Belle: by Tanner Margaret

Author:Tanner, Margaret
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-01-02T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Mid-morning the next day, Belle was reading a story to Jake. Under any other circumstances she would have enjoyed staying at the hotel, as the room was comfortable and the food excellent. It was hard on a little boy to only be able to run around in the confines of this space, although her son had been well-behaved all things considered.

The deputy was sitting outside. He did spend some time in the room with them, although she got the feeling he felt embarrassed about it, and in a way, she didn’t blame him. It was an awkward situation for them both.

The night guard who came to relieve Clarrie was an older man, also. Apparently, he was one of the guards who worked at Mr. Dyson’s bank. She couldn’t help wondering where he had been while the robbery was taking place.

She suddenly heard raised male voices, then heard Clarrie say, “You can’t do that.”

“I can and I will.” Was that Mr. Dyson? It sure sounded like him.

The door swung open and Clarrie, the sheriff and Dyson walked in. One look at Clarrie’s face and she knew something bad had happened.

“What’s wrong?” Belle jumped up from the chair.

“The sheriff and his posse shot and killed Nate McManus,” Clarrie said. “He escaped and they caught him just out of town and there was a shootout.”

“Oh, no! Anyone else hurt?”

“Fortunately, no,” said the sheriff. “Of course, this affects you, too, Mrs. Sharmon. You won’t need to give evidence because there won’t be any trial.”

Relief swept over her. “Thank goodness. I’ve been so worried.”

“This means I don’t need to pay for your protection anymore,” Mr. Dyson said.

“What!” The word shot out of Belle’s mouth, such was her shock.

“You aren’t needed as a witness; therefore, I’m not paying for your protection, so I will ask you to leave the hotel immediately. Consider yourself lucky I’ve paid your bill up until now.”

Belle nearly collapsed with the shock. She opened her mouth to protest, only no words would come out from behind the lump in her throat.

“That isn’t fair,” Clarrie said. “Mrs. Sharmon’s actions have put her at considerable risk. Her child, also. What’s she supposed to do now?”

“It’s her problem, not mine. If there is no court case, I don’t need her.”

“Wh…what about the job in Sacramento?” she asked even though she feared the answer.

“What about it?”

“You promised me a job at the bank and money for a new start,” she wailed. “I’ve lost my job here and my home, because I tried to do the right thing. What am I going to do now?”

“Nothing to do with me anymore.” Dyson’s tone was hard and implacable.

“Why you contemptible varmint,” Clarrie growled. “Don’t you think the rest of the McManus family will want to revenge themselves on her because she got Nate put in jail?”

“My deputy is right,” the sheriff said. “She can’t stay here in town. The least you can do is pay her fare to somewhere well away from here.”

“I run a bank, not a charity.

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