Undercover Sheriff

by Barbara Phinney

  “That would be a noble goal, but I have a better one. I want them to learn about the Lord and allow Him to guide them away from that life. I want those women to trust that God can protect them. He has protected me many times over the years. I’ve learned to trust Him.”

  Zane swallowed. She trusted God that much? Given all the suffering she had seen—and experienced—firsthand, he wouldn’t have pegged her as a woman so devout, one crediting God for her safety. Was her faith the reason she was willing to trust him, in spite of the disgrace he’d faced in Canaan?

  And that was another question—how had the mayor reacted to the telegram? He’d probably already left a message for Zane to report to the town hall.

  Rachel reached for the map Zane had rolled. “Let me tie it up for you.”

  Immediately, their hands touched, and Rachel pulled hers away just as quickly, taking the map with her. Zane recalled his tactless remark back in Alex’s room, how he could tell she’d worked outside and in less than favorable conditions just by seeing her rough hands. He’d been insensitive to draw attention to them.

  Alex wouldn’t have and, once again, he felt the loss of his brother keenly. Zane watched as Rachel took a silk ribbon from the top desk drawer. With deft movements, she tied the rolled map securely.

  “Thank you,” he said in a tight voice as she handed it back to him. Her expression looked calm, but he noticed a definite strength of purpose around her jaw. Why on earth had he felt the need to point out her imperfections back in Alex’s room?

  Because you aren’t perfect, either. You ran off like a pup with his tail between his legs instead of staying to prove your innocence.

  Ramming the map between his upper arm and his rib cage, Zane gritted out, “I’ll return it tomorrow. In the meantime, look after that boy and stay in the house.” He strode to the door.

  “What about the horse?” Rachel called out.

  He stalled, his free hand on the office door. “I’ll be back to your stables this evening after dark for it.” He dared to turn back for a glimpse of her, hating the stricken look on her face. Was she worried for him, or upset that he wouldn’t allow her to assist? “Please see that it’s ready.”

  Then, without a nod, Zane departed, not even waiting for the young footman to hurry over to the front door ahead of him. He threw it open with far too much force.

  Outside, he inhaled the crisp, dry air. It was definitely colder today, and as he looked up at the sky, he could see weather moving in over the mountains. Lord, keep it fair until we find Alex.

  He swallowed. Can I really find him and Rosa tonight? he asked himself. Please, God, guide me to them.

  There was no answering wash of peace his minister had often spoken of when God was listening. Why should there be? You haven’t let Him into your life for a long time. He can’t fix your kind of troubles, not with so many against you.

  Zane quickened his steps. With this ever-increasing pace, he would be running by the time he reached Alex’s rented room.

  * * *

  Still in her father’s office, Rachel ran her fingers over her palms. Yes, such rough skin. No wonder Zane had noticed them. They told an awful tale of an unsuccessful ministry and hard work that had little to show for it. She curled her fingers and pressed them to her chest.

  The crunch of feet on gravel drew her attention from her shame. She walked to the window in time to see her mother and Victoria returning just as Zane strode away. Victoria was planning a simple country wedding, and the thought of it brought a wan smile to Rachel’s face.

  At the memory of her slight tease directed at Zane, she chuckled. He’d looked horrified. But as the women approached Zane, Rachel recalled how he’d said that Alex had been married and was now a widower.

  How many young ladies in town knew that? The sheriff had been a popular target for husband hunters since his arrival. Would it make a difference to them to know he was still mourning his late wife?

  Rachel watched Zane tip his hat and nod to the ladies. Even through the closed window, she could hear his deep voice greet Mother first, then Victoria. Thinking he was Alex, Mother asked him how he was and where he’d gone, for she’d heard he was missing.

  “Sheriff’s business, ma’am. No need to worry about it,” Zane answered, his deeply timbered voice reaching Rachel even through the closed window.

  Mother arched her brows, but a small smile hovered on her lips. “Let’s hope you were successful in whatever you undertook, Sheriff. And that your reason for coming to my house wasn’t anything as serious.” Reproof and curiosity dripped from her words.

  Rachel sighed. Mother was difficult to understand sometimes. She wanted her life to be as genteel as it had been back in Boston when she was a debutante. But at the same time, she was as mischievous as Victoria’s future stepchildren.

  Zane turned to face the front facade of the house, and Rachel found her gaze slamming into his. He didn’t seem to appreciate Mother’s sense of humor. “Coming here was nothing but a small matter, ma’am,” Zane answered. “I assure you that there is no cause for alarm.”

  His gaze drifted from Rachel’s to the brickwork. In fact, he stood there a moment and studied her home, his expression pinching into a tight frown. Victoria, having said nothing yet, followed his gaze before returning hers to his face, her expression becoming puzzled, indicating she didn’t understand his fascination with the mansion.

  Noticing it, Zane tipped his Stetson again, said his goodbye and pivoted. His boots crunched on the pea gravel as he walked away. Rachel caught her mother’s sharp look before turning from the window to meet her family at the door.

  “What was the sheriff doing here?” Mother asked as she brushed past the young footman.

  “He came to borrow Father’s map.” It was all she should say to Mother on the matter.

  After handing her purchases to the footman, Victoria pulled off her gloves. “Why? Did he find that woman, yet? Is that why he was missing? Was he looking for her?”

  Mother gave her niece a knowing look. “Where men are concerned, Victoria, dear, it could be any reason. I think coming for a map was just an excuse. Surely the sheriff’s office has maps, or he could have gone to the Recording Office.”

  “It’s Saturday, Aunt Louise. I think they close early today.” To Rachel, Victoria asked, “Isn’t the map you kept the best one? Perhaps he wanted one with more detail than he could find at the sheriff’s office.”

  “Most likely.” Louise eyed her daughter. “Although I was just hoping he might have come with another purpose in mind. There are few respectable men from which you can choose a husband, Rachel.”

  “Aunt Louise!” Victoria laughed as she shed her coat. “You’re as subtle as a bolt of lightning.”

  Louise shrugged. “Sometimes a mother has to be. I think we’ll have lunch early. All that walking has worked up an appetite in me.” She departed toward the kitchen.

  Rachel walked up to Victoria. Since her father had died, she’d grown closer to her cousin, who’d also lost her father years ago. “Thank you for deflecting her,” Rachel said. “Mother bounces between throwing up her hands and giving up, and insisting I mend my embarrassing ways and settle down.”

  “I’ll try to keep her busy with my wedding plans.” Victoria paused. “Did the sheriff find that woman, yet?”

  “Not yet. In fact, he has a ransom note and wanted the map to find exactly where the drop-off is.”

  Victoria gasped. “He’s paying the ransom? Or are you? I know that missing woman is important to you.”

  “I wanted to, but he refused to allow it. So, no, he’s not paying a thing. He says we have to first find out if they are alive.”

  Victoria took her cousin’s hands. “They? Who else is missing?”

  Rachel swallowed, realizing too late her folly.

  Vic
toria frowned. “Don’t tell me it’s her son, because early this morning, I went into the nursery after hearing a child’s cry. You have our maid caring for a toddler. He looks sick. That’s her son, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, but don’t tell Mother. I’ll break the news to her at lunch.”

  “Of course not, but we both know that if he cries out, she’ll realize he’s in this house. Your home is big, but not that big. So who else is missing?”

  Rachel led Victoria into her father’s office and shut the door firmly. She had no reason to be concerned that Mother might waltz in here, for the woman avoided the room completely now that she’d sorted out her husband’s estate. Still, Rachel bolted the door just to be careful.

  Victoria studied her face. “Mitch told me that the sheriff was also missing, and even Aunt Louise knew that when she asked where he’d been. I had assumed the two missing-persons cases were related, but who else is there?” She waited for Rachel to speak, but when her cousin hesitated, she rushed out, “What’s going on, Rachel? You’re never up this early, and why would the sheriff borrow a map when he has access to others? And how long have you had that sick child up in the nursery?”

  Rachel and Victoria sat on the leather chesterfield. The whole story poured from her, how she’d gone to search for clues in Alex’s room and had been confronted by Zane. Plus the plan she and the mayor had formed to have Zane impersonate his brother.

  “He’s a twin?” Victoria asked, blinking. “They really are identical. Except that Zane’s face seems paler.”

  “He’s recently shaved his beard. I don’t think anyone has guessed yet. But, Victoria, he won’t let me pay the ransom, even if it could save his brother’s life.”

  “Maybe he feels that it would only encourage more kidnapping?”

  “Not if it’s kept quiet or we capture whoever is doing it. He’s adamant, though, and yet, he’s a crook himself.”

  Victoria started. “He is? How so?”

  Rachel realized she’d neglected to mention the telegram. “He’s been accused of stealing in his town. Our mayor telegraphed his mayor, who warned us not to hire him. Oh, Victoria, I’ve rushed into a situation too quickly again! What makes me think I can solve everything with one hasty decision at a time?”

  “Calm down and stop blaming yourself. I know you. You don’t rush into things. You make wise, timely decisions.” Her cousin patted her hand. “It will all work out. Zane wants to find his brother, don’t you think? No matter what he did in that other town, he has every reason to do good work here. You trust Zane and can convince the mayor not to kick him out of town. Just go and talk to him.”

  Rachel looked down at their fingers, comparing hers to Victoria’s. Victoria took such good care of her hands. She pulled hers away. “I don’t know if I really do trust Zane. I asked him to defend himself against what his mayor said, but he refuses. He’s told me to stay put tonight and do nothing.”

  “Wait a minute. Somewhere in your story just now, you mentioned not wanting to defend yourself against the charge of theft because you couldn’t, so perhaps he’s thinking the same way?”

  “I thought of that.”

  “And if Zane was a crook, why didn’t he take your money? It seems to me like an easy opportunity.”

  “I thought of that, too.” Rachel shut her eyes and shook her head. “I don’t know what to think. He’s ashamed of something that happened in Canaan. I wish I could just trust him and be done with it. But, Victoria, two lives are at stake here! Can I risk trusting a stranger?”

  Victoria merely gaped at her cousin.

  Rachel stood. “I can’t! This has to end tonight. Proud Bend doesn’t need a crooked sheriff. It needs its old sheriff back. How do I know that Zane isn’t going to just drag this out so he can try to steal from us, like he did in Canaan?”

  Victoria stood and took Rachel’s hands again. “You’re overthinking things. Zane will want to find his brother first and foremost.”

  “I don’t know anymore. I saw him out there talking to you, sizing up this house. What if he’s thinking of robbing us?”

  “Stop that! He was looking at the brickwork, that’s all. I’ve done the same thing. This is a beautiful, unique home.”

  Rachel pulled away her hands. “No. I need to end this. I need to withdraw the money from the bank.”

  “You were just saying how you shouldn’t rush into things!”

  “And you were just saying that I don’t.” Rachel strode to the door. “Tell Mother not to delay lunch for me. I’ll return as quickly as I can.”

  “Rachel—”

  But Rachel didn’t stay to hear her cousin’s protest, choosing instead to charge out the front door. Yes, she was jumping into things right now, which was not how she normally behaved. Sometimes, however, quick decisions were necessary. And now was one of those times. She feared that Zane was right that Alex and Rosa were no longer alive. If that was the case, she wanted to know right away, without letting the kidnapper or Zane drag this out any longer. The sooner she ended this kidnapping, the sooner Zane Robinson would be gone.

  If he was a crook, this town would be better off without him.

  If he wasn’t a crook...

  Rachel paused, thinking of how close they had stood back in the office when they’d pored over the map. She’d been able to smell the soap he’d used during the morning’s ablutions. Oh, yes, she absolutely didn’t need a distraction from her work and Zane Robinson was definitely that.

  Chapter Ten

  The night air had stilled, making for a trip that could almost be described as pleasant.

  If it wasn’t for the circumstances, Zane amended grimly.

  He’d spent much of the afternoon memorizing the route, the landforms and landmarks, and when he’d slipped into the Smith stables just over an hour ago, he’d found the young groom had saddled a beautiful piebald for him.

  If it had been her selection, then Rachel had done well at choosing a horse. The mare was calm and sturdy, a perfect animal for a ride on an unfamiliar trail. Zane had found a long duster coat among his brother’s clothes, one lined with warm flannel. He hoped that the material covered him sufficiently to mask his identity. He’d left his hat behind. Even in the light of the quarter moon, the Stetson, a gift from his brother, would tell anyone watching that a man was arriving. He’d just have to pull up the collar of the duster and hope the night air wasn’t too cold.

  Thankfully, the road was easy to follow, and within an hour of setting out from Proud Bend, he found his way to the base of the hill that held White Horse Bluff. Strategically, it was a good place for a meeting, having a panoramic view to ensure no one could advance unseen. But he was early. Zane hunched down in the saddle, hoping he might look smaller.

  At the base of the hill, Zane reined in the horse and dismounted. Tying it off at a small tree, he left the animal enough leather to sniff the ground. He crept up the side of the trail, keeping behind the scrubby bushes that lined the way to ensure his advance wasn’t easily spotted.

  He’d written a note demanding proof that Alex and Rosa were still alive, and insisting that more time was needed to get the money. He’d tried out his most lively cursive script, because he’d neglected to ask Rachel to write it out. Now he felt his inside jacket pocket. The letter was still there.

  He left the trail when he saw the flat top of the hill and the steep side called White Horse Bluff. The soil and stone were pale in the waning moon, and at one point, when Zane stopped to listen to the noises of the late evening, he could make out the profile of a horse’s head in the bluff face.

  A few more steps and he stopped again. Only the quiet of the night met his ears, although his heart pounded in his temples and the tiny hairs on his arms and neck were erect and alert.

  Someone else was there. He’d honed the skill of wariness early on
in his career, and it was paying off now. Too bad he hadn’t utilized that skill for watching his back. He might have prevented being framed for theft.

  He unbuttoned the coat to allow better access to his revolver, should he require it. The breeze up top here chilled and sharpened him. He took a few more stealthy steps closer to the top of the hill, keeping as hidden as possible. Again, he stopped to hear even the slightest noise, but nothing reached him.

  I know you’re here. I can feel you. Where are you?

  No one answered his silent question, but Zane’s senses were alive with warning that someone was out there. The flat top of the bluff was deserted except for a wooden crate sitting on a natural raised ledge. Scanning the area, Zane inched over to the box, keeping himself low. He slipped the note he’d written inside.

  Doubt now trickled in about leaving the note instead of the ransom Rachel had been willing to pay. Alex was his brother. Rosa, a young mother. It would be best for all if they were safe. What if he’d been wrong in his theory earlier—what if they were still alive, and the refusal to pay caused them harm?

  Zane clenched his teeth and kept his body rigid. There was no point in second-guessing himself now. He wanted nothing to sway him from the decision he’d made, and if he gave in to doubt now, he’d talk himself into returning to Proud Bend and asking for the funds.

  Forget it. He needed a guarantee before he paid one red cent, even for his brother. It was the right thing to do, though a part of him hated it.

  With a grimace, Zane slipped behind some sagebrush. They tended to be short, but crouching down, he knew this type covered him well while the lack of snow hid his large footprints. Slowly he peeked around to find a vantage point that delivered a view of the town and, to his right, the distinct form of Castle Rock. It also provided an excellent view of the wooden box in front of him.

  He checked his watch. Nine thirty-five. Frost streamed from his mouth and fogged the crystal, hiding the hands. He slipped it back into its pocket.

  A few hundred feet away and below, his horse whinnied, the sound clear in the cold air. Zane searched the darkness once more for movement. Nothing. He hadn’t tied the horse too securely in case it needed to move to defend itself against a large cat or wolf, but the whinny didn’t sound stressed, so he returned his attention back to the box.