The Librarian

Episode 16

At first panic took over the scene; people ran in all directions. Women were screaming, men shouting, children crying and above it all, the shrieking of the downed, off horse, trapped in the harness. The driver and several of the men struggled to wrest the animal from the stage wreckage, finally cutting the straps and freeing the hame.

The singletree had snapped and broken free of the whippletree, gouging the horse's flank. Wild eyed and in pain, the animal broke loose of the rescuers and galloped off down the roadway, strips of leather trailing behind. The remaining horses were subdued by numerous other men who cut the remaining restraints and led them away from the confusion.

Meanwhile, Sheriff Becker had climbed atop the fallen stage, balancing on the luggage frame, and using his good arm, lifted open the door and reached in to grasp the outstretched hand. Thomas Wilkes clambered out and fell into the arms of more rescuers. Inside the stage, the Governor lay crumpled in the corner, one leg bent at an ugly angle.

Mayor Proctor was holding the sides of his head, turning in all directions, totally panicked. A few townsmen had to move him out of the way so they could get up to help the sheriff, struggling to use his one free arm. There was an agonizing scream as Governor Mayhew was lifted upside down from inside, then silence.

The mayor began ranting, running up and down the walk in short bursts, and shouting that they had killed the Governor. Enid grabbed his arm and pulled him away to a bench next to the hotel, and sat him down unceremoniously.

When the unconscious Mayhew was free, without asking, the men carted him into the hotel and Colleen had no choice but to show them to a room. The doctor followed right behind, issuing orders for clean hot water, some cloth for bandages, wood for splints, and a bottle of whisky.

Outside, the commotion continued. A rope had been looped through the stage windows and over the roof, and a line of men hauled mightily until they had it out of the ruined ditch and onto the roadway. One wheel was broken and the gear and tack for the horse team lay on the roadway in a twisted mess. The Governor's baggage had been flung across the walk and up against the building wall. One case completely open and displaying the spilled contents, the other with a huge tear in the leather side.

A rider returned with the runaway horse, going directly to the livery. The vet helped settle it down while tending its injuries. Back at the scene, the crowd moved away leaving a few bystanders to discuss what happened. Harriet fled to her hotel room, speaking to no one.

****

"Mr. Mayor, you have to stop this silliness, feeling sorry for yourself. The stage driver is outside with a telegraph from the Governor's county seat office, they are demanding an explanation and recompense for repairs to the Governor's stagecoach and livestock and personal belongings."

"How did they find out so soon? What can I do? Tell them the Governor is laid up here with a broken leg because I put storm ditches in the road and wanted it to be a surprise? I'll never get re-elected."

"It's been three days. The telegraph is instantaneous, and there are worse things than being an ex-mayor, Avery Proctor."

Edina turned and left the office, closing the door with a firm bang. She took the telegraph message from the driver and assured him that there would be a response ready by morning, adding a scold about his driving. She saw him out then put on her bonnet, closed the office, and headed up to the hotel.

"Edina, shouldn't you be holdin' Avery's hand?" Doc Ainsley smiled as he held the hotel door when she started in.

"I'm looking for Miss Folio, the library is closed and I'm hoping she's in her room."

"I just saw her inside with Amanda Holden. Somethin' important?"

"Nothing medical, Doctor." Edina sniffed and stepped past him into the hotel lobby.

"I love you too, Edina." He called after her, grinning.

"I think you just got snubbed, Doc." Aaron laughed as he stepped up off the road onto the walk.

He shook his head, smiling. "Edina loves me, she just won't let on."

"Seems a bit of a waste then don't you think?"

"She just don't let on publicly." Doc winked and stared at the mangled ditch, pointing. "I wonder who he's going to blame for this now, since it was his idea."

"I told John to ride up to the mining camp and tell them what happened, they'll send some fellows to fix it . . . and charge Avery."

Doc shuffled away, chuckling.

Aaron wanted to see Harriet but he didn't want it to be with Edina and Amanda. He decided he would find Wilkes, see how he was and try for an interview with the Governor, if he was well enough. Colleen intercepted him as he entered the hotel, her face all flushed and worried looking.

"Why, Miss DuPrave, I didn't realize I had that much of an effect on you." Aaron grinned.

"Could you speak to that Mr. Wilkes, the Governor's aide, he's insisting on having the Governor's wishes acted upon, and frankly, they aren't what I call suitable for him or my establishment."

"Woah, wait a minute. What can I say, I don't have any authority to censure the Governor."

"I meant, man to man . . . reason with him. Please, Aaron. I did give you a bottle of the Governor's wine." Her sad calf look had him rolling his eyes. "He's in the dining room." She urged him forward.

"I paid for that, Colleen, you didn't give it to me." He allowed her to steer him toward the room, patting his arm and winking.

"Mr. Wilkes? Aaron Trenholme, I'm the editor of our Tuckerville paper. How are you feeling? May I join you?" He sat without waiting for an answer and immediately asked after the Governor.

"Considering the inconvenience of a broken leg and deprivation of the attention he was expecting, you could say he's his own crotchety pain in the butt."

Aaron smiled. "The curse of the political arena is it?"

"You have no idea. Right now— wait, you aren't thinking of this as an interview for your paper are you, because—?"

"No! No, not at all. Actually I was hoping to ask a favour for the owner of the hotel."

"Aah- yes. She's hoping a man might have more success with her request." Thomas ran a finger around the rim of his drink glass.

"And . . .?"

"You understand, I'm simply his aide, not his superior, advisor or moral conscience. Truth is, I abhor what he constantly demands, but if I want to play in this game . . ." Thomas shrugged and closed his eyes, the throb in his head returning.

Aaron studied the young man, considering his approach. Apparently, politics was his ambition.

"Perhaps if I could get an interview – he's obviously well enough, leg aside. I might be able to distract him with some bafflegab."

"Bafflegab. Sure you aren't a politician, Mr. Trenholme." Thomas chuckled. "It might work, his ego is at least as big as his lust. Let me speak to him. If you can distract him I will be forever grateful."

"I'll be right here."

"What's happening?" Colleen arrived with a crinkle of taffeta, face set in concern.

"Mr. Wilkes agreed to see if I could get an interview. Our plan is to distract him from his previous thoughts."

"Bless you, Aaron. I'm trying to see if Dolly has a possible solution without drawing attention. She has always respected our boundaries. I don't let drunken cowboys leave here and head to her place and she doesn't solicit here."

Aaron flashed back on Harriet's words about women's rights. Seemed to him they had their own political hierarchy.

"It's not a done deal, Colleen." He looked up just as Wilkes appeared at the top of the stairs giving him a wave.

"Looks like it is." She gave him a peck on the cheek and sent him on.