Rio (17 page)

As soon as Sheriff Barnes had had some breakfast, he headed over to the state capitol. Senator Forester was just arriving at his office when the sheriff walked up, doffing his Stetson and chewing a toothpick. “Senator, I’ve got something I need to talk to you about.”

The senator looked out of sorts. “Can’t it wait? I’m running late this morning.”

“I think we’d better talk,” the sheriff said, picking his teeth.

“All right, come in.” The senator gestured and to the little pipsqueak at the desk, he barked, “Elmer, get us some coffee, will you?”

The sheriff was humble as he followed the senator into the office and accepted a fine cigar. He waited until the senator sat down and gestured toward a chair before he took a seat. “Senator, I’m here on a rather delicate matter.”

“Yes? You need to sell tickets to the law officers’ ball, or—?”

“No, of great importance to you.” The sheriff sniffed the fine cigar, then put it in his shirt pocket for future use. “It has to do with—”

The senator gestured him to silence as the pimply faced Elmer returned with a tray and mugs of coffee.

He put down the tray and looked at the senator. “Would you like me to serve—?”

“Never mind, we’ll do it ourselves. Now get out.” He gestured impatiently.

“Very well, sir.” The younger man fled the scene.

Senator Forester took a cup and gestured that Sheriff Barnes should do so. “Now you were saying …?”

“Is your handyman, Luther, missin’?” The sheriff sipped his coffee.

“Is that all? How should I know?” The senator looked annoyed. “Even my damned driver was late this morning. I can’t keep up with all the worthless help.”

“Maybe you should find out.” Barnes sipped the coffee and sucked his teeth.

“Why do you want to know?” The senator raised one eyebrow.

“Well, your handyman’s been shot graveyard dead,” the sheriff said, “something to do with a barn.”

“A barn?” the senator snapped. “You bother me over a barn? I’ve got important matters—”

“Luther was shot in the back,” the sheriff said and added importantly, “I arrested the man.”

“Now I guess the county wants me to pay for the funeral?” The senator sipped his coffee. “Killed in a bar fight?”

The sheriff shook his head. “Naw. His killer says Luther was burnin’ down his barn.”

“Now why would Luther do that?” The senator pulled out his watch. “Any witnesses?”

The sheriff shook his head. “No. He says he shot him in the back because Luther and his friends were burnin’ his barn. But you know them Mexicans, no tellin’ what really happened.”

“Mexican?”

“Yeah.” The sheriff nodded. “Rio Kelly, a small rancher. I got him in jail.”

“I hope you keep him there,” the senator said with a nod. “Damned Mexicans just taking over this town. You can’t trust them, Sheriff, and who knows what Luther and his friends were doing last night, maybe having a little innocent fun and some greasy bastard killed him for it. We need more law and order in this city.”

Sheriff Barnes puffed his chest out, but his big belly got in the way. “That’s just what I always say, sir.”

“You’re going to keep him in jail until trial?”

The sheriff grinned. “Yes, sir. I doubt he can make bail or hire a good lawyer. It’s pretty cut and dried. He shot a man in the back, so he’ll go to prison or hang.”

The senator leaned back in his chair and smiled. “You’re a good man, Sheriff. We need more men like you. Damn, I’ll have to find a new handyman now.”

“Yep, that’s too bad.” Sheriff Barnes stood up. “I just wanted to make sure you didn’t have any idea why Luther was out there.”

“Now why would I?” the senator scoffed. “I don’t have much to do with Mexican peasants. By the way, Sheriff, I’ll make sure you have enough money to run your campaign next time. You just remind me.” He stood up and offered his hand and the sheriff shook it.

“Why, thank you, Senator.”

The senator escorted him to the door. “Think nothing of it …”

“Barnes, sir, Pete Barnes.”

“Like I said, Barnes, we need more tough lawmen like you. We’ve got to stop mollycoddling these killers.”

“I reckon we’re both in agreement on that,” the sheriff said and went out. The senator was a very good man. Pete hummed to himself and grinned all the way back to the jail.

Back at Fern’s ranch, Turquoise slept little, wondering why anyone would want to burn out Rio’s small, struggling ranch. Because she had recognized the dead man, she felt she had to find out if Edwin knew anything.

Come morning, she washed up and dressed in a blue dotted Swiss frock that was perfect for the hot weather, got a lace parasol, and borrowed Fern’s buggy. As she rolled into town, grubby newsboys on corners were holding up papers and yelling “Read all about it! Custer killed at Little Bighorn!”

People began to gather on the sidewalks to talk and grab papers.

She stopped her buggy and gestured one of the boys to her side, and held out some change. “Here. What’s this you say?”

“General Custer was killed at the Little Bighorn River several days ago,” the boy shouted as he took her money and handed her a paper.

She stared at the article. “General Custer, who was once assigned to Austin right after the War, has been wiped out with his entire command in Montana by a huge force of Cheyenne and Sioux.”

She lay the paper on her buggy seat. The news was sad and exciting, but she had something more important on her mind. She snapped the reins at the paint horse.

She drew up before the capitol and stepped down, tying up her horse. Then she went into the capitol building and up to Senator Forester’s office. The same little man was outside at his desk. “Elmer, is the senator in?”

The pimply faced secretary jumped to his feet. “I’ll see, ma’am.” He disappeared inside. In a moment, he stuck his head out. “Yes, the senator will see you, miss.”

He acted like he might want to hang around and eavesdrop, but instead, he went back to his desk, watching her.

Turquoise went past his desk and into Edwin’s office, and carefully closed the door behind her.

He stood up and with a big smile, rushed forward to meet her. He had a pink rosebud in the buttonhole of his expensive suit. “Well, my dear, this is a surprise. I am so glad to see you. Since you’ve changed your mind, perhaps we can have lunch—”

“Edwin, I’m not here on a visit,” she said. “There’s something that’s happened.”

“Oh, you mean about General Custer? Sad. I had dinner with him several times when he was assigned to Austin. We’ve got to wipe those savages out, teach them a lesson.”

“No, something else.”

He looked baffled, but then he smiled. “Well, anything you need, I’m ready to help. You know that, my dear. You see by the rosebud I haven’t given up hope.”

She winced. “I wish you wouldn’t bring that up. Anyway, have you heard there was a barn burned last night?”

He gestured her to a chair. “A barn?You’re bothered over a silly barn? What has that to do with me?”

“Edwin, one of the raiders was killed. I saw him and recognized him as that scar-faced handyman of yours.”

He stared at her, eyes wide with surprise. “Luther? Luther is dead? Oh my, I doubt the poor chap has any relatives, but I’ll give him a funeral. That’s the least I can do for the man. But why would he burn someone’s barn? You
just never can tell about people, can you? Sherry?” He walked to the sideboard and poured himself a drink.

She shook her head. “Luther was helping three other riders burn a barn when he was shot and killed.”

“Hmm.” He paused and sipped his drink. “Do tell. Now just how do you know this?” He gave her a searching look.

She glanced away. “I—I just happened to be visiting the owner. Your Luther and the other three were evidently burning the barn and the owner interfered.”

“Oh, now, do we know that for sure?” He seemed to be patronizing her. “Maybe the men just happened to be riding by and the owner shot Luther by mistake?”

“By mistake?” She couldn’t keep her voice from rising in frustration. “Honestly, Edwin, I saw the whole thing. They were burning the barn and the owner shot him.”

“If you say so. Why would you think I knew anything about it?” Edwin sounded testy. “When you came in, I had hoped you might be reconsidering my offer—”

“Oh, I can’t think about that right now.” She made a dismissive gesture. “The man who shot your handyman is a friend of mine. He might get into some trouble over this.”

Edwin turned away to look out the window. “I see. So you would like me to use my influence to help him?”

“I would so appreciate it.”

He turned around. “It’s always possible I might not be able to do anything.” She gave him her most appealing smile. “I’ve heard you often have more influence than the governor.”

“Oh, my dear, you flatter me.” He smiled modestly. “Of course, I do hold sway in certain circles. However, we don’t know if your friend is in trouble yet.”

She came to him and he took one of her small hands between his two well-manicured ones. “But I can count on you if I need to, Edwin?”

“Of course, my dear.” He kissed her hands. “I would do anything in the world for you. You know that.”

The way he was looking into her eyes and kissing her fingers made her uneasy. She disengaged her hands. “Thank you, Edwin.” She turned and walked to the door, pausing. “You are kinder to me than I deserve.”

“I don’t hold a grudge,” he assured her. “And I would do anything for you. I’ve told you that. I’m upset any of my employees might be involved in anything underhanded. Are you sure your friend is telling the truth?”

She nodded. “I was there, Edwin, and I saw what happened, and even if I hadn’t been, I would stake my life on this man’s innocence.” She went out the door, feeling better about everything.

Edwin stared after her, cursing softly. What a mess. Turquoise was so innocent and naive and that was the reason he’d had her followed and had sent the four out to burn down the barn and kill all the vaquero’s livestock. He had had them nose about the hacienda to make sure no one was at the house before they fired the barn. But Turquoise had been there and with that low-life Mexican. He tried not to picture her in that vaquero’s arms, his dirty mouth on hers, his big hands on her pale white body. Edwin’s jealousy sent him into a rage and he paced his office.

He hadn’t expected Turquoise to turn up as a witness. That stupid Luther; getting himself killed might throw suspicion on Edwin. Now the question was how to get rid of that Mexican bastard while letting Turquoise think Edwin was trying to help him.

Surely she was not involved with that penniless hombre. Edwin gritted his teeth at the thought. His hope was not dead yet and maybe Edwin might still end up with the beauty. He’d like to see that Mexican hanged, but that wouldn’t win Edwin the fair maiden. Maybe Edwin could pretend to help and then get rid of his rival by having
Sheriff Barnes stage a fake jail break. The Mex would be shot and killed as he tried to escape. That’s what the sheriff would swear to.

Turquoise rode out to Rio’s ranch and couldn’t find him anywhere. Puzzled, she went back to Fern’s ranch.

“Hey,” Fern said, “where have you been? A boy just brought a telegram that Mrs. Durango will be home in a few days and Senor Trace will be catching a train here to Austin to meet her.”

“That’s good,” Turquoise said, still deep in thought. “We can all journey back to the ranch together.”

“Who was the handsome vaquero with you last night? I thought you were being courted by Senator Forester.”

“It’s very complicated.” Turquoise shrugged.

“You look upset,” Fern said.

Turquoise sighed. “I just went out to his ranch but Rio’s not there.”

“So you’ve definitely decided it’s the vaquero instead of the senator?”

Turquoise nodded. “I never thought I’d say that, but I’ve decided that love matters more than security and respectability.”

Fern smiled. “I could have told you that.”

“I just wish I knew where Rio was. I might take the buggy and go into Austin and look around for him.”

Fern shook her head. “Some of those places men frequent are no place for a lady.”

Her father came in just then. “What’s this about?”

Fern explained.

Mr. Lessup said, “Why don’t I ride into town and make a few inquiries? You girls stay here.”

So he rode out and the girls tried to work on the wedding plans, but Turquoise couldn’t think of anything but what had happened to Rio.

* * *

That afternoon, Fern’s father returned and he looked grim as he walked into the ranch house. “The news isn’t good. They’ve got Rio in jail. They’re gonna try him for murder, since the man was shot in the back.”

“Murder?” Turquoise gasped. “No, it wasn’t—”

“It doesn’t matter.” The old man’s face was grim. “He’s a nobody, a Mexican. I wouldn’t be surprised if they sent him to prison in Huntsville for years or even hung him.”

Turquoise cried out in dismay and Fern said, “Daddy, did you have to say it out loud like that?”

“Sorry,” the old man muttered.

“Do you think they’ll let me see him?” Turquoise blinked back tears.

The old man shook his head. “That jail isn’t a place for a young lady. I didn’t even see him myself.”

Turquoise didn’t answer, but her mind was working hard. Trace would be in town in a couple of days and he was rich and powerful; maybe he could help. However, she knew someone who had influence and power and who had offered to help her if she needed him. Edwin Forester. She was going to have to visit him again and beg for a favor.

Early the next morning, Turquoise dressed, borrowed Fern’s horse and buggy, and drove into town to the jail. The yawning deputy on duty didn’t want to let her see Rio, but she persisted and finally he led her down a short row of dingy, smelly cells.

“Somebody to see you, Mex.” The deputy smirked and left. Rio came to the cell bars. “What are you doing here? I don’t want you in this dump.”

“You know I would come anyway.” She looked at him. He was dirty and unkempt and there were dark bruises on his face. “I’m going to get you out on bail.”

He shook his head. “They say I’m at risk for fleeing to Mexico. The bail is so high, I can’t make it, and even all my friends together couldn’t raise that much: ten thousand.”

“I know several people who can,” she said. She wanted to reach through the bars and stroke his black, tousled hair, but she knew he was embarrassed for her to see him like this.

“Go home, Turquoise.” He turned away from her. “This was never meant to be. You wanted more than a poor cowboy will ever have, and I reckon I’m gonna hang. Maybe Edwin Forester is the right choice for you.”

“No,” she pleaded. “Rio, it’s you I love.”

“Well, maybe I don’t care about you. Maybe you were just a plaything for me.” He didn’t look at her.

“I don’t believe that.” Tears came to her eyes. “I’m going to get you out and then you can decide whether we’re meant to be together.”

“You’re wastin’ your time.” He strode over and flung himself down on his narrow cot, closing his eyes. “Don’t come back here. I’ll tell the jailer not to let you in.”

She winced at his grim tone. “I will come back,” she promised.

He did not answer and she sighed as she turned and went down the dim hall. Somehow, she would help him and then if he didn’t want her, that was his decision to make.

She left the jail and drove directly to the capitol building, tied up the buggy out front, and went inside and down the hall to Edwin’s office. To the weasel of a secretary, she said “I need to see the senator.”

He looked her over with just a hint of curiosity. “I’ll see if he’s in to visitors, senorita.”

He disappeared into the big door and in moments returned. “The senator will see you now.”

He led the way and opened the door for her. She stood there, making sure she heard his footsteps echoing away before she came over to the desk. She did not want Elmer eavesdropping on her conversation.

Edwin stood up from his desk and came over, taking both her small hands in his clammy, soft ones. “Ah, my dear, so good to see you again. I think about you all the time. See? I still wear a pink rosebud in my lapel.”

She forced herself not to pull away from him; after all, she needed a favor. “Senator Forester—”

“Edwin, remember?” He squeezed her hands and looked down at her with tearful eyes.

She managed a smile. “Yes, Edwin. Well, I need a favor and it involves a lot of money.”

“My dear, you know I would give you my whole fortune. What is it your little heart desires?”

“Oh, it isn’t for me. It’s for a friend.”

“A friend?” He seemed instantly on his guard.

“Yes, a friend is in jail and the bail is ten thousand dollars. I was hoping you would lend me the money to get him out. I can go to my guardian, but he won’t be in town for several days and I need it immediately.”

His jaw went tense and she saw the muscles working there. “Who is it?”

“The vaquero who’s accused of killing Luther.”

His hands tightened on hers so hard, she winced and pulled away. “Let me get this straight,” he said. “You want me to provide the money to get that greasy Mexican cowboy out of jail? The man who killed my dear friend?”

She knew by his expression he did not, would not, give her one penny to help Rio. “He didn’t murder him and I want to help him.”

He gave her a wounded look. “My dear girl, I don’t even know this man except the gossip I’ve heard in the last few hours. I don’t know …”

“Then why was your handyman involved in burning down his barn?”

“Surely you don’t think I had anything to do with this.” He went into a spasm of coughing and turned away, hurrying over to pour himself a drink. “I swear to you, my dear, that I have no idea what my hired help does on their own time. No jury would believe that a rich, prominent man like me would have any reason to burn down some poor Mexican’s barn.”

She took a deep breath for courage. “I think we both know that isn’t true.”

Edwin didn’t answer. “I don’t know what you’re insinuating,
my dear, but I’ll excuse it since you’re so upset and hysterical.”

“Edwin,” she said in a cold voice, “I am not hysterical. I merely need to borrow some money immediately.”

He clasped his hands behind his back and walked over to stare out the window. “Did this poor galoot send you to beg for bail?”

“He did not!” she snapped. “In fact, he said I should not come to the jail again and to forget about him.”

“Very good advice.” He turned and looked at her. “Obviously he’ll be hanged or sent to prison for a long, long time. You’d be an old lady by the time he got out.”

“But Edwin,” she pleaded, “you have power and influence. You’re a lawyer, and I hear, a great one. I’m sure you could get him acquitted.”

He sighed deeply and turned to her. “I guess I must now tell you what I only found out a few minutes ago.”

She felt a chill of foreboding. “Tell me.”

He paced up and down. “The sheriff has now found the other three men and they are all respectable citizens. They all are ready to swear in court that the four of them were merely riding by, saw the fire, and were attempting to put it out when this Mexican came riding and shooting out of nowhere and killed poor Luther before he could explain.”

She grabbed the back of a chair, shaken. “Edwin, that isn’t true. I was there.”

He gave her an earnest look. “My dear, I want to believe you would not lie just to save your friend, but these three men are respectable citizens. Why, one of them is even a church deacon.”

“I’ll testify in court,” she said.

“And ruin your reputation? Oh no, my dear, you can’t do that. Besides, the jury might not take the word of a woman against three solid citizens and business owners.”

“But Edwin, with your help and position, you could—”

“And why should I?” he snapped. “I’m afraid to even guess what you were doing there that night. In fact, I won’t let my mind dwell on it. Yes, I could probably fix things, all right, but I don’t see why I should Unless …”

“Yes?” She walked up to him, looking into his face.

He put his hands on her shoulders. “You know I love you. I never thought I would stoop to admitting I would be willing to take some low vaquero’s leavings, but in spite of all that, I still want you more than anything I’ve ever wanted in my life. And with all your beauty and charm, you would make a wonderful senator and then a governor’s wife.”

She looked up into his eyes and saw the pain and the need there. “I’m sorry, Edwin, I don’t feel the same way about you. Once I thought I might, but then—”

“That Mexican cowboy came along?” His face turned an angry red. “Would you not marry me even to save him?”

She pulled away from him, blinking in disbelief. “Why, that’s blackmail.”

“No, it’s a business deal.” He seemed to regain control of himself. “I will save your cowboy and have him deported to Mexico, provided you marry me. After I shower you with adoration, jewels, and everything a woman could want, you’ll learn to love me. A poor cowboy’s life isn’t the life for a beauty like you.”

She shook her head and backed away. “No, Edwin. I would be cheating you because I could never forget him. As long as Rio lived, he would be in my heart and mind.”

He ground his teeth. “Then come to the hanging, my darling Turquoise, and watch your greasy Mexican swing, knowing you could have saved him.”

“You are an evil man.” Turquoise gasped and backed toward the door. “And to think I was once so enamored, so charmed by you.”

“Turquoise, wait, I’m sorry. Can’t we talk?” He came
toward her, but she had found the door and fled through it, running down the hall past the surprised Elmer.

Now what was she to do? She knew she could get money from her guardian, but he didn’t have the influence over the courts and the important people of Austin that Edwin Forester would have. She went directly to the telegraph station and sent Trace a wire:

She returned to Fern’s ranch and the next morning, a wire was delivered to Fern’s ranch.

Turquoise sat down in a chair and heaved a sigh of relief. “I’ll get Rio out this morning.”

Fern’s father said, “That jail is no place for a lady. Why don’t you let me handle this?”

Turquoise shook her head. “No, I want to be the one to meet him when he gets out.” She turned and went into her room to dress, her heart beating hard. Rio might not want to feel obligated to the Durangos, but she was afraid to leave him in jail any longer. She had seen the black bruises and cuts on his face that the jailers had surely put there.

She met with the banker and the lawyer who would take
care of the paperwork. By afternoon, she was standing in front of the courthouse as Rio walked out.

She ran to meet him. “Oh, darling, I’ve been so worried.”

He took her in his arms and looked down at her. “How did you manage this? Was it the senator?”

She shook her head and kissed his face. “No, Trace Du-rango put the money up. He’ll be in town Friday because his wife is coming in from Philadelphia Monday. That will give us a chance to talk to his lawyer and mount a defense.”

He held her to him. “I don’t like being beholden to anyone.”

“I know.” She took his hand and they walked toward her buggy. “You’re proud, but everyone needs help now and then. It’s all going to work out. You’ll see.”

He helped her up into the buggy, got in, and took the reins. “I don’t see how it can, Turquoise. I’m poorer than I was, with the loss of the barn and all that hay and tack.”

They started down the road. “It doesn’t matter,” she said and smiled. “We’ll make it somehow.”

“Easy for you to say,” he muttered. “I can’t ask Trace for your hand now, not with me being so poor and a murder charge hanging over my head. The gringos are determined to hang me.”

She sighed. He was so stubborn. “So what do you intend to do?”

He shrugged and stared straight ahead as he drove. “I reckon I’ll work twice as hard as a blacksmith to try to pay Senor Durango back. I can’t think any further ahead than that.”

“Oh.” She fell silent, realizing just how serious this was going to be. Rio was a proud man. She looked at his big, strong hands on the reins and thought the four-leaf clover tattoo hadn’t brought him much luck.

They drove in silence back to his ranch. The farrier’s shed looked pretty small, she thought, and so did the house.
The barn was now only a pile of ashes. The Mexican hired man came off the porch and started walking toward them, grinning. Tip came running and barking, his stubby tail wagging.

Rio sighed. “This is the worst part,” he said to Turquoise. “I’ll have to let my hired hand go.”

“I still love you,” she whispered and put her hand on his arm as he stepped down from the buggy.

He turned and looked up at her. “And damn it, I still love you. I can’t help it.” He reached up and pulled her face down in a passionate embrace, kissing her fiercely.

She looked into his eyes. “We’ll make it work somehow.”

He shook his head. “I’m afraid it’s too much for us, sweet one. Now go back to Fern’s house and wait for Trace to arrive day after tomorrow.”

“We might run away to Mexico, where the law can’t get you,” she suggested.

“So you could live in a mud hut and eat tortillas and beans?” He shook his head. “I love you too much to do that to you. Besides, I’m an honest man and I’ve got to pay your guardian back.”

The hired man was almost to them now, grinning with snaggled teeth. “Hey, amigo, I missed you.”

Turquoise nodded to them and turned her buggy, starting back to Fern’s house. She felt helpless, not sure what to do next. Maybe she should have told Rio she had recognized the dead man, but that would only cause Rio to go after the senator and make things worse. She had to do something to help, but what?

Late that afternoon, a well-known local grocer, Clegg, showed up at Edwin’s office.

“You fool!” Edwin snapped. “Didn’t I tell you and
the others not to come here? I don’t want anyone to connect us.”

“Please, Senator, I’m begging you,” the balding, mild-mannered man said. “You forced me to help burn that barn because I owe you money I can’t pay, but I didn’t realize there’d be a killing.”

Edwin shrugged. “What about the other two?”

The man looked like he might weep. “We’re all upstanding citizens and we never would have gotten involved if we hadn’t been blackmailed or had our notes called by you. Now, if anyone finds out who we are—”

“They won’t.”

“Nelson is so upset, he’s thinking about confessing to his congregation.”

“What?” Edwin lit a fine cigar. “Tell him if he does, I’ll tell them about his arrest back in Des Moines twenty-five years ago.”

“His wife would leave him over that.”

“Then tell him to keep his prayers and his confessions to himself.”

“If word gets out Watson was involved, he’ll probably lose his dry-goods business.”

Edwin sighed. “Tell him to remember that.”

“But we didn’t know anyone would get killed and now it looks like we’ll have to testify in court. Commit perjury.”

Edwin smiled. “I don’t think it’ll ever come to trial. Knowing that stupid vaquero, he’ll probably try to escape and head for Mexico.”

“You think so?” The balding man looked relieved.

Edwin nodded and stood up. “Now get out of here and you three keep your mouths shut.”