Silver City

by Jeff Guinn

  “I’m here like you wanted, Brautigan,” Cash said. He looked at Gabrielle, his expression one of concern for her, not fear for himself, and asked, “Are you all right?”

  Before she could even nod, Brautigan said, “She’s fine, just not allowed to talk.”

  “I want to hear her say it.”

  “You can take my word. You know I keep my bargains, if others hold up their end.”

  Cash kept looking at her, not at Brautigan. Gabrielle saw him wince as he took in her disheveled state. “If you’ve hurt her, Brautigan . . .”

  “If I have, there’s not a damned thing you can do about it. But aside from some small thumps, the girl is whole, and will remain so if you continue to follow instructions.”

  Cash finally looked at Brautigan. “All right.”

  “You’re going to get down off that horse and turn around for me slowly. Pull your shirt out of your pants and raise those shirttails up.”

  Cash did as he was told. “I’ve got no weapon, Brautigan.”

  “I’ll see for myself. Pant legs rolled up. Boots off. Turn them upside down and shake them.” All the while, Brautigan maintained his grip on Gabrielle’s arm. “Next, the hat. Remove it, run your hand around inside the band.”

  “There are no blades concealed there. I’m completely unarmed.”

  Brautigan was satisfied. “Step away from your horse, McLendon. Two paces, three. Stop there.” He let go of Gabrielle and said to her, “Now you get down. Stand just between your horse and mine.”

  She did, though with some difficulty. It was hard to dismount with her hands bound in front of her and numb besides.

  “Remember I can kill you both in an eyeblink. Without touching each other, you, girl, go get up on McLendon’s horse. McLendon, come over and mount hers.”

  “Why this?” Cash asked.

  “No questions. Do it.” For emphasis, Brautigan jabbed a massive knuckle into Gabrielle’s collarbone. She gasped with pain; her knees buckled. “You want the girl hurt, keep talking instead of moving.”

  “Yes,” Cash said. He began walking toward Gabrielle’s horse. She came in the other direction, limping because of her injured shin.

  “Don’t touch,” Brautigan barked. “Keep considerable space between you.”

  When they were opposite, they paused. It was instinctive. Oblivious to Brautigan for a moment, Gabrielle and Cash looked at each other. He summoned the courage to smile. It simultaneously thrilled her and broke her heart.

  “Can I tell Gabrielle something, Brautigan?” he asked. “Even if you won’t let her talk?”

  “Since you asked permission. Make it quick. Remember, no touching. You’re both dead if you do.”

  Cash said, “Joe and the Major are waiting for you on top of the hill. They’ll take you back home.”

  Gabrielle nodded. She had to blink tears from her eyes because her bound hands were too numb to brush them away.

  “Your father is all right. The Major has hotel staff tending him during the day, and Rebecca Moore stays with him at night. He’s fine.”

  “That’s enough,” Brautigan said.

  Cash looked up at him, then back at her. “I’m sorry for my mistakes, Gabrielle. I love you.”

  “Get on the horses,” Brautigan ordered. Gabrielle pulled herself up on Cash’s with some difficulty. He mounted hers.

  “I love you,” Cash said again, and Brautigan swatted him across the face with the back of his hand. Cash swayed in the saddle. He almost fell but didn’t. Blood trickled from his nose.

  “Ride, girl,” Brautigan said. “Hurry before I change my mind. And remember to keep quiet. You know the penalty if you don’t.”

  Gabrielle looked at Cash. He motioned with his head in the direction of the hill behind her: Go. Her last impression was that the blood dripping from his nose to his shirt was forming the pattern of a heart on the front of his shirt. Awkwardly fumbling at the reins with her bound hands, she turned her new horse and rode slowly away. Fifty yards, a hundred. She fought the urge to look back. What good would it do? Another hundred yards, and grief began giving way to calculation.

  Joe and the Major met her halfway up the hill. They helped her down off the horse. She was glad because she thought she would have fallen if she tried on her own. “Thank God you’re all right,” Joe said. He pulled her down from the horse and swept her into a bear hug. She moaned with pain. Joe pulled away and gasped, “What? Are you hurt?”

  “Give her room, Joe,” the Major said. “Gabrielle, let’s get those hands untied.” He produced a knife and cut the ropes. Her hands burned with immediate agony as circulation returned.

  “There’s shade behind some rocks just over the crest,” Joe said. “Let’s get you there, get you cleaned up. Walk easy. Lean on me.”

  “Water,” Gabrielle croaked.

  “Plenty in canteens where we left the horses by those rocks,” the Major said. “Let us help you there.” He took one of her arms and Joe took the other. Before she let them lead her away, she twisted to look back down into the valley. There, still in approximately the center, Cash sat on horseback beside Brautigan. Why hadn’t they moved?

  “They haven’t left,” Gabrielle said, her voice remaining scratchy from thirst and strain.

  Joe said firmly, “Forget about them. It’s done and we’ve got you back. You’ll have some water and we’ll be going.”

  It was hard for her to climb the rest of the hill. Joe and the Major did their best to assist, the Major supporting her with one hand and leading the horse with his other. But Gabrielle’s limp was pronounced.

  “Is your leg broken? Should I carry you?” Joe asked, and she was touched by his concern.

  “I can walk,” Gabrielle said. It was a relief to get to the top. She could see the downslope ahead, hear the whickering of tethered horses. There was someone at the crest. Ike Clanton hurried over, holding his hat in his hands.

  “At your service, Miss Gabrielle,” he said. “Shall I help escort you down?”

  Bile rose in her dry throat, an awful sensation. Ike Clanton was vile enough on his own. But his brother had attempted to rape her, his family had held her prisoner. She hated him and all the Clantons. “Stay away,” she rasped.

  Ike looked offended. “Why so harsh? Like these other two, I rejoice at your rescue. I led the way here. Without me, you’d still be captive.”

  Gabrielle glared at him. Then she said, “Some water?” to Joe and the Major, who helped her down the slope and into the blessed shade behind the rocks. The Major fetched a canteen. She drank it dry with great heaving gulps. Thirst slaked, her next priority was her empty belly. “Is there anything to eat?”

  “We could cook something,” Joe said, but the temperature was very hot for a fire, and besides, Gabrielle was too hungry to wait. She ate stale biscuits, gobbling the first one, savoring the second and third. No food ever tasted better. As she ate, the Major watched anxiously, and Joe absolutely hovered. Ike Clanton stood to one side, nervously popping his knuckles.

  She wiped biscuit crumbs from her mouth. “That’s better.”

  Joe said, “That clothing exposes too much. Why did you change clothes, and how did that shirt get torn? We need to cover you properly. Even in this heat, perhaps a blanket—”

  Gabrielle waved impatiently. “My clothes don’t matter. Will one of you go back up the hill, look into the valley, and see if they’re still there?”

  “There’s no need,” Joe grumbled, but Major Mulkins said, “Of course.” When he returned he reported, “No sign. They’re gone.”

  “We need to be going too,” Joe said. “Gabrielle needs Doc Vance. She’s hurt, I can tell. What happened to you?”

  “I’m all right for the moment,” Gabrielle said.

  “You’re in pain, and besides, your father needs you,” Joe said. “Even if you won’t think of y
ourself, think of him. Let’s be riding.”

  Gabrielle said, “Wait.” She looked over at the tethered horses. “I see a Winchester in one scabbard and a shotgun in another. Whose guns?”

  “The shotgun’s mine,” Mulkins said. “Joe’s been minding the Winchester.”

  “Could you get them?” Gabrielle asked. “And that gunbelt on the ground by your feet, Major?”

  “It was C.M.’s. He left it with me.”

  “Why don’t you put it on, Major?” Gabrielle suggested. The Major looked quizzical, but buckled the gunbelt around his waist.

  Now comes the risk, Gabrielle thought. She knew the lives of everyone she cared for were at stake. But evil had to be fought, not surrendered to. “Ike Clanton, aren’t you armed as well?” she inquired.

  “I am,” Clanton said eagerly. “My trusty gun, holstered snugly at my side.”

  “May I see it for a moment?” Gabrielle asked. “After my captivity, I feel safer with the weapons of friends to protect me.”

  “What’s this?” Joe said. “Ike, leave your gun be.”

  Clanton ignored Joe. He pulled the gun from its holster and held it out to Gabrielle. “Handle it all you like,” he said suggestively. “I’m at your service in every way.”

  “Could you bring it directly to me?” Gabrielle said. “My leg and body are bruised, and it hurts to move.”

  “My pleasure,” Ike said. “Now, be tender with the trigger. We wouldn’t want it discharging.” He took another step toward Gabrielle, turned the gun in his hand and, holding it by the barrel, extended it to her handle first.

  Gabrielle took the gun from Ike and turned it in her hand, admiring it. Ike noticed that her shirt had tantalizing gaps, and he leered, giving her bosom his full attention. Then Gabrielle had the barrel of the gun in her hand and, in one swift motion she cracked the butt against Clanton’s temple. He collapsed, moaning, at her feet.

  “I believe Sheriff Hove describes this as buffaloing,” Gabrielle said. She leaned over Ike and slammed the butt into the back of his skull. The swinging movement hurt, but she didn’t mind. It was good to strike instead of being struck.

  “What are you doing?” Joe shouted. He leaped forward to wrest the gun from her. She twisted away and her entire body spasmed with agony from her injured ribs. Still, she managed to prevent Joe from taking the gun.

  “What’s this, Gabrielle?” Major Mulkins asked. “Why attack Ike?”

  Panting from exertion and pain, Gabrielle gasped, “He’s mixed up in this.” She pushed Joe away and swatted Ike on the head for a third time. The gun handle made a satisfying thunk as it connected. “You two don’t understand. I’ll explain.”

  Before she could tell about being held prisoner in Clantonville, surely at Ike’s behest, and Phin’s attempted rape—which wasn’t Ike’s direct fault, but still—Major Mulkins said, “We already know. Ike helped Brautigan take you in Mountain View. We didn’t confront him because it would have done no good, and we needed him to guide us here.”

  Ike managed to rise up to his hands and knees. Gabrielle pulled back the gun to strike again and he flinched. “No more,” Ike begged. But his hand scrabbled to grasp a fist-sized rock. Gabrielle didn’t notice, but Mulkins did. He stepped forward and pushed the double barrels of the shotgun behind Clanton’s ear.

  “Hold real still,” the Major told him. “Drop the rock, Ike. Joe, that rope we removed from Gabrielle’s wrists. Get it, and let’s secure this fellow awhile.” He looked at Gabrielle and added, “Beating on Ike is satisfying, I know. But beyond that, nothing’s accomplished.”

  “Something might be,” Gabrielle said, and watched as Joe tied Clanton’s hands behind him. Having been so recently bound herself, she thought that he should have knotted the rope tighter.

  “Whatever Clanton’s done, he’s done,” Joe said. “If ever we see him again, that would be a better time to administer a proper beating. Or will you stay out of Mountain View in the future, Ike?”

  “Hell with you and your town,” Clanton mumbled. He appeared to have some difficulty focusing his eyes, and Gabrielle was glad. “Never want to go there again.”

  “Satisfied, Gabrielle?” Joe asked. “Now, for the love of God, let’s get you on a horse and heading home. You’ve had a terrible experience. You need time to recover yourself.”

  Gabrielle almost told her whole story then, Clantonville and Phin and the rest, but then realized that every moment they wasted here, Cash was being taken farther away by Brautigan.

  “Keep holding that shotgun on Ike, Major,” she said. “He’s going to tell me something.” She walked to where Clanton lay sprawled in the dirt, hands tied behind him. Gabrielle tapped Ike’s pistol against his teeth. “Ike, I’ll hurt you if needed. The Major might blow you to bits with his shotgun. We’re all alone here. No one else would ever know.” She was amazed by her own words. Apparently, she’d learned tactics from Brautigan. “You’ll either tell me what I want to know or you’ll die.”

  “You wouldn’t kill me,” Clanton spluttered. “You’re not the kind.”

  “Until a few days ago, I wasn’t. Now I am.”

  Clanton peered into Gabrielle’s eyes and, finding no comfort there, turned to the Major, who gestured with the shotgun. Clanton swung his face toward Joe.

  “Stop this. You were a sheriff once. You can’t allow murder.”

  “Gabrielle,” Joe began, and stopped when he saw the expression on Gabrielle’s face. He shrugged and said, “Sorry, Ike.”

  Gabrielle yanked Clanton’s head back by the hair and jammed the gun barrel under his chin. “One question only.”

  Ike yowled with terror. “I’m not to tell anything! He’ll kill me if I do!”

  “I’ll kill you if you don’t.”

  “What, then?”

  “Where is Brautigan taking Cash? What’s his immediate destination?”

  “Don’t know,” Ike sniveled. Snot bubbled from his nose. “He never said.”

  “All right, die,” Gabrielle said. Her shin ached. She took a lurching step back and leveled the gun so that it pointed between Ike’s eyes.

  “No,” Clanton pleaded. “I’d tell you if I knew, I swear.”

  “Then guess.” Though Gabrielle’s whole body ached, the gun barrel didn’t waver.

  “I’ll help, Ike,” the Major said. “I’d figure Brautigan means to take C.M. back to St. Louis, kill him there for his boss. So, where’s he riding with him now? How’s he planning to get him all the way back East?”

  “I don’t like that question, Major,” Joe said. “Gabrielle, you can’t be thinking of attempted rescue. You’ve been in danger enough. I won’t allow any more.”

  She ignored him. “Where’s Brautigan taking him, Ike? You may not know for certain, but you must have an idea.”

  Ike swallowed. “You try this, he’ll kill all three of you. And McLendon. And me, for blabbing.”

  “Your last chance,” said Gabrielle. Her voice was cold.

  “Silver City,” Ike whispered.

  “What? I can’t hear you.”

  “Silver City. It’s where I met him, where we joined up. He’s taking McLendon there. No idea what he’s got in mind afterward, though I think he’s got some deal in place with the sheriff. My word of honor, that’s all I know.”

  “Silver City’s in New Mexico territory, isn’t it, Major?” Gabrielle asked. “Stay still, Ike.”

  “It is, maybe four or five days’ ride southeast from here,” the Major said. “But it’s a terrible, lawless place. Brautigan gets C.M. there, if the sheriff’s in his pocket then he’s in position to take him on to St. Louis or pretty much anywhere else.”

  “We need to stop him before Silver City, then,” Gabrielle said. “Because that’s the way Brautigan and his boss, Mr. Douglass, work. They bribe the lawmen and then do what they please.”

&nbs
p; Joe said sternly, “That’s enough of this foolish talk. Gabrielle, we’re going back to Mountain View. Now.”

  She understood his concern and appreciated it. Sweet Joe, thinking as always of her and nothing else.

  “What about rations and water?” she asked the Major. “Four or five days’ worth? Fodder for the horses?”

  “Gabrielle,” Joe said again.

  “Just a moment, Joe. Major? Have we enough to last four or five days? And, I suppose that much again, getting back to Mountain View?”

  The Major shook his head. “Not even close to sufficient. We’d planned on just two days here and the same returning home. We attempt this, victuals will be limited and we’ll be drinking seldom and by the sipful. Even then, we’ll run out. Maybe the animals will find something to graze on, and maybe they won’t. I’m not familiar with the region and don’t know if we’ll come across water.”

  “But we can try.”

  The Major smiled. “I suppose we can.”

  “I could guide you to Silver City,” Clanton offered. “I know the way well.”

  “And somehow betray us to Brautigan?” the Major said. “Not likely.”

  “Gabrielle, you cannot do this,” Joe insisted. “We’re going directly home to Mountain View, no argument.”

  “You can go, Joe,” she said, trying to sound kind and not impatient. “Ride home and be safe. I hope I’ll see you back there soon. If not, I’ll presume to ask that you see Papa’s cared for.”