“I have a better idea,” Ashe said. “Go over to the Walk-in Café and bring us back a nice supper. Then we can continue to talk with this boy.”
“I’ll be right back.” Beck put on his hat and headed out the door.
The boy looked at Ashe. “Do I get something to eat?”
“I don’t see any reason to feed you. I’m not your daddy.”
“Or your big brother,” Cal said.
“I ain’t had nothing to eat since we…” His voice faded.
“Since when?”
“Sheriff, I ain’t telling you nothing.”
“Son, you told me plenty. Your mama didn’t feed you any supper and your daddy don’t care if you ever eat again.”
“That’s a lie. I have a good mama and daddy.”
“Guess they just didn’t know how to raise kids. What do you think, Sheriff?” Cal asked.
“I think this kid’s parents would be ashamed of him if they could see him now.”
“Yeah. Not many moms and dads want their sons to end up with a rope around their neck because they thought killing a hard-working man with a family was fun.”
“I didn’t kill nobody.”
“How can we believe somebody we don’t know?” Ashe frowned at him. “Was it the few dollars you got from Gus or was it this cheap watch?”
“I don’t know who you’re talking about.”
Ashe leaned forward on the desk. “I’m talking about the father of six children and a wife who takes in washing to help feed the family. You may not know it, but when you killed Gus you might as well have killed his wife and children. They’ll starve without him.”
The boy looked ready to cry.
“What if it had been your daddy?” Cal asked.
“Ain’t nobody gonna kill my daddy.”
“How do you know? You’re not there to back him up if a gang comes by your house and decides they want what little money he has in his pocket or your ma has hidden in the house.” Ashe wrinkled his brow. “After they kill your pa they could even decide they want your mama for their own pleasure.”
When tears welled up in the boy’s eyes, Ashe knew he had him where he wanted him. The young man was going to tell him anything he wanted to know. In a calm voice, Ashe went on, “I know you don’t want your folks to know what you’ve been into. I can promise I’ll see to it the judge goes easy on you if you want to tell me what happened at the livery stable.”
“I didn’t know anybody was going to get killed. Zek said it would be easy to grab the man’s money and run. He said nobody would get hurt.” The boy snuffed back sobs. “I couldn’t believe it when Zek shot the man. I just stood there and he told me I better get on my horse and go with him. I didn’t want to go, but he pointed the gun at me and said he’d shoot me if I didn’t.”
Ashe glanced at Cal.
“How did you get tied up with this Zek in the first place?” Cal asked.
“He’s my Ma’s cousin. Ma told me he was no good, but when he came to the farm he said he’d found out how to get a lot of money and I wanted to be like him. Pa and Ma didn’t want me to listen to him, but I did.” He took a deep breath. “When Pa told Zek he had to leave our place, I snuck out and went with him. Things were pretty good for a few weeks. I’d do the cooking for the men he worked with, but one day they didn’t come back. I thought I’d have to go home, but then Zek came back. He said the other men had run into some bad luck and weren’t coming. Later I found out they were in jail in Barrister so he said we’d better head in this direction. We run out of money before we got here and Zek said he knew how we could get some. I didn’t know what he’d meant until I saw the livery man dead in the straw with blood running everywhere.”
“What’s your name?”
“Bobby Warden.”
“Where’s your family farm, Bobby?”
”About twenty miles from Bolder City.”
Ashe stopped his questioning when the door opened and Beck stepped inside with a tray. “The rest of the food’s right behind me.”
“Good.”
Beck nodded at Bobby. “Has he told you anything?”
“His name’s Bobby Warden. Family has a farm.”
Beck nodded. “You’re smart to tell the sheriff what he wants to know, Bobby. He’ll do you right.”
There was another knock on the door and two people came into the jail laden with filled trays. “Here’s your supper, Sheriff.”
“Set it here on the desk.” They put the food down and he added. “It sure smells good.”
“I’ll tell cook. She’ll be pleased to know you like it.” Elsa grinned at him and turned to leave. The other fellow followed her.
Ashe moved the towel covering one of the trays. “It’s a nice steak with lots of potatoes.” He sniffed the food. “Fresh bread, too.”
Bobby was staring at the food.
“Bobby, do you know anything about the stage coach robberies?”
He jerked his head back to stare at Ashe. “N-no…” he stammered.
“Are you sure?” Ashe picked up his knife and started to cut his steak.
“Well, Zek did say something about knowing who the robbers were, but he didn’t tell me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, sir. He said he was afraid I wouldn’t keep their secret.”
Without asking another question, Ashe slid the tray across the desk. “Eat up, Bobby. You look like you’re hungrier than I am.”
He looked at Ashe as if he couldn’t believe his ears. “Really?”
Ashe nodded.
Bobby grabbed the fork and began eating. With his mouth full of potatoes, he said, “Zek told me to quit complaining about being hungry. He said when we had money we’d eat.” He cut a piece of steak. “After watching Zek kill that man, I think my pa was right. He’s no good.”
“What are you going to do about it?” Ashe asked.
“As soon as I get out of this mess, I’m going home. I don’t care if farming don’t make you rich. I don’t want to end up in jail or get hanged for something Zek does.”
“I think you’re making a wise decision, Bobby.” Ashe leaned back. “Maybe you’re more grown-up than I thought.”
Cal pulled up a chair beside Bobby. “If you’ll share this desk with me, I’m going to have my supper, too.”
“You take my chair and eat your supper, Beck. I’m going to have a little talk with Zek.” Ashe headed toward the cells.
Chapter 11
When Quinn returned to the boarding house she found Deborah in the parlor. “Did you enjoy your walk?”
“I did. It’s a lovely day.” Quinn laid the small package on the top of the upright piano.
“What did you buy?”
“Marlene wanted more ribbon for your dress.”
“She’s sure working hard on those dresses. She said she can’t wait for us to wear them around town so people will know she’s a good seamstress.”
“I’ll be happy to do it.” Quinn removed her worn straw hat.
“You need a new hat, Quinn.”
“When we find jobs, maybe I’ll buy one.” She sighed. “I still remember that pretty blue one in Mrs. Forester’s window.”
Deborah chuckled. “I haven’t seen anyone wearing it. Have you?”
“No, and I look every time I go outside.” She picked up the package. “I’ll put my hat in my room and give Marlene the ribbon.”
“Mrs. Potter said supper would be ready in thirty minutes.”
“Did Winnie find her niece today?”
“No. She hasn’t left the house. It’s almost as if she’s afraid she’ll find the girl.”
“It’s strange, isn’t it? I couldn’t wait to find our uncle.”
Deborah shrugged. “People are different.”
“By the way, I saw Uncle Hank come back into town with the posse.”
“Did they catch whoever they were chasing?”
“It seems so. I saw the sheriff take a couple of men into the jail with th
eir hands tied.”
“Was everybody in the posse all right?”
“You seem awfully interested.”
Deborah blushed. “I don’t want to think of anyone getting hurt.”
“Do you mean Cal Montgomery?”
“I… Huh…”
“Never mind and yes, he was fine.” Quinn grinned as her sister turned a deeper shade of red. “Admit it, big sister. You haven’t been yourself since you rode to town in Cal Montgomery’s lap. You’re interested in him whether you want to admit it or not.”
“Well, I…”
Laughing, Quinn turned and headed upstairs.
Marlene was in their rooms with the peach-colored frock across her lap. “Hello, Quinn. I’m glad you’re back.” She broke off a thread, shook the dress and held it up for her sister to see. “All I have left to do is add the ribbon around the neck. What do you think?”
“It’s beautiful, Marlene. Deborah’ll love it.”
“I’ll work on yours more tomorrow. I already have it basted.”
“What about yours?”
“I’ll do it last.”
“When you get them all finished, we’ll walk down the street in a row and let people see your lovely work.”
There was a knock on the door. Marlene looked at Quinn and shrugged. “It can’t be Deborah. She’d walk in.”
Quinn moved across the room and opened the door.
“I’m sorry to disturb you, but Ina sent me to tell you that you have a visitor downstairs,” Winnie said. “It’s your uncle.”
“Great. Thank you, Winnie.” She turned to Marlene. “Uncle Hank’s here to see us.”
Marlene put the dress on the chair and followed Quinn downstairs. Opening the parlor door, they went inside. Hank stood when they entered.
“It’s so good to see you.” Marlene took his hand and then moved to the settee beside Deborah.
Quinn took the chair across from them. “I saw you come into town this afternoon. I’m glad to know nobody was hurt in the posse.”
“We were lucky. We had good cover and they didn’t hit any of us when they started shooting.”
“I’m glad you caught them.” Deborah smiled at him.
“The Montgomery boys know what they’re doing when they go after outlaws. I’d hate to have them after me. They work together so well you’d think they were of the same mind.”
“They’re very nice men,” Marlene offered.
Hank raised his eyebrow, but said nothing. He turned to Quinn. “I noticed you in front of Benson’s when we got back. I guess you saw the parade of people.”
“Yes.”
Hank looked at her a minute then asked, “What did you think of Lola Norwood’s performance?”
Quinn shrugged. “If someone wants to make a fool of their self, it doesn’t affect me one way or the other.”
“Good.” He turned back to Marlene and Deborah. “Lola Norwood is a local widow. She has some crazy notion she’s the light of the sheriff’s life.”
“Is she?” Deborah asked.
In the pit of Quinn’s stomach, she felt a flutter. She bit her lip and tried to keep her reaction inside, but she knew if Uncle Hank said the sheriff was in love with this Norwood woman, she wouldn’t like it. It had been hard enough to hide her feelings when she’d been in the store listening to Lola talk about Ashe as if he was a piece of property of hers. For some reason, Quinn didn’t think Ashe would ever be any woman’s possession. Her uncle’s reply confirmed this notion.
“No woman will every hook Ashe. He’s been burned too deeply. He doesn’t trust any of them. Certainly he’d never marry a woman like Lola Norwood.” He took a breath. “Now for the reason I came to see you. I wanted to be sure you’d forgiven me for not being able to take you to dinner today.”
Quinn let out a silent breath when she heard Ashe wasn’t interested in the Norwood woman. She couldn’t explain the feeling she had, so she said quickly, “There’s nothing to forgive. We completely understand it was important to go after the criminals.”
“Then let me make it up to you and take you to supper tonight.”
“Mrs. Potter would have a fit. She’s finishing up supper now.” Deborah looked at him and grinned. “Why don’t you join us and we’ll go with you another time?”
“I’m not sure Mrs. Potter would appreciate me being at her table.”
“You’ll be our guest,” Marlene put in. “She told us we could have supper guests. We only had to let her know.”
Deborah jumped up. “I’ll let her know right now.”
Hank nodded. “Then if she agrees, I’ll be happy to stay. I have some other things I want to discuss with you girls.”
* * * *
When they entered the dining room, Mrs. Potter said, “I’m delighted you’re joining us tonight, Mr. Stockton.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I’m looking forward to sampling your wonderful cooking again. I’ve heard people say how it gets better and better.”
Mrs. Potter blushed. “Please have a seat. I’ll bring in the food.”
“Where’s Winnie?” Quinn asked.
“Miss Goodspell wasn’t feeling well. She said she was going to lie down for a while. She may feel like eating something later.” Ina turned to go toward the kitchen as Hank pulled out a chair for Deborah. Quinn and Marlene took chairs across the table from them.
“I wonder what happened to Winnie. She seemed fine earlier.” Quinn looked at Deborah.
“Who knows? She was okay when I came in to inform Mrs. Potter Uncle Hank was coming to dinner.” Deborah placed her napkin in her lap. “As soon as I mentioned Uncle Hank she jumped up and said she was going to her room.”
Hank lifted an eyebrow. “I didn’t know my name was frightening. Most people seem to like me.”
“I’m sure it wasn’t you, Uncle Hank.” Marlene smiled at him. “Winnie Goodspell is a strange lady.”
“What do you mean?”
Marlene looked at Quinn. “Don’t you think she’s strange?”
“There’s something about her that’s hard to explain. She puts on the air of a lady, yet some of her ways are kind of…well…I hate to use the word, but she’s a little self-centered.”
“That’s right,” Marlene said. “After the stage was held up, she was only interested in getting to town to find her niece. She kept wondering who was going to help us. She wasn’t at all concerned about Beck and he was injured. Self-centered is the perfect word to describe her.”
“She seemed awfully anxious to find her niece, but unless I’m mistaken, she hasn’t looked for her since we arrived.” Marlene smiled as Ina came in and put a platter of ham on the table.
“Is there something I can help you with, Mrs. Potter?”
“No, thank you. I’ll get it all out in a moment.” She smiled at Deborah.
Quinn stood and headed for the kitchen before Mrs. Potter could detain her. “I’ll get the coffee.”
In minutes everything was on the table and Mrs. Potter started back to the kitchen.
“Aren’t you going to eat with us, ma’am?” Hank gave her a smile, hoping she would join them.
“I thought maybe your nieces would want to dine with you privately.”
“We don’t mind if you join us, Mrs. Potter,” Deborah said.
Hank stood to pull out a chair for the woman at the head of the table where her usual plate had already been set.
Mrs. Potter, as was her custom, said a short prayer and the food was passed.
“Mr. Stockton, did you catch poor Mr. Smithton’s murderer?”
“Yes, Mrs. Potter. We did. There were two of them and they’re in jail now.”
“I’m glad. He was a family man, you know.”
“I know. We got his money back and some of the men in the posse put in extra. They know his widow’ll have a hard time.”
“That was nice of them.”
“Did you know Mr. Smithton well, Uncle Hank?” Marlene asked.
“Yes. I use the live
ry stable often. He was a good man.”
“I’m glad you got the killers without anyone getting shot.” Marlene looked at her plate.
“Now, Uncle Hank, you said you’d tell us about yourself. We have lots of questions.” Quinn eyed him.
“There’s not much to tell. You know I left home as a kid. I’ve traveled about the west and finally settled here about four years ago. As I told you, I’m not married. Never have been. And I never dreamed I’d have children, but it seems my brother sent me three beautiful daughters and they’re wonderful young ladies.”
All three of them smiled.
Hank took a deep breath. “I now have something to tell you. While we were searching for the killers, I had a lot of time to think. I came up with an idea which Marlene might like and maybe the rest of you, too.”
“Oh?” Marlene looked at him.
“You know Mrs. Forester has a hat shop in town.” When they nodded, he went on. “I thought, if you’re interested, why not open a dress shop?”
“Oh, Uncle Hank, there’s nothing I’d like more than a dress shop, but I don’t have the money to open one.”
“I think that can be overcome. There’s a vacant place beside the hat shop. Why don’t we look at it tomorrow and see if you think it’d be adequate for a dress shop?”
“Uncle Hank, I don’t want you to get Marlene’s hope up. She was telling the truth. We don’t have the money to open a business.” Quinn looked directly at him.
“I know, Quinn. I was thinking more of a business investment.”
“Oh?”
“As you know, I’m a businessman. I’ve backed several businesses in town and I only put my money into things I think will bring me a profit. I think a well-run dressmaking business will bring a good return on my money in a short time. That is, if you and Deborah will help.”
“Are you sure?” Deborah turned to him.
Ina butted in. “He’s right, ladies. When my husband was killed three years ago I thought I’d have to sell this house and go live with my sister in Austin. But Mr. Stockton said the hotel in town needed competition. He backed me in opening the boarding house and it’s turned out a profitable business for both of us.”
“Now, Ina, I thought we weren’t going to let anybody know I was your partner.”
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