Caroline Devane

Rachel was standing at Mr. Hoover’s bedside when I went in to check on him. From her expression it was plain that she was upset and trying to hide it, but the reason was not her lover’s condition. He was conscious, although not fully alert, and his color was good and his eyes clear. And his pulse, when I checked it, was strong.

The dressing on his wound needed changing. I removed the old one and was relieved to find no sign of infection. He would be all right until the doctor came from River Bend, and eventually, I thought, he would mend good as new. I put on more sulphur powder and a fresh bandage. His grimace prompted me to ask if he was in pain.

“Some,” he said weakly, “but it’s tolerable.”

I gave him a spoonful of laudanum anyway, to help him sleep. He needed to rebuild his strength, and rest was the best remedy.

When I was done, Rachel squeezed his hand and whispered something to him that I deliberately did not listen to. Then she plucked at my sleeve and gestured toward the door. Whatever was upsetting her, she didn’t wish to discuss it in front of Hoover. As soon as we were in the hallway, with the door closed, she said: “It’s gone, Caroline.”

“What is?”

“The money. The three thousand dollars I took from my husband’s safe. Joe had it in his belt pouch and now the pouch is empty.”

I vaguely remembered seeing the pouch when Mr. Murdock and I had taken off Joe Hoover’s jacket and shirt, but in my urgent need to extract the bullet and clean and dress the wound, I’d thought no more about it. “When did you learn this?”

“A few minutes ago, just before he woke up.”

“Perhaps the Murdocks removed it for safekeeping.”

“I don’t think so. They’d have said something to me.”

Yes, they would have. In the chaotic aftermath of Luke Kraft’s sudden intrusion, I had forgotten his mention of the $3,000 and I suspected the Murdocks and the others had as well. All except one… and there was only one person among us that could be.

Rachel realized it at the same time. “James Shock,” she said. “He took it last night.”

Of course. Shock had slipped into the room, late, and talked her into leaving him there alone. Out of the goodness of his heart? Hardly. He was a cold-blooded opportunist, perfectly capable of taking note of the rancher’s words and Hoover’s belt pouch, and conniving to steal the money.

“Yes,” I said, “but it’s too late to confront him. Mister Murdock told me he drove off early to summon the doctor from River Bend.”

“The money’s gone for good, then. He won’t stop in River Bend.”

“Mister Murdock and Mister Nesbitt might be able to catch him on horseback…”

“Why should they bother? It’s not their place.”

Footsteps, coming quickly from the family’s quarters. Sophie Murdock appeared, her mouth set in grim lines.

“Have either of you seen my daughter?”

“Not at all this morning,” I said, and Rachel shook her head. “She’s not in her room?”

“No, and some of her things are missing. Clothing and her carpetbag.”

“Oh, Lord. You think she may have run off?”

“I don’t know. It’s possible. She’s young and restless, she dislikes her life here, and after what happened last night…”

I recalled the adoring looks Annabelle had lavished on James Shock. Was it possible that he’d sweet-talked her into leaving with him? Or that she’d decided to join him on her own?

My face must have betrayed what I was thinking. “What is it, Missus Devane?”

Sophie Murdock asked. “Do you have an idea where Annabelle’s gone?”

“Yes,” I said, “I’m afraid I do.”