Charity by Paulette Callen Read Free Book Online Page A

thinking what she could do, but Gustie also knew that Lena’s options were thin.
    Lena went out the door and Gustie followed her, turning back to the sheriff, “Do you know where Peter Madigan is now?”
    “Well, seems like nobody was much help in town, so I reckon he’s out checking around some of the farm places. Maybe going over to Argus. Funny how people around here don’t seem to have any recollection of you.”
    Though Gustie did not feel like smiling, she was suddenly filled with a sweet affection for the whole town of Charity.
    “Gustie,” the sheriff ran a hand over his shiny head. “Me and Fritz, one of us is always here. Don’t get yourself in a jam.” Gustie nodded and was out the door.
    She trotted Biddie so fast down the side streets that Lena, forced to hang on to her seat, complained, “What’s your hurry?”
    “I’ve got some things to do. I have to go out of town again. You will be fine for the hearing. I’ll be back before the trial, if there is a trial. They don’t have anything but circumstantial evidence. With a good lawyer...”
    Lena snorted. “Phaw! Where we going to get a lawyer?”
    “Isn’t there a lawyer in Charity?”
    “Two of ’em. So what? I can’t afford a lawyer, Gustie.” Lena’s eyes were swimming in tears. She repeated in a thin voice. “I can’t afford a lawyer.”
    Gustie had no time for comforting words or gestures. She turned Biddie up the winding road to Lena’s house.
    “Two lawyers? Who are they?”
    Lena wiped her eyes. “John Anderson and Pard Batie. Pard’s supposed to be the best, I hear, but it makes no difference to us.”
    “Whoa, Biddie.” Biddie came to a stop and blew the dust out of her nose with a loud snort.
    “Where you going, Gustie? Is it to do with that man looking for you?”
    “Yes.”
    “Are you in trouble, Gus?”
    “No. Lena, don’t worry. You and Will—you’ll be all right. Now take your groceries.”
    “Gustie, I’ll pay you back for these things. You know I will.”
    “Don’t be silly, Lena. All the meals you’ve cooked for me? I owe you more than this. Cook for yourself now, and get some sleep. You look a fright.”
    “Do I?”
    “Yes. You do. Look nice for the judge tomorrow. It can’t hurt. Judges are human.”
    Lena brightened and patted a wisp of her hair into place.
    Gustie raised the dust driving Biddie back toward the center of town. She hitched her to the rail outside the Charity Farmers and Merchants Bank, hoping she wasn’t too late to find Lester Evenson still in his office.
    Cecil Helwig, the teller, told her Lester was about to leave. Could she please come back first thing in the morning?
    “No, I can’t come back in the morning.” Her sharpness left Cecil wide-eyed and clearing his throat. She softened her manner. “Is he here? I need to see him now, please. It won’t take long.”
    Lester, in a loosened tie, suspenders and shirtsleeves, came out of his office, his suit coat draped over one arm. “Miss Roemer.” He beamed upon seeing her. “A pleasure.” Lester extended his hand and Gustie returned a firm handshake. “I haven’t seen you in quite a while.”
    “Lester, I need to talk you. I’ll be brief.” Lester checked the clock on the wall, took a split second to access his priorities, and said, “Come in, please.”
    Lester Evenson managed the Charity Farmers’ and Merchants’ Bank. He was the only other man in Charity besides Doc Moody to own more than two suits. He knew that in a community as small as Charity, his business would prosper only to the extent that he kept his mouth shut. Once inside his office, those who came to him with money or in need of money might just as well have been closing the door of a confessional behind them.
    Half an hour later, Augusta and Lester were shaking hands again. She clutched a sheaf of papers under one arm, and a heavier purse swung over the other. She left Biddie where she was and walked the two blocks west across Main Street to Pard