Prime Catch

by Ilona Fridl

  Amos frowned. “What business is that of the Assembly?”

  “Rules, Sheriff. A woman cannot work in the city government if she’s married. When you and Miss Lakat do this, she has to turn in her resignation.”

  Sarah’s eyes widened. “What? No!”

  Amos put in quickly, “Mr. Hastings, I was able to get the Assembly to change the rules on women being deputies. I’d like to suggest a change here, too.”

  Hastings shook his head. “I’m sorry, but that’s not the same thing. Other women would see that and want the rules changed for them, as well. Can you imagine married teachers?”

  Amos checked his calendar. “I see there’s an Assembly meeting Friday. I want to talk to all of you and state my side.”

  Hastings shrugged. “I’ll put you on the agenda, but it won’t do any good.” He turned to go. “Good day, Sheriff, Miss Lakat. Congratulations on your engagement.”

  Sarah slumped against the desk. “And, of course, they’re all men in the Assembly.”

  Amos pounded the desk. “So am I. Your record in law enforcement is strong. There are a lot of reasons I want to keep you here.”

  Sarah sighed. “I appreciate your trying. I’ll send a wire to Sally to come home.”

  Amos steamed as he watched her go. How dare they? She was key to finding out who the murderers were, and they want to toss her over the side. Why? Because she’s a woman. It’s bad enough she gets no respect for being a Tlingit, they have to throw this in her face. He picked up the calendar and flung it against the wall.

  ****

  On Friday, at seven o’clock, Amos stalked into the Assembly and sat himself down on one of the spectator seats in front. He wanted to make sure Hastings could see him, although he didn’t look forward to suffering through some dry business discussions before Hastings brought up the topic of their dispute on the marriage. Fortunately, he didn't have to suffer long.

  As soon as the minutes of the last meeting had been read, Hastings stood. “Mr. Chairman, as you know we had a discussion of the marriage between Sheriff Amos Darcy and his Deputy Sarah Lakat. On Tuesday last, I delivered the message that Miss Lakat would have to resign the Sheriff’s Department when it happens. I told him it was against the rules for a married woman to serve in city government. He wanted to plead his case to the Assembly.”

  The chairman, Mr. Charles Backus, motioned to Amos. “Stand and state your case, Sheriff.”

  Amos rose and gazed determinedly at the members. “Men of the Assembly, I have come to you for concerns before, and you were always willing to grant my requests. I stand before you tonight to ask an exclusion to the rules for Sarah Lakat. She has served as a deputy for over a year now and is one of the best detectives I have ever worked with. In this past murder case, she went over and above her duty to solve it, and we wouldn’t have done it without her. I see absolutely no reason for her to resign. A man who worked that well would never be asked to resign on his marriage.”

  Hastings and Backus glanced at each other. Backus mopped his forehead with his handkerchief. “Sheriff, we will take up this matter next week at our closed session, and Hastings will inform you what we decide. Satisfactory?”

  Amos nodded. “Fair enough. Thank you, sirs.” He left the meeting not entirely confident of the outcome. These were men who fought women’s suffrage, saying a woman in the home had no knowledge of government. How wrong they were. His mother had been the one who read the paper to his father, who never set foot inside a school. Yet his father was the one who was allowed to vote. Times keep changing, but it seems some want to stagnate.

  ****

  Sarah enjoyed being on the porch at her mother’s home in Douglas. Sometimes she just needed to be home. “I’m having Kata alter my dress. I’ve lost some weight in the past six years. I know Will has talked to Amos, but neither has said how things are going.”

  Her mother smiled. “Knowing both of them, they won’t say anything until they’re ready. Since Amos doesn’t have family here, we can do away with the ceremonial coming ashore of the canoes.”

  “He has plenty of friends for his party. They will function as his family.” Sarah paused. “Thank you for doing this, Mother.”

  Her mother gazed out over the farm. “Amos surprised me, asking for a traditional Tlingit wedding. Ivan and Kata married at the courthouse.”

  Sarah smiled. “He may be gruff and demanding, but Amos is a very good man. That’s what made me fall in love with him.” Sarah wondered if she should bring up the subject of her job.

  Mother studied her face. “It looks like something’s bothering you. What is it?”

  “The other day, Mr. Hastings came over from the Assembly and informed us that a married woman can’t work for the city. Amos attended a meeting last night and argued to let me keep my job.”

  “I was afraid this was going to happen. Seems like the Americans don’t believe a married woman can work.”

  “Kata is still working at the theater.”

  “The owners of Golden North are fair-minded people. Kata doesn’t have to deal with the government.”

  They were interrupted by the rumble of Will’s truck turning into the yard. Will and Sally climbed out as Sarah and her mother went to greet them. Sally pulled her suitcase out of the back of the truck.

  Sarah hugged Will. “Thank you for bringing Sally this far. Did you run into any trouble?”

  Will shook his head. “I don’t think word about Sally had reached Angoon yet. There’s some anger at the ANB about the capture, but I don’t think anyone wants to take on the law.”

  “Sally, I think you should stay with me until the hearing is over. It might be risky living at your house alone. But first, I want you to go to the jail cell and tell me if we got everyone.”

  She nodded. “I understand. I’ll do what I can.”

  Sarah took leave of her mother and Will and then put the suitcase in the back seat of the patrol car. Once Sally slid in on the passenger side, Sarah started it up and glanced at Sally. “The hearing starts tomorrow. I’ll escort you to and from the courthouse when you are needed to testify.”

  Sally put her face in her hands. “I’m scared. I wish I’d never got involved in this mess in the first place. I blame Bobby for doing this.”

  Sarah shook her head. “Bobby is angry because he feels slighted by the narrow-minded people in Juneau. I know how that feels. I’m going to lose my job.”

  Sally looked surprised. “What happened?”

  “Amos and I are going to get married, and the Assembly told us I would have to resign. They won’t have married women working for the city.”

  “What are you going to do?”

  Sarah sighed. “Amos is pushing to get the law changed, but I have a feeling they’re not going to do what he wants this time.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Sarah turned the patrol car in at the back of the sheriff’s office. “Leave your suitcase there. I’ll ask Amos to drive us to my house.”

  Sally was trembling as they went in the back door. Sarah made a motion to Sam, and he called Amos into the reception area.

  Amos nodded a greeting to Sally. “Thank you for coming, Miss Cusnoo. I want you to make an identification of the prisoners.” When Sarah put her arm around Sally’s shoulders, Amos added, “We have a window in the door. You don’t have to go in there.”

  Sally peered intently through the glass. “You have them all except the leader.”

  Amos’ jaw dropped. “I thought George was the leader.”

  She shook her head. “Everybody thinks he is, but while I was in Angoon the first night, a tall man with black hair and dark brown eyes showed up. He said he wanted to give everyone last-minute instructions. Then they went into the back room. I never heard his name.” Sarah’s stomach knotted.

  “Would you know him if you saw him again?”

  “Yes.” She looked at her feet. “I wish I could be of more help.”

  Sarah turned to Amos. “Would you drive us to my house? I w
ant to get Sally settled.”

  “No. You two aren’t going to your house. I’m putting you up in a hotel room.”

  Sarah opened her mouth to protest, but saw the wisdom in what he said. “Do you think there will be an attempt to silence her?”

  “I’d bet a month’s pay on it. Sally’s testimony is critical and we have to protect her, especially with this new information about the leader still being out there somewhere.”

  Sarah put a hand on his arm. “What about the rooms upstairs at the Golden North? Everyone has moved out who used to lived there, and I don’t think anyone would look for us at the theater.”

  Dawn came to Amos’ eyes as he stroked his mustache. “You may have something. Go in the back through the kitchen. Don’t go to your house at all. I’ll check with you in the morning.”

  The women made their way through the alleys to the back of Golden North. The delicious aromas of cooking meat, sauces, and bread wafted out of the building. They must be getting ready for dinners at the restaurant. Sarah took a scan of the alley before she went into the kitchen, Sally in tow.

  Mrs. Cora Hutton, the head cook, was inspecting her helpers’ dishes when she saw Sarah. “Sarah Lakat, what brings you here?”

  “Mrs. Hutton, I need to ask a favor of the Shafers.”

  She patted Sarah on the shoulder. “Wait here. I saw Zeke in the restaurant a moment ago.” She hurried out, then came back with a handsome dark-haired man.

  He grinned and came over. “Sarah! It’s good to see you again. What can I do for you?”

  Sarah nodded at Sally. “This is Sally Cusnoo. She is a key witness for the murder trial that’s coming up. There is some danger to her. Could we use one of the rooms upstairs overnight to keep her safe?”

  Zeke’s mouth went into a tight line. “That’s the trial for the Thornton murder at the cannery, isn’t it?”

  “Yes. They probably wouldn’t think of looking for her here.”

  “All right, but go up the back steps from the dressing rooms. Nobody will see you that way. I’ll send one of the girls up to help you.”

  Sarah shook his hand. “Thank you, Zeke.” She went to the kitchen door and peered out to see if anyone would observe them, but there was no one out back. She and Sally slipped out and entered again through the stage door. There, in the dim light, were the stairs.

  Sarah’s eyes adjusted to the light as she and Sally climbed to the second floor. She heard activity in one of the front rooms. Sarah motioned Sally to follow her to the open door. A short dark-haired woman was pulling a cover sheet off an iron double bed.

  The woman greeted Sarah. “I’m sorry we don’t have fresh linens here. These will have to do.”

  Sarah nodded. “That’s all right, Addy, we’re only going to be here tonight. This is Sally Cusnoo. Sally, this is Zeke’s wife, Addy.”

  “Zeke told me you were keeping a witness safe, so I’ll have Cora send up some supper for you, and some breakfast in the morning.”

  “How much should I pay you?”

  Addy waved it off. “It’s our contribution to the community.”

  “Thank you, and thank Zeke for me, too.”

  Addy disappeared out the door.

  Sally, her eyes closed, was curled up on a corner of the bed, trembling so much it threatened to shake her body apart. “I shouldn’t have done this. I shouldn’t have―” She started to cry. “Oh, why did I listen to Bobby?”

  Sitting next to her, Sarah put her arms around the terrified girl. “We’ll be all right. I’ve got my gun with me. Now you relax and get some rest.”

  Sally stretched out, and Sarah shifted a chair to the door so she could watch the hall, fingering her gun. Now she had time to digest how much danger they all were in. Was this man planning a jailbreak for the suspects before the trial? Was Amos in peril? Her heart dropped to think Amos could be hurt―or worse.

  Chapter 22

  Amos fidgeted at his desk, pretending to be busy and failing miserably. Finding out only the night before the hearing that there was someone else out there ate at his gut. He desperately wanted to go to Golden North to see that Sarah and Sally were all right, but that might be a tipoff for anyone who was watching. Sarah was armed and an excellent shot, but she was also his life.

  A knock made him jump. “Who is it?”

  “It’s Dan, the night chief. Are you planning to stay here tonight?” The door opened and Dan peered in.

  “With the hearing tomorrow and the news that there’s someone still out there, yes. Have you been briefed?”

  “Yes. Sam told me. He’s staying, too. Sir, there’s a native out here, Will Lakat, to see you.”

  Amos slapped his forehead. “Damn, I forgot. Send him in.”

  Will appeared as Dan went out. “I thought since I was up here, we could talk about the ceremony, but if it’s a bad time―”

  “Some news has come up to complicate things for the hearing. You may be in danger if you stay here. Can you stay somewhere in the area until tomorrow? Once we get this bunch to the courthouse, I can breathe a little easier.”

  “I can go back and stay with Mother and Aunt Grace. Maybe I can meet you at Millie’s at noon?”

  Amos nodded. “Swell. Things should be on simmer by then.”

  Will hesitated a moment, then came around the desk and put his hand on Amos’ shoulder. “Watch out for yourself. You’re almost family, and I don’t want my cousin to lose you.”

  A warmth spread through Amos, and he had to swallow a couple of times before he could speak. “I appreciate that, Will.” Will gave a quick nod, then was gone.

  It was hard waiting for something that might or might not come. At any rate, Amos had a hell of a lot to live for, and he wasn’t about to let an outlaw group take that away. Sure he had chosen the right thing for the women, he hoped Sarah could get Sally back alive. His eyelids started to droop, and he put his head on his arms, supported by the desk. That was the last thing he remembered before he was awakened by Sam shaking him.

  “Sir, there’s a Sheriff Creag outside with a couple of deputies. He says he wanted to help you transport the prisoners to the courthouse.”

  Amos worked at clearing the cobwebs out of his brain and absorbed the information he’d just heard. “What time is it, Sam?”

  “A quarter to six. You said you wanted to get them over there early.”

  Something nagged at Amos’ insides. How did Creag know when they were going to transport the prisoners to the courthouse? Why did he come clear from Yakutat just for a morning stroll? “Keep them outside. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

  Amos went to the staff rest area to freshen up and slap himself awake. Checking his revolver, he snapped off the safety and put it in his holster, giving it a pat. He strode outside and greeted Creag.

  “Sheriff Creag, this is a surprise. What brings you to Juneau?”

  Creag gave him a cautious grin. “I was here on business and thought I’d give you a hand.”

  “How did you know when the hearing was set?”

  Creag hesitated. “I saw it in the newspaper.”

  Amos’ danger flag flashed in his head. “There was nothing about when we were going to transport them.” His hand rested on the holster. Suddenly, a shout startled him and Creag’s gun was trained at Amos’ nose.

  ****

  Early in the morning, Sarah and Sally left the theater, heading to the sheriff’s office, retracing their way through the alleys. As they approached the building, Sarah noticed a few men standing outside the door and recognized Sheriff Creag. I wonder what he’s doing here?

  Sally grabbed Sarah’s arm. “That’s him!” she hissed.

  “Him?”

  “The leader. The one in the sheriff’s uniform.”

  Sarah pushed her behind some barrels. “Stay there until I come for you.” She pulled out her gun and snapped the safety off. Amos was already out with Creag as she made her way along the buildings, and she saw his hand move to his gun. “Creag’s the lea
der!” she shouted. And her heart dropped to the pavement when Creag drew his revolver. In less than a heartbeat, she fired at Creag’s hand and he yelped as his gun went flying.

  Amos and his deputies flew at the other men, scuffling with them until they were subdued. Soon Creag and his two men were sporting handcuffs. Amos pulled up Creag by his collar as Sarah arrived. “Good work, Sarah!” Sam and Luke brought over their two charges.

  Sam had four guns in his hands. “We found these on the other two fellows.”

  Amos frisked Creag and found another pistol. “This is quite an arsenal. Let me guess. You were going to let us bring out the prisoners for our little walk, and you’d arm them.”

  Creag glared at Amos but said nothing.

  “Luke, take these three and put them in one of the cells. The guns can go in the locked bin. Sam, get the doc to check out Creag’s hand.”

  Both deputies acknowledged their orders and set to their tasks.

  Amos turned to Sarah. “Where is Sally?”

  “She’s in the alley. I told her to hide until I came back. She fingered Creag as soon as she saw him.”

  “I figured as much. Go get her.”

  Sarah reached for his hand. “Are you all right?”

  He squeezed it and grinned. “No extra holes in my hide, thanks to you.”

  She took out her handkerchief and daubed his lower lip. “You’re bleeding.”

  “Just a split in the fight. I’m fine.” His eyes softened and he cupped her chin. “You’re magnificent, my love.” His kiss was strong and heartfelt.

  Sarah could feel all the stares around them. She gently pushed back. “We’re causing quite a scene.”

  “Ask me if I give a tinker’s dam.”

  “I’ve got to get Sally, and I’ll meet you at the courthouse.”

  The paddy wagon pulled up, and Sam hopped out and snapped a salute. “Ready to load the prisoners, sir.”

  Sarah waved. “See you there.” She crossed the street and found Sally still behind the barrels, white-knuckled.

  “What happened?” Sally asked as Sarah helped her up. Sarah related what had taken place in the last few minutes, and Sally seemed to relax.