A Dream of Daring by Gen LaGreca Page B

to uncover any information
that might lead to a different interpretation of the crime. But because of his
loyalty to the lady on his badge, the facts would have to fall where they might
on her scales.
    After the three men
arrived and everyone took seats around the table, Duran searched the men’s
faces. From Nash to Markham to Tom, he saw expressions from coolness to
distrust to curiosity.
    “I called you here to go
over some things and ask a few questions,” he said simply. “First, Mr.
Edmunton, tell me a little more about how your invention happened to get to the
Crossroads on the day of Polly Barnwell’s funeral.”
    Tom began his story. “I
wanted to start a company that would develop my tractor and later sell it. This
was a big venture, and I needed more money than I had, so I entered a contest
in Philadelphia that was a showcase for new inventions where I hoped to find
backers. I continued to make improvements on my invention until the last moment
before I had to depart, which left me with little time to spare. It was at this
time that Polly Barnwell died, and her funeral was set for the day I was going
to leave on my trip, so I planned to miss the service.”
    As he spoke, Tom looked
at the sheriff, glancing occasionally at the others.
    “The day before the
funeral, I went to Ruby Manor to pay my respects to the Barnwells and apologize
for having to miss the service. Rachel was upset with me. I had been courting
her, but I was also neglecting her to work on my tractor. I hadn’t expected her
to respond so . . . unfavorably. I was puzzled for a moment
about what to do. The senator, who was present during the discussion, inquired
about my plans. He consulted the steamboat schedule in a newspaper that he had
handy and came up with a solution.”
    “And what was that?”
asked the sheriff.
    “I could catch another
steamer the morning after the funeral, which would get me to Philadelphia in
time for the contest. Because the Crossroads is so much closer to Bayou
Redbird, he suggested I take the invention there, attend the funeral, stay the
night, then immediately head for the docks the next morning. The delay would be
inconsequential, he suggested, and I could make Rachel happy while still
carrying out my plan. I agreed to his alternative plan, and he sent his most
trusted servant on his fastest horse to the docks with a note to reserve a
place for me and my cargo on the steamboat leaving the day after Miss Polly’s
service. The servant later returned with my new reservation.”
    The sheriff nodded.
    Tom continued. “The
senator came up with a further suggestion. He needed to go to the Crossroads
early on the day of the funeral. So if he hauled the tractor there for me, then
I could do him the favor of riding with Mrs. Barnwell and Rachel in their
carriage later, to console them, he said. He didn’t want to leave them grieving
without the benefit of his comfort, yet he wanted to arrive at Miss Polly’s
plantation well before the ladies would be ready to leave. It also seemed as if
he wanted to help me smooth things out with his daughter before I left town.”
    “Why was Senator Barnwell
arriving early at the Crossroads?” asked the sheriff.
    “He said he wanted to
look over the plantation journals and see that everything was in order because
Ted Cooper was coming to inspect the place with an eye to purchasing it. The
senator explained that the Crossroads had come into his hands upon Polly
Barnwell’s death. At his age, he said, he couldn’t take on another plantation
and would rather sell it.”
    The sheriff nodded.
    “Nash was there,” Tom
continued. “He heard all of this.”
    “Is that so?” The sheriff
turned to Nash.
    “I was at Ruby Manor to
pay my respects,” said Nash. “I heard the senator offer to haul something to
the Crossroads for Tom, so he could ride with the ladies. Now, had the senator
asked me instead, I would’ve been quite happy to accompany the women,
and I daresay I