Prime Catch

by Ilona Fridl

  Sarah put her hand on Sally’s arm. “Just answer the questions honestly. You’ll do fine.”

  When they returned to the courtroom, Sally made her way to the stand when she was called. Sarah was sorry her friend had to endure all these trials, but she admired her, too. It took fortitude to face all these questions. Probably the trial of her brother had been the hardest, and that was over with.

  Roberts stood in front of her. “Miss Cusnoo, who is the one that planned the escape of your brother from the jail on May twentieth?”

  “George Annok.”

  “Do you see him in the courtroom?”

  Sally pointed. “He’s at that table.”

  “Let the record state she indicated the defendant.”

  “How long did you know that the defendant was involved with the plot to kill Mr. Thornton?”

  Connor rose. “I object, Your Honor.”

  Ott agreed. “Reword your question.”

  “When did you first see the defendant?”

  “He went with us to the social at the ANB on the Saturday after the murder.”

  “Why did he go to the social?”

  “He said he wanted to stop the investigation.”

  “How was he going to do that?”

  “By roughing up and threatening Deputy Sarah Lakat, who was on the case.”

  Sarah almost collapsed and gave an audible gasp, while Amos swore under his breath. George was the one who tried to stop me that night!

  Roberts turned. “Thank you, Miss Cusnoo.” He waved his hand at Connor. “Your witness.”

  Connor made notes on his legal pad. “How long did you cooperate with the then Miss Lakat on the investigation?”

  Sally thought for a moment. “I guess it was until I identified Sheriff Creag as the leader of the Revenge Ravens.”

  Conner gave a half-smile. “Thank you, Miss Cusnoo. No more questions.”

  Judge Ott sounded his gavel. “It’s getting to be four in the afternoon. We’ll adjourn for the day and resume at eight o’clock tomorrow morning.”

  Sarah found Sally and gave her a hug. “You did fine, dear.”

  Sally nodded. “Thank you. I was wondering why the defense asked about you?”

  Amos gripped Sarah’s arm. “I was wondering the same thing.”

  Sarah gritted her teeth. “I guess we’ll find out. Sally, what are you going to do after the trials are over?”

  She looked at the ground. “I think I’ll go back to Angoon. It’s easier dealing with our own people. Thank you both for your help.” They watched Sally hurry down the court steps.

  Amos put his arm around Sarah’s shoulders. “We can do some work on the office and then go to Millie’s for dinner.”

  Sarah sighed. “I need something to do after sitting all day in the courtroom.”

  As they set out down the steps, Sarah heard a voice behind her. “Mrs. Darcy, can I say something?”

  She turned to see Leigh Annok hurrying after them. “I didn’t realize how terrible George treated you. I want to say I’m sorry he hurt you so badly.” The poor girl was wringing her hands.

  Sarah instinctively hugged the distraught woman. “Mrs. Annok―Leigh, thank you, but you don’t have to apologize for him. This happened before he met you.”

  Leigh shook her head. “When you came to the house in Yakutat, I noticed you seemed distressed about something. I learned later what happened in Juneau, and I knew what he had done.”

  Sarah glanced at Amos. “As you can see, I’ve gone on with my life, but thank you for thinking of me. Can you manage with the children?”

  Leigh sniffed and dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief. “We’ve moved in with my parents. We’ll be all right.” She stepped back. “Thank you for being so kind.”

  Amos tipped his hat. “If you need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

  A faint trace of a smile shadowed across her face. “Good day to both of you.”

  As the young woman went on her way, Sarah turned to Amos. “You don’t realize how much I wanted to hate her, but she was as much a victim of George’s ways as I was.”

  Amos offered her his arm. “He sure left a trail. He thought he was just fighting the white man, but he did as much damage to his own people and his own family.”

  Sarah pondered this on the five-minute walk to their office. How many revolutionaries and fighters for justice destroyed their families and friends in the process? Was it worth it?

  ****

  For some reason, Amos was worried about going to the courthouse the next morning. Why did the defense attorney subpoena Sarah? What could she possibly say in George’s defense? They took seats in the gallery, and he held her hand because she kept fidgeting. Her face was pale.

  The prosecution closed their case, and the defense attorney rose at the judge’s bidding. “Your Honor, we call our first witness, Mrs. Sarah Darcy.”

  Amos squeezed her hand, and then she took the long walk to the witness stand to get sworn in. As she seated herself, Connor looked at his notes and rose.

  He took his time going to the witness stand. “Now, Mrs. Darcy, when was the first time you remember encountering the defendant after the murder at the cannery?”

  “He came to my house a week after.”

  “You didn’t know it was he who attacked you at the ANB social, as Miss Cusnoo stated?”

  “No, sir.”

  “Why did he come to your house?”

  “He said he wanted another chance.” Amos believed dredging this up was like digging wet muck with bare hands.

  “Another chance with what?”

  Roberts stood. “Really, Your Honor, what does this have to do with the case?”

  Ott turned to Connor. “Does this have something to do with it?”

  Connor nodded. “Yes, it does, Your Honor.”

  Ott waved him on. “Go ahead.”

  “What were you giving him another chance for?”

  Sarah studied her fingers. “He wanted to start courting me again.”

  “Even though he was married.”

  Sarah smacked her fist on the railing. “He didn’t tell me he was.”

  “When did he court you before?”

  “We were engaged to be married six years ago.”

  “I see. When did you learn that he was a suspect in the murder case?”

  “It was when Mr. Perkins of the newspaper identified him.”

  “But you continued on the investigation?”

  Sarah took a deep breath. “Yes.”

  Connor slapped the note pad on his palm. “Your Honor, I declare a mistrial! She should have taken herself off the case when she found out Mr. Annok was a suspect.” An audible gasp came from the courtroom. Amos almost destroyed his hat by yanking at it.

  Roberts jumped up. “Your Honor, may I direct a question to the witness?”

  Ott tapped his gavel for order. “Quiet in the court! Roberts, you can ask your question.”

  “Now, Mrs. Darcy, were you the primary investigator on the murder case?”

  “No.”

  “In other words, you were just following the orders of the sheriff? And you were in his employ?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Roberts turned to Connor. “There you have it. She was following orders of her superior.”

  Ott stroked his chin. “Connor, I have to agree with Roberts. She was helping the sheriff in her office as deputy. This wasn’t her case.”

  Connor muttered under his breath and threw his notes on the defense table. “No more questions.”

  Ott glanced at Sarah. “You may step down, Mrs. Darcy.”

  Amos watched her get off the stand, and she slipped into the seat beside him. Trembling as he put his arm around her shoulders, she laid her head on his chest and silently wept. He gave her his handkerchief. I wish it could have been me to go through that. His throat was tight.

  After the defense closed, both Connor and Roberts gave their closing arguments, and the jury retired to the jury
room to decide George’s fate. Amos and Sarah stepped outside for some fresh air.

  Amos leaned against the stone of the building. “Are you all right?”

  Sarah shook her head. “I almost lost it for us. Why didn’t I pull myself off the case?” She smacked her hand against her forehead. “I should have known better than that.”

  Amos gently embraced her. “I would have lost my best partner if you had backed out. I didn’t think of it, myself, at the time. We were so engrossed in catching the bastards, that slipped by me, too.”

  Sarah gazed at him with a tearful smile. “We are a hell of a team, aren’t we?”

  Amos kissed her. “You bet we are!” He clasped her hand. “Let’s get some lunch at the cafeteria while we wait for the jury.”

  Time passed during lunch as they discussed their plans for the business. Amos fretted, “I’m worried about the money that’s not coming in. I never started a business before, and I hope we have enough stashed away to get us through lean times.”

  Sarah shook her head. “We’ll manage. There are enough people in this town that know us and our work.”

  Amos chuckled. “Thank goodness for your presence of mind to have bought a house. At least we’ll have a roof over our heads.”

  An hour later, an announcement was made that the jury had returned in the George Annok case. They wound their way through the hallways to the courtroom and took their seats. The players in the drama returned one by one, concluding with the judge. Amos instinctively pulled Sarah close to him. She’s gone through enough. God, he wanted to protect her from all the hurts of life, if he could.

  The jury filed in from the door behind the box. Ott directed George, “Will the defendant please rise?” As the jury settled in their chairs, the judge turned to them. “Have you arrived at your decision?”

  The foreman arose. “We have, Your Honor.”

  “What say you?”

  He unfolded a piece of paper. “In the case of Juneau versus Mr. George Annok, we find the defendant guilty of plotting the murder of Mr. Edward G. Thornton.”

  A wail came from Leigh, who was seated behind George. Sarah slumped against Amos. A murmur went through the spectators.

  The judge banged his gavel. “Order, please!” The bailiff gave Ott the paper. “Mr. George Annok, you have been found guilty of plotting the murder of Mr. Edward G. Thornton. You will be held here at the courthouse until Wednesday next, when sentence will be pronounced. Court is adjourned.”

  Amos watched George embrace Leigh before the guards took him away. Amos gazed at Sarah. “Let’s go home.”

  Sitting on the porch was pleasant in the almost endless warm summer sun and the cool breezes from the sea. Amos loved the time he spent relaxing with Sarah. He could get used to this. Her summer dress fluttered as the wind played with it.

  She glanced at him pensively over her cup of tea. “Would you mind if I go visit George before his sentence?”

  Amos felt a pang of something. Pain? Jealousy? “Why do you want to do that?”

  “Please don’t be impatient. I want honesty this time. Since all the lies have been stripped away, he has no choice but to tell me the truth.”

  He ruminated over that. “I don’t agree. You should leave him behind and not bother with him again.”

  She chewed her lip. “This means a lot to me.”

  His resolve broke down. “All right, do what you want, but I think it’s a bad idea.”

  She sauntered over and sat on his lap, causing the wicker to protest. “I love you.” Snaking her arms around him, she gave him a passionate kiss that woke up several parts of his body. “Let’s go inside.”

  “I’m right behind you.” The tea was left to cool for a while outside.

  Chapter 27

  Sarah sat at the table in the cell block, wondering if she was doing the right thing. Maybe Amos was right, and I should let this whole thing go. I’ve got a good life without George. The clang of the cell door brought her out of her thoughts. George entered in chains, the metal scratching across the floor. The guard took up his station by the entrance.

  George sat in the chair facing her. “Well, Sarah, we meet again. Here to see the animals in the zoo? Or just the chief ape?”

  She glared at him. “Don’t blame me for your predicament. No, I am here to close things out, hoping to get the truth this time.”

  “Truth?”

  “About why you walked out on me. Did you already have Leigh on a leash and you were toying with me?”

  He slumped and studied her. “No. I met Leigh when I ran to Yakutat. I didn’t want to marry you because you were too strong. I wanted a girl I could bend to my wishes, and I saw you were not that kind of woman.”

  Her hand slammed on the table. “Then why didn’t you tell me? My family set up the wedding, and then you ran out. You’re worse than a coward.”

  “You’re right. I was afraid they would corner me and make me marry you anyway.” He stopped and looked in her eyes. “Don’t stare at me that way. I didn’t mean there was anything wrong with you. It was me.”

  “Now poor Leigh has to pay for your stupidity. Leigh and your children. You didn’t put them first, did you?”

  He gritted his teeth. “I was the one found guilty.”

  “Yes. And now she has to carry on without you. You’re a jackass, and you deserve everything you’ve got coming.” She rose. “Goodbye, George. You’ve got all the time in the world to feel sorry for yourself. I hope you ponder the shreds you left in your wake.”

  He sneered. “You seem to be doing well.”

  “Only because I found a good man who cares about me.” She turned to the guard. “I’d like to leave now.”

  The guard opened the cell door and she stalked out, never once glancing behind.

  ****

  Amos went to work on the office after he dropped Sarah at the courthouse. Hanging up his coat and hat, he rolled up his shirt sleeves. A new coat of light blue paint, modern shell light fixtures, potted ferns, and a large oriental carpet gave it a warm feeling. Amos slapped a fresh coat of varnish on the old wooden desk they would use for the receptionist behind the half wall. Before long the sharp odor on the brush was getting to be too much, so Amos opened the front door. Mr. Peter Anders, owner of North Star, was coming down the street.

  Anders turned in at the entrance. “Mr. Darcy? I was sorry to hear you resigned from the sheriff’s department. You’re opening your own detective agency?”

  Amos nodded. “Differences with the Assembly prompted it. I’ll still be working as a consultant for the department, along with my wife.”

  “I heard you married your deputy. Congratulations. You do good work together. I wanted to thank you on the fine investigation you did, bringing those murderers to justice.”

  Amos shuffled his feet. “Well, I did have a lot of help from other departments around the territory, but I’ll accept your thanks.” They shook hands. “Anders, what are you going to do about those salmon traps?”

  “We plan to leave them in place. After all, business is business.”

  Amos frowned. “Seems like those damn traps cause more trouble than they’re worth.”

  Anders’ mouth drew into a tight line. “Seems to me the natives upstream are too lazy to find another source of food. They rely too much on the salmon runs when there are other fish and game that are just as accessible.”

  Bastard. Aloud Amos said, “Tradition has a lot to do with it. I guess everything has to change with the times.”

  Anders tipped his hat. “Well, I wanted to express my appreciation. Remember me to your wife.” He continued on his way.

  Sarah came in a few minutes later, just as Amos was finishing the desk. She made a face when the smell hit her. Grabbing the electric fan, she set it on a small table near the door. “You should have done that out back.”

  Amos glanced at her sheepishly. “I found that out when I was halfway through.” He pointed at the floor. “I remembered to put a drop cloth unde
rneath.”

  She laughed and tousled his hair. “Good for you.”

  “How did it go at the courthouse?”

  Sarah told him about the meeting with George. “I’m glad I have that chapter closed. I feel nothing for him―except some pity. For a man who loves the outdoors so much, he won’t be out for a long time, I’ll bet.”

  “Do you still want to go to the sentencing?”

  Sarah hesitated. “We’ve gone this far, so we might as well.”

  Amos gathered his love in his arms and kissed her. “I’ll go with you.” How George could have run out on this wonderful woman Amos would never understand.

  ****

  Sarah was unexpectedly calm the morning of the sentencing. That George deserved whatever he got was apparently her stance. She and Amos decided to have breakfast at Millie’s. The no-nonsense woman took their order. “I take it both of you are going to the court for the judgment.”

  Sarah nodded. “That will make our case complete.”

  Millie gave an aside to Amos. “When are you going to open the detective agency?”

  Amos rubbed his chin. “We’re shooting for next week. We’ve been interviewing for a receptionist who can do secretarial work. Haven’t found the right person yet.”

  You’ll find her.” She slipped the pencil behind her ear. “I wish you well in your new business.” Millie made her way to the kitchen with their order.

  Sarah took a sip of her coffee. “Don’t you have an interview scheduled for today?”

  Amos slipped his black leather date book out of his coat pocket and opened it. “Yes, we do. A Miss Molly Flanagan, at one-thirty.”

  “We should be at the office by then.”

  Their order, a stack of Millie’s special flapjacks, with scads of butter and warm maple syrup, fragrantly appeared in front of them, accompanied by specially smoked crisp bacon. They dug in with gusto.

  An hour and a half later, they slipped into the court and took seats. Sarah noticed Leigh was there and so were many curious townspeople. This had been a banner trial. The attorneys came in and then George, flanked by two guards.

  The bailiff announced the judge and all rose. After everyone sat again, Henry Ott adjusted his spectacles and opened a folder. “Will the defendant please rise.” When George stood, the judge continued, “Mr. George Annok, you have been found guilty of plotting the murder of Mr. Edward Thornton.” George shuffled his feet, and the shackles clanked. “Before I pronounce sentence, I have to tell you, this is one of the coldest and most calculated murders I ever had before me. I’m giving you the harshest sentence the law will allow. Mr. Annok, you will serve fifty years in the territorial penitentiary. But first you will be extradited to Cordova to stand trial there.” He hit the gavel down. “It is so ordered.”