by Sioux Dallas
Juanita stood with fists on both hips. “Can you imagine anyone being that bold? She deserved to be turned over her father’s knees and spanked until she would remember to not tell lies about people.”
James shook his head. “From what her father said, both Vicki and her mother need the counseling. I’m just so relieved that I’m not involved in any shape, form or fashion with her or that family.”
They talked a few minutes and then James went home whistling and feeling much better.
Later that evening Ginger had a call from Sheriff Mercer. “There’s someone here who’d like to speak to you.”
Aretha’s voice spoke. “Ginger, I can’t thank you enough and, of course, Sheriff Mercer and Belinda. I can’t believe how happy and at peace I am.
For the first time in years I feel good about myself. I hope you had a good Christmas.”
“I had a wonderful Christmas, but I’m so pleased for you. Is the work too hard for you or are you settling in okay?”
“The work is challenging, which I love, and everyone is so nice. I’ve made friends with some of the women who work in the building and we have lunch together often. I’ve been asked out on dates, but I’m not ready for that yet.”
“You sound very sensible. I hope your life continues to be happy and successful. You haven’t heard from any of those men from Texas, have you?”
“No, and I hope I never see or hear from them again. Gotta go. Stay sweet and thanks for all your understanding and support.”
Ginger was invited to the home of the mayor for a party that night. She dressed in a mid calf length medium blue dress. It had a square neck and long sleeves with puff shoulders. The top was lace over silk. The waist fit to show her tiny waist line and the skirt fell in soft folds. She wore an old pair of blue heels and carried a small gold bag.
She drove alone thinking all the way that she would have liked to have James as an escort, but it was too soon after his grandfather’s death. I can’t get used to thinking of Arline and Howard as grandparents. I’m eager for Marlene to answer James request for a fact to fact talk. She can’t help but be proud of him. I still think she’s probably never told her husband of her past. In a sense I can’t blame her.
There were many familiar people at the party and Ginger was delighted to be part of the group. Naturally the talk finally turned to all the trouble that the end of their state had been having. There were a lot of opinions as to who was involved and what could be done. Ginger hesitated to give her opinion remembering that Saunders and Sharpie had cautioned about talking when they didn’t know to whom they were talking. She told herself that it was possible that the head honcho was present. She quietly walked around listening to all the others express themselves while looking carefully at the expression in people’s eyes as they talked.
Ginger thought the hors d’oeuvres were delicious and asked the mayor’s wife if she’d be willing to share recipes. The woman admitted that everything had been catered and she didn’t know how to prepare the food. Ginger congratulated her on a pleasant evening and delicious food. She was among the first to leave because she was getting tired and sleepy. Too, she felt that she’d had all she could take of some of these people.
Juanita was waiting to hear all about the party and then rushed Ginger to bed. They toasted each other with hot cider and wished each other a happy new year and a 2010 of love and good health.
The month of January was going slowly because the snow was too deep to go anywhere and no one was coming to see Ginger. The hands worked as quickly and diligently as they could outdoors. They knew the snow would be with them until April.
The average temperature was thirty-six but it commonly dropped below zero with very strong winds. Ginger was grateful for the fire wood that had been stacked at the far end of the back porch. Sometimes, in a storm, the heat and air conditioning went off and the fireplaces were necessary for heat and cooking over.
Ginger answered the phone one afternoon to hear a whisper of a gravelly voice. “I hope you’ve stopped trying to find the rustlers. If you don’t stop, it will become necessary to do more damage to your property and your workers.” There was more senseless conversation and then the person hung up with no closing statement. Ginger was upset, then angry. She called the barn and asked Saunders, Frank and Jack to come to the house.
The men were glad to step on the warm back porch and take off damp clothing and boots. Juanita had hot cider ready which they appreciated. The sat around the dining room table with Ginger to hear why she had called them. Juanita joined the group.
Ginger told the men of the phone call and answered that, no, she couldn’t recognize the voice or any words that might have been said that sounded like someone talked that she had heard. They were concerned but very glad that she had become angry instead of falling apart.
Sharpie leaned on the table. “They’ll surely not try anything in this snow. Almost all of the ranchers have sold off a good part of their herds. As far as I know, everyone has done as we have and moved the mustangs closer to the main house. I can’t imagine what he was thinking.”
“Just to create a mood of fear and restlessness,” Saunders said. “They might not do anything else to anyone, however, I feel we need to let the other ranchers know about this call so they can be more alert.”
“The Amish friends need to be told also. These low lifes know the Amish have pledged their support and friendship. Many of them still have a roadside business and have enclosed their products with plywood and use propane space heaters.. As soon as they sell out, they’ll break the shelter down and stay indoors. The men will stay busy making furniture and other items and the women will quilt and make items that can be sold for gifts.” Frank spoke the very thoughts that Ginger was thinking.
“How shall we go about informing all these people?” Ginger asked.
“Lisa and Belinda did get a list of names and phone numbers to us. Why don’t we divide the list among us and each of us call several people.” Frank offered the suggestion. They agreed to do this. Ginger got a pad of paper and several pens and called out the names and phone numbers so each person could have a list to call.
“Let me talk to one of the Amish neighbors and they can spread the word among their group. I think this Sunday is the time everyone is to meet at the home of Allen and Mary Kemp for services. I’ll make sure they have the information to share with the entire congregation.” Jack spoke and stood.
“I need to get back to work, but I’ll be responsible for the Amish knowing.”
Jack left and the others wandered out. Ginger noticed that Juanita stared straight into Sharpie’s eyes rather than look away and leave the room. I hope she won’t be too angry at me when she learns the truth. She’ll understand why I promised to not tell. I think they’d make a fantastic couple and would be very happy.
The Amish were thankful to get the warning. The next weekend the Rittenhouse family was in the barn gathering eggs and milking the cows. Ten year old Joseph looked out the door in time to see a man run around their house. He quietly told his daddy who ordered the family to stay in the barn. Fifteen year old Jacob and seventeen year old Jeremiah quietly went out with their father.
The two boys went one direction and Mr. Rittenhouse went the opposite so that they circled the house. Jeremiah gave a yell and tackled a man that had been trying to look in the windows on that side of the house. Jacob immediately fell on the man and helped hold him down. Their daddy came running and told Jacob to go to the barn and get some rope. He ran back with it and they tied the man up.
He was turning the air blue with his foul language. “Are you going to leave me laying here freezing to death? I thought all you Amish were Christians and taught to love your neighbor.”
“We are but the neighbor has to be worthy of our consideration. Sneaking around a home that has been threatened and peeking in windows does not make us think you are trustworthy. Jeremiah, go to the Barbers and ask them to call the sheriff for us, please.�
� Mr. Rittenhouse was calm outside but was churning inside. Their religion doesn’t allow phones.
Jacob and his daddy finally picked the man up and marched him into the barn. The women and other children were told to go into the house and keep warm. They would be told later what was happening.
Forty minutes later Sheriff Mercer and a deputy arrived. The man would not answer questions, only sass and give nonsense statements.
“I’m arresting him and taking him to jail. Maybe he can tell us why he was here and who else is involved.” Sheriff Mercer looked at the man. “I assume you are aware of the problems these good people have had with law breakers. I can only think that you’re one of the gang and treat you as such.”
“You can’t prove anything unlawful on me.”
“Trespassing and threatening the lives of these good people for a start.”
The sheriff gave the Miranda to the man through his blustering and threatening. Mr. Rittenhouse thanked the sheriff and the deputy and went in the house to join his family.
All the way to jail the man yelled and said he would sue the sheriff and the Amish idiots. Sheriff Mercer told the deputy to lock him up for seventy-two hours and see if he was still yelling.
After twenty-four hours the man was begging to talk to the sheriff. He told them his name was Ralph Blazer and he was a guest in the home of people in St. Ignatius. Sheriff Mercer called the people to tell them and was instantly suspicious when Sydney Harriman asked if Ralph had said anything.
“No, he hasn’t. I tried to help him but he was not cooperating. I didn’t even have a name until today and he told me he was staying with you.”
“Well, I didn’t invite him here and you can tell him not to come back.”
Mr. Harriman slammed the phone down. The sheriff went back to give Ralph the message.
“Oh, he did, did he? Well he needn’t think I’m going to cover for him any more.”
“What do you mean by that? What are you covering?” the man said nothing more. “If you don’t cooperate with me, I can’t help you,” the sheriff said. He walked out and left Ralph alone for several hours. Later that night the women who cooked and delivered food came to tell the deputy in charge that the prisoner wanted to talk to the sheriff. Mercer was called at home.
Around eight Sheriff Mercer was back at the jail and waiting for Ralph to talk to him. There was absolute silence for about ten minutes. Finally Ralph took hold of the bars and said, “I’m ready to tell you everything, but first get me out of here.”
A deputy brought Ralph into the conference room where they were joined by the sheriff and three deputies; one deputy was taking a deposition.
Ralph glared at all of them and finally spoke. “I would never have given them away, but if they’re going to throw me to the wolves, I won’t go down alone.” Everyone sat quietly until Ralph got nervous and started talking again.
“A few months ago Sydney Harriman, George Washburn and Isaac Penroy contacted me to meet with them. I was told that they just wanted to make some people feel uneasy and they were willing to pay big money. I agreed and started a fire in a barn. I honestly thought it would be seen in time so that it would not do much damage, but it didn’t happen that way. The barn burned down, but I was relieved to learn that the animals were taken to safety in time. Then I was told to ride with Barney Newsome and Grover Stiddham around a house and shoot pistols in the air. We were just supposed to scare someone. I didn’t know the reason for this but I was being paid good money -- which I have yet to collect.”
He stopped to drink water from a bottle. “Today I was told to check and see if that Amish farmer was home with his family. I didn’t know they were all in the barn and thought no one was home. That’s how I was caught.”
“So far I can’t find evidence that you committed murder or stole cattle.”
“No! Honest to God, Sheriff. I never did none of that. I don’t know who was responsible for that. I admit, I did start the fire and I rode around shooting my pistol. No, man. I’m not guilty of any of the rest of that.”
“If you’ll help us find who is responsible, I’ll write a report that you cooperated and the judge will not be as strict with you.”
“Can’t you just let me go? I’ve told all I know.”
“No, I still have to charge you with trespassing and now you’ve made a statement that you’re guilty of arson and harassment. Do you have any other names to give us?”
“No. Those are all I know. I do know none of them is the boss. Sydney talks to the boss on the phone, but I’ve never heard him say a name.”
The deputy hurriedly typed the statement and had Ralph sign it in front of a notary. “I want everything as legal as we can get it and no chance for loop holes,” the sheriff stated.
Chapter Twenty
Ralph was taken back to his cell and deputies who were off duty were called in for an emergency. Ten deputies were sent out to pick up the five men that were named. Four deputies had been loaned from the next county.
It was a little after nine by then and the sheriff felt the men would not be on guard and could be taken easily.
“Don’t let any of these men, including Ralph, have a chance to talk to each other and prepare a story.” When the men were brought in they were made to sit in the front under guard and were taken back to the conference room one at a time. They were told that Ralph had made a statement and they nearly tripped over their own tongues to tell their story and place the blame on others. Sydney was the only hold out.
“I’m a working man just like you are and I have a spotless record. If that bum told you a story, it’s just that; a story. He’s probably making things up to make it easier on himself.” Sydney laughed. “Me calling a boss. I’m my own boss and have men working for me.”
When he was told that the other men, who had been brought in, had told practically the same as Ralph, Sydney knew his goose was cooked. He knew that all of them had been under guard and not allowed to concoct a story that would refute Ralph’s. Besides, when they came in, none of them knew what Ralph had told.
The jail was full by the time they were all given their statement to sign and booked in. It was midnight before Sheriff Mercer was able to go home. He reminded himself to write a commendation for all the deputies who worked overtime and those that were on loan.
The next morning Sheriff Mercer called Alan Barker and told him what had transpired the night before. “Then none of the Rittenhouse were harmed?” Alan inquired.
“Everyone’s fine. I need to ask Jacob Rittenhouse and his boys to come in and give a statement. He can notify any of the others who were bothered and they can all come in and report what has happened to them.”
Alan was jubilant. “Is it all right if I pass the word around among the ranchers? Some have had great losses and all have been harassed.”
“Sure, go ahead and tell them. I’m calling James Deerhunter and Ginger Proudfoot though. I’m sure they’ll want to come in and hear for themselves what has gone on.”
James and Ginger were ecstatic to hear the news. James called Ginger and offered to drive her in the county seat to meet with ranchers and the Amish neighbors. Everyone came together feeling relieved thinking the end was surely in sight. They were let down when they found these men were not the big wiggs in whatever organization this was.
The Amish couldn’t ask their horses to pull a buggy that far so nearby ranchers volunteered to take them in their cars and trucks. Amish could not own a vehicle but, under certain circumstances, could ride with someone else.
Two weeks went by before Sydney finally broke. He realized that he was being charged with murder, theft, arson and rustling. His wife was so scared she begged him to tell what he knew. She and the other wives had not been informed about what was planned.
Sydney gave Sheriff Mercer two phone numbers where he had been calling. He claimed he didn’t know names but the sheriff didn’t believe him. After several days Sydney finally confessed that he was afraid to gi
ve names. “I’ll be killed or something bad will happen to my family and they’re innocent. My family has not known what I’m involved in. I have been paid well but I’m afraid now.”
When the men stood before a judge they began to fall apart. Sydney was shaking and sweating. He was afraid to talk and afraid not to talk.
Sheriff Mercer had called in the Montana State Police, the Reservation Police and the Park Police. He wanted to play it safe and make sure all corners were covered. He didn’t want these people to slip through the system because he had been careless in handling their arrest.
The State officers had tracked down the two phone numbers and found an empty building and not a soul willing to admit knowing anything about the phones found on the empty floor. These people were clever and staying one step ahead of law enforcement.
The officers contacted the phone company and didn’t quit until they found a name that had applied for the phones in the empty building. Was the name real or a phony? They were still searching trying to find other numbers that the person might have called. Their investigation finally turned up three more numbers.
It was almost the last of February when they hit pay dirt. One of the phone numbers belonged to an attorney, Drury Scott, in Billings. He was brought in screaming that he was being framed. “Me thinkith he protesteth too much,” Sheriff Mercer chuckled.
Being allowed to hold a prisoner for seventy-two hours would have helped except Attorney Drury Scott called an attorney who was known for defending guilty people and getting them set free. The sheriff and the other officers realized they had a problem on their hands. They were having trouble proving beyond a reasonable doubt. Instinct told them these people were not telling the truth but how could they prove it?
Ginger came to them with a plan and they thought it was doable. She suggested that the prisoners be sent out of the area to a more heavily guarded jail. Then a couple of the law officers could pretend to be one of the law breakers and infiltrate the organization. It was risky and the men doing this would have to be made aware of the danger involved.