Undercover Sheriff

by Barbara Phinney

  “Who are you?” Zane asked, hearing impatience pepper his tone. He was here to find his brother, that’s all, not to confront every townsperson.

  The older man drilled him with his own harsh glare. “I believe I should ask that question.”

  “Don’t you recognize our new sheriff?” the older woman answered, peering up at the man. “You wanted me to tell you when he got back. As soon as I saw him pass my kitchen window, I sent my grandson.” She drilled Zane with a blatantly nosy stare. “He growed himself a beard, he did.”

  The man shoved the old woman behind him and puffed up further. “Don’t be foolish, Mrs. Shrankhof. I spoke to Sheriff Robinson only eight days ago. He couldn’t have grown that thick a beard so quickly.”

  Zane lit upon the man’s confession. According to the telegram, Alex had disappeared a week ago today. Could this man have been the last person to see him before he went missing?

  “But he did, Mayor Wilson!” She pointed at Zane. “Look at him.”

  Zane felt his jaw tighten. Mayor Wilson? The deputy who’d telegraphed him had the same last name. Were they related? Probably. True, it was a common name, but this was a small town. People hiring relatives and cronies into positions of power happened very frequently in these small, isolated towns. This man’s young relative didn’t sound experienced enough to be voted in as sheriff, but hiring him as deputy was probably as easy as pie.

  “Go back to your kitchen,” the mayor growled to Mrs. Shrankhof. “I’ll handle this.”

  At the man’s order, Alex’s landlady reluctantly retreated.

  Tugging her arm free, Rachel stepped forward. “This is not Sheriff Robinson, Your Worship,” she explained. “This is his brother, Zane.”

  Zane fully expected Rachel to add that she was also being mistreated by him, but she said nothing more.

  Wilson shut the door. After turning, he studied Zane. “The resemblance is remarkable. Discounting the beard, of course.”

  “They’re identical twins.” After a moment of thoughtful silence, Rachel took the opportunity to glance back at Wilson. Zane noticed immediately that her expression had changed. Because she had an ally in the mayor? “I believe,” she began, her words slow and careful, “that we have a unique opportunity here.”

  Zane tossed her a cool glare. Rachel’s demeanor had switched from defensive to calculating. She now looked far too comfortable, and he automatically bristled. “A unique opportunity for what?”

  Rachel glanced out the window before answering, probably to ensure that Mrs. Shrankhof had indeed returned to her kitchen. “Mr. Robinson, our town needs a sheriff because ours has gone missing. Perhaps we can come to some kind of agreement? A temporary one, that is, until you find your brother. If I remember correctly, you said you are also a lawman.”

  “And you want me to work here so you can make me disappear, as well?”

  If he was expecting Rachel to be ruffled at the accusation, he was disappointed. All she did was color slightly. “Alex is missing. You want to find him as much as we do. That’s why you’re here, isn’t it?”

  There she went, calling his brother by his first name again, despite her assertions that she wasn’t intimately involved with him. Curious, and not something a well-mannered gentlewoman would be expected to do.

  “What did you have in mind, Miss Smith?” the mayor asked.

  “It’s not the most ideal situation, but it’s the only one I can think of. Mr. Robinson can adopt his brother’s identity.”

  Zane studied Rachel. What kind of town was this that a well-dressed woman could suggest such subterfuge to the town’s mayor with the expectation it would be accepted?

  Was it a crooked town, where deception and manipulation were common? It wouldn’t be the first. In his town, Canaan, he had seen the wealthy bend the rules regularly. Was he expecting something different in a town where his brother had mysteriously disappeared?

  Rachel met his gaze with only a hint of reluctance. “You mentioned that Alex wasn’t the only lawman in the family. Are you a sheriff, also? If so, where?”

  Zane paused. He didn’t want them to know that his latest employment hadn’t ended well. If they questioned his competence or honesty, they might not let him participate in the efforts to find his brother, and Alex needed him. Zane’s disgrace in Illinois didn’t compare to his brother’s safety, and, right now, for full access to Alex’s files and belongings, he would need to convince this pair he was trustworthy. He would just have to take the chance that they would not ask more than the most rudimentary of questions. “I was the sheriff in Canaan, Illinois.”

  “Will you take your brother’s place?” There was a hint of desperation in Rachel’s quick words. “It could lead you to Alex.”

  Automatically, his lips tightened. “Are you in such a position to offer that to me?”

  “No, but I am,” the mayor answered, puffing up more.

  “Mayor Wilson wants this town to know that his main priority is their safety and well-being,” Rachel added.

  Ah. That’s it. Zane nodded, understanding the situation. “So, it’s an election year?”

  “Yes.” Suddenly, a small smile pulled up the corners of the woman’s mouth, one that stated quite bluntly she wasn’t the least bit embarrassed by the stratagem. “Our good mayor wants to keep his job. When our old sheriff passed on several months ago, he immediately hired your brother. Like any frontier town, Proud Bend needs a good lawman, and after you find Alex, he can return to his duties, you can return to yours and the rest of the good citizens will remain none the wiser of the switch.”

  Zane watched Rachel blink at him with affected innocence. Should he take this curious offer? It did tempt him. Taking the sheriff’s position would give him access to resources he would not otherwise be able to command. If he didn’t take it, what would that do to his chances of finding his brother?

  Pare them down to nothing, that’s what, for surely one word from the older Wilson to the younger one and Zane would be punished for not coming on board with the mayor’s—no, wait, Rachel’s—idea of switching identities. He’d probably be run out of town or, at the very least, be denied access to his brother’s office, the one that held the information on the investigation into Alex’s disappearance.

  Oh, how he hated politics. All that sly scheming and manipulation. When he’d refused to bow to Canaan’s mayoral pressure to suspend a recent investigation that pointed the finger of guilt at the mayor’s son, Zane had been the one accused of the theft. He’d tried to fight back, only to be framed and forced out of office.

  Zane pinned Rachel with another sharp look. “I’m not interested in Proud Bend’s politics, Miss Smith. Nor should you be. You can’t even vote.”

  She straightened her shoulders. “My suggestion benefits both you and this town.”

  “So why are you so interested? How does this benefit you?”

  She blinked, her jaw tightening ever so slightly as she glanced at the mayor. “I have my reasons.” She cleared her throat. “You need to find your brother. What better way than to follow his movements but as his replacement?”

  “As his replacement, or acting as him? I don’t do undercover work.” It smelled too much like what had already happened to him, when those on his staff had bent to the mayor’s subtle threats and gone undercover to plant evidence that implicated him.

  Rachel studied him. “Or is it that you just don’t care for lies?”

  Zane stiffened. Miss Rachel Smith was proving to be as good at reading people as he was, with her quirked eyebrow and sharp, blue-eyed gaze. He’d have to be careful.

  “Both. I don’t care for lies—nor do I care for undercover work,” he answered stiffly.

  Her demeanor softened. Was that a hint of respect forming in her expression?

  “I appreciate your work ethic, Mr. Robinso
n,” Rachel said, quickly recovering her cool manner. “But I can’t see you doing anything else. You know you won’t be able to waltz into the sheriff’s office and demand to see all that Deputy Wilson has done in finding Alex. Or read Alex’s file on Rosa and Daniel. The two cases must be related. Two disappearances in a short period of time? You’d need both files.”

  “My brother could be working on a covert assignment—he might not be missing at all.”

  “You mean, going undercover without telling his deputy?” She looked skeptical. “Does he like undercover work?”

  Zane couldn’t say for sure. The topic had not risen in any conversation Zane had ever had with Alex. “I expect he would do whatever is necessary to find your friend.” Even as Zane said that, he heard the hesitation in his words. Did he not believe them? He hated his own doubt.

  Rachel must have heard the uncertainty because she frowned ever so slightly. “Perhaps Alex is dallying where he should not be dallying.”

  Zane felt his jaw tighten. No. While Alex had often enjoyed life more than he did, his brother would never abandon his job to “dally” with anyone. Rachel’s suggestion was ludicrous, he told himself a bit too fiercely.

  Wasn’t it?

  “Do you believe your brother would just walk away from a job?” Rachel asked.

  Zane paused and swallowed. The Alex he had grown up with would never have walked away. But after Nicola died a few years back, Alex had taken his wife’s early demise hard, even disappearing once for several days and sending their mother into a frantic state. Yes, he’d changed. He’d decided to live more in the moment, he’d told Zane once. Zane knew Alex was running from his grief, but he would say nothing of that aloud, not in front of these people who would judge Alex harshly if he truly had walked away from his life once again.

  At his hesitation, Rachel’s gaze sharpened and Zane immediately heightened his efforts to appear calm and in control.

  “Of course this is a political decision,” she said smoothly, wrapping up the conversation as if she was the chair of an important meeting. “But, naturally, one must use common sense here.” As she slipped on one of her gloves, she indicated Zane. “One as—how shall I say this?—unceremonious as yourself won’t get much out of the people here.”

  Despite the seriousness of the moment, Zane allowed himself a small smile. If Miss Rachel Smith had tried to be diplomatic with him, it hadn’t worked. If she’d attempted to offend him, it had slid from him like water off a duck’s back. Regardless, he had been “unceremonious” with her. Alex had inherited all the tact, not him. Zane was the more difficult twin.

  “If you refuse,” Mayor Wilson added with a slight edge, “I cannot allow you to start your own investigation. It would be too disruptive.”

  To your upcoming campaign? Zane asked himself.

  “Why not pick up where your brother has left off, as your brother?” Rachel finished, her voice once again as smooth as a silk pillow. “You might just scare someone who can’t believe the sheriff is still around and walking. Scared people make mistakes.”

  True, but scared people acted dangerously, too. Zane drew in a thoughtful breath. He wasn’t going to agree to anything simply because it benefited this pair. “So you’re suggesting Alex’s disappearance is the result of foul play?” Scrubbing his face and beard, Zane knew he had to voice another concern, although he hated it. “What if Alex is dead? Don’t you think that his killer would know I’m not my brother?”

  Please, Lord, let that not be so.

  His words affected Rachel, he could tell. She swallowed and her mouth tightened, obviously hating that they had to consider that possibility. Her answer was soft and hesitant. “Then we shall have to pray that hasn’t happened.” She blinked, looking remarkably sincere in her grief concerning the idea, but he refused to believe it. “You’ll have to shave your beard, too, Mr. Robinson. Alex is clean shaven.”

  Zane automatically touched it. “Who says that someone else won’t realize that I’m not Alex? You saw the truth almost immediately.”

  “Perhaps I can help you be...less unceremonious,” Rachel answered smoothly, not answering his question directly.

  “I do not need any help. I know my own brother, and, to be frank, we have switched places before.”

  That memory cut into him like the ragged edge of a chipped razor. They’d managed to fool everyone except their mother. It hadn’t been his finest moment. It was curious that the one time in his life of which he was the most ashamed would be useful right now in doing some good—finding his brother.

  “Trust me, Mr. Robinson. I am confident I can help you.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Quite frankly, Miss Smith, I trust you as far as I can throw you.”

  Her gaze brightened as it danced over his frame, a moment of impudence that grated against Zane. “We can’t allow that, can we? You might hurt your back, for I’m not a small woman.” She turned from him. “Mayor Wilson, obviously you must make the final decision.”

  Zane glanced over at the man who up until now had watched the conversation with little input. Was he looking for weaknesses? “Miss Smith is right,” the mayor finally said with his mouth becoming a grim line. “It’s risky, but I’m afraid my son is not getting anywhere with his investigation and I want my sheriff back.”

  Of course. Your political career is on the line here. Still, Zane scowled, thinking of the three disappearances. In a small town, three persons going missing in a short span of time had to be related. He needed to get into his brother’s office and read his files. Fresh eyes might help. “What if I take on the position as myself and not my brother?”

  Rachel shook her head. “You’d have to earn everyone’s trust, which could take time. Assuming Alex’s identity can give you the trust he’s already earned. And—” Rachel glanced at the mayor before once more skewering Zane’s attention “—you would need to be elected to hold any authority in town if you refuse to take Alex’s identity.” A slightly knowing smile tugged on the corners of her mouth. “Do you want to schmooze and glad-hand people all while your brother is missing?”

  Zane felt his chest tighten.

  Her tone softened immediately. “It’s not an ideal solution, but you’ll have all that’s in the sheriff’s office at your disposal if you take this offer.”

  Including Alex’s files and notes, Zane thought. They might include information on the lovely Rachel Smith. He frowned, not liking for one minute that he was even considering such an opportunity when his focus should be on finding Alex. Because learning about her wasn’t as important, not with the sly political machinations she was weaving.

  Zane nodded, wondering all the time if he’d just made a decision he would eventually regret.

  Chapter Three

  Exactly thirty-four hours after Zane Robinson had agreed to assume his brother’s identity, and in the light from the lamp outside her front door, Rachel toyed with the telegram she’d just received. The mayor’s young errand boy had brought it over just as she was leaving for her ministry work, as she did most nights. There was no accompanying comment from the mayor, a fact that attested to Mayor Wilson’s sharp disapproval.

  Rachel swallowed. The mayor had done the sensible thing. He’d checked on Zane Robinson’s background. The answering telegram from the mayor of Canaan, Illinois, had only taken a day, and its clipped tone told as much as the harsh words of accusation.

  Oh, dear. She had erred once more, this time in her assumption that since Alex was a good sheriff, his twin would also be upstanding. Hadn’t he come here to find his brother? He’d been anxious for him. They wrote regularly. Those were good qualities, and Rachel had taken them at face value as testimonials to his character.

  In the dim light above the door, Rachel reread the telegram, hoping it wasn’t as bad as a moment ago.

  Ref. your inquiry of Zane
Robinson, he was released from duties, guilty of theft and bribery. Recommend you not hire him.

  Her heart sank again. Proud Bend had taken on a thief as sheriff. Would the mayor dismiss him outright? Or wait until Alex was found? All she could hope for now was that regardless of his reputation, Zane would be sufficiently motivated to find his brother before the proverbial ax fell on his limited career here in Proud Bend. Rachel made a mental note to call on the mayor tomorrow.

  And hopefully Zane would find Rosa and her son, too.

  Keep them all safe, Lord. Please.

  “Thank you,” she murmured to the errand boy in front of her. With a nod, he hurried away, no doubt anxious to be home.

  A breeze rose and chilled Rachel’s hot cheeks enough to make her shiver. The weather had turned frigid. Icy air warned of early winter snow, heavier than the skiff that dusted the ground now. Rachel bit her lip, being careful as she stepped down onto the icy gravel that was her home’s driveway. In the yard to her left was her late father’s coupé, sitting abandoned. It was really a silly conveyance, being so small. Mother had wondered if they should sell the fancy little horse-drawn vehicle.

  At the thought of her father, Rachel felt tears spring unbidden into her eyes. She blinked them away. She mourned his death, but she knew that Walter Smith hadn’t been the finest citizen of Proud Bend, and had died a victim of his own evil devices.

  Father had been accidentally trampled in a stampede just a month ago while trying to blackmail Mitch MacLeod, cousin Victoria’s fiancé, into signing over his ranch land’s mineral rights. Later that same night, Clyde Abernathy had tried to poison Rachel and her mother, Louise Smith.

  While they lay dying in their rooms, Abernathy had hoped to force Victoria into marrying him as part of a plot to cheat Walter Smith’s family out of their inheritance. Thankfully, working together, Victoria and Mitch had been able to stop Clyde and save both Rachel and her mother.