Gaskell winked. ‘Man needs a little diversion from his work sometimes.’
‘Diversion,’ Ronnie chuckled. ‘There’s a word I like. Never was sure of the meaning, but when it comes to women…’ He didn’t have to finish.
‘We have several pretty, consenting girls at the saloon, if you’d like to enjoy a little diversion before you leave.’
Ronnie laughed. ‘I’ll talk to Drummer first, then check out the fillies in your stable.’
Wendy and July Colby were doing the monthly report on the four businesses in Valeron that were family owned. It was a surprise to have Martin walk into the office.
‘You’re about three days early for the paperwork,’ Wendy addressed her cousin. ‘Is there a problem?’
Martin looked at Wendy’s assistant and suitor. ‘Can you give us a few minutes, July?’
‘Sure thing, Martin,’ he said. ‘I’ll walk down and rustle us up a pastry from the bakery. Want me to bring you something?’
Martin patted his slightly protruding stomach. ‘Jean is threatening to cut down my meals if I don’t get more exercise. Make mine something small.’
July left the office and Martin got right down to business.
‘The nanny issue is coming to a head,’ he told Wendy. ‘We got a cable from Judge Burke in Denver. He said that while Judge Marisol didn’t have jurisdiction in ordering us to give up the nanny from across the state line, Elmer has enough witnesses that he could get legal backing. There was never a formal guardianship or adoption, but the girl has been his ward for the last seven years. It’s kind of like common-law marriages – when a man and a women reside together long enough, they are considered a couple.’
‘But he has it in his head to marry the child he raised!’ Wendy cried. ‘Worse than that, he . . .’ she struggled against her conscience, unable to break her vow of confidentiality. Instead, she told him, ‘That man treated Mikki terribly, Martin. I mean it. Really, really terribly!’
Her cousin didn’t need convincing. ‘That’s why I’ve come to town. I’ll help July finish up this month’s reports. As for you, Wyatt thinks you and he should go to Denver. When doing a background check on Elmer, a police department report listed a death that was linked to him a couple years back. No charges were ever made, but it might be worth looking into.’
‘All right. I’ll throw a few things together in a bag. Is Wyatt getting a buggy or are we going to wait for the stage?’
‘He is over getting a carriage. He’ll be here in a few minutes.’
Wendy sighed. ‘I hope I’m back for my birthday party. There was something of importance I wanted to announce.’
Martin grinned. ‘Yes, I see your something of importance headed this way. We’ll let him know you’ll be back in a few days and that I’ll help finish up the reports.’
After speaking with Judge Burke, Fielding decided they had enough evidence to confront Gaskell and insist he terminate all of the crooked contracts. He could offer those same people employment, but would no longer have a legal hold over them. As for the prisoners, all of them would be returned to their original situations. There would be no continued penal slave labor for him from this point forward.
Shane, Jared and Fielding picked up their horses and left the stable together. However, when they reached the outskirts of town, Jared disclosed he had a bad feeling. Fielding halted the expedition immediately and asked what it was. He knew Jared’s hunter instincts were far superior to his own.
‘It started yesterday,’ Jared told him. ‘Ronnie and his two pals stopped watching us like hawks. Even so, I did see one of them spying on us when we went to visit the judge.’
Fielding picked up on his logic. ‘They have been doggin’ our every move, yet they are suddenly ignoring us. That doesn’t bode well for our trip to Paradise.’
‘What are you two talking about?’ Shane wanted to know. ‘We no longer have a couple watchdogs. Isn’t that a good thing?’
‘It means they have decided on their next move, cuz,’ Jared explained. ‘Our leaving town isn’t a surprise – it’s what they expected.’
‘You don’t think they are going to be waiting for us along the trail?’
‘Good chance,’ Jared said.
‘But,’ Shane argued, ‘Ronnie and his two pards were at the restaurant when we walked down to get our horses. We saw all three of them!’
‘Yes,’ Jared agreed, ‘sitting right out in plain sight; didn’t give us a second look.’
‘Providing themselves with a solid alibi,’ Fielding contributed. ‘Exactly what they would do if they knew someone was going to set an ambush for us.’
‘What’ll we do?’ Shane cried. ‘We can’t simply ride into a trap!’
Jared frowned in thought. After a moment, he said, ‘We’ll follow the main trail until we reach the foothills. Then you two sit tight for fifteen minutes while I slip away to scout ahead. Once the time is up, continue at an easy pace. They might have something planned, but it will likely be up the trail a piece. After all, they wouldn’t ambush us where someone living near the city could hear the gunfire. I suspect they will make their attempt a respectable distance along the trail. It should give me time to locate the shooters before you get in range.’
‘Should?’ Shane yelped. ‘It should give you time? What if it doesn’t?’
‘Then I’ll be justified in killing every one of those dry-gulching rats.’ He held a granite expression for several seconds and then grinned. ‘Trust me, cuz. Have I ever got you killed yet?’
‘Being strung up at the slaughterhouse, ready to be gutted, was pretty darn close!’ Shane reminded him.
‘Shucks, that was just a little added excitement. What good is a rescue if someone isn’t in true peril?’
‘I’d just as soon not have the extra excitement, Jer. See that you don’t wait too long to start shooting. I’d as soon not end up with an ounce or two of lead in me.’
Jared glanced at Fielding. ‘Sometimes I think the youngest male offspring in a family gets short-changed on grit and vigor.’
‘I wouldn’t know,’ the lawman said. ‘I’m the only boy in my family. I can tell you, it’s tough with three older sisters.’
‘Shane got lucky there. Two of his three sisters are younger than him.’
‘Durned if I don’t miss having Cliff along,’ Shane muttered. ‘At least when he is around, I’m not the target for all of the teasing.’
Judge Burke was at his house. His wife answered the door and allowed Wendy and Wyatt to enter the man’s den so they could speak in private.
‘Nice to see you again, Judge Burke,’ Wendy said cheerfully. ‘Trina Barrett Valeron sends her regards.’
He grinned. ‘As I recall, your brother did seem quite taken with her.’
‘Yes, they have a medical clinic up at White Point.’
Turning his attention to Wyatt. ‘And you, young man, have you rounded up another string of rapscallions for me to pass judgment on?’
He chuckled. ‘I’m sure my cousins and the local law are working on that as we speak.’
‘Yes, I looked over the contracts being used up at Paradise for Sergeant Fielding and two of your kinfolk yesterday.’
‘We learned at the police station that they left this morning before we arrived,’ Wyatt confirmed.
‘Is this visit concerning the same crime?’
‘Actually, we are here about a matter where no one was charged. My brother, Martin, contacted you a short time back about a man named Elmer Baddon. He is attempting to force a young girl into marriage, a girl who had previously been in his care . . . a Mikki Bruckner.’
‘I remember.’
‘It’s this way,’ Wendy took over. ‘We know that Elmer took advantage of and mistreated Mikki, but we also know it’s something very hard to prove.’ The judge nodded his understanding of the circumstances, so she continued. ‘However, we learned that another girl had been involved with Baddon some time back, a girl who took her own life.’
‘Maybe you could just give us a little general information,’ Wendy coerced. ‘I mean there must have been some conclusion as to why she committed suicide.’
He sighed. ‘She was with child. Barely sixteen and unmarried, she did not wish to be ostracized by society. As I said, it was very tragic.’
‘What was Elmer’s role in her death?’ Wyatt wanted to know. ‘We need some kind of leverage to prevent Mikki from being returned to a man we know has treated her badly in the past.’
The judge was thoughtful for a moment. When he spoke, there was a grim determination in his expression. ‘Gina was not very attractive and didn’t have any male suitors. Elmer Baddon was known to have spent some time with her and even bought her gifts. It is suspected that he was the father of the child, but he refused to marry her.’
‘So he drove her to suicide,’ Wendy concluded.
‘All circumstantial and undocumented,’ Judge Burke declared. ‘It’s why no charges were filed concerning Gina’s death.’
‘We spoke to the dead girl’s mother before coming to see you,’ Wendy informed him. ‘She claimed her work left Gina alone much of the time. Elmer took advantage of Gina being lonely, inexperienced and naive. He courted a girl who was not yet sixteen and left her in a family way.’
‘Again,’ Judge Burke said, ‘many girls are married by the age of sixteen. And while it is certainly the honorable thing to do, there is no law declaring a man must marry a woman who claims to be carrying his child.’
‘What if he was mistreating a child in his custody in the very same way?’ Wendy asked testily. ‘Is that not a crime?’
The judge’s expression grew dark. ‘Is that what Mikki is claiming? That Elmer forced her to have relations with him?’
Wendy struggled with her reply. ‘I’m bound by a solemn promise not to answer that. It’s more of a general question, rather than making a charge against anyone.’
‘I know the police were called to the Baddon house on at least one occasion. A neighbor reported a girl crying when Elmer was home with Mikki. However, his explanation was satisfactory for the policeman and no charges were brought against him.’
Wyatt chose to speak up. ‘What would be the chance of our family getting guardianship for the girl, so she would not have to be returned to his custody?’
‘You live on the Wyoming side of the border,’ Burke pointed out. ‘And without proof of Elmer’s mistreatment, I doubt any judge would make such a decree. After all, the girl has been in his care for several years.’
Wyatt looked at Wendy. ‘It would appear we have no legal recourse, not unless Mikki testifies against Elmer. Even then, it would be her word against his.’
Wendy didn’t argue. Instead, she gave a nod to the judge. ‘We thank you kindly for your time. It’s obvious the court will favor Mr Baddon’s claim, but we had to try.’
‘I’m sorry,’ the judge replied. ‘But the law is on his side. If I were to rule against him, my own position would be at risk. Without proof. . . ?’ He raised his shoulders in a helpless gesture.
Wendy and Wyatt left the judge’s house. Once on the walkway, Wyatt told his cousin, ‘I want to stick around until Jerry and Sergeant Fielding return. They ought to be back by tomorrow. If you want, we can get you on the next train going to Cheyenne.’
‘No, I’ll wait with you. I want to make sure Shane and Jerry get back safely.’
‘Then let’s rent a couple rooms at the hotel and have something to eat. We’ve got a little time on our hands, so I’ll let you shop around and pick out your own birthday present.’
She put on a sly grin. ‘You might rue those words, cousin Wyatt. I have expensive tastes.’
‘Yeah.’ He laughed softly. ‘But I expect you’re worth it.’
Jared was glad he had brought his favorite hunting mare with him to Denver. Sprite moved through the trees and brush with the stealth of a mountain buck. Long on endurance, yet built for speed, the half-Morgan, half-Indian pony was a little smaller than a purebred Morgan. What the mare lacked in size, she made up in stamina and heart. Plus, she had that extra sense, seemingly aware of when Jared needed her to be extra quiet or careful. More than once she had warned him of danger through the perking or flattening of her ears. With Sprite’s keener hearing, Jared used her in the same manner as a grouse hunter used a well-trained bird dog.
Taking it slow and easy caused him precious minutes, but the caution paid off. Sprite’s ears perked and she looked off toward a thick chaparral. Jared caught sight of three horses and stopped dead still.
Being downwind, the trio of saddled broncs did not react to their presence. He hushed Sprite and patted her on the neck.
‘Good girl,’ he whispered. ‘You stay here and be real quiet.’
The horse did not even twitch her tail, standing alert, yet immobile, as Jared eased his rifle out of its sheath and quietly jacked a bullet into the chamber. Then, with his gun at the ready, he began to skirt the brush and circle below the three picketed horses.
Sweat beaded his brow and his lungs began to burn as he hurried below the cove and then climbed the next hill. By searching along the main trail below, he perceived the best cover for an ambush. Even as he continued his circumspection, he espied his cousin and Sergeant Fielding a short distance away, approaching via the main trail. From his higher position up the side of the incline, he determined the logical hiding places for the attack. The field of fire was a large open area, yet there was ample brush and rocky outcrops for cover.
He halted in mid-step, freezing in position as one of the ambushers raised his head up from his place of concealment. Knowing any movement might draw attention, Jared sank slowly down onto his knees. Then he crawled a few feet until he reached a taller stand of flora.
Panic set in. Fielding and Shane were almost at the clearing. He scrambled forward until he reached an opening in the trees and brush. A few steps took him to a higher mound on the hillside. He risked exposure, hoping the shooters would be watching their prey, and rose up to survey the landscape below. Time was running out!
Chapter Nine
Jared had seen where the first man was. A sweep of the terrain allowed him to spot the second, then a third. But his time was up. If there were more ambushers on horseback, he would have to draw their attention before they opened up on Shane and Fielding. Once he fired his first round, Shane and Fielding would instantly react and take cover. It wasn’t exactly the way he had planned, but it gave them a fighting chance.
Throwing his gun to his shoulder, Jared used his hunting prowess. He adjusted his aim for the downward slope, the distance and the slight breeze – all within a single second – and chose the closest target.
The man was sighting down his own rifle, about to pull the trigger. . . .
An explosive blast from Jared’s Winchester echoed through the canyon. The first attacker was struck in the chest by a well-placed round. He dropped like a watermelon rolling off of a cart.
The shot drew the attention of the two other shooters straightaway, both of them trying to locate Jared. Their reaction should have been to duck first, because Jared squeezed off another round.
A second ambusher staggered from his hiding place and collapsed to the ground. Even as Jared levered a third bullet into the chamber, the last man threw his gun down and raised his hands.
‘Don’t shoot!’ he wailed. ‘I give up!’
Jared searched both hillside and hollow, looking for any more attackers. Evidently, there were only three. He still maintained a vigil, gun ready, watching for any movement.
‘Step out where I can get a look at you!’ he hollered down. ‘Anyone else pops up and I’ll drop you like your two pals!’
The man walked out into the open and turned his head to look at the other two downed men. ‘I’m all there i
s!’ he shouted. ‘There was just the three of us.’
Within a few minutes, Fielding and Shane had the surviving assailant bound with his hands behind his back, while Jared had retrieved and brought down both his and the bushwhackers’ horses. They learned the names of the two dead men were Baldwin and Cooper. The last of the three was Olmstead.
‘Now what?’ Fielding asked, once they were all together. ‘These three are enforcers up at Paradise, but that doesn’t prove anything against Gaskell.’
Jared pointed his pistol at the remaining shooter. ‘Tell us – who ordered this attack?’
Olmstead shook his head. ‘I give you our names. It’s all I’m going to give. Ain’t nothing you can do about it.’
‘He knows the money and power Gaskell has,’ Fielding said. ‘Without proof of his involvement, we can’t arrest Gaskell. With a good lawyer and a ton of money, this character might get off with a year or two behind bars.’
‘A year or two!’ Shane barked sharply. ‘They were going to kill us dead and leave our bones to the buzzards!’
‘I think we ought to make camp,’ Jared suggested, leading the other two beyond Olmstead’s hearing. ‘We can have a bite to eat and decide how to proceed.’
Shane looked at him as if the toast had fell off his plate. ‘Decide?’ he said, shaking his head. ‘What’s to decide? These guys set up to kill us.’
‘Olmstead looks like a reasonable guy,’ Jared said, a twinkle in his eyes. ‘I believe he will talk to us.’
Fielding scowled at Jared. ‘There will be no torture of any prisoner while I’m around.’
‘Trust me, Sergeant. I won’t put a mark on him.’
The two men arrived in a rented carriage and were dressed in what the fashion conscious crowd called uptown suits and hats. They sought out Locke Valeron immediately and came to the front door of the main house.
Scarlet had been visiting her mother and the two of them summoned Locke. Cliff was working, and Mikki was in Nessy’s room helping her with her schoolwork. Locke didn’t invite the pair inside. He stepped out on the porch and closed the door to the house.
Valerons--Beyond the Law! Page 10