by DiAnn Mills
Tahoma hadn’t expected to see Eva at breakfast, what with the “can’t see the bride until the ceremony” tradition. He endured all the teasing at the cookhouse before sunrise and decided the best way to get his mind off the wedding was to visit his parents. They’d seemed friendly enough when he and Eva visited, and he really wanted to set things right with them.
The drive to his old home brought back pleasant memories from the time he was a child to when he returned from Chicago to practice medicine. Perhaps wedding days were more about closing the door on the past and stepping into the future. A good reason to speak to his parents before the two o’clock ceremony.
He drove up in front of their hogan and drank in his surroundings. Nothing had changed outwardly, but he wondered if their disapproval had mellowed. He doubted it, but hope ruled the day.
As though expecting him, his father opened the door and walked out of the hogan. He waved and smiled. A good sign. Tahoma exited his truck and made his way to the older man.
“Your wedding day,” Father said. “Are you nervous?”
Tahoma grinned. “Like a young goat.”
That prompted a laugh. “I remember I wanted to run. We’ve been talking about you and Eva. Come inside and visit with your mother.”
Tahoma appreciated his father’s encouragement. The relationship with his mother would take time to mend. After giving his father a pat on the back, Tahoma stepped into the hogan, where his mother sat stitching a garment.
“Good morning, son.” She smiled with no hint of displeasure. “I’ll be ready for the wedding.” She held up what looked to be a skirt. “I’m finishing this to wear.”
He kissed her forehead. “You’ll be beautiful, as always.”
“It’s been a long time since I could be called beautiful.”
“You’ll always be the loveliest woman to me,” Father said.
Tahoma knew he and Eva would have the same kind of closeness as his parents.
“Want to take a walk?” Father said.
That was exactly what Tahoma needed this morning, sensing his father would fill him with sage advice on marriage.
The two walked across the small valley where the sheep grazed. They walked in silence, a peaceful silence.
“How are you feeling?” Tahoma hoped he would get a better answer than when he inquired about his health two days ago.
“As good as a man of my age and health can feel.”
“Are you resting more?”
“A little.”
“Would you consider spending more time resting in view of becoming a grandfather someday?”
He chuckled, a sound that Eva said matched his. “You make a good bargain.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
“I can see you are very happy, my son. I wish Andrew had lived for this day.”
“I do as well.” He wanted to say God had blessed him, but it was enough that his parents were attending a Christian wedding.
They continued their walk, slower than before.
“What are your plans to keep Eva safe after today?”
Tahoma drew in a deep breath. “As dangerous as it sounds, we hope the ceremony attracts whoever is behind this. Mr. Murdock must have twenty-five men stationed around the ranch.”
“Good. I’ve already asked some of the men here to keep watch.”
“With my past?”
“You’re a fine man, my son. We may not agree about beliefs, but we are bound by blood.”
“Thank you.” The words were perfect for his wedding day. “I’m concerned about Eva’s safety. I’d rather fight someone I can see than a hidden devil.” He studied the horizon, where the sun crept up to meet the sky. His father would call that a state of harmony, but Tahoma called it God’s perfection, the God who knew and saw everything.
His father sat on the hard ground and stared at the rising sun. “I look forward to meeting Murdock today.”
Tahoma eased down beside him. “He mentioned the same. I wish we had a clue about who was behind Eva’s grandfather’s murder. Chambers never revealed a thing, but at least he’s in prison.”
“Did anyone ever investigate the woman who cared for Eva after her parents died?”
“No. She’s here though. Arrived before we did in Albuquerque. Then she found a car and drove to the ranch.”
“Why did she come to the ranch early instead of waiting for you in Albuquerque and spending that time with Eva?”
The question irritated Tahoma. “I guess to rest up before the wedding.”
“Does Murdock know this?”
“I doubt it. They’ve never gotten along. Why are you asking so many questions about Victoria?”
His father slowly stood and walked several feet. “In one of Andrew’s letters, he mentioned a woman by the name of Victoria. He said his wife didn’t care for her, but after she died, Victoria stepped forward to take care of Eva.”
“I know Victoria raised her.”
“Andrew also indicated Victoria had feelings for him, and it made him uncomfortable. When he refused her advances, she became angry. He said he was going to dismiss her, but he must have died before he could.”
Tahoma rejected the thought of Victoria’s involvement. He didn’t think it was unusual for a single woman to be attracted to her single employer. “Eva never mentioned any of that, but how would she have known? I’ll mention it to Mr. Murdock.”
“I think it’s worth looking into now. Last night I had a dream about this woman, and she tried to hurt Eva.” His father picked up a stone and tossed it in his palm. “If no one’s been successful in finding the killer, then the one responsible feels safe.”
A chill raced up Tahoma’s back. “Victoria spent the night in Eva’s cabin.”
“Are you telling me they are together now?”
“I assume so. She planned to help Eva dress for the wedding.”
“The day before you and Eva arrived, I saw a man and a woman in a car near the Perdenal. Later I saw that only the woman returned to the ranch.”
“Victoria came here alone.”
“Or did she?”
Urgency swelled in Tahoma. “Can you describe the car?”
“Brown and tan.”
Victoria’s car. “I need to get back to the ranch and talk to Murdock.”
“I’ll go with you.”
CHAPTER 49
I gripped the steering wheel tighter. “What’s going on?” I’m not sure what coursed through me. I think more shock than the knowledge of Victoria’s betrayal.
“You’ll find out soon enough.” She jammed the revolver even harder against my cheek.
“About what? If this is your idea of a joke, it’s in poor taste.”
Victoria pulled back the trigger, and the click resounded in my ear, shaking me into reality. “Does this convince you that I’m serious?”
Realization hit me as blinding as the sun stretching over the eastern sky. “You…you’re behind Grandfather’s murder—and Pete’s?”
“I am. But you won’t live to tell your precious Tahoma or Murdock.”
Victoria’s threats slammed against the years of her betrayal. Fiery anger surged through my veins. “Why? What did I ever do to you?”
“You’d never understand. And I don’t have to tell you. Let it be enough to say that it’s time I received what I deserve for all those years of looking after you.” She waved the gun in front of my face. “Here’s the turn.”
“You’ve been here?”
“Another surprise for Miss Fortier.”
I slowed the car and swung onto a narrow dirt path, barely wide enough for the car. I remembered it led to a remote and desolate area. Terror rose in me like a snake coiled and ready to strike. How could I have lived with Victoria all these years and not sensed her deceit?
“I’ve arranged handsomely for you,” I said.
“And now I’ll have it sooner. Very nice of you, by the way. Makes our little adventure even more worth the trouble in this hor
rible part of the world.”
After we drove another mile, she had me stop the car and turn off the engine. I stiffened my resolve that she would not kill me without a fight.
“Victoria, I don’t know why you are doing this.”
“Shut up and don’t move.” She shoved the gun barrel deeper into my flesh.
For the next ten minutes or so, we sat in silence. Every time I started to say something, she stopped me until I decided to pray for deliverance.
Up ahead in the early morning light, a man stepped onto the road.
Victoria tapped my shoulder with the gun. “Get out of the car.”
I obeyed, all the while willing my mind to find a solution to this. My attention whipped to the man in the road. His frame had been imbedded in my mind for a year; his dark brown hair, and the way he wore his hat.
He was the one who’d murdered Grandfather.
“Victoria? You can’t possibly think she’s behind this.” Murdock rubbed his jaw, but he appeared nervous. He swung around as though expecting Victoria to appear. “Tahoma, have we been looking in the wrong place?”
Father proceeded to tell him about Andrew’s letter, and Tahoma asked if he was aware of her arriving early for the wedding.
“I’m going to talk to both of them now.” Murdock frowned and glanced toward Eva’s cabin. “According to my men, the women haven’t emerged yet today. But it’s still early.”
“Did anyone take them food?” Nascha said.
Murdock’s response was to walk toward Eva’s cabin. Tahoma fell into step, no longer concerned about bad luck if he saw the bride before the wedding.
Men were posted around the cabin, and Murdock nodded to them. “Have you seen Miss Eva and her companion?”
“Not yet today,” one of the men said. “I figured the two were getting ready for the wedding.”
“Miss Victoria’s car isn’t here,” another man said. “I’m not sure when she left.”
Tahoma rushed ahead, jumped the steps, and pounded on the door. The force of his fists pushed it open.
“Eva?”
CHAPTER 50
The man standing within thirty feet of the car and aiming a gun at me had been the source of my nightmares.
Victoria rolled down her window, her face as hard as the mountains surrounding us. “Do it, Will. You botched the job the first time. What a disgusting little brother you are. Aren’t you tired of disappointing me?”
The man lifted a brow and walked toward the car. His eyes stayed fixed on me. “I do earn my keep. I took care of the Mexican, didn’t I?”
Juan Martinez?
“You’re still a coward.” She spit her words like acid. “How stupid to tell Eva to run the day you killed the sniveling old man.”
When he eased the pistol to his side, Victoria screamed obscenities. I’d never seen or heard her use such horrible language. She’d always been in such control of her behavior…but then she had reasons to be in control. What had I done to her?
I must have gone mad, because I had no real feelings that I could grasp. I felt as though the world was spinning, and I’d become a bystander. Shouldn’t I be hysterical?
Victoria’s ranting broke through my pondering. “I know exactly why you can’t shoot her. It’s because of Penelope.”
Penelope! My mother’s name.
Victoria laughed in a low guttural sound I’d never heard before. “You never stopped loving her, even after I killed her.”
My head pounded. “You killed my mother?”
“That’s right. And if you want to know the specifics, I did away with your disgusting father too.”
“Why?” I wanted to tear into her, scratch out her eyes. Only the reality of her gun stopped me.
Will humphed, and I spun my attention back to him. “Victoria was in love with your father. But he loved your mother. So Victoria got rid of her with a dose of poison.” He chuckled. “Your father wanted nothing to do with Victoria.”
All those years, I’d clung to Victoria like a mother.
All those years, she’d played the role of mother and father.
All those years, she’d begged me to name her in my will as prime beneficiary so she’d never have to worry about the necessities of life. She claimed my parents’ poor health could be my demise, and then she’d be all alone with no way to support herself. Thank God I’d never forced the issue with Mr. Murdock.
All those years, her every action had been for money.
“You wretched, poor excuse for a human being.” I clenched my fists, but fear for my own life seized my senses.
“Tsk. Tsk. Harsh words don’t flatter you.” Victoria aimed her gun at Will. “Tell her about you and her mother. About your love affair with Penny until she dumped you for Andrew.”
“Do not say one word against Penelope. She chose Andrew over me. Her decision.”
“Right. If you weren’t upset about the matter, why did you agree to help me with my little…project with Eva?”
Now the whole ugly story took on meaning. Victoria and Will had been hurt when my parents chose each other instead of them. I stared into Will’s face, wanting to believe he wasn’t really a cold-blooded killer. He’d spared me once, and perhaps I could convince him to do so again.
“Please, Will,” I said. “For my mother’s sake, let me go. You can flee the country, and no one will ever find you.”
“Kill her.” Victoria’s voice boomed around us.
Why did she want him to murder me? Was it to exonerate herself so she’d look innocent?
Tahoma, my sweet love. I won’t give up on God’s deliverance until I breathe my last.
A gunshot exploded, and I jumped. Blood spurted from Will’s chest. He lifted his pistol, but another bullet stopped him, and he slumped onto the dirt, face first.
Victoria had killed her brother.
My hope of talking my way out of my own execution had ended.
“You are a monster,” I whispered, shock racing through me.
“Maybe so. But I’m a smart one.” She exited the car and walked over to her brother’s body and spit on him. Horror filled me, and I realized that I was about to die too. She aimed her gun at me. “Don’t move.”
I considered taking my chances on foot with the thought of forcing her to chase me—and hoping she wouldn’t be as lucky with her aim as she’d been with Will. The sun had risen, which meant I couldn’t hide in the shadows.
The sound of gunfire would surely bring those from the ranch.
“Don’t get any fancy ideas.” She quickly made her way to my side of the car and stood within ten feet of me. “Walk around the front and get in the passenger’s side.”
I did as I was told, willing myself to stay calm and not repeat any more outbursts that would cause her to pull the trigger. Once I was inside, she locked my door with a key then slammed it, as though sealing my tomb.
Victoria kept the gun pointed at me while she made her way back to the driver’s side of the car. She slid inside and turned to me. “I need to get this done. The gunfire will bring the men from the ranch far too quickly for my liking.” She kept the gun pointed at my face while she started the car and drove ahead.
How could I outsmart her? With so much security at the ranch, the guards or the ranch hands would soon be here to investigate the shots.
Yet all I could do was sit there and pray. I had no doubt God would welcome me into the eternal with outstretched arms, but what about Tahoma and Mr. Murdock and the others who had worked so hard to keep me from what I now faced?
And Victoria would be free to live her life as she chose.
“You don’t have to do this,” I said. “There’s no reason to kill another person.”
“What’s one more? I intend to get what I’ve planned for all these years. You, my dear, will fall to your death over this cliff, and I will jump for safety. As soon as you are buried—what’s left of you—I’ll inherit a fine fortune. Thanks to you, it will be grander than I dreamed.”
“Explain this to me, Victoria. The authorities aren’t stupid. They’ll know this was no accident.”
“Oh, I’ll have a few cuts and bruises to show how I escaped from Will over there. I can be quite persuasive. I’ve had years of practice.” She reminded me of a cat, hissing her words and ready to pounce on her prey.
“Is money worth all the killings?” I started to add because of my father, but I needed to stall for time.
Victoria continued to drive, one hand holding the steering wheel, the other keeping the gun pointed at my face. Without a hand free to shift gears, her progress was slow. I prayed for the gun to dip, to waver, but Victoria’s hand was a steady as if she did this every day of her life. And because of our slow speed, there were no bumps or jolts to distract her. We neared where I knew the side of the road fell several hundred feet straight down onto jagged rock. My right hand crept to the spot where I could unlock the door and leap to safety.
“Up ahead, Eva. This is the spot I picked out for you. Will and I made this ride up here two days ago, and it’s perfect for your accident.” She stressed “accident” like she enjoyed her own words. “I knew he had no guts to follow through with my orders. He played right into my plans.”
“How do you live with yourself?” I spoke louder and unlocked the door, hoping she didn’t hear the click.
“After this morning, in fine style.”
I’d keep her talking. “They’ll suspect you. Mr. Murdock will demand a full investigation.”
“Not if I’ve been shot too.”
How could I have been so stupid all of those years? “You’d do that to yourself?”
“I’ve been thinking about how to eliminate you for a long time. One plan after another has fallen through. This one is foolproof. You see, we hurried to escape Will. He shot me, but I was able to kill him. Everything happened so fast.”
God help me.
“Who else worked with you at the ranch?”
She laughed, and the low rumble pronounced her clearly insane. “Only the foreman. Keep your hands in your lap, Eva.” She jammed the barrel into my cheek again.
