Page 150 of Head Room

But I had to admit I wished for a different answer, especially after he chewed over the possibilities along with our meals and getting nowhere.

Back at the station, I resumed my note-typing.

Then I studied them.

They told me absolutely nothing.

I read them again.

I swear, I knew less when I finished reading them than I’d known before.

Frustration threatened to bubble up.

Okay, it was unrealistic from the start to think a murder inquiry would wrap up before my wedding.

Unless...Itcouldwrap up quickly if Frank Jardos shot Nance.The obvious was generally the fastest.

Frank shoots Nance with a gun he had that was unregistered.He starts the fire to obscure evidence.Priming Hannah, giving her the quilts, preparing the clear-cut were all because he knew the confrontation was coming.Because Jardos found out something about Nance and registered agents, something illegal?

But then why kill the younger man?Why not turn him in?

And, even if he decided Nance had to die, why stick around Cottonwood County afterward?

Going with the obvious again, flip it around.

Nance found out something about Jardos.If so, not likely to involve registered agents, since Jardos had to ask James Longbaugh about them...unless that was a head fake.

I pulled up the manuscript on my screen.

C’mon, Irene.Give me something.Even if it’s not Page Forty-Seven.

****

(Notes: Ransom’s unit is mustering out, leaving the fort.)

“Maggie, come with me.”A sort of desperation.“I’ll give you a good life there.I don’t know what all we’ll find, but there’s family there and people I’ve known all my life.I’ll get a start somehow and give you a home — better than this.Maggie...”

She was shaking her head.

“I want no more than what you’ve already given me, Ransom.”

“Given you?I’ve given you nothing.Clothes barely better than rags, a rough shed as a home.What have I given you?”

“You gave me myself.”

(Notes: Outside as the unit’s preparing to leave...)

“Maggie, it’s not too late—” He was going to ask her again to come with him, and she might not be as strong now that she faced the moment of seeing his back.

“I wish you a good life, Ransom.I release you from our marriage.”She held out the ring.He stared at her, not taking it.She stepped around him and slipped it into the saddlebag.“I wish you great happiness.I hope you find the lady you love—” He started to shake his head, but she ignored it.“—and I hope you find again the man you were, the man you wanted to be.”

She stepped back.

“Maggie.”

The bugle called the men to order.Ransom turned to the sound, then back to her.He took a step forward, reaching toward her clasped hands.“Maggie.”

She retreated.“You must go.”A whispered memory of her father’s voice came to her, a benediction, a hope, a parting.“God’s speed, Ransom.”