She smiled. “Morning.”
“My goodness. I didn’t know that was you.”
“Meet Miss Ezra,” she said, moving her attention to his son and wondering what he was thinking. Like his father, he was staring mouth agape.
“I saved you some breakfast. Sit and eat,” her mother invited.
“Let me remove this paint first and I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll come with you, I need to speak with you a minute.” Hazel rose to her feet. “Excuse me, gentlemen. I’ll be right back.”
Still holding her shoes, Raven unconsciously sought Brax’s gaze again before she exited with her mother.
In her bedroom, Raven asked her mother, “What did you want to speak to me about?”
“A note I received this morning after you left. I need to read it to you.”
Embarrassment crept over Raven. She’d quit school at the age of nine and was not a proficient reader. As a consequence, she avoided thewritten word whenever possible. Her mother knew her child and said, “You know you can go back to school.”
Raven sighed. They’d had this conversation more than a few times. “I’m too old to be in a schoolroom with little children reading out of a primer. Please, just read what you wanted to share with me.”
Hazel’s lips thinned but she didn’t push.
Raven took a seat at the vanity to remove the face paint, and Hazel read:
Dear H.
The woman in the portrait bears a strong resemblance to a person my family knew six years ago as Wilma Gray. If this is indeed she, do not trust her. Ever! HT has severed ties with her as have all other agents in my circle. Should the opportunity arise, I would very much like to speak with Gray as I owe her for nearly causing the death of one of my beloved daughters-in-law.
If my House can be of any assistance in your dealings with this Judas, please let me know.
Sincerely yours,
J. LV-V
Raven stopped and met her mother’s eyes in the mirror. She knew the name behind the initials. They belonged to Julianna LeVeq-Vincent, who in her own quiet way was one of the most influential and wealthiest women of color in the city. Her sons and their wives were also highly regarded for their political and charitable efforts on behalf of the race. Raven had no idea her mother knew the famous family but supposed she shouldn’t be surprised. Hazel Moreau was equally as influential.
“So, if Welch is really this Wilma Gray, my gut feeling about not trusting her was correct.” Raven thought this revelation to be quite the turn of events.
“Yes, so we need to be even more wary. I’ve no idea what the detective did to draw the ire of the LeVeqs but it must have been serious. So once this mission is over, we’ll do our best to put Welch within reach of Miss Julianna’s revenge.”
“I wholeheartedly agree.” Pleased with the plan, Raven went back to removing the paint.
Her mother said quietly, “I know I’m beating a dead horse, but think about school, love. There are evening classes for adults. Or better yet, let me help you with your reading.”
“I’ll think about it.”
Hazel shook her head and smiled. “You know it’s a sin to lie to your mama.”
“But I love you. Does that count?”
Hazel squeezed Raven’s shoulder affectionately. “I love you, too. I’ll see you back at the table.”
After removing the last vestiges of Miss Ezra from her face, Raven joined the others in the dining room. Feeling Steele’s eyes on her, she helped herself to the food and tried to deny being affected by his presence. She added a bit of butter to her grits and seasoned them with salt and pepper. Then she took two biscuits from the clay warmer, added them to her plate along with a slice of ham, and began to eat.
Harrison asked Hazel, “Do you think the Pinkerton will come today and let us know when she’s ready to leave for Charleston?”
Raven shared a look with her mother. Keeping her face free of reaction, Raven drank a swallow of water and let her mother reply to his question.