Free Eden's Sin by Jennifer Jakes Page B

Ballard stepped inside the tent and set a steaming cup of coffee on Sinclair’s desk.
    “ Morning, Corporal. Make yourself comfortable and let me tell you what we’ve got to do today.”
    Sinclair hadn’t slept more than an hour last night. He tried to tell himself it wasn’t because of Eden, but it was. Apparently he was a damned fool.
    “ Sir?” The corporal stood looking at him.
    “ Yes, sorry. Sit down. I’ve come up with a plan of action.” Since he hadn’t slept and his mind chugged along like a new steam engine, he had come up with several ideas to catch the thief.
    He told Ballard about his conversation with Parsons yesterday, then moved on to his plan.
    “To my way of thinking there are three people capable of leaking the payroll information. Parsons’ being one of them–but let’s not muddy the water with him just yet. Right now I don’t see any advantage to him bankrupting himself.”
    Ballard nodded.
    “Right now my strongest suspicion says either Parsons’ daughter, Kate, or Henry Stevens is the guilty party. Or both if they’re working together.”
    “ But why would either of them want to sabotage the railroad?” Ballard frowned. “Don’t both Stevens and Miss Parsons stand to lose more than they would gain?”
    “ Daughter and father don’t always see eye to eye. He admitted as much. And you know how vengeful women get when they’re angry.” By God he’d had proof of that last night. He took a sip of the coffee, letting the hot liquid slide down his throat while he gathered his thoughts. “And Stevens, well, I don’t trust that peacock. I think he could be bought before you could say bribery .”
    Ballard scribbled not es into a small notebook.
    “ But if you take a woman’s revenge out of the equation, that leaves Stevens. I honestly think he’s the one but…” He couldn’t discount the butler. “Ask around about the old man, Floyd. He’s Parsons valet and cook. I don’t think he has a motive, but ask if anyone has seen him with extra money.”
    Ballard looked up. “Then what is the next step?”
    Sinclair grin ned. “Tricking the guilty into thinking they’re getting exactly what they want. The money. We’ll give them the information of when the next payroll is being delivered. False information, of course. We’ll figure out something else if your questions turn up doubts about Floyd. By that time we’ll know if Stevens or Miss Parsons takes our bait.”
    After he explained the rest of the details of his plan, he gave Ballard his orders “So take four men and ride out to the cut-line. You all will need to hire on with Cormac McGrady.” He scribbled a quick note. “Give him this. Then you and the men spread out and ask enough questions to get the workers talking. See if anyone knows any particulars about the robberies in case I’m missing some important detail. We’ll also need to assign a couple of men to ride the train back and forth each trip. I want them in the baggage car with the payroll. Guns ready.”
    Yes, sir. ” Ballard finished his notes. “What about that problem yesterday?”
    “ What problem?” At the rate problems arose in Ladore, Ballard would have to be more specific.
    “ That pretty lady who came in here.”
    Sinclair’s heart skipped at just the mention of Eden. “She came in to report a rape. A young girl who, unfortunately, killed herself last night.” He shook his head. “We have less than nothing to go on for this. All the girl said was the man had a Southern accent and whiskers. I’m going to poke around town and see what I can find out, but …” He let the words hang, unwilling to admit he would fail. Fail Eden. See the disappointment on her face when she looked at him. He’d see that look too many times in his life.
    Ballard glanced up from his paper. “Anything else?”
    “ Um, no.” Damn, he had to stop thinking of her. “Get the troop ready for morning inspection. Then the men you pick for missions will need to wear