Whitney awoke with a smile as wide as the Missouri River. Well, at least that was how it felt. It didn't matter that she hadn't gotten much rest during the night, but then it didn't matter. She had a different outlook on things today. She'd found a man who loved her even though she was crippled with a limp, and as a bonus, he enjoyed working with her to catch thieves and outlaws. Things couldn't get any better than that.

Connie was more than happy to spy on Cora. Although Whitney wanted to watch the woman outside her nice home, she wouldn't be able to hear what the mayor's wife was talking about to her servants or husband. However, Connie decided to take first watch. She would follow Cora this morning. Whitney would wait around in town for when the wealthy woman made her grand and overwhelming appearance to everyone who was afraid of her, and that was when Whitney would continue spying while Connie changed clothes.

The plan was good, and Whitney had confidence that they were going to find something on the woman. After all, Cora was so full of herself and scared most of the people in town, she wouldn't suspect anyone trying to spy on her in hopes of finding a reason to have her arrested. Whitney was sure the mayor's wife would try to bribe the judge. That was also an offense and could get her arrested.

For this afternoon's excursion, Whitney wore a lovely short-sleeved red dress with black trim, and a beige sash that wrapped around her waist. She fashioned her hair in a loose bun with a few tendrils spiraling down her neck. To add the finishing touches, she placed a red flower in her hair. She wanted to look her best for Jake. When he stared at her with warm emotion in his gaze, it made her feel desirable. She couldn't wait to feel that way again today when she saw him. Of course, as long as Cora walked by the docks, then Jake would see Whitney.

She truly loved Jake Sterling. She loved how dedicated he was to his job, and that he had a kind heart and wanted to help others. Hopefully, he would never change. She loved him completely.

Today had beautiful fall weather, and she brought a warm shawl to keep her arms covered. It surprised her that she didn't need her cane, but she brought it just in case she had to use it to bop someone over the head – or use it for the sword inside. Either way, having the cane as she limped slowly for her stroll through town made some of the townsfolk turn their heads. She should be used to that by now. People couldn't deal with someone with a disability, and they would rather no look at her and pretend she was invisible. She didn't know which one was worse... being invisible or gawked at like a freak. Having Jake in her life was a blessing because she didn't feel like an outcast, but a desirous woman.

The first place of business Whitney walked into was the bakery. The scent of cinnamon sticky buns wafted around her, making her stomach growl. She definitely needed this delicious treat to give her more energy.

After paying for the bun, she moved to a table by the window. Someone had left the newspaper lying on the table, so she picked it up and scanned the news for today. Of course, it was too soon for the Liberty Bell statue to be noticed, or if someone had noticed it, the excitement probably missed the printing of the newspaper. That was all right. It could share the headlines with the capture of infamous outlaw, Walter Conrad – along with the saving of the rubies thanks to the U.S. Marshal.

Whitney smiled before taking another bite of her pastry. She hadn't returned the items Alan had stolen to get recognition in the newspaper, but it made her happy to know that others were thrilled to have their items back. The satisfaction of doing this to others made her want to continue to give and help others in need. She would just have to find a different way to do it rather than stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.

Today Cora Daley dressed in a deep emerald velvet day dress, wearing too many rings on her fingers, and around her neck was a pearl necklace. Even the hairpins in the mayor wife's hair appeared to be diamond studded.

The front door to the bakery opened, and before Whitney could look up from the newspaper, the overwhelming scent of a woman's perfume nearly knocked her off her chair. There was only one woman who could smell like that.

Slowly, Whitney lifted the newspaper up to hide her face from Cora, only peeking around the page to watch. She was certain the mayor's wife hadn't seen her, anyhow. The only time the woman paid Whitney any notice was when she was with Jake.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Daley." The baker nervously wiped his hands on his floury-coated white apron. "Would you like to sample my pastries that have just been taken from the oven?"

"Heavens no, Mr. Cooper." Cora stopped at the counter and folded her arms. "Or is it your intention of burning my mouth by offering me something right out of the hot oven?"

The plump, middle-aged baker's face grew red. "Of course not, Mrs. Daley."

Whitney rolled her eyes. The mayor's wife was ridiculous. If she burned her mouth on the pastries, it was her own fault – not the baker's.

"But I'm not here for that. I've come to collect your rent."

The baker's eyes widened as confusion filled his expression. "Um, but... I gave you rent two weeks ago."

"No, Mr. Cooper, you did not."

Whitney wished someone would slap the smugness off Cora's face. In fact, Whitney would volunteer to do it just for the satisfaction of seeing the woman's humiliation.

"But I remember specifically –"

"Mr. Cooper?" Cora snapped. "Are you calling me a liar?"

The man's face blotched with more red spots. "Of course not, Mrs. Daley."

"Then I'll expect fifty dollars from you today." She held out her hand.

Anger crossed the man's pudgy face as he spun around and marched in the back room. Whitney quickly hid her face in case Cora decided to look around the room during the wait.

It upset Whitney more than she was prepared for. How dare this woman treat the townsfolk this way? What right did the woman proclaim to have that gave her permission to act as judge and jury over these people? Whitney wouldn't doubt the woman took it upon herself to collect rent because she was the mayor's wife. But there was a right and wrong way to every transaction, and Cora was so very wrong in the way she dealt with people.

The baker's fast footstep announced his arrival back at the counter, and Whitney dared to take another peek around the newspaper. Thankfully, Cora's attention was on the man.

"Here is the fifty dollars for rent." The tone of his voice proved his displeasure with the situation.

"Mrs. Daley?" The baker straightened his shoulders. "May I have a receipt for that payment of rent?"

Cora barked out a laugh. "A receipt? Do I look like an accountant?"

"No, but I need it for my records... so I don't forget to pay you next time."

"You'll have to figure out another way, Mr. Cooper. I don't give receipts."

The man's mouth pinched, and he nodded.

"You have a good day, Mr. Cooper." Lifting her chin haughtily, the mayor's wife turned and sashayed out of the bakery.

Whitney set the newspaper down and quickly stood. "Mr. Cooper?" The man looked at her. "I believe you, not her." She motioned her head toward the door. "And I'm going to try and help."

The wrinkles in his face relaxed. "Help? But how?"

"I don't know yet, but we cannot allow women like Mrs. Daley do strut around town, taking money from hard-working folks, such as yourself."

He nodded. "Good luck, then. I don't know what will stop that woman."

Whitney moved toward the door. "Then pray I'm inspired somehow, because it's my goal to bring her down."

Following at a distance, she watched at Cora stopped a few times on the boardwalk to chat with some ladies. They were also adorned in fancy dresses and jewelry, and the foolish women actually appeared happy to greet the mayor's wife. Whitney may never be rich, but she vowed to treat all people equally no matter their station in life.

Cora Daley walked into the Mercantile next. Whitney followed, but quickly hid behind one of the rack displays of men's hats. There were only a few other women in the store, but when they noticed Cora, they rushed out of the building as if Satan nipped at their feet. Well, it wasn't Satan exactly, but his daughter who frightened these people.

As Whitney listened to the conversation Cora and Mrs. Tidwell had, it was obvious that Cora was collecting past due rent. It surprised Whitney that, once again, Mrs. Tidwell acted as Mr. Cooper had. Yet Cora said the same thing to the Mercantile owner as she had to the baker.

From what Whitney knew about Cora already was that the mayor's wife wouldn't allow rent to go over a day before she came collecting. So, why was the woman two weeks late in collecting? Whitney believed the store owners. They had paid, but Cora was trying to get more money for some reason.

Over the next hour and a half, Cora visited four more shops, ordering the owners to pay the fifty dollars they had forgotten to pay two weeks ago. None of this was right, but how could Whitney prove it? Because Cora didn't give receipts, it was the store owners word against hers.

When Cora walked into the bank, Whitney had no other choice but to follow. She doubted the mayor's wife would be asking for rent from the bank. Out of all the other store owners, the bank would certainly have proof that they paid the Sheriff of Nottingham... Whitney shook the mental picture out of her head. Indeed, Cora played the sheriff's part in the fable perfectly.

Cora marched up to one of the tellers and stopped. The poor clerk behind the counter appeared as if he was going to lose his lunch.

"I would like to make a deposit." Cora smiled and handed the money to the clerk.

The mousy looking man nodded and counted the bills. "Only forty dollars today, Mrs. Daley?"

"Yes." Cora sighed. "I was only able to collect this much in rent, unfortunately."

Whitney gasped and slapped a hand over her mouth, hoping it wasn't heard. The woman was a liar! She had collected three-hundred dollars from what Whitney had counted. What was the wicked woman of the west doing with the rest of the so-called rent money?

She bunched her hands into fists. She would love to punch the woman in the nose right now, but that wouldn't teach her a lesson. There must be some other way to teach her.

Suddenly, Cora turned and nearly ran into Whitney. Inwardly, she cringed. Now the woman would notice her.

"Oh, good afternoon Mrs. Brooks." Cora arched an eyebrow. "You are still in town?"

Whitney gritted her teeth. She mustn't spout her anger at the woman yet, although her hand was just itching to give Cora the wallopin' she deserved. "I am. Is that a crime?"

Cora chuckled. "Of course not. I just wondered because if you need assistance finding employment, I think the library is seeking someone to work there a few hours a day."

Whitney didn't think she could have a pleasant conversation with this woman. Not today. "The library? I'm actually thinking about looking for an accounting position."

Cora's gaze moved over Whitney as a disgusted expression crossed the woman's features. Once again, Whitney was tempted to use her cane...

"An accounting position? Why would you want something as tedious as that?" Cora flipped her hand in a dismissal wave. "That kind of job is for hard-working, intelligent men."

Whitney tightened her fingers around the handle of her cane. Silently, she counted to ten, hoping the urge to strike the other woman would leave. "Oh, I assure you, Mrs. Daley, I would be able to run circles around those men, even with my gimp leg."

Cora rolled her eyes. "Well, let me know if you would like to work at the library. I could put in a good word for you."

Good word? Whitney didn't think Cora knew what that phrase meant. "Thank you, but I'll pass."

Shrugging, Cora walked past Whitney and left the bank. Strange, but she could have sworn she heard the bank workers sigh in relief.

She moved to the window and watched the direction Cora walked. The woman headed for the docks. Although Whitney felt that she should change clothes, there wasn't time. She needed to see if Cora did anything with the money she had stolen from the store owners.

Once the mayor's wife was farther away, Whitney left the bank. As she headed toward the docks, she glanced around for Connie. This was when both of them should be spying on Cora. Unfortunately, Whitney's friend had probably went back to her hotel room to change disguises.

Something was going to happen. Whitney could feel it in her bones. There had to be a reason the haughty woman would keep two-hundred and sixty dollars for herself, especially when it was obvious by Cora's dresses and jewelry that she wasn't hurting for money.

As Whitney continued to follow, a few times Cora had stopped and looked around. Whitney quickly ducked behind something or hurried into a store so that the wicked woman wouldn't see her. Thanks to God's grace, Cora hadn't spotted Whitney watching her. She was certain it was the Lord placing her at just the right place to hide during these times.

When Cora reached an old building by the docks, she stopped again and looked around. The woman was certainly too suspicious not to follow. As Cora opened the broken door and slipped inside, Whitney continued her stroll. Her heartbeat hammered in excitement, hoping this would be the moment or redemption for the people in Fort Benton. Cora Daley must be brought down from her imaginary queen's throne.

Whitney acted like she wasn't in a hurry as she walked by the old building that appeared to be abandoned, but once she reached the side of the warehouse, she found the nearest window. It was broken, and she could hear voices inside. She tried to push aside the noises from the water slapping against the boats and the creaking noise they made as she concentrated on listening to what Cora and the other person was saying inside. It was difficult because of the echoing.

Slowly, she lifted enough to peek through the window. Cora stood in front of a man. Whitney didn't recognize the man at all, but he appeared to be down on his luck. His clothes were tattered and his red hair disheveled. It surprised Whitney that Cora would lower herself to talk with such a man. Then again, that was probably why the mayor's wife met with the red-headed man in a building such as this.

Whitney still couldn't understand the words they were saying because of the echo, but a few words stood out. Rubies. Leaving tonight. Freedom. Whitney was clever enough to know the odd pair were talking about stealing the rubies and leaving town.

Then, Cora reached into her wrist purse, pulled out a wad of money, and gave it to the red-headed man. Whitney hitched a surprised breath. Why would Cora give a man like this one money, when she was so eager to take away the jobs of the dock workers? Unless...

Whitney's mind pieced together everything that had happened, and the conversations she had heard since coming to Fort Benton. If Cora and this man were going to steal the rubies, that would be reason enough to take away the jobs from the dock workers.

Immediately, Whitney had another realization. Although she had never met the outlaw Jake was after, she did know that the man had red hair and was hiding. She would bet good money that she was looking at the infamous Walter Conrad right now.