“Are you expecting trouble, Landis?” she anxiously probed.
“Just a precaution, Kat. Ask Ben; this area is dangerous in winter. Men kill for food and shelter. Don’t worry, I’ll see you soon,” he added again, sending his point home.
“I’ll be packed and ready,” she acquiesced, pride preventing her from demanding his motives or pleading to stay.
“See you later,” Landis stated, then left without even kissing her goodbye.
He left quickly. Kathy watched his steady retreat until he vanished from sight. Still, she remained in the open door, staring at the spot where he had disappeared. Ben came over and pulled her away from the icy draft. “You’ll freeze, Kathryn. Come over by the fire,” he encouraged tenderly.
He led her over to it, but she remained stiff and silent. “I’m sorry, Kathy,” he offered from behind her to ease her anguish.
She looked up into his contrite expression and asked, “Why?”
“Why am I sorry?” he asked, stalling.
“Why must I leave?” she sadly replied, tears welling in her eyes.
“Landis isn’t used to having a woman around, especially a new wife. With you here, he’s having trouble concentrating and working. I’m fond of you, Kathryn. You’re a lady, and this wild land isn’t the place for you. You belong in a safe, warm, busy home.”
“But Skagway is awful, Ben. I like it better here with you and Landis. Why must I leave now? Landis and I are just getting to know each other, and things were going so well for all of us,” she protested.
“I meant America. That’s where a woman like you belongs. Maybe Jake will hear about you and come home,” he encouraged.
“But what about Landis, Ben? I love him, and we’re married.”
Ben wavered indecisively; he also needed his child gone and safe so he could move around at will. He had earned Landis’s trust, but the stormy affair between the lovers could sever it. He couldn’t tell her they weren’t wed without blowing his and Landis’s covers. With Landis’s cover marriage rapidly changing, his friend was running scared. Could Kathy forgive Landis for his traitorous ploy? From the way Landis acted and talked, he had no future plans to wed her. Again, Ben feared this set-up was to compel him out of hiding. Ben was vexed with Landis; he had to get his child away.
“You can’t change him, Kathy, no matter how much you want to. You’ve shown Landis what you have to offer him. He can break your heart, Kathy. You best go back to America; you’ve no idea what your life can be like once you leave this cabin and Landis’s protection. You’re a good girl, Kathy; don’t do this to yourself.”
“You mean just give up on him? Just walk out and never look back?” she protested, gaping at him.
“Sometimes that’s the only way to save yourself, Kathy. Nothing is worse than to be trapped in a demanding love affair. You aren’t his first love, Kathy; he loves something more. He’s selfish where you’re concerned. Start running and never look back until he’s ready to settle down,” he advised, his expression a mixture of anguish and bitterness. Even for his beloved career, it wasn’t right for Landis to abuse this girl who was clearly in love with him! Ben had to prevent it.
“What if I’m sorry or mistaken?” she reasoned in agony.
“There are prices to pay when we make decisions that affect other lives. Sometimes we can’t help hurting those we love. But when we’re hurting too, we want to salve our own pains. Do you understand what it will be to have your vitality sapped, your reason for existing snuffed out like a candle? The longer you hang around dreaming, Kathy, the harder it will be to leave, the deeper the pains and scars. You’re young and beautiful. You have your life before you. If Landis loves and needs you, he’ll come after you. Maybe if you leave, it will open his eyes. If your loss doesn’t affect him, you’ll have your answer. Try it,” he coaxed.
“You make it sound like some calculating game, Ben. It isn’t! This is my happiness and love we’re discussing. If I leave, how can I prove to him he needs me, that he can trust me?”
“Absence will teach him a lesson. He can deny his feelings with you here. Give him solitude to miss you, Kathy, time to sort out his feelings. His foolish mistrust should tell you something. Without trust and loyalty, there can be no love and happiness. He wants you to leave. Are you going to refuse?”
“I can’t make any demands on him. Hell resent me if I do. Perhaps I should leave now; can you take me to Skagway, Ben?”
Her sudden decision surprised him. “Me take you?” Ben asked.
“It would be easier that way. Do you mind?” she entreated.
Perhaps that was best for all of them, Ben concluded to himself. He nodded his head and smiled comfortingly. “I’ll go fetch those extra traps we were repairing out back while you dress and pack. I’ll need to set them and walk the traplines. Lock the door; I’ll be gone several hours. Don’t fret, Kathy, things will work out soon.”
Ben left the exceptionally quiet cabin. Kathy knew what had to be done. Sighting steam rising from boiling water on the stove, she desired a bath before departing. She prepared things before packing. When all was ready, she discovered something which enticed bittersweet memories: a pot too heavy to lift. Evidently Ben had planned some washing today. She went to get Ben to help her, if he hadn’t left yet. She unlocked the cabin door and started around the corner, her feet silent in the new-fallen snow. Torturous words froze her steps…
Beside a tree near the other corner, Jack London and Ben were arguing softly. Kathy flattened herself against the wall to listen. Fear and doubts danced through her head. Everyone she met acted weird; she needed some answers, answers no one seemed willing to supply. Perhaps it was past time for her to work on and solve her problems.
“Don’t interfere, Jack,” Kathy heard Ben say. “If Landis wants something badly, he’ll go to any lengths to have it. We’ve all been friends a long time. Let them work out their problems when he returns from Dawson.”
“Do you know why he went to Dawson?” Jack asked abruptly.
“On business, I suppose,” Ben replied.
“Business, my ass, Ben. We both know where and how he’s conducting his ‘business’ in Dawson. He married Kathy; he owes her.” For Ben’s help and understanding, Jack explained his past friendship with Kathy and her mother.
Ben turned away, needing to digest these clues. His shoulders were slumped, as if a heavy burden was resting there. “What is it, Ben? There’s something you don’t want to tell me?” Jack probed.
Ben sighed heavily. “Landis and I have been close friends for years, Jack. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt him if I could prevent it. I know him well, his strengths and his flaws. You and I are friends, but he would never forgive me for helping you take Kathy from him. I’ve come to love that spunky girl; I wish I could help,” he worried aloud.
“I swear I won’t repeat anything you tell me, not even to Kathy. If you truly care about her, please tell me what you’re hiding.”
Ben made his decision. No matter the consequences, he must free his daughter from Landis’s dangerous hold…or, force the truth on Landis.
“She’s packing now; I’m returning her to Skagway while he’s gone,” he tried another approach, hoping to avoid the torturous truth.
“You mean, leave before he comes back? He’ll be furious.”
“You asked for the truth. If I tell it, you won’t wish her to wait for his return. Are you ready?” he challenged in a strained tone.
Kathy flinched inwardly. What could be so terrible that she would spurn Landis? Horror filled her, but she prayed for Jack to say yes.
Ben added, “I’ve wondered why Landis doesn’t want anyone to know she’s here with him. They are wed, and he is searching for her father. Why not send out messages where she can be reached?”
“I don’t follow, Ben,” Jack declared.
Ben shook his head sadly. “He doesn’t want a certain person to know he has a woman in his cabin, much less a wife. He probably figures he’s
pressed his luck long enough, and it’s time to send her away.”
“Trace knows she’s here. Maybe others,” Jack argued.
“Trace wouldn’t tell a soul, and Kathy hasn’t seen anyone else.”
She closed her eyes tightly. Was she prepared for Ben’s words?
“Tell me, Ben. Whatever it is, I must know to help her.”
“The Dawson business has blond hair and blue eyes. Soapy’s faro dealer. He’s been there many times in the last few months, even since his marriage. From what I’ve heard, he stays in her room. He’s heading there now. She’s no match for Kathryn, but she and Landis have been seeing each other for over a year. Now I see why Landis kept his marriage a secret; it’s a fake, Jack,” he stated, sensing there was more to know from Jack.
Jack grimaced and revealed his own knowledge, “Her name’s Michelle Darney, and he wants Kathy gone before Michelle gets wise?”
The color gradually faded from Kathy’s face. Her ravaged heart screamed, you’re lying! Landis wouldn’t use me like that!
“Everybody knows about them. It’s hardly a secret she’s his private stock when he’s in town. I prayed he had dropped Michelle.”
Kathy’s distraught mind questioned, how could they speak such malicious lies? Was she merely a pawn in everyone’s personal schemes? Was no one to be trusted, even friends and a mysterious husband? Was she so blind she couldn’t read the signs before her?
“Are you sure he went to see Michelle?” Jack persisted.
“Why would I lie? Go to Dawson; see where Landis is this very minute. For whatever reason, he’s betraying her in the arms of another woman, just like…If I didn’t care deeply for Kathy, I would keep silent. Right or wrong, I love him as a brother. But Kathy’s living in a dream world, and needs to wake up before it’s too late. Maybe Landis is, too,” he softened his accusations. “He seems to really care about Kathy.”
“My God, Ben, everyone will be laughing at her. Just as I suspected, he’s using her. Damnit, I think he’s trying to get to Jake Hammond through the daughter!” Jack sneered in exasperation. “No doubt as a favor to his friend Bill Thomas. He really fooled me and Kathy. It makes perfect sense, his questions about her and her father. Why marry a woman you don’t know, unless you want to watch her?”
Kathy’s mouth fell open in shock.
“What do you know about her father?” Ben quizzed. Jack related everything he knew.
Ben knew he had said too much and might look suspicious. He backed off as Jack said, “The Mounties have a keen interest in Jake.”
“That’s only natural. She did ask for their help.”
“My sweet and innocent Kathy,” Jack muttered sadly. “Landis doesn’t believe her claim; he isn’t even sure she is the real Kathy Hammond, not from the questions he’s asked me several times.”
Ben speculated on Jack’s words and his own clues. “Until this matter’s settled, I think Kathy’s safer in Skagway,” Ben concluded.
Jack pressed Ben for more information.
“I overheard a talk between Landis and Mounty McLorey in Dawson. I was standing behind a wood pile waiting for someone. They walked by, talking. I only caught a few words which didn’t make sense then. After coming home, I was shocked to learn of the secret marriage and to find Kathy living here. When Landis told McLorey he would do anything to pull the information from that blond tart with innocent blue eyes, I didn’t know who he was referring to. He told McLorey he would have the information within three weeks, maybe news about Jake. Since she can’t supply it, there’s no reason to keep her. In fact, I think Landis has come to the conclusion Kathy might be telling the truth. He might suspect someone is using her to get the information out.” Ben didn’t tell Jack how he came to possess such accurate facts, having known about Landis’s hiding place for two years…Living in close proximity to that secret place, he was as well informed about Canada’s secret matters as Marlowe and the Mounties. Plus, Ben had rationalized, a man in Clint’s perilous job might need help or protection from a friend.
“Maybe Kathy isn’t the only one who’s misjudged him. I’ve never seen this side of him before. It disappoints me, Ben. Landis Jurrell is a lot of things, but I never knew he could stoop so low.”
“Each man has his needs and principles, Jack. I’ve betrayed him by telling you these things. But I couldn’t stand by and watch this travesty any longer. I thought Landis and I were alike, but I was wrong. When Landis finds out what we’ve done today, he’ll probably want to kill us,” he stated lightly, but Kathy sensed a worried tension in him.
Kathy recalled how Landis had beaten Marc. There was another side to him which she obviously didn’t know. Soapy’s words came to mind, “He isn’t somebody to have at your back or to meet in the dark.” Had Soapy been laughing at her ignorance? Had he suspected there was nothing between them? Was that why he had presumed she could be enticed to work for him? If what Ben said was true, Soapy had to know all about Landis and this Michelle. And Bill Thomas, was he behind her stay here in Landis’s cabin? Who was Jake Hammond and why were they so intrigued by him? She had to know.
Evidently she hadn’t been mistaken about Bill’s first reaction to her and her father’s name. Did that explain why Landis had her investigated? But why show her the letter? Wed her? Keep her? To deceive her? Was he really with another woman? Was everyone making a fool of her? What if that wedding at sea wasn’t legal? It was clear; she must find Jake, and discover if Landis was betraying her.
She soundlessly went into the cabin, flinging herself into hasty preparations to leave with Jack, not Ben. There was no time for tears, regrets, or second thoughts. She had to find out where her father was—and who her husband was.
Ben knocked on the door later, calling out, “Kathy, I’m going to check the traps. I’ll be back in a few hours. Jack’s here.”
Kathy unlocked the door. She didn’t expose her plans to Ben; to prevent his protest, she would leave him a note. Ben smiled at her and left. Jack waited to speak privately with her.
Kathy was studying the cabin strangely. Here, she had loved wildly and freely; she had brazenly tasted the forbidden nectar of love’s tender and savage passion. The tempest in her soul was mounting as she accepted multiple treacheries as reality. A love wonderful and unique was not to be the end result of this traitorous interlude. She had kept her end of their bargain, as had he in a tormenting way: his protective name and more than two weeks here. Ben was right; she should walk away with her scanty pride intact. But such agony and bitterness filled her. Was Michelle the only barrier between them? No…
As Ben trudged along, his mind was troubled. He mentally vowed, one day, my lovely child, you will hear the truth from my lips and hopefully forgive me and your wicked mother. It took every ounce of willpower Ben possessed to keep from revealing it now. She had been told too many lies, now and in the past.
Kathy was dressed and packed, eager to end this nightmare. She focused impenetrable eyes on her friend Jack. “I want you to take me to search for my father, Jack,” she asked.
“Kathy, I’ve been out of my mind with worry,” Jack told her. “Landis told me you were back in Skagway, but Trace gave me your message from here. Kathy, what’s going on?” he asked, witnessing her distress. “If he’s harmed you, husband or not, I’ll beat him.”
“It isn’t like that, Jack,” she quickly attempted to calm his outrage. “He just isn’t helping me. It’s up to us to locate Jake.”
Jack glanced around. “You want to go with me?”
“Yes. I tried to catch up with you, but we ran into trouble.”
“I know. Moore told me about the two Eskimos being murdered. The killers won’t be preying on anymore people, not after the Mounties finish with them! I’m glad you’re safe and they’re in custody.”
“They’ve been captured?” she inquired, shocked.
“Didn’t Landis tell you? About five days after they attacked you. They were taken while trying to sell the goods upriver. It w
as two desperadoes from America. Landis was in Dawson when they were brought in. I don’t understand why he didn’t tell you.”
“Neither do I.”
“Who is Michelle Darney?” she abruptly questioned.
Jack flinched. “Who?” he avoided instantly answering.
“Is she and Landis…You know what I’m trying to ask,” she finished. “He’s my husband; I have a right to know.”
“They were seeing each other before your arrival, if that’s what you want to know. But he’s married to you now.”
“Does he still see her every time he goes to Dawson?”
“Why?” Jack asked, wondering if he should answer or not.
“We’re friends, Jack. Tell me the truth,” she demanded.
“What did Landis say?” he fenced once more.
“Is he there with her now?” she pressed persistently.
He asked warily, “Why worry over a cheap whore?”
“Did he send you to get me?” she continued with her questions, ignoring his.
“No. I passed him at a distance; we didn’t talk. Trace told me you were here. What’s happening here, Kathy?” he tenderly insisted.
“Nothing, Jack. Ben was taking me to Skagway this morning. Now that you’re here, he won’t have to. Besides, that isn’t where I want to go. I’m already packed. Let’s go.”
“But…”
She cut him off, “Let’s leave before Ben comes back. I don’t want to upset him. Well talk later.”
“Ben’s out; what about locking the door?” Jack asked.
“He has a key. Let’s get moving, my brotherly guide.”
Jack secured Kathy’s pack to her shoulders. “Ready?”
“More than you’ll ever know,” she teased to lighten the gloom.
Jack and Kathy headed off to the Northeast. Before they were out of sight, Ben came hurrying back to persuade Jack to take his place in taking Kathy back to Skagway. Her intentions were clear to Ben. He watched them until they vanished from his misty gaze. “You’ve already found me, Kathryn Leigh, but not when or where you expected. I pray Jack will keep you safe on your futile journey, then take you home where you belong. If only you knew the truth and how much it hurts to send you away. I love you, little one,” he murmured to himself, having decided the devastating door to the past must remain closed forever.
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