Prime Catch

by Ilona Fridl

  Amos rose after dinner and brought over the crate. “Will told me it was customary to offer honors gifts to the bride’s family, so I brought this.” He reached in and took out the first gift. “Will, you told me you wanted to carve a totem for the family, so I got some carving tools for you.”

  Will accepted them gratefully.

  “Mary, I know you love to knit, so here’s twenty skeins of the finest Merino wool from Australia.”

  Mary ran her hand over the yarn. “Oh, my! It’s so soft.”

  “For the twins, the books The Wizard of Oz and Winnie the Pooh. The love of reading is the basis of a good education.” He turned to Kata. “For you is a new pattern book for theater costumes.”

  She smiled. “I’ve been wanting to get that one.”

  “Ivan, I’ve got a carpenter’s T-square to help with your construction.”

  Ivan gave a hearty laugh. “You must have known I lost mine.”

  “For Joey, there’s a box of building blocks, in case he takes after his old man.” He handed the next item to Jane. “I know you love gardening, but you always complain about your knees. Here’s a padded kneeler for working outside.”

  Jane stood and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

  “And for you, Grace. You told me you’d love to have the means to make sausages. I got a sausage stuffer and casings for you.”

  Grace rose with tears in her eyes. “You have honored this family well with your thoughtful gifts. I am happy that you are the man Sarah chose.” The relations closed around Amos and, for the first time since his parents died, he felt part of a family.

  ****

  Later, in front of her house, Sarah was ensconced in Amos’ strong arms. He pulled back and cupped her cheeks. “I know there’s no honors gifts for the bride, but I want you to know, all I can give you is myself. We don’t have much, and we’re scraping the bottom of the barrel for money, but I will always love you and care for you.”

  She snuggled down again and felt the warmth of his body all around her. “That’s all I ask. As long as you’re there, I’m at home.”

  The morning of the wedding, Will’s truck stopped by the curb. Sarah waved out the window, then gathered her things and went out and climbed into the truck. The gloom and gray of the fog rivaled the sunshine in her soul. Amos won’t run off like George did. George never loved me. Now, he’s going to be tried for murder. Sarah felt sorry for his wife and children, but he was paying the price for his own choices. If only he would have put his family first.

  Will glanced over as they navigated through the dark streets. “You seem awfully quiet this morning.”

  Sarah sighed. “I was thinking about George and how lucky I am to have Amos.”

  “I know it didn’t seem so at the time, but your best day was when George left.”

  Sarah stretched her legs and put her head back. The shadows of the mists changed shapes and played with her mind. Phantasms lay outside, but she was safe. She didn’t realize that sleep had overcome her until Will turned onto the primitive road to the meetinghouse. Bear Rock loomed ahead like a massive dark object. She breathed easier when she saw Ivan’s truck. Kata was here with her gown.

  In the small outbuilding opposite the meeting house, Kata and her mother helped Sarah dress. When the glistening white folds of the skirt had settled in layers, her mother opened a wooden box with a small key. “This is my headband and necklace from my wedding. I want you to wear it.” She carefully lifted the items made of cobalt beads and delicate dentalium shells.

  Sarah ran her fingers over the jewelry. “Oh, it’s beautiful!”

  Her mother tied the headband over Sarah’s dark hair and clasped the ten-string necklace at her nape. “Perfect. Just perfect.” She stood by Kata, and tears started to well up. “I’ve waited so long for this day.”

  Kata hurried to the door and peeked out. “Looks like people are here now. Mary and I should get the cedar boughs.” She waved Sarah over. “Amos is here.”

  Sarah gave a small gasp. He wore a brown-and-black tunic made of leather and cloth decorated with beads and ermine tails. A beaded leather headband was tied on his hair. The puffs of gray fog on the scene gave it a magical quality. He seemed a mythical hero.

  Kata slid past with the boughs and found Mary. They proceeded into the meeting house to wave the boughs in a ceremony to cleanse the area. The guests were all in the meetinghouse and the procession was forming outside. Five of Will’s friends arrived with Will, hauling the platform chair they would carry Sarah on. The chair was secured to the platform by four metal braces and screws. Three long poles extended underneath with enough coming out on either side to carry. The whole thing was on four short legs that stabilized it while on the ground.

  As Amos neared the entrance to the meetinghouse, Sarah silently came out of the outbuilding to watch. At the doorway, he paused, then blew eagle feather fluff into the air to bring peace to those assembled.

  By now, Sarah had moved next to Will, near the door. Amos started a respectable eagle dance, swooping and weaving to the sound of the ceremonial drum. She turned and grinned at Will. “You taught him well,” she whispered close to his ear.

  Will had an impish smile. “Pretty good for an American. Ready to get up in the chair?” He gave her a hand onto the platform. “Hang on. We’ll be as careful as we can.”

  She clasped the seat and steadied herself as Will and his friends lifted the chair. An audible “Ohh” reached her ears as she sailed into the room on her flying carpet―or so it seemed. Amos looked thunderstruck, unable to take his gaze off her. Her complement of carriers set her gently down in front of the Tlingit Chief of Juneau, Ray Johns, and their pastor. She rose regally, and Will helped her down, then escorted her to Amos and joined their hands. The couple faced the pastor while Sarah’s family draped her with a bear robe. Sam put an eagle robe on Amos, and Sarah knew it was reasoned that the eagle was the American totem.

  The pastor proceeded with the official Christian wedding ceremony, until it was time for the vows. Everything paused as Sarah’s family laid a large wool blanket over both Amos and Sarah. Then the vows and rings were exchanged.

  Sarah saw great love and tenderness that she hadn’t fully realized existed in Amos’ soul, but it shone brightly as he repeated the vows. She choked a little on hers, because of a massive lump in her throat that threatened to give way to sobs.

  After the pastor had pronounced them husband and wife, the chief stood. “I, too, give this union my blessing. This shows that our people are civilized and worthy to become citizens in their own right. May this couple be blessed with wealth and prosperity and children who will honor them.”

  Sarah’s family then removed the wool blanket and the totem robes, and the pastor announced, “Where two came in, one in the spirit of a new family will leave. I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Amos Darcy.”

  Sarah gazed deep into Amos’ gray eyes, finding nothing but love there. He tenderly embraced and kissed her as if for the first time. Her eyes streamed with tears at the intensity of the moment. And then the drumbeat began again, accompanied by applause from the many friends and family assembled.

  Her mother stood up in the front of the meetinghouse. “You’re all invited to the feast at our home to honor my daughter and son.”

  Everyone got into their autos and wound their way through fog to the Lakat home. Before anyone could turn around twice, there were platters of salmon and trout, surrounded with everything that was ripe in the garden. Bread and rolls of all shapes, with fresh-churned butter, added to the aroma. Summer berry pies were still warm from the oven.

  Sarah laughed and hugged her mother. “Putting on an old-fashioned potlatch?”

  Amos and some of the other Americans asked what a potlatch was.

  Grace gave a hearty laugh. “This was done ages ago. When someone considered themselves wealthy, they would put on a feast for the neighbors. Tons of food would be eaten for the whole day. It was considered impolite if you didn’t vom
it.”

  Amos twisted his lips. “Sounds delightful.”

  Sarah continued, “In fact, I think the European Romans had a similar feast, if I remember my history correctly.”

  Amos snorted. “The Romans did everything to excess.” He leaned in to her ear. “Even―I’ll show you later.”

  Her head swirled with his words, and a tingling tightness to her chest and warm cream between her legs responded to them. She couldn’t wait for the feast to be over.

  Finally, they were thanking everyone and telling their family and friends goodbye. Sarah turned to her mother. “Thank you to you and Aunt Jane for such a feast.”

  Her mother embraced her. “I’m so happy for you, my daughter.” She embraced Amos. “I’m honored to have you for a son.”

  He kissed her cheek. “Goodnight and thank you, Grace―Mother.”

  She teared up. “Go on, you two. Enjoy your life.”

  Amos helped Sarah into their Ford and set off for her―their―house. He had moved his things in the day before, with the help of Will and Ivan. Home had never looked so beautiful. Amos had never looked so handsome.

  He helped her out of the auto and stood there holding her hand and drinking her in. “Damn, woman, you remind me of an Indian angel.”

  Sarah’s cheeks heated. She disengaged her hand and hurried to the porch. Amos was still on the sidewalk. “Well, are you coming in, or aren’t you?”

  His eyes lit as he took the steps two at a time. He closed the door behind him and Sarah turned to him from the parlor. He had her in his arms in a moment. “I couldn’t take my eyes off you in the meetinghouse. You were a vision being carried in.”

  She never had been this flattered, and she fingered the laces on the front of his tunic. “In my wildest dreams, I never pictured you like this.” She worked the laces down and exposed his bare chest. Her fingers traced the taut muscles, and she noticed a twitch from his nether regions. “I remember you saying something about a Roman orgy―” As she slid the tunic over his shoulders and to the floor, he groaned and thoroughly kissed her, running his tongue to the top of her mouth.

  But then he pulled back and turned her around. His fingers worked undoing the hooks and eyes on her dress. She smiled secretly. He’d soon find out that was all she was wearing. Just like the groom, the obvious wedding clothes were the only thing worn by the bride. The dress puddled to the floor and Sarah stood there in the headband and beads, her breasts jutting through the strands. He cupped them and a flaming heat hit her from head to toe. “My God, you are so wild and beautiful.”

  She grinned and pulled the drawstring on his pants. Amos flushed when they got caught on his male appendage. She worked them to the floor as Amos embraced her in a wonderfully erotic caress. The smoothness of his skin over the hardness of his muscles was like silk over steel.

  She shed the beads and shoes, as did he, and she led him to their bedroom. As she sat on the edge of the bed, she noticed a bead of liquid had formed on the tip of his shaft. Taking her thumb, she rubbed the liquid around the head, and Amos hissed. “Keep that up, woman, and this is going to be a short session.”

  Lying back, she smiled. “Do what you like.”

  He crawled beside her and started with a passionate kiss before moving his tongue from her collarbone to her ear. Sarah’s breath rasped and every nerve came alive. The place between her legs screamed for relief, but Amos was taking his time.

  Her nipples hardened like rocks, and when he suckled, she arched. He moved lower and tongued her belly button. By now, she writhed with the tension. “Please, please!” she begged.

  “Soon. Let me enjoy this,” Amos hoarsely croaked. His fingers invaded her slit and found the sensitive nub.

  Sarah moved her legs apart, and Amos dipped his tongue into her opening. Sarah exploded as he moved on top of her.

  “I can’t wait any longer,” he choked. In the midst of the ripples, he entered her, and she continued to convulse. Moving back and forth, he seemed like a man in agony. Then he gave a cry and she felt the hot splashes inside. With a groan, he collapsed on her, and they stayed that way for countless minutes. He brushed her soaked hair from her face and kissed her. “God, you’re good to come home to.”

  “Likewise.” Sarah laughed out of pure joy.

  Chapter 26

  The next morning, Amos made her close her eyes as they were going downtown in the Ford. “This is silly.”

  “We’re almost there.” The auto stopped. “Now, take a look outside.”

  She gasped. By the courthouse was a suite of office buildings. The one they faced had a shingle with the words “The Darcy Detective Agency, Amos and Sarah Darcy, Proprietors.”

  Amos came around and helped her out. “Let me show you the inside.” He unlocked the door. “You have to understand, it’s not furnished yet, but we can do it this week.”

  She went into a well-lighted pleasant reception area with a low wooden gate to the back two office doors. “Two offices?”

  He swept his hand. “Of course. We’re equal partners. We can work on cases together or separately. We need to start with a secretary.”

  “I love it! Our own business! It’s too bad we can’t toast it with champagne.”

  Amos glanced around and locked the outside door. He motioned her to one of the offices. When they were inside, Sarah noticed a bucket of ice in the corner. Amos pulled a bottle out of it and took two glasses that had been set nearby. “I bought this two months before Prohibition started.” He popped the cork, and the liquid gurgled into the glasses. “Here’s to us and our business.”

  Sarah clinked her glass to his and, when the bubbles hit, laughed with love. In the midst of the celebration, they heard a rap at the front door. Amos put everything under a towel, and they both ventured out to see who it was.

  An official-looking man stood on the other side of the glass. He raised his hat as Amos opened the door. “Good morning to you both. I saw you go into this building and figured you were the Darcys. I’m Arnie Doogan.” He turned to Sarah. “I assume you’re Sarah.”

  She nodded. “Yes. What do you want?”

  He thrust a folded paper into her hand. “This is a summons as a witness for the defense in the trial of George Annok on Wednesday next at eight o’clock in the morning.”

  Sarah’s stomach knotted. “But…I―defense?”

  He raised his hat again. “Good day, madam.” He skittered out the door before she could finish. She gave Amos a helpless glance. “What could the defense want me for?”

  Amos pursed his lips. “I have a feeling George told someone about your history together. I don’t like it when they bring up personal things on a case.”

  A fluttering started in her chest. “Oh, no. I was so afraid people would find out why I didn’t marry. The banns were posted, but when George ran off, I let things go. No one asked, and I didn’t tell why there was no wedding.”

  He gripped her shoulders tightly. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of now. You’re married to me now, and this was in the past. Don’t you see? George is the problem, not you.”

  A new Sarah was being born with this truth. She had forever railed on herself that something was wrong with her. That she wasn’t worth being loved and that was the reason George didn’t want her. That was driven home when she found George had married Leigh. But all this time she had been paying for his sins.

  ****

  Sarah gazed at the courthouse looming at the top of the steps and gave a shaky cough. Amos squeezed her hand. “I’m right with you, woman. We’ll get through this together.”

  This was not going to be like the Bobby Cusnoo trial, where Amos gave most of the informational testimony on their investigation and she gave what she had found. This one might have her airing dirty laundry.

  They went through the great front door, and their footsteps echoed down the hall to the courtroom. Once inside, they slid into seats behind the prosecution. Roberts, the district attorney, came in carrying his briefcase and ga
ve them a slight smile and nod.

  On the other side of the gallery Sarah spotted Leigh Annok. She hurt for the poor girl, who looked so lost and alone. There was no hatred for George’s wife. She had been used as ruthlessly as Sarah at George’s hands.

  The early summer mist lifted and sunlight streamed into the courtroom between the blinds that painted rayed stripes on the walls. The defense counselor came in next, with his staff and George. Sarah felt a squeeze of her hand and glanced at Amos’ eyes full of love and support. She smiled and squeezed back.

  The bailiff stepped to the front and called, “All rise for His Honor, Judge Henry Ott.”

  The judge ascended to his chair behind the dark mahogany desk and banged the gavel. “The court will come to order for the trial in the city of Juneau, Alaska Territory, versus George Annok, indigenous person, for the murder of Mr. Edward G. Thornton at the North Star Cannery. May I have the opening statements from the prosecution and defense?”

  Roberts stood. “Yes, Your Honor. We are prepared to prove that the defendant did willingly plan and abet the murder of Mr. Thornton at the cannery last May tenth. He also planned and executed a jailbreak for Mr. Bobby Cusnoo, who was convicted last week of the physical murder of Mr. Thornton.”

  The judge nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Roberts. Mr. Connor of the defense?”

  Connor rose after talking to George. “Your Honor, we will refute the evidence and prove that Mr. Annok just happened to be in Juneau when the murder and jailbreak took place.”

  Amos snorted and whispered to Sarah, “All Roberts has to do is put Perkins from the Personals on the stand to identify him.”

  Amos was called to the bench by Roberts to testify about the investigation and capture of George Annok. Back-up people like Mr. Perkins and members of the ANB who had known about George and his plan identified him. During the lunch break, Sarah gave Sally her support in the testimony that was to come.

  Sally picked at her food. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take.”