An Officer but No Gentleman(105)

Charlie looked at Jaxon. Fat tears streamed down her cheeks. “I could have saved them if I had only gone around to the kitchen door. I just stood there and only moved away again when the heat forced me back as it grew. I didn’t know what to do. The fire glowed orange through the windows at first and flames lapped out of the open door and spread up the wall. There was an indescribable roaring sound as it consumed the house. Then I could just barely hear Mama and Miss Gertie calling my name over the din. I yelled back, but they couldn’t hear me. I screamed and screamed until I lost my voice.

“The windows turned black with soot and started shattering. I was the only one who made it out. Because the fire started in the rear of the house, it was a long time before anyone saw it and came to help. By then, it was too late. The men came to the back of the house to get water out of the cistern. That’s when they found me.

“They kept asking what happened and how I got out and where my mother and Gertie were. I couldn’t tell them anything. My voice was gone. I really didn’t understand my mother was dead. I didn’t understand what death was. The weeks—the months really, after the fire, I barely remember. People speculated that my mother pulled me out and went back in. Some said I was a miracle. Could anything be further from the truth? Even after my throat healed, I just couldn’t be compelled to speak. I don’t know if it was because I knew I’d have to answer their question, I just didn’t have it in me. My father thought it was stubbornness, but that wasn’t it at all.”

“You were traumatized, in shock,” Jaxon said.

She looked up at him with such sadness in her eyes. Jaxon knew it was her guilt that made her build up in her mind that the horrific death of her mother and housekeeper as a criminal offense. No wonder she still had nightmares.

“So you think Grayson brought the law because of something that happened when you were five.”

“Aye, I was responsible for a fire that killed two people.”

Jaxon shook his head. “I don’t know why they are here, but that fire was a tragic accident and you weren’t even school-aged yet. The law would never call you responsible legally.”

“Why else would they be here, Jax? Except for starting a few fights, I’ve never done anything else, I swear. And I always paid for the damages. There is no statute of limitations on murder. They just waited until I was old enough to lock up to come for me.”

Jaxon shook his head and sighed. Charlie logic. He took her in his arms and held her for several minutes, then pulled her to her feet. He removed his handkerchief from his pocket and dried her face.

“There is only one way to find out why they are here. I promise I’ll wait for you through your child-bearing years.”

Charlie looked wide-eyed at him and he smiled widely at her.

“Did you just make a joke?” Charlie asked in astonishment. It hardly seemed the time to make jests, but she smiled in spite of herself.

“Aye.”

“Under other circumstances, I’d mark that on my calendar.”

“It’s going to be all right, baby. I promise you.”

Jaxon led her by the hand back into the tight corridor. Grayson stood leaning against the wall looking at his watch, a look of boredom on his face.

“Why the deputy marshals, Gray?” Jax asked without preamble.





38





“To guard Charlie’s money, of course,” Grayson answered. “She loaded.”

“Yes, I know. I’ve seen the books. Her ship is berthed in the harbor.”

“As your attorney, Miss Sinclair, I advise you against marrying anyone. You will lose control of your fortune.”

Jaxon looked annoyed. “Leave off, Gray. We married an hour ago.”

“Under what name?” Grayson asked. “Did you get married under the name Charlie Sinclair?”

“Aye, of course.”

“Come into the cabin, Charlie so I can show you what I found.” He placed a hand on the small of her back compelling toward the guarded cabin. The guards pressed their bodies against one wall to allow them to pass

“Jaxon is coming, too,” she said reaching back for Jaxon’s hand.

“Fine. If you insist.”

One of the deputies turned the knob and pushed the door open letting them in. Grayson took the chair behind the desk and began shuffling through a file of papers.

As he put the veil in the locker Jaxon noticed a chest in the corner that didn’t belong to him and stepped over and opened it. It was full of gold bars.

“Good God,” he blurted out drawing Charlie’s attention. “We need to find the bank manager and get him to come to work today.”