By the time Clarissa and Pierre reached the place where most of the businesses were, they saw the banker coming out of the sheriff’s office. Mr. Finley was talking and gesturing while Sheriff Bartlett listened to him. Pierre hurried toward the boardinghouse and let Clarissa into her room then went back downstairs.
A few minutes later, Pierre knocked on the door to Clarissa’s room, then stepped inside. “The sheriff wants to talk to you.”
“Did he say why?”
“No, and I didn’t ask.” Pierre was pacing about the room, clenching and unclenching his fists. “Hurry. I don’t want to keep him waiting.”
Clarissa crossed the room to peer into her looking glass. She had already rinsed off the thin layer of dust that had covered her face and hands. She tucked a stray curl behind her ear, then left with Pierre.
Sheriff Bartlett stood in the parlor downstairs and waited for them to sit down. “Mr. Le Blanc, I’m afraid someone saw your daughter leaving Mr. Finley’s home while he was at the circus. When he arrived home, many of their valuables were missing—including his wife’s jewelry. He’s very upset.”
Clarissa glanced at Pierre out of the corner of her eye. He was looking directly at the sheriff, a calm expression on his face.
“Did Mr. Finley say it was Rissa who robbed him?”
“No. Someone else saw her. He had already come by the office and told me. You see, she was wearing a black shirt and dark trousers. The person who saw her thought it was unusual for her to be dressed that way and for her to be at that house when most people in town were at the circus.”
Pierre rose quickly. “Who told you these things?”
“I’m afraid I can’t give you that information, but he was someone I trust.” The sheriff also stood. He turned his hat round and round. “I’m afraid I’ll have to take Miss Le Blanc down to the jail.”
Clarissa rose to her feet then. “What?”
“I’m sorry, Miss. It has to be done.”
If Clarissa hadn’t known he was playing a part, she would have been frightened. “But I was at the circus too.”
“Can anyone substantiate that?”
Pierre interrupted. “Yes, we sat beside the Finleys. Let’s go to their house. You’ll see that you’re wrong.”
When they arrived at the residence, everything went the way Pierre had planned it. The Finleys assured the sheriff that Clarissa had indeed sat beside them.
Pierre flew into the rage he had planned for the occasion. “I can’t believe you would treat anyone this way! My daughter and I have been fine upstanding citizens while we’ve lived in your town. And this is the way you treat us? We won’t stay in such a place!” He glared at the sheriff, then took Clarissa’s arm. “Come, Rissa—we won’t spend another night here.”
Thirteen
At the boardinghouse, Pierre sought out Mrs. Olson and told her what had happened.
“Oh, you poor dear.” The older woman patted Clarissa’s cheek. “How could they think such a thing about you?”
How, indeed? Clarissa knew how, and all this subterfuge made her sick. Of course, they thought she was the one. Mari looked just like her. Clarissa wished she could shout the truth so everyone would hear, but that wasn’t part of the plan.
“You have been a gracious hostess, Mrs. Olson,” Pierre said in a smooth voice. “If this hadn’t happened, we would have been glad to stay here a long time. Wouldn’t we, Rissa?”
Clarissa nodded. When this was over, she would never have to hear that hated name again. Rissa. Her name wasn’t Rissa. Neither was Mari’s. Soon they could tell people their real names.
After Pierre paid Mrs. Olson, they went to their rooms to pack their bags. Clarissa looked around the room. She had loved being here. So had Mari. This was the first time they’d lived in a real house since they left their family home in New Orleans. Even though it had only been a few weeks, it felt like home. Clarissa wondered what would happen after the sheriff arrested Pierre. Had he meant it when he said he wouldn’t have to arrest her or her sister? What would they do until Pierre came to trial? What would they do after he was convicted and sent to prison? So many questions raced through her mind. She walked to the window and looked out at the peaceful, tree-lined street. She wished she could come back here and share this room with her sister.
They loaded their bags into the surrey and headed south out of town. When they could no longer see the outskirts of Litchfield, Pierre turned toward the northeast, pulled into a tight grove of trees, and stopped beside a wagon hidden in the underbrush.
“Marissa,” he called out softly. “You may come out now.”
Clarissa expected to see her sister climb out from under the tarp on the wagon. Instead, Mari stepped from behind the underbrush. While Pierre was unhitching one of the horses from the surrey and hooking it to the wagon, Mari led Clarissa to a small pool of water in the middle of the copse.
“It was too hot under the tarp in the wagon.” Mari trailed her fingers in the cool water. “I stayed here while I was waiting for you. I could hear anyone who might be coming and hide in any number of places.”
The sisters rested there a few minutes, then returned to find Pierre in a good mood.
“Marissa, I’ll let you ride in the surrey with your sister.” His eyes gleamed as he climbed onto the wagon seat.
Clarissa was sure he was proud of what he had pulled off today. They’d had to leave a town like this only a few times. Usually, no one saw Mari, and Clarissa and Pierre left at leisure. Pierre liked the excitement of playing out the whole confidence game. More than once, he had boasted of his superiority when they were this successful.
He scoured the area to make sure no one was around; then he drove the wagon out of the copse. Clarissa drove the surrey out behind him with her sister seated beside her.
“How did it go?” Mari whispered.
“We’ll talk about it later,” Clarissa whispered back.
“Oh, Clari, tell me about the circus,” she said then eagerly.
During the journey to the forest and the bit of prairie concealed in its depths, Clarissa told her about the parade, the sideshows and refreshments, and the performances. Mari listened closely. Clarissa wished her sister could have been there. Mari had no doubt seen pictures of some of those things in the books she read and would have loved being there.
❧
Ollie watched Pierre leave town with Clarissa. From a safe distance, he followed the wagon and the surrey when they drove out of the grove of trees. He knew where they were going and could stay far enough away so Pierre wasn’t aware of his presence. Soon after they entered the forest, Ollie made his way through the trees to the place where Lowell had camped while he watched over Marissa.
Although Ollie was stealthy, Lowell met him as soon as he drew near. “How did it go in town?”
“Just the way we planned.” Ollie dismounted and tied his horse to a tree. “I talked to Sheriff Bartlett. He asked another sheriff to send some of his deputies to help him. They’re hiding in the woods somewhere around here.”
Lowell smiled. “I know where they are.”
The two brothers made their way closer to the tree line so they could observe what was happening.
Pierre stopped the wagon near the caravan and started unloading the stolen goods. The two sisters pulled up beside the wagon. He was smiling and talking excitedly to the girls, holding up various items, turning them around, watching the sun glint off their surfaces.
Soon Pierre disappeared into the caravan and dragged out a couple of wooden trunks. He started packing some of the items into them. He had the two girls help him. It looked as if they were separating the goods according to kind. Ollie watched Pierre place sparkling pieces of jewelry in one trunk and silver items in the other.
Then Pierre climbed back into the caravan to replace one of the trunks, and Ollie scanned the edges of the forest. Deputies were coming through the underbrush. He glanced back toward the campsite, and Pierre was climbing down from th
e caravan. He picked up another trunk and turned to reenter the vehicle. Sheriff Bartlett stepped forward from the tree line, gun in hand.
“Pierre Le Blanc! Stop where you are!”
Pierre turned slowly around to see men with guns emerge from the forest and move toward the camp. His eyes widened, and his face drained of its color. His moustache even seemed to bristle. Ollie almost chuckled at the expression. He and Lowell were following the deputies.
“Put down the trunk and raise your hands.” The sheriff advanced across the wide clearing with rapid strides.
Pierre set the wooden container on the ground and straightened. He glanced toward each of the girls. His eyes narrowed, and he scowled. He lifted his hand toward Clarissa. Ollie’s stomach tightened. He wanted to drive his fist into the man’s face. He had never felt that way about anyone before.
The sheriff shouted, “Hold it right there, Le Blanc!” Pierre stopped. “Clarissa and Marissa, move over near the trees.”
Le Blanc’s face darkened. The veins in his neck bulged, and his face turned red with rage.
Ollie and Lowell stopped near the twins, out of the way of the deputies but close enough to see what was happening.
Two deputies stepped to the other side of Le Blanc. One pulled his hands down, and the other handcuffed them behind him. When the cuffs clicked shut, something seemed to snap inside Pierre. He turned to look at the young women.
“How could you do this to me, you ungrateful wretches?” he yelled. Then he spewed out words so vile no one should have to hear them. They ricocheted and echoed through the trees, disgusting Ollie and no doubt devastating Clarissa and Marissa.
“Let’s get them out of here.” Lowell put words to Ollie’s thoughts.
Ollie glanced at the sheriff, who nodded. The brothers quickly moved the young women toward Lowell’s campsite. Pierre’s screeches followed them, and the twins covered their ears with their hands.
At the campsite, Ollie and Lowell didn’t take time to pack. One of them could return in a day or two to retrieve their belongings. They needed to get the women elsewhere as fast as possible. Ollie mounted his horse and pulled Clarissa up onto his lap, and Lowell did the same with Marissa. They hurried through the forest away from the evil man, who was still filling the air with his poison.
Fourteen
Lowell was relieved when he no longer could hear the foul words spilling forth from Le Blanc. As long as he heard even a faint sound of the man’s voice, though, he felt heat rising within him. They emerged from the forest, with Marissa still cradled against his chest. He urged his mount forward; the sooner they arrived at home, the better. He glanced at Ollie. The grim look on his brother’s face probably mirrored his own. They needed to get the young women to a safe place. They could talk to the sheriff later.
By the time they reached the farm, their horses had slowed, but Lowell could still feel Marissa shaking in his arms. During the wild ride, she hadn’t raised her face from where it pressed against his shirt. But he didn’t mind. Having her so close was wonderful. He wanted to protect her from harm and hoped he’d be allowed to do that very thing. Gud, help me know what to do. Show me what Your will is in this matter.
Mother stepped out onto the front porch, wiping her hands with the bottom of her large apron. Lowell had seen her do this many times but not since Father died. She didn’t look as pale and wan as she had when Lowell left to guard Marissa in the forest. He wondered why.
She came down the steps and waited by the hitching post until both her sons halted their horses. “Who is this with you, Lowell? I recognize the girl with Ollie. This one looks just like her, but why is she dressed like a man?” She placed her hands on her hips. “What’s going on, boys?”
Lowell patted Marissa’s back. “It’s okay. You’re safe now,” he murmured against her fragrant hair.
Marissa gazed up at him and slowly loosened her hold on his shirt. Then she glanced around her. “Where are we?”
“You’re at my home. This is my mother.” Lowell gestured toward the older woman, who smiled up at them.
His mother lifted her arms toward Marissa. The young woman slipped down into them, and Mother gathered her into a close hug. They walked over to Ollie’s horse where Clarissa already stood on the ground.
Mother hugged her too. “I’m glad to see you again, Rissa.” She turned and put an arm around each girl. “Come—let’s go into the house, and you can tell me what this is all about.”
Lowell smiled grimly at Ollie, then called to the women, “We’ll take care of the horses and join you in a few minutes.”
On the way to the stable, Lowell asked his brother, “So what’s happened to Mor? She seems different.”
Ollie chuckled. “I took her to the circus.”
❧
Mrs. Jenson escorted the young women into the parlor. Clarissa wondered how much she knew about what had transpired.
The older woman looked from one sister to the other and smiled. “You’re twins. If you were dressed alike, I couldn’t tell you apart. Now which one is Rissa Le Blanc?”
Her friendly manner helped Clarissa relax. “Actually, I’m Clarissa Voss, and this is my sister, Marissa.”
The change of the last name didn’t seem to bother Mrs. Jenson. “Well, Clarissa and Marissa Voss, you are welcome in our home. How about some lemonade and pound cake?”
Marissa nodded to Clarissa.
“Yes, that would be nice.” Clarissa rearranged her skirt. It was quite wrinkled from the day’s activities.
Just as Mrs. Jenson returned with a tray containing a pitcher of lemonade, glasses, and cake, Ollie and Lowell walked through the door. Clarissa smiled at Ollie, and his eyes lit up, making him even more handsome. Riding away from that awful scene, she had felt so protected in his arms. She didn’t want to leave them when they arrived at the farm. Clarissa knew he was just being nice, but she could pretend it meant more to him too.
“Sit down, boys, and join us.” Mrs. Jenson smiled at her sons. “I’m sure it won’t spoil your supper.” She chuckled.
Lowell and Ollie told their mother what had happened since Lowell found Mari and Clarissa at the campsite. Was it only a few days ago? It seemed like an eternity. An eternity that had changed her life—for the better, she hoped.
Mrs. Jenson was shocked at the news her sons related and clucked over the girls like a mother hen protecting her chicks. Clarissa had feared people would believe she and Mari were as guilty as Pierre, but when Mrs. Jenson smiled, Clarissa remembered how much her own mother had loved her.
“I am so sorry about all this, Mrs. Jenson,” Clarissa said softly. “We would understand if you didn’t want us in your home, considering what Pierre forced us to do.”
The older woman’s eyes were moist as she turned to Clarissa. “Did you want to do the things that man made you do?”
“No! Of course not!” both sisters exclaimed at once.
“Oh, you poor dears.” The compassion in Mrs. Jenson’s voice went straight to Clarissa’s heart, softening it. “I can’t believe that awful man did such terrible things to you girls.”
Marissa was usually the quiet sister. “He was good at putting on an act. He was so believable he could have gone on stage. That’s why he could get away with almost any confidence game he planned.” She shuddered.
Mrs. Jenson turned toward her older son. “What’s Sheriff Bartlett going to do about these precious girls?”
“We’re not sure. We’ll talk to him later.”
“They’ll stay right here until he tells us anything different.” She nodded firmly.
Ollie crossed the room to his mother and hugged her. “I knew you would say that. Thank you, Mor.”
❧
The next morning, the sheriff drove up in a wagon with a trunk in the back. Ollie walked out from the barn to meet him.
“I thought the girls might need this.” Sheriff Bartlett lifted the trunk down from the wagon. “Should I take it into the house?”
&n
bsp; Ollie relieved the older man of his burden and hefted the trunk onto his shoulders. “Come on—let’s go in for a cup of coffee. Mor made cinnamon rolls for breakfast. She might have one or two left.”
“Well, now, I won’t turn down your mother’s good cooking.” He patted his stomach. “I don’t get home cooking very often.”
Lowell joined them on the porch and opened the door for his brother. Ollie set the trunk in the hallway, and the three men went to the kitchen, where his mother was teaching Clarissa and Marissa how to bake bread.
His mother turned around and smiled. “Welcome, Sheriff Bartlett—how nice to see you.”
“Ollie said you might have some coffee and cinnamon rolls left from breakfast.” He grabbed his hat from his head and held it in his hands. “I know what a good cook you are, Mrs. Jenson.”
Ollie pulled up a chair for the sheriff, and they all sat around the large kitchen table.
“I thought you might need some more clothes,” Sheriff Bartlett told the sisters, “so I brought out one of your trunks.”
Both girls clapped their hands. “That is so thoughtful!” Clarissa said. “Mrs. Jenson loaned us some of her clothes, but she’s a little taller than we are. It’ll be nice to have our own things.”
Ollie looked at the sheriff. “What’s happened to Le Blanc?” He hated to mention the vile man around the twins, but they needed to know too.
“We arrested him, and he’s in jail under heavy guard.” Bartlett sipped the hot coffee. “I’ve wired the district judge. I’m waiting to hear when he’ll come to town to conduct the trial.” He looked at the twins. “You girls haven’t changed your minds about testifying against Le Blanc, have you?”
Marissa’s breath came in short gasps, and her hands began to tremble. Clarissa reached over and patted her sister. “I can hardly wait. You did say he’d go to prison, didn’t you? Then he couldn’t come after us and punish us for testifying.”
Double Deception Page 12
