In the Shadow: Day 7

Word Count: 42,036

Summary of Events:

Rowynna was apologised to by Vella, who felt badly for having not considered that Rowynna might be different than her; Rowynna then spoke to her father on Della's behalf regarding the fact that Della felt like her wedding was becoming her mother's wedding. Parker went to the blacksmith with a description of Osborne and discovered that the blacksmith's son matched the description to a man named Urban Harris, while the blacksmith himself said it was the description of a Zane Osborne; before he left to his next stop, a boy rushed in with a telegram for him . . .

Excerpt of the Day:

He opened the telegram and read the message: Det. Price Description matches man accused of kidnapping here three years ago. Letter coming with more details. Det. W. Higgins.

Parker noticed the boy waiting, obviously expecting some sort of a tip for his mad rush over with the telegram.

Reaching into his pocket, Parker pulled out a couple cents and gave it to the boy, who gladly took it without thanks and hurried away. Parker pocketed the telegram, as well as the description of both Zane Osborne and Urban Harris, and headed out.

Although he meant to enquire at the general store also, Parker figured the telegram ought to be delivered to Linwood first, so he rode Saskatchewan back to the barracks and walked to Linwood’s office, where Linwood was looking over some letters he’d received the day before reporting that a man matching the description — which had been sent out to all surrounding towns some days ago — had been accused but unable to be convicted of a robbery at Medicine Hat in 1898.

Linwood looked up at Parker.

“What have you learned?” Linwood asked.

“He visited the smith twice,” Parker replied. “He purchased a combined total of four pounds of nails, three on the fifth of January, and one on the eighteenth of the same month.”

“And the general store?” Linwood asked.

“I haven’t been there yet,” Parker replied. “I figured I ought to deliver this to you first.”

Linwood took the telegram Parker had produced and read it.

“Detective Higgins works at Strathmore,” Linwood said. “That’s still in this general area.”

Parker nodded.

“Thank you Parker,” Linwood said. “Now I trust you will return to your task?”

“There’s one more thing sir,” Parker replied.

“Oh?” Linwood asked.

“I spoke first to Job, the smith’s son,” Parker replied. “He recognised the description of Osborne as being that of an Urban Harris, who paid a visit to the smith on the eighth of December.”

“Osborne was hired by Mr. Swanson near the middle of December,” Linwood said.

“Oh, and Osborne’s first name is Zane,” Parker added.

“What did he purchase at the smith on the eighth of December?” Linwood asked.

“I don’t believe I was told sir,” Parker replied.

“Find that out, and then the general store please,” Linwood said.

“Yessir,” Parker replied.

He hurried back outside and mounted Saskatchewan again, riding her back to the smith’s shop, where he found the smith’s wife aiding a customer.

Once the customer had left with his keg of nails the smith’s wife turned to Parker.

“May I help you constable?” she asked.

“I would like to know what Urban Harris purchased on the eighth of December,” Parker replied.

“Of course,” she said, although she seemed a little confused.

She produced the ledger and flipped back the pages until she found the line.

“Urban Harris had his horse shod,” she said.

“Thank you,” Parker said.

“You’re welcome constable,” she replied, although there was still a bemused tone in her voice.