Golden Torment

by Janelle Taylor

  “Even if I did have them, nothing. But I’ll make certain the thief learns I’m willing to pay to get my hands on them. Once I have them, your days are numbered, Smith.”

  “You’re talking more and more like one of those Mounties. Why don’t you join up? From what I see, they can use the help. But I wouldn’t be so quick to decide I have nothing you want. In my opinion, you’ll be coming around to see me very soon. If youll excuse me, I have some work to do. Don’t forget, Jurrell, bring my papers with you when you come next time,” Smith meaningfully suggested.

  When Soapy returned to his office, he sat down and stared into empty space. Perfect timing was the key to unlocking this riddle. Someone knocked. Piqued, he shouted angrily, “Who’s there!”

  A malevolent stranger walked in, smiling sardonically. He stopped before Soapy’s desk, placing his palms on it and leaning forward, his shaggy brown hair falling over his forehead. His impenetrable green eyes fastened to Soapy’s quizzical face. A diabolical grin curled his lips.

  “You want something?” Smith asked of the stranger.

  “No. You do,” he insidiously hinted, a cruel sneer on his lips.

  Soapy studied the crude man. “What might that be?”

  The nefarious stranger drew himself up to his full height. “Your missing papers, and Kathryn Jurrell. I can get you both for a price,” he boasted, his eyes gleaming satanically. “After you finish with her, she’s mine,” he stated with an evil coldness which was greater than Smith’s.

  Soapy smiled knowingly. “Name it,” he said agreeably.

  Monday morning saw Landis heading out of Dawson for Skagway, full steam ahead. All he could think of was getting to Kathy as quickly as possible. Little did he suspect the obstacles which would be placed in his path…

  Monday afternoon, Kathy and Jack were at the clearing to Log Cabin. Beneath her parka, Kathy held the incriminating packet clutched to her aching heart. When Jack had retrieved it from its hiding spot and placed it within her hands, they had trembled with suspense. As the Mounty headquarters loomed in sight, she tensed in anticipation and dread. She knew what would end the moment she handed these papers to Sergeant Thomas. She was relieved and tormentingly sad at the same time. Fate had begun to draw her adventure in early September of 1897; by mid April of ’98, it would painfully and indelibly end as she sailed home.

  Jack pulled on the leather harness straps to halt the dog team. The huskies obeyed the tug upon them, the sled coming to a slow stop. Jack apprehensively questioned, “You want to do this alone, Kathy? I can wait here with the dogs.”

  She drew in a deep breath to steady her nerves, then slowly expelled it. “If Landis is here, you can return it later. I want to be out of Alaska before he finds out. If you don’t mind, I would prefer to handle this alone. I will give you half of the credit,” she said.

  “You took all the risks. Be careful in there,” he cautioned.

  “I will, Jack. One thing, no matter what I say, will you back me up?” she asked mysteriously, eyes wide and appealing.

  “If you lie about something, you want me to agree?” he questioned.

  “Yes,” she murmured, still concealing her agony.

  Jack tended to the animals as she slowly approached the door. She paused before knocking, dreading to begin this final leg of her journey home. A Mounty opened the door and invited her inside.

  “I’m Kathy Jurrell; may I speak with Sergeant Thomas in private, please?” she politely requested, holding her slender body erect and proud.

  “I’ll see if he’s busy, ma’am,” the man responded.

  Within moments, he was leading her inside Bill’s office. Bill stood up instantly, smiling at her and offering his hand. He stated amiably, “It’s nice to see you again, Mrs. Jurrell. What brings you here today?”

  As if oblivious to his gesture, she sat down before his desk. “We need to talk privately, sir,” she remarked, her darting gaze and edginess displaying her tension and wariness. She didn’t trust these Mounties; what if they used this theft against her? Or held back her escape money?

  “Certainly,” he agreed, assuming the motive was her money. He told the Mounty to shut the door as he left.

  Kathy falteringly began, “Is…Landis here?”

  Bill hesitated noticably before answering. “I’m afraid not. He left for Dawson on Friday. I’m surprised you two missed each other. I was under the impression he was going after you. Even if he heads right back, he won’t arrive until Wednesday or Thursday.”

  “Before I pick up my money and leave, I wanted to ask if there was any word at all on my father,” she questioned.

  Bill frowned slightly before shaking his head. “I’m sorry we can’t be of more help to you; I’m afraid I can’t turn your father over to you,” he regretfully half-lied to her, warily observing her.

  She sighed heavily. “I see. I want to thank you for holding my money. If I miss Trace before my departure, would you thank him for me? He’s been most kind and helpful during some trying moments.”

  “I just wish you weren’t leaving with such a distasteful opinion of us. Landis was furious with me for not holding Slavin, but my hands were tied. We’ve got greedy politicians on both sides anxiously seeking any crisis to stir up more trouble. Slavin’s from a wealthy and prestigious American family. He had a spotless reputation and record, and Jack and Trace can’t testify to witnessing your attack. You see why I had to release him?” he rationalized his action, shifting uneasily in his chair.

  Kathy stared at him as he spoke. “Landis witnessed two violent assaults; is his word also worthless?” she refuted him.

  Thomas grimaced; an investigation would be detrimental at this time. He said, “Jack was trailing him. Slavin headed into the North Country. You’ll be gone before he knows you’ve left. As to Landis being a witness for you, a husband’s testimony would be viewed as biased. I’m sorry to be so blunt. But without firm evidence, Slavin’s arrest could lead to trouble for all of us. But if you insist, I will ferret him out and follow your wishes.”

  “All I ask is that you keep him clear of me until I leave.”

  “Agreed. I’ll get your money,” he stated, starting to rise.

  “There’s another matter of utmost importance, sir,” she intimated, and the Mounty sat down again. “I’m not sure how to begin. I find myself in a complicated position. Are you certain Landis won’t return sooner?” she asked.

  “You have some problem involving Landis?” he speculated.

  “Yes, a very big one.” Kathy witnessed Bill’s reaction closely.

  “I’m afraid I can’t help you there. I don’t meddle in his private affairs,” he declared crisply, hoping to halt any intimate confessions.

  “But you can help me, sir,” she protested.

  “No; I’m sorry,” he stated more firmly at her insistence.

  “It’s business, sir; ‘critical,’ I believe he called it.” To test Bill’s depth of knowledge, she began, “Some papers were stolen from him; he accused me of taking them. No matter what I said or did, I couldn’t convince him I was innocent. He threatened to arrest me and hold me here until the papers were found,” she informed him.

  “Arrest you!” Bill repeated in disbelief. Had Landis recklessly revealed himself? “Just how did he plan to do that?” he asked.

  “He was going to convince his Mounty friends to handle it for him. He was determined I couldn’t leave Alaska until those papers were recovered. I suppose he was going to bring theft charges against me.”

  “I don’t see what how that affects me.” Bill said, confused. “He doesn’t have sufficient evidence to warrant an arrest. Besides, you are his wife.”

  She controlled her warring emotions as she began her enigmatic tale. “As you know, I’ve been working for Soapy in Dawson these past two months,” she gingerly began, then gave details of the robbery episode.

  “You saying you think Landis took them?”

  “Landis didn’t steal them; I did. I onl
y went to Dawson to win Soapy’s confidence so I could return those papers. While I was at it, I also stole Soapy’s private papers with the hopes of providing you with evidence against him. If that’s illegal, you can return them. I hope you don’t have to arrest me, since I am returning Landis’s reports.” She waited anxiously.

  Bill was openly gaping at her. “You broke into Smith’s safe and robbed him?” he asked. “Does Landis know about this?”

  “No, sir,” she stated, drawing the packet from beneath her parka and handing it to him. “I was afraid if I handed them over to Landis, he would think I had them all along. If you can arrange it, I would prefer he doesn’t know about this until after I sail for America. I know he said they’re critical, but I’ll be gone in a few days. So there won’t be much delay.”

  “But how did you do what none of my men have been able to do?” he demanded, mildly vexed this slip of a girl had succeeded on her own.

  Kathy related her daring adventure. “If you doubt my word, Jack is waiting outside. I came to look for my father, but things went awry. Since there is nothing for me here, I wish to leave now.”

  Bill opened the packet and glanced over both sets of papers. His guarded gaze met her lucid one. “Did you read any of this?” he inquired, his tone of voice carrying a strange note, forgetting they were in code.

  She related the talk overheard in Smith’s office. “I never looked inside. Landis told me that you can’t reveal what you don’t know. Too, I wanted to remain able to honestly swear I have never seen his papers.”

  “Then you have no idea what’s in here?” Bill pressed.

  “No, I do not. I didn’t even look at Soapy’s. They could be worthless for all I know. I took them on impulse,” she confessed.

  “I can assure you they are priceless. The culprit will finally pay for his grievous crimes. He’s a swindler, a whoremaster, a murderer, and a thief. You’ve just handed me the evidence we need to put him down. He must be wild with rage and fear. The pompous brute was so conceited he actually recorded every foul deed he committed. I might add, some of your lofty American officials are implicated in collusion and fraud. Some nasty favors were being exchanged.”

  He glanced at several more notations in Soapy’s papers, then laughed in ecstatic satisfaction. “We’ve got him now. You’re a brave girl, Kathy. You’ve done us an enormous service. Saying thank you is hardly sufficient,” he almost reluctantly admitted, cognizant of the power of these two files combined, envisioning Landis’s reactions. “How can we repay you?”

  “The only thanks I want is for you to keep this matter a secret from Landis until I’m gone. Soapy might get suspicious if we’re seen together. Both our lives would be in jeopardy. Promise?”

  “Why?” Bill confusedly protested.

  “I insist, sir, he can’t know until I’m gone,” she persisted.

  “I don’t understand, Kathy,” he stated, having shifted to her first name during this conference. “You’re not in trouble for this.”

  “You don’t need to. Just take my word, it will be best for both of us.” She reminded him of Soapy’s lethal scheme to get them together. “Landis claimed those papers could cost his life. In view of his need for secrecy, I doubt even I would rise above them in importance.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that,” he said.

  Kathy stared at Bill, then at the folder in his light grasp. She licked her suddenly dry lips. Several tremors swept over her, and her respiration ragged. The real Landis was contained within that file. She had held his stunning “revelations” in her hands and never read them!

  She suddenly sat up straight and gasped to fool him, “There isn’t anything in there to get Landis into trouble with you, is there?”

  “No, Kathy. This report is safe with me. I’ll see that it’s returned to him. I can promise you he hasn’t done anything illegal.”

  A pain knifed her bruised heart; she had her answer. The reports were in code; therefore, how could Bill know what they said, unless…She fought against the tears which threatened her poise.

  “If you have no further questions, sir, I would like to take my money and go home.” She stared down at her wedding band.

  “It’s hidden in my cabin; I’ll get it for you. Make yourself at home. There’s coffee over there on the stove.” He got up and left.

  As she took an envelope, Kathy’s gaze returned to the files. As with Soapy’s papers, she impulsively jumped up and grabbed them before she knew what she was doing. Just as she was about to scan the contents, she caught herself. She severely scolded her reckless intent. No, she couldn’t do this to herself. She couldn’t become more confused or risk selfishly vindicating him. Besides, they were in unreadable code.

  She walked around the desk to lay them down as Bill had left them. Just before the papers touched the desk top, two words on the file which Bill had been avidly studying when she had entered struck her sight. She snatched up the file. “Jake Hammond”!

  She tossed the other two now-forgotten files to his desk. She stared at the one held tightly in her quivering grasp. A Mounty file on her father? A thick one, at that! She compulsively opened it. Page by page, she hurriedly and incredulously scanned the shattering information.

  Emotionally devastated, she sank into Bill’s chair. Her father was right here all the time! He truly was spying for the American government! The Mounties knew all about him! They had lied to her, used her, deceived her! Had they been patiently and covertly waiting for her to lead them to her father? Did they plan to arrest him? Had Landis known all along? Was there no treachery too great to use? Did Landis possess no conscience, no mercy, no morals, no principles, no guilt?

  Kathy angrily grabbed Landis’s file. She glared at the coded messages which she couldn’t read. Was it his report to Bill about her and her father? About his monstrous triumphs over her? She asked herself when Landis had started spying on her—probably the moment her name slipped from her lips. Rage flamed within her. All his rantings about Kathy being the spy and betrayer had been cunning ruses! The notations in Jake’s file had clearly inspired his motives. But nothing gave the Mounties the right to abuse her in such a malicious way! Landis had obviously used the marital sham to keep her close. Her father had chosen suspenseful adventure and fidelity to America over his family. He had accomplished much during his self-centered, selfish, arrogant twenty years! But his successes at her expense tore at her ravaged heart. He was courageous, loyal, and daring: qualities he had never shown to her! Hostility and anger joined bitterness and disrespect in her. Her father’s secret career had ruined her life, here and in America. If she hadn’t been Kathryn Hammond…

  Her teary eyes flickered over the last page. He had reported to his American agent two months ago: from the Yukon Territory! That told her all she needed to know. Kathy flipped over the final, torturous page. There was a picture, face down, with his name on the back. If they knew his identity, why use her to get to him? Had this file just arrived?

  She stared at it, daring herself to turn it over. Her hand was shaking so badly she could hardly lift it. She held her breath as she twisted her wrist to present the image of her unknown father to her wide, anguish-filled eyes. Her lips and chin quivered. Tears rolled down her ashen cheeks. Agony gripped her heart. Now, she comprehended Landis’s invitation to his cabin and why he was so positive she had stolen his reports.

  At last, she didn’t have to wonder about Jake’s appearance or new identity. At last, she knew her mission here had succeeded—and failed. Landis had gone for blood; now she knew why. The photograph seemed to explain everything. Her heart thudding painfully in her chest, she stared at the image of her traitorous father…

  Twenty-Six

  Kathy was dazed by this staggering pervasion of facts. She mechanically returned the pages to their folders. She went to the stove, then picked up a cup and poured herself some strong coffee, adding sugar to it. She walked to the side window and pushed the curtains back to gaze out.

 
When Bill entered his office, he found her standing there in deep thought, sipping coffee. He called her name twice before she heard him and responded by turning to face him. She appeared tired, emotionally and physically drained. She came forward to sit down, as he did. Something was distressing her. “Here’s your money, Kathy,” he stated, passing her the leather pouch.

  She leaned forward to accept it, thanking him automatically. Rising gracefully, she remarked mechanically, “I’ll leave now. Goodbye.”

  Bill studied her heart-wrenching look and somber mood. “Are you positive you don’t want to hang around until Landis gets back?”

  “No, Sergeant Thomas. He loaned me his name and twice saved my life; now, I’ve repaid him in full. I’ll accept your gratitude for him.”

  Bill wondered what to say or do, fearing she would leave before Landis had the chance to clear up matters. It would be a shame to end their relationship in this bitter way. Trouble was, Clint had revealed affection and responsibility for her, but he hadn’t vowed love. In spite of Clint’s obvious passion for her, Mounties couldn’t marry. Bill assumed Clint wouldn’t surrender to the callings of love and passion at such a high price. But Landis did need to reveal their phony marriage and deal with that consequence.

  She glared at the money pouch in her left hand and murmured absently, “It’s amazing what some men will do.”

  “Is something bothering you, Kathy? You seem very depressed.”

  She smiled falsely. “I’m just mentally and physically exhausted, now that it’s over.”

  “What about your father, Kathy? You giving up your search?”

  Kathy stared at the floor. This supposedly honorable man was sitting there so deceptively innocent when the truth was within his reach. She restrained the urge to confront him. If Bill discovered she knew the truth, he might be compelled to hold her here. She couldn’t allow that for countless reasons. She was crushed and embittered by their betrayals. She had lived with Landis and Ben. She had trustingly confessed her desires, fears, and soul to them. She almost laughed as she cynically wondered if each traitor was spying on the other.