Ben coughed. “New powder to use in the mines. A spark from one of the lamps must’ve hit the crate holding it.”
He grinned, the flames behind him giving him an eerie, more wicked glow. “But everyone will know you did it. And those girls...they’ll be so desperate for me to keep their names out of it that they’ll do whatever I ask.”
Another cough wracked Ben’s body. “At least I got the contents of one of my safes. Now I really need to marry one of them.”
It took everything Will had in him not to shove the other man back into the burning building.
“Will!”
Will turned to see Jasper running toward him.
“Thank God you got out of there all right. When I saw that ceiling fall in, I was sure you were done for.”
The other man clasped him in a bear hug. “You all right? The doctor’s around front, treating some of the people who were badly burned.”
“I’m fine.” Will patted his friend on the back, then stepped away. “Did everyone get out?”
“As far as we know. We were fortunate. The marshal said that your quick thinking saved a lot of lives.”
“In a fire you caused,” Ben said, his voice raspy and strained with smoke damage.
“That’s a dirty lie!” Jasper started for him, but Will held an arm out.
“Don’t. It’s not worth it.”
Suddenly weary, Will looked for a place to sit. He was tired of fighting. Tired of running. If he met his end at the end of a rope thanks to Ben’s lies, so be it. Will’s conscience was clear. He’d meet his Maker knowing he was innocent and knowing that instead of taking a life, he’d saved it. He trusted the instinct that said his actions honored God, and he’d like to think that, just as it said in Hebrews about faith being a man’s credit to righteousness, God would credit this to Will’s.
If there was anything to regret, it was that he couldn’t tell Mary how he felt about her. In the flames, all he could see was that he loved her. He’d tried to tell himself it was admiration and respect. Sure, those two things played a part in his feelings, because after all, a man couldn’t love a woman he didn’t admire and respect.
Jasper seemed to sense his need and led him to a crate. “Here. You can sit here. The marshal asked us to stick around. I figure we ought to oblige him, given that maybe saving his life might account for something in keeping us out of trouble.”
“That’s not why I saved him.”
“I know,” Jasper said solemnly, nodding in the direction of Ben, who remained lying on the ground. “You’re a good man, Will Lawson. And even if people want to believe the dirty lies about you, there are people who know the truth, people who are honored to call you friend.”
Will thought back to Mary and how he refused to express his feelings for her because he couldn’t give her a respectable life. If he hanged, it wouldn’t matter, because there’d be no life at all. Earlier, Jasper had chided him for not letting his friends help him. For not letting his friends make their own decisions about his character.
If Will had one more chance to see Mary, he’d give her the same opportunity. A woman deserved to know when a man admired, respected and, yes, loved her. Mayhap it would all be for naught, but Mary needed to have the choice.
Will closed his eyes. The heat from the burning building was almost scalding. Would it feel this way to hang? Or would it be worse?
The crunch of gravel interrupted Will’s thoughts. He opened them to see the marshal standing before him.
“Marshal.”
“Lawson.”
“Ben’s over there. He needs a doctor.” Will barely had the energy to move his head.
The marshal made a motion with his arm, and Will realized a number of men were already tending to Ben.
“Ben says he has evidence that proves your involvement in the Century City robbery.”
“He thinks he does,” Will said slowly. “But a man’s got to wonder how Ben seems to know so much about a crime he didn’t commit.”
The marshal seemed to think for a moment as he gazed at the burning building. “A man does have to wonder. I’ve been following the activities of Ben’s gang for a while now.”
“When I asked for the marshal’s office to look into Ben’s activities, I was told their hands were tied.”
Marshal Whitaker shrugged. “You know we can’t talk about an ongoing investigation. And you were a suspect.”
Were. As though there might be a chance Will was in the clear.
“And now?”
“Seems to me a guilty man would have run. But I’ve been dogging your tail long enough as you’ve tracked Ben to realize that you’ve been doing your best to help us catch him.”
Will watched as a group of men carried Ben off on a makeshift stretcher. By the time the other man told his tale, most people would look at Will with more askance glances than he’d been receiving since the accusations first began. Even if he went to trial and was exonerated, there’d always be some people who thought him guilty. Either way, Will would never be able to walk around without a stain on his honor.
Especially since the marshal hadn’t said Will was off the hook.
“I’ve got Rusty Horton around front demanding your arrest. He claims he’s got definitive proof that you were involved in the bank robbery.”
Will didn’t have the heart to fight it. He pulled aside his jacket to reveal his father’s gun. “This is the gun used in the Century City Robbery. I found it on Colt this evening, and I took it. I reckon it’s my word against his, but until tonight, I haven’t seen the gun since before it was used in the bank robbery.”
The marshal paused in thought again. “I suppose, though, if the evidence burned up in that fire, I wouldn’t have anything to hold you on.”
Will thought about the gun he’d slipped into his holster. He had Jasper to back up his story, even if the law wouldn’t listen to what Mary and Rose had to say. But would it be enough?
“I have too much respect for the law to destroy evidence,” Will said.
With a loud rush, the rest of the building caved in with a burst of flame and smoke.
“It’s not too late,” the marshal said. “I believe you, but I can’t guarantee you’ll get a fair trial.”
The trouble with being convicted by the Holy Spirit to do the right thing was that it didn’t hold any guarantees of not facing human consequences. He had to do the right thing, no matter what the cost.
“I know. But I can’t live with the thought of having to look over my shoulder for the rest of my life.”
At least this way, Will knew he’d done everything he could to keep his integrity intact.
“I’m gonna have to take you in.” The man said the words slowly, sounding as if he regretted them deeply. But Dean Whitaker was the kind of lawman who followed the law, and as much as he believed in Will’s innocence, he had to follow the evidence.
“Would you be willing to let me turn myself in, in the morning? I’d like the chance to get my affairs in order.”
Will watched the shadows cross the marshal’s face. To let a man accused of bank robbery walk when the safest bet was to take him in was unheard of. But the marshal believed in his innocence. Plus, the first time Will had faced accusations, he’d turned himself in. At the time, he’d stupidly believed that he’d be released after he explained things. That hadn’t happened. He’d only obtained his release after they’d determined they didn’t have enough evidence to hold him. His possession of the gun changed things.
“I’ll give you the gun,” Will said slowly. “If I don’t show up tomorrow morning, my face will be on every wanted poster either side of the Divide.”
The marshal held out his hand. “You’re a good man, Will Lawson. I’ll do what I can to put in a good word for you.”
Wil
l shook the other man’s hand, then pulled out his gun, holding it out so the marshal could take it. “Take good care of this, will you? If I come through this, I’d like to have it back as a reminder of my father.”
“He was a good man, too. Raised you right. Shame about what happened to him.”
The marshal’s words gave Will hope he hadn’t dared hope before. Since his father’s death, not one person had expressed kindness toward the situation. Perhaps others felt the same way but were too afraid, given the high sentiment running against him.
“Thank you, sir.”
“Now I’m going to turn my back, real slow, so’s I can examine the progression of the fire. When I turn around, I’ll expect you to be on your way. I’ve got some deputies due soon, and if they spot you, I’m going to have to bring you in. Understand what I’m saying?”
Will would be leaving the place a wanted man. With just enough time to say his goodbyes before he’d be put in jail to await a trial.
“Thank you.”
The marshal didn’t say anything but turned around very slowly. Jasper grabbed Will’s arm, helping him up.
“Let’s get out of here.”
The men ran, sometimes with Jasper dragging Will’s fatigued body down the street. Fortunately, they weren’t far from the Jackson mansion. Rather than going in through the front, Jasper took him around back through the servants’ entrance.
The entire place was lit up, and Will wondered if coming here was a mistake. It was likely the first place anyone would look. But he didn’t protest as Jasper guided him through the house and into a quiet room.
“You’ll be safe here,” Jasper said, pointing to a bed before exiting the room and closing the door behind him.
Will couldn’t help but collapse onto the bed. Yes, he was safe. For now. But in the morning, he’d be on his way to jail and an uncertain future.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Rustling noises around Mary made her wake with a start. She looked around the elegantly appointed sitting room and realized she’d fallen asleep on the couch. Daylight streaked the room, and she saw that the tea tray had been taken away. Emma Jane and Frank had disappeared.
How had she fallen asleep at a time like this?
Mary rose and exited the room, looking for signs of life. The maid who’d attended them last night stepped into the hallway.
“You’re awake,” she said, smiling. “Mr. Jasper would like you to join him in his sitting room. Follow me.”
Mary looked around for signs of life. The entire house remained still. Quiet. Like a tomb. “What about Will? Is he here? Is he all right?”
The maid looked startled. “I can’t say, miss. Mr. Jasper returned alone last night.”
Alone. Tension knotted Mary’s stomach. He wouldn’t have left Will behind. Not unless—
No. She wouldn’t countenance such a thing. Will had to be all right, he just had to be. Now that Mary had finally realized she couldn’t continue punishing herself by denying her own happiness, she had to let Will know her true feelings. She had to tell him that she’d intentionally pushed him away and refused his kindness because she feared falling in love with him.
Of course it was too late to worry about such fears. She’d already fallen in love. And hard. What she’d had with Ben was a girlish infatuation. Now that she knew real love and the sacrifice of an honorable man, she couldn’t settle for anyone less than Will Lawson.
The doctor exited a room, closing the door behind him. Mary stopped. “How is my sister?”
“Sleeping.” He smiled at her gently. “She’ll be fine. I gave her something to help her sleep, to allow her body to heal. You’ve all been through quite the ordeal. I hope you’ll heed my words and get some rest.”
“Of course.”
Mary continued following the maid down the hall, grateful that her sister was going to be fine but even more eager to hear Jasper’s news. Surely Will was all right.
The maid opened a door at the end of the hall. “In here, miss.”
“Thank you.” Mary smiled at the girl, who’d probably had a rough time with all the excitement. “What is your name?”
“Alice, miss.” The maid curtsied and started to turn away, but Mary stopped her.
“Thank you, Alice. Your help has been much appreciated.”
The maid colored slightly before bobbing another curtsy and walking away. Mary entered the room.
Jasper lay on a sofa, clad in pajamas and a dressing gown. He smiled as she approached. “I apologize for my improper appearance, but mother insists I be treated like an invalid. I’m perfectly fine, I can assure you.”
“Were you badly injured?”
“Nothing a few days’ rest won’t cure.” The impish Jasper grin filled his face, only now it held an air of maturity Mary hadn’t seen in him before.
Their experience had changed him. Changed them all. Which was why talking to Will was imperative.
“Where is Will?”
The grin slipped from Jasper’s face. “He’s safe. For now.”
Jasper gestured to a nearby chair. “Please, sit. I can’t think with you hovering above me.”
Being told that Will was safe didn’t make sense with the way Jasper was acting. If Will was truly safe, he’d be in the room with them.
“Thanks to the sheriff’s words against him, and the discovery of the gun, Will is now wanted by the law. Father has arranged for him to be transferred into custody later today.” Jasper’s voice cracked slightly.
“He’s going to jail, Mary. He’ll stand trial for the robbery in Century City as well as for starting the fire at The Pink Petticoat.”
Mary stared at him. “But he didn’t start that fire! Rose and I did.”
“Yes, and you’ll keep quiet about your involvement. Will and I have agreed to take the blame.” Jasper coughed. “Actually, Will insists on taking the entire blame himself. Father is working on getting the top lawyers in the country to take Will’s case, but in the meantime, we’re to keep quiet about what happened. Once we’ve consulted with the lawyers, then we can tell our side of the story to the authorities.”
“But that’s lying.” Mary looked at him, incredulous. “I can’t countenance such a thing. We didn’t mean to burn the place down. Surely they know it was an accident.”
A door creaked open, and Will stepped through. “Please, let me do this, Mary.”
“Will!” She couldn’t help herself. She ran to him and threw her arms around him. “I was so worried.”
As if it were a herculean effort, Will returned the gesture, holding her close to him. “You and your sister won’t survive in a jail cell. Especially not with the power Ben’s gang holds. I’ve talked with Mr. Jackson, and he believes we can find enough evidence to exonerate me, both of the fire and the robbery. But you have to be patient and do as I ask.”
His breath fanned her hair, and Mary didn’t want him to let her go. The safest Mary had felt in a long time was right here, in Will’s arms, and the thought of him going to jail for her, even temporarily, was unbearable.
“But what of Ben’s threats of a lynch mob?”
Will let her go and looked into her eyes. This man had never let her down, and as she looked at the light shining in his dark orbs, she knew she could trust him.
“The marshal is on our side. Between his men and the men Mr. Jackson hired, I’ll be perfectly safe. There’s still a chance that the jury will convict me, but we’ve already got people working to ensure I have a fair trial.”
Though she supposed Will meant to comfort her, it all seemed such an impossibility. Not with the kind of weight Ben carried in this region. He was the slickest of criminals, and he’d managed to evade being caught so many times.
“What about Ben?”
Will smiled. “He was found wi
th a number of stolen gems in his possession when he escaped the fire. He’s got some explaining of his own to do.”
At least Ben was finally getting what was coming to him—as long as he didn’t wiggle his way out of it.
Still, at the hope shining in Will’s eyes, Mary had to trust that things would work out. After all, they’d come this far.
“Will, I have to tell you—”
“No.” His eyes took on an unfamiliar look. “I have some things I need to say first. The marshal’s men will be here any time now, and I have to go with them as soon as they arrive. I need to leave with a clean conscience.”
Go. Perhaps never to return. Those thoughts burned in Mary’s chest, even as she fought to cling to hope.
“I care for you, Mary. I’ve fought my feelings because I didn’t think it was right declaring myself to a woman when I had no honor to give her. But I’ve come to realize that honor isn’t about what others think of you, but of being right in the eyes of God. I had the chance to let Ben die, and I didn’t.”
Mary couldn’t imagine a more honorable man standing before her, even if he had allowed Ben to die. But she continued listening, giving him the chance to say what he needed to say.
“So I am declaring my love for you, Miss Mary Stone. I love you, and I hope someday to be able to give you my name. It may not be a name most people think of as being a good name, but I hope it will be good enough for you.”
Unbidden, tears streamed down her face.
“Of course it’s good enough for me. I’d be proud to carry your name and give you sons to carry on what is the noblest name I have ever known. I hadn’t dared hope to find a man I loved. I thought I owed it to my family to make up for what I’ve done by devoting my life to them. But I don’t need to serve any penance for sins the Lord has forgiven. I love you, too, Will.”
Will kissed her then, and as she melted into his arms, the sounds of the deputies coming to arrest him clanged in her ears. But Mary didn’t care. As her heart swelled with love for the man kissing her, and the peace of God settled around them, she knew that in the end, it would all work out according to God’s plan.
The Lawman's Redemption (Leadville, Co. Book 2) Page 22