Too Many Secrets

by Marie Higgins

  The housekeeper helped Nicole eat and once she was done, her body grew tired. When the housekeeper left, Nicole shifted on the bed as her eyelids grew heavy.

  “Get some rest,” he said with no emotion in his voice. “We can figure out how to work together to find the train robber.” He turned and left the room.

  Tears filled her eyes. Naturally, he’d be very upset, but she vowed as soon as she was healed, she would work on healing his heart.

  * * * *

  “Now stretch your arm this way,” Mrs. Phelps said, showing Nicole how to do it.

  Ashton sat in the corner of the room and watched as the older woman assisted Niccole. It had been five days now, and her skin color didn’t appear to be as pale. Of course, sadness was the expression she had lately whenever she looked at him, which twisted his heart. She’d hurt him, and he’d hurt her, too. If only he could trust her again. Right now, he didn’t, which was why he stayed in the room whenever Mrs. Phelps came over.

  Nicole grimaced and stretched her arm over her head. Her housekeeper rubbed ointment on the wound before showing her a different way to stretch.

  “You’re getting more movement in your arm,” the housekeeper told Nicole. “And, you have more color in your face.” Mrs. Phelps glanced at Ashton. “Don’t you think so, Mr. Lee?”

  He nodded. “Yes, you’re looking much healthier.”

  Nicole blew out a gush of air and sank back against the pillows. Her blonde hair was in disarray, and she wore a nightgown with a wrapper, and yet, she was still the most beautiful woman Ashton had ever seen.

  “Let me rest for a moment, Angela,” Nicole said, “and we’ll do some more stretches.”

  “Of course.” Mrs. Phelps stood and looked at Ashton. “Do I have your permission to go to the kitchen and make Nicole some herbal tea?”

  He pointed to the hallway. “Have Patsy help you. I’m sure she’ll want your company.”

  As soon as the woman left, Nicole shifted in the bed again, but this time, she couldn’t adjust her pillows. He quickly moved to help. She leaned against him while he fluffed them, and as she sat back, her gaze met his.

  “Ashton? Will you tell me about your life? All I know is that you were a banker before becoming a partner in the railroad.”

  He sat on the edge of the bed and sighed. “I came from a strict family. My father was a captain in the military, and he raised his family as if we were soldiers. I have two younger sisters who are both married and have children.” He leaned on his elbow, facing her. “My father was never really proud of me. He wanted me to join the military, too.”

  “Being a banker is an accomplishment,” she said sweetly.

  “My father didn’t think that was good enough. He wanted me to do more.”

  “I’m sure he’s proud of you now that you’re a co-owner of a railroad.”

  Ashton shook his head. “My father died right before that happened.”

  She touched his arm. “I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Do…you miss him?”

  “Not really.” He frowned. “I’m sure that makes me a bad person in your eyes.”

  She shook her head. “No, I don’t think that. You were brought up differently. Our trials growing up are what have made us into the people we are today.”

  He shrugged. “I suppose I never looked at it that way.”

  “You know,” her gaze dropped to her hand as she traced the patterns in the quilt that covered her legs, “I have been thinking about Mr. Nickerson and why he shot me.”

  Ashton placed his hand over hers. “The idiotic man thought he was doing me a favor and catching the train thief.”

  “No, it’s more than that. You’d mentioned that he went to find you earlier that evening to tell you about what the police had discovered.”

  “Yes. He’d told me that they suspected you, your brother, and Mrs. Phelps.”

  “But Ashton, the police should never have suspected us. We had nothing to do with the train, and because of what my brother and father do for a living, their names shouldn’t have been mentioned at all.”

  Confusion filled his head and leaned forward, still keeping his hand over hers. “What are you saying, Nicole?”

  “Yesterday, when you had stepped out of the room for a moment, Mrs. Phelps told me that the police had not suspected us at all, so why then did Glynn tell you a lie?”

  “I wish I knew.”

  She turned her hand, clasping onto his. “The one thing my father knows is that these train robberies were planned perfectly by someone with the knowledge of the stops and who would be working on the trains. He suspects the thief is someone that has a close connection with the train station.” She hesitated for a moment. “How much do you know about your partners, Ashton?”

  “Oh, good question.” He lay back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. He kept his hand in hers, only because she gently rubbed his fingers, and he enjoyed the warmth of her touch. “I know that Steven’s wife is addicted to opium.”

  She gasped. “Really?”

  “Yes.” He glanced at her. “It’s quite sad, actually.”

  “Indeed, it is.”

  He returned his focus to the ceiling. “I also know that there is a redheaded Scottish man who meets her once a week in Ft. Bridger to give her more. The man’s name was…Joseph Donnelly, I believe.”

  This time when Nicole gasped, the tone was different—almost as if terror had seized her. When he looked at her again, her eyes were wide and the color had left her face. He sat up and scooted closer to her. “What’s wrong?”

  “I know him. Well, my father and brother know him. He was a suspect on one of my father’s cases, but they never had the evidence to arrest him.” Slowly, she shook her head. “Father is going to be livid when he finds out that man is in Ft. Bridger.”

  “Do you think that man has anything to do with the train robberies?”

  Nicole shrugged. “I don’t know, but let’s not cross him off our list yet.”

  The rattling of dishes brought Ashton to a sitting position. He was too cozy on Nicole’s bed while holding her hand. That wasn’t good, even if the person entering the room was Mrs. Phelps bringing in the tea. She set the tea service on the table and began to pour.

  “What about Mr. Nickerson?” Nicole asked Ashton. “Do you know anything about him?”

  “Not much.” He scratched his neck. “His wife died several years ago, and he’s been courting widowed women since then. I honestly don’t think he’ll ever remarry.”

  “If you’ll forgive the intrusion,” Mrs. Phelps said, looking at Ashton, “but I can tell you what I’ve overheard from Nicole’s father from what he has discovered regarding this case.”

  Ashton stood from the bed. “Yes, I’d really like to know.”

  “Even if it’s about you?”

  “Especially if it’s about me.”

  Mrs. Phelps handed Nicole a cup of tea. “Well, after your father retired from the military, he was a banker.”

  Ashton scrunched his forehead. “How did you find that information?”

  Mrs. Phelps nodded and handed him a cup of tea. “Believe me, Mr. Bastian knows how deep to dig.”

  “It’s true,” Nicole said after taking a sip, “my father knows where to go to find information like that.”

  “Continue.” Ashton gave the older woman a nod and sipped his hot tea.

  “Anyway, your father was in charge of land deeds, and he was very greedy. If people were even a month late to pay their taxes, your father was calling in the notes.” She took a deep breath as she sat on the chair near the bed. “Mr. Bastian discovered that the elder Mr. Lee took advantage of Mr. Nickerson’s father during this time, and the poor man lost everything. Mr. Nickerson had already moved out of his family’s estate, and he didn’t know about his father until after the elder Mr. Lee had taken over.”

  Nicole hitched a breath. “Do you think Mr. Nickerson still holds ill feelings for Ashton’s father?”r />
  “I cannot say, but I suspect he does.” Mrs. Phelps flipped a hand. “After all, if that happened to any of us, we would want revenge, too.”

  “Indeed, we would.” Ashton picked up a spoon and slowly stirred his tea. The silverware gently scraped the edge of the cup. His mind tried to fit the pieces together of everything they knew. “From what I’ve gathered so far, Steven Larson and Glynn Nickerson both have a motive for wanting to steal the government’s money.”

  Nicole nodded. “There’s Mr. Larson’s wife’s addiction, which could be very expensive, and there’s Mr. Nickerson’s revenge to get back at you.” She frowned. “And because of what happened the other day when he shot me, I’d bet good money that it was Mr. Nickerson who is trying to make you look like you’re stealing from the train.”

  Anger rose within him hotter than it had done when he’d noticed Nicole snooping through his house. “You’re right. It does look that way.”

  “It’s a very good theory.” Mrs. Phelps nodded.

  “Do you know anything about Mr. Nickerson himself?” Ashton asked the older woman.

  Mrs. Phelps’ scowled as she set her teacup down. “I don’t know him personally, but I do know he is not a good man. His morals are low, and he’s selfish to a fault. Believe me when I say, he’s not a man I would trust.”

  “Then I suppose all we need now is to find the proof,” Ashton said as his mind whirled with ideas.

  “We’ll find it.” Nicole smiled at him. “I believe we’ll make a great team, don’t you?”

  His heart jumped and hope sprang inside him. “Yes, I do.”

  FOURTEEN

  Nicole had the energy to dress completely the next day. She wanted to feel like herself again, and if she saw a bed or a nightgown for the next week, it would be too soon. She wasn’t a patient person, that’s for sure.

  Patsy helped Nicole fix her hair, but she mainly wanted the length to hang around her shoulders. She’d noticed how Ashton looked at her differently when she was like this, and there was still a spark of desire in his eyes. At least there was still that spark…perhaps she would be able to convince him to trust her again, and maybe even love her.

  When she thought she was dying that first night after being shot, she recalled telling him that she loved him, but he’d already left the room. That hadn’t been a lie. She had fallen in love with him, and she prayed he would forgive her and return her feelings.

  While Ashton was at work today, Nicole moved around the house with Patsy, mainly to keep her strength up. She realized her day wasn’t the same without Ashton. She’d enjoyed being cared for at his house and seeing him every day. They had some good talks, even if the topic had never turned personal, but at least she felt as though she knew him better.

  Of course, knowing him better meant loving him more.

  From outside, she heard the pounding of horse’s hooves and her name being called out. She ran to the door and opened it just in time to see her brother jumping off his horse.

  “Gordon? What are you doing here?” Her heartbeat quickened as worry edged its way into her chest.

  “Mrs. Phelps told me the other day what happened to you, but don’t worry, I won’t tell Father.” He inhaled sharply before releasing his breath. “But I came to get you. I just heard that the train was robbed again, but this time the thief was shot at.”

  “What?” Nicole hurried to her brother and touched his arm.

  “A policeman shot the thief in the right arm. I want you to come to Ft. Bridger with me. We need to find the person whose right arm has been shot before it’s too late.”

  As much as she wanted to go, she worried that she wouldn’t be any help. After all, she was the one who’d got shot for trying to do something to help with the case. She shook her head. “I can’t, Gordon. You go, but the first place I want you to check is Glynn Nickerson’s house. Do you know where he lives?”

  Gordon grinned. “Of course.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll be back with good news, I just know it.” He hopped back on his horse and took off.

  Excitement built inside her along with worry. She knew it wasn’t Ashton, but she prayed he had stayed at the office today. There was no reason to make the police—and her family—more suspicious of him.

  She hurried back inside the house. “Patsy, I need to return home. Can I take one of Ashton’s horses?”

  “’Course, Miz Nicole. Ya’all do what needs to be done.”

  “Thank you. Please tell Ashton I’ll come back later.”

  “Sho thing, Miz Nicole.”

  It didn’t take long to saddle a horse and ride back to her house. When she entered, the place was quiet. Usually, she heard Mrs. Phelps cleaning or cooking something.

  “Hello?” Nicole said loudly. “Is anyone here?”

  Finally, she heard weak footsteps coming from down the hallway. Angela wore a nightgown and wrapper. Her hair was covered by a white bob-cap, and her face was deathly pale.

  “Oh, heavens.” Nicole rushed to her, taking her cool hand. “Are you all right?”

  “I’ve been under the weather today. I’m certain I’ll feel better tomorrow,” she said wearily.

  “Well, let me help you to bed. Have you had something to eat? If not, I’ll fix—”

  “Nicole, really.” Angela shook her head. “I’ll be fine. I assure you.”

  Nicole frowned. “No, you are not fine, and now that I am stronger, I will take care of you.” She took her friend by the upper arm to lead her into the sitting room, but Angela winced and jerked away. Confused, Nicole stared at her friend, wondering why she’d act in such a manner. But then something sticky coated her fingers, and she glanced down to see what it was.

  Blood.

  She hitched a breath and snapped her attention back to Angela’s arm…her right arm. No, this couldn’t be…

  Nicole moved her focus up to the cap covering Angela’s dark brown hair. Nicole had never seen her friend with her hair down, it had always been wound tight in a bun, but now she was very curious to whether the hair was long—or short. The thief was tall and slender like Ashton. Angela was just his height and around his weight, and the thief had short brown hair.

  Without another thought, Nicole yanked the cap off Angela’s head. Short hair sprung free in disarray. Nicole’s stomach churned. “Angela…what have you done?”

  The woman swayed, so Nicole grabbed hold of her arm again and walked her to the nearest chair to help her sit. “Angela, have you been to see a doctor about your wound yet?”

  “No,” she said in a small voice. “But I was able to remove the bullet by myself.”

  “Where are your bandages and medicines located? I’ll have to bandage you up before you bleed to death.”

  Weakly, Angela gave Nicole directions. She hurried into the hallway and found the linen presses the housekeeper had indicated. As she filled her arms with the necessary items, her heart ached with sadness. Why was Angela the train robber?

  When Nicole returned, she met Angela’s sad eyes. Quickly, Nicole looked away and focused on her bleeding arm.

  “Don’t judge me,” Angela snapped.

  Nicole ripped the sleeve of the nightgown to get to the injury. The wound looked awful. “How can I not judge you, Angela? You were shot for stealing money from the train.”

  “I didn’t mean for that to happen. I was just trying to make people believe that the thief was Mr. Nickerson.” Angela’s voice grew louder.

  “But why?” Nicole tried to read her friend’s expression.

  Angela’s bottom lip quivered as tears filled her eyes. “Ten years ago, he was courting my sister. He had convinced my sister he loved her and wanted to marry her. He seduced her and took her innocence before they were wed. Two days before the wedding, he left town and was seen with another woman. He never returned for my sister.”

  Nicole frowned as she applied the medicine to the wound. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

  Angela shook her head. “Glynn Nickerson rui
ned my sister’s life. He shouldn’t have a glorious life of riches when my sister was placed on the do-not-marry-list because of him.”

  Nicole’s heart grew heavy. “I’m so sorry this happened to your family, but you really should have said something to me or at least to my father.”

  “I couldn’t. Your father wouldn’t have listened to me anyway. I’m a woman, and he doesn’t think women know very much.”

  Nicole nodded. “You’re not telling me anything new.”

  “I did learn something about Glynn Nickerson, though.”

  “What?” Nicole finished the bandaging, making sure it was secure tightly.

  “Glynn has been blackmailing Mrs. Larson. She pays him money so that he doesn’t tell her husband about her addiction. Not only that, I followed Glynn the other day and I saw him meet with someone I hadn’t seen for a few years. In fact, Glynn had given this man money… but it wasn’t for opium.”

  “Opium?” Nicole recalled what Ashton had told her. “Are you talking about Joseph Donnelly?”

  Angela nodded. “The very man who sells opium to Mrs. Larson.”

  “Why was Glynn giving Joseph money?”

  “Glynn had hired Joseph to steal the money off the train.”

  Confusion filled Nicole’s head. “But…aren’t you the train robber?”

  “I only did it this one time in hopes of making the police think it was Glynn.”

  “But…how did you find out Glynn had hired Joseph?”

  “I caught Joseph after he had taken some opium and was very relaxed.” Angela grinned. “He jabbered like a magpie. He explained in detail how he’d robbed the train several times. He used opium in the guard’s drinks, and then took the money when they drifted off to sleep. He used a rope to tie at the top of the train for his getaway.”

  “Angela, you have figured out the case all by yourself.” Nicole shook her head. “But now we need to convince the police that you aren’t the robber.”

  “That was my goal.” Angela smiled. “I want Glynn to pay. I want his life to be taken away from him, just as he took my sister’s life away.”