The Crow and the Bear

by Kristy McCaffrey

  Jennie sat across from him, the fire crackling between them. “Simon is afraid of you.”

  Cal placed a small twig into his mouth. “You can tell him I won’t bite.”

  “He says that crows like to pick out the eyeballs of men.”

  Cal grinned at the image. “I suppose some do.”

  “You’re not helping.”

  He poked at the fire. “Alright. You can tell Simon I won’t touch his eyeballs.”

  A short man appeared and sat beside Jennie.

  “Cal, this is Simon, my friend.”

  Cal silently acknowledged the sprite, the dense energy rolling off him in waves. It must take the Tommyknockers a great deal of effort to be seen by humans.

  “Is Betsy really dead?” Jennie asked her friend.

  “Yep,” Simon answered.

  “What happened?”

  “Her husband and his brother killed her.”

  “Why?” Cal asked.

  “To stop what she was doing in the ravine.”

  “Is she responsible for all the men who’ve disappeared?”

  Simon nodded.

  Cal threw the twig into the fire. “What about Harley Jessup?”

  Simon scrunched up his face. “We don’t go into the ravine, mostly because of him.”

  “Is he dead or alive?”

  Simon shrugged. “I don’t know. We all stay away. I’m sorry I’m not more help. I’m not supposed to talk with you but I break the rules for Jennie.”

  “Appreciate it.”

  Simon leaned forward. “And just so you know, Jennie is special. You’ll be sorry if you don’t do right by her.”

  The threat was clear and Cal wondered if he had competition for Jennie’s affections, not that he was in pursuit of them, he reminded himself. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “You do that, Mister Crow.”

  And with that, Simon departed.

  “Charming little fella,” Cal said. “Why is he so sweet on you?” Damn, but a twinge of jealousy stung him.

  “The first time I met Simon, I’d wandered into the most magical patch of evergreens and moss and wildflowers. It felt enchanted to me. I stayed in that place for a long time. It was almost as if I could speak to the rocks and the water and the trees. I suppose that sounds ridiculous.”

  “No.” He was surprised when his voice caught. The picture she painted came vividly to life in Cal’s mind, and he couldn’t help but imagine lying with her in such a place, and loving her.

  “Simon said he was drawn to my curiosity.”

  He wasn’t the only one.

  Cal sensed the presence of crows in the trees. All of the Boggs brothers could; perhaps this affinity was why they’d picked up the moniker Crow. A flock had settled above them—a molmacha, as Granny would’ve called it.

  Jennie snuggled Tunayó closer to her, the cub having slept through Simon’s visit. “Why are you chasing Harley Jessup? Did he do something personally to you?”

  Cal looked at Jennie, her eyes bright with interest, the perfect planes of her nose and cheeks illuminated by firelight. The tug at his sex was sharp and sudden, expanding into his belly and heart and somewhere deep in his chest. Is this what happens when the soul is captivated?

  Collecting his thoughts, he answered, “No. I’ve never met Jessup. During the summer, I was passing through Tucson. There’s an orphanage in town. I like to stop and visit with the kids when I can. There was a new little girl who’d recently arrived. She’d been passed around from family to family until finally someone had brought her there. She told me how Jessup had taken her family hostage one night. He’d murdered her folks and her brothers. She survived only because when he set a fire, she managed to escape out the back. I knew right then that I’d hunt down that filth and bring justice for that girl’s family. So I tracked Jessup to the ravine.”

  “In your dreams?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s very admirable, Cal.”

  Tracking Jessup had led him to Jennie. It must be fate, distant voices whispered into his ear. Had that little girl led him here not to locate Jessup, but to find something more important?

  He knew that he could attempt to scout the future...his and Jennie’s. But he wasn’t sure he wanted to know. Using his skills to aid on manhunts was one thing, but he had steadfastly refused to explore the intimacy of his own life over the years.

  “I think you should try to get some rest,” he said.

  Jennie silently agreed. Once she and the cub were settled into her tent, he carefully retrieved a wrapped cloth from his saddlebag. Inside, he kept a collection of crow feathers. He chose one and tied it to the entrance of Jennie’s tent with a piece of twine.

  Beneath his breath, he said, “As night is dark, protect those within. As day is bright, spurn those who seek harm.”

  When he sensed that Jennie had fallen asleep, the cub with her, Cal slipped into the darkness, his gun and rifle at the ready along with a hatchet and a knife. He moved downwind of the animals so as not to disturb them, entering Silas Ravine alone under the light of a full moon on the night when spirits roamed the earthly plane without restraint.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Jennie awoke with a start, immediately knowing something was amiss. In the near dark, she searched for Tunayó. When she found no sign of the cub inside the tent, she pulled on her boots, coat and scarf and scrambled outside.

  She searched the area encompassing the camp, startling the horses, Maisie, and the goat but could find no sign of the bear. She ran to Cal’s tent.

  “Cal, wake up! The cub is gone.” She pushed open the entrance and paused, waiting for her eyes to adjust to the inky blackness.

  Cal was gone.

  Where was he?

  Had he taken the cub? It didn’t make any sense.

  She stepped back and scanned the surroundings. It was still deep in the night, the stars above twinkling in an endless path of lights. Her gaze rested on the entrance to Silas Ravine. They were camped just beside it.

  Cal’s in there. Despite fear and dread knocking her about, she knew she would need to go after him. But worry gnawed at her over the fate of the cub, so first she continued to search around the tents. If she couldn’t locate Tunayó, the little one would never survive.

  Finally, she had to accept that the cub wasn’t in the area.

  Moving swiftly she entered her tent, grabbed her gun, and slipped a box of cartridges into her coat pocket. As carefully as she could, she crept along the pathway that led into the ravine. Just before entering, she dropped to the ground to inspect it closely.

  She found what she was looking for—boot impressions alongside tiny bear prints. The cub had either accompanied Cal or followed after him. She supposed the latter. Cal wouldn’t have taken Tunayó with him willingly.

  She stood.

  Caw!

  Jumping, she spied a crow in a nearby tree.

  Was it Cal?

  Her imagination was getting the better of her. Cal couldn’t shapeshift into a bird. Could he?

  Uncertainty pulsed through her, but she moved forward anyway.

  ****

  As Cal proceeded into the ravine, several crows accompanied him. Their presence didn’t calm him. He knew they were drawn to places filled with imbalances. He’d been in many himself while chasing bounties. The land could become filled with the violence of man, harboring greed and lust and rage that spilled into horrific acts.

  Trees occupied the center of the ravine, but as he climbed higher he could see in the moonlight that areas had been cleared. The telltale sign of mining—holes dug into the rising cliff sides with the detritus strewn below—showed in many places. Broken down shacks could be seen dotting the terrain. He approached one.

  He pushed the door aside where it hung askew with the tip of his rifle. Inside were the remains of many bodies stacked on one another, still wearing tattered clothing and reduced mostly to bones.

  He left the building and its oppressive atmosphere. Th
e spirits were restless, but nothing that Cal sensed to be dangerous.

  An inspection of a second shack unearthed a most peculiar thing. At first, Cal thought it a pile of snakes, but he knew it was too cold for the creatures. A closer look revealed a collection of lariats. From Cal’s inquiries, he knew that Harley Jessup had liked his lasso and had owned many. He would often string up a victim with one.

  Further inspection confirmed that it was indeed Jessup who’d been here. The tethers had his insignia stamped on the end of each one.

  Cal paused. The stillness in the ravine was absolute. Although the crows had followed Cal, they were now silent. He tried to get a sense of Jessup, or perhaps of his spirit.

  A sound beyond caught his attention. Cal moved quietly through a stand of pine trees. A man stood up against a larger trunk, his back to Cal. It wasn’t Jessup. Cal aimed his gun. “Don’t move.”

  The man started, but slowly raised his arms, a rifle in one hand.

  Cal took a step back. “Turn around nice and slow.”

  Even in the dark, the haggard appearance of the tall man with a graying beard couldn’t mask his resemblance to Jennie.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you, Ben Livingstone.”

  CHAPTER TEN

  “Who’re you?”

  “A friend.” Cal holstered his gun. “I’ve come here looking for you.”

  Ben lowered his arms. “How did you know where I was?”

  “Lucky guess.”

  Ben watched Cal with dispassionate eyes.

  “Why haven’t you returned to Silverton?” Cal asked.

  “I can’t see what business it is of yours.”

  “Jennie sent me.”

  Emotion flared on Ben’s face, then was gone. “She’s not here, is she?”

  Cal didn’t answer.

  “Shit.” Ben shook his head. “You brought her here?”

  Despite the heavy coat Ben wore, Cal could see the gauntness of the man’s face and frame. “What’s goin’ on, Ben?”

  “First, tell me who you are.”

  Cal pushed up the edge of his hat. “My name’s Cal Boggs. I’m a bounty hunter.”

  “Is there a bounty on my head?”

  “No, sir. Just the wrath of your daughter. But there’s another man I’m looking for—Harley Jessup. Seen him around?”

  Ben’s eyes narrowed. “You must be behind on your fact-gathering. Jessup is dead and has been for some time.”

  Cal kept his gaze forward while also listening to the sounds of the wilderness beyond. “That’s what the townsfolk say.”

  “But you don’t think so?”

  “Let’s just say I’ve got an open mind.”

  Ben smoothed down his unkempt hair and grabbed a hat from the ground, placing it atop his head. “Where’s Jennie?”

  “Camped outside the ravine.”

  Ben gave a slight shake of his head. “Goddammit.”

  “Is she in danger?” Cal held himself back from grabbing Ben by the shirt. “Jessup’s not dead, is he?” The edge in his voice brooked no evasion.

  Ben nailed him with a steely gaze. “No.”

  “What the hell are you doing in here, Livingstone?”

  “The right thing. Too many men have died or disappeared. The mining prospects can’t be ignored. I’ve had enough of this man and his terror tactics.”

  “So you came here to deal with it by yourself?”

  Ben swallowed convulsively. “It wouldn’t leave me be, and no one else would come.”

  Cal sensed the haze of madness hovering around Ben. “Jennie’s worried sick about you.”

  The man’s shoulders dropped. “Yeah, I guess I underestimated her stubbornness.”

  “You’ve been here for more than a fortnight,” Cal said. “What do you know?”

  “Jessup doesn’t live in the ravine. He’s up on the shoulder above.”

  Cal glanced in that direction. “Why does he stay here?”

  “Can’t say, except that the rumors of hauntings have certainly worked in his favor.”

  “How have you managed to evade him?”

  Ben leaned against the tree behind him. “I’ve been in these hills a long time. I know how to disappear. And it was easier without Jennie tagging along. Why are you hunting him?”

  “A promise to a little girl.”

  “Well, be that as it may, you didn’t need to bring my little girl here.”

  “No, sir. But I suspect if I wasn’t with her, she would’ve come alone. At least I was able to look after her.”

  Ben sized him up, then nodded.

  “You best show me where Jessup lives,” Cal said. “I’ll take care of the rest.”

  Ben silently agreed.

  ****

  Jennie entered the ravine along a pathway barely visible through the trees and underbrush. She should’ve brought a lantern, but a sudden shiver made her glad she couldn’t be seen in the darkness. Staying undercover, she skirted a hillside, searching for some clue that Cal or Tunayó had been through here.

  “Jennie.”

  She stopped at the sound of her name whispered in her ear and spun around.

  Simon.

  Fear settled into her bones and not even her friend could alleviate it. She wanted to ask him what she should do, but couldn’t find the words. And he was too far away from her.

  “He’s dead, Jennie.”

  Her mind raced. Who?

  “But you still need to be careful.”

  Simon disappeared.

  Who did he mean? Her papa? Cal?

  Frantic, she turned in circles, trying to decide what she should do, then froze as a large shadow grew before her. Trembling, she stumbled back, never taking her eyes from the creature.

  Suddenly, strong arms grabbed her from behind. “Don’t move.” Her heart sank from the unrecognizable voice. The man’s putrid breath heated the skin behind her ear. “It’s a bear.”

  “Let go of me.” She yanked one arm from him, taking care to keep her movements small. She didn’t want to set the bear off.

  He chuckled. “A lot of men have come in here, but never many women. Just Betsy. And now, you.”

  Looking over her shoulder, she glanced at the man. Wide, beady eyes watched her from above a mustached mouth, the thick ends hanging to his chin. “You must be Harley Jessup.”

  A loud snort from the adult bear redirected her attention forward.

  “Yep.” He chuckled from behind her. “It’s difficult being so famous.”

  A side glance showed him to have a rifle. “Are you going to shoot the animal?”

  Jennie jumped as the animal let out a bellow.

  Harley sighed. “Well, I hate to waste a bullet. I know this bear. She’s been in these parts as long as I have. She recently lost a cub, and that’s left her grief-stricken and angry. I’ll just let her take you.”

  Jennie’s eyes darted from side to side, searching for some way out. Tunayó could be the mama bear’s babe, and Jennie was certain the cub was in the ravine. She just needed to find her. Surely that would appease the adult bear’s bad temper.

  But Jennie knew there was no hope. Even if she could outrun the giant beast, the human beast beside her wasn’t going to let her live.

  It was warmer in the ravine, and a mist had settled around them. In a rush of commotion, a flock of crows swooped among the trees, crying and screaming. Jennie covered her ears, but knew it was her only chance. She ran and didn’t look back.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  As a cacophony of screeching crows split the silence of the dark night, Cal bolted from Ben’s side and ran back into the ravine. The call of the ebony birds guided him. Unable to see beyond several yards as he dropped into the tree line due to the fog, he unleashed his instincts, borne of Comanche might and Scottish temperament.

  He caught the man by surprise, slamming him into the ground. Although his adversary fought back, Cal’s strength easily overpowered him. He gripped his arm around the man’s neck and pulled his Colt
, cocking the hammer and pointing the barrel at the man’s temple.

  Ben emerged from the mist, breathing heavily. “That’s not Jessup. It’s Lem Atkins.”

  ****

  Jennie ran upward into a clearing then downhill past a wooden building. She stumbled into a thicket of underbrush and prayed she wasn’t followed. She slowed and chanced her first glance behind her. Thankfully, no man or bear followed. She folded herself into the shadows and fog, ears alert for signs. The distant sound of the cawing crows could still be heard, but, closer, a bawling swirled along the night air. She moved carefully toward it, finally reaching the source.

  Tunayó.

  Jennie gratefully scooped up the bundle.

  Now, to find the mama bear.

  ****

  “Harley Jessup is dead.” Wide-eyed, Lem Atkins’s gaze darted between Cal and Ben from where they all sat on boulders hidden in the forest.

  “No, he’s not.” Ben’s face took on a grim line as he adjusted his floppy hat. “I’ve been in this ravine for over ten days now, and I’ve seen him many times.”

  “You’ve seen his ghost.”

  Cal thought of Betsy and knew that Lem might be correct. “How did your wife die, Mister Atkins?” Cal asked. “Wasn’t her name Betsy?”

  Lem hesitated.

  “Betsy’s dead?” Ben asked, nailing Cal with a shocked gaze that he soon shifted to Lem.

  “She is. And Lem knows it. Who cut her hand off?”

  Lem swallowed and flexed his jaw. Even in the dark the grime covering the man’s face was visible while the pungent odor of his unbathed body rolled off him in waves, nearly choking Cal.

  “Did you kill your wife, Lem?” Cal asked.

  “I had to.” His voice was barely a whisper. “She killed all those men. She was gonna kill me, and Augustus. We had no choice.”

  Ben stood. “Betsy killed the men who’ve disappeared up here? But Jessup’s here. Surely, he did it.”

  Lem glanced around nervously. “Look, I don’t claim to know how this all works, with the living and the dead taking residence in the same place. Betsy was never right after Jessup appeared in these hills and died. I don’t know if she was possessed of him, ’cuz that just sounds so crazy. But there’s no getting around how strange it is here. I didn’t know what she was doin’ at first, then Augustus and I began to suspect. I feared for my life.”