Page 42 of Love and Order

CHAPTER 12

People stood. Conversation started. Men called out to the bartender for drinks, and folks milled.

Andie grabbed Rion’s hand, keeping her voice low. “This is going in the right direction.”

“I trust you—but I gotta say, you had me sweatin’ some yesterday when you weren’t askin’ many questions.”

“I know, but I think that tactic worked beautifully today.”

“Hope so.”

Sheriff Downing came to handcuff Rion and take him back to the jail for the two-hour break. As he locked the handcuffs in place, someone tapped her on the shoulder.

“Miss McGovern?”

It was one of the women from the medicine show, a buxom woman with dark hair. Behind her, several others—including the tall, muscular man and the especially small fellow—crowded around.

“This was real entertaining, hon.” The woman reached to shake her hand. “We’ve never seen a woman lawyer before.”

Several others pumped her hand as well. A giggle rose in her throat at the strangeness of it all. “Thank you, but I’m not sure I’ve seen a collection of people quite like you, either.”

They laughed and pressed in close to the table, several offering kind words or congratulations until, from the door, a lone voice rang out.

“Is there an Andromeda McGovern in the room?”

“Here!” she shouted, and the crowd parted to allow the man from Wells Fargo to approach.

“Telegram for you, Miss McGovern.”

“Thank you.” She tucked the paper into her pocket. With the crowd pressing in, it wasn’t time to read the response. Hopefully, it was news about her final witness. She’d sent word she would need help clearing Rion, and she’d not heard back yet. With the way today had gone, hopefully they wouldn’t need another witness.

The man stopped to talk with Daniel a moment before he left. She faced the medicine show troupe. “Thank you for your kind words. Now, please excuse me, there are some things I need to attend to before court reconvenes.”

Graciously, they bid her farewell and filtered away.

Sheriff Downing had managed to shackle Rion’s hands, though since Judge Vost had demanded he be unchained in court, the lawman hadn’t bothered with his feet. Rion looked back at her.

“See you in a couple hours.”

She looked Downing’s way. “Have you made arrangements for Rion’s noon meal, Sheriff?”

“I got to get that worked out yet.”

“Then I’ll stop by Dutch’s Café and bring something to him shortly.”

“Make sure Dutch don’t slip no files or weapons in the basket, miss.”

Rion laughed without humor. “Funny, Downing. But I already proved I can overcome your jail anytime I want.”

Glowering, Downing jerked Rion up by the arm and herded him toward the door. The two deputies fell in behind them and, moments later, led Rion away on horseback.

“Miss McGovern.” Daniel’s warm voice snagged her ear. His smile was warm and approving. “Well done today.”

“Thank you.”

“Do you have plans for your noon meal? Maybe we could go to Dutch’s together if you don’t.”

“Are you saying you’d be willing to be seen in public with a sharp-tongued, fire-breathing woman like me, Counselor?”

A sheepish grin overtook him. “After your presentation in court today, I’m already a little scorched. What’s a little more?”

She laughed. “I’d like that very much, but I promised Sheriff Downing I’d bring food to the jail for Rion.”

Disappointment clouded his blue eyes. “I understand. Maybe another time.”

“You could walk me to the café if you’re heading that way. I might be able to muster a few more flames between here and there.” She bit her lip.

His blue eyes twinkled. “Only if you promise to walk on my left side.”

“Your left side. Why?”

“You been on my right all day. I need to even out the char.”

She belly laughed. “Your left side it is.” She nodded toward her table. “Let me gather my things.”

“I’ll get packed too.”

Andie arranged her files and notes into a neat stack. As she reached for her carpetbag stashed under the table, she noticed a small, folded paper with her name scrawled in block letters tucked under her water glass. She slid it toward herself. Before she opened it, she checked her pocket and withdrew the telegram. They weren’t the same.

She unfolded the paper and read the words once, then again, trying to understand, then perused the telegram. Her stomach dropped.

Daniel approached. “Are you ready?”

She continued to stare at the two papers, processing their meaning.

“Andromeda?” He knelt in front of her. “Are you all right?”

Pocketing the papers, she scribbled a message on her pad and tore the paper off. “I’m sorry, Daniel. I can’t walk to the café with you after all. There’s something important I need to look into before we reconvene. Would you please give this to Dutch?”

He read the note asking Dutch to send food to the jail for Rion and saying that she’d pay for it that afternoon once court was finished.

“Don’t worry about this. I’ll see to it. But is everything all right?”

“If I can tie up the loose ends, I think it will be.”

Daniel delivered the food to the sheriff’s office—to the surprise of Downing and Braddock.

“What’re you doin’ here?” Braddock approached the cell bars. “Where’s Andromeda?”

“Looking into something. She was fine when we parted ways thirty minutes ago.” Fine, although something was weighing on her. He swung toward Downing. “Would you mind giving me and Braddock a couple of minutes, Sheriff?”

“For what?”

He turned a steely look at the lawman. “A private conversation.”

“Let me look at that basket of food, and once I know it’s safe, I will.”

Braddock rattled his cell door. “Are you plumb weak north of your ears, Downing? I’m not lookin’ to escape, especially when my attorney’s about to get my charges dropped.”

“ If she gets ’em dropped, it don’t mean you’re acquitted. It just means they can’t prove you killed Sar—”

“Ain’t you been listenin’, you dim-witted polecat? Somebody’s been settin’ me up, Andromeda pert near proved it. I’m as much a victim in all this as anyone.”

“But you’re still alive.”

Daniel set the basket down on the desk. “Do what you need to do and get out.”

Downing glared. “Don’t you come in my office and order me around.”

“You said if you checked the food, you’d give us time to talk.” He tipped the basket so the sheriff could see inside. “Get on with it.”

Sullen, the sheriff pawed through two paper-wrapped sandwiches and two slabs of apple pie. Once he’d checked them, he removed the keys from his desk drawer, shoved his hands in his pockets, and walked out—warning them he’d be nearby.

“That man really doesn’t like you.” Daniel grabbed one of the sandwiches, unwrapped thanks to Downing, along with a plate of pie and carried both to Braddock.

“The feeling’s mutual.” He took the food and paced back to his cot.

“Do you know why?”

“Not rightly, no. I’ve dealt with him some since he’s been sheriff, and we tolerated each other. But of late, he’s been different.”

So what had changed …?

“What do you want, Littrick? Why’d you come to see me?”

Daniel grabbed Downing’s chair and set it in front of Braddock’s cell. Retrieving the other sandwich, he sat. “Andromeda’s done a fine job of castin’ doubt on my case today, so the judge will likely dismiss your charges.”

“She’s sharp.” Braddock bit into his sandwich.

He’d noticed. She’d outwitted him but good in the courtroom, and he’d never enjoyed trying a case so much. “I want you to know, anything I said in the courtroom … it wasn’t personal. I didn’t like having to prosecute you.” He also took a bite.

Braddock stalled, rolled the food to one cheek, and shook his head. “Why do you think that matters to me?”

Daniel chewed and swallowed. “Do you know what Andromeda’s plans are after this case?”

With the sandwich halfway to his mouth, he paused. “Don’t rightly know what either of my sisters plan once this is done. I don’t even know what I’m gonna do. Why?”

“I’m kinda interested in her, and if she’s plannin’ to stay, I’d like your permission to come callin’.”

Braddock’s eyes grew wide, and he almost looked scared. “My permission?”

“You are her brother, aren’t you?”

He stared a minute then shook his head. “Well, yeah. But …”

Daniel waited.

“Durn …” The man almost exhaled the word, a mix of wonder and fear in his tone.

Daniel laughed. “What?”

Braddock finally met his eyes. “The last time I was in any position to speak for Andromeda or Calliope, I was ten. It about broke me, losin’ them. Felt like I failed ’em both, and I never really believed I’d see ’em again. Now that they’re here and I’m almost free … life’s lookin’ a lot different.” He set the sandwich aside, settled his elbows on his knees, and cradled his forehead in his hands.

“I didn’t mean to stir up a hornet’s nest.”

Braddock’s cheeks puffed as he blew out a breath. “I don’t want ’em to go. I want ’em to stay so’s we can get to know each other again, but … I’m gonna need to make some changes too. Bounty huntin’ ain’t advantageous to life with close kin—or havin’ a woman you’re sweet on.”

Daniel let him ramble.

He lifted his gaze. “As far as speakin’ for Andromeda, she’s real fond of her adopted pa.”

“She’s fond of you too, Braddock, and you’re here.” With Andie’s father being territories away and Braddock’s imposing figure being within arm’s reach, Daniel would lend more weight to Braddock’s say-so than Mr. McGovern’s. Not that he wouldn’t ask Andromeda’s father’s permission—but out of proximity, he wanted Braddock’s blessing first.

“Well, if it counts for anything, you been decent, Littrick. You called for a new judge when Oakwell coulda handed you an easy conviction. You been fair in your dealings in the courtroom, and it was an unexpected kindness that you’d let Andie use your law books. If that’s how you are outside of court, I’d give you my blessin’.”

He crossed toward the cell bars, stretching a hand between them. “Thank you.”

As Braddock reached to shake his hand, the office door opened and Andie stepped in, looking pale.

“Oh, good. Daniel.”

He released Braddock’s hand and crossed to her. “Are you all right?”

“I think I know who’s framing Rion, but I need help proving it.”

“What kind of help?”

She drew him toward Braddock’s cell and pulled out the papers she’d pocketed earlier.

“I sent a telegram days ago to the people Maya was supposedly staying with in Denver, requesting that she come and testify about giving you the boots. I wanted to ask her if she knew about the mark in the heel.”

“Your case is plenty strong without that.”

“Yes. But I’d already sent the telegram, and Wells Fargo delivered this just after Judge Vost called the recess.”

He read Heck’s handwritten message aloud.

Maya Fellows not in Denver STOP

Haven’t seen her since her father brother

and her started medicine show STOP

“That’s how she got here!” Rion almost howled the words. “She showed up the day I was arrested, sayin’ she’d come to see the medicine show. Acted like she was disappointed she missed it!”

“There’s more! Someone left this note on my table.” She showed the other paper first to Braddock, then him. Daniel read it aloud.

H UNNEYS AT MEDICINE

SHOW .

J ULY 4, 1867

He shook his head. “I don’t understand. The honey’s at the medicine show? And a six-year-old date?”

“Not the honey. Hunneys.” She produced a wanted poster for Edward Hunney.

Why was that name familiar?

“See these dates?” Andromeda pointed to two dates scrawled in the upper right corner. “The first is the date Rion arrested him.”

“And the second is the date he was hung.” Rion flicked the corner of the paper with his finger. “July 4, 1867. The last thing that one said before the trapdoor opened under him was ‘God have mercy on your soul, Braddock, ’cause my kin won’t rest until you pay.’ ”

Daniel resisted a full-body shiver. “All right. What do you need to prove the Hunneys are framing Rion?”

“The day that we arrived on the train in Denver, we both ended up at that cemetery. Maya was visiting her brother’s grave. Did you happen to see the name on the marker as you rode past? Because I recall the date—July 4, 1867.”

He searched his memory for that detail. “Oh my word.” Daniel nodded. “It was Edward Hunney.”