Ask a Shadow to Dance by Linda George Page A

from the lieutenant and leaned toward him. “I tell you, this man struck my niece! You must arrest him so he will not harm her again!”
    He shook his head. “I can’t, Miss Morgan. Without a witness it’s her word against his, as I told you. I have no legal reason to detain this man.”
    Lisette knew there was no use in persisting. She eased Aunt Portia away from the counter. “Well, then, Lieutenant, how do you suggest we protect ourselves from further attacks from this intruder ?” She glared at Andrew, loathing him, yet fearful as well of what he might do to them for testifying against him.
    “My men will try to keep an eye on your home, ma’am. I suggest you keep your doors bolted at all times.”
    Portia straightened her dress. “You may be certain we shall notify you at the slightest hint of any further intrusion.”
    Lisette nudged Aunt Portia’s elbow. “Thank you, Lieutenant, for your time. I pray we shall not require your services again.”
    The lieutenant nodded, then turned to Andrew. “My suggestion to you, sir, is that you finish your business here in Memphis, just as Mrs. Westmoreland said, then return to New Orleans at the first opportunity. Her safety will be of the utmost importance to me, personally, and to the department, from this day onward.”
    Lisette’s spirits lifted. Could it be the officer believed them? “Thank you, Lieutenant. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your understanding in this manner.”
    “Good day, ma’am. Miss Morgan.”
    Andrew started to follow them out.
    The lieutenant cleared his throat noisily. “Mr. Westmoreland, I wonder if I might trouble you to fill out a report of what you saw last night?” He pulled a sheet of paper from beneath the counter.
    “I told you everything. I have business—”
    “It won’t take long, sir. Fifteen minutes or so.”
    Lisette smiled and nodded thanks to the Lieutenant. He was giving them time to get home safely. God bless him.
    They left quickly. Seth had been watching for them and brought the carriage straight away. Once inside, Lisette took a deep breath. “We’re going to have to be careful, Aunt Portia. Andrew will seek revenge for what we just told that officer.”
    “I know, child. We’ll have to be cautious and prepared every minute until that man is gone from this city for good. Let’s get home now and see to your father. Seth’s mother, Sedonia, can handle him for a short while, but then he decides I’m lost and goes to search for me. When that happens, Sedonia can’t handle him at all.”
    Lisette patted Aunt Portia’s hand lovingly. “You’ve given up your whole life to care for us. I want you to know—”
    “Hush, child. I haven’t given up anything. You and your father are as dear to me as any husband and child of my own would have been. Land sakes, child, you are my own!”
    They held each other for a moment. Together, they would meet Andrew’s threats and defeat him if they could. But she knew they would need help.
    “Aunt Portia, can we leave Papa alone just a while longer?”
    “Why, child?”
    “The last time I saw Doctor Stewart, I promised to meet him today at the Peabody Hotel at noon.”
    “Who is Doctor Stewart? Where did you meet him?”
    “On the Cajun Star . He was kind and thoughtful, and I think he might help us if we ask him.”
    Portia tipped up the watch she had pinned to the left shoulder of her dress, opened the cover and read the time with a frown. “It’s ten past noon now.”
    “Then we must hurry.” She leaned forward. “Seth, take us to the Peabody Hotel. Quickly!”
    “Yessum.”
    Seth turned the carriage around at the first opportunity and headed for the hotel. Once there, they got out and went inside while Seth went to find a place to wait with the carriage.
    The lobby bustled, as usual, with guests and with the riff-raff that frequented the lobby, gambling, drinking and creating an awful din.
    Lisette made her way to the fountain, where Doctor Stewart