part0013

Mark saw her sitting among the rubble of what had been a cabin and saw her brother standing with his hands up. Wary of what they were up to, Mark drew his pistol from the holster and rode into the yard.

Sam shook his head. “The other two men are dead. The tornado landed right on our cabin, as you can see.”

Evangeline ran to him and put her hand on his boot and looked up at him. “Mark, Sam protected me from the men and the storm.”

“Good.” Carefully, he dismounted and stood beside her. “You’re all right?”

He pulled cuffs from his bag and walked to Sam. “You’re giving yourself up?” Before Evangeline’s brother could answer, Mark clicked the handcuffs shut.

“I am. Seeing my sister cleared the scales from my eyes, and now I can see. I need to pay for my crimes.”

Evangeline ran to him. “Mark, this case was in Wyoming. Can’t we take him there first?”

“He didn’t kill that man. One of the outlaws killed by the storm did it. I heard him say so.”

Her brother nodded. “I know, no one will believe that. I’m ready to take my chances. Ready to trust in the Lord. Either he takes me home or gives me a prison sentence. Whichever it is, I’ll put my trust in the Lord.”

“You surprise me with this sudden turn. I have to say that I find it a little hard to believe that you’re the same man that shot at me and your sister.” Mark had heard his share of criminals say they’d changed, but they were usually only buying time to make their getaway.

“It’s true. After the storm, it was as if I awoke from a long nightmare. I’m ready to meet my fate.”

“Looks like we have two horses. Is the buckskin all right to ride?”

Sam shrugged. “We had just noticed him. I’ll check him out.” Evangeline’s brother strode toward the animal.

Mark was reluctant to let him go, but something about his demeanor did suggest a radical change in character. He looked at Evangeline. “What do you think?”

She looked down. “I tried to get him to ride off. I thought we could say he was killed in the tornado.” She looked up. “He refused. I’m so afraid for him, Mark.”

“Hanging? It seems like a waste to me. He knows of some of the outlaws in these parts. He could be of use to the authorities, the Pinkertons.” She looked up at Mark, trying her best to persuade him.

Mark rubbed her shoulder. “Maybe, he might be able to tell us who was giving the roster on the stage line. Somehow, they knew when to rob the coach just when it was most profitable.”

Evangeline took his hand. “I’ll be your wife, forever. Just help him.”

Mark looked at the sky and shook his head. “No, I love you, Evangeline. With all my heart, believe it or not. But I won’t hold you to a one-way marriage. I love you, but I only want a marriage where you love me. I don’t see that in your eyes. When we get back, we’ll dissolve the marriage. Temporary with limitations, remember?”

She shook her head, spilling tears on the ground. “Help Sam. I’ll do whatever it is you want.”

He put a finger under her chin and lifted her head. “I want you to be truly happy. I’ll do what I can for Sam, but with no strings. I love you, but I only want you if it comes from your heart and not from obligation.”

“Yes, I have to say some of the Pinkerton’s that I know have a bit of a stained past. Maybe we can make an agent out of him. However, he’ll probably serve time, and that’s only if we can get him off the murder charge.”

“Thank you, Mark.” She jumped up and kissed his cheek. Her eyes met his, and for a moment, they lingered.

He’d hoped he’d see something in her face that gave him hope, but he only saw relief that her brother had hope. She’d do anything for Sam. Mark knew that now. The entire marriage and job as a Pinkerton had been based on helping her brother.

Sam led the horse to them. “He seems fit. Doesn’t limp and no cuts. When do you want to head back?”

Mark pointed to the remains of the cabin. “We should bury the two who died.” Mark took in a deep breath and pointed. “Was there any money from the stage robbery?”

Sam laughed. “There was, afraid it’s been blown to who knows where. I saw some bills stuck in a tree.”

“Great. Let’s bury the two and see what we can find. Were they close friends of yours?”

Sam shook his head. “No, despite the saying, there is no honor among thieves. At least there is no friendship. Those two would sell out their own grandmothers if it meant a few dollars profit.”

Mark threw Sam the shovel. “I think you can dig with the cuffs on.”

He gave her an extra stern look so that she understood he meant it. Then he followed Sam to the downed beams and logs. It took them an hour to free Banjo. He’d died instantly from a head wound. Silas wasn’t as lucky and had suffered under several large logs.

Mark kept an eye out for any gold coins or money but found none. “Where did you keep the stolen goods?”

Sam pointed to an empty spot on the floor. “We had a small box over there. As you can see, it’s not there anymore.”

“No, we didn’t have time. I suppose we could look around. But I tell you, that tornado was right on us. I think it must have pulled that box up and who knows where it is now.” Sam picked up the shovel and went beyond the wreckage.

“I think they both have bounties on them. I’d like it if Evangeline gets the money. Maybe it will help her out.” Sam looked at him. “She said you two were married, is that true?”

“In a way. Archie, the lead detective, thought it would be a good way to keep the female agents respectable and protected. After the first case, they are free to have the marriage annulled. It was a wedding on paper only.” Mark wrapped the first man in a blanket.

Sam dug in the hard ground. “I think she cares for you. She wanted to make sure we didn’t hurt you.”

“Well, that’s not exactly what I’m looking for. I have to tell you that the moment I saw her I fell in love. Strange, I know. But real. To me, anyway. I thought she’d change her mind, but I can see that all she ever wanted was to set you free.”

Sam rested on the shovel. “Maybe, I’d like to see her with a good man to love and protect her.”

“Well, unless she loves me, I told her she’d be free after the case.”

Sam smiled at him. “I’d say the case isn’t over yet. Not really.”

“Do you want to tell me who is giving you the information about what stage to rob and when?” Mark kept a careful watch on Sam.

Sam laid Silas in the grave. “I’m planning on telling you everything I know about the outlaw world I’ve lived in. Some of it might surprise you. We,” He pointed at the two graves, “might do the dirty work, and die for it. But there is usually a clean, respectable-looking partner behind the crimes.”

Sam nodded and removed his hat. “Lord, you know what kind of men these were. I don’t know where their hearts were. At times they talked like they’d once been good men. Times have been hard and harder on some. Have mercy on their souls. In Jesus Name.”

Mark put his hat back on. “Good words, Sam. The best is that you’re changing your course so that when someone says words over you, hopefully, a long time from now, they can say that you’re a man after God’s heart and welcome home. That will give your sister the greatest comfort.”

“Yes, it will.” Sam began shoveling the dirt back into the graves. “You know, there was a time I was close to the Lord. Even after I left Evangeline and Mother. I could feel him when I was out alone in the wild country. The mountains would shout to His glory. The streams and rivers run for His praise.”

Mark nodded. “I know what you mean. I feel the same way. It was on a mountain in a small town that the Lord came to me.” Mark looked at Sam, puzzled at the way he spoke, and yet had lived such a hard life.

Sam nodded. “Like I said, after the tornado, it was like I woke up from a nightmare. I believe it was Evangeline that brought me to my senses. She risked everything to save me. I won’t let her down.” Sam finished filling in the graves.

Mark looked at the sky. “I don’t think there’ll be any rain. It’s too late to start back. We’ll spend the night here. I think it would be best for Evangeline.

Evangeline sat next to her brother and sipped the coffee. The air was cold, and the warm cup felt good to hold. But her heart was full of joy at talking to her Sam. They recalled old memories of good times. It was like she had her brother back. At least for a time.

Mark sat away from them. He’d left the cuffs on Sam, and the way he looked their way, she could tell he didn’t trust her brother. But he should. Sam was her brother. The way she remembered him.

He spoke of the Lord. Of how he knew that God would take care of him. And his eyes were bright and genuine. Before, when she’d let him out of jail, his eyes had been hard and uncaring. Sam had changed.

So had Mark. When he looked at her now, it was with a sad longing. As if he knew he’d lost her. She pulled the blanket around her. He should have known that she wasn’t his back in Denver when Archie was marrying them.

She’d told him enough times that their marriage was only temporary. Still, she couldn’t help feeling a little sad for him. He’d been nothing but kind to her.

“Sis, I want you to promise that you’ll go by what the judge says. No matter what.” Sam looked at her and touched her nose like he used to do when telling her something important.

“I agree. You’ll be safe. You’ll see. Just tell them whatever they want to know.” She had to believe that her brother would be all right. That the judge would not go through with the hanging.

Mark threw another chunk of wood on the fire. “I thought tomorrow morning, we could look around the area for the stolen money. How much did you get from the stage?”

Sam shrugged. “There was supposed to be five thousand. We didn’t count it. Just put it in the box.”

Mark nodded. “He’s been under suspicion. Before I left to follow the stage, the banker came out and said they’d been robbed.”

“He seemed like such a nice gentleman to me.” Evangeline shook her head. “And I always thought I was a good read of character.”

“Maybe, but I didn’t think he was a thief or an outlaw. I don’t think I’ve done very well as a Pinkerton agent.”

Mark pointed at her. “If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have stopped the gang that’s been robbing the stagecoach. You’re brave, resourceful, and have good instincts on how to solve a crime. You’re an asset to the Pinkerton agency. That will be in my report to Archie.”

Sam chuckled. “The way you bluffed your way into that jail and had the sheriff hand me over to you. And even had to use his handcuffs. I was impressed.”

She laughed. “I have to admit, my knees were shaking. It’s a good thing one of the deputies knew of a woman, Pinkerton agent.” Evangeline looked at Mark. “You really think I will make a good agent?”

She smiled, then looked away. She didn’t want to encourage him in any way. She’d meant what she said. She didn’t love him. She wouldn’t continue to be his partner. Archie had said she could get a new partner after the first case.

Evangeline relaxed in the quiet of the night and the warmth of the fire. She had saved her brother. He was back to his old self. She could be a Pinkerton agent. And she didn’t have to remain married to Mark.