Peppermint Sticks for Susie (16 page)

Resisting the urge to laugh gleefully, Lefty got on his cot and pretended to be asleep. One of the deputies would come in sooner or later to get his dirty dishes to return them to the restaurant, and then Lefty was going to get the hell out of here. He didn't know who he had to thank for the gun, but he wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. No siree. He was going to kill himself a Sheriff or a deputy and then he was going after that bitch who done for Mort.

It was hard to lie there and breathe evenly and wait for just the right moment, but it finally happened. He was watched through the bars for a couple of minutes before the door was unlocked; the lawman wanted to be sure Lefty was not a threat before he unlocked the cell door. Once the deputy was satisfied that Lefty was napping, he entered the cell and bent over to pick up the tray. Lefty jumped up and brought the butt of the gun down hard on the back of the deputy's head, and he did it once more for good measure, not wanting the man to wake up and call an alarm before he had the opportunity to get away.

Lefty itched to go into the Sheriff's office and do for him, but he decided he wanted his freedom more than he wanted to kill the man. Later, he promised himself, he would shoot him down for locking him up over that bitch who caused Mort's death. All they were trying to do was have some fun; she had no right to put up such a fuss and then turn around and give it to the man who shot him for slapping her. It was his bullet that killed Mort, and he would make him pay, too. As quietly as possible, he opened the back door that led into the alley. He had a score to settle and he wouldn't rest until that woman was dead.

Chapter Eleven

"Sheriff, twenty head might not seem like much when you compare it to some of the big spreads around here, but it's enough to wipe me out," the young man facing them declared, anger in his voice.

"I understand, son. I'm here to try and find the ones who took your herd," Clyde said in his gravelly voice. "Did you see or hear anything at all?"

"No, sir. I was wore out from building a new corral, and I sleep like the dead at night." His blue eyes were full of rage and despair. "I'm a one man operation, Sheriff; I got to sleep sometime."

"Have you noticed anyone hanging around, Mr. Bodey? Or has anyone come by and asked you for work lately?" Alex questioned.

"No, sir," he replied, and then his eyes filled with puzzlement. "A drifter did stop by asking for directions. Said he was lost and did I know where to find the O'Malley place... I answered him and after he watered his horse, he took off in the opposite direction of what I done told him. I thought that was damned strange."

"Would you be able to recognize the man if we were to find him?" Alex asked.

"Sure. You thinking he had something to do with stealing my cattle?"

"Don't know yet, but it's worth checking into," Alex said, then added, "Don't give up yet, Mr. Bodey. You've done a lot of hard work here and the place shows it. The Sheriff and I will do our best to find your herd for you," he promised.

"Thank you both; thank you for trying to help me."

"We're heading for the O'Malley spread, ain't we?" Clyde asked in resignation.

"I think we'll find David Bodey's cattle there, Clyde. I'd hate to see him wiped out."

"Me, too. But, I won't lie to you, boy, I'm afraid of that place."

"Kieran is on our side," Alex said with a perfectly straight face. "He wants us to catch the ones doing the rustling."

"And you know this how?" the other man asked suspiciously.

"He sort of told Miss Jenny and me," Alex replied, then looked at the other man and grinned. "Doesn't that sound like I'm crazy...?" He laughed out loud. "If it was the other way around and it was you telling me that same thing, I'd keep close watch on you, Clyde. But, I swear it is true." He related his experiences with Kieran, and could tell the Sheriff was reluctantly impressed. "I am positive we're going to find David's cattle on the O'Malley spread."

"Then let's go and arrest some rustlers, Marshal."

They took their time and watched for any signs of anyone guarding the O'Malley ranch, but apparently the rustlers were sure that Kieran's reputation was all the guard they needed to keep them safe. They found the twenty head, still wearing David Bodey's brand, and there was only one man keeping watch. He dropped his gun when he was confronted, and put his hands in the air, offering no resistance.

"It would be in your best interests to cooperate with us," Clyde told him as he put handcuffs on the man.

"I'd be dead if I told you anything," he stated sullenly.

"Son, you're going to hang if you don't tell us what you know," Clyde pointed out, but the man didn't open his mouth to say anything else.

The look on David Bodey's face when they returned his cattle was one of shocked disbelief and happiness and then tears filled his blue eyes as he thanked them over and over again. When he got a good look at their prisoner, he nodded. "Yes, sir. He's the one who stopped by and asked for directions. I made it easy for them, didn't I? Told them how to take my herd someplace that no one would think to go looking. You two are sure brave to go on the O'Malley place." He looked at them with genuine respect. "Thank you."

"We're glad we could help, Mr. Bodey," Alex said with a smile. He looked at Clyde and said, "Let's get this one back to town and see if he's ready to talk to us."

However, when they reached the jail, they were shocked to find Deputy Harold Scott lying unconscious on the floor of Lefty Bridge's cell. They locked up their prisoner and carried Harold to the doctor's office. His nurse did what she could to help, but suggested they wire the doctor in the next town and ask him to come. Doc wouldn't return for a couple more days, and Harold needed help now.

"Clyde, I need to go and check on Jenny. With Lefty on the run, I'm scared he will try to kill her again!"

"You go on, Alex. Do what you need to do to keep that girl safe. In the meantime, I'll see if anyone has set eyes on him."

Alex literally ran to the Beckley house, terrified that he would be too late to save Jenny. He burst through the door like a greenhorn and caused Susie to scream in fright. He heard Peter's feet hit the floor as he came running. "I'm sorry," Alex said, holding up his hand. "Where's Jenny?"

"In her room," Alma replied, putting her arms around little Susie to hug her close. The poor child was shaking with fear.

"What's wrong, Alex?" Peter demanded, frowning. He knew that Alex was usually calm and this sort of behavior was unlike the lawman.

"Lefty Bridges attacked Harold Scott and escaped. I'm worried that he'll try to harm Jenny again," Alex answered, heading for Jennifer's bedroom to check on her. Thankfully, she was in her bed, reading a book.

"You're back!" she said, smiling at him. "What happened?" she inquired, patting the bed beside her and inviting her to sit down beside him. Instead, he pulled down the blind, making the room too dark to read unless she lit the lamp beside her bed. "Why are you doing that?" she asked.

"Lefty Bridges escaped sometime this afternoon. Harold Scott is unconscious and we had to send for a doctor in the neighboring town. He probably lit out of town, but I don't trust him not to try to harm you before he does."

"Oh no!" Jennifer gasped, memories of the man's attacks on her making her sick to her stomach. "I don't want him to come here and hurt any of the Beckley's, Alex. I should move to the hotel..."

"You are safer here."

"But Susie, Alma, and Peter aren't safer. Lefty Bridges is insane."

"The Sheriff is out looking for him right now, honey. I promise I will keep you safe."

"I need to get up for a while, Alex," she said decisively. She put her book on the bedside table, then threw back the blanket and got to her feet. Alex held her wrapper and helped her put it on over her nightdress. "Is my hair a mess?" she asked.

"No; it's beautiful," Alex assured her. It was a testament to his worry that he wasn't arguing with her to get back into bed and rest. He took her hand in his and they walked to the kitchen. "I'm sorry I frightened all of you by bursting through the door. I was..."

"Scared out of your mind by all of the 'ifs'...?" Peter finished for him. "I understand. Lefty Bridges is a dangerous man."

"Which is why I think I should move to the hotel until he is captured," Jennifer said.

"Absolutely not!" Alma said firmly. "You need to be here with us so we can keep you safe."

"I don't want him to come here and hurt any of you to get to me!" Jennifer argued.

"He won't, Jenny," Peter spoke firmly. "You are safe here, and I won't hear of you going to the hotel. Do you realize that he could sneak in that place with no one being the wiser? Or even come in the window. No, you are staying right here and that is final."

Jenny's green eyes filled with tears, and she had a lump in her throat. "Thank you," she managed to whisper.

"We are your family, Jenny," Alma said, and then hugged her. "You are like a sister to me."

"We're grateful," Alex spoke for both of them. "Truly grateful."

* * *

Marla was doing her best to pretend she wasn't afraid, but the truth was that she was terrified of Lefty Bridges. He'd already insisted she lie with him, and he was rough with her. He was so angry with Jennifer Shelley and cursing her every time he opened his mouth. He also wouldn't permit her to leave her room. He said he trusted her, but his eyes told her that just the opposite was true. She moved slowly to get out of bed and put her wrapper over her aching body. Marla knew she would have bruises where he was too rough with her, but she knew better than complain. She did not want to set off his temper.

"What are you doing?" Lefty demanded when she started getting out clothing to wear to work.

"I have to go to work, Lefty."

"No."

"But, there will be questions if I don't show up, and Marcus will send someone to check on me. He looks after us girls," she reminded Lefty, hoping that he would allow her to leave. "You know that. The best thing for you is for me to go on as usual while you remain hidden here until you decide what to do next."

"I'm not leaving this town until I kill that bitch and her man."

"If you intend to do that without getting caught first, then you need to let me get dressed and get to the saloon. I don't think that Marcus' coming here is a good idea."

"You're right," Left stated. "You'd better not tell anyone I'm here, Marla."

"I won't," she lied.

He studied her expression and saw something he didn't like in her eyes. He waited until she was fully dressed, her makeup done, and her hair pinned up in curls, then said, "Come and kiss me good bye," he ordered.

Marla felt sick and shaky inside, but she was so close to escaping him that she wasn't about to let anything prevent her from doing so. She walked over to where he was lying on her bed, and leaned down to kiss him, trying not to gag. While they were kissing, she felt Lefty's hands slide up her arms and shoulders, and then his fingers were around her slender neck... squeezing tightly. Marla tried to escape, but soon everything in this world went black.

Lefty looked at her lifeless body and shook his head. He quickly dressed and then made sure that he'd left nothing behind that would tip off the Sheriff that he was here. The stupid bitch shouldn't have lied to him, he thought as he left her room.

* * *

"I want to go back to work, Alex," Jennifer insisted. "Doc said I was all healed two weeks ago, and there hasn't been any sign of Lefty Bridges since he escaped. I don't believe he is a threat any longer."

"Jenny, be reasonable," Alex scolded. He was tired of having this same argument with her daily. "Bridges might be laying low right now, but the moment he hears you are back to work, he will come after you. I am sure of this."

"Alex, I think you should concentrate on catching the rustlers and stop worrying so much about me." Jennifer was tired of being dictated to. She wanted to go back to work. She put her hands on her hips and declared. "I'm going to go and see Angus and ask for my job back."

"You are not."

"I am."

"Am I going to have to put you over my knee, Miss Jenny?" Alex demanded, clearly frustrated with her.

"Alex, you can't spank me every time we disagree. You are keeping me a prisoner here, and the Beckleys are my jailors!"

"That isn't true," he argued.

"Yes, it is true."

"You are not going back to the mercantile until we take Lefty Bridges into custody once more."

"Then you'd best find him before tomorrow, Alex, because I am going back to work in the morning."

Their bickering was cut short when Peter, Alma, and little Susie returned from their outing. "Peter has a new job!" Alma said, her eyes shining with pleasure.

"That's great, Peter," Alex said with a smile.

"I will be working with wood and building furniture and cabinets. It is something I enjoy doing."

"And you are very good at it," Jenny said. "Alma told me that you've made most of the furniture here in your home, and it is very, very nice," she praised him.

"Thank you," Peter said, his face tinged with embarrassment at all the praise. "I am just relieved that I will be able to provide for my family once again. Doc thinks I am a miracle."

"I think you are a miracle, too," Alma said with a proud smile. "I love you so much, Peter, and I pray that the bad times are behind us now."

"You never gave up on me, Alma. Your faith is so strong, and you gave me the strength to keep fighting to get well. I am thankful to God for this chance to be a good husband and father," Peter said humbly.

Susie demanded help with her homework right then and Peter quickly said he would help her conquer her spelling words.

"I've got work to do now," Alex told Jennifer. "I'll be going, and I expect you to stay right here until I say otherwise. Do you hear me?" he asked, his voice low and meant for her ears alone.

"Yes, I hear you," Jennifer replied, her eyes lowered to the floor.

"Good. You behave now," he warned, leaning down to kiss her cheek. He called out a goodbye to the Beckleys, and then left. He'd been spending each night at the O'Malley ranch, waiting for the rustlers to make another move. So far they'd been laying low since taking David Bodey's cattle. The rustlers were aware that they knew about the O'Malley place. And, that was the problem. They weren't going to use the ranch again. Alex thought it was time to have a conversation with Clyde that was overheard and then spread throughout the town. If the rustlers thought that their man was somewhere else with the cattle and caught stealing from the rustlers, they would start using the O'Malley place again... or at least Alex hoped so. He wanted to get on with his life, and he couldn't do that until he figured out who was behind the band of rustlers.