by John Legg
“I ain’t afraid of him,” Cahill said stubbornly.
“Then you’re an idiot,” Culpepper said flatly. “You know what kind of man he is, and what he’s capable of. A man like him wouldn’t think twice about back-shootin’ someone. He even sent out a man to ambush me on the trial.”
“I take it he didn’t hit you.”
“Nope. Killed my mule, but I got him.”
“When did this happen?” Cahill asked.
“Day after I left here, I suppose. Yep, that was it. Why?”
“It was only four days later that Coakley and his two asswipe partners showed up. You take the body back to Durango?”
“No. Took it to Fort Lewis, though, and had them bring it to Durango, with a warning from me.”
“Then he took a day or two to recruit those two he brought with him, and make arrangements to get up here by train. That was when I was in Charlottesville. It still doesn’t make all that much sense, though. How could he just waltz on in here and take over—with Wilson Pennrose’s acceptance?”
Culpepper shrugged. “I have no idea, but I figure a talk with Pennrose’ll clear at least some of it up. Has Coakley tried anything much since he’s been here?”
“Nah, not too much. Locked up a few men here and there, from what I heard. Seems almost like he was waitin’ for somethin’.”
“He probably was.” When Cahill looked at him in puzzlement, Culpepper said, “Me.” He stopped and looked at Cahill. “Remember what I said. Lie low tonight. I’ll come get you sometime tomorrow.”
“Don’t you go after those bastards by yourself, Jonas,” Cahill warned. “I owe them boys, and I don’t want to see you gettin’ killed tryin’ to take on all three of ’em.”
Culpepper nodded absentmindedly. He turned toward the house, his mind awhirl with all he’d learned today and with the trouble he was having in puzzling it out. A few minutes later, he was home and Merry was warm and hungry in his arms, and he mostly forgot about Ned Coakley and all the others.
They had a quick tumble in the bed, lusting for each other. Then came a leisurely supper of pork chops and potatoes. After dessert of apple cobbler, Culpepper shaved and then took a bath—with Merry’s willing help. And finally, they were in bed, straining for each other again.
Afterward, Merry told Culpepper what she knew of what had gone on in Silverton since he had left. He acknowledged that he knew some of it, though he did not let on he knew as much as he did. He did not want to make her worry any more than she already did.
She tried to question Culpepper then, but he was reluctant to tell her anything. He simply told her, “Trust me, Merry. I’ll straighten everything out. You needn’t worry about it.”
“But I can’t help frettin’ about it,” she countered.
“Maybe I can help you keep it out of your mind a little,” he said with an impish grin. He pulled her toward and then on top of him.
Chapter Twenty
When Culpepper walked into his office the next morning, Coakley and his two minions looked as if they had not moved from yesterday. Coakley still sat behind the desk with his feet up on it. A smirk distorted his face. Lou Boxham was sitting in the other chair, grinning vacuously. His hair was blond almost to being white. Neil Corcoran, who was again standing in the comer, chewed a matchstick. He was serious, and Culpepper considered him the far more dangerous of the two deputies.
“Well, fatso,” Coakley said with a sneer, “seems we’re still here. You aim to do somethin’ about it?”
“Maybe later,” Culpepper said easily. “Right now I just need to get some papers out of my desk drawer there.” He moved to the desk, as if reaching for something. Suddenly he drew back his meaty right fist and slammed Coakley a good shot on the side of the head. Coakley crashed off the side of the chair and hit the floor.
“Holy shit!” Boxham snapped in surprise. He started to come up out of his chair.
Culpepper slapped his palms on the desktop and vaulted over the desk, the soles of his boots landing in Boxham’s chest. Boxham fell back into the chair with such force that it went over backward, dumping him on the floor.
As soon as he had seen Culpepper hit Coakley, Corcoran went for his pistol. But Bear jumped into him and clamped viselike jaws on the deputy’s arm. Corcoran yowled once and dropped his revolver. He tried getting his other pistol with his left hand, but the mastiff was jerking him back and forth.
Heading for Corcoran, Culpepper stomped on Boxham’s right arm, breaking it. Then he said, “Back, Bear.” When the dog moved away from Corcoran, Culpepper grabbed the shaken deputy and jerked him forward. He swiftly latched onto the back of Corcoran’s shirt high and low and then ran him forward until Corcoran’s face slammed into the log wall. Corcoran slumped to the floor with a soft moan.
Culpepper whirled, looking for Coakley. The marshal was just getting up. He seemed groggy as his hand absently searched for a pistol. Culpepper grabbed him by the shirtfront and yanked him forward. Without a word, Culpepper lifted Coakley and then pitched him through the glass window and out into the street.
“God damn it, Jonas,” Cahill’s voice came in from the street through the hole where the window had been, “you said I’d get a crack at ’em.”
Culpepper stepped up to the window. “Just come in here and get the keys to the jail,” he said pleasantly. “Then help me cart their festerin’ carcasses over there.”
In ten minutes it was done, with Coakley, Boxham, and Corcoran relieved of their weapons and all in one cell. The only other occupant of the jail was Adler, who had the other cell to himself.
Outside, Culpepper ignored the gathered crowd. “Go get somebody to fix the window, Jimmy. And send Doc McQuiston to look at those three pukes.”
“Where’re you gonna be?”
“I think I’m going to go have a little chat with Mister Pennrose.”
“I’d rather go with you.”
“Go where?” Buster Reinhardt asked, as he walked up.
“To talk with Pennrose,” Cahill said.
“You need somethin’ done here, Jonas?” Reinhardt asked. “I can help out.”
“If you go get someone to fix the window and get Doc McQuiston, Jimmy can come along with me. That might keep him from mewlin’ some.”
“Will do. Glad to have you back, Jonas.”
“Glad to be back—I think.”
Culpepper and Cahill headed up toward the Anvil Mining Company offices. No one tried to stop them as they headed straight toward the boardroom at back. Culpepper opened the door and stepped inside. Cahill followed and closed the door.
“To what do we owe this honor, Sheriff?” Pennrose asked sourly. He was not surprised to see Culpepper. He’d heard the sheriff was back in Silverton. Indeed, he had even thought of leaving Silverton on some “urgent business” to miss the call he expected from Culpepper. But he’d decided against it.
“Oh, I think you’re a smart enough man to figure that out, Pennrose,” Culpepper said dryly.
“Yes, I am,” Pennrose said with a nod. “So, Sheriff, speak your piece and then leave.”
“Why’d you call that pukin’ scoundrel up here to take over my job?” Culpepper asked harshly. He stood with feet wide apart, arms folded on his big chest.
“I didn’t call him here,” Pennrose said, now surprised. “You didn’t, eh? Coakley says you did.”
“That’s a damn bald-faced lie, Jonas,” Pennrose said vehemently. “I got a note from him, delivered by one of those two gunmen he has with him, sayin’ that you had come through Durango, gotten drunk, and in your besotted condition mentioned how you were never going back to Silverton again. That you’d set your sights on California.”
“And you believed that pile of hogwash?” Culpepper asked, incredulous. “Knowin’ how I feel about Merry? And knowin’ the kind of man I am—a man devoted to his duty?”
Pennrose shrugged. “This came from a United States deputy marshal,” Pennrose said without apology. “I even went so far as to s
end a wire to the La Plata County sheriff.”
“Hammond? He ain’t got the brains the Good Lord give a rock.”
Pennrose shrugged again. “He confirmed the story, so I wired Coakley and told him to come on up and take your place. I must admit, I was rather surprised last night when I heard you had returned. Still, Marshal Coakley does seem to have a better handle on things.”
“Marshal Coakley is sitting in the San Juan County Jail at this very moment. So are the two pukin’ maggots he had with him.”
“Why?” Pennrose asked, surprised again.
“For one, he threw Jimmy here in jail for no good reason other than tryin’ to stop his takeover. For another, he sent a man out to shoot me down outside of Durango.”
“Oh, come now, Sheriff,” Pennrose said skeptically. “A federal marshal sending out a hired man to kill a county sheriff? That’s preposterous.”
“Not for a man of Coakley’s ilk. You don’t believe me, check with Major Abel Watkins, down at Fort Lewis. You can also check with Durango Marshal Ed Hernandez. The skunk who came after me was named Owen Fauss. He said Coakley paid him a hundred in advance for the job. I found five double eagles on him.”
Pennrose sat in thought. He was beginning to think he had seriously misjudged things here, and all because he didn’t think Culpepper was properly respectful to him. Now there could be a world of trouble. “What’re you planning to do, Sheriff?” he asked finally.
“Head out after Ellsworth’s gang again. I hear tell the Denver and Rio Grande’s raised the reward money.”
Pennrose nodded. “So has Anvil Mining.”
“With that much of a reward, there’s a better chance that I can find the pukin’ scoundrels, since people’ll be more willin’ to talk.” He sighed. “It’s also going to bring out the bounty hunters and such.”
“When’re you planning to leave?”
“Tomorrow. Day after, maybe.”
“And what’re you going to do with Marshal Coakley and his two cronies?”
“Leave them settin’ right where they’re at. I’ll deal with those three maggots when I get back.”
Pennrose tried not to show his relief. He nodded. “I’m sorry for the trouble I inadvertently caused you, Sheriff,” he said unctuously. “If I’d only known...” He held up his hands as if indicating he was helpless in the matter.
“It’s over and done with now,” Culpepper said flatly. “But it’d go better for everyone if you’d keep your nose out of business that doesn’t concern you.” Culpepper turned and left, Cahill and Bear following him.
“You know, Jonas,” Cahill said as they hit the street, “I ain’t so sure I trust Pennrose. Not after this.”
“Me neither, but there’s not a whole lot we can do about it. But it’s one of the reasons I’m leavin’ you in charge when I ride off again.”
Cahill began to protest, but Culpepper cut him off. “There’s too many scoundrels around here these days, Jimmy. I need somebody I can trust to watch my back while I’m gone. Even more important, I need someone to watch over Merry. And...”
Cahill suddenly grinned widely. “In all the excitement of late, Jonas, I never did tell you—I proposed to June while you were gone. Before Coakley arrested me.”
“Well I’ll be dogged, boy. When’re the nuptials?”
“We thought we’d like to get hitched on Independence Day.”
“A good choice,” Culpepper said with a nod and a smile. Then he grew serious again. “You think you’ll be able to keep your mind on the jobs at hand?”
“Damn right I can,” Cahill growled.
“Good. I want you in Silverton all the time. Somethin’ happens elsewhere in the county, you send Buster or somebody else you think you can trust.”
“All right, Jonas. But I still’d rather be with you out there. Christ, there’s no tellin’ how many men Ellsworth’s got with him.”
“I’ll be all right. Don’t you fret.” Culpepper smiled a little. “Unless maybe you’re afraid of stayin’ here on your own, after Wes locked you up and all.”
“Shit,” Cahill snapped. He calmed himself down, knowing that Culpepper was only joking with him. “What’re you gonna do the rest of the day, Jonas?”
“I got some durn paperwork to finish up. Then I want to talk to Adler.”
“You think he’ll tell you anything? You said he was powerful reluctant to do so while you two were on the trail.”
“He was that. But maybe bein’ locked up’ll change his mind some. If not, I ain’t lost much.”
With more than a little reluctance, Culpepper headed to the office and sat to his paperwork. As annoying and as time consuming as it might be, it had to be done, and letting it set ’til the last minute wouldn’t make it any easier.
He went home for a leisurely lunch with Merry and then headed for the jail with Bear at his side. He unlocked the doors, until he and the mastiff were in Adler’s cell. He ignored the annoying comments from Coakley and his two men in the adjoining cell. Boxham sported a fresh splint on his one arm.
“What do you want here, Sheriff?” Adler asked in unfriendly tones.
“See if you’ve changed your mind about talkin’ to me,” Culpepper said, leaning back against the bars.
“Fat goddamn chance.”
“It might go some easier on you if you was to cooperate a little, maggot. I might even be willin’ to talk to Judge Pfeiffer at your trial. A good word from me might be enough to save your scrawny neck from the hangman’s noose.”
Adler was about to retort, but stopped himself. Instead, he thought about it. If Culpepper was true to his word—and he had shown every indication so far that he was that kind of man—and he could keep Adler from being sentenced to death, he would be much better off. Even if he had a long prison term, he’d get out someday. And there was always the chance that he could escape and make his way back to Ellsworth and the others to get his share of the loot. But he couldn’t tell too much. No, that would never do.
“You promise you’ll say a good word for me?” he asked. “Yep—if you give me any information that’s helpful. You’re gonna stay in the jail here till I get back from wherever it is I go chasin’ Ellsworth. Your information turns out to be hog- wash, I’ll be more than willin’ to stand in Judge Pfeiffer’s courtroom and watch him sentence you to hang. And, seein’ as how I usually act as hangman, I’ll look forward to stretchin’ your neck.”
Adler believed him. “There’s not too much I can tell you, Sheriff,” he said smoothly. “Mack Ellsworth don’t take nobody into his confidence, except maybe Hugh McLeod.”
Culpepper nodded. He knew that McLeod was about the only man Ellsworth trusted.
“After robbin’ the train, we went south. Just before we got to Durango, Ellsworth sent me, Cody, and Pete Brolin to Durango, to pick up some supplies. We also grabbed that little whore you saved then, and rode on after the others. After that fight we had with you near those ruins, we headed north. We spent a couple days at the cabin, then split up. Me and my two pals gave Ellsworth a few bucks for the whore and stayed at the cabin. Mack, Hugh, and a few of the others rode on. Northwest, I think. The rest of the boys went in all different directions.” Culpepper waited until the sound of the train pulling into the station not far away had faded. Then he asked, “What about the loot?”
“What about it?”
“You split it up?”
“Not yet. We’re supposed to get together in a...a few months to divvy it up.”
Culpepper nodded. “Ellsworth still have it?”
“I ain’t sure,” Adler said with a shrug. He licked his lips. “Mack...well, Mack said he and the boys with him were gonna bury it somewhere over near the border of Utah Territory. Only four of ’em was gonna know where it was.”
“Where’re you supposed to meet?”
“A little town called Westville, over on West Creek, near where it enters the Dolores River. It’s out in the goddamn middle of no-goddamn-where. Why’n hell anybody’d
ever try settlin’ in such a place is beyond me.”
Culpepper nodded absently. He figured Adler was lying at least about some of it, but there was no way of telling what and how much until he checked it out. Without another word, he unlocked his way out of the cells and headed back to his office.
Chapter Twenty-One
Culpepper walked into the office and stopped dead in his tracks. Next to him, Bear looked at the man behind the desk, and then up at his master. He whined plaintively and his tail wagged tentatively, since he was confused.
Standing next to the repaired window, Jimmy Cahill grinned at Culpepper. “Goddamn, it ain’t bad enough I got to put up with one of you. Now I got to deal with two of you.” He paused a second. “I do believe you know this feller, don’t you, Jonas?”
Culpepper’s face split in a wide grin as he headed toward his brother, who rose from the chair to greet Culpepper. The two men hugged a little and slapped each other heartily on the back.
Cahill looked at them. The resemblance was uncanny, though now that he saw the two of them together, Cahill could see some differences. Jody Culpepper was about two inches taller than Jonas, but about twenty pounds lighter, and a few years younger. Jody was clean-shaven, but they each had a mane of fiery red hair. And the same piercing blue eyes.
“When did you get here, Jody?” Jonas asked after their greeting.
“Come in on the train just a few minutes ago.”
“What’re you doin’ here?”
“Sorry to see me?” Jody countered.
“Didn’t say that,” Jonas said a little gruffly. “It’s just unexpected, and I don’t know as if I’ll have much time for visiting and such.”
“Trouble?”
“Always is,” Jonas acknowledged. “This’s worse than usual, though.”
Jody nodded. “I couldn’t stand my boss no more,” he said with a grin. “He kept treadin’ on my good nature, so a couple weeks ago I cleaned his plow for him and walked out. Since I didn’t have anyplace in particular to go, I thought I’d come out here and see how things were. Thought maybe I’d get me a job.” He paused. “I didn’t mean to get in your way.”