by Bill Sheehy
Chapter 25
After riding away from that damn lawyer, Martin Baynes held his horse to a walk. He needed time to think. Time to put the stress he felt from what running into Drazen had caused. Riding with his mind going over what he’d been told he slowed his horse even more.
Things were going out of control. First it’d been Marcy forcing the issue and now this. He’d put off going out to the Frying Pan ranch as long as he could, hoping something else would turn up. But before leaving for the bank a couple days after the fiasco at the restaurant, Marcy gave him an ultimatum.
‘You have to do something, Martin,’ said Marcy. From the look in her eye Martin knew she was serious.
Growing up it had been clear, at least to the two of them, which was the stronger. Even being in so many ways identical, Martin had learned very early on not to push his sister. When she got that serious look there was no smile hiding somewhere. She meant business. He knew that wasn’t all bad. Giving in meant she would soon be back to being the loving, laughing sister. All he had to do was what she wanted.
‘We’re not far to the end of the month,’ she said wearily. ‘Now what will the hands do if there’s no money being handed over? That’s a pretty tough gang of men you’ve got working and they are not likely to put up with any bullshit.’
‘Yes, I know,’ was the only thing he could say. ‘I’m just not so sure going hat in hand to that damn Mexican will help.’
Marcy frowned. ‘Funny. Back when we were all friends you didn’t call him a Mexican. Only after you half beat him up. Since then you’ve gone out of your way to antagonize Tony. And what did that ever get you? Your temper is going to cost you. Hell’s bells, it already has. If you were friends, or even just neighborly he’d be right willing to help you out. But, oh, no. You have to make an enemy of him.’
‘I can’t help that. You know why I don’t want anything to do with him.’
‘Knowing he’s your only chance of making the payroll? Martin, I’m telling you. There is no money in the safe. If people knew the bank was broke, why we’d be laughed out of town. Losing that federal money was the worse thing that could happen. You have to go talk to Tony. Do what you have to to get a loan. That’ll give us a month, time for Mr Drazen and the Pinkertons to recover the money from the train robbery. It’s our only chance.’
Martin knew she was right. Going begging was hard enough, but Tony and the Frying Pan bank account was the only money in the area. It had to be done. No matter what.
With his mind on his problems, he hadn’t noticed his coming up to the Frying Pan ranch house. Coming awake, he shook his head, remembering what he was there for. Taking his time he studied the layout. Old Allen had done well, all the log buildings looked to have recently been whitewashed. The trim around the windows on both the main house and the long bunkhouse were of some kind of brown color. All the railings of the corrals were tight, none sagging or worn. The barn, the biggest structure on the spread, was also white and in fine shape. White except for the big open doors and the smaller door up at the loft. Those were open and looking in from the sunshine, against the whitewashed exterior looked almost black. It was in that barn the trouble with Tony had started.
Usually it was the twins who would go over to the Frying Pan to play. Back then a lot of the times they wouldn’t ride but would walk over, running through the pasture then the line of trees and bushes bordering the creek. That narrow stretch of forest was where the three youngsters would play their cowboy and Indian games or more often, hide and seek. It was that game they were playing on the day he caught Tony bothering Marcy.
Martin was ‘it’ and after hiding his eyes and counting to fifty, he yelled out, ‘Here I come!’ and started his search. Careful not to get too far from the base, a big oak tree with branches hanging out over the pond, he looked in all the usual places. The point of the game was to spy the others then run back to the base, beating them there. Whoever was last being spotted was the winner.
The only rule about where no one could hide was anywhere near the main house. Tony’s mother, the housekeeper, didn’t want anyone running or yelling in the yard. That meant the big front of the barn was out of bounds. Hiding in the pond itself was all right, but there wasn’t much cover and none of them could hold their breath very long.
Martin finished his count, yelled his warning and started his search. Neither of the other two were in the usual places and being as careful as he could be, he tried to keep himself ready to rush back to the base. Often it was Marcy giggling that gave her away. This time it was a different noise he heard.
Going across the bridge was rarely done. Getting back across ahead of anyone was not easy. After making sure they weren’t hiding on the side of the oak tree he crossed over. Not seeing either of the two he moved closer to the barn and stopped. That was when he heard Marcy.
Not understanding, he moved to the narrow back door and peeked in. Stunned he stopped, standing in the open door, his mouth open. He must have made a sound because Marcy jumped up from where she’d been laying, pulling her shirt down and hollering. Tony, Martin saw, was lying back on the hay, trying to button his shirt.
‘What are you doing, sneaking around?’ yelled Marcy.
‘I . . . I,’ Martin could only stammer, ‘I was looking for you.’
For a long moment he could only watch as his sister took her time to button her shirt and brush the hay off her pants. Watching her, Martin thought she’d been acting strange lately. They had always been close, but recently she had wanted to hug him. Not for any reason, she’d just wanted to hug. It had embarrassed him, especially when he felt her breasts pushing against him. For a long time she hadn’t wanted to swim in the pond as they used to, all three only wearing cut-off pants. He couldn’t remember when it was that she had to be wearing a shirt too.
Tony finally standing, brushed the straw from his pants. That movement caused Martin to explode. What had he been doing with Marcy? Whatever it was it had caused his sister to make the moaning sound. Forgetting all about running back to the base tree he launched himself at the other boy.
‘Damn you,’ he heard himself screaming, as he rushed at Tony. Not thinking about it, he swung his fist, catching the other one on the nose. Breathing heavily, he stepped back and was ready to strike again when he saw blood pouring across Tony’s lips.
Marcy jumped in and pushed Martin back. ‘Stop it, Martin. Stop it right now.’
Martin heard her but paid no attention. Pushing past her he swung again, this time connecting on the side of Tony’s head, knocking him back. Trying to regain his balance, he jumped away as Martin came attacking him. Only Marcy jumping on her brother’s back, wrapping her arms around his chest and holding his arms down stopped the fight.
‘Martin. You stop right now. Can’t you see what you’ve done? He’s bleeding.’
The haze cleared from Martin’s mind. Standing with his shoulders square and his fists up he shook his head.
‘I’ll stop, Tony Rodriquez,’ out of breath his words came slow and hard. ‘But let me tell you, if you ever touch my sister again, it’ll be more than your nose bleeding.’
‘Don’t be foolish, Martin,’ said Marcy. ‘He wasn’t doing anything. We were just wrestling a little. That’s all.’
Martin shook his head, not taking his eyes off Tony. ‘That may be, but it had better never happen again. C’mon, we’re going home.’
Grabbing Marcy’s arm he pulled her away and out the door. Marcy looked back and gave Tony a little smile as they disappeared into the sunshine.
Chapter 26
Drazen got back in town just as the north bound stage was arriving.
‘Folks,’ the driver, as usual Clarence Dollarhide, called out as his passengers climbed out of the coach, stretching and looking for the outhouse, ‘y’all got about ten minutes. Just long enough for a change of horses. Don’t be late cuz I won’t wait.’
Riding past the stage, Drazen leaned down to have a few words with the drive
r. That man listened and then smiled, accepted a few coins and went about his business. Drazen rode on down to the livery and turned in his horse.
Back in his hotel room, he hurried to change out of his dusty riding clothes and into his suit. Making sure his weapons were settled, he grabbed his derby and, locking the door to his room, left the building. The team change-over was finished and all the passengers had returned, finding their place in the coach.
‘Hey, driver,’ one man called out, ‘you got your new team and we’re all aboard. What’s the holdup?’
Dollarhide, holding his whip in one hand the leather reins in the other smiled. ‘Just don’t get in a hurry. We’ve got another passenger to board. We’ll go when I’m ready to go. So just settle back.’
Deputy Stewart, having taken his time, was held up at the bridge as the stagecoach came rushing past. Glancing as it went by, raising a cloud of dust, he was surprised to see Drazen sitting next to the open window. Frowning he considered. He had to be mistaken. Then thinking about it, he nodded. No, it had to have been the lawyer. He recognized the man’s derby.
Stewart wasn’t the only one seeing Drazen leave town. Marcy Baynes, standing at the bank’s window was surprised to see the man climb aboard the stage. Worried, she turned back to her desk. Why would he be leaving? What would she do if he didn’t come back? Without the federal bank’s money both the ranch and the bank would be lost. She didn’t know what to do. Where was Martin when she needed him?
Chapter 27
Originally Elizabeth hadn’t planned on looking for work, but pushing through the door into the bank she almost smiled; she hadn’t planned on anything except to get revenge.
‘May I help you, miss?’ asked Ivor quietly and politely.
‘Yes, thank you. I am seeking employment. I have had some experience with the public, having worked in a large store in Dodge City.’
Ivor was a man who liked being around pretty women. And this young lady was pretty. ‘Well, miss, I’m not the person to talk to. You should talk with our manager, Miss Marcy Baynes.’ Glancing back to Marcy’s desk, he smiled.
While Elizabeth was explaining to Marcy about her work experience, not mentioning her recent widowhood, Marcy was thinking about her bank’s finances. Her first reaction was to dismiss this woman. Without the cash from the federal bank it was going to be difficult to even pay Ivor. That made her think of Drazen leaving town. She had to talk about this with her brother.
Elizabeth tried to stay calm as she talked with the manager. She was surprised when the woman didn’t ask many questions but smiled and nodded.
‘To tell you the truth,’ said Marcy, after thinking it over a bit, ‘this is a small bank in a very small town. Ivor there is our only employee. But there are times when I have to be out of the bank and he shouldn’t be left alone to take care of business. Let’s see how things work out. He can show you what to do and that will take some of the pressure off. I’m afraid if business doesn’t pick up though, this will be a temporary position.’
She knew it wouldn’t matter very much if the federal money that had been stolen wasn’t recovered. The bank and probably the Circle B would be lost if that happened. In that case no one would get paid. Meanwhile hiring Elizabeth would give her time to think about how she was going to deal with telling Martin that Drazen had left town.
Talk of this being a temporary job didn’t worry Elizabeth. She didn’t want to stay in this town after getting what she wanted. If she wasn’t successful in finding that outlaw then she’d have to go back to Dodge City. Other than her revenge, there was nothing for her here. With each of them keeping their thoughts private, they shook hands and the deal was done.
Chapter 28
Martin hadn’t shown any friendship toward Tony since that day in the barn and after a while neither did Marcy. Even when the two men traveled together to Kansas City to college they didn’t speak. But things change and now he needed money. Had to have enough to make payroll. As Marcy said, it’s only business and that means doing whatever it takes.
Shaking his head to get the memory out, he tied his horse to the hitch rail and slowly went up the wide steps to the front door.
George Allen was out in the barn when Mrs Rodriquez came to tell him he had company.
‘It’s Martin Baynes, Mr Allen,’ said the woman. ‘It has been a long time since he’s been here. He’s grown into being a fine looking young man.’
‘Martin Baynes. Well, I wonder what he wants.’
‘I don’t know, he didn’t say. Only asked to speak with you. I left him in the parlor.’
‘Let’s go find out. Is there fresh coffee?’ Shaking the young man’s hand, Allen motioned toward one of the large cowhide covered chairs.
‘Well, Martin, this is a surprise. Been a while since you or your sister come visiting. If’n you’re looking for Tony, he’s out with some of the hands working on cleaning a couple of the waterholes. I reckon you’re having the same trouble over on the Circle B. This drought keeps up much longer and we’ll really be in trouble.’
Martin was glad Tony wasn’t around. Asking for money from this old man was a lot easier.
‘Yes. Luckily Pa had the foresight to build structures on some of the springs up in the foothills so we’ve got a pretty good source for watering our stock. But as you say, if it doesn’t break soon, that could change.’
Talk stopped when Mrs Rodriquez brought in coffee. Setting a tray with the porcelain pot, two cups and a small matching sugar bowl on a table, she nodded to the two men and left the room.
‘Do you take milk with your coffee?’ Allen asked. Getting settled gave both men time to think.
‘No, thanks. I like it black,’ said Martin.
Taking a sip of the steaming coffee, he decided to get right into it. ‘The drought is only one of the problems we’re facing over on the Circle B, I’m afraid. You might have heard I purchased a pair of fine bulls. My long range plan is to build up our herd of Herefords. This breed are wonderful meat producers and are quicker to fill out than the Texas longhorns. The trouble is timing. Our herds are growing but, well, it’s taking longer than I figured to produce a marketable herd.’
‘Yes,’ the older man nodded. ‘Can’t rush Mother Nature.’
‘That’s why I came to you. It’s money. Even with the proceeds from our recent drive to Dodge City I find the ranch is in a bind. I figure we’re about six months shy of getting over the hump.’
‘Uh huh. Tony said the price he got wasn’t as good as he’d like. But he was able to put some into the account. I expect you’ve gone to the bank to help you out?’ He chuckled, ‘That is your bank, isn’t it?’
Martin flushed. ‘Yes, I’ve taken out about all I can from that source. The federal bank in Kansas City had approved a bank-to-bank transfer of cash but when that money was being sent under guard there was a holdup and the money lost. That would have allowed me to get through this period. That is what brings me to you. The government is looking for a way to open up this part of the Territory so I suppose we could sell off some of the more non-productive acreage but that would mean homesteaders coming in. Once they get a boothold the cattle range is lost.’
Allen nodded. Homesteaders would mean fences and the open range was what allowed cattlemen to raise big enough herds to make it profitable. Yes, he understood what young Baynes was saying.
‘So what you’re after is the Frying Pan to make a loan to the Circle B?’
‘That’s right. A short loan. Say for six months. According to what we’re told, the Pinkerton Detective Agency is confident of capturing the holdup gang and recovering the federal bank’s money. The stolen money was insured and I figure within that period of time, even if the missing money is not recovered a replacement will be made.’
Allen sipped his cooling coffee, taking time to think.
‘Exactly how much of a loan are you talking about?’
Martin was ready for that and named a figure.
Again Allen wa
s silent while thinking.
‘And what do ya plan on putting up for security on such a loan?’
Martin hadn’t thought about securing a loan. Quickly he tried to think of what he could offer. All the Baynes had was the ranch and the bank.
‘I hadn’t thought of that,’ he said slowly. ‘About all we have is the ranch. I suppose we could put up some of our herd.’
‘Not interested,’ said Allen. ‘We went with the shorthorns and I’m not about to mix in any Herefords. Tell you what, there’s a piece of your range up where the Frying Pan meets. Got a nice spring your pa had dammed up. There’s a ridge on the west side. Kinda makes it like a good-sized pocket with a wide thumb sticking up into the foot hills. You know the piece I’m talking about?’
Martin nodded.
‘Wal, that would be a nice addition to our northern pastures. You put that on paper and we’ll have something to talk about.’
Martin frowned thinking about it, then nodded. What did it matter? If the stolen money wasn’t found or more federal money didn’t come in, things couldn’t be worse for the ranch. In that case did he really care about a few hundred acres and a pond? With the old man’s money he’d have breathing room.
‘Of course,’ said Allen watching the younger man closely, ‘I’ve just about turned the Frying Pan over to Tony. I’ll want to talk this over with him.’
Riding back to the Circle B, Martin was relieved. He didn’t have to go asking Tony for a loan after all. Getting the loan would save things for as long as needed. After that, well, who cared? He was almost laughing when he rode into the front yard. It’d been a long time since he felt this good. Finally things were coming out according to his plans.
Chapter 29
Until he saw the stage sitting in front of the hotel getting a new team hitched up, Jackson Drazen hadn’t thought about leaving town just yet. Thinking back to what he’d seen at the Baynes ranch, it come to him. Almost instantly his plans changed. The Circle B was more than he’d ever considered. Plus there was the Baynes bank. Yes, he thought, pulling up and leaning down to the driver. A good plan had to be adjustable.