Jim breathed a deep sigh before he responded.
"No, I'm not. I'd purely enjoy that, but I won't. The best revenge will be bringin' him to trial and disgracing him in front of all his cronies."
"I'm glad to hear you say that," Smoky replied, "Because if you attempted to kill Cox in cold blood I'd have to try and stop you. Or if you did kill him I'd have to arrest you. And we've been pards for so long I'd plumb hate to do either one."
"You don't have to fret on my account," Jim said. "My only plans for Justin Cox are to see him swingin' from the end of a rope. Now let's finish up here and get some shut-eye. And you can sleep as late as you'd like in the morning."
"All right," Smoky said.
Despite Jim's reassurances, once he was in bed Smoky lay on his back on the soft mattress for quite some time, staring at the ceiling. A short while later sleep finally claimed him, but he tossed restlessly all night, unable to erase the cold, dead look in Jim's eyes from his mind.
Chapter 19
The next day the two exhausted Rangers slept late, then ate a leisurely breakfast. They were caring for their horses when Jim Huggins returned from town. Riding alongside him, mounted on a sturdy black and white pinto gelding, was another Ranger. The two men dismounted. Huggins opened the gate and they led their horses into the corral.
"Jim, Smoky, I'd like you to meet Sergeant Frank Malinak. He got into town a mite earlier than planned. Frank, Lieutenant Jim Blawcyzk and Corporal Smoky McCue."
Malinak was the epitome of a Texas Ranger, tall and burly, with dark hair and eyes. He took Jim's hand in a strong grip.
"I'm glad to finally meet you, Lieutenant. Jim's told me some real stories about you."
"And none of them good. I'd bet my hat on that," Jim said laughing. "And the name's Jim. Forget that lieutenant stuff."
"And I'm Smoky," McCue stated, as he shook Malinak's hand.
Huggins and Malinak removed their horses' bridles and saddles. They rubbed them down and turned them loose, then forked hay to them. Afterwards they headed for the trough and splashed cool water over their faces.
Huggins scrutinized Sizzle carefully while Jim finished currying the paint. "Boy howdy, that new horse of yours certainly is a good lookin' animal, Jim," he said.
"Thanks," Jim said. "I'm still gettin' used to ridin' Siz rather'n Sam, but I think he's gonna work out just fine."
"Jim," said Frank Malinak, "Sgt. Huggins told me about what happened to your family. That's a real shame, and there's no punishment harsh enough for the men who did that to your wife and boy. He also told me about what they did to your infamous Sam horse. I was sure sorry to hear about that. I hope I can at least help you bring in the men responsible."
"I appreciate that, Frank," Jim replied.
Jim gave Sizzle a final swipe of the brush, slipped him a peppermint, let the horse nuzzle his shoulder, then ambled over to the fence. "What about tonight? Any news?" he asked Huggins.
"Let's wait until Smoky finishes up," Huggins replied.
"I'm all done," Smoky called as he walked over. He lit the quirly already dangling from his lips.
"We're all set. Mike Price is more'n willin' to cooperate. Far as anyone else is concerned, you two are deputies from Deaf Smith County. You gave me a hand in the past. Since you were passing through town on your way to Houston you stopped over to look me up. You'll ride in separate from me and Frank to help keep folks from suspicionin' we're working together. We'll mingle for a while, and then slip off to meet and formulate our plans. With most of the county there, no one should notice if we're missin' for a while. Most likely they'll figure we've snuck outside to have a pull from the jug. which we will, of course."
"And you're positive neither Cox nor any of his men will be there?" Jim asked. "A politician usually can't resist an event like that. It might look bad if he doesn't make an appearance."
"I'm certain, Jim. There's been bad blood between Price and Cox for years. And Mamie knows Cox for exactly what he is. She gave him what-for at a church social some years back. He's avoided her like the plague ever since."
"Okay, it seems like you've got things well in hand," Jim said. "So where is this party?"
"It's at La Chata, a little Mexican restaurant in the center of town, just down and across the street from the county sheriff's office and jail. You can't possibly miss it. The building's painted a bright kinda orangey-pink color. You'll be surprised at the chuck they serve. It's not the usual frijoles like you'd expect in a Mex place. The party starts at seven, so I reckon Cora, Frank, and I will get there about twenty after. You two hombres can wander in shortly after that."
"We're still a mite shaggy-lookin' to attend a fancy party," Smoky said.
"Don't worry about that. This isn't anything real extravagant. Just plenty of good food, drink, and a gathering of Mamie's friends. She's a great gal. Everybody loves her, and she sure won't mind how you look. Besides, even Cora says you chaps cleaned up right nice. Too bad those baths didn't improve your looks any."
"We're too far gone for a plain bath to fix," Jim said smiling. "Since everything's settled, it looks like there's nothing to do until tonight."
"We're as ready as we can be for now. Oh, one more thing before I forget. When you're ridin' by the town square, whatever you do don't try'n shake any nuts off the pecan trees, no matter how tempted you might be to sample a few," Huggins said with a grave look on his face. "Stealin' those pecans will land you in a jail cell real quick. Not even your Ranger badges, Captain Trumbull, or for that matter the governor himself could help you then. We're real protective of our nuts here in Leon County."
"Just the ones on the trees, Jim?" Smoky laughed.
"You can take that any way you'd like, McCue. Meanwhile, Cora should have dinner just about ready. Let's head inside. You can fill Frank in on everything after we eat."
The evening proved to be sultry, with the threat of a thunderstorm hanging in the heavy air. Jim and Smoky took a circuitous route from the Huggins' home to the center of town.
"There's the place," Jim said, indicating a small brightly colored building with "La Chata Mexican Restaurant" painted in brilliant blue, green, and red letters on the sign over the door. There were so many carriages, buckboards, and horses surrounding the restaurant they were forced to tie their mounts to a hitch rail two blocks away. They looped the reins over the rail, and loosened their cinches.
Sizzle dropped his nose to Jim's hip pocket. Jim gave him a handful of candies. Patting the gelding on the neck, Jim said," C'mon Smoke, let's head inside and see what's for supper."
The small restaurant was packed, with barely enough space for the Rangers to squeeze through the crowd. Brightly colored paper flowers and streamers decorated the room. In one corner several children were attempting to break open a wildly swinging pinata. The deliciously heady odors of highly spiced foods permeated the atmosphere. Just about everyone had plates stacked high with food, while a mariachi band was playing a lively tune. As Huggins had promised, most of the residents of Leon County had shown up for the affair. Jim asked one attendee where he might find Ranger Jim Huggins. The man waved him toward the back of the room.
Huggins spied Smoky and Jim as they worked their way in his direction.
"Jake Barton!" he called out. "And Frost McDonagh. What the devil brings you two hombres to Centerville?"
"There you are, Sergeant," Jim shouted back. "We're headed down to Houston. Gonna do some sightseein'. Since we were passin' through we figured we'd look you up. Man at the general store said we'd find you here. Also said to let folks know he was closing up and would be along shortly himself."
"We kinda worried about hornin' in, but he said we'd be welcome, since this was gonna be the biggest party around here in a month of Sundays," Smoky added.
"That'd be Mort Klein. Well, I'm sure glad he sent you along. And he was right. You are welcome. I'd like you to meet my wife, Cora. Cora, these two hombres helped me round up Tom Kane and his bunch up in Deaf Smith County a
couple of years back."
Jim lifted his Stetson in greeting. "I'm pleased to meet you, Mrs. Huggins."
"Same here," Smoky added, touching two fingers to the brim of his hat.
"My pleasure, and please, it's Cora." She responded without a hint the two men had spent the previous night in her home.
"And this here's Ranger Frank Malinak," Huggins said.
The three Rangers exchanged handshakes without a sign of ever having met before.
"Now let me introduce you to the guest of honor and her family," Huggins said. He led them to the far side of the restaurant, where several people were in line waiting to express their wishes to Mamie Price.
Huggins called to a lantern-jawed, barrel-chested individual. "Mike! Come over here a minute. Figure I might as well introduce you two to our sheriff while you're waitin'. This party's for his grandmother. She's one hundred and four."
"Mike, I'd like you to meet two real fine lawmen," Huggins said when the sheriff reached them. These are deputies Jake Barton and Frost McDonagh from Deaf Smith County. Jake, Frost, Sheriff Mike Price."
Price was taller even than the six-foot plus Blawcyzk—and brawny. He shook the Rangers' hands with a bone-crushing grasp. "Anyone who's a friend of Jim is a friend of mine," he boomed. "You gents had anything to drink yet. How about grub?"
"We just got here. Haven't had a chance to get drinks yet. We wanted to find Jim Huggins first," Jim said. "And meet your grandmother, naturally. It wouldn't be proper to do otherwise."
"Of course," Price replied. "I'll introduce you to her. My family's with her, so you can meet the entire Price clan at the same time. C'mon."
The Leon County sheriff led them to a long, gaily decorated table at the front of the room. Seated at the center was a diminutive elderly woman. Despite her advanced age, her eyes were bright and sparkled with life. A broad smile creased her face while she swayed to the mariachi rhythm.
"Everyone, these are a couple of Jim Huggins' friends, deputies Jake Barton and Frost McDonaugh from Deaf Smith County way. Jake, Frost, this lovely lady is my wife, Joetta. Alongside her is our oldest daughter, Amanda Payne. Next to her are her sisters Stephanie and Pam. Amanda's kids, my grandson Price and granddaughter Calee are around here somewhere. They're probably tryin' to bust open that pifiata. And then we have my sister Linda. And lastly, but hardly least the two ladies in the middle are my mother Noveline and grandmother Miss Mamie. And don't worry. I sure don't expect you to remember all their names."
"We appreciate that." Jim laughed.
"I'd sure like a birthday kiss from you two handsome fellas," Mamie requested. "The tow-headed one with those nice blue eyes first."
"Of course, Miss Mamie," Jim said. He leaned down to kiss her on the cheek. When he did, Mamie whispered to him.
"You're no deputy. Neither is your partner. You're both Texas Rangers."
"How'd you know that? Did Mike tell you?" Jim whispered.
"No. But I can tell you're Rangers. You have the look about you, just like Jim Huggins. Don't worry. I realize you must have a good reason for keeping your identity confidential. Your secret is safe with me."
"Thank you, ma'am," Jim replied. He kissed her once again.
Smoky also took his turn kissing the guest of honor. Mamie hugged him so tightly it took his breath away. "Ma'am, if I weren't already married, I'd propose to you right now," he said once he was released.
"Who said I'd have you?" Mamie said.
"I guess she told you... Frost." Jim nearly slipped and called Smoky by his rightful name.
"Well, now that you've met the family, why don't you boys circulate for a while," Mike suggested. "Get some food and drinks too. The quesadillas here are especially good, and the tequila will knock your boots off."
The two Rangers headed for the serving tables, which held an astounding variety and quantity of Mexican and Texan dishes. They soon had plates piled high, Smoky a glass of fiery tequila, Jim a bottle of sarsaparilla. Frank Malinak joined them.
"Jim wasn't kiddin'," Smoky remarked to him. "Most of the county must've turned out."
"Just about," Malinak said munching a jalapefio pepper. "There are even a couple of reporters from two of the outlying towns here, besides the one from the Centerville News. See that man and woman talkin' in the corner? The woman's Kristy Vandegriff, who reports for the Jewett Messenger. The man with her is Hank Hargrave, owner and publisher of the Normangee Star. I reckon this affair's gonna be the social event of the year in Leon County. C'mon, I'll introduce you to a few more folks I happen to know."
Frank brought them to a group standing near the front door.
"Folks, I'd like you to meet a couple of men who helped Jim Huggins up in the Panhandle a few years back, deputies Frost McDonagh and Jake Barton. Frost, Jake, say howdy to Ken Jones and his wife Martha. Then we have Becky Hines, and finally Dawson and Doreen Jordan of the Double DJ Ranch. Their spread's one of the biggest in these parts. Now I've got to head back and talk with Jim for a bit, so I'll leave all of you to get acquainted."
Jim and Smoky spent a few minutes conversing with the Leon County folks, until from the corner of his eye Jim saw Mike Price nod to him. Jim nodded in return and made his excuses to leave. He edged his way through the crowd and outside. Making sure he was unobserved, he ducked around the back of the restaurant. Smoky soon followed.
The only illumination in the small lot behind the restaurant was provided by the setting quarter moon and the lightning bugs flickering in the bushes.
Jim declined the clay jug Mike Price offered. Smoky accepted. Taking a long pull of the contents, he gasped as the fiery liquor hit his throat.
"What's in this stuff?" he said nearly choking.
"That's our secret family recipe," Mike said chuckling.
"Well, it dang near killed me." Smoky pulled out the makings and began rolling a cigarette.
"Enough. We'd best start talkin' before we're missed," Jim said.
"In another minute. We're waiting on one more," Huggins answered.
"I'm right here." Dawson Jordan stepped into the clearing.
"What's he doin' here?" Jim demanded. "Last thing we need is word gettin' out about what we're up to."
"Take it easy, Lieutenant," Huggins answered. "I asked Dawson to join us. We need his help if we're to have any prospect at all of gettin' to Justin Cox.
"Dawson, you've probably already guessed, but these men aren't deputy sheriffs. This is Texas Ranger Lieutenant Jim Blawcyzk and his pardner, Corporal Smoky McCue. We don't have time to explain everything right now, but they're in town to arrest Justin Cox."
"It's about time," Jordan responded. "Cox's been ridin' roughshod over folks for far too long, hidin' behind his political connections. He would've been taken down long ago if it weren't for his friends in Austin. You'll get whatever you need from me."
"We're gonna need your place to reach Cox, hopefully before he realizes what's happening," Huggins answered.
"Dawson and Doreen's Double DJ abuts Cox's Circle Bar C," said Mike Price. "Cox has been hassling the Jordans for years, trying to get their land. So far they've been able to hold him off, but he's got a lawsuit pending in Austin right now, and with his influence up there he's likely to win. And if he doesn't he'll try another way. Jim, you've seen firsthand what Cox will do when he's thwarted. He's ambitious, ruthless, and vindictive."
"That still doesn't explain why we need Dawson's help," Jim said.
"The Double DJ sits on a rise overlooking the Circle Bar C, Jim. We can check over the situation before we ride in. There's a creek which marks the boundary between the two places. Plenty of scrub grows along the banks, so we'll have some good cover."
"I'd still like to try by myself, or maybe me and Smoke, ridin' in, grabbin' Cox, and ridin' back out again, without any shootin'," Jim said.
"You're sure you don't mean ridin' in, plugging Cox, then ridin' away, Jim?" Smoky challenged.
"No, I don't. Much as I'd like to put a couple of bullets in
his lousy guts, I've already told you I want him brought to trial."
"Stop it, both of you," Huggins said stepping between the two Rangers. "Arguin' amongst ourselves won't get us anywhere. As far as one or two men ridin' into Cox's place, that's a real bad idea at best, suicidal at worst. You might reach Cox, but you'd never get out again. You'd be shot to ribbons. You asked for my help, Lieutenant, and I'm givin' it to you straight. The only chance we have of arresting Justin Cox is the five of us."
"The six of us," Jordan spoke up. "You're not leaving me out of the fun."
"Okay," said Huggins, "the six of us goin' in there ready for a gunfight. To borrow your favorite phrase, Jim, you can bet a hat on it, there will be gunplay."
"All right. We're gonna have to shoot it out with Cox's men," Jim said. "How many will we be up against?"
"He's got about twenty or so ridin' for him," Huggins answered. "Some of 'em are ordinary cowpokes, so those hombres might not put up much of a fight. But Cox has got eight or nine gunslingers workin' for him. The worst one's probably Mike Buckley."
"Macklin mentioned him," said Smoky.
"I've never run across him, but I understand he's lightning fast and a dead aim with a six-gun, as well as poison mean," Malinak added. "There are no warrants out on him in Texas, but he's supposed to have killed several men over in New Mexico territory, and there are also warrants out for him in Nebraska and Missouri. He's the one who'll give us the most trouble."
"Any kids or women we have to worry about?" Jim asked.
"I don't believe so," Price answered, "Cox's wife left him and moved back to Iowa years ago. She took the kids with her. They'd be grown up by now. Only female on the place will be his Mexican cook and housekeeper. She's an old woman, so I'm sure once the shootin' starts she'll hole up."
"That settles things," said Jim rubbing his jaw. "We'll meet at the Double DJ, and then ride on the Circle Bar C. "How far is it to your place, Dawson?"
"It's about six miles south of here."
"You're not planning on headin' down there right now, are you?" Price asked. "It'd be hard to explain why I'm leavin' my own grandma's birthday party."
Ranger's Revenge (Texas Ranger Jim Blawcyzk Book 7) Page 15