Liberty Belle (39 page)

“Yes, it’s my aunt’s.”

“Was this weapon in your possession that morning?”

“Yes.”

“And you shot him with this pistol?”

Her lips quivered. A tear slipped down her face. “Yes.”

“Do you know what happened to Mr. Rowen’s children?”

“He told me they were with their aunt.”

The prosecutor grinned a smile that was hungry for victory. “Neither Mr. Rowen nor his late wife had a sister. What did you do with the children?”

Libby paled and gasped. “I … I have no idea where they are. I only know what Mr. Rowen told me.”

Murmurs and angry whispers spread through the room.

“That will be all.”

Shaken, Libby stumbled from the chair and had to be helped to her seat.

Wade started to go for her.

The sheriff’s hand pressed down on his shoulder. “You’ll only make it worse.”

He knew the man was right. Hated that he was right. With no other option, he stayed seated. Helpless, he could do nothing but watch.

The prosecutor called Cody to testify.

The young man frowned and took the stand.

“Deputy Cody Ryan, did you search Mr. Rowen’s office for the knife and canvas bags?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And did you find them?”

His face distraught, Cody glanced toward Libby. “No.”

Libby’s shoulders slumped.

Wade’s heart plummeted.

“Did you find a gun?”

“Yes.”

“And was it the pistol I showed the defendant?”

Looking sick, the deputy lowered his head. “Yes.”

“Thank you. You may step down. Now I call Cookie Jones to the stand.”

Rowen’s old cook ambled to the stand.

“Mr. Jones, did you see Libby the morning Mr. Rowen was killed?”

“Huh. What ya say?”

In a louder and irritated voice, the prosecutor re-asked the question.

“I was doing chores. Just as I walked around the side toward the barn, I seen Miss Libby riding the black mare down the road at a fast gallop. Thought it was strange. After I did some more chores, I went in the house and found Mr. Rowen dead in his office.”

“Did you take anything from the house?”

“Yeah.”

The prosecutor’s eyes widened. “What did you take?”

“Well, I took Mr. Rowen’s body to the wagon. Thought the sheriff needed to see him dead.”

Chuckles rumbled from the crowd.

“I see.” With a smug look toward the jury, the prosecutor rested his case.

Coarse whispers stormed through the court.

The judge banged his gavel.

“Does the defense have anything to say?”

The young attorney stood and nervously wiped his palms on his pants. “I’d like to call Liberty Calder to the stand.”

Again, Libby went to the bar. Wade admired the way she met the stares of those in the jury. She didn’t cower but summoned a strength he wished he owned.

“Now tell us what happened that morning.”

Libby related her story.

The defense attorney released her and asked for Flora to come forward.

“Flora Longstreet, you are Libby’s aunt?”

“Yes. And I have to say that Libby is an innocent young woman of good character.”

With a smirk on his face, the prosecutor stood.

“Now, Flora, isn’t it true you live on the second floor of a saloon, and until the defendant went to work for Mr. Rowen, she lived there with you?”

The spectators hooted.

Again the judge banged the gavel and ordered the room to silence.

Dread stole Wade’s courage. Because of his failure to protect her, Libby would die. He fingered the gun in his holster. He knew how this was going to end. If he didn’t know better, even he’d think she was guilty.

The judge ordered the jury to another room to discuss their verdict.

They were back in less than five minutes.

The judge received the paper.

Libby stood as ordered.

“The jury has declared you, Liberty Calder, guilty of murder and horse stealing.”

The crowd erupted in cheers.

After banging the gavel repeatedly, the judge waited until silence returned.

“It is the determination of this court that you shall be hanged until dead on the sunrise of the third morning from this day.”

Wade’s hand twitched over the gun.

Now!

Then he heard in his heart.
Trust me.

He ignored the words and lurched upward. His badge caught on the table ledge and clanked to the floor. Heart thumping, he glanced at Libby. Time stopped. Slowly he picked up the tin star and fastened it to his chest. Pain stabbed his heart as real as if in pinning the badge, he’d pierced it through and killed any chance he had with Libby.

###

Libby feared she’d faint. But when the judge read the verdict, she felt strangely removed from the turmoil. Even when the courtroom filled with shouts about getting a rope, she remained steady on her feet.

She turned to look at Wade. Her breath caught. He was taking off the badge. She started to speak out, but he was only putting it on. Relief for him swept over her. She wouldn’t be the cause of his demise.

Her heart broke. She’d pray the love she had for him would carry him through and ease the pain of losing her. Tears threatened, but she held them in, held them for Wade. She mustn’t let him see her fear.

Would God let her be hung? Perhaps she deserved it. She did shoot the man and steal the horse. Although she’d have returned the mare if she’d had a chance.

Her sobbing mother leaned against her father. His face stoic like stone but his eyes were moist. The sheriff took her by the arm and guided her through the angry throng. In an odd way, she identified with Jesus being marched before his accusers. Except He had been innocent. Still, she somehow didn’t feel so alone.

Meekly she followed the sheriff out of the courtroom and into the jail. He put her in the cell and locked the door. “Sorry it turned out like this. Just too much against you. The town really liked Mr. Rowen. And the disappearance of his children added to the fire for justice. … I promise, I’ll look out for Wade.”

“Thank you, Sheriff. You’ve been most kind to us.”

He shut the door, leaving her alone with her thoughts, fears, and regrets. A light flickered in her darkness as she felt the Lord’s presence. With Him, she’d face the days ahead. For now, she’d pray. Pray for Wade and her parents. For her soul. For help, even though she couldn’t think how any might come.

###

Stunned, Wade walked out of the courtroom and into the bright sun. He scowled. Why Lord? He wanted to go to the jail, but the sheriff told him to return later when the crowds were gone. Seems complaints and fears that he’d break her out reached the sheriff’s ears, and he wanted to avoid a lynching.

A voice called to him.

He turned to see Harley with Flora in tow. “Wade, I’m glad I caught you. Sorry about the verdict. But I have an idea.”

“I’m not breaking her out of jail.”

Harley frowned. “That wasn’t what I had in mind. I don’t think Libby made up the story about the knife or canvas bags.” He pulled Wade away from a crowd of jeering citizens. “I think we should look for whoever took those bags and the knife. You said you knew the trail the gang rode on. That one of the men visited Rowen’s house. I think it’d be a good idea to check them out. Might find someone who knows something.”

Wade let the words sink in past his sorrow. After a few minutes, he nodded. Anything would be better than thinking of Libby’s fate. “Yeah, worth a try. I hate to leave her—”

“It’s the only chance she has. Speaking as a man who deals with odds, it’s the best deal you’re going to get.”

Wade’s mind cleared. “I’ll meet you at the stables.”

Harley slapped him on the back. “I gotta good feeling. Saddle me a fast horse. I’ll be there.”

Flora squeezed Wade’s hand. “I will be praying.”

Words sticking in his throat, Wade nodded.

After they left, he turned to see Libby’s parents.

Eleanor stomped toward him. “What do you intend to do to get my daughter out of jail?”

Wade met her glare. For a small woman her eyes packed a punch. “I’m going to do everything possible to prove my
wife’s
innocence.”

James took Eleanor by the arm and pulled her to him. “That is enough. It is time you stopped trying to run everyone’s life. Right now, we need to be strong for our daughter.”

Wade left the couple and walked toward the jail. Toward his wife. But was he right to offer her a hope that he didn’t feel? Even if they rode hard, it’d take them two days to get to the foothills and back … in time.

With his hand on the jail door, he stopped.

He couldn’t go in, couldn’t face her and leave, couldn’t admit he’d probably not see her again. “Forgive me, Libby. I’m not strong enough to say good-bye.” With the whispered confession echoing in his ears, he left the jail.

He mounted Fuego, lashed the horse and charged toward the stables. Heart heavy, he prayed God would comfort her because he couldn’t.

Chapter 40

Wade had just tightened the cinch on Harley’s chestnut mare when the gambler’s buggy charged into the stable yard. Wade mounted Fuego and tossed Harley a sack of hard tack and jerky. “We’ll travel light and fast.”

“Didn’t come for no picnic.”

Wade kicked Fuego into a lope.

In minutes, Harley rode his mare beside him.

Wade pointed west. “The trail comes out by Rowen’s place. Kind of convenient don’t you think?”

“Very. I asked around. Tobias said he was scared of Rowen. Saw him pistol-whip a man. Doesn’t sound like the upstanding manner of character the town knew, does it?” Hat tugged down, Harley gave him a sly grin. “He also mentioned he’d seen Rowen last week with a woman on the north part of town.”

Wade glanced at him. “The
aunt
who took the kids?”

“Wouldn’t be the first man to conveniently have a
sister
on the side while playing the sad widower. Maybe the gang will have some answers that’ll free Libby.”

Hope toyed with Wade. Swallowing hard, he shoved down his emotions. “Thanks.”

The gambler looked as uncomfortable with his feelings as Wade. “Well, I was getting a little bored. Time to explore and have a first-hand look at this country. Besides, Flora would’ve been after me to help anyway.”

Shifting a gaze to the man, Wade wondered about his tone. Could a hardened saloon owner be falling for the mousy seamstress?

Harley caught his look. His face clouded, and he kicked the mare into a run.

Wade frowned at the lather marking both the horses. They’d ridden the animals hard most the day. He scanned the horizon and winced at the sun so near the mountains.

Time had become his enemy. He didn’t want to stop, but the horses were spent. He eased off the trail and found the stream he’d camped at just the other day.

 Harley dismounted and stretched. “Horses need a rest. Won’t be any help if we can’t get back.”

Everything inside him wanted to press on. Wade hated the idea of letting more time slip away. Time he needed to save Libby. Sick at heart, he eased off the stallion. To take his mind off that dark place of a life without her, he studied the ground for a place to bed down.

Harley tossed him a piece of jerky. “Better eat some.” He kicked at a hoof print in the soft sand. “The gang hasn’t left. Prints are all headed away from town.” He patted the chestnut’s neck. “You’ve earned a rest, haven’t you girl?” He hobbled the mare and settled on the creek bank. “Wake me when you’re ready to go.”

Sleep? Wade frowned. He couldn’t. Too many nightmares. A shaft of dying sunshine broke through the trees, adding to his restlessness. If he could, he’d hold the sun in place. But he was only a man.

Wade stumbled from his dozing friend and crumpled against an aspen. A light breeze clapped the leaves, birds sang, but for him the peaceful setting only magnified the battle in his mind. He struggled with the fear of losing her. Finally, he surrendered in prayer.

Shadows stretched across the worn path. An urging in Wade’s spirit told him it was time to go. He took the hobbles off Fuego, walked to the gambler, and nudged the still-sleeping man’s boot.

Harley’s gun slid out of the holster fast as quicksilver. He frowned and holstered the pistol. “Sorry, I was having a not so nice dream.”

Wade nodded. “Let’s go.”

Like a cat, Harley leapt to his feet and headed to his horse. “Yep. … I was just wondering. How many do you think are in that gang?”

Foot in the stirrup, ready to mount, Wade stopped. “Does it matter?”

“No, don’t guess it does.” Swinging into the saddle, Harley laughed sarcastically.

Wade kept a steady pace through the trees and hills, careful to listen for trouble. The trail grew dark as the sun slid behind the mountains. At the fork, he hesitated. It would be night soon. No sense riding into dangerous territory without the help of light.

He motioned for Harley to follow. They’d rest the horses and sleep off the main trail, yet close enough to hear if anyone rode by.

###

Libby nibbled at the food Flora and her father brought her. They tried to cheer her, but even their attempts were tinged with sorrow. Father had said Mother was too distraught to leave the hotel room. She’d finally fallen asleep and he’d left her.

Flora gave her a gentle squeeze. “I’m praying for you. I believe the Lord is going to cause something to happen to set you free.”

Freedom.
The reason she’d run from home. To suppress a groan, Libby swallowed a small bite of cake. She couldn’t taste the food. Couldn’t feel. Couldn’t—

“We have to believe.” Flora said the words with such force Libby didn’t even remember what she was about to think.

Staring at her aunt with admiration, Libby forced a smile to her lips. “Thank you.” She could find no more words to say. Even if she had, they wouldn’t get past the lump in her throat.

Father set his fork down with a clank. “Libby, I can’t let them … I won’t.”

Sadness blanketed her. Poor father, he couldn’t even bring himself to say the word that burdened them all. Not that she managed to say it either. “Please don’t do anything to put you or Mother at risk. If the Lord allows, … Mother will need you more than ever.”