Chase The Wind

by Janelle Taylor

  “Why not send the arms by rail straight to Mexico for exchange there?”

  “Because Mexican coasts are heavily patrolled against smugglers, and overland roads from them are plagued by bandidos. Cordell is probably bribing somebody for safe travel through certain areas. Once he reaches his brother’s land, his movements and schedule will be cunningly masked from there on, unless you and Beth intercept and trail him. The brothers apparently haven’t seen each other in many years.”

  “That fits what Matt and Jessie told me while I was working at the ranch. If you ask me, there’s no way Mathew Cordell could have gone bad. And Jessie certainly wouldn’t; I’d stake my life on that being true.”

  “For Beth’s sake and yours, I hope it is. We’re searching for any motive your old friend could have for getting involved. I’ll keep you informed on our findings by code.” He gave Navarro the check-in points and days for contacting him during the mission.

  After Navarro nodded, Dan said, “Our timing is perfect; Beth just completed an assignment in the land office, without breaking her cover as usual. She’s still working there. You’ll pretend to be old friends who start up a romance and get married in a week. Then you’ll be on your way.”

  “A week?” He saw Dan nod. “You’re joshing?” He watched Dan shake his head. “Won’t that seem suspicious?”

  “Not out here where a woman doesn’t stay unmarried long. Besides, you’re ‘old friends.’ It’ll be understandable, if you’re a good enough actor.”

  Navarro’s hazel eyes narrowed and he ran his fingers through his black hair. “How did you convince her to marry and travel with a stranger?”

  “She has been fully briefed. She knows this case is crucial, and she agrees a counterfeit marriage is the best cover strategy. It would be natural for newlyweds settling down to ranch in Texas to visit the friends who made it possible by getting you out of prison years ago. Make it look as if you only want to show them you’re happy and completely severing your ties to them. Matt should be delighted and relieved to learn any possible threat from you is over. Convince them that’s why you came and I’m betting they’ll ask you two to visit and rest a spell. Don’t you see, you need Beth at your side to prevent past problems from jumping up and exposing your identity and mission?”

  “Why not just pretend to be married? Why fake a romance and wedding?”

  “If the Cordells mention to Charles you’ve worked for the Army, he might get suspicious and check on you. We can’t afford a flaw in your story. Don’t worry about being trapped with an unwanted wife. As soon as you defeat those gunrunners and the Indians are back on the reservation, the marriage will be over and you can go your separate ways, on to new cases in different directions. Satisfied?”

  Dan watched Navarro slip into deep thought and knew where the man’s worries lay. The unrequited love affair which provided a path to the Cordells—thus, one to Charles—could be a risk to the case and to his friend’s emotions. Considering the grim consequences of failure, those challenges had to be met head-on. Besides, Dan mused, maybe the trip would release Navarro from his sad past. Beth, too. “I know this mission won’t be easy or painless. I’m sorry, Navarro, and I wish I could give it to another agent, but there isn’t time or a credible ploy for someone else to use. And nobody’s better qualified to handle it than you are, with Beth’s help.”

  “You don’t have to worry about Matt and Jessie or—”

  “I won’t, if you have a wife along. We’ve been friends for a long time, Navarro, and maybe I know you better than you know yourself. This will be the first time you’ve seen her and your son since you lost them years ago. Don’t you see, it’s reckless to risk temptation and exposure by going alone? I hate to send you into a hornet’s nest with or without protection, but you speak Apache and know the Indian ways. You’re the best tracker and agent we have, so I can’t allow friendship and your personal feelings to influence my decision. This case is too important. You understand?”

  Navarro winced. “Yep, but I still think I can do it alone.”

  “I disagree. You left there five years ago with two gaping holes in your life like bullet wounds you’ve never let heal. When you return, you can’t doctor them. The price would be too great for everyone to pay. That’s why you can’t go alone, but I believe you’d want to be the agent to keep them safe and out of trouble.”

  “You really think I’m skilled enough to convince Jessie of such a crazy lie?”

  “Absolutely. To protect Jessie and Lane, you’ll do what you must. It’s possible Charles has or will enmesh Matt in his scheme. I know you don’t think Matt would break the law, but people change over time. You’re a perfect example of that. I’m not forgetting you promised to stay out of their lives, but you knew the day would come when you’d have to face them and yourself again. That day’s here, Navarro. I know that deep inside, you’re still hoping you can get Jessie and Lane back. It’s time to accept you can’t, not as long as her husband’s alive. Release yourself from the past or you’ll keep hurting until you die. That’s no fate for you, my friend.”

  “How does a man kill yearnings for what could’ve—should’ve—been? She was mine, Dan; until she was stolen by the law and Matt.”

  “The law had good reason to believe you were guilty of those crimes.”

  “I know, or I wouldn’t be working for it now. I admit I’m partly to blame for my troubles. What happened to me cleaned up that prison, but it cost me my woman, my son, and scars on my back.”

  “She’s another man’s wife now, Navarro. You must accept that.”

  “I haven’t spoiled her new life. I’ve left them both in peace as I promised.”

  “But you’ve never allowed yourself to find peace. As long as you keep looking back, you’ll never see what could be ahead for you.”

  “Only thing ahead is my work. Don’t feel sorry for me, Dan; good friends and challenging missions are enough for me. I’ll always love Jessie and be grateful to her. Until I met her, I was riding a bad trail in the wrong direction. She turned me around in time to save my neck. She needed me, too, and not just my guns and skills. She loved me and wanted to marry me.”

  “Ten years ago. Everybody and everything involved in that episode has changed, except you. She has two of his children now. Free yourself and find another trail to ride.”

  “How can I ever be free of her when we have a bond in our son and in all we shared? And don’t say another woman can break it. I haven’t met one who can even stand in her shadow. But don’t worry; I’ll go to Texas and carry out this mission without stirring up trouble and pain for them.” He added, “Unless Matt is involved with his brother’s crimes. If he is, old friend or not, I’ll bring him to justice and do it as easy on Jessie and…their children as possible. I won’t put blame where it doesn’t belong just so I can recover her and my son; you have my word of honor.”

  “I believe you, but it’ll be a hard promise to honor in person. You’ve kept it so far because you haven’t seen or even contacted them in five years. Mark my words, Navarro, it’ll be difficult when you’re face-to-face with your lost love and son. If you let her, Beth will protect you from temptation.”

  “Even if I were tempted, Dan, I wouldn’t go after Jessie and Lane. As far as everyone knows, he’s Matt’s son. I admit it cuts soul deep to think I could pass Lane on a street and not even recognize my own child. When I sneaked that look at him five years ago, I realized I had no right to claim him or Jessie. So you see, Dan, I’ve proven I can resist temptation. Besides, Jessie would never leave her other two children and ranch to ride off with me and Lane; she was never that kind of woman.”

  “If you truly believe that, get her out of your head and heart. Forget what that old shaman told you, or apply it to another woman.” Dan sipped at his whiskey to hide twinges of guilt about two points he planned to conceal. He hoped that his deception would give Navarro time to get to know and accept his new partner. “Jessie still has a tight hold on you,
Navarro, so don’t fool yourself. You know why she married Cordell and you’re of course happy he saved her and Lane from disgrace. Even if she’s made a success of marriage, it doesn’t mean she’s forgotten you. That could lead to trouble and heartache. With a wife along, Mrs. Cordell won’t be tempted to act on what-might-have-been. Beth will help you both realize it’s over for good.”

  Navarro thought of the potent feelings he had buried long ago and wondered if they could unearth themselves when he saw Jessie and Lane again. What if she was still in love with him and dreaming of a life together? Would it rip out her heart to see him with a “wife”? Would love and passion rekindle between them? If so, could they resist each other? Yes, they had no choice, as long as she was married …“I still say it’s trouble to take a woman—a stranger—with me, even as my wife.”

  “You and Beth will have ample time to get acquainted. You two can keep each other straight; she also has a personal stake in this mission. It may have been one of Cordell’s shipments that got her father and husband killed. It won’t surprise me if the two cases melt into the same mold.”

  “If her head’s clouded by revenge, why send her with me?”

  “Because she’s the best choice and she’s available. Don’t worry about Beth; she won’t let personal problems get in the way of doing her job.”

  “Why are you so sure I can depend on her?”

  “She brought in one of her husband’s murderers alive. The snake had Steven’s possessions when she and another agent caught up with him. Three others went down in a shoot-out. ‘Course he never told who supplied the weapons and ammo they’d delivered earlier. It was a tragedy; those villains weren’t even Steven and John’s assignment; they were on loan to me for another case. They just stumbled onto the scene at the wrong time and spooked that gang into a lethal attack. Those bastards killed our men and rode out fast, probably afraid more agents were hot on their trail. That’s what gave us our first real clues to the gunrunning mess. We’ve had agents working undercover in several areas since that black day. Beth followed their trail until they camped, then went for help because she knew she couldn’t take on five men by herself. When she returned with it, one gang member was gone. He’s still at large. Before Steven died, he told her that the one who shot and stabbed him had two X’s carved near the thumb on his left hand, probably scars from a snakebite. She hopes the last villain will turn up one day, maybe even on this case. She could have killed that culprit on the trail, and the agent with her wouldn’t have exposed her if she had. She watched that cold-blooded outlaw hang, then rode out on her next assignment. She’s never failed us, Navarro, never. You’re lucky to get her as a partner.”

  “She worked with her husband? Isn’t it unusual and risky to have a married couple as a team?”

  “They never let it distract them; they were excellent together. Beth doesn’t tell me her feelings and secrets, but I sense she hasn’t gotten over his sudden death. I hope a good man comes along one day and heals her wounds.”

  “What kind of man would take his woman—his wife—into all sorts of dangers? What about their family? Who kept them? Where?”

  “They had no children; that’s how she stayed his partner. But she has family—a sister and brother, both of them married with children. Her sister mostly raised her after her mother died and John became an agent. As for friends, Beth makes them easily and wherever she goes; none of them learn she’s an agent when she’s on assignment; she’s too smart and alert for mistakes.”

  “Why didn’t she resign after her husband was killed? Didn’t that prove to her how dangerous this job is? Why would a woman even do this kind of work?”

  “A love for justice and country. She also likes travel, adventures, and challenges as much as you do. You’ll be surprised how much alike you two are. Beth can defend and support herself, so it’ll take a special man to win her heart.”

  “Like her husband?”

  “Steven was a fine man. You’d have liked him and respected him. I guess I should tell you, she feels partly to blame for Steven and John’s deaths. She’d stopped to enjoy a field of wildflowers while they rode ahead to make camp. They spooked the resting gang into an ambush. By the time she arrived, the band was fleeing, John was dead, and Steven was dying. She thinks if she’d come faster or not stopped, she could’ve saved their lives. She’s an expert marksman, but I doubt she—or anyone—could have prevented what happened. I’ve tried to convince her that if she’d arrived with them or soon afterward, she’d be dead, too. She still thinks, with her skills and training, she could have done something to change their fates. ‘Course, most of us feel that way when we suffer losses. Who knows, maybe you two will be good medicine for each other…”

  “You can wipe that grin off your face because that pretty flower won’t be plucked by me. Its thorns stick worse than a thousand sharp burrs in your bedroll. Nope, no more chasing wild winds for me.”

  “Then you and Beth have nothing to worry about on the trail alone because she feels the same way. Will you take this assignment?”

  “You sure we have to go as man and wife?”

  “Absolutely positive. We can’t risk imperiling your lives and this case. You go as her husband or the scheme’s off; that’s an official order.”

  Navarro pondered his duty, then eyed his superior. “All right, boss; summon the preacher and my bride before I change my mind.”

  “Not that fast; you two have a romance to fake first.”

  Love and romance! Navarro thought cynically. The only time he had experienced them was with the woman he would visit soon under false pretenses. “When the truth comes out after this mission is over, I hope Jessie and Matt forgive me for breaking my promise and don’t feel used and betrayed. And I hope Matt understands why I had to expose and arrest his younger brother. Just pray I don’t have to kill Charles.” He asked, “How will I meet and recognize this Beth?” He pictured a rustic trail woman—large, plain, masculine and bossy—and sighed.

  “She’s the only female who works in the land office. We had reports of possible frauds and push-outs; she’s proven those allegations are false, so her work here is done. Beth …Lawrence is twenty-eight, about five feet six, slim, fair skin, green eyes, and…black hair. She’s a real lady, so treat her as one. She’s also beautiful, charming, and well bred. Elizabeth Lawrence will be in Carter’s Dry Goods on Congress Street at five tomorrow. She’s expecting you to make contact with her there.”

  “You were certain I’d accept this mission, weren’t you?”

  Dan sent him a wry grin. “I had only a tiny doubt because of the wife angle.” He grew serious. “I’ll leave it up to you what to tell her about your past with the Cordells. But it isn’t wise or safe to let Beth walk blindly into that old canyon; a slip by her could endanger your lives and the mission.”

  “I’ll tell her only what she has to know, nothing more, and then only when the time suits me. Agreed?”

  “Agreed.”

  “What if this ‘lady’ you chose objects to working with a half-breed Apache and ex-outlaw? She’s used to sending criminals to prison, not teaming up with an ex-desperado who served years in one.”

  “The mission is all that will matter to her. Besides, Beth’s a good woman. She won’t give you any problems; I promise.”

  They went over other details before Navarro sneaked from Dan’s home. He stabled his black stallion at a livery and registered at a hotel with the land office in view of his window. As he gazed into the night beyond it, his body was tense, his spirit edgy. His mind whirled in a storm of thoughts and emotions. Jessie hadn’t seen him since he left the Box L Ranch years ago, seeming to desert her when she needed him most. But if the law hadn’t recaptured him, they would be married today, the ranch theirs. And Jessie and Lane wouldn’t be confronting a danger he had to defeat before riding away a third and final time. But he’d only ride away if Mathew Cordell was innocent.

  Navarro unbuttoned his shirt and grasped a locket
that held a treasure Jessie had given to him on that ill-fated day. He opened it and gazed at her worn and faded photograph. He caught his breath as he admired her long and curly sorrel hair, eyes as large and blue as a summer sky, and the beautiful face he had stroked and kissed so many times. She was a vision of grace and spirit.

  Navarro sighed as he closed the locket. There was something else he needed to think about—something Dan had mentioned earlier—Navarro’s meeting with the old shaman.

  Navarro had told the Apache: “My spirit is heavy about taking you to San Carlos, Sees-Through-Clouds, but whites and soldiers fear the power you have over your people. They fear peace and safety cannot come while great leaders like you are free to keep the Apache heart full of courage and hope.”

  Calling him by his Indian name, the shaman had replied, “I one man, Tl’ee’ K’us. Moccasins walk Earth Mother as turtle. Hair, eyes wear white blankets. Face have many deep paths. Body shakes as leaf in wind. Bones weak. Voice a whisper. Why fear, chain old men to dying land?”

  “Your voice is a whisper, Wise One, but your words roar like thunder. Your body is weak, but your spirit is strong. Though your years are many, the young would follow you. These truths, whites and soldiers know and fear.”

  “It foolish, dangerous, to follow old man this season. Foolish when Tl’ee’ K’us’s mother follow white outlaw from people; foolish she return, die. Night Cloud not follow Morning Tears’ trail; big evil come; Life Giver not have power, way, to protect His people. That season later; when come, Ysun send help. No war with white-skins and Bluecoats; they many and strong, not good time. I surrender, not live free as river runs, standing proud as sacred cottonwood, spirit not broken as wild horse’s. Last season come one day and bones rest with Father’s in sacred mountains.”