“Jenner and his gang came after us. They killed Henry Strange. But we have Pete Offing. Pete’s scared. And he’s mad at his former employers. He’s talking so fast we can’t get it all down.”
My God, thought Straffer, if this is true, it could be the end of Roach.
“Don’t you see,” he said, “if they’ve killed one prisoner, they can kill two? Spur, if you have any sense you’ll cut and run. You don’t stand a chance against Roach. He has the whole territory organized. I know. I shouldn’t be talking like this but ...”
“But you think you’d be better off under Roach, because his fancy woman is one of your girls. You haven’t heard it all yet, Straffer.” Spur saw that he had the man sweating. His foot was on the line. One push and he would be over. “We took Rigbee.”
“Rigbee?”
“He was one of the hired guns sent to kill our prisoners.”
“Has he talked?”
“Spilled everything.”
“How do I know you’re telling the truth?”
“All you have to do is ask George. You think you know all about Roach, but you don’t. Did you know that his chief agent is the girl Ruby?”
“I—I suspected as much. But you don’t know what you’re up against. I’ve kept my ears to the ground. He’s bought men all over the territory. There’s nothing he doesn’t have his finger in. My God, he’s a real power in the land. He can raise an army and he has the governor’s ear. The governor’s besotted with the man. He won’t hear a word against him.”
“He’s hearing a word against him now. We’ve got Roach penned.”
“I can’t believe it. I—I’d like to help. I swear it, Spur. But I dare not. Do you realize the fact of your being here now could compromise me utterly?”
“Then why did you let me in?”
“I’m giving you a chance to save yourself, Straffer.”
“George assured me—”
“George can’t assure you of anything. This is me. Sam Spur. I’m acting on my own tonight. You help me, Straffer, or I’ll see you’re finished. I don’t play clean like George. I’ve got too much at stake.”
Straffer swallowed. He was trying to think and finding it difficult. He sensed something ruthless in this man Spur.
“What do you want me to do?” he asked.
“I want to get in and out of this place in a hurry when I choose.”
Straffer considered that. He didn’t like the sound of it. But he thought he would go along with Spur, for now.
“Is that all?” he asked.
“I want to have access to Jenny’s room.”
Next door to Ruby’s. Straffer sneered a little.
“And Jenny?” he asked.
“If you want to put it that way.”
“All right,” Straffer said. “I’ll go along with you.” He had to think of a way out of this. Of course, if Malcolm and this man Spur came off best … that would be another story. He would be on their side then.
He said: “I’ll see to it.” He went to the door and called to the bouncer. The man came, glowering at Spur. Straffer gave him his instructions. Spur was to come and go as he pleased. He was to be allowed into Jenny’s room. The man didn’t like it, but he took it from the boss. He nodded and went out. Straffer turned with a wry smile.” My house is yours,” he said.
Spur walked to the door and turned.
“Make your mind up,” he said. “You’ve come this far. You might as well go all the way. Come down on our side.”
Straffer said with a great show of sincerity: “I’m on your side. Of course I am. George is a good friend of mine.”
Spur grunted and walked out of the room. He hoped he didn’t meet Ruby on the way. And he didn’t. Her door was closed when he stood outside Jenny’s and knocked.
The girl opened the door herself. She looked astounded to see him.
“You,” she said, just like the bouncer. “I thought you were—”
“Dead?”
“I must say you have a nerve.” She didn’t know how to behave with him. She didn’t know if he had Straffer’s approval.
“Straffer knows I’m here,” he told her. “May I come in?”
She looked doubtful for a moment, then stood back and allowed him in. She closed the door behind him and he took a good look at her. She looked terrific. Her dress was of satin and it was a kind of peacock blue, cut low at the neck so that he saw the delicious swelling at the base of her breasts. Her hair had been dressed with great care and she looked good enough to eat.
She laughed suddenly and asked: “What’s it to be? Dinner and wine? Or passionate love?”
He smiled. There was something about the girl that he liked. He thought that she was too good to be in a place like this. But men like him had been thinking thoughts like that about girls like her from the beginning of time.
“I’m using your room as a listening post,” he told her.
She frowned and cocked her head on one side.
“Do tell,” she said. “Don’t I get any say in the matter?”
“It depends on whether you want to stay in business or not,” he told her.
“You’re here because of Ruby,” she said. He nodded. “Maybe she’s a friend of mine.”
“I’d make a better one.”
She was thinking, head on one side and looking very lovely. Even while she was being serious, she could not help being a coquette. Even if he meant trouble for her, he was still a man and she a woman.
“You telling me you’re a friend of Mr. Straffer’s?”
“That’s right.”
“Then how come he let Jenner take you off.”
That was a good question.
“He changed his mind,” Spur said. “He didn’t know I was so talented.”
She smiled, sat down and patted the bed beside her.
“Sit down,” she said, “and we’ll talk about your talents.”
He sat down. They were very close together. It had been a long time since he had been alone with a woman like this. It was a pity he was here on business.
Jenny was showing her even white teeth in a smile.
“If you’re going to watch Ruby,” she said. “We’ll have to pass the time.”
Spur said: “Maybe we can think of something.”
Jenny said: “I have an idea for starters.”
Chapter Fourteen
At first the governor was enraged at what Malcolm told him. He went first white and then red. He could scarcely find the words with which to answer the marshal.
“Have you taken leave of your senses?” he demanded at last. “You dare stand there and accuse one of my most trusted officials and my closest friend of chicanery and—murder? Really, Malcolm, I think ambition has got the better of you. Maybe I made a mistake when I thought you could fill Wayne Ulster’s boots.”
Malcolm went pale under this sudden storm. He knew that his information would shake the governor, but he hadn’t expected anything like this. He began to doubt the wisdom of his move. Maybe he would have been wiser to keep his information to himself. Maybe he should have gone to the prosecutor and left the governor out of it. But his sense of duty had told him that he owed it to Stirling. He knew now that he had made a wrong decision. The governor could now ruin him.
“You told me, sir,” he said, “to find out the man behind the killing. And I have done it to the best of my ability.”
“Then all I can say, sir,” Starling shouted, “is that your ability isn’t good enough.”
“I have collected evidence, sir,” Malcolm said stoutly, “and I have a witness.”
The governor started.
“Who?”
“Spur.”
“Spur? An outlaw? I am to believe this man against a friend of mine with whom I would trust my life? Really, man, you go too far. This interview’s at an end. Too much has been said already.”
“I think you’re forgetting, sir,” Malcolm said, “that I had no call to come to you. I could have go
ne through official channels. I could have arrested this man Roach here in this very house.” He was getting mad himself now.
“Arrested him?” the governor cried. “You touch a hair of Marcus Roach’s head and you’ll answer to me. No, I suggest you face Mr. Roach with your accusations. I’ll have him in here and you’ll tell him what you’ve told me.”
“I suggest that would be foolish, sir.”
The governor banged his fist on the table.
“So I’m a fool now, am I? You go beyond yourself, marshal. Good God, I should never have allowed you to partake in this scatter-brained scheme with these outlaws.”
“They have been proven brave men who were not afraid to do their duty.”
“I’ll never obtain the pardon for them.”
“They have done what was asked of them. They have brought in one of the men who killed Ulster and risked their lives trying to prevent the murder of another of the criminals. They have brought in one of the men who was hired by Jenner to kill the prisoners.”
The governor was shaken for a second time.
“You didn’t tell me that,” he said a little more quietly.
“I suggest you do nothing, sir, till I have a full confession from the men.”
The governor said: “So your case isn’t water-tight.”
“It’s just a matter of time.”
“You have made wild accusations about a friend of mine and you have nothing with which to substantiate them.”
“I’ll have a complete case or I’ll resign.”
Malcolm stuck his chin out and glared at the governor.
That made some impression.
Stirling said: “You’d go as far as that?”
“I would.”
The governor waved his hand around a little. He looked like a man lost.
“I don’t know what to say.” He was wavering. “I simply cannot believe this. Marcus has served me well.”
“He has embezzled enough of the territory’s money to keep him comfortably the rest of his life.”
This time the governor was shaken to the soles of his feet. He looked aghast at Malcolm.
“This,” he said, “I cannot believe.”
Malcolm went up to the long desk and leaned on it, driving the words down into the governor’s face.
“Ulster had been working on some accounts when he was killed. They seemed perfectly ordinary territorial accounts. I didn’t pay much attention to them at first. I have had them looked at by a first-class accountant. They’re cooked. It has been done brilliantly, but they’re cooked just the same.”
“It could have been done by one of Mr. Roach’s clerks.”
“Then Roach has been hoodwinked. Give me a little time, governor, and I’ll show you that Roach has a hand in every big crooked deal in the state ranging from big scale cattle steals to murder. He has a network that covers the whole state. There are a hundred cut-throats he could call on if he wants them. I am collecting evidence and I shall have it all for you.”
The governor smiled wryly and a little spitefully.
“It strikes me, marshal,” he said, “that you could be in acute physical danger.”
“I know it. But it is Sam Spur and his two men who are most vulnerable. They can be killed by Roach’s men and they are entirely in your hands, governor.”
The governor got to his feet and paced the room. Finally, he stopped in front of Malcolm.
“Just say you’re right,” he said. “This could finish my career.”
“If there was one breath of suspicion that you had condoned these crimes…” Malcolm left the governor to finish the sentence for himself.
The man was frightened now. Malcolm could see it in his eyes, in the uneasy movements of his hands.
“I suppose it’s my duty,” he said hesitantly. “We owe it to Wayne Ulster. I— My God, Malcolm, what am I to do?”
“Leave it to me, sir,” the marshal said smoothly. “I’ll handle it all. You’ll come out of this shining bright. You never knew a thing about this. Roach is a cold and ruthless man who exploited your friendship.''
The governor slumped down in his chair.
“I can’t believe it,” he whispered.
Malcolm knew he had him. But for how long? Would he go to Roach as soon as his, Malcolm’s back was turned.
He talked on. He had caught his fish, now he had to land him.
Ruby was in the salon. She was being gay, laughing with the businessman from Santa Fe. He had delayed the trip home for several days so that he could see more of her. The man was besotted with her. She could have done without him at a time like this, but his being here meant money and she could never say no to money.
They had danced together, dined. Now they sat on an elegant chaise longue and drank together. The man’s expenses were mounting. His bank account would have shrunk considerably by the time he reached home.
The musicians were playing, the other girls were with their men and the air tinkled with their laughter. A colorful scene. Straffer presided over it all, urbane and smiling. Every man there thought he was the luckiest man in the world to be in such a place in such company.
Ricky came into the room, went quietly up to Ruby and whispered in her ear. The smile dropped from her face for a moment before she recovered herself and replaced it. She spoke to the businessman, excusing herself and left the room. Straffer smiled. He went over and spoke to the businessman to cover Ruby’s going, but he knew he couldn’t compensate for her. Quickly, he found Ricky and sent him to fetch another girl from above. Straffer was agitated. He had a feeling that Ruby’s absence was going to be lengthy.
He went out into the hall and found the bouncer there hovering.
“Jenner came back, Mr. Straffer,” he said.
“You fool,” said Straffer, “why didn’t you tell me.”
“Well, there’s Spur in one room and Jenner next to him,” the man said. “I don’t know which way to turn.”
He didn’t know which way to turn, Straffer thought to himself. He wasn’t the only one. He told the man to hang around and to keep his eyes and ears open. He went into his office and poured himself a stiff drink. He needed it badly. In the next hour or so he had to decide which side of the fence he stood on. Whoever was coming out on top, he had to back. He checked his gun and found it loaded not for the first time that evening. That there should be a chance of shooting in his place filled him with horror. Suppose one of his beautiful girls got hurt?
He wandered back into the salon. The businessman complained at Ruby’s absence. He thought he would go up to her room. Straffer said he wouldn’t do that. Ruby had a little family trouble. She would be right back. Let the gentleman amuse himself with Colette. Didn’t he agree that she was a delightful little thing? Quite the prettiest girl of the lot. His customer apparently didn’t think so. He had come here for Ruby and he intended to have her.
Straffer saw that the man had another drink and went out into the hall again.
Spur swung his legs over the side of the bed and reached for his gun belt. He looked at Jenny and found that she was sleeping soundly. He felt extraordinarily refreshed. He had heard a sound.
He crossed the room on tiptoe and removed the chair from under the door handle. Opening the door a little, he listened. He heard the murmur of men’s voices from the next room.
He went to the other door and pressed his ear against it. He knew then that one of the men was Jenner. His mind raced. Now Jenner would have to make contact with Roach. If Spur could follow the connection all the way to Roach, he would be getting somewhere. He backed to Jenny’s room and stood just inside the door which was opened no more than a crack.
Somehow he had to get Roach to expose himself. He, Spur, would not count as a reliable witness. Who would believe a wanted outlaw?
Jenny was still asleep.
He waited with the patience of an Indian.
Malcolm walked from the governor’s house a worried man. He had a great deal on his mind, yet
he was aware of all that went on around him. Doubly aware, for tonight he knew that he walked in mortal danger. He, Spur, Ben and the Kid did. Roach would need to have them all dead now.
There was little traffic about. Now and then a wheeled vehicle rumbled past, now there trotted a horseman going out of town, some cowhand going home after a few drinks in a saloon. The stars hung bright above. A man sauntered on the other side of the street. Far off a dog barked.
He reached the courthouse and started down the long corridor. It was here that Wayne Ulster had died. He walked past the spot, unable to control a shudder. He knew that before long he might be joining Wayne.
He started down the stairs to the cells.
Half-way down he was stopped by a voice calling out: “Hold it and sing out.”
He saw that he was in lamplight and that the speaker was in darkness. He was pleased that the boys were so alert.
“George Malcolm,” he said.
“Come ahead.”
He walked through the lamplight and there was Cuzie Ben with a shotgun in his hands.
“Spur here?” Malcolm asked.
“No, sir. He done gone. All dolled up he was.”
“Where’d he go?”
“Straffer’s place.”
Malcolm groaned. So Spur had decided to make the play. Damn the man. He needed Spur here with the prisoners.
“Is Josh White here?”
“Here I am, Mr. Malcolm.”
“Josh, bar the street doors. I want nobody in here but us. Jim Dutton arrived yet?”
“No.”
“I’m going over to Straffer’s place.”
Jenner was beside himself.
“We’ve got to have men, Ruby,” he said. “We have to get those men out of jail. They talk and we’re finished. Tell Roach.”
“You tell him,” the girl said.
“I dare not. I can’t go near him. I have to keep out of sight. Malcolm knows I made a try at Offing and Strange. If Malcolm connects us I’m finished.”
The girl pursed her lips. She knew the man was breaking. Jenner had a desperate hunted look about him. She wished she could do without him. But it would take time to get the necessary men together and she didn’t have time. She must speak with Roach. Only Roach could give the orders now. Maybe he would want to cut and run. Maybe she would agree to go to Europe with him. That would do for a start. She could always ditch him later.
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