by Lisa Harris
“Sheriff Hunter, I need to speak with you immediately.”
Corbin sat back in his chair and took a calm sip of his coffee. Surprisingly enough, his coping skills with women seemed to be improving. He set the cup on the table and smiled. Mrs. McBride’s gossip pipeline was running slow today. He’d expected Catherine thirty minutes ago. “Catherine Morgan, this is Brad Sanders. He’s a Pinkerton agent working on the Masked Gang case who has just arrived from the capital.”
Mr. Sanders dipped his head. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Morgan.”
Catherine’s gaze traveled from Mr. Sanders then back to Corbin. “This visit has something to do with Harrison, doesn’t it? Ike Larrick said he saw—”
“You know you’re interrupting official business of an officer of the law.”
“And I apologize, but…
“But what, Miss Morgan?”
“I made a mistake.”
Corbin leaned back against his chair, taken aback by her apology. He’d expected her to arrive ranting and raving over Harrison’s innocence, not admitting to a wrongdoing. “You made a mistake?”
“I thought I was making the right decision by staying quiet, but I have proof that Harrison had nothing to do with these bank robberies—”
“Miss Morgan—”
“Wait…you have to understand that if Harrison is convicted for this crime, then the real William Marker will still be free, which means that more robberies will take place, which means that more people will get killed, all because I didn’t—”
“Miss Morgan—”
She continued without taking a breath. “Everything you have against him is completely circumstantial, but I can prove he’s innocent.”
Corbin leaned back in his chair and suppressed a grin. Mr. Sanders sat, jaw dropped at the display. “And what evidence do you have to the contrary, Miss Morgan?”
“For starters, you were right about him never being in Alaska. Harrison Tucker worked for a newspaper, writing fictional serials. He was on his way to Alaska when his stagecoach was involved in an accident outside Chicago. Three people were killed, and he ended up in the hospital with a dozen broken bones.”
“That would explain his slight limp,” Corbin threw out.
“Not wanting to lose his job, he read everything he could get his hands on to make his stories more authentic.”
“Then the newspaper found out.”
Catherine nodded then paused. “How did you know?”
“I have my sources, too, Miss Morgan.” Corbin steepled his hands in front of him.
“But please, continue with your story. I’m sure this is as entertaining for Mr. Sanders as it is for me.”
Catherine glanced at Mr. Sanders then back at Corbin before plunging ahead. “The problem was, he couldn’t pull it off. The newspaper wanted someone who was actually living in Alaska and fired him. It was about that time he received word his grandfather had died and the farm had been left to him. A farm in Ohio was far less appealing than an adventure in Alaska, but once he’d recovered from his injuries, he made his way to Revenge.”
“He never planned to stay,” Catherine continued. “He was going to fix up the place and sell it. But then he met Audrey, and they fell in love.”
“And they lived happily ever after,” Corbin injected. “Or, at least that was the original plan.”
Catherine frowned. “He knew enough about what was happening to make us all feel as if we were there, but his tall tales about the frontier were just stories. He’s a storyteller at heart. Not a murderer.”
“Are you done now?”
She folded her arms across her chest. “I’m done.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
She opened her mouth, but he cut her off. “Never mind. I was just telling Mr. Sanders, before I was so rudely interrupted, that you were right. I believe Harrison was set up.”
Catherine blinked twice. “You what?”
“I told him that you were right.”
“You believe he’s innocent?”
“Like you said, there have been too many things that haven’t added up. Anonymous tips, confessions from a known criminal, and in fact, as you stated so eloquently, everything we have on him is circumstantial. Which made it clear to me that someone was trying to set him up. Even so, I talked to Harrison and had to force his hand to get at the truth. I convinced him that if he didn’t come up with an alibi, he was going to hang in the morning.”
“You what? Why?”
“You know as well as I do, Miss Morgan, that if I didn’t hang him, the town would ensure he did. At this point, the truth is the only thing that has a chance of saving him. I also contacted the newspaper people in Boston, and they assured me that Harrison did work for them, and had been fired after they found out he’d been writing his serial from a hospital bed.”
Catherine’s chin dropped. “He didn’t want Audrey to know that the stories he tells were simply stories.”
Mr. Sanders took a final swig of his coffee, then rose to leave. “If you’re right about Harrison Tucker, then I’d say we both have our work cut out for us.”
Corbin shook the agent’s hand. “We’re going to get the real outlaw.”
“I always do. And if you ever change your mind, just let me know. We could always use another good man in the agency.”
Catherine plopped onto the empty chair across from Corbin as Mr. Sanders left the office. “If you change your mind about what?”
“He thinks I’d make a good Pinkerton agent.”
She shook her head. “Why didn’t you tell me you knew the truth?”
“Because you wouldn’t stop talking.” Corbin suppressed a grin. He liked a woman with a mind of her own, even if it seemed to get her into trouble most of the time. Like Catherine? No. He ignored the unsolicited thought and forced himself to focus on the problem at hand.
She pressed her lips together. “So you are going to release Harrison?”
“I’ll let him know he’s free to go, but I’ll suggest he stays out of sight until the real crook is snagged. I don’t want to have to deal with a town lynching.”
Catherine’s stomach soured at the thought. “Surely you don’t think—”
“It’s just a possibility, but we have to be careful.”
She let out a slow breath. Not too long ago, Harrison had spent his time courting her sister and entertaining a captivated crowd with stories of the frontier. Today he sat in a jail cell to save him from an angry town. “He didn’t want Audrey to know he was nothing more than a reporter who never struck gold—or a story for that matter. All he wanted to do was win Audrey’s heart.”
“There’s only one problem with all of this.” Corbin tapped his fingers against the desk. “I’m back to the beginning.”
“Not completely.” Catherine leaned forward. “We know that William Marker is probably someone working close to Revenge. It’s the only way he could have set up Harrison.”
The door opened and Lily appeared in the threshold. “Catherine, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I just received a phone call from Emily.”
Catherine stood up. “What is it? The baby?”
“No, it’s Father. He’s…he’s missing.”
Chapter Seventeen
Why was it that Isaiah Morgan managed to affect their lives whether halfway around the world or right here in Revenge? Catherine paced the small expanse of the sitting room, her emotions teetering between the worry on Lily’s face and an intense anger that her father could have done this to them again. It had been almost a week ago she’d stood in this very same room, wishing Isaiah Morgan had never shown up. But even despite her anger, she’d do anything to see his face again. Even if it were only for the sake of her sisters.
Corbin stood near the doorway, arms folded across his chest, obviously taking seriously his role as sheriff. “Did you stop to consider the idea that he simply left?”
“Of course.”
Catherine stopped in front of the patterne
d settee, wishing her words hadn’t been so biting. And wishing he hadn’t spoken her fear out loud. But it was something that had to be considered. It wouldn’t have been the first time Isaiah Morgan had walked out on them. She squeezed her eyes shut and, for a moment, she was there again. The last time she’d seen her father and mother together. He’d kissed her mother on the cheek with promises that he’d return soon, stepped out onto the front porch of the store with the rising sun behind him, and with one last look, he was gone.
Corbin took a step closer to her. “Catherine.”
She opened her eyes and drew in a staggered breath as feelings of loss tore at her heart.
“I’m okay.” She dropped onto the settee beside Lily. As much as she didn’t trust her father, she still wasn’t ready to admit that he’d simply deserted them. Not again. “I think Lily’s right. He was so excited for Audrey’s wedding and the birth of Emily’s baby. I can’t see him just leaving and missing all of that. And besides, while he didn’t bring much with him, everything he owns is still in Emily’s guest room. He didn’t take any personal items with him or the small amount of cash he has. Why would he leave without taking it with him? Without saying good-bye?”
“That’s what we have to find out.”
Catherine pressed her lips together. No matter how many bitter feelings she still harbored against her father, even she didn’t want things to end like this. Not with him walking out the door, never to return.
Corbin sat down across from them and waited silently. How was it that he was, once again, the one giving her the support she needed? Just like she’d one day planned. She looked up at him, wondering how they’d come to this point.
She still loved him.
Catherine felt her lung compress. Loved him. Once…not now.
“So tell me again exactly what happened.”
Lily nodded. “Emily told me that he left to take a walk down by the creek after breakfast. He never returned.”
“And he didn’t take anything with him?”
Lily shook her head. “Nothing. He just walked out…”
Corbin rested his elbows against his knees. “We’re going to find him, Catherine.”
“I don’t think my sisters can handle his leaving again.”
“Where’s Audrey?”
“She’s at the O’Conner farm with Emily right now, waiting for Father.” Lily looked up at Corbin, her eyes brimming with tears. “Where is he?”
“I don’t know, but I promise I’ll do everything I can to find him.”
“Maybe we’re all overreacting,” Catherine threw out. “It’s only been a few hours. Maybe he just needed to get away for a while and think. He’s used to being independent.”
“I don’t think we know enough to make a fair judgment about the situation,” Corbin said. “There could be a hundred explanations. He could have fallen, gotten lost, or maybe he’s visiting a friend. We could start with any close friends he had in town.”
“I suppose it’s possible,” Lily said. “Emily said he was on foot when he left, and I can’t see him going far without a horse or wagon.”
“Someone could have dropped by to see him and taken him out for a while.”
Catherine turned and caught his gaze. “Or your first instinct was right. He decided to simply walk out on us again.”
“Catherine.” Lily shook her head. “He couldn’t do that. I know it.”
But no matter how much Lily tried to justify his disappearance, it was the only one that made sense to Catherine. And it was one they all might have to come to terms with. “We both know it’s a question we can’t ignore. And one I should have seen coming. Don’t you see? Despite his noble words, he hasn’t changed at all.”
“You don’t know that,” Corbin said.
“Then give me a better explanation.”
Corbin combed his hands through his hair and shook his head. “I’m sure your father will show up. He probably just got lost.”
Catherine walked to the window and peered out on the quiet street. “My father lived half his life here. He isn’t lost.” She pressed her fingers against her temple. Three weeks ago she’d been sitting on Emily’s porch with no worries other than a mean ostrich and a worn-out hat. At what point had everything begun to fall apart?
I don’t understand, God…
Praying had helped, but there were some things she had to do on her own. She turned to Corbin. “We need to put together a search party, before it gets dark, and go look for him.”
He nodded. “With the telephone in place, we should be able to round up some men.”
Lily grasped her arm. “I’m coming with you.”
“I need you to stay here, in case he simply got sidetracked and shows up for dinner. And you can make the phone calls,” Catherine said. “I’ll ask Mrs. Morrilton to stop by and keep you company.”
“We’ll need at least half a dozen men to help with the search,” Corbin told Lily. “Have them meet at the O’Conner farm as soon as they can get there. We’ll leave from there since that was the last place your father was seen.”
“John will want to help as well,” Lily said. “I’m sure of it.”
Corbin grabbed his hat from the table. “Have him join us when you see him. We can use all the help we can get.”
“What about Harrison?” Catherine asked.
“He can come with us. That way, I can keep my eye on him and help ensure he’s safe.”
Catherine gave Lily a reassuring hug. “Are you going to be all right?”
Lily nodded. “Go. I’ll make some phone calls and send as many men as I can.”
Twenty-five minutes later, Corbin pulled the wagon up in front of the O’Conner house. The roar of an ostrich from the corral only seemed to add to the eerie mood of the cloudy afternoon. The lanky bird stood silhouetted in the prairie. He’d heard Grady’s explanation about the experiment and his plan to use the warming techniques of glassblowing to incubate the eggs and chicks, but the whole setup seemed a bit farfetched to him. It was a lot of expense and effort for a bunch of feathers.
Catherine sat silent beside him on the wagon.
She gazed at the floorboard. “Thank you.”
They were the first words she’d said since they left for the ranch. Why did it seem as though all he’d brought her was heartache—something that seemed to go hand-in-hand with his return to Revenge.
His Adam’s apple bobbed. “For what?”
“For letting Harrison go. For coming out here with me. For not telling me that I’m crazy to try to find a man I didn’t want to be here in the first place.”
“You’re not crazy. And besides, it’s my job.”
She looked away.
He stopped the wagon in front of Emily’s house. “What I meant was—”
“It might be your job,” she said, “but I still appreciate all you’ve done for my sisters and me.”
Not waiting for him to help her down from the wagon, she lifted the bottom edge of her skirt and hurried toward the wraparound porch. He jumped down from the wagon. Independent…feisty…beautiful. It was enough to drive a man crazy. And when was that woman going to realize that she didn’t have to do everything herself? That it was all right to depend on other people?
Like himself. Which meant maybe he should just come out and tell her that he wasn’t doing this because he had to. Whether he wanted to admit it or not, this had become far more than just a job to him. Catherine Morgan was the girl who’d stolen his heart and never given it back when he walked out all those years ago.
He followed her toward the porch, knowing it was no longer worth trying to deny the subtle feelings she stirred in him. She had no idea how much her presence affected him, or how much he wanted to ignore it. But it was strong enough to make him want to gather her into his arms and promise her that everything was going to be okay. And that he wasn’t going to walk away again like he’d done so long ago—the way her father had done.
He paused at the bottom sta
ir. Except that was something he couldn’t promise, because everything might not be okay. He had no intention of sticking around this town longer than he had to. He took the porch steps two at a time and joined her at the threshold. If the search for his father’s killer took him to…to Alaska…he’d go there. Something he wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to understand.
“Catherine!” Audrey stood just inside the doorway. “Sheriff. Thank you so much for coming.”
Audrey paused at the sight of Harrison, who exited the wagon behind them, then went back into the house. Corbin caught Harrison’s crestfallen look. Obviously he wasn’t the only one haunted with mistakes from the past.
Corbin entered the O’Conner home behind Catherine, wishing the occasion were less somber. He could see the worried expressions on the faces of Emily and Audrey as they welcomed him into the house. He wished he were more optimistic about the situation, but either way he looked at it, something wasn’t right about Mr. Morgan’s disappearance. Corbin wasn’t sure why, but he’d had that uneasy feeling in his gut since the first moment Lily had told them about it. And if it turned out that he had simply walked out on these young women, Corbin was going to be the one wringing some sense into the man.
Anything he did was going to tear up the family who’d experience more than their share of heartache lately. Especially Catherine. As the matriarch of the family, she bustled around her sisters, assuring them that everything was going to be all right. According to Mr. O’Conner, if they were lucky, Isaiah Morgan would be back at the dinner table for supper, though any man who walked out on his family like he had didn’t deserve a second chance, in his opinion. Actions always did speak louder than words.
“Sheriff.” Mr. O’Conner stepped up and shook Corbin’s hand, interrupting his thoughts. “Thank you for coming. Lily just telephoned and already has six men on their way here who have volunteered to help with the search.”
“That’s great,” Corbin said.
“Where do we start?” Catherine asked.
Corbin cleared his throat. “I need to know anything you can think of. Any sign that he might have left on his own accord. Any notes he left. Any unusual behavior the past day or so.”
