A Love to Cherish (11 page)

Realizing she was growing hysterical, Casey grasped her shoulders and gave her a hard shake. “Stop it, Belle! You don’t know what you’re saying. I meant everything I said. I wanted to make love to you tonight for myself, because I care for you.”

Belle gave a snort of laughter. “You have a funny way of showing it. Pick up your money and get out of here. I should have sent you packing a long time ago.”

“I’m not going anywhere. You’re going to sit down and listen to me.” He swept her from her feet,
sat her down in the nearest chair, and dropped to his knees beside her. When she tried to get up he pushed her back down. “This won’t take long. I want to tell you about myself.”

“I don’t want to hear it. I feel nothing for you but disgust. Nothing you say will change my mind. Do you have any idea how guilty I feel for not being with Tommy when he needed me?”

“Belle …”

“And do you know where I was?” she continued, too wound up to allow Casey a word in edgewise. “I was in bed with a man, behaving like a paid whore.” She suddenly ran out of words.

“Belle, I’m sorry. Please let me explain. I work for the Pinkerton Agency. I never know what a job requires of me. Allan Pinkerton sent me to San Francisco at McAllister’s request. I was summoned at a time when I was in desperate need of money, and McAllister offered twice the usual fee. No, don’t interrupt,” Casey said when Belle started to speak.

“I’d spent all the money I had in the world hiring lawyers to defend my brother. Mark was accused of murdering a professional gambler over a card game. There was one witness who could have testified that the gambler drew first, but he took off for parts unknown. Consequently Mark was tried, convicted, and sent to Yuma Territorial prison. He’ll spend the rest of his life there if the witness isn’t found and brought to testify. Mark’s lawyer says he can reopen the case if new evidence is found. I needed money, lots of it, to lure the witness forward.”

“And you went after a little boy who never hurt a soul,” Belle charged.

“McAllister offered a lot of money, plus a bonus for finding Tommy. I was reluctant to take the job at
first, but the money won me over. McAllister said you were a whore, an unfit mother, that it would be in Tommy’s best interest to find him so he could be given a proper upbringing.”

“So you decided to find out if I
am
a whore, and bedding me tonight proved McAllister was right about me,” Belle blasted.

Casey shook his head. “No, Belle, it isn’t like that at all. I’d only known you a day or two when I decided McAllister had lied about you. You’re not a whore. You’re a beautiful young woman who loves her son dearly.”

Belle glared at him in disbelief. “Then why did you betray us? I trusted you. I gave my heart and body to you. You’re a no-good liar, Casey Walker! All this time you’ve been working for McAllister. You’re probably lying about your brother. And even if you’re not, it makes no difference to me. Tommy is the issue here. A small, defenseless little boy who needs his mother.”

Pain and guilt nearly defeated Casey, but he had to make Belle understand. “I didn’t betray you. Do you remember when I went to San Francisco a week or so ago? I saw McAllister and told him I was off the case. I refused to tell him where to find Tommy. He became angry because I took his money and couldn’t pay it back. I gave him an IOU and promised him full payment.”

“When were you going to tell me you worked for McAllister? When it was too late?” she asked. “It’s too late now, Casey. Tommy is gone and I may never see him again.”

“I swear I’ll get him back for you, Belle.”

“You’re responsible for his abduction, why should I believe you?”

“Because I’m a man of my word.”

Her laughter was without mirth. “You’re a lying bastard who would do anything for money. I hate you, Casey Walker. I don’t need your help. I’ll get Tommy back and I’ll do it my own way. Clear your things out of here. I never want to see you again.”

Casey grasped her hands and pulled her to her feet. “You don’t mean that, Belle. What about tonight? Did that mean nothing to you?”

“About as much as it meant to you,” she retorted. “Let me go, there’s much to be done and so little time.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to beard the lion in his den. Get out of my way.”

“Are you crazy? McAllister’s a dangerous man. He’s prepared to go to any length to keep Tommy.”

“And I’m prepared to go to any length to see that he doesn’t.”

“Let me handle this. Maybe I can convince him to share custody.”

Belle gave him a look that told him exactly what she thought of that idea. “The old man hates me. He thinks I’m responsible for Tom’s death. He’d never agree to share custody. Don’t you understand? I don’t want your help. I don’t want you anywhere near me. I’m going to do what I have to do and nothing is going to stop me.”

“Dammit, Belle!” Unable to think of any way to stop her headlong rush into danger, Casey did the only thing he could think of at the moment. Seizing her arms, he pulled her hard against him and kissed her. Kissed her with his heart and soul and body. It was not enough.

Belle wrenched herself from his arms and struck
him across the face. She was sobbing openly now, and Casey wanted to pull her back into his arms and comfort her. She wanted nothing from him. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, grimacing with distaste. “Don’t ever do that again!”

“Something happened between us tonight, Belle. Surely you cannot dismiss it as if it never happened.”

“Damn you! You used me ruthlessly. Coldly. Allowing me to think you cared. Don’t ever touch me again.” Turning on her heel, she stormed from the room.

Casey watched her leave, feeling lower than dirt. He hadn’t betrayed Belle, but he faulted himself for being careless. He should have realized McAllister would put a tail on him and set a false trail for them. McAllister was smart, he’d give him that. And determined. McAllister had planned well. His men made their move at a time when both he and Belle had been distracted and vulnerable. They must have been spying on them for days, waiting for just such a moment.

Now Belle blamed him for Tommy’s abduction. She was convinced he had seduced her simply to get her out of the way while her son was being abducted. Shit! He should have refused the job, should have let Pinkerton send a replacement, but he had been in desperate need of money. Well, he had the money and he still felt like a heel.

Belle packed her suitcase through a veil of tears. Tommy was gone and it was all her fault. If she had been with him instead of cavorting like some whore with that damn detective, he would still be here with her. The San Francisco stage came through the day after tomorrow, and she intended to be on it.

There was so much to do before then. She had to take what little money she had accumulated from the bank, turn the diner over to Dolores and Sanchez, and help Wan Yo prepare for their departure. The old man was beside himself with grief and remorse. He blamed himself for not protecting Tommy, and nothing she could say or do seemed to help. When they returned to San Francisco, Belle decided she would send Wan Yo to Naomi, and hope the madam could help him overcome his guilt.

Two days later Casey was on hand when the San Francisco stage pulled out of Placerville. Belle neither looked at nor acknowledged him. He did manage to speak with Wan Yo and explain his position, but didn’t know if the old man understood or not. Casey waited until the stage had loaded its passengers and rattled out of town, before mounting his newly purchased horse and riding hell-for-leather to San Francisco.

Exhausted and grimy from her trip over dusty, rutted roads, Belle disembarked at the Wells Fargo staging area two harrowing days after leaving Placerville. Wan Yo was as pale as a ghost while he waited for Belle to arrange for their luggage to be taken to their separate destinations. Belle’s was to go to the Fremont Hotel and Wan Yo’s to Naomi’s Pleasure Parlor. Belle knew she didn’t have a chance in hell of getting custody of Tommy if she lived with Naomi, so she had chosen the best hotel in town.

“Tell Naomi I’ll be around to see her soon, Wan Yo,” Belle instructed as they prepared to part.

“Where you go now, Missy Belle?”

“I’m going to the McAllister mansion.”

“Wan Yo go with missy.”

“No, this is something I have to do alone. I’ll be all right. He won’t dare hurt me. I’m Tommy’s mother.”

“Wan Yo think hard about Mister Casey. Maybe he tell truth. Maybe he no tell McAllister where to find Tommy. You need help, missy.”

“I’d die before I accept help from that gutless detective. No, Wan Yo, don’t let Casey fool you. Money is his master. He’ll betray anyone for a price. I won’t forget how he used me. I’ll be at the Fremont if you need me. Go along, now, I’ll see you soon.”

Belle hired a hack to take her to T.J. McAllister’s fashionable mansion located on Telegraph Hill. She paid the driver and stood before the gate several long minutes, before marshaling her courage and forging ahead. The gate was unlocked, and she let herself into the compound. She had scarcely reached the front steps when the door opened and a huge, barrel-chested man filled the entrance. He was toting guns on either hip and looked mean enough to chew nails.

“What do you want?” he asked harshly.

“To see my son,” Belle replied, tilting her chin in open defiance. “I’m Belle McAllister, I demand entrance.”

“Sorry, lady, no one comes in here without Mr. McAllister’s approval.”

“He can’t keep me from my son.”

He sneered in derision. “I know who you are. The boss told me all about ya. He hired me to protect his grandson. The law says yer a bad influence on the boy. Go away, you ain’t gettin’ in here.” He started to shut the door in her face.

“That’s not true!” Belle cried, shoving against the door. “I’m a good mother and I want my son.”

“Tell it to the law.”

“Wait! Just tell me how Tommy is. Is he well?”

“The kid’s fine,” the thug allowed. Just before the door slammed in her face, his insulting gaze slid down the length of her. “Maybe I’ll see ya at Naomi’s. You can’t be too expensive, what with yer limp and all.”

Shaking from rage, Belle stared at the closed door with growing horror. Would she never see her son again? Tears misted her eyes and she could actually feel her heart breaking. Not for the first time she cursed Casey Walker. If not for him she and Tommy would still be in Placerville, living in relative safety. Her only hope now was the law. She walked the entire distance to the sheriff’s office, needing the time to compose her thoughts before confronting the lawman.

Sheriff Rogan leaned back in his chair and raised his brow inquiringly. “What can I do for you, ma’am?”

“My name is Belle Parker McAllister and I need your help.”

The sheriff’s attention sharpened. “Do tell. You wouldn’t happen to be T.J. McAllister’s daughter-in-law, would you? I’ve heard all about you.”

Tried and condemned, Belle thought despondently. T.J. had certainly done his utmost to discredit her. “Whatever my father-in-law told you was a lie. He’s taken my son. Kidnapped him right out of his bed. What kind of man would do that to a five-year-old who’s never been parted from his mother?”

“Mr. McAllister wants what’s best for the boy. He was in here just yesterday explaining what he’d done, and why. He had an order signed by the judge giving him custody of the boy. If you make trouble I can arrest you for disturbing the peace.”

Belle stared at him in abject horror. “Not see Tommy? You’re as mad as McAllister. He’s my son. He needs me. He’s only five years old. What grounds did McAllister have for taking Tommy from me?”

“He’s the boy’s grandfather and has every right to take the boy away from an unfit mother,” the sheriff stated. “You go along peaceably, ma’am, and there won’t be any trouble.”

“You’re out of your mind if you expect me to go away and leave my son to a man he despises. McAllister cared nothing for Tommy until his own son died. Then he suddenly has a change of heart and wants his grandson. He can’t have Tommy, do you hear me!” Belle cried, growing hysterical. “You haven’t heard the last from me.” Whirling on her heel, she beat a hasty retreat. But she wasn’t going far, oh, no. Only as far as T.J. McAllister’s office.

“Tell her I don’t want to see her,” a gruff voice called through the partially opened door.

McAllister’s secretary closed the door and gave Belle a sheepish look. “I’m sorry, ma’am, Mr. McAllister is … he’s too busy to see anyone right now.”

Belle wasn’t about to take no for an answer. Marching past the flustered secretary, she flung open the door and stormed into the office. McAllister looked up at her forced entrance, his eyes narrowed in outrage.

“What’s the meaning of this, Myerson? I clearly stated I didn’t want to see this woman.”

“I’m sorry, Mr. McAllister,” the secretary stammered, “she pushed right past me.”

“Get out, Myerson, I’ll speak with Miss Parker.”

Belle turned on McAllister the moment the door closed behind Myerson. “How dare you kidnap my son! And my name is McAllister, as you well know. I married your son, remember?”

McAllister’s lips thinned. “I never recognized the marriage. I had a society marriage arranged for Tom, it would have been perfect for him. Then he fell into your clutches and you saw a chance to better yourself. You may have a license declaring the legality of the union, but I steadfastly refuse to welcome a whore into the family.”

Belle’s temper exploded. “You have no right to judge me when you know nothing about me! You visited Naomi’s when I lived there. Did you ever see me go upstairs with a man? Did you ever see me do anything but serve drinks and clean up after the girls?”

“I could round up a dozen men who’d swear they had you.”

Belle could hardly credit his words. “I knew you hated me, but I had no idea the lengths you’d go to ruin me. But no matter how much you hate me, it still doesn’t condone what you’ve done to Tommy.”

“Tommy is better off without you. He’s a fine boy. The sooner he forgets you the better off he’ll be. He’ll have everything money can buy. When he’s of age he’ll inherit my wine empire, and more money than he can spend in a lifetime.”