The Marshal and the Bride on the Run Read online

  Katy held her breath. Simon was younger, but Coleman was bigger. He looked like he could easily throw his weight around without breaking a sweat. The two men were at a stand-off. Simon’s hand was on his gun. Coleman’s confidence seemed to waver. Katy wondered if he had ever had anyone stand up to him before. He backed down with a growl, giving Emma one last look before stomping out of the room.

  As soon as he left, Katy was on her feet and hurried to the bars. Simon was there already, cupping Katy’s jaw in his hand as she came close. Katy reached through and touched his face.

  “I’m so sorry, Simon.”

  “Don’t be.” Simon was looking less angry and more pained. “You have nothing to be sorry about.”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “We both do,” Emma said grimly. She reached Katy’s side, anger still blazing in her eyes. “I need to talk to you as soon as possible, Simon.”

  “I know.” Simon turned to her. “Are you going to tell me who killed Hugh and Anne Coleman?”

  “I did.” Emma didn’t even blink. “I killed them. And I’ll tell you everything, if you get Coleman away first.”

  Katy wasn’t sure if she had heard Emma correctly. She thought it was her actions that had killed the people who had treated worse than slaves. She thought she had killed them. Emma had never said a word to make her think otherwise. That must be why she couldn’t remember killing them. The blow had knocked her out and they were dead before she recovered. A wave of relief rushed through her and her knees almost gave way.

  Another chilling thought passed through Katy’s mind. Would Emma have ever admitted to it, or would she have let Katy take the fall?

  Chapter Five

  Simon had been silently hoping that Emma was the killer, so that his sweet Katy was innocent. Even though he had partly expected the confession, it still shocked him. Unlike the others, who had been frantic and wouldn’t meet his eyes, Emma was cool and collected. She was so calm Simon was wondering if this was the same person he had known for years. They had been friends as children, and Emma was a quiet, motherly person.

  Knowing she could kill was a little unnerving.

  Reluctant to leave Katy’s side, Simon went back into Philip’s office where a ruckus was going on. Coleman had managed to get past them and into the cells. Emma had looked as though she would have killed the brute herself had the bars not been there. And Simon was surprised to find that he wouldn’t have stopped her.

  Right now, Coleman was shouting at Philip, who was leaning against his desk with his arms folded, barely flinching as Coleman jabbed his finger into the sheriff’s face. Simon admired the other lawman’s behavior under such pressure. He kicked the door shut and stormed over to Coleman, who turned ready for an onslaught.

  “You shouldn’t have disobeyed our orders!” Simon snapped. “We said no one was to go in there.”

  Coleman snorted.

  “I’m not one of your lawmen.”

  “But you answer to us. The girls are frightened. They don’t need you intimidating them, Coleman.”

  “Oh, they should be frightened,” Coleman shot back, pointing toward the door. “One of them is a murderer. Maybe both of them.”

  “Give over. Neither of them is capable of killing anyone.”

  “And how would you know that?”

  Simon glanced at Philip, whose expression hadn’t changed.

  “I’ve known them for years. I know the conditions of that orphanage and their situation. Your brother was no saint, and I certainly won’t shed any tears for Annie, either. They were mean, violent creatures who don’t deserve any mourning. But Philip’s right: because you’re so thick-headed and disgusting yourself, you wouldn’t know the truth if it hit you in the face.”

  Simon couldn’t remember the last time he had spoken so many words without drawing a breath. His chest felt like it was being tightly squeezed. Gasping for breath, he watched as Coleman’s face went even redder, his beady eyes blazing. He looked as though he was about to explode.

  “How dare you?” Coleman hissed. He bared his teeth “My brother has never touched those children! He wouldn’t do that?”

  “Oh, really?”

  Simon hadn’t planned on doing this, but he was past the point of no return. Words weren’t working, so maybe physical proof would. He shucked off his jacket before unbuttoning his shirt. Coleman started, backing up abruptly. Even Philip had straightened to his feet in surprise.

  “What… what are you doing?” Coleman demanded.

  “I’m showing you the truth.”

  Simon tugged his shirt out of his trousers and pulled it off, dropping it to the floor. He knew his body would show the obvious signs of abuse. Coleman wouldn’t be able to deny them.

  Coleman’s face slackened, his mouth dropping open as he looked over Simon’s torso.

  It wasn’t a pretty sight. Simon had not been able to look in a mirror for years. Scars laced across his chest and belly. Belts, pokers and caning were the personal favorites for the couple. Hugh Coleman even liked to use his fists. Simon’s arm was slightly malformed after a nasty break that had never healed.

  And it was all because of his caretakers. They had thrown him down the stairwell and refused to let Simon have any medical attention, calling him an attention-seeker whenever he complained.

  Coleman’s face was ashen, his eyes almost like saucers. Simon spread his arms out and turned slowly on the spot. From the wincing, it was clear the scars on his back were having the most effect.

  “Take a good look at this, Coleman.” Simon turned back to him. “This is what your brother and his wife did to me during my time at their ‘establishment’. Permanent scars and broken bones that have never fully healed. I was lucky to be walking out of there alive.”

  He could see that Philip’s face had paled. The sheriff had had no idea about his past other than he had been one of the orphans. Philip sagged into his chair in a daze. Simon looked back at Coleman.

  “Their abuse only stopped when I was thirteen. I fought back during one of the beatings, and I broke your brother’s nose. They didn’t touch me after that, but they found ways to punish me without laying a finger on me. Somehow I didn’t end up in the asylum across the street.” Simon pointed toward the cells. “You think what happened was cold-blooded murder? I’d say it was justifiable homicide. I’m willing to bet those girls, and anyone who set foot in that orphanage for any period of time, have similar scars. And if you’re going to hang an innocent girl for fighting back, you’re going to have to go through me… and I will be prepared to show everyone my scars… what will that do to your brother’s reputation?”

  Emma was not going anywhere if Simon had anything to do with it.

  Coleman looked like he was going to faint. He swayed, and then he shook himself, scowling at Simon.

  “You’re lying.”

  He didn’t sound as convincing as earlier.

  “Ah. I seem to have hit a nerve somewhere. You know exactly what I’m talking about.” Simon picked up his shirt, slipping it back on. “You want to go down this route? Try it. I won’t let you anywhere near those women and I will show everyone these… maybe one or more of the women will too.”

  Simon didn’t break eye contact as he buttoned up his shirt, hiding the scars from view. He wasn’t keen on looking at his body himself; it reminded him of a past that was one he wanted to forget. Coleman had to have known what his brother was up to, but from the look on his face, he hadn’t realized the extent of the abuse.

  Still looking dazed, Coleman turned and wordlessly left the room. Simon’s fingers were trembling as he finished buttoning his shirt up to the neck before reaching for his jacket. Then he was aware of Philip still staring at him. The sheriff had been rendered speechless. Simon managed a grim half-smile.

  “Not often you lose the ability to speak, is it?”

  “No, it isn’t.” Philip sat forward. “You all right? You’ve gone pale.”

  “No, I’m not.” Simon tugged h
is jacket around him, running his hands through his hair. “That’s the first time I’ve ever done that. Stripping off to show off my scars isn’t exactly something people want to witness.”

  “And that all happened to you when you were a boy?”

  “Yeah.” Simon wasn’t about to talk anymore regarding his childhood. He cleared his throat. “I need to talk to Emma privately. Bring them to the mission, will you? I don’t trust Coleman not to charge in while Emma’s telling me everything.”

  “Of course. But where are you going?”

  “I’m going on ahead.”

  Simon headed toward the door. He needed to take a deep breath and clear his head before he went through with this. That confession had taken a lot out of him.

  Chapter Six

  Katy was still getting over what Emma had said. The last thing she had been expecting was her friend to blurt out that she was the killer. All these months, Katy had believed it was her.

  Part of her was relieved. She hadn’t done anything wrong, she wasn’t a killer! But another part of her was angry at Emma. Why hadn’t she said anything? Was this to protect the others? Or to protect herself? Katy wanted to hug Emma and throttle her at the same time.

  Shortly after Simon left, there were raised voices in the other room, followed by the door slamming. Soon after that, Philip Anthony had come into the cells. He let them out, handing them coats so big they made Katy’s hands disappear.

  “These should protect you a little from the rain.”

  “Where are we going?” Katy asked.

  “The mission.” Philip looked at Emma. “We want Emma to tell us everything, and Simon isn’t keen on having Coleman interrupting us.”

  Emma nodded woodenly.

  “I understand.”

  She hovered near Philip as they left the sheriff’s hut, heading down the street in the easing downpour as they made their way to the mission. Katy followed them, keeping her distance from Emma. She wasn’t sure if being anywhere near her friend would have her slapping her for her actions. All the angst over the last few months, believing she had committed a heinous crime, had been for nothing.

  Katy had wasted months of being on the run for nothing.

  They headed into the mission, Carolyn Stanier let them in instantly. No one spoke as she led them into the dining room. Philip absently waved at the table as the two girls entered.

  “Just take a seat. Huckerby will be along shortly. We’ll talk then.”

  Then he left without any farewell. Carolyn gave Katy a curious look, to which Katy shook her head. Sighing, Carolyn left, closing the door quietly behind her. Katy turned to Emma, who had sagged onto a chair at the huge dining table. She was shivering, her hair dripping with water.

  “Emma?”

  “I’m fine.”

  But Emma was clearly not fine. Katy drew out the chair beside her friend and sat, shrugging out of the coat. It smelled like someone had been sleeping with horses.

  “You really did kill them?”

  Emma nodded.

  Katy swallowed.

  “Why didn’t you say anything? Why did you let the rest of us think it was one of us? I thought it was me and Rebecca and Jessica were covering for me.”

  “Because I wasn’t thinking straight.” Emma buried her face in her hands. “By the time I wanted to say something, it was too late.”

  “But that doesn’t explain why you didn’t tell us once you realized it was the wrong thing.”

  “Katy, if you were caught and interrogated about me, you could honestly say you didn’t know.”

  “Only… I thought I’d killed them,” Katy murmured. “I would have gone to the gallows, not you.”

  Emma looked up. Her eyes were shining with tears. She reached for Katy’s hands, her fingers ice-cold. Katy couldn’t bring herself to pull away, in spite of her anger.

  “I know that, and I’m so sorry,” she croaked. “I’ll take the fall for this the whole way now. I promise.”

  Katy believed her. But she didn’t want Emma to take the fall. Hugh and Anne Coleman had been tyrants for the majority of their lives. Leaving all of the children under their care with scars, both mental and physical. No one should have to shed a tear for that couple.

  Before she could say anything in response, the door opened, and Simon came in. He looked as though he had taken a dip in the lake; his clothes were absolutely soaked, and his hair was dripping wet even under his Stetson. Dropping his Stetson and his jacket onto the table, Simon pulled out a chair on the other side of Emma and sat down, fixing her with a stern glare.

  “I think you need to start talking right now, Emma,” he said grimly. “The truth this time. I won’t settle for anything less.”

  Katy felt a shiver tickle the back of her neck. She had seen Simon angry before, but never anything like this. He bristled with a barely contained rage. She laid a hand on Emma’s, squeezing her trembling fingers.

  Emma glanced at her, chewing her lower lip. Then she turned to Simon, her voice barely wavering in its monotone.

  “You know how bad Hugh and Anne were, Simon. They were nasty pieces of work. Not only did they beat the children, but they also beat the staff as well. The only ones who were lucky to get out of it were the nuns, and those most loyal to them. Jessica was one of the lucky ones… and yet she still suffered fear and guilt.”

  Simon nodded. He glanced at Katy, and Katy could see the pain in his eyes. Then he turned back to Emma.

  “What happened that night?”

  Emma took a deep breath.

  “Rebecca and Katy had found one of the advertisements from Mary Stanier to come out to San Francisco as potential brides for men out here. They had been writing to her about joining her. All of it was being done in secret. I only knew because we all shared a room. Even though they were of age, it was nothing short of a miracle if you actually managed to leave and cut all ties with the orphanage.”

  “You mean if you were like me,” Simon murmured.

  Emma nodded.

  “Exactly. You managed to get away. But nobody would take me on, so I ended up working there. And it was a living hell.”

  She stood abruptly and began to pace, wringing her hands. Katy and Simon watched her in silence. Emma went to the roaring fire and stood by the hearth, staring into the flames.

  “I was making up the fire in the study when Mrs. Coleman brought Katy and Rebecca in. She had found their letters and the train tickets Mary had sent over. They were due to leave the next day. Mrs. Coleman was furious and was trying to force them to hand over the tickets. Rebecca refused. Then she put herself in the way when Mrs. Coleman went after Katy.” Emma shuddered. “Mr. Coleman came in as Rebecca fought back. He… he practically threw her across the room. Then they turned on Katy.”

  Katy was beginning to have flashes of memory in her mind. That night was coming back to her. Anne Coleman had been out of her mind knowing that two girls under their control were planning on leaving. She wouldn’t have it, they were in charge. Rebecca had decided they needed to stand up for themselves and find a life for them elsewhere. Katy had agreed.

  Her face began to feel warm from the slap Mrs. Coleman gave her. Then her eye throbbed. That had been from Mr. Coleman punching her in the face. She could feel a throbbing headache coming on, and the room began to sway. Katy gripped onto the edge of the table, shutting her eyes tightly as things around her began to spin.

  “Katy?”

  Then Simon was there. He shifted onto Emma’s seat, cupping the back of Katy’s head in one big hand. Katy felt the warmth seep into her scalp, and his touch had things easing. It was surprisingly calming.

  “It was Katy’s screams that got to me.” Emma sounded like she was about to cry. “I had had to witness beatings before, but they were going to kill her. I just…” She turned away from the fire. “I just reacted. I picked up the poker and hit Mrs. Coleman… it was just a reaction. Then Mr. Coleman charged me as his wife went down. He landed on me and…” Katy looked up
to see Emma shaking uncontrollably. “As we landed… I had run him through with the poker.”

  Katy felt her stomach churn. She hadn’t realized that Coleman had been stabbed to death. From Simon’s sharp intake of breath, he hadn’t known about it, either.

  “I was a mess,” Emma went on, beginning to pace again. “I had no idea what to do. Then one of the footmen, Richard… he came in. He saw the aftermath. He was the one who got me out of there, cleaned me up, and told me to run.” She tugged her hands through her hair. “But I needed to check on Katy and Rebecca. I couldn’t leave them there. However, when I went back, both of them were gone, and Jessica… she was there, kneeling next to the bodies.”

  That explained Jessica’s involvement. Emma made it out as if Jessica had killed them, Rebecca thought Katy had done it, and Katy had believed herself to be the killer. Jessica had been protecting them, believing quite rightly that one of them had committed the act.

  This was making Katy’s head hurt even more. Simon shook his head.

  “You made this far more complicated than it had to be.”

  “I know.” Emma wrapped her arms around her waist, huddling in on herself. “So did Richard.”

  “How do you mean?”

  “He said he would take the fall if anyone asked. I thought he had laid a trail to point everything back to him. I had no idea why he would do that, or if it worked. And clearly, it didn’t, as you were looking for us.”

  Simon grunted.

  “You girls were the main suspects, but I had my orders to find Richard Ford and find out what was going on. This does explain why he disappeared as well.”

  “I wish I could tell you where he is,” Emma said miserably. “But I have no idea where he went. I promise.”

  Katy watched as Simon stood, walking over to Emma before drawing her into a gentle hug.

  “I know you don’t.”

  “You believe me?”

  “Yes.” Simon drew back and looked between her and Katy. “Mary says you can stay here tonight. We’ll talk more in the morning.”