Searching for Home (Spies of Chicago Book 1) Read Online Free PDF Page B

wages make you slaves to positions that break you. These measures may seem drastic, but violence is the only remedy for an intolerable society.”
    No. Dear God, no . Not Lewis.
    Sweat pooled inside James’s gloves.
    The best friend James followed to university had been a young man who came to people’s aid before asked and wore a ready smile. Well, up until last October….
    James had to leave. Now.
    Hearing more would only strengthen his doubts.
    James had walked right into the tavern earlier and climbed out onto the window ledge long before the meeting, but waiting ‘til they cleared out would prove to be torture.
    Seizing the edge of his perch, James dropped his legs and dangled a few feet above the ground before releasing his hold. As trained, he landed, knees soft, then took off down the alley. He tripped across a man sleeping on the street corner, then hurdled manure along the dirt street as he ran in the direction of the waiting carriage two blocks away.
    Glancing on both sides of the street, he made certain no one witnessed. Convinced no one loomed in the darkness, James ascended the steps. He pounded three times with an open hand.
    “Enter.” The British accent of Hugh Gunther answered.
    James yanked the door open and tumbled into the seat across from Hugh. In the dim light he could just make out the sharp angular nose, steel-like jawline, and piercing blue eyes of the leader of the Cygnus Brotherhood, a band of men sworn to protect the people of the city.
    “Were we correct about their meeting?”
    “Yes.” James rubbed his leather-clad palms against his trouser thighs. “I heard at least eight different voices. They plan to start using violence to communicate their message from here on out.”
    Hugh castled his hands on top of his cane, the handle shaped like the head of a swan. Without warning, he rapped the butt of the cane three times against the floor. The carriage lurched forward.
    Resting with his thumb against his chin and forefinger wrapped under his nose, Hugh examined James. “Was he there?”
    “I assume you’re referring to Lewis Ingram?”
    “Who else?” Hugh leaned back against the seat. “He’s the entire reason I recruited you.”
    Expelling a breath, James looked out the window as they passed rows of sagging tenement homes. “I couldn’t see anyone, but he was there. I heard Lewis’s voice.”
    Wash lines hung with all manner of tattered, graying clothes between the buildings and dripped onto the alleys below.
    “Are you certain?”
    “Of course I’m certain. I’ve practically lived with him for the past ten years. I’d know him anywhere. But I’m still not sure I agree with you as to his involvement.” Although Lewis’s speech in the dingy tavern antechamber seemed the most passionate of the lot, James wouldn’t consider his friend a traitor without more proof.
    “Hardships can cause a man to do strange things. You said yourself he’s not handling his grief well. This movement might be his way to deal with his pain. To mask it.”
    The carriage jostled over railroad tracks. James grabbed the seat to stay steady. “That’s ludicrous.”
    “Believe me. I know a thing or two about pain.”
    “You’re suggesting that his sister’s death propelled him to turn against the government. That makes a pittance of sense.”
    Hugh’s face remained stoic. “You said yourself that Lewis believes he’s at fault for her demise.”
    James picked at the button on the cushion. “He drove the carriage at the time.”
    “Did they plan any specific attacks at the meeting?”
    “None, just spread incitement, but someone at the meeting will be at Cobb’s tonight and they are scheduled to speak with Downing.”
    Hugh snatched his hat off the seat, then clapped it onto his head. “I knew Downing was a part of this. He’s been envious ever since McCormick opened his factory. Downing believes the property should have gone to him. He thinks McCormick cut a deal with the City. It’s