A/N: Thank you, mingsmommy, as always, for the beta and advice. Thanks again to cropper for your assistance in certain areas of this chapter, it is very much appreciated. Sorry for the delay in posting, I'm running a little behind and have a lot going on right now, personally. I hope I can keep my writing schedule steady and not get too far adrift. Thank you to everyone for the great reviews and comments :)
Chapter 22
Hank found his target in the outer stables. He surveyed the area for a while to make certain he didn't get spotted and entered the stable when he knew there was only one occupant remaining.
"Good morning."
He turned and stepped back, shocked. "What are you doing here?"
"Just making sure the plan is progressing as agreed."
"It's not."
The rich boy's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean, it's not?"
"I can't do anything at the moment."
"Why not?" Hank asked his question stepping closer.
"Just get out of here, if anyone hears this I…"
"I said, why not?" Hank now demanded, cutting in.
"Because, of Grissom, alright? He is patrolling the estate all the time, even at night. If I do as you asked I will get caught and the whole plan will be blown. I don't want to spend the rest of my life in jail and I'm sure you don't either. There is just too much suspicion right now, we are moving too quickly and need to slow down."
Rubbing his chin Hank sighed. "You know he isn't going to be happy about this don't you? He was depending on you to get this sorted."
"I know and I will." He twitched nervously. "I just need some time for Grissom to back off. He is too wary right now. Let things calm down and I will get it done."
"You better," Hank growled, clenching his fists, "the first opportunity you get, you do it and keep me informed."
"I will. Do you intend to do anything further about him? He is a good man, just…"
Rubbing his eyes the rich boy sighed heavily. "You let me worry about that, you just concentrate on the plan or you will never get what you want, you hear me?"
"Yes," he whispered. "Now you need to go before someone sees you."
"Do not let us down," Hank hissed under his breath before turning and sneaking from the stable.
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
By the time Sara reached the workshop plot, everyone was busying themselves with the ground work.
After announcing herself with, "Good morning, gentlemen," the group looked in her direction and sounded their good mornings in return.
"I'm looking for a volunteer to escort me to town. Would anyone like to accompany me?"
Immediately, Warrick stepped forward. "I'll go with you, Miss Sara, if," he turned to Ecklie, "that's alright."
"Me too," Nicolas quickly stood from his crouched position.
Sara smiled but Ecklie didn't seem all that impressed.
"Easy guys, you can't both go," he said taking control, "We have a lot of work to do here. This workshop can't build itself and we are already two people down today, aren't we, Sara?"
Why did Sara sense a hint of bitterness in his words? She knew Grissom and Ecklie were not the best of friends for a reason she didn't know but a little understanding would have been nice.
She glared at him.
"I thought you would enjoy being in charge, Conrad, is it a little too much for you already? I can always ask Father to…"
"Warrick, go with her and don't be too long." Ecklie cut in before she had chance to finish and turned away.
Looking to Nicolas, Warrick shrugged his shoulders as the younger man rolled his eyes and sighed.
"Don't have too much fun now will you?" Nicolas joked as he picked his shovel back up and stuck it into the ground.
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
Galloping down the driveway Hank shot through the main entrance to see his men waiting for him. He pulled up alongside them and wiped his brow on his shirt sleeve.
"Get everything sorted, Boss?" Wyatt, the second rider asked.
"No," Hank snapped in reply. "He says he can't do anything because Grissom is being too damn nosy at the moment and he doesn't want to get caught. If he does, we risk losing all we have accomplished and our plan will be exposed."
"Oh, thinks himself as the estates savior huh?"
Turning up his nose Hank spat on the ground. "Uncle will not be happy about this or the fact that Grissom didn't seem to get the message."
"Well, maybe we should send him another one," Brad cut in.
Hank thought for a moment, lightly kicking his horse he led his riders into the trees by the road and out of sight. He dismounted and roughly kicked the dirt in frustration. "Damn worker has to complicate everything!"
"You want us to do anything?" Brad asked.
"Just let me think for a minute."
As Hank found himself deep in concentration he spotted Sara and Warrick heading down the driveway and turning into the road opposite them, riding in the direction of town.
"Maybe we can persuade dear old Grissom to leave town through other means," he remarked, his eyes narrowing as he watched Sara move upon her horse. "Maybe he doesn't have to be the one to get hurt…"
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
Sara and Warrick trotted into town and pulled up outside the store. After tying up their horses to the rail, they clonked up the steps to the shop but they suddenly stopped upon hearing Warrick's name being called.
Turning they saw Sam Braun across the street, surrounded by several of his body guards.
"Erm, Sara, will you be alright for a few minutes? I think Sam wants to talk to me."
"Sure, take your time; I'll meet you back here in say…fifteen minutes?"
Warrick nodded his agreement and rushed down the steps towards Sam.
Pushing the door open, Sara entered the store and walked up to the large wooden counter to her right and waited. Her eyes floated around the establishment and the array of goods stacked around her. As this was the only general store in town, everything you could ever need, you would find here. Things ranging from coffee, tea, spices, cheese, milk, butter and molasses to fabric, thread, lace, linen, books, tobacco, kerosene, rat traps and poison. Even coffins were available upon request and a few were displayed by the door.
Sara turned back to the counter and eyed the candy and long licorice whips laid out on its top. She had to admit she did have a sweet tooth now and again. Maybe she could even take something back for Grissom to cheer him up a little.
Suddenly a man popped up from behind the counter and Sara held her hand to her heart.
"Dear lord, Rory, you scared me," she gasped. "Do you have to do that?"
The middle aged man behind the counter chuckled to himself. "Sorry, Miss Sara, I was just sorting out a few things and didn't hear you come in. What can I do for you?"
"Do you have any calendula cream?"
Scratching his head, the store owner thought for a moment. "I'm not too sure, let me check out back." He stepped from behind the counter, "I won't be a moment," he said disappearing into the back area of the shop.
As Sara drummed her fingers on the counter and waited, her thoughts turned back to Grissom. She hoped he was resting. There was something about being in town that was niggling at her though. She did feel a little uncomfortable knowing that just a short distance away Grissom had been ambushed. She found it hard to believe however that there were no witnesses. Maybe she could ask if anyone saw anything the previous evening or even go to the sheriff. She knew he and Grissom were close friends but would Grissom be angry if she did? All in all, she didn't want him to get hurt again but could she speak of the incident to anyone in confidence?
"Here we go." Rory's voice broke her from her thoughts and she looked in his direction. He held up a small canister of cream. "Last one, we don't get much call for it, but we got a small batch in last month. It's fifty cents, alright?"
"Yes, that's fine, thank you."
Stepping back behind the counter he placed the cream into a brown paper bag. "Is there anything else I can get for you? Tobacco for your father, maybe?"
"No, thank you. I'm sure he is fine but I will take a few of the licorice whips." She pointed to the jar with a smile.
"Sure thing," he responded opening the jar. "How many would you like?"
"Surprise me," Sara chuckled, causing Rory to grin.
"Can I ask you something, Rory?"
He looked up as he slipped the candy into the bag.
"Of course."
"Are there any rumors or chitchat in town in regards to an incident last night?"
The store owner frowned, slipping the bag across the counter. "What kind of incident?"
"Oh, um," Sara hesitated, "nothing really. I was just wondering you know, any good gossip going around?"
"Miss Sara," Rory sounded surprised, "I didn't know you paid any attention to the towns gossipers."
"Well, no, I don't, Just…never mind," she sighed.
"Are you sure?"
Sara nodded quickly and picked up the bag. "Can you add this to my father's slate?"
"Not a problem."
"Thank you, Rory," she smiled sweetly and started for the door.
"Anytime," he called after her before she left.
CSICSICSICSICSICICSI
As Sara exited the store she stopped dead in her tracks when she caught a glimpse of Heather walking by. She watched as the former madam strode to her establishment to disappear down the side alley next to it.
Thinking very carefully about her next move Sara looked around. As Warrick was nowhere in sight she knew she had a little time so she decided to follow Heather. Possibly she saw or heard something the previous night or maybe she could find some clue to the identity of the people who jumped her teacher.
Her decision was made and she hurried down the steps. Slipping her goods into her saddle bag, she rushed in the direction of where she saw Heather disappear.
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
Cautiously, Sara entered the alleyway and her gut rolled a little. It was even dark in daylight; she could only imagine how dark it had been for Grissom. Slowly, she followed it down until she reached the gate to the back of the saloon.
Walking through the gate, her eyes fell to the ground and she spotted a little blood tainted dirt. She knew this must have been where Grissom was attacked. She bent down and inspected the ground a little closer, just in case there might be a clue, a dropped item, a piece of fabric, anything. But apart from the few dark patches of blood covered earth, there was nothing else.
"What are you doing back here?"
Jumping to her feet Sara spun around to come face to face with the saloon owner slowly walking down the back stairs towards her.
For a long moment the two women stared at each other without another word until Sara finally broke the silence.
"I, um, came to speak to you, actually; I saw you in the street and followed you here."
Folding her arms lightly across her chest Heather stepped a little closer. "It's unusual to see you in town, Sara, especially," she looked behind her, "alone. What do you want?"
Now folding her own arms across her chest Sara thought very carefully about what to say. "Grissom was here last night, was he not?"
"He was," Heather admitted. "Is there a reason for your question?"
"Did you hear or see anything after he left?"
Sara watched as the older woman frowned deeply, a bad sensation suddenly churning in her gut that she had made the wrong decision by questioning Heather. It struck her, all of the sudden, recalling in her mind's eye the last time she was in town with Grissom and how close he seemed to Heather. Now, she was bound to ask questions. She knew she had to depart and fast.
Hell, she didn't even know why Grissom was here in the first place. Maybe he had come to see Heather and sudden doubts about whether Grissom even cared for her like he said he did suddenly flooded her thoughts. Or was she just being paranoid?
"Did something happen to him?" Heather asked, with a hint of concern in her voice.
Smiling weakly, Sara took a step back. "I'm sorry, Heather, I shouldn't have come here; just…forget what I said. I have to go."
As Sara turned to leave, Heather's firm voice pierced the air. "Sara!" The younger woman stopped, clenching her eyes closed for a moment before turning to face the former madam again.
"Please," Heather spoke softly now, "Come inside and we can talk. I am not stupid. You would not come here without a reason or a concern. I care for Grissom; he is a good man and from what I can see, so do you. Maybe I can help." She gestured to the stairs with a tender hand. "Please…"
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
After watching Sara hurry across the street, Brad and Wyatt spurred their horses from the hidden spot around the side of the store and slowly trotted in the direction of the saloon.
CSICSICSICSICSICSICSI
Nervously, and a little unsure about what she was doing, Sara followed Heather through the back corridors of the saloon until they reached the door into the bar.
Pushing open the door, Heather gestured for Sara to go through and she did so.
"Take a seat, Sara. I'll organize us some tea." The saloon owner pointed to a quiet table in the corner and Sara nodded in agreement, sitting while Heather organized refreshments. She returned a few minutes later carrying a tray and placed it on the table before sitting down.
"So," Heather spoke as she poured, "What's on your mind?"
Shuffling uncomfortably, Sara's eyes drifted around the establishment. She didn't often find herself in a place like this, alone especially. The yeast filled musky aroma that floated through the air made her nostrils flare and not in a good way.
"I'm sorry," she said quickly, "I don't think this is such a good idea, I shouldn't be here."
She went to stand but Heather gently placed a hand on her arm and held out a cup. "It is very evident you bear concerns in regards to Grissom, please let me assist you." She gestured for Sara to take the cup and with slight reluctance she eventually did and placed it on the table.
"Did something happen to Grissom last night?" Heather stirred her tea before sipping it.
Sara just played with her cup handle before offering a slender nod in response. "Yes," she admitted looking Heather in the eye, "Right in your back yard." There was a hint of bitterness in Sara's words, she didn't mean it to be accusatory but found it hard to believe no one knew Grissom was assaulted right outside.
"What?" Heather's mouth dropped open. "Here?"
Nodding again, Sara sipped from her cup.
"What happened?"
Again, Sara became hesitant about sharing the information Grissom had trusted her with. Yes, Heather seemed concerned, but could she trust her?
"Sara," the older woman began, "you can trust me, I promise you. Anything you tell me will be held in the deepest confidence. I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize Grissom's safety; we have been through too much for that."
Now, Heather definitely had Sara's attention. What exactly had they been through together? She shifted in her seat; pushing her cup to the side she entwined her fingers. "You have known Grissom a long time?"
A small smile graced the saloon owner's lips as she obviously recalled some memories to herself. "Yes, we knew each other very well up until the point he left town."
"Do you," Sara nibbled lightly on her bottom lip, "know why he left when he did?"
"No," Heather replied immediately, "that is something I do not know and knowing Grissom, there probably aren't a lot of people who do know, other than Grissom himself. You see," she sipped again from her cup, "one thing about him is that he is very private. Yet he is a caring man. He keeps to himself and will not get involved in matters that are of no concern to him unless it affects the ones he cares for."
Sara listened carefully to what Heather was saying. It wasn't really anything she hadn't already worked out for herself but the reason he left his home still remained a mystery.
Heather took another cup of tea and regarded Sara with a critical eye before speaking again, "Why all of the questions about the past? Is your concern about whatever happened last night simply a ploy to draw information from me?
"No," Sara responded quickly, "I just need to be sure I am making the right decision by talking to you. Grissom has trusted me but I suppose that he trusts you, at least with most things, so I will also."
"You know, Sara, you have nothing to fear from me. What is in the past is in the past, I will not be an obstacle in your pursuit of affection."
Frowning deeply, Sara squirmed in her seat. "I…I don't know what you mean."
"Of course not," Heather smiled. "I must have been mistaken by the way you were looking at him."
Sara looked down at the table for a moment before returning her gaze to the older woman.
Heather smiled softly and held up the silver tea pot, "More tea?"
"No, thank you, I'm fine."
Placing the pot back onto the table, Heather leaned forward. "So, do you feel we can talk? I would like to help, if I can."
With a slender sigh passing through her lips, Sara took a deep breath, nodded and began.
"When Grissom left here last night he was attacked. Considering the blood spots on the ground outside, I am presuming it was there."
Looking shocked Heather slumped back in her chair. "I'm not quite sure what to say," she admitted. "Is he alright?"
"He will be in a few days."
"And has he reported what happened to the…" Heather stopped herself. "He hasn't reported it has he?"
Sara shook her head.
"Same old Grissom," Heather mumbled.
"Did you see or hear anything after he left last night?"
"No, I let him out and came back in here. As you saw coming in, the back area is quite a distance from here, so sadly I didn't hear anything."
"Do you think anyone else could have?"
Heather paused for a moment and thought. "Doubtful and even if they did, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't come forward. But I will keep my ears open. It's amazing sometimes how whiskey can help to loosen the tongue."
"Thank you," Sara responded sincerely.
"Anything to help," Heather returned, "but seriously, Grissom should report this. It is not a natural occurrence for someone to be beaten without reason, even in this town."
With a gentle snigger Sara stood. "Well, I have tried; sadly I have had no luck. He is so…"
Heather cut in, "…stubborn?"
For the first time since she entered the building Sara smiled, "Exactly."
The former madam returned her smile.
"Well," the younger woman began, "I must go and I thank you for your time and your confidence."
"Anytime," Heather replied as she stood. "I will show you out."
Sara followed Heather back to the rear of the building and thanked the saloon owner once more before leaving. She hurried down the steps and through the yard.
Exiting the saloon gate and walking down the alley Sara immediately became conscious of footsteps behind her and quickened her stride as her pulse hitched a notch. But as she walked faster, so did whoever was following. She was tempted to look back but decided against it and her quick walk turned into a full blown sprint as she sped down the alley with all the swiftness she was able.
With her breathing rapid, she ran out into street and managed a quick look over her shoulder. As she did so, unluckily for her it took her eyes from her course and she ran full force into a firm, bulky figure….
A/N: Dun dun dunnnnn…. Ooooh, who's that? Is Sara in trouble? What will happen? Mwahaha!