Blood on the Verde River (28 page)

“My ranches are at Camp Verde, Preskitt, and over by Hackberry.”

“What is Hackberry like? They offered me a post office there. I saw the map and knew it was not near anything else.”

“You are right. Small town, less stores than here. Cattle and sheep country.”

“I knew it would be bad. They offered me thirty dollars more a month to go there. Let's drink our coffee. One cup is my greatest sin, but you can drink more. Anyone asks me, I'll tell them it is a postal inspector back here drinking it.”

“Right.”

Clark opened at eight and the bell rang on the door when someone came or left. Chet had his peephole and watched several folks come in and ask for mail. It was ten o'clock when he heard Clark coughing. He stood up on the wooden crate and could see a rather attractive brunette lady in her twenties remove her sunbonnet and sign the release.

“You must have some money in this one, ma'am,” Clark said.

“My sister in Prescott, Arizona, is very rich and helps us out.”

“Oh, how nice to have a generous family member to be able to help you along.”

“She's quite generous. Good day, Mr. Clark.” The doorbell rang as she went out.

Chet went out the back door and waved to Jesus. “Blue sunbonnet, a nice looking brunette. She went left on the boardwalk.”

“I will find her.” Jesus left in a run for the front.

Chet went back inside. At the front window, Jesus gave him a quick nod as he went past the post office. He had her in his sights.

Plan A was working, Chet thought. If his man could follow her they'd soon have her location. Before sundown, he'd know something about the deal. Whew. Would he be glad to get home. This job went on and on—forever. He could imagine sleeping in his own bed with his own wife. That would be nice.

The day passed slowly. He stayed out of sight in the back of the post office. Clark's wife brought them lunch, and they ate on the desk in back. She had lots of questions to ask about his wife and if he had any family. He gave her an overview of his moving from Texas and meeting Marge.

“Children?”

“One on the way. We only married last June.”

Carmen shook her head, disappointed. “We've never had any of our own.”

Chet mused how Clark had brought her back to Utah, but they had no kids. His impression was having many children was a church tradition. He had no comment, except to thank her for the lunch of rye bread, mustard, cheese, and sliced beef roast, pickles, and oatmeal cookies.

She smiled and took her wicker basket back home.

Four o'clock, Jesus came back in the front door. Clark called to Chet, “Your man is here.”

“What did you find?” Chet asked as he came into the front.

“They are at a ranch by a small lake.”

“That's Lovely Lake,” Clark said, like he knew all about the place. “It is the only lake around there. Charlie Stokes owns it, but he doesn't live on it.”

“Where does he live?” Jesus asked.

“Salt Lake. Did you see any men up there?”

Jesus nodded. “Three. Two young cowboys and a big guy in buckskin clothes. Fringe hanging down.”

“I don't know him. You think he is this Sam?” asked Clark.

Jesus shook his head. “I don't know.”

Able to get in a word at last, Chet asked his man, “Any sign of the hostage?”

Jesus shook his head. “I couldn't get close in the daytime.”

“How far is it by horseback?”

“An hour, maybe more.”

“That will get you there,” Clark said.

Chet shook his hand and thanked him. “If anyone asks me, I will say you should be the postmaster in Salt Lake.”

“Oh, please don't. My wife would spend all the money I could make.”

Going out the door, Chet said, “I won't tell her or them.”

“Good.”

They met Cole in camp. Ready to move on, they loaded up everything and headed out on the main road that went west. Cole said he'd learned nothing. He was excited that they had the location of Sam Gordon.

It was already sundown when they reached sight of the place. They turned back and camped on the far side of the lake. Chet's plans were to make a ranger-style arrest. They would ride over in the night and just before dawn while everyone was asleep, they'd ride in and arrest them. Around the small fire they'd used to cook, they slept that night with their rifles.

 

 

In the predawn, Cole stood with Chet as he fired a rifle in the air and shouted at the house, “Hands in the air. Any action against us, we will shoot to kill.”

Jesus was already searching the outbuildings.

Two young men staggered out. The woman came out in a housecoat and then a man six foot six ducked his head and, holding his hands high, came out grumbling about what the hell did they want.

“He's alive,” Jesus shouted from out back. “He's alive.”

“Good,” Chet answered while Cole searched the kidnappers for guns.

“Who in the hell are you?” the big man asked.

“U.S. Deputy Marshal Chet Byrnes. I am here to arrest you for kidnapping Leroy Scales.”

“How are you going to prove that?”

“Are you Sam Gordon?”

“Hell, no.”

“Then this woman is going to prison for impersonating him. She has been signing federal postal forms that she is his wife. What is your name?”

“You find out.”

“What are your names?” he asked the boys. Still mounted he held his rifle on them.

The taller boy swallowed his Adam's apple. “Newton McCoy and he's Harrison Duval.”

“What's your name, ma'am?”

“Kathrin Arnold.”

The big man growled at her. “Don't tell him nothing.”

“Sam Whatever, shut up,” Chet ordered. “You had your chance to talk.”

“My name's Evan Evans. When my lawyers get done with you, you won't have a damn badge.”

In the first golden light of dawn, Jesus came from around the house with a bedraggled man. “Leroy, that is my boss who found you.”

Chet smiled at him. “Betty Lou sends her best.”

Leroy's legs collapsed and he sat on the ground. “Thank you Lord for answering my prayers. Thanks for these lovely men. Praise the Lord, my prayers have been answered. Amen.”

“Tie their hands behind their backs,” Chet said to Cole. “Kathrin, you make one move, you will be shot along with them. Leroy, are you all right?”

“I am glorious, sir. I never thought I'd be alive. Who sent you? Betty Lou?”

“Yes. She'll be glad to see you.”

He began to cry. “God bless her. Is she all right?”

“Fine, if she hasn't worried herself to death about you. Where did they kidnap you?”

“What do you mean?”

Chet dismounted and put his rifle up in the scabbard. “I mean, where were you when they kidnapped you?”

“Oh, down in Arizona Territory . . . before you climb the Kaibab.”

“That's good.”

“Why?”

“'Cause the law will try them in Preskitt.” Chet turned to the kidnappers. “You men sit down on the ground. My rules are short. My men will shoot anyone who tries to break away, start any trouble, or disobey an order. So if you want to die in agony on the ground, break my rules.

“Jesus, you and Kathrin make us some food. Load their food up. Cole, we will need saddle horses. Take Newton along and have him help you. If he tries anything, shoot him. We will need five saddle horses. Make it four and hitch the buggy horse that she drove to town. The rest we'll drive or lead behind us.”

All left to follow Chet's orders.

“Who owns this ranch?”

Evans never answered him.

“You walk a couple days with a rope around your neck, you'll get lots politer. Hear me?”

“Yeah. You can't do that.”

“You can walk to Honey Grove for that.”

“Aw, hell. You sent that damn money to bait us, didn't you?”

“Like crow hunting, you toss out some corn and they come and you shoot them.”

“She'll get the money, she said. But she was only stalling so you could find us.”

“You will have plenty of time to think about a lot of things—walking to Honey Grove.”

Evans began cursing him.

That was enough. Chet went in the house and found a rag, came back out and gagged him. “You will learn to speak when you are spoken to and shut up the rest of the time.”

Evans's muffled protest suited Chet just fine. He took Leroy aside. “Are you strong enough to ride all day? I know you've been tied up for a long time.”

“Oh, Marshal, I feel strong enough to do anything.”

“Maybe you could ride in the buggy to Honey Grove.”

“Whatever you think. I'd do anything for you I could. I never thought . . . well you heard that before.”

Chet jerked his head toward the house. “Who is she? Do you know?”

Leroy shook his head and spoke in a low voice. “She fed me and tried to make me comfortable. I don't think Evans would have even fed me if she had not been here or hadn't insisted. He slapped her around a lot, but me and them boys could only watch. I think she left her husband for him. He acts like a big shot, but we got lots better food when my wife's money started coming. I couldn't imagine how Betty Lou got any money. I left the money I got from the estate in the bank in Star City and they are going to ship it to me in Preskitt. I told them only if they got a letter postmarked Prescott, A-Z-T were they to send it to me. Lots of people are never heard from again going down this road. I listed Betty Lou as my heir if I died.”

“Pretty thorough job. In ten days, you will be home, the good Lord willing.”

“What will I owe you?”

“Nothing.”

“I will see that you get some reward.” Leroy shook his head as if still in a daze. “That smiling Mexican boy who found me said, ‘You're free.' I hugged him. He must have thought I was crazy.”

“Jesus knew. We've been coming for weeks. Glad you're all right.”

“Food's ready,” Jesus called.

Chet caught Evans by the collar and set him on his feet, then the other boy.

Cole came back with his prisoner who was untied. “We have all them loaded and saddled. We still need to hitch the buggy.”

“I think Leroy will ride in it with her to Honey Grove,” said Chet.

“Fine, but we are close to ready anyway.”

“I want Evans tied in a chair. He tries anything, we shoot him.”

“I can do that.”

“You hear me?” Chet asked the gagged outlaw, who nodded.

The table was covered with plates of pancakes, a big kettle of oatmeal, and a stack of hot biscuits.

“All we had,” Kathrin said, and held her palms up for them.

“We can eat it. Anyone who doesn't drink coffee, can have water,” Chet pointed out.

After they ate, he told the two boys to wash the plates and cups, and Jesus to watch over them. Cole went to hitch the buggy.

“Kathrin, get your things.” Chet retied Evans's hands behind his back and put him to sit on the porch. “Don't even think about running off. I'll take your decapitated head back to Preskitt in a gunny sack.”

“You won't get away with this. I've got friends in Utah,” the big man threatened.

“Keep on and I'll gag you again.”

She brought out a tied-up blanket full of her things. Cole had the buggy there and stepped down.

“Kathrin, load your things. Leroy is going to ride into town with you,” Chet ordered. He turned to Leroy. “You still doing all right?”

“Oh, I am fine, Chet. Just got some sea legs is all.”

“I savvy.” He turned to the young cowboys. “You two boys plan to run off?”

“No, sir.”

“You can ride untied to town, but I won't stand any moves to run off. We will catch you or shoot you. You won't get away. Understand me?”

“We won't,” Newton promised. The other boy nodded in agreement.

“Good. Cole, you lead Evans's horse. You boy, get some leads from Jesus. We've got enough horses to start a ranch.” Chet shook his head thinking about the extra ones at Joseph's Lake. “Kathrin, you lead the way. Go ahead. I'll be behind you, then Cole next, leading the prisoner and then Jesus.” He nodded as they started after the moving buggy. He'd still have to consider charging her. The law, at times, could sort of overlook women who weren't real participants in crimes. Obvious from his report, she had treated Leroy all right.

But why was she with Evans? Maybe he'd learn on this trip home. The warm weather would not last, but they were headed home. Ten days, maybe, on the road? Maybe more.
Marge, I'm coming home
.

The whole damn town turned out to welcome them. The street was crammed full of rigs and horses—curious men, women, and children. They filled the boardwalks and barely made room in the street to let the posse through. A hundred questions were cast at Chet.

Finally a man wearing a star stepped in his path. “I'm Deputy Sheriff Stoney Lake.”

“Good. I am U.S. Marshal Chet Byrnes. I have four prisoners here. Do you have jail space for tonight, sir?”

“I will have to see your papers on these prisoners.”

“Lake, I just arrested them. That man in the buggy, Leroy Scales, was being held captive for ransom for over a month. Now, you either jail those three men or get the hell out of my way.”

“I'm the law here.”

“Lake, I have federal authority over you. Either you back down or we're going to fist city to start.” He held up his hand. “Easy Cole. I'll handle this.”

People began to shrink away. The postman Clark came through the crowd. “I helped this man apprehend those outlaws. He is a marshal and these are the kidnappers.”

“That's right. That guy there kidnapped me down in Arizona and brought me back up here,” Leroy said.

“I'm the damn law. Why didn't you tell me?”

Leroy sat on the buggy seat shaking his head. “How in the hell could I do that? He had me tied up.”

The crowd laughed.

Chet booted his roan up closer. “Stand aside, Lake. I have better things to do than listen to you all day.”

“We'll see about that.” But despite his threat, Lake did step aside.

The crowd applauded Chet and his posse in passing though.

“Jesus, go get those food things we need at the store and keep a packhorse. You can catch up later. Get ten locks and fifty feet of chain, too.” Chet stood in the stirrups to dig the money out for his man. Under his breath, he said, “I am not asking Lake for cuffs.”

Jesus nodded. With a stern look at the deputy who stood across the street with his arms folded on his chest, he scowled in disgust at him.

“He won't bother you. You are a sworn posse member for the U.S. marshal service,” Chet said.

“Good.”

“We will go to the edge of town and wait. You take too long and I'll be back for you. Don't get in a gun fight with him.”

“Sí.”
Jesus took the packhorse least loaded and went to the store, hitched both horses at the rack, and went inside.

Chet rode over and told Kathrin to drive her buggy on. She gave a serious nod and the mare stepped out. He turned up his collar on his new coat against the sharp wind. The effort covered his neck from the draft and he gave Cole a sign to ride on with the prisoners.

“I wasn't going to kill him,” Cole said. “Just backing you.”

“Thanks. I didn't want things to explode. Let's get back to Arizona.” Chet looked from the brim of his hat to the azure blue skies for help. He still needed to make a decision about her and those two boys who were probably pressured by Evans into doing anything bad that they'd done.

Half mile from town, they waited for Jesus on a windy ridge. They sat around eating beef jerky and washing it down with stale water. To his relief, he saw his man coming on the run. “Kathrin, he's coming. We better get started.”

“How far will we go today?” she asked, ready to get on the buggy seat.

“I'd like to be out of Utah. Deputy Lake has some stake in this deal.” Chet rode in closer. “Do him and Evans have any relations?”

She climbed on the seat. “I'm not sure enough to say.”

“That's fine. I just wondered.”

On the seat, she reached for the reins and said, “Evans must have had some help getting that ranch job.”

“Thanks.” Chet watched her drive off wondering why a deputy sheriff got so upset about a U.S. deputy marshal arresting anyone. Oh well, he might learn more before this whole thing was over.

The faded sign nailed on two posts said A
RIZONA
T
ERRITORY
B
ORDER.
The sun was getting low and he recalled a place ahead they could camp. No water, but in the cold air the horses would be all right until they made Joseph's Lake the next day. They'd watered them good before they'd gotten to town earlier.

The two boys helped Jesus unload. Cole tended the horses.

Chet set Evans on the ground off by himself with his hands tied behind his back where he could watch him, rifle cradled in his arm, and talk to Kathrin. “Tell me about those two boys.”

She looked up to be sure no one else was in hearing distance. “They were scared to death of him the whole time. He hired them to be cowboys to run that ranch he told me he was going to manage for some guy.” She shook her head. “My damn husband married a teenage girl 'cause I could not conceive, I guess. Then he said he was also going to marry her sister so he'd have two young wives. I'm sorry but I was not going to live with him and two other teenage girls. So I left him. He didn't care that I was gone. But it was tough. I had no money. I got a job as a waitress. When a single, twentysomething-year-old woman runs off, she's a whore. Evans came along and treated me nice. Oh, he's a really smooth liar. He brought me that buggy and mare, told me to take my things, and meet him at this ranch he was going run.

“It sounded so nice, I did what he said. Meanwhile, he went and hired those two boys, followed Leroy down here someplace, and kidnapped him. Them boys didn't know what they were in on either, but he told them he'd kill them and me, too, if we didn't do what he said to do.

“We had nothing to eat but rabbits and a deer the boys shot with a twenty-two. Then the money started to come in her letters. I bought food with it. I didn't know anyone I trusted in town and never got to talk much with the boys—but the food I made was better than before.”

“I may send them home,” Chet said.

“Ask Leroy. This was all Evans deal. What about me?”

“Leroy said you saved him from starving. My wife or a gal named Jenn in Preskitt could figure out a better life for you.”

Busy on her knees, feeding the small fire to get it started, she looked up suspiciously at him. “Why do that for me?”

“Because I can. I am a rancher, but I'm also a human being. I'm a very happily married man and have no desire for you as a woman, but as a human being, my heart is sad for your predicament. Tomorrow, we will pick up some more killers at Joseph's Lake. The next week, going to Preskitt will not be pleasant, but you have your buggy and you will have privacy, I promise you.”

She was blotting tears with a soiled rag. The fire started, she rose, “May God bless you, Chet Byrnes.”

“He has, Kathrin. Many times. Your way will not be easy, but you will find a way out.”

“Hug me. I am shaking. Oh, Chet, thank God.”

He did and then she nodded. “I'll be fine now. The boys are back.”

 

 

Chet took the boys aside after supper. Newt McCoy was the speaker. “Harrison and I thought we had real jobs as cowboys working for him. We didn't know about the kidnapping when we hired on, but I told Harrison late at night if he ever gets that money, Evans probably would kill all four of us. We didn't dare run away. He said he'd cut our ears off.”

Chet listened carefully and made his decision. “In the morning, you boys completely avoid Honey Grove and ride on home.”

“Really?”

“Hush. I can't guarantee you that those horses and saddles you have are not stolen, but I will write you a note and if you get in trouble over them going back, write me at Preskitt and I'll get you out.”

“Oh, Marshal Byrnes, that is such good news.”

“You boys live around Honey Grove?”

“No sir. We live eighty miles north at Skyler.”

“As I said, avoid going through Honey Grove.”

Both of them nodded their heads in the dark.

“For now, I want you two to help my boys guard. You hear anything let us know. Evans may have help around here, following us.”

Solemn-faced in the starlight, they agreed and shook Chet's hand. Then they went back to the fire. He had a chain and lock put on Evans's foot, the other end locked around a juniper tree. Cole had the key. The crew built Kathrin a lean-to shelter against the north wind that reflected the fire's heat back on top of her.

When Chet went to sleep, he left orders to awaken him if anything happened, plus he got the last watch shift. Some time in the night, Newt woke him whispering, “We've got company.”

Chet sat up, immediately awake. “How many?”

“Three or four. Cole spotted them coming on foot from the west and we're all up now. They ain't Injuns. They're wearing hats.”

“Keep down.”

About then, the invaders fired their guns in air. “We got you surrounded.”

When one of the raiders fired his rifle in the air again, it gave the defenders a chance to see them. Three rifles poured fire into the intruders. The still night air was foggy with gunpowder smoke.

“What's happening?” Kathrin hissed.

“Tell her, Newt.” Chet and his two men advanced through the shin-high sagebrush ready to shoot at anything that moved.

The groans of the wounded were loud. Making certain none had rifles, Cole caught one by the arm and dragged him away, screaming, so he couldn't get to one. Jesus listened to one of the quiet ones' heart.

“Don't bother. He is dead,” he said.

“This one is, too,” Cole said about another.

“Newt and Harrison, over here,” Chet hollered. “Get their guns and horses. Come daylight, you boys will have to go back to Honey Grove and take them—the wounded and the dead—with you. The wounded ones would die before I could get them home with me.”

Kathrin had a pitch torch when she came over. “One of the dead is Lake.”

Chet frowned. “I better find some paper and write this out.”

Chet handed the note to Newton.

 

 

In the chilly morning, the two boys led the wounded back toward Honey Grove. Leaving the dead where they lay, Chet, his crew, Kathrin, Scales, and the prisoner Evans went south.

One evening later, they were at the Joseph's Lake trading post.

Kimes came out and greeted them. “You must have got your man.” He tossed his head at Evans.

“We did and the man he held is all right.” Chet pointed at Scales, then turned back to Kimes. “Do you know anyone who has a stout team of horses and a wagon they might sell?” Chet asked him.

“I know one. Big draft horses. The wagon is not spanking new, but it is solid.”

“Where is it?”

“I'll send my son to get them. They can all be here in the morning.”

“How much does the man want for all of it?”

“One hundred and fifty dollars. They are big black Shire horses. Six and seven years old. They are stout, but not fat. He works them hard in the log woods.”

“Get them. I have chains and locks for the prisoners. It is still a long way to Preskitt.”

“You're going to buy a team and wagon?” Cole asked Chet privately, dismounting and leading his horse.

“Yes. It will here in the morning. We have a helluva long way still to go. Chained in the wagon, they will be easier to keep an eye on.”

“Good idea. Kimes have any trouble with them?”

“He never said, but they might not have tried him. He's tough,” Chet pointed out.

Cole agreed. Jesus joined them.

“I have a big team and wagon coming to haul the prisoners in,” Chet told him.

“Good. The other three here?”

“Yes. Tomorrow we will head off this mountain for the ferry. That's two days from here or longer.”

Both of his men agreed.

Cole had one more thing to say. “Hey, Chet. Jesus and I have enjoyed being with you. It won't be any picnic going home, but we'd sure ride the river with you.”

“Thanks.”

“Hey, you three,” Leroy called out from the buggy. “It's been a wild deal to get here, but any way I can help, I'll do it.”

“Kimes is sending for a big team and wagon to haul the prisoners. You ever drive a Shire team?”

“They got hooves. I can drive them.”

Chet smiled and looked at his men. “What about that?”

“Wonderful,” Jesus said.

“Yeah, thanks.” Cole shook his hand.

“My wife's got food cooked,” Kimes announced.

“Chain Evans to that log wagon wheel and we'll go eat,” Chet said.

That done, everybody but Evans headed for the store-house combination.

They filed in, washed and dried their hands, then sat down at a long rough-cut wood bench and table. The food was hot and good to the crew who'd had little variety in their meals over the past days. The venison was flavorful, the potatoes mashed. Gravy, mustard greens, and great biscuits that melted in their mouths completed the meal. Dried apple pie finished it off.