“They are about half an hour old and heading further up. One rider, approximately 160 to 180 pounds. The horse seems to be less surefooted and is missing a shoe on his right front.” All of the information fit in with their briefing on Michael Cotes. They followed the tracks for a couple hundred yards before they turned into the thicker woods. Garnett pulled his rifle and dismounted again. He handed the reins to Dominic and slipped into the woods following the tracks. Dominic dismounted and stayed at the edge of the tree line out of sight and waited. The thing about tracking in the winter was that the quietness carried any sound a lot further which could be advantageous as well as deadly. Garnett came back and they mounted.
“Michael has a temporary camp about half a mile into the woods but there’s no sign that he is there which means he is crawling around the mountain looking for us or tracking us. Meeks and James should have reached the lower ridge at this point.”
Garnett found a cave, hid the horses and squatted waiting and listening. They rarely talked during the periods of waiting because their senses were working hard at processing everything around them. Dominic knew Mirisa was near as she always was when he was this wound up. He didn’t know if she would ever be able to break the tie with him or if what Mirisa did in the circle with Conrad would keep her connected to him for life. It was the constant reminder of having her always with him that interfered with Dominic being able to walk away. Dominic thought it must be similar to being haunted by a ghost or being half mad. Dominic loved Mirisa and hated her for making him love her. He closed his eyes as pictures of her rolled across his memory. Dominic loved the way Mirisa’s face lit up before she broke out in laughter and how spontaneous her desires erupted. Dominic felt like he fell in love with her all over every time she walked into the room.
Meeks and James hit the high winds on the north side of the ridge which made seeing almost impossible. They continued to climb slowly and staying out of the clearings when they could. It was so cold that the horses looked like they had steam rising off of them and the snow was starting to get very deep making it difficult to stay on the horses. They finally dismounted when they reached the top of a ridge. The sun had set an hour earlier. Meeks squatted and was scanning the mountainside when he saw the soft glow of the fire.
They were about a mile from the site but it was very rough terrain between them and the camp. They slowly walked their horses down the ridge through the woods until they were about a quarter of a mile above his camp. They tied up the horses under a cropping, unrolled the extra horse blankets draping them over the horses and moved in closer. They saw Michael moving around the fire talking to himself and making gestures like there was someone with him. Michael had his rifle over his shoulder and you could tell he was on alert.
Fortunately the wind was howling even though it wasn’t blowing in the ravine where he had made camp. Meeks signaled to James to go right and circle while he was going to slip to the left. James looked at his pocket watch and was pretty sure that Dominic and Garnett were nearby.
Suddenly, Michael raised his rifle and shot at something to the South of his camp. Both Meeks and James froze for merely a second before they moved in as close as they could while he was distracted. He was standing in the clearing yelling at someone to come in or he would kill his friend. Dominic stepped into the light and Michael raised his rifle and told him to drop his gun and kick it towards him. Dominic did it without question.
“Well, I should have known they would send you in. No one else would be smart enough to get this close to me.”
Dominic sized him up and then asked if he minded if he lit his cigar because it had been a long day and he was cold as hell. Michael backed up and asked him if he had another one. Dominic took one out of his shirt and handed it to him. Michael reached over keeping the gun pointed at Dominic’s heart and took it. He put it up to his nose nodding before he bit off the end spitting it in the fire.
“Got any whisky?”
“In Garnett’s canteen.”
Michael turned to Garnett and told him to get up off the ground but to throw his gun to him first. Garnett threw his gun over toward the fire, then stood up and brushed himself off. He threw the canteen toward Michael who squatted; keeping the rifle pointed at Dominic, and unscrewed it before taking a long swig. He didn’t offer to give it back but Garnett had intentionally filled it with the best Kentucky whisky knowing once he started drinking he wouldn’t stop.
“Are you hurt?” Garnett looked at him and wondered if he was crazy or truly concerned.
“Just grazed my leg.” The blood was running down his leg but it wasn’t bad. Meeks squatted and watched. James worked his way closer before climbing a tree that gave him a better advantage. He laid out on a large limb and looked down the barrel of his rifle adjusting his sight.
“Did you come out to kill me or to bring me in?”
“Either. You know the government doesn’t care whether you are breathing or not once you kill their men.” Dominic lit his cigar handing it to Michael to light his. Michael put the canteen on his shoulder, lit his cigar and handed Dominic’s back to him. Michael never took the rifle off of one of them and it was obvious that he was acutely aware of both of their actions.
“Garnett, move over closer to the Captain so I can watch you better. You guys in the war?”
“More or less.”
“You two always loved the mercenary life. Too much intentional killing for me. I just wanted to live up here and be left alone. I don’t understand why they would send up untrained men to bring me in when they know what I am capable of doing when trapped. One of the advantages to being in your Unit was the intense training, both physically and psychologically, the disadvantage was the psychological impact that came from being that well trained in a stupid war. Being sent to kill someone you might know is devil’s work.” Dominic wasn’t sure if he was referring to himself at this moment or one of them.
Dominic decided to change the conversation. “What happened?”
“I had a beef with some trappers and they sent the law out to tell me I had to stop springing their traps or they would put me in jail. After all I did for this country, they are going to send me to jail over some smelly ass trappers who are slaughtering my animals?”
“What do you plan on doing now?”
“Staying alive I guess. I thought about heading west but this here is my home. Born and raised in the shadow of the Catskills and I reckon if I’m gonna die that it’s gonna be right here.”
“The west is large enough you could just disappear off the face of the earth and never come in contact with others unless you choose to.”
“I thought about it but I think I went too far for them not to pursue me even if I headed west. Are you still commissioned?”
“No, we decommissioned before the war.”
“No wonder I never saw you. Fought underground for the South did you? Well, at least you had enough scruples to remember you heritage instead of selling your soul for the highest price. Are you willing to walk away tonight or are you here to finish the job?” He took a swig then puffed on his cigar. Michael had a long tangled beard and scraggly hair but the eyes were sharp and a little wild always darting between the two of them. You could see him struggle with trying to connect when the distrust would surface again.
“You know we never walk away from anything.”
“I don’t know. If it were Garnett, he would walk away and you would go with him.”
“That’s probably true.”
“What happened to the rest of the unit?” He took another swig of whisky without taking it off his shoulder.
“Went different directions both before and after the war.”
“I always envied the core group of the unit. It was almost as if you were one person when you worked, never talking, never discussing things but acting automatically and with such precision.”
“That’s just from years of being together.”
“No, if one thing I have learne
d from living with the animals is that it is an instinct or intuition that is strong. I never developed that with anything other than the animals.” He took another swig and backed up slightly as though what he had just said sunk in and the memories of their assignments flashed through his brain. They knew the next few moments would be critical.
“This doesn’t feel like it’s going to end well Captain.”
“And if we tell you we’re going to take you in what will you do?”
“Well, I’d hate to do it but I’m afraid I would have to kill both of you. I can’t believe you were so careless to let me…” his voice trailed off as he looked in Dominic’s eyes and he immediately whirled around as James put a bullet right between his eyes. He stood for a moment before his body fell forward into the snow.
Dominic picked up his gun and threw Garnett his gun which he holstered. They rolled him over and kicked his rifle away from him though it wasn’t necessary since he was dead as soon as the bullet entered his head. James dropped from the tree and Meeks came down the hill into the light.
“That’s a real shame, I always liked Michael.” James ran his hand across his face and closed his eyes then stood back up. “I’m going to go back up and get the horses.”
“I’ll go with you.” Meeks never liked the idea of anyone doing something solo. They went back up the hill and brought their horses in while Garnett built up the fire as Dominic started wrapping the body in a blanket, pulled his feet close to his head and tying it with a rope. Meeks took off his canteen, took a swig then passed it to James. They drifted on and off through the night and when the sun rose they put his body on his horse heading south to Kingston where they turned him over to the Sheriff just after lunch and checked into a hotel. They all were tired and none of them came out of their room until the next morning when they met in the dining room for breakfast.
“It’s been a long time but it sure wasn’t a good assignment.” James lit a cigar and kicked back waiting for them to serve breakfast. The only one who never showed signs of the adrenaline was Meeks, he treated it like any other day but then he was always in control. They paid up and headed south toward the City. The snow lightened up along the river highway which made traveling easier.
Mirisa spent the first day playing with the children and going through their old toys and cleaning up the nursery. Maggie helped her while the boys stayed busy playing with their new toy soldiers. She had fun and light meals served in the nursery and rarely went downstairs except to make sure it was closed up after the staff went home. She took Maggie to bed with her every night for both comfort and security.
The second day Mirisa was restless and decided to take Matthew to the park to work on his skating. They were on the ice for an hour before he finally seemed to get the hang of it and could let go of her hand for a minute before he started wobbling. Matthew was still bowlegged but was beginning to get more control over his ankles. After two hours, Mirisa could skate backward holding his hands and he didn’t fall. She decided that Matthew would be sore enough and told him it was time to go home for dinner. As they came off the ice, a gentleman in an overcoat was standing next to the bench where they had left their boots. The man took off his bolo hat as she stepped off the ice.
“Mrs. Meeks?”
“May I help you?” She helped Matthew sit down to take off his skates before she took off her own and put on her boots. The gentleman watched her and when she stood up he handed Mirisa his solicitor card. Mirisa looked past him and noticed the man protecting them slowly moving away from them rather than closer. Mirisa needed to talk to Meeks because she didn’t believe the men protecting her were very good at blending in with the surroundings or would be useful if she had a real problem.
“I work for Mr. Casper, owner of Casper Shipping Yards.”
She looked at him and wondered why her brother in law would be sending his lawyer to the park to find her but more how did anyone know where to find her. “May I help you?”
“Mr. Casper would like to know if you would join him for dinner tonight.”
“Why didn’t his wife send an invitation to the house?” She knew that this request wasn’t from Meeks’ sister.
He cleared his voice. “Mr. Casper was hoping for something a little more discreet. He understands that your husband went to Philadelphia for business for a few days and he is concerned with you being home alone.”
“Tell him that I appreciate his concern and will let my husband know that Mr. Casper was so attentive during his absence.” She took her son’s hand and the solicitor stepped back on the walk.
He cleared his throat again. “He is willing to pay you whatever you want for your time.”
Mirisa looked at his card before she slipped it in her jacket pocket. “Mr. Jason, please tell my brother in law that I am not from New York, I do not sleep with men I am not married to and if he ever insults me again by treating me like a whore that I will tell my husband.”
Mr. Jason watched her walk away. She didn’t even ask how much and it was a lot, an awful lot. Mr. Jason walked back through the park and got into the carriage. “I assume she turned me down?”
“She not only turned you down but threatened to tell her husband if you ever treated her like a whore again.”
He laughed and told the driver to take them to Saurties because he was in the mood for a great piece of beef. Jack Casper would just have to bide his time and up the amount.
Mirisa decided that New York was obviously not a safe place for a married woman without an escort. She had pretty much given up on the idea that the majority wealthy men in New York had any respect whatsoever for someone else’s wife. Of course, it made Mirisa laugh considering her relationship with the four men in her life who would pay anything to make her smile. That must make it selective sinning. She smiled to herself as she helped Matthew into the carriage.
Mirisa fed the children and after reading a favorite story she tucked the boys into bed. Mirisa told the staff to make sure the house was locked up including the outside stairway into the second floor. She was spooked by the meeting and didn’t understand how Jack could approach her like that and what a weasel to wait until her husband was out of town. Mirisa walked to her dresser lifting out her handgun and sat down to clean it. She spun the barrel loving the sound as it clicked sweetly then she reloaded it before sliding it between the mattresses.
Mirisa brought Maggie to bed with her again but her sleep was restless and she knew it was because of her connection to Dominic. Mirisa suddenly sat straight up as panic pushed against her chest. A dark silhouette of a man was sitting in the wing chair next to the fire smoking a cigar watching her. Her heart was pounding so fast that she couldn’t breathe and she didn’t know if it was a dream or maybe Conrad. She closed her eyes and reached out for him. Conrad touched her lightly and she looked at him. She looked back at the fireplace and the man was still sitting there. Conrad put his hand on her arm to calm her. The voice brought her attention back to him.
“I was surprised you turned down my offer.”
“How did you get in my house?”
“I have the key. I know the man who was in charge of construction while it was being renovated.” Jack took a drag and stood up. “Don’t you think you should put your daughter in the nursery?” Jack was so arrogant and so sure that he could have whatever he wanted.
“Please leave my house.”
“I don’t think so. You think people aren’t talking about what you do living with the four most notorious womanizers ever to work New York. Their games are legendary and really quite respected for their ability to play them so well. Your husband has a reputation that goes back further but I’m sure you don’t want to know the details of his conquests. They are quite impressive.”
“Please leave my house.” Conrad was sitting on the table next to the bed watching Jack.
“I don’t plan on leaving, however, by the end of the night I am sure that you will not be asking me to leave at all. I find most women
are quite easy to please though I am not here to please you as much as to just enjoy the beauty of your body.”
“You are awfully sure of yourself and awfully sure that I have any intention of having sex with you.”
“You’ll have sex with me and enjoy it. And if it costs me a lot of money then that’s just the way it is. You do realize that there is a large wager on who will get you to submit and what it will cost. So far no one has been able to penetrate the barrier of security around you which made it surprising that they would all be out of town at the same time leaving you very vulnerable. Very careless of them but maybe they don’t care as much as you think they do. I believe you have greater odds then the worst horse who ever walked on the track hoping to take the purse. So tell me Mirisa, what is your price?”
Conrad laughed and she found his casualness irritating. “Mirisa take out your gun and point it at him.” She didn’t do anything. “And do it before he reaches the bed.” Conrad’s tone was very calm but very stern.
Mirisa reached down and slid out her gun and as Jack got near the foot of the bed she sat up on her knees holding it with both hands and pointed it at Jack as she cocked the hammer. Jack stopped immediately at the sound and looked at her. “I assume you don’t know how to use that but there is nothing more dangerous than an untrained woman with a gun in her hand. I suggest you hand it to me before it goes off and hurts someone.” Jack started toward Mirisa as she fired a shot just to the right of him but close enough that it grazed his ear before lodging in the wall next to the fireplace. Jack reached up and felt the blood noting that the outer lobe had a gapping gouge.
“Next one will be right between your eyes.” Mirisa’s voice was dripping with a controlled anger. “And before you leave please put the key on the bed.”
Jack took the key out of his pocket, dropped it on the bed and backed away from her. Maggie who had been startled awake by the sound of the gun was sobbing but Mirisa didn’t take her eyes off of him. Jack told her good night and left the room as Jasmine came running out of the nursery almost running into him. Mirisa sat back and put the gun down but didn’t let go of it until she heard the door slam. Mirisa took her daughter into her arms and talked quietly to her until she stopped crying.
The Visitor - New York 1871-1873 Page 2