"I might just talk to Erin about that," Patrick said thoughtfully.
"Bye, Ruby. I'm leavin'," Cooper called down the hall, "but I'll be back in an hour or so."
"Bye, Sheriff," she said, bustling out of her kitchen. "I'll see you later. I'm going to take a cup of tea upstairs and check on our girl."
"Good idea. Thanks. You ready Patrick?"
"Goodbye, Mrs. Elwood, and my apologies for disrupting your day."
"Your apology is accepted. Goodbye, Mr. Doyle."
Walking them to the door she closed it behind them, and her head still spinning with all she'd heard, she returned to the kitchen to set the kettle to boil.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Violet was pacing. She'd never exploded in her life, but once she'd started she couldn't stop. Years of pent-up frustration and fury had burst out of her, and when she'd finished she almost felt sorry for the shocked sergeant who had been the target of her rage. He'd been cherry-faced and confounded, then full of remorse and empathy. But the episode had left her trembly and full of restless energy. She knew she needed to pack, but she could only march around the room.
"I thought you might like a cup of tea."
Turning around she saw Ruby walking in carrying a cup and saucer. She hadn't even heard the door open.
"We're English at heart," Ruby said softly, "and my mother always made me a cup of tea if I was upset."
"You heard?"
"Hard not to—Violet."
"I'm sorry. I had to use a different name."
"I know, and I can understand why, and now you're all wound up. Sit down and drink this. It will help."
"Thank you," Violet said gratefully, taking the tea and perching on the edge of her bed. "You've been so kind. I feel terrible that I lied to you."
"You don't have to apologize. Like I said, it's understandable, but when I think about what you've been through! Where is your family?"
"My parents died within a month of each other when I was about six. They had some kind of lung disease, both of them, and I was taken to an orphanage."
"But what about your relatives? Was there no-one?"
"My father and mother had to break from their families in order to marry. I was born in England, but things became so difficult they broke all ties and came here to start a new life. They weren't in touch with anyone."
"How tragic. Were they very poor?"
"Poor? My goodness, no. My father was some kind of noble. That was the problem. His family was furious that he was marrying a commoner, and my mother's family turned nasty and began demanding all kinds of things because my father was rich. It was a mess, or so I was told. I was very young when they explained it all."
"Then surely there must have been money set aside for you."
"I do remember my father telling me there was, but any documents were sent with me to the orphanage, and I ran away. I have no idea what happened to any kind of inheritance I might have had. I assume someone at that place got their hands on it. They were awful people. Just awful."
"Does the Sheriff know about this?"
"Not yet, but I plan on telling him."
"You must! Inquiries can be made."
"I'm sure it's all been lost or stolen."
"But my dear, you don't know that. You must check."
"Someone else said that once. He was going to look into it, but he had a heart attack before he could. I would love to know what happened to my parent's belongings. I only have one small photograph. Perhaps with Cooper's help I might be able to find out. Yes, I will. I will make inquiries."
"I always knew you were a lady," Ruby said thoughtfully. "There's just something so elegant about you."
"Me? Elegant?"
"You're gracious without trying to be. There's a saying. Give me a child until he is seven, and I will give you the man. Until you were six years old you were raised by a gentleman, and I'm sure your mother was a lovely woman."
"You're so kind, Ruby."
"I'm just speaking the truth, and I have no doubt whatever you did to survive, you did it with style."
"Right now the only thing I need to do to survive is make sure that beast of a man doesn't catch me."
"You'll be safe at the sheriff's house."
"Ruby, I pray you're right. I truly pray you're right."
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Leading his horse, Cooper walked down Main Street with Patrick Doyle, and as they neared the jailhouse they said their goodbyes. Worried about Connelly, Patrick quickened his pace as he headed towards the outskirts of town and the safety of his boarding house, and Cooper was pleased to see his deputy-to-be seated on the porch.
"Hey, Sheriff," Charlie said, jumping to his feet as Cooper approached.
"That was good. You looked like you were readin' but you saw me."
"It's not hard to stay alert while you're doin' somethin' else. I never knew that."
"Nope, it's not. Listen up. I need you to take care of River for me. I'm goin' to the saloon. That detective from San Francisco is in there—and Charlie— he's a real bad guy."
"Huh. Whatta ya gonna do?"
"Beside's makin' sure he stays in there for a bit, I'm not sure. I'll be playin' it by ear. He can't arrest anyone in this town without my cooperation and he probably thinks he's gonna get it, but he's wrong. No tellin' what he'll do when he finds that out. Thing is though, I've got an iron in the fire that'll put him outta business, and I need him to stick around until tomorrow. "
"How are you gonna do that?"
"I've got a few ideas, but I need to size him up. After you finish with River stay on that porch and keep your eyes peeled and your ears listenin'. I might need you."
"Sure thing."
Leaving River in the young man's capable hands, Cooper walked back down the street and into the saloon, spying Frank Connelly the minute he entered. The man was hard to miss. He had a half-empty bottle of whiskey in front of him, and he was carousing with the girls as he threw it back. Cooper began ambling towards him, surprised the detective didn't even notice him until he was only a few feet from the table.
"If it isn't the sheriff of this town," Connelly declared. "I stopped by your office but the kid there said you weren't around. Kind of young for a deputy. He wasn't even wearing a badge."
"And who are you?" Cooper asked, placing his hands on his hips as he stared down at him.
"Did I forget to introduce myself? My apologies. Detective Frank Connelly from San Francisco."
"Welcome to Brownsville. Best if you know my laws. I don't put up with brawlin' in the bar or fightin' in the street. Cheat at poker and you'll be locked up for a week, then run outta town. Mess with any of my citizens and you won't get to try it a second time. Enjoy your stay."
"Whoa, hold on there, Sheriff," Frank exclaimed as Cooper turned to walk away. "I need a chat."
"I'm a busy man, Detective," Cooper said brusquely, pleased his charade of pretending to leave had worked so well. "Is it important?"
"I didn't come all the way from San Francisco to talk about the weather."
"Go wait in that quiet corner over there. I need a word with one of the girls. I'll be with you when I'm done."
As Cooper moved across the room he could feel the detective's eyes on him. Connelly had been expecting a small town sheriff in awe of a big city police officer, and not only had he confounded Connelly, he'd taken control.
"Hey, Sheriff," Josie said, greeting him with a warm smile.
"Has that fella been askin' questions?" he said, taking her aside and speaking in a low voice.
"Yep. No-one said a word, but it seemed like one of the girls might be thinkin' on it. Maybe she saw something I don't know about."
"Tell her if she gives out any information she'll be spanked on her bare butt every night for a week, and spendin' those same nights in a cell. Be sure and add that I have ways of findin' these things out."
"That'll keep her quiet. Is there anything else I can do?"
"Yep, and I pro
mise I'll reward you as soon as I can. I don't have any money on me right now."
"You know what I'd rather have," she twinkled.
"Behave or you might be the one over my knee."
"Promise?"
"Josie, Josie. Can we get down to business?"
"That's what I'm hopin' for."
"This is serious," he said sternly. "Listen up."
"Sorry, Sheriff. Go ahead."
"I don't want that man to leave here for at least an hour, longer if you can manage it, and I want him fallin' down drunk."
"I'll do my best, but he looks like a fella who can down a bottle and stay upright."
"What about that homemade brew of Kitty's? Doesn't that pack a wallop?"
"Yeah! It does! A few glasses of that stuff would knock out a horse."
"I have an idea. It's clear, right?"
"Yep."
"I'm gonna be havin' a chat with him. Bring two glasses, but make mine water, The minute I've finished it bring two more. He'll try to keep up with me."
"You are one sly devil."
"When I need to be, and this is one of those times."
"You go on over, Sheriff. I'll be right there."
As Cooper had directed, Connelly had moved to the far corner of the room, and he read the detective's compliance as a testament to the man's desperate need to find Violet. He also believed Connelly served only one Master. His demonic greed.
"You wanted to speak with me," Cooper said as he approached.
"Why don't you take a seat? Care to quench your thirst?"
"Sure, but not whiskey," Cooper replied, raising his hand to Josie and showing two fingers. "I've just ordered us a real drink, and here it comes. Thanks, Josie. That was quick."
"You always order the same thing, and I figured you'd wanna share it," she said as she placed the glasses on the table. "Should I wait to get you a second?"
"May as well. Here's to your visit, Detective," Cooper said, lifting his glass and watching Connelly lift his. "Welcome to Brownsville. Bottom's up."
Splashing back the water in two swallows, Cooper had a hard time suppressing his laughter. The detective's face was bright red, and he had his hand on his chest.
"Damn. That's firewater!"
"Too much for you, Detective?"
"Hell, no. Just have to get used to it. Bring me another as well."
"Make it two each, Josie," Cooper said with a wink. "That should keep us right for a few minutes."
"Okay, Sheriff."
"So what do you need from me, Detective? Why are you here?"
"There's a young woman in this town and I need to take her back to San Francisco."
"There are a lotta young women in this town. Who exactly?"
"Her name is Violet Parker, but she's probably using an alias."
"What does she look like?"
"Here are your seconds," Josie declared, returning quickly and placing the glasses on the table, "and your thirds."
"Thanks," Cooper said, delighted with her initiative. "Here's to law and order!"
Again he picked up the glass and downed it, obligating Connelly to follow suit.
"Damn. What is that stuff?" Connelly exclaimed, grabbing his throat. "I swear it's stripping the skin off my innards."
"Like you said, it takes gettin' used to, and you were sayin'?" Cooper pressed, lifting the third glass and sipping the water.
"Uh, yeah. Long red hair and green eyes. She's a liar and a thief and she killed a man."
"I assume you've got an arrest warrant."
"HUH?"
"An arrest warrant. Cheers," he added, clinking the third glass against Connelly's.
As the detective raised his tumbler and took another swallow, Cooper let out a relieved breath. He could see the home-made liquor was starting to kick in, but on top of half-a-bottle of whiskey it wasn't surprising. Violet could soon be safely moved, and Patrick Doyle's whereabouts would be the last thing on Connelly's mind.
"You don't need to worry about that, do you Sheriff?" Connelly asked, slurring his words. "The arrest warrant thing?"
"Sure do! I can't be lettin' you haul someone away without it. Wouldn't be right. Besides, I haven't seen this Viola."
"Violet! Not Viola, Violet, but like I said, I don't know what name she's using."
"Doesn't matter. Even if she was here I wouldn't just hand her over to some stranger who claims to be a detective. For starters I need verification from your office that you are who you say you are."
"HUH?"
"Come on back to town when you've got what I need," Cooper said rising to his feet. "I'll keep my eyes open, but people come through here all the time. I'll be seein' ya."
But as he turned and began to leave, Connelly jumped up and slammed his fist on the table.
"NO. SHE'S HERE AND I WANT HER, GODDAMNIT!"
Cooper paused his step, then slowly pivoted and looked back at him.
"Don't be raisin' your voice to me, Detective."
"I'LL RAISE MY GODDAMNED VOICE WHENEVER I GODDAMNED PLEASE!"
"Ah, you're a mean drunk. Should've guessed," Cooper remarked, moving towards him. "I was kinda hopin' you'd just pass out."
The saloon had fallen quiet, and the patrons were staring across at the commotion. Raising his hand Cooper caught Josie's eye.
"Yeah, Sheriff?" she asked, hurrying to his side.
"Go get Charlie for me."
"Sure, right away."
"WHERE IS THAT WOMAN?" Connelly shouted. "FIFTY DOLLARS TO WHOEVER BRINGS HER TO ME! LONG RED HAIR!"
"Frank Connelly, I'm arrestin' you for disturbin' the peace."
"WHAT? THE FUCK YOU ARE!" Frank bellowed, but as he wildly waved his arms in protest, he lost his balance, stumbled backwards and tumbled to the floor.
"You'll be spendin' the night in one of my cells," Cooper declared, standing over him with his hands on his hips, "and you'd best cooperate."
"Who the hell do you think you are? You're just a rinky-dink sheriff of a rinky-dink town?"
"Like you just said, I'm a rinky-dink sheriff of a rinky-dink town, and you are a drunk who needs to sleep it off."
It was only a moment later that Charlie ran into the saloon. Hearing the shouts he'd already been on his way, and moving quickly to Cooper's side he stared down at the man floundering at his feet
"He's all arms and legs," Charlie muttered. "How are we gonna get him across the street?"
"Carefully," Cooper replied. "First, we gotta handcuff him. If he starts swingin' those arms around he'll likely get one of us. Roll him over and—"
"Uh, sorry, I didn't bring them."
"Better run back and get 'em. Never arrive at a disturbance without handcuffs. Don't worry, you'll learn. He's not goin' anywhere."
Out on the street, just a few doors down, Hannah had been listening to the ruckus, and she was startled to see Charlie burst out of the saloon, dash into the sheriff's office, then run back out carrying shackles.
"What's going on, Charlie?" she called as he jogged past.
"A detective from San Francisco. He's blind drunk. We gotta bring him in."
"What was that shouting about a woman and fifty dollars?"
"He was just mouthin' off. Sorry, can't stop."
Hurrying back into the saloon, he discovered Cooper had Connelly on his stomach with his hands at the small of his back. Handing him the cuffs, he watched the sheriff deftly lock them around the detective's wrists.
"He's gonna be hangin' off his cot," Charlie remarked. "He's as tall as a tree."
"As tall as a short tree," Cooper chuckled.
They soon had him under control, supporting him as they crossed the street and entered the jailhouse, and pushing him into a cell, Cooper felt a surge of satisfaction as he clanged the door shut.
"I guess we won't have to worry about him tonight," Charlie said as he watched the lanky detective flop on the cot.
"Nope, but tomorrow should be interestin'. If he wakes up and starts yellin', you just leave
him be 'til I get here."
"Okay, Sheriff."
"I need you to go to McTavish's Boarding House," Cooper said as they walked back into the office. "Ask for a man by the name of Patrick Doyle. Tell him Connelly is locked up and he won't be out till tomorrow."
"Will do. Where will you be if I need you?"
"Mrs. Elwood's, then my house."
"Thanks, Sheriff. Sorry about forgettin' the handcuffs."
"No harm done, and a lesson learned."
"Seems to me I should just have 'em with me all the time."
"I don't have to use them much, but that's good thinkin', Charlie. You're gonna make a fine lawman. I'm gonna move Violet to my house until that lizard is outta here, then I'll be off to see your pa again and let him know what's goin' on."
"Okay, Sheriff. I'll have River saddled and ready."
"I wish you'd been fightin' in the street and I'd arrested you sooner," Cooper chuckled. "Back in a bit."
Feeling greatly relieved, Cooper started walking quickly down Main Street. Things had worked out even better than he'd planned, and he was looking forward to telling Violet her evil enemy was behind bars. He couldn't wait to have her in his home, but she'd be sleeping with a hot backside. In spite of how things had worked out with Patrick Doyle when she'd confronted him, she should have stayed in her room. Her reckless action could have ended with a very different result.
But there was still a problem he'd yet to figure out.
How to get Connelly out of town in the morning, and make sure he stayed gone, but as he passed the telegraph office an idea popped into his head. He paused, then smiled, and stepped inside.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
When Hannah had seen Cooper leave his office she was going to flag him down to ask him about the drama in the saloon, but he was obviously in a hurry, then he'd ducked into the telegraph office. She'd waited, then continuing to follow along from the other side of the street, she watched him turn the corner, walk down just a short way, then enter Mrs. Elwood's Boarding house. Within minutes he emerged with the copper-haired pretty lady at his side, and he was carrying a bag. Hoping it meant he was taking her to the stagecoach depot and she was leaving town, Hannah was dismayed to see the happy couple turn in the opposite direction and start down the street on which the sheriff lived. Hurrying after them she stared in disbelief as the man of her dreams opened his front door, and they disappeared inside.
SHERIFF: His Town. His Laws. His Justice. Page 13