Last Breath (A Gideon Johann Western Book 5)

by Duane Boehm

  “The humerus bone has a chip out of it from the bullet, but nothing bad. If the bone were shattered, we’d have real problems. A one–armed blacksmith isn’t much use. Do you want to feel it?” Doc said.

  The boy looked at the wound and took a breath as he tried to decide whether to put his finger in the hole. “Sure,” he finally said.

  Henry inserted his finger into the wound, and with Doc’s guidance, he probed the wound.

  “Do you feel the bone?” Doc asked.

  “I do,” Henry said excitedly. “I can feel where the bullet took a piece out.”

  “Okay, now I want you to pour the acid on each instrument that I ask you to hand me. I need those forceps right there,” Doc said and pointed.

  Doing as instructed, Henry doused the forceps and handed them to his grandfather. The doctor began extracting bits of bone, causing Blackie to moan and put up a small amount of resistance. Henry grabbed the blacksmith’s arm without prompting and held it in place until Doc was satisfied that he had gotten all of the chips.

  Doc grabbed the sleeve he had cut from the shirt and stretched it out on the countertop. “I want to show you something. Blackie’s shirt looks about worn out and the bullet tore the fabric. A lot of times the bullet will take a piece of material into the wound and if you don’t retrieve it, the patient will almost always get an infection. Many times they will even die. Now I want you to hold his arm up while I treat the exit wound,” he said.

  John watched the proceedings with mixed emotions. His son looked as enthused as he had ever seen him and he felt happy for him, but realized that Henry probably wouldn’t follow him into the banking business. “Father, you are going to cause me to have to make Rose the next banker in the family,” he said.

  Doc looked over at his son and smiled. “That would be okay. She strikes me as a smart one and there’s nothing wrong with a smart woman. I just wanted to expose Henry to what medicine is really like. Back in medical school, I saw more than one student decide medicine was not their calling the first time they got blood on their hands. Better to know now than after all that schooling,” he said.

  Henry held the arm in the air while Doc trimmed away the dead skin and doused the back side of the wound with the carbolic acid. The doctor then dressed the wound before declaring the procedure complete.

  “Do you think Blackie will be okay?” Henry asked.

  “I think so. I’ll have to watch for infection. He has a good deal of muscle damage and that will take a couple of months to heal, but he’s strong as an ox and I expect a full recovery,” Doc answered.

  Gideon walked in the office as they were cleaning up the medical instruments. “How is Blackie?” he asked.

  “He won’t be shoeing any horses anytime soon, but I think he’ll be fine,” Doc said.

  “Good, I’m glad to hear it. Finnie and I are going to have to ride out. Do you think Mary will be fine while he’s gone?” Gideon asked.

  “Mary is going to be fine as long as she follows my orders and she has so far,” Doc said.

  “Was Blackie able to tell you what happened?” Gideon asked.

  “He did. Sounds like you had a real mess on your hands,” Doc said.

  “Do you think I did the right thing in letting them take Betsy?” Gideon questioned.

  “Gideon, I totally trust your judgement as a sheriff. I know you did what you thought best,” Doc answered.

  “I’m questioning myself and wondering if I would have done things differently if it would’ve been Joann. They’d already killed Mr. Fredrick and I think they would’ve killed Betsy without a thought and then shot it out with us,” Gideon said.

  “Sounds like you have your answer. Did you talk to Betsy’s parents,” Doc said.

  “I did. Of course they’re sick with worry,” Gideon said.

  “Best thing you can do is get her back. Do you know who you’re looking for?” Doc asked.

  “I think it’s Charlie Reilly. I had a poster for one of the dead outlaws and he’s been known to ride with Reilly. That’s all I got to go on,” Gideon answered.

  “Just be careful,” Doc reminded him.

  Gideon nodded his head before smiling and turning to Henry. “If you decide to follow in your grandad’s footsteps, don’t be a grouch like he is. His bedside manners leave a lot to be desired,” he said.

  “Get out of here and go catch the outlaws. Next time I work on you I’m liable to make you a steer,” Doc grumbled.

  Finnie and Zack waited for Gideon at the jail. Zack would ride with them until they found Betsy and then return her to Last Stand on an extra horse they would take. They followed the tracks west. A mile out of town they found where the outlaws had stopped and switched Betsy to her own horse before resuming their getaway.

  “Looks like we’re headed back to South Fork,” Finnie remarked.

  “I doubt these two will stop in at the trading post, but maybe they’ll leave Betsy there,” Gideon said.

  About a mile before reaching the trading post, the tracks of the outlaws stopped again. They had led their horses into the brush and back out again before riding away.

  “Maybe Betsy is back in here,” Gideon said as he led the way off the road.

  Thirty yards into the brush, Gideon found Betsy’s dress torn to pieces and thrown into a heap. Gideon could feel his legs go limber and he shuddered as if he caught a chill. The nagging doubt he had since letting the outlaws ride away with Betsy was replaced by dread for what he would see on the other side of a crop of rocks. He walked around the rocks and saw Betsy. She lay stretched out naked on the ground with her throat slit from ear to ear. Her eyes stared up at the heavens and a huge pool of blood surrounded her head.

  Finnie and Zack walked up beside Gideon. Zack took one look and dropped to his knees. He puked until his stomach emptied and continued retching dry heaves. Gideon glanced over at Finnie, but neither man spoke. Zack finally stood up and walked away without making eye contact with his friends. He looked as pale as a ghost.

  In a voice filled with rage, Gideon said, “I knew I should’ve never let them leave with Betsy. I could feel it deep inside and I didn’t listen to my intuition.”

  “Gideon, I don’t know what we could’ve done differently. I certainly didn’t have a shot and you couldn’t of either. We would’ve got her killed,” Finnie said.

  “Anything would have been better than this. What would I have done if it would’ve been Joann?” Gideon asked.

  “I don’t know, but you did what you thought would give her the best chance to live,” Finnie said.

  “A lot of good that did. Can you imagine the fear that poor girl felt before she died? We’ve both been in some tight spots, but I guarantee you that we’ve never felt fear like she did,” Gideon said.

  “I know,” Finnie said quietly.

  Zack rejoined them but made a point of turning his back to the body. “I don’t even want to think about how Joann is going to take this. She and Betsy were becoming pretty good friends. This is just terrible. Terrible,” he said.

  Trying to steer the conversation in another direction, Finnie asked, “Zack, do you have your slicker with you?”

  “Yeah, sure. I’ll go get it,” Zack said.

  “I’ll buy you a new one out of my expenses,” Gideon said as Zack went to retrieve the coat.

  Zack returned with the slicker and handed it to Gideon. “I can’t help you put it on her. I just can’t,” he said.

  “That’s all right. Finnie and I will do it. When you get back to town, I want you to go in on the back street to the cabinetmaker’s shop. I don’t want anybody seeing Betsey this way,” Gideon said.

  “I going to have to tell her parents, aren’t I?” Zack asked.

  Gideon looked at the ground and kicked a pebble. “I’d appreciate it,” he said.

  After getting the body into the slicker, Gideon and Finnie carried Betsy to the extra horse and tied her across the saddle.

  “I hope I never have to do this ag
ain,” Finnie said.

  “I don’t care if we have to ride to hell and back, but we’re going to find those sons of bitches. I’m going to tie them to a tree and slice their sacks open and cut one nut off at a time and then I’m going to cut off their peckers,” Gideon yelled.

  “Gideon, you promised Doc that you would never take revenge on an outlaw again, but only bring them to justice,” Finnie reminded the sheriff.

  Gideon stared Finnie in the eyes. “How did you even know about that? All that happened before you even got here,” he said angrily.

  In the past, Gideon had intentionally shot a man in the stomach to extract a slow death and had shot another man in the groin. His behavior had nearly fractured his and Doc’s relationship until Doc had made him promise never to do such a thing again.

  “Doc told me what you did to Hank Sligo and Ted McClean. He also told me that you promised to never do anything like that again,” Finnie said.

  Gideon continued staring at Finnie before turning his head and spitting on the ground.

  Chapter 9

  Two days after Zack returned with Betsy’s body, Joann remained so despondent over her friend’s death that she barely got out of bed. Zack found himself powerless to rally her spirits. In truth, he was struggling with his own shaken emotional state after seeing the gruesome murder scene and could provide little comfort. His growing concern for Joann led him to summon Abby to talk to her daughter. While Abby was there with Winnie and Chance trying to lift her daughter’s spirits, Joann’s water broke.

  “Abs, what’s happening?” Joann asked, looking down at the fluid on the floor in surprise. “Aren’t I supposed to have contractions before my water breaks?”

  “Usually, but it doesn’t always happen that way,” Abby answered.

  “Do you think there’s something wrong with the baby?” Joann asked.

  “No, I don’t think there is anything wrong with the baby. Just relax. I’m sure your contractions will start shortly,” Abby said.

  “But I’m not ready for the baby. I’m not due for two weeks,” Joann protested.

  “Well, apparently your baby has other ideas,” Abby said. “I’m not really ready to admit that I’m going to be a grandma either, but here we are.”

  Zack paced around the room. Winnie and Chance stood transfixed as they watched their brother–in–law stride across the room like a bull gone mad.

  “What do you want me to do?” Zack asked.

  “First things are you need to quit pacing and take a breath. Next, you need to ride to town and tell Doc what happened. I’m sure he’ll come directly. Now scoot,” Abby said.

  By the time Zack returned from town, Joann’s contractions caused her to grimace in pain and occasionally let out a moan. Chance wouldn’t stop crying as he watched his sister’s discomfort. Abby had repeatedly sent the children outside to play, but Winnie’s curiosity would quickly lead them back into the cabin where their mother remained too preoccupied to take the time to lay the law down and put a stop to it.

  “Doc will be here when he finishes up with his patients. He grumbled about missing a planned dinner with his family this evening,” Zack said.

  “He’ll get over it,” Abby said.

  “How are you feeling, Joann?” Zack asked.

  “How do you think I’m feeling? It hurts,” Joann shot back.

  “Zack, I need you to take Winnie and Chance to Sarah. I can’t watch them and be here for Joann too,” Abby said.

  “You want me to just drop in and leave the children with her?” Zack asked with misgivings in his voice.

  “Yes, Sarah won’t mind. We’ve already talked about it,” Abby said.

  “Will I miss the baby being born?” he asked.

  “No, I don’t think your baby is in any hurry to make an appearance. The sooner you leave, the sooner you’ll get back,” Abby said in an attempt to hurry him.

  Winnie nearly had to be dragged from the cabin. She protested all the way to the wagon until Abby grew stern with her daughter as she lifted her into the seat. As a peace offering, Abby promised that she could stay for Joann’s next baby.

  Zack looked down from the wagon in bewilderment at Abby. “I hope she waits awhile before the next one,” he said.

  “Well, I’m pretty sure you know how to keep that from happening. What’s it worth to you?” Abby said with a devilish grin.

  Zack tapped the reins against the horse’s rump and took off without answering.

  Doc Abram arrived a short time later and walked into the cabin unannounced. He dropped his hat onto the table and looked at the two women with an irritated expression.

  “You were supposed to wait until my family headed back east,” Doc grumbled.

  “Believe me, I would have. The baby didn’t get the news,” Joann said just before another contraction.

  “I know,” Doc said. “How far apart are they?”

  “Five minutes,” Abby answered.

  “Let’s get you into bed,” Doc said and helped Joann to her feet.

  Zack returned from delivering the children to Sarah and rushed into the house expecting to have missed out on the baby’s arrival. The contractions had not quickened and had even stalled a couple of times. Abby concluded that they were in for a long night and started cooking supper.

  Doc walked to the table and sat down, leaving Joann to rest in the bedroom after her contractions had stopped once again. “The first child always likes to take their sweet time coming into the world,” he said as he watched Zack pacing.

  “Do you think everything is alright?” Zack asked as he stopped and turned towards the doctor.

  “Everything is fine except for that damn pacing. Now sit down and eat. You’re not pretty enough to keep my interest a strutting back and forth,” Doc said.

  Zack managed to quell his worrying long enough to smile. He walked over and sat down across from Doc. “I’m sorry we kept you from your dinner,” he said.

  “That’s okay. Abby is a better cook anyways,” Doc said.

  “I’m surprised you didn’t make Zack go get Sarah. I know what you all think about her cooking,” Abby said as she brought the beefsteaks to the table.

  Doc grinned. “You never heard me say that,” he said.

  “Uh–huh. Not to my face anyways,” Abby said.

  “Have you gotten a telegram from Gideon?” Doc asked to change the subject.

  “No, not a word. He has me worried. Zack said that he and Finnie got into it over Gideon’s plans when he catches the men and a promise he made to you,” Abby said as she sat down at the table.

  “He was just blowing off steam. He’ll do the right thing. Gideon is a man of his word,” Doc assured her before cutting a bite of steak.

  “I hope you’re right. I know he’s got to be blaming himself for Betsy’s death,” Abby said.

  They ate the rest of the meal in silence, each too preoccupied with the coming birth to make conversation. Just as they finished the meal, Joann let out a wail.

  “Sounds like it’s time for us to get back to work,” Abby said and headed to the bedroom, leaving the dishes on the table.

  “Abs, how did you ever do this three times?” Joann cried out as her mother entered the room.

  “You’ll forget all about the pain when you hold that baby,” Abby answered.

  “I wish Momma and Poppa were here. I know they feel left out since I moved down here with you. I want my momma,” Joann said.

  “I know,” Abby said. She felt surprised by her own lack of jealousy that Joann wanted the woman that raised her by her side. “They need to come for a visit. I wrote Aunt Rita last week and told her as much.”

  “And Daddy is missing out too,” Joann said as Doc entered the room.

  “You’ll have a big surprise for Gideon when he gets back,” Abby assured her.

  Doc checked Joann’s progress before declaring, “The baby is on the way.”

  A hard contraction caused Joann to scream. “Zackary Barlow is never to
uching me again,” she swore.

  Just after midnight, Joann gave one final push and the baby slid out into the world. Joann closed her eyes and fell back in exhaustion. Doc quickly cut the umbilical cord before holding the newborn upside down and delivering a sound smack. The air crackled with the cry of the baby taking her first breath.

  “You have a healthy little girl,” Doc announced.

  Abby took the baby and began cleaning the newborn. Her eyes welled up with tears as she wrapped her granddaughter in a blanket. Life had taken so many twists and turns in the last few years that the moment overwhelmed her. She took one more look at the baby before presenting the child to its mother. The baby had some blond fuzz on her head and about the prettiest face Abby had ever seen. “She’s beautiful and she has your and Gideon’s pretty blue eyes,” she said.

  “She is beautiful,” Joann said as she looked down at her daughter and nestled her.

  “I’ll go get Zack. I need to sit down and rest,” Doc said as he shuffled out the door.

  Zack rushed into the room. He looked dark under the eyes and had paced himself to near exhaustion. A smile came upon his face and he stood at the foot of the bed as if afraid to come any closer.

  “Come here and see your daughter,” Joann coaxed.

  He stepped nearer and ran his finger down the babies face. “She looks like you. We really have a baby,” Zack said in astonishment.

  “Do you want to hold her?” Joann asked.

  “I don’t know how. Maybe I should wait awhile,” Zack said.

  Without prompting, Abby took the baby and placed her in Zack’s arms. He held the baby next to his large frame as if she might break or be snatched away by wolves.

  “Tess Ann Barlow, I’m your daddy,” Zack said.

  Chapter 10

  The sign read Junction City. Gideon had never been this far west in the New Mexico Territory and knew nothing of the area. They had tracked the outlaws for three days with no sign that they were gaining ground on them. In fact, Gideon feared that the killers had actually gained distance with their ability to switch between horses to keep their mounts fresh.