by Alison Bruce
While he was gone, Marly had changed into her original, vastly oversized shirt. So far as he could tell, that was all she was wearing.
Her face reddened. "I thought if you needed to look at my leg, you'd better be able to get at it."
She shifted the covers so her legs were exposed. One was muscular, curved and pale. The other was mottled purple and swollen.
He swore. "Look, I gotta check..."
"I understand. It's not like we can call Doc."
Jase gently manipulated the swollen leg, feeling for any shift in the bones or lumps in the tissue.
"We need to do somethin' about that leg," he said, covering her again. "I'm sure nothin' is broken, but that swellin' ain't good."
"Hurts like the devil," she admitted between clenched teeth.
He smoothed a stray hair from her forehead. "I bet it does."
Pulling a chair to the bedside, he sat with her until Fred arrived, then was shooed out with the suggestion that he take care of the horses.
Fred met him in the office when he returned.
"I've seen this kind of injury before, Master Jason. Recovery requires a delicate balance between rest and exercise. Too much of either could leave her with a permanent limp."
Jase was unable to find the words he wanted.
"I've wrapped her leg with liniment," Fred said. "She had a little broth and I gave her some laudanum. She's asleep now."
"Just tell me what I have to do."
"For now, eat lunch and think on how you will charm Miss Jezebel when she inevitably complains of my repeated visits here."
Marly woke up and found Fred sitting beside the bed. He was reading Shakespeare by the light of a lantern.
"Sorry," she said, "I must have dozed off."
"For several hours. The marshal has been sitting with you for most of the time. I returned so he could do his evening patrol." He set the book down on the table and stood. "I have some supper for you, but before Master Jase returns, I think you should try a little exercise. Though you need to rest, your leg should not be allowed to languish. A short walk will do it good."
Marly didn't argue about getting up, but she did object when Fred held out the silk robe Jase kept at The Oasis. She hadn't seen it since their first night in Fortuna and she would have been happy never to see it again.
"It's only a robe," Fred pointed out. "A very nice one."
She let him help her into the hated garment and the silk caressed her skin.
Maybe it wasn't so bad after all.
After a brief, pain-filled stroll about the room, she was happy to get back into bed and have liniment and fresh flannel applied.
As a reward for her effort, Fred brought her a new book.
"This is from my own library, one of the few books I brought with me when I came to this country. It should make your stay in bed more enjoyable."
Marly read the cover. "Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen."
"Master Jason read it when he was convalescing with us. My personal favorite is Persuasion." Fred held up a second book. "But I am currently in the midst of that novel myself. Now, if you will excuse me, I will go warm your soup. If you need anything, please call."
With a bow, he left the room.
Marly opened the book and started to read. Before she had finished a chapter, she had fallen asleep again.
The next day, Jase conferred with Fred.
"The swelling has gone down, Master Jason, but except for brief turns about the room, Master Landers still needs another day of bed rest."
When Jase told Marly, she didn't argue, which concerned him until he noted her reading material. Besides, he had bigger problems to deal with―like keeping Doc from visiting after rumors spread that Deputy Landers was injured.
That night, after almost two days of being mostly ignored, Tom Tyson decided he wanted to make a statement.
"I can't speak to whether Baker hired Locke to kill Strothers," he said, "but I was present when Baker arranged the ambush of you and your deputy. Parker, McKinley and Locke were supposed to distract you. The boss wanted to deal with Landers his self―without you around to interfere."
"Like Birke interfered when you drew on my deputy at The Haven? Was that Baker's idea too?"
Tyson sniffed. "The boss might have mentioned that he'd bail us out of any trouble we might get into if we made trouble for Landers. The boy was treading on the boss's turf. Anyway, you have no proof I was going to draw on Landers because I didn't. I was just trying to scare him."
"You managed to convince Duke and Birke you were gonna draw," Jase said. "Let's leave it at that. Tell me about McKinley's involvement."
"Tell you what?"
"Baker went to you, Parker and Locke to arrange the ambush. How did McKinley get involved?"
Tyson flapped his broken arm. "I couldn't ride and shoot with this, so I got McKinley to take my place."
"That was taking a risk. What if he turned you in?"
"Hah! He was so excited to be one of the gang he practically peed himself. 'Sides, if I didn't know Baker was in a killing mood, I couldn't very well pass it onto McKinley, could I? If he's saying I roped him into something more than a night-time chase, he's lying."
Jase reported the results of his questioning to Marly over beans and bacon the next morning. She was up and dressed, slowly lifting and flexing her bruised leg to keep it from stiffening. Fred had come by earlier to apply more liniment and replace the flannel bandages with fresh ones. As a result, her knee had limited mobility and the smell from her bandages was eye-watering.
"There has to be a hearin'," he said. "Until Locke is caught, there's not much more we can do."
"How long do you think it'll take for the hearing?"
"I'm settin' it for Sunday, after church. It'll be held at the hotel. Troy Riley and the men should be back by then, with or without Locke. Everyone who is able will be in town. Justice will be seen. If you can wait that long, we'll head out for El Paso Monday mornin'."
"I can wait." She moved her wounded leg and let out a small groan. "To be honest, as long as Egan stays out of my way, I don't mind staying in Fortuna a little longer. It'll give my leg a chance to heal. I just hope Charlie doesn't pick up that package and move on before I get there."
Jase grinned. "Now that's where knowin' a Texas Ranger can come in handy. I wired El Paso and made sure that Meese can't pick up that parcel without you. He'll just have to kick his heels 'til we get there."
Marly rewarded him with a quick smile that made him want to please her more.
"I think I can keep Egan busy too," he said, "if you don't mind takin' care of things 'til I get back. I've told him he can't go through Baker's papers 'til I have a chance to look at them. I'll send word to meet me at the Baker house this afternoon. If you think you're up to resumin' your duties, Deputy Landers."
"I can do that, Marshal Strachan."
He eyed her leg and wrinkled his nose.
Time for some fresh air.
Nelly brought three bowls of chili and a basket of biscuits at noon. Marly thanked her and dug into the food before it hit the desk. Being injured certainly didn't affect her appetite.
"You going to give Tyson a bowl?" she asked Jase.
He rewarded Tyson's lack of cooperation by eating the man's share and offering him a biscuit and stale coffee afterwards.
Before leaving for Baker's place, Jase gave Tyson a fierce glare. "I'll show you seven kinds of hell if you cause trouble for my deputy while I'm gone. Understand?"
Tyson gave a nod.
After Jase left, Marly settled down with Pride and Prejudice.
Mid afternoon, Fred came by with Señora de Vegas.
"We'll look after the office so you can do your patrol," the Señora offered.
"But please take things slowly," Fred warned after checking her bandages.
As it turned out, Marly didn't have much choice. Her leg was stiff and the tight bandages slowed her down.
Then there were all the people
who stopped her to talk.
Giving credit where credit was due, Jase had been scant on details when relaying their run-in with Baker and the others to the townspeople. It was Birke's report that had raised her to heroic status. Before leaving town with the posse, he had confided in Duke and a couple of cronies about what he saw when he went to fetch the bodies.
He had investigated Baker's body first. From the wound, he deduced that Marly had not only shot the man, but killed him with a single bullet to the head while lying on the ground. The shot would have been tricky even in broad daylight, let alone in the dark. And Marly did it trapped under a dead horse.
It was the bar incident magnified by ten.
After Birke's departure, his story was repeated and embellished, until Marly was being called 'the man of the hour.'
She couldn't wait until her hour was up.
Under the watchful eye of Matt Egan, Jase sifted through Baker's personal papers and accounts, building his own picture of Gabe Baker. He was looking for hard evidence of Baker paying Locke to kill Strothers. Unsurprisingly, there was no ledger notation saying, "Paid to Locke for services rendered."
The letters he received indicated he was a generous friend and an implacable rival. According to the accounts, the man paid fair wages and was a canny businessman. Instead of appointing a secundo, Baker spread management of his ranch between a handful of men who were paid extra for the responsibility. Birke, for instance, was Ranch Maintenance Boss. There was the Home Farm Boss. There were a couple of field bosses in charge of the stock. And there were men out on the range.
Finally, there was Locke.
Not long after Strothers took up his post in Fortuna, Locke had been listed with the managers.
There was no mention of what he managed.
Not exactly conclusive evidence, Jase realized, but interesting. It was about the only interesting thing he found before giving up and riding back to town.
Mick Riley stopped Marly on the street.
"Deputy, you must tell me what really happened."
"I wonder how your son and the posse are getting along," she said, changing the topic. "Let's hope they find Locke."
The man agreed and she moved on.
At the Stage Office, Mr. Dunstan, who had never exchanged more than a handful of words with her, was suddenly interested in her health. He gave plenty of advice for ensuring that no permanent damage was done to her leg.
"Before settling in Fortuna," he told her, "I rode shotgun on the stage and had my fair share of work-related injuries."
At the general store, she bumped into Mrs. Temple-Quinton, who was very curious about Marly's adventure and would have kept her there all afternoon if her daughter hadn't distracted her.
Marly tipped her hat to Rose as she beat a hasty exit.
Mr. Penrod, the butcher, had some sausages he was prepared to part with for a very reasonable sum. He held the package ransom as he confirmed the details of Marly's Sunday night rendezvous with Gabriel Baker. Knowing they had plenty of provisions, she would have left the butcher and his sausages if she hadn't been schooled by Aunt Adele on the importance of good manners.
Before carrying on, Marly stopped in at the Marshal's Office. Fred and the Señora were playing chess and conversing quietly until they noticed Marly.
"Just checking on the prisoner," she said.
Tyson was asleep, so she left them to their game.
In The Haven, Duke set her up with coffee. Grateful, she sat down for a quiet half hour. The place was almost empty. Most of the regulars were working or had been rounded up by Birke for the posse.
After a lengthy silence, Duke asked, "How's Jed doing?"
"I'm told he's resting well. I'm going by there later. I'll let him know you were asking after him."
"He's a good kid."
"I think Marshal Strachan might have come to the same conclusion."
Duke nodded, satisfied.
"Has he got family around here?" she asked.
"Nope. He's a farm boy from Kansas. Left home to become a cowboy."
"I started off on a farm in Kansas. What about Tyson?"
"Came to Texas, like most of 'em looking for adventure. He's a better ranch hand than McKinley, but he's a bully. The Double-Diamond and Slashed-Bars wouldn't take him. Mr. Baker isn't that fussy. He likes―liked―his men rough and tough."
"Birke is with the Baker outfit," she pointed out.
Duke chuckled. "Don't let that hangdog face fool you. Hugh Birke is plenty tough. Just smarter about it."
"You won't find me showing Mr. Birke any disrespect," she said. "He strikes me as an honorable man. And I believe you when you say he's smart and tough."
"He's all that. So was Gabe Baker most times."
When Jase headed out again after breakfast on Thursday, Marly was left to watch Tyson, read and do her rounds of the town, although instead of Fred, Arnie showed up to mind Tyson. He pulled out the checker board and drafts with the intention of entertaining the prisoner.
In the afternoon, Troy Riley and Birke reported to Marly that Locke had beaten them to Mexico, slipping past the Texas Rangers that patrolled the border. She thanked the gentlemen for their services and accepted Troy's badge, allowing him to go home or report to Mr. Winters, as he willed.
"Do I get to go home too?" Birke asked.
"Marshal Strachan told me specifically to let Mr. Riley go. He knew Mr. Winters would need him. He left you to my discretion."
"Uh-huh?"
"Thing is," she drawled, "I have a bone to pick with you."
He gave her a look that encompassed trail weariness, mild surprise and amusement.
"Oh, sit down, Mr. Birke," she said, relenting. "Coffee?"
He accepted a mug. "What have I done to piss you off, Deputy Landers?"
"You made my life a bit complicated telling everyone how I killed Baker with one shot in the dark and so on. Everyone thinks I'm damn hero."
"You are. Now, me, I'm just a ranch hand―a job I should return to."
He started to take off his badge.
Marly raised her hand. "No, Mr. Birke, you are still a deputy. Marshal Strachan thinks I need help and I choose you."
Birke narrowed his eyes. "Why me?"
"I trust you. The marshal trusts you."
He sighed and she knew she had him.
"If you can come back for an hour to let me do the afternoon rounds, I won't impose on you further," she assured him. "Marshal Strachan arranged for you to have a room at the hotel while you were in town."
Birke's grim look relaxed. "You eaten?"
"Not yet. I was about to fix some lunch."
"You feed me and let me wash up, I'll stick with you 'til the marshal returns. I could use a clean shirt, but if you can live with the smell, I guess I can."
She wrinkled her nose. "Go to the hotel. The marshal took the liberty of fetching some of your stuff from the Baker place. I'll have lunch ready when you return."
Jase rode into town as the sun was casting an orange glow on the church steeple. He let Hank take care of Grandee and went straight to the office, hoping there was hot coffee waiting for him. He was greeted by the smell of coffee, stew and fresh biscuits.
Even more welcoming was the quick smile that came to Marly's face when he walked in.
Then he noticed Birke. The man spared him a quick glance before staring at the chess board on the desk.
"I resign," Birke announced, tipping over his King. To Jase, he said, "Landers tells me you want me to hold onto this badge for a couple of days." He fingered the piece of tin on his shirt. "Seeing as the boss isn't in any state to fire me over it, I figure I can help out for a bit."
"Birke has stuck around most of the afternoon," Marly said. "He even cooked chicken stew. We saved you some."
"Smells good. How's the prisoner?"
Birke and Marly exchanged glances and pulled almost identical expressions of distaste.
"He's...grumpy," Marly said diplomatically.
&n
bsp; "He's a foulmouthed sonuvabitch," Birke muttered. "He quieted down fast enough when we told him he wasn't gonna get supper until he shut up. I think the smell of fresh biscuits did the trick."
Marly grinned at Birke. "My biscuits, your stew."
Jase clenched his hands, struggling to remain calm.
"You look tired and you must be hungry," she said.
As she stood, Birke patted her arm. "Stay put, Landers. Rest that leg of yours. I'll get the marshal a plate."
"I can serve myself," Jase said dryly. "You can call it a night, Birke. If you can be back here tomorrow afternoon, I'd be obliged."
"Suits me." The man grabbed his hat and waved it at Marly. "I expect a rematch, Landers."
"You're on."
"You and Birke seem mighty cozy," Jase said when Birke was gone.
Marly shrugged. "We get along fine. I'm sure Miz Jezebel is happy I won't be stealing Fred from her twice a day."
"She was a bit put out."
"Well, I'll miss conversing with Fred. He has been telling me about you."
Jase sank into the other chair. "Oh, yeah?"
"Yeah. It's nice to know you weren't always this squared away, trail-wise. You were young, foolish and made mistakes."
"Still do."
"I hope you don't still think I'm a mistake?"
"Never a mistake. A whim, maybe."
Marly grabbed a stray shell casing that had lodged between a weighted stack of papers and an ink well.
"Or an error in judgment," he teased. "A morally questionable decision."
She whipped the shell at him. He caught it deftly.
"But never a mistake. At least, not one I regret."
Chapter 17
Jase stayed in town Friday morning. Though not a pay week, Friday was a big banking day for merchants. Also, Jed McKinley was discharged by the doctor and moved to the jail. He was given his own cell, since Tyson was inclined to want to kill him.
Jase was tempted to leave the prisoners unattended.
He and Marly took turns patrolling Main Street and keeping Tyson in line until Birke joined them after lunch. Then he rode out to wrap up his investigation of Baker and his men.