Montana Promise (McCutcheon Family Series Book 10)

by Caroline Fyffe

  “Be quiet, Jack,” Harrison commanded stepping forward.

  Jack stumbled back.

  “I’m not trying Luke McCutcheon on some trumped-up murder charge. You have no evidence except the uncorroborated word of Blanche Van Gleek.”

  “I… I do have other evidence,” Jack sputtered.

  “What’s going on out there?” Luke called from his cell. “Is that you, Wesley? Damn good to hear your voice!”

  Faith broke away and hurried in to where Luke was confined, followed by Y Knot’s attorney-at-law, Leonard Browning.

  Others must have witnessed their group enter the sheriff’s office, because people began to pile inside as well, lining the walls on either side. Jed Kasterlee from the hotel, a few early morning diners from the café, as well as Daniel Clevenger, Joe Brunn, Neil, and some cowboys Francis didn’t know.

  “What other evidence do you have?” the judge asked.

  Jack straightened and held his head high. “Horse tracks to the Van Gleek cabin that come south from Y Knot and then continue into town.”

  “Luke admitted he rode into her yard and went up to her door to ask if she’d seen Colton. From there, did they go straight into town?”

  Jack’s gaze roamed the group. “No.”

  “No? ’Course not,” Wesley went on. “After Luke spoke with Van Gleek, he went back to his campsite where Colton eventually returned. Then they went into town, got cleaned up, and went to Joe’s wedding that afternoon. Those tracks mean nothing.”

  Jack’s face flamed scarlet. “You haven’t even spoken with him.”

  The judge looked at Jack intently. “I don’t have to. You got anything else?”

  Jack shook his head.

  “Release McCutcheon,” Judge Wesley said. “Everyone in this room knows he’d never kill a man for money. He’s rich. Besides, who commits murder and then goes to a wedding, for God’s sake? The whole bloody situation is preposterous!” The last word he all but barked out.

  Deputy Clark rose to his full height, his face enflamed and forehead slicked with sweat.

  Seemed he knew his authority was about to be usurped.

  “You don’t have the jurisdiction to march in and—”

  Harrison’s eyes flashed. “I have every authority, Deputy! With or without new evidence. Just so happens new circumstances have come to light that will absolve the prisoner.”

  Francis was grateful he wasn’t on the receiving end of the judge’s anger.

  Grumbling from the townsfolk went around the room.

  “We knew this would happen…”

  “They’re friends, what did you expect…”

  “McCutcheon won’t pay for his crime—not like the rest of us would have to…”

  “Quiet!” Joe Brunn said. “It ain’t right to keep an innocent man locked up for something he didn’t do.”

  Harrison stuck out his hand palm up while nailing Jack to the back wall with a heated glare. “The key.”

  Feet defiantly spread wide, Jack bit out, “First let’s hear the new evidence.”

  Judge Wesley’s face became so red Francis feared the man would suffer a stroke.

  Harrison turned to the townsfolk. “You’ll need to clear out so we can settle this matter now. I don’t want any disgruntled bystander pulling his gun to even any scores.”

  Everyone filed out the door and crowded around the windows looking in. When the room was empty of bystanders, Roady closed the door and started for Luke’s cell.

  Luke stood at the bars, a wide smile splitting his face. “Harrison, seeing you is about the best gift I could get today!”

  Judge Wesley gave Luke a stern look. “Now you hush up, Luke, and let Browning do the talking for you.”

  Browning nodded. “We want to explain what we now know about Mrs. Van Gleek and what happened last night.”

  Luke glanced at Jack, his expression turning dark. “You gonna let me out of here or not?” Faith placed her hand over Luke’s.

  Jack slid his hand into his pocket and felt around. His gaze skimmed over to Clark and then to the floor. “You got the key?” he whispered to Clark, but everyone in the room heard the question.

  The deputy’s nostrils flared. “You brought him his breakfast.” Clark looked like he wanted to storm out.

  “So I did,” Jack mumbled. “I’ll find it soon enough.”

  Luke pushed his fingers through his hair. “Soon enough is not soon enough!”

  “Never mind,” Judge Wesley said. “Let’s hear this new evidence.”

  “What’s this about last night?” Jack asked, looking at Clark, who shrugged.

  “Tell ’em, Miss Adair,” Colton called out. “Tell what you saw and heard.”

  Francis encouraged Ashley forward until she was in front of Judge Wesley, who stood next to the cell bars.

  Behind Luke’s head, faces peered in through the small window above Luke’s cot. Francis wondered briefly how they’d managed to get themselves up that high. Must be standing on a wagon. “Just say what you told me, Ashley. Everyone here, besides Jones and Clark, have already heard the tellin’, so you don’t have to be frightened.”

  “Now, miss, you ready to swear on this Bible that you’ll tell the truth?” Judge Wesley asked.

  Ashley swallowed and stretched out her shaky hand.

  Francis knew she’d stay strong. Her voice soft but steady, she pledged to tell the truth. Her good word would be measured against the lying Blanche Van Gleek. Ashley had a lot to lose. He hoped she knew she also had much more to gain.

  “Speak up, Miss Adair, with your important information,” Jack snapped. “Why didn’t you come to us straightaway?”

  The judge weaved his fingers together and leaned back against the cell bars. “Let her tell her story, man.”

  “Last night, a sound outside awakened me after I’d gone to sleep.”

  Francis didn’t miss all the men in the room, as well as Faith and Colton, intently watching the sheriff and deputy to discern their reaction to the news about Blanche’s nighttime activities. Pride for Ashley’s strength pushed at his chest. She recounted the story with barely a waver in her voice.

  “The moment I saw the figure of a man, Francis’s speculations flashed into my mind,” Ashley continued, and looked straight at Jack. “He’d been right all along.”

  Jack’s gaze widened as he digested her words. “W-What? I can hardly—” His gaze cut around the group. “Who was it?”

  “A cloak covered his identity.”

  Clark puffed out his chest. “That’s the most outrageous invention of a falsehood I’ve ever heard.” He glowered at the judge. “This hick has seduced Miss Adair, and now she’ll say anything, do anything, even lie to all of us to set McCutcheon free.” He frowned at Ashley and pointed a finger in her face. “Did he ask you to marry him, darlin’?”

  Without warning, Francis lunged forward and shoved the deputy against the cell.

  An outburst went up from the group.

  The man outweighed Francis by at least twenty pounds, but he didn’t care. Satisfaction registered in his gut when Clark’s head snapped back and hit the bars. How dare he imply that about Ashley? “Is that cut on her face a lie?” he gritted out as he pressed the man back, Clark’s stale whiskey breath hot in his face. “And the one on her arm?”

  “Order! Order!” Judge Wesley shouted. “Cease and desist immediately, or I’ll throw you both out of here.”

  “Francis!” Luke said. “Ease up.”

  Clark, no longer taken by surprise, shoved Francis.

  He stumbled backward, both their gazes full of anger.

  “Go on, Miss Adair,” Judge Wesley said. “What else did the unidentified visitor say?”

  “For Blanche not to get jittery. To stick to their story. That the law didn’t have any other evidence but her word against Mr. McCutcheon.” She glanced over her shoulder at Luke. “And if Blanche did get any ideas about turning him in, she’d end up like Mildred.”

  Jones and Clar
k took in the new information without twitching an eye.

  “We’ll have to worry about the key to Luke’s cell later,” Judge Wesley turned to Jack. “Your next move is to go out to that house immediately. Arrest Blanche Van Gleek before she has a chance to run off.”

  Jack nodded.

  Clark glowered but remained silent.

  Judge Wesley turned and in a loud voice addressed the faces in the window. “If any of you people dare to interfere with your sheriff in the execution of his duty, I’ll be pleased to hang you as accomplices after the fact to murder. So don’t you all go running off telling tales and encouraging people to flee the law.”

  The faces drew back, their mouths open and gazes wide.

  Then the judge leaned in toward Jack and Clark. “Roady has two men out at the house now, standing watch to make sure Mrs. Adair isn’t hurt. Be sure not to confuse them with the murderer. I don’t want any Heart of the Mountains men getting shot. Is that clear?”

  Jack inhaled, his hand falling to his sidearm. “Perfectly.”

  “Well, what are you waiting for? Get moving!”

  “Roady, Shad,” Luke called. “Go with ’em. Let’s keep everything on the up-and-up.” He looked at Judge Wesley. “But what about the key? And me getting out?”

  “We’ll start the search while Jack and Clark go dispense justice. The key must be around here somewhere.”

  Jack gave a dirty look around the room and then pushed through the men and out the door, followed by his deputy, Roady, and Shad.

  Chapter Fifty

  What was happening? This morning, Blanche finally got up after lying awake through the night, elusive sleep playing with her mind.

  Angelia made her toast and told her Ashley must have risen early and gone into town—for what, she didn’t know.

  Blanche thought she might. Was it possible the girl overheard any of the conversation last night? Had she gone to the sheriff? Not knowing was almost worse than being in jail. She was in a prison of her own making.

  How long can I continue? Feels like I’m losing my mind… Either I’ll have to confess or sneak away in the night. I’d better make a decision before my options are gone.

  A loud knock sounded on the front door.

  Blanche’s cup clattered into its saucer. She glanced at the clock, and a sick feeling welled up inside. “Who could that be, Angelia? It’s barely past six.”

  Angelia set the dish she’d been drying into the cupboard, fear flashing across her face. “Another mystery? I pray nothing has happened to Ashley. Now her absence is scaring me. Could she have eloped last night with that young cowboy? She’s been acting very strange of late. I’ve never seen her so taken with anyone.”

  Blanche made a movement to stand.

  “You stay put,” Angelia commanded. “I’ll see who’s at the door.”

  Francis and Ashley were together again yesterday? My situation is more precarious than I thought.

  Blanche glanced to the hallway with an overwhelming desire to flee.

  The door opened. She heard men’s voices and then footsteps. Her stomach painfully clenched. Sheriff Jones and the deputy, as well as men from McCutcheon ranch.

  Jack Jones’s gaze flitted to the side and then back at her. His chin dipped low. “Blanche, you’re under arrest. Stand and come peacefully.”

  Words she’d thought she’d never hear. Every ounce of energy drained away. Jail. Will being locked up keep me safe, or will I be more vulnerable for Mr. Romantic to kill me? “W-Why? What for?”

  Mr. Guthrie’s eyes twinkled. He and two other ranch hands tried to hide their wobbly smiles, but their delight was clear as water at the turn of events.

  “Killing Benson,” Jack said. “But then, I’m sure you already knew that.”

  Her muscles tensed and she glanced at the kitchen door. Was a getaway possible? There were five of them and one of her.

  “What’s this?” Angelia demanded. “That’s preposterous. What evidence do you have? Blanche was an eyewitness to his murder.”

  “You’re correct, Mrs. Adair,” Roady said. “But not by Luke’s hand.”

  Angelia’s narrowed gaze slid over to Blanche, and she slowly backed away. “Where’s Ashley?” she whispered. “She wasn’t here this morning.” She searched one face and then the next. “Do you know? Has Blanche hurt her too?”

  “She’s safe in town, ma’am,” the cowhand named Shad Petty said. “Has been since last night. No need to worry about her.”

  Blanche sat there, stunned, moisture slicking her palms. What did they know? “On what grounds do you arrest me?” she found herself asking. She didn’t recognize the deep, calm voice that came out of her mouth.

  “We’ll go over that when we get you into town,” Jack said. “If you don’t want us taking you in in your nightclothes, I’d advise you get dressed.”

  “Nick’s standing guard outside, so don’t think you can climb out your window,” Mr. Guthrie said, his tone hard.

  She stood, went to her room, and dressed. Soon they were on the way to town, her hands shackled behind her back as she walked ahead of the horsemen. Cool air kissed her cheeks. How had her life gotten so out of control? One bad decision had led to another, and another, until she lived each day in a web of lies. A breeze swayed the green treetops, and she raised her face to the sun. This might be her final walk on this road. Regret gripped her stomach, making her want to be sick. She did her best to take in the view, the frilly birch trees, the hawk floating in the wispy clouds, the tiny lacy flowers growing beneath the small buttercup leaves. Nothing was worth losing all this…

  The handcuffs pinched and she straightened. What had Ashley heard? If only she knew, perhaps she’d have a chance to lie her way free. Maybe Jack and the others were bluffing, waiting for her to confess or say something they needed to know but didn’t. For now, she’d stick to the story, like she’d been told. Maybe a miracle would happen.

  Leaning against the saloon’s bar top, Tanner took a sip of warm beer, letting the brew ease his midmorning hunger. He’d needed to wet his whistle, even though the saloon was around the corner and off the main street where he’d been flashing the money clip Francis had given him last night. So far, only a couple of people commented that Neil Huntsman had one like it. He’d had to wait until they asked about the unusual thingamajig and then he’d casually pick up the conversation. People had been interested, some only because they’d never seen the likes before. Still, he shouldn’t get discouraged. He’d only just started. Hopefully somebody soon would give him a lead. At the moment, the piece, holding the original two dollars, sat beside his glass of beer.

  Being the only one standing at the bar, Tanner rested on his elbows and lifted his almost-empty mug to his lips, scanning the room.

  A man sat in the back of the room by himself. His hat rested crown down on the tabletop next to a bottle of whiskey. Even this early in the day, he was sunburned and his clothes sweat-stained.

  The bartender came through the side door, three bottles in his hands, and proceeded around the bar, setting the whiskey on the back wall shelf. “You want another, friend?” he asked, looking at Tanner’s empty glass.

  “No, thanks. Best be on my way.” He made a show of peeling off a dollar bill and then waited for change which he dropped into his pocket.

  “I like that clip,” the bartender said. “Seems I’ve seen one like it.” He looked up at Tanner. “But you’re new, aren’t ya? You with the ranch from Y Knot?”

  “Nope. Looking for some odd jobs before moving on. You say you’ve seen a clip like this before? I thought mine was one of a kind.” He bounced the clip in his palm.

  “Sure. A man don’t forget something like that.”

  Tanner winked. “I’ve never been in Priest’s Crossing until today. Who has one like it?”

  The bartender scratched his chin. “Darned if I can remember.”

  The man in the back stood and ran his hand through his thick hair. He glanced around and then tossed
a coin onto the tabletop, starting their way.

  “Who’s that?” Tanner whispered to the bartender. “Maybe I’ll ask if he needs help. From the looks of his clothes, he’s been working.”

  “Livery man, Pink Kelly. He just might give you a go, at that.” The barkeep’s face brightened. “I know! Neil Huntsman, teller at the bank, has one exactly the same.” A narrowed gaze slid Tanner’s way. “That ain’t his, I hope.”

  “Said the clip’s mine,” he said defensively, guilt pricking his conscience. For the time, that is.

  The livery man looked over Tanner’s shoulder as he passed. His feet stopped as he stared.

  Tanner tried to read his eyes. “The piece gets me a lot of attention.”

  “I can sure see why.” Kelly pushed on his hat and took a step.

  The bartender reached out and stopped him. “This young fella is looking for work, Pink. Can you hire him on? You’re usually running a couple of weeks behind. He might give you some relief.”

  The man swung around.

  The dark gaze taking in his countenance sent a chill down Tanner’s spine.

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Luke stared into the next chamber that held the woman who’d accused him of murder. This was his first look since she’d pointed a finger into his face, proclaiming to the world he was a killer. Without the bruises and cut lip, she looked different. Younger. Smaller, as she huddled on her cot pushed into the corner. Her limbs trembled, and she hadn’t glanced in his direction once since Jones and Clark had escorted her inside and locked the door. Too bad the key that had opened her door didn’t work for both cells.

  Sounds from the other room attested to the fact Jack and Clark were still searching. Lunchtime had come and gone, with Daniel Clevenger handing him a sandwich through the bars since they couldn’t open his door for a tray. Luke and the others had insisted Faith, Colton, and Ashley return to the hotel and lie down after getting a bite at the café.

  Seemed he wasn’t the only one who hadn’t slept last night. Unbeknownst to the women, Shad, Smokey, and Pedro were keeping watch on their room, one in the next room over, one at the back door, and another at the front. The rest of the hands, as well as the judge and lawyer, were taking their noontime meal in the eatery across the street, after which they intended to take up the search.