Golden Torment

by Janelle Taylor

  “I know, Mrs. Jurrell. It isn’t all bad; am I correct?”

  “I must admit you are, Mr. Smith. We just arrived today. I’m anxious to view everything. I wonder if dinner will live up to Jack’s words.”

  “It will. How long will you be staying in Dawson?” he asked.

  It was time to begin her daring strategy. She glanced away and softly replied, “A few days. Until…” She halted to snare his undivided interest.

  “Until your husband joins you, or orders you home?” he teased.

  “Landis won’t…” She cunningly played her role. “He’s too busy to leave home for weeks,” she added, hoping he suspected a problem.

  Soapy’s expression said he knew Landis wasn’t busy or at home. His grin told her he caught her sly hint at marital troubles. “When do you leave for America?” he asked, falling into a trap he didn’t suspect.

  “The first thaw,” she responded, then flushed at her seeming slip.

  Soapy let it pass. “I had hoped you’d come to accept my offer.”

  “From the looks of your arrangement, I see no urgent need for my meager talents. Is your pianist good?” she debated as if declining.

  “I’m sorry to say I have none. I designed this room myself with such a pleasure in mind. However, I hadn’t found the right woman to enliven it, until I met you. I promise you protection, respect, and a great deal of money. Why should Landis object when he’s so busy?”

  “You flatter me,” she replied warily. “But I hardly think this a proper place to work. I’m married,” she reminded him.

  “As you wish, but please call me Soapy or Randolph. Mr. Smith sounds so formal. Gads, it makes me sound old.” He laughed.

  Soapy and Jack conversed for a time, then Soapy left Jack with Kathy to dine on an excellent fare. Such began three days of feigned sight-seeing, while Soapy besieged her at every turn to accept his job. Each time, Kathy refused, but appeared to waver in doubt and to look troubled. To avoid suspicion, they posted messages about her father. For now, she hoped her father wouldn’t appear; she needed this time for her charade.

  They dined again at Soapy’s with Kathy trying to parry his questions about Landis and her future plans. She pretended to attempt to conceal sadness and dismay, but guilefully and subtly exposed them. If Soapy knew too much, he would believe her marriage had collapsed and she was alone and vulnerable, needing help and money to get home to America.

  Her answer came when he coaxed, “You needn’t be embarrassed, Mrs. Jurrell. I know you left him weeks ago. I don’t blame you. If you need a job to finance your search or trip home, it’s yours for the asking,” he stated bluntly.

  As if shocked, she inhaled sharply and stared. “My personal life is none of your concern or business, Mr. Smith,” she informed him.

  “I suppose not, but the offer stands,” Smith didn’t back down.

  Kathy wisely and politely refused him again, but he reasoned and entreated her to accept. When she told Smith that Jack needed to leave and she had to go with him, Smith instantly coaxed her to remain a few weeks and allow Jack to come back for her, listing what her gains would be in Dawson and blackening what her existence in Skagway would be until the spring thaw. As if nervous and reluctant, Kathy finally agreed to try it for a few weeks.

  “If I don’t like this job or Dawson, I’ll have to quit. Is that agreeable? And no more questions about my personal life.” Her voice was even and soft, but her expression serious and pure. Soapy would suspect something if she waltzed in here begging for a job. It was also manadatory to present a ladylike, very married visage at all times to prevent overly friendly advances from Smith and the other men.

  “Do these ears deceive me? Are you saying yes to my offer? Surely my luck has changed,” he exclaimed on what he viewed his victory.

  “You appear to be a man who makes his own luck,” she told him.

  “When I listed your qualities, I forgot wit and intelligence. So few women possess so many rare qualities. Welcome to Soapy’s.”

  “Please remember this is only temporary,” she reminded tensely.

  “I have discovered my undesirable reputation serves me well. It prevents trouble and disloyalty. So, I didn’t take the time or energy to correct their mistaken impressions. I hope you don’t believe all rumors.”

  She mused pensively, then said, “Men don’t reach such heights of wealth and power without stepping on others while climbing to it.”

  Soapy believed she was referring to Landis. She fooled him completely. “Your insight astounds me, Kathryn; if I may call you that. You are indeed rare. My business will flourish once you begin your work.”

  “First, Mr. Smith, there are some conditions to be agreed on before either of us makes a final decision,” she hinted.

  “Conditions? Ah, a woman with a head for business. Do you have no flaws at all, Kathryn?” he mirthfully taunted.

  The wine arrived and was served. Kathy lifted her glass, but Soapy halted her. “We must toast our new venture.”

  “Not until we agree on its terms,” she murmured insistently.

  “Then list your ‘terms’ for me,” he encouraged, intrigued.

  “First, a question. Do I receive a set salary?”

  “A salary of fifty dollars in gold nuggets per night, payable at the end of each week. And any tips you receive are yours to keep.”

  “If I hadn’t sampled a taste of the living expenses here, I would think your offer most generous. As I recall you saying, you earn seven to nine thousand dollars nearly every night. I would think that one hundred dollars and tips would be fairer.” She looked collected, but was apprehensive.

  He stared at her with undisguised appreciation. “Done,” he agreed.

  “Not so fast, Mr. Smith. I also want my meals and board paid. Plus, I insist on your most trusted man escorting me to my boarding house each night when I finish. This is a dangerous area.”

  She waited to see if she had demanded too much. He eyed her critically. “You drive a hard bargain, Kathryn. Most of my girls earn less than half of what I just agreed to pay you. But, your talents are unique.”

  “If I stay to earn money for my passage home this spring, I can’t use that same money to survive here. I’d be no better off here than in Skagway. I told you, I’ll only accept this job until the spring thaw.”

  “You are most intelligent. Perhaps I would be wise to make you my partner,” he jested, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

  “Your confidence pleases me, sir. But I’ve had my fill of your territory. You see, my motives for taking this job are most selfish.”

  “Not selfish, Kathryn, smart.”

  “I would require a few days to practice first. I haven’t touched the keyboard in months. I wouldn’t want you to lose business instead of gaining it. If I come to work for you, I will do a good job. My job will only include singing and playing the piano. Do you ever have trouble here?”

  “I have several men positioned around to keep peace. They won’t allow any customer to approach you. However,” he began, noting her sudden rigidness. “If you would like to join some of the better class for dinner or wine, please feel free to do so. I think they would find your company most enjoyable. As to your demands, consider them all met.”

  She stared at him, then feigned a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Mr. Smith. I shall do my very best.”

  “Did you really think I would refuse your terms?” he asked, fooled by her crafty act.

  “Yes. But I must have those terms, or I would be wasting my time here. If it’s all right, I’ll start in three days. By then, I should have my fingers limber and the tunes down. Do you have any music to go with that piano? How did you get it here?” she abruptly asked another question before he could reply to her first one, recalling the trail between here and the Lynn Canal at Skagway.

  “By steamer. The entire Yukon is easily navigable during the summer months. You should have seen them delivering it and those mirrors over the bars. I stood over t
hem with a whip, daring one man to falter,” he playfully alleged.

  She smiled in amusement. “I’m sure that was a sight to see. Does business go on all day and night? I prefer to practice in private.”

  “We don’t open until noon. But you will only play in here during the evenings. Say off and on between seven and eleven?”

  “I’ll try it. Can I come in and practice between nine and noon?”

  “Fine. The men are usually cleaning up then, so someone will always be present. Plus, I live in back. There is one demand I must make. If I’m to pay for your room and meals, then you must live in my boarding house. Just so you don’t feel cheated, all my girls live and eat free. I have an especially lovely room recently vacated. You can move in there tomorrow.”

  “Someone quit?” she asked, her surprise lucid.

  “No, one of my girls met with an accident, a fatal fall. Too bad, Michelle Darney was my prettiest girl,” he casually remarked.

  Someone stopped at the table and caught Soapy’s full attention, denying him the look on Kathy’s face at that incredible news. Michelle dead? Was that why Landis was so full of rage? She bristled.

  Jack nudged her and shook his head, warning her of her reaction. She quickly masked the emotions churning inside of her. Live in Michelle’s room? Sleep in the same bed where they…

  When Soapy’s attention returned to her, she was patiently waiting for him to finish his conversation. From her serene look, the news meant nothing to her. He assumed she didn’t know about Michelle and Landis. Should he tell her and test her reaction? Not yet.

  “Mr. Smith, unless you are most adamant, I would prefer to stay where I am. I don’t mean to sound…haughty or judgmental, but I don’t think I care to live with…your other girls. I’m a married woman, and they’re…all single.”

  Deceived by her reservations completely, Soapy smiled. If he was to gain control over her, she had to live where he told her. Evidently she needed this job and money, giving him an advantage over her. “If I’m to cover your expenses, my dear, I must choose the place and meals. I can promise you the house is strong and warm. I have women who clean it, do the girls’ laundry, bring their baths, and serve their meals. You will be pampered and protected there. I really must insist.”

  A worried look flashed across her lovely face, but not for the reason he imagined. She was trapped. It was either accept or lose the offer. As she was thinking, he added, “The other girls won’t bother you in any way. I’ll see to that myself. And you will have the best and largest room there. Michelle was my favorite girl; I was most lenient and generous with her. She didn’t have any family, but she did have a fellow who dropped in frequently to see her. He and Michelle were very close for a long time; he was most upset by her sudden death,” he hinted.

  Kathy was prepared for his words, allowing her to conceal her true emotions. “If Michelle was your favorite, I’m sure her death also upset you. Please accept my condolences. This seems to be a dangerous land here. Jack and I were attacked by wolves on our way up,” she tactically altered the subject, careful to make no inquisitive remarks about Michelle or Landis. Soapy was testing her feelings just as surely as it was snowing outside! Did he doubt her and her claims?

  “You mean I almost lost my new pianist before she played one song? Tell me about it,” he coaxed. As she and Jack related the terrifying details of their misadventure, Soapy was thinking about something else. If she had any love for Jurrell, she certainly hid it. Not a jealous light had flared in those exquisite eyes. She hadn’t even been curious about Michelle’s looks, if she knew about Michelle and Landis. Also, a woman in love wouldn’t accept a room shared by her husband and his past whore. Perhaps she was afraid of a fierce and aggressive man like Jurrell. Perhaps Jurrell had demanded something in exchange for loaning her his name. She was well-bred, and a woman like that avoided enterprising rogues like Jurrell. But the point was, Jurrell was attracted to her. Only a jealous or spurned man would react the way he had that day at Log Cabin.

  He paused in his mental roamings to ask a question to attest to his attention. She went on with her colorful account, fully aware his mind was somewhere else. A woman like Kathryn Hammond was a challenge to any man, Soapy thought. Jurrell wouldn’t take to being denied what he desired. Soapy knew from his eavesdropping that day at Moore’s tent that Landis had falsely married the vulnerable girl, then tried to convince her she owed him for his generosity and help. The question was, how could Soapy entice Kathy’s interest in Jurrell without being obvious? Soapy had to distract Jurrell from snooping in his own affairs! He couldn’t very well extol Landis’s virtures and prowess. He had to get them together for his plan to work. Maybe Landis himself would conceitedly aid his cause! If Soapy flaunted her before his senses every time he came in, Landis would eventually fall into the trap so carefully prepared.

  Elegant gowns and jewels would enhance her beauty. Soapy had plenty of those in the storeroom. Surely she wouldn’t mind being adorned like a queen for business purposes. This might be more difficult than anticipated since Jurrell had her frightened of him. But it would work; Landis was half-snared by his phony marriage. When Landis turned on his charms, which he would, the plan would be put into action…

  They talked for a while longer, then Soapy arose to leave. He smiled and kissed her hand. “Farewell until tomorrow, my golden treasure,” he murmured. Too bad I need you for more important reasons than my own desires, he mentally added. But if his deadly scheme failed, he would still have Kathy to himself.

  “Well? How did I do? I was quivering from head to toe,” she confessed to Jack when they were alone.

  He eyed her in amazement. “I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, Kathy. You charmed the socks off of him. You handled every minute with perfection, especially when he hinted about Landis and Michelle. Will it bother you to take her room?”

  “Yes, but that can’t be helped. We’ve come too far to back down now. I wonder what happened to her.”

  “A fatal fall, he said. Be careful, Kathy. No chances. If he even hints at suspecting you, you’re pulling out. Agreed?”

  “Yes, Jack. I hate to say it, but I’m glad she isn’t around. I’m not happy she’s dead, just not here now. Do you think that’s why Landis has been so moody and harsh? Was he in love with her?”

  “I honestly don’t think so, but I can’t answer for him. I almost wish she was still here. Then you could see she’s no competition for you. No doubt she would have hated your guts. You aren’t forgetting; he married you, not her. I wonder what Landis will say when he sees you working here,” he mused aloud.

  “I pray he won’t come here causing trouble and ruining everything.”

  “He’s too proud. He’s had time to settle down by now. Even if he still doesn’t trust you, he wouldn’t embarrass himself by appearing the rejected…husband.”

  “We’re in this together,” she mildly chided him.

  “Don’t you think we should tell Landis what you’re doing? That way he can’t say or do anything to mess it up,” he fretted.

  “Absolutely not. He’ll know, if and when it succeeds. Not before. Promise me you won’t say a word to him.”

  “I promise, but I don’t like it.”

  They slowly exited after saying goodnight to Soapy and meeting several of his more prestigious customers. They were thrilled to hear she was coming to work. Jack escorted her to her room, then went next door.

  Kathy stood before her fire in deep thought before starting to undress. She slipped into her flannel gown and snuggled under the clean linens and blankets. “Well, Kathy, it’s do or die,” she whispered nervously to herself, shuddering violently at the last word. Tomorrow night she would be sleeping in Michelle’s bed. God, how she dreaded that end of this deal. Tears began to ease from her closed eyes. For the first time since that night in Skagway when Landis had confronted her truculently, she allowed the healing tears to flow freely. Yet, other speculations kept nag
ging at her mind. If Landis was trying to uncover evidence against Smith for his Mounty friends, had that been his connection to Michelle? He had alleged there was no love between them, but why visit her so often? After all, he hadn’t needed sexual appeasement with a wife willingly supplying it! Still, how could Michelle not love and desire him? Perhaps he had only been using both of them for pleasure and business. Did he honestly believe Kathy was a thief? Now that Michelle was lost to him, would he seek to bewitch her again? If so, did she have the willpower and desire to repel him? With this lethal game in progress, she must, if only to safeguard their lives.

  Kathy was tormented by her defeats. Why would no one, except dear Jack, help her? Why did the famed Mounties, except Trace, appear devious and threatening? Who and what was Landis Jurrell? Where was her father? Except for Skagway, the only friend around was Ben. Frustration and sadness plagued her, for nothing seemed to go right. How could little Kathy unmask the insidious Soapy, or merely recover one demanding file? She had won a cover job; but with Smith in residence, how could she safely snoop around? She wished she were a powerful man, then she could solve her many problems and protect herself. Were her cruel father and her traitorous husband worth these hardships and anguish?

  Nineteen

  Jack and Kathy lingered over breakfast the next morning. To avoid suspicion and to strengthen her protection, it was decided Jack would come to Dawson each Friday. At the first hint of danger or failure, Jack would take her to Skagway. When their separation couldn’t be stalled, Jack arose to speak words of good luck and goodbye. Kathy told him not to worry. He chuckled and vowed he would anyway.

  She stood on the roughly planked sidewalk, watching his steady retreat. She had secured his promise to take it easy for the next week. She didn’t know much about scurvy, but it must be a tormenting disorder. She sighed, knowing it was time to head for Soapy’s. She prayed she could pull off this reckless farce. My God, she was here alone!

  She gingerly headed across the trampled street, covered with a frosting of white slush and dark mud. There was no way to protect her shoes from damp and dirt, but she carefully lifted her skirt-tail to insure its cleanliness and beauty. Luckily, few were about this early, offering her only stares and no advances. She stepped on the porch of Soapy’s gambling house and knocked on the thick door.