Blood on the Verde River (24 page)

Marge squeezed Chet's arm. “She is so worried and stopped me to ask if you could help her. I didn't know what to say.”

Chet nodded. “Let's go to Jenn's. We can sit down and figure this out and eat lunch.”

“Come along, Betty Lou. He's a good figurer.”

“I know you are so busy, Mr. Byrnes. I hated to bother you.”

He herded them out and into the buckboard saying she was no problem. With both women loaded on the seat, he drove the team to the café, kneeling on his knees from behind the seat.

Inside, the girls welcomed them to the establishment and Bonnie seated them at a table in the back, took their orders, and delivered coffee.

In a low voice, Betty Lou asked Chet, “You rescued those two?”

He nodded. “What did the sheriff say about this letter?”

“That it was probably a hoax and they'd send him on when they didn't get any money. Besides, it's in Utah and he has no authority over the line to do anything. I tried not to cry, but I didn't know what to do. Several at the store said the only answer was you. I'd never met you before. Then Margaret, I mean Marge, came in. I knew her from the fair. So I imposed on her to ask you.”

“Where is this place, Honey Grove?”

“A road the Mormons called the Honeymoon Trail comes down through Utah and Honey Grove. It crosses the Arizona line south of where you go over the Kaibab Mountain and down into House Rock Valley on to Lee's Ferry.

“There, you cross the Grand Canyon and use the ferry to cross the Colorado River. You travel with the red bluffs on one side and the Grand Canyon on your right coming down to the San Francisco Peaks. The military road leads to Camp Verde.”

Chet nodded. “I know that about the Peaks. You come around the east side.”

“Yes. Ten years ago when Leroy and I married and the Church sent us down here to populate this land, others went to the east side of the territory when they got to the peaks. I can draw you a map.”

Their food arrived. Valerie set the plates down and left quickly.

“That would be good. I can find the road. Finding these kidnappers will be a trick.”

“What should I do? I don't want him killed. I wouldn't know what to do without him.”

“Eat. We can figure this out—somehow.”

“You all just in town today?” Jenn asked, dropping by their table.

Chet spoke up, but not loud. “Betty Lou has a problem, but we need to keep it quiet. Her husband is being held as hostage up in Utah—for ransom. She's been to Sims, but he can't do anything 'cause they're in Utah.'” Chet made quotation marks with his fingers.

“He can't do much, anyhow,” Jenn said.

Chet raised his hand. “Never mind that. We're making plans to find the kidnappers.”

“Betty Lou, you are in good hands. If you need my help, I'll do anything you need done. He's such a dandy man.” Jenn turned and left them to talk with another customer.

“You two are friends?” Betty Lou asked.

“Yes. Jenn really helped me when I first came here looking for a ranch.”

“I see.”

“She really did. She found him help and all that,” Marge said.

Betty Lou gave a slight nod. “Back to my problem. I don't have that much money.”

Chet had given the situation some thought. “I think you must write him letters every few days. And in each letter send him twenty or fifty dollars, like you are really scratching for money and are trying to get the banker to make you a loan. Include a plea to the kidnappers each time. Something like . . . but please don't kill my husband.”

“I don't—”

“Marge will have the money for you. Send it in wrinkled, small bills . . . maybe even a few coins.”

Betty Lou was confused. “What will that do?”

“It will bait this Sam guy to go to the post office.”

“How?”

Chet looked around the café and saw it was near empty. “He'll be anxious to get the letters, hoping for the big money. I am a U.S. deputy marshal. The post office has to work with me. When he comes and gets the bait, I can trail him to his hideout.”

She put her hands to her mouth. “How did you figure that out?”

“Betty Lou, my husband can think his way out of about anything he wants to.” Marge chuckled.

“Sounds easy, but we haven't found him yet. He'll get the first letter about the time I arrive, I figure. After we eat, we will go to the bank and quietly get some old money from Mr. Tanner's office. Eat up ladies.” Chet took a hearty bite of his sandwich.

“What else can I do? ”Betty Lou asked.

“Don't mention me. The kidnapper may have lookouts here. Some crooks are smart. Be sure to tell them you begged or borrowed the money you send and that you will try to get more this week.”

“I understand. Oh, I was so sick when I left the sheriff's office. I thought and prayed there was an answer.

“I know there is a chance they may kill him, but at least you're doing something. I will pay you back, I promise.”

Chet waved a hand. “Don't worry about that. Your husband's life is what we want to save.”

“How should she space the letters?” Marge asked.

“One now, then one two days later, small amounts in them. Then three to five days later, send like fifty dollars. We should have them by then.”

“Oh, Mr. Byres I am so—”

“No, you need to be the woman who is crying and quietly desperate to find enough money. So if they have a lookout here, he won't know anything but that you're trying to raise the money.”

Betty Lou sighed. “I never thought of that. I will be.”

“You walk to the bank. We will already be there and you ask to see Mr. Tanner. He is good man. He won't let anyone know any different.”

She leaned back in the chair and breathed deeply. “Thank you, my most Heavenly Father, for all your help. Please protect my husband from the kidnappers. Amen.” She stood and said, “Thank you for the meal, Mr. Byrnes. Marge, it was nice seeing you again.” Nodding at them, she left the café and walked in the direction away from the bank . . . just in case someone was watching.

Chet paid for their meals and escorted Marge to the bank. He gave her some instructions. “You will need to ask Roamer to keep an eye out for Betty Lou and see if the kidnappers have someone watching her.”

“I can handle that. This is a bad time to go all the way to Utah. Don't get caught in a blizzard.”

“I'll be all right. I am going to ask Cole Emerson at the ranch if he wants to go. He's the Indian shooter. I'll go on up to the ranch today, after I get you home. Jesus will have to come along. He's good help and can bring the horses up tomorrow morning and we can leave from there.”

She warily shook her head under the coat's hood. “I bet it is three hundred miles to where the kidnappers are.”

“I have no idea. We'll just go till we get there.”

“It could take over a week.”

“I can't fly like a bird, so we will simply ride and then find him.”

“It is just like always. You leaving worries me. Just be careful.”

“I will.” From what Betty Lou said, it was a damn sight farther than he had imagined. Since he knew of no stage line to Utah, he and the boys would have to tough it out, perhaps in the real cold. He'd see some new country, anyway.

Marge sighed. “Oh, mercy. I will walk the floors.”

Chet hugged her to him. “No, I will be fine. You and the baby will also be fine.”

“All right. I'll keep my chin up and pray.”

“Much better.”

 

 

Having completed the arrangements at the bank with Betty Lou and Banker Tanner, Chet drove them home.

When they pulled into the drive, Jesus came out to meet them. Chet sent Marge on in out of the cold then asked Jesus, “Do you have some wool under wear and socks?”

“
Sí
. Where are we going?”

Chet shook his head. “We are going to Utah. It will be a long ride and probably cold. You will have to have some real warm clothes. A woman's husband has been kidnapped up there and the outlaws want a large ransom for his release.”

“
Sí
. When do we go there?”

“I am going to the Quarter Circle Z today and get Cole Emerson to help us. You bring everything we will need on packhorses tomorrow morning. I'll ride one roan; you can ride the other one. Bring some horse feed, too.

Jesus thought a moment. “It may take four packhorses.”

“It doesn't matter. Just so we have a tent, bedrolls. Cole will have his own. Make sure we have plenty of food and cooking utensils.”

“I will be there early.”

“Be careful in the dark. Bring a rifle, too.”

Jesus nodded. “Extra cartridges, too?”

“Yes. Have you ever been to Utah?”

“No, but I guess I will see what it is like.” He laughed and so did Chet.

“We're off on another adventure. No one but Raphael needs to know our business.”

“I won't tell anyone,” Jesus said determinedly.

“I'll—”

Jesus interrupted. “No, you go to the house. I will saddle the roan horse. He will be ready when you are.”

“Gracias amigo.” Chet knew it would be hard to leave Marge again, but they needed to find the men holding Scales.

“Raphael will be back soon and he will help me load.”

“Good.” Chet turned and headed to the house.

In the kitchen, his wife sat at the table talking to Monica. She looked up when Chet entered. “I told her what happened and that it is a secret.”

“Good. I am set with Jesus. We will need some good ponies to make this trip so we're each riding a roan. He'll have the packhorses ready to load in the early morning. Raphael is gone right now, but he is coming back and he'll help him.”

Chet kissed his wife then he pecked Monica on the cheek. “Take care of her. I will be coming back.”

They walked him outside and he left with them waving on the porch. The temperature had risen to respectable and the roan was spirited going out under the cross-over bar. No chance he'd buck, but he danced some on his toes like he might as they headed for the road.

Halfway down the mountain, he unbuttoned his coat and relaxed. The pony was easy to ride and they made good time getting to Susie's ranch.

Tom met him when he spotted him coming. Susie came out to the porch wearing a coat, waiting while Chet explained he wanted Cole to ride with him. “Be sure he has enough warm clothes and socks. It could be tough riding all the way to Utah. Marge says it's three hundred miles or more.”

“I bet she's right. I'll be sure he has them. Want me to send him to the house for you to explain it all?”

“Fine.” Turning to Susie he called, “I'm coming. Go inside.”

She made a face and he laughed, but she obeyed him and closed the door.

Tom shook his head. “She's real antsy. I think she'd have ridden to New Mexico with Sarge if it wouldn't have looked so bad.”

“She will have to wait.”

Tom said with an Irish accent, “That impatient Byrnes blood is in that lassie.”

“You are right. It flows down. Both my grandfathers came from Ireland. The only one I can recall is dad's father. He sounded just like that.”

They parted. Tom went to get Cole Emerson and Chet went on into the house.

His sister hugged him as soon as he came inside the door. “What is wrong?”

He hung up his hat, gun belt, and coat. “It is a long story. No word needs to get out. For all anyone knows, I'm going to see Reg. But Jesus—Cole, if he wants to go—and I are going to Utah to find a woman's husband who was kidnapped. Now here is the whole story. Sit down.”

When he finished, she was about ready to cry. “Oh, that is a long way.”

“Very long. But we have to do what we have to do.”

“Oh, Chet. I really want to go to the Windmill Ranch and meet Sarge when he comes back.”

“Impossible. He lives in a two-room house and has eight hands living with him.”

She closed her eyes and shook her head. “All I want is to be around him.”

“Send him a letter and tell him when he can to come here.”

“That sounds too bold.”

“Living among nine men might be bolder.” Chet grinned.

“I think he wants me but—”

“He wants you. But you didn't hear that from me.”

“Good. I will write him and walk the floor till he gets here.”

“It will take him almost three weeks to make the turn around with the cattle and get home.”

“Fine.”

“We will be gone for several weeks I figure. Check on Marge. You two can share being alone.”

“That's not funny. Chet Byrnes.”

“No, I know, but you aren't pregnant—”

“That may be another thing. I may not be, but that's not settled either.” Susie shook her head.

“You're a widow. There is no shame in that.”

“I know. I know. I am too impatient, but I don't want to get married and be big as a bear at the wedding.”

“That's between you and Sarge.”

“What if he's not ready for a family?”

“If he wants you, he'll understand these things happen.”

“When you get used merchandise?” Susie whispered.

Chet shook his head. “It didn't bother me a bit.”

She reached over and squeezed his arm. “I didn't mean anything but my own case. You and Marge have a match made in heaven.”