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“Oh good Lord!” She turned to her husband. “We’ve had a murderer living with us!”
“Is she safely locked away? Can she escape?”
“No. There’s no getting out. And, no fear folks, I’ll stand guard until we reach our next stop.”
“What’s there?”
“A prison.” He looked around the curious crowd. “Why don’t you folks all return to your seats. Ivy McGregor is secured and will not be of any danger to any of you. It’s getting late and I’m sure all of you are tired after such an event.”
Heads slowly nodded their agreement, though fear and shock still was evident on their faces. He watched as Harold Radford escorted his distraught wife out to the observation car. Just then the conductor came through the door as they made their exit.
The conductor was taller than Sam and far stouter and would prove more difficult an opponent than his porters if it came down to that. Not that Sam was looking for trouble, but he would do whatever it took to ensure he captured his prisoner and brought her back to justice.
As he neared, Sam noticed already existing wrinkles along the corners of his eyes fold as he approached him. “Are you the gentleman who struck one of my porters?”
Leaning casually against a rail, he slipped his hand into his coat pocket and retrieved a cigar and match, before offering his hand. “Sam Michalski is the name. United States bounty hunter. Pass my apologies on to the fellow, things got out of hand. Hope the doc was able to give him something for the pain.”
“He did,” the conductor confirmed. “The railroad line does not tolerate assault. You do understand we will have to lay charges?”
Sam shrugged, already guessing as much. Wouldn’t be the first. “I prefer not to use force, but if necessary, I won’t hesitate to use it.”
The conductor frowned and glanced over Sam’s shoulders. “One of the passengers’ informed me you claimed the woman is a wanted criminal?”
“That’s right. I’ve reason to believe she is Miss Ivy McGregor, the number one suspect in the murder of Phillip Hendrickson of Chicago.”
“The Handkerchief Murderer?” The man’s brows rose with interest.
Sam stiffened. “She’s the prime suspect in the slaying of a man bludgeoned so severely that his own father had a hard time identifying him.” With satisfaction, he watched the disgust cross the man’s face. Sam hated the nicknames the press labelled cold-blooded murderers. It only glorified them and their crimes.
“Are you certain?”
“If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t have locked her in your baggage compartment. She’s a very dangerous criminal and the sooner I have her off your train, the safer your passengers will be.”
He nodded in understanding. “Unfortunately, we cannot turn back and there isn’t a law enforcement office located from here to Fort William.”
Automatically Sam’s attention shifted to the window. It was pitch black out now and the view no longer visible. But he knew out there lay a mass of untamed and untouched wilderness like none he had ever witnessed before. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, pulling the strands free from the string holding them together, then placed his hat on his head. “How much longer until then?”
Pulling his pocket watch out, he answered, “Not for another six hours.”
“What about the southbound train? When is that expected through?”
The conductor pulled his lower lip over his top and shook his head. “We’re using a single track this time of year. There won’t be another train until tomorrow. There are no scheduled stops from here till White River. It’s pure wilderness from this point on.”
Which, if memory served Sam correctly, wouldn’t make much difference. The United States border wasn’t far from Fort William and so, logically, it was best he keep her in his custody until then.
He hadn’t apprehended a prisoner in Canada before, but he had heard of a few who had endured problems with the law. They refused to pay the bounty or release the prisoner to the custody of the bounty hunter. Paperwork often got fuzzy.
Sam sighed and found himself a bench to slip into. “So I guess I better make myself comfortable.”
Giving Sam a smile and nod, the conductor turned and started to leave. “We’ll be passing a telegraph terminal shortly. I’ll leave word to have them wire Fort William so they can expect you and your prisoner.”
“Appreciate that.”
“If you need anything, just holler.”
Glancing around, Sam slid into the closest upholstered chair at the far end of the car and nearer to the baggage car. Using the large window as a back rest, he settled himself in and tried to make himself comfortable. Like it or not, he was stuck on the train for the next six hours. He turned and glanced over his shoulder. Blackness stared back. The only thing visible was his own reflection.
Reaching up, he pulled down the shutter and shut out the darkness. He sat awake for a long time. Simply sitting and waiting, his eyes and ears alert. But, other than the rumbling of the wheels beneath him and the vibrations of the train’s steam engine, no other sound was heard. No one dare to enter the observation car, which Sam was glad. He was not in the mood for company. Most had retreated to their seats or the parlor car and Sam was finally left alone with his prisoner.
