroline trapped in the White House until Sunday afternoon, when she hired a carriage to take her to their family’s townhouse in nearby Alexandria.
“How’s Luke?” she asked the moment she took a seat across from Gray’s desk. With his dark coloring and serious face, he was practically a replica of their father. At forty, Gray was twelve years older than Caroline and Luke and the natural leader in their family.
“He’s being difficult,” Gray said bluntly. “He fired the attorney I hired for him and insists on maintaining his guilty plea. He also rejected my attempts to get him transferred to the American prison.”