Kinney had gotten right to the point. “It involves a woman, Colonel Kinney.”
“And?”
“The general believes that a woman incarcerated in your jail may have committed treason, a federal crime. He’s asked me personally to bring her back to Austin to face military justice.”
Colonel Kinney noted the colonel’s wounds. “It appears that you are quite committed to your mission, Colonel. Unfortunately, I’m unable to help you.”
Colonel Rucker’s eyes grew wide. He knew she was in Corpus Christi. “But…”
“We have no such person in our jail, Colonel.” Kinney smiled. “It seems you’re on a wild goose chase.” Of course, Kinney was telling the truth. She was in the bank, not the jail.
The colonel knew he’d chased after her and Whelan. What was going on? He was momentarily dumbfounded. He collected himself. “Well, thank you, Colonel Kinney. I expect I’ll be on my way.”
Everything and everyone seemed to be conspiring against him. There’d been the delays in Nuecestown and now the obfuscation here in Corpus. It was clear he’d have to do his own detective work. He decided to pay a visit to Sheriff Whelan.
***
Scarlett feared for her life. She sat crammed into what amounted to a vault deep in the bowels of the bank. It was bad enough that the last time she’d been to this bank the situation had been quite different. It didn’t bring back fond memories. Plus, the very thought of Rucker successfully abducting her and taking her back to some unknown fate in Austin was scary at best. Finally, the bank manager came by to check on her. “Are you all okay, Miss Scarlett? Can I get you anything?”
“I am hungry, thank you.”
The bank manager went across to the nearby boarding house to get something for the prisoner to eat. As he entered, there was a newcomer signing in for a room. The man wore a military officer’s hat, but was otherwise dressed as a civilian. He disconcertedly nodded at the man. “Donna, could you be kind enough to rustle up a bit of grub for our guest?”
The colonel gave the man a once-over. He wore a white shirt and a visor, along with a string tie. “Pardon me, sir, do you work at the bank?”
“Why, yes, I’m the manager. Do you need to make a deposit?” Only then did he realize he may have unwittingly revealed the secret prisoner.
Rucker thought it unusual that the bank manager would be ordering food to take back to the bank for a guest. The colonel was now thinking he might be making a withdrawal. He was rather glad he had stopped at the boarding house before visiting the sheriff. “Well, I’d very much like to see your bank, sir.”
The bank manager nervously carried the tray of food across to the bank with the colonel following him. As they prepared to enter the bank, the colonel noticed a handsome grey stallion hitched in front of the place. He and the bank manager stepped into the foyer.
“I’ll be right with you, sir.” And the bank manager proceeded to head to the rear of the bank.
“Why, Colonel Rucker, fancy meeting you again.”
The colonel scanned the room. They were alone, other than the Texas Ranger who stood before him larger than life. He had a Walker Colt holstered and a second in his belt. The Ranger’s size was intimidating. Suddenly, the prospect of finding Scarlett was not nearly so attractive. “Uh, and good to see you, Captain Dunn.” He tried not to look suspicious. “I see you have business in Corpus.”
“Yes, Colonel. As I mentioned this morning, we’re expanding our ranch so have purchased additional land. Were you able to complete your business?”
The colonel was seeing his Army career beginning to unravel. “I…I expect I’m pretty close to finished with my business, thanks.”
“I’d be pleased to give you safe escort as far as Nuecestown, Colonel,” Luke said.
Out of his peripheral vision, the colonel thought he saw someone…perhaps a woman…inside the bank vault. The bank manager had left the outer door to the vault open, though the inner iron door with its heavy bars remained locked. “I had planned to spend the night here, Captain Dunn, but my business appears to be finished and I may accept your offer after all.”
“Happy to wait for you, Colonel, while you retrieve your belongings from the boarding house.”
Rucker had to admit defeat for now. He wasn’t about to start a bloodbath that he might be a victim of. He’d live to fight another day. He’d certainly absorbed enough of Sheriff Whelan’s lead for now. He’d have a few days on the trail to conjure up an excuse to pass on to Brigadier General Truax.
Soon enough, Luke and Colonel Rucker were headed back toward Nuecestown. For now, Scarlett was protected.
As they silently rode northward, the colonel broke the ice. “Captain Dunn, I understand you’re from Ireland. I’ve heard it’s a lovely country but that many members of your family have settled here on the Nueces Strip.”
“You’ve heard right, Colonel. We are a tightly knit family and are enjoying the freedoms and opportunities this land offers. The British were taking away our freedoms in Ireland. It was a far easier choice than you might imagine.” Luke figured it was now safe to broach the sensitive topic of this day. “So, what did the general really want with Scarlett Rose, Colonel?”
Rucker wasn’t surprised that Luke knew the purpose of his mission. “It was personal to the general, sir. It is apparently a family matter.”
“Did you know that she’s with child?”
The colonel pulled up his horse with an incredulous expression spread across his face. “No.” This might change everything.
“I expect that happens in her business.” The remark seemed cold, coming from Luke.
“Any idea who the father might be, Captain?” The colonel was genuinely curious.
Luke almost demurred, but chose to go on. “As I understand it, Colonel, it was either her outlaw lover Dirk Cavendish or Sheriff Whelan. Cavendish was shot and killed while trying to escape the law, so only the sheriff remains.”
Colonel Rucker realized that, if the general was not going to be pleased over his failed mission, he was going to be especially unhappy over the pregnancy news. “I appreciate your candor, Captain Dunn.” He paused thoughtfully, as humility was not exactly a virtue he was comfortable with. “I do thank you for keeping me from taking my intended actions in Corpus Christi.”
“You’re most welcome, Colonel. I hope you’ve reached closure on your mission…at least for the present.”
Soon enough, they reached Heaven’s Gate and Luke parted company with the colonel, who continued his likely fateful ride on toward Austin.
Luke waited at the arched gate as he watched Rucker ride off. He was grateful there’d been no gunplay. He turned the big grey stallion toward the cabin that he and Elisa now shared and stood tall in the stirrups so that he could see the roof and the smoke curling from the chimney. The setting sun painted the deep azure sky with a patina of gold dust.
He pondered his newly chosen future. Would it be as rancher? Texas Ranger? Both? No matter yet. He’d be husband to the most lovingly beautiful woman on earth. With that thought lingering, he settled into the saddle and gently applied his spurs just enough to move home at a fast trot. He’d only been away for a few hours, but his senses could already feel Elisa’s touch and take in her fragrance. Would that this might never end.
***
Three Toes and a half dozen warriors left Camp Cooper and set out southwestwardly for the Balcones Escarpment deep in the Comancheria. They were of a mind to explore the opportunities for relocating to that region. The Comanche urgently wanted to be out from under the iron fist of the U.S. government. Once again, he’d left his three wives behind. He felt it was just as well, as they wore him out. It was easier in his mind to care for his horses, as they never complained. He appreciated a warm bed and good meals, but found himself needing escape. This mission afforded him that escape.
Having concluded with ever more certainty that he’d fulfilled his vision quest, Three Toes felt as though his life was complete. All
the events that might follow would be by the good graces of the Great Spirit. They would be like a bonus. He thought often about Ghost-Who-Rides, and hoped the Ranger would find a happy life with Elisa and the possibility of peace on the Nueces Strip.
***
The nondescript old wagon pulled up across the street from the Laredo jail. It was early morning. One man stayed seated as he struggled to keep the horses steady. There was a nervousness in his manner that seemed to transmit through the reins. Another man walked over to the store next to the jail and leaned against a post. He tried to look casual as he lit a smoke. Two others hitched their horses and started walking toward the jail. Each man had a pistol in his belt and carried a rifle at the ready. Their sombreros were tilted low to partially cover their faces. One had a bandolier with rifle bullets across his chest. They were a gnarly bunch, to say the least.
The man at the store dropped his smoke and crushed it under his heel. He and the other two covered their faces with bandanas as they approached the front door of the jail. The man with the bandolier kicked open the door. Carlos Perez smiled groggily from his cell.
***
Luke rode up to the barn. He dismounted, unsaddled, and hastily curried the big stallion. As he began heading to the cabin, a tumbleweed rolled by on its aimless journey across the prairie. It gave him pause to consider again what journey lay ahead, certainly not an aimless one.
Lawman or rancher? A decision loomed before him. He stopped at the water basin and cleaned off a bit of the trail dust. He smelled her cooking before he even opened the door. Life was good.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nueces Justic evolved from the author’s passion for writing coupled with his own Texas cultural heritage. As business executive, investor, entrepreneur, author, educator, and parent, Greathouse leads by example through business and community leadership roles. He holds degrees from University of Maryland (BA) and American University (MBA). A published author of fiction and poetry, he is a member of several poetry societies. He delivers compelling life-impacting YouTube videos under the psuedonym Tumbleweed. He enjoys sports, arts, outdoors, and craft hobbies. He, his wife, and two sons live in southern Pennsylvania, and he dreams of retiring to Texas and his Irish-Texan family roots.
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