Dishonoring Jack

Chapter Twenty Eight

 Though not normally twiddling her thumbs, Jack found herself tying the strings of her hat into knots as she walked into Irvington the next day. She and Donovan had stayed up late into the night debating what they would tell Titus the next day. Jack had argued for total honesty; Titus Fletcher was a good, just man and he deserved to know the full truth of the crime he was addressing. Now, however, as Jack walked through the town with secrets roaring in her mind, she wondered if this was folly. Was she only endangering the sheriff by pulling him into this mess or was she saving Donovan?

Jack's fingers caught in the knot formed in her hat strings and the hat fell off into the mud. "Drats," she mumbled under her breath, stooping in the street to fetch the hat from the puddle. Her hands were shaking with restrained nervous energy and the unknowns to come. Would Titus listen to them and trust them or would he disregard the truth due to lack of evidence? Even if he listened to them, what could he really do?

"Jack? What are you doing here?"

Jack stood up straight to find Hannah Benjamin, her curls hanging loose around her dark round eyes. As she rose, the wet hat collided with her body and sprayed mud all over her dress. So much for looking presentable.

"Good morning, Hannah," Jack said, studying the girl for a moment.

Not only was her hair out of place, but her cheeks were flushed and a bright smile graced her pleasant features. The sheriff's office was just behind her, and despite the weight on her shoulders, Jack couldn't resist a lascivious grin.

"You're looking quite fine this morning," she teased and Hannah's blush deepened.

"Yes, well, I was just visiting Titus before I go to work," the girl said, straightening a wrinkle in her lilac colored dress. "But what about you? You're quite far from the factory."
"I'm visiting your beau as well," Jack confessed, wondering just how much she should tell her friend. Anything she told Hannah would be sure to get back to her two nieces as well.

Hannah's dark eyebrows gathered. "Titus? Why? You didn't go swimming in your underwear again, did you?"
Jack sighed in exasperation, the floppy hat slapping against her legs. "Has everyone in the entire town heard that story?"

"I'm afraid so. Margaret Hunt has quite a lot to say about you."

Thoughts of the Hunt girl destroyed the momentary levity and Jack frowned. She wondered what lies Margaret would spin for Titus if given the chance. Jack had very few regrets in life, but she wondered if her carefree lifestyle would undermine her witness to Titus.

"So what are you doing here, Jack?" Hannah prodded, pinning back the loose curls as she spoke.

Jack stepped closer to the girl, her eyes narrowed. "Donovan's in trouble."

Hannah's hand stilled in mid air and her eyes widened. "What? Oh, no. I'm so sorry, Jack. I know he's friends with Mr. Booker and your..." she hesitated, chewing on her lip. "I'm sorry. Can I do anything?"

"Just don't tell anyone. It's all a load of hogwash, but those Slates and Margaret Hunt are up to no good, and I'm...I'm afraid."

The word lingered in the air between them and Jack bit her lip until it bled. Afraid. Jack couldn't remember the last time she'd admitted fear to herself. But this was the truth--Jack was terrified, and she hated the weak, powerless feeling that accompanied it. She wasn't afraid of being shot to pieces by the Slates or having her reputation destroyed by Margaret. She was afraid of losing Donovan either to the Slates' guns or the government's flawed judicial system. She was afraid of losing Donovan.

Hannah stepped closer and touched Jack's arm. "Is it serious, Jack?"
Jack nodded, releasing a slow breath. "It is. They want to take Donovan into custody and have him hung for a crime he didn't commit, and I'm here to give my testimony. He didn't do it, he's innocent, and Titus has to believe me."
Hannah must have been able to hear the doubt in Jack's voice because she nodded, her jaw tensing. "Titus will believe you. Trust me, Jack. He knows that you're a wonderful person despite your...eccentricities." They both laughed for a moment. "He'll listen to you both, Jack, and he'll make sure to find the truth before he lets them hang anyone."