“What information? This is another delaying tactic on the part of the defense,” Lait protested.
“I assure you, it isn’t. We listened to your witness all morning. Please allow me twenty minutes.”
“You have fifteen, and not a second longer.” The judge hit the gavel. The noise in the court room rose considerably, but Kathleen’s attention was pinned to the new arrival. Mr. James ushered them all into a small meeting room and closed the door.
“Mr. James, Miss Collins, this is Mr. Meredith, a Pinkerton agent.”
“What did you find out?” Richard asked the man.
“Beaugrand isn’t his real name,” Mr. Meredith said, wasting no time. “It’s MacArthur, and he is a wanted man in the United Kingdom. Seems he murdered some duke and escaped with cash and jewelry worth a hundred thousand dollars.”
“How do you know it is him? That’s a pretty big claim, isn’t it?” Mr. James asked.
“I have proof. That’s what took me so long. I had to find the woman who helped him. She is in a boarding house on the edge of town. Didn’t want to risk bringing her in here,” Mr. Meredith replied.
“We need more than the word of a woman,” Mr James retorted, before seeming to remember Kathleen was present. “No offense, Miss Collins, but you have seen the judge. He isn’t going to believe a woman over a man.”
“No, but he will believe this. I have also wired London and they are sending their people over. It will take them time to get here, but I think the judge will agree it is in his interest to cooperate,” Mr. Meredith said.
Kathleen couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
“And if that wasn’t enough, MacArthur’s killing spree didn’t end on the other side of the pond. He is also wanted in Boston. Quite an interesting trail he left, once you know where to start digging.”
“Anything to pin him to this murder?” Richard asked.
The Pinkerton detective looked Richard straight in the eye. “No, but given he is the prosecution’s star witness, it is enough to cast doubt on his testimony. That should help, shouldn’t it?’
“I don’t know,” Richard said. “Mr. James?”
“We will soon find out. We best get back in there, or the judge will convict just to show us he is in charge.”
“He has to allow the jury to reach a verdict,” Kathleen protested.
“Do you think that will take long?” Mr. James retorted before ushering them back into the court room.
Chapter 71
Kathleen
“Mr. James are you ready to proceed?”
“Yes, Your Honor. We call Mr. Beaugrand back to the stand,” Mr. James responded in a very respectful but calm tone.
“Your Honor, I think we have heard everything Mr. Beaugrand has to say.” Mr. Lait stood, his contemptuous tone matched by the look he sent Mr. James.
“No doubt, but I am sure Mr. Beaugrand would be happy to speak to us again.” The judge’s sarcasm made the audience laugh.
Kathleen kept her eyes on Beaugrand; she saw his frustration and perhaps a little bit of fear before the mask appeared. He walked to the witness stand and sat once more.
“Mr. Beaugrand, I remind you, you are under oath,” Mr. James said.
“Yes, sir, but I am not on trial here. I’m no orphan.” The jury smiled in response.
“I don’t know whether you are or not, but I do know your name isn’t Beaugrand, is it?”
The courtroom erupted as people spoke at once.
“Quiet. Quiet.” The judge banged his gavel. Beaugrand was on his feet protesting too, but the judge told him to sit down and shut up. “Mr. James, I trust you have reason to make those assertations.”
“Yes, Your Honor. This man isn’t an American citizen, but a British one. The name the British authorities know him as is Robert MacArthur, but, of course, that may also be false. He is wanted for murder and theft to the tune of a hundred thousand dollars.”
“This is ridiculous. How dare you? My name is Beaugrand.”
Mr. James ignored Beaugrand. “We have a witness, Your Honor, who can identify him. We also have a wire from London confirming the information.”
“She can’t tell you anything,” Beaugrand blustered. “For a few dollars she would claim the judge was the King of England.”
“Your Honor, you will note I didn’t qualify the sex of the witness,” Mr. James said lightly.
The judge gave Beaugrand a shrewd look before turning back to Mr. James. “Give me those papers. Who gave them to you?”
“We engaged the services of a Pinkerton agent, Your Honor.”
“After the homestead massacre, nobody pays any attention to those people anymore.” Beaugrand huffed.
“My son is a Pinkerton agent, Mr. Beaugrand.” The judge’s response left nobody in any doubt of his opinion of the man in front of him. “Guard, take Beaugrand, or Macarthur or whatever his name is, into custody until I hear what the Pinkerton agent has to say.”
Beaugrand protested loudly but nobody paid any attention to him as the guard took him away.
The judge instructed the Pinkerton agent to come forward and had him swear on the Bible. “Do you know my son?”
“Yes, Your Honor. I’ve had the pleasure to work with him on a couple of cases.”
“Very good. Now tell us what you know.”
Kathleen listened with only half an ear, she didn't really care what Beaugrand had done. Instead, she watched the jury, wondering if what they were hearing was enough to get her brothers released.
“And this lady is willing to come and swear the truth?” the judge asked.
“Yes, Your Honor, but she is afraid of MacArthur, he has threatened her.”
“I can imagine,” the judge said. “I think I have heard enough.”
The judge thanked the Pinkerton agent for his service then focused on the jury.
“You must disregard everything the man, Beaugrand, has told you. It appears he is at best a con artist, at worst a multiple murderer. With regard to the men on trial, it would appear there is insufficient evidence available to convict them of murder. They may very well be innocent of that crime. I therefore dismiss the jury, with thanks for their service.”
Kathleen’s hopes soared as she jumped to her feet. Her brothers would be free, and they could all travel to Riverside Springs together.
“However, these men are, by their own admission, cattle rustlers and that would usually mean a hanging offence,” the judge went on.
Kathleen sat suddenly. She couldn’t believe it. He was still going to hang her brothers.
“Given their relative youth, the circumstances of their arrival in our state, and the mistreatment they have already endured, I am sentencing them to five years in State penitentiary.
The court erupted once more, the judge banged his gavel. “Bailiffs, clear the court. Take the prisoners to the cells.”
Kathleen couldn’t move. The tears rolled down her face and she didn’t bother to hide them. Richard pulled her to her feet and escorted her from the court house. Reporters jostled, trying to get her opinion, but she didn’t say a word. Richard called a cab and instructed the driver to take them to Mr. James’ house. Only when they got there, and they were safely inside, did he speak.
“I am so sorry, Kathleen,” Richard said gently. “I was sure once we got Beaugrand uncovered for what he was, your brothers would be safe.”
Kathleen looked at him. What could she say? Her brothers were alive, so she should be thankful to him for saving them. But she couldn’t feel anything but anger. Not at him, but at the system that had sent them to this state, that had allowed them to be mistreated. The same system that had failed the other children.
“Kathleen?” Richard queried.
“I best get packed. I have to get back to New York. Then, once I repay you, I shall move to Riverside Springs.”
“Repay me?”
“I know it will take a while, but you will get back every penny I owe you.” Kathleen didn’t ev
en want to think about how long it would take her to repay her debts. All she wanted was to be back in New York with Bridget and Lily.
“You think I care about the money?” Richard said, looking hurt. “Kathleen, I thought you were smarter than that. I care about you.”
Kathleen didn’t want to hear that. She couldn’t deal with anything else today. She stood.
“Thank you for everything, but I really need to pack now. Please excuse me.”
And she walked away feeling his eyes staring at the back of her head.
Chapter 72
Kathleen
Kathleen looked at her packed bag. She hadn’t slept a wink last night. How was she going to tell Bridget the news? She left the bag on the bed and went to check at the train station for the next train to New York.
She hadn’t gone far down the street when she heard someone calling her name. Turning, she found Richard.
“We’ve got to go to the court house,” he told her.
She turned back in the direction of the train station. “I am going to New York.”
“No, Kathleen. Judge wants to see us. All of us.”
“Why?” she asked.
“I have no idea, but it must be important. It can’t be more bad news, can it?”
Kathleen looked into his earnest eyes, willing herself to believe him. But she couldn’t deal with anything else. She was barely holding it together.
“Come on. You can get a later train,” he said.
She covered her ears as he whistled for a cab.
“Richard, you are not in New York now,” she protested.
“Sorry, old habit,” he said, taking her hand to help her into a wagon, the driver having stopped in response to Richard’s whistle.
She smiled at Richard. The wagon driver drove fast to the court house in response to the big tip Richard had promised. Walking in the door, Kathleen took a deep breath.
There were only the judge, Mr. James, Mr. Lait, and the sheriff.
“Thank you all for coming. I have had a chance to speak to the defendants, Shane and Michael Collins. Michael has admitted he was the one solely involved with the cattle rustling. According to him, the younger defendant is totally innocent. Corroborating evidence suggests that this may be the case. No witnesses have mentioned Shane, but they all implicate Michael,” the judge explained, directing his remarks to Mr. James.
“What does this mean?” Kathleen asked, causing the judge to glare at her. Richard took her hand and squeezed gently to show his support.
“I have no option but to release Shane. The issue I have is he doesn’t wish to return to the home he was placed in. He says he would rather go to prison.”
“He can’t do that,” Kathleen burst out. Again, she apologized.
“What do we need, Your Honor?” Mr. James asked.
“An adult, preferably a responsible one, to accept responsibility for him until he is twenty-one years old. Someone has to teach this young man right from wrong.”
Kathleen bristled. The judge knew her brother wasn’t guilty of cattle rustling, yet he still wrote him off as being a criminal.
“My sister and brother-in-law live in New York. I can wire them, but it will take time for them to come out to Waterloo. I am not even sure if they are in New York. They work as outplacement agents for the orphan society.” At the look on the Judge’s face she might as well have announced they were axe murderers.
“I will take responsibility for Shane, Your Honor,” Richard said.
“You will? What do you do for a living?” the judge asked, looking surprised.
“I am a doctor and I also hold a few investments.”
“Can you afford to keep this man? He must not be tempted to turn to a life of crime.” The judge didn’t see the amused glances his words caused.
Mr. James coughed as if clearing his throat, but Kathleen guessed he was trying to cover his amusement.
“Your Honor, Richard Green is a member of the railroad Green family.”
Kathleen wanted to laugh at the expression on the judge’s face, only his attitude disgusted her. Richard was automatically elevated in his estimation as he was well off.
She looked at the ground as the judge and Richard signed the paperwork. Mr. James witnessed it. The judge didn’t ask Kathleen for her input. She realized he hadn’t expected her to be there at all, but Richard had brought her of his own will knowing it was important to her.
“Are you ready?” Richard asked once they’d finished.
She had missed some of the conversation and looked at him in puzzlement.
“You have to say goodbye to Michael for now, but we get to take Shane home.”
“We?” she asked.
“Well, I guess you’re stuck with me for a while, Miss Collins. I don’t intend on letting you travel back to New York alone.”
She didn’t get a chance to say a word. Michael and Shane were brought into the room. At the judge’s direction, Shane was unfettered. He rubbed his arms, his shocked face showing he didn’t believe what was happening. Kathleen locked eyes with Michael. She saw the regret in his eyes. She went over to him and wrapped her arms around him, being careful of his arm.
“You are an amazing man,” she said.
“He was innocent,” her brother insisted.
“I am the queen of England,” she whispered back.
Michael gave her a quick look then looked away. “He would never have been able to handle prison.”
“Write to me, Michael,” she begged him. “When you get out, you have a home with me. Wherever I end up. We are family, and nothing is going to change that.”
“Look after him, Kathy,” he said. His use of his old childhood name for her filled her eyes with tears. He looked at her one more time, his eyes flickered to Shane then he was gone.
“Come on, let’s get out of here,” Richard said.
Kathleen let Richard shepherd her and her brother out of there. They went back to Mr. James’ house to pick up her belongings. Richard left the siblings to catch up while he went shopping for some train tickets and some things for Shane.
Soon, they were on the train back to Freesburg to check on Patrick and from there they traveled on to New York.
“Shane, would you mind taking a walk through the train. I wish to speak to your sister, please.”
“Yes, Doc Richard.” Shane stood. They were traveling in first class thanks to Richard’s generosity. It was so different from the train journey she had made with Miss Screed.
“Kathleen, I hope you don’t mind my impertinence, but I felt we better talk now, while we can. Once you get back to New York, I am sure your sister and friends will monopolize your company.”
She tried to smile, but her facial muscles wouldn’t respond. Her palms were sweating so she hid them in the folds of her skirt. She couldn’t look him in the face, every time she stared into his eyes, her insides seemed to melt.
“I want you to know I admire you, Kathleen,” he said formally. She glanced at him and saw he was nervous. His eyelid was twitching ever so slightly.
“What I mean is, do you think you might come to care for me?”
“I do already. You are a very dear friend,” she replied hastily, hoping to make him smile.
“A friend? That wasn’t quite what I had in mind,” he replied. “I see you as much more than a friend. I know there is an age gap between us, but I don’t care. I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
“You can’t?”
“No. I know you have plans to go to Riverside Springs, but I was hoping you might change them. I know that’s a lot to ask but I have such a wonderful opportunity at the New York hospital. I want to study plastic surgery. I worked with a lot of burns victims in the past, children like Patrick and adults too. I believe we can do a lot more to help those afflicted. But it will mean more years of training.”
She was torn. She wanted to get to know him better, she knew she liked him a lot, but she had plans to go to Riverside Spr
ings. She wanted to live with her family.
“I know I’ve sprung this on you, but do you think you could consider it. There is a lot of work to be done in New York. We can help children together.” He paused, looking at her in the face as he took her hands. “What do you think?”
She longed to say yes but she barely knew him. He had been wonderful to her on this trip. Without his help she wouldn't be bringing Shane back to New York. But did she love him or feel grateful to him? She didn’t know.
“You don’t feel the same way I do?” he said softly, his voice trembling slightly. Withdrawing his hands, he moved away from her. “I apologize.”
She grabbed his hands in a most unladylike fashion, but she couldn’t bear to see him hurting.
“I like you a lot, more than any man I have met. But I don’t know if I can live in New York. I miss my siblings and I promised Bella I would go to Riverside Springs.” She took a deep breath, “Richard, could you give me some time to consider your request?”
“Yes, of course,” he said, pulling her close again, smiling into her eyes.
She saw his gaze move from her eyes to her mouth and back again. Before she knew what was happening, he leant in and brushed his lips against hers. The instant he kissed her, she knew she wanted more. She clung to him as he kissed her again.
Shane’s arrival interrupted them.
“Sorry,” Shane said, not looking in the least bit apologetic. “So, have you asked her yet?”
“Shane!” Kathleen admonished her brother.
“Yes, I have, Shane, but your sister is a wise woman. She wants us to wait a while to see how she feels once we are all back in New York. I live in hope,” Richard said, smiling at Kathleen.
She couldn’t control the butterflies in her stomach. Being held in his arms had been so wonderful. Was that what love meant?
“I will wait as long as you want, darling,” Richard whispered once Shane was distracted.
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