Prime Catch (12 page)

On the way to the seaplane, they stopped by the sheriff’s office to tell him the plan. Amos couldn’t put his finger on it, but something bothered him about Creag. On the way to the plane, Amos noticed Sarah had the look of a person ready to explode. She said not a word all the way to the pier. Bill readied the plane, and Amos helped Sarah to board.

They settled into their seats, and Bill took off on the three-hour flight to Juneau. Amos passed Sarah a thermos of coffee. “I brought this with us for a midday meal.” He pulled two tinfoil wraps out of his canvas sack and handed one to her. “Have a ham sandwich.”

“I’m not hungry,” she said quietly, studying the contours of her boots.

“With all the shocks to your system, you need to keep your strength up.” He paused. “I realize these past hours have been rough on you, but don’t sacrifice your health for it.”

She laid the sandwich on her lap and a tear slid down her cheek. “He didn’t care what he did to me. The one man I trusted six years ago disappeared and then came back to deceive me.”

Amos grasped her hand. “Not all men are like George.” He sincerely wanted her to believe it.

She shook her head. “I’ve been very good on my own. I guess I wasn’t cut out to be a wife, and that’s going to upset my mother. I’m the only child she has left.”

Deep down, Amos was chiding himself.
Damn it, tell her how you feel. She’s as low as a bump on an ant’s leg. You care about her.
Aloud he said, “If it helps, I care.”

She patted his arm with her other hand. “You’ve been an understanding boss to me, and I am grateful. I guess I have to realize I’m not a desirable woman.”

He released her hand and cupped her chin. “What the hell are you talking about? I’ve been ready to carry you away these past months. It’s because of the job that I haven’t.”

Sarah started to laugh and cry. “You’re a good friend, but I don’t want your sympathy.”

“Sympathy?” he spat out. “Why do you think I slept so bad at the cabin in Sitka? You were in the same room. Why would I go down to Angoon to keep an eye on you? I was worried what would happen. And way back, why do you think I asked you to become a deputy? I like being around you. When you got those flowers from George, jealousy was eating my innards. There, you got it from the horse’s mouth.”

She stared at him as if he told her he was a three-headed monster. “Well, Amos, this certainly complicates things.”

He clenched his teeth. “No. It was about time the truth came out. You don’t know how many nights I couldn’t sleep because of the way I felt.”

Sarah smiled. “I may know more about unspoken truths than you think.”

In a way, Amos regretted his confession. “Maybe I shouldn’t have said anything. We were a good working team.”

“I don’t think getting things out in the open is going to change that. I love my job and I love working with you.”

They started on the ham sandwiches and coffee, passing the time in light conversation for the rest of the three hours back. Relief flowed through Amos now that he didn’t have to hide how he felt. Sarah seemed relaxed and at ease. Maybe the confession was good for her, too.

“I’m coming down to home,” Bill called back. Soon they felt the plop of the seaplane into the water of the channel. When the plane was secured to the dock, he helped Amos and Sarah off.

After they took leave of Bill, Amos turned to Sarah. “Why don’t you go home and freshen up. I’ll stop by in a couple of hours, and we can go to Millie’s for dinner.”

Sarah grasped his hand. “Instead, why don’t I cook something for us? We need to talk, and I don’t want the whole town gossiping.”

“Good idea. I’ll see you then.” Amos headed to the office to check up on things, but he walked like a vast weight had lifted.

Chapter 15

Sarah readied the vinegar marinade for the fresh salmon fillet she’d purchased on the way home. She chided herself for being giddy and nervous about tonight. Though Amos assured her nothing had changed, knowing he cared made her feel unsure.

For once, she wasn’t thinking about the case or worrying about George. His importance to her had washed away in the revelation from Amos. She had suspected Amos treated her as someone special because she was a woman, but she’d never thought he cared for her to that depth.

After cleaning up and changing her clothes to a fresh spring dress, she added a crisp white apron and heated the gas oven for the salmon. A saucepan of asparagus went on one burner, and on another a skillet of butter, onions, and sliced potatoes sent an incense of cooking through the house. A new pot of coffee was started on a third burner.

The bell at her front door ground out its metallic notes. A flood of happiness and fear washed over her as she hurried to it. Standing on her porch was a man in a suit, with a white shirt that had a clean starched collar. And he was shaved, except for his mustache, which was trimmed.

“Evening, Sarah.” Amos removed his hat. “I stopped at the confectioners for some chocolates.” He handed her the box of sweets he was holding. “You look beautiful.”

She melted and got the tingle that happened every time she thought of Amos. “Thank you for both the compliment and the candy. Let me take your hat and coat.” She set the box on the table in the parlor and hung his things on the entrance hooks.

Amos cleared his throat and shuffled his feet. “Dinner smells good.”

She waved him to a seat in the parlor. “It’s almost ready. Wait for me to bring it to the dining table, and then we can start.” She gathered serving dishes of food and fixed the coffee tray. “It’s ready!”

Amos pulled out her chair, and when she was seated, he settled across from her.

She indicated with her hand. “You can take what you want from the dishes.”

Without a word, he carved some of the salmon fillet and put it on her plate, then took some for himself. After serving the fried onions and potatoes, and the asparagus, and taking a hunk of bread, he set to eating. “Everything tastes swell,” he said after a swig of water.

“Thank you. Was there anything going on at the office?”

Amos looked relieved. “Got word from Mahoney that they were able to stop any shenanigans at the cannery in Cordova, but they didn’t catch the varmint.”

When they had finished the meal, she moved to clear the table. “Go into the parlor. I’ll pour the coffee, and we can have some chocolates.” As she moved the dishes into the kitchen, she was lost in thought.
Maybe it wasn’t wise to change our relationship like this. He seems so uncomfortable with me now. He only relaxed when we talked about work.
When she returned, she expressed her concerns.

“Sarah, no. I’m glad we got this out into the open. I haven’t felt this way about a woman for a long time. Although it is dredging up memories.”

“Do you want to tell me?”

Amos paused. “Well, I know about your problem with George, so I guess you should know about me.” He took a breath. “The reason I left Idaho. My intended died of pneumonia two weeks before we were to be married. I had been in love with her for years, so it was quite a blow. I couldn’t stay there where everything reminded me of her.”

Sarah grasped his hand. “Oh, I’m sorry.”

“I came up here and buried myself in law enforcement, not wanting to be hurt like that again.” He sighed. “I hadn’t counted on an upstart Indian detective gaining my undying respect and then my heart.” He traced his fingers lightly down her cheek.

Sarah was trembling. She released his other hand and they gazed at each other.

He grasped her shoulders and pulled her toward him. “May I kiss you?”

Uncomfortable, but wanting that kiss, she nodded. They both hesitated with their lips inches away. Then he closed the gap, and his mouth attached firmly to hers. Her whole body was ready for that kiss, and she leaned into it. She was aware of the scratchiness of his mustache, the hardness of his body, and the masculine scent. His tongue probed her mouth and both their breaths came in rasps. Sensations she hadn’t felt for years flooded her body. She gently pushed on his chest and sat back. “Oh, my.”

His eyes were on fire with a beautiful warmth, and he cupped her chin. “I didn’t want to mess up our work, but I couldn’t help myself. I’m in love with you, woman.”

She tenderly laid her hand on his smooth face. “You look so much younger and handsomer when you shave.”

He grasped the hand and kissed her fingers. “I think I’ll call it a night before we get carried away.” He rose, taking her with him.

She brought his coat and hat. “Tonight, I feel renewed. This will work out.”

He embraced her, and she welcomed it. Snuggling on his shoulder, she pressed her nose to the rough fabric. It was good in his arms. “Sweet dreams, Sarah. See you tomorrow.”

Instigating another kiss at the front door, Sarah smiled. “Same to you. Goodnight, Amos.”
Lord, that kiss was as delicious as the first.
She lingered on the porch long after he disappeared around the corner.
Looks like Mother will get her wish after all.

The next morning, Sarah swallowed nervously as she opened the door to the office. Sam glanced and nodded a hello. She hurried to her desk and checked her report file. A boy with a Western Union uniform came in a few minutes later.

“Is the sheriff in?” he asked Sam. “I have a telegram from Sheriff Creag in Yakutat.”

Sam rose and took the envelope. “I’ll take it in to him.” He flipped the boy a quarter.

“Thank you, sir!” The boy tipped his cap and was off again.

Sam knocked at the door of Amos’ office and disappeared inside for a moment. Amos came to the door as Sam went out. “Lakat, come in!”

Sarah was relieved that Amos was the same as always. She ducked in. “What is it?”

Amos waved the yellow paper. “Creag has detained George.”

“Are we going to bring him to Juneau?”

He paused. “Sam and I are.”

“What? Why am I not going?”

“Because I need someone strong to help manage him if he gets out of hand.”

Sarah slammed her fist on Amos’ desk, causing everything to jump. “I helped you bring Bobby in, and he was shooting at us!”

Amos glanced down as if he was caught. “Well, yes―but you weren’t ever engaged to Bobby.”

“What has that got to do with it? We're bringing in a suspect of murder.” Her voice kept rising.

“No, you’re not! I’m the sheriff, and I’m saying you aren’t!” He stood almost nose to nose with her.

Her chest heaving with anger, she shook her finger in his face. “You said nothing would change in our work. You lied!”

“Lakat, get out of my office!”

She ripped the badge off her shirt. “Gladly. I quit!” She threw the badge at him and rushed out the door, grabbed her things off her desk, and left.

“I knew it,” she grumbled as she headed home. “Everything just blew up in my face. He can’t let me do my work.”

She heard footfalls behind her and her shoulder was grasped. “Sarah, stop.”

“Let go of me or I’ll break your arm.”

“Goddamn it, woman, listen to me!” He whipped her around to face him. “You are the most mule-headed person I know!” He shook her slightly. “All right, you can go with me to Yakutat.” He handed her badge to her. “I didn’t accept your resignation.”

She waited a few moments for her anger to uncoil. Then she pinned the badge to her shirt. “When do we leave?”

“After lunch. We’ll stay in Yakutat and bring him back tomorrow.” He paused. “Go home and pack. I’ll pick you up at eleven-thirty for lunch, and then we’ll go.”

She grinned. “Thank you for giving in.”

“Just don’t let me regret it.” She caught a flash of amusement as he turned to the office.

After lunch at Millie’s, they met Bill at the airfield. Amos shook his hand. “Any problem with you staying overnight?”

“No. This is the first overnight since our daughter was born, but the wife said it was all right.” He turned to load the plane. “You can get settled.”

It was coming up to four o’clock when the seaplane plopped down near the pier at Yakutat. The three of them walked into the town center and the only hotel, the Raven’s Nest. It was a simple clapboard building with a totem pole in the front with a raven watching grimly from its top perch. The inside was bright with its plain whitewashed walls in the afternoon sun. An elderly Tlingit man sat at the old oak reception counter with a case of cubbyholes and key hooks behind him.

Amos went to the desk. “I’d like two rooms next to each other for the night. One for us,” he indicated Bill, “and one for her.” He pointed at Sarah.

The old man nodded. “I’ll need all of you to sign.” He turned the register book toward them. “The rooms are a dollar a night.”

Amos took out two silver dollars and gave them to the proprietor. “We’ll be going early in the morning. Where’s a good place to eat?”

He thrust his thumb to the left. “Kate’s Kitchen is down a block.”

Amos tipped his hat. “Thank you.”

The native pulled two door keys off the cubbyhole hooks. “You’ve got Rooms Two and Three, one flight up.”

Amos flipped the key for Room Three to Sarah. “Let’s get settled, then take care of some business.”

Sarah and Bill followed Amos up the creaky stairs. No one can sneak around this hotel, she thought with amusement. Even walking to their rooms was a symphony of creaks and squeals of the old floor.

She opened the door to a reasonably clean room, although it was sparsely furnished and smelled like old wood. A wooden caned chair, a washstand, a chest of drawers, and a bed were the only furniture. Yellowed lace curtains cut the sunlight into geometric shapes, while dust traveled the beam’s length. Someone had tried to brighten the place up with braided rugs and framed ancient color advertisements.

Sarah carried a washcloth and towel to the bathroom at the end of the hall to freshen up. Back in her room, she brushed her still-too-short hair to make it look fuller. A knock at the door made her jump. “Who is it?”

“Amos. Are you ready?”

She opened the door. “Yes.”

“Good. Bill’s going to meet us at the restaurant. I think we should check in with Creag before we eat supper.”

A light mist was starting to coat the dirt road as they hurried across to the sheriff’s office. Creag sat at his desk, and, out of the corner of her eye, Sarah saw George behind him, in one of the iron cells. Creag stood to greet them.