Good Day for a Hanging (Book Two of the Western Serial Killers series)

by Hestand, Rita

  "I wonder how he knew about it?"

  "I don't know. But since he knows several of us out this way, someone might have told him about it. He's been out this way a few times. I take my meat to him, but he brings it to me."

  Jim nodded.

  "Why haven't you arrested him, if you believe he is responsible?"

  "Because I have no proof, nothing…that he did it except this gut feeling."

  Saul nodded.

  "But if you arrested him, at least he couldn't do it again." Mrs. Evans was finally swayed into believing that maybe Elmer did do it.

  "Yes you are right, but I couldn't prove it, and I'd have to let him go on lack of evidence. Then he might run, and I'd never catch him."

  She nodded. "Then what do you plan to do?"

  "Stake the place out for a while. Go back to Cross Timbers if I have to."

  "But winter is settin' in. Don't you think he might wait until the spring now to do anything?" Mrs. Evans asked.

  "It's possible. I just have to try. I can't sit around and do nothing. The good citizens of Melville might decide they have another suspect."

  She nodded. "Yes, I guess you do. Well," she got up to put the supper up. "If Smitty is comin' I'll save him a plate."

  Jim hugged her. "He'd like that…yes ma'am he loves your cookin'."

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Crime Scene

  Jim and Saul went over to the Turner place and took care of Mr. Turner's body. Saul, the good neighbor knew exactly where he wanted to be buried and so Jim and Saul buried him. There was no sense in another autopsy that proved very little in the end. Jim was tired of all the preliminary work, it did little good. They now knew what was done to all the bodies, this one was no different.

  Even though the family was not here, Saul and Jim discussed bringing them out first, but again it would waste time and the family did not need to see him this way, they both agreed.

  Mrs. Evans went to visit the family and told them what they were doing. Mrs. Turner was shocked and heartbroken. Mrs. Evans explained that they thought it best to go ahead and bury the body, and oddly enough Mrs. Turner agreed.

  "My husband wouldn't want anyone seein' him like that. It is so pitifully undignified." She cried.

  Saul in the meantime spoke some very eloquent words over Mr. Turner and even Jim wasn't dry eyed.

  As Jim walked the crime scene area, he knew that this was not where Mr. Turner was killed, he knew there would be no blood. And he silently rehung the old scarecrow in the cornfield.

  When they were sure they were finished, they returned to Saul place.

  Smitty arrived late in the afternoon. Saul had already rounded up his men and he and Jim had talked to them about what was going on.

  "Now men," Saul began, his expression somber and his voice wavering a time or two. "I wouldn't ask you to help us, but this concerns all the ranchers in the area, and you boys as well. Until we catch him, we are all at risk. We don't know why he's doing this, so we gotta be very careful. We aren't dealing with an ordinary man, you must all realize this and be on alert at all times for anything that don't fit into the daily routine of things. But any man that agrees to pull double duty for this, will be paid double."

  The men all talked it over, huddling around each other, then Jesse, the oldest wrangler approached Saul and Jim. "We figure we got as much to lose as anyone. And we can't afford to lose the boss, so we are all in. The more that helps, the faster this will get finished, is the way we see it. Count us in."

  Saul and Jim shook hands with all of them and Smitty joined them after having a plate of food from Mrs. Evans. Mrs. Evans was quiet and thoughtful after returning from town. Anyone that looked could see she'd been crying.

  "I think we need to talk to all the ranchers around. The more that's aware of this, the faster we'll get results. And this is something that concerns us all. Whoever is doing this is cutting us down, one by one. And we think, Jim and I and Smitty, that it is only one man. We've ruled out the possibility of it being a woman since the work involved would be tedious and probably unbearable for a woman to accomplish."

  "I agree," Jim said. "Even if some don't want to spend any time helping, they can at least be aware that this is still happening and take some precautions."

  Saul nodded.

  "Since the ranches are scattered all around, it would be easier to send two men to each ranch to let them know we are havin' a meetin'. Say tomorrow morning, early. Jim and I have discussed this between us and I want the other ranchers to hear what we have to say. The missus went into town to talk to Turner's widow." Saul suggested. "We went ahead and buried Turner, because it's best he ain't seen this way. He was a good man, a good rancher, and he deserved better. Another reason for the hasty burial is so we can concentrate on catching the one that did it.

  The men nodded and broke up.

  Jim agreed. "You think we can bunk here tonight?"

  "I don't see why not. The Mrs. can make a pallet for you if you don't mind sleepin' on the floor." Saul smiled.

  "That'd be fine."

  The men were still gathered in the yard. "If any of you have any ideas be ready to tell us tomorrow." Jim announced.

  The boys waved and went to the bunkhouse.

  There was always more safety in numbers, Jim reasoned and he was proud that Saul's men were so willing to help out. For the first time since he came out of Perkins cornfield Jim didn't feel so alone. He knew Smitty was always there for him, but Smitty was like a right arm, you tended to count on a right arm.

  Before Jim's head hit the pillow he was asleep.

  Smitty stayed up a while and talked with Saul.

  "Jim's sure been worried about this. He hates that he got there too late for Turner. But he was so all fired tired that night he came in from Cross Timbers."

  "It's hard to believe Elmer could do such a thing."

  "Do you know any reason he might be doing it?"

  "I can't think of any. That's what don't fit, you know a man, you like him, like his work, but you never figure on that same man bein' a monster. It's hard to understand."

  "Has he ever offered to buy or asked for a hand out of cows?"

  "No…not me. I reckon he was grateful for my business. But this ain't about cows, do you think?"

  "We don't know. That's what has us in a stir. We can't figure out why he kills them."

  "Neither can I. I mean, he don't act like an angry man, maybe he is, but if he is, he keeps it all to himself."

  "Maybe that's what is wrong, he keeps it to himself too much. A sore festers if you don't doctor it."

  Saul smiled sadly.

  "Well, we better get some rest, tomorrow is gonna be another one of those days…" Smitty mumbled.

  "Yeah, I'm afraid you are right, Smitty."

  It was going to be a long tomorrow.

  Smitty laid there, listening to Jim lightly snore and looked up. "Lord, help us find this one. Please…before he does anyone else any harm. Amen."

  ~*~

  It had been a long time since Jim had seen all the ranchers together in one room, and it tended to overwhelm him. They used the Cattlemen's Association hall, it sat a few miles out of town and had the most room. Everyone was wide eyed and talking among themselves.

  Saul made the speech, since he was an official for the Cattlemen's Association.

  While Saul explained in detail what was going on, and what needed doing, it got very quiet. The ranchers were taking this seriously now and all of them had heard bits and pieces to the stories, but none had all the facts, except Saul.

  Jim and Smitty remained on the side lines as Saul handled this part of it.

  "If we are gonna catch this character, we're going to have to have a lot of men working and a lot of men watching out for the rest. Now, the floor is open to any suggestions."

  "Where's McCarthy?" Someone shouted.

  "He was the one that found Turner, and well…he ain't feelin' too good right now. So we'll excuse him…" Saul s
aid quietly. Everyone reacted to that too. It was obvious that most of the ranchers were keenly interested in finding the man responsible, but unlike the mayor, they had no lynch mob, just a lot of grim talk among them.

  Saul was going to ask for more suggestions when Mary Sue walked in and went straight to Saul. Everyone recognized her and noticed how dark her eyes had become, probably from crying, how stressed her expression, how rumpled her clothes, but she stood tall and proudly before them.

  "My daddy is ill." She began, her voice cracking a bit. "But I'm not and I’m here to say that I am behind the Sheriff and deputy all the way. I want justice as much as any of you. And I'm standin' in my daddy's shoes today to tell you so. What happened to Mr. Turner has greatly affected my him. I know sometimes we don't express what's in our hearts, we are hardworking people, but now is the time. We are a band of people that stand together in the hard times. A family if you will. And if he could, if he cold, daddy would be here today to offer his help, but his heart is here with you. I just wanted you to know that."

  Everyone nodded and smiled at her.

  Saul stared down into her pretty eyes. "Thank you Mary Sue, and I think I speak for everyone here when I say that we are glad you are with us and hope your father is better."

  Mary Sue smiled and went to stand beside Smitty. Jim noticed her moving toward Smitty and smiled to himself. Good for Smitty.

  "Ain't she somethin' Jim?" Smitty beamed.

  "She sure is…she sure is." Jim agreed.

  Chapter Thirty

  Pointing a Finger

  As the meeting continued, Jesse stood up in the crowd with a suggestion. "We figured that the only way we can get our own work done and help with this is to have something like a relay team to watch the place. Two men on at all times. And when or if something happens, one can ride for help and let everyone else know. According to what we've been told the killer has no idea we are on to him, and where he's workin' from. And with two men ridin' shotgun on the place, at all times, we are bound to catch him."

  "I think that's a dandy idea, Jesse," Saul smiled. "Would you like to vote on it."

  "I second that motion." Someone yelled from the back.

  "Good, all in favor?"

  Everyone shouted at once, "Eye".

  "Motion carried. Now gentleman this is gonna take extra work from your men, extra time, but it is going to help us catch this man and that's what we want. So, I've offered to pay my men extra for their work. I hope we can all agree that saving our ranches and lives is worth it."

  The congregation agreed.

  "All in favor?"

  "Everyone shouted again, "Eye."

  "Good. Jim or Smitty will be stationed at one ranch at a time so we can let him know when anything begins to develop. Jim has two deputies in town watching the town so to speak while this is taking place. So three are no worries there. This man has never attacked the townspeople. We've thought this out and one of them will be on property at all times. One other thing I should mention and which Jim and I discussed in length was that this man is extremely dangerous and for no one to take any chances."

  "In other words, shoot to kill!" someone shouted from the back again.

  Saul nodded, "Yes…shoot to kill if it comes to that. When we catch him in the act, it will pretty well mean he is guilty, but no one has the right to hang him. If he shoots at you, you should know that it's self-defense. But there will be no hanging. Unless convicted by a judge. Does everyone understand that?"

  All heads seemed to agree.

  "Thank you, now if you will get with Jim, Smitty, or I we will decide how to pair everyone up. We'll take one man from each ranch, until all of you have had a chance to work with us. Two at a time, one for relaying what is going on."

  Everyone nodded and began to form a line over where Jim had set up a small table with a paper he was writing down names and pairs of men to work together.

  Mumblings went around the room, some were sad because of Turner. Some said Perkins deserved what he got. Others were angry about Cal Harding. "He never done no wrong to anyone."

  While Smitty helped Jim, Mary Sue stood off to the side watching. She looked weary and tired and Smitty felt sorry for her. The need to offer comfort her overwhelmed him.

  "Jim, do you mind if I leave this to you and Saul? I think I need to take Mary Sue for a good meal."

  Saul came up behind him and patted him on the back. "Take her out to the ranch. My missus will see she gets fed and will help her in any way she can. She really don't need to be alone right now."

  There were a few women in the crowd today and every one of them stopped by Jim's table to let him know that vitals would be furnished to all the man who worked on this.

  Jim glanced around the room. As much as the killer had taken away from the community, he'd brought a unity too. Never had he seen so much cooperation. It warmed his heart and restored his faith in human nature. He needed to see this. He needed to feel the warmth of these people to go on.

  He warned some of the boys though, "You aren't facing an ordinary kind of person. He's crazy, and he could react in many different ways. I've been talking to Rusty's friend, Miss Vivien, and she tells me that often times a person this insane might fall on their knees and cry, and beg for mercy. They might run blindly until they are half dead. Or they might turn on you and try to kill you. Either way, you have to be prepared. I'd appreciate all of you men not approaching him directly unless he tries to run or murder his victim. And shoot to kill if he attacks you. By law, if we catch him in the act, we have every right to defend ourselves or a victim he might try to harm."

  The men talked to Jim for a long time. Some were upset, some confused by his description of the man. All thought this man a monster, but after talking to Jim they realized he was simply a mad dog, or would be when approached.

  But before everyone left the building, Jim stood upon his chair and cocked his gun. He didn't have to shoot to catch everyone's attention, everyone knew what the cock of a gun meant. They turned to look at him.

  "I want to warn you of something else. We are probably safe for a couple or three weeks. So the killer probably won't be back until then, if then. Be patient. Better to be patient and wait, than to be killed. He seems to strike about every two or three weeks. But winter is coming on, so it could be a long winter. He might not return to his deeds until spring. So we have to stay on guard. Because it is likely he will return."

  "What's he after?" Someone shouted.

  Jim faced the crowd of puzzled people. "We aren't sure. But all of you have noticed small amounts of cattle gone from your spread. Not enough to quibble about, not enough to be concerned. We think he is stealing just enough to feed a small settlement of people. That's what we think. If so, that's the reason he must come back in a few weeks. But we haven't yet connected the small amount of cattle missing to him. Strangely enough, he only takes what he needs, not a herd at a time. He could easily do that, but perhaps doesn't so he won't be caught, or perhaps he has no place to put that many cattle. Whatever his reason, we think the small amount of thieving is connected to why he murders. Perhaps he's been discovered by the ranchers he kills. Perhaps he thinks he's been discovered by them. Or perhaps he's angry that he can't purchase the cows, and can't get anyone to give him a few head. We don't know what's running through his mind. It would be good if we capture him alive, to find out. But we may never know. All we know for sure is, he is attacking ranchers, and their men. We don't think the man is a cattleman. Or a rancher. But…we do suspicions he is supplying meat to someone and that someone doesn't even realize what he's doing."

  There was a lot of mumbling among the people at this news.

  "How could anyone be that innocent. Don't they know he's getting it illegally?" One man in the crowd asked.

  "I don't think so. Because the person he's supplying is a woman…who is feeding a community that is starving with that meat."

  The crowd became loud now with chattering's.

  "Th
is isn't fact…it's hunch." Jim announced.

  "Why don't he just ask us for the meat?" Someone else asked.

  Jim shook his head. "He might have. Possibly he was turned down. Since Perkins was the first to be killed you all know Perkins wouldn't give one cow to save a life. He was quite stingy. It may have set off a chain reaction in this man's head. He might have figured the ranchers were against him getting meat."

  "That's crazy," Another shouted.

  "Yes, I've mentioned that he is not of sound mind." Jim smirked.

  "He ain't of mind at all. Cal Harding would have given him meat, I know he would."

  Jim nodded and quieted the crowd. "Yes…Cal would have, if he had gotten the chance. But my thoughts on this is that he was caught taking cows and Cal shot at him to warn him off. What happens when you attack with a gun. You incite violence. Not that Cal didn't have every right to shoot at him. Cattle thieves are an enemy to ranchers and as few a head as Cal had, it was his livelihood. He couldn't spare losing any. The killer didn't know any of this. The killer doesn't know many of you. He only knows you are ranchers. I think he knew Saul…and McCarthy, but most of you he didn't know."

  "If you know who it is, why haven't you arrested him?"

  "It's simple, I'm operating on a hunch gentlemen. I have no proof. But everything I've learned so far, adds up to this. And in order to arrest and convict in a court of law, I need proof of the person doing it. I need to catch him doing something wrong. I could be wrong, but today, I don't think I am…."

  As Jim explained his thoughts he realized that he was solving his own mystery. He had somehow unraveled the motive. Elmer was taking a few head of cattle at a time, to help Sadie feed her community of starving folks. Somehow it all added up to this simple explanation and now he had to prove it.

  He had to catch Elmer in the act.

  Chapter Thirty-One