3

Slocum knocked, then entered her rooms, peeling off his coat. “Ginny? You here?”

She had spiffed up the room, aired it out, for the air felt fresh and bracing, and the little stove was working overtime to raise the temperature again to a comfortable level. On the table in the sitting room, a fresh silver tray sat covered in gleaming dishes, with a coffee urn in the midst of it. He’d smelled it as he’d walked up the stairs and hoped she’d ordered some. His head was still throbbing like cannonfire, but he was happy.

“John, I . . . Did you find it? Did you find my grandmother’s earring?”

He retrieved it from his pocket and held it toward her. “Yep,” he said, not bothering to tone down his smile.

She was so happy that she hugged him. “Oh, thank you, John. This is incredible. Where was it?”

“Oh, out on the sidewalk.”

He sipped the coffee. It was strong and had a slightly bitter edge to it, just the way he liked it. Hell, who was he kidding? He liked anything resembling coffee. “So, who is this handsome blond man you’re following?”

Her face immediately lost its color, and for a second he thought she was going to faint again.

“Ginny? You okay?”

She looked at him. “Is he here? In town?”

“Is who here, Ginny? Tell me what’s going on.”

She grabbed Slocum’s arms. “Is he here? I have to know.”

Slocum regarded her eyes a moment. There was plenty of fire there, and desperation, too. “He left days ago, was seen headed sort of northwest out of town.”

Her face fell.

“Ginny, what’s this all about? Maybe I can help.”

She looked at the earring in her hand, wiped away a tear sliding down her cheek, and said, “No, you’ve done enough already.”

He sipped his coffee. “I’m not leaving until you tell me what’s going on. Why are you here in Bismarck of all places, and in midwinter? A more unforgiving place you’ll not find. I know,” he chuckled. “I’ve been trying to leave for months now.”

She turned to him, her face suddenly hopeful. “You have?”

“Well, yeah. I’ve been waiting for the weather to break, then I’m heading south and I’m not going to stop until I begin to sweat.” He smiled, but her face lost its glow.

“Oh, yes, a good plan. It is cold here.” And then she began to sob.

He took her in his arms and, after a few moments, said, “Look, Ginny. I have no idea what’s going on with you, but I do know it can’t hurt to tell me. Hell, it might just help.”

She nodded and sat down across the table from him, drying her eyes on a handkerchief. Slocum uncovered the breakfast dishes and served them each a big plateful of eggs, toasted bread, sliced apples and cream, butter, bacon, sausage, and more coffee. The food seemed to help get her talking, and she kept right on talking even in between bites, not worrying about appearing ladylike in the least.

“The man I’m looking for is named Delbert Calkins. He’s the worst of the worst. A scoundrel and a rogue and a cheat, and a liar and . . .”

“Bad man, huh?” said Slocum, smiling.

But she didn’t match his smile, just looked at him. “John, he killed my brother.”

“Oh, I am truly sorry, Ginny.”

“It takes a while to get over.”

“How long has it been?”

“Less than a year, but I’ve only been looking for him for a couple of months.”

He leaned back. “Why don’t you start at the beginning, as they say. Tell me about it. Maybe I can help.”

“Is that what you do, John? Funny but I never thought to ask much about you.” She smiled. “I just assumed the worst and stabbed you.”

“I’ve been treated worse. Now, about this Delbert fellow.”

“Well, let’s see. The beginning . . . My father is Gilbert G. Garfield.” She regarded him a moment as if to let that tidbit of information sink in.

“I gather I’m supposed to be impressed,” he said. “But I am going to disappoint you.”

She looked a little annoyed and he supposed that was the spoiled rich girl in her coming out. “We’re the Garfields of Garfield Coal, Trains . . . Shipping.”

“What a coincidence. I’m a Slocum of . . . me and my horse and saddle.”

“Okay, I understand I may have come across as boorish. I can’t help it if my family has a little money.”

He raised his eyebrows.

“We’re wealthy. Very wealthy,” she said.

“So . . . Bismarck?”

She exhaled deeply and said, “Delbert was or rather is an unsavory sort. Not the type my father would approve of. But maybe because of that fact, I became attracted to Delbert. I don’t really want to admit it, but he is handsome.”

“In a roguish sort of way,” said Slocum.

“You should know, sir.” She smiled, lost it quickly, and resumed. “Anyway, we met one day when I was down near the docks, sketching for an art class I was taking at the University. Oh, we’re from Chicago. And he just came up behind me, carrying a couple of bags of seed in burlap sacks on his shoulders, and told me that although it was obvious I had talent, I was too heavy-handed with my use of umber. And do you know? He was right. I started going down there more frequently, under the pretense of sketching, but I always managed to bump into Delbert Calkins, oddly enough.”

“Imagine that,” said Slocum. “And then one thing led to another.”

“Yes, it was a bit of a whirlwind courtship.”

“I can see where this is headed,” he said. “And it ain’t pretty, I’ll bet.”

“How right you are. I invited Delbert to our house.”

“Mansion?”

“Yes, mansion. May I finish my story?” She sipped her coffee and Slocum followed suit, said nothing, but waved his hand for her to continue.

“Daddy was most displeased that Delbert should even be allowed into the house, let alone court his daughter . . .” She fell silent a moment, then said, “I won’t bore you with the sordid details, but I can assure you that I am as headstrong as he is. And more than my brother, too. He is, was, Gilbert G. Garfield the Second, though we always called him Jamie. He was younger than me by two years, and was forever trying to make Daddy proud of him, doing things that would get Daddy’s attention. But I’m afraid Daddy just ignored his attempts and considered Jamie a silly little boy, even though he was really quite gifted with figures. I daresay he would have filled in for Daddy quite well. But all that’s too late now. Such speculation is fruitless.”

Slocum didn’t say a word, just let her gather her thoughts and continue.

“I persisted in seeing much more of Delbert Calkins, and though he was a bit rough on the outside, he was a kind young man. Or so I thought. Unbeknownst to me, my brother had been following him, spying on him, and for once he did something that pleased my father. Jamie found out that Delbert was part of a gang of criminals that preyed on the wealthy by endearing themselves to them, getting invited into their homes. Sometimes even becoming members of their families.”

“Was that something you and Delbert had discussed? Marriage?”

She said nothing, merely nodded, but couldn’t meet his gaze.

“He came over one night, and we had agreed that he would meet with my father in his study, to ask for my hand in marriage. Father, of course, had no idea this was to take place. I was upstairs, getting fancied up in my best dress and my grandmother’s jewels, which you’ve seen, when my brother knocked on my door. He asked to see me. I could tell he was angry about something, but I was in too good a mood to pay his demeanor much heed. He asked me why I was so happy and I just blurted it out—that Delbert was downstairs right then asking Daddy for my hand in marriage.

“I don’t know what I expected. Jamie had made it plain that he did not care for Delbert in the least. But he grew so furious, such an anger as I’d never seen on him before. He told me in no uncertain terms just what he thought of Delbert, and he used words that would make a sailor blush. He also told me what he said he’d found out about having Delbert followed for weeks on behalf of Daddy.

“He reduced me to tears, then bounded down the stairs shouting that he had to put an end to the madness once and for all. What that meant, I had no idea. I shouted at him as he ran from my room that . . . Oh, John! I told him I hated him, that I wished him dead for what he was about to do. Can you imagine? Oh, those words still echo in my head. They were the last words I would ever speak to dear Jamie.”

She sat still for a few quiet moments, then wiped her eyes and continued.

“By the time I got downstairs to Daddy’s study, I could hear two voices shouting within the closed doors—my brother arguing with Delbert, and Delbert not refuting the same accusations my brother had shouted at me moment before upstairs—not one bit! But then Delbert told my brother that he and my father had already settled the situation. I remember there was a pause then, and Jamie asked him what he meant by that.

“I almost barged in, but something stayed my hand. I had to hear what Delbert was about to say. Would that I had entered the room! Oh, I’m such a fool. What shocked me the most was Delbert’s voice saying what hypocrites all wealthy people were. That they liked to make a hue and cry out of honor and justice. Oh, he’d said he appreciated the fire and verve my brother was showing, but that all rich folks really care about was money. He said that at least he was being honest. Jamie had asked him what he meant by that and Delbert said that my father had offered him ten thousand dollars in cash to leave and never be heard from again.”

Slocum whistled low. “And Delbert accepted?”

“Yes, damn his black soul.” She hastily wiped away a tear threatening to undermine her anger. “I heard him say something like, ‘Here it is, in my hand. And don’t think the matter ends here. Oh, no, no, no. I’ll be back for more. This is just a down payment, you can rest assured.”

Ginny paused, rubbed her eyes.

Slocum sensed she was building up to something especially difficult for her to give voice to, so he kept quiet.

“Then he said, ‘I’ve got that silly little sister of yours wrapped right around my finger. She’ll do anything for me. Hmm, I wonder how much dear old Daddy will pay to prevent an elopement? Or maybe I should just marry the little fool and beget a whole new branch of the family tree!’”

“I imagine your brother didn’t take that too well. Where was your father in all this?”

“He told me later that he left the room when Jamie showed up. Was beside himself and ashamed, too. He said he’d never forgive himself, but that he’d suddenly taken ill at what he’d done and had to . . . well, upheave, if you know what I mean.”

“I understand—and I guess I’d be inclined to do the same if I’d just given in to a blackmailer’s demands.”

“Jamie howled his outrage then, and I tried to open the door, but someone, maybe Jamie, had locked it from the inside. I heard him shout, ‘You foul villain! The only way you’ll leave this room is over my dead body!’ And Delbert laughed—he actually laughed! Then he . . . he said he would be happy to accommodate him and . . . he shot Jamie!

I banged on the door and within seconds it swung inward and there stood Delbert, smiling at me and tucking something into his coat.”

“Was it the pistol?” said Slocum.

She shook her head. “At least not that I saw. There was a pistol in my brother’s hand as he lay on the floor. I saw him lying there and yelled, ‘What did you do?’ to Delbert. Still smiling, he shrugged and said, ‘A clear-cut case of self-defense, m’lady.’ He always called me that. Like a fool, I’d thought it was cute, but now I realize he had been mocking me all along.

“‘Pity,’ Delbert had said. ‘I would have liked to have had . . . those jewels. Another time, perhaps, you poor little rich girl.’ Then he turned and ran out the front door, knocking over servants in the process.”

“What about chasing after him? Did no one pursue him? Call the law and track him?”

“Oh, I wanted to, believe me. As did the servants, and others. But you have to understand, my father is . . .”

“Very wealthy, yes you said. And I bet he’s also afraid to go to the law because it might tarnish his business reputation.” Slocum poured himself another cup of coffee. “So you don’t know for certain if Delbert shot your brother without much provocation, or if Jamie threatened him with a gun first.”

“Well, no, I don’t know. But I swear he planted the gun in Jamie’s hand to make it look like he’d been defending himself.”

“Makes sense, but you didn’t actually see Delbert pocket his gun.”

She shook her head no.

“And did anybody check to see if the pistol in your brother’s hand had been fired? Sniff it, check the chambers, the barrel?”

“Of course it had been fired! It was the one Delbert used to shoot him. Honestly.”

“Now don’t get all worked up. I’m trying to make a point. If it hadn’t been fired, then you’d have no case against the man because it could be said that Jamie had drawn on him, but Delbert beat him to the trigger, then pocketed his own pistol.”

She stared at him for a moment, then realization dawned on her face. “So simple, but we never thought of it. At least my father never said if he did. How foolish of me.”

“So, where does that leave you? I am guessing you didn’t prosecute him, especially given the fact that you’re chasing him across the country.”

“As I said before, my family is wealthy and Daddy didn’t want to air family laundry in public, especially given the fact that blackmail was involved and that he paid the man. Imagine what that would do to his business reputation. He told me he’d be laughed out of every negotiation.”

“I take it your father is known as a hard hand in such matters.”

She nodded. “He says it’s the only way to succeed in business.”

“Well,” said Slocum, “it sure is one way, he’s proven that. But did he do anything about it? Ever try to find the man?”

“He told me he had hired a private firm to take care of matters, that’s what he called it.”

“But . . .” Slocum prompted her.

She sighed. “But I was snooping around in the papers on his desk one day, because I had my doubts, and, well, let’s just say that I found out he had never hired anybody to do anything.”

“So you took matters into your own hands, and took to the road, trying to find this man.”

“Yes. I’ve kept in touch with Daddy, told him not to worry. But in truth, he knows I’m most capable of handling myself.”

Slocum’s raised eyebrows made her look down at her lap.

“Well, I thought I was. Until you saved me from those two ruffians. And then I stabbed you! Oh, what a mess I’ve made of things. I wish I never had met that damnable Delbert Calkins. Don’t you see?” She looked up at him, tears in her eyes again. “I am responsible for all of it. For my brother’s death, for my father’s recent dark humors. The man has always been a kind soul, full of jollity and good humor. But lately he has taken to brooding alone in his study, the very room Jamie died in. Oh, it’s all my fault.”

“So you’re tailing a killer across the country to make up for it. Admirable, I’ll give you that. But what’s your plan?”

“What do you mean?”

“Did you really think that playing poker in Bismarck in the middle of a hard winter among rough and shaggy characters would help?” He shook his head in disbelief at the poor girl.

“I have employed several operatives to help me track him. They told me that all along he has been gambling in every town he stops at. The last town I had word of his appearance was here in Bismarck. That was two weeks ago. I hurried to get here, but it seems I was too late. I thought that if I confronted him, he might . . .”

“What? Surrender? Repent and beg your forgiveness?” Slocum stood and stalked the room. This girl was naïve and unbelievable. “Delbert Calkins was born bad, he’ll live bad, and he’ll die bad. You have my word on that. I’ve met enough such characters that I’d wager my last two cents on it.”

“You think I don’t know that? It doesn’t mean I’m giving up. I’ll track him to the ends of the earth.”

“And then what, Ginny? Will you shoot him?”

“Maybe I will.” She pulled open her purse and slid out a two-shot lady’s pistol, gold-plated with ivory handles.

“Cute,” said Slocum. “You get close enough and you might cause him to bleed out, but there’s a lot of ifs to overcome before that can happen.”

“What do you suggest?”

“I suggest you go home, consider Bismarck the closest call you’ll ever want to have, and leave it alone. It’s a small price to pay for your foolish actions—you could have easily been killed. If he ever comes back into your life, swallow your wealthy pride and call the law. They are more than equipped to handle such a worthless bum.”

The room was quiet for a time. Finally she slipped the pistol back into her purse and set it on the table by her elbow. “Then you find him.” She pulled out a wad of cash and a fancy sack heavy with coins and set them on the table. “I can pay whatever you want.”

Slocum rolled his eyes. “Ginny, it’s not about money. I’m not—”

“John, I have no one else to turn to, and if you don’t take on the job, I will go on myself. You said so yourself that he was seen mere days ago heading northwest out of Bismarck. That’s good enough for me.”

He wished he’d had the good sense to keep his damn mouth shut. “You’ll die out there. Winter travel is no joke. Even for experienced folks, it can be an easy, sometimes a surefire way to lose your life.”

“But you didn’t say no.”

“No, no I didn’t.” He pulled on his hat, tugged it down low. “I have to go check on my horse, take a walk.”

“But—”

“I’ll think about it.” He left, closing the door behind him and pausing in the hallway. What a mess. Heading northwest in the middle of February was the last thing he wanted to do. Leaving Bismarck behind would be welcome, sure. Nice enough town, but he’d grown stale here. He wanted to be alone again, depending on himself. But northwest? And in winter? That bore serious thought.

And yet, and he hated himself for thinking it, there was money to be made here, and it wouldn’t be wrong to take it from her, since it might well be saving her life. He didn’t doubt for one minute that she was headstrong enough to chase after Delbert Calkins herself. The man had probably killed her brother, wronged her in a bad emotional way, and gutted their family—not to mention that he blackmailed them and threatened more of the same. And part of a gang of criminals, she’d called it. Vermin, more like it. Slocum also didn’t doubt her sincerity. He was rarely wrong about judging people, and guessed she was as honest as the day was long.

By then he’d made it to the lobby. He looked up at the front desk and saw the same pinch-faced woman holding the same novel . . . and smiling at him. He smiled back and circled the big settee in the middle of the room, headed back up the stairs.

He opened the door to her rooms, didn’t see her, and strode to the bedroom. “I’ll track him for you, but on a few conditions.”

He’d surprised her—she was packing her things.

“What are you doing?”

“Packing. I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”

“I told you I’d be back, didn’t I?”

“Yes, but . . .”

“Don’t tell me rich people don’t believe in keeping their word?”

It was a flinty thing of him to say, but she took it well, and smiled for the first time in an hour.

“What are your conditions, Mr. Slocum?” she said, smiling that damn smile at him from where she stood at the foot of the bed.

“That you promise me you’ll head back to Chicago right away and wait to hear from me. It might take a while, so be patient. Also, you have to promise me that you won’t wear your grandmother’s jewels again until you get home, and that you won’t gamble. You are, without a doubt, the worst poker player I’ve ever met.”

She canted her head to the side, pretended to muse on his conditions, then said, “Called your bluff, didn’t I?” Then she pushed the stack of clothing off the bed, jumped backward onto it, and lay there on her back, smiling up at him.

There’s that damn smile, he thought, tossing his hat onto a chair.