The Man on the Docks: Wagon Wheel Justice, #2

By Blythe Carver

Cody Carson's twin brother, Abner, has been murdered. Cody's trust in the local law to solve the crime is not panning out. He feels the need to find an investigator himself. So he turns to Adelaide Salinger and her sisters, who run a private detective agency, the only one in Sacramento, California in 1849 that is run by women. Can he trust them to solve a mystery that is so close to his heart?

 

The case twists and turns. Cody and Adelaide break laws to find answers. Adelaide wasn't looking for love. She's been an independent woman all her life. The oldest of her sisters, she's the one they rely on, and yes, truth be told, she did give up on marriage long ago.

 

Cody brings out feelings in her heart that she thought would never come to life. Now she has a decision to make. Can she let her heart lead her to love?

• Language: English
• Publisher: BCP
• Release date: Nov 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201796730

Book preview

1

Adelaide Salinger lifted a forkful of eggs to her mouth, listening to her sisters talking and laughing about some funny thing they’d seen on the train on their return trip to Sacramento, California, where they all now lived. The four sisters had inherited a private investigation business from their uncle not long ago and had returned from their very first job just the night before.

Adelaide had awakened that morning, starving like she hadn’t eaten for weeks. It had to be the excitement of returning home, she thought, extremely grateful to wake up to the smell of coffee and biscuits baking. One of her sisters was already up. It was probably Belinda, the most conscientious and domestic of the four.

Adelaide, along with her sisters, Sadie, Josie, and Belinda, ran the private investigation business like they were born for it. At least, that’s what she thought. They had finished their first job successfully and had gained a man along the way when her sister Sadie fell in love with the fellow they hired for security, who went by the name of Larson Donaldson. It turned out Larson was just as clever as the sisters and would make for an excellent addition to their family when he and Sadie married in a few months.

The upcoming wedding was what they were talking about, in fact, with Sadie having mentioned that she hoped they wouldn’t be involved in a case when the wedding was supposed to take place. She wanted to concentrate all her energy on putting together the most beautiful wedding she could. Unfortunately, that wasn’t to be.

We already have a case now, Belinda had stated as she set the table for everyone.

Now, twenty minutes on, Larson was just coming in. His presence would stop the wedding talk. For some reason, Sadie didn’t want to talk about it in front of him. Adelaide doubted Larson would mind the wedding chatter. He was an easy-going, kind man, and Adelaide couldn’t be happier that Sadie had fallen in love with him and he with her.

Morning, ladies, he said when he entered, going to Sadie’s chair and leaning in to give her a kiss on the cheek. She turned her face to him after the kiss on the cheek to receive one on the lips, as well. Good morning to you, my sweet one. Sleep well?

I did, thank you, Sadie answered in a loving voice.

Adelaide could tell by the way she looked at Larson how deep her love for the man was.

Sit down and eat some breakfast, Larson, Adelaide invited him. We have a job to do this afternoon, and we need to have a meeting to discuss what we’re going to do with the case.

We don’t know anything at all about it yet, do we? Belinda asked, sitting down as if Adelaide had been talking to her. She had set a fresh pitcher of coffee in the middle of the table and leaned over to pour herself a fresh cup.

We only know that a man has died on the docks. Or on a dock. I’m not quite sure where it is exactly. I haven’t lived here in Sacramento any longer than my sisters, but you, Larson, surely you know where this has happened.

I need an address, Larson replied, pulling out the fifth chair that had been added to the table just for him. I might have to find someone to draw a map for me, but I don’t mind asking if it comes down to that.

Wonderful, Adelaide said, nodding. She looked at Belinda. Thank you for breakfast this morning, by the way. It’s delicious and just what I needed after our journey home.

I thought it might be perfect for everyone, Belinda replied, beaming at her sister.

Yes, thank you, Belinda, Sadie and Josie spoke up at the same time.

Belinda nodded at both of them, still smiling.

Are you sure you want to start on this case today? Larson asked, reaching out to grab a biscuit from under the towel that was keeping them warm. He pulled the butter dish closer to him and used a knife to smear it on the biscuit he’d ripped in half. Maybe you should take a few days to rest and get settled in. You haven’t even unpacked yet. I know I haven’t.

We were barely settled in when we went on our first job, Belinda mentioned. It was true. They had only just had the reading of the will when they were informed by their uncle in a letter he left behind that a case was waiting for them. But I’m willing to give it a few days if you girls want to.

Adelaide felt pressure in her chest she wasn’t used to. A strong sense of urgency passed over her, and she shook her head emphatically.

No, she said anxiously. We can’t wait to start the case. Abner Carson is dead. We have to start while… and I hate to say it… while the body is still fresh and not in the ground yet. This only happened a few days ago, according to the message we received. And I sent him a note through a direct messenger telling him we would come sometime today to talk to him about the case.

She swept her eyes across her sisters and Larson, who were all staring at her with blank expressions.

I’m sorry, whom is it we are working for? Josie asked. Who sent us a letter?

Cody Carson, Abner’s brother, Adelaide replied. Her sisters and Larson all reacted with sighs and relaxed shoulders.

I thought for a moment you’d received a message from a dead man, Larson stated. I’m glad you mentioned his brother.

Adelaide tilted her head to the side and chuckled. Oh, come now, she teased. You didn’t really think I was talking about a spirit contacting me, did you? You saw the letter. The physical letter.

I did, Larson replied in a lighthearted voice. For a minute, I thought I might have to take over the agency and get you the care you suddenly need.

They all laughed.

2

Cody Carson looked out over the back lawn, with its plush grass and flowers dotting the land all the way to the back end, where a flowing river was blocked from view by a length of forest. It was gorgeous land. He and his brother had many plans for it.

Cody’s heart ached worse than he’d ever thought possible. He was missing his brother and couldn’t get the thoughts to leave his mind.

Four days had passed since his brother’s murder, and the local sheriff hadn’t come up with anything for Cody in the way of news. A marshal had been called in, and he didn’t seem to think there was any reason to suspect any foul play. He said it was accidental, that Abner had drunk himself to death.

But Cody was sure he was wrong. The more he thought about it, the more upset he became. He wasn’t merely grieving. He was angry at the helplessness he felt. There was no reason for his brother to die. Not one that he knew. He hadn’t drunk too much. That wasn’t Abner.

Cody knew Abner. His brother wasn’t fond of the drink and very often went along with Cody to the saloon just to keep his brother company. He wouldn’t touch alcohol all night long. It was just his way. When he wanted to drink, he would. Otherwise, he was content with tea or coffee.

Cody had an occasional fondness for whiskey, but he hadn’t had a drop since his brother died. He wanted his mind clear. He knew that if he tried to drink, he would get mad. And how did that help anyone?

Then again, the desire to drink so he didn’t have to think about Abner’s murder and the law not wanting to do anything about it was as strong as the pain of loss he was feeling. It wouldn’t be long before he did go to the saloon, and he knew it. He would resist as long as he could. Eventually, he would break.

Cody leaned forward, peering across the land, listening hard for the sound of rushing water from the river. He couldn’t hear it, which meant the water was calm at that moment. He laced his fingers together in front of him, resting his arms on his legs. It was just past breakfast. Sooner or later, the ladies from the Wagon Wheel Justice would arrive. He’d sent them a letter the day after his brother’s death when it became painfully clear the law wasn’t going to do anything. They weren’t considering it murder.

Cody was bent on proving it was, and the Wagon Wheel Justice investigators were going to help him. He’d received a message yesterday from Adelaide Salinger stating they would be by to speak to him sometime this afternoon. It was the pastor who had originally gotten him in contact with the ladies. At least someone believed Cody wasn’t chasing a wild goose.

He would be sure to go around front to greet them. The landscaping out there was as beautiful as it was in the back. But for now, he was content sitting where he was since the sun rose on that side, and he’d been able to catch a gorgeous sunrise that morning.

Cody couldn’t help reliving the day he’d found out about his brother. He’d opened the door to Sheriff Ben Jones, a capable and kind man who informed him Abner had been found on the Eastside Dock where there were several commercial boats docked that were used for imports and exports. He’d been hanging over the edge, his arms dangling down, his fingertips brushing the surface of the water.

Sheriff Jones said they had ruled it an accidental death to do the amount of alcohol he’d consumed.

When the sheriff told him that, Cody was so surprised at first, he was unable to speak. But he interrupted the lawman moments later. Sheriff, my brother did not drink. He was a sober man who didn’t care for the taste of alcohol. What is it you claim he drank? Liquor? Beer?

Sheriff Jones had looked a little taken aback. I, uh, I’m not sure what kind of alcohol it was. That’s what the undertaker said.

Cody had insisted on seeing his brother and was given permission, mostly because they didn’t consider it to be an unlawful death. Cody was only given a few minutes to look at his brother’s face, and even that was enough to embed itself in his memory. He would see that in his mind forever.

Cody’s heart sank in his chest, and he struggled against the grief. He wanted to be bright-eyed when the Salingers arrived. He didn’t want to appear weak in front of them.

Still, he had to pinch the bridge of his nose. He ran his hand down over the short beard that had grown since his brother’s death. Shaving was the last thing on his mind.

He stood up to go into the house and get a fresh glass of tea from the pitcher in the icebox. It was surprising how fatigued he felt. He was a strong man, healthy and capable of many laborious tasks. He was smart, clever, and compassionate, three things his mother had told Abner and him that they had to be if they wanted to be successful men.

They’d studied hard in school, even though they didn’t need to. The work was easy for them both. Excelling came easy to them both. While they had their own interests, they had passions that were similar enough for them to be together on a regular basis, enjoying each other’s company.

When their paternal grandfather died, he left a considerable sum to each boy, as they were the only children left with the family name. He also left