Chapter Twenty

That evening, after darkness fell, Francis relaxed in the restaurant, projecting the picture of ease. The hotel claimed the kitchen stove’s flue was clogged and couldn’t serve the group of ranch hands any supper, so they’d ventured across the street to the restaurant. Since the arrival of the others, Jed Kasterlee, the sullen-looking hotel clerk, had turned almost hostile. The man said few words unless asked a direct question. If Colton hadn’t spoken up about the empty rooms, Kasterlee would have turned them away. He wouldn’t be of any help, and he may even be a hindrance. Hadn’t anyone ever heard of innocent until proven guilty?

Faith moved in with Colton. Smokey would throw his bedroll against their door. Francis had been booted out and took a bed in Roady’s room, while Pedro, Shad, and Nick shared another.

Roady leaned over the table in Francis’s direction. “You speak with that girl any more? That Miss Adair?” he asked softly.

Francis glanced up from cutting his steak. “Not since you saw us talking when you rode in earlier today.” He put the piece into his mouth, chewed, swallowed, and then glanced at Shad and Nick, eating at their table as well. Smokey, Faith, Pedro, and Colton were across the room. A few other diners were in the eatery, but not many. Daniel Clevenger, the same grumpy waiter who had been serving Francis since he’d arrived in town, glared at him from the kitchen area.

“She’s pretty,” Nick said, a suggestive grin stretching his face. “Good thing you saw her first.”

Francis stabbed another chunk of meat with his fork. So this is the way the wind is blowing. “You’re right, I did see her first. You best remember that.”

Nick chuckled and then shrugged while his older brother cut him a watchful glance.

Roady’s eyebrow crept up. “I don’t want any trouble between the two of you here in Priest’s Crossing. Save your grievances until later, if you must. I’d rather you learn to get along.”

Nick was older than Francis, but they were about the same size. Since last summer, Francis had bulked up plenty. Not from any one thing he’d been doing intentionally, just Mother Nature kicking in. He smiled politely at Shad and then his brother. Today, when Ashley told him about her great-great-grandfather’s name being Francis, something inside him changed. His heart had grown a mite larger, and his confidence multiplied. He hadn’t stopped thinking about her since that moment.

“Maybe you can find out some more,” Shad said, forking in a mouthful of mashed potatoes and gravy. He took a sip of his coffee and set the cup back in its saucer. “Being that she’s close friends with the Van Gleek woman. I hear they’re living in the same house.”

Nick smiled. “Sweet talk her a little. Gain her trust.”

Francis didn’t like being asked to spy. And especially not by Nick Petty. He wouldn’t playact with Ashley. He’d ask her questions, and possibly for help, but he wouldn’t hoodwink. Her gentle laughter lilted through his mind. “Keep your voice down,” he muttered, cutting his gaze to Clevenger, filling salt and pepper shakers at the end of the counter. The man’s ear was turned in their direction and his hands were barely moving. More was going on here than met the eye.

Roady took a forkful of potatoes.

One thing about Clevenger, he served a man’s meal. Nobody would go away hungry tonight when they were out sneaking around.

“Don’t get defensive, Francis,” Roady said, barely over a whisper. “Miss Adair looks like a nice girl. Nobody’s asking you to do anything deceitful. But if we could speak with the witness, Mrs. Van Gleek, then maybe we’d get somewhere. Jones gave us nothing, and Clark even less. I need to have a few words with her, that’s all. You’re really the only one who can approach her. Can you do that first thing tomorrow?”

They did need to talk with the woman accusing Luke, and that was a fact. This biscuit-crumb-sized town didn’t have a lawyer, and Francis was sure Roady would take that role. Asking a few questions couldn’t hurt. Answering them was the least she could do, in mourning or not, when another man’s life was on the line. “Sure. I can do that. First thing in the mornin’.”

“And maybe we’ll find out something important tonight,” Shad said under his breath as he watched Clevenger take the coffeepot over to Smokey’s table.

The large metal coffeepot would be heavy for anyone else, Francis thought, but for Clevenger the cast-iron appliance looked as light as a feather. He filled Smokey and Pedro’s cups, but Faith turned him down. Colton could use some cheering, but Francis didn’t know how to accomplish that with his pa still locked up.

Clevenger stood next to Roady. “More coffee?”

All the men nodded. Tonight would be a long one, and everyone needed to be alert and at their best. They’d quietly retrieve their horses from the livery and skedaddle out of town to the place Luke had described. They’d break in and search the place with lanterns. Was there anything Jones and Clark had missed? If the murder had been Brandon’s case, Francis knew that lawman wouldn’t miss a speck of dust on the ceiling if it pertained to the incident. Not so for Jones. And he didn’t know Clark well enough to say.

Clevenger silently filled their cups.

“This steak is mighty tasty,” Roady said with a smile, meat on the end of his fork.

Clevenger grunted. “Want to warn you that if you make trouble for the sheriff or the deputy, they’ll have plenty of backup from us merchants.”

“Who’s making trouble?” Nick asked, an edge to his voice. He straightened in his chair. “We’ve been perfect gentlemen since riding in.”

Roady shot Petty a glare. “We’re not looking for trouble. Just answers. That’s the least we deserve.”

Clevenger gazed at them for a long moment, lifted a shoulder in answer, and then walked off.

Tonight would prove interesting. But they’d all best be on their guard.