Chapter 6
Jerry was practicing how much he could move all of his toes now. He felt like his life had purpose again and wanted to get well, more than ever before.
Max had sent word he was coming for supper. That had to mean there was news. Jerry could hardly stand the wait. He hadn’t heard anything for over a week.
“Almost time. Let’s get washed up.” Walt seemed to be excited about the meeting too.
“I hear a horse coming up.” Walt walked to the door. “Yep, he’s here.”
After a brief greeting, Max got right to business before they sat down to eat.
“Jerry, I need to know for sure, right now, are you serious about marrying Leanne?”
“Yes! Why? Has something happened? Did she say yes?”
Max beamed and nodded. “I’m leaving in the morning to go marry her for you. I will be your proxy, and I’ll be one of the escorts to get her and her friends here.”
“You’re gonna marry my girl?”
He patted Jerry on the back. “Yes, but if she’s contrary, I’ll give her back to you.”
“I’m sorry, maybe you better explain this proxy thing again.”
Max laughed. “Don’t worry. Your name will be on the marriage certificate. I will just sign my name under yours as proxy. As soon as she gets here, you can do it again if you like. Now, let’s eat. I have packing to do when I get home.”
Jerry’s thoughts whirled as they ate supper. Suddenly, he was alarmed at something Max said. His fork clattered on his plate as he looked at Max. He felt weak and totally helpless, with fear over taking him. The blood drained from his face.
“You said you will be one of the escorts to get Leanne and her friends here. How many escorts, and why are any necessary? What is it you aren’t telling me? I read that report and all of this is beginning to sound a bit dangerous.”
Max dabbed his mouth with his napkin. “Calm down, Jerry. Everything will work out. I don’t have all the details, but because I was a bit confused myself, plus I want to do everything I can to help you, I volunteered my services. Information is kept secret, only given bits and pieces on a need-to-know basis. There are only three people trusted with the entire plan.
“Each man knows exactly what to do and when, following the chain of events. All I know is my part.”
“Which is?”
He sighed, “I meet all four ladies at the sheriff’s office twelve days from now. The trip will take ten days. Just pray there aren’t any emergencies that keep me from arriving.”
“I will, but you’re not telling me everything.”
“Jerry, it sounds crazy! It’s just one small part in a big scheme. It doesn’t make sense, but I will do my part and do it well.”
Jerry continued to stare at Max, making him uncomfortable, to the point Max was tugging at his collar.
“Okay! But I’m serious, it doesn’t make sense.” He took a sip of water and folded his hands under his chin.
“I’m to show up as their legal counsel, making positive identification of each lady, claiming they skipped out on bail and are wanted in Arkansas for pending charges. I claim I’m there with three other men to escort them back for trial.”
“What?” Jerry shrieked. “That sounds a bit extreme and no, it doesn’t make sense! Why?”
Max shrugged. “That’s what I told you. And that’s why I want to help. I will get those ladies here if it’s the last thing I do.”
“What about the wedding?”
“Mr. Deaton will meet us in the sheriff’s office with the preacher. All the paperwork will be in order. The ceremony takes place quick and simple, then I board the train with Mrs. Jeremiah Durham, all nice and legal.”
Jerry and Walt stared at each other with mouths gaping.
********************
Leanne was a nervous wreck. She stood with her arm wrapped around Franklin’s as he greeted a crowd at the May social gathering. She didn’t like crowds, or feeling on display, but she absolutely detested this man she was with, and the ever present, forced smile she was wearing.
He made a grand to-do about himself, what he had done for the community, and his plans for the future. “Speaking of the future, it gives me great pleasure to announce my upcoming nuptials to this beautiful woman, the love of my life, Leanne Comer.”
The crowd’s reaction was a mix of gasps, cheers, applause, and whistles. Leanne felt so ashamed. She had always been able to live with her conscience, living a good clean life. Now she felt dirty and despicable.
Franklin went on to announce they would be married in two weeks, while Leanne timidly raised her eyes occasionally and scanned bits of the crowd. She hoped to see the man who had promised everything would be okay. She prayed for any sign of hope.
Since the night he met her, they hadn’t spoken a word. They had passed each other in the hall or on the stairs with barely a nod of greeting.
Franklin patted her hand as they descended the steps of the platform and walked toward the dance floor.
“I am one happy man right now, Leanne. Please don’t ruin it. I can feel your hesitance and it grieves me. I thought you were warming to the idea of making a life with me.”
“Oh, Franklin, you are mistaken. I get so nervous in front of people, I’m surprised I didn’t faint. I got several bad marks in school because I couldn’t bring myself to stand in front of the class and read.”
He looked at her cheerfully. “Well now, that does make me feel better.” He squeezed her arm lovingly, then gracefully bowed and motioned for a dance.
He was a wonderful dancer, and she only wished she could enjoy herself instead of being on the verge of breaking down and falling apart.
After two songs, Franklin led her toward the punch table. “You dance gracefully, my dear. Where did you learn?”
“Believe it or not, sir,” she mocked teasingly, “I once was a true southern belle with a full social calendar.” Her face changed expression from a glowing smile to loathing. “Before the Yankees…”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.”
She looked up at him. “No, I’m sorry. I need to stop letting those memories haunt me so.”
Mr. Deaton stepped up to them, offering congratulations. “Leanne, your father would be so proud of the woman you’ve become. I wish he were here.”
More memories.
“Thank you, Mr. Deaton. I wish the same.”
He looked at Franklin. “Would you mind if I dance with your fiancé, sir? It will be a tribute to her father.”
Franklin gave her a wary look while giving in to the older man’s request. He kept a watchful eye on them as they danced and chatted, wishing there was some way to know what was being said.
“Leanne,” Mr. Deaton spoke barely loud enough to be heard over the music. “Help is coming this week. Carry on as usual while being prepared for the very unusual. I promise three things: you will be confused, scared, but safe. There is so much more going on than you know about. The less you know, the more natural your reaction. Once you see what is happening, please play along. Be strong. It’s almost over.
“Let’s speak of things you can report back to the prying eyes we are under.” He continued to chatter about her father, remembering her as a little girl who loved to climb trees and chase lizards, and how beautiful she had become.
He walked her to Franklin and placed her hand in his. “You are getting a wonderful young woman.” He leaned and kissed her cheek.
“Thank you, sir.” Watching the older man walk away, the questions began in a bit of accusatory tone.
“How long, and how well do you know him? You seemed awfully familiar with each other. What did you find to talk about?”
She sighed and smiled a bit sadly. “It was just some good memories. I’ve known him all my life. He and my father were very close. He caused me to remember things I had completely forgotten.”
“Oh? Anything I should know about?”
She gave him a mischievous grin. “Maybe. Especially if we have children.”
He smiled in confusion. “Do tell?”
“I’m sure you don’t know, but you’re about to marry the champion lizard catcher for the area. I hope to teach the art to our children someday.”
Franklin burst into loud laughter, and even bent over to try to control himself. He had been worried for nothing. This woman didn’t have it in her to be conniving. She was truly sweet and innocent.
********************
Max looked around for a moment when he stepped off the train. He saw the big hotel down the street and made his way there. From his room, he looked out the window to locate the sheriff’s office and Mr. Deaton’s.
His first business was in the morning with Mr. Deaton. He had to make his presence known and pick up the extradition papers.
He would spend the rest of his evening reading over notes, practicing his role in front of the mirror, and resting from his trip.
Four young women’s lives were depending on this scheme to work. That was a heavy responsibility.
After a thankfully, uneventful night, he walked to Mr. Deaton’s office. The meeting lasted longer than he expected, giving him more insight to the total plan. With a hasty, late lunch, he was ready to meet the sheriff and get this over with. But he had to wait for the signal from the Pinkerton agent, so everything happened in the right order.
“Mr. Porter?” a man approached his table and greeted.
He nodded and motioned for the man to sit. They spoke cautiously at first and continued in quiet voices for the next few minutes.
The agent looked at his watch. “It’s time. You will assume the name Max Johnson. Here are your credentials.”
He handed Max an envelope, then they stood and walked out, just in time for the agent to nod at a couple crossing the street. “That’s your girl. She’s doing an impressive job playing her part, but she has no idea what’s about to happen. Poor thing,” he clucked. “Probably scare her half to death.”
They entered the sheriff’s office, with the sheriff giving them a hard time about serving the papers.
“Do you realize who she is? Who she is about to marry? I will lose my job if I arrest her.”
Max was persistent and showed him all the papers. Everything looked legal.
“I saw her crossing the street, going into the dressmaker’s, now, do your job, sheriff. I have other pressing matters to attend. I didn’t come all the way here for trouble or stalling tactics.”
Max squinted his eyes at him with one last warning. “I too, can make you lose your job.”
********************
“Darling, I don’t care to spend my entire afternoon watching you change from one dress to another,” he sighed and added. “Unless, perhaps, I could help you change?”
She gasped and blushed. “Franklin, how indecent!” she chided.
“You are the first woman who has kept me waiting, or should I say, I have found worth waiting for?”
“I just need your approval before the dresses are delivered. Miss Dubois insisted. She seems to want to impress you.”
He opened the door of the shop and took a seat to wait for the show to begin. Natalie brought him coffee, then hurried to help Leanne, while he crossed his foot over his knee and settled back with a newspaper.
The sheriff stepped in a few minutes later, followed by two sharp dressed men. All wore guns.
“Mr. Staley, I apologize for this interruption, and I’m sure we will get it all cleared up.”
Franklin folded the paper and stood. “What’s this all about?”
“Sir, we are here to arrest your, umm, Leanne Comer and Natalie Renwick.”
“What?” He shouted incredulously as Leanne appeared in a gorgeous silk dress.
“Franklin? What’s…”
“I’m sorry, ma’am,” the sheriff choked. “You need to come with me. You’re under arrest.”
Leanne gasped and tears came to her eyes.
“You too, Natalie,” the sheriff pointed to her.
For five solid minutes, there were questions, angry words, threats, sobs, and a couple of punches thrown.
The Pinkerton pulled out two sets of handcuffs, one for each woman, and clicked one shut on the women’s wrist and the other to his and Max’s.
“Is that really necessary?” Franklin asked. “Can’t we do this discreetly? I’m sure there is some mistake. This will be a public embarrassment, and I refuse to stand for it.”
Max stepped up to him. “Yes, it’s absolutely necessary. They have escaped once, costing me time and money. I’m not letting them out of my sight again.”
He grinned at the women. “You are definitely masters of deceit. I actually trusted you and believed your story. That won’t happen again.”
Franklin pulled Leanne close for a moment. “Don’t worry, darling. I will go see my lawyer right this minute. I will be there to pay your bail in just a little while.”
“Nope,” Max quipped. “No bail. They skipped out on the last bail set, just adding to their charges.”
“We will see about this,” Franklin growled and stomped out the door.
The women were paraded down the street for everyone to see. Although Leanne felt sure this was part of the plan, it hurt her to her soul to see the prying eyes watching and fingers pointing.
They heard loud voices and cries of anguish as they entered the jail. The handcuffs were removed, and the ladies were led to a cell next to Catherine and Miriam who were sobbing profusely.
Wiping away her own tears, she reached through the bars and held their hands as they all calmed enough to pray together.