B00CZBQ63C EBOK (29 page)

Laurie tucked the ends of her hair under her cloche as she followed Johnny into the drugstore. Her heart pounded so loud, it threatened to draw the attention of the customers. Marcie buzzed around the soda fountain likely filling orders for both drinks and gossip.

Laurie scanned the store for Mr. Larson. She caught Marcie scampering between the coffeepot and the icebox. “Where is Mr. Larson? We need to speak to him.”

Marcie looked up, eyes red and teary. “Oh, Laurie. I wish I knew. I have no idea what’s going on. And what I do know, I don’t understand.”

Laurie touched her brother’s arm. “Maybe he’s gone to see Daniel.”

Johnny’s brows furrowed. “Maybe he’s skipped town.”

Laurie pulled off her hat and darted a quick glance at Marcie. The girl balanced a soda in each hand, hurrying to the far end of the marble counter.

Laurie leaned close to her brother’s ear. “Follow me.”

She ducked behind the pharmacy counter and through the back storeroom, Johnny on her heels. Laurie tiptoed partway down the stairs to the cellar, her heart sinking at the inky blackness. “He’s not here.”

Johnny gripped the stair rail. “Let’s try Daniel’s apartment.” He continued out the back door into the alley, climbing the steps to the upper-story apartments.

Laurie rushed after him, stopping on the landing. The door to Daniel’s apartment stood ajar.

Mr. Larson glanced up from Daniel’s sofa. Craggy lines crossed his face, his hair sticking out from under his cap, rumpled and spiky. “Thank God, it’s you, Laurie. You’ve got to tell me what’s happening. Marty—Sheriff Martinson—says that Daniel’s been arrested.” The old man pressed his hand to his forehead as he spoke. “He said the boat was full of booze and Daniel attacked the federal agent. Do you know anything about this?”

Laurie swallowed against the lump growing in her throat. “I was on the boat with him, Mr. Larson. He wasn’t hauling whiskey—” She caught herself, casting an anxious glance at Johnny. “Well, it’s a long story. But he didn’t know about those crates, I’m sure of it.” She shoved her hands deep in her coat pockets. “Mr. Larson, you need to tell me the truth—are
you
running liquor?”

His jaw dropped. “You can’t be serious. I haven’t taken that boat out in over a year. The only time it’s been out was when Daniel and Johnny went fishing a few months back.” He glared at Johnny. “I could be asking you the same question, young man. I heard some interesting rumors about you this morning, too. And I know you’re the one who blackened my grandson’s eye.”

A ripple of surprise shot through Laurie.

Johnny held up his hands. “I didn’t put the whiskey on that boat.” He pulled off his cap and ran his hand through his hair. “Well, like Laurie said, not
that
whiskey.”

Mr. Larson’s mouth pinched. “I think you two had better start at the beginning.”

The three of them moved to Daniel’s table by the front window and Laurie and Johnny filled Mr. Larson in on the night’s activities. As they came to a close, Daniel’s grandfather stroked his gray moustache in stunned silence.

Laurie sat on her hands to keep herself from picking at her fingernails. “So, you can see why we thought the whiskey might be yours.”

Mr. Larson shook his head, a ragged sigh escaping his lips. “If it wasn’t mine and it wasn’t Daniel’s—who in blazes put it there?”

Laurie paced to the window, staring out across the downtown streets and to the water beyond. “And why was Samuel on the Coast Guard ship instead of waiting at Freshwater Bay like he’d planned?”

Johnny sat up. “When we rowed up to the beach, Jerry said something about Brown having bigger fish to fry.”

Laurie turned and faced him, a tremor running through her heart. “Bigger fish—like Daniel?”

Laurie perched on the wooden chair, staring across Sherriff Martinson’s large desk.

“Miles, your grandson is a fool.” Sheriff Martinson leaned back in his swivel chair, kicking one foot up on his desk.

Mr. Larson paced the floor, running his hand across his whiskery chin. “It’s a misunderstanding. He must have thought the booze was mine, Marty. He’s not involved.”

“I’m sorry, but that just isn’t good enough. The first time I sympathized. Twice?” Martinson shook his head.

Laurie clutched her pocketbook. “Samuel Brown arranged this in some way. He’s been aiming for Daniel since the beginning. I wouldn’t put it past him to plant that whiskey as a way of framing him.”

Martinson frowned. “Those are pretty big accusations, Miss Burke.”

Daniel’s grandfather laid his hands on the table, palms up. “Marty, you know I wouldn’t waste your time if we weren’t serious.”

“Miles, I’d like to help you—that Brown is a cad. But Daniel signed a written confession. My hands are tied.”

Laurie shifted in her chair. “What would it take to untie them?”

Martinson’s brows arched. “I don’t work that way.”

“No, I don’t mean . . . ” She shook her head. “I mean, what if Brown confessed to planting the evidence?”

“Well, obviously, that would change things. But that hardly seems likely, does it?”

A rush of cold swept over Laurie, almost as if she had plunged back into the icy water of the Strait. Could she finagle a confession from Samuel?

She clamped her fingers on the edge of the desk and stood. “If that’s what it will take—I will get it.”

Chapter
51

T
he late afternoon sun glinted through Samuel Brown’s office
window, spilling across his littered desk. Laurie clutched her pocketbook, forcing her hands to remain still. “I can’t believe this. Daniel really is a rumrunner?”

Samuel leaned back in his seat, balancing on its two spindly wooden legs. Shirtsleeves rolled up to the elbows and vest hanging unbuttoned, the agent twisted a fountain pen between his fingers. “It’s my duty to get reprobates like Shepherd off the street. I’m just sorry you had to get mixed up with him. I tried to warn you.”

The handgun resting on the desk turned Laurie’s stomach. In the hours since Daniel’s arrest, she’d heard stories of Daniel’s so-called attack on Brown and how the agent had subdued him. She sidled closer, laying her pocketbook next to the weapon. Laurie hooked a finger through her long jet bead necklace and twisted it. “So, you suspected Daniel all along. This never was about Johnny, was it?”

Samuel set his chair down on all four legs and stood. He gathered the stacks of papers on his desk and shuffled them into a folder. “With the information I gathered from the pharmacy records, and the convenient capture of his cargo, we’ll see him behind bars for quite some time.”

Laurie took off her cloche hat and placed it next to her pocketbook. “What about the rumrunners at Freshwater Bay?”

He laughed, a deep mocking sound. “Small-timers. I knew a handful of them. I figured you’d be
appreciative
if we let them off the hook.” The corner of his mouth lifted.

Her skin crawled. Some of the men were on the take—maybe even Big Jerry, himself. She forced a smile. “You’ve no idea how grateful I am.” She stripped off her gloves and dropped them next to the other items.

Daniel had said that cash was one language Samuel Brown understood. Fortunately, she spoke the other language fluently. Laurie perched on the corner of the desk, crossing her knees.

Samuel took the bait, dropping the folder into a packing crate and stepping closer, his leg brushing up against hers. The corners of his lips inched upward. “That’s my girl.”

Laurie pressed a palm against her stomach to quell its flutters. “I owe you a lot, Samuel. You protected both my brother . . . ”—she stretched out her hand and fingered the silver buttons on his vest—“ . . . And me. It looks like I misjudged you.” She tipped her head to the side and looked up from under her lashes. “I had no idea Daniel was a common criminal.”

He captured her hand and twined his fingers with hers. “I told you the kind of man he was.”

Heart pounding, Laurie lowered her voice, summoning the sugary-sweet voice she used at work. “You said he was a drunkard. And that he assaulted some poor woman in Seattle. It all sounded like so long ago. But rumrunning—right here under our noses?”

“You should be glad that I saved you from him. Men like that don’t change overnight—no matter what kind of story he told you.” He smiled, as if their last altercation was forgotten.

“But Mr. Larson’s boat rarely leaves the dock.” She leaned forward, tightening her grip on Samuel’s hand. “It’s never really been to Canada, has it?”

Furrows appeared in his brow, but he inched closer, wrapping his hand around her back. “I don’t give away my secrets that easily, no matter what kind of games you’re playing.”

She sighed and released his hand. “That’s too bad. I thought maybe I could help you with more of your busts. I love the excitement.” She glanced up at him and shrugged. “I imagine with my connections at the exchange, I could probably locate every still and speakeasy in the county. People talk, you know.” Laurie pushed away his hand, walking across the room to stand behind his empty desk chair. Placing her hands on its high back, she gazed at him, breathing a silent prayer. “But since you don’t trust me—what’s the use?”

Samuel cocked his head and reached down to button his vest. “You’d do that?”

“I want to clean up this town. For my father’s sake.” She sat down in Samuel’s chair. “I didn’t have much confidence in your abilities before. I had no idea the lengths to which you would go to get your man.”

His lips turned upward. “Or my woman.”

Laurie’s throat tightened. “But I want to know how you got Daniel to confess. How’d you get the booze on his boat?”

Samuel sat directly in front of her, on the edge of the desk, one foot propped on her seat. “Someone has to look out for women like you, Laurie.”

Her heart pounding, Laurie reached a hand out to touch his leg. “So, where did you get the liquor?”

He smiled. “Simple enough. I just pulled in a favor from my boss from Seattle.”

She frowned. “Your boss with the Treasury Department?”

“Well, he’s pretty useless, actually.” Samuel chuckled. “I’m talking about someone else, Sunshine.” He lifted his chin, puffing out his chest. “Your brother’s bootlegging connections are small-time thugs. I’m connected with one of the biggest rumrunners in the Northwest—a former police officer from Seattle.”

A wave of confusion descended on Laurie. Her mouth grew dry as her façade dropped away. She yanked her hand back. “You—you work for a rumrunner? But, you’re—”

“Don’t be so naive, Laurie. Government men make squat.” Samuel chuckled. He took her hands, pulling until she rose to her feet and closed the space between them. “There’s much more cash on the other side of the fence. Besides, this way, I get the best of both worlds.”

“But you arrest rumrunners.”

“Small-time players, troublesome middle-men, ones who refuse to play by our rules. I know which side my bread is buttered on.” He placed both hands behind the small of her back

A noise at the door made Samuel turn.

Sheriff Martinson loomed in the doorway. “Apparently your bread is buttered on both sides, Brown.”

“Sheriff”—Samuel’s face flushed—“Let me explain—”

“I think I’ve heard enough.” The sheriff stepped into the room, flanked by Johnny and several deputies.

Samuel’s attention darted from the sheriff to the gun lying on the desk.

Laurie twisted in his grasp, thrusting her pocketbook across the desk and knocking the gun to the floor.

Johnny lunged forward, scooped it up, and pointed it at Samuel. “Get out of there, Laurie,” he ordered.

Samuel kept his arm firm on her waist. “This is all a misunderstanding, Sheriff—a story to impress the lady. You know me.”

“Yeah, I do. That’s the problem.” Martinson waved the barrel of his gun. “Let her go.”

Samuel eyed her as he removed his hands. “You planned this.” His lip curled back from his teeth.

Laurie lifted her chin. “Thanks for your help. Now that we know who the real criminals are, maybe we can clean up this town.”

Chapter
52

D
aniel lay on the narrow cot, staring at the ceiling. In his mind
he saw the ferric acid solution cascading down the side of the show globe, piercing the layers of beautiful color, and poisoning everything in its path.

He’d been a fool for believing he could start a new life, free from scandal. He deserved this disgrace, but he should have borne it alone.

A rattle at the door piqued his curiosity and Daniel turned his head to see who had entered the cellblock.

Laurie walked down the aisle between the cells, a guard at her back.

He struggled up to a seated position. “Laurie, you shouldn’t be here.”

“I know,” she smiled as she approached the bars. Her face creased as she gazed at the bandages binding his shoulder and arm. She turned her eyes back to his face. “I’d hate to ruin my reputation.

Pushing away the pain, Daniel struggled to his feet, stomach lurching in protest. He walked a few paces and leaned against the bars separating them. “I can explain.”

“Samuel’s done all the explaining for you.”

His stomach twisted. “I’m sure he has.”

The guard spoke from the doorway. “We have the release papers, whenever you’re ready, Miss Burke.”

Laurie squeezed his hand and lifted an eyebrow. “I don’t know . . . are you ready?”

Daniel’s thoughts scattered. “What?”

“You’re not listening. Samuel explained everything. The federal judge has decided to drop your case.”

Daniel jerked his head back, sending a jab of pain through his shoulder. “Samuel—the sheriff—but, I confessed. What does a man have to do to get booked around here?”

Laurie laughed, her face a shining beacon in the dim cell. “They’re booking Samuel in your place. And I think I’d better run you by the hospital. You seem a little confused. Doctor Pierce is going to want to take a look at that shoulder, maybe give you something for the pain.”

Her laugh blew the fog from his mind like a fresh breeze. His pulse quickened. “I know what he usually prescribes for pain. I think I’ll pass.” Daniel reached out his good arm and gripped one of the bars in disbelief as the guard slid the door open. “I don’t know how you did this, Laurie—but thank you.”

When she stepped into the cell, Daniel threw his arm around her back and pulled her close. “I figured I’d lost your trust for good.”

“Well, I’m not happy about you pushing me overboard, but—as for trust—I’ve learned a thing or two about that in the past few days.” She ran a hand up his back. “There’s only one who deserves my trust. I’m going to choose to trust
Him
. I’m choosing to
love
you.”

A tremor burst through him, starting in his gut and moving out to his arms and legs. He gripped her even tighter to his chest, the motion making his shoulder throb. “I don’t deserve that,” he whispered.

“No, you don’t. But neither do I.”

The imposing stone front on the Port Townsend hospital cast a shadow across the road. Laurie squeezed her father’s hand. “Thank you, Dad.”

“I should have done this years ago.” His face wrinkled. “You sure they can help someone like me?”

Daniel stood to the side, his cap pushed back from his forehead as he gazed up at the large building. “They can give you the tools to help yourself, as long as you’re committed.”

Dad huffed. “I got every reason to make it work—I want to walk my daughter down the aisle.”

Laurie’s throat swelled. She lowered her face and burrowed it against his shoulder, like a child.

“Laurie, there’s a box in my bedroom closet—it’s your mother’s things. There’s some jewelry in there.”

“I know.” Laurie squeezed his arm. “I’ve seen it.”

“Well, I already gave your Mama’s ring to your brother, but there may be some other things you’ll want to keep.” Dad cleared his throat, pulling a large, white handkerchief from his pocket and swiping it across his nose. “What you don’t want, maybe you can sell . . . help pay the bills until I can work again. I don’t want your brother getting any more fool ideas.”

Laurie nodded, blinking back tears.

Her father patted her hand. He took a deep breath, hitched up his trousers, and walked through the doors without a backward glance.

Laurie shivered, even as the warm spring breeze sent clusters of white cherry blossoms dancing in the trees. “I hope they can help him.”

Daniel stroked her back. “They can’t do it for him, but it’s good to have a guide. He’s got a difficult road ahead.”

She turned and looked into Daniel’s face, warmed by his presence. “Thank you for encouraging him.”

“I’ve been there. I know what he’s going through.” He glanced back at the doors. “I just pray I never have to go through it again.”

She took Daniel’s hand and squeezed it. “It’s a long drive back to Port Angeles. Do you think we’ll make it before dark?”

He opened the car door and watched her step in. “Assuming we don’t have any more engine trouble, we should.” Daniel slid behind the wheel. “But we could take our time.”

“We could stop at the bluff, for old times’ sake.”

A playful smile curled around his mouth. “Well, we better get there before dark, then. Someone might mistake me for a rumrunner, otherwise.”

She wove her fingers under his arm and scooted close to him on the seat. “We wouldn’t want to give anyone the wrong idea.”

Laurie took in a quick breath when she spotted her father’s Ford parked at Crescent Beach. “What’s that doing here?”

“You’ll see.” He guided the Buick in beside it.

Amelia bounced out of the black Model T. “I received a note from Johnny saying to take the car and meet him here. Do you know what’s going on?”

Laurie shot a quizzical glance at Daniel. “I don’t have a clue.”

“Come along, ladies, we mustn’t be late.” He chuckled, stepping between them and offering his arms.

Laurie slipped her hand through his elbow and peered around him at her friend. Amelia’s brows drew together, lips puckered as if solving a puzzle.

Daniel escorted them down to the sand where a large picnic basket rested on a red-and-white-checkered cloth.

Laurie smiled, squeezing Daniel’s arm. “You planned all this?”

“I had some help.”

Amelia glanced around the empty beach. “Isn’t Johnny coming, too?”

“In time.” He smiled and gestured for them to sit.

Laurie sat on the cloth, tucking her feet under her skirt. Amelia plopped beside her. Daniel opened the basket and retrieved a jar full of pink lemonade, pouring glasses for each of them. They sat back and enjoyed the early stages of sunset, watching as gulls swooped low over the waves.

In time, a dot on the horizon expanded and took the shape of a boat.

Amelia sat up on her knees, gripping her pink felt hat with one hand. “There’s Johnny!” She jumped to her feet and rushed to the water’s edge. After a moment’s hesitation, she scurried back, stripped off her shoes and stockings, and raced toward the water like a child at play.

Laurie grasped Daniel’s hand. “This is so sweet.”

He planted a kiss on her cheek. “Just wait.”

Johnny pulled against the oars until the boat surged into the surf. He reached out his hands for Amelia and she clambered aboard, legs dripping.

Laurie jumped to her feet and tugged Daniel toward the wet sand for a closer view. She couldn’t hear her brother’s words, but when Johnny pulled their mother’s ring from his jacket pocket, her heart leaped.

Amelia flung herself into Johnny’s arms, tears glistening on her cheeks.

Laurie grinned. “It’s about time Johnny—” Her throat closed as she spotted the silver ring resting on Daniel’s palm. The small sapphire, nestled in a delicate filigree setting, sparkled in the setting sun.

He winked at her, the dimple in his cheek showing. “Yes, I do think it’s about time. And I’d love to see this one on your hand. He lifted the ring, holding it between finger and thumb. “Blue—like the Straits on a warm summer day.”

Her hand shook as he slipped the ring on her finger. “Daniel Shepherd, I knew you were going to be trouble the minute I laid eyes on you.”

Daniel wrapped his arms around her waist.

She laid her head on his shoulder as she watched Johnny carry Amelia across the surf and set her down on the sand. “There’s so much to celebrate, it seems like we should have champagne, but in light of recent events—I’m rather glad we don’t.”

Daniel leaned over and kissed her cheek, “I brought something I thought might be more appropriate.”

She turned to face him, hoping the next would land on her lips. “What is that?”

He gave her a soft kiss, leaning down to whisper in her ear. “Oysters.”

“You’re not serious.” She wrinkled her nose.

Daniel laughed, lifting his head. “No, I’m not. How about cake?”

Laurie’s chest expanded as if her heart didn’t have enough space to contain the joy. She headed back to the picnic blanket, Daniel at her side. She couldn’t resist glancing up to the bluff where they had met.

She squeezed his hand. “I think that’s absolutely perfect.”