Sweet Justice Read Free

killed.
    She glanced back at her brother's body, rubbing her arms as if she were cold, no doubt thinking about her probable fate. She wasn't one for hysterics, but perhaps the shock of the entire day was keeping her fairly mute. The circuit judge would decide all of their fates, but she'd most likely hang. That notion didn't sit well with me. In fact, nothing about the woman did. When I'd heard about a female member of the Sinclair family, I'd expected a married, older woman whose unattractive attitude would match her appearance. This was certainly not the case.
    Piper Sinclair was young, perhaps early twenties, and quite stunning. Her coloring was similar to mine - light hair and green eyes, but that was all. She had freckles across her petite nose and her hair looked soft and shiny. Her skin, well, it was peaches and cream and porcelain smooth. She was slight of build and trim of figure. Her breasts were high and well formed, most likely a tidy handful. I frowned at the very idea. I had no place being attracted to her. She was a member of the Sinclair family, and their daring, dangerous and murdering escapades were known all across the Territory. We just didn't know who or where they were until now.
    She seemed clearly surprised when the money box was found among her vegetables and all but forced her brother to clear her name. He'd admitted she was innocent, but I doubted it. If she were living with an outlaw gang, she'd had her entire life with her brothers and father, to learn the art of deception. She could easily be a skilled actress. She couldn't, however, fake her beauty or her pleasant scent. I inwardly groaned as her floral smell drifted up from her heated skin. A sheen of perspiration coated her nape and her pale hair clung there. I imagined her being damp with sweat, her hair wild across my pillow as I had my way with her.
    My interest in her was only because I'd been without a woman for some time. She was appealing, being so close and sweet scented. What conscious male could avoid getting a cock stand from such a situation? Perhaps the circuit judge who would rule her guilty or innocent. Could he be impartial, or would he take her curves into consideration?
    No, the idea of her swinging from a rope did not sit well. The pretty neck that I'd just observed did not need to be broken by a hanging. Was she innocent or intelligent and sly?
     
    ***
     
    Sheriff Perkins met us when we rode up to the small town jail and helped us lead the prisoners into the single cell. It was much cooler inside, the sun not penetrating the room's thick walls.
    "Looks like a big day for you and your men," the sheriff said as he led the recalcitrant prisoners toward the cell. They were a sorry trio. Kevin favored his arm, the father looked almost weary and Miss Sinclair's posture was ramrod straight.
    I nodded. The money we'd receive for all four members of the Sinclair family would be a tidy sum, well worth the months of hunting across half the Territory, as well as the long ride home. It would also bring justice to those killed, including my father. I wanted to know these culprits would swing for their disregard for innocent lives.
    "Know when the circuit judge will be coming by next?" I asked, hoping it was soon.
    "Tomorrow." He held up his hand stopping Miss Sinclair. "You don't have to sit in there with the others."
    She turned to face the sheriff, eyebrows raised.
    "Why not?" I asked.
    "Because she's free to go."
    "Free to go? Why the hell is she free to go?" I ran my hand over my beard.
    "Her brother said she was innocent. Isn't that right, Kevin?"
    I glanced at her brother, a man I didn't trust one lick.
    "Yes, Sheriff, she's innocent."
    "She had the money box in the wagon with her," I countered.
    "She had nothing to do with any of it," Harlan Sinclair said. In his fifties, he was weather worn and gray. He didn't seem to be an overly affectionate parent, his words less to save his daughter and more about fact.
    "Are you saying she