Born of Treasure (Treasure Chronicles Book 2) (8 page)

Clark sighed. “I can exchange our steamboat tickets for one heading south instead of north. We can always stay here an extra day if we need to.”

Amethyst shoved the inn door shut. “Why should we change our plans for my mother?”

Clark grabbed her hand; not hard enough to hurt, but it made her take a step back.

“Family is important. They love you,” he snapped. “If my mother wanted to have a celebration, I’d cross the country on bare feet to be there for her.” He released her and stormed toward the docks.

Amethyst drew a deep breath before tossing the telegraph onto the inn’s porch. He had all that anger and frustration inside of him, but he wasn’t letting it out. She would’ve yelled and stormed, maybe thrown things, kicked and slammed things. He hid it.

That couldn’t be healthy.

The deputy laid the wanted poster on the inn’s counter. “You recognize these two?”

The clerk adjusted his glasses before nodding. “Sure do. They checked out this morning. Reckon it was about three hours ago.”

“Positive it was them?” The drawn pictures, provided by Senator Horan, included a young man and woman. They both had long hair, his down and hers pulled up. Strong chins, long noses, and round faces.

“Had to be, husband and wife. They’ve got yellow hair and blue eyes.”

They had to have done something really bad to get Senator Horan after them. Could they be spies? The deputy grinned. He’d always wanted to catch spies. “What were their names?”

The clerk checked his ledger. “Clark and Amethyst Grisham. Got a telegraph directed to them, but with Treasure as the last name. Mrs. Grisham said it was her dad playing a prank.”

The deputy scribbled that information on the back of the poster. “They say where they’re going?”

“I heard Mr. Grisham say they’d take the first steamboat south. They dangerous criminals?”

“The worst.” The deputy tipped his top hat. “Thanks for your help. I’ll see about that steamboat.”

The deputy held the wanted poster fast as the wind off the river whipped at it. The steamboat captain scratched his bald head.

“Have you seen these two?”

“Look, Deputy Terrence, I’ve got nothing against helping you, but I don’t sell my own tickets. I’ve got men to do that, to see customers to their rooms, to load the luggage.” The captain peered over the railing at the water, high above its normal banks from the rainstorms. “You’re keeping us and we’ll be behind schedule. If you want to check the records, and see each passenger, come on aboard. We’re stopping six miles down at Klampert. You can get off there and hire a ride back to Yahnke.”

The sheriff would throw a tantrum if the deputy didn’t follow through with the lead. “I’ll do that, thanks.”

“Don’t scare my customers,” the captain added. “You can have my cabin to do questioning. I don’t want nobody arrested right off or my boat will have a bad name.”

“I’ll question quietly,” Deputy Terrence said. “I’ll start now.” The sheriff knew the names the clerk had provided. He would notify Senator Horan to see if they meant anything. If Terrence did find the inn customers and got them back to Yahnke, Senator Horan might be able to prove their innocence and they’d be free. No harm, a good laugh for all.

Or, Deputy Terrence would’ve caught some spies.

methyst folded her arms as she leaned against the brass railing of the steamboat. It chugged along with a steady purr, steam puffing from the metal smoke stacks and the propeller working away at the back. Other passengers milled along the deck, where the crew had set up lounge chairs.

“This is so relaxing.” She leaned against Clark at her side, resting her head against his shoulder and closing her eyes. “A western paradise. I’ve been on sailboats and rowboats. They have cute ones in the city park. They’re never this tranquil.”

Smaller boats passed by, and the fishermen waved at the passengers. Farmyards and countryside covered the shore, spotted with random villages and houses.

Clark massaged the back of her neck. “I’ll take you on a showboat sometime. They’re like floating inns. They have plays, comedy routines, singers, and dancers. I think you’ll enjoy it.”

“Like a club?”

“Some are. I worked a comedy showboat for a month. I cleaned up the ballroom after the act each night.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Grisham?” a man asked from behind them.

Amethyst glanced over her shoulder. “Yes?” Being called that still sent a tingle of excitement over her skin. Clark had claimed her, she’d claimed him. Her lover followed the direction of her gaze.

The man wore denim slacks with the cuffs tucked into black knee boots, covered with silver buckles. A leather vest covered his white shirt; he lifted the front flap to reveal a brass cog pinned to the cotton interior.

Clark stiffened. He needed to relax around company more; not everyone was evil.

“That’s a pretty broach,” she said. “You should wear it on the outside where people can enjoy it.”

The man coughed, his tanned cheeks flushing. “It’s my deputy’s badge, ma’am. I’m required to wear it on the inside.”

“What can we help you with?” Clark asked.

“I’m questioning everyone onboard. I’ll need you to come with me.” The deputy pointed toward the rear of the steamboat with his thumb.

That couldn’t be good. She needed to scald the thought where not everyone was evil.

“Does this normally happen?” she whispered.

Clark gripped her shoulder. “Of course, sir.” Ice dripped off his tone. His free hand rested on his hip pistol.

Definitely not good.

Her heels clicked against the deck, echoing in her ears. The passengers all seemed to stare at them as the deputy led them to the rear, beside the wheel.

He opened a door and stepped aside. “Enter.”

The room contained a settee and a desk, a trunk under the only window.

“Our cabin looks a lot better.” Amethyst recalled the bed and dresser built into the wall.

The deputy shut the door and flashed his badge again. “I need to ask you some questions. You must answer, and depending on what you answer, you will be arrested on behalf of the state of Hedlund and Senator Horan.”

Clark scanned the interior—he didn’t notice any camera devices or witnesses. “We haven’t done anything to warrant arrest. My wife and I,” he nibbled from her ear down her jaw to her chin, “are enjoying our honeymoon by seeing a bit of Hedlund.”

If the army were after him, he would know why. Senator Horan’s stupid wanted posters. Clark hadn’t thought the illustrations looked enough like them, and they were wealthy—the wealthy should be untouched by the law.

The deputy unfolded a paper from his vest and spread it open for them: the wanted poster.

“That’s not us,” Amethyst said too fast and loud. The deputy narrowed his eyes.

“Sir.” Clark tried for a superior air. He’d been around Garth and Jeremiah. No, he had to mimic Georgette’s cool attitude. “This is uncalled for and inappropriate. You’re upsetting my wife.”

“You were at the Yahnke Inn.”

“Yes,” Clark said.

“I have proof,” the deputy added. “I borrowed the ledger. I matched your signature to one on this steamboat’s roster.”

The deputy had to be inexperienced. He shouldn’t be telling all his cards.

Inexperienced and desperate to look good for Senator Horan.

Clark cleared his throat. “None of this in necessary, sir.” If they were arrested, Senator Horan wouldn’t be able to pin the robberies on them. No one could have tangible proof. He might, however, look closer at Clark and find out he was Eric’s son. The senator’s brother, the rancher, had enlisted his help in kidnapping Amethyst.

They weren’t to be trusted.

So many people in the gang and around Hedlund disappeared, never to be seen again. They might be from run-ins with Senator Horan, but Hedlund was untamed.

“Senator Horan will be able to decide that. I do have cuffs, but I think we can leave together at the next port.”

“Where is the inn’s ledger?” Clark asked. Had the clerk given them away? He hadn’t seemed to care. The telegram must’ve alerted him.

“I have it here.” The deputy patted his thick vest. “If the senator wants you to see it, that’s a different story. Don’t think it matters now. I know your handwriting matched and I can compare it.”

Clark would have to depend on the deputy not sharing it with others. He seemed protective enough of it.