Chase The Wind

by Janelle Taylor

  By Tuesday evening, Beth was in a cozy room in a Tucson boardinghouse. She had chosen it over a hotel because of the possible length of time she might be required to wait in town for Navarro.

  Since she had told her family in her April letter that she’d come to visit within the next few months, she wouldn’t be postponing that trip by staying here for a week or so. Besides, she dared not wire or write them from Tucson, which might expose her true identity to an overly curious person in either office. Yet, she couldn’t leave until she knew Navarro was safe and they had a serious talk. She prayed that impending conversation went as hoped and, if it did, he could make that journey with her to meet her family. Come soon, dear heart, and love me as I love you.

  On Wednesday, Beth enjoyed visits with the owner of the land office and with the Carters. They were all surprised and delighted to see her again. She told them the story Navarro had made up for her to use. She did the same with any acquaintance or friend she encountered during walks around town. To ensure the tale’s credence, she met with Melvin Harrison about assistance. Her ex-boss promised to check out several ranches he had heard about and wired for information within an hour of their conversation. Kate and Henry had her trunks delivered and insisted she eat supper with them. During that meal, the redhead played her role as Beth Breed with skill, and with nibblings of guilt and with hopes it would be true one day.

  As she lay in bed after returning to her room, Beth’s fingers stroked the ebony carving from Zack and daydreamed about Navarro. She reflected on the hasty message Dan had passed to her. While en route to the Carters for dinner, they had met on the sidewalk and halted a few minutes as if they were only exchanging brief and cordial greetings. Luck was on her side, and no one had been within hearing range of their words. The news was that Navarro had defeated Jim Tiller near Lordsburg, her train stop after Clifton, and the agents were in pursuit of Charles, who was galloping across New Mexico. The assumption was the villains had split up to increase their chances of escape and probably planned to rendezvous somewhere later. But Jim’s horse had gone lame, slowed his pace, and finally halted it. In less than an hour after the culprit bought a replacement in Lordsburg, he was overtaken.

  Beth wondered if Charles dared to go to Texas and try to entice his brother to conceal him from the law, or to exact misguided revenge on Matt before he was arrested. She had asked Dan if they should wire the Cordells a warning, but her superior had said no.

  One beaten and one to go. Surely that task won’t take long.

  Friday morning, Melvin came to speak with his exemployee. “I can hardly believe our luck, Beth,” he said in an exuberant mood. “I’ve found a ranch that sounds perfect for you two. It’s located southwest of Flagstaff. That’s not as large and busy a place as Tucson but it’s made steady progress since the railroad arrived five years ago. You’ll be less than eighty miles from the capital in Prescott, unless it gets moved back to Tucson or over to Phoenix; that’s always been a big rivalry. No Indian troubles or feuds in that area, but Fort Verde is about fifty miles south if any fracas start. Timber and cattle lured in plenty of people and businesses of all sizes and kinds. What meat and food isn’t raised nearby and sold in town comes in by train. There shouldn’t be a problem filling your needs.”

  If the facts weren’t so interesting and enlightening and Melvin so sincere and kind, Beth might be amused by his zealous persuasion. “Why are the owners selling?”

  “Because of advanced age and infirmities; they have a lawyer friend searching for a family to take over the place, a couple who’ll love and respect the property like they did. I can guarantee there are no water and grazing problems and there’s been no trouble with rustlers. I’m familiar with the area, so I’ll tell you a little about it, but I’d rather you judge most of it for yourself without bias in either direction.”

  Beth listened as he painted a glorious word picture of lush grasslands mingled with several forests for firewood and dotted with lovely meadows. He spoke of an ample water supply, miles of fencing, a lovely house with five rooms, and sturdy outbuildings. “She sits in the shadows of beautiful rolling hills that lead into splendid mountains; they’ll be good for providing breezes in summer and protection from any blowing snow in winter. You should be able to see the San Francisco Mountains from your porch or the range. It’s a thousand prime acres. The foreman and wranglers are running and guarding the property until it’s sold; they’ll go to work for the buyer if that’s agreeable to both parties. Naturally the owners have only the highest praise for their cowboys. If you want to go see it tomorrow and, if it suits you, we can show it to Navarro after his arrival. For the right couple, Beth, the price is excellent, almost a steal: thirty dollars per acre, and that includes the stock, structures, and equipment. You see, more than make a big profit, they want to find the best people to take over.”

  “You sound as if they’ve already moved out.”

  “They have, a week ago. Their children and grandchildren live back East; they’re going to move in with the oldest son. Family got split up when the three children went east to fancy schools, and stayed. It seems that neither of the boys wanted to be ranchers; the girl met and married a Boston lad. There’s one more enticement: they’ve included most of the furnishings with the house. They took only family keepsakes and sentimental pieces. You’d have to buy little. That will save you and Navarro plenty of money. It’s the perfect find. This is why those Texas ranches didn’t work out; fate wanted you to have this one.”

  Beth was consumed by eagerness and elation. “If it matches your description, it is perfect. What time do we catch the train for Flagstaff?”

  They discussed their schedule and other details before Melvin left. The redhead almost danced around the room as golden dreams formed inside her spinning head. If she purchased the ranch, she and Navarro could use it as a home base between missions as partners or single agents. It would give them a fine place to rest, have fun, build something special, get closer, and wait for their next assignment. They could prepare it for future retirement when age, injury, or desire evoked their resignations.

  Her mind argued that it was wrong to live and sleep with a man to whom she wasn’t wed; that’s how she had been reared and taught at home and at church. Yet, her heart reasoned, she felt married to Navarro because the vows they spoke were in church before God, a minister, and witnesses; and they were from her heart and soul. The relationship between them didn’t feel wicked and wrong. She felt like his wife.

  They possessed a marriage certificate and people believed they were wed. Could Navarro be persuaded to continue their marital ruse? Could it become legal one day?

  At four o’clock, Beth responded to her superior’s summons. In his office, she smiled and said, “That was clever, Dan, to send a messenger to tell me we have banking business to discuss about a possible ranch loan. Have you heard from Navarro? Is that why you wanted to see me?”

  “Yes. Zack arrived by train earlier today and gave me a report.”

  “Only Zack?”

  Dan nodded, and observed her for enlightening signs.

  “Has something happened to Navarro? Is he hurt or…”

  “No, he’s fine. He’s heading on to Texas to visit with the Cordells. He wanted to speak with them in person about the brother. Chances are some newspaper will pick up the story and the Cordells might see it. Navarro thought it best if the news came from him, and he’d be there to answer any questions they had. He should take a week or two to reach Tucson. Why don’t you take the two weeks off owed you and go visit your family in Denver now? I can send you word there about your next assignment.”

  “Does that mean they caught up with Charles?”

  “Near Deming in New Mexico. He’s dead; Zack was forced to shoot him. Frankly, I’m relieved it wasn’t Navarro’s finger on the lethal trigger. That should make his talk with old friends easier.”

  “I’m sure it will, and I’m sure Jessica and Matt will be grateful he took the time
and effort to bring the bad news in person.” She knew Tucson was a lot closer to Deming than the ranch was. She was waiting here for him, but Jessica and Lane were there, bonds to his past. Yet, word could spread fast these days with newspapers, telegraph, train, and, even in some places, the telephone; so an immediate trip to the ranch was necessary, in his heart and mind. At least a week, probably two or more.

  Dan attempted to test her feelings for Navarro again, because she hadn’t exposed them so far, at least not the ones he hoped she would. “By the time Navarro completes his business there and you finish your family visit, you’ll both be ready for reassignment. Do you have any objection to being teamed up with him again in the future, if the right case comes along? Did you two work all right together? Any problems or conflicts?”

  Beth wondered if Navarro asked him to pass along that message to get her out of Tucson before his return so a serious talk could be avoided. Maybe now that the partnership was over, he believed their relationship was, too, and he wanted to prevent an uncomfortable situation. If he had wanted her to continue waiting for him, he would have told his best friend, and asked Dan to tell her. Wouldn’t he? She was still playing his wife, but he hadn’t even sent her a telegram since her arrival. He could have done so from Deming before leaving for Texas and…

  “What’s that long silence about, Beth? Were there problems?”

  “No, I was considering what you said about Denver. I suppose you’re right. The mission is over now so there’s no reason to hang around Tucson, right?” Dan shrugged and smiled. Beth decided that Navarro would know where and how to find her if their relationship wasn’t over. She smiled and said, “When you see Navarro, tell him how good it was to work with him. He’s the best, Dan, just like you said, a bonafide living legend. He taught me plenty. As to being partners again, I’m willing if he is. Of course, he might have gotten his fill with a female tagalong. If not, you know how to reach me. I’ll be ready to return to duty on June seventh, if that’s all right with you.”

  “It is. Goodbye, Beth. Have a safe trip and enjoyable visit. I’ll let you know about your new assignment.”

  “Thank you, Dan. Goodbye.” She departed with head held high, shoulders straight, and a feigned pleasant expression on her face.

  After she entered her room, Beth realized Daniel Withers hadn’t asked for a verbal or written mission account from her. She surmised he was waiting for Navarro to give it, and there were telegram updates along the trail and Zack’s report earlier today.

  Zack! her mind shouted. Navarro’s other good friend and recent partner was in town, if he hadn’t talked with Dan and left. Should she locate him and ask…No, she decided, she shouldn’t probe his friends for clues or facts they might not want—or think it was their place—to give.

  What should you do, Beth? Wait and hope or leave and hope? When he returns, will he expect to find you here as he asked or gone as his silence implies? Do you go visit Caroline and Robert or do you keep your appointment with Melvin Harrison? You have to retire someday and make a home someplace, and you don’t want to live in Denver.

  Beth reflected on the week she had spent on the Cordell spread and all she had learned about ranching. Even if she purchased the Flagstaff ranch and lived there alone between assignments, it sounded wonderful. Why couldn’t her original plan work, she reasoned, even without Navarro? She could use her time off to inspect the land and structures, then make a decision. If it was everything Melvin had said, she could buy it and settle in before June seventh. She could do as the previous owner was doing now: let the foreman and hands run and guard it during her absences. A home, her home…a retreat between episodes of battling evil and consorting with villains and risking her life…a place where she could have something beautiful and good in an existence where she often viewed so much ugliness and bad. She could have her belongings in Denver sent to the ranch, things from her parents’ home; she could hang pictures and put out keepsakes. She could cook and eat at her own table instead of in restaurants and boardinghouses. She could have friend and family visits…parties…neighbors…a real life and her own identity.

  Why not? You’re strong, smart, and brave: you can do it.

  Beth took out pen and paper to do a little arithmetic. A thousand acres at thirty dollars per acre was thirty thousand dollars; she multiplied that inside her head and jotted it down. She added up the inheritances from her father and husband, savings from her salary, and money earned on jobs as assignment covers. The Agency had funded all her artifices so she hadn’t been required to pay subterfuge expenses out of her pocket. Nor had the Agency ever asked her to turn in the money she earned while employed in places like the Red Palace or Harrison’s land office.

  Beth smiled as she read the large figure. She could easily afford to pay the entire amount in cash. Yet, she recalled the Cordells’ warning about being prepared for emergencies, like the ones that almost destroyed their livelihood and took their home. She deduced, if she paid half of the asking price and the bank financed the other, that would leave her plenty of savings to ward off any future disaster. Since Dan was a friend, her superior, and a banker, surely he would loan her the balance, especially if she backed up the arrangement with cash savings. If anything forced her to retire early, she’d have money in the bank for support and for mortgage payments, and she’d have earnings from cattle sales.

  It sounds enticing, Beth, but see the place first.

  Monday evening, Beth strolled through her new home to admire it. The kitchen was large and efficient. There were two windows for air and light, and a back door for bringing in water from a well near the porch and wood for the stove. As there was no dining room, all eating would be done there on a heavy wooden table with artistically carved legs and six chairs. A fine craftsman had attached many cabinets to the walls and floor for storage. The lower ones had wide counters for doing chores. A pantry was built between the kitchen and a bedroom; it still held many staples, dried and canned vegetables and fruits, and cured meats hanging from cords on ceiling nails. The remaining space between those two rooms held a water closet for bathing and privacy needs, with a door opening onto the porch, one of two that spanned the full length of the house, front and rear.

  She entered the parlor, another large room that was airy and bright with many windows. There were two couches, several chairs, tables, lamps, and a shelf where, according to the dust lines, books and family treasures had been. She walked to the oversize fireplace and could imagine the enormous amount of heat it would send forth during winter. On a raised hearth rested tools with which to tend it and in a far corner was a desk where the owner no doubt did the bookwork for his ranch and perhaps where the couple wrote letters to their children. All the windows had lacy curtains for beauty and shades for privacy. Three floral area rugs remained in their places and appeared in good condition. The painting above the mantel must have been a special one, as it was gone, leaving the wood lighter in that square. Beth had placed her ebony wolf and saguaro cactus on the table by the couch she favored.

  Two of the bedrooms were regular size and had small fireplaces for heat. They were furnished sparsely, with only beds, chests, and sidetables holding lamps. The owner’s room was different. The bed had four tall posters and was wider than normal. There was a chest, armoire, and vanity. A stuffed chair with a table and lamp beside it would allow for quiet reading before a cozy fireplace. As Melvin had said, the elderly woman left behind linens for the bedrooms and bath, and everything she needed in the kitchen. It was true as well that the woman had taken only her personal belongings and treasures.

  Beth walked to the front porch and sat in one of the rockers. Since the house faced east, the setting was shaded this time of day. Except for the singing of birds, chirping of crickets, croaking of frogs in a nearby stream, and noises from her stock, it was quiet and serene. The air was fresh and invigorating; she took deep breaths and savored it. The sky was blue and clear, with reflections of an impending sunset altering its co
lor every so often. She looked at snowcapped mountains in the distance, hills and peaks with forests of mostly ponderosa pine and juniper, and grasses and wildflowers swaying in the gentle breeze. She rocked for a while, then walked around the house in a yard enclosed by white pickets.

  Beth let her proud gaze roam corrals, wood and barbwire fences, barns and sheds, a smithy, two outhouses—one for the hired hands and one for the owner—a woodpile with chopping block, chicken coop with hens and two roosters, and an empty pen for pigs. The oblong bunkhouse had an attached kitchen, and the men did their own cooking by rotation. There were three wells—one for the home, one for the chuckhouse, and the third for easy watering of a garden that was sprouting. Those green heads told Beth the owners had decided to move after planting time. With one in the ground, all she had to do was tend it, harvest it, and put up the vegetables for winter that she and the men didn’t use in season. She hoped she remembered the procedure.

  She had kept on the four wranglers and a foreman, and would begin paying their salaries next month. Her herd—cattle and bulls—consisted of Galloways, Durhams, and Herefords, and she had a nice string of fine horseflesh. She grinned as she recalled how Sunshine already had taken to a prancing sorrel who had caught her eye the first day. It seemed the cherished mare liked this location as much as her mistress did. Mine, Beth thought as she returned to the kitchen to make hot tea. All mine.

  Daniel Withers and Melvin Harrison had left earlier after she signed two sets of papers they brought with them for the purchase of the ranch and the mortgage. Melvin had been delighted with her decision to buy, for more reasons than the money he would make as a finder’s fee. He was overjoyed to help out a friend and for that person to be so appreciative. He had taken Dan a sealed letter with her instructions for the transfer of funds from Denver and a loan request, and her superior had promptly honored them.