Chapter Twenty-Three

In the ensuing days, Taryn became more impatient for any new information purporting Jared’s suspicion of Marcus Rhodes involvement with Dean Breck’s murder. Jared had scrutinized the marshal, patiently waiting for the man to show his true hand. Rhodes would eventually slip up. She strived for patience as well but found she lacked the ability when it concerned murder. While Christmas shopping with Anita, she spied both the marshal and Andrew leaving their office. Pausing in her stride, she considered the opportunity at hand. She waited for them to reach the other side of the street before she walked toward the office.

“Taryn, where are you going?” Anita picked up her own step to keep abreast of her. “I thought you wanted to go through the shops on the next street?”

“I do, but I have to see something else first.”

“What?”

“If the marshal’s office is unlocked…”

Anita shook her head in warning. “Taryn. Didn’t Jared tell you not to get too involved?”

“I’m not getting involved. I’m going to see if the office is open and see what I find.”

They reached the marshal’s office. Taryn tried the doorknob. The knob turned in her hand. “It’s open.”

“Which must mean the marshal and Andrew don’t intend to be gone long. Taryn, are you listening to me? We’re going to get caught snooping around.”

Taryn opened the door. “You keep watch.”

Anita grabbed her arm. “What if they come back? Why don’t you wait until Andrew is alone in the office?”

Taryn shook her head. “I wouldn’t want to take advantage of his kindness by asking him. If they come back, give me enough of a warning so I can get out of the office before I’m seen.” Taryn slipped inside the office.

“But…” Anita’s additional warning as to the foolhardiness of her prying went unheeded as she closed the door.

Once inside the marshall’s office, Taryn darted over to his desk, yanking open a drawer searching for something, anything to help them. She shuffled through the drawer among the loose pieces of paper, pausing long enough to scan the writing on them, yet careful not to disturb the contents of the drawer.

Opening a bottom file drawer, she skimmed the contents of the files, frustrated at coming up empty-handed. Inspecting the interior of the drawer for a possible hidden piece of paper, her fingers touched upon a latch in the back of the drawer. Sitting in the marshal’s chair, she pushed the files aside to release the catch. Behind the thin panel she felt a single file. She withdrew the file, placing it on the desk. Inside, there were articles, notes, and general information about Jared’s career. Reading a portion of one article, she jumped in guilty fear as the door opened, her heart in her throat.

“Taryn, the marshal’s on his way.” Anita shifted her gaze to the sidewalk. “You’ve got to come now.”

“I need another few seconds. I’ve got to see what’s in the rest of this file before putting it away. See if you can detain him.”

“What? How?”

“You’ll think of something.”

Anita closed the exterior door. Taryn flipped through the remaining articles, her gaze shifting to the window to see if the marshal was coming. Then she came upon a telegram addressed to the marshal. After reading the short message and the sender’s name, she dropped it back into the file.

Realizing her time ran short, she shoved the file back in its compartment then slammed the drawer shut. She saw the marshal pass the window. Terror gripped her. She couldn’t be caught pilfering through his office. There was no point in attempting to get out the front door since the marshal was too near it. She would have to hide. Dashing into the back room, she didn’t see a hiding spot then noticed the exterior door.

Relief flooded through her. She ran to the door and twisted the knob. Locked. She yanked again at the knob in frustration. She didn’t have time to search for a key, and there was no place to hide. She peered around the door to the front office area. There was no option open for her to flee the office without the marshal knowing her real reason for being there. She needed to be creative.

Marcus entered his office then paused when he noticed her sitting with her back to him across from his desk. “What…?”

Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Taryn turned in the chair, giving the marshal a cold stare.

“Is there something you wanted, Mrs. King?” The marshal came over to the desk.

“Yes, there is.” She acted offended, for being made to wait by his delay in returning. “I would ask you keep your opinions to yourself about my husband, rather than spreading them about town like some rabid dog.” Her remark would cause the marshal’s anger to flare. His irate glare did not disappoint her.

“I’m sure the truth is difficult for you to face.”

“I have no difficulty facing the truth, Marshal. Do you?”

Marcus stood behind his desk. He leaned over the desk, bracing his hands on the top of it. “If there is nothing else, Mrs. King, I have more important things to do than listen to your opinions. I’d appreciate you leaving.”

“Consider it done.” She didn’t have to make a pretense of her irritation with the marshal. She turned with a crisp snap of her skirt, heading to exit his office. She found Anita waiting for her farther down on the sidewalk.

“Taryn.” Anita waved her over to where she stood. “I couldn’t stop him from going into the office. How did you explain your presence?”

Taryn told Anita of the scene she created. Her heart still pounding, her hands shook.

“You didn’t?” Anita chortled in satisfaction. “You should have witnessed the display I put on. The marshal practically galloped to get away from my chatter about the weather. Did you find anything?”

“I don’t know.” She took a deep breath to release her nervous energy. “There was a file with newspaper articles and flyers concerning Jared. I also found a telegram addressed to the marshal. The message stated the marshal could expect his arrival by the end of the week to handle the matter they discussed.”

“Whose arrival? What matter?”

“Someone named Miguel Ramirez.” Taryn’s brow knit in worry. “I don’t know what it referenced.”

“Perhaps it’s unrelated to Jared.”

“Then why would it be in a file containing information about him? I have to find out in the next few days. What I need to do is ask Andrew if he knows why this person is coming at the end of the week.”

“Taryn, you promised Jared you wouldn’t talk to Andrew again about this, didn’t you?”

“Yes, so I’m not going to talk to Andrew.”

Anita sighed in relief. “Good.”

“You are.”

Anita balked. “Taryn…”

****

Taryn wondered how to warn Jared he could be in danger without telling him how she knew. They were preparing for bed when she broached the subject. She removed her earrings, placing them on the vanity table. “Jared, does the name Miguel Ramirez mean anything to you?” She observed him through the vanity mirror. He unbuttoned the collar of his shirt, his fingers stopping their movement at the mention of the name. She noticed his body tensing. She turned in the chair. Her heart filled with anxiety.

“Where did you hear that name?” His tone remained conversational, his fingers once again working the buttons down his shirtfront.

“I read it somewhere.”

Bracing one hand on the back of her chair, the other on the vanity, he leaned down close. “Where did you read it?”

She wanted to stand, move away from his inquisitive gaze, but he blocked her from doing so. She didn’t care to answer his question. “Does the name mean something to you?”

“Where, Taryn?”

She squirmed in her chair. She kept her eyes downcast, playing with a pleat of her gown. “In the marshal’s office.”

He placed his knuckles under her chin, tilting her head up. “Start at the beginning.” He pulled a chair over sitting to face her.

Taryn heaved a sigh of concession. She didn’t know how he would receive the news of her defying him, but if the information would help in some way, she didn’t care. When she finished her speech, she waited for his response. He responded by kissing her. “You’re not angry?”

“If you hadn’t gone into the marshal’s office, I would never have known.”

She sat up from her relaxed position, her back ramrod straight. “Then Miguel Ramirez is a threat to you.”

He stood, walking over to the armoire, removing his shirt. “I don’t want you worrying about him.”

“Jared.” She walked over to stand before him. “You’ll make me worry all the more if you don’t tell me who he is.”

“Later.” He drew her against him, nuzzling the side of her neck.

She could be stubborn too. She braced her hands on his chest. “No Jared, now.” She wasn’t going to let him put that matter aside.

“He’s a bounty hunter. I had trouble in Mexico. They’ve sent him after me.”

“Then Marshal Rhodes informed him you were here? What are we going to do? The telegram said he would arrive by the end of the week. He could be here anytime.”

“There’s still time to think of a plan.”

“Maybe I could…”

He cut her off with a kiss. “You’ve done enough. I appreciate your help, but from here on out, leave matters to me.”

“But Jared, nothing happened. The marshal never discovered the real reason I was in his office.”

He unbuckled his belt, draping it across a chair. “Taryn.”

She paused in voicing her objections of his wish to keep her from getting involved.

“Don’t do it again.”

She didn’t protest. Although his words were spoken with quiet resolve, the underlying warning was apparent. She began removing her dress, her displeasure evident in her actions as she stepped out of the gown, hanging it up with a clatter.

He came up behind her, shifting her back against him. “I don’t want you hurt, Taryn.”

“But I can help you.”

“You already have. Now,” he continued, turning her to face him, “before we end this conversation, I want your promise you won’t do anything more about this.”

“Jared…”

“Your promise, Taryn.”

She agreed in grudging reluctance. “I promise.” She started thinking who else might help her. As if reading her mind, his next words put a stop to her thoughts.

“I also don’t want you seeking help from others to obtain information for you. Not Anita, Luke, Robert, Andrew, or anyone else you can think of.”

She shifted in his grasp, considering how she could avoid such a promise. “What if I don’t promise.”

“I’ll divorce you.”

“What? You’d divorce me for wanting to help you?”

“I’ve asked for your promise to let me handle this situation from now on. Anything can go wrong. I don’t want you caught in the middle. If you refuse to trust me, then, yes, I will divorce you.”

“Am I to understand this same rule applies for any future promises you ask of me?”

“Yes. There’s no point to a marriage if it lacks trust.”

“Does this apply for you as well?”

“There is little I would ever deny you, Taryn, but it applies to me as well.”

“You’re denying me now.”

He grinned, bringing her into the circle of his arms once more. “True, but I never agreed to your involvement.”

“I never agreed not to be involved.” She shivered as his mouth brushed over her ear.

“You promised it a few moments ago,” he whispered into her ear.

Trapped by her own words, she expelled her breath in frustration.

His mouth hovered over hers. “I’m still waiting for your response to my earlier question.”

“I’ve forgotten it. All right,” she amended, fully aware of the piercing focus of his gaze. “I promise I won’t ask anyone for help.”

“Thank you.”

She graced him with a smile. “I’ll warn you now, Jared. I’m going to think of a promise for you to make me as unpleasant to you as this one is to me.”

His eyes gleamed. “I can hardly wait.” His insatiable kiss ended the discussion.