by Alison Bruce
"Baker," she asserted.
"Egan ain't clear yet," he said, his tone suggesting he wasn't too pleased at how easily she dismissed Matt Egan as a suspect.
"Egan doesn't hire the kind of men you'd think of as cold-blooded killers," he added. "That don't mean he wouldn't use Baker's hands."
Marly hid a grin.
There were times when Jase laid on his Texas drawl with a trowel, just for effect. Other times, like now, it came out because he was dead tired.
"I'll buy that Egan might have wanted Strothers out of the way," she said. "He is just as ruthless as Baker in his way. Still, Egan doesn't strike me as the type who'd get someone else to do his dirty work. He'd want to best Strothers personally. Baker, on the other hand, wouldn't rely on besting the man. He backed down to me, after all."
Jase was suddenly alert. "He was gonna draw on you? I thought Amabelle was exaggerating."
"If she said he was about to draw his gun, yes she was exaggerating. If she just said Baker looked like he wanted to kill me, she was correct. He was trying to intimidate me, that's all."
Jase rubbed his eyes. "Now he's jealous of you."
That had been her intention.
"I don't like it," he said. "But I did my best to encourage the rumor at the party while letting Amabelle know your interest was brotherly." His mouth turned down in a scowl. "Unless something else comes along, I guess it's the only way to tie Baker to the murder. I could arrest Locke tomorrow on what we got. There's no guarantee he'd let himself be taken. Less that he'd implicate Baker. 'Sides, without a motive, the charge might not stick anyway."
"I figured as much."
Jase stared at the package. "What did Egan bring you?"
Marly opened the paper and revealed a squished piece of chocolate cake. She stuck her finger in the icing and tasted it. Her nose wrinkled slightly. She pushed it away. "Too sweet."
"Ironic, ain't it?" Jase said, looking into his coffee cup. "Baker is jealous of you because of Amabelle, but it's her brother showing real interest in you."
She squeezed her eyes shut.
Why did he have to bring that up again?
When she opened her eyes, he was gazing at her, his expression every bit as intense and almost as frightening as Egan's had been. For the first time since they met, she realized how tightly Jase kept himself reined in. She wished he wouldn't. She wished he didn't have to. She wished she had the nerve to hang it all and throw herself into his arms.
For Jase, she would be happy to be a woman.
What she had told Egan was true. Since Strothers' murder was unsolved and they were in Fortuna, she had to remain Mr. Marly Landers. After that, she had to settle with Charlie Meese. Then, if Jase was still interested...
She tucked away the thought.
"You look beat," she said. "Why don't you get ready for bed? I'll wash up the cups and take a last look in on our prisoners. I imagine they're passed out from boredom by now."
"I'll check on the prisoners," he countered. "Leave the cups for the morning and you get ready for bed. I'm gonna sit a spell and have another drop of your not so bad coffee. I'll be in soon."
She didn't argue.
In their private quarters, Marly washed and undressed. She looked at Jase's bed and wonder what would happen if he found her in it. Folding down the covers, she sat on the edge. It was a narrow bed. Still, there might be room enough. He would have to hold her close, but that didn't bother her.
No. More likely he would sleep on the cot.
She stood, smoothed his sheets and fluffed his pillow before retiring to her own bed.
What had been quietly circulating at the Egan social was common knowledge by Sunday morning. Everybody knew how Tom Tyson, backed up by Roy Parker, had made a play for Deputy Landers. Not only had Landers taken care of Parker without firing a shot, to hear Birke tell it, the young man didn't need any help with Tyson either, though both Duke and Birke had been ready to stand by the young deputy.
Jase and Marly heard the rumors via Hank, who stopped at the office at first light.
Gabe Baker, who was hardly a fan of Landers to start with, came very close to losing his temper. No one thought he put Tyson and Parker up to the job, but there were a few well-meaning folks who suggested he should be more careful about the kind of men he hired. Baker's temper wasn't improved when Egan pulled him aside Sunday morning, telling Baker he held him partly responsible for Tyson and Parker's actions.
Hank had overheard Egan tell Baker that his friend's attitude toward the Ranger and his Deputy laid the groundwork for the attack. Then Egan made it clear that whatever their parents' scheme, it was up to Amabelle whom she married.
"Don't get your hopes up, Marly," Hank said. "When Baker asked if Egan intended his sister to marry a penniless deputy, Egan said he didn't think you were the right person for Amabelle, though he did add that he thought she was safe with you. So that's something."
Whatever his feelings, Baker recovered sufficiently to be politic when―followed by Egan and family―he stopped by the office to bail his men out. He made a show of telling the troublemakers that the money would come out of their wages, which they could pick up Monday morning. They were no longer in his employ.
Egan rewarded his friend with a nod and a pat on the back, making it clear to everyone where the idea had originated.
Jase would rather have left Tyson and Parker in their cell. He had questioned them again that morning and though nothing concrete came of it, he was convinced that Tyson knew Locke had killed Strothers. Unfortunately, Tyson wasn't intimidated.
Parker was afraid of the noose, but more afraid of his friend. Jase made sure the man believed that his fear of hanging was founded, unless a better suspect was produced. He hoped Parker would come around when Tyson was no longer standing next to him.
The only advantage to them being released was that Jase and Marly were free to go to church. And they could have breakfast at The Oasis afterwards. That meant warning her that she was likely to be the center of attention.
If there was any doubt that everyone knew what had happened, it was laid to rest during the sermon.
"'Let your light shine before men, that they might see your good works,'" the pastor quoted. "'Think not I come to destroy the law or the prophets, I am come not to destroy, but to fulfill.' So sayeth the Lord, amen."
He went on to abjure his fellows to make peace with their neighbors and live righteously. He warned the wicked to mend their ways before judgment fell upon them. It was a rousing service and thinly veiled plea for the violence to stop.
Previously indifferent and suspicious folk made an effort to greet Jase and Marly after church, with hopes they would stay in town. In part, they were following Egan's lead, but many were sincere in their desire to make their temporary lawmen permanent additions to the town.
With Jase's help, Marly escaped the crowd outside the church, only to be waylaid by Matt Egan. She scowled as he caught up with her outside the office.
"Why didn't you mention the episode with Baker's men when I was at the office the night before?" he demanded.
"I wasn't in much danger, Mr. Egan."
"Any danger, as far as I'm concerned, is too much. What did they do?"
Marly's attention was split between Egan and the scattered groups approaching from down the street. She hoped that Jase would be amongst them so that Egan's interrogation would end.
"They didn't do anything I couldn't handle."
"You could have been killed," he growled.
She shrugged and would have moved off, but he clamped her arm in a vice grip.
"Give up this charade, Marly." When she shook her head, he swore under his breath. "Tyson and Parker had better leave town and keep going. If I see them again, I'll..."
"You'll do nothing," she said more calmly than she felt, "unless they do something to you. That's the law."
Egan let out an angry huff.
"You know," she drawled, "if you're tryin' to break my arm,
you ain't bein' very efficient."
With a guilty start, Egan released her.
Without seeming to rush, Marly beat a hasty retreat. She went straight to Miss Amabelle, who was having her own troubles with Gabe Baker. Mindful of the comments Amabelle had made about Deputy Landers standing up to Baker, Shea O'Brian remained doggedly, though ineffectually, by her side. In all fairness to young O'Brian, Baker was behaving in a respectable, if not cloying, way. Not deserting the lady was about all a gentleman like Shea could do.
Marly, however, was no gentleman.
"Excuse me, Miss Amabelle, you promised to let me buy you breakfast. Shall we go?"
"Oh, Deputy Landers."
"You didn't forget, did you?"
"No…of course not."
Beaming a smile at Baker, Marly said, "I'd hoped not. I hope you missed me a little last night. I was looking forward to dancing with you and never got the chance."
"We'll have other dances." Amabelle said this with such warmth that Baker's face flushed with anger. "You'll have to tell me about your adventure. I'd love to hear it."
Baker was not a gunman by nature, but his hand reflexively found the grip of his revolver. Marly noted this and gave him the blandest look she could muster.
Amabelle responded with a gasp of fright.
This caught Shea's attention. He moved beside Landers. With slow deliberation, he pulled the skirt of his frock coat out of the way of his holster, making it clear whose side he would be on if there was to be any shooting.
Baker backed off and left.
"Thanks, O'Brian," Marly said, wiping her brow with the back of a hand. "You think you and your sister could join us at breakfast? I might have enough to treat us all."
Shea O'Brian gave her an inquisitive look. She could practically see the gears move. Now that Baker was gone, she wasn't acting like a serious suitor.
Amabelle's hand had dropped from her arm.
"My treat," Shea replied finally. "We'll meet you at the hotel."
Jase had observed the scene with Baker, giving half an ear to the minister as they strolled from the church. It didn't surprise him to see Marly escorting Miss Amabelle into the hotel after a brief conference with Aunt June. He only hoped his deputy enjoyed the company because he was sure she would be disappointed with the food.
Jase joined Egan and Baker at The Oasis, without their invitation. Neither greeted him with more than the barest of welcomes and both found reason to leave early. Baker was the first to make his excuses. Egan's came so quickly afterward, Jase suspected the man was worried about what his friend might be planning.
Jezebel joined Jase afterward.
Sharing a fresh pot of coffee with him, she said, "'Gabe's moody at the best of times, though Matt's pretty even tempered. You're not gonna pin this murder business on him, are you, sugar? Or maybe he's having second thoughts 'bout hitching his only sister to your young deputy?"
Jase sighed with exaggerated fatigue.
"Don't sigh at me. The boy's far too young for the girl. Though I will admit, he's got a lot more going for him than I first thought. Jest wish he wouldn't keep sticking his nose in everybody's business. Bad enough the gals think he's a pet and he's got Louis eating out of his hand. The boy's even won over Fred."
"Makes friends easily."
"Well, that's fine, but now Fred spends as much time on your brat as he does on me."
Jase snickered.
"You can laugh," she said, scowling. "I am not accustomed to having to fend for myself."
"Poor Jez."
"It gets worse. Fred's bin kind of dreamy 'bout Consuela ever since she came here. Fact is, I invited her to stay 'cause I was afraid he might leave with her when she went. So far, he thinks he's beneath her, which is fine with me. However, since that boy's bin 'round, Fred and Consuela's bin spending more and more time together. Your deputy has tea with 'em, then leaves 'em alone together." Her eyes widened. "Today, Consuela called Fred 'Señor' and he didn't correct her."
"Shocking."
"It ain't funny, Jase! That boy is subverting him. Good help is hard enough to get these days without losing Fred."
"Offer him a partnership."
Jezebel shook her head. "Wouldn't work. He don't really approve of my business and I know Consuela wouldn't go for it. Fact is, she don't belong here, though she stays and helps out where her conscience will allow her. I think she's got a touch of martyr in her. Both of 'em do, I suspect."
This wasn't Jase's area of expertise. Still, this puzzle was a welcome change from the grimmer challenges of the murder. Besides, he owed Jez something for not confiding in her about Marly. When she eventually found out, she was going to be mighty annoyed. Best he get on her good side now.
"Buy them the hotel," he said.
"What?"
Jezebel's shriek rose above the din and a small party of ranchers, the only ones left in the dining room, turned around in unison. Henry, who was serving them, was also startled by Jezebel's sudden outburst. He recovered quickly and turned the ranchers' attentions to their bill.
"I can't imagine the present owners get much income from it," Jase said. "The Señora has some money, doesn't she? She can contribute. You can be their silent―invisible―partner. It'll be an added source of income for you and you'll keep Fred handy. He's been training Henry, hasn't he? He can be your personal servant. And you can let Arnie take up some of the slack."
"Buy 'em a hotel?"
Jase leaned back and sipped his coffee. "It's either that or throw yourself on the mercy of my deputy."
"I'll think about it. I'll consider both your suggestions. I'm not so proud as I won't go to the kid, if it'll help. Maybe the little runt'll talk Fred into being happy here."
Back at the office, Jase shared Jezebel's tale of woe and his suggestions with his deputy.
"I feel sorry for her plight," Marly said.
That surprised him a little.
"But I'm glad that Fred might finally leave his 'station' behind him," she said.
"I think he'd be quite satisfied running the hotel."
She nodded. "Your solution sounds perfect. I can't see Fred totally deserting Miz Jezebel. He's very loyal. This would make them all happy."
Jase watched her clean the carbine. She was entirely unguarded around him now. She didn't bother with the mannerism of a young man or worry about how she carried herself. To the casual observer, there wasn't a lot of difference. She certainly wasn't ladylike, but there was something more feminine about her at times like this. Maybe it was the way she smiled at the thought of Fred finding love.
"What'll make you happy?" he asked.
"Well," she looked up at him, "this is a good start. I think Fred and the Señora deserve to be happy and Arnie deserves more recognition for his work and Henry will be delighted and Louis will be glad to get 'the Englander' out of his kitchen..."
He held up a hand to stop her.
"I mean, brat, what'll make you happy?"
"Oh." She blushed slightly. "Being your brat's enough."
His face grew warm in response. My brat.
"I'd also like to see this business with Baker finished up," she said. "I really want us to be able to prove he was involved, before he forces me into a gunfight."
"What?"
She gave him the rundown on her morning's activities, including the confrontation with Baker.
"Amabelle told me Baker took advantage of being alone with her to make his intentions very clear. It was no great surprise to me. Even Miss Kate had a pretty good idea what was going on 'cause Amabelle had confided in her before. Shea O'Brian, on the other hand, was very shocked. He was also sorry Baker hadn't drawn on me."
"Shea O'Brian wants you dead?"
Marly bit her lip. "Well, he said he would've avenged me."
It was either laugh or hit something.
Jase opted for laughter.
Dressed in their best clothes, Jase and Marly left Troy Riley minding the office and headed out for the
Egan place at three in the afternoon. Jase wanted to ride out via the Egan's pond and check the promontory Marly found. Satisfied no one had been using the look-out lately, they rode along the bridal trail.
Approaching the rear of the house, Jase noticed the yard had been cleaned up, but the lanterns still hung in strings, blowing in the wind. One of the ranch hands arrived to take their horses.
Marly started toward the back door.
"You're expected around the front," the man said.
Jase and Marly exchanged glances. In unison, they began beating the dust off their coats. Catching themselves, they grinned at each other.
"All right then," Jase said, giving the ranch hand a hat tip.
Walking around the side of the house, they climbed the steps to the porch. Jase paused to straighten his bolo before knocking on the front door.
Matt Egan was suited up in black, with his blond curls slicked back. He greeted them at the door, took their riding coats and directed them toward the parlor.
"Hello, ladies," Jase said when he entered the room.
Amabelle was a confection of pink ruffles and ribbons. Her hair was dressed with flowers and she smelled like Fred's rose garden. Aunt June was almost as ruffled in deep purple and redolent of lavender.
He couldn't imagine Marly fitting in with them.
Nor did he want to.
"Please, take a seat," Egan said behind them.
"I've saved you a place, Marshal," Aunt June said, patting the seat beside her on the settle.
While he struggled to keep from falling into the plush cushions, Marly picked an ornate, delicate-looking chair. She fidgeted, trying one position and then another, unable to get comfortable. Jase was more practiced at sitting still, no matter what the circumstance. But that didn't make him any more comfortable.
"Sherry?" Egan offered.
"That's a fine treat," Aunt June said. "Amabelle, you may have one small glass."
"I'd prefer whiskey," Jase said, especially if it's that fine Scotch in the cut glass decanter."
"I'll have a beer," Marly said.
Jase flicked her a tight smile. "No you won't."
