could have since you never asked me a single thing about them, never inquired into their backgrounds.”
Kendall sat back then and got such a look on his face that if they’d been playing cards, Maddox would have folded then and there, regardless of his hand.
“So let me put your mind at ease. I’ve known Caleb and Joshua Benedict for more than a decade. We served together for two years in the Union Army. And since that time, they’ve drifted some, yes. But only because their mother died during the war of typhoid, and their sister, Becky, married a Southern sympathizer. Becky and her husband took over the family ranch, and the man hasn’t been too keen, to date, on having anything to do with his north-supporting brothers-in-law.
“And while they have been known to take on the odd job—such as escorting the wife of a wealthy rancher—mostly they’ve worked where needed as deputy United States Marshals.”
It took a moment for the words to sink in. Maddox was a good enough poker player he kept his expression from reflecting the riot of emotions coursing through him.
He had assumed the men he’d hired to escort Sarah to be the sort who wouldn’t question orders, who’d do the least of what was required of them for the cash being paid, and would put their lives and well-being first if the situation got dangerous.
He realized he’d been silent too long. “Well then, Captain Kendall. I feel much better. Thank you for easing my mind.” He paced to the window, looked out on the street before turning and skewering the ranger with a hard stare.
“The sheriff didn’t give me any details. He said only that an attempt had been made to kill my wife. Sarah has spent her entire life in Chicago, a pampered young chit of no consequence. I find it hard to believe that anyone would actually want to kill her.”
“That’s pretty much the conclusion the Benedicts and Sheriff MacFarlane came to as well. They believe that whoever targeted Sarah—twice, not once, so they do mean business, and there is no mistake that she indeed had been the target—likely is an enemy of yours or her father’s.”
“Matthew Carmichael, have an enemy that would go after his daughter? Highly unlikely. The man’s led an amazingly boring existence. His entire life is his modest sized business—that, and his second wife, a lovely young woman with very expensive tastes.”
Kendall shook his head. “The father is boring and the daughter of no consequence. Not the family one would expect to see a man of your stature marry into.”
“Sarah suits my needs perfectly, not that it’s any business of yours. No, I can’t imagine anyone hating Carmichael enough to target his daughter. I, on the other hand, have made an enemy or two along the way. Of course I have. The one that comes to mind immediately, as a matter of fact, is Gareth Peterson.”
“I got that impression the other night during our poker game. We’re looking at Mr. Peterson, of course, and I will question him personally. All the hired guns who came after your wife are dead. Sheriff MacFarlane is questioning known associates of theirs, attempting to reconstruct events, hoping that someone in the Morgan gang had a big mouth and let slip who’d hired them.
“Beyond that, unless something more happens, there’s not much we can do here. You’ll let me know when your wife arrives safe and sound, and I’ll come out and speak to her.”
“Thank you, Captain. I will.”
Once back on the boardwalk, Maddox took his time, nodding to a man who greeted him, looking around The Square as anyone might on such a lovely summer day.
Inside, his thoughts scrambled. He’d misjudged the situation, and his failure in that regard more than displeased him. It alarmed him.
He’d been so sure of his course, he’d not made any contingency plans. He eased himself up on his horse, turned the creature toward home.
The feeling of eyes following his every move accompanied him long after anyone
Kendall sat back then and got such a look on his face that if they’d been playing cards, Maddox would have folded then and there, regardless of his hand.
“So let me put your mind at ease. I’ve known Caleb and Joshua Benedict for more than a decade. We served together for two years in the Union Army. And since that time, they’ve drifted some, yes. But only because their mother died during the war of typhoid, and their sister, Becky, married a Southern sympathizer. Becky and her husband took over the family ranch, and the man hasn’t been too keen, to date, on having anything to do with his north-supporting brothers-in-law.
“And while they have been known to take on the odd job—such as escorting the wife of a wealthy rancher—mostly they’ve worked where needed as deputy United States Marshals.”
It took a moment for the words to sink in. Maddox was a good enough poker player he kept his expression from reflecting the riot of emotions coursing through him.
He had assumed the men he’d hired to escort Sarah to be the sort who wouldn’t question orders, who’d do the least of what was required of them for the cash being paid, and would put their lives and well-being first if the situation got dangerous.
He realized he’d been silent too long. “Well then, Captain Kendall. I feel much better. Thank you for easing my mind.” He paced to the window, looked out on the street before turning and skewering the ranger with a hard stare.
“The sheriff didn’t give me any details. He said only that an attempt had been made to kill my wife. Sarah has spent her entire life in Chicago, a pampered young chit of no consequence. I find it hard to believe that anyone would actually want to kill her.”
“That’s pretty much the conclusion the Benedicts and Sheriff MacFarlane came to as well. They believe that whoever targeted Sarah—twice, not once, so they do mean business, and there is no mistake that she indeed had been the target—likely is an enemy of yours or her father’s.”
“Matthew Carmichael, have an enemy that would go after his daughter? Highly unlikely. The man’s led an amazingly boring existence. His entire life is his modest sized business—that, and his second wife, a lovely young woman with very expensive tastes.”
Kendall shook his head. “The father is boring and the daughter of no consequence. Not the family one would expect to see a man of your stature marry into.”
“Sarah suits my needs perfectly, not that it’s any business of yours. No, I can’t imagine anyone hating Carmichael enough to target his daughter. I, on the other hand, have made an enemy or two along the way. Of course I have. The one that comes to mind immediately, as a matter of fact, is Gareth Peterson.”
“I got that impression the other night during our poker game. We’re looking at Mr. Peterson, of course, and I will question him personally. All the hired guns who came after your wife are dead. Sheriff MacFarlane is questioning known associates of theirs, attempting to reconstruct events, hoping that someone in the Morgan gang had a big mouth and let slip who’d hired them.
“Beyond that, unless something more happens, there’s not much we can do here. You’ll let me know when your wife arrives safe and sound, and I’ll come out and speak to her.”
“Thank you, Captain. I will.”
Once back on the boardwalk, Maddox took his time, nodding to a man who greeted him, looking around The Square as anyone might on such a lovely summer day.
Inside, his thoughts scrambled. He’d misjudged the situation, and his failure in that regard more than displeased him. It alarmed him.
He’d been so sure of his course, he’d not made any contingency plans. He eased himself up on his horse, turned the creature toward home.
The feeling of eyes following his every move accompanied him long after anyone
Similar Books
