Brodie's Gamble (20 page)

“How long before I can move her to the jail?”

The already stern look on the doctor’s face hardened, his mouth drawing into a thin line. “You know my feelings about having her back at the jail.”

“You and everyone else feels the same, but I’ve no choice in the matter. She’ll be on trial for murder soon, and she’s already tried to escape once. I can’t allow her to try again.”

“Have you no eyes?”

Brodie startled at the rare moment of anger in the doctor’s voice.

“The woman is battered and bruised with a broken arm, swollen legs and ankles, and a gash on her head still causing blinding headaches. She needs to stay someplace she can be tended to until her wounds heal. Unfortunately, I must keep beds ready for others who need my care. Moving her to the hard cot in the cold jail will do her no good at all.”

Letting his gaze rake over her, he stopped to stare at the lone tear traveling down her cheek, her eyes closed tight, still refusing to acknowledge his presence.

“What of Gwen? Has she decided to leave Buckie’s?”

Straightening, Vickery grabbed a towel and wiped his hands, a look of exhaustion passing over his face. “Yes. She starts tomorrow, for which I’m quite grateful.” Lowering himself into a nearby chair, he sat back. “If you insist on keeping Miss King at the jail, Gwen might have time to stop by or sit with her if no one is there, although I can’t make any promises.”

“Whatever Gwen could do would be welcome. If you don’t mind, I’d like a few minutes alone with Miss King.”

Vickery stood, tossing the towel on a nearby table. “Take as long as you need. I’ll be in the back.”

Waiting until the doctor shut the door behind him, Brodie pulled up a chair, but didn’t sit. Instead, he focused on her slender form, the way her body shivered beneath the thin blanket. Before he could second-guess his actions, Brodie laid a hand on her shoulder, stroking it down her arm to her wrist, then repeating the motion until she began to relax.

“Please, don’t.”

He almost missed her soft plea.

“I won’t hurt you, Maggie.”

She shifted toward him, her eyes sparking. “You’ve already hurt me. I came to you for help, but…” She choked back whatever else she was about to say, trying to turn away before a strong hand held her in place.

“Can’t you understand I’ve no choice?”

She swallowed the tight knot of fear that had become a part of her. The last two years had proven how alone and abandoned she’d become. Joel had helped when he could, but other than his small kindness, she’d received nothing from men except pain and betrayal. No matter what Brodie had said when he thought she’d slept, his words were nothing more than water pitching off a cliff, crashing upon the rocks below.

Shaking her head, she refused to listen, not accepting that choices didn’t exist.

“We all have choices, Sheriff. I could’ve kept running past Conviction until I found a safe place to hide. No one except Joel and Syd knew about me. I could’ve disappeared, found my way to San Francisco.” Pausing, she sucked in a shaky breath. “I hear jobs are plentiful there.”

“Aye, if you want to work in a brothel, lass.” His words were barely above a whisper. He could see her body tense under the blanket.

“I suppose most people would believe that’s all I’m suited for now. There was a time I had dreams, imagining a bright future, falling in love, having children. Now…” Her voice cracked. Clutching the blanket between her fingers, she turned away, closing him off.

“Maggie, lass, you must listen to me.” Once again, he settled his hand on her shoulder, hoping she didn’t shake him off. When she stayed still, he continued. “Not one of us who’s heard your story believes you killed Arnie.”

She turned back toward him, her brows knitting together in a frown, waiting for Brodie to continue.

“It’s the reason August Fielder took your case. It’s the reason Joel Stoddard is helping him.”

At this, her eyes widened.

“Joel?”

Brodie’s face softened. “Did you know the man has a law degree?”

“Are we speaking of Joel Stoddard, Arnie’s brother?”

“Aye. I’m guessing he never told you.”

Shaking her head, she pulled the blanket up below her chin, then looked up at him. “You don’t believe I killed Arnie?”

“No, lass. I don’t.”

“Then why put me back in jail?”

He let out a deep sigh, lowering himself into the chair. “As the sheriff, I can’t just let you go on what I believe. We have to do this right. Fielder is your best chance. He’s doing this because he believes you are innocent. Clearing your name and finding the real killer is what will give you peace. You’ll have a future, Maggie. One where you can fall in love and have a family.”

A flash of hope crossed her face before she shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let myself believe this nightmare will go away because you believe it will. Unless you already know who killed Arnie.”

He didn’t answer. Instead, he leaned forward, searching her face. “Who wanted Arnie dead, Maggie? Who hated him enough to kill him?” An almost hysterical laugh answered him.

“Everyone hated Arnie. I can’t think of a single person who wouldn’t have a reason to kill him.”

“All right. It’s a start, although quite a broad one. Do you know of anyone who threatened him, spoke of killing him?”

Catching her lower lip between her teeth, she closed her eyes, remembering the day Arnie and Joel had their last fight. Or the day Syd had stormed off to San Francisco on orders from Arnie. Both had spoken of wishing their brother to hell or wishing him dead, although she’d never believed either had been serious. As much as they hated Arnie, each could’ve ridden out at any time. It wasn’t as if some hidden fortune bound them together.

“Neither Joel or Syd would’ve come back to kill him. It would have been easier for them to leave, get as far away as possible.” Inhaling a shaky breath, she remembered two people who’d been to the cabin before his death. “An outlaw named Tom Franks rode in late one night a couple weeks before Arnie died. He said Arnie owed him money from a hotel robbery. Arnie pulled a gun on him and told him to ride out, never come back. A few days later, another man found us. I’m not sure of his name.” She thought a moment, her brows drawing together. “There were others, but that was before we moved into the deserted cabin.” She looked up at him. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember any other names.”

“Was it unusual for you to have visitors at the cabin?”

“Other than Joel and Syd, no one ever came to the cabin. Tom was the only one.” Maggie closed her eyes. “I’m so tired.”

He knew it was selfish, but he didn’t want to leave her at the clinic. She needed to be in the jail where he could watch over her, be near her. “Maggie, I want to move you to the jail tonight.”

She didn’t open her eyes, even as the corners of her mouth tilted up. “Not tonight, Brodie,” she breathed out. “I’m too tired.”

He stilled at the use of his name. It sounded right coming from her lips. “Say it again, Maggie.”

“Hmmm?”

“My name, Maggie. Say it again.”

His request was met with silence. Reaching for the blanket, he tightened it around her shoulders, tucking it under her. Leaning back in the chair, he crossed his arms, settling in for a long night, knowing he wouldn’t be able to walk out the door and leave her behind.

Sam leaned down, grasping Brodie’s shoulder, keeping his voice low. “Wake up, MacLaren.” It took another attempt before he jerked awake, his eyes opening to slits.

Sitting up, he rubbed his face with both hands, then shifted his gaze to Maggie, alarm coursing through him as he stood to stare down at her.

“Is she all right?” It wasn’t so much a question as a demand.

“From what I can see, the lady is fine.” Sam couldn’t hide the amusement in his voice. Brodie hadn’t mentioned a word about his feelings, but they were clear to anyone who watched and listened.

Brodie whipped around, pinning Sam with a hard glare.

Sam held his hands up, taking a step back. “It’s long past sunup, Fielder is at the jail waiting to speak with you, and your new deputy has arrived.”

“New deputy?”

“He says you replied to his telegram, asking him to ride out. Nathan Hollis, a captain in the Union Army.”

Brodie mumbled a curse at the same time Doc Vickery walked in the back door. He’d forgotten about the man’s inquiry and his return message.

“My apologies, gentlemen. I must have overslept.” He continued toward the bed, unaware of the tension in the room a moment before. “How is the patient this morning?”

“Still asleep. I don’t believe she woke up all night.” Brodie walked across the room, grabbing his hat off a hook before taking another glance at Maggie. “I’ll be at the jail, Doc. Let me know when she wakes up. I plan to move her over there this morning.”

“You know how I feel about that, Sheriff.”

“Aye, but I’ve not changed my mind. The lass will be going back to the jail today.” He didn’t look at Sam as he walked outside, inhaling a deep breath of the crisp morning air, which turned his thoughts to Thanksgiving.

The previous year, President Lincoln had proclaimed it an official holiday, and the MacLarens had embraced it wholeheartedly, the women preparing a meal meant to feed an army. It had been a wonderful day, as well as the first and only time the entire family had celebrated the holiday. The thought of Colin’s father, Angus, and Quinn’s father, Gillis, had his stomach clenching. Both had been murdered while Colin, Quinn, and Brodie traveled to fetch Sarah. He knew the grief would take years to heal.

“MacLaren, wait up.” Sam came up beside him as Brodie stepped to the jail door. “There’s something you need to know about Hollis.”

“Not now, Sam. Fielder’s already been waiting long enough.” Brodie pushed open the door, stopping at the sight of a man sitting in one of the chairs, one leg crossed over the other, his right arm gesturing as if telling a story. Brodie’s gaze narrowed on the man’s left arm. It had been amputated below the elbow.

“Good morning, Sheriff MacLaren.” Fielder extended his hand. “Hollis and I were sharing stories of our time back east. Seems we know a few of the same people.”

The initial shock wore off as Brodie walked forward to grasp Fielder’s hand, then turned as Hollis stood. “I’m Sheriff MacLaren. Sam tells me you’re Nathan Hollis.” He gripped the man’s hand in his, feeling the strength.

“Yes, sir, I am. It took me a few days longer to arrive than planned. I hope the job is still available.”

“I’ve never seen anything like it, Sheriff.” Jack walked up next to Nathan. “When Sam and I got to the River Belle last night, Hollis already had two men on their backs and a third against the wall. And he hadn’t even drawn his gun.”

“That right, Hollis?” Brodie took a good look at the man, noting his tall frame and wide girth, although he doubted the man had an ounce of fat on him.

Shrugging, his mouth curved into a smile. “They aren’t the first to underestimate me.”

“I don’t doubt it. I assure you, I’ll not be that man. We’re glad to have you, Nathan.”

“If you call me Nate, we have a deal.”

“Nate it is then.” Brodie reached into his desk, picked up a badge, and tossed it to his newest deputy, then turned toward Jack. “I’d like you to show Nate around Conviction.”

“Sure will, Sheriff. You know you can count on me.” He turned towards Hollis. “Come on, Captain. Guess we don’t need to go by the docks.” Jack laughed at his own joke. “You’ve probably seen as much of it as you want to for a few days.”

“Do you have a horse, Nate?” Brodie asked as the men started outside.

“Brought him, along with all I own, on the boat with me.”

“Good. Jack, show Nate where he’ll be staying.”

“The boardinghouse will be our first stop, Sheriff.”

Brodie waited until they’d left, then faced Fielder. “I spoke with Miss King last night. She gave me the name of a man who threatened Stoddard.”

Sam moved forward. “If you have a name, I can track him down.”

Fielder stepped between the two. “A good beginning, gentleman. Now the hard work begins.”

Chapter Fourteen

Later that afternoon, Brodie brought Sam and Nate with him to transfer Maggie to the jail. Doc Vickery and Gwen did what they could to get her ready, all the while not hiding their disdain about his decision. To her credit, Maggie said nothing, even wrapping her arms around Brodie’s neck as he carried her across the street, Sam on one side of him and Nate on the other.

Maggie’s body pressed against his, her face nuzzling his neck as her warm breath washed across his skin, straining his limits. For a brief moment, he considered handing her off to Sam, then quickly pushed it from his mind. The thought of another man holding her so close triggered a jealous reaction he couldn’t think about right now. He reminded himself she was a temptation he didn’t need, even as his mind screamed she belonged to him.

“The cell is all ready for her.” Jack held the door open, stepping aside to let them pass. Poking his head outside, he saw few people had turned their way, an indication the town had already lost interest in Maggie as they worked to rebuild the town.