But her companion ignored her and nodded at the policemen. “That’s him.”
Jacob struggled against the massive men, but they remained unfazed. “Jacob Duncan, you are under arrest for murder.”
Martha swallowed and took a step back. “No. No!”
Jacob looked at her, panic and fear filling his face. “I have no idea what this is about, Martha. Please believe me. Please...” His voice trailed off as the officers removed him from the property.
Lily Rose came up and placed an arm around her. “Don’t worry, Martha. That man will never plague your life again.”
She wrenched herself from the older woman’s grasp and glared at her, angry tears streaming down her face. “What have you done? What is going on?”
Her companion appeared completely unemotional about the entire scene. She merely smiled. “Jacob Duncan has murdered a man on his former team. And there’s proof he did it.”
Twenty-One
“Oh, may God show us what life means.”
~Earl Douglass
FRIDAY, AUGUST9, 1889•THEOUTSKIRTSOFDENVER
She swirled the last bit of brandy in the bottom of her glass. The Duncan fellow should be taken care of now. If she had her way, he’d be dead by Monday.
And shealwaysgot her way.
She grinned. Power was a wonderful thing. When she was younger, she hated her father for how he treated her, but then she grew to love him after she came to appreciate his talents and the money. All the money...
When he’d brought her alongside in the business, she’d tripled their profits. Which made her papa proud.
Then she’d killed him.
She really wasn’t good at sharing. He should have known that. He’d raised her, after all.
The clock chimed. One more business meeting this evening and she could turn her attention to the next part of her plan.
It was time. Martha wouldn’t have anyone else to turn to with Jacob behind bars. So she would come to her.
The girl would probably cry and beg and plead for guidance.
How fortuitous that she was always willing to give it.
SATURDAY, AUGUST10, 1889•DENVERJAIL
Jacob sat on the filthy cot in the jail cell and rested his head in his hands.
God, I’ve never been in a situation so dire. I can’tsee a way out, but I know You can. Helpmy faith to grow stronger even though I feel weaker than ever. Show Martha Your comfort and love like neverbefore. I’m scared, but please help me to putaside my fears and rest in You.
His prayers had been short but plentiful since his arrest. Every few minutes, he lifted another to his Heavenly Father.
He hadn’t slept last night. He’d tried, but his mind kept replaying his last words with Martha. The moment of elation when she heard him out and believed him. The care and concern in her eyes. Then the shock when he was taken away.
How cruel that because of him she’d had to endure all of this.
What would she think now?
A man he’d never even met had been killed. A bloody knife had been found in Jacob’s room. There was even a witness who said he’d done it.
They might as well get the hangman’s noose ready for him today.
