Part 23 (1/2)
The big lawman sat gratefully in the studded, leather chair by the fire.
”I'm right partial to brandy,” he said. ”Warms a man's insides, I always say.”
Kate poured brandy in two huge snifters, handed one to Martin and settled herself in the chair opposite.
The lawman thought she sat like a queen, and why not? Kate's range was larger than some European kingdoms.
Martin played for time.
He produced the makings and said, ”May I beg your indulgence, Ma'am?”
”Please do. My son Quinn is much addicted to cigarettes, a habit he learned from our vaqueros who smoke like chimneys.”
”Doctors say it's good for the chest,” Martin said.
”So I've heard, but I do not set store by what doctors say.”
Kate sipped her brandy, and then stooped to poke the logs into life. She didn't look up.
”I've killed men before, Miles.”
”I know, Miz Kerrigan, but I was trying to spare you a lot of fool questions.”
The woman's emerald green eyes fixed on Martin's face.
”I'll tell you what happened here earlier this evening and you can ask your questions as you see fit.”
The lawman nodded.
”I'd given the servants the night off, and I was alone in the house when I heard a horse come to a halt outside.”
”What time was that, Miz Kerrigan?”
”It was seven o'clock. I was here, sitting by the fire eating the cold supper the cook had prepared for me, and heard the grandfather clock chime in the hallway. A few moments later a knock came to the door.”
Kate's blue silk day dress rustled as she sat back and made herself more comfortable.
”I answered the summons and opened to a man, an ordinary looking fellow wearing an old dark jacket that was several sizes too large for him. He had no overcoat; the evening was cold and he s.h.i.+vered.
”He said he was hungry and could I spare him a bite of food? Since I'd no kitchen staff available, I opened the door and let him come inside.”
”That was a mistake, Miz Kerrigan,” Martin said.
Kate smiled.
”Miles, over the years I've let many men into this house. Geronimo once sat where you're sitting. We had tea and cake and he wanted to talk about old Queen Vic.”
The lawman stirred uncomfortably in his chair and glanced over his shoulder, as though he expected to see the old Apache's ghost glowering at him from a corner.
”Well, I led the way to the kitchen and the man followed me. He said his name was Tom and that he was looking for ranch work. He had the most singular eyes, rather mean and foxy, like those I used to see in some Texas gunmen back in the old days. I must admit, I did not trust him.”
”You did right,” Martin said. ”Not trusting him, I mean.”
”Thank you, Miles. I'm sure your approval will stand me in good stead should you consider hanging me.”
”Miz Kerrigan! I have no intention . . . I mean . . . I wouldn't . . .”
Kate gave the fl.u.s.tered lawman a dazzling smile.
”There, there, Miles, don't distress yourself. I'm certain the facts of the case will speak for themselves and banish all doubt from your mind.”
”Yes, yes, I'm sorry. Please proceed.”
Martin was fifty years old and Kate Kerrigan could still make him blush.
”I fixed the man some beef sandwiches, and indeed, he was as wolf hungry as he professed,” Kate said. ”It was after he'd eaten heartily that things took a dangerous turn.”
”Was the sugar scattered all over the kitchen floor part of it?” Martin said.
”Indeed it was. A small sugar sack had been left on the counter by a careless maid and Tom, if that was really his name-”
”It wasn't,” Martin said.
Kate looked at him in surprise.
”Please go on, Miz Kerrigan,” the lawman said.
”Well, the man jumped up, grabbed the sugar sack and threw the contents over the floor. He shoved the empty sack at me and said, 'You, fill this. The jewels you're wearing first.'”
”'Mister,'” I said, ”'I've been threatened by more dangerous bad men than you.'”
Martin reached into the pocket of his coat and withdrew a revolver.
”Then he drew this on you.”
Kate glanced at the gun.
”Yes, that's it, a Hopkins and Allen in thirty-two caliber. He said to fill the sack or he'd scatter my brains.”
”Oh, Miz Kerrigan, you must have been terrified,” Martin said.
Kate shook her head.
”Miles, you've known me how long? Thirty years? You should remember by now I don't scare easily.” She frowned. ”And for G.o.d's sake, call me Kate. You never called me anything else until I got this big house and eight hundred thousand acres of range to go with it.”
Now it was the lawman's turn to smile.
”Kate it is, and you're right, you never did scare worth a d.a.m.n, beggin' your pardon.”