Silverton: Claims On The Heart (19 page)

The morning dragged into afternoon as they tried to think of some way out of the mess.

The deputy brought Collin a tray of food that neither he nor Kathleen wanted to eat.

Kathleen glanced at the clock that sat on the desk. Martin would expect her answer. “I need to get some lunch for Papa,” she said, reluctant to leave Collin. “Maybe he'll have an idea.”

She nearly collided into the sheriff's broad chest when she opened the door.

He had two men with him. One of them was Martin Long. The other was a young man that Kathleen did not know.

She drew a ragged breath at the sight of Martin, pointed a finger in his face and said shrilly, “I'm telling the sheriff everything whether he believes me or not.”

“I think I've spared you the trouble,” said the tall, blond man who was with them.

He doffed his hat. “I'm Clem Jones. I used to run with Martin's gang before they got into things I didn't cotton to. I became an honest miner and got me some savings. I aim to marry Polly and take her out of that saloon.”

Kathleen stared at him, unable to make the connection between his words and her difficulty.

The sheriff motioned Martin to a chair. “You might want to stay and hear the explaining that Mr. Long has to do.”

She sank onto the spare chair.

“I've got nothing to say to you,” Martin growled.

“Maybe Clem would like to start us off,” the sheriff suggested.

Clem held his hat in his hands and avoided Martin's dark glare. “Vic had been talking to me. He was real upset ‘bout what he overheard when he walked by an alley late one night. Martin and his men were talking to the bank robber who escaped the law. It turns out that Martin masterminded the robbery and hired the men. He met with them in the mountains right after the robbery and rode off with the half-take the sheriff didn't get back, leaving the robber who escaped with nothing. Now, this man was demanding that Martin share the take with him.”

Collin was listening with rapt interest. His jaw had dropped open in surprise.

Martin was no gentleman, yet she had never imagined him capable of robbery. And why?

Clem took a breath and continued, “Vic saw Martin shoot the man right there on the spot. Then he laughed and said he'd just saved himself some money. He was going to head up to Ouray and put it in the bank. He saw Vic listening, and Vic got scared. He slipped back into the saloon, but he was worried for his life.” Clem sighed. “Seems he had good reason. I kept quiet at first for the same reason. But Polly told me she'd never speak to me again if I let an innocent man get blamed for Vic's death.”

The sheriff laid a hand on Clem's shoulder. “You did the right thing. I sent a telegraph to Ouray this morning to see if Martin had deposited money there. Turns out he put in the exact amount that's missing from the bank.” He stared hard at Martin. “I wonder how that could be.”

Martin's anger broke like a dam of pent-up hatred. “This town owed me,” he spat. “With the mines closing there was no need of the stamp mill. I was losing money, money I'd worked hard to get. I decided right then and there I was never going back to the way I lived in Kerry Patch.”

The sheriff raised his eyebrows. “So you're admitting to the robbery and to the murder of two men?”

Suddenly realizing what he had said, Martin grew recalcitrant. “I'm admitting nothing.”

“No matter. I have enough suspicion to lock you up until the judge gets here.”

The sheriff left Martin under the watchful eye of his deputy while he unlocked the cell that held Collin. “Son, you're free to go. Sorry I had to lock you up on the word of this sorry snake.”

Collin grabbed his hat and shot out of the cell as if he was afraid it would pull him back.

Martin took his place. His glare from behind the bars made Kathleen shiver. If looks could kill, they would all be dead.

She turned to Clem. “We owe you a tremendous debt. And Polly, too, for convincing you to talk.”

Clem smiled sheepishly. “It was the right thing to do.”

The sheriff patted Clem on the back. “I'm gonna go round up those two hooligans that run with Long. We'll put them behind bars, too, so we can keep you safe to testify.”

Collin and Kathleen walked out with Clem.

The sheriff headed off to make his arrests.

“Maybe you'd let us take you and Polly to supper at the hotel,” Collin suggested.

Clem grinned. “I'd like that. I'll see if I can get Polly to go.” He set off towards Blair Street.

Collin turned to Kathleen. He grinned. “Now that your wedding to Martin is off, will you spend the rest of your life with me?”

Kathleen rose onto her toes to meet his lips. “I already gave you my answer.”

“And your father?”

“He knows some of the truth about Martin. He won't be hard to convince.”

Collin took her hand. “Let's go tell him the rest of the story.”

She smiled up at him. She had come to Silverton looking to start a new life. She had found it with a man she could cherish and respect. And she would love him from this day forward and forever more.

 

 

 

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