“For Matt’s sake, I hope he is. I’m going to try my best to be nice and give Charles a fair chance. But it’ll be hard, blasted hard. That’s why I’m hoping you and Navarro will be here as a distraction in case I don’t like him. I’m not good at hiding my feelings with Matt.”
“We’ll stay as long as possible. But we have to leave no later than Wednesday.”
Jessica continued the talk as she mixed, rolled, and cut dough while Beth cleaned up after their other task. “From the message in his last telegram, he should arrive Saturday or Sunday, Monday at the latest. He’s only going to be around for two or three days; I hope that’s true. I think it’s mostly a rest stop during a business trip to Mexico, not a real visit. If we didn’t lie in his route path, I doubt he’d be coming this time.”
Take the opening, Beth. “What type of business is Charles in?”
“Apparently he dips his fingers into all kinds of barrels, any kind with money at the bottom. It’s supposed to be a secret, this time, but he’s delivering arms and ammunition to the Mexican government. It seems they can’t get weapons in by ship or hauled overland because of bandits and renegades. He told Matt the weapons will help stop raiders from crossing the river to rob us, so he claims he’s doing us a second good deed.”
A claim that doesn’t hold water with you. “Do you have many problems with outlaws and Indians crossing the border and attacking here? Will it be like that in San Antonio, if we decide to settle there?”
“No, not in years for us, and very little in past ones. The same is true for where you’re going, so don’t worry. Charles doesn’t know what he was talking about or he wouldn’t have made such a stupid statement. Please stay as long as you can to help me get through this; I’ll be ever so grateful. Besides, I’m enjoying your company and having help around the house. It’s been a long time since Annie left. As I told you, I’ve missed having a close friend for talks and chores. Annie’s loss helps me understand Lane’s feelings over his friend. This visit is good for all of us for lots of reasons.”
“You’re right; I can’t recall when I’ve enjoyed myself or another person more. Of course that doesn’t include my new husband,” she added with a dreamy smile. To keep Jessica from becoming suspicious of her, Beth didn’t ask any more questions about Charles or the couple’s financial problems. She sipped coffee as Jessica put the meat mixture on to simmer.
“Blazes, I miss having good beef! But we can’t slaughter any of the steers we have left, for money and health reasons. I usually serve meat only at supper, and vegetables and bread at midday. We’ll also have canned butter beans, beets and dried fruit tonight. I hope that tempts you.”
Beth licked her lips as she noticed Jessica and Navarro often used the same expletive. “It does. You’re a good cook. I’m watching every move you make in here so I can steal your ideas and learn your talents.”
“Best I remember, Navarro cooks as well as I do, at least on the trail. He should be very helpful in the kitchen; he’s used to doing such chores.”
“He’s been that way so far; I hope he doesn’t stop.”
“Matt helps me, too. If husbands want wives to have enough time and energy left over for them and…diversions, they should help out.”
They shared merry laughter and more genial talk.
When the children came home from school, Lane disappeared up the stairs before Beth saw him. But Alice joined her mother and Beth in the kitchen and chattered like a squirrel about the teacher, her lessons, and friends.
Two of the youngsters joined them for the evening meal in the dining room which had a larger table and more chairs. Matt sat at one end and Lance was placed at the other. The boy insisted on Beth sitting beside him. Alice took a seat next to her mother, across from the visiting couple.
Matt glanced at his wife and asked, “Where’s Lane?”
“He’s upstairs. He isn’t feeling well, he says.”
“He’s writing to Joey,” Alice disclosed. “Miss Maria let us play Joey’s favorite game and it made Lane sad. Made his tummy hurt.”
“I put my horsey on the bed with him to make him better.”
“That was nice of you, Lance.”
“He’s good, Mama. He gave me this.”
Lance drew an amulet from under his shirt and held it out for all to see, and Jessica questioned, “Lane gave you his Indian medal?”
Alice jumped in. “He said the magic doesn’t work for him.”
Beth gazed at the artistic amulet. “It’s Indian, isn’t it?”
Matt nodded and said, “Yes. Last summer, a few Apaches camped west of the old house site; they’d escaped from one of those reservations. I gave ‘em a few head to butcher for food and let ‘em rest up a couple of days before they crossed the border into Mexico to hide out. Can’t blame ‘em for hating those places; most are downright awful. Lane wanted to see what real Indians were like, but I figured it was best to leave ‘em be, so he sneaked out of the house during the night and rode over there. He doesn’t usually disobey, but his curiosity chewed on him too hard. An old medicine man found him spying, said he was brave, and gave him that necklace. He’s worn it ever since.”
“It’s mine, Papa; Lane said so.”
“If Lane gave it to you, it’s yours. But if he changes his mind after his sadness over Joey goes away, it would be kind to return it. When we love somebody, son, we aren’t selfish; we show ‘em how much we love ‘em by doing nice things for them and being nice to them.”
Navarro was warmed by the way Matt dealt with the children. It seemed the rancher was an excellent father, the kind he’d like to be.
“Do I hafta give it back tonight? Can I keep it a few days?”
Alice jumped in again. “Lane said he never wants it back. He said it was bad luck for him because he got it disobeying you, Papa. He said Joey’s father had to go away the day after he got it. Then, Mr. Cooper came and took Joey. He don’t want it back, Papa, never, I’m sure.”
“We’ll see” was Matt’s tender but unconvinced response.
“Sarah won’t ever go away, will she, Mama?”
“I don’t think so, Alice.”
“If my best friend moved like Joey, I’d be sad and crying.”
Matt said in a gentle tone, “Eat, children; it’s nearing bedtime. You can talk and play tomorrow when there’s no school.”
“Will you play with us, Miss Beth?”
“Of course, I will, Lance. We’ll find some wonderful games.”
“Will you tell us stories?”
“If that’s what you want, Alice.”
“Yippee!”
Everyone laughed at Lance’s exuberance and began their meals.
“While I clean up and Matt gets the children to bed, Navarro, why don’t you take Beth for a walk? She’s worked hard today. She deserves fresh air, a change of scenery, and private time with her new husband.”
“That’s a good idea, if you’ll excuse us.”
“See you in the morning, Navarro. You wanna ride along again?”
“Sure do, Matt. See you in the chuckhouse at sunup. ‘Night.”
“Come over as soon as you’re up and ready, Beth. I rise early.”
“I will, Jessica. Good night, everyone.”
The agents left the house and strolled around the lovely area. When they weren’t holding hands, Navarro had his arm around her waist or shoulder as if snuggling her close. Beth was introduced to the wranglers they encountered; the men all smiled and spoke a minute but didn’t detain the romancing couple. She was quick to notice how they liked Navarro.
At the corral, Navarro halted Beth and pointed to horses in a nearby pasture as he pretended to be talking about them. “We’re being watched; Matt’s on the front porch, so be careful how you act.”
Beth turned to him and fiddled with his collar and shirt buttons as she kept her gaze on those areas. “Is he spying on us? Is he suspicious?”
Navarro lifted two sections of flame-colored hair from her che
st and put them behind her. “Nope, just getting fresh air. We’ll talk here because we’re too far from anyone to be overheard and we can see anybody coming in any direction. Anything to report?”
Without meeting his hazel gaze, she began, “Last night, the reason I asked if it bothered you seeing Jessica is because—”
“This isn’t the kind of talk I meant, if you don’t mind.”
She fused her gaze to his and persisted, “This is about our work, not your feelings or your past with Jessica. That’s none of my business, unless it intrudes on our case. I asked you that question because you seemed too distracted to pick up on crucial facts. That isn’t like you, Navarro, so I assumed the reason was—”
He was surprised, but intrigued. “What clues do you think I missed?”
“The disease’s timing and symptoms.” “I don’t catch your drift, partner. What’s strange about them?”
“I didn’t want to press the annoying matter with you until I checked out my suspicions. Jessica and I had a long and serious talk today, a very enlightening one. She practically swore me—us—to secrecy. I doubt she’ll tell Matt about our conversation and she’s kept her worries from him.”
Beth was cognizant those last statements seized his interest. His grip on her forearms tightened for a moment and he was on full alert. She related the conversation with his lost love before giving her speculations. “So you see, Matt never intended to make that slip to anyone. Jessica is suspicious of Charles, but she won’t tell her husband, and I doubt Matt would believe the dirty truth. It was no risk for Charles to murder their stock because he’s no rancher and can claim ignorance and innocence. I’m not familiar with ranching, either, but I realized Matt wasn’t describing the same disease as hoof-and-mouth. I was right; rinderpest is different. Charles was clever to tell them what it was and to swear them to secrecy for their own good. He knew if Matt and Jessica or that doctor checked out rinderpest, he would be exposed. He probably assumes, since the danger is over and no one discovered the whole truth, his vile deed is safe forever.”
Beth smiled and caressed Navarro’s jawline to dupe any unseen observer. “I didn’t ask Jessica how the cattle reached them because I didn’t want to appear overly nosy. But even using the fastest ship available these days from Brazil, then traveling from the coast up the Rio Grande or overland by train, lots of cattle had to be sent to get only a few here alive and healthy-looking enough to fool a skilled rancher like Matt and his hands. It’s my guess the culprits kept infecting one or two at a time during the voyage and final trek to the Cordell property. In case Matt didn’t instantly mix them in with his herd, those he received had to be infected at the last minute to prevent them from showing warning signs before he did put them together. It wouldn’t surprise me if those culprits hid out nearby with more sick cattle to make certain their plot worked. It would have been easy for them to sneak in additional ones that would be overlooked on a spread this size and with thousands of animals and lots of wranglers on it. When the Cordells’ steers and cows started dropping like flies, who would think to count the others and realize there were more dead foreign cattle than Matt had received?”
When she paused, he coaxed, “Keep going; I’m listening.”
From his tone she surmised he hadn’t grasped her meaning yet. “The disease attacks and kills in a week or less, Navarro. A week or less,” she emphasized. “If the Brazilian seller shipped only the bulls that the Cordells received, those four beasts wouldn’t have reached here alive.” She reiterated certain points. “I don’t think Jessica comprehends exactly why she’s distrustful; Matt certainly hasn’t figured it out, and the local animal doctor wasn’t knowledgeable and qualified enough to catch on.”
“Matt, Jessie, and the boys are experienced and smart, so I can’t understand why none of them caught that timing flaw. On the other hand, neither did I. I’m glad you’re riding this trail with a clear head. Trust me, woman, my mistake won’t happen again now that I’m wise to it.”
Despite embarrassing or vexing Navarro, she had to report all her conclusions. She did so in a gentle tone and with a sweet expression. “Doc and the hands didn’t think it was odd because they believe it’s a foreign strain of hoof-and-mouth. Doc said the imported cattle reacted slower because it wasn’t a new disease to them and they probably had inbred resistance. But the Cordell herd was vulnerable and susceptible, so it struck them fast and hard. Doc compared it to disease-resistant whites spreading lethal and swift epidemics to defenseless Indians. Or a rabid animal showing no warning signs and dying later than its victims. After Matt and Jessica learned about rinderpest, Doc’s earlier theory still made sense, at least to Matt. Remember, they still haven’t told Doc and their hands the truth about what really killed the stock. It’s obvious they hate to lie but don’t believe they have any choice, and they’ve done all they can to protect other ranchers and the rest of their herd.”
“That’s smart thinking, Beth, good investigating.”
She was relieved he didn’t seem angry with her for catching his error. Pride appeared to glow in his eyes. “Thanks. I suspect rinderpest always ravages fast. Dan or the Agency could check it out to see if I’m wrong. If I’m not, we’ll have proof this destruction wasn’t an accident. That could help us build our case against Charles. And it could help you win the Cordells’ understanding and forgiveness if they learn about our mission and deceit. The truth will be hard on Matt, but it’s better for him to hate and blame Charles instead of you.”
“I’m grateful you always think of others, especially your partner. I’m obliged you’re keeping me from staining my reputation.”
“A tiny lapse under these trying circumstances is natural. If you were perfect all the time, I’d never been able to impress you and surprise you. I appreciate you unselfishly giving me opportunities to earn my salary.” She winked and laughed, and he chuckled and stroked her hair.
“We’ll have to wait until after we leave to send Dan or the Agency a telegram; it’s too risky from here. My assessment may sound farfetched, but Charles probably thinks he needs a valid reason for visiting when he’s never done so before and he’s heading straight into Mexico. Another point to consider: his dirty ploy cost plenty of money and time, so this scheme is bigger than the Agency realizes. Either Charles is rich and paid for it, or he has wealthy supporters. It also required plenty of help: men in Brazil, men on the ship, and the deliverers. That calls for a huge payroll and a large amount of hirelings to hold silent.”
As Navarro absorbed her words, Beth added, “He could have begun a terrible plague in America if those infected beasts had come into contact with other herds along the way. How could a man do something this wicked to his own brother?” She saw Navarro stare at her strangely, then learned why.
“Shu, woman, you’re smart and alert and good-hearted. I think you’re right about all this, so I’ll get Dan on it as soon as possible. I’ll tap into the first telegraph line we spot. I have a key in my saddlebag and I know the codes.” He watched Beth smile and relax, then look eager.
“Can you teach them to me during our long ride through Mexico?”
“Yep, but never use ‘em except in an emergency. Draws attention to the receiver and your location if the company realizes it isn’t coming from a station. All it takes is one …‘tiny lapse’ in procedure or using the wrong code or breaking into the line when it’s in use. Dire emergency only. And you’ll have to get your hands on a sending key and have a reason it’s in your bag if you’re caught with it. I say I’m a line-checker; got old papers to back up my claim. I have hiding places in my saddle for other identifications. I’ll show you later and I’ll get a man I know to make you some.”
Navarro motioned to the honey-colored palomino with flaxen tail and mane that was grazing with the Cordells’ horses. “You’ve got a beautiful mount, Beth, and you two ride as one; that’s important.”
“I thank you and Sunshine thanks you,” she said with a grin.
H
e tapped her forehead. “Put this clever brain to working on something else: what the Apaches have to trade for guns and bullets to make this exchange so important to Charles and his friends, worth such an expense. There haven’t been any large robberies we know about. They aren’t raiding any one area enough times for a victim to spend so much to get rid of them. Mere hatred of Indians or a hunger for revenge wouldn’t warrant provoking the Army against the renegades. I don’t see how Geronimo and his band could have or could steal anything so valuable to use for trading. I guess we’ll find out what the bait is when we reach the end of our journey. Anything else?”
Beth related other things Jessica had told her. “She trusts me and feels free to speak her mind and heart. I understand now what you meant about feeling so guilty and ashamed for deceiving them. I like her. I like Matt and their children. They have something very special, so I hate to see any part of it destroyed by greed and evil. If I ever settle down, this is what I want for myself. It would be a tragedy for them to lose all of it. I hope we get enough evidence on Charles before he leaves to have him arrested and convicted. If he’s planning to use part of the payoff from his sorry deed, the Cordells are in a bad fix because he won’t get it.”
“I’ll see to it they aren’t hurt if Charles fails them during his visit.”
Beth wondered if she grasped his meaning. “You have enough savings to give them such a large gift? Enough to replace thousands of cattle?”
“Give them money, no, and they’d never accept it, too proud. Loan it to them, yep. They’d repay me so I wouldn’t have a financial loss. Besides, I won’t be using the money I’ve saved to settle down, least no time soon. I owe them and they might need my help to keep this place.”
Chase The Wind Page 30