Page 40 of Heart of Mystic Valley
“Big hole, lots of smoke,” Brodie said. “No one hurt.” He filled Jubal in on Joshua’s theory.
Jubal nodded, then looked to Joshua. “Makes sense. Anyone check on Flock?”
“Not yet. I was about ready to head to Butterman’s Boardinghouse,” Brodie answered.
Jubal considered this, then spoke in his usual measured tones. “I’ll check on him. Sure hope you’re wrong, Beckett.” Adjusting the gunbelt around his hips, he walked toward the boardinghouse.
Artemus watched the deputy leave, not offering to go with him. Instead, he headed back inside the bank.
The crowd had begun to disperse, the initial excitement giving way to wary resignation. In a town like Mystic, where life was often hard and unpredictable, the people were accustomed to occasional bursts of trouble. They returned to their daily routines, though Joshua noted more than one head turning back toward the bank with lingering concern. One familiar face caught his attention.
Joshua’s heart skipped when he recognized Faith. She held a notepad in one hand, a pencil in the other, as she walked toward them.
“Brodie, Joshua,” she said, nodding to each man in turn. Her eyes were bright, almost feverish. “What happened?”
Joshua opened his mouth to speak, but Brodie cut him off. “We don’t know for certain, Faith. There are a lot of questions and few answers.”
She frowned. “The town has a right to know. If there’s a threat—”
“We’ll handle it,” Brodie said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “The last thing we need is panic.”
Faith looked to Joshua, who shifted uncomfortably. He understood the sheriff’s position, but he also knew Faith wouldn’t be dissuaded so easily. Her father built the Mystic Gazette from nothing, and she continued his passion to find the truth and share it with the town.
“Brodie will tell you what he can, Faith,” Joshua said. “Let him get the facts straight first.”
Faith’s eyes narrowed, but she held her tongue. “Fine,” she said after a moment. “I’ll wait.” She stepped aside as the three men entered the bank.
The interior was a wreck, with bits of ceiling and wall strewn across the floor. Artemus Graham stood near the open safe. He held a ledger in one hand, clutching it as if it were a life preserver.
“Artemus,” Brodie said. “Talk to us.”
The bank president looked up, his face pale. “It’s all here,” he said, waving the ledger. “The accounts, the balances. Several thousand dollars, gone.”
Joshua studied the man. Artemus had the look of a frightened rabbit, eyes darting between Brodie, Nash, and him. He wondered if the bank president was telling them everything.
The bank president muttered something, then turned back to the safe. The lawmen and Joshua made their way outside, where Faith still waited.
“Anything?” she asked.
Joshua started to speak, but a glare from Brodie silenced him. “Like Beckett said, I’ll tell you what we can. Later.”
The sheriff and his deputies walked off, leaving Joshua with Faith. She looked up at him, expectancy written in the lines of her face. He sighed.
“Stay out of the bank, Faith. It’s not safe.”
She huffed. “I can take care of myself, Joshua.”
“I know. But this is different.”
She twirled the pencil in her fingers. “I just want to know what’s going on. For the paper.”
“For the town, you mean.”
She smiled. “The paper is the town.”
He rubbed the back of his neck, conflicted. “Talk to Brodie. He’ll have to answer your questions. When he’s ready.”
“Why not just tell me yourself?”
