The Marshal of Denver

by Judge Rodriguez

  Realization dawns on him. Brigit. He slams the wanted posters down on the desk, gets his own gun from the cabinet and rushes over to the hotel.

  Just as he walks in to the foyer of hotel, Sheriff Lyttle is headed upstairs to his room.

  John announces without any kind of preamble, “I know where they are holed up.”

  Lyttle stops, turns and says in an incredulous tone, “What?”

  John nods. “Yeah. Head over to the saloon when you get done and we can talk about it.”

  The lawman nods and promises, “I’ll be right over.”

  John heads over to the saloon and orders a Guinness. He’s glad he hasn’t gone through it all, as yet. If he doesn’t drink only Guinness, he should be able to have enough left to last out the rest of the year.

  He drinks the dark liquid slowly, savoring the flavor. He’s about half-done with the drink when Sheriff Lyttle enters the saloon as the only other patron.

  The sheriff comes up to stand right next to where John is standing at the bar and asks, “So, what are you talking about?” He motions to Josiah for a beer and looks directly at John.

  “So, I don’t know for a fact, but it’s the only place that makes sense.” He goes on to describe what Brigit went through during the landrun. He explains it’s the area that David’s group was attacked while the cavalry was in town. “They know that no one expects them to go back to where they were caught before, so they went back to the exact same place they were camped out before the cavalry showed up.”

  “That is so absolutely ridiculous of a notion, it has to be true. I can’t authorize a posse, but I think it needs to be checked out. Feel up to trying it?”

  “It’s waited this long; it can wait a little longer. Plus, I need Red-Feather to come back to town while I’m gone. It will need to wait until tomorrow. Red-Feather’s ranch is on the way, so we can just stop by and have him come back to town.”

  Lyttle nods and says, “Guess that means I get to eat some of Miss Rebekah’s cooking and get a full night’s sleep then.”

  John nods. “We can ride out first thing in the morning. I’m gonna go talk to David about making a map how to get there.” He drains the rest of his drink and heads toward the door.

  Lyttle says in a loud voice, “Enjoy. I’ll see you just before dawn tomorrow.”

  John waves agreement and heads across the street to David’s office. He’s greeted at the door by the young doctor.

  “A little early, aren’t ya, John?” David asks archly, inviting the marshal in.

  “I’m leaving tomorrow morning for a sort of scouting mission. I need you to help me get a map of the area where we’re going.”

  “Why ya need my help? D’ya think I’m more familiar with that area than you are?” David leads the way to the kitchen in the back of his office building.

  “Not really. You ARE more familiar with where you were attacked, though.” John shrugs. “I think that might be where both Richard and Jeff are hiding.”

  “Wait. What? You mean they seem to have joined forces?” He starts a small fire in the stove and sets a coffee pot on it.

  John nods. “They robbed a stage on its way here from Gainesville. They were seen working together during the robbery.”

  David looks at John a moment and shrewdly says, “Wow. What aren’t you telling me? I can see on your face you’re holding something back.”

  “I know why they joined forces. They have a common enemy.”

  David pours himself some coffee from the heavily steaming pot. “Want one?” John shakes his head and David nods in understanding. “So, why do you think they joined forces, to go against you?”

  “They sent a message with the lone survivor of the robbery. They are coming after me.”

  David’s look is incredulous. “That’s disconcerting. Whatcha gonna do about it?”

  “That’s why I need the map. I’m pretty sure I’ve figured out where their home camp is. I just need some help getting there. I don’t want you going out there with us, in case there’s trouble.”

  “Us?”

  “Sheriff Lyttle is going down there with me.”

  “Oh. Well, I guess that’s better, then.” He leads the way into his office, takes out a quill, inkwell, and a sheet of paper. Over the next half hour, he draws out not only a detailed map of the area, but gives John specific landmarks in which to locate the south creek area his troop was ambushed in.

  As he is finishing up, Rebekah comes in the back door carrying a steaming pot of chicken soup. The aromas that waft in with the beautiful young woman are, to say the least, mouth-watering.

  She sets the pot down onto the stove next to the coffee pot and steps inside the office. “If you boys are quite done, your supper is ready.”

  David nods and says, “Thank you, my love.” He looks at the marshal. “Would you like to go wash up, John?” At John’s nod, he leads the way to the back of the building where the well is located.

  After having washed up, John, David and Rebekah are seated at the small table in the kitchen, holding hands as David prays a blessing over the meal.

  They enjoy the delicious meal together in quiet conversation, discussing the sermon from earlier in the day. John finds the insight the couple has to be very intriguing. He knew his young friends were smart, but their understanding of things in a spiritual sense border on being brilliant. John is surprised the couple hasn’t gone into the ministry, yet.

  After the meal is done and everyone is sitting, enjoying the sensation of being pleasantly full, David sits up and clear his throat. “So, the reason I asked to speak to you in private today, John, is I have a question and a favor to ask of you.”

  John’s mind starts racing. He can tell his young friend is nervous, he just can’t see enough inside the young man’s mind to know why. “Okay? Ask your question and seek your boon.”

  David reaches over to grab Rebekah’s hand and visibly steels himself. “So, they are one in the same. Before you answer, I will have to make sure you understand what all it entails. But anyway, the question I have to ask is, will you stand by my side as my best man during the wedding?”

  Of all he things John was expecting, this wasn’t one of them. He just stares at David a moment before asking, “Um, what do you mean you have to explain all it entails?”

  “So, a wedding is a covenant between a man, a woman, God, and every person in attendance. Each person there is tasked with helping keep us within the bonds of our vows. The maid of honor is to keep the bride pure until after the wedding ceremony and the best man is there to offer violence against anyone for interrupting the services. It is also your task, should you choose to accept, to keep an eye on us after the wedding and make sure we continue our walk in our faith, together. Your job won’t end once we say ‘I do’. Being my best man is the same as being my second in a duel, for the rest of your, or my, life.”

  Now that he understands the role better, John has to take a few moments to consider before he answers. “I am new to the walk of faith. Are you sure you want to ask this of me, knowing I have very little knowledge of what Christianity is really about?”

  David nods. “You may not know all the ins and outs of it yet, but your heart and faith are in the right place. I’m not looking for a Biblical scholar, just someone to smack me in the head and tell me I’m being stupid. I didn’t grow up with a father figure, other than grumpa and I have come to look at you more like a father than the man that was supposedly my father for years.”

  John nods in acceptance. “Alright. If you’re willing to trust me that much, then I accept. I will be your best man.”

  David releases the breath he had been holding. “Well, now that that’s done, there’s one more thing we need to discuss.”

  John looks at the young doctor sharply, questions written all over his face.

  “The best man is also the one in charge of the bachelor party. Since it will be just a few people, I hope you don’t go too crazy with it.” His genuine smile is
infectious.

  John’s smile is just as broad as it can be as he says, “I think I can figure something out on it.”

  Rebekah rolls her eyes and sighs, but is otherwise silent.

  David grips her hand tightly and looks her in the eye. “It won’t get wild, sweetheart. I trust John will be nice about it.” He looks to his friend. “Won’t you?”

  Still smiling as broadly, John simply says. “I’ll make sure he’s a good boy. Don’t you worry.”

  She straightens in her chair. “I am placing my trust in you, John Caldwell. Please don’t disappoint me.”

  John smiles. “If you plan to ever trust me, trust me in this.” He stands. “I do have an early morning tomorrow. Now that I can get a full night’s sleep, I plan to.” He turns to David. “Thank you, for the information. More importantly, thank you for the map. Miss Rebekah.” The last is said with a tip of the hat.

  Chapter 70

  Late the following morning, John and Lyttle slowly approach the area Brigit originally had as a claim. Earlier that morning, John asked Red-Feather to go back to the office, so there would be some kind of law in Denver while he was gone. John had to suppress the smile he felt tugging at his lips as he heard his deputy grumbling.

  That was two hours ago. They have been riding hard since. Fifteen minutes ago, they slowed their pace. The closer they get to the site of her claim, the more signs they see someone is staying out here.

  John now rides with weapon in hand. He refuses to be caught unawares, again. Sheriff Lyttle motions to him, signaling for silence and to dismount.

  They signal their horses to stay and move over to the side of the hill. Just past the rise, John sees an encampment, hidden well within the wash.

  Though the tents are still up and the equipment is strewn about in a haphazard fashion, the camp is completely empty. Which means . . .

  John looks to the sheriff and a moment of silent communication passes between them. They both run back, mount their horses and head back to Denver.

  They are familiar with the ground. They have just been through here. They both know how to push their horses, but since they were riding the horses hard all morning, they have to take more rests than they prefer.

  It took them just a little over two hours of hard riding to find the camp. It takes them more than four to make their way back to the area of Denver.

  As they get closer to the west side of the area for Denver, they notice a plume of smoke that appears to be coming from the creek by Red-Feather’s claim. Heedless of the possible harm that could be coming to his horse, John pushes his exhausted mount into a full sprint towards the column of smoke.

  As he crosses the creek, the first thing John sees is the soddie is on fire. The second is the bodies of the whole herd of Red-Feather’s treasured beef-alo.

  He rides around several of the bodies and several spot-fires to the soddie. As he approaches the cook-pit area, he sees the body of Wind-Rider, Red-Feather’s horse and next to it is Red-Feather himself.

  The Apache’s left arm is mangled and bleeding profusely. John shouts at Lyttle to come over, dismounts and checks to see if his friend is still alive.

  He feels for a pulse. It’s thready, barely noticeable, but it is there. He says to his oldest friend, “It’s John, can you hear me?” The man stirs slightly, causing more blood to flow from the open wounds. John curses and takes his shirt off, ripping it into several strips to use as a bandage and tourniquet. As he’s tightening down the tourniquet, he feels the shattered bones in the man’s upper arm grinding against each other.

  He might have heard the sound they made, had it not been for the fact that at that exact moment, Red-Feather let out a blood-curdling scream of pain. The scream is cut short as thankfully Red-Feather passes back out.

  John finishes tying off the knot and looks up as a shadow covers the sun, seeing Sheriff Lyttle, still mounted, stopping his horse to stand right next to them. “We need to try and find something to make a litter with. This is too bad to be able to expect him to ride.”

  Lyttle takes one look at John, nods, and canters away. Less than a minute later, John hears Lyttle call out his name.

  With a grunt of effort, the marshal stands and goes over to the mounted sheriff. As he approaches, Lyttle points to the ground.

  John sees the supine body of Gray-Dawn, the eldest of Red-Feather’s sons. He has several wounds, that appear to be bullet wounds in different places on his body. With a short cry, he rushes over and checks the teenager for any signs of life. He can feel a pulse and sees the boy’s chest move with his shallow breathing.

  John looks up at Lyttle and says, “They have to get to Doc Bakker. NOW. No time for a litter. You take Gray-Dawn, here, and I will get Red-Feather.”

  Lyttle sighs heavily, considers a moment, and nods. “Tie him to me. I can’t defend if he is blocking my gun arm, and I can’t have him slung over my horse like a sack of potatoes, that would kill him.”

  John nods and sets up the teenager behind the sheriff, tying them across the torsos to each other. When done, he says, “Fly like the wind!” and smacks the horse on the rump.

  He rushes back over to his old friend and sees the Apache has shifted position a little bit. Glad to see the man is able to move a little bit, he steps over and says in a voice loud enough to be heard, “Red-Feather, it’s John. Your horse is dead. Your son is on his way to Denver to get medical attention. You’re in really bad shape. You’ll have to ride double with me to get David to look at you.”

  He bows his head and in a clear voice prays, “God, I know I haven’t been a follower of Yours long, but I pray that if it is in Your will, that You heal the wounds of my friends. If it is in Your will that they be taken from this life, I pray that You make their passing as painless as is possible. These things in Your son’s name I pray. Amen.”

  Red-Feather groans. Taking that as an acceptance of the situation, John picks the Apache up as gently as one would pick up a child and puts him in the saddle. He mounts his horse and rides to Denver.

  Normally the trip to Denver from Red-Feather’s ranch takes about an hour and a half. Not so this time. Every time John tries to get his horse into a faster pace than a walk, the horse tries to start bucking.

  Halfway to Denver, about two and a half hours after they left, John sees a rider riding hard towards him. He pulls his revolver, holding it at the ready. As the rider approaches, John sees it’s Lyttle. He holsters his gun and keeps riding toward town.

  As Lyttle reaches John, he says, “Doc Bakker is seeing to Gray-Dawn. I came out to see what’s going on with you. I left the ranch more than three hours ago.”

  “My horse isn’t letting me go faster than a walk. I don’t want to jostle Red-Feather any more than needed, and this idiot keeps trying to buck us off. Can you take Red-Feather to town, while I try and get him—” he jabs his thumb at his horse’s neck “—to finish the trip?”

  “No. We’ll switch horses. You need to be with your friends.”

  In a surprisingly short amount of time, the riders have traded their respective mounts and John is on his way to Denver once again, this time at a solid canter.

  Chapter 71

  John stands in David’s office, looking out the window at the setting sun, wishing he could turn back time and figure out what happened at the ranch. When he got in to Denver, about an hour after he left the sheriff, he dropped the patient off at David’s office and sought out Rebekah to see if she knew what had happened. He didn’t dare ask Heart-of-Falcon, as she would be too distraught to answer any questions coherently.

  Rebekah said that about three hours after Red-Feather and Heart-of-Falcon got back in town, Red-Feather saw the plume of smoke coming from the direction of his claim. So, he left Heart-of-Falcon with Rebekah, while he rode out to investigate. Other than when Sheriff Lyttle rode in with Gray-Dawn, that’s all she knew.

  John went back to David’s, just as the young doctor was telling the injured deputy’s wife, he wasn’t going t
o be able to save her husband’s arm. It was just too damaged to save. John was there to hold Heart-of-Falcon as she starts crying, turning to grab John’s vest and cries into his chest.

  That was almost two hours ago. Once David made sure to drug the injured man enough, he wouldn’t be able to feel the pain as his arm was being taken off about six inches below the shoulder, he started the grim process of the removal. John quickly removed Heart-of-Falcon, to allow the young doctor to take off the damaged part from his friend.

  John turns as someone enters the room and watches as David walks in, looking exhausted enough to fall asleep standing up. He looks at his young friend in sympathy. “You look like you could use some strong coffee.”

  David sighs deeply and falls heavily into a chair. “God knows I could. I just don’t have the energy to make or get any.”

  John heads for the door, saying, “Be right back with some. Try to stay awake long enough to drink it.”

  As John goes down the hall to the kitchen, he smells the inviting aroma of brewing coffee. John walks in to see Rebekah tending the stove with her back to him.

  John says quietly, “Thank you. I was coming in here to do that.”

  Rebekah turns and pushes a shirt to him. “I thought you might like this.”

  John dips his head in thanks, takes his vest off and puts it on. He mutters a quick thanks and looks closer at the beautiful young woman, seeing something in her bearing. “What’s wrong?”

  She looks him in the eye and in her gaze, he sees volumes. “I’m afraid.”

  John studies her a moment before replying, “Afraid of what?”

  “Afraid David is pushing too hard, going too far.”

  Oh. “Well, his is a skill that is desperately needed. He will be able to rest. Soon, I think.” John shakes his head. “He’ll be okay. We’re more grateful for him than you may ever know.”