Midnight Visitors 21
The next morning, Heyes and Abbott rode out to Celia Thorold. Having told her what happened with Simon and Fletcher and they asked for her explanation of her actions.
Celia turned away from them, hugging herself. She stared out of the window.
"After Charlie died, it wasn't long before Simon started to come around. At first, I thought it was because he and Charlie had been friends for a long time. It seemed only natural that Simon would want to look out for the widow of his old friend. I was grateful for his help and his company. I was such a mess for months after I lost Charlie."
She sighed and sat on a chair, looking out. At first, Heyes and Abbott weren't sure if she was going to continue. They looked at each other, trying to decide who should say something. Before they could, she went on, "After a while, our friendship became something more. I don't need to spell out to you what that means. Do I, Mr Rembacker?"
"No ma'am."
"Simon has already said something similar, Celia," Abbott added.
Celia took a deep breath. "I see. Simon never discussed his financial affairs and I didn't ask. I had enough to cope with running this place to wonder about someone else's business. Although I did surmise, his business was complicated and varied. He would never make any plans to meet and when he did, he often cancelled. He disliked me turning up at his apartment unannounced. I um … accepted that was just the way he was and I was er grateful for … the attention he could give me."
She paused. "He did let something thing slip one day. At the time I didn't pay any heed to it but later I realised it was something I could use … against him."
She chewed her bottom lip. "This won't hold me in a very good light, Sheriff. I-I'm rather ashamed of myself now." She put her head down and plucked at an imaginary piece of lint on her skirt.
"Take your time ma'am but Rembacker and I do need to hear this."
"I know. Thank you for bearing with me." It was a moment before she could continue. "Simon let slip he had invested in the Looped C. He didn't say anymore and I didn't ask for any more details. He probably wouldn't have told me if I had. It didn't seem important. After he … stopped seeing me, I … ." She swallowed hard. "I still had some of Charlie's business affairs to sort out and I discovered a bill of sale and a receipt amongst his papers. Charlie was never very good at bookkeeping. He would throw everything in an old box and once a year he and his accountant would go through it all. That's when I found the receipt for the Northern Switchback Pasture.
"Charlie had purchased it from Fletcher's father days before he passed but Fletcher was still using it. Which made me wonder whether Fletcher wasn't aware the land wasn't part of the Looped C anymore. The more I thought about it and pondered on the timing, I concluded that Fletcher couldn't have known his father had sold the land. I was going to see him and show him the paperwork when I remembered what Simon had said about him owning part of the Looped C."
She paused. "His desertion was very raw and I could see a way to hurt him. I contacted Stephen Mercer. He was so kind when he helped me deal with Charlie's will and he agreed to act for me in this instance. Stephen discovered that the land registry records supported my claim and so … I fenced off the Northern Switchback Pasture."
"My claim was upheld and Stephen and I celebrated, here one night. I'd had more to drink than I should have and … I … well let's say I … did not … behave appropriately to him. He was a gentleman of course and let me down gently.
"Fletcher appealed the decision, as I'd suspected he might and I approached Stephen to act for me again. I-I wouldn't have blamed him if he had refused but I had some information that might change his mind. I hadn't previously told him what Simon had told me about owning part of the Looped C. When I found out Simon was seeing Lucinda Mercer, I felt it was my duty to tell Stephen. He'd already heard from another source about Lucinda and when I mentioned that Simon owned part of the Looped C, Stephen was keen to take the case."
"How did you find out Simon was seeing Lucinda, ma'am?" Heyes asked and frowned. He wasn't sure why he wanted to know but found himself asking anyway.
"She told me." She looked round at the two men and saw surprise on their faces. "Not in so many words of course. I met her in the general store one day and we exchanged greetings. She and I have never been close and she was particularly frosty to me that day. She took great delight in telling me that she had realised that a certain friend of mine … . She emphasised the word mine. Was such pleasing company. And she went on to say that it was a shame we had fallen out." Celia shrugged. "I already knew of the rumours about her and Preston Thompkins so I knew the type of woman she is. What else could I conclude?"
Abbott and Heyes pulled faces that signalled their agreement.
"Simon came here again one night. He said Fletcher had asked for his help because of our previous relationship in persuading me to drop my defence. He seemed desperate for me to do so even … resorting to seduction." She swallowed hard before stiffening. "I-I let him stay but in the morning I told him, I was still going ahead. As far as I was concerned, the Northern Switchback Pasture was my property and I was determined to hang onto it. I remember telling him that I had every confidence in Stephen and had no doubts that the appeal would fail. To rub it in, I even told Simon that I was so appreciative of the work Stephen was doing for me I was going to give him the chest he had so admired. Simon had previously taken an interest in as well and he left angry. He calmed down enough to come again the next evening."
She paused. "If I recall correctly, that was the evening before Stephen died. Simon was apologetic, told me that he would break it off with Lucinda and … you must think I'm so gullible … said I was the one he really wanted and asked to marry me. He's a persuasive man … ."
Heyes and Abbott swopped glances and Heyes leant forward.
"What happened ma'am?" he asked, gently.
Celia took in a deep breath. "As he was leaving the next morning, my foreman came to tell me that the springboard was ready to take the chest into town. Simon offered to take the chest for me to save me a trip. Naturally, I agreed. I had no other reason to go to town that day."
"Was appreciation for winning the case the only reason you wanted Stephen to have the chest, ma'am?" Heyes asked, quietly.
Celia looked round at him sharply. "Yes. Although there is one thing further I should add … ." She took a deep breath. "I wanted Stephen to have it, to say sorry for … my unwelcome advances."
"And there wasn't a padlock on it?"
Celia frowned and shook her head. "You asked me that before. No there wasn't."
Heyes and Abbott swopped glances again. They were satisfied, Celia was naïve and gullible but she wasn't part of the conspiracy.
ASJASJASJASJ
When Heyes and Abbott returned to Medicine Bow, Dr Spaulding had left a note asking to see them. His office was their next stop.
"I've finished my analysis of the aconite," he said, when they were sitting in front of him. "The amount of aconite from the padlock was potent. If the container was full and a person ingested a sufficient quantity, I've no doubt it would kill. However, from what you tell me, Mr Rembacker, and coupled with my own findings from examining the cut on Stephen's hand, the amount, which would have entered his body, in my opinion, was not enough to kill him.
He paused. "I also analysed the aconite in Martha's headache potion which Stephen was taking. Martha is quite correct, the amount and frequency he was taking was not enough to kill him either."
He licked his lips. "However, as Mr Rembacker, quite rightly surmised the combination of the two forms of aconite in quick succession was."
He looked at the two men for their reaction. Abbott frowned. Heyes chewed his bottom lip.
"I shall of course provide a full written report, which you will need for trial, Mark."
Abbott nodded. He and Heyes said their thanks and goodbyes.
"I suppose whether Simon is tried for murder or manslaughter depends on whether he knew Stephen was taking aconite already," Heyes said, a few minutes later as they walked back to the jail.
"The result was the same but how the legalities play out is something the court will decide. Far as I'm concerned we've done our bit."
ASJASJASJASJ
Brubaker blinked awake. Who was that knocking on his door in the middle of the night?
"Just a minute," he called, sitting up in bed.
Lamp lit, a moment later he had padded across to the door and cautiously opened it.
"Good you're up," said Heyes, pushing in.
"Not really …," Brubaker said, closing the door, seeing Heyes had already taken a seat. "Is there some emergency?"
Heyes briefly glanced at him, before continue to frown and gnaw at his thumbnail. Sensing that he wouldn't find out by asking, Brubaker sat and waited.
"How do you do it, Mr Brubaker?" Heyes asked, finally. "How do you defend someone, when you know they're guilty?"
"It's not easy─"
"How can you justify it to yourself and the victims if they get off?" Heyes shook his head. "How can you bear to be in company with criminals, day in, day out?" He ran his fingers through his hair.
"How did you, Mr Heyes?"
Heyes looked up and grunted. "I'm not talking about me," he muttered. "You're a decent man."
"And you aren't?"
Heyes looked surprised. "Not really."
"It seems to me you are. Otherwise, why are you here in Medicine Bow? From what I understand, this was none of your affair. Yet you solved a case when there wasn't a case." Brubaker paused. "I know Carlson and Murtry are known to you from your previous … endeavours but through your tenacity you proved them innocent of the crime they were accused."
Heyes sighed. He flopped his hands into his lap and shook his head. "Did you know Stephen Mercer?"
"Not personally but I'd heard of him before I came to Wyoming."
"You didn't say when we spoke the other night why you came to Wyoming?"
Brubaker reddened slightly. "Love of a good woman." When Heyes looked surprised and interested, he continued, "She lives in Laramie. I met her some time ago and after Judge Hanley retired, I decided to move on. Laramie seemed as good a place as any." He paused. "What about you, Mr Heyes? I heard about the amnesty of course. It seems Judge Hanley was right to put his trust in you. What are you doing these days?" He smiled. "Apart from solving crimes of course."
Heyes grunted. "Trying to live a quiet law-abiding life," he said, and sighed. "And failing miserably," he added, quietly.
"Is that true?" Brubaker asked, in surprise.
Heyes shook his head. "No."
"Why did you come here tonight, Mr Heyes?"
"I don't know. I'm not sure. I … Simon is … he and Fletcher Callaghan killed Stephen Mercer. He was a man I liked and admired. He didn't deserve to die."
"No one does."
"I'm finding it difficult to understand how you can defend a man who was responsible for Stephen's death that's all."
"It's my job."
Heyes nodded, miserably. "I know."
"Stephen wasn't entirely blameless though was he? He encouraged Mr Woodward to take an action against Mr Thompkins─"
"He defended Celia and Martha against two … ." Heyes struggled to come up with an adjective for Simon and Fletcher, and decided to leave it, rubbing his forehead. "Y'know."
"Mr Heyes do you regret your part of in the investigation? Especially now you've proved the innocence of two men. In this case at least. "
Heyes looked at him. "No. I guess I don't."
"You've done your part, now let me do mine. I have to defend Simon because he's my client. Some of my clients are the victims, others may not be. Some cases I will win, others I won't. Something I have to accept but I will always do my best, try and get the most favourable outcome for my client as I can."
"Yeah I know that," Heyes sighed. "I'm sorry Mr Brubaker. I'm a little tired and not making any sense."
"I'm not surprised. The last few days have been trying for all of us." Brubaker paused. "Look, Mr Heyes, whatever the reason you become involved in this, you did a good job. Something any law-abiding man, with a profound sense of right and wrong would do."
Heyes grunted and Brubaker carried on regardless.
"You did what you felt you had to and you did it well. To the best of your ability. Your considerable ability. I've no doubt that if you decide to use those abilities on the right side of the law, you would be a formidable advocate. I admit some of your methods were … slightly unorthodox but you got the right result in the end. It's something to be proud of."
"J said that to me not so long ago."
"And he's right."
Brubaker looked at the despondent ex-outlaw.
"Mr Heyes it seems to me you've been given a second chance at life. My advice to you … ." Brubaker grinned when Heyes looked at him. " … and I won't charge you, is to seize the opportunity and make the most of it."
"I know and I have. I've made considerable changes to my life." He rolled his eyes. "You wouldn't believe." He paused. "It's not finding Stephen's killer that I'm struggling with, it's what happens next. You'll defend him and I don't think he should be defended. I don't know how he can be. Simon deserves the same fate as Stephen as far as I'm concerned."
"And that's what is bothering you? Now you've done your part, it's now over to the law to decide by due process what happens to him. It's not your concern anymore. Try and separate the investigation and the legal process in your mind Heyes. That … ." Brubaker lent forward. "Is what law abiding citizens do."
Heyes rubbed his forehead. "Yeah, I know." He looked up at the ceiling and his voice caught when he next spoke. "For a long time I was used to taking the law into my own hands. Metering out justice in my own way. It's um … the hardest thing I'm struggling with now I'm within the law." He smiled faintly. "Mostly."
Brubaker returned his smile and got up, prompting Heyes to do the same. They shook hands.
"Goodbye, Mr Heyes and good luck."
"Goodbye, Mr Brubaker and thank you."
Heyes reached the door, opened it and paused. "There's one more thing. Lucinda Mercer will need a good lawyer. I think losing her husband is punishment enough and I'd hate to see her suffer anymore. Will you represent her?"
"Yes," Brubaker said, with a nod. "I'll see her in the morning."
Heyes smiled. "Thank you. Good night."
One more chapter to go folks
