They looked and light streamed into the dark gloom, light and the most wonderful thing they both thought they had ever seen. Noah lifted Susannah and blinked. She rubbed her cheek across his face and held him tightly round his neck.
“Darling, you are brilliant.” Hazel’s voice floated down and it sounded like an angel to Susannah. “Absolutely brilliant. How far down are you?”
“About a hundred feet, I think. It’s difficult to tell but it’s a long way.”
“We’ve got ropes. Are you both alright?”
“Fine.” Noah coughed as Susannah slid from his arms.
“I’m not sure the rope will hold both your weight or you could come up on Noah’s back, Susannah.”
“Hazel!” Her tone was reproachful.
“What, darling?”
“I’ll show you. Just send down the rope.”
“We’ll make a little chair for you to sit on.”
“I don’t want a little chair, just the rope.”
“The men are attaching it to the cart. Are you sure you’re alright?”
“We’re fine. Just have water ready to drink because singing has made me parched.”
“I will. You have an amazing voice.”
“I’m going to lower the rope,” Benjamin said. “Do you want me to come down?”
“No.” Susannah turned to Noah. “You go first.”
He shook his head. “No. Ladies first always.”
“Thank you.” She put her hands on the rope, went up a bit and wound her legs round it. “Now watch the expert, sir.”
“You’re expert at a lot of things,” he said and watched her climb up the rope. She reached the top and looked down.
“Your turn.”
“Yes, ma’am.” His tone was enthusiastic as he took the rope in his hands.
Chapter 20
Hazel handed both Noah and Susannah a drink each, held in wine bottles. “It’s grape juice,” she said. “Is that alright?”
“It’s wonderful,” Susannah replied.
“You shouldn’t drink it all down at once,” Rachel said from where she stood nearby.
“How much?”
“About twenty swigs and then I’ll examine both of you. Why have you got a mark on your face, Susannah?”
“Miles hit me. He had something in his hand though I’m not sure what it was. Noah lunged at them and three of the men kept kicking and punching him.”
“And Susannah jumped in and rescued me,” Noah said. “After that she sidetracked them by asking them questions. She was the one who guessed the ring would be in the ladder.”
Benjamin frowned. “Diamond ring?”
“Yes,” Susannah said. “That’s what he was after. I can write a report of what happened if you like.”
“Can you tell us a bit now?”
“Noah can tell you while Rachel attends to my face. Would you, Noah?”
Which ended up as a joint account as Susannah kept interrupting, mostly to say what Noah had done. Benjamin wrote busily and Hazel interjected with a few questions.
“We sent some of the acting sheriffs in the direction of Independence,” Benjamin said. “But they didn’t find anyone. They might have gone in another direction.”
“I think I’m the only one who can catch Miles,” Susannah said. “Though I have to go alone.”
“You’re not going alone.” Noah’s tone was almost a growl.
“Into his office. I shall expect the place to be surrounded by sheriffs and I’ll need someone nearby to listen to what he says.”
“Maybe he won’t see you,” Benjamin said.
“Oh. He will.” Susannah’s tone was confident.
“What does he do that he has an office?”
“I’m not sure. Probably something illegal. You can find out after you arrest him. But he needs someone to visit him if he’s sent to prison. Do Jonathon and Zedekiah visit prisons?”
“Regularly.”
“I did tell him he needs Jesus but I don’t think he was taking it in.” Susannah lay back as Rachel moved to Noah. “Thank you. I think I’m going to sleep for a week but I can’t. I need to see the children before they go to school and then we must go to Independence. Is that alright, Benjamin? You haven’t had any sleep either.”
“This has to be resolved but we can’t just arrest him without proof.”
“No.”
“I’ll come with you to Bruce and Hazel’s ranch because Arena is babysitting, then I’ll take her home and join you outside the school.”
“Alright.” Susannah looked at Rachel as she stood. “Is Noah alright?”
“Yes. Just a few cuts and bruises which I’ve cleaned.” Rachel turned to Jude. “Shall we go, darling?”
“I’m not too happy about everything,” he said. “What if those men have gone to Bruce and Hazel’s place? They probably know Susannah lives there. You said, Susannah, that Miles would want to see you. Have you got something he wants?”
Everyone looked at Susannah. She dug into her pocket and held out the diamond ring. “I exchanged them when I said I would put the one he wants in a box. That’s why I want people to listen so there’s proof of what he did.”
“Then we cannot gallop up to the ranch because he may have got into the house and it will put Arena in danger. Bruce, what is the best way to go where we’ll least be seen?”
“Behind the barns,” Bruce said. “There are a lot of trees there. But won’t he be more likely to come back here because he’ll think Susannah is here?”
“Not if we leave some men here who can pretend they’re still searching for the entrance. We’ll cover it. Tom. Paul. Rick. You stay here and keep a sharp lookout for anyone. The rest of us will follow Bruce though you ladies could wait behind.”
“I need to be there,” Susannah said. “If Noah and I go towards the apartment and they are in the house they’ll follow me. I’m not so sure they will go to the ranch though because Miles will want me. We have to consider alternatives.”
“I can’t be in two places at once,” Benjamin said.
“I think I should go back in the mine,” Susannah said. “And all of you need to go. Some sheriffs could go to the ranch to check there.”
Noah frowned down at Susannah. “I’m going with you.”
“No. I’ll be alright.”
“I shall definitely go,” Benjamin said. “I’ll hide somewhere where I can’t be seen.”
“I’m still going,” Noah said.
“We will need extra people,” Susannah said.
Benjamin looked round at the sheriffs. “Two of you can come down with me and the rest go with Bruce and Hazel.”
“I can go down the mine,” Jude said.
“Thank you. I’ll appoint you as a deputy.” Benjamin dug into his pocket and fetched out a deputy sheriff’s badge. “Now, let’s hurry in case they come back to check and see us. They’re not here at the moment or we’d see them because it’s so flat. I suspect they’re on their way to Independence and they won’t return until Miles realises he’s been conned. That could take a few hours.”
Susannah looked at Hazel. “The children.”
“I’ll fuss them,” Hazel said. “You needn’t worry. If you’re not back by the time they come out of school I’ll think of something to distract.”
“Thank you.” Susannah looked round as they made for the entrance to the mine. “Be very careful how you cover with the grass. They mustn’t suspect anything.”
“Let the rope down to us,” Benjamin said. “And we’ll hide it. They’ll have to lower a rope, anyway, to get down themselves.”
Rachel reached into their cart and took out food and drinks. “Take that down.” She kissed Jude and put her arms round him. “I’ll go on duty. I have quite a lot of operations to do. Will you come in when it’s all over?”
“I will and we’ll be alright. You don’t have to worry.”
“I’ll be distracted. If I wasn’t I probably would worry. I love you.”
&nbs
p; “I love you.”
“Escort Rachel to the hospital.” Benjamin nodded at one of the sheriffs. “Then organise a few men to guard the place just in case. All of you remove your badges. The rest of you go with Bruce in case there’s trouble there.”
They were all amazing, Susannah thought, and she would miss them when she and Noah returned to New York. But it would be a while for her because she needed to stay with the children. Would Albert Clark keep her in his employ if she didn’t return immediately after solving this case?
It was no use worrying about it and they certainly weren’t at the end of completing the case. She made her way to the entrance of the mine and those who were going were soon all down and in their allotted places.
Where they sat for four hours before they heard a noise above them. There was no light but they kept up a running conversation and Susannah made sure she was near Noah at all times. There were plenty of them in the mine but she wasn’t sure how claustrophobia worked. Maybe she would ask Rachel though she wouldn’t mention that Noah had it.
Would he return to New York once everything was sorted? There was no reason for him to stay though she knew he liked the area. The thought of him going was decidedly bleak and she was glad of the dark so she could hold his hand while they sat leaned against the wall not too far from the entrance. Once or twice she dozed, exhausted from a night of sleeplessness, and she felt Noah tilt towards her now and again though he straightened quite quickly. In the next section of the cave Benjamin and his men were also quiet.
The hatch which led into the cave opened and a long rope was lowered, this time a ladder rope. The six men came down one after the other and put their lamps on the floor.
Miles made straight for Susannah but Noah blocked his way. The men behind Miles went to grab him but he was quicker than he had been before. They went down like ninepins one after the other but Noah did nothing to Miles.
“Give me the ring,” Miles said.
“And how are you going to make me do that?”
Miles looked down at his men who were lying on the ground in various states of disrepair. Every time one went to rise Noah kicked him. Noah made for Miles but before he could reach him Miles shot him.
“The ring,” he said, spinning round and aiming his gun at Susannah.
“Put the gun down, sir.”
Miles’ surprise at Benjamin’s voice caused him to be off guard for a couple of seconds. Not long but it gave Susannah time to lunge at him and knock the gun to the ground. One of the men crawled forward to grab it and she put her foot hard on his hand. Benjamin and his deputies ran in and all of them were overpowered.
Susannah sank on her knees beside Noah who was holding his shoulder. “It hasn’t gone in,” he said. “Just scratched the skin.”
“You were amazing.”
“It’s my ring,” Miles said, struggling while Benjamin handcuffed him.
“If it belongs to anyone it’s the insurance company,” Susannah replied.
Benjamin gave him a none too gentle shove. “Get up the ladder,” he said.
“You can’t do anything to me. I’ll hire a lawyer.”
“You hired a detective and it didn’t do you much good,” Susannah said.
“I shall get a refund from the detective agency.”
“You won’t. You signed a contract which said you had to pay upfront and that no money would be refunded.”
“My mother needs money.”
“If you give us her address we’ll get people from the church to visit her.”
Benjamin gave Miles a push. “Come on. Let’s go.”
“Jesus said if someone hits you, you should let them hit the other cheek.” He pointed at Noah. “He punched all my men.”
“I’m sorry,” Noah said. “But I’m not letting you hurt Susannah and all of you need to stop what you’re doing. Jesus also said we must keep his laws and live the way He wants, which doesn’t include shooting someone or attacking them.”
“I never professed to be a follower of Jesus,” Miles said.
“No, you didn’t, and I’m sorry.”
“Come on.” This time Benjamin took Miles’ arm and virtually pushed him across the floor towards the rope ladder. They went up, with the other men following behind and Noah put his arm on Susannah’s shoulders.
“He’s right,” he said.
“Who’s right?”
“Miles. I never thought of it like that before. I’m going to resign and buy a ranch.”
She made for the ladder. “Aren’t they expensive?”
“Yes, but I have a fair amount of money saved up.”
“If that is what you want then you should do it. Won’t you miss the excitement of what you do?”
Noah touched his shoulder briefly. “Excitement?”
“We’re going to the hospital for that to be looked at. Maybe Rachel will be out of theatre by now.”
“Why? Does she need to cut off my shoulder?”
Susannah giggled. “Could be.”
“That is really encouraging. You don’t have to come with me. You must be very tired.”
“No more tired than you. We did well here, didn’t we?”
“You did well. I was a total failure.”
Susannah turned to look at him. “Total failures don’t overcome their fears. Even if they don’t overcome them they’re not total failures. Will you teach me how to swim before I leave Lower Pine? I was even terrified at the baptism and particularly when my head went under the water.”
“But you did it and said nothing.”
“I practised putting my head underwater in the bath and felt as if I was going to die. When I was baptised the Lord must have taken over because I felt blessed afterwards, if that’s the word. When we weren’t sure what would happen, and particularly when the lights went out, you were given strength too. There is no shame in being claustrophobic. I’m not but I would have been frightened without you with me. You gave me confidence.”
“I was hanging onto you to give me strength.”
“I was hanging onto you for the same reason. I had total confidence in you.”
“You’re just trying to make me feel better,” Noah said.
“I want you to feel better but everything I’ve said is true.”
“You’re a nice lady.” They stopped at the ladder. “Go up and I’ll follow you.”
“Thank you.”
And he did feel much better, he had to admit, but he had no confidence that a woman like Susannah who was so smart would be interested in being with him on a permanent basis. He put his hands on the ladder and winced. At least he could take pain and didn’t cry like a baby, something he hadn’t wanted Susannah to see. He climbed up, they made their way to the hospital and not long after that they had to pick up Dan and Becky who didn’t seem to be at all put out at staying in the Longs’ house the night before.
Chapter 21
The five young people made for the water, more than excited at being at the lake and ready to swim. Larry, Tony and Amos already knew how to do so but Dan and Becky did not and were eager to learn. Susannah followed them more slowly and went out a little way.
“Teach the children first,” she said as Noah drew parallel.
“I’ll give you instructions together and then we’ll try the practical. Children tend to learn very quickly on average because they have less fear.”
“You need to be near them all the time.”
“I will. This section of the lake is shallow for quite a way out. It’s deep enough to swim but not deep enough for you to go under with nothing under your feet. That’s why it’s a good area for baptisms.”
“Yes. Tell us then.”
“I will.”
He called the children and they all came towards them with Harry and Tony swimming, also little Amos. Their papa taught them how, they had told Dan and Becky in the wagon on the way, but they didn’t know before they came here. Noah gave instructions and within thirty minutes they were swimmi
ng with confidence though Noah would not let any of them go too far out.
Susannah took longer but she found she was enjoying herself and particularly when Noah had his arm under her while she practised the movements, something he did with the children first. Maybe she wasn’t learning so quickly because she liked his arm under her and she had to get herself together, she told herself.
They stayed for a couple of hours then took the young people to a children’s play in Middle Pine. It was to give Bruce and Hazel a time on their own and Samantha, when she heard of the play, thought it a good idea. Bruce and Hazel said their children were no chore but Susannah rather felt they were looking forward to being alone for a few hours. Now she looked at Noah and felt a pang of something she couldn’t quite define. Or maybe she could but didn’t want to admit it.
He hadn’t said anything about returning to New York, something she was dreading. He had spoken to Bruce about buying land and said he would stay around for a while to examine the possibility of living in the area. But even if he stayed Susannah couldn’t go, she knew, because she was still needed to care for Dan and Becky.
The children loved the play and also enjoyed the meal they had afterwards in the theatre restaurant. It would give Bruce and Hazel a really good day together, Noah said to Susannah, and the longer they stayed out the better. When they finally reached home the children were keen to tell the couple what they had done, which included Dan and Becky. Amos toddled to his mother, she lifted him and he promptly fell asleep.
“We nipped into the mercantile and there was post for you, Susannah.” Hazel held out a sizeable envelope then picked up a couple of large parcels. “Is it your birthday?”
Susannah took them. “No. Thank you. Did you have a good day?”
“We did. It was totally lazy because we ignored anything that needed doing. Tomorrow there’s a church lunch so I’m now going to make a couple of cakes for it and maybe some pastry. Linda always tells us not to bring anything but she agreed to the cakes. I think with Jonathon being away she has more to do though Elise also does food for the lunch.”
The Detective Bride Page 21