Orphan Train Trials

by Rachel Wesson

“That’s right, young man,” Mr. James piped in.

  “What? You can’t just accept their fate. You have to fight it,” Kathleen protested.

  “I know that, young lady,” Mr. James retorted.

  Kathleen blushed. She had been rude and disrespectful jumping to conclusions.

  “I have been a member of the bar for more years than I care to remember,” Mr. James explained. “I have requested a change of venue. To somewhere more impartial.”

  “Oh.” Kathleen knew she should apologize but he was already talking.

  “Right, now, boys, you need to tell me the truth. And I mean every word of the story. I don’t want any surprises in that court room. Understand?”

  “Yeah,” the boys mumbled. They all jumped when Mr. James roared at them.

  “That’s ‘yes, sir,’” he thundered. “I’m serious. Any hint of you lying to me and I will resign as your attorney and you can take your chances. Do we understand each other?”

  “Yes, sir,” the boys said in unison.

  Kathleen exchanged a quick look with Richard. Maybe her choice of attorney was the right one after all.

  “Once the doc is finished, I will listen to your story. In private, Sheriff.”

  The sheriff looked as if he had chewed on a lemon, but he didn’t argue.

  For the first time since she had found out about her brothers, Kathleen felt hope.

  Chapter 53

  Bella

  They followed the group until they were close to the boundaries of the first farm. Brian followed Geoff Rees to the second property with Giles showing them the way. Mitch stayed with the Green River sheriff.

  “Ladies, you wait here,” Sheriff Williams said. “Don’t come anywhere near the house until we call for you. Understood?”

  The women stayed silent.

  “It’s important. I don’t want anyone shooting you by accident,” Sheriff Williams insisted.

  “Yes, sir, we will wait here,” Gracie answered, presumably thinking she was speaking for both of them. Bella made no such promise. If Megan needed her, she was going to go in there regardless of who told her not to.

  The time passed slowly. Bella fidgeted, wishing she could walk around but that may attract attention. Gracie sat watching the horizon. The first gunshot made them jump. It was quickly followed by several more.

  Gracie started praying but Bella didn’t join in. She moved closer to the house.

  “Where are you going?” Gracie protested.

  “I can’t just wait here. There has to be something we can do.”

  Bella started walking toward the sound of the gunshots until the farm came into view. She saw the men were focused on the house, so she made her way to the barn, wondering if the children were there. She opened the barn door carefully.

  It appeared to be deserted. She was about to go out again when she heard a sob then someone shushing.

  “Megan? Eileen? Are you here?” Bella whispered.

  “Bella, is it you?” Megan crawled out of her hiding place. Bella nearly cried at the sight of the child. She was filthy, and the beautiful grey dress Bella had made for her, was in rags. There were fresh wounds on her legs.

  “Oh, Megan darling, come here.” Bella moved quickly to scoop the child into her arms. “Where is Eileen? Is she here?”

  Megan shook her head.

  “Who was with you?”

  Megan pointed to what looked like a hole in the wall. Bella released Megan and made her way carefully toward the hole. Poking her head through it, she nearly vomited. The stench was horrific, but the sight was even worse. There were three children of similar age to Megan. Two were ill, they couldn’t move from their bed of rags despite their best efforts. The third was standing in the corner, holding a large stick. He looked terrified.

  “I am a friend of Megan’s and I won’t hurt you. I promise,” Bella said.

  The dark-skinned boy didn’t put the weapon down. She wasn’t sure he had heard her. “Megan,” she whispered. “Can you tell him I am a friend.”

  “He can’t hear you. Let me pass.”

  Megan entered the hole and Bella followed her. Megan moved closer to the boy and rubbed his arm. The boy looked from Megan to Bella a couple of times. Megan pushed the weapon away and eventually the boy conceded.

  “Megan, we have to stay quiet. My friends are here to help you. What other children are here?”

  Megan shrugged her shoulders. Bella pulled her toward her again. She cuddled her close, feeling her bones through the fabric. The child must be starving.

  Only once the children saw she wasn’t a threat did she move toward the children lying on the bed. They were both sick with high fevers.

  “Megan, do you have water?” Bella asked.

  Megan shook her head.

  “I will have to get some.”

  Megan clung to her. “Take me.”

  “I will be back. It’s safer for you to stay here.”

  Megan shook her head furiously.

  “Take me,” the girl begged.

  The gunshots had stopped, but Bella wasn’t sure if the battle was over. She didn’t want to put the child in danger, but the other children were very ill. She was worried they wouldn’t survive much longer.

  “Megan, I promise I won’t leave you.”

  “Please don’t go.”

  “Yes, please don’t leave. We wouldn’t want you to get hurt, would we?” The voice sent shivers down Bella’s spine.

  Chapter 54

  Kathleen

  Kathleen enjoyed cleaning up the office. She hadn’t any experience working with papers before, but it wasn’t difficult to put the books back in order on the shelves. She figured out the filing system the previous secretary had used and filed everything she found. Richard called to the office halfway through her second day. He’d told her he was staying in Freesburg until the case was over. Then he would accompany her back to New York. He insisted he had business to take care of back in New York. She didn’t know if that was true or not, but she didn’t care. It was nice to have a friendly face around this town.

  “Looks like you are working hard,” he teased as he pointed at her cheek. “You have a black mark right there.”

  Embarrassed, she rubbed at the spot. “It keeps my mind occupied,” she said. “They won’t let me see the boys.”

  “I saw them earlier today. Mr. James, or Randolph as he prefers to be called, insisted. They’re better than they were,” he said, but the fact he didn’t look at her made her nervous.

  “Something’s wrong.”

  “Why would you think that?” he hedged.

  “I’m not stupid. You can’t look me in the face. What did you come to tell me?” she demanded.

  “Kathleen, you should sit down.”

  “I am fine. Tell me.”

  “Randolph wants to see both of us later to discuss the case in detail, but he agreed to me coming to prepare you.”

  She took a seat. “This doesn’t sound good.”

  “The good news is the trial venue has been moved to Waterloo and your brothers didn’t murder anyone.”

  “I told you that,” she retorted, then immediately apologized. “Sorry, I shouldn’t bite your head off. You’re only trying to help.” She should learn to say less and listen more. She waited for him to speak but he stayed silent.

  “Tell me, please.”

  “Your brothers got involved in a rustling ring,” he said.

  Kathleen exhaled loudly.

  “Cattle rustling is a hanging offense,” she whispered as if by saying it quietly it was less horrific.

  “Yes, it is.” Richard looked at her, a grave expression on his face. “But we may be able to argue the boys didn’t know what they were getting involved with.”

  “May?”

  “Kathleen, you should prepare yourself for the worst. Do you want to wire your sisters? Maybe they should come to the trial?”

  Kathleen sat in the chair, trying to get a hold of her thoughts. Her brothe
rs would die if found guilty. What should she do? Was there enough time to get Bridget and Carl here? Was that fair when they had other priorities. And what about Maura? She didn’t even know where to contact her.

  “Kathleen?”

  “Sorry. I don’t know. I can’t think straight. Maybe I should wire them. But I am not even sure where they are. Oh, how could this happen?”

  “Kathleen, please don’t cry,”

  “My brothers will die.”

  “We haven’t lost yet,” Richard said. “Why don’t you send a wire to your friend in New York? The man who sent you to Randolph. He might know how to contact your sister.”

  That was a good idea. She should do that, but when she tried to stand her legs felt funny. She sat again.

  “Is there no hope?”

  Richard looked her straight in the eyes. “There is always hope, but I think we should be prepared.”

  “We?” she asked.

  “You don’t think I would leave you to face this alone.”

  “But what about Patrick?”

  “Patrick is doing fine. His hands are improving, and he is enjoying his time with my friends. He is getting a chance to be a child, although I’m not sure he likes having to attend school every day.”

  Kathleen imagined he was right. She should really go to see Patrick, but she couldn’t concentrate on anything other than her brothers. They must be terrified. She had to be the strong one now.

  “And the man who died? Who murdered him?”

  “Randolph has a theory on that, but he will tell us more later. In the meantime, what are you going to do?”

  “I can’t see the boys, so I best get this office finished. Can’t have their attorney working in this mess. Where is he anyway?”

  “He went to look at the crime scene. Don’t worry, he took some men with him. He knows not to venture out alone.”

  Kathleen stared at Richard. “Is his life in danger?”

  “Beaugrand has many friends. It is not in his interest for this trial to go ahead. Don’t look so worried, though. Randolph has powerful connections.”

  Kathleen wished, not for the first time, she had gone to Riverside Springs with Bella. But she couldn’t abandon her brothers. They needed her.

  Chapter 55

  Bella

  Bella gasped as she looked up to see Alice Maitland staring back at her, Susan by her side. She hadn’t heard them come into the barn. Megan shrieked, causing Bella to look from the young girl back to Alice. She pushed the child behind her as she saw the black object in Alice’s hand. A gun. Surely the woman didn’t plan on using it? She was just carrying it for protection. That had to be it.

  “What are you doing here?” Alice snarled, pointing the gun right at Bella’s heart. Any doubts she had about the woman’s ability to use the gun faded away. Alice’s hands weren’t shaking.

  “I’m taking the children,” Bella retorted, anger and fear making her brave. “How could you treat them like this? Those two are really sick and Megan is half starved. What type of woman are you?”

  “They aren’t ill, they just don’t want to work is all. That’s right isn’t it, Susan?”

  Susan nodded, a miserable expression on her face.

  “Don’t listen, she lies,” Megan spat.

  “Shut up, you little brat. Been trouble ever since you left her,” Alice said.

  Bella pulled Megan behind her again to shield her.

  “What are you going to do? The sheriff is here to arrest Jack and Joe.” Bella refused to show any fear.

  “He won’t take them. Not if I got you.”

  Bella gulped. She wished she had listened to the sheriff, but it was too late for regrets. She eyed the gun.

  “Don’t get any brave ideas. It’s loaded, and I know how to shoot.”

  “If you kill me, you’ll hang,” Bella said. “There are more men back in town. And a group has gone to get your brother-in-law, if that’s what he is. Your best bet is to give yourself up.”

  “And spend the next ten years in jail.” The woman sneered. “I’m getting out of here and you’re my ticket.”

  Megan edged closer to Bella sticking her hands in hers. Bella could feel the child shaking. She wasn’t going to desert her again.

  She took a step toward Alice. “Why don’t you just give yourself up? You must know you can’t get away.”

  “Shut up. Susan, grab the brat. We’re taking her with us.”

  Susan stepped forward to take Megan. Megan screamed, and Bella took advantage of Alice’s distraction to lunge for her. Alice recovered quickly but didn’t get a chance to fire the gun as Bella hit her and knocked her to the ground. Alice was stronger than she looked but Bella was fighting for something she believed in. The gun lay on the floor out of reach of both of them. Alice grabbed Bella’s hair, but it was the blow to the head wound she’d received the night Maura disappeared, that caused Bella to see stars. Her eyes smarted. She couldn’t let this woman win. She kicked and squirmed and punched with all her might.

  “Megan, run get help,” she cried as she tried to get out of Alice’s grip. She didn’t see Susan pick up the gun until it was too late. The shot rang through the air causing both women to freeze.

  “Get up now. Move.” Susan swore at Bella before she swung the gun wildly at the sick children. Bella jumped away from Alice, a child with a gun was too unpredictable.

  But she didn’t realize Susan’s intentions until it was too late. The child aimed and pulled the trigger. The blood turned the white blouse crimson. Children screamed as the barn door burst open.

  Chapter 56

  Kathleen

  Mr. James arranged to see both Kathleen and Richard in his office that evening at six. Kathleen wore gloves, her fingernails were so badly bitten it was a good job her mam couldn’t see her. Mam. What would she make of all this? Maura gone. Annie and Liam adopted, and now her boys fighting for their lives.

  “Miss Collins, you have done a magnificent job. I can’t remember the last time the office looked or smelt so wonderful,” he praised her. “I can even see the carpet for the first time in years.”

  Pleased at his reaction, Kathleen was glad she had powered through the work. His desk was clear and ready for him to use. His papers were correctly filed and, instead of papers everywhere, you could see the shining wood. Best of all, the room smelled of lavender polish. She took a seat in front of his desk wondering where Richard was.

  “Doctor Green was delayed. He will join us shortly. He told me he gave you an update earlier today.”

  “Yes,” Kathleen mumbled, finding it hard to speak.

  “I know the news isn’t what you wanted to hear but it is better to know what you are facing. I prefer it at least.”

  “How are Shane and Michael?”

  The old man looked at her with pity. “Michael is resigned to what is happening. Between you and me, I suspect he was more aware of what was going on. Shane seems a little bemused.”

  “Shane always followed our Michael everywhere from the time he could walk, according to Mam.” She bit back on the lump in her throat.

  “My dear, I know this is very difficult. I will do everything I can, I promise.”

  She squeezed his hand, unable to speak as she tried to hold back the tears. Richard arrived a few minutes later apologizing for his tardiness. Kathleen got herself under control. She couldn’t dissolve into a tearful mess.

  “I have a more solid idea of what transpired than before. It appears your brothers were taken in by a rancher named Sachs. He owns a large spread to the north of town. They weren’t treated well. The rancher is known for his short temper and maltreatment of both his animals and his staff. The boys complained of being cold and hungry. So, when the opportunity to earn some money came along, they took it.”

  “Even if it meant breaking the law?” Kathleen interjected but immediately apologized.

  “They were approached by a man who claimed to be working for Beaugrand. He owns the largest ranch in th
ese parts. Your brothers claim the man offered them cash in return for looking the other way when some cattle went missing.”

  Mr. James slurped his coffee before continuing.

  “The murdered man, Mr. Diaz, suspected something was up and threatened to report the boys to the authorities. He turned up dead shortly after.”

  “So, the boys had motive.” Kathleen said, not wanting to believe her brothers were guilty.

  “Motive, yes, but opportunity is not as evident. Diaz was killed by a single gunshot straight through the heart. Doc confirmed it. His professional opinion is that the shooter was an excellent marksman.”

  “Neither of my brothers know how to shoot properly,” Kathleen said, her voice squeaking.

  “Exactly, Miss Collins. So that goes in their favor. Also, they were locked in at night, and therefore it will be difficult for the prosecution to prove they had access to Diaz.”

  “But if they didn’t kill him, who did?” she asked.

  “That, my friend, is the big question. There have been some whispers that Diaz tried to blackmail Beaugrand. Diaz was heard boasting that he was going to earn big and head out to California. But all we have at the moment is rumor.”

  “I guess nobody wants to go into the witness box up against Beaugrand.” Kathleen knew she was stating the obvious.

  “He is a powerful man in these parts, but there are witnesses to a fight between him and Diaz,” Mr. James said.

  “Witnesses?” Kathleen questioned, eagerly jumping on what appeared to be good news. “Can’t they come forward?”

  “The witnesses are your brothers.” Richard said as he entered the room just in time to hear her question.

  Kathleen couldn’t breathe, her heart was racing, and she felt faint. She stared at the attorney who continued to speak, but she couldn’t hear a word he said. His mouth moved but she couldn’t focus.

  “Drink this, slowly.” Richard handed her a glass of water. “Breathe deeply. You have had a shock, and it’s only natural to react this way.”