by Lisa Harris
He shook his head. “I’m not sure if I’m qualified to advise you in such matters, to be quite honest. If anything were to happen to you on account of what I told you…surely you understand my position. Perhaps you should ask your father as he’s just returned from Alaska.”
“My father and I are not presently on speaking terms. Besides, I’m not asking for you to ensure my safety if I decide to go. Simply to share with me some of your connections.”
His glance dropped, his nose quivered, and his ears turned pink. Interesting. Harrison was no longer the suave storyteller who had wormed his way into the lives of the Morgan women.
Catherine forged ahead. “I don’t know why you wouldn’t see yourself as qualified. You know more about Alaska than anyone else in this town.”
“I suppose that’s true, but…”
“I’ve read a few dime novels, and while I realize they are only fiction, there must be some truth to them. But not enough, I’m afraid, to tell me all I need to know if I decide to go.”
“You’ve been reading dime novels about Alaska?”
A rooster crowed. They had to be as bad as Emily’s ostriches.
“They’re almost as entertaining as your infamous stories. You must have traveled extensively in order to tell the kind of stories you tell. Met dozens of colorful prospectors. Panned for gold by the hour and listened to their stories.”
Harrison leaned forward. “What exactly is it you’re trying to say, Miss Morgan?”
Catherine nodded. She would tell him the truth. That the only thing he knew about Alaska came from the pages of those novels. The rooster’s squawking increased, but she ignored it.
“I know for a fact that you’ve never gone to Alaska.”
“Hold on.” Harrison spun around and grabbed the gun from the side of the barn.
Corbin’s words hit her like a slug from a rifle. He won’t let you walk away once he knows you know his secret.
Catherine pulled out her gun and aimed, hoping Harrison Tucker was prepared to meet his Maker.
Corbin finished washing the dried blood from the back of his hands then slid on the shirt the doctor’s wife had graciously given him. His was going to have to be burned.
Sheriff Robinson sat across the small room in the back of the doctor’s house, his injured leg now cleaned and bandaged. “Is Miss VanLeer going to make it?”
Corbin avoided the man’s gaze. “Probably not.”
“We did what we had to do.”
Corbin said nothing.
“And I saved myself the trouble of a hanging,” the sheriff continued.
Corbin slid his gun into his holster. “And we just lost the best lead we had, along with a woman who didn’t deserve to die.”
“We’ll find them.”
“When?” Corbin crossed the wood-planked floor, stopping far enough away so he couldn’t give in to the temptation of giving the man the beating he deserved. “When their leader is as infamous as Jesse James, or when he’s murdered another dozen people? You had no right to start a shootout. Now we don’t have anything.”
“And you would have had us sitting there all day, waiting?”
“The man was badly injured and we put him in a corner. He wasn’t going to last.”
Corbin turned away. There was no use explaining his actions. Nor did he plan on sharing Sutherland’s dying words. He’d keep them to himself for now. The last thing he wanted to do was have Robinson back on the case. The man had proved himself to be impulsive and irresponsible when there were lives at stake. He couldn’t afford for that to happen again.
The sheriff draped a sheet over Sutherland and stood back. “We’ll find the rest of them. For now, I’ve got a man to bury.”
Corbin headed for the town telephone at the Lancaster General Store. He’d made a promise to tell Catherine before he arrested Harrison, but more importantly, he wanted to make sure that she and her sisters were out of harm’s way when he confronted the man.
Lily answered the call and must have heard the tremor in his voice. “Is there a problem, Sheriff?”
“Yes…no…” He gripped the counter. “Nothing that I can’t take care of. Where is Catherine? I need to speak to her.”
“She had an errand to take care of, out at Harrison’s farm. Said she wanted to drop off a few jars of peaches.”
Corbin froze. “Harrison’s farm?”
“Yes. It’s funny, isn’t it? He and Audrey will be married next week, but I think Catherine is the one who worries most about him not getting enough to eat.”
Corbin sucked in a breath. Catherine had no idea who she was dealing with. If Harrison found out that she knew who he was, he’d show her no mercy. Regrets of how he’d handled things gripped him. He’d told Catherine to let him take care of things, but she’d never been one to listen. He should have realized that.
“Sheriff, are you still there?”
“Yes, and I need you to do something for me.”
“Of course, what is it?”
It wasn’t the first time he’d been grateful for the invention of this newfangled communication device. “Is Audrey with you?”
“Yes, she’s working in the store right now.”
“Good. I want you to close the store for the day and wait in the house for me to return to town.”
There was a long pause on the line. “I don’t understand, Sheriff. If something’s wrong—”
“Just do as I say. Please.”
Corbin hung up the telephone then headed for Revenge. Anger still seared through him at how the sheriff’s stupidity had managed to cost them their one lead because he’d insisted on playing the role of a hero. The town was already celebrating the capture and death of one of the infamous gang members, but no one seemed to realize that Sutherland had held key information. And with him dead, Corbin knew little more today than he had yesterday.
Unless he could get to Harrison in time.
Otherwise, the Masked Gang would strike again, and perhaps seek revenge for Frank Sutherland’s death. Which could put Catherine and her sisters in the middle of a bloodbath. Corbin smacked his thighs against the horse and raced toward Revenge. His talk with Harrison the week before had convinced him that the man was hiding something. Now Sutherland’s words confirmed that Harrison was nothing more than a dirty bank robber who had no more claimed a stake on the Alaskan soil than Corbin’s great aunt Beulah.
Thirty minutes later, he approached the farm, praying he wasn’t too late. He should have brought a posse with him, but with the possibility of Catherine’s life at stake, there hadn’t been time to seek additional help. Besides, few in town were capable of facing the leader of the notorious gang. The day-to-day activities of a sheriff in a town like Revenge normally left little need for deputies. If he wasn’t on the trail of this gang, his time would be filled with mundane tasks like investigating petty theft crimes and the occasional street brawl. Not chasing down killers and bank robbers.
Catherine’s buggy sat near the barn, confirming what Lily had told him. He slowed down to weigh his options. There was the slight chance that Sutherland had set him up, meaning this was nothing more than a social call, but his gut told him not to take any chances. The last thing he needed was another hostage situation, especially with Catherine involved.
A shot rang out on the far side of the barn.
Corbin jumped down from his horse. His boots crunched through a strip of gravel as he made his move toward the barn. Any doubts of who Harrison Tucker really was vanished. Harrison stood beside Catherine with a rifle in his hands.
Chapter Fifteen
Corbin held out his gun. “Harrison Tucker, I’ve got a gun aimed at you. I want you to throw your rifle down in front of you then drop to the ground.”
Harrison turned toward him without dropping his weapon. “Sheriff, what’s going on?”
“That’s exactly what I was about to ask you.” Catherine stepped between them. “Corbin Hunter, put that gun down.”
“
Get out of the way. Now.” Corbin took a step forward. His jaw twitched. Why did she always have to be so stubborn? “Mr. Tucker, I want you to drop to your knees and put your hands where I can see them.”
Neither moved.
“Catherine, I’m only going to ask you one more time. Move out of the way now, or so help me, I’ll arrest you both.”
Catherine stood her ground. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Try me. Tucker, slide the gun across the ground toward me.” Corbin fired a shot over Tucker’s head, all formalities lost in the moment. “Now.”
Harrison complied then dropped to his knees.
Catherine moved aside. “You’re making a big mistake.”
“No, you’re blinded to the truth. What am I going to have to say to convince you that this man isn’t the man he claims to be? He’s robbed half a dozen banks and is responsible for the murder of at least five innocent victims.”
Harrison’s face paled. “You’ve got to be kidding. Miss Morgan, please. You know me. Audrey can vouch for me.”
“Which is simply a part of your plan, isn’t it?”
“I think it’s time to clear the air once and for all.” Catherine pushed her shoulders back and nodded at Harrison. “Mr. Tucker is not involved with the Masked Gang, Sheriff. And if you could find a way to get past this vendetta of yours, you’d see that he’s nothing more than a farmer who happens to love my sister.”
Corbin frowned, not buying a word of it as he picked up Harrison’s rifle off the ground and threw it toward the barn before pulling out a pair of metal handcuffs. “Of course he’s going to try and convince you that he’s innocent.”
“I just spent the past thirty minutes asking my own questions. He told me the truth.”
“You want the truth? The truth is that I just watched Frank Sutherland breathe his last breath.”
“Who’s Frank Sutherland?” Harrison asked.
“Cut the act. He confessed you were the ringleader of the Masked Gang.”
Harrison’s face paled. “Does this have something to do with the conversation we had?”
“I’ve managed to tie together a few more pieces since then.”
Corbin grabbed Harrison’s wrist. “Give me your other hand.”
Harrison’s shoulders slumped as Corbin snapped the metal cuffs into place.
“Corbin—”
Corbin grabbed Catherine’s arm and pulled her out of Harrison’s earshot. “I told you not to get involved, Catherine.”
“But I am involved.” Her expression darkened. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because, like I said, I finally have the proof I need to arrest him.” Corbin kept his gun on Harrison to ensure he didn’t move. “I want you to go get back in your buggy and ride back into town. Wait for me at your house.”
“I really don’t think—”
“Catherine!”
She didn’t budge. “First tell me what you found.”
“When we arrived at the VanLeer homestead, Mr. VanLeer and his daughter were being held hostage by Frank Sutherland, one of the gang members.”
“So you took him into custody?”
“I wish. Sutherland was killed in the standoff, along with the woman he took hostage.”
Catherine pressed her fingers against her mouth and let out a soft groan. “She’s dead?”
“Murdered.”
Catherine choked down a sob. “Which is all the more reason to find the truth. Harrison’s not the man you’re looking for.”
“Catherine—”
She set her fists against her hips and raised her chin. “What if I can prove his innocence?”
“He’s a con artist, Catherine. He can make you believe anything he wants. And besides that, I show up and find him with you and firing a rifle. What do you expect me to believe?”
“That there was a weasel in the chicken coop.”
“A weasel?”
“What do you think he was doing?” Catherine demanded.
“Game’s over, Miss Morgan.” He lowered his voice, praying he could control his temper. “I’ve got the evidence I was looking for, and I’m going to arrest Harrison.”
Catherine felt a wave of nausea shoot through her at Corbin’s announcement. “He didn’t do this.” She moved back toward Harrison. “You’ve got to tell him the truth.”
Harrison gritted his teeth. “You promised.”
“And I promised my mother that I’d protect my sisters. You can stop this.”
“I don’t think I can. You’ve got to find Audrey. I can’t have her finding out about this from one of the townspeople. Tell her everything will be fine. That all of this is nothing more than a big mistake.”
Corbin let out a loud whoosh of air. “Except everything’s not going to be all right. At least not for you. The law in this town doesn’t take too kindly to bank robberies and murders, which means justice will be fair but swift.”
“I’m not a murderer.”
Catherine gripped Corbin’s forearm. “You’ve got to believe him. You’re chasing after the wrong man.”
“So you’ve said.” Corbin shook his head. “But I’ve got the confession of a dying man who admitted to me who his ringleader was.”
“Who? One of the gang members shot during the last robbery?” Catherine continued her defense, determined to convince him of the truth. “I’m sure his word is worth a lot.”
Corbin gripped Harrison’s arm and led him toward his horse. “I don’t have time for this.”
Maybe not, but she wasn’t done with him yet. “Did you ever stop and think that Harrison is being set up? All your evidence against him is based on anonymous tips and the dying word of a known bank robber and murderer.”
Corbin stopped in front of his horse. “Listen to me—”
“No, you listen to me. Harrison’s no more a criminal than you or I are. If you go through with this, all you’re going to do is destroy his life along with my sister’s. And in the meantime, the real leader of the Masked Gang is out there free somewhere, planning to strike again.”
Corbin helped Harrison onto his stallion before turning back to her. “William Marker’s gang killed my father.”
Catherine felt her knees buckle beneath her as the reason behind his determination fell into place. So his quest had been personal. “When?”
“Eight months ago the gang was terrorizing Kentucky. My father was living in Frankfort.” Corbin avoided her gaze. “He tried to help one of the hostages and they shot him.”
“Oh, Corbin. I’m sorry. So very sorry.” She brushed her hand against his arm then pulled away. It all made sense now. His ragged determination to hunt down the leader of the Masked Gang at all cost.
But there was still one serious problem. Revenge for the sake of revenge was as big an evil in her eyes as murder. Harrison sat on the horse, jaw clenched, mouth shut, and looking straight ahead. He was as stubborn as Corbin. And she wasn’t going to let this happen. She raised her chin in determination. “Please understand how very sorry I am about your father, truly I am, but please don’t go through with this arrest.”
Corbin grasped the reins of the horse tighter. “If I don’t do this, I’ll be endangering all of you. You, your sisters…the entire town.”
“Think about it. Harrison just willingly surrendered. Do you think the leader of some rogue gang would have done that without a fight?”
“He’s a con man, Catherine. And the evidence points to—”
“The word of some anonymous tipster and a dead convict. That’s not real evidence.”
Corbin’s jaw tensed. “I have all the evidence I need, and I don’t have time to stand here and argue with you. Can you get back to town all right on your own?”
Her frown deepened. “Of course. Especially now that you’ve captured a mass murderer. I shouldn’t have anything to worry about.”
Harrison looked down at her and caught her gaze. “Talk to Audrey for me. Please. I can’t have her finding out about this from som
eone in town.”
She nodded. “I’ll find her. Then I’ll come to the jail to see if I can talk some sense into our sheriff…and into you.”
Corbin swung up onto the horse, ignoring her comment.
“You’ve got to make sure Audrey knows that I didn’t do this,” Harrison repeated.
“Don’t worry. She loves you. You’ve got a wedding to attend in another week.”
“Catherine,” Corbin said. “You’re only making this harder on everyone.”
Catherine stood at the edge of the yard and watched them ride away until they disappeared behind the hundreds of rows of corn framing Harrison’s field. Another piece of her world had just crumbled away. Which promise was she bound to keep? The one she made at her mother’s deathbed, or the one she’d just made to Harrison?
Corbin yanked William Marker’s wanted poster off the wall behind his desk and waited for the surge of relief he should feel after catching his father’s murderer. He’d followed the gang across hundreds of miles of lonely prairie and through a dozen towns, and now William Marker, Harrison Tucker, or whatever alias the man chose to go by, was locked behind bars. And he’d avenged the death of his father.
So if he had the right man, why did he feel so empty inside?
Revenge had turned out to be a persistent companion that had haunted his dreams at night and kept him focused during the day. How could it have forgotten to bring with it the deep reward of satisfaction he’d expected? Corbin crumpled the poster between his fingers and thrust it into the trash bin beside his desk. Of course, until the rest of the gang was brought in, there was still a chance that the Masked Gang would strike again, even without their leader.
Tomorrow he’d put together a posse with several of the lawmen from the surrounding towns. With the ringleader behind bars, the odds of the group sticking together were small. They would track the criminals down before another night passed.
Corbin glanced at the closed door that led to the jail. Catherine was right about one thing. Harrison Tucker wasn’t the ringleader he’d expected to bring in. He’d prepared himself for a man who thought nothing about shooting anyone who got in his way.
