take the man at his word, but those boys had come from somewhere. “I’d like to have a look myself, if you don’t mind.”
“All right. If you insist. Sounds like a lot of bother to me, though.” The conductor turned sharply and hurried toward the engine, stopping three car lengths up the line. He picked up the whistle around his neck, then gave four short bursts. Without missing a beat, he unlocked the padlock and slid the heavy door back. “Nothing in here.”
He unlocked the next one. A fancy carriage sat inside, gleaming in the faint sunlight streaming through the open door. “Some rancher over in St. Louis special-ordered that. It’s a beauty, ain’t it?”
“Sure is.” Jake climbed inside and made a thorough inspection of the storage space. “It’s clear.”
“Told you.” The conductor shrugged and heaved the door closed. The padlock clicked into place. “Hope you’re satisfied. I need to get the passengers loaded up.”
“Hold on.” He pointed to a freshly painted padlocked freighter. “Let’s check this one out.”
The conductor jerked his watch out of his vest pocket. “I’ve got a schedule to keep, and that’s been locked since we left Chicago.”
Jake stilled, his gaze steady on the conductor, trying to determine if the man might have something to hide or if he just didn’t like to have his authority brought into question. “And I’ve got a town to run. Mister, if you know what’s good for you, you’ll open that door and let me look inside.”
The man’s jaw tensed. After a moment’s hesitation, he stuffed the watch back in his pocket and crunched through the snow.
“Conductor.”
Jake turned to find a well-dressed man in his midforties striding toward them. He recognized Mr. Gibbons, the owner of the glove factory. “Afternoon, gentlemen.”
Jake nodded in reply.
Gibbons turned to the conductor. “I’m expecting a shipment of machinery today. Very expensive machinery. Has it arrived? No one came to inform me.”
“I’m sorry, Mr. Gibbons.” The conductor threw Jake a flustered look. “I was detained. We’re unhooking your private freighter right now. We’ll leave it on the side track as usual.”
“Good. My men are on their way over to unload it.”
Jake stepped forward. “Sir, I’d like to take a look inside.”
Pale-gray eyes rested on the badge pinned to Jake’s coat before shifting to meet his gaze. A bemused expression blanketed Gibbons’s face. “What for, Deputy?”
Jake hesitated. How much did he want to share? The influx of homeless children on their streets wasn’t a secret, but he didn’t want one of the town’s newest and most influential citizens to get the wrong idea. “Looking for stowaways. We’re getting more than our fair share, it seems.”
“Well, I don’t think you have to worry about that with my private cars.” Mr. Gibbons’s gaze raked him from head to toe. “I’m sorry, Deputy; I didn’t catch your name.”
“Jake Russell.” Jake clenched his jaw. Gibbons hailed from Chicago, and word had it that he came from old money. The man couldn’t be more than ten years older than himself, but he looked at Jake like he’d smelled something unpleasant.
“Ah. Deputy Russell.” A slight smile played over the man’s face. “Like I said, my freighters are locked tight as a drum all the way from Chicago. No one can get inside. I’ve got a lot of money invested in that machinery, and I’d hate for vandals to have access to it.” He nodded. “Good day to you, Deputy.”
He turned away. Jake eyed the business owner’s retreating back. What did Gibbons have to hide? Seemed like he’d appreciate the local law looking out for his interests. Only one way to find out. “Conductor, open that door.”
“What did you say?” Gibbons whirled around, his eyes colder than the wind blowing out of the north.
Jake faced him, feet apart, legs braced. He jerked his head toward the lone car at the end of the line. “I told the conductor to open her up so I can have a look inside. If everything is as you say, you don’t have anything to worry about, do you?”
“It’s not me who has anything to worry about. It’ll be you if you keep on with this foolishness.” His gaze shifted, and Jake glanced around. Three burly men spread out behind him.
“Trouble, boss?”
“Nothing I can’t handle, boys.” Gibbons palmed a set of keys and moved closer to Jake. “Listen, Deputy, I’m going to let you have your look-see to prove there’s nothing in that shipment other than what I said. I’m a man of my word, and the sooner