“Oh. I see,” Gabriella said.
“Ah cocked his hat, a’right!” Whipper cackled. “Dumbest bootlicker Ah ever laid eyes on! He done th’ deed an’ deserves everythin’ he’s gittin’.”
Reuben closed his eyes. He could no longer look at the man. Crippled or not, he believed he just witnessed the lowest form of betrayal.
Jebediah pointed at Whipper. “There’s mah proof! Now Ah want the old biddy to tell me where she hid the slave girl. And since it’s the holiday,” he said, puffing out his chest, “mebbee Ah’ll fergit about prosecuting the guilty parties. Now, mind yu, that’s only if Ah git the wench Ah come after in the first place.”
Gabriella could feel her panic rising. That the bounty hunter could no longer harm Nell held little comfort for the babe was still hidden nearby. How could she choose between the child and Reuben? As she fumbled with her bonnet, a hand squeezed her shoulder.
“Sheriff,” Ben spoke suddenly. “Would it interest you to know who started the fire?”
“What do you mean?” he asked, missing the shocked look that crossed Whipper’s face.
“It wuz the darky we caught comin’ from the barn whilst it wuz burning!” Jebediah said, interrupting.
“Reuben wasn’t in the barn when it caught fire,” Ben said, pointing to the coat. “Whoever it was, he broke into the medicine chest in search of something.”
“Are you saying it was Whipper who started the fire?” Jim asked. “But, why?”
“I was wondering the same thing, until I had a chance to watch him,” Ben said. “A man with a chronic pain might look for something to numb his discomfort.”
“No, Ah never!” Whipper shook his head as his hand madly kneaded his thigh. “It were him!” he shrieked, pointing at Reuben. “He left th’ lantern a’crooked on a bale and it tipped over!” Whipper swung his gaze toward Jeb. “Honest, boss, just like Ah said!”
Ben nodded toward Whipper as flashes of memory formed with more clarity. “I believe I startled him, and that’s when the lantern got knocked over. One of the bottles was ether, which we keep to sedate horses when doctoring wounds. If he claims that’s his coat, I believe you’ll still be able to smell the ether.”
Sheriff Hadley put his nose to the cloth, inhaling deeply. “You’re right. I couldn’t figure out what that odor was.”
Ted reached over and cuffed Whipper. “So, that’s why yu wuz acting so corned. Yu wuz a’sniffin’ ether.”
Willie, not wanting to miss any fun, kicked the mulatto who fell to his knees. “We figured yu wuz a’wobbly just cuz yer so plug-ugly.”
If Whipper’s mind had been clearer, he would’ve continued denying his guilt. But the liquor befuddled his mind. Groveling, he raised his arms. “Ah’s sorry, laidy, Ah wuzn’t trying t’ hurt nobody! Ah didn’t mean t’ ketch th’ barn afire! Ah just needed sompin’ to help mah leg!”
Enraged, a guttural sound emitted from Jebediah’s throat as he vaulted from his chair, grabbing Whipper’s collar. “Yu worthless guttersnipe!” he growled, shaking him. “Ah could kill yu fer this!”
Whipper covered his face as he screamed in a high-pitched, child-like voice. “Ah’s sor-rry!! Ah’s sor-rry!!”
The room seemed to explode as the sheriff yelled, drawing deputies from the back room. As they grabbed Jebediah, Ben flung his arms around Gabriella, dragging her away, chair and all. Reuben squeezed between the deputies to grip Whipper’s shoulders, peeling the cripple away while Ted and Willy sat shocked anyone would dare put hands on the infuriated giant.
“Enough!” Jebediah roared, shaking himself loose. “So, the pickaninnie started the fire! So whut!”
“Sit down, Mr. Johnson,” Jim said, touching his gun. “Or so help me, I’ll put you under arrest and keep you locked up until after the first of the year.”
Jeb eyes burned as he righted his chair and settled in it. “This don’t change a thing. Ah don’t care if the half-breed burned the whole damned town. Ah still say the laidy hid the runaways and Ah ain’t leaving without them.”
Jim took Whipper from Reuben. “I think you need to lay down,” he said, taking him back and placing him in a cell.
After returning, the sheriff stared at his notes. He tapped the paper causing all, including Gabriella, to hold their breath.
“Well folks,” he said. “This is as much about money as it is the law. As I see it, you Jebediah, are here to recoup your client’s property.”
“Yu betcha,” he said, nodding eagerly. “A young slave girlie is worth a lot of money. The bitch proved she could breed, that’s fer sher!”
Sniggering, Willy spoke up. “Th’ master himself had at her, Ah hear tell.”
Gabriella drew in a sharp breath, covering her mouth.
“That’s it!” the sheriff said. “I insist you two leave.”
Ted and Willie looked toward Jebediah. “Git!” the bounty hunter said. “Yu boys git some sleep. Ah’ll be along shortly.”
Soon after they left, the door flew back open. George burst in, his eyes falling on Gabriella. “Thank God you’re all right! I got word your barn was on fire, but couldn’t find you at home. You’re neighbors told me you’d come here.”
“I’m fine, George,” Gabriella said.
“What happened?”
“That’s why we’re all here,” Jim said. “We have allegations and charges to sort through.”
George’s eyes hardened as he looked at Jebediah. “Who’s making the charges?”
“Mr. Johnson is alleging Gabriella is involved with illegal transportation of slaves-”
“What?!” George sputtered. “Why, that’s preposterous! Gabriella is no more involved with the Underground Railroad than I am!” He turned toward the bounty hunter. “First you slander my daughter and now you’re preying on a helpless woman.” He shook his finger. “How dare you!”
Jeb shrugged. “Cain’t help it if’n yer family are nuthin’ but lawbreakers.”
“What are the charges?”
Reading his notes, Jim outlined the details of the evening, including the evidence of the coat as well as Ben’s recollection of the fire, ending with Whipper’s admission.
George stood aghast as he stared at his sister. “I don’t know what to say…”
“Oh, grow up George,” she chided. “You’ve led a sheltered life. Sheriff, what’s to happen next?”
Jim stuck his pencil behind his ear. “Well, ma’am, as I was saying before. This isn’t just about law, it’s about money as well.”
“Yeah, yeah, we already covered that,” Jeb spat. “Let’s git to the part where Ah git the girl.”
Jim ignored Jebediah as he looked directly at Gabriella. “It seems ma’am, that we no longer have one felonious act, but two.”
Gabriella steeled herself. “What’s the other charge?”
Sheriff Hadley smiled. “Malicious destruction of property.”
It took George only a split second to understand. “The barn!” he nearly shouted.
“Whut?” Jeb looked confused.
“Of course! Why didn’t I think of that?” George turned excitably to Gabriella. “The barn’s a total loss. This Whipper has already admitted his guilt. As he was acting as an agent for Mr. Johnson, he’s liable for the barn as well as its contents!”
“Now, hold on,” Jeb snarled. “Whut d’ya mean Ah’m responsible?” He pointed a finger at Reuben. “If it weren’t fer him, none of this would’ve happened.”
“Reuben didn’t start the fire,” Ben said. “Whipper did.”
“Your client can certainly press charges against Miss Bruester for the loss of his property. That’s his right,” the sheriff said. “But, Miss Bruester also has the right to press charges against you for the loss of her barn.”
“And I would,” Gabriella said. “Most vigorously!”
Jeb shook his head. “Ah don’t b’lieve it.”
“Well, Mr. Johnson, it comes down to money,” Hadley said. “Will your client’s property be worth pursuing i
n light of the action Miss Bruester could press against you?”
For once, Jeb was speechless. He stared at the sheriff who had thwarted him at every turn yet still fulfilled the letter of the law.
“Well, Ah’ll be damned!” Jebediah breathed. “Ah cain’t b’lieve Ah’ve been bested by a woman no bigger’n a mite!”
“Does this mean you’re going to drop all charges against Miss Bruester?”
“Hell and damnation!” Jeb said, scowling. “That’s exactly whut it means.”
“Then this meeting is over,” the sheriff said. “You are all free to go.”
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Following the conclusion of the jailhouse meeting, Reuben left, accompanied by Deputy Welch while Ben went to ready the carriage. George stood near the door gazing at his sister, recalling times when for no apparent reason, Gabriella would change or cancel plans. Dismissing the behavior as oddities of an aging spinster, he now realized what a fool he had been.
Unsure what to do, Jeb tarried in his seat while the sheriff finished writing his report. He stared at his boot tips pondering what story he could tell to keep his client from reclaiming his fee. Raising his gaze to the cane in Gabriella’s hands, he noticed her fingers shaking. A grudging admiration caused him to wonder what kind of woman would risk her final years trafficking fugitives. He also wondered what the hell happened to his quarry.
“D’ya suppose that girlie ever made it to her destination?” Jebediah asked.
Gabriella studied his face warily before speaking. “I’m sure I wouldn’t know.”
“Ah mean, if yu wuz a betting woman, whut would be the odds of her makin’ it to Canada?”
“If I were a guessing woman,” Gabriella said, “I’d have to believe no one could live after what you claim your hounds were capable of doing.”
“Ah see.” Jeb appeared long in digesting that possibility. It hadn’t occurred to him the hounds could’ve fatally mauled the girl before help arrived. He rubbed his eyes, feeling fatigued. “Ah suppose yu reckon the babe, too?”
“My prayers would be that all children grow up free, as God intended them to be,” Gabriella said. “I pray no differently for that child.”
“D’ya suppose those prayers will be answered?” Jeb prodded.
Gabriella paused, mindful of her words. “If there’s a God in heaven,” she said, turning back around. “They will be.”
Ben entered the jail. “The carriage is ready, ma’am.”
As Gabriella stood, George aided his sister with her coat. “Will you still be attending Emily’s dinner tonight?”
She patted her brother’s hand as Ben took her arm. “I wouldn’t dream of missing it. Besides, I promised Amanda.” She then turned to the sheriff. “Give my regards to your wife.”
Sheriff Hadley grinned as they departed. “Sure thing, Miss Bruester. You take care, now.”
“Now ain’t that sweet!” Jeb said, rolling his eyes.
“There’s no call for antagonism, Mr. Johnson. We’ve already settled our differences. So, why are you still here?”
“Ah suppose Ah need to git mah half breed out of yer jail.”
Jeb said, rising. “He ain’t no good to anybody but me.”
“Are you sure? You were awfully rough on him tonight.”
“Oh hell! Ah ain’t gonna kill the little bastard!”
“You’ve admitted he’s a free man. I can’t compel him to go with you.”
“Ask him!” Jeb challenged. “And if he don’t wanna come, fine! But Ah guarantee no one’s gonna be as good to him as Ah am, and he knows it!”
As George buttoned his coat, he cleared his throat. “So,” he said, wrapping a scarf around his neck, “are you going back to Virginia?”
“Suppose so.” Jeb scrutinized the banker. “Why?”
George held out his business card. “I think I can offer you a better solution than the last time we spoke. Be at the bank in one hour. Someone will be there to let you in.”
“Hell,” Jeb huffed peevishly as he looked at the card. “If that don’t pile on the agony. Ah ain’t never gonna git any sleep.”
***
After his meeting with George, a bank officer and a lawyer, Jeb stepped outside just as the sun began lighting the sky. Tucked in his pocket was a signed contract for the purchase of one female slave called Nell, and her male offspring named Isaiah. In return for the payment, Jeb swore to never make contact with George Bruester or his family again.
George had been thorough. In the expanse of one hour, he had roused the family attorney and had him finishing the finer points of their hastily drawn agreement by the time Jeb arrived. George drafted a bank cheque for the sum of $2,500, payable to Jeb’s client. Upon cashing the cheque, a certificate of freedom would be issued for Nell and her child. If Jeb broke any terms of the agreement, George would pursue a warrant for his arrest and sue him for triple damages for Gabriella’s barn.
Jeb smiled as he guided his horse through the street. He too, received a cheque. It could only be cashed if he were successful in convincing his client to accept the deal. Of that, he was certain. In a settlement against a neighbor, Nell’s owner had purchased her for a pittance. Besides, Jeb smirked to himself, there were always other slaves to take her place.
He had done well. Not only had he recovered his client’s investment, he also acquired a hefty sum for himself. With that thought in mind, Jebediah hitched his horse outside the saloon and went in.
As he mounted the stairs, a disheveled woman garbed in a robe, descended. She didn’t see him until she reached the stairwell, but reading the hunger in his eyes, she pulled back. “I’m not a’workin’ right now,” she said.
She tried retreating, but with swift steps Jeb overtook her and throwing her over his shoulder, entered the room she just left.
It wasn’t until late afternoon Jeb descended the stairs. Spying several of his men, he grinned broadly. “Howdy, boys.”
“Whew-ee!” Ted said. “Where’s your bearskin? Yu look like yu just plucked th’ hen.”
Jeb reached out and smacked Ted’s shoulder. “Course Ah did, yu ninny.”
“Jeez, boss, whut yu so wraithy for?”
“Ain’t,” Jeb said as he straddled a chair. “Well, boys. Looks like we’re heading home today.”
Chapter Forty
If Emily had ever before arranged elaborate plans on such short notice, she couldn’t recall. With barely a fortnight to organize a wedding, she began a flurry of activities.
Without time to order Venetian tulle for Amanda’s gown, seamstresses were commissioned to replace the tatting from Emily’s own wedding dress while others fashioned a veil and matching slippers. Daily, Amanda modeled the gown so it could be basted before being stitched for the next day’s fitting.
At the dressmaker’s recommendation, Emily was also fitted with a magnificent dress of deep burgundy silk. Softly draped and short waisted, the gown could be easily finished while the hat maker created a headdress with black and burgundy feathers.
Emily often abandoned the dinner table in favor of overseeing the staff airing linens, unpacking fine china and polishing silver. The same day she supervised decorating the ballroom, she procured services of a minister and musicians. Tirelessly going over her lists, Emily found solace in the consuming nature of the task.
Once invitations were sent, Amanda accepted well-wishers and curious alike who flocked to the mansion. And though she appeared poised, had any found themselves alone with her, she might have been plied with meddlesome questions. But no matter the time or day of week, Aunt Ella was at her side guarding conversation.
***
The wedding day broke as wet and cold as Emily’s heart, as her ambitions of gifting Amanda with a fitting marriage died. Though her bitterness knew no bounds, she would portray nothing amiss, knowing there would be time enough for airing displeasure at her daughter’s forced pledging.
On the other side of town, the Burnsfields were enjoying breakfast. Tho
mas refilled his coffee cup while Amy stifled a yawn.
“Aren’t you nervous?” she asked Reagan.
“No ma’am,” he teased, giving her ear an affectionate yank.
“But, it’s your wedding day,” she said. “You’re supposed to be excitable. You know, jumpy and fidgety-like.”
“I do believe, little sister, you have the wrong party. I understand it’s the woman who experiences those things on her wedding day.”
“But, you should at least feel anxious,” she persisted. “It’s common knowledge all parties are prone to fevers.” She looked toward her father. “Daddy, weren’t you nervous on your wedding day?”
Thomas chuckled. “Nervous wouldn’t describe how I felt. I was so distracted, I forgot the wedding ring.”
“You didn’t,” Amy said. “What happened?”
“I sent someone back to get it, but was too scared to let anyone know.”
“Then what?”
“Then the ceremony starts,” he continued. “And I’m terrified the minister’s going to ask for the ring.”
“By the look on his face, I thought he was about to faint,” Katherine said, smiling in remembrance. “Why, I’d have to say your father was turning a frightful shade of green.”
“And then?”
“So my friend returns, running down the aisle, yelling ‘Wait! Wait!’”
Amy’s eyes grew round. “How dreadful! I’d have perished from embarrassment.”
“Of course, your mother handled the whole thing beautifully. She never once mentioned it afterward.”
“I was too mortified,” Katherine said. “The men folk had the good graces to leave me out of the ribbing they gave your father. He didn’t hear the end of it for weeks.”
“Reagan, what would you do if someone tried to stop your wedding? Would you engage him in a duel?”
Reagan grinned. “Why would you think that someone would be a man?”
Threads of Betrayal Page 19
