Escaped (Intrigue Under Western Skies Book 4)

by Elaine Manders

  “I will. I should have told you from the first. I knew you had to know the truth, even though I realized you’d have to report the crime and tell the sheriff where the body was buried.”

  “Oh, I didn’t report the crime, Miss Kendal. Abner Wexman went to explore the property he claimed and dug up your garden.”

  Chapter 24

  “Hey, Jake, boss has called an emergency meeting over at the house.” Deck’s booming voice pierced through Jake’s frozen brain. He crushed the locket in one hand, while holding Juliette’s letter in the other. He’d been standing in the same spot for minutes, but his mind refused to process anything.

  “All of us.”

  “No, just you and me, but he wants us over there now. Get moving.”

  They’d arrived back at Sollano less than an hour ago. When the doctors had released Carianne from the hospital, Rhyan showed up at the jail, and they let Jake go, all charges dropped.

  Jake didn’t ask how, but he suspected Rhyan had put a squeeze on all the government officials who owed him and wanted favors in the future. That’s the way it worked in politics—it always came down to who you knew, or who knew you. He was just glad he knew someone powerful enough to get him out of that slime pit holding him for more than two weeks.

  Little did he know on that happy train trip home in the private car with Rhyan and Carianne what waited for him. His only worry was embarrassing Juliette by kissing her in public. Never had he imagined she’d be gone.

  Or that he’d been released from a jail cell at about the same time she’d been locked in one.

  He should be holding her close right now. Telling her how he’d commandeered the train. Praying they’d be on time. The chaotic dash to the hospital. Praying the doctors could save Carianne. Trying to keep Rhyan from wearing out the hospital’s carpet. Being arrested. He’d never prayed so much in his life.

  Now this?

  He should be talking to Juliette about how much progress they’d made on their house. Setting up their wedding date.

  Don’t you see what’s happening, God? Did You bring us this far to let this happen? Don’t You care what the devil’s doing to us?

  “Get going,” Deck yelled.

  Jake slipped the locket into his pocket and, still clutching the letter in his hand, dashed out of the bunkhouse. He’d forgotten his cane, but he didn’t need it much anymore. Still, the leg slowed him, and he lagged behind Deck.

  When he entered the house, Deck gestured to the parlor.

  Rhyan stopped his pacing when he spied them. Carianne lay on a sofa, her lips drooping in an uncharacteristic way, worry glazing her eyes.

  Jake sent a hurried glance around the room. All of the women of the household sat in a semi-circle, concern etched on all their faces. He knew at once this had to do with Juliette.

  His jaw clenched. This meeting better not last long. He had to ask Rhyan for traveling funds to Georgia.

  Rhyan held some papers in his hand. “I want to know what’s been going on here. Juliette left us a letter asking us to take care of her siblings while she’s gone. Then Matthew Ward sent me this report saying that Wexman scumbag we were suing on behalf of the Kendal children found a body in the backyard of their house. Turns out the body was that of the kids’ step-father. Of course, Matt wouldn’t tell me anything confidential—like why they came for Juliette.”

  All the women started talking at once. Jake strode to Rhyan and thrust Juliette’s letter at him. “Juliette left me a letter too.” There were things in there he’d have liked to remain secret, but this was too important to hold back. And he needed Rhyan’s help.

  As soon as Rhyan had read the letter and looked up, Jake said, “I need money for a ticket to Georgia.”

  Rhyan gestured to the chair across from him. “Sit down. We have to figure this out.”

  “I want to go now. I’ll ride Dauntless every mile if I have to.”

  “Without you we couldn’t have gotten Carianne to the hospital on time. You can have anything you want, Jake. That’s mine to give. You won’t have to ride Dauntless all the way to Georgia, but a few minutes won’t matter one way or the other. Besides, the next train doesn’t run until five.”

  Jake’s leg suddenly gave out, and he collapsed in the chair, letting his head sag to his chest.

  “We’ll find a way to get Juliette back, Jake.” Carianne’s voice was as soothing and confident as always. “Just don’t do anything rash.”

  “Like commandeering the train?” He regretted his harsh laughter, but couldn’t help it.

  “I’ve about used up my capital in getting around the law,” Rhyan said. “And I never had any in Georgia. But Juliette already has the best lawyer.”

  Rhyan resumed his pacing. If Jake’s leg were stronger, he’d be up there with him. “Maria, what did Juliette tell you?” he asked the housekeeper.

  “She asked that we take care of her brothers and sister. That the sheriff from Georgia had come to arrest her, but she hoped to clear her name, and she’d write as soon as she could.”

  “Was she upset? Crying?” Jake asked. Of course she’d be upset, and he wasn’t here to comfort her. Going with her.

  Maria’s brows quirked. “No, I remember thinking she took this all very calmly. It was as if she were expecting them to come for her. And was…sort of…relieved.”

  Arabella addressed Rhyan. “I told the sheriff if you’d been here, you wouldn’t have let him take her.”

  “I had one of those blinding headaches and was in my room the day they took her,” Harriet said. “You could have knocked me over with a feather when Effie told me. Juliette is such a sweet, caring young lady. There has to be some mistake.”

  “Surely they’ll let her out on bail, and she can return in a day or two.” Carianne tried to scoot up on her pillows and flinched.

  Rhyan was at her side in two steps. “Ce Ce, I told you not to do that. Tell me if you want to be moved. Maybe I should take you upstairs.”

  “No, I’ll be good. After lying abed for two weeks, I want to stay down here in my parlor and visit with my friends.”

  Rhyan kneeled beside her and kissed the top of her head. “All right. If you’ll be good.”

  Something clenched in Jake’s chest at the couple’s show of affection. He ought to be with Juliette. But what could he do even if he were? He gripped the chair’s arms and turned to Mrs. Darlington. She’d brought Juliette’s letter to him. “Juliette didn’t tell you how all this happened?”

  “No. She was in a great rush, and Annie was in the room. I could tell Miss Kendal tried to remain calm.”

  Tightening nerves forced him from the chair, and he raked his fingers through his hair. “So no one knows why the Georgia officials think Juliette killed a man?”

  Instead of answering, everyone looked past him to the doorway.

  “I…I…I” The raspy sound, hardly sounding human came from behind him.

  He swung around. Annie stood in the opening to the hallway, her face strained in an effort to speak. “I…I…knowwww.”

  Jake covered the distance to the girl. “You know what, Annie?”

  She fell back, alarm clearly showing in her wide eyes.

  Mrs. Darlington ran to lay an arm around Annie. “Let me go with Annie and speak with her in private, Mr. Gresham.” She didn’t wait for an answer but turned the girl around and guided her down the hall.

  Jake blew out a breath. “I hope I didn’t scare her so bad she quits trying to talk.”

  “I don’t think you did,” Carianne said. “This is a true miracle, is it not? If something traumatic struck Annie mute, maybe fear for her sister will bring her speech back. Anyway, we must give Mrs. Darlington time to work with her.”

  “I don’t have time. I’m going to be on that train.” He sent a pleading glance to Rhyan. “Will you let me have the money for the train? You know I’ve spent everything on the house.”

  “Yes, Jake, come with me to the office.”

  Carianne caught
Rhyan’s hand before he moved from her reach. “Go with him, Rhyan. I’m out of danger, and I have a lot of good nurses right here. Jake and Juliette need you. You might be able to help in a way no one else can.”

  Jake saw indecision war across Rhyan’s features. He didn’t want to leave his wife, and that Jake could understand, but she was right. He’d feel a lot better if Rhyan went with him.

  “Maybe we should gather up an army of men, march down there and charge the jail.”

  Jake meant to relieve the tension, and it worked. Rhyan grinned. “Start another civil war, maybe.”

  Carianne’s laughter turned into a groan. “Oh, please, you know it hurts to laugh.”

  Jake went to her side. “I’m sorry, Carianne, and after you offered me your husband, too.”

  Rhyan turned to Maria. “Pack me a bag of clean clothes and the usual for a week’s journey.” He addressed Jake. “You’d better go pack. We’ll have to leave in half an hour.”

  “Won’t take me long. I haven’t unpacked from Chicago. I didn’t change clothes in that jail, so there isn’t much to repack. I’m ready when you are.”

  Jake left to saddle the horses. He blew out a sigh of relief that the course was set and he’d have Rhyan’s help. Surely between them, they’d get Juliette out of this mess and bring her home. Where she belonged.

  He wished Mrs. Darlington would come out and tell them what Annie had to say, if anything. When Rhyan came down the steps, ready to ride, Jake asked. “Did the nurse tell you what Annie was trying to say?”

  Rhyan swung into the saddle and shook his head. “She was still talking with the girl. I told Deck to wire me with any news.”

  Jake sent up a prayer that Mrs. Darlington’s talking would yield result, and more importantly, that Annie would talk back. He knew the girl hadn’t been scared by a bear. But why did Juliette feel compelled to make up that story?

  ***

  A strange mixture of anxiety and gladness rode with Jake all the way to South Georgia.

  Instead of renting horses at the Abbeville Livery, Jake and Rhyan decided to walk to the O’Grady sisters’ house. Jake recalled the jail was in back, and the sisters ran a café on the front and conveniently kept the prisoners fed.

  Abbeville was a small town, though a lot bigger than Westerfield. They got directions from a man at the depot and set out, but the sisters’ house was located several streets over from the depot. Jake’s leg ached by the time they arrived at their destination. He ignored the pain. Soon, he’d see Juliette. Maybe hold her in his arms.

  The sun had sunk behind the trees, and the street almost empty, when they strode toward the white frame building with several horses hitched on the left side, evidently belonging to the patrons of the café. Jake and Rhyan went straight to the front door of the living quarters.

  Rhyan used the brass knocker, and Jake braced himself, his heart pounding like stampeding cattle. Surely Juliette was out on bail. The thought of her being behind bars twisted his gut.

  The door opened a crack and then widened, revealing a startled Thad. A big smile split his face. “Mr. Jake, Mr. Cason, we weren’t expecting y’all.”

  “Who is it, Thad?” Miss Lydee’s familiar drawl came from behind. “Oh, my. Thad, step aside and let the gentlemen in.”

  Jake and Rhyan entered the comfy parlor. “Miss Lydee, this is my boss, Rhyan Cason.”

  Rhyan swept his Stetson from his head and nodded. “A pleasure, Miss Lydee. I’ve heard a lot of good things about you.”

  Miss Lydee pressed a hand to her chest. “And we’ve heard a lot about you, Mr. Cason.” She turned, raising her voice. “Sister, come out here. You won’t believe who we have in our parlor.”

  A taller, thinner version of Miss Lydee bustled into the room.

  While Miss Maybelle gushed over Rhyan, Thad whispered to Miss Lydee from behind his hand. “Should I get Jul?”

  Like most boys his age, his voice carried further than he thought. Jake heard him and answered before Miss Lydee could. “Yes, get Juliette.”

  Miss Lydee locked the door before nodding to the boy. Jake didn’t understand the current of subterfuge running through the place, but that would become clear soon enough. All his thoughts were of Juliette. His pulse ratcheted as he watched Thad disappear through the back hallway. How would she react?

  Moments later she appeared in the opening, and his heart tried to jump out of his chest.

  Recognition and pure joy flashed over her lovely features. “Jake.” She ran with outstretched arms, and he met her half-way. They slammed into each other. Her upturned face brimmed with confusion, her watery eyes imploring him, beseeching him.

  He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. “My Juliette, everything is going to be all right, darling.” How could he promise her that? All he could do was hope somehow God would work everything out for them.

  Letting her weep on his shoulder for a long stretch, he held her, rocking her back and forth, unwilling to let go. “I’m glad you’re staying with the O’Grady sisters. Saves me from having to bust you out.”

  The jest was meant to make her laugh, but she reared back in alarm like she thought he might really stage a jail break.

  “I am in jail—technically.” Light danced over the angles of her beautiful face, and he resolved to stay by her side until she was free to return home with him.

  “Matthew Ward hasn’t posted bail?” Rhyan asked.

  Miss Lydee broke in. “We didn’t think it necessary. Sister and I have our…little ways…to keep Juliette comfortable.” She tittered. “Thing is, we have to skirt around the law at times, so it’s important that no one know we let her out as soon as the sheriff leaves.”

  “Take your time, Mr. Gresham,” Miss Maybelle said, then turned to Rhyan. “I expect you’re hungry after that long train ride, Mr. Cason. Let’s go to the dining room, and we’ll serve you our special. Tonight it’s chicken pot pie and peach pie. Henrietta makes the best in the county.”

  “Sounds good to me,” Rhyan said.

  “Come along, Thad.” Miss Lydee plastered a firm palm to Thad’s back.

  “But I’ve already eaten.”

  Rhyan laid an arm around the boy’s shoulder. “I’ll bet you can have another piece of peach pie, and I’ll tell you what’s been going on at Sollano.”

  “Yes, sir, but they have blackberry cobbler tonight too. Think I’ll have that.”

  “Even better.” Rhyan propelled Thad in Miss Maybelle’s wake.

  Miss Lydee followed behind, sending Jake and Juliette a backward glance. “We’ll save you a plate, Jake.”

  Holding onto Juliette, he walked her to the sofa. They lowered themselves as one on the edge of the cushions. “I want to explain,” she blurted.

  He cupped her face in his hands. “Shhh… Let’s not talk about what happened but what we’re going to do. Why aren’t you out on bail? Rhyan assured me Mr. Ward is a genius.”

  “Mr. Ward is very smart, but they’ve blown this case up—brought in a state prosecutor from Atlanta, and the whole thing is in every newspaper. You haven’t seen the articles yet?”

  “No.” He and Rhyan had talked about a thousand things. They hadn’t taken time for newspaper reading.

  “It’s the trial of the century, they call it. Anyway, Mr. Ward said it wasn’t safe for me to be released.”

  “Surely people don’t think you deliberately murdered that scoundrel. Anybody would have done the same thing.” Sheriff Vaughn had explained the charges to Jake and Rhyan while they waited for the train, and it looked like a case of self-defense to him.

  “Mr. Ward says I’d be harassed, and because of the sensational nature of the trial, the judge agreed to move the trial up to next Thursday and Friday—Saturday if it runs over.”

  Jake smiled. “Well, that’s good. We can all go home next Saturday at the latest.”

  “Unless I’m found guilty, then I’ll be sent away.”

  Real fear clouded her eyes as the tears spilled over.
She rested her head on his shoulder, and he rubbed circles on her back. “Don’t even think of that. Between me and Rhyan and God—and the best lawyer in Georgia—you’ll be acquitted.” Then he remembered.

  He shifted and, reaching his hand into the pocket of his jeans, he pulled out the locket. “This belongs on you and no one else.” He dropped it over her head.

  Almost reverently, she lifted the locket and stared at the stone. Her blue gaze rose to meet his eyes. “I didn’t know how much I would miss this. It’s my touchstone, you know.” A tear dropped off her lashes. “I love you, Jake.”

  He leaned in to kiss her cheek. “I love you, my Juliette, and I’m going to take you home.” She tilted her face. Her breath brushed his face, and he slid his mouth to her lips.

  “Jul.” They pulled apart and sprang to their feet at the urgency in Thad’s voice. “Get to your bedroom. Mr. Ward is headed up the walk.”

  Not even looking back, Juliette dashed into that black hole from where she’d come. “Doesn’t the lawyer know she stays with the O’Grady sisters at night?” Jake asked.

  Miss Maybelle and Miss Lydee came into the room as a knock sounded. “I think he knows, but we don’t want to cause him any unnecessary trouble,” Miss Maybelle said.

  “We don’t want to cause us any unnecessary trouble, either,” Miss Lydee added.

  Mr. Ward didn’t come in, but asked to speak to Rhyan outside as the two shook hands. Rhyan gestured to Jake. “This is Jake Gresham, Miss Kendal’s fiancé.”

  An astonished look crossed the lawyer’s face, and he stuck his hand out to Jake. “Is that so? Mr. Gresham, would you join Rhyan and me? You may be able to help me more than anyone.”

  Jake definitely wanted to hear more, especially if it meant he could help Juliette’s case. He followed the men outside and pulled the door closed behind him. Obviously, Mr. Ward didn’t want the ladies or Thad to overhear.