Corbin glanced up from his desk at the unannounced visit from the second Morgan sister in a space of less than thirty minutes. He pushed his chair backward, not relishing the anticipated confrontation. Besides, he was the sheriff, and it was his responsibility to ensure the safety of this town. Something Catherine was going to have to accept.
Dismissing her obvious irritation, he beat her to the punch. “Your stubbornness this afternoon could have endangered both of us.”
Her eyes widened. “My stubbornness?”
“You refused to obey a direct order from an officer of the law.”
The look of exasperation on her face grew. “Have you questioned Harrison yet?”
“Yes.”
“And…”
Corbin folded his arms across his chest. “He continues to claim that he had nothing to do with the string of robberies.”
“But you don’t believe him.”
“How can I? I have a witness who identified him as the leader of the Masked Gang. Frank Sutherland ran with them for the past eight months. If anyone knows, he does.”
“He could have been lying.”
“Why? The man was dying.”
“He lied for the same reason someone gave you the anonymous tip that pointed to Harrison. To take the heat off himself and keep you running in the wrong direction.”
“And you have evidence for this. Clear, solid evidence that will hold up in a court of law.”
She folded her arms across her chest and frowned. Obviously not.
“Can I talk to him?” she asked.
“No.”
“Please, just let me talk to him. I’m the only person who knows the truth about Harrison.”
“Then tell me. What do you know that you haven’t told me?” He moved around the desk, feeling torn by her presence. “You have an obligation to divulge any information you have regarding this crime. If not for my sake, do it for your sister’s sake.”
Catherine’s gaze flickered. She was wavering. “And I have an obligation to my family.”
“As I have an obligation to uphold the law.”
“Let me speak to him.”
“No.”
“Just give me five minutes.”
“Miss Morgan…” He combed his fingers through his hair. He needed any information she had.
“Please, Sheriff. You want the truth as much as I do. Just let me talk to him.”
Catherine stepped to the edge of the jail cell and pressed her hands against the black iron bars. Harrison sat on the one wooden bench, shoulders slumped, hands in his lap.
“Better not get too close. You’re talking to a hardened criminal,” Harrison told her. “Besides, I told the sheriff I didn’t want any visitors.”
Catherine ignored his protests. “Why didn’t you tell the sheriff the truth?”
“The sheriff doesn’t care about the truth. Or so it seems.”
“Sheriff Hunter’s a good man. A bit stubborn at times, but—”
“His stubbornness is going to get me hanged on charges of murder.” Harrison combed his fingers through his hair then stood. “Murder. I didn’t even want to shoot that weasel this afternoon.”
“If you ask me, it’s your own stubbornness that’s about to get you hanged for murder.”
Harrison paced the small space. “You know what’s going to happen when Audrey finds out the truth. I’ll lose her.”
“So you’d rather be hanged by a lynch mob than tell her the truth?”
“Yes…no…I don’t know.”
“Harrison, look at me. You’ve made some mistakes, but you’re lucky. Audrey loves you. If you’re willing to tell her—and the sheriff—the truth, you have a chance to put all this behind you.”
“I can’t tell her.”
“You have to. Don’t you realize the odds you’re facing? They’re not good. The Masked Gang killed Sheriff Hunter’s father. Do you think he’s going to simply let you go because he feels sorry for you?”
“Just give me some time to think.”
Catherine shook her head. “You don’t have time.”
She left the small hallway and slammed the door between the two rooms. Corbin sat at his desk, holding a cup of coffee.
“Did he talk to you?” he asked.
“He’s as stubborn as you are.”
“Meaning?”
Her hands clenched at her sides. “Give him twenty-four hours to come to his senses. Maybe then the reality of his situation will finally sink in.”
“He may not have twenty-four hours. Do you realize what will happen once word gets out that I have the leader of the Masked Gang in custody?”
“He’ll tell you,” Catherine insisted.
“And if he doesn’t?”
“I said, he’ll tell you.”
“I could arrest you, too, you know. After your stunt at the farm and now this. You need to tell me what’s going on.”
“And I need you to trust me.”
Corbin pressed his lips together.
“Just give me twenty-four hours. And if he hasn’t told you the truth by then, I will.”
Catherine connected the call at the telephone switchboard the next afternoon then glanced up at the clock that hung on the wall beside her. Three o’clock. How much more could change in the scope of twenty-four hours? While Audrey stayed with Emily, Harrison sat in the town’s jail cell refusing to speak. She had no idea what motivated him. If he was worried that he’d lose Audrey with his confession, not telling the truth was a guarantee that was going to happen. Yet the man refused to swallow his pride and confess what he’d done.
Not that he was the only man in this town who couldn’t get beyond his pride. Corbin was so intent on arresting his father’s killer that even if she did tell him the truth, and he discovered he had the wrong man, she wasn’t certain he’d listen. According to him, he had all the evidence he needed to hang Harrison. Including several triangular-based bullets found at the Tucker farm.
Which had to have been planted, because as far as she was concerned he was innocent.
The front door of the store jingled. She looked up from her post. Where was Lily? She’d invited their father for dinner in hopes of distracting Audrey. Something she’d been unable to do so far. With Harrison sitting in a jail cell and the wedding temporarily postponed, nothing had helped soothe her sister’s despondent mood.
Pressing down the folds of her skirt, Catherine got up and glanced into the store. Ike Larrick stood by the counter. Catherine cringed. All it would take was a word of encouragement on her part and she wouldn’t have to be the town’s twice-jilted spinster any longer. Except that Ike Larrick was twice her age, had three boys, and lived with his mother on a pig farm. Life as a spinster suddenly didn’t seem so bad.
“Miss Morgan. You’re looking lovely today.” Mr. Larrick pulled off his Derby hat, revealing too much grease.
“Can I help you with something this afternoon?”
His smile widened, revealing two missing front teeth. “It’s been awhile since I’ve seen you, Miss Morgan.”
“So it has.”
“I’ve been in Lancaster the past three weeks on a bit of business.”
Catherine forced a smile. “How nice.”
“I was wondering if you’d like to accompany me on a buggy ride this afternoon? The weather is perfect and—”
“While I do appreciate the offer of the ride, I’m afraid I have quite a lot to do today.” Catherine cut him off before he could finish his sentence. She searched for a better excuse but came up empty-handed. No matter. Her excuse was perfectly valid.
“What about tomorrow?”
“And tomorrow…I have to work tomorrow.” While she didn’t want to hurt the man’s feelings, neither did she want to encourage him. She quickly changed the subject. “Was there something specific you were looking for? Something for the farm, or your mother perhaps? We just received some lovely fabric she might like.”
“No, thank you. Though I might have her come by later this week.”
“That would be fine, Mr. Larrick.” Catherine glanced at the door. Where was Lily? She’d never been good at dealing with pushy men.
“You can call me Ike if you’d wish.”
Catherine suppressed a groan. Kindness obviously wasn’t working. “Mr. Larrick is fine.”
“Nails. I need half a pound of nails and a pound of coffee.” Mr. Larrick leaned against the counter and chewed a wad of tobacco, not seeming to realize she was putting him off. “Have you heard the news?”
Catherine reached for the coffee. “What news?”
“There’s a stranger in town.”
“Who?”
“Care to guess?”
Great. He was going to make her drag it out of him. “Not really.”
Mr. Larrick’s smile faded, but only momentarily.
“A Pinkerton agent just showed up in town. I understand he hails from Chicago.”
A Pinkerton agent? Catherine’s mind reeled as she closed the lid on the coffee. She’d gambled on keeping Harrison’s secret for twenty-four hours, believing it would give Harrison time to come to his senses. She’d never dreamed the law would move that fast. She turned back around to Mr. Larrick. “And what would a Pinkerton agent be doing in Revenge?”
“Must have something to do with the arrest of Harrison Tucker, though the sheriff’s managed to keep things pretty quiet. I heard from my ma that you’re friends with the sheriff.”
Mr. Larrick leaned forward. So that’s what he wanted. Not to give out information, but to get it. Something he wasn’t going to get from her. She was the one who needed information at this moment. She had to talk to the sheriff.
She set the package of coffee on the counter then turned to the bucket of nails and eyed the front door. Where was Lily? “I’m sure the sheriff has a reason for keeping things quiet.”
“The sheriff better realize that none of us want a murderer sitting in our jail.”
“I’m sure that the sheriff is doing everything he can to ensure that justice takes place.”
The bell jingled again, and Catherine sighed with relief as Lily burst through the door.
“I’m sorry I took so long, Catherine.” She turned to Mr. Larrick without taking a breath. “Mr. Larrick. How are you today?”
“I’m fine, thank you.”
Catherine coughed. “I’m sorry to have to leave so quickly, but I have something I need to take care of now that Lily’s here.”
Lily took her place behind the counter.
“The phone’s been quiet this afternoon, and I promise I won’t be long,” Catherine told her.
Mr. Larrick turned his wide smile to Lily. Apparently anyone who hadn’t walked down the aisle was fair game in Mr. Larrick’s mind. Catherine hurried from the store, praying it wasn’t too late to save Harrison.
Corbin poured a second cup of coffee then slid it across the table to the man sitting across from him. Tailored suit, derby hat, and New York smile—the man didn’t belong in a town like Revenge.
“I didn’t expect you to get here so fast. It’s not even been twenty-four hours since I contacted you.”
“I wouldn’t have, except I’ve been working nearby. Your timing was perfect.” Brad Sanders took a sip of the coffee. “And I want to add how pleased I am, along with the rest of the company, of your involvement in catching this murderer.”
Corbin strummed his fingers against the desk. “There is something I need to talk to you about regarding our prisoner.”
The front door flung open, and Catherine flew into the office. Her hat sat askew atop her head and her cheeks were bright red. Whatever had her in a tizzy had her running like her skirts were on fire.
“Sheriff Hunter, I need to speak with you immediately.”
Corbin sat back in his chair and took a calm sip of his coffee. Surprisingly enough, his coping skills with women seemed to be improving. He set the cup on the table and smiled. Mrs. McBride’s gossip pipeline was running slow today. He’d expected Catherine thirty minutes ago. “Catherine Morgan, this is Brad Sanders. He’s a Pinkerton agent working on the Masked Gang case who has just arrived from the capital.”
Mr. Sanders dipped his head. “It’s nice to meet you, Miss Morgan.”
Catherine’s gaze traveled from Mr. Sanders then back to Corbin. “This visit has something to do with Harrison, doesn’t it? Ike Larrick said he saw—”
“You know you’re interrupting official business of an officer of the law.”
“And I apologize, but…
“But what, Miss Morgan?”
“I made a mistake.”
Corbin leaned back against his chair, taken aback by her apology. He’d expected her to arrive ranting and raving over Harrison’s innocence, not admitting to a wrongdoing. “You made a mistake?”
“I thought I was making the right decision by staying quiet, but I have proof that Harrison had nothing to do with these bank robberies—”
“Miss Morgan—”
“Wait…you have to understand that if Harrison is convicted for this crime, then the real William Marker will still be free, which means that more robberies will take place, which means that more people will get killed, all because I didn’t—”
“Miss Morgan—”
She continued without taking a breath. “Everything you have against him is completely circumstantial, but I can prove he’s innocent.”
Corbin leaned back in his chair and suppressed a grin. Mr. Sanders sat, jaw dropped at the display. “And what evidence do you have to the contrary, Miss Morgan?”
“For starters, you were right about him never being in Alaska. Harrison Tucker worked for a newspaper, writing fictional serials. He was on his way to Alaska when his stagecoach was involved in an accident outside Chicago. Three people were killed, and he ended up in the hospital with a dozen broken bones.”
“That would explain his slight limp,” Corbin threw out.
“Not wanting to lose his job, he read everything he could get his hands on to make his stories more authentic.”
“Then the newspaper found out.”
Catherine nodded then paused. “How did you know?”
“I have my sources, too, Miss Morgan.” Corbin steepled his hands in front of him.
“But please, continue with your story. I’m sure this is as entertaining for Mr. Sanders as it is for me.”
Catherine glanced at Mr. Sanders then back at Corbin before plunging ahead. “The problem was, he couldn’t pull it off. The newspaper wanted someone who was actually living in Alaska and fired him. It was about that time he received word his grandfather had died and the farm had been left to him. A farm in Ohio was far less appealing than an adventure in Alaska, but once he’d recovered from his injuries, he made his way to Revenge.”
“He never planned to stay,” Catherine continued. “He was going to fix up the place and sell it. But then he met Audrey, and they fell in love.”
“And they lived happily ever after,” Corbin injected. “Or, at least that was the original plan.”
Catherine frowned. “He knew enough about what was happening to make us all feel as if we were there, but his tall tales about the frontier were just stories. He’s a storyteller at heart. Not a murderer.”
“Are you done now?”
She folded her arms across her chest. “I’m done.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
She opened her mouth, but he cut her off. “Never mind. I was just telling Mr. Sanders, before I was so rudely interrupted, that you were right. I believe Harrison was set up.”
Catherine blinked twice. “You what?”
“I told him that you were right.”
“You believe he’s innocent?”
“Like you said, there have been too many things that haven’t added up. Anonymous tips, confessions from a known criminal, and in fact, as you stated so eloquently, everything we have on him is circumstantial. Which made it clear to me that someone was trying to set him up. Even so, I talked to Harrison and had to force his hand to get at the truth. I convinced him that if he didn’t come up with an alibi, he was going to hang in the morning.”
“You what? Why?”
“You know as well as I do, Miss Morgan, that if I didn’t hang him, the town would ensure he did. At this point, the truth is the only thing that has a chance of saving him. I also contacted the newspaper people in Boston, and they assured me that Harrison did work for them, and had been fired after they found out he’d been writing his serial from a hospital bed.”
Catherine’s chin dropped. “He didn’t want Audrey to know that the stories he tells were simply stories.”
Mr. Sanders took a final swig of his coffee, then rose to leave. “If you’re right about Harrison Tucker, then I’d say we both have our work cut out for us.”
Corbin shook the agent’s hand. “We’re going to get the real outlaw.”
“I always do. And if you ever change your mind, just let me know. We could always use another good man in the agency.”
Catherine plopped onto the empty chair across from Corbin as Mr. Sanders left the office. “If you change your mind about what?”
“He thinks I’d make a good Pinkerton agent.”
She shook her head. “Why didn’t you tell me you knew the truth?”
“Because you wouldn’t stop talking.” Corbin suppressed a grin. He liked a woman with a mind of her own, even if it seemed to get her into trouble most of the time. Like Catherine? No. He ignored the unsolicited thought and forced himself to focus on the problem at hand.
She pressed her lips together. “So you are going to release Harrison?”
“I’ll let him know he’s free to go, but I’ll suggest he stays out of sight until the real crook is snagged. I don’t want to have to deal with a town lynching.”
Catherine’s stomach soured at the thought. “Surely you don’t think—”
“It’s just a possibility, but we have to be careful.”
She let out a slow breath. Not too long ago, Harrison had spent his time courting her sister and entertaining a captivated crowd with stories of the frontier. Today he sat in a jail cell to save him from an angry town. “He didn’t want Audrey to know he was nothing more than a reporter who never struck gold—or a story for that matter. All he wanted to do was win Audrey’s heart.”
“There’s only one problem with all of this.” Corbin tapped his fingers against the desk. “I’m back to the beginning.”
“Not completely.” Catherine leaned forward. “We know that William Marker is probably someone working close to Revenge. It’s the only way he could have set up Harrison.”
The door opened and Lily appeared in the threshold. “Catherine, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I just received a phone call from Emily.”
Catherine stood up. “What is it? The baby?”
“No, it’s Father. He’s…he’s missing.”