“I’ll hold Fiona’s arm and we’ll steady one another. This was a pleasant evening and I enjoyed myself.”
“Thank you for saying so. You’ve been my host so many times I certainly enjoyed having you as my guests.”
Fiona asked, “Does Mrs. Lopez live here?”
Monk held Liam in one arm and helped Betsie into the buggy. “She has a room off the kitchen. She’s a widow and appears quite content there.”
Betsie took Liam onto her lap. “She has the house shining.”
Grandpa took up the reins. “Goodnight.”
Betsie waved as they drove toward the Kincaid home. She clutched Liam to her and pondered her wondrous evening. Soon, that would be her home. She could hardly wait.
Suddenly, the knowledge that Downum wasn’t through with her sent shivers down her spine. The evening had been so perfect that for a while she’d forgotten the threat against her.
She buried her face in her son’s hair. She wouldn’t borrow trouble. Hector Brown was in jail. Downum couldn’t yet know his henchman had failed.
***
Micah Jessup held Willard Ainsworth’s arm as he stormed into the courthouse Judge’s chambers. “Well, go ahead and tell him what you’ve done.”
Willard protested, “I didn’t do nothin’ wrong. That feller paid us to send a telegram and I did. You know Burris and I do all kinds of chores for folks. That’s how we earn our livin’.”
He turned to his brother lurking behind. “Ain’t that right, Burris?”
Jessup shook Willard’s arm. “Tell him.”
Grandpa asked, “Tell me what, Willard?”
Willard jerked free. “That there feller in jail give Burris an’ me money to send a telegram fer him. He wrote it out on a piece of paper I had.”
Grandpa stood. “Who was it to and what did it say?”
Willard pulled a scrap of paper from his pocket. “This here is what he wrote.”
Grandpa took the paper and gasped when he read the note.
To Pete Downum, 18 Grover Street, Memphis TN
Failed Stop in jail Stop Brown Stop
He asked, “When did you send this?”
Willard sulked. “This mornin’. Fella hired us when we was sweepin’ out the jail.”
Jessup said, “I can’t divulge what people send so I had to make Willard tell you.”
Grandpa took out his handkerchief and wiped his brow. “You did right, Jessup, and I thank you. I sure won’t forget this. This means a killer will be on his way by now. Won’t take him long to get here.”
Mr. Jessup tipped his hat. “I have to get back. Can’t leave the telegraph key unmanned for long. Besides, almost time for the next train.”
Grandpa sank to his chair. “Have a seat Willard. You, too, Burris.”
While the two brothers sat, Grandpa tried to think what the best course of action would be. “You two have done it this time. I ought to throw you both in jail.”
“But, Your Honor, I tell you we didn’t do nothin’ wrong.”
“You think not? The fellow you sent that wire to is coming here to kill Fiona’s daughter, Betsie, and her son, Liam.”
Willard’s surprise shot across his face. “No? We sure wouldn’t have sent no telegram if we’d knowed that. I swear that fella said he needed to let his folks know where he was so they wouldn’t worry.”
Burris nodded vigorously. “That’s right, Your Honor. Made it sound like his momma would be worryin’ ’bout where he’d got to and how he was doin’.”
Grandpa raised a hand to hush them. “Okay, okay. Now you’ve got to help me by taking notes around again. You don’t tell anyone what you’ve done and don’t tell anyone what’s in the notes. Got it?”
The brothers exchanged glances before Willard said, “Yes, sir, Your Honor.”
Once again, Grandpa wrote out notes to all his kin and the sheriff. “You take these around like you did last time. Don’t stop until you’ve delivered all of them, including to Storm and Drake.”
“You can count on us.”
Grandpa shook his head in disbelief. Men must be near fifty and dumb as fence posts. At least they could follow instructions.
***
Monk looked up when Willard stopped in front of his desk. “Can I help you, Willard?”
Willard pouted. “His Honor sent this. He sure is mad at Burris and me. We didn’t know we shouldn’t have done what we did.”
Monk held out his hand for the note. He took it and gave Willard two dimes. “Share with your brother.”
“Thank you, Mr. Monk, I sure will. He’s scared to come in and he’s waitin’ right outside the bank.”
Monk opened up the note.
Prisoner paid Ainsworth brothers to send telegram to Downum this morning. Likely he’s on his way now.
Monk crumpled the note in his hand. Good thing he hadn’t read it before Willard left or he might have punched the man. It had only been a matter of time before Downum learned his man hadn’t succeeded. Still, this would draw things to a swift conclusion.
He spoke to his head cashier and left to go talk to Nate. When he walked into the law office, the sheriff was already there. Nate gestured to Monk and Bill to follow him into the conference room.
“Wait here. Gabe will come in as soon as he finishes with a client. Rafe has that trial going on.”
Grandpa came in followed by Nate and Rafe. “I called a recess of the trial. Guess there’s no point since there’s not much we can do now. I wanted to be certain you all know what’s happened.”
Nate fumed, “Those brothers are the stupidest men on earth.”
Monk sat in a chair at the conference table. “I swear I could choke both of them, but I know they didn’t mean any harm. Logically, Downum would have found out sooner or later. I think it’s better that we know when he learned Brown had failed. Now we can pretty well guess when Downum can arrive.”
Grandpa shook his head. “I doubt he’s going to be as easy to capture as Brown was. From what Fiona says, Downum has evaded the law for decades even though he’s guilty of murder, gambling, and prostitution for starters.”
Bill paced the small chamber. “We can’t depend on Dudley to help out this time. I can hire extra deputies temporarily. I figure this Downum could arrive Saturday or Sunday.”
Monk drummed his fingers on the table. “The Founder’s Day Celebration will be a great cover for him to strike. We’ll have to divide up and keep Betsie and Liam in sight all day.”
Grandpa reared back. “You think we should tell her?”
Monk gestured with a wave. “Of course, she should know. She and Fiona are the only ones of us who know what Downum looks like. Knowing he may strike will help Betsie be vigilant. I’ve invited her and Liam to go with me to the celebration. I’ll try to stay with her but you know how hard that is in a crowd with people stopping you to have a word.”
Bill nodded. “You have that right. Let’s get men stationed throughout the picnic grounds.” He pulled a notepad from his pocket and drew a sketch. “I can have men at each of these places.” He marked Xs on the sketch.
Monk checked the placement. “That will help, no doubt about it. We also need a man by the outhouse as well as one at the concessions.”
The sheriff made a list. “I’ll take care of deputizing Ned Wooster and Horace Cane again. That’ll make five of us officially on watch. I figure the Kincaids and Nate will be vigilant. If you Kincaids set up your picnic blankets at these places,” he marked more Xs, “We’ll be well-covered unless we have a brawl or fight to break up. Monk, that leaves you to stick with Betsie and Liam.”
Monk shook his head. “I’ll do my best.”
He worried his best wouldn’t be good enough. He still had nightmares of Brown with a knife at Betsie’s throat. He doubted he’d ever forget that sight.
Chapter Fifteen
Betsie twirled in front of the mirror. “This dotted Swiss is perfect for Founder’s Day and the pink necklace matches perfectly. I’m exci
ted to see Grandpa honored.” She loved the dress of white with soft tones of pastel flowers in the cloth.
Fiona wrung her hands. “You will be careful, won’t you?”
“You know I will, Mam. Bill will have men stationed around the grounds. Instead of the family all sitting together, they’ll be spread out to help keep watch. If I were to be truthful, I hope Downum shows up today so I can be free of this dread.”
Fiona’s usual smile had disappeared, replaced by a fierce scowl. “I hope he gets what’s coming to him. I don’t usually wish anyone bad fortune, but I do him. He’s evil and I know he killed Finn.”
Betsie took her mother’s hands in hers. “Mam, don’t think about it anymore. Having Mrs. Murphy’s letter made me feel a lot better.”
“Yes, I am relieved. She sounded so happy now that she’s living near her daughter in Baton Rouge. Her daughter has five children and needs help.”
“Let’s go to the celebration and try to have a grand time.”
“Oh, Betsie, my darling girl, as if I can forget for a minute that devil is after you and Liam. I’ll try to put up a good front for Himself’s sake, though.”
“There’s the bell and that must be Monk.” She kissed her mother’s cheek. “I’ll see you there.” She rushed to get Liam.
Too late, for Liam was already clomping down the stairs. “Monk, Monk, I’m ready. I’ve never been to a Founder’s Day Celebration, have you?”
“I have and it’s a lot of fun. There are good things to eat, your cousins to play with, and fireworks.”
“Ma told me what fireworks are. I’ve never seen them. I’ll bet they’re pretty.”
“That they are, and they’re loud.” He turned to smile at Betsie, his blue eyes sparkling. “You look especially pretty today. Are you ready to leave?”
She was glad she had a new dress and jewelry to wear. “I am. I have us a picnic lunch in a hamper in the kitchen.”
“I’ll fetch it. We’re only a few blocks from the grounds. Do you mind walking?”
“Not at all.”
Fiona came down the stairs carrying two blankets. “Take one of these for you and Monk to use. Himself will no doubt bring a couple of folding chairs for us but I also like a blanket.”
“Thank you, Mam. Have you heard Himself’s speech?”
“Oh, no, I doubt he’s written one. I think he wings it.”
Monk returned with a wicker picnic hamper. “Liam, are you ready to go to the fairgrounds?”
Liam hopped and skipped around the entry hall. “Yay, I’m ready.”
If she could bottle Liam’s excitement and energy, she could make a fortune.
Monk cautioned, “Hold your mother’s hand. There’ll be a lot of people there today, so you have to stay with us.”
“Can’t I play with Parker?”
Betsie took her son’s hand. “I’m sure you can. First, let’s get there, get the blanket spread, and see where everyone is sitting.”
The sun shone overhead but a gentle breeze promised to keep everyone cool. The fairgrounds were already crowded but she and Monk found a shady spot with a view of the grandstand.
She scanned the area. “I see Nate and Sarah and their children.”
“Drake and Pearl are supposed to be a little south of the grandstand. Ah, there they are.” He turned. “Storm and Rena and their children are to the right about twenty yards. Gabe and Katie are further around the other way and Rafe is with them.”
“I see, so everyone is spread out over the fairgrounds, is that right?”
“Correct. Bill and four deputies are also stationed at intervals.”
Liam plopped onto the blanket. “Are we gonna eat?”
Betsie considered the time. By now it must be three. “Oh, I don’t care if you have a piece of chicken now. You might as well have one also, Monk.”
He crossed his legs and sat on the blanket. “Don’t mind if I do. I might have forgotten to eat lunch.”
“I’m surprised Mrs. Lopez allowed that.”
“Gave her the day off so she could come with friends. She’s a stickler for earning her pay but I convinced her that it’s her duty to attend the Founder’s Day Celebration.”
“Oh, here comes Mam and Grandpa. Good heavens, he’s carrying two folding chairs. Mam said he would bring them but I thought she was joking.”
Grandpa leaned the folded chairs against a tree while he spread the blanket in a shady spot. Then, he set the unfolded chairs on the blanket’s edge. He ceremoniously seated Fiona before he sat in the other chair.
Dudley and Molly Peacock sat near Betsie and Monk. The giant spread a blanket then helped his Amazon-sized wife to sit before he plopped onto the blanket. Dudley nodded to Betsie and Monk then scanned the crowd.
Betsie was surrounded by people determined to protect her. She’d been honest when she told Mam she hoped Downum would strike this weekend. Dread never left her. How long could she live with this threat hanging over her? The longer it continued, the more likely the defenses would weaken.
Games started with sack races. Robbie won that race. In the three-legged race, Robbie and Evan won. Throughout the afternoon, competitions continued—horseshoes, tug-of-war, bobbing for apples, and more. The Kincaid men didn’t participate, but kept vigil.
Speeches started at seven. The mayor, State Representative Lex Tremont, and the President of the School Board gave their speeches before the mayor introduced Grandpa. When his turn came, Grandpa went to the bandstand.
“Friends, it’s with pleasure that I look out over the crowd gathered here today. I don’t know that I understand how this celebration got started, but I’m always happy to go where there’ll be plenty of good food.”
He paused as laughter rippled across the crowd.
“Kincaid Springs is a thriving town growing rapidly. Kincaid County is a friendly, law abiding place to raise a family. We’re fortunate to live here in the great state of Texas at a time when so many changes are making our lives easier. Thank you for coming to today’s celebration.”
Grandpa made his way to his chair amid applause.
Liam tugged on Betsie’s arm. “Why is everyone clapping for Grandpa?”
She smiled at her son. “Because today is honoring him. He started the town and it’s named after him. He’s locally famous.”
“Gosh, and he’s my grandpa?”
“Yes, dear, because … never mind.” The intricacies of their family relationships were beyond a boy Liam’s age. She had trouble keeping up with the cousins and once- and twice-removed kin herself.
Liam asked, “When will the fireworks start?”
Monk tickled the boy’s ribs. “As soon as it’s dark so you can see the pretty colors.”
Liam shifted from one foot to the other. “Ma, I hafta go.”
“Again? Okay, let’s hurry so we can get back here for the fireworks.”
She stood and laid a hand on Monk’s shoulder. “We’ll be right back.”
He brushed his hands together and stood. “I believe I’ll amble that way with you.”
“Your nose will be sorry but I’ll be grateful to have you with me. I can’t help feeling vulnerable and exposed.”
After so many people using them today, the communal privies smelled terrible. She and Liam took their turn.
“Hurry and pee, Liam, so we can get away from this smell.” Betsie positioned Liam before raising her skirts and using the second seat-sized opening. She stood and adjusted her skirts as the first rocket boomed.
“Hear that, Liam. The fireworks have started.”
He opened the door and bolted out, only to be stopped by a devil.
Holding Liam firmly in his grasp, Downum flashed an evil smile. “Thought you’d get away, did you? If you value this boy’s life, you’ll come quietly.”
Betsie scanned around them but all eyes were turned skyward as another rocket exploded in a starburst of sparkling light. Where was Monk? She spotted familiar shoes and legs but couldn’t check on him.
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She had to rescue her son. What could she do against this burly man? With a burst of speed and all the force she could muster, Betsie plowed into Downum and knocked him off his feet.
The surprise caused him to fall and let go of Liam. He reached for her. “Why you….”
She tried to escape but Downum grabbed her skirts. “Run, Liam, run. Find Aunt Pearl.”
With a worried glance back, Liam stopped behind a tree and watched.
Downum sprang up and grabbed her arm. “You’ll pay double for that. By the time we get to Memphis, I’ll have shown you how to please a real man, not that worthless dipsomaniac you married.”
***
Monk blinked and sat up. His head pounded like a drummer was inside. He’d waited for Betsie and Liam outside the women’s toilet when he’d been hit from behind with something hard. He climbed to his feet and brushed off his clothes when he spotted Liam running and crying. Monk ran after him and scooped up the boy into his arms.
Liam fought him until he opened his eyes enough to see who held him. Then, Liam grabbed him tightly. “Monk, oh, Monk, a bad man grabbed me but Ma made him let go.” He pointed behind them. “By the outhouse. She hit him and told me to run to Aunt Pearl. I watched but he dragged her that way.”
Monk caught Drake’s eye and the other man rose. Monk set Liam on the ground. “Do as your ma said and run to Aunt Pearl and play with Parker. Liam, son, listen to me. This is important. Don’t leave Aunt Pearl until you see your mother or me, understand?”
Liam nodded. “You’ll get Ma back?”
“I will.” Monk watched to be certain Liam reached Pearl. Drake let out a shrill whistle and Storm came running. From nearby, Nate did, too. The sheriff and his deputies must have sensed something had happened because they trotted toward Monk and Drake.
Monk explained as he ran the direction Liam had pointed. “Downum has Betsie. He tried to get Liam but Betsie forced him to let her son go. We have to catch them before he can retaliate against her.”
Storm gazed at the ground as he ran. “She’s dragging her feet, smart woman. I can follow that through all the other footprints.”
Storm and Bill led the way. Monk kept pace behind them. Fireworks exploded against the night sky.
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