A Walk in Heaven (8 page)

If only Luther could wrap his fingers around the man’s scrawny neck… “I’m waiting for one of you so-called lawmen to see the truth. That’s why I keep repeating myself. I haven’t done the crime, I tell you!” Luther waited for the deputy to dispute, and when he didn’t, Luther continued. “Your eyewitness is blind. Men his age usually can’t see their own hand. I have an alibi. The conductor at the train station will tell you I wasn’t even close to the church around the time Mr. Grayson was killed.”

The deputy whistled out of his lips a familiar tune as he tapped his foot in rhythm. Luther seethed. That imbecile was still ignoring him. Out of all the idiots that worked in the jail, this one would have been the easiest to convince of his innocence.

Luther gripped the steel bars. He needed to break out.
Today.
His trial grew closer and if something drastic didn’t happen soon, he’d be hanged for murder. He’d been studying the sheriff and deputies closely in the past few days, and Luther’s scheming mind tried to come up with a plan to break free.

Time wasted away quickly, and Careen’s inheritance became further and further out of his reach – as well as the shipment he’d arranged a few months ago. If he didn’t have the money on delivery day, all of his plans from the past couple years would be all for naught. If this deal went through, he’d be one of the
richest,
and most powerful men in the south. He’d have enough money at this point in his life to put some of the law on his payroll. Then the threat of going to jail would be a thing of the past.

The front door creaked open and Luther scowled at the rotund woman bringing in the afternoon meal. For five days he’d received his lunch right at twelve o’clock. Today, she was ten minutes late. That was
not
acceptable!

The plain, freckled faced woman took a quick peek in his direction,
then
jerked her gaze back to the deputy.

“Sorry I’m late,” she said. “Horace had problems at the restaurant.”

The young, fresh behind the ears deputy, dropped his feet from the desk and folded the paper neatly before placing it on the desk. “Is there a problem, Miss Bingham?”

“Not anymore. Horace’s son fixed the stove and everything is in working order.”

She waddled to the table and set the tray of food down on the flat surface. The scent of beef stew drifted through the air directly to Luther’s nostrils. Closing his eyes, he breathed deeply. His stomach growled, and he couldn’t wait to feast upon the food.

“Will that be all for you, Deputy Carson?” She presented a wide smile, displaying crooked teeth, as she swiped her hand over the knot pulling her hair tight at the back of her head.

“Yes, it is, Miss Bingham. Give Horace my thanks for another meal.”

“I will.” She spun back toward the door and hobbled out, not once glancing Luther way.

Deputy Carson picked up the bowl of soup and swaggered to the cell. “You know these instructions by heart.
Hands in the air where I can see them and step to the corner.”
He withdrew his keys from his belt loop.

Lifting his hands, Luther did as was told. The sheriff and the deputies performed this ritual with every meal – for their protection, they’d told him. Luther studied Carson as he unlocked the cell and withdrew his gun. Carefully, he brought in the bowl of stew and set it on the small cot. Keeping his eyes on Luther, he backed out of the cell and locked it.

Slowly, Luther lowered his hands. “You act like I’m going to attack you or something,” he grumbled. “I wish I could make you believe that I’m harmless. Yet, here I sit in this cell that’s not fit for even rodents, while the real killer is on the loose.” He shook his head. “You’re not a very good deputy if you can’t see you have the wrong person.”

“Kennedy, just shut up and eat. The longer you talk, the colder your food will get. Then you’ll be belly
achin
’ about that as well.”

Luther couldn’t take another minute of trying to be nice to the man. Glaring at the deputy, he yanked up his bowl and spooned the food into his mouth like a starving man. Breathing in quickly, a piece of food caught in his throat, so he coughed it out.

An idea sprang to his mind and he stilled. He turned his attention to the deputy who apparently didn’t notice he had started to choke. Now, Luther had an idea. With any luck, it would get him out of here for good.

Simulating a racking cough, he dropped the bowl. The stew spilled out as the bowl broke into pieces. He landed on his knees and clutched his throat, forcing himself to hold his breath long enough for his face to turn red.

When that didn’t get a response from the deputy, Luther pounded on his chest and gurgled noisily. Finally, Deputy Carson’s gaze moved to Luther. An irritated expression crossed the lawman’s face. Luther didn’t stop, but continued in his choking fit, playing it to the hilt.

When he couldn’t take anymore, he collapsed to the ground. Keeping still, he closed his eyes and listened.

Boots clamored on the floor and jingling of keys let Luther know the deputy was finally coming to provide aide.

Just as Carson turned Luther over on his back, he grabbed the deputy by the neck and squeezed. The other man struggled for his gun, but Luther forced him on the ground, slamming his head against the wooden floor.

Not daring to release his tight hold on Carson’s throat in case the other man was pretending like Luther had been, he studied the man whose breath was slowly ceasing. After a few moments, Luther couldn’t detect a pulse, so he released the deputy.

Quickly, before anyone could discover what he’d done, he grabbed Carson’s gun, the keys, and backed out of the cell. Once the cell was locked, Luther grabbed a rifle off the wall and more bullets.

Free at last, he rushed out of the jail.

Virginia City, here I come!

* * * *

Joshua and his brother Peter worked side by side in the sun. The calves needed branding today in preparation of the cattle drive in a few short weeks. Joshua knelt on the ground and held the tied feet of the animal while Peter placed the heated-tipped iron mark upon the calves’ hide. Gage knelt at the other end of the animal, expertly keeping it still.

Beads of sweat dripped down the side of Joshua’s face as the sun beat upon him. Although still early spring, the sun made the nippy air a little warmer during this time of the day, and wearing his coat didn’t help matters.

Joshua kept busy in hopes of getting his sister-in-law off his mind. It hadn’t worked as he’d expected. Apparently, riding and roping weren’t mind-consuming enough. He couldn’t joke with his brothers like he usually did. They were all still in shock of hearing about Matthew’s death – and seeing the casket that still waited to be buried. In two days, Pa had said, since he didn’t feel right about having the funeral on the Sabbath. Yet the longer Matthew’s body remained in the stable, the more restless Joshua became.

His mind turned back to Careen. What was she doing? How long would she stay before going back home to Iowa? Matthew had told him the Southern Belle lived with her aunt and cousin. Surely, they would welcome her back after what happened.

Surprisingly enough, his behavior this morning hadn’t frightened her away. Then again, how could it when his parents treated her like royalty? As if having her there they could reclaim a piece of Matthew. Shoot, even the opinions of his brothers took a drastic turn and they mentioned several times already how
delightful
and
lovely
Careen was. Joshua shook his head. Because his brothers never used those words, Joshua knew that woman had certainly beguiled Peter and Gage just as she’d done Matthew. Somehow they must have forgotten how they’d sided with him at the dinner table the day they’d received Careen’s telegram.

The calf squirmed beneath Joshua’s hands and he clamped tighter to the animal’s legs. Once Peter branded him, squeals from the animal rented the air. Joshua released the animal, and the calf darted toward the herd.

Overhead a golden eagle soared, momentarily casting a shadow upon Joshua’s face. He lifted his gaze to the bird. They were amazingly beautiful creatures. This whole land was a testament of God’s blessings. Joshua would never get tired of seeing such beauty, which the Lord had created.

The Lord
giveth
, and the Lord
taketh
away.
Joshua only wished the Lord hadn’t taken his brother.

“I think we’re ahead of schedule, don’t you?” Gage asked.

Joshua turned his head and focused on his brother. “What schedule?”

Gage rolled his hazel eyes.
“Preparing the steer for the cattle drive.”

Peter pulled another animal over, so Joshua held the calf tightly. He nodded to Gage. “Oh, that. Yes, we are ahead of schedule.”

“I’ve been thinking about what we could do different this year to bring excitement to the drive,” Peter said.

“And what have you decided?” Gage asked.

Peter grinned. “Well, because of our new houseguest, I’ve been thinking of inviting her to go with us. I’m sure she doesn’t know what goes into a cattle drive and she might be interested in learning. Not only that, Jackson hurt his hand the other day. He’ll need assistance in cooking the meals, and I’m sure Careen will be very helpful. Do you think Ma will let us take Careen with us?”

“What in tarnation are you talking about?” Joshua scowled. “Why would anyone in their right mind take a female on a cattle drive?”

Peter shrugged.
“For her company, of course.”

“Let’s remember,” Joshua continued, pretending he didn’t hear his brother’s comment, “that she was not raised around cattle like we were, and she has always lived in a big city. I don’t even know how skilled she is on a horse.” He straightened and took off his hat, swiping his gloved hand across his sweated brow. “Knowing all of this, why would you think she’d want to come with us?”

“I was just voicing my thoughts,” Peter snapped. “I was thinking of poor Jackson and how he’ll need help. I also happen to think Careen is enchanting and would probably like to see the way we live.”

“Well, I suggest we don’t even ask.” Joshua placed his hat on his head and reached for the next calf. “If Careen goes with us, we’ll for sure have to pull the privy in the wagon along with us.” Gage snorted a laugh. “Don’t think for one second,” Joshua continued, “that she’s going to squat behind a bush when she feels the urge. And I don’t even want to be around when she gets dirt underneath her nails or if her hair is windblown.” He stopped and took in the scowls of his brothers. “And what would happen if a bug crawled in her bedroll during the night? I’m certain she’d rain curses on us all until the end of time.”

Peter slugged Joshua’s shoulder.
“Quit being so crude.
I’m sure she won’t complain and she definitely won’t do what you’re thinking. She can ride with Jackson in the cook’s wagon. I know old-man Jackson will love to have someone to chat with during the drive.”

“Are you kidding?” Gage finally spoke up. “Why would she want to ride in a wagon? All the fun of a cattle drive is being on a horse, controlling the cattle as we move them.”

Peter shook his head. “I doubt she’s been trained to ride horses like we have.”

“And I doubt,” Joshua cut in, “that the two of you are thinking clearly about this. Have you forgotten what she looked like yesterday when I brought her from the train station? That dress she wore was something women wear when they’re going to a ball, for goodness sake! Her servant even dresses like she was living in high-cotton. That right there tells me Careen isn’t used to getting her hands dirty. She isn’t used to dirt at all. She’s used to having tea and biscuits three or four times a day, and stitching those things that women do, and walking through the flower gardens for entertainment. I highly doubt she has even smelled a steer, let alone touched one.”