“It was five years ago,” Kate explained. “I was married and realized I made a mistake, but I stayed because I was pregnant. Marie died two days after she was born. My husband was so angry with me, blaming me for not having a healthy child that he beat me severely. The doc said I would never have another child after the beating.”
Tears flowed freely down Kate’s cheeks, and Julia did her best to keep a professional manner and not allow Kate’s pain to affect her.
“I’m terribly sorry to hear that. Did I hear you right when you said your baby’s name was Marie?”
Kate nodded.
“May I ask you a question,” Julia asked the sobbing young woman.
Kate shrugged, and Julia said, “I read that you changed your name and removed the name Marie from your name because it was your mother’s name, and you hated your mother.”
Kate shook her head violently back and forth. “No, I loved my mother. Marie is a family name, and it had been a part of my mother’s ancestors for several generations. When my Marie died, I couldn’t keep her name as part of mine. It was too painful, and I had to come up with a reason the court would understand when I asked to change my name.”
“I understand,” Julia said. “Your name is Mulligan. Did you marry again?”
Kate spat, “No. I would never marry again. Men are the cause of all women’s troubles, and I despise them. The judge said I needed a last name since I was divorcing my husband. I didn’t want my family to find me and couldn’t use my maiden name. Mulligan was the name of the local saloon, and I used it.”
West kept creeping closer as he listened to Julia and Kate talk.
“Well, that explains a lot,” Julia said, “but it doesn’t explain why you wanted the treasure.”
“I needed the money.”
“That’s a lot of money. You could get a job,” Julia said.
“You don’t understand. I want a baby. A baby girl like my Marie. I went to an orphanage, and they said I had to be married to adopt a baby, but the head of the orphanage said something might be arranged for a price—a substantial price. I was desperate and heard about the treasure. If I could get it and sell it, I could get another baby.”
Kate broke down in sobs again before she looked back up at Julia and said, “I can’t sell the treasure now, and without it, I can’t get a baby. There’s no reason for me to keep living.”
West leaped at Kate and grabbed her arm just before she tried to push up off the boulder and jump off the edge of the cliff.
Kate screamed and fought, but eventually settled down and laid on the ground sobbing.
“Be gentle with her,” Julia told West. “She has suffered a lot and requires medical help.”
West nodded and helped Kate to her feet but bound her wrists in front of her and searched her for any hidden weapons.
“The courts will decide what’s best for her,” West said before addressing Kate.
“Miss Mulligan, where is the gold chest?”
Kate shrugged. “I’m not sure. When I heard the rumble, I thought there was a cave-in, so I had to drop the chest and scramble up the rope to get out.”
Chapter 13
West guided Kate to a nearby tree and told her to sit.
“Don’t move,” West told Kate. Julia knows how to use that gun, and she won’t hesitate to shoot you if you run. I’ll be right back.”
West walked closer to Julia and said, “I need to go back down to where we left the horses and get a rope and a few other things I need to go after that chest.”
“You’re going back into the cave?” Julia stammered in shock.
“I don’t have a choice. We need to find the chest. Sit on that boulder and keep your gun on Kate. I’m serious, if she runs shoot her. I’ll be back up here as soon as I can.”
West hurried away from Julia and left her confused. Shoot her? Julia had never shot anyone. How was she supposed to shoot a person? She dropped down on the small boulder and looked directly at Kate, hoping to sound convincing.
“I will shoot if you run,” Julia said.
Kate smiled. “I don’t think you will, but I’m not willing to take the chance.”
Julia nodded, hoping Kate meant what she said. She knew she would have to use her gun if needed but didn’t want to do it. After a moment of considering the situation, Julia decided she might get Kate to just sit and not cause trouble if she spoke with her.
“Tell me,” Julia began. “Did you really expect to just get a child from an orphanage. You know it’s illegal to buy or sell anyone.”
Kate shrugged. “Maybe, but the man I spoke to at the orphanage said for the right amount of money, a legal adoption could be handled. He said he would handle all the paperwork and had a judge that would sign the adoption papers.”
Julia shook her head. “That wouldn’t be a legal adoption. If I know the law correctly, you need to be married. A single woman can’t do much without a husband and certainly not adopt a child.”
“True,” Kate admitted, “but for the right amount of cash, a husband’s name and a marriage license proving a marriage existed could be acquired.”
“You sound as if you had this well planned. How did you decide to go after the chest?’ Julia asked as she shifted her weight on the boulder.
“I heard a rumor going around town that the priest at the mission had a treasure chest. I know it sounded ridiculous, but I was desperate. I knew I’d never be able to save the money from the job I had at the local dressmakers and a woman is limited in what she can do. I couldn’t walk into the saloon and
