It was after dark. Glenn had a habit of smoking a cigar out on the front porch of his house before he went to bed. This night was no different.
Glenn tossed away the nearly spent cigar and rose up from the rocking-chair. That was when Kyler pulled a bandanna up over his nose and slipped up behind him. He put a gun into the man’s ribs and hedged his voice with ice.
‘Make a sound and I’ll bore a hole through you, banker-man.’
Glenn gulped and lifted his hands.
‘What do you want?’ he cried. ‘There’s little money in the bank … no payrolls, hardly any savings either. I’m nearly broke!’
‘We’re going for a little ride, banker.’ Kyler hissed the words. ‘You make one mistake and it’ll be the last move you ever make.’
‘W-what do you want?’ Glenn asked a second time.
‘Shut up and move!’
Glenn didn’t dare look back at Kyler. He went in the direction Kyler shoved him, walking through the darkness until they reached a buckboard.
‘In the back,’ Kyler directed. ‘You make one peep and I’ll start shooting.’
Glenn crawled into the bed of the wagon. Kyler covered him with a canvas tarp, then climbed on to the wagon seat and started the team moving. He drove to a secluded spot a mile from town, a place where no one would hear a man scream for help.
Jessie stood at the eating-emporium table, her hands on her hips and glared down at Nat. He took a bite of his supper, but squirmed under the harsh stare.
‘I told you, girl,’ he whined softly, so as not to draw any attention to their table, ‘I don’t know where he went off to. The boy don’t answer to me.’
‘He isn’t pretending to work for Huxton any more. Who is he working for?’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
Jessie leaned across the table, right down in his face. ‘Nat! you lying old coot! What are you hiding from me?’
‘Look, I don’t …’ he began, but did one quick chew and swallowed the bite of stew. It went down like a five-pound limestone block. He had to cough and take a quick drink of coffee before he could even manage speech again.
‘Huxton knows he isn’t Kyler Dane!’ Jessie was growing impatient. ‘I happen to know he got word today that the real Kyler Dane is in jail! Phoenix is liable to challenge him to a fight the first chance he gets. You have to tell me where he is!’
Nat managed to clear his throat. ‘I’m telling you, missy, I don’t know where the boy went. He took a buckboard and said he’d be back. That’s all I know!’
She glared at him with hot, smoldering eyes, trying to burn a confession out of him. However, Nat did not blink. He had told her the truth. At last, in a show of defeat, Jessie sat down across from Nat.
After a few moments of silence the woman who ran the café stopped by their table.
‘Can I get you anything tonight, honey?’ she asked Jessie.
‘I don’t know,’ she answered. ‘Maybe a cup of coffee?’
‘That’s no meal, honey,’ the woman said. ‘If you don’t have the money, I can always use a little help cleaning up.’
‘Thank you.’ Jessie smiled at the offer of charity, ‘but I’ve got enough for a meal.’ After a moment’s thought she tipped her head at the plate of food on the table. ‘Bring me a plate of stew, same as Mr Osborn here.’
‘It’s the house special,’ said the woman cheerily. ‘Four bits and it includes the coffee.’
‘Thank you,’ Jessie said. ‘That should do me just fine.’
As the woman hurried off toward the kitchen to fill her order, Jessie again stared hard at Nat.
‘Why a buckboard?’ she wanted to know.
‘He didn’t say,’ Nat replied. ‘Shucks, gal, the guy has never even told me his real name. You know as much about him as I do.’
‘I don’t believe that for a minute, Nat.’
The old boy tried to take another bite, but with Jessie’s gaze searing into him, he couldn’t even open his mouth.
‘Dag-nab-it!’ he exclaimed. ‘If you got to know, I’m the one who sent for him!’
Jessie’s mouth was agape.
‘You what?’
‘That’s right,’ he said. ‘I wrote a letter to a judge I met one time and asked him to send someone to investigate Huxton. He sent Kyler – or whoever he is – to help.’
‘But he came in as a criminal?’
‘Yeah, he hired on as a teamster, so he could learn what Huxton’s men were up to. It also allowed him to see if you Yates folks were playing it straight.’
‘And me?’
‘What about you?’
Jessie gnashed her teeth.
‘You know what I’m talking about, Nat! Why did he try to get close to me?’
‘Ye-cats!’ he exclaimed. ‘This is going to sound like one of them mushy type female stories.’
‘Talk!’ she snapped.
‘He seen you the day of the big July celebration and wanted to know your name. I told him it was no use chasing after you, but the boy is as stubborn as a mule headed for the barn. He never did let his job or duty get in the way of trying to court you.’
Jessie’s stew and coffee arrived. She turned over what Nat had told her and took a bite. For some reason, she felt an odd sort of relief, almost a blissfulness. As she began to chew the food she decided it wasn’t all that bad.
George Glenn had his hands bound behind his back. He was sitting on the ground, with his legs stuck out so his feet were about thirty inches apart. Two stakes were driven into the ground and a length of rawhide bound either ankle to the stakes, so he couldn’t get away. After a few terrified minutes Glenn recovered a measure of composure and put a look of defiance on his face.
‘I don’t know who you are,’ he told Kyler, ‘but you can’t expect to get away with kidnapping a banker. Come morning, there will be an entire army of people searching for me. You won’t get any money. You’ll only get yourself hanged!’
Kyler adjusted his mask and tugged down the brim of the hat he’d found. He was wearing a rain-slicker to hide his clothes and build so Glenn had no idea that Kyler was his kidnapper.
‘Actually, Mr Glenn,’ he disguised his voice, ‘I’m not concerned about money.’
‘Not robbery?’ Puzzlement shown the banker’s face. ‘Then why have you brought me out here? What is it you want? Who are you?’
‘Let’s say I’m like a kind of traveling preacher, one who does a little more than spread the word of God. I encourage a man to confess his sins.’
Glenn began to struggle, but he was securely tied. With his wrists and ankles bound he could do nothing but squirm and twist in a sitting position.
‘If you let me go, right now, I’ll forget about this little escapade. You don’t want to end up being hanged for kidnapping.’
‘Kidnapping … murder, it’s about the same difference,’ Kyler said. ‘I believe you know something about murder, don’t you?’
Glenn’s eyes darted about, as if he were searching for an escape route.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ he said.
‘Carla … that was your wife’s name, wasn’t it?’
Glenn put a long hard stare on Kyler.
‘What’s my wife got to do with this?’
‘Pretty odd coincidence, her dying about the time Huxton’s new freight outfit came into town.’ Kyler watched for any sign of guilt or weakness. ‘Strangled with her own scarf, so the story goes.’
‘It was an accident!’
‘Yes, well, accidents do happen. One time I saw a poor girl who had gotten her crinoline hoop snagged on the wheel of a buckboard. She would have been dragged to death, if it had not been for some quick thinking person grabbing hold of her team of horses.’
‘This was no different,’ Glenn stated haughtily, ‘Except there was no one around to stop the team.’
‘Only Skinny and Mugs, two of Surlock’s new arrivals, two of Huxton’s men.’
‘S
o what?’
‘So, as soon as Huxton started up his express business, you immediately cut off credit to the Yates family. They get hit with a couple mishaps, a lost cargo here or there, and suddenly, they are about to go broke.’
‘It was only business,’ Glenn maintained. ‘I had to keep my bank solvent. With the competition in town, the Yates family was no longer a sound investment.’
‘Especially if you knew they were going to suffer some major losses.’
Glenn bulled past the accusation.
‘I did what I thought was best for my bank.’
‘I think it was all part of the deal!’ Kyler’s voice was fringed with ice. ‘Huxton got rid of your wife for you and you had to return the favor.’
‘You’re crazy!’ Glenn wailed. ‘You can’t prove that!’
‘Maybe not,’ Kyler admitted easily. Then he pulled a slender stick of explosives out of his shirt and moved over in front of the banker.
Glenn watched him, fearful, yet curious as to what he was up to. Kyler knelt down and planted the stick in the dirt, between the banker’s legs, right up next to his crotch.
‘What the…?’ Glenn was instantly alarmed.
‘Last chance to cleanse your soul from sin, banker-man,’ Kyler said, removing a match from his shirt-pocket. ‘Your mistress lives in Denver, doesn’t she.’ It was a statement. ‘I’d wager that’s where you met up with Huxton. You probably made a deal with him before he came here to start up his freight outfit. He would get rid of your wife and you would cut off credit for the Yates family. He does a service for you and you return the favor by helping ruin his competition.’
‘No! No! No!’ Glenn blustered. ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Kyler issued a pronounced sigh.
‘Heck of a way to leave this world, with a lie on your lips.’
Glenn fought to maintain his composure. Kyler struck the match to life, touched it to the dynamite fuse and the wick sprang to life, spewing forth thousands of tiny sparks.
‘You’ll pardon me if I don’t stick around,’ Kyler said. ‘Dynamite makes an unholy mess of a body. I don’t want to get blood all over me from being too close.’
‘Wait!’ Glenn’s courage vanished. ‘You aren’t serious? You aren’t going to blow me up!’
‘Like an over-inflated balloon,’ Kyler assured him. ‘I imagine you’re going to cover this here area like an oil-painting.’
‘But I’ve done nothing to you!’
‘Confession is good for the soul, banker. Maybe you ought to give it a try.’
Glenn yanked against his bonds and tried to scoot away from the burning fuse. Kyler backed away slowly, shaking his head back and forth.
‘So long, banker-man. Try selling your tale of innocence to Saint Peter. I’m sure he’ll be real sympathetic.’
Glenn broke down.
‘No! Wait!’ he wailed. ‘You’re right!’ he sobbed. ‘I admit it! I was in Denver on a business trip and met Huxton at a casino.’ He began to talk fast. ‘We were playing cards and got to know each other. We agreed on a plan – he would take care of my wife and I would cut off credit to the Yates outfit.’
Kyler moved to stand over him.
‘And the raids on the Yates outfit? You know for a fact that Huxton gave those orders?’
Glenn appeared ready to bawl.
‘I heard him order Strap to cause as much damage as possible, in order to break their business.’ He stared at the dynamite and rolled his eyes. ‘I’ve told you everything I know! Don’t blow me up! Please! Save me!’
‘Who all is involved in the robberies and vandalism?’
‘The Monger boys were hired to hit the stage once or twice a month, while Skinny and Mugs did the other dirty work. The other men working for Huxton are just teamsters and the like.’
‘How about Phoenix Cline?’
‘Huxton hired him for his reputation and for protection. Far as I know, he doesn’t know anything about the sabotage.’
Kyler bent at the middle and removed the explosive stick. Once he had removed the fuse, he looked back over his shoulder.
‘Did you get all that, Judge?’
Buck Taylor appeared from out of the darkness, a look of disgust on his face.
‘Carla was my wife’s dear friend, George. I can’t believe you had her killed.’
‘Buck?’ Glenn could not hide his shock. He turned his head back and forth. ‘No! It wasn’t like that!’ He whimpered and ducked his head in shame. ‘I only said what this crazy coot wanted me to say. I swear! I didn’t have anything to do with Carla’s death!’
‘We’ll see what a jury thinks,’ Taylor told him firmly. Then he turned about to face Kyler. ‘All right, Dane,’ he said, ‘we have a witness against Huxton. What is your next move?’
‘First off, the name is Vince Templeton,’ Kyler explained. ‘Kyler Dane is a wanted man. Judge Tate
sent me here, posing as him, so I could discover what was going on.’
‘Templeton,’ Taylor repeated. ‘All right, son. What do you need?’
‘A place to keep our fine banker until I can arrest Huxton and those men who helped in the robberies and destruction of property.’
‘There’s at least five men against only you,’ Taylor said. ‘Fast as you are with a gun, I think you’d best get some help.’
‘I intend to.’
Taylor gave a bob of his head.
‘Deputize anyone you want. I’ll stand behind you.’
‘Thanks, Judge.’
‘As for George here, I’ve a sturdy tack-shed behind my house. We can lock him up there for the time being.’
‘Sounds good,’ Kyler agreed. ‘I’ll get him into the buckboard and we’ll haul him back to town. I need to send off a couple wires and then sign on some special help. With luck, I’ll be ready to collect Huxton and his boys by first thing in the morning.’
‘Get plenty of help,’ Taylor warned. ‘I don’t want a lot of dead bodies.’
‘I’m hoping I can take them without a fight.’
The judge grunted his approval.
‘I’ll second that motion.’
CHAPTER TEN
Jessie searched the town frantically. When she spied Kyler he was standing on the walk, near the corner of the saloon … confronting Phoenix Cline!
She raced in their direction, fearful of the stern look on the faces of both men. She knew she had only seconds before they both started shooting!
As she drew within hearing distance, she heard Phoenix say to Kyler:
‘I always figured you and I would have it out one day.’
Jessie shouted ‘No!’ and rushed in between the two men. She threw her arms around Kyler, preventing him from drawing his gun.
‘I won’t let you fight him!’ she cried, clinging to him. ‘I won’t!’
Kyler appeared stunned. ‘Jessie, it isn’t—’
‘I mean it!’ she stated adamantly. ‘You don’t have to prove anything and neither does Phoenix. Even if you are lightning with a gun, he’s just as fast. You’ll both end up dead!’
Kyler’s face skewed into a serious mask.
‘Jessie, there are some things a man can’t walk away from. A man has to be able to hold up his head.’
‘A dead man doesn’t hold up anything!’ she retorted.
He paused in thought and his tone was contemplative. ‘I can think of only two reasons that might keep me from going up against Phoenix with a gun, Jessie.’ He stared deeply into her eyes. ‘One would be if you were to kiss me.’
She immediately jerked back from him.
‘No you don’t!’ Her anger flared at once. ‘I’m not falling for the same line twice!’
Kyler pressed his lips together in a thin line, deadly serious.
‘I can’t swallow my pride or turn tail and run, not unless it’s worth the price. A single kiss from your lips would make a life of shame worth while.’
Jessie hated the mixture of emotions that fought for supremacy with
in her. She couldn’t deny she had enjoyed kissing him and she wanted him to be safe. But she had humiliated herself the previous day. How could she do the same thing a second time?
‘It’s a small price from you,’ Kyler coaxed. ‘But it’s a high price for me. I have to live with the decision for the rest of my life.’
Jessie was besieged by the combined heat of passion and a maddening fury at the same time. She didn’t wish to give in to his demand, but she couldn’t allow the two of them to fight either – not if she could prevent it.
‘All right!’ she hissed the words vehemently. ‘Darn your stubborn, pious nature! I’ll kiss you, if you promise not to fight with Phoenix!’
Kyler wet his lips, as if considering the bargain one last time. Eventually he let out a pronounced sigh.
‘It’s a deal,’ he agreed, ‘but it has to be a good kiss.’
Jessie rose up on to her toes and placed her mouth against his. She had intended merely to press her lips to his, but once she loosened her passions, the fire burned bright and hot. She kissed Kyler with such zeal that he had to back up a step to retain his balance. Jessie pressed onward, melding her mouth to his in a searing fusion that crushed her lips against her teeth. Her arms hugged him tightly, until she felt her heart pounding only inches from his own. When at last she pulled away they both gasped for breath.
‘Hot-dang!’ Kyler exclaimed. ‘I’ve never been kissed like that before!’
Jessie lowered her eyes from abashment but murmured: ‘I should hope not.’
‘OK,’ Kyler told her happily, ‘I’m a man of my word. I won’t go up against Phoenix with a gun.’
Abruptly, a distant alarm sounded within Jessie’s mind. She lifted her gaze to put a hard stare on Kyler.
‘Wait a minute,’ she recalled his words from their earlier exchange. ‘What is the second reason you would not fight with Phoenix?’
Kyler appeared to take a deep breath.
‘The second reason?’
‘You said there were two reasons why you would not fight Phoenix,’ she reminded him of his own words.
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