A Bride for Frank, page 10
“Frank.” She reached up and with the fingers on her left hand, she took his chin and turned his face back toward her.
“What?”
She lifted herself onto tiptoe and kissed his lips. “Ah, come on, Frank. You know you want to. You want to trust…to believe in the goodness of your fellow man. You know you do, you taught me.”
“Maisie.”
“Aw, come on, Frank,” said Riley, from across the camp. “I won’t bother you again. I promise.”
“See? He promises.” I need to know that I can reason with you in the future, Frank. I need to know you’re reasonable because I’ve experienced hard men who wouldn’t give me or anyone else a second chance. You gave me that chance. You taught me that people are not all bad. Help me give John a second chance
Frank rolled his eyes. “You don’t seriously believe him?”
“Yes, I do. He wants to get home to his girl and his mama. He’ll go. I know he will.”
Frank took his knife from its sheath. He walked over to Riley. “You’d better kiss my wife’s feet because if it weren’t for her, you’d be headed to the sheriff’s jail.” He sliced the rope. “Go on. Take your horse and get going.”
Riley rubbed his wrists. “Thanks Frank. You won’t regret it. I promise.”
Shaking his head, Frank mumbled, “I already do.”
Riley saddled his horse and mounted. He looked down at Frank and Maisie. “Thank you for giving me this chance. I promise I won’t waste it.”
Maisie smiled up at Riley. “Take care. I hope you and your girl will have a wonderful life together.”
Frank shook Riley’s hand. “You’re a lucky man. Don’t prove my wife’s faith in you wrong.”
“I won’t. I promise. You two have a good life, and thank you for giving me mine back.” He turned and rode out of camp.
Frank put an arm around Maisie’s shoulders. “You’re too good.” He sighed and squeezed her to him. “But I wouldn’t have you any other way.”
Maisie put both of her arms arounds his waist and leaned into him with her head against his chest. She loved Frank. She knew that. He was a good man. He accepted her as his wife, and what did she do? She tried to leave…afraid he was like Donald. But she was wrong. Frank was nothing like her previous husband. She knew that now. He’d been nothing but kind to her, especially when they made love.
She looked up at Frank. “Let’s go home.”
He leaned down and kissed her. “I can’t think of anything I’d like more. Let’s go. We have to take the mule back to the stable in Prescott.” He grinned. “I only rented it for ten days and I think we’re overdue.”
“All right let’s go.” She mounted and waited for Frank.
He grabbed the mule’s lead line and then mounted. He tied the lead around the saddle horn so he didn’t have to hold it.
Frank led the way.
Maisie followed. They were surrounded by forest but the road was much better and they made good time.
The trip to Prescott took about five hours and they were tired when they arrived.
They were on the outskirts of town when Albert Haynes appeared in front of them riding an old roan.
Albert pointed a gun at Maisie.
“It must be my lucky day. I had four men out looking for you and who do I see coming into town as I’m about to go out, but Frank and Maisie Campbell, just the people I want to find. Now, Frank, you and Maisie are going to Eugenia Murphy’s house. It’s not far, and I know you know where it is.”
“I do.” Frank’s stare bored into Haynes. “You won’t get away with this, Albert. How much have you skimmed off the bank’s books? Is it enough to keep you in the life-style you want, or will you find another bank to embezzle from?”
Albert’s eyes narrowed, and his eyebrows formed slashes. “You know entirely too much, Frank. I’m afraid you’ll have to meet a terrible end. I think I’ll have you burn to death in Eugenia’s house. They won’t be able to identify you, and they’ll think it’s Eugenia and me. It’s the perfect solution. Now keep moving.”
Trees bordered the north side of town where Eugenia’s house was.
They reached the house and Albert slid out of the saddle still holding his weapon pointed at Maisie.
“Get down and walk to the house. And don’t try anything funny. I’d hate to draw attention by shooting you.”
“Don’t worry, Albert, I won’t do anything that might endanger Maisie.”
“Good man. Now, get down.”
Maisie dismounted and gazed over at Frank. She saw the anger on his face and how he fisted his hands. She knew he wanted so badly to beat Albert to a pulp, but he wasn’t doing it because of her. She loved him even more, but she didn’t want him to die because of her.
“Frank, don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
He shook his head. “You don’t know what a bullet can do to the human body. If you don’t die instantly, it’s a horrible way to go. I can’t watch you go through that.”
Albert waved his gun at them. “Enough talking. Get in the house.” He poked Maisie in the back with his gun. “Frank, open the door. Now. No dawdling. I’d hate to have to shoot Maisie to prove my point.”
“Okay.” Frank turned the door knob and went through the opening.
Maisie stepped forward away from the gun in her back and then followed Frank inside.
Albert was last and closed the door behind him. “Eugenia. Come in here.”
A minute or so later, Eugenia Murphy entered the room. She was a pretty woman but there was a hardness to her. Her mouth turned down and the lines on her face made it look like it was in that position a lot. Maisie wasn’t the least bit surprised she’d been widowed twice. She thought about the rumors of how those men had died and wondered if Albert would be number three.
“Eugenia, lead the way to the back bedroom. You two follow her.”
Frank stood still and looked at Albert. “What are you planning to do with us?”
Albert ignored Frank’s question. “Get moving or she dies now.”
He poked the gun into Maisie’s back again.
“Please move, Frank,” said Maisie. Her heart pounded and her stomach was in knots. She didn’t know how much Albert knew about guns and was afraid he’d shoot her by mistake, the way he kept shoving the gun in her back.
“All right. All right. I’m moving. Let’s not over react here.”
Frank followed Eugenia into the back bedroom.
Maisie stayed behind Frank as they walked into the room.
Keeping the gun aimed at Maisie, Albert told Eugenia, “Get two dining room chairs and bring them in here. And bring the extra clothes line rope from the kitchen drawer.”
Eugenia looked at Albert, shrugged and left to do his bidding.
Frank shifted his gaze from Eugenia’s leaving to Albert. “Does she know you plan on killing us? Or that you expect her to leave with you?”
“She’ll know soon enough, and she’ll leave with me or stay and share your fate.”
Maisie narrowed her eyes and practically spat out. “You’re an evil man, Albert Haynes. How much did you embezzle from your customers? Thousands? Tens of thousands? What would the mine owners think if they knew what you’d been doing?”
Albert leaned against the wall next to the open door. “They won’t miss it. It was already gone. I just made the entries that showed it going to nonexistent employees and then put the money in my valise. It was so easy to steal from these hayseeds.”
“They are good, honest people and I’ve always regretted that I had no choice but to steal from them, but now that I find out it was you I was stealing from, I don’t feel so bad.” Maisie turned toward Frank. “I have a bad feeling about this.”
He put his arm around her shoulders. “It’ll be okay. Whatever happens, we’re together.”
Eugenia returned with a chair and the rope and then left to get another one. She returned shortly with the second chair.
“Put them back-to-back, please, Eugenia,” said Albert sweetly.
Had Frank’s concern for Eugenia somehow made it through to Albert, and he decided to be nicer.
“Frank, you sit first,” ordered Albert.
Frank sat facing the wall with the chest of drawers.
“Now, Maisie, I want you to tie Frank’s hands and feet.”
She walked to Frank. “I’m sorry.” She did her best to not tighten the ropes too much.
Albert pointed at the second dining room chair. “Now, Maisie, you come sit here. Eugenia, keep this gun pointed at her.” He handed Eugenia his pistol.
“Of course, my love.” She held the weapon steady.
Maisie thought she had a wicked glint in her eyes but couldn’t say for sure.
Albert cut the extra rope from Franks ankles. “Hold out your hands, Maisie.”
She did. There has got to be a way out of this. I refuse to believe that this is how we die. Albert can’t get away with this not when I went to prison for much less.
Albert tied her wrists, tight…too tight.
“Oww.” She scowled. “Do you have to tie them so tight?”
He looked at her and cocked a brow. “No, I don’t, but it won’t matter shortly, anyway.” He tied her ankles together. “There. You two are ready. Eugenia and I are leaving soon. Do you have any last words?”
“They aren’t my last words, but you should know that I’ll come after you. You won’t get away with it,” said Frank.
“Sorry, Frank, but I’ve already gotten away with it. You are my last loose end.”
Maisie lifted her chin. “I’m sure there are more. No one plans the perfect murder and certainly no one with your lack of intellect.”
Albert back handed her. “Your dead husband had it right. You needed to be beaten then, just like you do now.”
Maisie lifted her chin. “Donald wasn’t any kind of a man and I can see you’re not either.”
Albert snarled. “As much as I enjoy this conversation, it’s time for us to go and for you to die.” He took the lamp from the night stand and threw the oil from it onto the curtains and the bed. “You’ll die from smoke before the flames get you.” Then he grinned. “At least you better hope you do.” He turned to Eugenia. “Let’s go. Get your bag and meet me in the kitchen.”
“Certainly, my love,” said Eugenia.
Maisie heard Eugenia’s heels click on the hardwood floor as she walked down the hall.
“Say goodbye to each other,” said Albert. Then he took a box of matches from his pocket. He took one out and struck it on the box, then held the lit match to the oil-soaked curtains. The flame slowly licked it’s way to the top of the closed curtain and then sped across the wooden rod to the other curtain.
Then he took another match and held it to the bedspread, waiting for it to light before leaving.
“I hope you thank me for letting you die together. I guess I’m just a romantic at heart.” Albert laughed as he walked out of the bedroom, closing the bedroom door behind him.
Chapter Eleven
Maisie pulled her wrists, working against the rope that tied them. She heard the back door close. “Frank.” She smelled the smoke.
“Yes, sweetheart.”
She continued to work on her wrists, tugging against her bonds. “I’m not ready to die yet.”
“I’m not either. I think I can get loose. Thank you for leaving the ropes slack.”
“You’re welcome. I hope it was enough.” She kept up tugging against the rope tying her wrists. The smoke was beginning to sting her eyes and she coughed from breathing it in.
Maisie felt the chair move as Frank worked to get out of his bonds.
“I’ve got my hands almost loose.”
Suddenly, the door slammed open.
A familiar man stood in the doorway like an avenging angel, though he was very far from an angel. “John Riley!” Maisie shouted.
“Could you two use some help?”
“We sure could,” said Frank. “Can you get Maisie untied. I’ve got my hands free and I’ll get my ankles.”
“Sure thing.” John knelt by Maisie. He untied her wrists, followed by her ankles. “That fire is getting bigger. I suggest we get the blazes out of here.”
Maisie stood, rubbed her wrists and coughed again as the smoke continued to fill the room. Tears streamed from her eyes.
“Lead the way, John,” said Frank.
Frank, his eyes streaming like hers, coughed and then pushed her after John and he followed her.
As soon as they were out in the fresh air and away from the house, Maisie began to cough in earnest. “I guess I inhaled too much smoke.” She bent over as she coughed and spit.
Frank also coughed and spit.
Even John coughed. “I’d say we all did.”
“We need to go talk to the sheriff. You need to come with us John, but we’ll keep the fact you worked for Albert for a time, out of the conversation. You saved our lives. I guess Maisie was right in giving you a second chance and I am not about to take that away after what you’ve done for us.”
“Thanks, Frank, but if it’s necessary for me to come clean in order to catch Albert, I will.”
He clapped the young man on the back. “It shouldn’t be. You were just riding by and saw the smoke. That’s all the sheriff needs to know. Anything more won’t change the outcome. Albert is guilty of kidnapping and attempted murder. When they catch him, he’ll have the cash on him, plus probably a lot more.”
People shouted and ran toward the house carrying buckets. The horse drawn fire wagon galloped down the street.
Soon, men manned the fire wagon, pumping the water onto the back of the house and a bucket brigade stretched from the well to the house front.
“We need to go talk to the sheriff,” said Frank.
“He’s on the bucket brigade.” Maisie pointed to the sheriff in the middle of the line of people forming the brigade. “It’ll have to wait until the fire is out, which should be shortly. Look, the flames are almost gone and it’s mostly just smoke. The fire department has it in hand now.”
Soon the fire was out. Thankfully, it had been caught in time and it didn’t spread to the trees or any other structures.
The sheriff came over to Frank, Maisie and John. “How come you folks were here first?”
Frank glanced at Maisie and then back at the sheriff. “Albert Haynes is an embezzler and when I said I was coming to see you, he tied us up in the bedroom and started the curtains and bed on fire. If it hadn’t been for this man, Mister John Riley,” Frank slapped John on the back. “Maisie and I would probably have died.”
Sheriff Knoll took a small pad and pencil from his shirt pocket. “How do you know he was embezzling?”
“Just a hunch from something Lottie told Maisie before the robbery, when she worked for Haynes. I know that was three years ago, but it doesn’t seem to have changed any since then.”
Maisie smiled and winked at Frank. She was happy to finally be getting the story to the proper official.
“And what was it she said?” asked Sheriff Knoll.
Frank put an arm around Maisie’s waist. “Albert was visiting Widow Murphy every day at lunch. That’s how the ladies knew when to rob the bank. I figure, since she wasn’t working, he must be paying her upkeep. He couldn’t do that on the salary of a bank president. I know she might have inherited some money, but she does like to live high on the hog.”
“No, he sure couldn’t,” agreed the sheriff. “And you’re right she does. Ada over at the mercantile is always commenting about having to order things special for Eugenia.”
“We’d like to head home, Mike.” Frank looked over at John. “I’d like to invite you to dinner and to stay at the ranch for as long as you like. You saved me and Maisie today. I figure we owe you our lives.”
John shrugged. “It wasn’t anything that anyone else wouldn’t have done.”
“I don’t know about that,” said Maisie. “Not everyone would run into a burning building, regardless of what they saw. Thank goodness, you did.”
“Well, I’d like to take you up on your offer. I could use a good meal and a place to sleep before I head home to Albuquerque.”
“You got family there,” asked Sheriff Knoll.
“Yes, sir. I have a ranch there that my mother was running while I looked for some extra work in Phoenix.”
The sheriff narrowed his eyes. “What kind of work were you looking for?”
“Anything that paid decent but I didn’t have much luck.”
The sheriff nodded. “I see. Okay, if you think of anything you saw before you ran into the house let me know.”
“Well, I did see a man and woman galloping away from here, headed north. It was an older man and a beautiful, blonde woman.” John ran his hand behind his neck. “Couldn’t figure out what she was doing with him. Actually, that’s why I came in. As fast as they were leaving here, it looked like they might have set the fire and there’s only two reasons to set a house on fire, to cover up a crime or to commit one.”
“Money does make for strange pairings,” said the sheriff. “You are all free to go.”
“We’ll have to go to the stable first,” said Frank. “It would appear that Albert and Eugenia took my and Maisie’s horses, which should make them easier to catch. Those horses were already spent. We came in from Flagstaff and had already ridden them for four or five hours. Demon is black stallion with a white star on his forehead. Daisy is a pretty Paint mare.”
The sheriff nodded. “I’m familiar with Demon. I’ll put together a posse and we should have them in custody in a matter of hours.”
“Oh, Sheriff,” Maisie walked over to him. “My money is also in the saddle bags. One thousand dollars in packets of one-hundred dollars in ten-dollar bills,” said Maisie.
The sheriff wrote on his little pad. “I’ll remember that and see you get it back.”
Frank and Maisie walked into town and to the stable.
John joined them leading his horse.
Frank arranged for horses and the three of them returned to the Campbell ranch.
