The Loner

by Geralyn Dawson

  He shifted his focus to the saloon from which the tinny notes of a piano drifted into the night air. Lights shone in every window there—including all the upstairs rooms. The place was hopping tonight. While he wouldn't expect to find Holt sitting at a table drinking a whiskey—Holt's face was even more recognizable by this group of miscreants than his own—that's undoubtedly where Holt would expect to find him, since the town saloon was always the best place to gather information. If Holt was in Black Shadow Canyon, he'd be in a place where he could watch the entrance to the saloon.

  Therefore, Logan had to make an appearance of some kind. The question was how to do it without revealing his identity.

  He needed a disguise, something better than this sweat-stained serape and oversize hat he'd used on the trail. What could he—

  Hiss came a sound from behind him. "Logan?"

  Caroline. Logan went stiff as a fence post. He whipped his head around. "What the hell are you doing here?"

  "I'm watching your back, just like I vowed."

  Rage flashed like fire inside him. "You need to get your cute little butt back up to that cave, Caroline Grey. Right now."

  "Let me put this simply. No. You can't walk into Devil's Rest as Logan Grey."

  "I don't intend to. This disguise has held up so far."

  "Yes, but that was the trail and this is Devil's Rest. You're too threatening in that serape. Someone—probably more than one someone—will shoot you on sight. You need me to be a distraction and you need to wear this." She shoved a businessman's suit into his arms.

  "The hell I do. I'd look like a banker. I'd be mobbed with men trying to rob me. Where did you get this?"

  "Not a banker, a newsman. The suit is Ben's. You're of a similar size. When I heard Will mention how scary he thought you look in the serape, I began to worry. This isn't as good as the orange pants and purple vest, but you'll be a less threatening companion for me in a business suit. We can say you worked at the Artesia Standard with Ben and that's why you accompanied me. Now hurry, Logan."

  Recognizing that she had a point and glad to be rid of the hot serape, he shed the blanket and donned the suit. It was tight across the shoulders and the pant legs were too short, but that helped make his appearance less threatening. Damn, but the woman was smart. Then she put one of those silly little bowler hats on top of his head and he scowled.

  "We're wasting time," she said. "Either we go in together, or we don't go in at all."

  "Why are you being so damned hardheaded?"

  "Because I love you, Logan, and I don't want anything to happen to you. This began as my fight, and it's still my fight. I think I'll be safe enough if I arrive looking for Ben because Will has disappeared. The Plunketts can't know about Deuce's demise as of yet. They won't shoot me on sight. And you will be much safer slipping limpidly into Devil's Rest while I'm making a grand entrance."

  "Limpidly! I told you..." He blew out a breath. "You are the most infuriating woman."

  "We make a good team. Oh, I almost forgot. It's the crowning glory." She took his hat off, tugged a round tin from her pocket, opened it and smeared greasy stuff in his hair. From the other pocket she took a comb and slicked back his hair, then handed him back the stupid little hat. "Now, what is the plan?"

  "I don't have a plan that involves you," he snapped, messing with his hair. He absolutely hated pomade.

  "Then let's make one." She slapped his hand away from his head. "Leave it alone. You don't look at all like yourself. I should have thought of this before." Then, moving on to another subject, she asked, "Now, what is your goal here, Logan? Just what exactly do you intend to do to the Plunketts?"

  He argued with himself for another moment, then admitted she was right. They did make a good team.

  "I'm not as concerned about the Plunketts as I am about Holt." He explained about the bandanna signal and his suspicion that they had unexpected help.

  "So you don't want to kill them?" she asked, the hope in her voice obvious.

  "I suspect we'd be leaving ourselves open to retaliation in the future if we don't deal with them now, but if I have the choice, I'll be happy to get everyone out of this canyon safe and sound."

  "Then let's do that." He saw the flash of her smile in the moonlight, then she leaned forward and kissed him lightly on the mouth before taking a step back.

  Well, that just teased him. Wanting more, he pulled her against him and kissed her hard. "When we're done with this, we need to find an opportunity to be alone."

  "I won't argue with that."

  "Finally. Something she won't argue about." He kissed the back of her hand, then said, "Okay, here's what I think we should do."

  Ten minutes later, her neckline pulled just a tiny bit lower than normal, her hips swaying just a little broader than usual, Caroline sashayed into Devil's Rest Saloon with Logan a few steps behind her. Speaking in a melodramatic tone, she clasped her hands in front of her and said, "I'm looking for my father, Ben Whitaker."

  Before she could continue her prepared spiel, a stranger about Logan's age shot from his chair and rushed toward her saying, "Darling, you've finally arrived. I've been so worried!"

  When he took her in his arms and kissed her, Logan reconsidered his decision not to kill.

  Caroline was prepared for guns, knives, and considering this had been Apache country, even bows and arrows. She wasn't prepared for a kiss.

  As a result, she stood frozen in shock as the stranger kissed her lavishly, then embraced her, whispering in her ear. "Holt Driscoll sent me."

  "Oh." She smiled against his shoulder, well aware of the avid attention of the others in the room.

  Logan stepped forward, menace in his tone. "You let her go."

  The stranger glanced up and met Logan's gaze. "Hello, Thurgood."

  Caroline figured she was the only one who noted the flash of speculation in Logan's eyes and the brief hesitation before he replied. "What are you doing here?"

  "Looking for Caroline, of course." He kept his arm slung around Caroline's shoulder as he faced Logan and raked him with a scathing gaze. "When I heard that she left town with the likes of you I knew I had to come after her. Honey—" he gave Caroline a quick glance "—what were you thinking, making this trip with the town drunk? Why, if you'd run across trouble in the desert ole Thurgood here would have been worthless as a pail of hot spit."

  Caroline took a fast glance around at the suspicious faces in the saloon and decided they'd spent enough time on Act One. "Thurgood is not the town drunk. That's a medical condition that makes him stumble a lot. You be nice to Thurgood. I had to get here fast and he was kind enough to accompany me." Raising her voice, she said, "Excuse me, do any of you know where I can find my father, Ben Whitaker? Or perhaps you've noticed a new boy in town? I think my son, Will Grey, ran away from home to find him."

  Half the men in the saloon and all three females looked toward a table in the back corner. Caroline followed their gazes and her knees turned to water. He looked exactly like his brother—down to the cruelty in his expression. Ace Plunkett.

  He lifted his stare from his beer and said, "Ben Whitaker? That son of a bitch is dead."

  Even though she knew it to be a lie, hearing those words come from that man's mouth shocked Caroline and made it easier for her to play her role. She gasped and clutched her hands against her breasts. "Wh-wh-what?"

  "Deader'n a beaver hat," Plunkett returned, drunk-enly slurring his words.

  "And...and...my boy?"

  Plunkett swiped up his beer glass and threw it at her, exploding, "What the hell good is he gonna do us with Whitaker dead?"

  Caroline ducked and the glass crashed against the wall behind her, shattering and sliding to the floor. Deciding he'd given her the perfect cue to make her exit, she burst into fake sobs, turned and rushed out the door, confident that Logan and the stranger would follow.

  Outside, Logan led her away to a spot where they wouldn't be overheard. Acting solicitous to Caroline, he spoke to
the stranger. "Holt sent you?"

  "He said you'd recognize the code name. He brought me. He's keeping a low profile since half the outlaws in this place know him. I'm new blood in the company. My name is Tom Wilkerson."

  "You a Ranger, too?"

  "I have a bright, shiny badge."

  "I appreciate your help. Look, I need to talk to Holt— we've had a few developments."

  "He's waiting for you up by the big yucca behind the saloon. He said you'd know which one he meant."

  As Logan nodded, Caroline pictured the tall yucca plant that stood like a sentinel on one of the hills behind the makeshift town. She and Will had discussed its size earlier, estimating it to be almost thirty feet tall.

  Tom Wilkerson tipped his hat toward Caroline. "My apologies for acting forward, ma'am. Holt and I thought that my claiming to be your beau provided the best excuse for my hanging around. Also, my condolences on the loss of Mr. Whitaker."

  "No apologies necessary, Mr. Wilkerson," she replied, offering him a smile.

  "Sure they are," Logan muttered.

  "And as far as Ben goes, he's one of the developments Logan mentioned."

  Logan gazed up the hill to where the yucca stood reflected in the moonlight. "Wilkerson, can I trust you to guard my wife until I get back?"

  "Yessir."

  "And keep your hands—and mouth—off her."

  "Yessir...although, remember I'm supposed to be comforting her."

  Logan's eyes glittered like a cat's in the moonlight. "I reckon a man has to be nervy to become a Texas Ranger, but you watch your step, boyo."

  Caroline gave Logan's hand a squeeze, told him to be careful, then watched him fade into the darkness. For the next ten minutes or so, she sat waiting with the ranger, softly making small talk and acting distraught and upset whenever anyone happened by. She kept a close watch on the door of the saloon, hoping to avoid another encounter with Ace Plunkett. She was aware, but not overly nervous. After all, she had two Texas Rangers and a range detective to protect her. How much trouble could she possibly get into?

  She no sooner noticed Tom Wilkerson stiffen when a feminine voice spoke. "Caroline? Caroline Grey? I'm an old friend of Ben and Suzanne's. My name is Fanny Plunkett and I'm just so sorry about what's happened. Why don't you come to my house, dear, and we'll share a spot of tea."

  Caroline offered the brassy-haired, curvaceous-figured outlaw queen a shaky smile. How much possible trouble?

  Plenty.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Logan thought his heart might just jump out of his chest when he saw Fanny Plunkett tuck her arm through Caroline's and walk her down the street. He let out a string of curses and struck out at Holt. "What the hell kind of Ranger is he?"

  "A good one," Holt assured. "He will protect her. And besides, Fanny isn't going to do anything bad to her. She's probably hoping that Ben shared information with Caroline about the map, and that Caroline can help her find the treasure."

  All right. Holt had a point. If Logan could just get his heart back down in his chest where it belonged, he might be able to appreciate it. "Hell, Holt. I'm scared as a rabbit in a coyote's hind pocket. What do we do?"

  "You love her, don't you?"

  Logan wasn't going near that. "I'd love to paddle her behind. If only she'd stayed in that cave where she belonged..."

  "Well, she didn't and we have to plan accordingly. C'mon, Lucky, get your head together. This isn't like you. We need to figure out what we're doing. Sooner we do that, the sooner you can go after her."

  "You're right. You're right." Logan tried to recall where they'd left off. After greeting his friend and being updated on Cade's condition, he'd brought Holt up to date on events that occurred since the tornado. They'd been debating whether to pursue the Plunketts now or come back for them at a later date when they didn't have precious baggage to protect.

  He swallowed the lump that formed in his throat when he watched Caroline enter Fanny Plunkett's lair. "My gut is telling me to deal with these folks now if it's possible. It's cleaner that way. Faster. I don't want Caroline and Will to have to watch over their shoulders for weeks. Plus, I think I know a way we can go about it—as long as Caroline doesn't say or do something while she's with Fanny that would prevent it. You don't have a problem with enclosed spaces, do you, Driscoll? Any idea how young Wilkerson is in that regard?"

  "What do you have in mind?"

  Logan told him as quickly and succinctly as possible. He was chomping at the bit to get back to Caroline.

  After making arrangements to meet the following day, he made his way back down the hill and headed for Fanny's hoping his disguise held up. Just because Fanny Plunkett was a cruel killer didn't mean she wasn't intelligent. She'd be suspicious of any newcomer to the canyon. Luckily, he and Fanny had never met face-to-face, but he needed to appear as nonthreatening as possible when he was around the woman.

  He strode up the front steps and knocked on Fanny's front door. Moments later, it swung open to reveal Tom Wilkerson. He didn't look surprised to see Logan. "Thurgood, you found us."

  Gazing past Wilkerson's shoulder to where he could see Caroline and Fanny sitting in a parlor and sipping from cups and saucers, he spoke loudly. "Even better, I think I found Will!"

  Both women's heads jerked toward him. Briefly, Caroline's mouth gaped and a shocked what-in-the-world-are-you-doing expression flashed in her eyes, but she recovered quickly. Fanny pursed her painted lips in speculation.

  Caroline set down her cup and stood. "Thank goodness. I've been so worried. Where is he?"

  "He ran off up into the hills. I called his name, but he didn't respond, Miss Caroline. I know he heard me, though."

  Fanny Plunkett approached. "Who are you?"

  "Thurgood, ma'am." Logan kept his gaze lowered. "I work for Ben Whitaker at the newspaper." Then, struck by a flash of inspiration, he added, "I'm his biographer."

  Her interest obviously piqued, Fanny repeated, "Biographer?"

  Logan smiled, the wheels in his mind turning like a locomotive's as he spun his story. "The Whitakers lived exciting lives, but then you would know that, of course. I hope you'll afford me the opportunity to interview you while I'm here. Ben told me a lot about the Sunshine Gang days, but I'd love to hear another perspective."

  "You know about his past," she stated.

  He could almost see her wheels turning, too. He nodded. "I write articles about the West. I've had pieces printed in the New York Times. Perhaps you've read some of my stories? Oh, but wait. I'm being self-centered again. It's a fault of mine. Caroline is beside herself with worry over Will."

  "Yes, I am." She moved toward Logan. "Tell me exactly what you saw."

  "Well, I'm not positive the boy was Will, mind you. It's dark outside and he was wearing a hat, but how many boys hang around Black Shadow Canyon?"

  "There is one," Fanny said. "He's a cowboy who works for a rancher in the area. He likes to explore and he was also a friend of Ben's."

  "Was he helping to look for the gold? If so, I hope he'll talk to me."

  "You know about the gold?"

  "Suzanne told me about it. We went over the map at Christmas, and we were contemplating an expedition to look for it when she died." Logan turned to Caroline. "If you'd like, I can show you where I last saw the boy. If it was Will, he won't ignore you. He's never liked me."

  She took his hint and offered Fanny an anxious smile. "Please excuse me. I simply must find out if this boy is my son."

  "Of course, of course. Now, it's getting late." Fanny smiled at Tom. "Do y'all have a place to stay tonight?"

  "Yes'm," Tom replied. "I rented rooms in the house at the north end of town. I understand the usual residents are away."

  She nodded. "I do believe the Jones brothers are out.. .working. You will be comfortable there. I do hope you'll join me and my son for breakfast in the morning, say at eight o'clock? I have something important I wish to discuss with you."

  Excellent. Logan met Fanny Plunkett'
s gaze and nodded. "I can't speak for Caroline and her beau, but I'll be pleased to join you."

  "Actually," Fanny said, taking a step closer to Logan. She reached out and trailed her finger down his arm, then suggestively licked her lips, batted her eyes toward him. "The Jones boys' house is cramped. Why don't you stay with me?"

  Logan struggled mightily to hide his shudder of revulsion and the words he needed to make a graceful escape simply wouldn't come.

  Caroline stepped into the breach. She took hold of Logan's arm and said, "He is pretty to look at, isn't he? I'm afraid you're wasting your time, Fanny. Thurgood only likes men. You should see the bright orange pants he has in his carpetbag!"

  The denial rose automatically to his lips, but Logan hadn't gone completely brainless. He smiled limpidly and added, "They're not orange, they're puce."

  Following an abbreviated night's sleep, Caroline led Holt and Tom Wilkerson away from Devil's Rest and they slipped into the cave just before dawn. With a long stretch of uneventful waiting ahead of them, they all attempted to get a few more hours of sleep. Aware that Logan would soon be walking into the Black Widow's lair without backup, Caroline enjoyed only minimal success, tossing and turning atop the thick blanket of her bed while the others' snores echoed in the cavern. Eventually, exhaustion overtook her, and, influenced by the darkness in the cave, she didn't awake until midmorning. Holt informed her that Will and Jim had left to see to their part of this plan an hour before. Jim was to lead her son on the path through the mountain out of Black Shadow Canyon where they'd make their way first to the horses Logan had hidden, and then to the ranch where Jim worked to purchase needed supplies for the trip home. They were to wait at the designated rendezvous for the rest of the party to arrive.

  The morning passed slowly, as did the early afternoon. As the appointed lookout, Tom was able to report that Logan and Ace Plunkett had indeed made their way into the cavern where Ben "died." So far so good, Caroline thought upon hearing the news that indicated Logan's plan was on track.