Page 43 of Love and Order

CHAPTER 13

“Court’s in session.” Judge Vost punctuated the statement with his gavel.

“After hearing both the prosecution’s and defense’s cases, I’ve given Miss McGovern’s motion another thought. Mr. Littrick, do you have any objections or concerns about dismissing the two murder charges?”

“No, Your Honor. In fact, some further information came to light during the recess that cements Miss McGovern’s case.”

“And that would be …?”

“May we approach, Your Honor?”

Judge Vost motioned, and they walked to his table.

“What’s goin’ on?” Vost spoke in a whisper.

“New evidence has come to light that indicates the family members of one of the men Braddock caught six years ago, and who was subsequently hung, are to blame for all the murders. Just before hanging, the man threatened that his family would make Braddock pay. Seems they’ve made good on that threat.”

Vost held up a hand. “All right. With everything else you’ve presented, there’s ample evidence to make a ruling. Return to your seats.”

As they walked back, Judge Vost called for Rion to stand.

“Mr. Braddock, I am dismissing the charges against you for the murders of Mary Redmond and Sarah Jacobs.”

The room exploded as onlookers jumped out of their chairs, some cheering, others angry, many passing money back and forth as they settled bets on the trial’s outcome. Vost banged his gavel repeatedly.

“Order! Order! I want silence.”

When decorum finally prevailed, the judge shot Rion a stern look. “Two final points, Mr. Braddock.”

“Yes, sir.”

“First, regarding your escape, I’m charging you a fine equal to the cost of the cell door’s repair or replacement, due by the end of this month.”

“I’ll pay it, sir.”

“And second, Sheriff, you’re to release Mr. Braddock immediately.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice.”

“Case dismissed!” He gaveled out, and Andie launched into Rion’s arms, eyes stinging.

“Thank you!” he whispered as he lifted her off the ground in a hug.

She squeezed him back, too overcome to speak. After a moment, he released her and bent to look her in the eye.

“I knew you could do it.”

Something between a laugh and a sob boiled up from her depths. “No, God did. I simply got to be a part of it.” She sat, her legs suddenly weak.

Marshal Epps approached. “What’re your plans, Braddock?”

“In the short term, I’m goin’ after the people who did this to me. Anything beyond that, I haven’t thought that far.”

“Want company?”

“Don’t need it.”

The man lifted a brow. “Without wanted posters on those folks, you got no jurisdiction.”

Rion nodded. “You’re right. I’ll take the company.”

“Got room for one more?” Daniel came alongside Andie but looked toward Rion.

Her brother looked skeptical. “Know your way around a horse, Counselor?”

“And guns, if need be.”

Andie grinned. “He almost drew his pistol on me when we first met.”

Rion’s brown eyes rounded. “You didn’t tell me that when you asked your question, Littrick.”

“It’s not as bad as it sounds.” Rion’s full statement registered then, and she furrowed her brow. “What did he ask you?”

Daniel shook his head. “Nothin’ important.”

“I beg to differ. If you failed to tell him how we met, you were talking about me. I want to know—”

“You can come.” Rion then turned to Downing. “I need my weapons.”

The lawman only nodded.

“You ready, Littrick, or …”

“I need to saddle my horse and get my gun belt.”

“Meet me at the sheriff’s office in twenty minutes.”

“I’ll be there.”

Andie caught Daniel’s arm. “Answer my question!”

Daniel swept the couple of papers she had on the table into her carpetbag and walked her outside, both their bags in his hand. Leading her away, he pulled her into the shadows of the nearest alley.

“This isn’t where I intended to make my feelings known—but I was askin’ your brother for permission to come callin’. If you’re plannin’ to stay, that is.”

Startled and smitten, she grinned. “The reasons are growing more compelling.”

After changing into more comfortable clothes, Daniel rode up to the sheriff’s office as Braddock exited, gun belt around his hips and rifle in the crook of his right elbow. Epps was already waiting outside, and once Braddock checked both guns’ loads and slid the rifle into the scabbard, he mounted up.

“I been locked up long enough, I don’t know what’s goin’ on in the outside world. Either of you have an idea where that medicine show crew’s been hidin’ out?”

Sheriff Downing exited his office, rifle in hand, and locked the door. “After your escape, they’d moved up to the abandoned cabin where Serafina’s body was found.” He crossed to his horse and slid the rifle into his own scabbard.

“Where do you think you’re goin’?” Rion watched him closely.

The lawman met his gaze “With you.”

“I don’t think so. You been nothin’ but hateful since I was arrested.”

“You escaped my jail, made me look like a fool before the town.”

“And since I turned myself in, I’ve been a model prisoner. But even a couple hours ago, you were givin’ me grief.” Braddock shook his head.

“You need me. There’s no warrants on Maya Fellows or her kin, so you got no authority.”

Epps stepped up. “Lest you forget, Downing. You’re a town sheriff. I’m a federal marshal. I’ve got the authority outside the town limits.”

Daniel rode up alongside Braddock and dropped his voice. “Let him come along. At least then you can keep an eye on him. Otherwise, you don’t know what he’s up to.”

The man pondered. “Downing, come if you want, but you give me a reason, and we’ll have it out. It won’t go well for you.”

As they rode toward the trail up to the cabin, Joe Trenamen, Calliope Wilson, and Lu Peters rode their way.

“Leaving without us?” Miss Wilson called.

Rion glared. “Calliope, I don’t want you along. You either, Lu. It’s too dangerous.”

“I’m a Pinkerton.” Miss Wilson shook her head. “It’s my case.”

“She won’t be persuaded, Braddock.” Trenamen shrugged. “I’ve tried.”

“And there’ll be a story to tell here …” Lu held up her journal.

Rion seethed. “Is Andromeda comin’ too?”

Daniel held up his hands. “I dropped her at Dutch’s. She wanted to see Lena’s baby.”

“Good.”

Epps urged his horse forward, the others falling into line after him. Daniel stationed himself behind Downing to keep an eye on the man. Something had felt off since Daniel had returned to town.

As they neared the clearing where the dilapidated cabin sat, many heated voices rose, and Epps signaled for caution. Daniel removed the leather loop from his pistol’s hammer, and the others did the same. At Braddock’s signal, they dismounted and fanned out through the trees.

The medicine show wagons sat in a large circle, and the many horses used to pull those wagons grazed in a rope corral farther down the meadow. The show members gathered inside the circle.

On foot, they all closed in, guns in hand, and stepped into the inner circle.

“I’m tellin’ you, I can lead this show!” one blustered.

“But without their money, how’re we gonna pay for—”

Braddock released an earsplitting whistle, and the whole bunch turned and raised their hands in surrender.

“Where’s Maya Fellows and her kin?” Marshal Epps called.

The same plump, dark-haired woman who’d congratulated Andie at the last recess stepped forward. “They aren’t here.”

“We had nothin’ to do with any of the murders.” The tall, muscular fella shook his head. “We were duped like you.”

Daniel watched the sheriff, who eyed the crowd.

“Where’d they go?”

“We don’t know. You might remember them leavin’ the trial before the rest of us.”

Braddock looked stunned. “Maya was there?”

Humorless chuckles rippled through the crowd, and Daniel studied those around him. None resembled the pretty blond wild woman he’d met in the cemetery.

“Through the entire trial,” someone called.

“None of us understood why she chose to dress as Annalee until you said Maya gave you the boots.” This came from the muscled man.

“The bearded lady?” Calliope’s voice dripped shock.

“Maya’s a master of stage makeup and costuming.” The plump woman beckoned. “She’s sewn all our costumes. Even weaves wigs.”

“Wigs?” Calliope looked suddenly ill.

“Come see.” She beckoned.

The crowd parted, making a path. Calliope and Trenamen followed, though Braddock hung back. Daniel edged around the crowd, preparing in case something happened.

Trenamen entered the wagon first, gun drawn, and at his call, Callie hurried inside.

“Honestly, Mr. Braddock, we had no idea what they were involved in.” The muscular man looked repentant. “Those three were always odd, but we all thought it was their personalities. After hearing the evidence at your trial, their behaviors make much more sense.”

Calliope wailed, and Daniel ran to the wagon door, Braddock crowding in behind him.

Calliope sat on a padded bench as she stared at a cabinet built into the wall. In it were a variety of wigs in all manner of colors.

“I think we know what happened to the victims’ hair …” She covered her mouth.

Joe touched one of the wigs but shook his head. “I understand the wigs, but how did she become the bearded lady?”

“Spirit gum.” The plump woman picked up a small vial of something and handed it to him. “You apply it with a small brush, let it set for a moment, and tap the hair into it.” She opened a cubby in the cabinet and removed a cloth bag. Inside was more hair, of a coarser nature.

“Holy Moses.” Joe touched it, then brushed his fingers against his trouser leg. “How many parts did she play in the show?”

“Her big parts were Elisabeth Gates and—”

Calliope jerked her gaze up. “The sharpshooter and trick rider?”

The woman nodded. “And Annalee Ralston, though she does other parts as needed.”

“Was this just Maya’s wagon?” Braddock stabbed a finger at the doorway, then looked around at the group.

“Yes. Chellingworth’s is over here.” The woman pointed. “Sometimes Charlie stayed with him, but he’s”—she tapped her temple—“a little teched. It’s not clear whether Chellingworth actually liked his son. Mostly, Charlie did his own thing, except when we’d do our shows. Then, he and our other family members would be in the crowd. They’re the lucky ones we picked out of the crowd for parts of the act.”

When Braddock stomped toward the next wagon, Daniel followed. Gun at the ready, the bounty hunter checked for danger, then climbed into the wagon, pawing through clothes and props. Daniel searched another, finding several pairs of shoes and boots on the floor. He grabbed the only pair similar to those Braddock wore and looked at their bottoms.

“Rion!” He held the sole of the boots so Braddock could see. A crescent-shaped impression marred the heel.

Braddock snatched the boots from Daniel’s hand.

“Marshal?” He charged out the wagon, but as Daniel emerged, something smacked the edge of the flat roof. A gunshot sounded, and wood splinters showered him.

Daniel hit the dirt, and pandemonium ensued. Someone screamed, and people ducked for cover. Gun in hand, Daniel crawled behind Maya’s wagon, heart racing. He peeked out, ready to return fire—but his gaze snagged.

On Downing.

Wrestling the tall, beardless man Josiah Tunstall had pointed out from the corner table that morning from between the trees.

“Drop it!” Downing leveled his rifle at the man’s head.

The fella dropped his own gun and lifted his hands, and Downing kicked the weapon away.

“Who are you?”

“That’s Maya’s brother!” someone hollered. “Charlie Hunney.”

Gaze stony, Downing slammed the butt of the rifle hard against Charlie’s skull with a sickening thud. Charlie dropped.

His limbs still shaking from the near miss, Daniel moved forward as the lawman knelt and rolled Charlie’s half-conscious form onto his back and removed a knife from the downed man’s belt.

“Thank you, Sheriff,” he called as he neared.

Rather than lay the knife aside, Downing trapped Charlie’s nearest arm under his knee, then traced the blade along Charlie’s cheek until it lodged just beneath his jawbone. “You stupid fool! You and your kin killed my Sarah.”

Alarm bells clanged in Daniel’s mind. “Downing!”

The sheriff flicked one glance his way, then back to the man.

“Don’t do this!”

“He killed my daughter! Him and his kin. They killed Serafina.”

“Put the knife down, Sheriff!”

Charlie seemed to come around some then, and with his free hand, he grasped Downing’s wrist. The sheriff shoved Charlie’s face into the grass, wrestling to keep the blade in place.

Braddock, Trenamen, and Epps all rushed up, guns drawn.

“Downing,” Epps called. “You don’t want to do this.”

“Yeah, I do. Been thinkin’ about it since the day Sarah disappeared.”

Epps shook his head. “You kill him, you’ll hang. Put that knife down, and you can watch him hang. Him, his sister, and their father.”

“We don’t have them. Not Maya and Chellingworth.”

“We’ll find ’em, Sheriff,” Braddock called. “Just put the knife down.”

“I’ll tell ya where they are.” Charlie’s voice shook. “Or where they’re goin’ anyway.”

“Hear that, Downing? We can get ’em all, and you’ll see ’em hang for Serafina’s death. Between these witnesses and what we’ve got in these wagons, there’s more than enough to convict.”

For several seconds, Downing only shook but finally removed the blade from Charlie’s neck and rolled free. Braddock ushered him away while Epps and Trenamen tied Charlie’s hands.

“Counselor? If you have a minute, I need to show you some things.” Calliope waved a man’s shirt and a book not unlike Lu Peters’ journal.

“What’s this?”

“I found a scrap of fabric at Serafina’s murder scene, and it appears to have come from this shirt—found in Chellingworth’s wagon. And a diary—of all their plans and how they carried them out—from Maya’s.”