Murder at Thumb Butte (17 page)

Maggie held her ground and even seemed to lean in toward Mary. “You told me to never interrupt when you were together in your room.”

Maggie had said this with an innocent tone, but for a moment, I thought Mary was going to slap her. Mary took a long, slow breath, before saying, “A note on our door would have been helpful.”

“
I’ll be working with Mr. Dancy now.” She hooked her arm through mine. “I’m his responsibility.”

Her intimacy was unwelcome as far as I was concerned. She was playing some kind of game with her guardians, and I didn’t want to be a part of it. I pulled my hand out of my pocket and let my arm dangle, but instead of taking the hint, Maggie took hold of my arm above the elbow. What was this girl doing?

“
Our instructions come from your father, and Captain McAllen said you’re still our charge … at least for the next few days. You may accompany Mr. Dancy, but only during the day. Until he says so, you are to disclose to no one that you’re not my daughter.”

Mary turned her angry glare at me. “What’s your story?’

“
My story?”

Her angry expression turned to exasperation. “Are you courting my daughter or just corrupting her?”

“
Neither.”

“
Well, if you walk down the street arm in arm, that’s what people will say.”

“
I take your point.” I wasn’t good at this but went ahead anyway. “I’m your brother. I came to Prescott to see you and my niece. Maggie follows me around because I’m her favorite uncle.”

“
That should work. Don’t elaborate. The less detail, the less likely you’ll get tripped up. Keep us informed of your whereabouts.”

I nodded, so she turned to Maggie.

“
Young lady … you will be polite to your parents at
all
times. Understood?”

Maggie released my arm, smiled coyly, and dipped in an approximation of a curtsy. “Then how will I keep up the pretense of being your darling daughter?”

If possible, Mary’s expression grew even angrier. “Just do as I say.” She whirled, grabbing her husband by the elbow. They marched off together in the opposite direction.

As we watched their backsides, I mumbled, “Carl never said a word.”

“
Mary’s the boss, both on the job and in the home. Carl’s a weasel.”

“
Why don’t you like the Schmidts?”

“
I’ve heard them talk when they think I’m not listening. If they didn’t work for Pinkerton, they’d be crooks. Those two are self-seeking scoundrels.”

I thought about it. As I again looked at them walking away, I could swear Mary Schmidt sensed my stare and started to sway her derrière in a sensual rhythm. “Perhaps that means they have the requisite talents to catch other scoundrels.”

“
Oh, they’re good all right. Pa says there are none better. It’s what got them this assignment. The Winslows are very rich and very important.” With that, she thrust her jaw out, and her mouth became a thin, straight line across her face. “I wish they could make that arrogant, overindulged dandy do something that would land him in jail.”

“
What? Who are you talking about?”

“
Master Jonathon Winslow, the second most powerful man in the territory. At least by his reckoning.” She threw me a glance, then spoke in a snickering voice. “Can you imagine a measly assistant getting so puffed up?”

“
Did he make a pass at you as well?”

“
He did, and he’s not put off as easily as Mr. Blanchet. My guess is they have a bet between them on who can despoil me first.”

Did girls her age really think this way? None that I had ever encountered
talked
this way. I looked down at Maggie standing beside me. This one was scary. “Blanchet, Winslow, and the Schmidts—is there anyone you like?”

Now her smile looked genuine and not a bit coy. She again hooked her arm in mine before saying, “Yes, Mr. Dancy, I like you.”

With no one looking at us now, I threw her arm away. “Miss McAllen, I don’t know what your game is, but young ladies do not hold the arm of their favorite uncle in that fashion.”

Her expression showed no displeasure at my outburst. “Mr. Dancy, may I speak bluntly?”

“
I thought you had been exceedingly blunt already.” I gave her a thoughtful look. “I’m not sure I want to hear what you consider blunt.”

Maggie continued to smile. “Don’t worry; I have no designs on you. I’m tired of playing jackstones to appear childlike. Now I have you. When the reprobates in this town see me on the arm of a notorious gunman, they’ll leave me alone.”

I tried a firm voice. “First nobody knows I’m a so-called gunman … and uncles that seduce their nieces are frowned upon, even on the frontier.”

“
I didn’t know about being your niece until a moment ago.” She appeared to think. “I like it. A notorious and protective uncle works even better. May I spread the word about you killing so many outlaws?”

“
You may not. I want to stay friendly with this town. But I’m happy to hear that you were playacting with me.”

“
Are you surprised?” She shook her head. “I’ll never understand the conceit of men. You’re far too old for me.” She gave me an appraising look. “But not for Mrs. Cunningham.”

“
What?”

“
She likes you.”

“
She doesn’t know me.”

“
She wants to know you. I spent the morning answering her questions.”

That got my attention. “You didn’t tell her about my gunplay?”

Her chagrined expression answered my question.

“
Now the whole town will know.”

“
She’s not a gossip.”

“
But she
is
married.”

“
No. Her husband was killed in Tombstone. She tells men he’s still alive for the same reason I play jackstones and sidle up to you. Women are sought-after game on the frontier. They need a poisoned bite or protective coloration to make them invisible.”

“
Do all fifteen-year-olds think the way you do?”

“
Of course not. How do you think so many of them end up pregnant and married? Usually in that order, I might add.”

“
But not you.”

“
Not me. I’m a McAllen.”

_{Chapter 25}

“
Maggie! Wow, ya’ve grown!”

Sharp looked to be in a good mood, considering the circumstances. He leaned his cheek against the bars, and Maggie gave him a passing kiss that probably never touched his two-day growth of beard.

“
Back away from the cell!” the jailer yelled in a loud and shrill voice. He was nervous because I had bribed him to let us both go down to the cell.

Maggie dutifully retreated, but she didn’t look the slightest bit remorseful that she had broken the rules. When she had backed up against the wall, she said, “I’ve had my fifteenth birthday, and I’ve solved my first crime.”

This was news to me. “What crime?”

“
Nothing big. I overheard a Goldwater clerk complain that a man had snuck out of the store with a lady’s garment. I knew immediately that he was no gentleman, so I walked along the boardwalk peeking into the saloons. Soon I saw a grisly scoundrel trying to buy the favors of a saloon dancer with a new dress. I informed Constable Earp, and Goldwater’s rewarded me with a new hair ribbon.”

“
What did Mrs. Schmidt reward you with?” I asked.

She waved offhandedly. “No matter. I don’t know why I brought it up.” She held out the biscuits. “I brought you some biscuits, Mr. Sharp. Mrs. Cunningham made them fresh this morning, and she’s a wonderful cook.”

“
Well, thank ya, Maggie. That’s very thoughtful.” Jeff turned one of his wicked grins at me. “An’ Steve, what did ya bring this poor maligned prisoner?”

“
Maggie, to brighten your otherwise dull day.”

“
And a great gift she is. How ya doin’, darlin’?”

She curtsied. “Very well, thank you. I’m working with Mr. Dancy to get you out of here.”

We had both rescued Maggie from an abductor, but Sharp was definitely Maggie’s favorite. I felt rebuffed but consoled myself that Sharp was always the favorite of the ladies.

“
Don’t get yerself in trouble, young lady,” Sharp warned.

“
I won’t. I have the greatest gunman in the territory looking out for me, and the greatest detective in the world for a father. The real murderer should be quaking in his boots.”

“
Well, on that score, I have a bit of news. Lew Davis, the day manager over at the Palace, brought me a bucket of beer yesterday afternoon, an’ he said somethin’ that’s been naggin’ at me.”

Instead of answering, I lifted an eyebrow.

“
He said he was sorry for my troubles—like he knew I didn’t do it. An’ why the hell should he be sorry? I barely met the man.”

“
Maybe he’s feeling guilty. Making amends,” Maggie said, with too much excitement.

“
Did he say anything else?” I asked.

“
Nope. Nothin’ of interest about the murder anyway.the murd0

“
Jeff, is this your gut speaking? Because it sure seems weak.”

“
Maybe. Somethin’ just didn’t feel right.

I thought it over. “Well, he was swindled by Campbell, and he works days, so he was free to wander about late at night.” I pushed myself away from the wall. “We’ll look into it.”

“
Yes, we will,” echoed Maggie.

Jeff’s revelation disturbed me, but I chose to ignore it for the moment. Instead I concentrated on how to discover more about Lew Davis. First, I would talk to Bob Brow. He seemed outside our circle of suspects and, as owner of the Palace, he was Davis’s boss. Could Doc Holliday add anything? I decided to approach him as well. He could give me a read on Brow and Davis. Besides, the more I talked to Doc, the more likely I could convince him to be a character in my next book.

“
Jeff, do you need anything?” I asked.

“
Clean clothes, soap, sponge, a miner’s pan, toothbrush, bakin’ soda, an’ hairbrush.”

“
Planning on going out on the town?”

“
Grand idea. Bring along a key to this-here lock, if ya can manage it.”

“
I’ll do my best.”

He turned his attention to Maggie. “I’d like to see yer pa as well.”

“
I’ll tell him, but he’s busy getting you free.”

“
How? By kissing the derrière of Constable Earp?” Sharp seemed angry for some reason. “Tell him to bring whatever forces he can to this town. He knows I’ll pay.”

“
Yes, sir, I’ll tell him, but you’ve already got Mr. Dancy and me. We’ll solve this before any more Pinks can get here.”

“
Jeff, we also have the Schmidts. More people might get in the way.”

“
I know. I’m just pissed at everythin’. This is my second day in this dungeon. I’m gettin’ bored, a bit scared, an’ very ripe smellin’. So if it’s all the same to you, I’d like ya to get me outta here … an’ do it in a way so my feet stay solid on the ground.”

“
Then we’d better get busy. I’ll send the things over later in the day.”

As we were leaving, I stopped by the gruff-looking jailer. “Thanks for caring for my friend,” I said, as we shook. The two silver dollars I had secreted in my palm were no longer there when I withdrew my hand.

At the door, I turned back toward the jailer. “By the way, are you getting my friend a ration of beer on occasion?”

“
Yes, sir. As ya requested. Coffee throughout the day, beer in the afternoon.” He flipped a silver dollar in the air and caught it with a deft move. “I’ll take care of yer friend, as long as ya remain friendly.”

“
Much obliged.” I climbed the stairs back to daylight.

_{Chapter 26}

“
Who’s this?” Castle asked.

“
Maggie, my niece. Mary Schmidt is my sister. Perhaps you know her. She’s been staying at the Prescott House for the last couple of months.”

“
I know who she is.”

Did that mean he knew she was a Pinkerton? I decided to let it go, and I could see he was going to do likewise. My flimsy story would never sound reasonable to someone who already knew about the Edison Electric Light Company.

I waved Maggie into one of the opposing leather chairs. “Maggie’s also a friend of Jeff Sharp. We all spent some time together last fall in Colorado.”

“
I think she should step out into the hall. I want to ask you some sensitive questions.”

Maggie used both hands to flair her skirt as she gracefully settled into the chair that faced the attorney. After she had folded her hands in her lap, she said, “That won’t be necessary. I can probably answer those ‘sensitive’ questions.”

Castle looked like he was going to protest but must have decided to let it go, turning to me. “Are you wanted in any state of the union?”

I pulled over a wooden captain’s chair and sat down. “No, I’m not wanted anywhere. Why do you ask?”

“
You have been involved in killings.”

“
Self-defense. There were never any charges.”

“
How fortunate for you.” Castle didn’t look sympathetic.