“You’re wrong, Stone,” Matt argued. “About me and about Kinnon. He wasn’t the one who attacked me and Clay; it was a gang of claim-jumpers after Pete’s diggings, not after us or ours. Why would I kill him? He saved our lives that time at Perry’s Ford when we were captured by those redskins. He walked into their camp and used himself as bait to get us free. He was my friend, my partner. Remember what we said that day: nobody could take us when we had friends to help. I’m here to help you get out of this mess. Trust me like we trusted Clay that night.”
Stone prayed he wasn’t wrong about thinking Matt was sending him masked clues and that he was reading them right. If that was true, everything would be fine. There was no way to relate his hopeful assumption to Ginny, so he had to continue his act of suspicion. “You expect me to believe that mush and give up my advantage? If you didn’t kill Clay or have him killed, why hide from me for a year?”
“I wanted to send for you, Stone, but I didn’t know what you were thinking. I was scared you’d shoot before asking questions. Clay said he’d written to you to come after me if anything happened to him, and it did, but not by my hand or order. I don’t know why he became so mixed up in the head. He had a few curious accidents and accused me of being behind them. I wasn’t, Stone; you must believe that. I would never harm Clay. I ran because I was afraid people would think I’d murdered him; you can’t blame me, not after the way he was talking and acting before he died.”
“Why’d you come back now? Your timing is mighty coincidental.”
Matt rubbed his thighs as he explained, “I was laid up for months in Virginia City with two broken legs and a busted shoulder; almost died twice. Two varmints attacked me and robbed me clean, pushed me off a cliffside and left me for dead. Some miners found me and carried me to town. I can thank Dr. Lynch for patching me up and saving my life. He was almost sure my walking days were over, but I was determined to prove him wrong. It took months to get on my feet again. Legs still hurt if I ride or stand too much. I had to work a long time to earn enough money to pay Andrew because I always take care of my bills. Doc Lynch let me stay at his home and he took good care of me, so I owed him. I also had to earn enough money to buy a horse, saddle, and supplies to get back to my claim. I didn’t want to write Virginia for any money and worry her into coming here to check on me. This territory is too wild and dangerous for a refined and gentle lady. I’d told her in my last letter it would be a long time before I wrote again, so I knew not hearing from me wouldn’t overly concern her. By now, I hoped the trouble and danger were over for me here. I decided that once I got the mine going, I’d have enough money and power to clear myself and catch the guilty parties.”
“You’re him or the man beside you is, or both of you are to blame.”
“Stone, Stone, don’t be fooled by Clay’s crazy accusations. Kinnon is the one who assayed the ore sample for us. He asked about investing in the mine. I liked him and was impressed with him. Before we could talk, Clay and I were attacked and I had to get out of sight. I decided to ask Kinnon to become one of my partners. I’ll need a good banker, one close by, a well-known and respected man who can protect me against unjust charges for murder. Please come down and let’s get this nasty misunderstanding straightened out. You don’t want to keep frightening that innocent young lady. You can’t blame Kinnon for being riled by your treatment of her. After we settle things here, we’ll catch Clay’s killers.”
Stone gave a derisive laugh. “You think Kinnon’s gonna let me live if I turn over his girl? No way, Matt. He won’t let you live, either, past partner or promise of future partner. He wants that silver too badly.”
“Matt’s right,” Frank argued. “I was only riled because you stole my woman and tried to accuse me of murder. I’ll be satisfied to be an investor.”
Stone laughed once more. “Yeah? What about your earlier threats?”
“I told you, you riled me by kidnapping and abusing my Anna.”
“When you got here, you didn’t even believe she was your Anna. You thought she was Matt’s daughter, my cohort. You were going to attack both of us. Trust you to let me ride away unharmed and alive? Do you think I’m loco? You’d sacrifice your own mother to get your hands on that silver.”
“I know she isn’t Virginia Marston Blake. Matt’s daughter has red hair and blue eyes. It was only a bluff to get you to release her. I know the woman with you is Anna Avery. I love her and plan to marry her. I’m sorry, Anna dear, for scaring you while I was trying to persuade him to let you go.”
Ginny struggled in Stone’s hold to let the man know she’d heard him. Yet she was confused by the lies everyone was telling.
“Listen to him, Stone,” Matt urged, “he’s speaking the truth. He didn’t attack us. He didn’t kill Clay. I didn’t murder Clay. This can all be worked out if you come down and discuss it. You’re a lawman, remember? We’ll answer your questions. Surely you realize we wouldn’t dare harm you and provoke other agents to come after us. We’ll put up a reward for Clay’s killers. We’ll hire skilled detectives to locate and arrest them. I want myself cleared, and Kinnon wants to get out from under suspicion. Don’t forget half of this strike is yours. You can’t profit from Clay’s love and generosity if you kill us. Let’s all shake hands and work out a deal to get our mine going.”
“Let me think about your offer for a minute,” Stone replied.
“I’ll forgive you and forget about this, Chapman, if you stop it before it goes any further. I can understand how your grief over the death of your best friend could cloud your wits. But isn’t it better to become friends and partners rather than shooting each other? You know you don’t want to harm Anna and get into trouble with the law you’re supposed to uphold. You’ve investigated me long enough to know I’m a man of my word. I promise, no revenge.”
“You’ll be getting just what you want, Kinnon: the girl and the silver. I guess I will, too: the silver and Clay’s killers when we catch them. Matt will, too: the silver and exoneration. I suppose it’s a good bargain for all of us. No shots have been fired at each other, so maybe…”’
“Do it, Stone, come down and talk,” Matt coaxed. “Do it while I’m in a position to help you two. If you stay up there, everything could go wrong.”
“How will we get down?” Ginny whispered through the bandanna. “They’ll shoot you as soon as your shield is missing. He’s making Father say those things, so don’t believe them. At least force Frank to send his men out of firing range but keep them in sight to watch for tricks.”
Stone realized that was an excellent idea. He gritted out without moving his lips, “Don’t worry. Matt’s on to him.”
“What?” she asked, her eyes wide with confusion and fear.
“What’s your answer, Chapman?” Frank shouted. “You’re stalling.”
“We’re coming down. No tricks, Kinnon. I’m tying her wrist and mine to the same rope. If you shoot me and I fall, so will she. Keep your word and nobody will get hurt.” While her body blocked the men’s view, Stone pretended to cut her bonds free but was actually taking the pistol from her hands and sliding it into his belt. He pulled the knife from his boot, cut a strip of rope, and secured it around his wrist first and then hers. “Duck behind a tree when I give the word,” he whispered.
“But—”
“Don’t worry; it’s all right.”
“Come on down before I get nervous and impatient, Chapman. You’ve frightened and mishandled my fiancée long enough. Hurry.”
“I want your men to holster their weapons and move to that clearing over yonder while we talk,” Stone yelled. He motioned to one a distance away, right where he wanted the gang. He quelled his grin.
“Us lay down our arms while you keep yours?” Frank replied.
“If you’re duping me, Kinnon, I’ll have time to defend myself. You’re armed, so hold your pistol on me if you like. Then if you’re trying to pull something, we’ll shoot each other. That’s only fair since I’m outnumbered
.”
“How do I know you won’t shoot me anyway?” Frank asked.
“Because your boys would get me before I could escape. I’m good, Kinnon, but not that good so I can take down ten men before they killed me. You get Anna as soon as I’m convinced we can make a deal.”
Frank smiled. “Agreed, Chapman. Boys, put up those pistols and walk over there. I’ll signal you if there’s trouble.”
After the gang obeyed and only Kinnon was close enough to be a threat to their safety, Stone headed down the ladder first and Ginny followed a few rungs above him, their wrists linked by the rope. The aging ladder groaned and protested, but Stone knew it would hold up long enough to get down.
As his boots touched the ground, he helped Ginny make the final descent. With an uncocked Colt to her back and her walking before him, they approached the men. Ginny worried over her father recognizing her and wondered why he had said she had red hair and blue eyes, and why he hadn’t reacted when Frank called her Virginia Blake. It was difficult to be near him and to look at him as if he were a stranger; he made it easier for her when he didn’t take notice of her. Apparently his mind was elsewhere. She didn’t have time to study his physical changes while listening to the crucial talk.
“Well, speak up and convince me,” Stone coaxed.
“Untie and ungag Anna first. Let her come over here with me.”
“Give up my cover?” Stone teased.
“You don’t need her anymore, partner. I gave my word. I’ll keep it. Besides, you’re armed, so she’s still in danger. I won’t risk her life by trying anything reckless with you.”
Stone eyed the man closely and knew he was lying. He smiled and said, “All right, partner. No need to create more ill feelings.”
Stone freed a nervous Ginny. No, she wanted to shout. Don’t let Father see me! He’ll expose us from shock! She lowered her head as the bandanna was removed so the hat would conceal most of her face.
“Come here, Anna, you’re safe now, my love.”
Ginny hurried to stand beside Frank with her back to her father. The villain smiled at her and put an arm around her waist. To play her part, she returned the smile and cuddled against him for a moment, hating to do so. She noticed he kept a cocked pistol in his other hand, aimed at Stone’s broad chest. She was glad when Frank removed his repulsive arm, but she kept her back to her father and dared not sneak a peek at him.
“No need for this now,” Stone said. “You’re blocking me as a target for your men. But I warn you, Kinnon, if you use that pistol, I can clear leather and fire on you before I hit the dirt.”
Ginny panicked when Stone holstered his Colt and Frank didn’t. To make matters worse, her father had no gun. “I have to sit down, Frank, my legs are wobbly and I feel weak all over. This has been a terrifying and exhausting experience for me. You should be punished, you insufferable beast,” she said to Stone.
“Sorry, Miss Avery, but I thought it was a necessary action. It’s obvious I was mistaken. I apologize.”
“That doesn’t excuse your vile behavior, does it, Frank? He should be horsewhipped for abducting me.”
“Relax, my dear,” the banker said, “this will be over soon.”
Ginny sat on the ground behind Frank. With relief, she decided her father hadn’t recognized her voice. She couldn’t grasp why Stone hadn’t used her distracting act to get the upper hand. With caution she worked the derringer free and eased it into her jacket pocket, fingers locked around it, with one on the trigger. Before leaving the cabin, Stone had ordered her not to do anything until he gave a signal: Duck.
The youngest man hinted, “I’m not hearing anything from you two.”
“It’s like I told you, Stone,” Matt said, “we didn’t have anything to do with Clay’s murder. We’ll ride back-to town together and meet with a lawyer to get our plans into motion. We’ll be partners in the Ginny M. Mine.”
“I don’t think so,” Frank announced, brandishing his pistol.
“What do you mean?” Matt asked, taking a few steps backward.
“That will give me two partners too many.”
“Hold on, Kinnon; you can’t be in on the mine unless me and Stone let you join us. We each own half.”
“If Chapman’s dead, you own it all. If you sign it over to me, I own it.”
“We aren’t killing Stone! And I’d never sell my half.”
Ginny couldn’t believe Stone made no attempt to draw his weapons, as only Frank was armed and nearby. Why didn’t he get the drop on the villain and use him as a hostage? He just stood there watching and listening.
“I have heirs, Kinnon,” Stone said, “so my share wouldn’t go to Matt.”
“It will if you sign it over to him, and you will, Chapman.”
“Why would I do that?”
Frank explained with a wicked grin, “To save his life. I’ll kill him, slowly and painfully, if you don’t cooperate.”
“This was a trick,” Stone accused. “You two are working together.”
“No, Stone, you’re terribly mistaken,” Matt argued.
The lawman eyed his old friend. “Tell me, Matt, how hard will he beat you to convince me you aren’t his partner in crime?”
Frank did the answering. “He isn’t my partner, Chapman. This is the first time I’ve seen him since he disappeared last year. If I have to, I’ll kill both of you and force the claim from your daughter. Now that I know who and where she is, I’ll take it from her.”
“You go near my daughter and I’ll kill you!” Matt warned.
“How will you do that, Matt, when you’ll both be bulging out some buzzards’ bellies? I’m going to enjoy finishing you off, Chapman. You made a big mistake taking my woman.”
Ginny felt she had to get close enough to take action soon. She stood and asked, “What are you doing, Frank? It sounds as if…”
“He’s trying to double cross us,” Stone finished for her with a scowl. “Let the snake talk, Miss Avery; I’d like to know the truth before I die.”
Ginny couldn’t understand why Stone didn’t give the signal, as he had seen her pocket her small weapon. “Don’t you call my Frank names.”
“It’s all right, my sweet,” the banker said. “I have tough skin.”
Matt looked at his daughter, “I’m sorry you have to witness such a crime, Miss Avery. Your fiancé had us both fooled. If I were you, I wouldn’t marry a low-down skunk like him.”
Before she could halt herself, Ginny half turned and looked at Matt. At her slip, her pulse raced and her heart pounded. Yet, he said nothing!
“Let me handle this, Anna. These are bad men and they deserve to die. Soon we’ll be rich beyond your dreams. Matt promised me a share of the mine, then backed out on me. I have a right to it. I promise to make you forget this incident. You’ll be happy with me.”
Ginny knew her father must have recognized her as he was staring into her face, a reflection of her mother’s, the woman he had loved beyond measure. Something, she decided, was going on that she didn’t grasp. Her father and lover were trying to keep from exposing her. It seemed as if they were working together to try to extract an admission of guilt from Frank Kinnon. But if that were true, Stone would have told her; he had promised no more secrets between them. “I don’t agree with what you’re doing, Frank, but I’ll trust you to do what’s best for us,” Ginny said. “I don’t want you going to prison for a mistake you made last summer. I love you and want to marry you. Just don’t… deal with them with me watching.”
“Why don’t you join my men over there until I’m finished here?”
Stone couldn’t allow that to happen. “Why not stay and watch him kill us?” he sneered. “I should have known you’d be just like him. You two deserve each other. She’s as greedy as you are, Kinnon. I’d be careful she doesn’t learn from your example and double cross you one day.”
“She’s perfect for me: beautiful, refined, a real lady. She deserves to be dressed in silks and satins, to travel t
he world, to have people bow down to her like a queen. I can give her all of that.”
To help keep her with them, Matt scoffed, “With our silver. If you’re going to kill us anyway, why should we turn over our claim?”
“To be given a quick and easy death and to keep me away from Ginny.”
“You did kill Clay like Stone said, didn’t you, Kinnon,” Matt accused. “And you tried to murder me that same day last summer?”
“That action was a little premature. The boys thought you’d led them to the right claim. I told them to get rid of you two as soon as they had the location of it. I was furious when you two ‘died’ with your secret intact. Even when Chapman kept asking questions about you and searching for you, I believed you were dead. This time, you will be. The giveaway was in registering the claim after you were supposedly dead. Very clever to do it in Denver where I wouldn’t think to look. The date told me you hadn’t died in the attack: That’s probably what tipped off Chapman you were still alive. If he hadn’t come nosing around again, I wouldn’t have found out the truth. It’s amusing you two are old friends who didn’t trust each other.”
Suddenly Frank burst into raucous laughter. “What am I thinking? I don’t need either of you to sign your shares over to me. The strike is registered in the name of V. A. Marston; she will be the sole owner when you two are dead. Cassidy’s name isn’t on file, so he can’t leave Chapman half of something he never owned. I won’t have any trouble getting the land from Matt’s daughter. I’ll bring her here from England, tell her I have her father prisoner, get her to sign everything over to me to save his life, then… You catch my drift. It will be as easy as taking a toy from a small child.”
Ginny panicked when the ruthless villain moved his pistol closer to Stone’s body. “No, Frank, it won’t,” she refuted, jabbing her derringer into his side. “Do anything I don’t like and I’ll shoot; the bullet will enter your kidney and you’ll bleed to death, a slow and painful death. Ask Stone and he’ll tell you what an expert I am with firearms. Let’s not alert your men. Holster your pistol and keep smiling.”
Midnight Secrets Page 47