Undercover Sheriff

by Barbara Phinney

  “Yes.” Rachel straightened her shoulders. “Anyway, as for arranging my own assault, I did not do any such thing. I nearly died that night, and the money was never recovered. I could arrange for you to peruse my accounts to prove to you that I did not deposit any of it. Nor did I stash it away or spend it. After my father cut off my allowance, I used up what was left of my fund from my grandparents. When that money was gone, I depended on donations from my mother. I hope to use the funds I will inherit once my father’s estate is settled.”

  Rachel shut her mouth. She had no intention of allowing him access to her financials, but the words had simply gushed from her like a burst dam.

  “And now? Tonight?” Zane prompted.

  “I want this nightmare to end so I withdrew personal money from an account Mother set up for me after Father died. She knew it would take time to settle the will. She has her own family money that she rarely touches. I want Rosa and Alex to be freed! There would be no need of a ruse to steal my own money if it was mine to begin with—and if you ask the bank manager, he’ll tell you I touched no one’s accounts but my own. I was as shocked as you were when Rosa showed up. I can’t explain how that has come about, either.”

  She suddenly grabbed the carpetbag from him. “I don’t know anything more than that! I always felt, and still feel, that Rosa would never endanger her son. She truly cares for Daniel. She would never have abandoned him. There has to be another explanation.”

  “Such as?”

  “I don’t know. Yet. But I will find out.” She marched past him, down to her horse and strapped the bag to the saddle with shaking hands. She then turned to him, her expression as frosty as the night. “I require assistance mounting. If you please.”

  Surprisingly—and wordlessly—Zane walked over to offer the help. Rachel held her breath.

  Before he stooped to assist her, he placed his hand on hers as she gripped the pommel. It was a far too intimate act and she tried to pull hers away, but his grip was firm. “Listen to me, Rachel. You will do nothing more with this matter, do you hear? I know you want to get to the bottom of this and you don’t feel I am capable of that, but you can’t involve yourself.”

  “I’m already involved. The note wanted me to deliver the ransom.”

  “Well, it ends tonight. You have to trust me to find Alex.”

  “You didn’t even know where this hill was.”

  “The geography might be unfamiliar to me, but human nature isn’t. There are other leads I can follow. I will find Alex, arrest all the people involved and not spend one red cent of your money.”

  How odd. She’d been completely willing to leave the money, but Zane had refused. In fact, the grit behind his words cut through the cold air and chilled her further. It was as if he hated the sight of it. In that moment, she knew his motive truly was what he claimed—he would find his brother, or die trying.

  But that telegram to Mayor Wilson told of a different man. As she’d spoken of a different Rosa. Rachel swallowed, realizing they’d been mistaken about Zane. Was she also wrong about Rosa? She wasn’t sure. The woman had said she wanted to know more about Jesus. Had that been a manipulation on the woman’s part? Had Rachel, in her desire to see fruition in her ministry, read more into the request than Rosa intended?

  “Will you do as I ask?”

  After a pause, Rachel nodded. “For now.”

  Accepting her concession with a grimace, Zane released her hand and stooped to help her mount. Once sidesaddle atop her horse, she glanced around. She could see more of Castle Rock, both the squat butte and the little town below it. Even this late, there were a few lanterns burning and the odd window lit, offering a small sense of comfort to her. Still, she would be happy to get home. Often, her work kept her out very late, but it had always energized her, even on those difficult days that felt as futile as tonight. So much so, she’d often needed a cup of chamomile tea to calm her down before retiring.

  God had been leading her then, surely, but tonight felt like a frustrating, confusing waste of time and energy, and they faced a cold trek home of an hour or more. God seemed now as distant as her home, maybe even more so.

  She looked down at the carpetbag attached firmly to her saddle. It was a considerable sum of money. Would any man who might be working with Rosa suspect that Rachel had come with it? Would he try to waylay her on her way home? It was possible. And even if he didn’t, the deep of the night was a dangerous time for a lady to be out and about, let alone carrying money. Zane had been right to scold her for bringing it.

  She’d been a fool to carry the money five years ago.

  As much as Zane would want to escort her to her home and as much as the money might be safe there, it would be safer locked up securely in the bank. Of course, that would not be possible until first thing Monday morning, for it would be unfair to awaken the bank manager tonight. He’d been kind enough to open the bank for her a few hours ago, and tomorrow was Sunday.

  The second-best place would be the safe at the sheriff’s office. She’d seen it when she’d first reported Rosa missing. Alex had told her that he used it to store prisoners’ effects, important paperwork and extra ammunition.

  But could she trust Zane to do the same?

  Before fatigue nudged doubt into her decision, Rachel untied the carpetbag. She handed it to him. “This should be put in your office safe.”

  “Don’t you trust your staff?”

  “I don’t want to risk their lives if there is a chance a man out there knows I have withdrawn such a large sum of money. He may try to rob us. Would you please put it in your safe?”

  Zane had not yet reached for it. “Do you still trust Rosa?”

  Did she? An hour ago, she would have been adamant in her answer. But now she wasn’t sure. “I don’t know, and tonight is not the time to make that kind of decision.” She paused. “It’s best done after a good night’s rest when we see things more clearly. I—I don’t want any emotion to get in the way of trying to save Alex.”

  Zane waited for more, but Rachel wasn’t sure she could add that she trusted him. When she kept silent, Zane reached for the carpetbag. “If you come to the office Monday morning, I’ll escort you and your money to the bank.”

  “Thank you. We should also meet with the mayor.”

  “And say what?”

  “Answer his questions.”

  “I don’t have any answers he’d like.”

  Rachel straightened. “Well, then, perhaps he needs to hear my opinion.”

  Zane’s mouth quirked, but he said nothing, instead looking away.

  “And Zane?” Rachel recaptured his attention. “I know you’re only thinking like a lawman, but you need to think with your heart about this.”

  “About what?”

  “About why I can’t believe Rosa could kidnap Alex or endanger Daniel. It makes no sense.” She held up her hand. “I know. I know. I see she is involved, somehow, but I can’t help thinking that we should put at least a little trust in my instincts here, since I’m the one who knows her.”

  Zane took the bag. Their fingers touched. Through the thin calfskin leather of her glove, she could feel his hand. She fought the sudden urge to grip him, to find comfort in the strength of his fingers and warmth in the broad palm. The need for both lingered even after he had taken her bag.

  Did she trust him more than Rosa? She couldn’t even answer that. One thing was certain, though. He was the last person she needed in her life. He was only here to find his brother and he suspected everyone of devious intentions—intentions that she feared he shared.

  She was married to her ministry. Looking for comfort from him would be dangerous. And futile. The man would put his back to Proud Bend the second Alex returned.

  Her heart surprisingly tight in her chest, Rachel turned her mount around and started along t
he trail toward Proud Bend, more than a little anxious to see the night end.

  Chapter Twelve

  Zane quickly returned to his horse and attached the bag of money. With a fast glance around them to ensure they were alone, he spurred the mare to follow her stablemate.

  Rachel was an odd woman, indeed. She recognized her mother’s shortcomings and yet clearly cared much for her. And indeed, her words about her father seemed tempered with some kind of affection, even when she was speaking of his attempts to force her into a marriage she didn’t want.

  As for Rosa, Rachel didn’t want to believe the woman had duped her. Zane could hardly blame her for that. No one liked to have their trust betrayed. He knew that firsthand.

  He’d also considered that Rachel was part and parcel of this kidnapping, but that made less sense than Rosa being a part of it. He was also starting to believe she had brought her own money, not the bank’s, for her story would be easy to confirm.

  Another item on his list. Check to see who exactly owned Proud Bend’s only bank. And if it wasn’t Rachel? As he reached her and allowed her mare to walk in front of him, he was beginning to see that such a thing was quite probable.

  She was also right about another thing. He was foolish to take only the word of a bartender. Since when was he so stupid?

  Since you were betrayed and hurt. The words pierced him and he shoved them out of his mind where they could no longer linger like a winter cold.

  Even if she wasn’t lying about the bank, that didn’t mean she hadn’t staged her own assault, he argued back to himself. He doubted she’d intended to be hurt that badly, but the robbery could have been planned differently than the disastrous way it had turned out.

  Would he be able to find out the truth about that? Did it matter?

  Yes, it did.

  Ahead, Rachel slowed her horse and turned it sideways, waiting for him to come alongside.

  “All my adult life, my goal has been to help those women, although I sometimes despaired. Rosa helped make that vision come into sharp focus when she asked about Jesus. She’s been the only one and I began to believe my ministry was turning around. It felt so right. That’s why I said we should trust my instincts. But I just find myself going around in circles. Maybe my ministry has been a waste of time all these years.”

  He was so lost in his own thoughts that it took him a moment to follow her words. She was resuming their last conversation as if no break in time had occurred.

  “You can’t give up your ministry because of one setback,” he said slowly, although he was not sure why he said it. He certainly hadn’t done much to fight his own failure and disgrace in Canaan, choosing to give up, instead.

  She peered through the darkness, and Zane could feel that gaze of hers more than he could see it. “I don’t want to give up. What I’m saying is that what we see isn’t always the truth. That’s where faith comes in. There are many around us who will only accept one kind of proof, but I say all you need is faith.”

  Zane eased his horse into a steady walk beside Rachel’s. Reminding himself he needed to protect both of them, he scanned the area. But the horses weren’t sensing anything amiss, and he couldn’t see anyone on this lonely road between the towns.

  “Then faith is all you need.” Not knowing what else to say, he allowed his piebald to stick close to Rachel. She’d said her mother was complex, but she was equally so.

  Again, his thoughts returned to her plea of innocence. Returned as if drawn to it.

  As you are drawn to her.

  Why? Was it for her playful charm that displayed itself when it was totally unwarranted? Her big mansion and fancy clothes that she seemed to be so unimpressed with? Her dogged determination when it was needed?

  Yes. And more.

  He shoved the attraction from his mind. He was just passing through her life, pretending to be his brother for a short time. If he started a relationship, however sweet and proper, Alex wouldn’t appreciate having to deal with the consequences should people witness it.

  Rachel certainly didn’t want a personal relationship with him, either. She was friendly with Alex, but had said that she kept him at a distance, claiming it wasn’t good for her ministry. Zane tightened his jaw. He’d just be giving her more headaches.

  Let it go. You can’t fix your own troubles, so you don’t need to be making more for others.

  Some Christian he was, that he couldn’t stay in Canaan to prove his innocence and protect those who were now subject to that corruption, whether they knew it or not. All because he’d been framed and kicked out of a job that he’d loved so much. The sting of rejection still hurt and would do so for a long time to come.

  If it hadn’t have been for Deputy Wilson’s telegram coming the day he’d been forced to resign, a week ago tomorrow, then he’d have probably wandered the West all winter looking for work. He might have shown up in Proud Bend, but Alex was just starting his career here as sheriff and didn’t need to be stuck with his wayward brother, one whose career as sheriff had ended in disgrace.

  Yet if he’d still had a job, he wouldn’t have been able to get away to come here. Rachel talked about ironies. Here was another big one.

  The main road between Proud Bend and Castle Rock finally widened and Rachel urged her horse out of a careful walk to a decent trot. The valley floor was clear, the road well worn and safer for both man and beast. Following her tall form, Zane found himself wondering why these events were playing out the way they were. Could he have been brought here to save Rachel from the wrong path in life?

  When they were children, Alex had saved Zane’s life. Against their parent’s rules, they’d been playing down by the river one spring day when it was still swollen with the previous winter’s runoff. Zane, the more daring one back then, had been climbing a tree by the bank when he’d fallen in. Alex’s swift thinking had saved Zane from being swept away and drowned.

  Later, Alex joked that he’d been born solely to pull Zane from various dire straits. Time, along with experience, had tempered Zane’s adventurous spirit—that and the betrayal of those he’d trusted. The mayor in Canaan, along with the deputy, had accused him of stealing the tax money Zane had collected, as was part of his job. The evidence had “appeared” in his safe. Zane believed he could not fight that battle and had resigned.

  Curious how Alex, after losing his wife, had become the daring one, willing to risk more than Zane would now. Was Alex’s new recklessness the reason he’d been kidnapped so easily?

  Proud Bend appeared in the distance, the saloon’s garish lamps cutting through the frosty night just as Zane realized he’d eased his own mount’s speed. The horses’ breaths streamed out in front of their long faces and Zane pushed the animal to come alongside Rachel’s.

  “When we reach town, we’ll stop at the sheriff’s office first,” he told her. “I want to put your bag into the safe before I escort you home.”

  She nodded stiffly, and they said nothing more until they reined in the horses at the front of the office. Zane pulled out his watch. It was just after midnight. Tucking it away again, he said, “I hope that you don’t plan to do ministry work at the saloon tonight.”

  Rachel accepted his assistance in dismounting. “No. I don’t want to go tonight.” On the firm, frozen ground again, she sighed.

  “Is it because of Rosa?” he asked gently.

  She tugged her hand from his. She opened her mouth to speak and shut it again before finally blurting out, “I want to say it’s because I’m bone tired and frozen and aching from the ride. But that’s only part of it. Seeing Rosa tonight surprised both of us.”

  He answered with a grim nod. “Come inside. It should be more comfortable in there.”

  As they stepped into the office, the wood stove’s cheery warmth greeted them. Zane could hear Rachel inhale deeply the home
y scent of a crackling fire. “Deputy Wilson is most likely out making some rounds, but it’s good to see he’s kept the fire going.”

  He lit the lamp on his desk, looking up as Rachel removed her gloves and coat. She shrugged as he lifted his brows in curiosity. “I don’t want to get overheated, although I’m freezing right now.”

  Zane took her coat and hung it up. A curious sensation lingered in his stomach. Relief? Disappointment? He couldn’t tell and refused to allow himself the luxury of examining it.

  “You have no one in the cells?” she asked as he set her carpetbag in front of the safe.

  Zane looked toward the door concealing a short hall to the pair of cells. There was a slate attached to the wall to record whoever was incarcerated, but it was blank. “Not yet. I expect a few will come in soon to sleep off whatever poison they’ve taken.”

  “You don’t drink?”

  “No.” His expression darkened. “It’s not appropriate—nor do I wish to imbibe. And you?”

  She laughed. “Hardly. I often trumpet the virtue of abstaining, but it just as often falls on deaf ears.”

  “Even Rosa’s?”

  Rachel sagged. “With her, I don’t know anymore.”

  “Which is why you feel you need a night off?”

  Rachel smoothed her skirt and adjusted her cap. It seemed ridiculous for her to dress up for a ransom drop like she had, but he expected she’d chosen her outfit with the night in mind. It was warm and dark, basic in style. Even the cap had small, tasteful ear flaps that blended into the fur trim, offering extra warmth if needed. But her skirt was slim in cut, creating her need for assistance mounting. She had known he would be there and would help her.

  “It’s all right to take a night off, Rachel,” Zane advised as he opened the safe and tried to stow away the carpetbag. It didn’t fit so he opened the bag to flatten it further. “It’s also all right to reevaluate your ministry, especially when your most promising woman has deceived you.”

  “I shouldn’t judge her.” Her words sounded crisp. “I strive to be compassionate and understanding. But at one time, I also thought that I could simply hand over all the soiled doves’ money to the bank and make them enough of a tidy profit to convince them to abandon their work with joy. It was a naive thought. In retrospect, even if my plan had succeeded, I think it would have made things even worse.”