Corsets and Cuffs: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Baker City Brides Book 3)

by Shanna Hatfield

  “Maggie insisted I bring it. With a murderer running around town on the loose, she’s more than a little worried.” Ian holstered the gun and removed a pot of coffee along with several tin cups from the basket. “Coffee?” he asked, holding out a cup to Brianna.

  Grateful, she accepted it, holding the warm cup in her chilled hands and taking a sip. Although she’d felt warm and safe in the circle of Tully’s arms, the moment he stepped away, bone-chilling cold settled over her again.

  Tully noticed her discomfort and hurried into her cell, grabbing the blanket Maggie had left on the end of the bed. With tender care, he wrapped it around her shoulders.

  She sank onto a chair and pulled the blanket around her.

  Ian set out the sandwiches and a tin of cookies as Dugan raced in the door and slammed it behind him.

  “We got trouble coming, boss.”

  Tully stared at him. “What’s going on?”

  “A bunch of men have been drinking down at the Rusty Nugget and got it in their heads that a little vigilante justice is in order for a murdering, lying wench.” Dugan glanced apologetically at Brianna. “Their words, not mine. Seth and I tried to talk them out of their plans, but a group of them are heading this way. They plan on busting in here, taking Miss Dumont and stringing her up as an example to keep the rest of the women in this town in line.”

  “Over my dead body,” Tully muttered darkly. He lifted Brianna out of the chair and set her in the jail cell, locking the door and pocketing the keys. “The safest place for you is right there, darlin’. I won’t let any harm come to you.”

  Fearful not so much for herself, but for Tully and his men, she nodded her head, unable to speak.

  Tully shut the door between the cells and the office then unlocked a cabinet and took out two shotguns and a revolver, along with cartridges. “How long before they get here, Dugan?”

  “Seth was going to try to slow them down while I came to warn you. Most of them are so drunk they can barely walk, but a few of them are just on the other side of sober. In the dark, I couldn’t exactly tell who brandished the spoon that stirred up the pot of trouble, but a dozen or so men are headed this way.”

  Tully checked to make sure each gun was ready to fire, then walked to the office’s lone window and looked out. He could see a group walking toward the jail in the gaslights lining the street.

  “Ian, you stay in here with the door bolted. Do not, under any circumstance open it.” Tully looked to his friend as he closed the heavy metal shutters the blacksmith had crafted to cover the window for just such an occasion. “If the worst happens, shoot to kill because that group is out for blood.”

  “Understood.” Ian gave Tully a reassuring nod.

  Dugan reached for the door but it opened as Thane Jordan and two of his men stepped inside.

  Tully smiled. “You have no idea how glad I am to see you.”

  “You didn’t think we’d miss out on all the fun, did you?” Thane grinned and slapped Tully on the back. “Ben, here, happened to be in town earlier and heard what happened. He thought you might need some reinforcements before the night was through. Looks like he’s right.”

  Tully nodded to the young cowboy who’d come to the rescue. “I appreciate that. Let’s greet them outside. Nobody shoot unless I give the signal, and then aim for legs or hands. It’ll be hard to do anything if they can’t walk or hold a gun. We don’t need to drum up any more business for the undertaker tonight.”

  The men moved outside and spread out across the front of the sheriff’s office, guns cocked and ready to fire.

  Tully listened for the click of the lock on the door then turned his attention to the approaching group of men.

  Seth appeared out of the darkness and took a position to Tully’s left. In the lamplight, he swiped at blood trickling from his lip.

  “You okay, Seth?” Tully asked, giving him a quick glimpse.

  “Yeah. One of the men decided to tromp through our crime scene.” Seth wiped more blood away. “You could say we had a slight difference of opinion on the matter. I left Palmer keeping guard down there.”

  “Good.” Tully stepped forward as the drunken crowd descended.

  Not expecting half a dozen heavily armed men to be waiting for them, confused looks passed among the inebriated faces.

  “You men turn around and go on home, and we’ll forget this happened,” Tully said in a loud, authoritative voice.

  A man who kept to the shadows with a hat pulled low over his face spoke. “Seems to me you’re outnumbered, Sheriff. Give us the girl and you won’t have to bother with bringing in a judge for a trial.”

  “Oh, I don’t mind doing that at all. In fact, Judge Anders happens to be a good friend. I’m sure he’d be thrilled to see each one of you brought before him for the list of crimes I’m about to slap on you.”

  A few of the men looked uncertainly at each other, but the designated spokesperson appeared undeterred. “That woman shot a man in broad daylight. The only reason you’re defending her is because you’re sweet on her. Maybe you helped her, since the man she killed was her fiancé.”

  His words stirred up the drunks and they yelled, calling out for justice and vengeance.

  “Settle down, the lot of you,” Tully roared, taking another step forward and pointing his revolver at the lead troublemaker.

  “John, you know for a fact I was keeping you and Rutland, there, from pounding each other into the dirt when the shots went off, so don’t go casting blame on me. That woman in there deserves a fair trial, same as anyone else. If it was your wife, would you be standing here, ready to hang her from a tree?”

  Three of the men lowered their guns and backed away from the group. Two others appeared hesitant. One of the drunken men laughed and swayed on his feet. “If it was my old woman, I’d bring the rope.”

  The leader of the gang boldly raised his gun at Tully. “String her up, boys. String her up!”

  Two men lunged forward. Tully shot one in the knee while Thane hit the other in his thigh.

  Their howls of pain scattered the remaining drunks who took off running before they ended up at the doctor’s office or at the undertaker’s. The ringleader finally lowered his weapon and stalked away.

  Tully turned to Dugan and gave him a subtle nod to follow the one who’d apparently prodded the men into trouble.

  Dugan slipped into the shadows while Thane and his men helped Seth drag the two injured drunks to Doc’s place.

  Tully pounded on the door to the office. “You can open up, Ian.”

  “How do I know ye’re not being held at gunpoint, insisting I open this door?”

  “Because I’ll bust the door in and shoot you myself if you don’t open it right now,” Tully threatened.

  The door opened and Ian grinned. “Just had to be sure.” He glanced behind Tully and caught a glimpse of Thane and Ben helping a limping man down the street. “Is everyone okay?”

  “Two of them took bullets in their legs. Once they sober up, they’ll probably rethink joining a vigilante committee the next time someone stirs up trouble.”

  “Who was the instigator of all this?” Ian asked as Tully closed the door.

  “A man I didn’t recognize. He made sure to stay in the shadows and had a hat pulled low over his face. My guess is he’s probably involved in this somehow. I sent Dugan to follow him.”

  “With any luck, the deputy will turn up something that clears Brianna of any wrong doing.”

  “I hope so.” Tully opened the door to the jail cells and checked on Brianna. She remained on her knees by the cot, her head bowed in prayer. “Brianna, it’s over. Everything is okay.” He spoke quietly.

  She rose to her feet and reached through the bars, taking Tully’s hand in hers. “I’m so glad to hear that. This is all my fault, Tully. If I’d never come to town, if I’d never tried to run away from Davis in the first place. If I’d…”

  “He didn’t give you much choice. You had to leave and I’m powerf
ul glad you came here.” His fingers brushed across her cheek and he gave her a tender smile. “I’m gonna leave you locked in here for the rest of the night, just because it’s the safest place for you to be right now. Try to get some sleep, darlin’. Don’t you worry about a thing. We’ll find who did this.”

  “Thank you, Tully.” She pressed a kiss to the palm of his hand then stepped back and sank onto the cot. “Thank you for keeping me safe.”

  “It’s what I do, Brianna, especially for you.” He backed toward the doorway. “Go to sleep and we’ll talk more in the morning.”

  Tully partially closed the door to the cells then held out a hand to Ian. “Thank you for your help, Ian. I appreciate being able to count on you.”

  “Anytime, Tully. I’m going home to my wife before she decides to come looking for me. You know how Maggie is.”

  A grin lit Tully’s face. “I’m surprised Mags wasn’t right in the thick of things. It would have been like old times if she’d showed up wearing your britches with a gun strapped to her hip.”

  “Ach, Sheriff, me bonny lass is a married woman, now. She can’t be joining yer posse and chasing down criminals.” Ian smiled as he opened a door. “Be safe, Tully.”

  “You, too. And thank Maggie for the food. It’s appreciated.”

  Ian left with a wave and Tully sank onto his desk chair, exhausted. He poured a cup of coffee and drank it in a few swallows then poured another.

  Thane returned with Ben and Walt. The three of them stood inside the door, looking expectantly at Tully. “What can we do to help?” Thane asked.

  “I’m hoping nothing more happens tonight.” Tully glanced behind them. “Where’s Seth?”

  “He went back to the alley by Maggie’s shop. He said someone needed to keep an eye on it until you can look it over tomorrow.”

  Tully nodded. “Good. If one of you wouldn’t mind going to help him, I’d sure be grateful. With the alley open on both ends, it might be hard for him to keep any interested parties from wandering where they shouldn’t.”

  “I’ll go,” Ben volunteered. He snagged one of the sandwiches off Tully’s desk then hustled out the door.

  “Do you need help anywhere else, Tully?” Thane asked. When the sheriff shook his head, Thane turned to his other employee. “Walt, you go on home and let my wife know that we’re all fine. Tell her I’ll be home tomorrow and not to worry.”

  Walt grinned. “I’ll tell her, but Mrs. Jordan is likely wearing a groove in the floor of your new parlor.”

  “Probably, but she’ll be fine.” Thane thumped the man on the back. “Thanks for your help.”

  “Anytime, boss.” Walt ambled out the door, closing it behind him.

  Tully motioned for Thane to have a seat in a chair at his desk. “You might as well go home, too, Thane. There’s nothing else that can be done tonight.”

  “I can keep you company while we figure out what’s really going on.” Thane poured himself a cup of coffee and took a drink. “It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve sat up all night guarding a prisoner and I bet it won’t be the last.”

  Tully grinned. “In case I’ve never mentioned it before, I’m really glad to have you for a friend.”

  “Don’t go getting all sappy on me now, Tully.” Thane smirked at him. “I’m glad you’ve got me, too. Now, tell me what you know.”

  Chapter Twenty

  The first fingers of dawn barely stretched across the sky when Ian and Maggie arrived at the sheriff’s office with another pot of coffee and a basket of freshly baked muffins.

  Tully opened Brianna’s cell and she joined them for breakfast. When they finished eating, Tully turned to Ian. “Will you two stay here and keep an eye on her? There are a few things I need to check on.”

  “We’d be happy to,” Ian said, smiling at his wife as she nodded her head in agreement. “Go on and do whatever you need to do.”

  Brianna looked at him from her seat at his desk. “I remembered two things, Tully. Right before Davis died, he said the word ‘book.’ I don’t know if it’s relevant or not, but his personal assistant’s name is Booker Smith. He was the one Davis was speaking with at my home the night before I left.”

  “What’s the other thing you remembered?”

  “It seemed silly at the time, but I thought I saw Mr. Smith in the park the day of the Fourth of July celebration.”

  “Can you describe him?”

  Brianna nodded. “He stands about six feet. He’s stocky and bald-headed. I believe he’s in his thirties, dresses well, but looks like he could be a boxer. Oh, and he has a strange-looking mole on his neck, shaped like a star.”

  Tully gave Brianna a long, studying glance then left without a word. Thane tipped his hat to the women and followed his friend out the door.

  Their first stop was the alley where Tully had found Brianna leaning over Davis’ body. Ben and Seth guarded both ends of the location. Although bleary-eyed, they joined Thane and Tully as they studied the footprints and impressions in the dust.

  The two men were kneeling to study the print of a shoe made in a spot where someone had dumped out a bucket of water when the undertaker raced down the alley.

  “Sheriff! There’s something I need you to see.” Godfrey Williams motioned for them to join him.

  Tully glanced at the excited undertaker then at Seth. “Have you seen Dugan?”

  “Not since you sent him off last night.” Seth rubbed a hand over his face.

  A frown crossed Tully’s features. “If you two can somehow secure this alley, put up a temporary fence of sorts, go get some much-needed rest.”

  “We’ll take care of it,” Seth said, looking to Ben.

  Tully and Thane left with the undertaker and hurried to his place. Davis Gordon’s body rested on a tall, narrow table with a sheet draped over him.

  “I thought something seemed strange last night, but I wanted to take a look in the daylight,” Godfrey said, pulling the sheet down to Davis’ waist. “Mr. Gordon was shot twice, but that isn’t all.” He pointed to the two bullet holes. “This shot came from the front, but the other is an exit wound from the back.”

  “The back?” Tully asked. He rolled the body onto its side and studied the holes in the back that were opposite to the two on the front. “What’s this, here?” He pointed to a jagged cut just above one of the bullet holes.

  “That’s the thing I really wanted you to see,” Godfrey said, holding up a magnifying glass. “I believe Mr. Gordon was stabbed twice then shot. The knife entered right here.” Godfrey handed the magnifying glass to Tully who carefully studied the wound.

  When he finished, they rolled the body onto its back. “There is a similar wound, barely visible at the edge of the bullet holes.”

  Tully straightened and stared at the undertaker. “So what you’re saying is that Davis was stabbed in the back and chest then shot in the same locations to hide the knife wounds?”

  “Yes. My best guess would be someone stabbed him in the back with a hunting knife, then in the chest. He was shot the same way, once in the back and once in the chest.”

  “Why would someone go to the bother of shooting him if they’d already inflicted a fatal stab wound?” Thane asked, trying to understand the reasoning.

  Tully continued to study the fatal wounds. “They might do that if they didn’t want anyone to know this was a stabbing and not a shooting, especially if they wanted it to look like Brianna was the one who fired the shots.” Tully stared at Godfrey. “In your expert opinion, could Miss Dumont have inflicted the stab wounds to this man’s chest?”

  “I don’t believe so. From what I can tell, the one in his back was made with brutal force.” Godfrey rolled the body over again, pointing to bruising around the wound. “The ability of a woman the size of Miss Dumont to inflict that sort of damage isn’t likely. I also believe the attacker stood taller than Mr. Gordon from the angle of the cut. You can see that, right there at the edge. Despite the bullet holes, the edge where the knife ent
ered the skin remains visible.”

  Tully smiled at the man and clapped him on the shoulder. “Good work, Godfrey. For now, could you please keep what you found just between us? We’ve still got a murderer to catch and I’d like for him to think we aren’t on to him quite yet.”

  Thane and Tully left the undertaker, heading back to the jail to ask Brianna a few more questions about people who might have wanted Davis dead. They were almost to Milt Owen’s livery when the man ran outside and wildly waved to Tully.

  The two men rushed inside to find Dugan Durfey sitting on a bench by the door, holding his head with both hands.

  Tully hunkered down and placed a hand on his back. “Dugan? What happened to you?”

  “I followed the man you asked me to last night. He ducked into an alley and I chased after him. The next thing I knew, I woke up in a stall here with my hands and feet tied together and a whale of a headache.”

  “You ought to see Doc and have him check you over.” Tully stood and studied a raised bump on the back of Dugan’s head. “Looks like somebody hit you hard on the back of that thick noggin’ of yours.”

  “Feels like they used a club.” Dugan rose to his feet, with Tully and Thane’s help. He squinted at Tully. “I’m sorry, boss, but I never got a good look at his face.”

  “Don’t worry about it, Dug. You just take care of yourself, we’ll handle the rest.” Tully patted his shoulder and gave Thane a questioning look.

  “I’ll help Dugan to Doc’s office,” Thane said. “Go on with your duties, Sheriff.”

  “Thank you.” Tully hurried out the door, eager to return to his office. He’d just turned the corner to walk around to the front of the jail when Sammy raced toward him, little legs pumping for all he was worth.

  Tully bent down as the child ran right into his arms, sobbing and frantic. Quickly picking up the child, Tully carried him inside the office. Ian, Maggie, Brianna, Seth, and Ben all turned startled eyes to him as he entered.

  Brianna stood from where she and Maggie sat together in front of Tully’s desk and took the little boy from him.

  “Oh, sweetheart. Whatever is the matter?” she asked, kissing Sammy’s tear-streaked cheek. She nearly dropped the child when he spoke.