Faster Than the Rest

by Shirleen Davies

  Chapter Eleven

  Sam and Jamie walked back to the sheriff’s office in silence, each lost in his own thoughts, trying to sort through Victoria’s answers and what he’d observed. After several minutes, Sam broke the silence.

  “I don’t know, Jamie. I’ve talked to a lot of people who declared their innocence, and Victoria comes off as someone who knew nothing about the provisions in the aunt’s will or the additional inheritance. From what I was able to find out, Wicklin doesn’t have a great reputation, and I have to say, Mrs. Wright may be onto something. Why would his aunt leave the managing of finances to a woman she’d known only a few years at the time of her death instead of her nephew, who she’d raised? Unless, of course, she knew things about her nephew and didn’t trust him. His accusations just don’t make sense.”

  Jamie kept silent. Doubt and guilt plagued his thoughts. He’d been the one to push Sam to confront Victoria, but his history with her was so painful that he’d found it hard to be objective. He knew her for what she was—a woman capable of deceit.

  “Don’t forget she has a history of doing whatever she has to in order to get what she wants, Sam. Lying hasn’t been beyond her in the past, and, in my experience, liars don’t change. They just get better at it.” Jamie had to get his emotions under control and look at the facts, at the history of the accused. According to Wicklin’s attorney, she had significant motivation in the form of huge financial gain, and she disliked her husband. She made no excuses for it when they spoke with her. Besides that, a judge in San Francisco was looking at additional evidence and checking out witnesses. None of this boded well for her or her innocence.

  Sam stopped and scrutinized at his long-time friend. He knew little of what had transpired all those years ago, but he knew that it still caused his friend great pain.

  “Jamie, you may need to step back from this one. It may be best to let Sheriff Rawlins and me handle Mrs. Wicklin. No one but she and her husband know what transpired to get her to go with him all those years ago and I, for one, can’t judge her on that. Right now we have to be objective and work off what we know and what we can still find out.” He looked at his friend to see if anything he said was getting through. “Wicklin may be right, that she partnered with Hagan to arrange her own kidnapping. And he may be right that she talked Hagan into getting rid of him. She’d get the inheritance and the outlaw would get his money. But my gut’s telling me otherwise. I need to know if you’re able to help us, and be objective, or if you’ve judged and convicted her. I could sure use your help, but not if you’ve already made up your mind.”

  Jamie shoved his hands into his pockets and stared at the floorboards of the long walkway leading to the sheriff’s office. Sam was right to bring this up. Was she innocent of the charges, possibly innocent of other things as well? Hell, he just didn’t know any more. Looking up he saw that they’d stopped in front of the Desert Dove, a saloon his brother, Niall, had frequented before he married Kate.

  “I need a drink, Sam, maybe several. Appreciate your words, but right now I need to wrestle with my own thoughts. Don’t come looking for me; I’ll get back to you.” With that, Jamie headed into the saloon and the long bar.

  “Jamie.” The bartender greeted him. Ross had been with Gloria Chalmette, the saloon owner, only a few weeks, but he recognized the marshal right off. “What can I get you?”

  “A whiskey, Ross, and leave the bottle.” Jamie downed the first shot, then continued to pour himself two more before stopping for air. Hell, getting himself drunk wouldn’t help him think, but it sure would dull the pain he felt at seeing Victoria’s reaction to Sam’s questions. Jamie knew she’d looked to him for help but all he’d offered was an accusatory silence. He could still hear Anna’s voice telling them to never return. What a mess.

  “Marshal, what brings you in here so early in the day?” Gloria walked up and gave Jamie a quick pat on the arm before motioning for Ross to bring her a glass. She’d owned the Desert Dove for several years and was just a couple years older than Jamie. “Mind if I have one?”

  “No. Help yourself.” Jamie didn’t want company, but Gloria was almost like family, in a strange sort of way, and he didn’t want to antagonize anybody else today.

  They stood at the bar in an uncomfortable silence before Gloria spoke again.

  “Word has it that your hostage is being accused of some pretty outlandish things. That true?”

  “Ex-hostage, and how the hell do you know about that?” He couldn’t believe word of this had already spread to the Dove, as locals referred to it.

  “Now, Jamie,” she chuckled, “you know how the saloon business works, especially in a small town. Alcohol loosens otherwise closed tongues. So, what’s going on with the Wright’s?”

  “It’s only Mrs. Wicklin, Gloria, and no offense, but it’s none of your business.” He downed another shot, turned, and rested his elbows on the bar, looking out at the almost deserted saloon. Two o’clock, too early for much business. That would change in about three hours when the locals and the few ranchers who were in town came by before heading home.

  “Maybe not.” Then she rephrased it. “Probably not, but you best know what you’re accusing her of, and why, before doing anything stupid like arresting her for something most believe she’d never do.”

  Jamie just looked at her, and then the bottle. Hell, he’d get no peace here. Picking up the bottle, he walked through the doors and plunked himself into one of the chairs Gloria always left outside, poured another drink, downed it, then one more, and set the bottle on the walkway. He lowered his hat over his eyes, stretched out his long legs, and fell asleep.

  ******

  What? Someone was kicking at him and pushing on his shoulders. His eyes opened to slits and he found himself staring at smiling, bright blue eyes, and blond curls. A small hand was patting his cheek.

  “Uncle Jamie, you have to wake up. Aunt Alicia sent me and Papa to get you.” Beth. It was his niece and his older brother, Niall. What now?

  “Get up, Jamie. We’ve been sent to fetch you home. Supper’s waiting and Alicia is on her high horse.” Niall’s words finally penetrated. Jamie began to unfurl his long frame from the stiff wooden chair and stand. It was pitch black outside. How long have I been out, anyway?

  He wasn’t an idiot, contrary to what his ex-hostage might think. Angering three women in one day was more than enough. Angering a fourth, who happened to be his aunt, well, he might as well just go out and shoot himself.

  “Fine, I’m coming. Just let me get Rebel and we’ll be off.” Jamie’s voice was scratchy from the alcohol and sleep.

  “We already got her, Uncle Jamie. See?” Beth pointed to his paint standing in front of the saloon.

  “Him, Beth. Rebel is a guy, not a gal.” Jamie chuckled for the first time since this recent situation with Victoria had started.

  He left the half-empty, forgotten bottle of whiskey on the wood planks and mounted Rebel. It was a short twenty-minute ride, but the way he felt it would seem like hours. He sat straighter in the saddle and prepared for the verbal lashing he expected at the ranch.

  None of the three had noticed Sam standing by the side of the saloon as they mounted and rode out. He sauntered over to the bottle, picked it up, then headed straight into the saloon toward Gloria.

  “Good to see you, Deputy. And how was your day?” Gloria’s suggestive smile was not lost on Sam.

  God, she was a gorgeous woman. Long, jet black hair, dark eyes, and creamy skin, all tributes to her Creole heritage. She was older than him by a year or so, but that didn’t faze Sam. Neither did the fact that she owned a saloon and had, for a few years before that, been part of the group of ladies who entertained the men.

  It had all changed when she bought the saloon from the previous owner. The whole town knew that since then she’d only been with one man, Niall MacLaren. Sam suspected that Niall had hurt her, even if unintentionally. He was determined to crumble her defenses, and if she’d let him, s
tep in where Niall had left a void. Sam wanted her, and he suspected she knew it, but Gloria seemed to still mourn the loss of her long-time friend and lover.

  “Could’ve been better.” He paused a moment. “Much better.” He glanced around the saloon.

  Gloria watched Sam’s expression. She knew whatever conversation had taken place with Mrs. Wicklin must have bothered him. His normally impassive face showed concern, confusion. She’d gotten to know him over the past several months and admired the way he handled his job. There were many other things she admired about him but she’d been cautious. It was obvious he liked her, wanted her.

  Even though Niall’s marriage was expected, Gloria’s heart had still been bruised. She knew it was due more to the fact that they could no longer be friends. Now he barely acknowledged her. She’d cared for him, but she’d always known their friendship would never develop into anything permanent.

  It was different with Sam. It had surprised her when she realized her feelings for him were stronger than what she’d felt for Niall. She wanted him with an intensity that she’d never felt for anyone. It scared her, but she’d decided it might be time to risk her heart, see what would happen.

  “You going to finish that bottle, deputy? Because if not, I could be persuaded to have a pour.” Gloria glanced at the bottle in his hand, then back up at this face.

  “Sharing the bottle suits me fine. Ross, two glasses please.”

  Sam poured whiskey into the glasses, then handed one to Gloria.

  “To you, Gloria, and continued success with the Dove,” Sam toasted, and downed the amber liquid. Gloria drank hers then poured each another. Sam eyed her suspiciously. Gloria rarely drank while the saloon was open.

  She lifted her glass. “To us.” She looked into his eyes while waiting for him to catch on. When he did, his lips curved into a smile and he lifted his glass to hers. “To us.” They each threw back the whiskey at the same time.

  Sam watched her place her glass back on the bar, felt her hand slip into his, and saw her motion to the stairs. It was all the encouragement he needed. He followed her, for the first time, to the second floor. Neither of them noticed that all heads turned in their direction, followed them up the stairs, and noted, with apparent approval, a change at the Dove.

  Chapter Twelve

  He’d known supper would be unpleasant. Jamie sat at the supper table fielding questions he couldn’t answer.

  “But you’ve known her since you were twelve-years-old, Jamie, and you know there is no chance Victoria would go along with killing anyone. You do know that, right?” Alicia would not back off. He loved his aunt, but he couldn’t answer questions about Victoria. For all he knew, there could already be a warrant out for her arrest.

  “To be honest, I don’t know what she is capable of, Aunt Alicia. It’s been seven years. She’s led a life none of us know anything about with a man who could be honorable or the devil incarnate,” Jamie answered through clenched teeth as he continued to chew the steak that had lost all its taste.

  “What’s incarnate, Papa?” Beth asked as she fidgeted in her seat. Niall exchanged a glance with his wife, Kate, Beth’s stepmother. She and Niall had been married less than a year, but Kate and Beth had become very close. Their son, Adam, was less than a year old, and quite a handful, as now, when he fidgeted on his mother’s lap.

  Kate stepped in at just the right moment as she looked over at her stepdaughter. “I could really use some help, Beth. Time for you and me to take Adam upstairs.”

  Now it was just Alicia, Niall, Jamie, and Drew at the table. The fourth brother, Will, had decided to visit his long-time girl, Emily. Most thought they’d be engaged within the next few weeks. Jamie wondered if he’d ever find someone like Kate or feel the contentment his brother had with his wife and children.

  “Do you know anything at all about her husband, Jamie?” Niall wanted to get back to the accusations. Although he’d always liked Victoria, he’d been as angry with her as anyone when she’d walked out on his brother. But, unlike most others, he’d pushed for Jamie to go after her, confront her, and find out the truth of her decision. The brothers had fought over this on several occasions before Jamie had chosen to leave the ranch, and his family, behind.

  “Only that he’s a businessman in San Francisco. Manages the restaurant and bar his aunt started. Sam found out he’s a big time gambler and loses on a regular basis. The interesting part is that he has quite a few friends in positions of power. People he may be able to go to when he’s in a bind. Connections that would prove critical to a man like Wicklin.” He looked at Niall and saw the significance register with his brother. “That’s all we know at this point.” It wasn’t much, but it was a start.

  “And Victoria manages the money?” Niall asked again.

  “Sounds like she manages the annual allowance. The actual extent of the aunt’s property is in question. Wicklin alleges there is more than just the house and restaurant. Apparently the entire estate is quite substantial. Unfortunately, the attorney the aunt used for years, and who handles the estate, is back east, visiting his daughter. Not due back for a few weeks. Sam sent a telegram to him at his daughter’s place in Boston. We’re waiting for a response.”

  Drew spoke up. “And the kidnapping? How does all that play into it?” Of all the MacLaren’s, he was the most intellectual. He hated it when things didn’t seem to make sense, and reveled in solving mysteries that puzzled others.

  “Not sure.” Jamie proceeded to tell them Victoria’s version of the kidnapping. He had to admit that not once had it seemed like she was part of a setup. Even Tankard had talked about her in terms of being a hostage, not a willing accomplice. She’d appeared to be the victim right up until the time Hamilton Wicklin had made his accusations. If Jamie had been able to stick around long enough to confront Miguel Hagan, maybe he’d have the answers everyone needed. But he and Victoria may not have made it out alive. No, grabbing her when he did was for the best.

  “Wicklin vanished a couple of months after the kidnapping. Claims Victoria fabricated her own abduction and worked with Hagan to setup Wicklin’s murder.” Jamie shook his head at the extent of someone’s lies, but whose?

  “Anyone corroborate his story?” Drew asked as he spooned apple pie into his mouth.

  “There’s a doctor to verify that some Chinese fishermen brought him to their camp once to treat an injured man. The doc didn’t know the man’s name, just that he was almost dead. It took Wicklin several weeks to recuperate enough to talk about his identity. He claims others saw Hagan attack him at the docks and heard Hagan say that Victoria wished Wicklin dead. The statements of these witnesses may be enough for some judge in San Francisco to consider issuing a warrant.”

  “And if she did do all he says, Wicklin stands to inherit everything instead of Victoria, right?” Drew asked.

  “That’s my guess.” Jamie threw his napkin on the table and pushed himself out of his chair. God, he was tired. He just didn’t know what to think.

  Jamie reflected back on what he knew. He’d found her running from two men, but what did that really prove? Billy Tankard had told him straight out that Hagan had kidnapped her, and demanded a ransom in the amount Wicklin owed for an unpaid debt, the same story Victoria had told Sam and him when they went to the Wright’s. Billy was in a San Diego jail, and unless they had already released him, Jamie still might be able to get his story on the record. Unfortunately, he doubted Billy would talk.

  For Jamie, the most insurmountable obstacle continued to be the fact that she’d lied to him all those years ago when she’d said she loved him enough to marry him. Could she be lying about her true relationship with Hagan?

  “I’ll be heading back to town early tomorrow to review it all again with Sam. Don’t know when I’ll be back at the ranch. I’m sorry, Niall. I know you were counting on me to help finish with the building. I’ll get back as soon as I can.” Niall hadn’t asked much of him since he’d left the ranch, except to come home
when he could and help with constructing the new barn. He hated letting his brother down.

  “Not a problem.” Niall walked up beside him and rested his hand on Jamie’s shoulder. “Finding out the truth about Wicklin’s charges is more important right now. Come back when you can.”

  ******

  He loved watching her. Each time they were together it was better than the time before. They talked as if they’d known each other forever, sharing their dreams for the future and memories of their pasts. He found he couldn’t wait to be with her each night. Sam was in big trouble. He knew he’d never walk away if Gloria gave any indication she wanted him to be a permanent part of her life.

  “So, what’s your timing, Gloria? You going to be looking to sell soon?”

  They’d become friends during his time in Fire Mountain. Although she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever known it was her compassion, unwavering spirit, and fierce determination to help those who’d been wronged that seized his heart. He’d marry her if she gave him half a chance.

  “I have enough saved up to sell anytime. Then I’ll leave, find a new home, and a new identity far away from here.” It pained her to think of leaving the life she’d built, but it would need to be done if she had any hope of meeting someone who’d love her. How she wished it could be Sam. She loved him, but knew he’d found a home here and good friends in the MacLarens. Even if he did love her, he’d never give up his job for a former saloon owner and whore.

  He listened quietly as she talked about leaving. It hurt Sam to hear her plan a future that didn’t include him. Maybe it would make a difference if she loved him. He was sure she still had feelings for Niall and even though she never brought up his name, Sam could feel his ghost in the room, in this bed, most nights.