Faster Than the Rest Read online

  The one disturbing bit of news was from the sheriff in San Diego. Billy Tankard had escaped, with help from Miguel Hagan. The sheriff and his deputies had found the ranch using Jamie’s directions, but it was already deserted. Jamie doubted that Hagan had any interest in finding Victoria, but it was something that niggled at the back of his mind, and those were warnings that Jamie rarely ignored.

  “If we don’t hear anything from Delaney by tomorrow, I’ll send another telegram,” Sam said as he and Jamie sat at their table in Mattie’s restaurant. “I suppose I should try the attorney once more, too. See if he’s back from Boston.”

  “You know there’s a possibility that Hagan may be on his way here to find Victoria. Tankard said the man never forgives a slight and he’s one mean bastard. Not many are as cruel or vindictive as he is.” Jamie couldn’t shake the feeling that something bad was about to happen. His instincts had saved him on many occasions and his gut told him to prepare for trouble.

  “What do you think we should do? You know the sheriff thinks you’re over-reacting, that there’s no way Hagan will draw attention to himself by coming here. But me, I respect your concerns.” Sam had known Jamie long enough to take his friend’s unease about Billy’s escape seriously.

  “Not much except be watchful. Better to concentrate on getting information that will help us release Victoria than worry about Hagan. I just don’t like it, that’s all.” Jamie stood to leave. “See you later, Sam. I need to go speak with someone about a favor.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  “I don’t know, Jamie. There must be someone else she’d open up to faster than me.” Gloria stood at the end of the long bar with Jamie’s arm around her, as he tried to persuade her to visit Victoria.

  “She needs a friend, Gloria. Someone she can talk with who has no association whatsoever with Sam, her family, or me. Someone she feels she can trust, which I guarantee isn’t me right now.”

  Sam, she thought. Gloria hated the way he’d looked at her when she’d walked outside to watch him take Mrs. Wicklin to jail. Yes, she’d been angry that he was the one who had arrested Victoria, but she knew it was his job. It had been almost a week—six days and nights—and no sign of him. She thought they’d started something together. They’d spoken of marriage.

  Sam was different. He accepted what she was, her past, but also her dreams to sell out and start a new life. They’d talked so much over the past few months that they’d become good friends long before she had accepted him into her bed. Then there was the situation with Victoria, and just like that, it seemed he wanted no part of her. She supposed Jamie’s words—that she had no association with Sam—were accurate.

  “All right, Jamie. I’ll do what I can, but as a friend, not because I plan to pump her for information and pass it along to you. If she does tell me something that would help, I’ll let you know.”

  Just then, Jamie and Gloria became aware of Sam standing behind them. Jamie dropped his arm from around Gloria and turned toward the deputy.

  “Sam. Just the man I want to talk to.” Jamie hadn’t shared his idea with anyone but Gloria, but now that she had agreed, he needed to confide in his friend.

  “That a fact.” Sam glanced past Jamie to Gloria. Their eyes locked but neither said a word. His face was like granite, eyes cold, piercing her with an unspoken accusation.

  “Uh, yea.” Jamie looked at Sam, then at Gloria. Something was going on here but damned if he knew what it was. “Victoria won’t speak with you or me, and talks only briefly with her folks. She needs to talk to someone, and you know how good Gloria is at getting people to trust her. Talk to her.”

  “Yea, I do know that.” Sam was still staring at Gloria. To her credit, her eyes never wavered, but held his in a silent challenge.

  “Well, Gloria’s offered to visit Victoria regularly, try to get her to open up a little. If nothing else, Victoria will have another woman she can talk to who isn’t connected to you or me.” There was another meaningful glance between Sam and Gloria, but Jamie let it go and continued. “She’s going crazy in that cell, with only you and the sheriff around. Maybe she’ll tell Gloria things that could help us.”

  “You mean help us convict her, Jamie, or help us free her?” Sam was still fuming from the sight of Jamie wrapped around Gloria. She hadn’t waited long to find someone to replace him.

  “Look, Sam, I understand that most everyone doubts my motives. Hell, I’ve doubted them myself.” He looked first at Sam, then at Gloria. “My concern right now is to discover the truth. If there’s something else on your mind, if I’m missing something, you better tell me now.”

  Sam and Gloria finally broke eye contact to focus on Jamie’s idea.

  “Fine, Jamie. Let’s go ahead with it. Gloria can come by anytime she wants as long as someone else is there.” Sam downed the drink that Jamie had set in front of him and left the bar. Gloria just stared at the empty space he left behind and felt more alone than she had in a long, long time.

  ******

  “Silas, I heard you were back in town. How was your trip east?” Hamilton Wicklin walked into the attorney’s office unannounced, but that wasn’t unusual.

  Silas Dunsford closed the file he’d been reviewing before looking up. This was the one person he hadn’t wanted to see on his first day back. Bea had been right to cut him out of her will. He was a philanderer and a cheat, two things Silas didn’t abide, and neither had his client. She’d worked with Silas to hammer out the details of her will so that Ham couldn’t directly touch a cent from the estate. He would be cared for, assuming he and Victoria stayed married after the seven years were up, but he’d inherit nothing. Not ever.

  “Hamilton. What brings you here today?” Silas’ words were brusque. He’d already guessed it was about the man’s wife. The seven years were up and Victoria’s husband knew that Silas was now obligated to share the details of Bea’s will with her. News of her rescue had reached them, and now she was free to divorce and enjoy the estate that Bea had left, without any further obligations to Wicklin. Her arrest would be a complication, but Silas knew there wasn’t a chance the woman was guilty of Hamilton’s charges. Charges, Silas suspected, that were fabricated to gain Wicklin what he really wanted—his aunt’s estate.

  “Let’s just say I want to know your plans for telling Victoria about the inheritance. She’s in jail you know. Tried to have me killed. But, as you can see, her plan failed.”

  Silas wanted to wipe the smirk off Hamilton’s face, but propriety and age won out over emotions.

  “Well now, Hamilton, hard to see how she could have planned your death while being held hostage by that Hagan fella. Doesn’t add up to me.” Silas picked up the folder and placed it inside his safe, locked it, and turned back to Wicklin. “Course, doesn’t help you either way. If she did as you say and was found guilty, everything of Bea’s goes to the charities your aunt designated. Still won’t go to you. Seems to me your chances are better if you get her back to the city and make amends for all the—shall we say, unfortunate?—things you did to her.”

  Wicklin’s already ruddy complexion turned beet red at this news. Although he’d managed to obtain information from the pretty and very accommodating secretary Silas had employed several years back, she’d only supplied information about how the annual allowance, house, and restaurant were to be handled. He’d also learned of the clause about staying married for at least seven years before the entire estate would be released. She’d said nothing more. He hadn’t thought to ask if there were other provisions. Wicklin assumed that upon Victoria’s death all would pass to him.

  “Guess you didn’t know that bit of information.” The attorney watched the man’s reaction. “None of it will ever go to you. Your aunt’s wishes were very clear and she made sure the will reflected them. If your wife stays married to you for seven years, she gets it all. If she dies or leaves you before the seven years are up, then it will all go to the charities. Pretty simple and clear. Victoria’s as bright a
s they come, Hamilton, and, as far as I can tell, fair also. I doubt she’d cut you out completely. But she might if you keep up with this story about plotting your murder. You really expect people to believe such hogwash?” Silas had no use for Hamilton and wanted him out of his office and, preferably, out of San Francisco and Victoria’s life.

  “That woman tried to kill me and I’ll prove it. After that, I’ll hire the best attorney in the area and tear my aunt’s will apart,” Wicklin fumed as he placed both hands on Silas’s desk and leaned forward. “And you’d be better off just staying out of my way.”

  “Is that a threat, Wicklin?”

  “Just fair warning, Dunsford. No one, and that includes you, is going to stop me from getting what should’ve been mine in the first place.” He stalked to the door and walked out.

  Silas lowered himself into the chair, sat back, and started thinking. As he saw it, there were several things he had to take care of right away, and the first was a letter to the sheriff in Fire Mountain.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Gloria wondered if he’d even acknowledge her when she entered the jail. Several days had passed since Sam had been in the saloon. Either he’d not returned, or she’d been in her office when he was there. She suspected the first, as Ross would’ve mentioned it to her if the deputy had come around. Sam had been at the jail when she’d visited Victoria, but he’d ignored her, merely motioning for her to head to the back cell.

  She’d stopped by the jail twice daily, with dinner at midday, and again with supper in the evening. It was something she’d wanted to do, and the invitation from Jamie had been the nudge she needed. Victoria was cool at first, but as the days passed, she’d opened up a little. The fact was, Gloria liked her. She knew that becoming friends with a woman outside the saloon would be too much to ask, but she hoped that once exonerated, Victoria would acknowledge her from time to time. That was more than Sam was willing to do.

  “Deputy,” Gloria pushed open the door and stepped inside. He just nodded. God, why does he always have to look so good? Gloria thought as she passed by his desk on her way to the back. She asked herself for the hundredth time what had happened to cause them to act like strangers, barely acknowledging each other. What had she done to ruin something with a man who was very special? The man she loved?

  Sam watched Gloria walk past him to visit Victoria. He just couldn’t get her out of his mind. She haunted him day and night. Having her come by the jail twice a day, spend time here, and not even look at him was like salt in a wound. Didn’t she understand that he had a job to do? He didn’t want Victoria to be found guilty of the charges any more than Gloria did, but his hands were tied.

  He supposed it didn’t really matter. It appeared to Sam like she’d already moved on to another MacLaren. His stomach clenched at the thought of the two of them together. He knew Jamie was still in love with Victoria, but Gloria was a beautiful woman, and Sam doubted few men could refuse her if she provided encouragement. Truth was, he’d never seen her encourage anyone, except him. Hell, he hadn’t even told Jamie anything about his feelings for Gloria since his friend was so wrapped up in the situation with their prisoner. So many other things had happened that he’d just never gotten around to it. Sam knew Jamie would never take up with a friend’s woman if he knew about it, but now it may be too late.

  “Hello, Victoria.” Gloria laid the basket down and waited for Sam to come back, open the cell door, and pass the food to Victoria. Next, he’d lock the cell and walk back to his desk. The same routine every time she came by.

  “Gloria. It’s good to see you again. I hope this isn’t too much of an inconvenience. I know you’re busy.” Although sincere, Victoria’s voice was resigned and tinged with despair.

  “Don’t be silly. This is the best part of my day. You have to understand that I’m around men all day, everyday, who are surly, raucous, or just plan ornery, and usually drunk. Or, I have the company of the women who work for me. Since I’m the boss, they don’t come to me much just to talk. But my time with you is different. It’s my time.” Gloria’s words were true. She wished she could somehow tuck these times with Victoria away so that they could be taken out and revisited in the future, when she returned to her solitary routine. She had a good life compared to many women, and she knew it, but this time with Victoria had become very special.

  “Oh, fried chicken,” Victoria exclaimed as she opened the basket and peered in, “and pie. Even if the accommodations aren’t great, the food certainly is.”

  “Eat, Victoria. Don’t wait. I know you must be hungry.” Gloria smiled as Victoria lifted a piece of chicken out of the basket and took a bite.

  “So, where were we? Oh, yes. I’d just gotten into town and started working for Clive at the Desert Dove. Jamie had asked you to marry him, right?”

  Victoria nodded at Gloria’s summary of their last conversation. She had shared more than she’d planned, but last night she’d felt tired and sorry for herself.

  Victoria swallowed some chicken and took a drink of water from the cup Sam had given her earlier. “Was it hard, Gloria?” At Gloria’s puzzled expression, she explained. “You know. Being with men you didn’t know? You were so young.”

  Gloria thought back to those days and how frightened she’d been. She was from a wealthy family in New Orleans. Her father was a harsh man and had planned for her to marry a much older gentleman so that two family fortunes could be combined. Gloria had rebelled and refused her father’s request. Instead of reacting as she’d anticipated, he threw her out of the house with little more than a few clothes and a little money. He’d called her a whore’s daughter and told her to never return. She hadn’t. She had only been sixteen.

  “Well, yes, it was hard. But you have to understand no one would hire me. I tried to get work in all kinds of places. At a laundry, as a seamstress’ apprentice, washing dishes, scrubbing floors. I would’ve taken anything, but no one would hire me. My father had told everyone that I was a whore like my mother and threatened anyone who was inclined to hire me.” Gloria’s words stopped abruptly as she recalled the day she had been told, by one of the more respected women in town, that her mother had taken a lover a year before Gloria was born. Even though her mother denied it, her father believed Gloria was not his, but the child of another man. After that she understood her father’s anger, but she’d never learned the truth of her heritage.

  “Gloria? Are you okay? You don’t have to say anymore if you don’t want to.” Victoria’s eyes were filled with compassion.

  “No, it’s all right. I was just remembering the first time I was with a man. He must’ve been about twenty-three. He was very handsome, and looking back, very gentle. I’d just started and was scared to death. By then I was in Abilene. An older woman took me in and told me what to expect. Then she made sure my first time was with someone she approved. He asked me if I was sure this was what I wanted. When I told him I really had no choice, he nodded and started to undress me. He took his time, made me feel special, not dirty like you’d think.” In her mind, Gloria could still remember the young cowboy who took her. He’d been in town looking for his older brother who’d been missing since the war. She knew it was only for one night, but she’d still felt the sting when he walked out the door and never returned. She’d cried the rest of the night. Gloria never even knew his name.

  “After that it became a little easier, even if it never meant a thing. It was a job and it kept me alive. I made my way to Arizona and Fire Mountain. Seemed like forever, but I was here by the time I was nineteen. Clive hired me right away. We always worked well together. I never mouthed back at him and never tried to cheat him out of his cut. When he decided to move on, we worked out an arrangement so that I could buy the saloon. Best deal I ever made.” Gloria stopped short of saying that at the time, she was seeing Jamie’s brother, Niall. Perhaps Victoria already knew about it.

  “You are so independent, Gloria. I envy you the ability to make your own decisions and not be
controlled by a man.” Victoria’s voice had turned bitter and there was pain in her eyes.

  Gloria hesitated. She didn’t want to push but there’d be no better time. “What happened, Victoria? Why’d you change your mind about marrying Jamie?” They were at a juncture. Either Victoria trusted Gloria enough to tell her or she didn’t.

  Victoria dropped her head into her hands then rubbed her eyes and stood up from the chair where she’d been sitting. She paced to the window and gazed up to the opening, which started six feet above the cell floor. Gloria didn’t think she’d respond.

  “Jamie left town with his brothers. They were moving the herd to sell so we knew he’d be gone about two weeks. He’d just asked me to marry him. Of course, I said yes.” She stopped a moment, remembering that day on the knoll. I love you, Torie. Marry me. Jamie’s words still had the ability to make her smile while at the same time cause intense heartache. “It was right after he left that a stranger, Hamilton Wicklin, came to town. But he wasn’t a stranger, at least not to my parents. They’d been friends with his aunt for years. She wanted them to agree to a marriage between me and her nephew, to connect the families, but they knew I loved Jamie and planned to marry him. My parents always liked Jamie and wanted me to be happy. We told Hamilton that I was already betrothed. He appeared to take the news fine, but asked if he and I could at least get to know each other while he was in town.”

  Victoria stopped as if remembering something very painful before she continued. “He was handsome, suave, and I guess,” she closed her eyes, trying to think, “worldly would be the word I’d choose. At least I thought he was at the time. Even though Papa objected, Mama thought it was fine for us to spend some time together. He began coming by each day to visit.” Victoria paused, but didn’t continue for several minutes. Gloria was quiet, believing if she were patient, Victoria would continue. She did.