by A. T. Butler
“At the Golden Saddle? Oh, I think coming up on five years now? I came out west right after the war ended. I couldn’t stand to see the places I loved as a girl so changed, and in some cases, destroyed. I wanted a fresh start.
“But Randall wasn’t here then. He only bought the business in the last year. Right before you arrived in Tucson, I think.”
“That means that any statement he makes about your income, or ability to save money is only based on the last year?”
She nodded. “I want to believe he means well, Jacob, but…”
“I see.”
His brain was whirring. Whatever was going on between Randall and Holly, whatever reason one had to warn about the other, whatever actually happened in Timson’s room last night when either or both of them came upon the body, Jacob knew for a fact he was not being told everything.
“Tell me, Ms. Merritt, do you know how Randall might feel about you? Does he know you don’t trust him?”
“Oh, possibly,” she laughed. “But also I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t pay attention to anyone outside of himself. I would say I am pleasant to him, but not warm.”
“I see. I think I understand. I want to ask you about the wad of cash I found.”
Her face fell.
“Even if I believe that it is all rightfully yours,” he continued, “what am I to think about that? What will you even do with such a sum?”
“What does anyone do with money saved?” she retorted. “I aim to make a better life for myself. I don’t want to want to live in dusty, tiny Tucson forever, and I certainly don’t want to run a bordello until I’m old. That money you found is my retirement. That sum is almost enough to get out of here and set me up for the rest of my life. I may take up sewing, or even teaching if I can, but as soon as I leave Tucson, I’m leaving this life behind me.”
“That’s very admirable. Did Randall know about this plan?”
She scoffed. “He wasn’t happy about it, I’ll tell you. As soon as he took over the business, I told him confidentially that I wouldn’t be staying much longer. He didn’t take the news well. Seemed to think I owed him and that he was somehow a victim because I was taking charge of my own life.”
“I’m sorry,” Jacob said.
“Oh, I’m used to it. Thank you. Ever since then, though, I get regular snide comments about how he hopes I fail and knows that I’ll regret leaving. That man is bitter about something, but I don’t aim to stick around and figure out what.”
“When will you leave?”
“I was planning on after the first of the year. But with all this,” she gestured to him, “I’m thinking as soon as possible might be better for me.”
“You know, Ms. Merritt, we can’t let you leave Tucson as long as you’re under suspicion of murder.”
“Am I, then?” She sighed and leaned back into her seat. “You hadn’t said. Well …”
“I’m sure you understand,” Jacob said gently.
“Yes. Alright. Very well. Of course I understand.” She sighed again and sat up straight. “I’m sure you have more questions for me, don’t you, Mr. Payne?”
The new coldness in her voice made him cautious.
“Thank you, yes. Let’s go back to your movements last night. I saw you downstairs—”
“At the same time Lucky and Abe were arguing with Mr. Timson, yes. I remember.”
“—and then you left, and specifically told us you were going to speak to Timson. Did you come right upstairs? Can you retrace your movements from last night?”
Holly examined her nails as she thought.
“Who does Lowry think did it?” she asked abruptly.
“I … I really don’t think I should talk about the investigation.”
“Of course. I understand. I was just wondering if there’s a reason he left you here to watch over me instead of taking you with him.”
“I couldn’t say, ma’am. Could we get back to the question at hand though? Can you tell me about what you did last night?”
“Well, let me think. After I witnessed Mr. Timson anger at least two people, I checked in on two of my girls who were near the bar. They had been feeling poorly yesterday afternoon and I had told them I would give them the night off if they needed it.”
“What were their names? In case we need to verify this.”
Holly took a deep breath and closed her eyes, calming herself. “It was Tabitha and Louise. They’ll confirm.”
“And how long did you talk to them?”
“Oh, not long. Fewer than ten minutes.”
“And then you went upstairs?”
“No, then I went behind the bar to get myself a drink.”
“Mr. Hall allows that?”
She smirked. “Mr. Hall doesn’t know everything that happens here.”
“Okay.” Jacob smiled. “And how long did it take you to do that?”
“A minute or two. Not long. Then I went upstairs. I think maybe one or two men stopped to chat with me on my way.”
“Shall we say a delay of another minute or two?”
“Better call it five minutes, with all the stops. I can’t afford to be short with any of them, and have to at least make them feel like I’ve paid attention to them.”
Jacob bowed his head in acquiescence. “Very good. Another five minutes. Then you were upstairs.”
“Right.”
“And is it that point that you found Mr. Timson?”
She paled and nodded. “When I got to the top of the stairs, I could see that his door was open just a tiny bit. Whoever had …” She paused and closed her eyes, taking several deep breaths before continuing. “Whoever had killed him—” her voice broke “—had not closed the door behind them completely. I thought I would just pop my head in and say hello, you know? He’s one of our biggest— that is, he was one of our biggest clients for the last week. I thought I’d be a good hostess and check up on him.”
“Did you hear anything?”
“I … no, I don’t think so.” Holly looked thoughtful. “Although, now that you mention it, I might have heard some floorboards farther down the hallway creak, but I couldn’t be sure. I was a bit distracted, I’m sure you understand.”
“Of course.”
“And it could have been any number of people on a Saturday night up in the cribs.”
“I understand.”
“So, I walked up to Mr. Timson’s door and I knocked. And, I thought I heard something, so I pushed the door open the rest of the way, and then … Well, you know.”
Jacob nodded. Her screams had been heard throughout the entire saloon.
“You didn’t touch anything when you were in there? You didn’t see anything out of place or suspicious?”
“You mean other than seeing a man lying bleeding all over the floor? No, Mr. Payne. I did not.”
“I see.”
Jacob paused to think, and Holly allowed them to sit in silence while he did. The question came down to whether or not you believed this woman. Is this her longtime savings, or is it perhaps a recent gain? Is a murder of financial gain or simply being the unlucky one to discover a body?
Jacob looked at Holly who had bowed her head and clasped her hands. He decided then and there that he did trust her. He did believe her. Given both of their behaviors, he had more reason to doubt Randall’s story than he did hers, and provided she cooperated, he was prepared to tell Lowry that.
“Is there anything else about last night you think we should know, Ms. Merritt?”
“No. No, I think that’s everything. I’m a little ashamed of myself now. I don’t know how long I stood there screaming before Randall found me. It didn’t seem like long at all, but then, I was probably in shock. I’m so sorry I couldn’t find the strength to speak to you last night.”
“It’s fine. Really. We understand. Coming across a sight like that must have been quite a shock.”
She nodded, and breathed out hard, as though holding back tears.
“
I need you to do something for me, please,” Jacob continued. “Can you promise to stay in town until this is sorted? I will speak to Lowry about you; I think we can drop you from our suspects list. But I need to know you’re not going to run. I need to know I can trust you.”
“Of course,” she said, almost looking offended. “I have nothing to hide. I have no intention of leaving under a cloud of suspicion. Tell Deputy Lowry I’m happy to answer any questions he has as well.”
“Tell me what?”
The door swung open quickly to reveal the deputy in the doorway having only caught the very last bit of her speech.
“You’re staying here, Ms. Merritt,” the deputy continued. “I have a mind to arrest you to ensure you stay here.”
“What happened with Abe and Lucky?” Jacob asked, standing to greet the deputy.
He snorted derisively. “Couldn’t even find Lucky. Abe claims he was out grabbing a meal, but I suspect he saw me coming and ran. I told Abe what I thought about him, though.”
Jacob winced. “You told Abe that his gambling partner was under suspicion for murder?”
“Not in so many words. I told him we wanted to speak to him. Abe said he’d deliver the message, but we need to go back there later today. But what is it Ms. Merritt needed to tell me?”
Holly sat up straighter. “I just told Mr. Payne I’d answer whatever questions you have. I have nothing to hide.”
“Good. Why don’t you come with me to the jail to get started?” Lowry moved to grab the woman’s arm, but Jacob stopped him.
“Hold on, Deputy. I’ve heard what she has to say, and I think we’re on the wrong track.”
“You believe her story about the money?”
“I do. And I also believe that she won’t leave town until the murder is solved.”
“Can we really believe a woman in her profession?”
“I do,” Jacob said quietly. “I believe her. I will vouch for her. In fact, if she doesn’t keep her promise, you can …” He searched for something sufficiently serious. “You can duel me.”
Lowry sighed and rolled his eyes. “I don’t want to do that, but alright, Payne. We’ll leave her be for now. I don’t like it, but you’re right. We have plenty of other threads to chase down too.” He pulled out his pocket watch. “Seems we have another hour or so before church is let out, but I’d be surprised if any of our men were there.”
“Alright.” Jacob nodded. “In the meantime, we should see if we can find Earl Pelling. He could have had access to Timson, and we already know he’s a wanted outlaw.”
“I won’t confine you to your room, Ms. Merritt,” the deputy said as they exited. “But I expect to be able to find you any time I choose.”
“I understand, Deputy.”
With Holly secure, that left only a few more suspects to track down and possibly eliminate. Jacob and Deputy Lowry stepped out of the saloon into the sunny street and were immediately halted by a confrontational yell.
Chapter Ten
“Where is she?”
Still standing on the boardwalk, Jacob spun around toward the accusing voice. Abe and Lucky stormed down the middle of the main street toward the Golden Saddle Saloon. They both glared at the lawmen, each resting a hand threateningly on the handles of their holstered revolvers.
“Where is she?” Lucky roared.
Jacob flinched. He realized this was almost the first time he had ever heard the man speak. Other than a single word uttered last night, every other interaction he had had, Abe spoke for both of them. But now, in his anger, he was provoked into speaking. Into yelling.
“What can I help you with?” Lowry asked pompously, lighting a cigarette.
The gamblers closed the distance in just a few more steps, barreling down on where Jacob and the deputy stood.
“Don’t give me that horse shit,” Abe said, pushing the man back with his fingers. “You told me Holly Merritt was slinging lies about us. About him. And when I told Lucky what she’s been saying, he insisted we come down here and confront her ourselves.”
Jacob shot Lowry an incredulous look. Getting one suspect furious at another was surely no way to conduct a murder investigation. The deputy paled, but puffed out his chest defiantly. Jacob could all but see the man’s self-doubt creeping in, making him make rash decisions.
“I didn’t,” he protested. “I merely stated that some additional information had come to light about Lucky.”
“And then you told us you had been interviewing Holly Merritt,” Abe said mockingly. “We’re not stupid, Deputy. What has that catty minx been saying?”
“Whoa.” Jacob could feel his anger rising in his throat. “There’s no need for names, gentlemen. Ms. Merritt has been a valuable witness, as we hope you will be as well. Why don’t we all calm down?”
He tried to reach out to the gamblers, but Lucky hit his forearm hard, pushing him away. The glare the man shot Jacob was frightening. He may be done speaking again, but he could still communicate his wrath.
“Who keeps yelling my name?” Just behind the deputy, Holly exited the saloon and stood with hands on hips staring down the angry men. “You boys know perfectly well I’m not afraid of you. Why don’t you say what you’ve come to say?”
Abe took half a step back, but bumped into Lucky and regained his composure. “What did you say about us and that man Timson? I know you’ve been talking, trying to throw blame. You know we ain’t done nothing and then you send the law our way?”
“Oh heavens.” Holly rolled her eyes. “I did nothing of the kind.”
Jacob watched this exchange with interest. Was Lucky so angry because the accusation hit home or because he was truly innocent? Did Holly actually believe the gambler could also be a killer, or was she trying to deflect from herself?
“Then why did this fella show up in our room, huh? Why is the deputy bothering us on a Sunday morning when there are plenty of other actual criminals to be chasing after? Hell.” Abe threw up his hands in frustration. “We got a goddamned known bank robber in Tucson and neither of these boys are even paying attention.”
“Wait. What did you say?” Jacob asked.
“You’ve been running your mouth, Holly,” Abe continued without acknowledging Jacob. He pushed past Deputy Lowry to wag his finger in the woman’s face. Lucky followed close behind, glaring at her over his friend’s shoulder. “Don’t you tell me otherwise.”
“Hey now boys,” the deputy said, wedging his body in between them and Holly again. “I can’t have you threatening my witness. We’re just trying to get the facts, and now that you’re here we can ask you too.”
“Ms. Merritt,” Jacob said quietly. “Why don’t you go back inside now? We’ll deal with this. Remember what you told me, and we’ll come find you if we have further questions.”
“Alright then,” she said. She shot one last glare at the gamblers before turning her back and reentering the saloon.
“Now, gentlemen,” Lowry said. “I’m sure you understand we’ve got to pursue all avenues. We’ve got some questions for Lucky about his actions last night, that’s all.”
“Maybe we should go inside? Find a quiet place?” Jacob suggested.
Lucky was still breathing hard from the furious adrenaline that coursed through him, but he had calmed enough to nod his assent. Jacob led the way into the saloon, where Holly had already disappeared. Benny showed a small flash of surprise to see four men enter this early on a Sunday morning, but no other employees were present. As he led the way to an empty table, Jacob waved the bartender away.
He pulled out a chair and sat, as around him Lowry and Abe did the same. Lucky, however, seemed too agitated. He pulled out a chair and then pushed it back in again. He walked a lap around the table, tried again before finally deciding to stand behind the chair, arms crossed in front of him and scowled at Jacob and the deputy.
“You don’t want to sit?” Jacob asked. “Won’t it help you relax?”
Lucky shook his head and continued his
stare.
“Alright,” Lowry said, taking charge. “As I said, we have heard a report of the two of you getting into an altercation with the deceased and wanted to follow up.”
Abe looked at Jacob and then Lucky. “A what?”
“A fight. With Timson,” Jacob clarified.
“Oh.”
“Our witness says you’ve argued with him more than once, yesterday and just a couple days ago. Is that true?”
“Well …” Abe hedged. “It might be. I’m not sure we remember the man you’re talking about. What did you say his name was?”
Jacob wasn’t buying it. He leaned forward across the table at Abe. “Timson. Bob Timson. Traveling salesman. Short stocky man with red hair.”
“Timson…” Abe said, thinking.
“I literally saw you get into a fight with him just last night. Just before he was murdered, as a matter of fact,” Jacob reminded him.
“Oh, that fella!”
Jacob didn’t believe for a moment that Abe had only just recognized who they were discussing. “And before last night?”
“Can’t say that I recall—”
“Let me remind you we already have one eye witness and we can likely find more.”
“— Oh, now I seem to remember. Maybe a few days ago. That’s right. It was also about his losses.”
“And at the time did Mr. Timson threaten you?”
Lucky scoffed.
“Course he did,” Abe said. “That man threatened nigh on every man in Tucson.”
“And yet just a couple nights later you played poker with him again?”
Abe shrugged. “The man likes a game. We were some of the few that were still willing to play with him. He’s kind of a sore loser,” he said, confidentially.
“And then, last night,” Lowry said, “after you, shall we say ‘relieved’ him of his cash, what happened?”
“We left,” Abe said, resting his palm flat against his chest. “Anyone will tell you that. I headed out of the saloon and back to our room. I was ready to call it a night. Lucky got there not long after I did.”
“And in the intervening minutes, Lucky? We know you left first. What happened while you two were apart?” Jacob addressed the silent man now leaning against the wall by his empty chair.
