Born of Treasure (Treasure Chronicles Book 2) by Jordan Elizabeth Page B

onboard. I’ll need you to come with me.” The deputy pointed toward the rear of the steamboat with his thumb.
    That couldn’t be good. She needed to scald the thought where not everyone was evil.
    “Does this normally happen?” she whispered.
    Clark gripped her shoulder. “Of course, sir.” Ice dripped off his tone. His free hand rested on his hip pistol.
    Definitely not good.
    Her heels clicked against the deck, echoing in her ears. The passengers all seemed to stare at them as the deputy led them to the rear, beside the wheel.
    He opened a door and stepped aside. “Enter.”
    The room contained a settee and a desk, a trunk under the only window.
    “Our cabin looks a lot better.” Amethyst recalled the bed and dresser built into the wall.
    The deputy shut the door and flashed his badge again. “I need to ask you some questions. You must answer, and depending on what you answer, you will be arrested on behalf of the state of Hedlund and Senator Horan.”

    Clark scanned the interior—he didn’t notice any camera devices or witnesses. “We haven’t done anything to warrant arrest. My wife and I,” he nibbled from her ear down her jaw to her chin, “are enjoying our honeymoon by seeing a bit of Hedlund.”
    If the army were after him, he would know why. Senator Horan’s stupid wanted posters. Clark hadn’t thought the illustrations looked enough like them, and they were wealthy—the wealthy should be untouched by the law.
    The deputy unfolded a paper from his vest and spread it open for them: the wanted poster.
    “That’s not us,” Amethyst said too fast and loud. The deputy narrowed his eyes.
    “Sir.” Clark tried for a superior air. He’d been around Garth and Jeremiah. No, he had to mimic Georgette’s cool attitude. “This is uncalled for and inappropriate. You’re upsetting my wife.”
    “You were at the Yahnke Inn.”
    “Yes,” Clark said.
    “I have proof,” the deputy added. “I borrowed the ledger. I matched your signature to one on this steamboat’s roster.”
    The deputy had to be inexperienced. He shouldn’t be telling all his cards.
    Inexperienced and desperate to look good for Senator Horan.
    Clark cleared his throat. “None of this in necessary, sir.” If they were arrested, Senator Horan wouldn’t be able to pin the robberies on them. No one could have tangible proof. He might, however, look closer at Clark and find out he was Eric’s son. The senator’s brother, the rancher, had enlisted his help in kidnapping Amethyst.
    They weren’t to be trusted.
    So many people in the gang and around Hedlund disappeared, never to be seen again. They might be from run-ins with Senator Horan, but Hedlund was untamed.
    “Senator Horan will be able to decide that. I do have cuffs, but I think we can leave together at the next port.”
    “Where is the inn’s ledger?” Clark asked. Had the clerk given them away? He hadn’t seemed to care. The telegram must’ve alerted him.
    “I have it here.” The deputy patted his thick vest. “If the senator wants you to see it, that’s a different story. Don’t think it matters now. I know your handwriting matched and I can compare it.”
    Clark would have to depend on the deputy not sharing it with others. He seemed protective enough of it.
    “This is ridiculous,” Amethyst sputtered. “Do you know who I know? I know
the
Amethyst Treasure. She will love telling the newspapers about how the deputy of Yahnke can’t find the right couple to arrest. Do we look like criminals?”
    “They’ll know I’m doing my job.” The deputy puffed his chest.
    Clark grasped her hand and lifted her knuckles to his lips. “Be calm, sweetheart. This is a misunderstanding. We will cooperate with the law and be done with this foolishness.”
    The deputy snorted. “Good. We’ll wait here until we land.”
    “What?” Amethyst’s eyes bugged. “Clark, we—”
    He winked at her before kissing her forehead. “Trust me.” He held out his hand to the