“Can we call a truce and search for the piece of paper?”
She met his gaze, her wide blue eyes staring as if they could see right into his soul. “Isn’t that what we’re doing?”
He figured he was playing with gunpowder and matches by asking. “You’ve gone through his desk?”
“Of course,” she snapped. She stood and gestured to the chair. “If you think you can do better than I did, help yourself.”
“Not that I can do better but maybe a different pair of eyes might spot something you didn’t. A lot of these old desks had a hidden drawer.” He searched for any sign that this one did, but at first he found nothing.
He pulled out each drawer and compared it to the others. “Look, this one is not as deep as its mates.” Kneeling down, he felt inside the empty space. Nothing.
Dropping to the floor, he lay on his back with his head and shoulders in the kneehole. “Shouldn’t be too hard to reach or your father would find it too much bother to use.”
As he was about to give up, his fingers brushed a small button. He depressed it but didn’t see anything.
Buster’s surprised exclamation came from where she stood. “Here, on the side, a door opened.”
He heard the sound of her removing something from the space they’d discovered. In his hurry to get out and rise up, he bumped his head.
He rubbed the spot on his temple. “Ouch. What did you find?”
She held a small book. “Looks like a journal, but I didn’t know Papa kept one.” She flipped through the book. “Sure enough, here’s the bill of sale. Oh, my, it’s from Silas Hansen.”
She looked up triumphantly, waving a piece of paper. “I didn’t trust that rat even though he was supposed to be a good friend of Papa’s, and I was right.”
She read the last entry in the journal then said, “Listen to this. ‘March 27, Bought four horses from Silas. The more I think about his story, the more it doesn’t ring true. I’ll wire Colin Ross tomorrow and see what he says about the sale.’”
When she raised her head, tears fell from her eyes. “That’s why he was in town when the mine exploded. He planned to wire about the horses. I’m gonna shoot Silas Hansen and then drag his body behind a horse until there’s no skin left on his sorry carcass. Nothing is bad enough for that man. I’ll bet he’s the one who’s been rustling our cattle, too.” She broke into sobs.
Thad shook his head and pulled her into his embrace. “I know this is hard for you. Hard for me, too. You can’t go after him yet. If he has taken your cattle, we need to find where he has them and catch him with them.”
She burrowed her head into his shoulder. “My poor papa. If it hadn’t been for Silas, Papa would have been here on the ranch and still be alive. I’ll never forgive that awful man. Never!”
He kept his arms wrapped around her and feathered kisses on her forehead and temple. “Don’t worry, now that we know who’s to blame, we’ll catch him.”
“Isn’t this a sight?”
That’s when Thad noticed Dub in the doorway. “Buster’s had a shock.”
The foreman used his hat to point at Thad. “Yeah, well there’d better be a good explanation for you mauling her.”
Buster rubbed her hand across her eyes. “Oh, Dub, don’t be such a bear. Look what we found. I’ll bet it was Silas Hansen who ransacked the place looking for this. Read what Papa wrote.”
She handed the foreman the journal open to the place she’d just read. “The bill of sale for those four horses was in the journal at this page. I’ll bet Silas was looking for that bill of sale.”
“Well, I’ll be. That’s why William went to town that day. Never could figure what reason he had. Guess this explains why he didn’t tell me where he bought the horses. Never figured why he’d be mysterious about buying fine breeding stock.”
Buster’s expression grew fierce but tears still trailed down her cheeks. “Which means, as far as I’m concerned, Silas Hansen killed him. I’m gonna get that varmint, too.”
Dub held up a hand in protest. “Now, Buster, listen to reason. Thad’s right. We need to trap him and get him for everything we can.”
She brushed at her cheeks. “I don’t see why. How many times can he die?”
Thad said, “You want to find your cattle, don’t you? I figure they must be on his ranch. Dub, you know any place where there’s a box canyon or natural corral on his place?”
“As a matter of fact, I recollect a box canyon on the east side of his range. Real pretty place we used several years ago to hold cattle when several ranchers were joining in a drive to Wyoming. That was before Hansen came. Grass and water there. Be a good spot to hold rustled cattle. Durned if I shouldn’t have thought of that place.”
Thad shook his head. “No reason for you to suspect a neighbor. Let’s hope that’s where they being held.”
Buster stood with crossed arms. “If that polecat hasn’t already sold them.”
Dub held out his hand to Buster in a halting motion. “We haven’t heard of any big drive, Buster. Fifty beeves being driven is enough to cause talk. I reckon they’re held somewhere and that canyon is the best place I know for the purpose.”
Thad nodded toward the foreman. “Since you know the spot, maybe you can figure a way to get someone over there and see if Buster’s cattle are being held there. Keep in mind this man is not just a rustler, he’s a vicious killer.”
“I figure Tony and me can get over there tonight and see what’s what.”
Thad shook his head. “Instead of you, how about I go with Tony and see what we can find without getting caught? Does he know the way?”
Dub appeared to mull over the idea. “Guess that’d be all right. Yeah, Tony knows how to find the place. You two set out at dusk. No taking chances or doing anything to tip off Hansen, got it?”
“Right. You forget I have my own reasons for wanting him to come to trial.”
“I haven’t forgotten. You said that Colin Ross was like a father to you. You don’t be taking the law into your hands to get your revenge.”
Thad directed his gaze at the foreman. “A quick death is too easy for him. I want him tried in a court and shamed—to know that his actions have caused him to lose everything. Then, I want him to hang.”
“Then you’d better get enough evidence to convict him.”
Thad clamped his hat on his head. “I aim to.”
Dub held up a hand. “Came in here to tell you I hired a new hand. A youngster named Eddie Phifer. On his own in the world but claims he’s not afraid of hard work or long hours. Tall and skinny so reckon he’ll eat twice as much as any of the rest of us.”
Buster had stood with her lips in a grim line but now she asked, “You think he can be depended on to be part of recovering the cattle?”
“I told him we’ll be searching for cattle and who rustled them. He said he’s a good shot and not afraid of a showdown.”
The bell pealed for supper.
Dub nudged Buster ahead of him. “Buster, ask Tony to come here. We’ll be quick so tell Marnie to give us a few minutes.”
Dub paced until Tony appeared.
“Sí, Dub, you wish to speak to me?”
“You remember that box canyon we used a few years ago on what’s now Hansen’s spread?”
His smile added weight to his words, “Sí, a pretty place, no?”
“Turns out Hansen is likely the one rustling cattle. For sure he’s the one ransacked this place. Bill of sale for those four stolen horses was signed by him.”
Dub waved a dismissive hand. “There’s more, but Thad here’ll fill you in later. After supper, you two slip over to that canyon without anyone the wiser and see if the Rafter O cattle are there.”
“I never liked that Señor Hansen. He smiles at Señor William to his face, but has a mean look behind his back.”
A frown creased Dub’s forehead. “You should have told me.”
Tony shook his head. “Not my place if Señor William likes the man. I
like working here and don’t want to cause problems that might make me lose my job.”
“William wouldn’t fire you for pointing out something like that. Did you ever know him to be unfair?”
“No, but I never forget my place neither. I am not ever giving anyone a reason to fire me from this job.”
Dub looked at the ceiling a second then at Thad. “Tony will show you the way. You two don’t get caught, you hear? This could get real touchy.”
Thad clapped Tony on the back. “We can do this, can’t we, Tony?”
“Sí, this is my hope.”
Dub motioned them out of the office. “Let’s go eat before my sister comes after me with one of the kitchen knives.”
Thad couldn’t resist a chuckle at the mental image Dub painted.
Chapter Twelve
Thad and Tony set out as soon as they’d eaten. Marnie sent food with them in the event they had to be out all night. They rode until they got to the last fence on Rafter O land.
Tony led the way to a gate. “From here we must be silent.”
As the newcomer, Thad was the one who opened the gate for his companion. “How far do you reckon we are from the canyon?”
“Not far, maybe two miles, but we will have to circle around to avoid Hansen’s men.”
He fastened the gate behind them. “You figure they really are cowboys or just hired men who pose as drovers?”
“I think they were cowboys who now want an easier job. They are sly ones to steal so many cattle only a few at a time.”
“Yeah. I’ll follow you as quietly as I can.”
He was glad there was at least a half moon to shed a little light. Good thing not to have too much moon for they didn’t want to be spotted. Looking right and left as well as ahead, he memorized the landmarks that stood out in the darkness.
They’d plodded along for an hour when Tony halted. He leaned over to whisper. “We are very near.” He dismounted and tied his horse to a bush.
Thad did the same. He smelled cattle penned in an enclosure. Good thing they were downwind so if there were guards their horses wouldn’t get wind of Tony and him. Tony crept along as if he were a ghost.
When they’d gone a hundred yards, Thad smelled a campfire. Tony grinned and motioned for them to go around. Thad followed the other man, careful not to look at the fire and give himself night blindness. After observing the campsite, he was sure two men were on guard.
Silently, they covered another hundred yards when they were at the edge of the canyon. Tony looked down and pointed. Thad counted the moving animals and came up with close to seventy-five.
He mouthed the number to Tony. The other man nodded. Were the extra twenty-five Buster’s cattle or other ranchers’?
Satisfied they’d found the rustled beeves, they retraced their steps. When they reached their horses, Thad was relieved. At least now he and Tony could make a run for the Rafter O if cornered. He couldn’t relax until they were back on Rafter O land.
Apparently Tony felt the same. “Thank the Good Lord we are safe. I know one of those men and he is a muy mal hombre.
“I suspect they’re all very bad men, don’t you agree?”
“But, that one, un hombre muy peligroso. In the cantina he brags he has killed many men. I believe him. He doesn’t like Mexicanos so I stay clear of him.”
“Don’t blame you. If he’s that dangerous, that just confirms my suspicions of this Hansen.” He reached around and took his handkerchief of food from his saddlebag. “You want to eat now or head for the bunkhouse?”
Tony flashed a smile. “Always I want to eat, but this we can do from the saddle.”
“The men who stole those horses beat my former employer so badly that he died a few weeks later. Senseless beating, as if they took pleasure in hurting an elderly man. He was too good a person to die like that.”
“No reason for that kind of violence. That man made me sick to hear him talk of such things. The bartender made him leave so he went to another cantina which is not as nice where more of his kind go.”
“When we’re in town, set me toward the right one, will you?”
Tony chuckled. “Sí, but I do not think you should worry. I think you could handle this man. You are strong and not elderly and not a Mexicano.”
Thad shook his head. Tony didn’t understand his intention. “I want to avoid him. I’m afraid if he admitted to beating my friend, then I would kill him right then. I prefer the guilty men go to jail before they hang.”
“This is a good thing. I think we will be good friends you and I, for this is the way a decent man talks.”
“Dub said you’re a good tracker. That’s a handy skill.”
“But, even though we know which gate was used, which was the same one we just went through, I could not discover where the cattle went. We also searched each gate. We checked the fence line in case it had been cut, but no. How could they take so many cattle yet leave no trail?”
Thad removed his hat and set it more firmly on his head. “Beats me. We know the cattle didn’t fly to that canyon though. Maybe we should have looked for a trail there to see where the cattle came from.”
“Aii, you are right. When we go back and catch these men, then we can find out how they managed to rustle so many without tracks.”
Thad looked behind them. “Reckon we’re far enough away to run to the bunkhouse?”
Tony’s wide grin showed in the scant moonlight. “Sí, let us ride.”
They took off at a gallop and slowed only when the horses needed a breather. They reached the barn about three. By the time they took care of their horses and crawled into bed, the time was a quarter past three.
They weren’t able to slip in without waking Mac and Sam and Eddie.
Sam said, “Heard you ride in. You find the cattle?”
Thad nodded. “Tony led me right to them and avoided the two men on guard from hearing us.”
“Guess we’ll be going after them tomorrow.” Mac said and turned over to go back to sleep.
Tony pulled off his boots. “No, this will take much planning in order to catch the entire crew. Dub and Buster will help us make a plan tomorrow.”
Thad sprawled across his bunk. Not much point undressing when he had to get back up in a couple of hours. He was sound asleep when the breakfast bell pealed.
Chapter Thirteen
Buster was angry yet fearful some of her men might get hurt. For a change, she only toyed with her food at breakfast.
As they finished eating, Dub stood. “Men, we need to talk. Buster and I have gone over what we can do and have come up with a plan.”
Buster said, “I’m going into town today. I’d told you to, Thad, but I’ll send that wire to the owner of the four horses Hansen stole. To the people I see in town I’ll mention we’ve had cattle rustled but that we plan to look for them. If we’re lucky, Silas Hansen will be in town.”
Dub interrupted, “Whether he’s in town or on his ranch, we’re going to tell him we think we know where the rustled cattle have been driven but we have to cross his ranch to track them. He can’t deny us the right to cross his ranch without looking guilty.”
The new man, Eddie, said, “Too bad you don’t have an experienced lawman to go with you.”
Buster shook her head. “Etta can be kind of scary but I don’t think she’d pull any weight with Hansen. He’d just call her ‘little lady’ and tell her to be on her way. Then Etta would likely shoot him.”
Dub shook his head. “Ha, just the same, I don’t think we can count on her. I suggest you also wire Captain Bisbee at Fort Bridger and ask him to send soldiers to take rustlers and killers to the fort for trial.”
Buster appeared worried. “Now that Braxton Gamble is deputy, he’ll help. Even with his assistance, I think you’re right, Dub, and I’d better send that wire. If it makes Etta angry, so be it. The trial has to be at the fort anyway.”
Dub laid his hands palm down on the table. “All right, here’re your assignme
nts. We’ll stay around here today. You men see if you can sleep as soon as the horses are fed and watered, the cows milked, eggs gathered, and pigs slopped. We’ll have a long night and a tough one. You’ll need to be sharp.”
Marnie put her hands on hips. “Dub, they’re not gonna be able to sleep a wink after you got them all wound up about tonight.”
Her brother glared at her. “Well, they can try, can’t they? And we need to change meal time. We’re setting off at five so we need one big meal about four. Can you manage that?”
“If I need to, of course I will.”
Buster stood. “I’ll ride to Wildcat Ridge now. Be back as soon as I can but I may visit with a friend or two while I’m there so it looks like any other trip to town. You need anything, Marnie?”
“A spool of yellow thread.”
Buster said, “Lucy, you want to come with me?”
Lucy shook her head then an impish look crossed her face. “I’d like a peppermint stick.”
Buster burst out laughing at Lucy’s expression. “I’ll get us all one.” She left to saddle her horse.
The road to town was an easy ride which gave her plenty of time to think. She had so much on her mind she marveled she could function. The ranch, Thad, the cattle rustlers, changes at the springs, too much.
Did his kiss turning her to mush make her wanton? Now that they’d discovered the sidewinders who stole the horses, Thad wouldn’t have a reason to be here. Would he stay or go? She couldn’t say why him staying mattered so much, but it did.
Soon they’d be rid of the horses and recover her cattle—with any luck. She couldn’t help worrying about her ranch hands. All she knew to do was pray.
Dear Lord, protect the good men from the ranch. I leave them in Your care. Amen.
She rode directly to the Wells Fargo office, which was also the telegraph office. Although Grace had taken over, she didn’t know Morse code. She’d retained George Bridges as telegrapher. The family man was crippled from a broken hip that didn’t heal correctly. He would never have been able to work in a job that required he stand.
Blessing (Widows Of Wildcat Ridge Book 2) Page 7