by Annie Boone
“It’s not my story to tell, my boy. When she wants you to know, she’ll tell you.” Mae had gone to the table and sat down. “Let’s not let this juicy chicken get past its usefulness. Sit. Eat.”
It was clear that Mae and Tess had formed a friendship. Tess must have confessed something to the kindly older woman, but Mae would never break a confidence, and Zachery knew that. He’d sat down to supper and hadn’t asked another question about Tess.
Just as he was trying to get his mind back on the stage coach robbery, the door of his office jangled. David Wingate burst in. “Sheriff Maitland! Here’s an urgent dispatch from Fort Worth,” he said excitedly, handing over a leather pouch filled with papers. “Papa told me to bring it, came in on the stage just now.”
“Thank you, David. You did a good job, and I appreciate it.” Zachery fished in his pocket for some coins to give the lad.
David grinned when he saw how much Zachery had given him. “I can buy some of Mr. Grayson’s sweet buns for us for supper.” He beamed as he looked back up at the sheriff.
“Good. He makes some good ones.” David was already rushing out the door and didn’t even hear Zach’s last words.
He sat down at his desk and began to pull the papers out of the pouch and started reading. With each one, Zach grew more and more agitated. But he kept reading until he’d read every single word.
When he’d finished, he locked the pouch and its contents in the safe behind him, put on his hat, and walked out onto Main Street. He looked up and down the busy street, then turned to the left and made his way toward the Longhorn. Bill looked up when he entered. “Is Miss Bonner here today?”
“Out in the kitchen,” Bill said, nodding toward the rear of the building.
“Mind if I go and speak with her?”
“Would it make a difference if I said I did?”
“No, but Mae brought me up to be polite,” Zachery joked tightly.
Tess was bent over a large, steaming copper pot. “Miss Bonner. Tess. May I speak with you? Just for a moment, please.”
She stood up. A number of strands of her beautiful red hair had escaped her bun and were curling damply against her face from the steam. His heart felt as though it had stopped beating in his chest. She was so beautiful, and she’d been through so much. He wanted to rush to her and hold her so tightly that she’d know he would never leave her to fight anything alone again.
“Zach? Um, Sheriff Maitland?” She was surprised to see him and stepped back.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have done so, but I sent to Fort Worth for information about you. And about Roper. I’d do the same of anyone in town who seemed to be in trouble or here to cause it, but…” His voice trailed off, unsure how to explain to her that he’d done it because he wanted to help her.
“So, you know my parents died in a carriage accident, left me destitute, and easy prey for a man like Roper?” She looked him directly in the eye as her chin jutted out just a bit.
He nodded. “But I have a feeling I may know a little more about each of those events than you do.”
“You know how they died?” The look of hope and anguish on her face broke Zach’s heart.
“And I also know how their lawyer cheated you of your inheritance.” His voice was soft, just barely above a whisper.
“But there’s nothing that can be done about that. It’s too late. I have accepted that. It doesn’t matter.” She waved her hand and looked away.
“Why do you say that nothing can be done?” Zachery furrowed his brow, truly interested in her answer.
“Because Tommy had a lawyer friend who looked into it before we left Fort Worth. Believe me, if there was any way Tommy could have gotten his hands on that money, he would’ve found it.”
“There is always something that can be done when the law’s been broken.”
She looked up, her eyebrows knotting in that sweet way they did when she was thinking hard. He wanted to ease the stresses of her life from her brow. She was too young, too innocent to have to face everything she’d been forced to endure since her parents’ deaths.
“I just want to know how they died. That’s all that matters to me. Nobody would tell me anything.” Her eyes filled with tears. One escaped and trickled slowly down her cheek. She wiped it away and sniffed.
“Sit down, Tess.” Zachery took her by the hand and pulled out a chair from under the large kitchen table. She did as she was told, and he turned and grabbed a stool. He set it down in front of her and sat down. He took both her hands in his. “Are you truly sure you want to know?”
She nodded. He squeezed her hands. “For weeks before your parents were killed, there had been a run of roadside attacks. The Fort Worth sheriff’s office had put it down to bandits. They searched for a hideout but found nothing. Then, three days after your parents were attacked, a note was posted on their door.”
“A note?”
“Yes. It had no name on it, but the sheriff thought it worth investigating. The note gave very detailed information about how the attacks had happened. As you know, they hadn’t even told the families of those involved the details of the attacks.”
She nodded but said nothing. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes.
“So, by the simple fact that the information contained in the letter was chillingly accurate, they were sure they were being assisted by someone who truly knew about the crimes. They figured that whoever this was had witnessed at least one of them or knew of the plans of the ones who did it.”
Tess’s eyes were wide, but her breathing was calm. Zach couldn’t help but be impressed by her composure. “There was a list of names in that note.” He gently let go of her hands and pulled out a few sheets of paper from inside his jacket. He unfolded them and spread them out in front of Tess on the table. “Do you recognize any of these names?”
She perused the wanted posters carefully, moving from left to right and then going back for a second look. Eventually she pointed to two of the men depicted in the crude line drawings. “That one, that’s Tommy, isn’t it? And, this one, I believe this is the man Tommy said was a lawyer. He said he might be able to help me with my parents’ estate.”
“Have you seen this second man since you’ve been here in Springville?” Zach watched her closely.
“No, I haven’t seen him here,” she answered quickly, and Zach was sure she hadn’t seen the man. She appeared to be thinking on him further, so he waited. “But, you know, now that I think about it, Tommy hasn’t been at the boarding house every night. While I’m at the saloon during the day, I don’t usually know where he is. I suppose he may have met with this man at some point.”
“All right, then. What—”
“So, do you know how they killed them? Why? And why did Tommy come after me?” Her voice grew more shrill with each question.
“As you can see, there was a gang of six men involved. Four of them have been captured in Fort Worth. Two, Tommy and this Abel Givens, were just smart enough to get out of the area. But they didn’t get far enough to outrun their crimes. It’s all caught up to them now.”
“You’re going to arrest Tommy?” Tess brightened a little, the hope in her voice unmistakable.
“I am. But I want to get them both. I thought Tommy was just a two-bit gambler. A drifter looking for his next quarry. Turns out there’s more to him than that.”
“Tell me the truth, Zachery. I can take it. I need to know.” Tess looked him in the eyes, and he could see her determination.
He nodded. “They strung wire across the road to bring the horses to a halt. They didn’t seem to care that the wire could do more than just stop the horses. If the wire wasn’t seen, the horses would run into it and be hurt—possibly, fatally. It was a cruel and thoughtless act.”
She shook her head and was visibly shaken at this detail. A new tear made a trail down her cheek.
He knew he had to keep going, so he didn’t dwell on that part of the crime. “The att
acks were carefully planned. The sheriff in Fort Worth believes that someone inside your father’s bank gave them information about people who would be traveling with large sums of cash.”
“Did they kill all their victims?”
“No, it doesn’t appear so. I’m sorry, but I believe the only people they killed were your parents. We don’t know what went wrong that night, but the sheriff in Fort Worth thinks something out of the ordinary happened that night, something that made them impulsive and reckless. Maybe they feared their man had warned your father or the authorities. There are any number of possibilities, and we may never know what really happened unless one of them confesses.”
“So, why would Tommy offer to help me? Did he feel guilty or something?”
“That’s another question I just don’t have the answer to, yet. But I will. I promise you that.”
“I’m still so angry. So hurt. I can’t believe he was part of the reason my parents are gone. I just want to grab a pistol and shoot him.”
“Tess, I understand your feelings. I’m sure I’d feel the same way. But we need to find Abel Givens. We can’t let Tommy know he’s been found out. At least not yet.” Zach let out a long breath, knowing this would be difficult for Tess to deal with.
“You want me to go back to the boarding house and pretend I don’t know all of this?” Her eyes were wide. “I can’t believe you’d expect me to be able to do that.”
“I do need you to do just that. I know it’ll be hard. Darn near impossible. But you’ve already proven how brave you are. I need you to stay strong for just one more week, maybe two. We can trap them both. But without Able, we may never know where the money went.”
“Well, I know exactly where it went. The money’s been lost at poker,” Tess said bitterly. “He’s lost a fortune since we got here, trying to gain people’s trust. His plan was to lose enough that people thought him a fool, and then to take them all for a fortune. I think he intends to do it tonight.”
“And you didn’t tell me?” Zachery exploded, then immediately felt terrible when he saw the hurt look upon her face. “I’m sorry about that, Tess. I just want to bring these two to justice.”
“I know you care and you’ve got a job to do. But please understand that I haven’t been able to leave his sight since I ran out of your birthday supper. He’s watched every move I’ve made. He accused me of conspiring with you. He knows I don’t like his schemes.”
Zach stood up and started pacing. The planning was making him nervous.
Tess cleared her throat and shook her head. “You should also know that he seems suspicious of everyone. He drinks all the time now. It seems like he’s always angry and constantly looking over his shoulder. He’s worried about something.”
“Tess, I’m so sorry about all this. Please, I know you’ve already been through so much, and I hate it that you’re going through such trials. I know he has you frightened.”
Tess’s eyes flared bright. “I am not frightened. I don’t cower before him. But because I don’t, it makes him worse.” She pulled up her skirts and showed him the welts across her legs. “He did that, with his belt. I have them all over my body because I wouldn’t tell him where I’d been that afternoon. On your birthday. I wasn’t able to work for nearly a week because I could barely move.”
“Oh, Tess!” Zachery went to her and dropped to his knees in front of her. Some of the welts were healed with raw red scars, but others were still encrusted with scabs. “I should never have let you go back there. I didn’t see you and thought you were taking time off. I had no idea what really happened. I should have checked into it further.”
“Zach, none of this is your fault.” Tess dropped her skirts and stood up. She went to stand across the room from him. Her chin jutted out, and she took a deep breath. “I’m not showing you my wounds to gain your pity. I don’t want you to feel bad about any of it. I only showed you to prove my resolve. Tommy Roper is responsible for all his actions, and I will see him pay. So, whatever you need me to do, I will do it.”
Zach watched her for a moment and then nodded. Finally a smile crept to his face. “You’re quite a woman, Miss Tess Bonner. Let’s go get those degenerate scoundrels.”
Seven
Tess could feel her stomach churning as she made her way back to the boarding house. Tommy was stretched out on the rocker on the porch, as he almost always was. “What’s for supper?” he demanded.
“I don’t know,” she said boldly. “You’ve been here all day while I’ve been at work. Would it have killed you to wander as far as the bakery to buy a pie?”
“Since when is that for me to do, Missy?” He stood up and took a step forward. Though he didn’t come closer, his eyes never left her face. She stared back, even as her stomach lurched.
“Since I decided that I don’t need you and have no intention of staying here and helping you to cheat and lie to the good people of this town. That’s when.”
“You’ve got nowhere to go, and nobody to care where you are, anyway.” Tommy frowned and leaned back in the rocker.
“Oh, but I have. I have a job, remember? And you may not believe it, but I’ve made friends here. I’ve been offered bed and board to act as a housekeeper, and I intend to accept that offer of new employment.”
“Oh no, Missy. You’re not going anywhere. There’ll be no job changes for you until I say so.”
“Why not? I’m not really any use to you, Tommy. It turned out I have no inheritance for you to marry me for and then steal. I’m no good at flirting and distracting, and you know I’ll never do anything to get myself thrown in jail over. So, what is it you want from me?”
“Well, now you put it like that, I don’t need you. You’re nothing but a weight around my neck, and a miserable petulant one at that.”
“Then I’ll just be getting my things, and I’ll be off. I wouldn’t want to hold you back any longer, Mr. Roper.” Tess smiled sweetly at him and held her head high.
When he looked away, she turned and flounced into the boarding house and then ran up the stairs into her room where she fell into Zachery’s arms. He held her tightly. She was shivering, and he pressed a light kiss to her forehead. “You were magnificent!” He kicked the door shut behind her.
“I’m still not entirely sure how this is going to lure Abel Givens into Springville.” She relaxed into him, grateful for his solid strength. She wasn’t entirely sure she could stand without him.
“Tommy isn’t the kind of man to want to do anything alone. I don’t think he’s really capable. As you pointed out, he’s relied on you to distract his opponents, plying them with whiskey so they become befuddled and dim-witted. Without you, he’s alone at that table. I have a feeling he won’t want that to happen. Abel Givens will be one of those at the table when he makes his play.”
“I do hope you’re right.”
“Oh, I’m right. I’ve no doubt that’s how they’ve got it planned.”
Tess sighed and pulled out of Zachery’s embrace. It felt too good to be there, and she didn’t want him to think she was wanton. It was bad enough that he was here, alone with her, in her room. She still wasn’t sure if he truly cared for her or was simply doing his job, and she wouldn’t be so forward as to ask.
“I guess it does make sense. He has to have someone in on it to make it work.”
“Yes, that’s how he can be certain his plan will work. Now, I’ve spoken to Bill, and you’re to stay home tonight and tomorrow. We’ll take things from here. I won’t put you in any further danger. Stay up at the farm with Mama Mae. She’ll take good care of you.”
Tess frowned. “No. I won’t. I won’t let him think he’s beaten me. If I‘m not at work, he’ll suspect something is wrong. He may be many unpleasant things, but he isn’t a fool.”
“You’re probably right, but I also think he won’t bring in Givens if he thinks you might recognize the man. Tess, please, stay at home and look after Mae for me. I promise, I won’t let you down.”
Tess sighed. “I’ll do what you want of me, but only because you may well be right. Givens won’t come anywhere near if I’m in the saloon.”
“Now, pack up your things, and flounce out of here. We need to get Roper to take action,” Zachery said with a grin.
Eight
The bar area was busy, and it was hard to pick out individual voices among the cacophony of card games, conversations, singing, and the old piano. Zachery paced up and down in the kitchen of the saloon. Bill had pored over the wanted poster and was sure that he knew the man they were looking for.
Their plan was far from perfect, but having seen the way Roper drew his confidence just from having Tess close, he was sure he was right in suspecting that Tommy wouldn’t try his big gamble without someone there on his side. A partner.
An hour passed before Bill appeared in the doorway. “He’s here,” he said quietly. Zachery nodded. “You’ll need to be patient; the games seem to be winding up slowly tonight.”
“I can wait,” Zachery said.
Bill laughed. “You’ll be wearing a path in my floor if you have to wait much longer.”
Left alone with his thoughts again, Zach’s mind went instantly to Tess. He loved her. It was as simple as that. He’d do anything to keep her safe.
Now that he knew about the beating Tommy gave her on the night of his birthday, he was fairly certain he’d always blame himself for it. He wouldn’t blame her if she blamed him, too. But, for now, she was on his side. Her determination to make the men who’d killed her parents pay was strong. He wondered how long she would stay in Springville once those men were locked up in jail. Would she want to return to Fort Worth to see them receive the justice they so richly deserved?
He heard footsteps and turned to see young David holding out a letter. “Came in just now, sir.” Zachery ruffled his hair and opened the missive.
“Thank you.” He breathed out loudly as he read. “I knew it. I just knew it.”
