The Outlaws (Books We Love Western Suspense)

by Jane Toombs

  Tessa glanced at Ezra. “You found a way to get a pistol in to Billy?” she asked.

  Ezra shook his head. “I didn’t dare go near the place. They’d have stopped me for sure.” “So you sent Jules.”

  “Now, Tess, I knew you’d be mad. I didn’t exactly send him. Didn’t want to, and that’s a fact. But it was Jules who figured out how to do it. He thought up playing “Silver Threads Among the Gold” on his harmonica to attract Billy’s attention. He said if Billy couldn’t get to a window to see him, he could hear where Jules was headed if he listened and he’d know where to look. He’s smart as a whip, that brother of mine.”

  “So you let Jules go. You encouraged him to head into danger.”

  “Come on, Tess,” Ezra said, “he wasn’t in any danger. Worst thing that could have happened, they’d have stopped him.”

  She swallowed. If Billy knew, he certainly hadn’t told Ezra.

  She turned to Billy. “Are the deputies the only ones you shot?” she asked. her voice, thin and high, sounded like another person’s.

  “Far as I know. Oh, I fired once at those brave hombres who didn’t show until I was on my way out of town. Don’t tell me I hit one of them.” “I’m not telling you anything,” she said.

  Billy eyed her for a moment, then went back to filing. The iron was almost cut through. After a moment he snapped it in two with his hands and stood up.

  “That’s a relief. Mighty confining, leg irons. Hope you never find out about them

  firsthand.”

  “What do you intend to do now?” she asked.

  He grinned, “Well, I figure if only I know that, then no one else will. No offence, Tessa.”

  A nighthawk rushed through the darkness, swooping after insects attracted to the lantern, his wings swishing past so fast Tessa felt the movement of the air, Billy stretched and yawned I suppose you’ll be going with him, “ Tessa said to Ezra. “Again.”

  “Reckon so.”

  “So much for promises.”

  “But that was when Billy was in jail. When I thought it was all over. It’s different with--”

  He’d still be in jail if it wasn’t for you. Am I right?”

  “I realize you’re upset, Tessa. I know you don’t have anything against Billy, that you’re just mad at me. But I got to--”

  “How can you say I don’t have anything against Billy she demanded. “You have no idea how I feel.”

  “Look,” Billy said, “I didn’t mean to start a fight.”

  She turned on him. “You never mean to do anything, do you? ‘Just a friendly sort of fellow, trying to go his own way,’ I think I heard you tell somebody once.”

  She began to walk toward him. “How about the thieving? And the murders? How about those?”

  He blinked at her, took a step backward.

  Tessa flew at him, yanking the knife from its sheath. She raised it. Billy tried to knock her arm aside, but she dodged his thrust and lunged. Ezra’s hand caught her wrist. Twisting her arm behind her back he squeezed until she was forced to drop the knife. He let her go and picked it up.

  “What in God’s name is the matter with you, Tessa.” Ezra demanded.

  She held her right wrist, rubbing it. “You should have let me kill him!” she cried, “You’ve talked to me for years about vengeance, but you wouldn’t let me kill your brother’s murderer.”

  Ezra stared at her. “What in hell are you talking about?”

  “Jules. He shot Jules.” She covered her face with her hands and wept.

  “Hey,” Billy protested, “I wouldn’t hurt Jules. I didn’t even see Jules.”

  Tessa dropped her hands and wiped at her eyes. “There were three shots. Yours was one of them.”

  “Then it could have been those hombres who shot at me, couldn’t it, Tessa? I’m sorry--”

  Anger dried her tears. “Jules wouldn’t have been there if it wasn’t for you, Billy Bonney, or whatever your name is. He’d be alive right this minute if it wasn’t for you. If that’s not killing him, I don’t know what is.”

  Billy sighed. “Ez. I’m getting out of here.”

  Tessa stood, shoulders slumped, watching Billy lead out a horse and saddle him. Then she watched Ezra throw a saddle over the pinto’s back.

  “You ought to take Tessa home,” Billy said to him.

  Ezra shook his head. His face held no expression at all. She’d told him his brother was dead and he hadn’t even shed a tear.

  “You monster!” she shrieked at Ezra. “I’m ashamed you’re my brother. Go ahead—ride with thieves and murderers; that’s where you belong!” Ezra continued saddling up, not looking at her.

  “Go with your brother’s murderer,” she half-sobbed. “I never want to see you again.” Turning, she fled into the darkness.

  Chapter 22

  It was as lovely a spring morning as Tessa had ever seen. A soft wind blew from the southwest, hinting of the summer to come but still pleasantly cool. A meadowlark trilled in the cottonwoods lining the Rio Bonito. The air smelled fresh, with a faint scent of blooming flowers.

  The grass grew green on her father’s resting place. The wooden marker was already weathered. Tessa shifted her gaze to the newly dug hole next to Papa’s grave. It seemed only yesterday that Jules had clutched her skirts, begging her not to let them “put Papa in a hole.”

  She closed her eyes. When she opened them, maybe it would turn out to be a terrible dream. Maybe Jules would be standing beside her, harmonica in hand, ready to play his newest song.

  Calvin touched her arm and she sighed.

  “Reverend Farnright is here,” he said.

  Tessa opened her eyes. The gaping hole still waited near her feet. The pine coffin resting beside it held all that was left of her brother. He’d looked curiously peaceful, hands folded on his chest, the harmonica clasped in them as he would have wished.

  “You must remember God reserves a special place for children,” the minister said to her.

  She nodded. A man striding toward them caught her attention and she looked away from the minister to watch him hopefully. She knew it was Mark before she saw his face. No one moved in quite the same purposeful way.

  He’d come late to her father’s funeral. She recalled how her heart had warmed to see him as she stood in the midst of strangers. The people with her now were no longer strangers and yet she felt the same thrill of recognition.

  He walked straight to her and took her hand. She quelled the momentary weakness that would have had her in his arms and sobbing on his chest.

  “I’m glad you came,” she told him.

  “Jules was my friend.’’

  She knew it was true. Jules had felt the same. It would have broken Jules’ heart if she’d married Calvin and moved to Santa Fe, for Jules would have had to give up seeing Mark. Maybe that’s what had kept her from the marriage.

  A part of herself was in that coffin, would be buried with Jules. He’d been like her very own baby. Grief clawed at her. Tears filled her eyes. She couldn’t bear to lose Jules. She couldn’t bear it.

  As she fumbled in her reticule for a handkerchief, Tessa realized that Mark and Calvin were glaring at one another over her head. You’d think they could put their differences aside for these few minutes.

  Susie McQueen smiled sadly at her from among the other mourners and Tessa knew Susie must be remembering the hurried ceremony two years ago when Alex was laid to rest here. Tessa also noticed that George Barber, the lawyer who’d bought Alex’s law library, stood attentively beside Susie.

  I can never forgive Billy, Tessa thought, but I’m not sorry I didn’t kill him. So many deaths. Why should I add to them?

  “Dearly beloved,” Reverend Farnright began, “we are gathered here because a lamb of God has been gathered into His fold . . .”

  How Jules would hate being called a lamb. Tears spilled down Tessa’s cheeks.

  The minister’s voice rolled over her, intoning familiar words. She closed her eyes again. Oth
er sounds intermingled with his voice. A dog barking. The meadowlark, still singing. The rattle and clank of a wagon passing on the road. Hoof beats in the distance, coming nearer and nearer.

  Tessa’s eyes flew open. She stared at the rider who pounded toward them. He reined in only a few feet from the grave and slid from the horse.

  “Ezra!” she cried, running toward him. “Oh, Ezra, they’re burying Jules.” She flung herself into his arms.

  Tessa felt the heave of Ezra’s chest as he sobbed. “It should have been me,” he said brokenly. “Me, not Jules.”

  She clung to him tighter.

  After a moment Ezra eased her away. He strode to Mark, Tessa hurrying after him.

  “After the funeral,” Ezra said to Mark, “you can take me in. I’m ready to pay for what I’ve done.”

  Mark jerked his head, indicating that Ezra should stand next to him. Tessa slipped back into her place between Calvin and Mark. The minister, who’d gone on with the burial service through all the commotion, wound up his eulogy by asking the mourners to pray as the coffin was lowered into the grave.

  Calvin offered his arm to Tessa. She took it, but stood unmoving, her eyes on Ezra and Mark.

  “My notion is that the Nesbitt’s have paid enough,” Mark told Ezra.

  “I’m not planning to take you in. How Sheriff Garrett will feel is another story.”

  Maria’s house was soon crowded with those coming to express their sympathy. It seemed all of Lincoln had known and loved the boy with the harmonica.

  In the early evening the sheriff paid his respects. ‘Sorry to hear about your brother,” he said to Tessa, his eyes shifting from one person to another as he spoke, then stopping on Ezra.

  He headed toward him. Tessa trailed behind. “Ezra,” Garrett said. “Too bad about Jules.” Ezra eyed him steadily, waiting.

  “No use to beat about the bush. We both know you had something to do with Billy getting away. Now I’m a fair man and I’d be willing to forget about what I know if you’d be willing to help me. “

  “What kind of help?” Ezra asked.

  “I reckon you could lead me straight to the |Kid if you’d a mind to,”

  “No.”

  “No you couldn’t or no you won’t?”

  “I won’t.”

  Garrett shrugged. “I’ll be taking you in with me then.”

  “I’m ready.”

  “Ezra!” Tessa protested,

  “Don’t interfere,” Ezra warned her. “I don’t want to hear what is or isn’t right and proper. This is what I’m doing.”

  “But I thought ...” Her voice trailed away. She’d thought that when Ezra showed up at the funeral, it meant he’d repudiated Billy once and for all. She’d forgiven him on the spot.

  Now she understood that wasn’t what he’d intended at all. He’d left Billy, yes, but he wouldn’t betray him. He still cared about Jules’ murderer. How could he? She sent Ezra a scathing look and turned her back to him. Let Sheriff Garrett lock him up.

  “I don’t think there’s anything I can do about it.” Mark spoke almost into her ear, startling her. “Garrett has decided that Ezra’s going to lead him to Billy or else.”

  “Never mind!” she cried, her anger at Ezra spilling over onto Mark. “You knew what would happen, didn’t you? No wonder you could sound so noble at the grave. You knew the sheriff would do your dirty work for you.”

  Mark didn’t reply. Susie, standing next to him, stared wide-eyed at Tessa.

  “Oh, you poor dear,” Susie murmured. “You’re so upset you just don’t know what you’re saying.”

  “I know exactly what I’m saying! When men pin on a law badge, it seems to turn their hearts as hard as the badge.”

  “But Tessa . . .” Susie protested.

  “Don’t talk to me!” Tessa cried. “Naturally you’d be on Mark’s side. He’s a man.”

  Susie flushed, putting her hand to her cheek as though Tessa had slapped her. Before Susie turned away, Tessa saw her eyes mist with tears.

  Tessa raised her chin. She wouldn’t be sorry for what she’d said. It was true, every word.

  Calvin touched her arm. “I thought you might feel the need for a bit of fresh air.”

  She turned to him gratefully. “Oh, yes, Calvin. This very minute.”

  The evening was cool. The sky, still deep rose to the west, showed the hills etched darkly against the fading light. Calvin led her through the gate and down the street.

  “Surely you see there’s nothing left for you in Lincoln,” he said. “Santa Fe would be a new start.”

  “Yes,” she said, sighing. “A new start.”

  “Does that include marrying me” he asked.

  Tessa tried to smile. “I wouldn’t go with you to Santa Fe otherwise.”

  He took her into his arms, holding her close. “You’ve made me very happy. I’ve waited a long time for the right answer,”

  Had she really said yes? Tessa felt dazed and lightheaded. She leaned against Calvin’s shoulder. He was the only one she could count on.

  The sound of someone approaching made her draw back a little. Mark passed them, looking straight ahead. He said nothing. Calvin’s hand was warm on her back, but it did nothing to ease the sudden chill inside her.

  * * *

  “I don’t mean to tell you your business,” Mark said to Garrett on May first, but you could keep Ezra Nesbitt behind bars until he turned gray and it wouldn’t change his mind about helping you find Billy.” -

  “If you don’t mean to tell me my business, then don’t,” Garrett snapped.

  “What purpose does it serve? You haven’t got a warrant on him. Suspicion isn’t a valid reason.”

  “It’s my reason.”

  “Can’t you see he doesn’t mind being in jail? He blames himself for his brother getting shot and so he feels he ought to be punished. He thinks it’s fair. You can’t expect him to change his mind and take you to Billy when he’s got that attitude.”

  Don’t go talking fancy to me either.”

  Mark’s eyes flashed. “I’ll talk to you however I choose. If Ezra got himself a lawyer, he’d be out in no time. Legally, you can’t hold him.

  “So now you’re a lawyer.”

  “As a matter of fact, I am. And I’m telling you what’s legal and what isn’t.”

  “The hell with what you’re telling me. He stays in. That’s final.”

  “What if I told you I needed him to help me with some unfinished business down near Mesilla?”

  “I’d say you had as much chance of getting him as a snake has of hatching a chicken. Why don’t you get the hell out of here and leave me be?’’

  Mark did just that. He took himself on up to Santa Fe, and when he came back, he had papers to show to Pat Garrett.-.

  “Damn you, Halloran, what’d you go and do that for?” Garrett demanded.

  “I told you I needed help. Now, will you get the new deputy marshal out of your goddamned jail or do I have to file suit? And my name’s Dempsey.”

  Ezra kept shaking his head as he walked down the street with Mark. “Me, a deputy marshal?”

  “Why not? I still haven’t caught up with Yarrow, but I hear he’s been spotted for sure around Mesilla. We’ll ride down and round him up. Any objections?”

  “No. But I sort of thought you’d be hunting Billy.”

  “That’s the sheriff’s job. He hasn’t asked me for help. And somehow I don’t think he will.”

  It was June when Ezra and Mark got back into Lincoln, Yarrow safely behind bars in Mesilla and no longer a threat to the U.S. Mail. Garrett wasn’t in town and Billy was still at large. Most people believed Billy had fled to Mexico.

  At Maria’s the house was in turmoil as Tessa’s wedding date approached. Mark, who’d thought himself resigned to the fact she’d soon be another man’s wife, suddenly found he couldn’t look at her without choking with rage. He wanted to pick her up and shake her until her teeth rattled. Tear off her clothes and fling h
er onto the floor and take her by force, make her admit she wanted him and not that phony Southerner.

  He decided he’d better stay away from Maria’s house altogether.

  Ezra watched his sister darting here and there, sewing frenziedly, talking, talking, her voice high and shrill. She looked thinner and, despite her protestations of happiness, her eyes were shadowed. He didn’t think it was all because she still grieved for Jules. The wedding was set for the third week in June, only two weeks away. She claimed she could hardly wait, but Ezra kept seeing her pull back from Calvin’s embraces and he knew something was very wrong in all this. He also knew he couldn’t just burst out and ask her if she really loved the man. He’d begin slow.

  “What did you say Calvin did in Santa Fe?” he asked her, figuring that was a harmless question. “Well it’s only me, I know, but I don’t think I can explain it. I don’t always understand what he tells me, He’s such a brilliant man and I’m--”

  “Whoa, Tess. Try to explain it to me.”

  “It has something to do with investments.”

  “Does he work for a bank?”

  “Not exactly. I believe he mentioned railroads once.”

  It sounds like he hasn’t tried very hard to tell you exactly what it is he does. My God, Tessa, didn’t you ask any questions? You’re usually full of them.’’

  “I tried, but it seems I couldn’t quite grasp the answers. Calvin says it’s terribly complicated.”

  “But you’re smart, Tessa. Papa always said you were the brightest of us all. ‘A real scholar’ he called you. I should think you’d understand.”

  “The truth is maybe I didn’t listen as closely as I might have. It’s such a relief not to have to worry anymore. To know that someone will be taking care of everything so that I’ll know what’s coming and there won’t be any surprises…” Her voice trailed away and, for a moment she looked wistful, as though she rather wanted a surprise to look forward to.

  “So it boils down to the fact you don’t really know what he does for a living.”

  “You make it sound sinister. I won’t have you twisting things like that, Ezra. Calvin is a fine, upstanding man, a gentleman. Anything he does is certainly honest and straightforward.”