“There’s some more information about Ernestine Crabtree’s past, Archer. Thought you might want to hear it.”
“What’s that?”
“Those men did rape her.” He added in a far more somber tone, “In fact, she could never have children after that because of her injuries.”
There was an awkward silence until Brooks said, “I have to say the way you handled yourself in that courtroom was truly remarkable, Mr. Archer, particularly so for a person with no legal training.”
“When a man’s fighting for his life, what choice does he have except do what he has to so he can survive?”
Shaw said, “Amen. Every man who fought in the war damn sure knows that.”
Archer eyed Brooks and said, “So you have no reason to go after Jackie, right? You’re convinced that Lucas Tuttle killed his wife?”
Brooks nodded. “I am convinced, Mr. Archer. She has nothing to worry about from me. It was a terrible thing for her to endure. Even more so for a young woman. They are very delicate.”
Archer’s gaze at the man sharpened. “You married?”
Brooks looked surprised at the question. “Well, yes.”
“You work, and your wife stays at home?”
“She has no head for matters outside of the home.”
“You might be surprised about that, Mr. Brooks. I mean, I don’t see much logic behind men being the breadwinners and all except it’s just the way it’s always been, and for no good reason. Everybody deserves a fair shake.”
Brooks shook his head and smiled. “A woman’s place is in raising children and keeping the home and assisting her husband. But it’s still important work nonetheless and quite proper for someone with their fairer sensibilities. It’s a hard world out there, Mr. Archer, and men are designed to thrive in that world, not our women. I mean, that’s why they’re referred to as the weaker sex, after all.”
“Well, by the time I’m an old man, maybe the world will see things differently.”
After Brooks left, Archer said to Shaw, “You taught me a lot.”
“I can say the same about you. So what’s next for Aloysius Archer?”
“Maybe a bit of wandering.”
“Would that wandering take you to see a couple of gals far away from here?”
“Couple of gals?”
“Yeah.”
Archer smiled. “I’m not sure. As you know, I’m sort of susceptible to the spell they can cast over me.”
“Hell, boy, we all got that problem. Ain’t enough reason to stay away, though, so I say go for it. Hey, you got a smoke, Archer?”
“I thought you said—”
“Come on, son, don’t make me pull my gun.”
Archer shook out a Lucky and lit the man up.
Shaw gratefully blew the smoke out and looked up at Archer with a bemused expression. “I wonder what happened to all that money in Lucas Tuttle’s safe?”
“Never could really figure that out. I thought maybe I knew, but I’m probably wrong.” He paused. “You gonna dig into that?”
“Archer, I catch killers. I don’t waste no time with people taking stuff from people who already got too much.”
“That’s good to know.”
“Thought you’d see it that way.”
Archer put out a hand for the lawman to shake.
“You let me know how you get on,” said Shaw.
“You can count on that.”
“Take care, shamus.”
As Archer walked out, he met a woman and three teens—two young men and a girl—coming down the hall to Shaw’s room. He figured he knew who they were and introduced himself to Shaw’s family.
“He thinks the world of you, Mr. Archer,” said Shaw’s wife.
“It’s mutual. Oh, and one more thing.” He took out the envelope and counted out half the money in there. “The folks in Poca City took up a collection for Lieutenant Shaw.” He handed her the money. “I wouldn’t mention it to your husband. I know how proud he is. Maybe you can use it for the kids’ education and such.”
“Thank you so much, Mr. Archer.”
Archer eyed the oldest boy. “Hear you’re going into the Army?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good man. You stay safe and make your parents proud.” He gave the young man a crisp salute and then headed on his way.
As Archer walked down the hall, the spring was fully back in his step.
Chapter 52
THE SEA VOYAGE was rough for much of the way because of gale-force winds clustered along the shipping channels. But it seemed the more hostile the ocean was, the more soundly Archer slept in his first-class berth. It was perhaps fitting that a man who had done his hardest fighting on land and even lost his freedom there could find peace in such chaotic waters.