by Steve Hayes
He’d only ridden a short distance when he realized how boring the Morgan had become. Deciding to fix that, he removed his hat and slapped the stallion over the head with it.
Instantly the startled horse reared up, squealing with rage, and started bucking. Gabriel clung on gamely but was finally thrown to the ground. Dazed, he lay there for a second – only to see the stallion, teeth bared, charging him. He quickly rolled aside and narrowly missed getting stomped.
Jumping up, he stood there laughing. The Morgan circled him, snorting, eyes blazing, and then as if realizing they were back to the old rules, trotted up to him.
‘I don’t know ’bout you, horse,’ Gabriel said, stepping into the saddle, ‘but I feel a damn sight better.’
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Gabriel dismounted beside the creek and let the Morgan slake its thirst. Hunkering down, he filled his canteen, drank his fill, and then splashed water over his sun-and wind-burned face. Feeling much cooler, he wet his bandanna and knotted it about his throat. He’d been riding since sunup and it was now late afternoon. Most of the trail had been uphill, winding through the rocky hills and canyons, often following the old Southern Pacific branch line that ran from Sacramento to Hangtown, or Placerville as the former gold-rush town was now called.
It had been a hot, tiring ride. But now, according to an old prospector he’d just passed, Old Calico was less than a mile away. Gabriel grasped the reins, avoiding as he did a sly nip by the Morgan, mounted and continued on up the trail. As he rode he wondered what kind of reception awaited him. Would Ingrid and Raven still want him around? Would Reece Blackwood welcome him as readily as he had promised or had his instinct been right when he sensed the banker’s friendliness was insincere and he was merely putting on a show for Ingrid?
Shots jolted him back to reality. Gabriel grabbed his Winchester, levered a shell into the chamber and guided the stallion toward some rocks blocking his view of the trail ahead.
Angry shouting reached Gabriel. As he rounded the rocks he saw a young man being dragged behind a galloping rider. Three other riders rode alongside, taunting the victim.
Taking quick aim, Gabriel fired and cut the rope.
Freed of the dragging weight, the horse stumbled and pitched the rider over its head. He landed hard, dazed for a moment, and then jumped up and glared at Gabriel. The other riders, who’d pulled up, angrily turned in their saddles.
‘Easy,’ Gabriel warned, leveling his rifle at them. ‘Caution’s the way.’
‘Who the hell are you, mister?’
‘More to the point,’ Gabriel said, ‘why’re you draggin’ that young fella around?’
‘That’s none of your damn’ business,’ the oldest of the riders, Gatlin Vogel, said. He had a sheriff’s badge pinned to his shirt and Gabriel now noticed the other men wore deputy badges. ‘Now, ’fore you dig yourself a grave, ride on an’ I’ll forget you ever mixed into this.’
Ignoring him, Gabriel rode to the young man. No more than 17, he untangled himself from the noose, rose, and slapped the dirt from his ragged, disheveled clothes.
‘Anythin’ broke?’ Gabriel asked him.
‘Reckon not.’ Under a mop of unkempt red hair there were scratches on his sullen, rebellious face and his dark eyes were full of contempt. ‘Don’t know why you butted in,’ he said grudgingly, ‘but I reckon I owe you some thanks.’
‘Where’s your horse?’
‘Harlin, there,’ the young man, Mitch Utley, thumbed at one of the deputies, ‘shot it out from under me. Else I’d be back in Diablo Canyon by now.’
‘Never shoulda left there in the first place,’ Sheriff Vogel growled. ‘You an’ your pa an’ the rest of your pig-suckin’ brood, you ain’t welcome in Old Calico. An’ I aim to make all of you remember that.’ Turning to Gabriel, he added: ‘For the last time, mister – ride on.’
‘Be glad to.’ Gabriel removed his boot from the stirrup nearest the cowboy and extended his hand. ‘Jump up, boy.’
Mitch swung up behind Gabriel. Keeping his eye on the sheriff and his deputies, Gabriel backed up the Morgan until they reached the trail and then rode off.
Ahead, the trail snaked down into a deep, broad canyon. Snuggled between the steep rocky slopes, most of which were scarred with abandoned mines, was Old Calico. It looked no different than most small towns that had been founded during the gold rush – except for one difference: when the mines finally played out and gold became scarcer than an honest man, thanks to the railroad Old Calico had managed to survive.
And now, thirty years later, it was thriving and prosperous.
Gabriel slowed the Morgan to a walk and rode between two rows of neatly painted false-front stores facing each other across a paved street. Both sidewalks were also paved and hanging on poles were electric arc lamps powered by dynamos. Side streets led back to well-kept two-story, wood-frame houses and as Gabriel reined up in front of the bank, the people on the sidewalk looked at Mitch as if he were a leper.
‘Don’t look like you’re too popular,’ Gabriel said dryly as he and Mitch dismounted.
‘That’s ’cause I ain’t one of ’em. An’ if you’re goin’ in there,’ Mitch said, meaning the bank, ‘I ain’t one of you neither.’
‘One of who?’
‘Miner trash!’ a woman yelled at Mitch as she and her husband rode past in a wagon. ‘Get back where you belong!’
‘Reckon that answers my question,’ Gabriel said.
‘Mine, too,’ Mitch said. ‘Only thing I can’t figure out is if you’re one of Blackwood’s new guns, why’d you help me back there?’
Gabriel gave a wolfish smile. ‘’Fore you hang a sign on someone, boy, might be wise to know who he is.’ Slinging his saddle-bags over his shoulder, he entered the bank.
Inside, everything was clean, well-appointed and orderly. Gabriel looked at the well-dressed customers doing business at the teller windows and wished he’d shaved and bathed before looking up Ingrid’s stepbrother. But it was too late. Coming out of his office toward him was Reece Blackwood and the handsome little gunfighter from Texas, Latigo Rawlins.
‘What’d I tell you,’ Gabriel heard Latigo mutter. ‘He’s harder to lose than a plugged nickel.’
Reece ignored him. Smiling, he stuck out his hand to Gabriel and said: ‘Glad you took me up on my offer, Mr Moonlight. Can always use a good man.’
Gabriel didn’t remember any offer but said anyway: ‘Thanks, but I’m not lookin’ for work.’
‘Then you must be looking for my stepsister.’ Reece put a fresh stick of Black Jack gum in his mouth. ‘Your timing’s perfect. I’m just heading home so I’ll let her know you’re here. I can’t wait to see the look on her face when she sees you. You’ll stay for dinner of course? Seven o’clock suit you?’ He turned to Latigo. ‘Tell Mr Moonlight how to get to my house.’ He was gone, the door swinging shut behind him before either Gabriel or Latigo could say anything.
‘He ever wait for an answer?’ Gabriel said wryly.
‘Not unless it comes out of his mouth,’ Latigo said.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The Blackwood Mansion, as it was known, sat on a low grassy rise at the end of the canyon. Three stories of wood and stone with a slate roof, a wedding cake facade and a large front porch overlooking the valley beyond, it was the envy of everyone in Old Calico. The furniture was handmade in San Francisco, the paintings by famous American and European artists and each room was lit by dynamo-charged electricity. That wasn’t all. The china, crystal and silverware came from Europe; and the snowy tablecloth was made of the finest Irish linen.
Gabriel, now bathed and shaved, was extra careful during dinner so that he didn’t spill anything on it.
Ingrid, sensing his unease, kept the conversation light and breezy; and to make sure he wasn’t embarrassed by using the incorrect silverware, she made sure before each course was served by the icy-polite British butler that Gabriel saw which knife, fork or spoon she was using.
As
the five-course meal ended and cigars were brought out, Raven entered to say goodnight. Resentful of Reece’s strict rules – one of which was that ‘children’ did not dine with ‘grown-ups’ when guests were invited – she kissed her mother fondly, grudgingly muttered goodnight to ‘Uncle Reece,’ and made a big fuss about fawning over Gabriel and telling him how much she’d missed him.
‘I’m envious,’ Reece half-joked to Gabriel after Raven had left. ‘She seems to really like you.’
‘No more than she does you,’ Ingrid said quickly.
‘I’d like to think that,’ he said. ‘But there are times, many times, when I get the feeling she’s avoiding me.’
‘Nonsense. Raven’s not like that. She’s entirely honest about her feelings. If she didn’t like you, she’d tell you. Isn’t that right, Gabe?’
‘She’s not shy ’bout speakin’ her piece,’ Gabriel agreed. Inwardly, though, he knew something was wrong. From the moment he’d arrived he could tell Raven wasn’t happy. The way she hugged him and remained at his side, ignoring Reece, made it obvious that she disliked him.
‘She doesn’t even ask me for chewing gum anymore,’ Reece said, hurt. ‘And when I offered to buy her a new dress the other day, she pretended not to hear me. Do you think it’s something I’ve done, or said to her?’ he asked Ingrid. Before she could answer, the butler entered. He spoke quietly to Reece, who immediately frowned and gave Gabriel a hard look.
‘Excuse me,’ he said, rising. ‘I’ll only be a minute.’
When he’d left Ingrid quickly turned to Gabriel. ‘I’m worried, Gabe. Reece is right. Raven does seem to have turned against him.’
‘Maybe she resents bein’ bossed around by a stranger.’
‘But he’s not a stranger; he’s her uncle. And after all, this is his home so it’s only proper that she do as he asks.’
‘’Cause it’s proper doesn’t make it easier to swallow.’
Ingrid didn’t answer for moment. ‘I’ve tried to discuss it with her,’ she said finally. ‘But it was like talking to a stone wall. You like him, don’t you?’ she said when Gabriel didn’t respond.
‘Don’t dislike him.’
‘That’s not what I asked you.’
‘It’s my answer.’
‘In other words, you won’t discuss it? My God, you are so exasperating,’ she said when again he didn’t respond. ‘It’s no wonder Raven adores you. You’re two of a kind—’
She broke off as her brother returned. Apologizing for his absence, he put fresh gum in his mouth and asked Ingrid if he could have a moment alone with Gabriel.
‘Of course.’ Rising, she gathered up her cream satin gown so she wouldn’t trip on the flowing skirt and withdrew.
Reece poured Gabriel a brandy and came right to the point: ‘That was Sheriff Vogel. Seems you and he had a little misunderstanding earlier.’
‘That what he called it?’
Reece Blackwood sighed, spat his licorice gum into a brass spittoon and reached for a cigar. ‘I’m not going to lie to you, Gabe. What you saw wasn’t pleasant but it was necessary. It’s the only kind of treatment the Utleys understand.’ He paused, expecting Gabriel to say something. When he didn’t, Reece said: ‘I don’t condone Vogel’s barbaric actions but nor do I intend to reprimand him for them either. They get results. And right now, I need results.’
‘Must be a better way than draggin’ a boy in the dirt.’
‘That boy,’ Reece said angrily, ‘is part of a clan of human filth that lives – no, make that infests – Diablo Canyon. They’re like a plague. They live like animals and multiply like vermin, fouling everything they touch. Their leader’s a violent, bullying patriarch who goes by the name of Remus Utley.’
‘The boy’s kin?’
‘His father.’ Reece clipped the end off his cigar and lit it with a gold lighter. ‘He’s an illiterate drunk who beats his wife and sires children like they were rats. Remus’s grandfather, Eli, spent what little gold he found in whore houses and died of syphilis and the father was killed in a mine cave-in. Everyone expected Remus to move the clan out of the canyon after that, but he didn’t. Instead he spread out into Rockfall Pass. I offered him a more than fair price for the land but he laughed in my face. Said he intended to stay there till he rotted to death.’
‘Why? Is there gold or silver to be dug out?’
‘Not a dime’s worth. Even in the gold rush days it was known as Dry Diggin’s. That’s what’s so crazy about this whole thing. To spite me – well, the townspeople,’ Reece corrected, ‘he’s brought pain and misery to not only his own family but the half-dozen other families who live there with him. God knows, I’ve done everything a civilized man could possibly do to make him change his mind. But it’s useless. He’d rather see everyone starve to death than give up his land.’
Gabriel eyed Reece shrewdly and spit out a stream of smoke. ‘If the land ain’t worth anythin’, why do you want it?’
‘I don’t. I just want them out of there. Filth like that spreads like a disease. Gives Old Calico a bad name and stops outsiders from coming here. And without outsiders, no town can exist for long. And I don’t intend for scum like the Utleys to destroy something I’ve nurtured into prosperity, something good, a town where decent folks can live and work and raise their families in safety—’
‘So you resorted to force?’
‘I had no other choice. As I said, I’ve offered Remus money, land – fertile land where he and his clan could relocate – all to no avail. So now I intend to drive him out, by any means available to me—’
‘Includin’ Latigo Rawlins?’
‘Including Latigo Rawlins. I don’t know why that should disgust you,’ Reece said, seeing Gabriel’s expression. ‘Latigo isn’t doing anything you didn’t do back when you were on the prod for Stillman Stadtlander.’
Gabriel smiled unpleasantly and studied the smoke curling up from his cigar. ‘Was wonderin’ when you’d get around to that.’
‘Don’t worry. I don’t intend to tell Ingrid.’
‘No need. She an’ Raven already know what I was – still am when it comes right down to it.’
Reece looked surprised but didn’t say anything. The two men smoked in silence for a few moments.
‘So what can I expect?’ Reece said finally. ‘More of the same or are you going to back my play?’
‘Anyone who isn’t with you is against you, that it?’
‘Isn’t that how you’d look at it?’
Gabriel slowly got to his feet. ‘Blackwood, let’s get somethin’ straight. My gun’s not for sale.’
Reece watched Gabriel walk to the door. There was something lethal about the man and it scared him.
‘You don’t like me much, do you, Moonlight?’
‘I don’t like you at all,’ Gabriel said. He walked out.
Ingrid was coming down the stairs as he collected his hat from the blank-faced butler.
‘You’re leaving?’
He nodded. She saw a glint in his eyes that troubled her.
‘You and my brother, you had words?’
Again, he nodded.
‘About me?’
‘Ask him. G’night ‘
‘Wait. Will I see you again?’
‘I’ll be around.’ He left. The butler closed the door and returned to the kitchen.
Ingrid felt someone watching. Turning, she saw Reece standing in the dining room door.
‘What did you two argue about?’
‘He didn’t tell you?’
‘Said to ask you.’
‘I wanted him to side with me against the Utleys. There’s big trouble looming, sis, and I could use his gun.’
‘Good God,’ Ingrid said. ‘You invite him to dinner and then ask him to kill for you?’
‘It’s what gunfighters do, in case you’ve forgotten.’
‘But not bankers,’ she said scathingly, ‘in case you’ve forgotten!’ She stormed upstairs.
‘Ingrid!’ Reece we
nt to the foot of the stairs and called after his stepsister. ‘Ingrid, wait – I want to talk to you.’
She ignored him and he heard her bedroom door slam.
‘Well, well,’ a low voice said mockingly. ‘Trouble in paradise?’
Reece whirled and saw Latigo standing in the kitchen doorway, munching on a chicken leg.
‘Get out of my house!’ Reece shouted at him.
The small, slim gunfighter grinned impudently, tossed the chicken leg over his shoulder into the kitchen, licked his fingers clean and strolled past Reece to the front door.
There he turned and said softly: ‘Don’t ever raise your voice to me again, Mr Blackwood. Or I might forget I work for you.’ He walked out and down the steps to his horse.
Enraged, Reece grabbed an ancient Grecian urn sitting atop a small antique table, and hurled it against the wall.
It shattered into a thousand pieces.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Gabriel awoke with a start. It wasn’t yet dawn and someone was pounding on his hotel door.
‘Moonlight – Moonlight, you in there?’
Recognizing Reece Blackwood’s voice, Gabriel thumbed the hammer back on his Colt and went to the door. ‘What do you want?’
‘Open up!’
‘I can hear you through the door.’
‘Damn you, it’s important! Remus Utley’s kidnapped Ingrid and Raven—’
Gabriel yanked open the door and saw Reece, armed with a shotgun, and behind him Latigo Rawlins.
‘When?’
‘Some time earlier tonight.’
‘Know where he’s taken them?’
‘Diablo Canyon, most likely.’
‘It’s payback,’ Latigo added. ‘For what Sheriff Vogel an’ his deputies did to his boy, Mitch.’
‘Will you throw in with us now?’ Reece said.
Nodding, Gabriel sat on the bed, quickly pulled on his boots and shirt and buckled on his gun-belt. ‘How’d this Utley fella get hold of ’em?’
‘Some of his men broke into my home, pistol-whipped the butler and snatched them right out of their bedrooms.’