Beyond This Moment (52 page)

Four men formed a half circle, their rifles pointed down at someone who lay bloodied and crumpled on the ground. She stepped forward, peering over someone's shoulder, trying to see who it was-when Angelo Giordano raised his beaten and swollen face.

Her breath left in a rush. "Angelo!"

The boy struggled to rise, his thin arms pushing upward. One of the four men standing over him delivered a swift boot to his stomach, and Angelo went down hard.

Molly screamed, running for him.

39

ames reached the boy seconds after Molly did and felt for a pulse on his thin arm. Nothing. Molly cradled Angelo's head in her lap and smoothed his blood-matted hair. Tears lined her cheeks, but anger lit her eyes.

Brookston knelt beside them, his bag already open. He gently probed the side of Angelo's throat with one hand while listening to the boy's chest through his stethoscope. James felt his own throat tightening, images of Josiah Birch crowding close. He could hardly breathe. Oh, God, please ... not again.

Hearing murmurs behind him in the crowd, James rose, a bitter taste on his tongue. His attention went to one of the four men standing over Angelo. "Are you responsible for this, Rudger?"

Leonard Rudger eyed him, rifle in his grip. "This boy stole my cattle, Sheriff. I'm just protecting my land and my stock. I still have a right to do that in this town, don't I?"

James wanted to take the man's Winchester and gut punch him with it. "Do you have proof?"

"My men and I searched Little Italy. We found meat hidden in this boy's tent, and a burned carcass with my brand on it not too far away. That's enough evidence in my book:"

"But you didn't catch the boy in the act?"

"Didn't need to" An unpleasant smile turned Rudger's mouth. "He confessed to doing it:"

James gritted his teeth. "Was that before-or after-you beat him senseless?"

Rudger gave a shrug. "We just applied a little pressure, Sheriff. Something a man in your position knows a little about, I'm sure:"

Brookston peered up. "Sheriff, I've got a pulse, but it's faint. I need help getting him to the clinic:"

Josiah Birch and Ben Mullins stepped from the crowd. With Molly close beside them, they lifted Angelo's frail body and carried him to a wagon. James saw Molly glare back at the four men, accusation fierce in her expression. He caught her gaze and indicated with a nod for her to go on, hoping she would. For her to say anything would only complicate matters.

She climbed into the wagon beside Angelo and Dr. Brookston.

James turned back to Rudger as the wagon pulled away. The rancher and his men could have killed Angelo and dumped his body on the side of a road somewhere, or could've dragged him onto Rudger's property to make a stronger case. But they hadn't. They'd brought the boy to town, tonight, to a public gathering, and a school gathering at that-to make a point. And he didn't have to look far to know who was behind it all.

Davenport stood watching the scene, an all-too-smug look on his face. James strode toward him, and the man's confidence wavered.

"Hold on, McPherson!" Davenport shielded his face with his hand. "You've got no-"

James stopped inches from his face, aware of the families gathered, watching. Especially Mitchell and Kurt, who stood with Rachel just feet away. "I want to speak with you and your men inside the church."

A nervous but affable grin lit the mayor's face. "Now, Sheriff..." He glanced around them. "I think Leonard Rudger is well within his rights to protect his property. The boy confessed to the crime and needs to be dealt with, according to the law. And it's up to you to see that the law's enforced, and that he's sent to Denver to stand trial for his-"

"Now, Mayor!" James included Rudger and the other three men in his stare. "You either get inside that church building and we talk, or I'll take you to jail and we'll do it there. Your choice:"

Slowly, the men filed through the crowd and up the stairs, Davenport trailing them.

"Everyone else, head on home:" James caught Rachel's worried look and crossed to where she stood. "Would you and the boys stop by Willis's place and ask him to join me here? As soon as he can:"

She nodded. "Be careful, James."

As he made his way to the church, Billy Bolden caught his eye. Billy stood by his father and his mother, his face wet with tears. Billy looked at him, then bowed his head.

Hank Bolden shoved his son through the crowd. Ida Bolden followed at her husband's urging. But James couldn't shake the look on Billy's face, or the feeling that the boy knew something. And knowing about Billy's friendship with Angelo made him even more suspicious.

"Bolden!" he called out.

Billy was the first to turn. Then his father.

Hank puffed out his barrel chest. "You want something with us, Sheriff'?"

James closed the distance between them. Thankful the crowd was dispersing, he kept his voice low. "I'd like to speak with you and your son, please. Over at my office, if you will:"

Hank bristled. "If there's something you're wanting, I'd prefer you put it to me straight. I'm a busy man. If not, then I suggest you get on with the job of keepin' this town safe."

Ida slipped a protective arm around her son's shoulders, and sure as anything, James read guilt in Billy's eyes. He couldn't fathom that Billy Bolden could be mixed up in this-just as he couldn't imagine Angelo doing it either-but Billy was involved somehow, he was certain. "I'd rather not speak about this here, Hank. So, please.. " He gestured. "Meet me at my office. I'll be there shortly, after I speak with Rudger."

Molly held Angelo's hand as Dr. Brookston sutured the gash on his forehead, the coppery tang of blood heavy in the air. "The doctor's almost done;' she said, wondering if the boy could hear her. He hadn't awakened yet.

"Keep speaking to him, Dr. Whitcomb." Brookston pulled the needle taut, his manner calming and methodical. "I believe people can still hear in situations like these, and a familiar voice can make all the difference."

Molly leaned closer. "Angelo, I'm here with you. You're going to be all right. I'm so sorry this happened. So sorry. Mi dispiace." Without thought, she slipped into Italian. "I don't know if what those men are saying you've done is true or not, but even if it is, I want you to know that I'll stand beside you, Angelo. I won't leave you. Nothing you could do could make me turn my back on you. Because I know what it feels like to be alone...'

Brookston looked up from suturing. "I don't know what you're saying to him, Dr. Whitcomb. But it sure sounds comforting."

Molly sighed and continued to whisper in Angelo's ear.

A knock sounded on the door, and Josiah Birch poked his head inside. "Is it all right if we come in?"

Brookston nodded. "As long as you're not squeamish:"

Josiah ushered Belle and Elijah inside, then closed the door behind them. "How's the boy farina sir?"

Brookston tied off the last suture. "His right arm is fractured. He's got multiple cuts and contusions. I'm watching for signs of internal injuries too:" He grimaced. "His body couldn't have taken much more of a beating, and I'd feel worlds better if he would wake up. Even for a minute:" He glanced at Josiah and his expression softened. "Seems I remember someone else bein' on my table much in this same shape, and he pulled through. That gives me hope:'

Josiah's smile was brief but telling, and a near tangible anxiety crept into the room. Belle slipped an arm around her husband's waist, her eyes filling with tears. But Belle's emotion didn't seem due so much to Brookston's comment as it did with the look of fear on her son's face.

"Doc.. " Josiah dipped his head. "Dr. Whitcomb, ma'am ... we was thinkin' that maybe the sheriff would be here."

Molly shook her head. "He hasn't stopped by yet, but I'm sure he will. When he's through meeting with ... those men:"

Elijah slowly approached the table and touched Angelo's arm. "Is there anything I can do for him?"

Something in Elijah's tone made Molly give him a closer look. His lower lip was trembling. Josiah came behind his son and laid a hand on his shoulder, and Elijah's countenance slipped. His slender shoulders began to shake.

Molly looked from Elijah to Angelo and back, and found Elijah's green eyes swimming with tears.

"I'm sorry, Dr. Whitcomb," he said, hiccupping a breath. "This is my fault, ma'am."

She frowned, not understanding. "Your fault? No, Elijah. How could this be your fault?"

Belle cleared her throat and it sounded overloud in the silence. "Elijah helped Angelo butcher the cow."

Elijah bowed his head, his breath coming harder.

Molly stared, fighting the conclusion forming in her mind. But deep inside, she knew. If Elijah was involved, then Billy Bolden had been involved too. The three boys were so close. And she was to blame for that. Oh, God, help me.... If she hadn't introduced them, then maybe-

"It was wrong. I know it;' Elijah said beneath his breath. "But he and his family were so hungry."

Josiah laid a hand on his son's shoulder. "We aim to tell the sheriff everything. And my son and I will work to pay for that cow. Longer still for the wrong that was done to Mr. Rudger."

But Molly wasn't sure it would be that simple a fix. James had told her that the miners responsible for stealing the cattle before would stand trial in Denver, then would be sentenced to jail. But these were only boys! Surely there would be a distinction made, since they were so young.

Elijah sucked in a breath, and Molly looked back to see Angelo blink. Once. Twice.

James stared at Billy across his desk in his office, awaiting the boy's answer, and already knowing what it would be. The clock on the opposite wall indicated shortly after midnight.

He'd met separately with Davenport, Rudger, and Rudger's three ranch hands. And they'd each given him the same information, almost verbatim-as if they'd rehearsed it. He hadn't met with Angelo yet. He wasn't even sure the boy was going to pull through, based on what he'd seen. But if he did survive the beating-and if the men's accusations were on the mark-Angelo would face charges for cattle rustling and would stand trial in Denver. And being an immigrant, things wouldn't go well for him.

But James's hunch told him something else was at play. He reached for patience beyond his own and prayed for the boy sitting before him. "I'll ask you again, Billy. Do you know anything about what happened with Angelo tonight? Or about the cattle being stolen from Mr. Rudger's ranch?"

Hank Bolden heaved a sigh and stood. "I've already told you, Sheriff, my son doesn't even know the kid, much less hang around with such-"

James raised a hand. "Consider this your last warning, Bolden. Next time, you're gone."

Red in the face, Hank Bolden sat back down. Ida reached out to touch her husband's arm, but Bolden shoved her hand away. She bowed her head, knotting her hands in her lap.

Billy sniffed and slowly raised his head. His eyes were bloodshot. His lips moved, but nothing came out at first. With force, he cleared his throat and began. "I-it was o-only one cow, Sheriff. We-" His voice broke. "We didn't think th-they'd miss it."

Ida began to cry. Hank leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and cursed his only son. The words were like bullets, and Billy shuddered, wincing.