Free Justin's Bride by Susan Mallery Page A

others aside. He wondered if Mr. Dobson had ever felt inadequate at the sight of such largesse.
    Kitten? He stiffened. The one he’d given to Megan last night. “She’s fine.”
    â€œIt’s puzzling,” she said. “Megan came in this morning with a kitten. Just like the one I gave you. I didn’t know you and Megan were acquainted.”
    The hairs on the back of his neck rose as he scented danger. The older woman could make trouble for Megan. He didn’t trust her with the truth, so all that was left was a bluff. Slowly, he reached up and removed his hat. He slapped it against his thigh, then met the woman’s gaze. “I’m sure I don’t know anything about that.”
    Her green eyes narrowed as she studied him. He waited to see if she would call him on the lie. Instead, Mrs. Dobson leaned back and straightened the pile of letters. “I see. You said you had some questions for me. What are they?”
    â€œI’m investigating a murder that occurred here last month. One of the saloon girls was beaten and left on the edge of town. Do you know anything about that?”
    Mrs. Dobson stood and glared at him. “Because I know you didn’t mean to insult me with that question, I will pretend I never heard it. I’ll ask you to go on about your business.”
    â€œI’m not implying that you had anything to do with her death, ma’am. I’m just trying to find out information.”
    The woman continued to stare at a point just left of his shoulder.
    â€œDid you ever speak to her?”
    Her gaze didn’t waver.
    â€œAll right, Mrs. Dobson. Good afternoon.”
    He walked toward a young man behind the counter. Widow Dobson’s reaction had been the same as most women’s in town. They wouldn’t discuss the girl’s murder with him. It was frustrating and he didn’t know what to do about it.
    A young man in his late teens looked up when Justin approached. The stitched name on his apron said Andrew.
    â€œMay I help you, sir?”
    Justin needed a minute to let his temper cool off before he spoke to Megan. Starting a fight with her the moment he saw her wouldn’t help his investigation.
    He glanced at the counter in front of him and pointed. “A penny’s worth of candy.” He pulled the coin out of his vest pocket.
    Andrew measured out the hard sweets, then dropped them into a piece of brown paper and twisted the ends together. “Anything else?”
    Justin took the offered package. “I’m the new sheriff in town. About a month ago, a woman was killed and I’m looking into her murder. Her name was Laurie Smith. She worked in one of the saloons. Did you know her?”
    Andrew’s still-pimply face blushed bright red. He ducked his head toward his chest. “N-no,” he muttered, his voice cracking on the single syllable. He cleared his throat. “I don’t go to saloons much. My ma doesn’t approve.”
    â€œYou never paid for her company?”
    Andrew looked up, his gaze stricken, then looked away. From the deepening of the flush on his cheeks, it looked as if the boy had never had the pleasure of bedding a woman. Justin shook his head. He felt old. Very old.
    â€œYour time will come, son,” he said.
    Andrew’s answer was unintelligible.
    Justin glanced around the crowded store. Several women were having a lively discussion over a fashion book. A couple of farmers had spread out packages of seeds. He glanced back at the clerk. “Where’s Miss Bartlett?”
    â€œIn the back.”
    Justin started in that direction.
    â€œSir, you can’t go there. It’s private.”
    He shot Andrew his coldest look. “Official business, young man.”
    That froze the boy in place. Justin weaved through the shoppers and ducked behind a curtain.
    * * *
    Megan bent over her task, trying to tally the number of bolts of calico she was ordering. They would arrive