Chapter 25

TWENTY-FIVE

CRANE MANOR OCTOBER 1947

Eliza tucked the pen into the journal, then slid both items under the mattress. Her father had brought her home and straight to her room. Where he'd locked her in.

She'd heard the deadbolt click into place before she'd even set her bag on the bed. Heart thudding, she ran to the window and threw the curtains back.

Bars and sunlight greeted her.

"Oh, dear Lord, have I made a terrible mistake?" she whispered. Had she exchanged one prison where she at least had access to Betsy and Dr. King for another cell with no hope of escape or a friendly face?

How was she to get to William now?

A knock on the door and the click of the deadbolt spun her around. A woman with a basket of food and a glass of water entered. She set everything on the floor just inside the door, then stepped back without a word to lock Eliza in once more.

In the distance, she heard the telephone ring twice, then cut off.

She sank onto the bed, refusing to cry. This was just the beginning. Her father didn't trust her in spite of bringing her home. It dawned on her that he was afraid of her. Well, afraid of what she might say.

Somehow, that gave her the strength to straighten her spine before she slumped once more. What if she didn't get the chance to say it?

Well, if she didn't get the chance to say it, she'd just have to write it. Thankfully, her father hadn't searched the small bag with the very few items she'd had at the hospital, and she'd managed to get her journal and pen home.

She itched to write, but what if someone entered before she could hide it and caught her? They'd take it, she had no doubt. And read it.

And there was no one in this household she wanted reading the words in her book.

So she'd wait, see how the schedule panned out over the next few days, and then plan her escape.

Another knock and the door opened once more. This time her father stepped inside. "I've just spoken to Dr. King. He'll be by to see you tomorrow."

Hope sprouted and relief flowed, but she kept her expression neutral. "All right. What time?"

"Nine in the morning."

"Very well. Thank you."

His brow furrowed and he studied her for a moment longer before backing out of the room.

She heard the click of the lock, but this time it didn't bother her as she was already looking forward to the good doctor's visit. Maybe he'd already have a plan and she wouldn't have to come up with one.

She could only pray that he'd really show up and that he'd bring Betsy with him.