The Marshal's Little Girl Read Free Page B

had the matter of that nosy sheriff to deal with. Wilhelmina visited several shops, making sure to drop mention of her impending departure three days hence. She mentioned the excitement of riding on the stagecoach, and how she hoped the high-strung colt would make the journey tethered to the back.
    She went back to her room then and watched from the window, smiling as Sheriff Chandler stopped at every shop she’d just visited. Just as she suspected, he’d been watching her, and was no doubt pressing the shopkeepers for information. Good. By now he was likely satisfied that he still had a few days to investigate her. It was with great satisfaction that she imagined his reaction when he got up the next morning to find her gone.

Chapter Four
     
     
    She was up to something. Of that Gage was sure. Why else would this intensely private stranger suddenly flit around town telling everybody who’d listen about her plans?
    He’s personally avoided going to the bank, although he knew that had been Wilhelmina James’ first stop. If she was laying a trail of lies, she was likely watching him just as he had been watching her. Also, Lester Pridgen was an imbecile. Gage waited until Asa Pridgen was back and then he entered the bank through the back, away from view from the street. No need to tip her off.
    “Afternoon, sheriff.” Asa looked up from his ledger, peering at Gage through his round glasses. “What can I do for you?”
    “It’s a town matter,” Gage said. “I’m here on a hunch.” He sat down in a chair across from Asa’s desk, stretching his long legs out in front of him. “You had a young woman come in today—that visitor from out of town.”
    “Now, you know any business matters are private, Gage.” The banker dipped his quill in an inkwell and turned his attention back to the ledger.
    “I think you might want to talk to me about this one,” Gage said. “Something’s up with that young lady.”
    “Do you have proof of this?” Asa looked up at Gage, who realized that he was already protective of the money deposited in the bank, and didn’t want to rock the boat, even if the source was in doubt.
    “No, like I said, it’s a hunch. But if I’m right, I’m going to save you a lot of headaches. Now, I’m not here to make trouble if none is warranted, but I need you to tell me exactly what kind of transaction was made.”
    Asa fell silent for a moment, obviously contemplating the ramifications of refusing to cooperate. Then, with a heavy sigh, he explained the situation, telling Gage that the young woman had deposited half the money and had a note for the other half sent by courier to a bank further south.
    Gage rubbed his chin. Why would she leave half her money at a little hole-in-the-wall town, unless…? His eyes widened.
    “Asa, did you inspect that money?”
    “Inspect it?”
    “Listen.” Gage leaned forward. “You know I’m leaving here to join the U.S. marshal’s office. One of the things they told me when I got hired is that they were looking for a man with instinct, and that’s something I have that they like. I’m using it now, Asa. I need you to get a wad of those bills and bring them here.”
    Asa looked dubious, but rose just the same. A moment later, he returned with a stack of cash and a jeweler’s scope. He grumbled something about ‘a lot of nonsense’ as he sat down. Gage watched him patiently, his chin resting on tented fingers. When he saw the banker’s shoulders suddenly stiffen a few moments later, he wasn’t surprised.
    “Got something?” He leaned forward.
    Asa didn’t respond. He grabbed another bill, then another, examining two places on each one.
    “Son of a bitch.” He looked up at Gage. “You were right. Damn it all…” He stood, pulling on his coat. “And we’ve sent a note ahead to another bank, a small one in a town like this with no decent sheriff to speak of. Come noon tomorrow, somebody at the other end of the line can go withdraw every dime of