Tracie Peterson - [Desert Roses 01] (30 page)

“I worked because I wanted to free my mother from her misery, and now . . .” She let the words trail off as she suddenly realized she was speaking them aloud. “My goal blinded me to so much.”

Looking out over the canyon, Alex wondered silently about the days to come. Everyone here at the canyon, including the rangers, seemed very protective of her mother. They’d certainly gone the extra mile by allowing Alex to seclude her mother away from the crowd. They’d spoken to the reporters, who had reluctantly agreed to leave the woman alone.
The matter had only been helped by the death of President Harding. The smaller news of her father’s death paled in comparison to the pain of the nation.

Turning to gaze back on the structure she’d called home for four years, Alex sighed. Her life here at El Tovar had been a good one overall. She’d made friends and she’d always felt safe, unlike her life at home.

People were gathering in front of the steps of El Tovar’s main entrance. Alex had learned that Mr. Jastrow and Senator Winthrop were going to announce an end to their festivities and a postponement of their bids for the Democratic nomination for president. She was surprised, but pleasantly so. She reached into the pocket of her skirt and lightly fingered the envelope from Senator Winthrop. Perhaps they weren’t all such bad people. Maybe Valerie was spoiled and self-centered, but she was only portraying what had probably been acceptable behavior for all of her life. Alex felt her heart soften a bit in her thoughts of the entourage. The only exception was Joel Harper. She knew him to be the snake he appeared to be. She could only pray he’d be caught red-handed at his schemes. She knew no one would ever believe her if she told them what she knew. After all, she’d tried and the investigator and sheriff had merely laughed her off.

Then there was the issue of her father. She could still hear Joel’s comments on how much she was like him.
I am headstrong and determined. Although
, she reasoned,
those could be good qualities if used properly
. Her father’s actions, however, always bordered on cruelty.

Oh, God, I don’t want to be like him. He broke my mother’s heart, and mine as well. When other girls were strolling hand in hand with their fathers, when they played together at picnics or went to the fair—oh, how I envied them!
She looked back at the canyon and let the colors blur together, not really seeing anything in particular.
I know I have you, Father, but was it wrong to desire an earthly father too?

“Penny for your thoughts.”

She turned and met Luke’s smiling face. Just seeing him here, all dressed up in his finest suit of brown serge, gave her heart a start.

“Why are you dressed to the nines?” she asked, trying to put her introspective thoughts aside.

“I was invited to attend the gathering tonight. I wanted to find you first, however.”

“Why?” “The invitation came from Miss Winthrop.” Alex frowned but said nothing as Luke continued. “She’s been asking me about God, Alex, and I think she’s sincerely seeking.”

Alex put aside her twinges of jealousy and smiled. “I hope she is.”

“Besides that,” Luke continued, “I want to talk to her about Harper. I figure if anyone can help us to figure out his part in your father’s death, it will be Valerie. I also want to watch Harper. I had a long talk with my ranger friends this afternoon. I told them what you’d shared with me and that I thought there was merit in checking it out.”

“And did they listen?” Alex asked hopefully. “To a point. They said they’d keep on the lookout for anything unusual, but that just because Harper spoke in such a manner didn’t mean he meant to act on it. He might have been trying to impress your father.”

“I know what I heard. It wasn’t a matter of impressing anyone.”

“I believe you,” Luke said, reaching out for Alex’s arm. “Now, I want you to believe me when I say you have nothing to worry about in regard to Miss Winthrop.” He pulled her toward him and began to walk along the rim path. “I’m not the least bit interested in what she has to offer, but I am interested in you. Have you been thinking about us?”

“A little,” she answered honestly. “Frankly, the events of the past few days have rather overwhelmed me. I can scarcely think of anything but the fact my mother is protecting someone with her silence.”

Luke stopped and looked at her long and hard. “Keep praying about it, Alex. The truth is bound to come out.”

“I know. I just hope I can bear it when it does.”

He smiled. “God won’t ever give you more than you can bear. Just remember that. You once told me the same. Now I’m going to join Miss Winthrop, but my main desire is to keep track of Joel Harper. I don’t want you in any danger, but perhaps you could keep focused on Jastrow and where he is at all times.”

“That should be simple enough.” “Good. I’m confident we can figure this out together,” Luke said, then surprised her by leaning over to kiss her forehead. “This will have to do for now.”

Alex felt a ripple of excitement course through her as his lips touched her skin. She longed for a real kiss but knew such a public display would be uncalled for. Especially at such a time as this.

Alex watched Luke stalk off across the lawn, wishing he would remain at her side. She understood his plan, but nevertheless, his absence was sorely felt.

“Alex!”

It was Michaela, and the look on her face told Alex something was wrong. “What is it?”

“Your mother is gone. She’s not at the cabin and neither is her guard.”

“What? How can that be?” “I went there to take them some supper, but they’re gone. I asked the first ranger I caught sight of, but he didn’t have any idea what had happened either.”

Alex went cold inside. Surely they wouldn’t have taken her mother to Williams without telling her first. Convinced that something more sinister was afoot, Alex insisted, “We must search for her.”

Michaela nodded. “I’ll let the others know.”

Alex was frantic to reach Luke, but the speeches had already begun and Bradley Jastrow was expressing his regret
over the death of President Harding. Alex moved toward where Luke stood with Valerie Winthrop when she found herself halted by Joel Harper.

“Miss Keegan, I’d hoped I might run into you. You see, there’s a matter I think we should discuss.”

“I haven’t the time or desire, Mr. Harper.” She tried to jerk away from his ironclad grip, but he held her fast.

“It would be most beneficial if you were to speak with me,” he said in a whisper. “Beneficial to you and to your mother.”

Alex felt her eyes widen, fear raced through her body like a wildfire. “Where is she? Where have you taken her? If you’ve hurt her . . .”

“Hush,” he said, motioning toward Hopi House across the street from the gathering.

Alex allowed him to lead her to a more secluded spot but made sure they were still in sight of the crowd. In spite of their isolation, Joel leaned in close. “Now, my dear, what did you say to the sheriff about me?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Alex replied nervously.

“You said something to him because he’s hinted at it. He’s told me he wants to speak to me about threats I made. You’re the only one who knows about any such threats.”

“I seriously doubt that,” Alex said, trying hard to stand her ground. “Your Miss Winthrop knows plenty, I’m sure. Not only that, but there are also those lackeys you hire to do your dirty work.”

“Nevertheless, they’ve not spoken to the sheriff and investigator hired by the senator. You have.”

“I have nothing to tell you, Mr. Harper. I simply want to know what you’ve done with my mother.”

Harper laughed softly. “I’m sure you do.”

Luke could barely concentrate on the speeches, for he’d seen Harper approach Alex and then drag her off to Hopi
House. He’d almost gone after them when Harper stopped abruptly, still within Luke’s range of vision, and began talking intently to Alex. So long as he could see her, Luke decided against going after them.

The speeches concluded and people were encouraged to linger and talk if they desired. Jastrow was immediately surrounded by a throng of supporters, as was Winston Winthrop.

“It was hard on Daddy to hear of the president’s death,” Valerie said. “He loves a good competition, but he always wants a fair fight.”

“And this one isn’t a fair fight, is it?”

She paled and began to stammer. “I . . . don’t . . . well, that is . . . I can’t . . .”

Luke took hold of her elbow and led her away from the others. “I just want to ask you one thing, and I need an honest answer.”

Her eyes widened in fear and Luke felt sorry for her. He knew he sounded gruff, but their time was running out. “Is Joel Harper capable of murder?”

“You shouldn’t speak of such things,” Valerie said, lowering her gaze. “You mustn’t.”

“I’ll do whatever I can to protect you, but you have to tell me the truth.”

She returned her gaze to his face. “It’s too late to protect me.”

Luke shook his head. He had to find a way to reach her. He felt the urgency of it even as he glanced over his shoulder to find Harper still with Alex. “What about your father, then? What about protection for him? You told me you wanted to hire me as a bodyguard for him. Are you still extending that offer?”

Valerie began to sob softly. “I don’t want him hurt. He’s a good man. He knows nothing of Joel’s scheming.”

“Then tell me about it so we can put a stop to it.”

She looked at him, her face blotchy and tear streaked. She
seemed to be sizing up the situation, reasoning within her mind what was to be done.

“If I tell you everything and he finds out . . . he’ll kill us both.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Joel thought to further grieve Alex Keegan when he spotted Luke and Valerie in a close-knit conversation. Rage welled up within him. She’d been after Toland since they’d arrived at the canyon.

“It would seem your friend doesn’t know when to leave well enough alone,” he muttered.

Alex moved away from him and turned to look back at the crowd. “They’re talking.”

Joel laughed bitterly. “For now. But knowing Valerie as I do, they’ll soon be involved in much more.”

“Well, knowing Luke as I do, she won’t get that far with him.”

He turned to Alex and shook his head. “For one so beautiful, you’re quite naïve. Money, power, and charm can get whatever it desires.”

“It didn’t buy you what you wanted,” Alex replied brazenly. “It didn’t buy me.”

“Ah, but you’ll come around in time. I’m not used to having to battle women of virtue, you see. I find those steeped in their religious nonsense to generally be avoided, but with you, I couldn’t help myself. Now you’re a challenge.”

“A challenge you cannot hope to win,” Alex answered. “You disgust me. Your money and power are false gods that give you deceptive confidence in what can be had. Not everyone can be bought at a price.”

Just then Joel saw Luke put his arm around Valerie and actually pull her into an embrace. “Of all the nerve. So your cowboy won’t succumb to her charms, eh? Just have a look.”

Joel watched Alex as she scanned the crowd to again take note of Luke and Valerie. There was none of the jealousy or anger he anticipated, however. Her countenance remained
calm, almost tranquil. But just as quickly, she turned back to him and frowned. “Luke can take care of himself, just as I’m sure Miss Winthrop can. I want to know where you’ve taken my mother. If you don’t tell me, I’m going to the authorities.”

“You won’t go to the authorities,” Joel said snidely. “You won’t go to them because I have proof of what really happened the night of your father’s murder. Your mother killed him just as sure as we’re standing here. I heard them argue, you see. A little matter of an illegitimate child born to your father and one of his many women.”

He watched the color drain from Alex’s face.
Good
, he thought.
Let her be shocked and dismayed. Let her believe the worst—that I have the power to put her mother away forever. Let her see me as her salvation—then she’ll be mine
.

“I don’t believe you.” Her voice was considerably less brazen than it had been only moments ago.

Joel smiled. “I don’t suppose it really matters. The truth is the truth. The woman and her child were the final straw for your mother. She came here for a divorce because she could no longer deal with the matter. She argued with your father and told him to marry the woman if he chose, but to give her a divorce and let her be free. I believe she wanted to go away with you—to live elsewhere, just the two of you. At least I heard something to that matter.”

“My mother didn’t kill my father.” “Poor thing. The truth is really just too much to bear, isn’t it?”

“I won’t stand here and listen to your lies for another moment.” Surprising him, Alex set off across the lawn.

This action, in turn, brought Joel’s attention back to Luke and Valerie. They were still together, she still in his supportive embrace. Enraged at the public humiliation she continued to bring upon him, Joel marched across the grounds to take his fiancée back in hand.

They watched him approach, and Valerie appeared to have
the good sense to pull away from Luke’s hold. Joel seethed. He would teach her a lesson once and for all.