The Lawman's Agreement (Entangled Scandalous) (11 page)

“I wasn’t until all these petty accidents put us behind schedule. Now, with Butch’s investment, we’ll be able to meet payroll and keep working.”

Zack nodded and then looked back at Collier. “I can save you the trip into town. Larson’s dead.”

“Dead?” McLeary repeated. “What happened?”

“He drowned. His body was found over by the hotel construction site.”

“The McCade place?” Collier asked. “There’ve been rumors going on for a week now that someone’s been selling our stock on the side to McCade. Maybe Larson was involved.”

Zack said nothing. The look on McLeary’s face was worth letting the new man put his size-twelve boot completely in his mouth.

“I’m sure that’s not what happened,” McLeary said quickly.

“No wait, I want to hear Mr. Collier’s thoughts on the subject.” Zack nodded for the man to continue.

“I heard Larson and Tucker McGinty in an argument the other day about bad counts on the finished cuts.”

“Who’s Tucker McGinty?” Zack asked.

“Our new foreman,” McLeary explained. “He started just before Butch joined up.”

“Maybe when Larson realized he was suspected of short-changing the stock, he went to McCade to call off their deal and McCade up and killed him.”

McLeary paled visibly at his new partner’s accusation.

“I don’t take much stock in rumors, Mr. Collier,” Zack said.

“You should at least check it out,” the man suggested. “Heaven knows we don’t want trouble with the McCades ourselves, but even they’re not above the law.”

Zack made his way to the office door, turning back at the last minute to say, “I’d say, Mr. Collier, as far as trouble with the McCade family, you’ve already stepped in that pile of horse dung.”

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced. The name’s Zack McCade. U.S. Marshal, Zack McCade.”

“Uh…”

Zack shook his head, stopping whatever Collier was about to say mid-thought. “If you gentlemen will excuse me, my deputy and I are going to make a sweep of your property here and then head downstream. I’ll let you know if we find anything.”

“Why here?” McLeary asked. “I thought you said he was found over at the hotel site?”

“His body was left there, but he was killed elsewhere. I have reason to believe that he was drowned somewhere here on mill property.”

Not waiting for further comment from either man, Zack exited the McLeary’s office and went back to his horse.

“What’d McLeary have to say for himself?” Stiles asked.

“Not much. His new partner did most of the talking and probably wishes he hadn’t.” Nodding toward the far side of the lumberyard Zack added, “Mount up, Tom, and let’s head downstream for a bit and see if Dr. Martindale’s assessment of Larson’s drowning holds up.”

“What are we looking for?” Stiles asked.

“Any place where there could have been a scuffle.” As an afterthought, he said, “When we get back to town, I’ll send off a telegram and see what I can find on this new partner and the new foreman. In the meantime, be on the lookout for anything suspicious.”

Chapter Thirteen

It was nearly ten that evening when Zack and Stiles returned to town. Zack took a moment to make sure the storefronts were all shut tight and that Suzanne had left the clinic and gone home. The urge to go to her, to see her and possibly make love with her was overwhelming. Yet, he still had a telegram to send and a course of action to follow.

Tomorrow morning, he’d return to the lumber mill and talk to Tucker McGinty, the new foreman. At the moment, the man was at the top of Zack’s list of suspects, followed closely behind by Butch Collier.

Zack left his horse at the livery and walked over to the telegraph office. If either McGinty or Collier had a record in the state of Mississippi, they’d know about it at the marshal’s office in the capital.

…

It was nearly noon the next day before Suzanne decided to go looking for Zack. She’d waited up patiently the night before, disappointed when he’d not come to her cottage. She’d seen her morning patients and completed her hospital rounds and still no sign of the Marshal. Unable to contain her curiosity any longer, Suzanne locked the clinic door and turned in the direction of the jail. If Zack wouldn’t come to her, she had no qualms about seeking him out.

Suzanne opened the door to the marshal’s office and stepped inside. Seated at the closest desk, Deputy Bailey jumped to his feet the moment she walked in.

“Ma’am,” the deputy said, tipping his hat. “If you’re looking for Zack, he should be back from the lumber mill any time now.”

“He had to go back this morning?” she asked.

“Yep. He and Stiles didn’t find much last evening, but Zack wanted to have a talk with some of the employees.”

“Thank you,” Suzanne said. “I’m going to go over to Miss Maribell’s for a bite of lunch. If Zack returns soon, can you let him know that’s where I’ll be?”

“Certainly, ma’am. It’d be my pleasure.”

Suzanne left the jail and started toward the café. She’d gotten no further than the mercantile when she saw Zack riding back into town. He reined his horse to a stop where she waited.

“Suzanne, I was just coming to see you,” he said.

“I was going over to the café if you’d like to join me.”

Zack dismounted and tied his horse to the closest post. “I could do with a bite before I leave for Vicksburg.”

“Vicksburg?” she repeated.

“I’m following up on a lead from the mill. According to a handful of the employees, Sven Larson had an argument with a man named Tucker McGinty, a foreman at the mill, the day before he was killed. I got word this morning from the office in Jackson that McGinty has been arrested for assault before, even served some time a few years ago.”

Zack took Suzanne’s arm and continued toward the café.

“What’s that got to do with you going to Vicksburg?”

“According to McLeary’s new partner, Butch Collier, he sent McGinty to Vicksburg to drop off an order and bring back supplies the same day McGinty and Larson argued. He was due back last night and never showed.”

“Can’t you just wire the sheriff there and have him look into it?”

“I could, but then I’d still have to go there to pick McGinty up. And, chances are, he’s not making himself visible if he’s running.”

They reached the café and Zack opened the door. Suzanne stopped just short of going inside and turned to face Zack head-on. “I don’t like the idea of you taking off in pursuit of a possible murderer.”

Zack leaned forward and brushed Suzanne’s cheek with his lips. “It’s my job,” he said, his words barely a whisper. “However, I like the idea that you’re worried about me.” He nudged her forward, adding, “Now, let’s get that bite of lunch so I can get on the road.”

Zack had been gone for nearly two hours when Suzanne decided to call it an early night and close up the clinic. An overcast sky had brought nightfall far too early, the threat of rain hanging in the air like a shroud. Everyone with any sense was already at home waiting out the storm. Suzanne worried about Zack out on the road with a huge storm on its way.

She locked the clinic door behind her and started toward home. About to turn the corner at the end of the main street, she stopped dead in her tracks when she heard two men talking about Zack. Not wanting to be discovered, Suzanne stepped off the main walkway and behind a flowering bush just twenty feet short of the where the two men stood.

“Are you sure the marshal took the bait?” the first man said.

“Lock, stock, and barrel. When I showed him the lumber order with McLeary’s signature and the list of supplies, he didn’t even question the fact they could have been forged. The fact that Larson and McGinty had argued the day before made the entire story even more believable.”

“What’s going to happen when he gets to Vicksburg and finds out there was no delivery scheduled?”

“That’s the best part. McGinty and his partner are waiting for him along the way. It’s not likely the marshal will even see the edge of town.”

“That’s music to my ears. That bastard marshal’s partly what ruined things for me. Once we’re rid of him, I trust we’re still going ahead with our plans here in Greenville?”

“Yep, once we’ve taken down McLeary’s business, we’ll move on to your planned revenge and the next McCade.”

“Right now, I’m only interested in Jake but if things pan out as they should, you can never tell, I might move on to Vicksburg and rid myself of Matthew McCade as well.”

Suzanne did her best to get a look at the two men without being seen herself, yet they both stood in shadow. As quietly as she could manage, Suzanne back-tracked her steps until she reached the clinic. Stepping back out into the dusty street, she ran toward the jail.

“Deputy Bailey,” she said, her breath catching. “Zack’s in trouble.” As concisely as she could, Suzanne relayed the conversation she’d overhead to Zack’s deputy.

“I’ll get a message off to the sheriff in Vicksburg to be on the lookout. If Tom hadn’t left this morning for Jackson, I’d either send him after Zack or go myself. Unfortunately, I can’t leave the town unprotected, especially knowing what we do about their plans.”

“But they’re going to try and get to him before he gets to Vicksburg.”

“Zack’s a smart man, and a tough one. He’ll get out of this,” Bailey said.

“Even the best shot and the toughest fighter can’t predict an ambush,” she said in return. “I’ve got to get to Zack.”

“But you can’t…”

Suzanne was out the door before Bailey could finish speaking and headed straight for the livery.

“Mr. Stoner,” she said as she entered the huge barn. “I need to rent a horse and saddle. The fastest horse you have.”

“You ride, Doc?”

“Yes. Well, not in ages, but it can’t be difficult to pick up where I once left off.”

“You’re not dressed for horseback riding,” he pointed out.

“Yes, you’re right. I’ll need to change. Can you saddle the horse for me and deliver it to my cottage in fifteen minutes?”

The man shrugged. “If that’s what you want, ma’am. That’ll be a buck fifty for the horse and two bits for the use of the saddle.”

Suzanne reached into her bag and withdrew two dollars. “Keep the change for the delivery service, Mr. Stoner. Just be on time.”

Stoner arrived at the cottage just as Suzanne finished packing a small bag with provisions, including her medical bag, some fruit and biscuits, a canteen and, heaven help her, the small derringer she’d purchased before leaving New York and traveling on her own. She slipped the gun into her handbag, along with a handful of bullets and slid the handbag into the larger tote.

“Thank you, Mr. Stoner,” she said, accepting his assistance to mount the large animal.

“Where are you headed, ma’am?”

“I’m going to Vicksburg by way of the main road.”

“A wagon or carriage would have been much more comfortable.”

“I agree. Unfortunately, I’m in need of haste, not comfort at the moment.”

“If you stick to the main, marked road you should make good time. The horse is fast but not skittish, so she should be easy to handle.”

“I’ll do that, Mr. Stoner. Again, thank you for being prompt.”

Stoner tipped his hat and then climbed aboard his own horse and turned back toward the livery.

Suzanne settled herself into the saddle and put her heels to the horse’s side. It had been years since she’d ridden, yet she couldn’t afford to think about that now. At the moment, her only concern was to reach Zack before the men who were out to kill him. The fact that he’d taken a wagon in anticipation of bringing back a prisoner gave her hope that she’d be able to catch up with him in time.

…

Zack pulled the wagon to a halt beside a copse of trees. He needed to stretch his legs and take a privacy break. He’d not covered as much distance as he’d hoped due to the rain and muddy roads. About to step away from the wagon, Zack stopped short when the hairs on his arms stood up, and a shiver ran down his spine. Immediately, he reached for the rifle stowed beneath the seat.

He’d had the same feeling earlier when he’d stopped to let the horses rest. Cautiously, he moved to the opposite side of the wagon and used the raised seat as a shield in order to scan his surroundings.

Movement to his left drew his attention and Zack cocked the rifle, laid it on the wagon in front of him, and then drew his gun as well.

“You’re pinned down, Marshal.”

Although Zack couldn’t pinpoint the man’s voice, there was something vaguely familiar about it.

“I’ve got cover for now,” Zack shouted back. “Unless you’d like to show your squirrely self for a fair fight.”

“No thanks. We’ve heard about the way you fight. I think we’ll take our chances on shooting you dead.”

“You wouldn’t happen to be Tucker McGinty, now would you?”

“He’s not,” a second man shouted, “but I am, Marshal McCade. Nice to make your acquaintance, so to speak.”

The second voice came from Zack’s right, at a distance Zack estimated to be about a hundred feet, maybe more.

“Well, if I’m going to die anyway, would you mind clearing something up for me, Mr. McGinty?”

“What’s that, McCade?”

“Did you kill Sven Larson?”

“Naw, that wasn’t me.”

“Then who?”

“I’m not rightfully sure, Marshal. It could have been one of a few people out to ruin McLeary and his business associates.”

“How about your partner here, does he have any idea who killed Larson?”

The second man let out a laugh. “Hell, McCade, I was certain your self-righteous cousin was to blame.”

Zack moved cautiously to the left, almost certain he could determine the distance between himself and the second man with accuracy.

“Jake had nothing to do with Larson’s death. How do I know you didn’t do it, whoever you are?”

The man let out another hoot of laughter, his amusement followed by the first volley of Zack’s rifle and gun. A thump echoed through the trees.

Zack turned quickly in McGinty’s direction. “I’d say I’ve evened the odds a bit, McGinty.”

“I knew I brought the wrong help,” McGinty said.

Zack tried to get a fix on his location, but McGinty’s voice was harder to track due to the denseness of the trees between them.

Off in the distance, Zack could hear the sound of an approaching horse, the rider obviously coming at top speed, a fact that might just work to his advantage. “It sounds as if my deputies might be onto your plan. Only a lawman rides that hard in weather like this.”

“Maybe I’ll just have to pick him off as he rides by.”

Zack knew he couldn’t let that happen, no matter who was approaching. Slipping from behind the safety of the wagon, he did his best to draw out McGinty. “How ’bout you take your chances against me before reinforcements get here?”

Zack sensed the moment McGinty made his move. The sound of the approaching rider had stopped and Zack worried the innocent passerby would be caught in the middle of the gunplay between himself and Tucker McGinty.

A shot rang out, not that of a rifle but a smaller gun. A moment later, Zack heard a second horse moving away from where he waited, the rider picking up speed as he went.

“Zack? Are you there?”

Zack stepped out from behind the wagon and the small stand of trees. “Suzanne?” He reached her horse just as she rode into the clearing. “What the devil are you doing here?”

Suzanne dismounted from the horse and into Zack’s outstretched arms. “There are two of them,” she said.

“I know. I shot the other one just before you arrived.” Nodding in the direction of the unknown man, he said, “He’s over there somewhere. What about McGinty?”

“Is that the man I shot at?”

“Yes.”

“I’d pulled my horse off the road and into the trees when I saw the wagon. Then, some man stepped out from behind a group of bushes. He had a rifle. I shot at the overhanging tree branches just above his head. He jumped onto his horse and took off toward Greenville. He obviously didn’t see me when he rode past.”

Zack pulled Suzanne into a tight embrace, never so grateful or so angry to see anyone in his life. Damn the woman and her stubborn independent streak.

“You could have been killed,” he said, unable to hide the emotion filling his voice.

“Well I wasn’t, and thankfully neither were you.”

Zack led Suzanne to the wagon and hoisted her aboard. He reloaded the rifle and handed it to her. “You wait here while I find the body of the man I shot. With any luck, he’ll still be alive and we can get some answers.” Raising his gaze to hers, he grinned. “If you’re lucky, you might even get to dig out a bullet or two and save the bastard’s life.”

Zack stepped into the trees, only then fully releasing the breath that had caught in his throat the moment he’d seen Suzanne ride into the clearing. Damn the woman anyway! Was she out of her mind?

He’d gone no more than fifty feet when he came upon a man’s body, face down in the dirt. Zack nudged the man with the toe of his boot, his gun aimed squarely at the man’s head. Convinced the man posed no threat, Zack reached out and flipped the man onto his back.