"Yes, I think we did." Smitty smiled at her and accepted a second helping of her stew and cornbread.
"I'm only stayin' the night, 'cause of your great vitals, Mrs. Evans." Smitty admitted.
She smiled, "Why thank you. It's a pleasure to cook for men that appreciate it."
Saul and Smitty talked for a long while around the fire that night. Mrs. Evans cleaned up the table and joined them later when they went outside for a smoke.
Neither of them could believe that Elmer might be the one. Mrs. Evans seemed almost upset by the news. She snuggled up to Saul as though she were cold and Saul held her close.
Smitty reckoned Jim knew best. But at least he had something to tell him when he got back.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Interrogating
Meanwhile Jim rode into Cross Timbers late in the afternoon. He stopped off at the livery stable first. The same old gentleman greeted him.
"Somethin' I can do fer ya, mister?"
"My name is Jim Bonner, from over Melville way. I wanted to ask you a few questions." Jim tried to sound matter-of-factly. He didn't want to alarm anyone here. He was going on pure hunch about Elmer.
"Are you some kind of lawman?" The old gentleman asked eyeing Jim carefully.
"Some kind…" Jim left that open, as he didn't want to put the people here on guard. He had stashed his badge every time he came here so as not to frighten or alert anyone to his reasons for being here.
"What kind of questions?" The old man asked, his squint eyed look at Jim looking more comical than menacing.
"I was curious about Sadie and Elmer." Jim said quietly so as not to sound over-bearing.
"What about them?"
"How long they been here?" Jim asked edging around the real questions he intended to ask.
"Longer than me. They was born here." The old man grunted as he continued his work.
"So they are the roots of this community," Jim smiled pleasantly.
"So to speak, yeah." The old man hefted a large box down from a top shelf as he answered the question. "You one of them confounded reporters that work for the paper or something?"
"Or something," Jim hedged the question charmingly.
"Well, there is a lot to tell when it comes to Sadie and Elmer. Their folks died early on, and Elmer became their provider when he weren't old enough to know better. He's kept that family in food and shelter for years. He had no choice his old Ma forced it on him. Hardest working man I know. He keeps Sadie in food, and she keeps us in food." The old man answered.
Jim noticed the man wasn't really working at all, but appearing to work, as he shuffled about his place aimlessly. It seemed curious to Jim. The entire town seemed curious to him.
"How has he managed to do that, when most of the town's folks are starving?" Jim asked, taking out a piece of paper from his pocket and jotting down a few things.
"Don't know. Reckon if I did, I'd be doin' better myself. But he hunts game in these parts and Sadie cooks them. She somehow manages to be able to feed us all with little or nothing."
"Do they offer a lot of variety of foods?" Jim asked still keeping an even tone, and unemotional response.
"Well," The old man scratched his head a minute. "Sadie don't mark it on the menu, but I’m sure we've ate squirrel, rabbit, turkey, deer, and beef."
"Beef is hard to come by. Does he buy it?"
"Mister you ask a lot of questions. Questions I can't answer. Elmer does what he can. He also makes repairs on that old café when needed. If you think they got money or something, you can forget it. Sadie and Elmer are poor, just like the rest of us, but Elmer is resourceful, and cunning."
"How long has she been feeding the community?" Jim asked, his own personal curiosity piqued.
"Over ten years. Sadie got religion, and when she did, she decided she would support this community, by feeding them daily. She don't charge the townspeople nothin'. Never has. She simply feeds them. Got a heart of gold and Elmer…he keeps her going."
"That's very commendable, don't you think?"
"Yes sir, she deserves something more than this town can ever give her. Most of the people here think of her as saint. Elmer too. So don't go printin' something bad about them as you'll have the entire community on you."
"I wouldn't dream of it." The man had sized Jim up as some kind of reporter, and Jim decided that was a safe cover for now. He wouldn't be enlightening him. "In fact, I'd like to let the world know just how helpful she is, and Elmer too for that matter."
The old gentleman relaxed. "Good."
"Does Elmer buy from ranchers in the area?" Jim asked.
"Ain't no ranches in this area. He might scout some out, but I wouldn't know. Never asked. He is the best butcher in Texas though. Trims the fat from the meat, has the best smokehouse around. He's always working. The man never takes a day off I reckon."
Jim nodded. "Well thank you…I'll get this printed up and get you a copy."
The old gent nodded and went about his display of work.
Jim went to the general store next.
The man there was thin, bald and wore spectacles. He greeted him with a smile. Jim was speechless, the man had no teeth.
"Are you the owner?" Jim asked.
"I am, names Leroy Miles, what can I get you today?" He asked as though Jim were there to buy his store out.
"Just a little information." Jim smiled.
"You a lawman…?"
"I'm from Melville, and I happened to stumble upon your community quite by accident. I stopped off and had a meal and lodging at Sadie's Haven the last time I was here and I became curious."
Leroy eyed him carefully. "You one of those newspaper men…?"
"Leroy you have quite an unusual town here." Jim began ignoring the man's question.
"Ain't much of a town now." Leroy confessed easily enough.
"Community, then." Jim changed the word and smiled.
"What's your point?" Leroy asked.
"How do you manage to stay in business since this community is barely holding its own?" Jim asked.
"Mail orders," the man answered.
"Mail orders?" Jim repeated.
"Most people here get everything mail order, through a catalog. I supply those catalogs."
"That must cost more than if you simply sold through the store." Jim frowned.
"Don't sell much to the town folk at all. Most of my business comes from outlying communities around here. But I got the best catalogs in Texas. Had them for years." Leroy answered.
"I see. Well that clears that up. I wanted to ask you about Elmer and Sadie."
The man's head flew up and he stared at him for a long moment. "What about them?"
"How can she stay in business when she gives so much away free?"
"Ain't never asked."
"Are you curious?"
"Nope, you don't ask the one that feeds you how they got it, in a place like this. You accept that they got it. Sadie and Elmer are the best thing ever happened to this town."
Jim grimaced for a second. No one had anything bad to say about the two of them. No one. Everyone appreciated their dedication to feeding the community. Jim realized just how sad a town this was. Stragglers from the mining camps, settlers with nothing in their pockets. Starving people that had no hope except Sadie and her Haven. Jim had to respect Sadie. And maybe Elmer too. Maybe Elmer wasn't the culprit at all. Maybe he was just a poor fella that wanted to help his sister, and the community. Maybe he shouldn't be doggin him and trying to make him the killer. But Jim knew of no other community that existed by the efforts of only two people. What Sadie and Elmer had accomplished here was no small feat, and something deep in Jim wanted to think they were good people.
But he had two good people in Melville that could easily hang for something they didn't do, too. He had to remember that. He had to push onward with this investigation, no matter how painful it might become.
He stopped off at the Haven once more.
Sadi
e was there, but he saw no signs of Elmer.
She served him hot coffee and cooked him eggs and potatoes from her garden. Not just any potatoes either, but smothered in onions and bell peppers. Jim had never tasted such good food.
"Sadie where's Elmer today?" Jim asked as though it were a common question and he'd been here to ask it.
"He's out finding game for me to cook I reckon."
"Where does he hunt around here?" Jim asked.
"Don't know, never asked him." Sadie said matter-of-factly.
"I'd love to know. I mean…to keep you in fresh meat, he has to do a lot of hunting and as I'm a good hunter, I'd like to find out."
"You can ask him when he comes back. Generally he's gone a day or so." Sadie sighed.
Seeing the depression written on Sadie's face, he quirked his brow. "Is he gone a lot?"
"Depends on my supply. Right now he'll be makin' a big killin' as he wants to lay in for winter. So I expect he'll have his work cut out for him when he returns. He's got the best smokehouse there is, and he's a fine butcher."
"Yes, you know I’m from Melville and people there even speak of Elmer with fondness."
Sadie's eyes brightened for a minute. "He's a fine brother, I can tell you. Couldn't ask for better."
The pride she said that with made Jim take note. Sadie loved her brother and obviously appreciated his great works. How could he ever think these two people were vile enough to have committed the murders?
Still, Sadie was the innocent side of Elmer. Elmer might not fit that category.
"You've done a lot of good for this community Sadie. You should get some recognition." He smiled gently at her.
"My recognition will come in heaven, I reckon. God knows me." Sadie smiled again and her eyes lit with inner knowledge.
Jim knew in that instant that Sadie had no part in whatever Elmer was up to. She really was the saint the town had painted her.
"Yes ma'am, I truly think God knows you, Sadie." Jim affirmed and paid for his breakfast.
"Come back when you can…" Sadie waved him goodbye as he walked out the door.
What Jim realized when he left was that Elmer could be up to no good right this minute. He could be killing someone. He needed to act fast, but where did he start looking?
If Elmer was out for another kill, then Jim had to get back to Melville and fast.
He rode all afternoon and as dusk he was home.
Oddly enough, coming back to Melville felt good to Jim. He felt he had stepped into another world in Cross Timbers, and one he wasn't even sure existed.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Anxious Prisoners
When Jim walked into his office that evening he found Smitty making coffee and straightening up the office. He never had told Smitty how much he appreciated him doing all the mundane chores about the place. He felt he owed him. Jim never had to ask, Smitty just took care of it, as though he knew Jim had other things on his mind.
Tonight Jim wanted to thank him, wanted him to know how much he appreciated his loyalty.
It was always the little things that counted in Jim's books.
Jim moved into the room, going for the jail cells.
Smitty jumped when he saw him.
"Sorry, I was tryin' not to startle you." Jim smiled.
"Glad you are back."
"Let me check on the prisoners…" Jim said.
Rusty and Fred both jumped up when he came through the jail door. Both looked haggard and depressed.
"Jim, have you found out anything?" Rusty burst out.
Jim nodded. "A little. But I'd say things are about to happen now. Be patient boys. I'll have you out of here soon. Need anything?"
"Yeah, out of here…" Fred tried to laugh and fell short.
"I know Fred, and I'm sorry." Jim shot them a look filled with sympathy. "…but at least you are safe in here, and I don't have to worry about you, while I'm trying to catch the real killer."
"Got any leads?" Rusty asked.
Jim stared at the usually mild mannered doc. His clothes were rumpled, his face needed a shave and he looked almost gaunt.
"Yeah…I think I do…"
Rusty's expression changed, his eyes lit with hope. "Just hang in there a little longer boys."
They nodded and both sat back down. "Smitty and I are going to the café, we'll bring you some supper back."
They thanked him.
"Smitty let's go get some supper," He sighed heavily as he watched Smitty patter about the place.
His eyes widened, when Smitty jumped once more.
"Sounds good, I've got plenty to tell you." Smitty said quietly.
"Really, that's good news I hope."
Smitty nodded. He pulled up a suspender and pushed his hair away from his face. Then he went to the wash jug and poured enough water to wash his hands and face. He patted himself dry and looked at Jim.
"I just got back about an hour or so myself." Smitty explained.
Jim smiled, just got back and he was already cleaning the place.
Jim copied Smitty and washed his face and hands, as he glanced in the cracked mirror they kept by the stove, he sighed, the trip taking a toll on his own energy and looks.
They walked over to the café and found a table. They ordered a couple of steaks and drank coffee until it arrived.
"I found a place, well, me and Saul found it." Smitty announced proudly.
"You're kidding?" Jim's eyes brightened. "Well tell me all about it."
Smitty leaned back in the chair and looked at Jim, his measured look told Jim he had some real information this time.
"You know that place that Turner and McCarthy used to fight about all the time, you know, the place they never agreed upon completely who it belonged to?" Smitty said.
"Oh…yeah…come to think of it I do. I helped draw up a sort of truce about that land, so they'd quit fighting over it. I had to do something, they were losin' too many of their men. Yeah…I remember, why?"
"There's an old lean-to out there, where one or both of them let their cattle shelter during hard months." Smitty kept talking and watching Jim for reactions.
Jim nodded. "I vaguely remember that, but go on."
"That's it."
Jim stared at Smitty for a moment, not reacting at all at first, and then his mind seemed to kick into gear and he nodded. "That's the place?"
"Yep."
"How do you know?"
Smitty sipped his coffee then glanced at him again, talking low so no one else could hear. "Saul and I rode out there. I was goin' alone, but he insisted I could find it better with him along. I agreed. Anyway, there's beef hooks hung from the roof, there's…a pan…looks like for drainin' the blood, it's stained red, so we drew our own conclusions on that. There's a spotless counter that has been used within I'd say the last few weeks. It looks exactly like what you were hopin' to find."
Jim's leaned back. "My God…I can't believe it, you found it Smitty. I wasn't even sure there would be a place like that."
Smitty smiled, pleased that he finally got a reaction out of Jim.
"If you weren't a man, I'd kiss you Smitty."
Smitty blushed.
"It's there, it is set up and it's been used…" Smitty announced.
"By golly Smitty, you've hit pay dirt. This is the best news I've had since this whole thing started." Jim beamed.
The steaks came and the two of them ate with a relish. Jim felt like celebrating, but he knew there were tasks ahead of him that wouldn't feel as good. He knew his job had just begun.
"So…did you find anything out at Cross Timbers?"
"Elmer is out right now…hunting."
Smitty nearly choked on his coffee. "Now?"
"Now."
"Does this mean what I think it means?"
"If he's the one, it does." Jim said lowly.
"Ain't we gonna do anything?" Smitty glanced around at the familiar faces, but no one was paying them any mind.
"Yeah…in the mornin
g. It's too late to ride that far tonight. We'll head out first thing in the morning. I want you to round up Johnny and Robert again. Same routine as before. And tomorrow before sunrise we'll head out." Jim instructed.
Smitty nodded. "But what if…well…what if he's already killed his next victim?"
"Then we will see some fresh signs of it and we might even catch him with the proof we need." Jim said quietly. "Although, I hope he hasn't killed again, yet."
"It's about time…" Smitty shook his head. "Just hope he hasn't hurt anyone else."
"Yeah, me too. At least all the ranchers know what is going on and are on alert." Jim reasoned. "Maybe someone will stop him."
"So how are our prisoners holding out?"
"Fred is restless as a cat. I can tell he don't like being cooped up. But they ain't 'causin' no trouble. The mayor keeps poppin' his head through the door, just to make sure we ain't let them go."
"Let him, but when we are gone tomorrow he won't be comin' in. He promised me some time. I expect him to live up to that promise." Jim leaned back and rested.
"You think we'll catch him tomorrow?"
"I don't know. But we'll be on his heels."
Smitty nodded.
Being patient wasn't a virtue that Jim nor Smitty could boast of. The itch to get after him tonight had them both edgy.
"Not a word to anyone about this, Smitty." Jim said as they paid their bill and left.
"Don't worry none. I want to catch him as bad as you do."
"I know that…I know."
Chapter Twenty-Five
Place of Death
Before he could get to bed that night though, there was a disturbance at the saloon he had to take care of. Jim stood at the swinging doors, staring into the barroom. It was cloudy with smoke and tobacco and the whiff of whiskey was strong to the nostrils. His stomach roiled every time he stepped into the saloon. He wasn't sure why. It just happened.
How he longed to take Ruby out of here, his thoughts wandered as his glance roamed the room.
A card game was getting tense. An old drunk could barely stand at the bar. A couple was headed up the stairs, nothing had changed here.
Good Day for a Hanging (Book Two of the Western Serial Killers series) Page 16