“And will Evans really believe that you’d do anything for him?” Edward asked. “He knows you’re a preacher first and foremost. Is he going to believe you’re willing to commit murder?”
“He knows I was angry at God and on the fence about issues of faith. I doubt Laura has told him of my progress toward repentance. And if she has, then I’ll just have to assure him that it was nothing more than an act for her benefit.” Will shifted and leaned forward. “I’ve got another reason to pretend loyalty to Evans. I’m in love with his daughter. Maybe I could wrap all of this up with a proposal of marriage. I don’t have the powerful connections he wants, but with my mother’s death, I’ve inherited a small fortune. That should be appealing to Mr. Evans. All of this could be just the right combination to pique his interest. Once he knows about my connection to John Campbell, I’m sure he’ll see the value in hiring me. I can even make it sound like I have held a grudge against John all these years. That I’d just as soon see him not come to the territory.”
“Sounds like a lot to coordinate,” the sheriff replied.
“And a lot of lies to get straight and memorize,” the marshal added.
“Can’t say I would normally advocate lying,” Edward began, “but it may be the only way to keep the governor from getting himself killed and put a stop to the supposed Indian attacks. I’m convinced the Indians aren’t to blame.”
The sheriff nodded. “I am too.”
“This is an evil man with an evil plan. I am not one to advocate lies either,” Will said, shaking his head. “But if it saves a life, I have to think that like Rahab in the Bible, it’s more about the matter of heart than the deed itself.”
“I told Father that you were ill,” Laura said. “And in some ways, I know you are. You’re sick of heart and worried about all that is going on.”
Etta Duffy poured her another cup of tea as Laura glanced around Etta’s small kitchen and continued with her thoughts.
“I think it’s important that you come back to work. Otherwise, my father will wonder if something happened, and it might cause trouble in catching him in his horrid plots.”
Etta’s eyes widened, and the teapot shook in her hands. “I don’t know if I can work in that house and not give myself away.”
“I know you’re afraid, but I need you there. I need you to help me. I promise you I’ll do whatever I can to make sure you are safe. Etta, we must see justice done. If my father is responsible for the deaths of those people on the stage, then he must go to prison, perhaps even ... hang.” She had a hard time saying the word. It hadn’t dawned on Laura when she’d been talking with Will that her father’s guilt could cost him his life.
Etta put the pot back on the stove and returned to the small kitchen table. “Oh, Laura, I know this must be so hard for you. You love your father dearly, I know that much. I’ve watched you with him since you first arrived. You adore him.”
“I did. Now I’m just so heartbroken to imagine him being the kind of man willing to end another person’s life. He’s not the man I built him up to be in my mind ... and heart. I don’t think I’ve ever really known him, and now it’s too late.”
The older woman huffed a breath. “I’ll come back. I owe it to you. I’ll do whatever I can. I’ve never been one to let fear rule my life.”
“Oh, thank you, Etta. I know this is not an easy decision for you.”
“I’ll return tomorrow if that’s soon enough.”
“Yes. I’ll inform Father tonight that I checked on you and you’re much better and will be back on duty in the morning.”
“Very well.”
Laura leaned closer. “Etta, we’re going to have to go through Father’s things and see if we can find any incriminating evidence. I don’t know just how we’ll accomplish it, but it’s important that you be thinking on the matter.” Will had advised her to say and do nothing, but Laura felt she had to at least try to right this wrong.
“We’ll have to search his office and his bedroom suite,” Etta replied, looking thoughtful. “I have keys to those rooms. We’ll have to find a time when he’ll be out of the house and of no threat to us.”
“I’ll talk to him over breakfast each day and learn what his plans are. We usually discuss such things, so he won’t find it strange.” She reached out to cover Etta’s hand with her own. Their eyes locked.
“I hate that it’s come to this, but I can’t live with a murderer.”For a moment, Laura started at her own comment. Her father was a killer. Or at least, he had no trouble planning to kill. His words about the new governor were proof enough of that.
Will was just coming from the jail when he heard his name called. He turned and found Mr. Blevins rushing toward him. The little man seemed all excited about something.
“Mr. Porter, I had hoped to come see you later, but it’s most fortuitous that God should cause our paths to cross just now.”
“What seems to be the problem?” Will asked. Seeing the man gave him the slight sensation of being hit in the stomach.
Mr. Blevins gave him a glance from head to toe. “Now that you’re back on your feet, have you reconsidered the idea of working on a reservation?”
“Why do you ask? I thought you already assigned the positions to others.”
“That had indeed been the plan, but strangely enough, I have one opening left that no one else is interested in. Or they’ve moved on to another assignment.”
Will’s heart skipped a beat. “And now you wish to offer it to me?”
