Undercover Sheriff

by Barbara Phinney

  Rachel had been right when she’d warned that riding would bother his wound. But forcing himself to relax eased the pain.

  Sunshine brought a new look to White Horse Bluff. As he approached it, Zane studied the distinct outline—that of a horse’s head. He recalled how, against his explicit instructions, Rachel had had the gall to come up in the deep of night to pay the ransom.

  In a way, he couldn’t blame her. He was anxious for this nightmare to end, too. Even now, the temptation to pay the ransom and hopefully see the return of his brother hovered just under the surface, always there reminding him of that option.

  But give in to Rosa and her accomplice? Wouldn’t that be like giving in to those who’d framed him?

  You already have. You left with your tail between your legs.

  Swallowing back bitter bile, Zane urged his horse faster as he put the bluff over his left shoulder. The trail up to the top was ahead, and he soon spied the side shoot of the other trail that the printer had described. He carefully tucked his jacket behind his revolver.

  Time to end this nightmare.

  But he wasn’t about to ride in with gun a blazing. He was one man, with no clear picture of what he was about to face. He needed to scout out the area first. At a spot close to the trailhead, Zane quickly dismounted and hid the borrowed mount behind some larger sagebrush. With an encouraging pat, Zane left the gelding and began a quiet advance on the mine.

  A short, soft nicker ahead stopped Zane. With the wind blowing from his back, he knew another horse ahead had already smelled him.

  And had recognized him.

  He moved cautiously around several low bushes that, while bare of their leaves, were tangled enough to obscure him from whoever was ahead.

  Then he saw her, frozen in her steps, having already interpreted her piebald’s quiet hello.

  Rachel stood at its flank, a small ladies’ pistol pointed right at Zane’s heart.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Rachel sagged as soon as he stepped forward. Immediately, Zane snatched her mother’s pearl-handled pistol out of her grip, completely disarming her before she even had a chance to finish her sigh.

  In the next instant, Zane had her pinned to his chest. Her horse sidestepped the whole event, skittish at Zane’s unexpected move. Rachel cried out.

  “Hush, woman,” he hissed, “or I’ll gag you! I don’t want to be shot twice in one week.”

  “I wouldn’t have! Zane, you scared me, that’s all.”

  “Oh, yes, no one has ever fired off a pistol after being scared.”

  His sarcasm was the least of her worries. She tilted up her head. “Let me go. You’re hurting me.”

  He released her. “What are you doing here?”

  She turned and began to unfasten a bag from her saddle. “I’m going to confront Rosa.”

  He shoved his hands onto his hips, pushing aside the twinge of pain at his ribs. “How do you know she’s here?”

  “I put the leads together and this is the only logical place she could be.”

  “How did you figure that out?”

  “Yesterday, after we saw the puppies, it occurred to me that Daniel hasn’t been talking about dogs, but telling me where his mother was. That’s why he kept saying the singular ‘puppy.’”

  Zane frowned. “I don’t understand.”

  “He wasn’t saying ‘puppy.’ He was saying ‘Poppy.’”

  Not making any connection to the mine, Zane gaped at Rachel. As she continued her task of removing the bag she’d brought with her, she explained, “Poppy is a nickname for grandfather. I couldn’t figure it out until after I put Daniel down for a nap. A man had walked by the sheriff’s office, heading to the blacksmith’s shop. I remember having the feeling that I was missing something.”

  “You recognized him?”

  “Not at first, but I think it was Rosa’s father. I haven’t seen him in years, though. I think he’s Rosa’s accomplice. It’s the only thing that makes sense. I believe Daniel saw him and that was why he called out ‘Poppy.’ I think his grandfather was our squatter, and yesterday he strolled by because he was following Daniel.”

  “So why look for him here?”

  “Rosa’s father is a miner, hence the rhyolite on Daniel’s clothes and on the squatter’s boots. My father’s map noted the major mines in the area. Father had always wanted to acquire mineral rights, so his map would show places known to contain large deposits. But it’s an old map, so I expected this mine to be exhausted, which would make it perfect as a hideout.”

  She watched as Zane slowly nodded. Then he pointed to the horse. “You’re just going to leave your horse here for all to see?”

  “I had planned to hide her. I’ve ordered a carriage to meet us where White Horse Bluff’s trail meets the road, so that if I do get Alex, I can get him home.” She studied Zane. “How did you know where to come?”

  “I found the postcard’s printer. It was the bartender acting suspiciously that made me wonder if I should be following up on that lead. Daniel had a printer’s block, and the printer confirmed that his shop had been broken into a while back and a stack of postcards, plus a set of printer’s blocks, were stolen. He mentioned that he’s occasionally hired a few miners to help him. All separately, those leads mean nothing, but put them together and I could see a whole picture forming. The building used to be a rhyolite mill. It no longer had enough rhyolite dust to have transferred to Daniel’s clothes, but a mine might, even one that has been abandoned. When the printer told me the nearest mine was behind White Horse Bluff, I knew that they’d chosen a drop-off for the money close to their hideout. It was starting to make sense, then.”

  Zane pulled out the photograph the printer had given him. He showed it to Rachel. “Can you find Rosa’s father in this?”

  After scanning it, Rachel pointed to the older man at the end of the back row. “That’s him. I’m sure of it.” She continued to unhook the bag.

  “That better not be the ransom money.”

  “It’s not. It’s medical supplies and food.”

  At his quizzical look, she explained. “Alex could be injured and most likely hungry and thirsty. You’ll need me to help you with him.”

  “But you were planning to do this on your own.”

  “Not quite. They want money, I want Alex. I’ve withdrawn the money again from the bank and left it with someone I trust in Proud Bend. If I don’t come back alive and well, they return the money to the bank. I’ll remind Rosa and her father that I have custody of Daniel. If I’m injured in any way, or killed, what will happen to him? I’ve contacted my solicitor and he’s begun to draft up papers that will state my mother gets custody of Daniel if I die. I’m counting on Rosa wanting her son back.”

  “What if she doesn’t?”

  “She will. I know how she is around Daniel. She’ll want him back, which means she’ll have to let Alex go.”

  “And the money?”

  “Her father may not see it quite the same way. The money is for him. But only if I get Alex back to Proud Bend first.”

  “That’s blackmail.”

  “No, it’s simply a switch with insurance. Rosa knows I will care for Daniel. That’s why the ransom note was addressed to me and why Daniel was delivered to the cribs when I would be there. She won’t risk him.”

  “Who is to say she won’t decide to hold you for ransom? Your mother would pay handsomely for you.”

  “Yes, she would, but Rosa believes my mother will rid herself of Daniel if I’m not there to defend him. Remember that Rosa doesn’t think my mother approves of my ministry.”

  “She doesn’t.”

  “Not openly, no. But I know my mother will take care of Daniel. Rosa doesn’t know that, though. In fact, very few people know how much Mother has helped
me out in this ministry and no one knows how my mother has decided to care for Daniel even now.” She touched Zane, her stare strong and determined. “I can save Alex. Trust me.”

  * * *

  Could he? Zane’s heart leaped into his throat at her last two words. There was no perfect plan here. Each suggestion that ran through his head had some element of risk. But Rachel was here, ready to help, ready to use all her experience with Rosa to save Alex. She was ready to fight. She was learning to push past the doubt and fears.

  It was time for him to fight, too.

  He nodded and held up her small pistol as she hefted her bag. “You said you’d never even held a gun before.”

  “This morning, Mother showed me what she’d been taught. I actually fired it and hit a tree down by the river.”

  “I hope you were aiming for it.” He handed the pistol back to her. She quickly hid it in a small concealed pocket where her jacket flared out. It made for easy access, he noted.

  “I can’t believe your mother allowed you to come here.”

  “She knew she had no choice. Once she knew she couldn’t convince me to stay, she decided that I needed to be armed.” Rachel blinked at him, and Zane suddenly recalled the expression butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. Yes, Rachel was that cool and calm.

  “Ready?” she asked primly.

  He nodded. “Just a couple of things.”

  “Such as?”

  “Don’t you think you should have that pistol more accessible?”

  “No.” She adjusted her bag. “Rosa should see me as she always does. Unarmed.”

  Zane coughed out a laugh of disbelief. “If you think I’m going to let you just stroll down there by yourself, you don’t know me as well as you think you do.”

  “That was my plan before you caught me. I now expect you to be very close, but hidden.” She set down the bag. After she opened it, she pulled out a small whale-oil lantern with a rounded globe. Lighting it took a moment. She then fastened the bag again and lifted both the bag and the lantern. “The oil doesn’t make for good light, but it was all I could find at a moment’s notice. It’s probably a good idea to have less light, anyway, if you are to stay hidden. You’ll be just out of the lamp’s reach, but right behind me. Now, what was the other thing?”

  “Are you going to tell Rosa you forgive her?”

  Rachel stilled. “I want to forgive her for this.” She sighed. “But it’s hard.”

  “Did Rosa ever forgive you for your part in her mother’s death?”

  Rachel paled. “She always said that I wasn’t responsible, even though I always thought that I was.”

  “So you’re saying that what you did was unforgivable? That you are unforgivable? That’s rather arrogant, deciding that for everyone.”

  “No!” Her eyes flared. “How can you say that? I’m not arrogant at all!”

  “Then what makes you think you can devalue God’s grace? And the forgiveness of others? What makes your sin unforgivable but not the sins of others?”

  Her eyes watered and she blinked. The bright but waning sun glinted off the thin layer of snow the scrubland around them had received, adding to the pallor of her expression.

  Zane knew then that they both needed to hear his words. He’d learned last week about sin and forgiveness and trust in God. “You say your sin is the worst, but I say that it’s no worse than anyone else’s. Rachel, what makes it disgraceful is that you can’t forgive yourself. There’s a difference between knowing you’ve sinned and feeling so awful about yourself that you can’t forgive yourself. You need to acknowledge your sin while also accepting God’s grace so you can try to be a better person. You need to forgive yourself and move forward. Forgiving someone frees you more than the person you’re forgiving. Forgiving yourself even more so.”

  Rachel lifted her chin.

  “You need to trust that God can and will forgive the one who is truly repentant,” he added softly. “Can you trust Him?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “You’re right. If God can forgive me, I shouldn’t try to tell Him I’m not worth it. Yes, I need to forgive myself.”

  Zane cradled her face in his hands and kissed her soundly. He lifted his head far too soon. He wanted to hold her, keep her safe while she fully sorted out all he’d told her. He wanted her to know she was forgivable. Lovable.

  He swallowed. His own advice hit him hard in a powerful, piercing way.

  * * *

  Searching his face, Rachel knew she had to say this. “And you, Zane? Can you forgive yourself for what has happened to Alex? Regardless of what we might find in that mine? I think you feel badly that he’s been kidnapped while you, the defiant one, have escaped danger. You think it should be you in that mine because of the sins of your youth. It’s stolen your fight.”

  “But you built it back up.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He paused, then stood stiffly. “I’m going back to Canaan when this is all done. I’m going to clear my name.” He looked grim. “We’ll talk about this later.”

  Later? She didn’t want to hear any more of it. His words sank like a cold stone inside of her. He was leaving, and if all went well and Alex was safe, he would be leaving sooner than later.

  How selfish of her to be upset about that. They’d have Alex safe. They’d have answers to who was helping Rosa and why she was doing this, and all would return to normal in Proud Bend.

  Not quite normal. Rachel’s breath caught in her throat. Though the town would have its sheriff back and Rachel would return to her ministry, it wouldn’t feel normal at all. It would feel lonely.

  She straightened. She needed to be strong for when that day would come.

  It hurt.

  Zane moved her horse behind a large sagebrush and rock, hiding the beast. Then, returning, he led the way. They found the mine opening. As they stepped in the maw, the wind, which had begun to gust, died away, offering a pocket of warmth that Rachel needed.

  She peered in, holding her lantern high. Since rhyolite was often mined from open pits, this short opening had probably been carved out to search for other minerals.

  Stooping, Zane stepped gingerly in ahead of her, and against the mine wall. Rachel held her breath, knowing he was trying to find a way to both protect her and stay hidden.

  Tears formed, blurring her vision. She wanted this day to end, but she also wanted Zane to promise her that he wouldn’t leave right away. It was a selfish thought, but the more she tried to push it away, the stronger it seemed to latch on to her.

  Finally, she couldn’t stand it any longer. She grabbed his arm and whispered, “Zane, before we go any farther, can I ask you something?”

  He stopped and faced her. But the answer didn’t come from him. A noise cut the still, cold air. They both spun to face deeper down the shaft from where the sound originated.

  Zane looked from the depths back to her face, his expression perplexed. She knew he wanted to hear her question and yet wanted to find his brother as fast as they could.

  But her heart’s desire meant nothing against Alex’s safety. “Never mind. Time to go,” she whispered with false briskness. Keeping the lantern in front to guide her steps on the uneven rock floor, Rachel moved downward, deeper into the mine. The air warmed as she descended, and grew stale. Her route was careful, and she wished she had a free hand to lift her skirt. Still, this way, her progress was slow and quiet. She could feel Zane’s silent presence close to her.

  She tried not to breathe deeply, afraid the air was contaminated. The floor turned slick despite the dry air. Rachel tossed an anxious look behind her.

  Still stooping, Zane stepped into her circle of light. “I’ll lead the way, but stay as far back as possible,” he whispered. “Remember, if there is anyone down here, their eyes will have already adjusted to t
he lack of light, giving them an advantage over us.”

  Rachel nodded. As they moved painfully slowly, she noticed a warm, yellowy glow ahead, exaggerating each cut and crag of the damp walls. No sounds, just the gentle wobble of light that told Rachel a basic lantern was lit somewhere beyond the next bend. Zane stayed out of sight.

  She could smell moisture and now could hear the faint trickle of water coming from some small spring ahead. Even though this whole area was dry, the mine was not. It explained Daniel’s damp clothes the night he’d returned with the ransom note.

  Stepping around a small bend, Rachel peered into the small cavern ahead. Two battered wooden chairs stood back-to-back, and tied in the one facing Rachel was Alex, gagged, his head down, his shoulders slumped. She gasped.

  At the noise, the occupant of the other chair came fully alert. Rachel tossed an incredulous look to Zane to make sure he also saw the whole shocking scene.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Rosa? Zane stepped out of the darkness, his jaw dropping as he spied her gagged and tied in the chair back-to-back with Alex’s. How could this be?

  Her eyes were wild and fearful in the dim light of the small miner’s lantern set some feet away. Rachel hurried over to her to yank free the filthy cotton strip that bound her mouth. After holstering his gun, Zane moved straight to Alex, gently lifting his brother’s head to peer anxiously into the face identical to his own. He quickly removed the gag.

  Alex coughed softly, though his eyes remained closed. He obviously wasn’t well, but he was alive. Zane sagged and sent a short prayer of thanks upward.

  Rachel hurried over to examine Alex.

  “He’s drugged,” Rosa cried out over her shoulder. “I’m sorry! I couldn’t stop it. I couldn’t fight back when he took Daniel, either. I was so scared he was going to hurt him!”