Dead Trouble (14 page)

At the same time he saw Tripp and three others running towards him. They were shooting because he was yards away from the dynamite now, but Deke took a flying dive, scooped up another stick he had prepared, jammed the end against the burning cigarillo he had clamped between his teeth and hurled it at the
advancing
men.

They turned to run and the dynamite exploded over their heads, the concussion knocking them flat. They lay stunned, but Hal Tripp lurched up, wild-eyed, gun in hand. Deke’s last bullet sent his body somersaulting over a boulder. Then he saw more men coming out of the rocks. He groaned – his six-gun was empty and
there were no more sticks of dynamite prepared. The men had realized his predicament and let out a roar as they ran in, shooting. Even as he fumbled at his bullet belt, Deke knew it was way too late.

Then there was a series of hoarse cries near the
tree-line
and Deke, starting to hunt cover, jerked around. Soldiers on foot were charging in, rifles spitting flame, the heavy balls whistling before knocking over some of the outlaws, felling them like a row of skittles. Lieutenant Craig was in the lead, his pistol barking. The soldiers swept around in a tight arc, trapping those outlaws still standing. They quickly threw down their guns, lifting their hands high, coughing in the thick pall of gunsmoke.

Lieutenant Craig, face sweating, hurried across to Deke.

‘You’re early,’ Deke panted.

‘Bit of luck. Ran into Mrs Spain on the way into town and I – er – appreciated your somewhat macabre
signpost
back at the falls, pointing the way here. Saved a lot of time.’

‘Bannister was right the other day when he said Durango and Danton were in the gun-running
business
.’ There was dejection and sadness in Deke’s voice.

‘Well – not quite.
Danton
was definitely supplying guns to this new alliance of the Indian tribes, but Durango Spain …’ His voice trailed off and Deke frowned, looking towards Spain where a corpsman was working over him.

‘What about Durango?’ he asked hoarsely.

‘Lets see how badly he’s hurt.’

Cutler followed the officer over to where Spain lay,
bloody rags covering the chest wound. Craig looked quizzically at the corpsman who shook his head slowly. Spain reached up a hand, eyes pain-filled and glazing.

‘F-fooled you,’ he gasped.

Deke turned to Craig.

‘What’s he mean?’

The lieutenant saw that Spain wouldn’t be doing much talking and explained succinctly:

‘Captain Bannister briefed me before we set out. When Spain captured Danton down on the Rio, Flash knew Durango was about to be married and was low on funds. He bribed Spain to let him go, substituted another body so Spain could claim the bounty.’ He looked sharply at Cutler. ‘Did you know Danton had saved Spain’s life during the war – twice?’

Deke hadn’t known that. Now he felt his body tingle, realizing Spain hadn’t been as corrupt as everyone thought. Weak, sure, on the eve of his marriage, and broke but … A debt like he owed Danton would be the one thing that would make him bend the law, deviate from his own strict code. Still …

‘Not acceptable, though, Craig,’ Deke said tightly and the lieutenant nodded.

‘Danton had been wanted for a long time because his supplying the rebels with arms had caused a big rift, politically, between the United States and Mexico. The Rangers somehow got wind of the deal and Spain was hauled up to Headquarters. No excuses, they said, and told Spain he was facing dishonourable dismissal and jail. Then a federal marshal turned up and offered him a deal.

‘They believed Danton was heading north to back an
Indian uprising in the Territory. The US marshals were very interested but didn’t have anyone to send in undercover. So they offered Spain an honourable discharge from the Rangers, with pension. He was to work his ranch on the Red River where Danton had been seen, and spread the word he was ready for more easy money. He would allow Danton to use Shoestring to take rustled herds into the Territory, and once Danton trusted Spain, the Rangers figured he’d be cut in on the arms deal. Spain could hardly refuse. Then you turned up, months ahead of schedule and Durango had to try and keep you from getting involved …’

Deke stared down at Durango whose eyes were
fluttering
as he tried to hold on a little longer.

‘You kept me at arm’s length, so I wouldn’t butt in and spoil your set-up,’ he said quietly, ‘letting me think you’d turned outlaw just for a few fast bucks …’

‘Didn’t want you getting all hotheaded. I couldn’t tell you about it, Deke. Thought the cancer story would hold you. Anyway, I figured if anything happened to me you’d be there for Karen to fall back on.’

Deke was on one knee now, holding Spain’s limp right hand.

‘You’re a damn good pard, Durango! But what about Jno trying to kill Jimmy and me?’

‘His idea. He was s’posed to drive off the … mustangs … keep you busy … rounding ’em up . . while Danton showed me where the … guns were hidden.’

Deke smiled crookedly.

‘Once a Ranger, eh?’

Spain shuddered, and there was a brief, sudden
strength in his grip. He coughed blood.

‘Deke … not much time … you know … how I want to be … buried. Tell Karen I … lo—’ He sighed, went limp, breathed one last ragged gasp.

‘I’ll look after her, Durango,’ Deke said quietly.

‘I’m sorry, Deke,’ Craig said. ‘With your past record we were afraid you’d buy in at the wrong time. Spain had gone to a lot of trouble to set it up, playing the corrupt rancher. If you believed it, we knew Danton would, too.’

Deke nodded: he savvied all that.

‘But where do Dutch Pete and Sam fit in?
If
they do …’

Craig smiled thinly.

‘The guns. They were stolen from a ship at Vera Cruz on their way to the US Army, via Mexico. Politics again. The Army was mighty short of weapons and these were cheap and reliable, a new kind of repeater, but made in South Africa by a Dutch arms company with a lot of very quiet American money behind it. There’d be big
trouble
if the local arms manufacturers knew about it. The South Africans sent us van Rensberg, their top
investigator
, who also happened to be actually crazy for danger. They set him up on a ranch, and his job was to scout the Territory looking for the guns. A damn good cover, really, an eccentric hunter like that, free to wander wherever he liked. He was getting very close to locating the guns. In fact it was the toss of a coin whether he or Spain would find the guns first. We think van Rensburg was about to reveal to you that he’d found the guns when that bear arrived at the wrong time. He still believed Spain was in it with Danton. We
were waiting, as you know, ready to move on Pete’s word.’

Deke smiled.

‘Crazy, I’d call him, not eccentric! But game as they come!’

Craig shrugged, smiling.

‘By the way, Mrs Spain said she’ll wait for you in the hotel lobby in Wichita Falls.’

Cutler nodded soberly, looking down at Spain.

‘Got to bury Durango first. He wants it to be on high ground, overlooking a river. You know a place?’

‘I think so. But what then, Deke?’

‘Guess I’ll ride into Wichita Falls.’

‘To see Dutch Pete or … Mrs Spain?’

Deke smiled faintly.

‘Both. Karen’ll need to be told about Durango, then …’ He shrugged. ‘I guess we’ll work something out.’

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