Brave Beginnings

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  She hurried back to the buggy before Ernest noticed she was out of it. Oh God, don’t let him shoot Chogan again. She grabbed the seat, using the pressure to relieve the need to scream. He stood still, his gun poised over Sarita who didn’t move. Julia watched in terrified dread, still unable to fully process everything that was happening. A part of her kept thinking she’d wake up and find it was all a bad dream. But no matter how hard she bit her lower lip, she couldn’t wake up. No. She wasn’t dreaming. This was horribly real, and she had to figure out a way to escape. There was no way she could stay with Ernest.

  Ernest slowly lowered his gun and turned to her. She released her breath and relaxed her hold on the seat. With each step Ernest took toward her, she was assured that Chogan would survive. He was strong. He was a fighter. She had no doubt he’d press through this and come for her.

  She quickly grabbed her clothes and placed them on her lap. Taking deep breaths, she forced herself not to bolt from the buggy as Ernest neared. She had to do this. If she held on long enough, sooner or later, there would be a chance to escape. Patience. She just needed to be patient.

  Her gaze traveled to Chogan who seemed to be a world apart from her. She saw his leg twitch and was encouraged. He was still alive! He’d find her petticoat and search for her. She’d leave a trail of petticoats. All she needed was to take enough breaks to get out and leave a strip of clothing for him to find.

  She was thinking in circles again. Closing her eyes, she took another deep breath. She’d get nowhere if she couldn’t focus.

  Ernest climbed into the buggy, and she looked at him. He took the bullets out of the gun and placed them in his pocket. Then he set the gun in the holster under his suit jacket. “There. The ugly past is taken care of. Now we can start our life together.”

  “You killed her?” Julia blurted out. “She helped you and you killed her?”

  He gave her an amused look. “Come now, Julia. Do you really concern yourself with the fate of animals? They are not like us.” He undid the brake on the buggy and grabbed the reins. “You’ll thank me someday.”

  No, she wouldn’t. But she refrained from saying it. Instead, she turned her attention back to Chogan, the only man she’d love. Her heart leapt with hope when she noticed him move his head.

  Ernest snapped the reins on the horse that moved forward, heading north of Chogan and the teepee. Maybe Chogan would hear the buggy and open his eyes to see which direction Ernest was taking her. She prayed he’d open his eyes before the buggy was out of his viewing range. Taking another deep breath, she shifted so that she could put as much distance between her and Ernest as possible and resigned herself to going along with what Ernest wanted until she could find a way to escape.

  ~~********~~

  Chapter 34

  Later that day, Conrad pried another brick loose from the cellar wall and wiped the sweat off his forehead. He glanced at Larry who was working on the other end of the wall.

  “It has to be somewhere back here,” Conrad said, panting.

  He set down the chisel blade and hammer so he could take off his leather gloves. He wiped his hands on his pants and glanced at the pile of bricks beside him. Who knew taking a wall apart could be such laborious work?

  Larry stopped, his chisel on the mortar that held the bricks together. “Are you sure it’s this wall?”

  “It has to be. This is a new wall. It wasn’t built with the rest of the house. When Ernest moved here, he must have put the evidence back here. Maybe Patricia Wells’ body is behind here.”

  Larry shook his head. “I doubt Ernest brought the body all the way to Bismarck. If he killed her in Fargo, it’d make sense that he buried her back there and then came here. How else could he claim she ran off with someone else?”

  Conrad sighed and put his gloves back on. “My partner and I searched everywhere we could think of in Fargo. I’m afraid the options there have been exhausted. Her body has to be somewhere else.”

  Larry pounded the chisel into the mortar. “Knowing Ernest as I do, it’s logical to assume a woman would run away from him. He’s not exactly an ideal man.”

  “No. Patricia didn’t run away. Her father is sure of it, and there’s no evidence that points to it.”

  “Well, you don’t have evidence that Ernest killed his wife either.”

  Conrad knelt down and picked up his hammer and chisel as Larry continued pounding his chisel into the mortar so he could loosen the bricks from their spot. Conrad scanned what was left of the wall and blinked when he realized several bricks seemed out of place. He scooted over to them and touched them. They were already loose.

  Putting the hammer and chisel down, he wiggled the bricks until they slid out. His eyes grew wide when he saw the axe. He reached into the hole and pulled it out, surprised that it hadn’t been cleaned.

  Turning to Larry, he said, “I think we just found the murder weapon.” He held up the axe with dried blood coating it. It was absolutely disgusting. “I have a feeling that he liked to take this out and look at it from time to time.” How else could he explain the loose bricks?

  “Wow,” Larry replied, stunned. “Well, if there’s a body back here, we better dig it out.” Then he pounded the chisel into the wall with renewed vigor.

  Conrad carefully set the axe down and caught sight of something else in the hole. He dug it out and blinked in surprise as he inspected the picture. Oh dear God, why didn’t I notice the resemblance before?

  Larry paused and looked at him. “What is it?”

  “A photograph.” He showed it to Larry. “It’s his wife, or it was his wife.”

  “Huh. She looks a lot like Julia—one of my old employee’s wives.”

  “It’s hard to tell them apart,” Conrad whispered, recalling his talk with Julia and Chogan when he and Millicent went to Erin’s house for supper. His mind scrambled to put the extra pieces of the puzzle together. Ernest knew Julia before he met Patricia, and Patricia looked so much like Julia that he had to marry her. Except Patricia wasn’t Julia and, at some point, that disappointed Ernest who had to get rid of her. But Conrad doubted Ernest would give up on Julia, and now Ernest had left town with a large sum of money. Dropping the hammer and chisel, he jerked to his feet. “I think I know where Ernest went!”

  “Really? Where?” Larry asked, standing up.

  “The Mandan tribe. He’s going to get Julia.” He threw off his gloves, picked up the axe and handed it to Larry. “Take this to the sheriff and tell him what you know. Keep looking for the body. I need to go after Ernest!” Without waiting for Larry to agree, he bolted up the stairs.

  ***

  Meanwhile, Woape and Onawa turned from the bag they were packing when Gary entered the lodge. “Is she still in this tribe?” Woape asked.

  He sighed and shook his head. “No one’s seen Sarita since early this morning.”

  The uneasy feeling in Woape’s stomach increased. “She went to find Julia and Chogan. I just know it.”

  Onawa slipped a container full of water into the bag. “Do you think she’s going to try to kill Julia again?”

  “Of course, she is,” Woape said. “She won’t stop until Julia’s dead.” She shook her head in aggravation. “The chief should have at least made someone watch Sarita. I hope he’s happy with the outcome of his decision.”

  Gary went over to Woape and took the cloth out of her hands. “You’re not going.”

  “But I have to.” She grabbed the cloth back. “Julia’s in trouble, and someone needs to warn her.”

  “I’ll do it,” he replied as he took the cloth back. He glanced at it. “What is this for?”

  “To soak up any blood in case Sarita stabs her. She can’t drown her at the spot Chogan took Julia to, and she doesn’t know how to fire a gun.”

  Onawa pressed her hand to her chest. “You think Sarita took a knife with her?”

  “What else would she use?” Woape asked.

  “All the more reason for me to go,” Gary said and
shoved it into the bag. “Julia’s my sister, and I’ll go warn her.” He motioned to the bag. “Is this all I need?”

  “I should go with you,” Woape replied.

  “No.” When she started to protest, he held his hand up to stop her. “I’m not asking you to stay. I’m telling you to. You’re due to give birth in one month. You’re not in any shape to be traveling on a horse, and a buggy would only slow everything down. You also need to be here for Penelope. I’m the logical choice.” He paused before he added, “And after the way I treated Julia in the past, I owe this to her.”

  Woape’s hand went to her belly where her child tumbled around. He had a point—a good one. “Alright.”

  Woape’s aunt came into the lodge with Penelope who was content to play with the flower in her hand.

  Woape smiled at her daughter and then looked at Gary. “I’ll stay here. But you be careful.”

  He grinned. “Of course, I will. You should know by now that I always come back for you.” He gave her a kiss before he picked up the bag.

  She hugged him as tightly as her pregnant belly would allow. “I hope we’re not too late.” Just how much of a head start did Sarita have? If she went on foot, then there might be time to stop her. But if she found a way to Chogan’s teepee… Woape prayed Sarita had to make the trip by foot.

  “No horses are missing,” Gary told her. “I’m sure I can get there in time.”

  Despite his assurances, Woape glanced at Onawa who appeared as uncertain as she was. But how could they know anything for sure until Gary returned to them and told them what happened? With a long sigh, Woape retrieved the horse and gun he’d need for the trip.

  ***

  Meanwhile, Julia caught sight of a couple of trees and glanced over her shoulder. They were going east, and the north track they took wasn’t much of one, which meant they were probably just north of Bismarck.

  She turned to look at Ernest who hadn’t said anything up to this point. “I need to attend to some personal business.”

  He frowned. “Again?”

  “I drank a lot of water before you showed up to nearly kill my husband,” she snapped.

  He pulled back the reins so abruptly she had to hold onto the side of the buggy so she didn’t fall out. Gripping her chin in his hand, he turned her head so she was looking at him. “You will not refer to that savage as your husband. That marriage doesn’t count. Do you understand me?”

  She winced as his fingers dug into her skin. “You’re hurting me.”

  “He’s not your husband, Julia, and the sooner you understand that, the better.” He let go of her chin and locked the brake. “Fine. We’ll stop here so you can do your business, but I won’t be stopping again until we reach the cabin so keep that in mind.”

  Rubbing her chin, she quietly got out and found a private spot behind the trees. Making sure he wasn’t looking, she lifted her skirt and ripped off another piece of her petticoat. She tied it to the tree and sniffed back her tears. She prayed someone would find Chogan soon so he could be healed from the bullet wounds. The only thing getting her through this ordeal was knowing he was still alive and would soon be looking for her.

  With another glance around the tree, she saw that Ernest was checking on the horse. Deciding she might as well use this opportunity to relieve her bladder, she did so and then returned to the buggy before he came looking for her. The last thing he needed to know was that she was leaving a trail for Chogan.

  As soon as he sat next to her, she asked, “Where are we going?”

  “Canada.”

  Her heart plummeted. “Why all the way there?”

  “You know why, Julia. I let that savage live. You wouldn’t have come with me if I killed him. You would have rather died than go on knowing he was dead.” He unlocked the brake and slapped the reins on the horse. “I’m not a fool, Julia. I know he’ll come looking for you. He’ll search all over this country for you. But—” he grinned—“he won’t expect you to be in Canada, will he?”

  Her heart constricted as she thought over what she’d just learned. He was right. Chogan wouldn’t think Ernest would take her out of the country. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath so she wouldn’t panic. If she panicked, she wouldn’t be able to think straight, and right now, she needed to keep a clear head.

  All wasn’t lost. She was still in North Dakota. She was leaving a trail. There was still time for Chogan to find her. She mustn’t give up hope. Resting her hand over the slight bulge in her stomach, she renewed her determination to escape. She had to get away from Ernest. Then maybe she could find Chogan or, at the very least, if Ernest found her, she might delay his plan and give Chogan time to find her. Either way, she had to try.

  ***

  Two hours later, Gary reached the teepee in good time, but the only person he found was Sarita. She was lying in a pool of her blood. He slid off the horse to check her pulse, but her stiff arm was enough to tell him she’d been dead for a good couple hours. The bullet wound in her heart surprised him. Neither Julia nor Chogan had a gun.

  Standing up, he pulled out the gun from his holster and inspected the area. “Chogan? Julia?” he called out.

  The breeze swept around him, emphasizing the emptiness in the silence. No one was here. He put his gun back and glanced at Sarita’s body. It was a real shame. Why did she have to be so insistent on marrying Chogan when there were other men to choose from? He tugged on his horse’s reins when he realized something.

  He knelt back down by her and studied her stiff fingers. More blood, but also hair. Hair that was too short to be hers and too dark to be Julia’s.

  “Chogan?” he whispered.

  Looking to the left, he spotted blood on the rock jutting out from the ground, and upon turning Sarita over, he saw a bow and arrow covered in her blood. Just as he thought. Someone else was involved. But who?

  He stood up again and shouted for Chogan and his sister. Nothing. He led his horse over to the teepee and peered inside it. More blood, but it came from handprints that were too small to be Chogan’s hands and unlikely to be Sarita’s hands. They had to belong to Julia, and from the looks of the open carpet bag, she was rushed.

  So Julia left in a hurry, probably not injured but having just touched someone who was wounded, and there were no indications that Julia touched Sarita’s body. So that meant Chogan had to be wounded. He stepped around the area and saw drops of blood on the grass that lead to a buggy, minus the horse.

  Gary hopped back on his horse and tried to decide which direction to go. Where could Chogan have gone? The endless prairie spanned in front of him. It’d be like looking for a needle in a haystack to find either Chogan or Julia at this rate. Gary removed his hat and ran his fingers through his damp hair. As he placed his hat back on, he caught sight of a white strip of fabric blowing in the breeze.

  He tapped his horse in the sides so the steed went forward until they reached the bush. Gary got off his horse and held the fabric which had blood smeared on it. Whether Julia had blood on her hands when she tied this to the bush or Chogan came by and touched it, he could only guess. But it was a clue. She went north. Hopping back on his horse, he urged the steed into a run.

  ***

  Meanwhile, Conrad rode to the Mandan tribe and was greeted by several Indians who took him to the chief when he told them he needed to talk to Julia. They refused to reveal her whereabouts, and he didn’t know if he should be upset or worried.

  Upon arrival at one of the lodges, he took off his hat to show his respect to the chief and explained the situation to him, aware the younger man who stood by the chief listened with an intensity Conrad usually didn’t find in men in their early twenties.

  “This is why it’s imperative I talk with Julia as soon as possible,” Conrad concluded. “Will you please tell me where I can find her?”

  The chief set his pipe down and shook his head. “Julia is not here. She and Chogan left. They did not say when they will be back.”

  “D
o you know where they are?” Conrad asked. “Ernest is after them, and I suspect he means to abduct her. He might even kill Chogan if Chogan tries to stop him.”

  The chief shook his head. “I do not know where they went.”

  Shifting uneasily from one foot to the other, he pressed, “Has Ernest been here to look for them?”

  “No one by that name has been here.”

  Conrad sighed. This was either good news or bad. If Ernest already found them, it obviously wasn’t good. “It’s important that I find him before he does any harm. He killed his wife and stole a good sum of money from the bank he worked at. There’s no telling what he’ll do.”

  “I’m sorry but I do not know where Julia and Chogan are,” the chief replied.

  The young man stepped forward to speak to the chief in the Mandan language. The chief shook his head and puffed on his pipe. Then he answered the young man who motioned to Conrad and shook his head. By the resolute tone in the chief’s voice, Conrad understood the younger man lost the argument.

  “You must go,” the chief said. “What you seek, you will not find here.”

  Disappointed, Conrad put his hat on his head, thanked the chief, and left the lodge. Just where was he supposed to go in the vast prairie wilderness outside the tribal walls to find Julia who might or might not be safe at the moment? He glanced at the early evening sky. Nightfall would be coming in the next couple of hours, and that didn’t do him much good. Ernest had a good head start, and he could be anywhere.

  An expectant woman came up to him from where a group of people huddled outside the chief’s lodge. “I know where Julia and Chogan went.”

  He turned to her in interest. “Do you?”

  She nodded. “Julia’s my sister-in-law. I’d like to see her safe. Is she in danger?”