Harriet declared nervously, “I hope he leaves soon, or Landis hurries back.” The older woman frowned at her innocent slip.
“Me, too,” Kathy responded instantly, then grimaced.
“Do you, Kathy?” she asked in concern.
“Honestly?” she inquired, sounding weary and sad.
At Harriet’s nod, Kathy said, “Yes and no. Is that honest enough?”
“You love him, don’t you?”
“I suppose so,” Kathy admitted, then wished she hadn’t.
“Do you think you can work things out if he comes back?”
At wit’s end and desperately needing advice, Kathy confided the truth behind their false marriage to her friend, but did not disclose the nature of their fiery relationship and her personal feelings.
A man returned to speak with Kathy, but halted as she began her engrossing confession. Neither female noticed the dark shadow which hovered ominously outside the doorway…
“He could change his mind,” Harriet said.
“I doubt it. Besides, he’s as much a mystery as my father. I don’t have the energy or wits to solve two puzzles. All I need is the use of his name until I find Jake,” she falsely alleged.
Harriet and Kathy briefly analyzed her trip to Log Cabin once more. Then Harriet asked, “Have you given any thought to methods?”
“Yes, Jack’s going to help me.” Kathy went on to explain Jack’s suggestion and her reluctance to accept it.
“What about Landis?”
“I’m not certain he’s really helping me. I can’t trust him. Time will tell,” Kathy murmured, suddenly dejected and frightened. She recently began one new life; soon another one would be glaring her in the face. Well, she couldn’t dwell on that crisis yet. The women returned to their chores, the conversation halted.
A business meeting took place between Dray and Smith. When it was over, Dray sent for Kathy. When she entered his cabin, he looked at her strangely. Was it about Landis? “Is something wrong, Dray?”
“Smith told me he offered you a job in Dawson. Why?” he came right to the point.
She looked confused. “I have no intentions of working for Mr. Smith. Why would he mention it to you? It was probably a joke.”
“Smith doesn’t joke, Kathy. He’s up to something. I’m worried about you. Do you really think it’s wise to head inland with Jack?”
“How did you know about…Landis!” she concluded in annoyance. Dray was his close friend, but he had no right to reveal their secrets!
“I don’t like Smith having his eye on you,” he blurted out.
“I’m perfectly safe. Besides, I haven’t made a decision to go inland. I’m waiting to see what Landis learns. Has there been any word about him from the trappers?”
“Not yet, but I keep questioning everyone who arrives. Don’t fret; he’ll be home soon. The Yukon’s a big territory.”
Kathy thought she would scream if one more person made that same comment. She smiled indulgently and left.
Dray wanted to question and advise her, but held his tongue. Maybe he should try to get word to Landis about Smith. He dropped that precaution; Smith was leaving, and Landis should return soon. Dray leaned back in his chair and mused on these incredulous occurrences. Kathy was a charming girl. It was obvious she was in love with Landis and wanted to be at his side. What Dray couldn’t understand was Landis.
Why was Landis asking so many questions about his own wife? The first thing he did every time he returned was interrogate certain people about her and her actions. Oh, he did it furtively and skillfully, but Dray wasn’t fooled. Jealousy? Worry? Insecurity?
Landis was furious about Kathy’s plans with London. Dray didn’t blame him, but neither did he understand his mysterious and moody friend. Landis kept on the move, mostly alone, which seemed to suit him. He showed up every so often to sell furs, furs Dray had accidentally discovered had been purchased from Eskimos! Other times he traded gold for supplies, gold he had supposedly panned from a claim he never worked. Tough and cautious, there wasn’t a man or danger he feared. Maybe he was intrigued or fascinated by Kathy, enough so to tie her to him. But Landis seemed unwilling to change, to permit her company.
Dray fretted over his wild speculations and budding suspicions. Dray had gotten the impression Landis didn’t trust Kathy. It must have something to do with his business, whatever that was; for certain, it wasn’t trapping and panning! Or with her father, for Landis had an uncommon interest in Jake Hammond. Landis was trouble where foes were concerned. It was rash for anyone to pit himself against Jurrell.
After supper, Kathy was clearing the tables. The tent was deserted by everyone except Smith, Kathy, Harriet, and two of Smith’s men. Burning with intrigue, Kathy determined to use her wits to discover any clue Smith held. Under the guise of idle curiosity, Kathy allowed Smith to begin a conversation with her. They talked about countless subjects, Kathy doing the questioning and Smith the answering. Having related her plan to a worried Harriet, her friend stayed in the tent. Smith knew she wanted information from him, and he patiently waited to ensnare her.
“I’m afraid your quest might be in vain. You’ve got to keep in mind, Mrs. Jurrell,” Smith leaned forward and spoke amiably, “the lumberjacks see few people except other lumberjacks or friends. The Mounties are concerned only with lawbreakers. The men who come to Skagway are usually picking up supplies or gear, or they come to sell furs and gold. If you stay here, I doubt you’ll glean any information. As to your husband’s search, I’m doubtful anyone will confide in him. He has a way of making people nervous. Most people in these parts mind their own affairs; they don’t like investigations.”
“You sound as if you don’t like my husband,” she boldly said.
She was shocked by his next words. “I don’t. We’ve had several run-ins. Jurrell’s like a law unto himself; men don’t tangle with him. He leads a dangerous life. A man like that earns lots of enemies. He isn’t a threat to have at your back, day or night.”
Kathy knew how she should react to his insulting words, and she did. “I don’t care to hear such remarks about my husband, Mr. Smith. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll say goodnight.”
Smith chuckled. “At least allow me to thank you, Mrs. Jurrell.”
Puzzled, Kathy asked, “For what?”
“For taking Jurrell out of circulation. All my women are crazy about him. When he comes to my saloon, they fight over who’s going to entertain him. Maybe there’ll be some peace and quiet now.” He eyed her intently to test her reactions to those statements.
Kathy knew he was playing some game with her, so she curtly declared, “I don’t blame them. But I do hope you’ll tell them he’s married now. I wouldn’t want your girls embarrassed.” Kathy realized Smith had said “comes,” not came. “Goodnight, sir.”
He grinned and stated, “Pleasant dreams, Mrs. Jurrell.”
Once inside the cabin, Kathy threw her cape on the bed and paced the floor. Harriet looked at her. “Something troubling you?”
“I’m just tired. Goodnight.” She was quickly changed and in bed. Harriet accurately felt it was to avoid a discussion about Landis.
Smith went to the tent his men had put up for him. Considering recent events, perhaps Kathy was the perfect diversion. He sighed dramatically, but such a beautiful and innocent scapegoat…When his plan was finished, he called Zack inside to relate it. “You know what to do after breakfast. Timing is everything, Zack. Don’t fail me,” he cautioned, handing Zack his newest scheme…
Eight
As Kathy began to clean the cabin the next morning, a knock sounded loudly on the door. She went to answer it, finding a stranger standing there holding a letter. “Landis Jurrell hired me to bring this letter to Mrs. Jurrell. I was told she lives here,” he said.
“I’m Mrs. Jurrell.” Kathy reached out to accept it, thanking him. She closed the door and hurriedly opened it. Anticipation raced through her. She quickly scanned the contents, greatly surprised by th
e words there. Slowly and carefully she read it again:
Kathy,
If Mike hasn’t left for Log Cabin, come with him. I’ll meet you with Jack. News about your father. Bill’s going to help us. Problems up here. I’ll beat Log Cabin till morning. Can’t come to Skagway. Unless you’ve changed your mind, it appears you won’t need to borrow my name much longer…
Landis
Kathy jumped up to pace around. Should she go meet him? How could she refuse? If Mike hadn’t left already, time for action was short. The last sentence ripped at her heart. How could she lose him? Changed her mind? Could that mean…
Kathy rushed over to Moore’s tent, catching him just as he was leaving. She anxiously revealed her news. Moore informed her Mike had been gone for two hours. Her expression mirrored her tension and dejection. At the height of her dilemma, Smith joined them.
“I was leaving, so I stopped to say goodbye. It was a real pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Jurrell. I couldn’t help but overhear your troubles. I’d be honored to deliver you to Log Cabin; it’s on my way.”
“No thank you, Mr. Smith,” she politely refused.
“Come now, you’ll miss your news and your husband. Ask Moore if it’s safe to travel with me,” he challenged, knowing Moore wouldn’t speak against him to his face. When Kathy didn’t respond, Smith insisted, “Tell her, Moore. What possible reason prevents her trip?”
Backed into a corner, Moore replied, “Don’t see why you can’t tag along to meet Landis. Traveling by horse, you could overtake Mike.” Moore didn’t want Smith’s vengeance turned loose on him and his men. Besides, Landis was waiting for her. Smith had cunningly figured out this plot.
Should she tag along? There was no indication in Landis’s message as to when to expect him if she didn’t go. She had no choice.
“You don’t have to go,” Moore hinted.
“I thought you wanted to join Landis and find your father,” Smith refreshed her two desires. “Whatever. Goodbye,” he said.
Kathy panicked. There was no time for lengthy deliberation. “I suppose you’re right. I’ll be ready in ten minutes.”
Smith smiled politely and said he would be waiting. Kathy hurriedly changed into pants, boots, and a parka. She wrote Harriet a note explaining her hasty departure, leaving Landis’s note with it. She stuffed some clothes into a pack and quickly joined Smith outside. As he took the burden from her, she called Griff over.
“Griff, will you watch the cabin until Harriet returns? I’m going to Log Cabin to meet Landis,” she rapidly announced her plans.
Griff glanced at Smith, then nodded. “Ye be careful, Missy. I’ll hold ye responsible for her safety, Soapy.”
“She’ll have my protection. You needn’t worry. She’ll join up with her husband at Log Cabin,” he genially attempted to ease Griff’s disquiet, and to further disarm Kathy.
With that, Kathy was helped to mount one of Smith’s horses. They rode off toward the trail to the White Pass. The moment Harriet returned from the supply ship, Griff rushed forward to relate the news. -
“She wouldn’t!” Harriet squealed, paling.
“She was going to join Landis,” he added.
“Maybe she left a note,” Harriet stated wishfully. She went to the cabin and discovered, not one, but two.
Moore knew Harriet would be distressed, so he stopped by to explain, “She was anxious to find her father and see Landis. She’ll be fine. They should arrive by dusk.”
Harriet shook the note in his face. “Read it,” she almost shouted. Moore did, but failed to grasp her point. “He always calls her Kat. And he knows Mike leaves at dawn,” she expressed her fears.
Moore debated, “Look what it says. Who else knows such things?”
“Someone does. That note isn’t from Landis Jurrell.”
Moore scowled, then said, “Even if it’s a trick, Smith will guard her. Once she gets to Log Cabin, shell find help there.”
“What about that insidious Smith?” Harriet speculated in dread.
“We all know she’s with him. He won’t harm her. Once she’s with Sergeant Thomas, she’ll discover the truth. She’s smart.”
After Moore left Harriet to fret over Kathy’s departure, he decided to send a man over to make certain she reached Log Cabin all right. If Landis got waylaid, she’d be stranded.
This trip by horse was much swifter and easier than walking. Smith’s group arrived at the lake and rowed across while two men swam the horses over. They made their destination by mid-afternoon. The trail to this point had been narrow, causing them to ride single file, denying any conversation. It widened before the clearing for Log Cabin.
Smith slowed his mount to permit Kathy to catch up with him. Just as they entered the clearing, Kathy’s gaze caught sight of a towering physique she would recognize anywhere. Her heart leaped with joy and suspense. Leaning negligently against a porch post and deep in conversation with a Mounty, Kathy saw Landis before he saw her.
Smith hadn’t expected Jurrell to really be there and quickly altered his devious plan. He glanced at Kathy, aware Landis’s ego would suffer at seeing this exquisite creature travelling with him. What man wouldn’t find her compelling? Too bad he needed her for other reasons, critical ones. He couldn’t afford a slip-up now; if the Mounties wanted a “golden dream,” he would supply one. Who better than a stranger who made them wary? Kathy had stepped into Smith’s trap when she unknowingly revealed the Mounties’ suspicions…
Smith laughed and quipped, “See, safe and sound as promised.”
Ecstatic, she cheerfully said, “Thank you, Mr. Smith.”
Smith chuckled, not at Kathy’s words, but at the expression on Jurrell’s face: total shock, then fury, branded Landis’s face at the sight before him. So, Jurrell was really interested in his little wife. So much the better for Smith’s plans…and Jurrell had it coming! If it could be proven the Mounties couldn’t handle this territory filled with Americans, perhaps Canada would sell it, as Russia had Alaska. All it required was courage, money, time, and daring to destroy the telegraph’s plans, to devastate the impending railroad’s progress, to harass the men who worked for Hudson Bay Company, to secretly rile up the locals, and to prove the famous Mounties were powerless. That is, stop all progress until America could take over and make him territorial governor. It wouldn’t take much plotting from Smith; America and Britain had been disputing over Canada for years.
Besides, Smith already had several American corporate interests on his side, just waiting until he gave the word to move in and take over the resources here. If his partners in America could settle the unrest over the Federal control over the railroads and he could hinder the Close Brothers of London’s plans, the new railroad could belong to them! He had been shrewd to stir up the Eskimos and Yukon Indians against the invading trappers and goldminers, not to mention the fishing industries’ intrusion. It would be impossible for a handful of Mounties to handle so much unrest over such a vast area. And if Jurrell could be distracted by the blond beauty, he would have that much less time to devote to observing Smith.
They rode forward and dismounted, Smith helping Kathy down. He grinned at Kathy before stating, “My pleasant duty’s over. You men, rest and water the horses. Until our next meeting, farewell, my lovely lady,” he said to vex his foe, tipping his hat to Kathy.
Kathy smiled timidly at the glaring Landis, then wondered at his glacial reception. Smith walked past the seething man without speaking and entered the station. When Landis didn’t approach her or speak, Kathy walked away from the hitching post, heading toward the treeline. Not having been on horseback for a long time, she flexed her back muscles and gently massaged those taut ones near her waist. She halted some distance from the Mounty Headquarters and leaned against a tall pine, inhaling the fresh air, closing her eyes, waiting.
Kathy could sense Landis’s approach. She had put some distance and privacy between her and the others with the hopes he would follow her and explain his outrageous
conduct. So much for playing his role.
“What the hell are you doing here with Smith?” he exploded in a tight voice. Surely she wasn’t working with him? he thought.
Kathy’s eyes flew open. “I beg your pardon?”
“I asked what you’re doing out here alone with Smith and his men!” he gritted out between tightly clenched teeth.
How dare he speak to her this way! “I heard you the first time, Mr. Jurrell. Mike was already gone. I had no choice but to travel with him,” she told him angrily, her eyes flashing blue fire at him.
“Do you know who he is, Kathy?” he demanded.
“Of course,” she murmured in a rankled tone.
“Then, do you know what he is?” he snarled, his body taut with fury and frustration. “I should strangle you.”
Nettled by his stormy attack, she sarcastically said, “I suppose he’s a man. But alas, science wasn’t my best subject.”
“You’re asking for it, woman! He’s the biggest criminal in these parts. What are you doing here with him?” he asked warily, piqued by her nonchalance and daring.
“Asking for what, Mr. Jurrell?” she stormed back at him.
“You’re asking for trouble. I can’t believe Moore and Harriet would let you leave camp with that…snake! You should be spanked.”
“Well, they did,” she said to taunt him.
“Are you out of your mind? You’re my wife. You can’t go traipsing around with other men!” he berated her.
“Stop being so hateful. I told you, he was the only one coming this way. Where’s Jack? What news do you have for me? Spit it out and we can, complete our business. I didn’t come here to battle with you.”
“You’re doing this to hunt for your father?” he asked incredulously. “Why the hell did you come here?”
Kathy stared at him. “Because of the note, you devil! If I had known you would act like this, I wouldn’t have come!”
Landis assumed she was referring to a message from Jack, but why head to meet him in Smith’s company? “How did you get mixed up with Smith?”
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