“All right, I’ll tie the old biddy up, and we’ll leave her,” Eli answered.
“That won’t work,” Bert insisted. “Someone will find her, and they’ll know we have the lawyer’s lady. We’ll bring her along. The boss will decide what to do. We can always shoot her later.”
“Bring her along,” Eli moaned. “I don’t like her. Let’s dump her along the road somewhere.”
Henrietta looked as if she was about to faint, and Molly interjected, “You’ll do no such thing. From what you’re saying, I believe you’re here to abduct me to get something from Giles. He won’t give you what you want if I’m injured. You’ll need to return me safely, and I’ll tell them what you did to my friend. You’ll never get what you want. If you treat her right, I’ll cooperate.” She walked over and stood next to Henrietta.
Eli and Bert looked at each other, and they both shrugged. “All right, Bert finally said. “She goes with us, and you both get in the wagon without a fuss.”
“Is that agreeable, Henrietta,” Molly asked.
Henrietta nodded working on catching her breath.
Eli looked at both women, “Our wagon is out back. You’ll walk out and climb in the back and lay down. Do it quick like before anyone sees you. I’ll cover you, and we’ll leave. Don’t say a word or wiggle around. I don’t need anybody wondering what’s under the canvas. Understood?”
Molly and Henrietta nodded.
“You’ll stay quiet until we stop or I’ll shoot you,” Bert added and opened the back door checking to see if anyone was in the alleyway. “It’s clear, get on the wagon now.”
While Molly and Henrietta climbed into the wagon as instructed, a stranger rode past the train station and stopped when he saw a young boy kicking at the light snow that began falling.
“You, son, do you know how to tell time?” The man on horseback asked.
“Yes, sir,” the boy answered looking up at the man in dirty, torn clothes, his face half-hidden behind a scruffy brown beard.
“The man looked at the large clock sitting above the station master’s office on the train platform and asked, “Tell me what time it is.”
The boy turned to look at the clock and turned back, “It’s twenty-two minutes past twelve, sir.”
“Good. Do you know Giles Bowen and where his office is?” The man stared at the boy.
“Yes sir, he’s the new lawyer in town and his office is above Callahan’s Restaurant.”
“If I give you a note can you deliver it in exactly thirty minutes without reading it?”
“Yes, sir, I give you my word,” the boy smiled.
“Very well,” he handed the boy a slip of paper and several coins. “Thirty minutes, remember.” He turned his horse and rode off out of town.
The boy stared at the coins in his hands. It was more money than he ever had at one time. He wrapped his hand tightly around them and debated buying some peppermints at the mercantile while he waited to deliver his message. He slipped his hand into his pocket and dropped the coins. He should do his job first and buy peppermints after he delivered the note. Then he’d have more time to look for more than peppermints to buy with his money before his brother found out he had it. He didn’t want to share.
Eli shoved Henrietta when she didn’t climb into the wagon fast enough.
“Give me a minute,” she snapped.
Eli pushed her again. Molly grabbed his arm. “Take it easy; I’ll help her in.”
Eli nodded, and Molly pulled Henrietta into the wagon looking everywhere hoping someone would see them. The alleyway was empty and the light snow falling might keep anyone from strolling into the alleyway. She dropped down and told Henrietta to lie down before Eli became angry again. The older woman followed her suggestion but didn’t smile.
A moment later Eli and Bert dropped the canvas cover over them, and the wagon began moving.
Before they dropped the canvas, Molly had positioned herself close enough to Henrietta to whisper to her without being heard by the men.
“We have to keep them convinced that I’m Sarah, or they’ll kill us and dump us in a field somewhere. Say a prayer that their boss doesn’t know what Sarah looks like. If we can keep them convinced that I’m her, we may get out of this alive.”
“I understand, Molly I mean Sarah. I will do my best. I am angry they abducted us. I am too old for this nonsense. I swear I will see them in prison.”
Molly whispered back, “I will do my best to help you just as soon as we get free. We will get out of this, Mrs. Biggs. They just need to believe I’m Sarah.”
“You might as well call me Henrietta. You told them I was your friend, and they’ll assume we’re on a first-name basis. Thank you for that by the way. I think you saved my life. If you didn’t tell them you would report them for killing me, I’m sure my body would be the one left in a field very soon.”
Molly smiled. Widow Biggs had a heart after all. “Of course, Henrietta. After this, we’ll be good friends. Thank you for trying to stop them with your parasol and that strong punch.”
Henrietta sighed, “If I were just ten years younger, he’d be out cold.”
Molly patted Henrietta’s arm. “We’ll get out of this, I promise.”
They lay side by side for what seemed like at least an hour as the wagon bumped around on the ride to the cabin. Molly believed they must have driven through the countryside rather than down a trail outside of town. The ride was too bumpy for a trail. She knew they left town in the direction of the Greiner farm, but the wagon lurched to the left several times and Molly felt that they headed away from the farm once they were out of town. That meant they were near prairie land and the forest area. They must be going to an old hunting cabin, but she didn’t know where any of them were. She heard men talk about them in Underwood’s, but she was never interested. Maybe the sun would give her an idea what direction they took when they arrived at the cabin. Even if she knew, how could she get help? If she ran they might shoot her and even if she escaped, they’d kill Henrietta. Molly couldn’t think of a way out, and she began to pray. The Lord would save them or show her a way out. Of that she was sure.
The wagon rolled over a large bump or deep rut; Molly wasn’t sure, and Henrietta moaned. “This is hurting my back. I think I’ll skip sending them to prison and shoot them myself. It's unfortunate they don’t hang criminals any longer. These two could do with a good hanging, but it’s been thirty years since they hung anyone in the state.”
Molly breathed a sigh of relief. She hoped that Giles and Sheriff Clay would rescue them and that they would also catch the men, but she wasn't sure she could stand and watch a man hung. Of course, she would be expected to witness it since she was the victim, but the thought made her shudder.
The wagon slowed and came to a stop. Henrietta mumbled, “Thank goodness, I’ve had enough of this wagon.”
Eli ripped the canvas off, and both Molly and Henrietta blinked at the bright sunlight.
“Ride’s over, ladies, time to get out.”
Molly climbed out first and helped Henrietta down from the wagon bed. Henrietta stretched and looked around. “We’re in the middle of nowhere.” She saw large trees she assumed were part of the forest on two sides of the simple log cabin. A vast field was on the third side and a trail wide enough to accommodate a wagon wove through another field in front of the cabin.
Molly looked around and saw the sun was no longer overhead. It was well past noon. The sun was lower behind the cabin, and it was what Molly thought, they headed west out of town. She knew which way to run, but she couldn’t leave Henrietta. The woman was pale, and Molly worried about her.
Bert scowled at them, “Get in the cabin and I don’t want any trouble from either of you, or I’ll tie you up.”
Molly took Henrietta’s arm and led her to the cabin. She opened the door, and Bert followed them into the cabin. He pointed to two chairs near the small stove. “You two sit there. I don’t want any trouble from you, or I will tie you up
and gag you. I’m not as worried about hurting you as Eli is. Your fella might not be happy if we return you damaged, but he’ll settle for you being alive. I don’t care either way.”
Eli walked in and asked, “Where’s the boss? I thought he’d get here before us.”
“He does what he wants,” Bert responded and sat on a cot across the room. “You watch the women; I need a little sleep.” He lay back and dropped his hat over his eyes.
Eli pulled out a chair near a small table and sat. He stared at Molly and Henrietta. Molly wanted to get a better idea of where they were and asked, “Could I use the privy? It was a long ride.”
Eli laughed, “We don’t have one. We have the bushes, but if you need to use them, I’ll take you out. Bert’s sleeping so you both have to come along.” He stood and walked toward the door.
Molly and Henrietta walked outside followed by Eli. They walked around the back of the cabin. Molly searched the area as they walked, but didn’t see any way out of their situation. Eli allowed them to walk into the forest several feet for privacy, but Eli told Molly that she needed to keep talking, so he was sure they didn’t run off.
The residents of Gentle Falls went about their normal activities unaware of what had taken place in Sarah’s shop. The young boy watched the clock and when it was time, he ran toward Giles’ office. He slowed when he saw him having lunch with Sarah and entered the restaurant. He approached the table and said, “Excuse me, Mr. Bowen, but a man said I should give you this at exactly this time.”
“Thank you,” Giles said. His eyes widened as he read the note.
“Is something wrong?” Sarah asked.
“Yes,” Giles responded. “Apparently, someone abducted you, and I need to come up with a good deal of money for your safe return.”
Chapter 14
“What?” Sarah gasped and yanked the note from Giles' hands. “How can I be abducted? I’m right here. They want three-thousand dollars. That’s a fortune. I’m not worth that much. How would anyone expect me to pay that?”
“Sarah, calm down. The note was meant for me. Whoever sent this expects me to take the money to the falls tomorrow morning. It’s common knowledge that my uncle died, and people assume I inherited all his holdings. Whoever gave the note to the boy to deliver must have done it before he knew you weren’t at the shop. Since they failed, I doubt they’ll try again, but you must be careful.” Giles took her hand and squeezed. “We’ll let the sheriff know. Don’t worry; you’re safe. I’m happy I invited you to lunch, and the store was empty.”
Sarah stood spilling her cup of tea. Her hand flew to her mouth. “It wasn’t empty. Molly,” she exclaimed before rushing out the door. Giles caught up with her just as she reached the shop’s front door.
Giles grabbed her arm, “Let me go in first. We need to be sure no one is hiding in there.”
After he had checked to make sure the entire building was empty, he returned and allowed Sarah to enter. “No one is here.”
Sarah ran into the back room. “Molly’s shawl, coat, and hat are still here. She wouldn’t go out without wearing one of them. It’s too cold. Oh my Giles, they must have taken Molly thinking she was me. Will they kill her when they find out?”
“We can’t be sure she was abducted. Let’s talk to the sheriff. She may have stepped out for a moment.” Giles put his arm around her shoulders offering comfort, but she pulled away.
“Look,” she said holding up a sheet of paper. “Molly was here taking measurements. She started but didn’t get very far. Oh, the customer was Widow Biggs. We need to find her. Maybe they’re together.”
Sarah started to leave the back room and stopped. “Giles, look, there’s a black parasol on the floor near the back door. The only person who carries one everywhere is Widow Biggs. Molly was abducted, and I think they took Widow Biggs, too.”
She continued to look around, and when she found Widow Biggs’ black shawl on a chair in the changing room, she knew she was right. Whoever was in her shop, abducted both women.
Giles pulled her into his arms when tears began to spill down her cheeks. “We’ll go see the sheriff now. We were only at Callahan’s for an hour. Whoever abducted them can’t have gotten too far in that amount of time.”
“All right, let’s go. It is all my fault. They wanted me,” Sarah sighed.
“No, sweetheart, it’s my fault. They want money from me. If you weren’t my lady, they wouldn’t have come after you. I promise I will do everything to find them.” He took her hand, and they left the shop.
Sheriff Clay’s face slowly showed his rage as he read the note. His brows furrowed and he looked at Giles and Sarah. “Three-thousand dollars in two saddle bags placed on the flat rock by the falls before dawn tomorrow. Whoever this is didn’t give you much time. Can you get that much cash in time? I think we’ll catch them, but you need to have the money there in case they have the women with them when they get it.”
“Yes, if the bank has it on hand. If not, I think they can wire a bank and get it here on the evening train. I’ll go right now and ask.” Giles rushed out the door.
Sarah sat in the chair in front of the sheriff’s desk and gripped her hands to keep them from shaking. “Sheriff, if they figure out Molly isn’t me, what are the odds she’ll survive, and they might kill Widow Biggs because she’s in the way.”
“Mrs. Morey, I assure you I’ll do everything I can to rescue Miss Sullivan and Mrs. Biggs. The area they chose for Giles to leave the saddlebags is close to town. I believe they can’t be far away. It’s also a wide open area. Open prairie surrounds the falls and stream. Not many places to hide, but I can place men with rifles in the wooded area on the edge of the prairie. We’ll get them, but first I need to find the boy who delivered the note and get a description of the man who asked him to deliver it. Please wait here for Giles to return. You’ll be safe, and he won’t worry if he doesn’t find you.” He slapped his hat on his head and strode out the door.
Sarah sat and did her best to remain calm. She prayed when she couldn’t stop the frightening scenarios to leave her mind. She jumped when Giles hurried back into the office.
“Oh, good, you’re still here.” He opened his coat and pulled out a bank bag and thrust it at her. “They had enough cash at the bank. Hold onto it while I get my saddlebags from the livery. I don’t want to carry that bag through town.” He disappeared back out the door before Sarah could answer.
Sarah gripped the money bag and prayed harder. Please God, take care of Molly and Mrs. Biggs. Help Sheriff Clay and Giles to find them safe. Watch over the posse and guide them to where Molly and Mrs. Biggs are. Don’t let them die because of me. She clutched the money bag to her chest and cried. Her prayers mixed with her fears, and she spoke aloud as she sat in the quiet office.
~ * ~
Molly tried to smile at Henrietta happy to see the woman wasn’t quite as pale as when they first arrived. “Are you still in as much pain?”
“No, dear, my back feels better now that I’m not jostled around or laying on a hard surface.” She smiled back.
They spoke quietly worried about waking Bert. Eli seemed more pleasant and less dangerous. Molly did worry about their boss. She hoped he wouldn’t recognize her when he arrived.
Hoping to keep Henrietta calm, Molly asked her a question. “Tell me about your life in Gentle Falls. I heard you were the first resident.”
“Yes, my husband and I received our land through a land grant. We were the first to settle in the area thirty years ago. A few months after we settled, Phineas and his wife moved onto the property across the track from us. Both Phineas and my husband chose the land because they knew a town would grow soon. The track between our properties was used by the stagecoach company.”
“Phineas, you mean Doubles?” Molly asked.
“Yes, I remember him as a young man full of hope and plans for the future. My first son was born a few months after we settled and three months later, Kathleen gave birth to their son. When she
died, I thought Phineas would lose his mind, but he pushed on for his son. When he lost the boy, he gave up. He worked the farm enough to satisfy the rules of the land grant and to keep himself fed, but his heart was gone. I had three more sons in three years. They are the joy of my life, but I think his heart broke a little more each time I had another son.” Henrietta bit her lip and fought back a few tears.
“That’s sad. He’s a nice man when he doesn’t drink. He’s nice when he does drink. I think he’s the only patron at Underwood’s who never tried to grab me,” Molly offered.
“He’s been that way since I first met him. He was kind to my boys. They would visit him and help him at times, and he never lost his temper or did anything to upset them. He needed to remarry, but there wasn’t anyone around. He just worked his land. Two years after we settled, Louis and Minnie Masters opened a stage stop in what would be the middle of Gentle Falls. As more settlers arrived, they added a small mercantile to the stage stop,” Henrietta continued.
“I never knew that, but I’ve only been in town for a little over a year,” Molly said.
“Underwood built a saloon, and a few small businesses opened. Masters’ Mercantile burned down one night, and they rebuilt with the large store they have now. By then we knew the railroad was coming through, and the town would grow. Little by little, it turned into the town it is now,” Henrietta explained.
Molly’s eyes took in the room. Bert was still asleep, and Eli sat at the table playing cards by himself. She turned back to Henrietta and asked her to continue telling her story. It seemed to be helping Henrietta to remain relaxed.
“My husband died five years ago, and I was left alone on the farm. I had a few choices. My youngest son wanted me to move to St. Louis with him and his family. I miss my grandchildren, but Gentle Falls is my home. I could have hired a few hands to help me, but I knew it would be too much work. Phineas even asked me to marry him. He said it would be a marriage of convenience, and he would live in his house, and I could live in mine. He said it would keep me safer, and no one would try to take advantage of me.” Henrietta leaned closer and added. “I was a little concerned he felt more than sisterly love for me.” She winked.
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