He’ll just have to content himself with raising Andy as a single father. It’s not like Cherokee did wrong by raising Joey. So, she’s a little odd, but he’d be proud to call the headstrong young woman, daughter. He just hopes Andy has the same kind of survivor spirit in her that Joey has.
He looks at John and sees his brother looking at him expectantly. Oh. Right. They were talking about his dreams. Quietly, he says, “I’m not worried about it. No one wants an old, broke-down ex-cav trooper like me. I just won’t go back to Denver very often and won’t have to deal with it is all.”
John shakes his head. “Your choice, but I happen to think it’s the wrong one. Your call though.” He smirks. “I hope you can live with the decision.”
Jake smirks. “Mmh. So do I.”
Chapter 47
Jake and John ride in front of the group. They enjoy the easy companionship of the other’s company, just like old times. Riding several yards behind them, is Liz and Joey quietly discussing something that Jake can’t quite make out. Several yards behind them, is Sean. Once again, he rides alone and keeps to himself.
Jake’s worried that John is allowing the young Irishman too much time alone, to allow things to fester too badly. John’s always been a much better judge of people, though, so he’s willing to defer to his brother’s recommendations concerning the young man.
Riding in the rear, scant feet behind Sean, are David and Rebekah. They ride close to each other, not really saying much, just enjoying each other’s company.
While Jake is enjoying the ride, he can tell there’s a growing tension. John and his family seem to be eager to get back home. Jake’s not sure why he can feel the growing tension from Liz, but he can.
He expects Joey is eager to see her father. He has to admit, if even in the vaults of his own mind, he’s eager to see his old friend as well.
After a quick chat, it’s decided the group is going to pick up the pace and ride as long as they can.
THE LAST FOUR DAYS have been just this side of grueling. The group has ridden hard, started early in the morning, eaten their meals in the saddle, then finished the day’s ride late in the evening. Their pace has been a fast, mile-eating canter. At night, everyone has to walk off their being numb due to the constant pounding from the saddles on their backsides.
They’ve been able to manage thirty miles a day. With access to the river, they’ve made amazing progress toward their goal of the railroad tracks. So much so, in fact, Jake expects they should be arriving at the tracks tonight. Then, it will be less than a day’s travel to Guthrie.
Jake is anxious to get back to Norman and introduce Andy to Liz. He’s only been around the young girl for a very short amount of time, but she’s made such an indelible mark on his life, he can’t imagine life without her. Truth be told, he doesn’t even want to try to.
He checks the position of the sun. Mid-Afternoon.
There’s a shrill whistle and a rumble on the distant horizon. Jake shares a look with John for a moment and they smile at each other. They’re almost there.
The sounds aren’t lost on the other riders after all. A scant moment later, the entire party urges their horses into a full gallop.
After little more than a half an hour, the party tops a rise and sees the dual railroad tracks down below.
By the time they stop at the tracks, it’s getting to be late enough, the group doesn’t want to leave the river and try to make it in to Guthrie.
That night, no one has enough energy to start a fire. After they set up their tents and eat a cold supper, everyone goes to bed and pass out almost immediately.
Two and a half hours before dawn, the whole party is awakened by the earth shaking and a growling rumble as the morning train approaches from the north. The sound lasts for several minutes after the lumbering mass of steel and wood passes them by.
With a renewed sense of urgency, the party leaves their nightly campsite with an air of gaiety. As they set out, Joey announces she’s going to take point. Jake’s not surprised. She’s leading a mostly successful posse back from the brink of destruction.
When the group enters Guthrie, the streets are busier than Jake remembers ever seeing them. This is definitely not the sleepy town Norman is. That much is certain.
He looks at John and sees in his brother’s eyes something closely akin to fear. A quick glance at Liz shows she’s on the verge of panic.
In fact, the only person in the party save for himself and Joey that isn’t showing any signs of fear is Sean. And the young Irishman is acting almost as if he’s riding in a daze.
Jake can’t understand why everyone seems so scared. It’s only people. Oh. There’s so many people around, they’re afraid of what will happen. I doubt John or Liz have been around more than a thousand people at one time, ever. Much less more than five thousand. He shakes his head in amazement. Who woulda thought my blood-brother or anyone in his family would be afraid of something as inane as just a big group of people?
He looks at David, who stares in wonder at all the buildings. “Never been to this big a town, David?” he calls out curiously.
“Actually, I think Dallas was bigger. Doesn’t matter, though. We were on the outskirts most of the time I was there. Hey, Marshal! Know where we’re going?”
Joey nods. “Hotel, first. For you four, then the three of us get to go report in.”
David sighs and says quietly to his wife. “Wish we were home. I would give almost anything to have a nice, long, hot soak in the tub.”
She gives him a withering look. “You’re telling me!”
He smiles at her and grabs her hand encouragingly. “I just hope where we’re going has some kind of bathing facilities in it.”
Joey turns in the saddle and says, “Trust me. You’ll like it.”
They go on for another mile, before stopping in front of a nondescript wooden building by the railroad tracks. There’s no windows, not even a sign out front.
Joey dismounts, tells Shadow to stay and motions for everyone to follow her inside.
The concierge, a small, wiry, man of middling years stands at the desk, is clearly involved in writing something onto a scrap of paper. Without looking up, he says, “I’m sorry, but we’re full—Oh, it’s you, Marshal.” He grins broadly. “Would you like your usual accommodations?”
She nods. “We would like bathing facilities for the each of us, if they’re available. We would also like food brought to us, as well. The usual.”
The concierge quickly counts the party out and sighs, nods, then says, “I’ll have the washtubs brought in for you.”
She smiles. “Thanks.”
He nods, claps his hands and speaks in Spanish quietly to a young Mexican boy that quickly approaches from down a hall. Once done, he grabs several keys from under the desk, then motions for everyone to follow him deeper into the building.
The group enters a doorway and goes down a flight of stairs into a cool-feeling underground hallway. They pass three rooms on each side of the hallway, until they come up to an open area with several tables, chairs, couches, settees and counters with water pitchers.
The concierge hands five sets of keys to Joey. She looks curiously at him, cocking an eyebrow in an unasked question.
In an apologetic voice, he bows his head and says, “I thought the two couples would prefer to stay in the same room as their spouse?”
Joey’s expression is amused as she says, “I know who one of the couples is, who’s the second one?”
He motions toward John and Liz, who are standing close enough to be touching. “I’m sorry, was I incorrect in my thinking?”
Jake tries his best not to laugh or snort in derision. He clears his throat as he says, “A long time ago, yes. Can we get another room?”
The concierge nods and says, “You’re the only ones here, now. This communal gathering place is for your use.” He bows and leaves quickly without another word.
Joey quickly distributes the keys, leaving non
e for herself and waits patiently in the gathering area to receive hers from the concierge, while everyone else checks out their rooms.
Jake quickly goes to the door labeled “4”, uses the key and enters. For being underground, the room is surprisingly cheerful. The paneling on the inside walls is bright, colorful. The curtains give an illusion of having a window to look out. Even the sheets are a nice light shade of blue.
Truth be told, Jake is impressed by how much attention was paid to the little details. He looks around another moment, then blows out the oil lamp they left burning for him and goes back out to the front, where Ranger waits his rider’s return.
Thankfully, no one messed with their horses for the several minutes they were gone. He quickly gathers his things and goes back inside to deposit them in his room. When he goes out to the common area, he sees the rest of the party going back out to the front.
A scant few minutes later, the whole party has gathered together in the common area.
Joey motions to the two deputies and says, “We need to go report in.” She motions toward everyone else. “You hang out here awhile. This is most likely going to take us several hours. They normally serve food out here around eight in the morning, noon, and eight in the evening. Don’t worry about the cost, we’re on the tab for the marshal’s service. So, enjoy yourselves.”
She peremptorily motions her adopted uncles to follow her down the hall. At the concierge’s desk, she asks for someone to take care of their horses while their gone.
The mousy little man agrees, claps his hands and once again, speaks Spanish to a different young man than had come out earlier to follow the marshals outside.
Outside, Jake tells Ranger to follow the young boy and that he’ll stop by later. Ranger looks at his rider with a tired expression and dips his head in acknowledgment. Jake pats his mounts neck companionably and says, “It’s alright, old friend. I promise, you’ll have a day or two of relaxation. Go rest, enjoy yourself.” He looks at the young man and says, “Make sure he gets some warm oats. He’s been ridden hard lately and deserves quite the treat.”
Ranger sighs and follows the rest of the horses as they are being led away. The tips of his hooves scrape the ground as he walks on.
Jake sighs as well and turns around to see his brother and niece staring at him.
“What?” he demands.
John shakes his head. “I’ve never seen anyone so in-tune with their mount. He’s obviously as smart a horse as I’ve ever seen. Ever thought of putting him to stud?”
Jake nods. “Once I retire. Though, when that is, I have no idea. How much farther is it, Marshal? Ranger’s not the only one worn out from the last few days.”
She smirks and points to a building less than a hundred feet away. “That’s the territorial courthouse. Our main office is inside, upstairs.”
John points back toward the hotel. “Nice place. How’d you find it?”
She chuckles. “I captured someone there once, during my bounty hunting days. It serves as a wonderful safe-house for me when I need it.”
He looks around in amazement. “I can imagine. Is Guthrie always this busy?”
She nods. “Since it became the territorial capitol last year, the population’s been growing steadily. When I left, it was just under ten thousand. Now I expect it’s broken twelve.”
Jake whistles low. “You mean, it’s grown that much since I was last here? That was only three months ago, the beginning of March.”
She nods. “I expect it to grow to fifteen thousand by the end of the year. We’ll see.”
The group walks down a short flight of stairs to a nondescript door with a panel set inside of it. Joey knocks on the door twice. The panel slides open and she says, “Marshal Blackwolf, Deputies Isaacson and Cardwell, are here to report in.”
The panel slides shut and the door creaks open, seemingly of its own accord.
As they enter the dimly lit corridor, Jake sees who is working as gatekeeper. The man has got to be the largest person Jake has ever seen. He’s easily six and a half foot tall, three hundred pounds of pure muscle and as dark as a moonless night. He’s wearing a guard’s uniform that’s barely big enough to fit his bulk and has his hands sitting on his hips.
Joey looks at the hulking man and says, “Hello, Nathaniel. Have things been quiet lately?”
The huge man grins broadly and says in his deeply bass voice, “Quiet ever since we hung that last lot you brought in. I’m told by Judge Logan that you’re supposed to report directly to him once you get in.”
She nods. “I’d expected as much. Thank you. It’s been a pleasure, as always, Nathaniel. I’ll be seeing you next time.”
The gigantic man smiles even more broadly and waves as they go down the hall.
Jake asks quietly, as they mount the steps at the end of the long hall, “Are you always so pleasant with the guards?”
She nods. “I find things are easier when the lowly workers are on your side. You never know when the guards will be the only ones to come to your aid. Plus, Nathaniel’s never been anything but pleasant to me, so why shouldn’t I be?”
Jake smiles. “Why not, indeed?”
John turns to look at his brother. “You act like you’ve never been here before.”
Jake shakes his head. “In this building? Never. I’ve been picking up orders and wanted posters at the post office.” He looks around, impressed by the building itself. “I think, though, I may have to start coming by here more often.”
John grins. “Now that I’m a Deputy Marshal, I get the feeling I’ll be coming by here fairly often myself, as well.”
They make it up to the top floor, the fifth, and go down to stop at a door at the other end of the hall. Joey knocks on the door, listens closely, then opens it and enters the book-lined office.
Chapter 48
Judge Logan is sitting at a dark wooden desk, with a young man standing close by. The older man is writing furiously on a page. As the group approaches the desk, he holds up his left hand, forestalling any distractions they may provide.
After several moments, he finishes scribbling, blots the ink on the page, then hands it to the young man and says, “See that Marshal Walters gets this within the hour.”
The young man nods, then rushes form the room.
Judge Logan looks at the trio of lawmen in front of him with an expression that is a combination of amusement and irritation. “I’ve been expecting you three to have gotten back almost a week ago.”
He stands and moves over to a wet bar by the window. He sighs as he pours three glasses of whiskey and a glass of water. He grabs two of the whiskeys and the water, then delivers them to the lawmen, then goes back to the bar and grabs his own glass of whiskey.
He sits in his chair, then motions toward the other chairs. “Please, be seated. First thing’s first. Marshal, I’ve had word from your father. His recovery is moving apace.” He chuckles at her mortified look. “I’ve known you were Cherokee Brouwer’s child since your father told me while he was imprisoned at Fort Reno. I was the one who recommended to Col. Walters that Cherokee become a marshal, once he was pardoned.”
Jake hides his smirk. He was there when that was happening. He’d forgotten about that. He doesn’t remember Cherokee ever saying he had a daughter, though. Just referred to her as “my kid.”
Jake clears his throat. “Well, Judge. You said you were expecting us several days ago?”
Logan’s eyes settle on Jake as he nods. “A certain Capt. Willis out of Fort Supply wired, saying you were on your way back, by horseback. Couldn’t explain why you didn’t just ride up to Dodge and ride the trains down here.” He sits up straighter, crosses his arms and says sternly, “He also said you were there to bury Richard Buchanan. I told you three I wanted him brought in alive!” He reaches down, finishes his drink, sets the empty glass down on the desk and says, “Now, I think it high time for some answers.”
He gets up and pours himself another drink, then sits back a
t his desk. “Before that, however, food. I’m hungry and we can talk after lunch.” He rings a bell, gives his attendant orders to bring in his lunch and to make sure to bring in enough for the others as well. The young man bows and leaves quickly.
Not a minute later, the first young man returns and says, “He acknowledged receipt. It will be delivered to the prison before evening.” He quickly turns and leaves.
Joey looks at the judge curiously.
He shakes his head. “Stay of execution. The man that committed the robbery was captured and a new trial has been scheduled. It’s possible the man who was about to be hung is not guilty.”
“Oh.” Her tone speaks volumes.
The door opens and two men enter, pushing a cart laden with food. Silently, they unload the cart onto a table with four chairs set around it, then leave just as abruptly as they entered.
Logan motions for the lawmen to sit and eat at the table. He moves from behind his desk and says grace, then digs in to the food, himself.
Lunch consists of roast beef, mashed potatoes and corn. The food is good and plentiful. By the time he’s done eating, Jake is so stuffed, he can barely move. He stares out into space, not sure if it’s a food coma, or if he’s been poisoned. Either way, he’s glad he’s not having to make the report himself.
Once he’s finished, Logan pushes himself away from the table, belches, and motions for them to follow him over to his desk, then for them to be seated. “Now, we can talk. Alright, Marshal. Tell me what happened.”
She sighs in frustration. “Where do you want me to begin?”
“Start with going to go visit your father in Denver.”
John snorts derisively. “Guess we’re gonna be here awhile, then.”
Logan levels his gaze at the deputy and says, “At least I’m not asking you for a written report, yet.”
John chuckles. “You got me there.”
Deputy at Large Page 31