by J. T. Edson
‘I can assure the Convention that Uncle Charlie’s got it, sir,’ Dusty stated. The General goes along with him that taking cattle to Kansas can get Texas back on her feet.’
‘Possibly,’ the Governor grunted in a noncommittal tone. ‘Possibly.’
Realizing that he was approaching a very controversial subject, Davis’s political training warned him to step warily. There were several of his supporters who would not wish to see Texas set back on the road to economic recovery. So he had no wish to be driven into making a definite statement; particularly to a man who had such close ties with the originator of the scheme to bring this about.
Looking around as he spoke, Davis sought for a way of avoiding further discussion. With a feeling of relief he saw a statuesque, elegantly gowned and jeweled, beautiful brunette woman coming towards him.
‘Why, Marlene,’ the Governor greeted. ‘This is a pleasant surprise. I had no idea that you were here tonight.’
Although Davis did not know it, such a comment was most unwelcome to Marlene Viridian at that moment.
After her husband had left the room, Marlene had emerged from the wardrobe. She and de Froissart had decided to refrain from any further lovemaking that night. While they had felt sure that Viridian did not suspect she had been present during his visit, they had realized that he would learn about her being in Fort Worth on his return to Pilar. So it was advisable that she should arrange an alibi ready for when he started to ask questions.
Having considered other alternatives, the Creole had suggested that—despite the lateness of the hour—Marlene should go to the barbecue. If she was lucky, she would meet one of the families she knew and be invited to spend the remainder of the visit with them. Certainly she ought to be able to make it appear that she had spent the whole evening away from the hotel.
Dressing sufficiently to allow her to return to her room at the other end of the passage, Marlene had changed hurriedly into more formal attire. Then she had made her way on foot to the barbecue. As she and de Froissart had not expected to require the coach that night, they had allowed its driver to go and visit some of his kinfolks in the town. That would be of use in the alibi, as the Negro would not be able to say at what time she had left the hotel. Viridian might be suspicious of her not retaining the services of the vehicle, but that could not be helped and might be explained convincingly.
On arriving at the barbecue ground, Marlene had heard about the Fitt’s ball. Being acquainted with the businessman and his family, she had made her way to their mansion. Having seen the Governor as she entered, she crossed the room to greet him. However, the last thing she wanted was for anybody to suggest that she had only just put in an appearance.
‘I’ve been around for some time now, Governor,’ Marlene protested. ‘But you’ve been too busy to notice me.’
‘You should have come over as soon as you got here,’ Davis informed her, worried in case his preoccupation had been the cause of resentment.
‘I didn’t want to intrude,’ Marlene countered.
‘Good lord, you wouldn’t have,’ the Governor insisted. Rumor had it that Marlene; wielded considerable influence with her husband and his partners, so he did not want her to feel that he had overlooked, or snubbed her. Pilar Hide & Tallow Company was a wealthy organization, which had frequently and generously contributed to what he termed his ‘campaign funds’. There was a way, he decided, that he might make amends. If he knew the woman—and he believed that he did—she would be delighted to meet a man as socially prominent as his companion. ‘By the way, you do know Captain Fog, I suppose?’
‘We’ve never met,’ Marlene admitted, looking around. ‘But I would certainly like to. I’ve heard so much about him. Is he here toni—?’
‘This is Mrs. Viridian, Captain Fog!’ Davis interrupted, laying emphasis on the last two words. He had acted with the smooth precision of a professional diplomat when it had become obvious that the woman had not connected the small Texan with the name he had mentioned. ‘Marlene, allow me to present Captain Dusty Fog.’
Hearing the Governor’s words and noticing the slight suggestion of alarm in his voice, Marlene swung her gaze from a man across the room who she had thought might be Dusty Fog. For a moment, she stared at the small Texan. If she was at all worried, or embarrassed, by her gaffe, she hid it very well.
For all that, knowing Davis would not be joking about his companion’s identity, Marlene was puzzled. She wondered how such a diminutive youngster could have been involved in a fight with her husband and two hard cases, yet had emerged unmarked.
Glancing nervously at Dusty, the Governor sought for any suggestion that he had been offended by Marlene’s behavior. Many a young man, having attained so much fame and responsibility, would have been and might have held it against the person who had made the disastrous introduction. Nothing showed on the blond’s tanned face, so Davis concluded—not without a sensation of relief—that he had failed to notice the woman’s reaction, or he had not understood what it had implied.
While Dusty had both observed and understood, he did not let it worry him. He had long since grown accustomed to people registering surprise, sometimes even disbelief, on learning his identity. Studying Marlene in return, he formed conclusions about her character which were—if not complimentary—very close to being correct.
‘My pleasure, ma’am,’ Dusty drawled, trying to remember where he had heard the name “Viridian”.
‘Charmed,’ Marlene responded, yet she was impressed despite her earlier feelings.
There must be, the woman told herself, much more to the small blond than met the eye.
It could not be purely on account of his Civil War exploits that the Governor had displayed alarm when she had failed to recognize him. Any Texan—an ex-Confederate at that—who had such an effect upon Davis must either be important in contemporary affairs, or have connections with people who were. Perhaps Captain Fog might be worth cultivating. Manipulated correctly, after becoming infatuated by her charm, he could be useful in dissuading other ranchers from accepting Goodnight’s suggestions.
‘Is Austin with you?’ Davis inquired, making conversation in the hope that the awkwardness caused by the introduction would be forgotten.
‘No,’ Marlene replied. ‘He couldn’t come.’
‘He’s enjoying good health, I hope,’ the Governor went on.
‘Yes,’ the woman answered, without thinking. Then, remembering what she ought to have said, she realized that she could no longer use the excuse which had been arranged. ‘He didn’t feel up to travelling. He sprained his wrist badly. A bull he was going to kill dropped its head. The poleaxe glanced off the boss of the horns and hit the wall.’
Watching Marlene and listening to the explanation, Dusty sensed that she was lying. Unless he was mistaken, the reason she had given for her husband’s absence had been invented on the spur of the moment. There had been a slight hesitation before she had mentioned his injury, as if she was trying to think up an acceptable story.
‘Marlene’s husband is a partner in the Pilar Hide & Tallow Company, Captain Fog,’ Davis elaborated, breaking in on the blond’s thought-train. ‘Perhaps you know him?’
‘No, sir,’ Dusty confessed, but did not mention that he had heard stories about Viridian’s activities as a slaughter-man. ‘I can’t say that I do.’
‘Where do you sell your cattle, Captain?’ Marlene inquired, feeling perturbed by his scrutiny. It was not the kind she would have expected from a small young man confronted by her sophisticated beauty, being more critical than openly admiring.
‘At Brazoria, ma’am,’ Dusty replied.
‘But you’ll be trying to drive a herd to Kansas I suppose?’ Davis put in and immediately wished that he had kept quiet, for he was trespassing once more on dangerous ground.
‘It’s likely, sir,’ Dusty admitted.
‘But surely your em—’ Marlene began, but halted and revised her words, before she could say ‘employer’.
‘You don’t believe that fool—’
‘Captain Fog was Colonel Goodnight’s segundo on the drive to Fort Sumner, Marlene,’ Davis interposed hurriedly, wishing to prevent the woman from making another embarrassing comment. Then he looked at Dusty, ‘Isn’t that what they called you, Captain Fog?’
‘I was called a whole lot worse at times,’ Dusty confessed with a grin. It departed as his gaze returned to Marlene. ‘Do you-all reckon it’d be foolish to try and reach Kansas with a herd, ma’am?’
‘Good heavens!’ the woman gasped, assuming an air of bewilderment that was almost successful. ‘How would I know about things like that?’
There was, if Dusty had read her character correctly, a good chance that she had definite and informed views on the matter. Before he could speak, however, he noticed something which gave him an added clue.
On the point of saying that Marlene was as shrewd in business matters as her husband, or his partners, Davis changed his mind. Going by her words and attitude, such a compliment would not endear its maker to her.
Watching the Governor open his mouth, but close it with the words unsaid, Dusty made an accurate guess at the reason. It helped to confirm his supposition that the woman’s pretence of ignorance in the matter was very apparent, to the Governor as well as himself.
‘I thought maybe that’s how your husband and his partners feel about it, ma’am,’ Dusty remarked and continued with a comment which he felt sure would not be appreciated by Marlene. ‘I wouldn’t expect a lady like you to know one way or the other.’
‘Of course I don’t,’ Marlene gritted and, try as she might, she could not entirely conceal her annoyance at the condescending note in the young blond’s voice. Making an effort, she went on in a milder tone, ‘My husband never discusses business in my presence.’
‘No, ma’am,’ Dusty drawled, driving home the spur even deeper. ‘I don’t reckon he would at that.’
Knowing something of Marlene’s temper when crossed, Davis wondered if he should separate her and the small Texan. Despite Dusty’s capability in other lines, including handling a mission which must have required considerable diplomacy, Captain Fog appeared to be sadly lacking in tact and a poor judge of character. Or perhaps, filled with a sense of his own importance, he might have an over-inflated opinion of masculine superiority upon a mere woman.
Whatever the blond’s reasons, his attitude was liable to infuriate Marlene. It could easily bring about such an unpleasant scene that the Governor would find it necessary to intervene. His experiences in such affairs was that, no matter how good the intentions, the would-be mediator invariably incurred the enmity of one side or the other. So he looked around, searching for an excuse to take either Marlene or the young blond away.
For her part, the woman was struggling to keep control of her temper. She had always bitterly resented the way in which men automatically assumed that members of the opposite sex were incapable of understanding business matters. It was even worse when the condescension was emanating from such a small and insignificant—Small? Insignificant?
Suddenly Marlene felt as if a change had come over the blond. He seemed to have developed in height until he towered over her. While she realized that the transformation was only an illusion, she was equally aware of how it had been created. She was experiencing the full force of a very powerful personality.
Then another realization struck home at Marlene. The big blond’s words had not been merely the tactless comment of a brash, inexperienced youngster who was trying to impress a beautiful woman with his worldliness. They were designed to goad her into incautiously displaying the extent of her knowledge. Or to gain information regarding the Pilar Hide & Tallow Company’s feelings towards ranchers attempting to take cattle, which might otherwise have been brought to their factory, to the markets envisaged by Colonel Goodnight.
Until that moment, Marlene had continued to toy with the idea of exerting her charms upon the young Texan. Once he had grown infatuated by her, which she believed would be a foregone conclusion, she would be able to turn him against the idea of trying to drive a herd to the railroad. Possibly she could also persuade him to sign a contract with the Company.
Pleasing as the idea had been, particularly as it had offered the opportunity to achieve something where her husband had failed, Marlene decided to forget it. In view of her latest discoveries about the big young man, it would never work. Possibly he would gain more from the attempt than would be returned.
A sensation of panic bit at Marlene as she found the blond’s gray eyes studying her. They seemed to be trying to probe into her and read her innermost thoughts.
Why had he acted in such a manner?
Did he suspect that her husband had led the attack upon him and guess what had motivated it?
Only by exercising her will power considerably did Marlene fight down an inclination to turn and run away. While she succeeded, she also realized that she must get clear of the big Texan before he contrived to make her betray herself, or the Company.
Trying to act in a casual manner, as if bored by the conversation, Marlene swung her gaze around the room. People stood in groups, talking as they waited for the next dance. Not far away she saw her hostess engaged in conversation with two of the male guests. One was a rancher who had frequently sold cattle to the Company. The other was the young man she had believed to be Dusty Fog.
Studying the second of the guests, Marlene decided that he was by far the best-looking man in the room. Six foot three inches at least in height, not counting the addition of his high-heeled, fancy-stitched cowhand’s boots. He had curly, golden blond hair and an almost classically handsome face. Clad in the same general manner as Dusty Fog, he showed off his clothes to a much better advantage. He had tremendously wide shoulders, which trimmed down to a lean waist and long, powerful legs. Ivory handled Colt 1860 Army revolvers, of the finest blue ‘Best Citizen’s Finish’ offered by their manufacturers, rode the contoured holsters of his brown floral-patterned gun belt. Yet, despite its appearance, it was the functional rig of a man skilled in the use of his weapons.
That latter aspect interested Marlene, but not as much as the blond giant’s physical attributes. There was a man who might prove very useful. No more than Dusty Fog’s age, he too carried himself with an air of easy assurance. It would be a pleasure to try to win him over. Alongside him, every other man she had known—even Harlow Dolman—seemed ordinary.
‘Excuse me, Governor, Captain Fog,’ Marlene said, trying—and failing—to keep the dislike out of her voice as she uttered the last two words. ‘I must go and say “hello” to Amanda Fitt.’
While Marlene had been examining the blond giant, Davis had also been searching the room. Even as she addressed him, he had seen a solution to his problem.
‘Of course,’ the Governor replied and, as the woman walked away, remarked to Dusty, ‘I wonder what’s brought Marshal Grillman here.’ He indicated the open French window at the front end of the room. ‘Your man’s with him.’
Following the direction of the Governor’s gaze, Dusty saw Marshal Grillman and the Ysabel Kid standing just outside on the porch. He guessed that they had come to see him and drew another conclusion from their attitudes. It was one which caused him to revise his plans. He had hoped to find out how the Governor regarded Goodnight’s idea for rebuilding Texas’s war-ruined economy, having been told to do so, if possible, by General Hardin. Clearly Davis did not wish to discuss the matter and he was showing signs of wanting to bring their meeting to an end.
‘Likely they’re wanting to talk to me.’ Dusty answered. ‘Excuse me, sir. I’ll go and find out if they are.’
‘Certainly,’ Davis replied. ‘And I’d better start circulating.’
‘Marlene, darling,’ Mrs. Fitt greeted as the woman approached her group. ‘I’d no idea you were in Fort Worth.’
‘I only arrived this afternoon, but I felt sure that you wouldn’t mind if I came along without being invited,’ Marlene
replied, glancing at the big blond.
‘Is Austin with you dear?’ Mrs. Fitt inquired, seeing at whom the brunette was looking.
‘No,’ Marlene answered. ‘He couldn’t come. He’s bedridden with the grippe.’
Almost as soon as the words had left the woman’s mouth, she regretted them. Captain Fog was approaching and could have heard what she said. If he had, he might remark that she had made a different excuse to the Governor for her husband’s absence.
Chapter Seven – He’d Fit the Description
FOR A MOMENT, Marlene Viridian was worried. Then, as the small Texan continued to walk across the room, she decided that he had not heard her. Or if he had, he was content to mind his own business. Her eyes swung towards the rancher.
‘Hello, Mr. Burton,’ Marlene said.
‘Howdy, Mrs. Viridian,’ the cattleman answered, but he seemed to be ill at ease over meeting her. That could have been why he went on, ‘Do you know Mark Counter?’
‘I haven’t had that pleasure,’ Marlene confessed, turning on her most winning and gracious smile. Making a closer examination of the blond giant, she found no reason to revise her previous summation regarding his physical attributes. ‘Are you a rancher, Mr. Counter?’
‘No, ma’am,’ Mark replied.
‘Then you’re not here for the Ranch Owners’ Convention?’ Marlene asked.
‘Well, yes ma’am, I am,’ Mark contradicted.
‘I’ll be speaking for my pappy’s R Over C brand.’
At that moment, the four-piece band started to play.
‘Gracious me!’ Marlene gushed, looking coyly at the big Texan. ‘I haven’t had a dance all evening. Perhaps one of you gentlemen will take pity on me?’
Giving Burton no time to speak, or move, Marlene stepped in Mark’s direction. Ignoring the cold glare darted at her by Mrs. Fitt, who had clearly been hoping that she would have the blond giant for her partner, Marlene accepted—almost grabbed—his arm and they went towards the centre of the room. A slight frown came to her face as she watched Dusty Fog going through the French windows towards Marshal Grillman and the Ysabel kid.