January 8
Rosemary didn't dare to take a breath on the off chance that it would make this incredible, albeit strange, possibility of a solution disappear into thin air like a tendril of smoke. Was it possible? Did Gowen truly know Kirill? Would he stand witness against Kirill's character to help Dottie and herself recover what was stolen and also rid them of the threat of Kirill for a lifetime? Oh, for Dottie's sake she hoped so. She willed her fingers to relax their grip on her friend's arm. She could feel Dottie's stiff curiosity pulsing from under her fingertips. She watched as Lee braved a walk toward the man behind the bars of the jail cell.
"So it is true, you are back in town." Lee's eyes met Gowen's. Was that a challenge in her husband's voice? Sure, the two men had their past snafus, but couldn't they let it drop for Dottie's sake?
Gowen raised an eyebrow, but didn't reply.
"He couldn't stay away from jail for long." Bill scoffed. "I picked him up on the old McCoy property earlier today and brought him in on charges of trespassing." Bill looked pleased with himself, but in the next instant looked annoyingly over at Gowen. "What on earth could you know about this Kirill fellow? Is this just half a desperate plea to get you out of this jail cell or what?"
Gowen had his arms up against the bars, a serious expression on his face.
"Actually, I know you may not believe me, but Kirill, Silas, and I, well, we have a bit of a past." His drawl was slow.
She sucked in a quick breath. Oh, she prayed it was true; that Gowen could actually be the key to helping them incarcerate Kirill. They would take any help they could get- no matter how outlandish the source. And Gowen, well, he was about as ridiculous of a source that she could imagine.
"You are already in enough trouble. Why come forward with this now? I would think you would be happy to just stay out of the spotlight for a while." Bill questioned the ex-mayor.
She followed Gowen's gaze; his eyes landed softly on Dottie. Was that a slight affection in his gaze? She'd bet the farm it was. It might not be visible to the regular eye, but her, with her matchmaking skills, could see it from a mile away. It was the look of lost love. Dottie gently smiled back and then shifted her attention to her satchel on her arm.
"Dottie, may I tell them what I know?" His voice was gentler than she had ever remembered hearing it.
Dottie fidgeted with her satchel. "If it helps us settle this matter with Kirill, then please, by all means, go ahead."
Gowen looked at her with—was that tenderness—before raising his eyes stubbornly to Bill. "Might a guy have a bit of a more comfortable place to sit?"
Bill frowned. Jack nodded, grabbed the keys, and proceeded to unlock the cell.
Gowen took a few steps forward, then paused to press his hands into his back with a slight groan.
"You couldn't have picked a more uncomfortable cot."
"You're lucky you have a place to sleep." Bill pointed to the hard chair next to the stove. "Sit."
Gowen scowled, but sure enough, he sat. "Can a guy get a cup of coffee?" He ventured.
This time it was Bill who scowled. He walked over to the stove and sloshed the remains of the pot into a semi-clean up.
"Don't get used to it."
Gowen accepted the cup with a smirk, then chanced a sip. Followed by a slow second. Then a third.
"Get on with it." Bill went back to the desk and leaned against it.
Rosemary glanced over at Lee who exchanged her curious look. Who knew what Gowen would have to say, and would it be the truth? When, if ever, had he ever had anything beneficial to share? Oh she hoped beyond hope that this would be the one time he would come through for them.
Gowen took another slow sip from his cup and then glanced around the room, his gaze slightly pausing over Dottie.
"You see, I've been acquainted with Dottie's family, the Richardsons, for quite awhile, actually. Dottie and I grew up a stone's throw away from each other. But we were on different "sides of the track" if you will." He took a minute to lick his dry lips and look around the room. So far, so good.
"The Richardsons have always been known for their wealth, and well, my family…well, was not. I remember the day Silas Ramsey showed up. He was fresh and young faced. Hardly old enough to shave." Gowen let out a guffaw.
"He was eighteen, nearly the same age as you, Henry." Dottie chided.
"Yeah, well, he came to the mercantile with a whole pile of cash. I knew then and there that guy was going to be my friend. He was going places. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong." Gowen paused, and gave Dottie a sad glance. "Well, hardly a week went by before the rumor swirled around town that the young Silas, from the wealthy and well bred Ramsey family, would wed the only daughter of the Richardsons. Everyone thought it was a perfect match, but me, I wasn't sure he was right for… Dottie."
Rosemary stole a quick glance at her friend. Was that regret written over her face? What was the story between the two of them? It seemed that Gowen, although he never would admit it, must have pined over the young Dottie, but because of his upbringing, he was never considered a proper suitor for the young girl from a wealthy family. But the question was: had young Dottie ever entertained thoughts of romance towards a young Gowen? Was there an interest in the past that had been sequestered by their very different upbringing? Or was it all just interest from Gowen's side of things? She tapped a finger to her lips, trying to commit the questions to memory. Mark her words; she would be having a discussion with Dottie regarding these interesting developments.
Gowen cleared his throat and continued.
"Not long after they were married, the young fool got himself in a bit of a pickle. He'd lost the whole down payment for their new home in a gambling game gone bad. Determined get it back for his new and expecting wife, he got himself into a horrible gambling debt with none other than Kirill. Even I knew the Russian outlaw was no one to mess with. But the naive Silas took him on, and lost greatly. In fact, Kirill and his goons were in the midst of beating Silas lifeless when I stepped in and gave the scoundrel every ounce of my earnings with the expectation the wealthy Silas would repay me. Somehow I convinced Kirill to hold off on his killing spree, that we would wire Silas' father for more money and it would be available the next day."
Gowen lifted his eyes to Dottie, who looked as surprised as everyone else.
"So did you? Did you get the money the next day?" Rosemary bit the edge of her nail.
Gowen gave a dry laugh. "Mrs. Coulter, there was no money to be had. Once Silas and I were alone, he informed me he was recently disinherited from his family as a result of his poor choices. They would not send one red cent to save his name, let alone his life."
Dottie looked pale.
Gowen looked apologetic. "I'm sorry Dottie, I can stop now, if you wish."
"No, go ahead please." She looked as if she was trying to compose herself.
Gowen waited for a moment, and at her nod, he continued.
"So you can see our dilemma. Kirill didn't trust us and planted his gunman out our hotel door for the night. Lucky for us, our room backed up to the alley and we were able to tie together bed sheets and escape out the window after dark. We rode out of that town as if our tails were on fire. I wouldn't want to be within five miles of him when Kirill found out we had skipped town. He must have been mad enough to kill the both of us." Gowen stopped the shake his head. "So, if he is back in town, it is not good news I tell you. From his note, it seems he thinks Silas is still alive and able to pay him back." Gowen leaned back in the chair as if all this talk from the past had thoroughly exhausted him.
"Goodness, no wonder Silas did not share that story. Kirill took every ounce of his dignity and wouldn't have stopped with his life. Oh you poor dear, not ever knowing about your husband's past with this criminal." She reached over and patted her friend's hand.
"Oh for that I am grateful. I don't think I would have slept a wink these past sixteen years if I had known the whole story. I owe you, Henry, a sincere thank you for all you did for Silas, Bradley, and myself."
Gowen looked embarrassed. "You forget the only reason I loaned him the money is I thought he'd repay me."
"Well, still, it was a mighty big thing of you to do. It's horrible to imagine he could have lost his life that night, with us only being newly married and with a baby on the way. I'm glad you were there to step in and help."
She extended a small, gloved hand towards him.
Gowen looked at her hand for a moment before reaching out his hand to meet hers. "It was no trouble at all." He looked into her eyes with a gentleness of an old friend before looking back at the ground.
The room was quiet, except for Bill, who pushed off the desk and then busied himself reaching for his holster and gun. "The question is, Gowen, why, would you step in? Why did it matter to you if Silas was beaten to a pulp? Were you two in a business cahoots together or something?"
Gowen's cheeks colored and he instantly looked uncomfortable.
Every eye was on him.
"Well, let's just call it a lapse in judgment."
She scoffed a little louder than she intended. Oh yeah right, a lapse of judgment. Sure, perhaps the two could have been in business together, but she knew better than to believe that was the only reasoning for Gowen to step in. The truth was written all over his forlorn face. He must have cared for Dottie a great deal to have stepped into such a tumultuous situation. But if he wasn't ready to admit it, she wouldn't expose his secret— yet.
"So, how much was this debt Silas owed?" Lee rested his hands in the pockets of his green plaid pants as he leaned against the desk.
"If I remember right, it was close to $2,000." Gowen took the last sip from his coffee cup and then leaned over and set it on the stove.
Bill whistled. Lee's eyes widened. Jack cleared his throat.
"And that was a good sixteen years ago. I'm sure he is hoping to collect with interest." Bill said as he strapped his holster on.
Dottie wrung her hands. "Where am I to get money like that? I don't have even a portion of that. Silas' money, the insurance money, I used to start the business. There is not much of it left. I just don't know what I could do…"
"Well, the good news is, I'm not foolish when it comes to Kirill." Gowen leaned forward in his chair. "I'm not proud to say it, but I frequented shady establishments often in my youth and heard many rumors involving Kirill and, well, let's just say, I have a lot of dirt on the fellow."
"You'd be willing to testify against him?" Bill's question was met with silence. She, along with everyone in the room, held her breath. Would Gowen come through for them, for Dottie?
Gowen looked as if his mouth was dry. He also looked as if he was seriously contemplating his answer. Finally, he nodded slightly.
"Okay, let's go get our man." Bill grabbed his jacket and patted his gun at his side.