“Disturbing the townsfolk with baseless questions?”
Dropping his hands and leaning forward, Adam shrugged. “If you want to call it that, fine.”
All niceties dropped and fury reflected in Joe Tate’s eyes. He hit the table hard and bent low so that he was at the same eye level as Adam.
“Listen here, Marshal. The townsfolk are sick and tired of you and your harassment. They don’t want to answer your questions, why don’t you get the message and get out of town?
The offending smell of tobacco emitting from the sheriff nearly made him gag. He had always hated the smell of tobacco since he saw one of the outlaws who killed his parents smoking it.
Adam arched his brows. “Get out of town?” Then he grinned. “I don’t intend doing that until I finish the job I came here to do.”
Eyeing him with displeasure, the sheriff asked, “Which is?”
“Bringing justice to the Indians who have been raided, killed, and left homeless, particularly Miss Foster’s tribe.”
The sheriff shook his head and laughed with enough scorn to make Adam rise.
“I’m just here to tell you to quit thinking you’re some sort of saint. The townsfolk came complaining to me. Stop going about questioning them about things they know nothing about.
“Fine, Joe. If they know nothing about the raids that have been going on around here for the past five years, why don’tyoutell me? From my investigations, you and Gabe Winters know a lot about it.”
“I have told you, Adam. Don’t go raising sand where there’s none. You will find yourself in trouble very soon.”
Adam rose to his feet. “Listen to me, too, Joe. I was sent here to do a job. If you know me well, you’ll find out that I have never left a job undone in my entire life.”
The sheriff sneered.
“Be very careful the way you come here to throw threats about and call it advise. I’m not intimidated by you because I have the law backing me. I will continue digging until I gather enough evidence to put you, Gabe Winters, and everyone involved in killing Indians away for a long time.”
The sheriff gave a bark of laughter. “Good luck with that.”
“Luck has nothing to do with it but determination. You’ll soon find out that I’m a very tenacious person, and you can’t get rid of me. Remember, I’m a federal marshal. If anything happens to me…” He left his words hanging with heavy intent.
The sheriff shook his head and snickered. “Don’t think you’re indispensable, Adam. While conducting your baseless and useless investigations, you should also ask around what happened to the last marshal that was sent to this town.”
“I don’t care beans about what happened to him. I’m the new marshal now.”
“For the last time, Adam, for the sake of yourself, your family, and loved ones, leave this alone.”
“I will when I see you all in jail for all the atrocities committed against the Indians.”
Joe Tate glared at him with solemn eyes. “You just dug your grave with those words.”
Adam watched as the sheriff walked away. He slumped on the chair and let out a huge sigh of relief. If he was a praying person, he would have bowed his head in prayers.
But as he wasn’t, he was determined to see it to the end no matter what.
Chapter 19
Bored at the orphanage a few days later, Olivia decided to visit Annie. The children were all partaking of their afternoon nap.
But it was too hot in the day for her to do so. She reckoned that the heavily pregnant Annie would be happy to see her. Before Annie could no longer come to the orphanage, they had become best friends as they worked together.
Olivia rose from her pallet and threw her only wrap across her shoulders. The warm rays of the sun streamed through the thin cotton curtain at the window, but she surmised that it might be windy by the time she got back. She had noticed that most evenings, the weather became cool.
Olivia pushed open her cracked wooden door and exited the tiny room. Quietly, she walked down the narrow hallway, not to disturb anyone sleeping. The cook sometimes took a nap before starting the evening meal.
Olivia made her way toward the matron’s office. She hoped the older woman wasn’t dozing off on her chair. She was fond of doing that, and Olivia didn’t want to disturb her.
