The storekeeper thanked him for his efforts. “Everyone up here appreciates you and your people coming up here and looking into this matter. No one else did it. And I knew it would be hard to solve the matter, but I knew if anyone could—you had the experience to do it.”
“Rory, there is nothing I can find to point a finger at who did it. A horrible crime, but without more evidence it goes unsolved.”
“Yes. But thanks anyhow.”
“I have some ranches to run. Good luck to you.” They shook hands and he went back to their camp setup.
Lisa met him coming in. He dismounted and walked to where he planned to unsaddle.
“I know this never happened to you before—but some things can’t be solved.”
“Exactly. Well, we’re five days away from Flagstaff and everyone needs to go back to work. You all can go from there.”
The gathered crew stood around, nodding at his words.
“I’ll be back in time to head another herd to Gallup,” Cody said. “But thanks for thinking of me. Nice break for me to get off the Windmill and meet all of you.”
“When you come to Preskitt Valley gatherings bring your wife,” Shirley said. “I’d love to meet her.”
He agreed to do that.
Tad told everyone thanks for helping him get the food out.
And Lisa said, “If you come to the ranch for any reason, plan to sleep in my house. I have lots of beds.”
The horse wrangler thanked them for letting him come along.
Chet repeated his appreciation and told them they all tried hard. But deep inside he knew the failure to solve the crime would bother him for years.
The overcast sky the next morning wouldn’t produce any rain. They’d not accomplished one damn thing to solve the murders. The second day at the ferry he had to listen to Mrs. Lee’s complaints about there being no law in that region. That wasn’t his fault.
Across the Colorado River he looked back at the empty ferry barge being dragged back to the west shore—and thanked the Lord he was, at last, beyond Mrs. Lee’s sharp tongue.
They put in the third night at the Little Colorado Crossing and guarded their horses in shifts. No loss of ponies and two days more of pushing hard and they made it to the ranch’s holdings in Flagstaff.
Valerie and Chet’s son Rocky greeted them.
“Cole’s gone to check on some things east. He should be back tonight,” Valerie said. “Learn anything?”
“Not one damn thing. Those outlaws that had been camped close took a powder and we never found a sign of them nor any evidence to point a finger at anyone.”
“That is a real shame.”
“We agree, but nothing is nothing. How is his business going?”
“Cole had a fistfight with a driver he fired and maybe won it but he has a black eye. He needs two telegraph operators and an accountant.” She laughed and threw her arm over Lisa’s shoulder to hug her. “You and Shirley keep those men straight?”
“Ask her. I don’t think you can do that.”
Shirley dismounted. “We damn sure tried.”
The girls laughed. Rocky took their horses’ reins to put them up.
Chet’s son received some thanks and walked with his dad to the pens. “See anything unusual this trip?”
“No. Things were pretty plain. Didn’t see much of anything.”
“That was a long way for you to go, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, and then come home empty-handed. But I felt someone needed to go look at the situation.”
“Cole is really busy. I decided he likes doing all that and it told me I needed more education than he’s got so I could handle more business when I was grown.”
“You planning to work in business when you get old enough?”
“Mom says I can’t be a saddle bum so I better get educated, huh?”
They both laughed. Busy unsaddling the horses, Chet heard Cole call out, and he swung the saddle on its horn to stand it up.
“We’re over here, Dad,” Rocky shouted. “That’s okay, isn’t it? He tries hard.”
“Good. He works at it, huh?”
“Oh yeah.”
“What did you learn?”
“We didn’t find another cave. That bunch had drifted away from that part of the North Rim and we didn’t learn much more even about the murders or who did it.”
“Whew, long ride for nothing, huh?”
“I felt the same way. But since nothing opened up, I decided to come back home. How is your deal going?”
“By tomorrow we will be on schedule again.”
“That’s quick.”
“No, it isn’t. When we were brand-new we made the schedule work. These people have never done it since. I think all these wrecks they had, the drivers had been drinking—so they take a sobriety test now and the station agent can decide if they’re sober enough. So far, we have fired four drivers. I am not too popular. But off work for six weeks, they can come back sober. And they will need the money by then.”
“It takes an iron hand to get on track.”
“I know it does. Wells Fargo put us back on their list to use. That in itself will make us solvent. I have the postal inspector satisfied and Cosby sent me a wire telling me I’ve done good work in such a short time.”
“I bet he’s pretty smug over his new management.”
“Some of those people in the office can’t believe he really was the president of the board and came out here in-go-neeto. Now they know.”
“Everything taking shape?”
“If I had two more Saltys to run down things I’d be fine. Whew, he gets lots done. He’s culled some horses, found me some more at a fair price, run down folks who’ve been overcharging us for hay and grain. He and Toby have the hay business settled east of here. You may make more off your hay than the cattle. He’ll find some contractors west of here.”
“We can use it. Tad says he has supper ready. Come eat with us.”
“I guess so, huh, Rocky?”
“Yes, sir.”
They were soon seated under the big tent. And they brought on the food—beefsteaks, corn on the cob, beans, fresh sliced bread, and coffee.
“You headed home next?” Cole asked.
“You don’t need us? Then, yes.”
“I have things running pretty smooth. Spencer has lots of the problems on the east end straight. He’ll be up here in a short time and working west. Tells me they were not splicing it back right in most cases.”
“Then I’ll go back home.”
“It really is going easier than I first thought. But thanks.”
In bed in the guesthouse later Lisa asked Chet, “You disappointed he didn’t need you?”
“Not really. I think he’s even doing better than he did last time.”
“Good. I’ll have you around more. Who is going to ride with you besides Jesus?”
“Billy Bob.”
“He’s not Cole, but he is sharp enough.”
“He’s single and fits in well. I thought when Jesus got that money from the cave he might retire.”
“No, he has really stepped up. This job is an achievement for him and he is proud of it. Anita realized that was his job when he married her.”
“Shirley and Spud did well on our trip. They were anxious to get back.”
“Both of them are hard workers. I’ll spend some time with them and they’ll get along fine up there. Cole had most of the projects completed.”
“I am like you. I wish we could have learned more up there. But with no one to talk to up there, there wasn’t anything left to do.”
“Someday we will learn the facts, if we live that long.”
“I don’t doubt that.”
He reached over and kissed her. What a neat partner he had found in her.
CHAPTER 25
The morning after Chet got back, he was opening mail that came while they were gone.
Dear Mr. Burns,
My name is Jennifer Greystone. My
husband, Earshal Greystone, is several years older than I am and not in good health. He learned about the Spanish rubies you found on the North Rim of the canyon from a story in the Tucson newspaper. He told me that thirty years ago he was at that place where the Spaniards earlier mined those gems. But at the time he was very short on food and water. He only took a few gems and hurried to get back to civilization up in Utah.
No one believed he had found rubies in the Arizona Strip. He was never able to go back because of a wreck that made him a cripple. He is willing to draw you a map for a small sum of money. If you are interested, let us know.
Sincerely yours,
Jennifer Greystone
“What came?”
“A lady says her husband was at the mine the Spanish mined up there on the strip. She offered me a map for a fee.”
“Where is she at?”
“Oh, Lisa, I bet it’s a phony way to get money out of me.”
“What if it is real? Where does he live? Why not find out more?”
“You are as bad as Jesus was about finding the Spanish horses.” Amused, he turned over the envelope. “Mesa, Arizona.”
“You could take a guard and run down there and know if he is lying or not.”
“All right. I will write her back and get directions to her house. But I bet it is a fraud.”
“Billy Bob is in the kitchen.”
“I’ll go see what he needs.” Chet left his office and went back to the kitchen.
“Can I help you, Billy Bob?”
“I needed to go see about a fellow I know who lives down near Phoenix. They said he had a bad horse wreck and I figure it’s a four-day trip down and back. But if you needed me I won’t go.”
“I have a deal over by Mesa I need checked out. You take the stage, I’ll pay the fare coming and going. See your buddy, then look up this man who heard we were in the ruby business. He wants to sell me a map to the mine.”
“Wow, you reckon he’s honest?”
“I’m leaving that up to you.”
“But—but it ain’t my money.”
“We were all over that country. If you don’t recognize the place he’s talking about don’t buy it.”
“I’ll go. Thanks. Herman Boyles must be in bad shape. He’s a helluva good man—sorry about cussing, ma’am.”
“No need to be sorry. Go find us the direction to the ruby mine, Billy Bob.”
“Yes, ma’am, that would be a great trip, huh?”
“I’d sure go along.”
Chet laughed. “I bet you both’d get to go. Here’s the money for your trip. Two hundred is enough for his map. Tell him if we find it we will pay him more—if you decide to buy it.”
“The Mesa postmaster should know where he lives.”
“I bet you can find him.”
“I’ll catch the midnight stage tonight.”
“Stay in a hotel. Eat meals in a real restaurant. Rent a horse. You are part of the Quarter Circle Z ranch management now.”
Chet would have sworn the cowboy blushed. “Yeah, I’ll do it.”
After Billy Bob left the house, Lisa chuckled. “Poor guy can’t get over being so rich, but when you said he was ranch management you liked to have blown him over.”
“Billy Bob did his part on those trips we made with him along. Money has not changed his disposition or sincere efforts.”
“Hey, I am a fan of his. I’ll be anxious to see what he comes up with.”
“We will see. That worked out well.”
“Yes, it saved you a trip. What are you going to do today?”
“Go over and visit with Spud and Shirley. They really never got to know much about their place before I drug them off to lower Utah.”
“Those two have grown up, too. I never knew much about him. She was another hand-me-down from here?”
“I haven’t done bad myself—I got you out of it.”
“Yes, you did and I am glad. But I’ll let you go up there alone. I have some household chores to accomplish today.”
He buckled on his gun belt, took his blanket-lined jumper and put it on, kissed her good-bye, and put his hat on as he left.
The stable boy saddled him one of his horses. In a few minutes, he rode off in the cool mountain air for the new place. The roan horse had a long, swinging gait, and Chet wasn’t over an hour getting down there. He knew it would warm up as the day grew longer, but it was giving him a forward page of the weather ahead. The cottonwoods were golden in the low-hanging sun.
As he reined up in their yard, Shirley appeared in the front door. “He’s down at the corrals.”
“Thanks.” He rode on down there.
He found Spud and three of his men replacing posts in the corral. Spud shed his gloves and came out to meet Chet and shake hands.
“Morning.” The men nodded and Spud stepped away from them. “We had a few posts had some rot around the base. Figured they might break off when we worked cattle in here.”
“Good idea. Finding lots to do?”
“Oh, just jobs like this. Cole had some work similar, and we’ve already fixed most of them. I’ve been riding through the cows when I had time. When we get ready, I want to cull some. Shawn and I had that herd up there about straightened out. I learned all about checking if they were bred. That was what Miguel taught us. Shame about him getting shot.”
“Yes. He’d have made a helluva good foreman for the ranch. Vance is a fine man but Miguel was a special person.”
They were beyond earshot of his workers and headed for something Spud wanted him to see when he asked, “I hope you are satisfied with what I get done. I know I am not the smartest guy on your payroll and, seriously, I never expected to have a place of my own to run. I count on Shirley pretty strong since she has more education than I do. I really didn’t believe you’d choose me for this job or any other, running things.”
“Spud, don’t think small. You have lots of common sense, lots of cow sense. I had no fears about your ability to be the foreman. I know it is wearing different shoes, but I felt I needed you here. I think you probably do too much physical work. Your job is to get them to do that work and you supervise them doing it.”
“Kinda hard, Chet. I’ve been a worker. Now Shawn treats me more like I was his right arm, but you gave me more credit than I feel I deserve.”
“No one gave you anything you didn’t deserve. Don’t worry. You will make a great foreman.”
“You say so, I’ll believe you.”
“Let’s go talk to your wife. These guys have enough work to do.”
“I’ll tell them I’ll be back.”
He did and they went to the house.
“Shirley, he wants to talk to us.”
“Anything wrong?”
“No. Let’s sit at the kitchen table.”
“We sure never expected to live in a mansion.” She shook her head and pushed a lock of hair back from her face.
“Lisa and I have talked about one thing we wanted to advise you two about. Spud becoming a ranch foreman, and you his wife, need to dress up a little more. A foreman makes more money than a ranch hand and you need to dress a little better. I told Vance that when he took the job. He doesn’t wear a suit but he looks a little sharper. His wife does, too. It isn’t to show off as much to be a little prouder-looking.”
Shirley nodded. “And I guess that’s my job. Since I handle the clothes. You see what he’s saying? Chet wants you to look like a boss.”
Spud laughed. “I guess we can make that grade.”
She nodded. “I can see that now, looking at the others. We dang sure want to keep this job. I believe you don’t have a happier foreman than him on your payroll. Now, if we had some kids—”
“Lisa and I are the same way.”
“I guess it is up to God.” She became caught up laughing. “We try hard enough.”
All three laughed. That was good. They got the word. He’d done his part. He didn’t stay for lunch and wondered how Billy Bob would get
along on his trip down to Mesa. Somehow, he hoped they had a solid lead on the mine. It might bring him more leads to the murderers. The whole thing was left undone and he hated that, but he had no more leads to the crime.
Back at home the girls fixed him some lunch and he told Lisa about his words to Spud and Shirley on dressing up.
“Good. You will have things straight one day. You have a man for Shawn and Lucy?”
“I bet he has one. He has several hands that would be good prospects.”
CHAPTER 26
Chet and Lisa attended a meeting to raise money for the Thomas family, who had lost their house in a fire. Chet had sent an order for three wagonloads of lumber from the mill to use to frame a new house. Lisa presented the order to the Thomases after the auction, and they both cried, up there on the stage.
Chet was standing below the stage and told them he’d bring a hammer and help frame the house when they got ready. To just send him word. Henry Thomas came to the edge of the stage and shook his hand. More neighbors made offers of labor. It was a good gathering and a successful fund-raiser.
The liveryman and his wife and kids were there, and Luther Frye, the liveryman, spoke to Chet.
“I have a man who would like a Barbarossa horse,” Luther said. “Your nephew selling some?”
“He says he will.”
“I’ll go see him, then. Can I say you sent me?”
“Sure. But he isn’t liable to give you a discount.”
They both laughed.
When Chet got back to Lisa she quietly asked him, “Didn’t that liveryman get his wife out of a house of ill repute?”
Chet nodded, and when they were outside the hall, he explained, “She was a widow with three children. Her husband was killed in a buggy wreck. She had no skills, so she took a job there to provide for them. Frye heard about it, went down there, and brought her out with him right then that night. Married her, and they’ve done well ever since.”
* * *
Later that week, Chet received a request from the U.S. Marshals to arrest a man, if he had the time, who was reported in the area. The man’s name was Rupert Cosgrove and he was wanted for embezzling money from a bank in Coal Hill, Arkansas. He had stolen about four thousand dollars. He supposedly had relatives in the Preskitt mining area.
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