A Love to Cherish (37 page)

“My deputy was on duty last night. I took the night off. I’m not required to work night and day, you know,” he said defensively. “Deputy Jenkins brought in a drunk late last night. Jones appeared to be sleeping when Jenkins passed his cell. On his way back from locking up the drunk, he paused at Jones’s cell to check on him. The bastard grabbed Jenkins through the bars and choked him until he
blacked out. Jones stole the keys from Jenkins and escaped from his cell. He locked the deputy inside before he took off.”

A muscle in Casey’s jaw twitched. “When did you find out?”

“This morning when I went to relieve my deputy. I put the word out that I was forming a posse. Jones stole a horse from the livery and is armed. I’d guess he’s headed for the border.”

“Damn! Give me half an hour. I’ll meet you at the jailhouse.”

“Where are you going?” They turned in unison as Belle walked into the room. “What happened?”

“Hank Jones escaped last night,” Casey said. “I’m joining the sheriff’s posse. He thinks Jones is headed for Mexico.”

“Count me in,” Mark said. “I want the bastard to pay for what he did to Greta.”

The sheriff nodded. “Bring food and gear for a week. We should catch up to him by then. I’m leaving my deputy in charge here.”

The sheriff left a few minutes later. Mark hurried off to gather their gear, leaving Casey and Belle alone.

“Do you have to go?” Belle asked worriedly. “I have a bad feeling about this.”

“I don’t really think Jones left town,” Casey confided. “I want to give the appearance of leaving in case Jones is watching, but as soon as it’s feasible I’ll double back to wait and see if my hunch is right. I don’t want to leave you alone, even for a minute, but I want the bastard caught and punished for what he did to you.”

“Are you sure he didn’t leave town?”

“No, but the sheriff thinks he did.”

Twenty minutes later, Casey was ready to leave. He smiled tenderly at Belle and pulled her into his arms. She strained against him, raising her lips for his kiss. He obliged eagerly, outlining her lips with his tongue before sealing them in a kiss that stole her breath and left her wanting more. But there was no time for a longer farewell. He kissed her one last time, hard, his grip nearly painful, as if he was loathe to part with her.

“I won’t leave you alone long,” he whispered against her lips. “I’ll be nearby.” Then he was gone.

As the day progressed, Belle couldn’t dispel the alarming premonition that something was amiss. Before Belle returned to her room later that morning to rest—she still wasn’t fully recovered from her ordeal—Greta approached to ask if she could take Tommy to the park.

“Only if you take Wan Yo and Harry with you,” Belle contended. “Make sure they’re armed. The sheriff seemed convinced that Jones was headed for the border, but one can’t be too careful.”

“Would you like to come with us?” Greta invited. “I’m going to pack a lunch and make a day of it It’s so pleasant out but for a few wispy clouds, and if it rains it won’t be till later.”

“I’m not up to a picnic yet,” Belle contended. “You go and have a good time. I think I’ll just take a nap while you’re gone.”

“Perhaps Harry or Wan Yo should remain here with you.”

“No, I’ll be fine,” she said, aware that Casey would return soon. “Tommy needs a diversion. I’ll see you at dinner tonight.”

Belle stood in the doorway waving to the happy
group as they walked off down the street. The day was exceptionally fine and Tommy was in high spirits. An outing would do him good. Belle turned back into the house. She knew Casey wouldn’t let anything happen to her but something struck a disturbing chord in her. It was more than a premonition, it was like a strong warning that something was going to happen.

“Mrs. Walker, might I speak with you a moment?”

Startled, Belle spun on her heel, relieved that it was only one of the maids. “Oh, Betsy, you frightened me. What can I do for you?”

“I’d like the day off if it doesn’t cause a problem. My mother took sick yesterday, and there is no one to take care of the little ones. My older sister promised to tend her but she won’t arrive until tomorrow.”

“I think we can do without you for one day. Run along. Minnie can see to your chores.”

“No, ma’am, she can’t. That’s the problem. This is Minnie’s day off, she won’t be back until morning. There’s just cook, and he went to the market this morning.”

“I think we can fend for ourselves for one day. Go help your mother, she’s the one who needs you.”

“Thank you, ma’am,” Betsy said, bobbing her head. “I’ll be back bright and early tomorrow morning.”

The house was quiet, too quiet, Belle thought as she walked through the deserted rooms. Being alone in the big, rambling mansion made her nervous. She couldn’t ever recall feeling so out of sorts before over nothing.

The thump, thump of the brass door knocker
jolted Belle from her reverie. Caution made her peek out the side window before answering the summons. When she saw Naomi standing on the threshold, she flung open the door with a glad cry.

“If I’d known I’d get this kind of welcome I’d have come sooner,” Naomi joshed as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. “I heard about the posse. Just wanted to stop by and see if you’re all right.”

Naomi had been a frequent visitor during Belle’s recuperation and Belle was grateful for her caring. “I’m fine. Come inside and have some tea. We’ll have to go to the kitchen and fix it ourselves, since I’m the only one in the house right now.”

“You’re alone? What was Casey thinking to leave you alone? Where are Greta and Wan Yo? Where’s Harry? Are there no servants in attendance?”

Belle laughed. “Greta and Wan Yo took Tommy on a picnic. Harry went with them. The servants are … occupied elsewhere. And Casey won’t be gone long.”

“No tea, honey, I can’t stay long. I have several errands to run before the customers start arriving for their usual pleasures. The girls are all silly, can’t trust any of them to run things in my absence. I just wanted to make sure you’re all right. And I thought I’d check on Harry.” She fluffed her hair and gave Belle a wink. “He’s a feisty old codger. Once he fattens up a mite, he won’t be half bad to look at.”

Belle grinned. “Why Naomi, are you sweet on Harry?”

Naomi laughed off Belle’s inquiry. “You know me. Are you sure you’ll be all right? How is the baby?”

“We’re both fine, stop worrying. I was preparing to take a nap when you arrived. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

Naomi gave her a knowing grin. “That randy husband of yours keep you up all night, did he? Don’t let that one get away, honey. You sure are crazy about that man, aren’t you?”

Belle blushed clear down to her toes. Was she so transparent? “You know me well, don’t you, Naomi?”

“I should. You’ve been my joy all these years.” She wiped away a tear. “I’ll leave you to your nap, honey. Send someone around if you need me. And tell Harry to come and see me.” She kissed Belle on the cheek and sailed out the door.

Belle smiled after her with true fondness. She couldn’t have picked a better mother had she chosen Naomi herself. The tenderhearted madam had given her the best life she could, given the circumstances of their environment. Much better than the life her own father had provided for her.

Before she went upstairs for her nap, Belle made certain the front door was locked. Then she recalled that the cook had left by the back door to do the marketing, and decided to lock that door too. The instant she entered the kitchen she knew a moment of fear. Something dark and foreboding filled the room. She shivered, trying to shake off the feeling. But it remained, potent and frightening. Hurrying to the door, she turned the key in the lock, then rested her forehead against the panel, her breath coming in short, jerky puffs of air.

What was wrong with her? she wondered. Was the baby making her fanciful? She was locked in the
house, nothing could hurt her. Casey promised he wouldn’t leave her alone long. Feeling better, she walked on shaking legs through the kitchen.

“Hello, bitch.”

Belle screamed. The sound was cut off abruptly when clawing fear closed her throat. She couldn’t believe her eyes. Hank Jones was standing near the pantry, where he’d obviously been hiding. His leering countenance was a frightening reminder of the terror he had put her through.

“You’re supposed to be on your way to Mexico,” Belle managed to gasp out.

“That’s what I wanted everyone to think. I doubled back. I hid behind some rocks when the posse passed on their way out of town. I had unfinished business right here in San Francisco. I need money. Lots of it. And you’ve got it.”

“I’m not alone,” Belle lied, drawing upon an inner courage she didn’t know she possessed.

Jones gave a bark of laughter. “I ain’t stupid. I been watching the house. They all left, even the cook. You’re alone, lady, and I want money.”

“H—how much?”

“Ten thousand dollars.”

Belle blanched. “We don’t keep that kind of money in the house. I’ll need to go to the bank.”

“Fat chance. I don’t trust you out of my sight. I know there’s a safe in the house. I saw it once when I came to the house to try to wheedle money out of McAllister. I figured he owed it to my father.”

“I don’t know the combination.”

“Then you damn well better find it if you know what’s good for you,” Jones said, grasping her shoulders and shoving her into the hallway. “Move, bitch.”

Belle stumbled toward the study on wooden legs. She couldn’t conceive of Casey keeping that much money in the house. Although she knew the combination of the safe, she had never found the need to use it.

As Belle moved in front of Jones, he eyed her slim figure speculatively. “Are you really breeding?”

“Yes,” Belle answered tersely. She wondered if he held any special feelings for motherhood. He didn’t.

“You don’t look it.” He gave her a lewd grin. “I never done it with a pregnant woman.”

Belle paled. She’d rather die than have him defile her. Where was Casey? Why hadn’t he returned yet?

They had reached the study now and Belle stopped just inside the door. Jones swung her around to face him and placed a grimy paw on her stomach. He seemed intrigued by her condition.

Belle slapped his hands away, sickened by his touch. It made her want to retch. “Keep your filthy hands off me!”

“You’re right. That will come later. Money first. Open the safe,” he growled, shoving her into the study. “After the money is in my hands I’ll feel a helluva lot better.” He eyed her with slow relish, fingering his crotch. “Maybe I’ll even find time to get rid of this,” he said, humping his loins forward in an obscene gesture.

Trying not to panic, Belle averted her eyes from the disgusting display. “I have no idea how much money is in the safe.”

“It better be enough,” Jones muttered, giving her a vicious shove toward the safe. Belle stumbled against the desk, crying out in pain when the sharp corner jabbed into her thigh.

“You sure are a clumsy bitch. You must be damn
good in bed for your husband to put up with a cripple like you.”

Ignoring his cruel words, Belle limped to the safe, hunkered down on her knees, and fiddled with the combination. Her fingers were shaking so she failed to open it on the first try.

“What’s wrong?” Jones growled. “Ya didn’t forget it, did you?”

“N … no. This is the first time I’ve attempted to open the safe.”

He nudged her in the side with the tip of his boot. “Try again. Hurry.”

Belle flexed her fingers and tried again. The sooner she got it open, the sooner Jones would leave. The money was nothing. She’d give him twice that amount to be rid of him. Being alone with a killer was terrifying, but in a way she was glad everyone was gone so Jones couldn’t hurt them.

“There, I’ve got it,” Belle cried as she pulled the safe door open.

“Out of my way,” Jones said, shoving her aside in his eagerness to get to the money inside.

“Sonuvabitch!” His expression was thunderous as he scattered papers and personal items on the floor. “There ain’t hardly enough money here to get me out of town. A measly few hundred dollars and a small sack of gold dust. How am I supposed to get to Mexico on that?”

“I’m sorry, that’s all there is.”

“What about jewelry?”

“I have none.”

“Don’t give me that shit. All women have jewelry.” He prodded her with the gun. “Upstairs, be quick about it. You better hope I find something valuable up there.”

Picking herself up from the floor, Belle limped up the stairs, reaching through space and time to send silent plea to Casey.
Please hurry back, Casey. I need you. You’ve never failed me when I needed you, and I’ve never needed you more.

Everyone except Casey seemed to be of the opinion that Jones was headed for Mexico, but so far they’d found no evidence suggesting Jones was ahead of them. Casey decided it was time to double back. He’d given Jones plenty of time to think he had ridden with the posse instead of just making it look that way in order to set Jones up.

“What’s wrong, brother?” Mark said as he rode up beside Casey.

“I’m turning back, Mark. I never intended to leave Belle alone for long. If Jones remained in town as I suspect, he saw me leave with the posse, just like I’d planned. I’m going to double back and wait for him at the house. My gut tells me Belle needs me.”

“Your instincts are usually good. I’d trust them no matter what. Do you think Jones is dumb enough to return to your house?”

“Frankly, I don’t put anything past him. He’d have no reason to remain in San Francisco. Unless …” He sawed on the reins. His horse danced to a halt. “I’m going back. Now!”

Mark reined in beside him. “I’ll come with you.”

“No. Tell the sheriff I’m turning back. I have to follow through on my hunch.”

Mark looked alarmed. “You don’t think …”

“I wish I could explain but I can’t. I just have this urgency to return home. Belle needs me, I can feel it in my bones. Perhaps it has nothing to do with Jones. Maybe it’s the baby. Whatever it is, I promised
to be there for her.” He wheeled his mount around and rode hell-for-leather toward San Francisco.