The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper (28 page)

The marshal tipped back his Stetson and scratched his forehead. “Hadn’t thought of it like that. Most of the guests in my jail do either booze it up, then go and get robbed over at the cathouse, or rob someone at the cathouse, then go and booze it up.”

Daniel nodded. “So maybe you ought to join the committee.”

“Nope.” The marshal replaced his hat on his head just right and stepped out into the hotel lobby. “I’m not a joiner. Besides, the women in that group scare me.”

“Speaking of scared,” Daniel said, ushering the topic back to more urgent ground, “what do you make of this Batson fellow’s threat?”

“Normally I’d not fret too much. A man who’s been embarrassed by a woman and a child’s not going to be the most rational fellow in the room.” The lawman paused. “However, I know he’s got connections to that fellow who started all the fuss with the miners’ strike.”

“Should I be concerned for my daughter’s safety?”

“Excuse me, Mr. Beck, Marshal. Might I have a word with you?” Daniel turned to see Jeb Sanders coming toward them. “Marshal, you ought to know that Mr. Beck’s little girl has gone and played a trick on the wrong man.”

The marshal waved away Jeb’s comment. “I told anyone with information to go and talk to my deputy.”

“I did,” Jeb countered, “but considering who I am, I doubt he believed me.”

“Well, now that you mention it, why should I believe you? What with those cousins of yours—”

“Marshal, I am blood kin to those two, but that doesn’t mean we were cut from the same cloth.” Jeb paused to give Daniel an even stare. “I got myself dunked in Casper Creek last summer, and I’m a different man. A changed man.”

“One swim in the creek and you’re different?” The marshal snorted. “That’s a good one, Sanders.”

“You go ahead and laugh, Marshal, but the Lord and me are fast friends now, and He’ll bear out what I can’t prove.”

“You sound like you mean it,” Daniel said. “So maybe you could tell me what you think the deputy didn’t believe. After all, I’m responsible for Charlotte and Miss Cooper’s being here in the first place.”

Sanders nodded. “What they told you about wanting to get back at you and other mine owners for what they didn’t accomplish in the strike. I’ve heard the same, sir, and not just from him.”

“That’s just grumbling,” the marshal said. “Nobody’s got any proof.”

“He chased my daughter and threatened her, and I intend to press charges,” Daniel said. “So there’s your proof.”

The marshal paused a second before nodding. “It’ll do for now, but I can’t hold Batson forever. Eventually, he’ll serve his time and go free.”

“That’s fine,” Daniel said. “When that happens, my daughter and her governess will be back in Denver, where that man and his kind can’t get to them.”

“All right, then,” the marshal said. He tipped his hat and strode out of the hotel.

“What’re you going to do until then?” Sanders asked after the marshal took his leave.

“Do?” Daniel paused. “I hadn’t thought of it. Post some guards, I guess.”

“That’s a good idea. You got anybody in mind?”

“I suppose one or two of the officers might be persuaded to take on an extra job working for me while we’re here.”

The miner shook his head. “Don’t see how that’s possible, sir. They’re still down a man. Until a replacement’s hired for the man my sorry cousins killed, they’re likely not going to find extra time to work for anybody.”

“You said you’re a believing man, am I right?”

Sanders grinned. “I am, sir. Almost a year now.”

Daniel placed his hand on Jeb’s shoulder. “Then I’d appreciate it if you’d say a prayer for our safety. I’m not minimizing the risk, but if the Lord wants us to leave here unscathed, there’s nothing Batson and his men can do about it.”

But as he parted company with Sanders and headed upstairs, Daniel struggled with believing what he knew in his heart to be true. Or perhaps, he decided as he reached the doors of the Governor’s Suite, his faith just hadn’t been stretched quite that far yet.

How Abraham had done it, Daniel would never know.

There are times when things are going so well that one cannot help but wonder when they will take a turn down the wrong path. Such, it seemed, was the fate of Mae Winslow, Woman of the West. And yet, when she spied Deadwood up ahead, she knew she’d finally found the trail that led home.

A quick check above showed only blue skies, and there were no snakes below. Nor did it appear she’d be picking the remains of any bats from her hair.

All was well and home loomed ahead, as did the thought of seeing dear Henry.

Suddenly terror gripped the fair maiden, the likes of which she’d not felt since the train upon which she rode experienced a broken brake line going down Kimbles Mountain.

Hiram arranged for a deputy to stay outside the Presidential Suite until his shift started at five. After that, another deputy came on but could only remain until ten. As he left, Daniel took up his place outside the door.

He’d just settled into his chair when Ira Stegman ambled up, a worried look on his face. “You can’t stay out here, Daniel.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“No,” Ira said. “You’ve got to go back to your room. It’s not proper.” He paused. “I’ve told my wife I’ll see to it, so please do as I ask.”

Daniel thought to argue but instead decided to strike a deal. “I’ll go back to my room if you’ll provide protection for my daughter and her governess in there.”

“Done.” Ira smiled. “Now, go to your room so I can go to mine.”

Daniel crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. “Not so fast, Ira. Exactly what will you be doing to protect them?”

“We’ve got a full house tonight,” the hotel owner said, “and my brother’s visiting from Central City.”

“I fail to understand how either of these things will keep Charlotte and Miss Cooper safe.”

“The full house means plenty of ears to hear if there’s trouble.”

“And your brother from Central City?”

Ira laughed. “He’s a prizefighter.”

Daniel leaned forward. “But is he any good?”

Ira shrugged. “He’s undefeated.”

“All right, then,” Daniel said. “I’ll leave this chair when your brother comes to sit in it. Tell him to name his price.”

Another laugh. “You’re serious?”

“I am.”

Five minutes later, a man of considerable girth and muscles bounded up the stairs. The price for a night’s worth of guarding was high, but Daniel didn’t care. He would have gladly paid twice that, not that he intended to let Ira’s brother know.

“Good night,” Daniel said. To his surprise, the fellow picked up his chair and moved it over beside the staircase. “What are you doing?”

“Mary told me it wasn’t proper to sit outside the door.”

Daniel slapped his forehead and took two long, deep breaths before finding his voice. “What is your name?”

“Sam,” the monster of a man said. “Sam Stegman.”

“Pleased to make your acquaintance.” He paused to shake the big fellow’s hand and found his grip like iron. “All right, Sam, I paid good money for you to keep watch over my daughter and her governess. Please tell me what’s improper about that.”

“Oh, I don’t have to understand it,” Sam said. “My brother’s been hitched to Mary Stegman more than ten years, and not once can I remember him winning a fight with her.” He shrugged. “I guess Ira told you I’m a prizefighter.” When Daniel nodded, he continued. “Well, I didn’t learn to win without calculating the odds.”

“I see.”

“Yeah, and the odds of going against Mary Stegman and winning are just about zero.” He paused. “So when she tells me I can watch over your gals from the stairs, I just say, ‘Yes ma’am.’ Now, I understand if you want to lower the price or find someone else, but I’ve got to tell you, I don’t think that would suit Mary at all.”

“I can see your point.” Daniel gestured to the door of the Presidential Suite. “But understand mine. The least little sound comes from that room, and you’re to treat it like the battle of your life. Understand?”

Sam nodded. “Mary fixed me up with strong coffee, so I’ll be awake. You go on to sleep and don’t worry about a thing.”

The idea sounded plausible in theory, Daniel sleeping while the prizefighter stood guard, but it proved impossible in practice. Despite the cool nighttime temperatures in Leadville, his room felt stifling. When he opened his window, he heard every sound going on three floors below.

In either case, sleep was impossible.

He lay on his back, his fingers laced behind his head, and chastised himself as a fool while the heat gathered in the room. He should have known it was too soon after the strike to bring Charlotte to Leadville.

Further, he should never have left her on her own to return upstairs. He should have watched her go inside and waited for her to wave through the window.

Daniel rolled over onto his stomach and punched his pillow twice
. God, why didn’t You warn me she was like this?

But as he lay his head on the pillow, Daniel knew He had. More than once. Through things Elias, Tova, Miss Cooper, and others had told him. He’d loved the child too much to believe her capable of the things she’d been accused of.

All of this he would have to address back home in Denver. Tonight, however, his prayers centered on protection for those he loved. Indeed, God had sent him not just one bodyguard, but three: two police officers and a prizefighter. For that, Daniel gave thanks. And He’d also seen fit that Miss Cooper knew how to use a firearm. Again, he professed his heartfelt thanks.

Continuing in this way, Daniel soon figured the blessings in his life far outweighed all else. By degrees, he felt himself relax.

And then he heard a muffled scream.

Gennie woke at the sound of a scream to find Charlotte sitting upright. Even in the moonlight, she could tell the child was barely awake. She reached for her wrapper.

“Did you have a nightmare?”

Charlotte nodded, whimpering, and Gennie climbed out of bed to go to her. Someone knocked, likely Mr. Beck.

“We’re fine,” she called. “Charlotte had a bad dream.”

“All right.” It was the girl’s father. “Might I help her to sleep again?”

“Sir,” an unfamiliar voice said, “Mary won’t allow you to go in there.”

“Charlotte, let me check who’s out there with your father.” Gennie went to the door and opened it just enough to see Daniel and a man of massive size standing nearby. “Who are you?” she asked the giant.

“That’s Sam,” Mr. Beck said. “He’s Ira’s brother. He’s a prizefighter.”

She turned to repeat the information to Charlotte.

“Tonight I’m guarding your door.” Sam pointed to the stairs. “From there, because it’s not proper to sit outside.”

Again Gennie relayed the information to her charge. “Well, good night, then,” she said when Charlotte called her name.

Gennie went to the girl and sat on the edge of her bed. “Do you think you could sleep if I were to sit with you for a bit?”

“Maybe,” Charlotte said, though a few minutes later the child once again slept soundly.

Tiptoeing back toward her bed, Gennie paused at the window. Even at this time of night, the streets of Leadville were filled with people. Men fell in and out of saloons, assisted or lured by women dressed in silks and satins.

Gennie shut the curtain and shed her wrapper, then climbed back into bed. Today had been a long one, fraught with excitement. At the thought of aiming a pistol at anyone, she shuddered. What had come over her? When she saw that man chasing Charlotte, all she could think of was saving the child. If that meant shooting a man, then she would have.

She let out a long breath. “Thank You, Lord, that there were no bullets in the pistol.”

Continuing in that vein, she offered prayers until her thoughts began to scatter. Finally, she managed to close both eyes and keep them closed.

Sleep overtook her in moments, or at least it felt like sleep. Her body heavy and her mind slow as molasses, she barely reacted when
someone in the room below banged on the wall. Waiting for more, she heard no further noise. Then came heavy footsteps. Sam.

“Miss Cooper?”

“We’re fine, Sam.”