“No idea, but I’m going to find out,” Daniel resolved.
Iris gasped. “Don’t leave me here alone!”
“Never, sweetheart. I’ll return you to the hotel and then check at the jailhouse. Your father and Eric will likely be returned there. If they’ve been dealt with by the judge, the two of them will remain there until they’re transferred to a prison to serve their sentence. I should have sufficient time to question them while they’re still here.”
Iris squared her shoulders. “Then I’m accompanying you. I need to look each of them in the eye and hear what they’ve done.”
“Are you certain?” Daniel tenderly touched her cheek with his hand.
Iris heaved a sigh, determined to test her new bravery. “Yes, I can do this,” she stated. She’d come this far, no time for a display of weakness now. Besides, with Daniel at her side, she had nothing to fear from her family.
Daniel brushed one final tear away with his thumb and kissed her cheek. “You can face them without worry. They’ll be behind bars in a cell, unable to hurt you.”
Iris nodded.
Daniel tucked her hand around his elbow and patted it. “First, we still need to meet with Sawyer at the courthouse and inform him of this new development.”
“All right. Will… will they be gone by now?”
“I’ll make certain of it.” Daniel left her side for a few moments, peeking around the corner.
Iris leaned against the brick wall of the building for support. She closed her eyes and inhaled several deep breaths.
“They’re gone.”
Iris’s eyes flew open, despite hearing the familiar voice.
“I didn’t mean to startle you.”
She smiled. “No harm done.”
Daniel guided her back to the courthouse, an imposing three-story brick edifice. The deciduous trees across the street stood almost naked having lost most of their leaves in the change of seasons. Leaves crunched under foot as they made their way toward the tall flight of stairs leading to the front door.
“We can only hope Milton can confirm that your father and brother were the two men who robbed the bank. Then we can pressure them into telling us where they hid the money. Their cooperation in recovering the stolen cash might help their case if they request a lenient sentence of the judge.”
Iris gasped. “But they killed a man! They shouldn’t be granted one iota of leniency.”
“Depends on the judge. Some are more forgiving of a mistake than others,” Daniel explained. “Don’t worry. The judge would take into consideration the seriousness of the crime as well. They’ll both be in jail for several years, I’d guess.”
“If that judge has any sense of justice, they will.” Iris strode up the steps at Daniel’s side. “I would testify against them, if necessary. Explain to that judge the type of people they are. Especially my father.”
“Having drawn his children into the criminal way of life won’t bode well for him.”
“He essentially ruined my brother’s life. Thievery and cheating others out of their hard-earned money is the only occupation Eric has ever been exposed to.” Iris tightened her grip on Daniel’s arm, feeling her face pale. “Thank goodness, Eric helped me escape that tawdry life when he did. Or I could have been involved in this myself.”
“Soon you’ll be in a position to put this entire matter behind you. And I’ll be at your side throughout the whole ordeal.” Daniel kissed her cheek and they entered the courthouse.
In less than five minutes, they’d located Sawyer Manning.
“I should tell you about Iris’s past,” Daniel began.
Sawyer shook his head. “Sheriff Robertson shared with me what Miss Lake told him.” Sawyer touched Iris’s arm. “Don’t be concerned, ma’am. I agree with Carl that you cannot be held responsible for past crimes when you were a minor. And whatever crimes your family may have committed, in the past or recently, has absolutely no reflection on you or your character.”
“Thank you,” Iris whispered.
“That’s great, because we have news.” Daniel explained what had happened on the street. Sawyer’s jaw dropped when he glanced at Iris who nodded her head and confirmed what Daniel told him was true.
Sawyer tugged off his bowler, scratched his head, and settled his hat back in place. “Is this wishful thinking? Could they be the ones? We could wind up this whole mystery in a matter of a couple hours.”
“We need Milton to confirm they were the men who robbed the bank.” Daniel smiled at Iris and her heart skipped a beat, pleased that she could help and possibly aid in his career advancement.
“Milton’s not going anywhere. He’s still locked up. And your father and brother would have been returned to the jailhouse.” Sawyer wagged a finger at no one in particular. “Before we talk to them, I’d prefer to meet with the judge and discover what the two Lake men were charged with.”
Sawyer and Daniel looked at Iris.
“Could have been anything,” Iris scoffed. “Nothing they did would surprise me anymore.”
“You two wait here and I’ll be right back.” Sawyer dashed down the hallway.
Iris figured the next few minutes might be the longest of her life. What could her family possibly have done now?
Chapter 14
Iris mindlessly followed Daniel, attempting to process what had just happened. Daniel located a bench around the corner from the entrance and they settled onto it to wait. She’d never experienced anything close to the shock she’d received, spotting her family in handcuffs coming out of this courthouse.
She peeked at the time on her lapel timepiece. Ten-thirty. Goodness! Was that all? She would have sworn the noon hour had passed. Dealing with the disturbing discovery of her father and brother tired her more than teaching a roomful of children an entire day. She leaned back with a heavy sigh and closed her eyes, nearing exhaustion. Soon, the noisy bustle of the courthouse hallway faded to nothing.
“Iris. Iris, wake up.” The soft timbre of the familiar voice dragged her unwillingly back to consciousness.
“What?” she muttered. Her eyes opened and she felt her face redden. She straightened on the bench seat. “Blazes! Did I doze off?”
“Just for a few minutes.” Daniel patted her arm. “You looked done in and I didn’t have the heart to wake you until necessary.”
“Thank you. I hope I didn’t embarrass myself.”
“You mean the snoring that rattled the courthouse windows?” Daniel chuckled.
Iris knew he was joking and she ignored the good-natured teasing, but she imagined her crimson face appeared a deeper shade still. Sawyer Manning stood nearby. No doubt, he’d discovered her sleeping. At least, he hadn’t joined in the embarrassing banter.
“I talked with the clerk. He wouldn’t divulge many details, but I managed to learn a few things.” Sawyer removed his bowler, crouched down beside the bench, and met her eyes. “Are you ready to hear this?”
Daniel moved closer to her on the bench and clasped her hand.
Iris took a deep breath, briefly glanced at Daniel, and nodded. “Tell us, please.”
“Your brother and father were arrested for cheating a wealthy female citizen out of several expensive jewels and a substantial amount of money. Your father kept the woman preoccupied during a local event while your brother ransacked her hotel room and stole numerous valuables.”
Iris’s hand covered her mouth and her eyes filled with tears. “Was the woman harmed?”
Sawyer shook his head. “Not at all. She only discovered the theft when she returned to her hotel room. Her husband had been playing cards, gambling downstairs at the hotel. Her screams shortly after she entered her room, brought the hotel staff on the run.”
“Where was Father?” Iris shifted forward on the bench. “Was he… with her?”
“They’d parted ways in the dining room. The wealthy woman mentioned talking to a charming gentleman after dinner. A completely innocent encounter she claimed. She’d shared
coffee and dessert with him over pleasant conversation. Later, of course, no one could locate him. He’d disappeared out of the hotel. Not until a week later were he and your brother discovered by accident in a mercantile. They were arrested without incident.” Sawyer straightened and stuck his bowler on his head. “Let’s go to the jailhouse. Theft is one thing, but murder is beyond reprehensible. We need Milton to identify them as the pair who robbed the bank. And one of them will be charged with murder.”
“My father, but he’ll deny everything. He’d even turn on my brother in a heartbeat to save his own hide. Remember, Father entertained the woman while he had my brother carry out the actual theft, covering his behind to his way of thinking, no doubt.” Iris followed the two men out of the courthouse. She stumbled on the stairs, but Daniel’s firm hold on her arm prevented a nasty fall.
Mr. Manning’s words echoed in her ears. Charming gentleman. Ransacked her hotel room. Expensive jewels. Substantial amount of money. Some things never changed. Always the easy prey. Take what wasn’t theirs. As long as they avoided incarceration, the pair of them never wasted a moment’s thought for the victim. Well, they’d been caught and convicted this time. She couldn’t muster up one iota of sympathy for either of them.
Daniel and Sawyer accompanied Iris down the street and then Daniel helped her into the waiting buggy. They rode in silence to the jailhouse, and Iris’s stomach knotted as they entered the building. She hated being placed in this situation, but she refused to allow her family to control her ever again. Achieving justice for Mr. Cameron and the citizens of Milestone meant everything to her. “You’ll survive this,” she muttered the encouragement to herself.
After much discussion and preparation with the Butte lawmen, the arrangements were finalized.
“This will not be pleasant, ma’am. Are you ready to face them?” One of the local lawmen stood, waiting for her response. He appeared prepared for her to turn and run for the door.
Iris stiffened her backbone. She’d come too far to reconsider what she’d intended all along. The citizens of Milestone deserved better than having their money stolen and one of their own murdered, his life snuffed out without a moment’s hesitation. And all because of greed. “Yes, I’m ready. Let’s get on with it.”
“No one will think less of you, Iris, if you’ve changed your mind,” Daniel whispered. “You don’t have to do it.”
“Actually, I do.” She nodded to the lawman in charge, and he opened the door to the cell area.
Sawyer Manning and Milton Brown led the way. Iris walked at Daniel’s side, moving down the dingy, dimly lit hallway. The putrid smell of urine and body odor permeated the stale, fetid air. She quickly dug a handkerchief out of her reticule and held it to her nose, welcoming the lavender scent barely strong enough to disguise the stench. A couple of the other prisoners shouted obscenities at them, but Iris closed her ears and her sensibilities to their vulgar language.
“Shut your mouths,” Sawyer shouted the order.
The cussing stopped for only a moment before the prisoners resumed calling tasteless jeers at the party of four passing by. Iris looked straight ahead, clasping Daniel’s arm. Her legs shook beneath her skirts and she swallowed hard to keep bile from rising to her throat. She’d known it would be difficult, but she hadn’t imagined anything as horrible as this. If all of these men were as guilty as her family, they deserved to endure these reprehensible conditions.
Soon, she stood before her father and brother with only a short row of metal bars separating her from the despicable family who provided an unwelcome reminder of her disreputable past. They wore the fancy clothes of the cultured male dandies she’d observed back East, playing the role of fellows who lived useless lives, many existing on the funds of previous generations’ hard work. Some of it honest, some ill-gotten.
“Well, lookie who came to visit,” her father sneered. “Little Miss Too-Good-For-The-Likes-Of-Us.”
“Leave her be, Pa,” Eric growled. “She’s not a part of this.”
“’Course she ain’t. She’s far too uppity for her family since she got herself that fancy teaching certificate.” Her father cursed viciously. “Your brother finally fessed up to that paper being real and how he helped you make a fool of me. Thankless little bitch. After all I’ve done for you.”
Iris gasped. Done for you! “You destroyed my childhood innocence, forcing me to join your life of crime for your own benefit. You actually believe I should be grateful for that?”
Sawyer touched her arm. “Ignore him, ma’am.”
“He’s garbage, Iris,” Daniel added. “We’re here for one purpose only, remember.”
Iris nodded and glanced at Milton Brown. She’d conversed with him a few times during the trip to Butte, and he’d seemed a nice enough man. In fact, she’d silently sympathized with him. An innocent enough person drawn into an impossible situation by someone less scrupulous. Taken advantage of by Sid. Like she’d been used for years by her family.
“First of all, Miss Lake, please tell me who these men are?” Sawyer stood feet slightly apart, arms crossed over his chest. He glanced at her and then stared at the two men behind bars.
“The elder man is my father, David Lake.” Iris glanced at her brother. “The other one is Eric Lake, his son and my older brother. I have no idea where they call home now that Mother has passed. When I was young, the two of them moved about frequently, often leaving Mother and me behind. I wouldn’t imagine that practice has changed.”
Sawyer touched her arm. “Thank you.”
He waved Mr. Brown forward and Milton stared at the two incarcerated men before meeting Sawyer’s eyes.
“Is it them? Are these the men?” Mr. Manning demanded.
Eric glared at Milton. “Are we what men? What are you blaming us for now?”
Milton’s face paled, and he took a step back at the venomous outburst.
Sawyer stood, hands on hips. “Brown… say something. Are these the men who robbed the Milestone bank and double-crossed Sid?”
Milton slowly shook his head. “No, they’re not. They’re not the two men who robbed the bank. I’ve never seen either of these two fellows before in my life.”
Iris wavered on her feet. Not the two men. Had she heard Milton correctly? Of course, her father and brother were the ones. Weren’t they?
Daniel grabbed Milton by the arm and shook him. “Did you take a good look?”
“They’re not the ones!” Milton tugged his arm free. “My eyesight isn’t the best, but I can assure you these men are not the ones who killed Sid!”
“We never killed nobody,” Eric shouted. “You trying to get us to confess to a murder we didn’t commit?”
“Damn lawmen,” David Lake added, cussing a blue streak.
Iris turned away and stumbled back the way she’d come. She couldn’t take another moment of this. And for what? Milton hadn’t identified them as the robbers. Had she played her hand and given away her new location for nothing? They might be sent to a prison for a few years for the robbery they’d just been convicted of.
Then what?
Would they come looking for her?
Why not?
She’d essentially pointed them directly to Milestone!
Directly to her!
Chapter 15
Daniel rushed to catch up and then accompanied Iris out of the cell area, through the Butte jailhouse building, and outside into the fresh air. She’d been badly shaken by the ordeal and he wanted nothing more than to wrap her in his arms and never let go.
“I’m so sorry you had to endure that,” he whispered, reaching for her hand as she burst into tears atop the flight of stairs. He wrapped her in a tight embrace; she was shaking and crying and muttering to herself.
Iris raised her head and took a step away from him. “They’re going to come after me. They’ll believe this is my fault. That I pointed the law in their direction.”
“Not at all. Milton told Sawyer they weren’t the men who robbed
the bank.”
“That won’t matter to them.” Iris wrung her hands. “Father believes what I did, escaping from under his control, is an unforgiveable betrayal. He’ll—"
“He’ll be in prison for theft.” Daniel reached for her hand. “Don’t worry about him. I’ll go to any length to protect you. Trust me, Iris. He’ll never hurt you again.”
Daniel wasn’t certain he believed Milton, but seeing how upset Iris was, he’d keep that suspicion to himself. Was the bank clerk telling the truth? If he’d been in on the robbery, perhaps he’d neglected to identify the two Lake men as the robbers in hopes of still getting his share of the money. Daniel grimaced. Could he be completely grasping at straws here, hoping to wrap up the case at any cost?
“Come with me. I’m returning you to the hotel to rest.” Daniel guided her down the steep steps, up the street a ways, and then helped her into the rented buggy.
“All right,” Iris whispered.
Daniel looked into her eyes. She appeared exhausted, but she’d faced her family under the most trying of circumstances and survived. He’d never met a stronger woman who could persevere under the worst of conditions, including the most repulsive area of a city jailhouse. Although, she probably wasn’t certain of her own strength.
They rode in the buggy toward the hotel.
“I’m surprised they were in Butte. I would have expected them to have moved on long ago,” Iris muttered.
“I’ve no idea what all they’ve been involved in before they were caught stealing those jewels and the cash.”
“Nothing would surprise me. I’d hoped Eric would have gotten away from Father as well. I’d wanted to believe he was a good person and he’d reformed, especially after the assistance he’d given me in escaping from that way of life.” Iris sighed, blinking back tears. “Now, hearing the horrible crime he committed against that woman by assisting Father in the theft, I’m convinced Eric is exactly like him.”
Daniel reached for her hand. “Remember, it’s the only life Eric has ever known. Same as you, until you decided to make a change.” He couldn’t believe a parent could be so ruthless as to purposely draw a child into a life of crime. And to assure that he appeared the innocent one, having Eric commit the actual crime while he enjoyed coffee and dessert with the victim, proved his ruthless nature. David Lake would probably attempt to make a case for himself, insisting he knew nothing about his son’s intentions toward the woman. Daniel wouldn’t doubt for a moment, David would throw his son to the wolves if it benefited him. Iris had frequently called her father despicable. In Daniel’s opinion, the word barely scratched the surface of David Lake’s nature. The man’s character bordered on evil.
A Reinvented Lady (Sons Of A Gun Book 2) Page 9
