Prime Catch

by Ilona Fridl

  She glared at him. “Why didn’t you tell me this in the first place? I would have understood. You chose to disappear without a word.”

  “I thought you would lean more to the traditional life.”

  She rapped her fist on the table. “Then you didn’t understand me at all. Maybe it’s better that way. You should have left it as it was.”

  As soon as the waiter had served their food. George patted her arm. “Calm down. Let’s enjoy our meal.”

  She picked at her food. “I think this was a big mistake. I thought you cared for me. I gave myself to you because I thought we would be married.” She felt her cheeks burn. “I guess you got what you wanted.”

  George sighed. “Do you think so little of me? Let’s start fresh. Please give me another chance.”

  She sat silent for a few moments. “After this outing, I’ll think about it. Don’t press the issue.”

  “All right. I won’t push you into anything tonight.”

  Sarah nodded. Later, in the theater, she found it hard to concentrate on the dashing sheik trying to lure the innocent maiden into his ridiculously lavish tent in the desert. The young woman she was years ago had adored George, but now time and wisdom had come into play. Something about him troubled her, but she couldn't quite figure out what it was. Were her detective instincts simply working overtime?

  The sun hung low on the horizon as they strolled back to her house, and shafts of red-gold rays cut between the buildings. George came up onto the porch with her, and she offered him her hand. “Thank you for the outing. I enjoyed the dinner and movie.”

  George cupped her chin. “I enjoyed the company. I forgot how enchanting you are.” He leaned down and kissed her. Sarah didn’t stop him. It had been a long time since anyone had kissed her.

  She stepped back and took a quick breath. “Goodnight, George.”

  He smiled. “Goodnight, Sarah.” She opened the door, then turned back to watch the figure disappearing down the street. Her feelings were in a turmoil. On the surface, she knew he had treated her like dirt and she shouldn’t give him the time of day. Then there was that breathless young woman who had fallen in love with him. She wanted one more chance.

  ****

  Sarah hummed to herself as she stepped into Millie’s for a fast breakfast early the next morning. She chose one of the stools at the counter, and Sally gave her a menu.

  “I’ll have a doughnut and coffee.”

  When Sally served her, she thrust a folded paper into Sarah’s hand. “I found this on the side table by Billy’s coat at home. I thought you might be interested.”

  When Sally moved down the counter to refresh the customer’s coffee, Sarah unfolded the sheet. It read:

  Men of the ANB

  We can’t trust the Americans to fix the problem of the canneries trying to starve us out. A group, Revenge Ravens, needs members to either fight for our fishing rights upstream or to eliminate the problem ourselves, once and for all. Able-bodied men are encouraged to join. Ask for the members in each ANB camp.

  Sarah refolded the paper and slipped it into her coat pocket. Amos is going to want to see this! She put fifteen cents down by her plate and waved to Sally. “Thank you for everything!”

  Sally acknowledged her and went back to work as Sarah exited the restaurant.

  She hurried to the sheriff’s office and ducked in the door. “Sam, is Amos in yet?”

  He nodded and waved his hand toward the door. “Got here a few minutes ago.”

  She knocked at the door. “May I come in?”

  “You’ve got something?”

  She opened the door. “Yes.” Closing it behind her, she gave Amos the notice. “Sally found this on the table by Bobby’s coat this morning.”

  Amos took a look at it. “This might be quite a network of saboteurs. Is there any way you could question some of these people?”

  “Just men are allowed at the meetings.” Sarah hesitated a moment. “Maybe I could go undercover.”

  “Trouble is, the men at the camp know you. They could see through any disguise.”

  “My cousin, Will, lives in Angoon. I’m not well-known there. Maybe I could go as his guest and take a look around. Most of the people there are Tlingits, so there isn’t as much suspicion.”

  Amos paused and rubbed his forehead. “Think you could pull off going as a man?”

  “I had two older brothers and a father. I think so.”

  “No, that isn’t what I meant. Physically.” He flushed a bit.

  Sarah laughed. “There are things I can do to become more masculine. I won’t stay very long, so the lav won’t be a problem.”

  “Do you think you can get your cousin to go along with this?”

  “I think so. If he gives me any reason to doubt, then I won’t go through with it.”

  Amos seemed resigned. “All right. I’ll let you set it up.”

  ****

  Sarah headed to the family home where her mother and Aunt Jane lived. As she reached the modest log cabin she’d grown up in, she saw her mother working in the kitchen garden and hailed her.

  Her mother hurried over and hugged Sarah. Sarah breathed in the warm earth smell before her mother pulled back. “Well, child, I wasn’t expecting to see you. This is a pleasant surprise.”

  “Is Aunt Jane here? I need to ask her a favor.”

  “She’s in the house. Come, I’ll get some refreshments.”

  The wood plank door squeaked on its hinges, and the aroma of smoked salmon and seaweed cooking on the stove caressed her nose. Sarah called out, “Aunt Jane?”

  Her aunt came out of their small kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “Sarah! How good it is to see you!”

  Her mother nodded toward the kitchen. “Is the tea still in the pot?”

  “Yes. And I still have some berry bread in the cupboard.”

  They settled around the dropleaf table with the snack, and Sarah laid her hand on her aunt’s arm. “I have a favor to ask. When are Will and Mary coming from Angoon again?”

  Aunt Jane hesitated. “I believe they’re going to be here on Friday.”

  “I need to talk to him. Is it all right if I come over then?”

  “You know you’re welcome here any time.”

  Sarah thanked her, and they spent the hour chatting until Sarah bade them goodbye. She had to make her plans on the undercover work, and next on her list for that was a visit to Kata.

  ****

  Sarah grinned as Kata studied her skeptically. “You want me to help you look like a man?”

  “I want to go to the meeting of the ANB in Angoon with Will. It’s undercover. I can’t tell you anything else.”

  “Has Will agreed to this? You know how he was at the social.”

  Sarah shrugged. “I can use my powers of persuasion on him. He’s the only male family member I can go to, since your father passed on.”

  Sitting in the parlor of Kata and Ivan’s home on the edge of downtown, Sarah looked at her cousin with a plea in her eyes. “I don’t know―” Kata began.

  “You’re the head of costumes at Golden North. Surely you know something about make-up, as well.”

  Kata shook her head. “This won’t be playacting. If it’s not convincing, you could get hurt. The sheriff wants you to do this?”

  “I twisted his arm.”

  Kata sighed. “Well, if Will says yes, I’ll see what I can come up with.” Just then, Kata’s infant son, Joe, put up a squall in the back room. Kata disappeared and came back with the baby.

  Sarah chucked him under the chin. “My, he’s getting big. He’s going to take after his poppa, I’m sure.” She collected her things. “I have to go. Plans to make. Thank you for your help.”

  Chapter 9

  Friday, as her shoes squished through the damp soil on the way to her aunt’s house, Sarah carefully thought what she could say to convince Will to get her into the meeting at the ANB. Will’s truck sat on the level ground next to the house. She swallowed
nervously and sucked up her courage.

  As she rapped on the door, calling out, “It’s Sarah!” Mary’s two-year-old girls ran up, giggling. Soon, she was surrounded by her family. Sarah hoisted the two girls in her arms. “Oh, Mary, they seem to have grown an inch every time I see them!”

  Mary laughed and plucked one of the girls from her, then gave Sarah a hug. “It’s so good to see you!”

  Aunt Jane took the other girl. “Go sit at the table. We were just getting tea ready.” Sarah’s mother hustled her to a chair.

  Will sat across from her at the round dinner table. “Will, after tea, could I speak to you in private? I need to ask a favor.”

  He nodded. “They said you wanted to talk to me.”

  After tea, Sarah joined him on the porch, where he was filling his pipe. “What favor do you want to ask?”

  She explained what she wanted to do, while Will puffed the smoke. When she was finished, she waited for an answer.

  He took a long draw and blew out the smoke slowly. “Was this your sheriff’s idea?”

  “No. It was mine. He wasn’t too keen on it.”

  “It seems like spying to me.”

  “Will, I wouldn’t ask you to do this for me if I didn’t think it was important. Whoever is doing this is causing more harm than good. We should be proving we can be upstanding citizens, not acting like the savages some people think we are. I, for one, would like to have some say in our government.”

  He sat for a long moment gazing out over the horizon. “The next meeting is Tuesday evening at seven. I’ll get you in, but after that you’re on your own. Come to our house at six-thirty.”

  She put her hand on his arm. “Thank you. I won’t get you in trouble, I promise.”

  He gripped her shoulder. “I worry about you working for the Americans, but I do agree with you about wanting to have a say in the government.”

  ****

  Early Tuesday morning, Sarah rapped on the stage door at Golden North. Kata opened it and bid Sarah to come in. “Are you sure this is all right with the Shafers?”

  Kata nodded. “I explained I was helping you in undercover work, and they agreed to anything you needed.”

  “Be sure to thank them for me. And thank Ivan for the use of his truck.”

  Kata led her to one of the dressing rooms, then picked up some items. “Take everything off. I’ve got all male clothes for you, right down to the underwear.”

  Sarah inspected the drawers. “I hope these aren’t Ivan’s. He’s quite a bit bigger than I.”

  Kata giggled. “No. I went on a special shopping trip for you.”

  Sarah finished removing her clothing and slipped on the drawers. She pointed to her breasts. “What have you got for these?”

  Kata handed her a heavy linen corset. “I’ve modified this to become a binder.” She put it over Sarah’s head and pulled it tight against her chest, then started tightening the laces in back.

  The flattened linen material squeezed Sarah’s breasts against her chest. “Should it be that tight?”

  “If you want to look like a fellow, it does.”

  When Kata finished, Sarah had a flat chest with just enough of a roundness to suggest muscular pecs. Sarah pulled on work socks and a man’s undershirt. Kata brought in a wrapped parcel and a pair of worn boots.

  As she unwrapped the package, Kata explained, “I got these from the church charity basement, because it won’t look like a new outfit. That would raise suspicion. You can probably stuff the boots with this tissue.”

  Sarah nodded. “Good idea.” With the Levis, flannel shirt, and boots on, she turned to Kata. “Well―?”

  “Something’s wrong. Too flat in the pants.”

  “What?”

  “Here. Roll a sock up and put it in the front of the drawers.”

  Sarah’s cheeks burned as she did so.

  Kata gave her the critical eye. “Looks right. Now, sit in the make-up chair.” As Sarah did so, Kata stretched a large sheet over her clothes. “I’ll fix your hair. Since you have a bob, it can grow out fast.”

  Sarah stared in the mirror, while Kata brought out the comb and scissors. Kata parted Sarah’s hair on one side and proceeded to cut it very short. The vain woman in her gasped in horror, but this had to be done.

  Kata cleaned off the cut hair when she was finished. “Luckily, our men aren’t very hairy like the Americans, but we have enough to give you some finishing touches. I’m going to use spirit gum to attach some of the hair to the back of your hands and wrists, and some on your face.”

  Afterwards, Sarah stood and gazed with horror and fascination at the man in the full-length mirror. “Kata, this is unbelievable! Thank you!” Sarah pulled on a stocking cap.

  Kata hurried her out to the stage door. “You’d better be going if you’re going to make Angoon by six-thirty.”

  Sarah climbed into the truck and hit the ignition button. She’d learned to drive a truck before she went into law enforcement, because it might be needed. Now it was. She headed over the bridge that crossed the channel and caught the road to the west side of the island. She’d have enough gas to get to Angoon but would have to fill up when she arrived at the docks there.

  Avoiding the deep ruts in the ancient road bed, Sarah saw the harbor village of Angoon in the distance. A quick check of her watch let her know she had an hour to spare. She turned in at the main fishing pier, where gas was sold to people with autos. Well, time to tell if this masquerade is going to work.

  Sarah swung into a masculine stride as she approached the man at the gas tanks. “Say, fella, what’s the going rate for gas here?” she said in a raspy voice.

  He spit into the dirt. “Fifteen cents a gallon.”

  “Fill it up.”

  He hauled the tank to the truck and proceeded to pump gas into the vehicle. “Haven’t seen you around here before.”

  “Visiting a friend.”

  The man shut off the tank and turned to Sarah. “Dollar thirty.” And he spit in the dirt again.

  Sarah dug into her jeans pocket and counted out the change. “Thanks, fella. Keep the change.”

  He grunted as she climbed into the driver’s seat. It seems like I passed that test. Soon, the neat little clapboard house of Will and Mary appeared around the bend in the road. She pulled into the front yard and hopped out. For the neighbors’ sake, she took the long strides again.

  Mary came onto the porch and stared, wide-eyed. “I don’t believe it.”

  Sarah took the steps two at a time. “Surprised to see your cousin Seth? I thought you’d be happy.”

  Sarah hugged Mary and swung her around before letting her say, “It’s done so well. You really do look like a man. Kata did a wonderful job!”

  Will came out with the twins and stared at her, slack-jawed. “I never would have known. I think this will work. Did I hear your name is Seth?”

  “Yes.” Sarah made a move to hug the twins, but they clung shyly to their father. “Looks like they don’t remember their cousin.”

  Mary laughed. “Come in for something to eat before you go.”

  Sarah checked in the mirror before she left with Will. “You can tell your friends that I’m an acquaintance of yours from Juneau.”

  He nodded as he slid into the driver’s seat of his truck. “I meant what I said. I’m letting you go around on your own.”

  Sarah patted the pocket that held the notice. “I won’t get you in trouble.” She pushed down the trembling that threatened her as they arrived at the Angoon Camp. She drew a deep breath. “Wish me luck, Will.”

  He hesitated a moment after he turned off the engine. “You know I’m not agreeable with this, but I do care about you. Be careful.”

  She strode to the door with him, and he signed her in. “Thanks.”

  “Was nothing.” Then he went over to a group of his friends.

  Sarah saw an open seat at a plank table, where men were engaging in arguments over coffee. “Hey, fellas.”

  �
�Hey, yourself. Who are you? I’ve never seen you before.”

  “Came in from Juneau with a friend.” She turned to the dark-eyed, middle-aged man who had spoken. “I’m Seth Jones. I own a fishing boat in Juneau.”

  He squinted at her. “I’m Paul Thomas. You look too young to own a boat.”

  “I got it from my father when he was washed overboard last year.”

  “Ah. Good legacy when you go looking for a wife.”

  “As long as there’s any salmon left. The cannery has one of those damn traps.” Sarah reached into her shirt pocket and pulled out the notice. “Do you know anything about this?”

  He hesitated as he read it. “Why didn’t you ask about this at the Juneau camp?”

  “I was given this a couple of days ago. This is the first meeting I’ve gone to since then.”

  Some of the other men chimed in with, “He could be a spy for the canneries,” and, “We shouldn’t trust a stranger.”

  Sarah’s fist came down on the table. “I don’t care where I join. These bastards are starving us out. Especially the villages upstream, who rely on the spawning season to feed their families.”

  Paul Thomas studied Sarah carefully. “I could give you the name of our contact in Juneau. But you better be who you say you are. Revenge can come swiftly to those who choose to betray us.”

  “I accept that. I will not betray you.”

  Paul gave a short nod and took out a pencil and paper. He wrote something and thrust it into her hand. “This is our Juneau contact. See him.”

  Sarah tried not to gasp when she read the name. Bobby Cusnoo. Of course, he works in the factory. She did feel guilty for lying to Mr. Thomas, but this group seemed to be in support of the killings. She tucked the paper in her pocket along with the notice.

  A while later, the men assembled in the hall for the meeting. She sat in back and observed the conversations around her. She caught Will eying her several times. Nothing else of any importance came out in the meeting or asides, as far as she could tell.

  The meeting adjourned, and she made her way out to Will’s truck. The sea fog was heavy and gray in the twilight. She couldn’t make out if Will was back at the truck yet. Then instinct told her there was someone behind her. She felt a large hand clamp on her shoulder.