by Jodi Thomas
Seven-year-old Will stood like a little soldier at the foot of his mother's grave, not allowing one tear to fall. Andy, at four, didn't understand. He asked when she would be coming back from heaven. When Sage explained that she was never coming back, he cried until Bonnie told him that their father went with her so she wouldn't be alone, and they left Will and him here so they'd both have company too. Andy stopped crying then, as if her words had made sense to him.
Sage gave the boys all the time they needed at the grave, but when they left, she knew they'd all have to hurry through the rest of the day doing everything on their list. Daniel left them at the gate. He swung up on his horse, tipped his hat to the ladies, and shoved the Bible back in his saddlebag next to a half-empty bottle of whiskey. "I'll be at the Ranger station if you need me, miss."
Sage glanced back to make sure the boys couldn't hear, then asked, "Doesn't what you do now, killing outlaws, conflict with the preaching? Shouldn't God be the judge?"
Daniel smiled. "Way I look at it. I'm just seeing that they can plead their case face-to-face” He winked at her.
Sage smiled. The others joined them.
She directed the boys toward the shops and noticed only Will looked back at the cemetery. He was old enough to remember all that had happened for the rest of his life. For Andy, she hoped it would only be something he was told about.
Hours later, loaded down with supplies and clothing for the journey, they returned to the hotel room to find Captain Harmon waiting for them.
Sage liked the man. Her brother Travis knew him well and trusted him. She smiled at him, thinking of years ago when she'd fallen for a young man with a badge. They'd both been young enough to promise forever, but he'd died before her eighteenth birthday. Now she couldn't help but wonder: if Michael Saddler had lived, would he look as weathered as the captain by now?
"Sage," Harmon said slowly, as if it were an endearment. "How are you, honey? I'm powerful sorry about you losing your husband”
She set her bags down and hugged him lightly. "I'm fine, Captain, and you don't look a day's worth of different than when I last saw you”
He grinned. "I see you learned to lie up there in the big city."
"I learned lots up there," she said with a laugh, "but it's good to be back."
Sage introduced the captain to Bonnie and the boys. Will and Andy paid their respects then vanished to go wash up.
The nurse seemed nervous as she always did around men who weren't wounded or ill. She excused herself, saying she had to go down and order food for the boys before they started gnawing on the furniture.
Sage waited until the nurse's footsteps died away. She knew the captain wasn't here on a social call. She didn't have to wait long.
Harmon glanced at the washroom door and said in a low voice, "I need to talk to Will and Andy alone before you take them to safety. They might know something that could help us catch whoever ordered their parents killed. Do you think I could have some time now?"
"Of course” She picked up her doctor bag. "Bonnie and I have to say good-bye to someone, and I'd just as soon the boys not go with us. Then I need to stop by the alchemist counter and refill a few of my bottles. Would thirty minutes be enough time? I think I can be finished by then”
Harmon nodded. "If you're not back in half an hour, I'll take them over to the Ranger station and keep them there until you pick them up”
She didn't have to tell him not to let them out of his sight. He'd seen their mother. He knew as much as she did the danger they were in. She'd also noticed several times during the day that a man with the look of a Ranger was close, watching over them. Roak and the captain would probably deny it, but Sage bet there hadn't been a minute that the boys were without a guard today. Even Daniel at the cemetery was probably acting under orders.
Sage met Bonnie halfway down the stairs.
"We in for the night?" Bonnie asked. "I got a meal coming up directly.”
"One more thing on my list. I have to say that good-bye to Barret's brother. but I could go-"
"Don't even think it," Bonnie answered. "I'm going with you. Knowing Shelley Lander, he's living in a snake den. We'll be in and out and back home before sunset. In fact, I suggest that as soon as we catch sight of the man, we both wave and yell our farewells from a distance”
"I'll settle on five minutes.” Sage hurried down the stairs. This was the one errand she didn't want to do, but she owed it to Barret. She'd wrapped her husband's pocket watch in one of his handkerchiefs to give to Shelley. One memory of his brother.
They followed the directions given by the clerk: third boardwalk off the first dock, a green building with Chinese lanterns hanging from each corner.
From the distance of the shoreline the place looked festive. Sage shook the sand out of her shoe and told herself this wouldn't be so bad. Few were on the dock at this time of day. The workers had gone home to their supper, and the gamblers hadn't come out to play yet.
From twenty feet. the building looked neglected, and the boards rattled beneath her step. The lanterns were in shreds, the paint peeling. Someone inside with no skill was banging on a piano. The music pulsed through the late-afternoon air in jerky rhythm. Nothing about the place welcomed them.
Bonnie moved closer as they walked an uneven little bridge to the green house built on stilts. At high tide people used boats to dock on one side. The wind whipped in from the gulf, battering the building, which seemed to squeak and rattle in protest. The tide was rolling in with each wave, and the dock swayed from the force of the water.
Sage noticed a small boat bucking the waves toward the side dock. There were six men inside, all dressed with more the look of wranglers than sailors. All wore guns strapped around their waists, and several rifles poked out of the boat. Maybe they were guards delivering liquor or men from the bank picking up money. She could believe liquor coming in under guard more than that much money going out. Shelley didn't seem flush enough to have to send his deposits in.
"The doorman said it's a gaining house, and we'd better be out of here long before dark” Bonnie shortened her steps as if to slow their progress.
"No problem. I'm beginning to think your idea of sending him a letter was a good plan."
They reached the porch and knocked twice before the door opened. A thick man little more than Sage's height, with his sleeves rolled up well past his elbows, answered. He looked puzzled then frowned at them as if they were two jellyfish that had flopped in on a wave.
Sage straightened, wishing she'd thought to pull her gun from the folds of her petticoat and put it in her purse. "We'd like to see Mr. Shelley Lander, please”
The man stood as if he'd replaced the door. "State your business, and I'll see if he's in”
"I'm Sage McMurray, and my business is private”
He raised a bushy eyebrow. "Well, I'm Tony, and no one gets to the boss-"
Sage's patience ended. "I'm Dr. Lander, and my business is none of your concern.” She took a step toward the man as if she fully intended to push him out of her way.
Tony hesitated, then stepped back with a curse. "It's bad for business having you two standing around out here. You've got five minutes, lady.”
Bonnie passed the man, towering over him by a head. "That's four more than we'll need” With a smile, she whispered, "Don't mess with the doc, or you'll be looking up at your own headstone.”
Sage forged ahead. "What business?" she said under her breath.
Tony had to scramble to keep up with the women.
They all moved inside to a small foyer, which split off into several hallways. Tony took the first one on the right and motioned for them to follow. The entire place smelled of cigar smoke, damp dirt, and whiskey.
The first room they passed had several tables inside, but only three men sat near the back, playing cards. From the look of them, they'd been there for days. Empty bottles littered around their table, and a ring of smoke hung over their heads as thick as a storm cloud.
>
Sage noticed not one of the gamblers even lifted his eyes to watch their passing.
The second room looked more like a saloon. Here the piano played, but no one seemed to be listening. Several men, sailors mostly, drank and talked while two bored barmaids refilled their glasses. Sage couldn't tell if they were the start of tonight's party or the leftovers from last night.
Bonnie tugged on her arm with a sudden jerk. "Look," she whispered, "there's the guy who ran into me on the walk the day we arrived." She raised her nose as if looking down into the bottom of her glasses. "I thought he looked like a nice man; just shows you how looks can be wrong.”
Sage spotted the tall cowboy near the back of the bar. He had a drink next to him, but he wasn't paying it any attention. Instead, he stared out a long, slanted window that looked like it opened into a big room. She couldn't see much, but the sounds of coins being shuffled along with cards drifted from the open window.
"In here, Doctor Miss." Tony pointed toward an open door that looked like it led to an office.
When Bonnie moved to follow, he stopped her with a muscular arm. "One at a time. It's the boss's rules.”
Bonnie looked at Sage in near panic.
Sage hesitated. "I'll leave the door open. Shout if you need me. I'll only be a minute.”
Bonnie nodded once. "Stand where I can see you”
"I will.” Sage forced herself to step into the office.
At one time the place might have been considered nicely furnished, but it, like the building, hadn't weathered well. The couches were tattered, the drapes so old only dust and mildew kept them up, and the carpet was worn to the boards in several spots. French doors opened behind Shelley's desk, and she saw that he could look out into a large gaming room with tables for cards and dice. The place was almost empty.
Shelley moved from behind his desk, tugging on his coat as he came. "Welcome.” he said, smiling. "I'm delighted you've thought about my offer and have decided to change your mind. I’ll be happy to show you my safe, my dear. Several travelers trust their valuables with me."
Sage didn't move. "Thank you. Shelley, but I haven't time. I only came to bring you this.” She tugged the handkerchief from her bag and handed him Barret's watch. "I think your brother would have wanted you to have this."
He unfolded the cloth and stared down at the gift. Big tears bubbled in his eyes.
Sage fought to keep from moving backward, not wanting the man to hug her, even if he was almost a relative. Barret had loved that watch. He'd said his parents gave it to him when he finished school. It was probably the most valuable thing he owned. She only hoped Shelley would treasure it also. Her husband had never mentioned what he wanted her to do with it, but since it bore the Lander name engraved on the back, she thought Shelley should have it.
The clank of a bell sounded from somewhere deep in the house, and shouts of alarm came from the dealers in the main room. The rush of men scrambling seemed to rattle through the house like giant mice running in the attic.
Pocketing the watch, he rushed toward the French doors, trying to see any sign of trouble through the thin lace curtains. "Tony!" he yelled in the direction of the hallway, "get down there and settle everyone down. Tell the newcomers docking that they'll have to come through the front door if they want to get in."
Shelley watched the room below, forgetting that Sage was even in the room as he muttered through the house rules. "No entry in the back, only an exit. Don't want the prospective suckers bumping into the broke drunks leaving.”
Shelley reached in his desk drawer for a pistol. He paused for a moment, fighting to control the anger in his face. "I didn't realize you were still here, my dear. Please stay back while I deal with a slight problem” He slowly opened one of the doors behind his desk and leaned out only a few inches.
"What the hell is going on!" he yelled and opened the door wider, revealing what looked like an empty room.
A moment later, shots rang out in rapid fire. Sage jolted backward.
Shelley seemed to straighten in slow motion, closing what was left of the shattered French door. Then he turned toward her and hit the ground, clutching his shoulder. A high-pitched scream of pain filled the office.
Sage ran to him and knelt by his side. Blood bubbled from a hole high on his arm. She clawed his hand away to see the wound as he swore.
"Bonnie!" she shouted as more shots rang out. "Bonnie!" Shelley screamed again that he was dying and she had to help him.
Sage tugged the jacket open and tore the shirt off his shoulder. Blood covered the wound, but when she blotted it, she saw no entry point. The bullet had only grazed him, ripping flesh in a two-inch groove across the top of his arm.
"You're all right, Shelley. It's only a flesh wound. You're all right” She knew black powder could still poison the blood, but if she got the wound cleaned and let it bleed, it would heal fast.
The man seemed intent on playing a grand death scene. "Help me," he cried. "It appears I will follow my brother to the grave."
"Bonnie!" Sage cried again. When she moved to go get the nurse, Shelley's hand grabbed her wrist and begged her not to leave a dying man.
She'd been so occupied with Shelley, Sage hadn't noticed what was going on in the room beyond the French doors. The six men she'd seen in the boat a few minutes before were moving through the room toward her, their rifles pointed and ready to fire. A few of the dealers who hadn't moved fast enough at the sound of the bell were now dead on the floor between the gaming tables.
She managed to stand as two of the robbers crashed through the doors. "Get up, Lander," one yelled. "If I'd wanted you dead, you would be."
They pushed past Sage and jerked Shelley to his feet. One man pointed the barrel of the rifle against his throat, while the other one said calmly, "We want you breathing so you can open the safe. If you cooperate, we'll leave you alive to make more money so we can rob you again one day. If you don't cooperate, we'll kill you and your little lady friend right here and torch the place. That grand safe of yours will sink in the gulf of no further use to us or you."
"I'm not his lady friend," Sage said before she thought to stay quiet. "I'm a doctor, and this man needs medical attention”
They both looked at her as if she were completely mad. And she was more mad than frightened. Shelley, no matter how much of an idiot, was her patient, and these robbers were interfering with her care.
The one with the gun against Shelley asked, "Is that true? Is this little woman a doctor?"
Shelley was too frightened to think of anything but himself. "Yes, it's true, and she's trying to keep me from dying. I've got a weak heart. I could go any second”
"Then open the safe fast” the other man yelled as he kicked Shelley hard enough to push him to his knees.
Shelley followed orders, whining and swearing with every move.
As soon as the safe's door swung out, the man with the gun hit Shelley over the head hard with the butt of his gun. "That'll help you forget about dying." He laughed.
Sage dropped down by Shelley's body. Now the poor man had two wounds she'd have to deal with. As soon as he woke, he'd not only complain about being robbed, he'd probably think he was dying of brain damage as well.
One of the men shoved all the cash in the safe into an old leather saddlebag.
"Got it” he said as he stood. "Wave for the boys to shoot up the place and let's get out of here”
The second man turned to the shattered French doors, waved, and turned back. His black eyes looked straight at Sage. "You're really a doctor?"
"Yes," she said as shots rang out.
"Then you're coming with us." His black eyes danced. "Grab her bag, and let's get out of here."
The other man agreed and, before Sage could fight, they'd each grabbed one of her arms and started back through the shambles of what was left of the gaming room. She almost called for Bonnie, then stopped, suddenly hoping the nurse was still hiding in the shadows of the darkened hallway.
Maybe she'd even managed to run free to get help.
When Drum heard of this, he'd kill them all, if the Rangers didn't find them first. She wasn't just some woman in port they were kidnapping, she was Sage McMurray. These two-bit crooks had no idea of the hell they were pulling down upon them.
Sage kicked and screamed and tried to bite her kidnappers, but neither seemed to notice as they shoved her out the back door onto a rain-slippery dock. One held her while the other tied her hands behind her and added another rope at about knee level around her skirts, then they tossed her in the boat with the bag of money. As she drew in air to scream, one of them strapped a gag around her mouth.
"Hush up, little doc," came a low whisper from behind her. "We ain't gonna hurt you. We're just gonna keep you”
Wiggling and kicking at everything and everyone crowded into the boat, Sage barely saw the oar rise above her head. A moment later she watched it fall, and all went black.
Her last thought was that she wasn't going to make it back to the hotel before dark.
CHAPTER 10
BONNIE HEARD THE SOUND OF THE BELL AND SHOUTS. She took a step toward the office and Sage.
Tony's thick arm blocked her way. "Not so fast," he muttered. "The boss is real big on rules.”
"Something's wrong” She started to explain why she had to go to Sage.
Angry shouts exploded and echoed through the room and down the hallway.
"No," the man whispered. "The bell means trouble in the big room. Mr. Shelley will handle it”
Shots sounded close enough to have hit the study. Bonnie stretched her neck to see into the room.
"Gunfire," she said as if the stout man beside her might not know what the sound meant.
He pushed her backward down the hall, knocking off her glasses when he rushed into the study to investigate.
Bonnie steadied herself and prepared to barge her way past the man just as a hand slapped around her mouth and another about her waist, pulling her backward.