A Matter of Heart

by Tracie Peterson

  “I figure to let it get around that I’m investigating bank fraud,” Austin replied. “I might even pay Mr. Morgan a visit on such pretenses and ask him about his banking practices.”

  “To what end?” Jake asked.

  “I’m hoping it will make him nervous—maybe even make him leave the area.” With that matter resolved, Austin pushed back the empty coffee mug and took some papers from inside his coat. “I have a list of questions that I’ll need to ask you, Jake. This will help me get a better feel for the situation.”

  “I’ll do whatever I can.”

  “Okay. When does Morgan plan to get back in touch with you?”

  Jake’s face took on an expression of confusion. “I don’t know. He just said he’d be in touch.” With a look of concern Jake continued. “I don’t even know where he’s staying. He could be in Cedar Springs or he could be elsewhere. I just don’t know.”

  “I’ll figure it out. Did he mention being here with anyone else, perhaps a cohort?”

  “No. I think Mr. Morgan is alone.” Jake looked toward the ceiling and seemed to grow thoughtful. “I’m sure that if his money is back in place, he’ll have no trouble getting help when he needs it. He’s never been shy about paying for what he wants.”

  Austin considered the matter for a moment. He had been rather excited when Mr. Turner let him know that the agency needed him for this investigation. There was always that old nagging doubt about his capability for such work. Doubt that seemed to grow daily since watching his brother die.

  “Austin?”

  He looked up and realized the other men were watching him. “Sorry,” he said sheepishly. “I was pondering our next move.”

  “And what did you decide?”

  “That I need more information. Robert, you said that Alice had been followed and even approached by a Mr. Smith. But he wasn’t with the men who attacked her and killed her father?”

  “Right. Mr. Smith appeared after the attack. Alice said she was still in the hospital when one of the nurses told her that a man had come to see her. The doctor turned him away, explaining that Alice was enduring a bad infection and couldn’t be disturbed. The man left but tried again to approach her at the house of friends where she was staying after her release from the hospital. Finally, he took to followin’ her, and any time he found her alone he would pester her about some missing papers that her father should have had on the night he was killed. Papers that we now realize were really gold certificates.”

  “And all of this took place in Denver?”

  Jake piped up here. “Yes. We didn’t know about it when Alice first came to work for us.”

  “I didn’t realize she had worked for you,” Austin said, writing this down for future reference.

  “She came to us lookin’ for a job. Her friends had left the area, and she was homeless, without hope for her future. Marty took to her right away and hired her as her lady’s maid.”

  “Did the man who’d been following Alice approach her at your home?”

  “He did,” Jake said. “The man eventually started watching our house and following Alice to the shops whenever Marty sent her out for something. Eventually Mr. Smith got bold and showed up at the doorstep. Marty made his acquaintance with a shotgun in hand.” He smiled. “She’s quite a woman, my wife.”

  Will laughed. “You don’t know the half of it, Jake. That girl used to keep us up nights just trying to stay ahead of her shenanigans.”

  “I learned some of my best orneriness from Aunt Marty,” Robert admitted.

  Austin immediately thought of Jessica Atherton. He imagined she had always been a feisty but ladylike worry to her parents.

  “Do you suppose,” Jake said, looking rather skeptical, “that Mr. Smith might know Mr. Morgan?”

  Austin gave a slight nod. “Anything is possible. It would seem to fit, since Morgan has come here seeking help in getting those certificates back. On the other hand, it could be that he realizes others are looking for them and desperately hopes to find them first. There is a possibility that the man is completely on the up and up and has nothing to do with the counterfeiting.”

  “I suppose it’s also possible that there is more to this than we realize,” Jake muttered. “I, for one, am sorry I ever went to work for Morgan. I didn’t wanna be a banker anyway, and I should have stuck with my resolve and told my father no.”

  “Actually, I can see the hand of God in all of this, Jake,” Mr. Barnett declared. “If not for you going to work for Morgan, we might not be able to get to the bottom of this mess.”

  “He’s right.” Austin gave Jake a smile. “You have insight to the man, and now a connection that might very well allow us to get to the truth.”

  Jake seemed to think about this for a moment. He scratched his head. “I’ll do whatever it takes. I want Alice and my family to be free of these threats.”

  “Can you take some time to join me in Dallas?” Austin asked. “I’d like to sit down and discuss this with a couple of my superiors. I think they can give us some advice for how to go about things.”

  “I can get away,” Jake said, looking to his brother-in-law for approval. Austin knew the man still assisted the Barnetts with their ranch work from time to time.

  Will nodded. “I think that’d be a good idea.”

  “But I can’t leave Marty and the children alone,” Jake said, looking back to Austin. “It wouldn’t be safe. Mr. Morgan knows where we live, and he’s bound to know I’ve talked with Marty. He might decide to threaten her in order to push me to a decision.”

  “They can all stay here,” Will said. “We’ve got enough room, and Hannah will love having Marty here.”

  “Marty will enjoy being with her sister and Alice, as well,” Jake replied. “I think that’s a good idea. I know they’ll be safe here.”

  “Any intruders will have to get through us and a good number of our men before they can cause harm to any of the womenfolk,” Robert added. He grinned. “And then, God help them, they’ll have to deal with our gals.”

  Will laughed. “He’s right. You know, Hannah can be pretty fierce when she feels her family is threatened.”

  Jake nodded. “Marty, too.”

  Austin felt a deep emptiness as the men talked about their wives. It wasn’t really a pain these days, but more of a dark void that seemed to go on forever. He wondered if he’d ever know the peace of mind he sought. He was so weary—so burdened.

  Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

  The words came as a nearly audible voice. Austin looked at the men who sat opposite him, but no one seemed to notice him. They were all busy talking among themselves. None of them had spoken that Bible verse from Matthew.

  For a moment Austin remembered a time when he had shared that verse with Grace during morning prayer time. She had told him that the verse had always been a comfort to her, especially when her workload was heavy.

  “So when do you want to go?”

  Austin barely heard Jake ask the question. He put aside his memories and answered. “The sooner the better. We need to put an end to this.” He put his thoughts completely back on the case. “I’m figuring it might be possible that whoever is involved in this may be after more than the forged certificates. I think it’s quite possible they might be looking for the actual plates themselves. After all, a few forged gold certificates won’t get them far.”

  “I’m guessin’ you’re right,” Robert replied. His expression grew a bit darker. “But no matter what, they have hurt my wife for the last time, and I intend to see this through to the end.”

  “Agreed,” Austin said, knowing he had the full cooperation of the men before him. Again he thought of Jessica and how willing he would be to protect her from harm.

  Then protect her from yourself, Austin’s mind seemed to mock. You’re the only real danger to her.

  “You look beautiful,” Mother told Jessica as she descended the stairs.

  Jes
sica hoped so. She’d taken great care to dress for her outing with Harrison. Robert and Alice would ride with her into Cedar Springs, and then Harrison would join them in attending a musical affair. Jessica was determined to look her best, as this was the first proper event she would attend with the handsome lawyer.

  Mother motioned. “Turn for me.”

  Jessica did so indulgently. She knew her mother was anxious for everything to be perfect. The gown had a beautiful skirt of Muscovite velvet that had come all the way from Russia. The black velvet brocade set upon dark green corded silk gave the gown an opulent look. The high-necked silk bodice was a buttery cream color, trimmed with black and dark green bands, which served to enhance the beauty of the piece.

  Mother plucked a piece of lint from one of the voluminous sleeves. “Harrison Gable will be completely captivated.”

  “So long as he’s not too captivated,” Jessica’s father said with just a hint of disapproval. “I don’t know that this is a good idea, but I won’t take back my agreement to let you go.”

  Jessica stepped to where her father stood. Stretching up on tiptoes, she kissed his cheek. “You worry too much, Papa. Besides, I’ll be with Robert and Alice.”

  “I know, but that’s a long ride into town, and it will be an equally long ride home.”

  “But our house isn’t nearly as far from town as the Barnett house, and besides, they’ve already arranged to have their baby cared for by Marty and Jake,” Jessica argued. “Everyone thought this would be a good diversion for Alice.”

  “Tyler, you’ve already given your word,” Mother declared.

  He looked to the ceiling and shook his head. “I know. I know. I must have been crazy.”

  “Oh, Papa, don’t fret.” Jessica always called him Papa when she wanted to soothe him. “You needn’t worry. We’ll have supper and then attend the concert. I’ll be staying in an adjoining room near Robert and Alice at the hotel. There will be locks on the doors. Mr. Gable won’t even be at the hotel. He’ll be in his own home. Tomorrow morning after breakfast and some shopping, Robert will bring me back safe and sound. You have no reason to doubt me.”

  Jessica knew her father thought highly of Robert. After all, he had hoped Jessica might marry the son of his best friend. And, while the current hotel arrangements had given Jessica a twinge of discomfort, she had been far more excited by the news that Harrison Gable would escort her that evening. It was worth it, even if she was being chaperoned by her friends.

  “I wish you would have waited to dress at the hotel,” Mother said, fussing with the velvet bands that encircled Jessica’s waist. “You’re going to be all dusty by the time you get there.”

  “Since Robert couldn’t get away any earlier than this afternoon,” Jessica reminded her mother, “we wouldn’t have time for changing our clothes at the hotel. Besides, Robert has promised he’ll bring Uncle Brandon’s enclosed carriage. Alice and I will be quite comfortable.”

  The sound of an approaching carriage caused Jessica to rush to the window in a most unladylike fashion. “They’re here. Where’s my overnight bag?” She searched around the room and spied it by the front door. Excitement coursed through her like a steady electric current.

  “Don’t forget your wrap,” Mother said and brought a long black cape to her. “It could be quite chilly by nightfall.”

  Jessica took the cloak and kissed her mother. “I’ll be just fine.”

  She took up her bag, but her father reached out and claimed it. “I’ll take this.”

  She followed him from the house. Robert had just brought the carriage to a stop near the house, and Jessica saw Alice give a wave through the window. It seemed strange that they should come together for this event. Alice had been her enemy at one time, but now Jessica only longed for a friend.

  “I see you’re ready to go,” Robert said, jumping down from the driver’s seat to retrieve the bag her father held.

  “Robert, you take good care of my gal,” Father told him and handed him the bag. He turned to Jessica. “And you, behave yourself. You know what I expect out of you.” His voice was stern, but Jessica could hear the love in his voice.

  “I promise, Papa. I will be a perfect lady, just as I’ve always been.”

  Her father gave her a skeptical look, then helped her up into the carriage. Jessica smiled at Alice as her father closed the door. Settling into the seat opposite Alice, she blew out her breath. “I wasn’t at all sure he’d allow me to escape.”

  Alice grinned. “Well, I’m glad he did. I’m looking forward to spending time with you. Robert decided not to bring a driver. He said that way you and I could sit inside and talk up a storm and get to know each other. He thinks it will take my mind off of . . . everything.”

  Jessica noticed Alice’s beautiful gown of turquoise. Lace edged the neckline, and the bodice was decorated with tiny silver beads. It wasn’t anywhere near as fancy as her own, but in some ways, Jessica thought it lovelier. “Your gown is exquisite,” she told Alice. “It complements your hair perfectly and gives you the tiniest waistline.”

  “Thank you. I was about to comment on your dress.” Alice shook her head. “I haven’t seen anything like it since Marty’s clothes in Denver. They were all so beautiful and so delicate. I enjoyed helping her to dress just to feel the rich materials. I suppose you have a dozen such gowns?” The carriage lurched forward as they began to move out.

  “I have my share, to be sure,” Jessica said, feeling rather self-conscious. She gave her parents a wave and then turned back to Alice. “I used to worry about such things. I thought gowns and jewelry to be so important. Now I don’t feel the same way.”

  Alice’s expression grew thoughtful. “I suppose everyone comes to a place in life where they learn what truly matters most.”

  Jessica thought of how much she wanted to change. Life lessons had been slow in catching up with her, but now that they had, her reformation was all consuming.

  “I like to think that I have changed for the better. Of course, I still have to prove myself,” Jessica replied. “That’s the hard work ahead of me.”

  Chapter 16

  Being inside a bank on a Saturday afternoon seemed a little strange to Austin. However, the second-floor office of the National Exchange Bank of Dallas was exactly where they’d come to meet with a federal court judge and two Secret Service agents. The walls were papered with green and gold stripes, and of course there was a great deal of mahogany. The table and chairs were mahogany, as were the room’s trim, doors, and floor. And, despite the fact that someone had opened one of the two windows, musty warmth made the room most uncomfortable.

  The bank manager sat at the head of the table and began the introductions. “Gentlemen, I’m happy to be able to meet with you here today. As many of you know, my name is Claude Reiman. I am employed by the bank and will act as their representative. Mr. Todd, I believe you already are acquainted with Judge Weimer?”

  “Yes,” Austin said, nodding toward the older man. He’d known Judge Weimer through business with the Texas Rangers when certain situations had led them to federal involvement.

  “Judge Weimer, this is Jacob Wythe,” Austin continued. “Mr. Wythe is the reason we are here today.” He turned to the two agents. “These are agents Carson and Deeters.” The men gave a slight nod in unison.

  “I’m pleased to meet y’all. Happy to have the opportunity to assist you in any way I can,” the judge answered. His thick southern accent suggested he wasn’t raised in Texas, but perhaps Georgia or the Carolinas.

  He was an older man and, befitting his age and situation, made a stately figure in his dark suit and snowy white hair. Austin felt poorly dressed next to the others. He and Jake had worn their Sunday best, but their clothes lacked the refinement and newness of that of the other men’s clothing. Normally that wouldn’t have bothered Austin in the least, but at the moment he wanted to make it clear to these men that he and Jake were equal to the task at hand and not simply some bumbling backwood
s ninnies.

  Weimer gave Austin a stern gaze. “Why don’t you tell us about this matter, Mr. Todd.”

  Austin looked to Jake and then stood. “Gentlemen, I will endeavor to explain our circumstance and to address our needs in as concise a manner as possible.”

  For the next hour, Austin and Jake shared the information they could. The judge took notes and from time to time asked questions to clarify the details further. To Austin’s relief, a man showed up about forty minutes into his explanation and provided a tray with glasses and a pitcher of sweet tea. The refreshment did its job and Austin found it easier to

  continue.

  “Most likely,” Austin said in conclusion, “the certificates and possible plates are still in Colorado. Even so, we don’t know if Mr. Morgan is involved with the counterfeiting or if he’s simply trying to regain the forgeries for the sake of protecting the originals. After all, the trouble came from his bank and makes a mark against his reputation. Unfortunately, he believes in threats and has caused Mr. Wythe grave concern for the safety of his family and for his own well-being.”

  “To what purpose?” the judge asked.

  “To the purpose of obtaining Jake’s assistance in finding those certificates,” Austin replied, glancing at Jake. “Or to see Jake sent to jail on trumped-up charges.”

  After answering a few more questions, Austin took a seat. He felt exhausted from the detailed explanation and request for assistance. He knew the men at the table realized the importance of the situation, but nevertheless they talked amongst themselves as if trying to decide nothing more important than whether they’d buy the evening paper.

  Last of all, the two Secret Service agents produced copies of several counterfeit bills. They pointed out some of the inconsistencies and mistakes.

  “These are examples of some of the best,” one of the men said and passed the bill around. Even Mr. Reiman agreed he wouldn’t have known it wasn’t a true piece of currency. The judge turned the twenty dollar bill over in his hands. His expression grew thoughtful.