The Way of the Dogs (The Colter Saga Book 2)

by Joel Baker

  ****

  Sheila was pleased with the prospects of seeing her boy at the dry goods store. How he’d managed to grow into a fine young man, with a father like his, was a mystery to everyone. The owner of the store had taken her aside and told her what a dependable and honest young man he was. Two words never applied to the worm.

  Sheila tied a scarf over her hair and ears. It was getting colder and the wind was starting to pick up. She could hear the moan of the wind blowing through the eaves of the roof. It brought back memories of lying on the floor of her house and hearing that same moan. At the time, she had wondered what was making that sound. Then she realized it was a moan escaping from between her bloody lips and there was nothing she could do to stop it.

  Not much bothered Sheila anymore. Not the cold or the heat nor anything about her work. She loved Molly and James was as nice as he could be. He was gone too much and worked too hard, but was a decent man, who loved Molly dearly.

  She was sure Molly’s baby was going to be a girl. Sheila was looking forward to taking care of a precious baby girl again. How she had loved her little girl and then lost her. It had been almost too much to bear. But then she’d suffered so much since.

  She looked in the mirror one more time. Most of the damage done to her face over the years told a story no one wanted to hear, least of all her. For all of that, Sheila stared in the mirror trying to remember what a pretty young thing she once was. She’d had her choice of suitors back then. How her head did spin at all the attention at church socials and picnics. It was a lifetime ago and at least she was at peace now.

  Sheila said goodbye to Molly and stepped from the front steps and started towards the store. She brought her small cloth clutch purse with what little money she had saved. She kept her face down because the wind made her eyes tear.

  The stores along the street blocked the wind somewhat, so Sheila stopped in front of the dress shop to see what was in the window. She could never afford to buy a store bought dress, but it was fun to look none the less. When she saw a reflection in the glass of the store front window, she thought she was seeing a ghost. It was her husband, standing right behind her.

  ****

  James rode down Main Street of Linden and stopped in front of the sheriff’s office. The town seemed to be growing in all directions with wagons of lumber and hardware rolling down the street. James walked through the door and up to the young man behind the counter.

  “Excuse me, but is Sheriff Ginners available?” James asked. “I need to speak with him.”

  The man continued to shuffle papers back and forth as if he were very busy. James stood patiently for him to answer. Finally the young man looked up at James.

  “I’m sorry, what did you say?” he asked.

  Is Sheriff Ginners available?” James repeated. “I need to speak with him.”

  “And you are…?” the young man asked.

  “James Colter,” James said.

  “Ah, one of the Colters, are we?” the young man said without looking up. “The Sheriff is very busy, maybe I could set you up with an appointment?”

  “I don’t think an appointment is going to get it done,” James said. “You’re new here aren’t you?”

  “Not really,” the young man said. “I’ve been here three months.”

  “Gene Ginners put up with you for three months?” James asked. “He must be getting soft.”

  “What…” the young man started to say.

  “Hey Gene, are you in there?” James shouted.

  “Who the hell…” the door to the Sheriff’s office flew open. “James! You dog! I had orders out for you to be shot on sight. How’d you get by my crack staff?”

  “Just lucky I guess,” James said, smiling. “You got time to talk a bit? I have a problem you may be able to shed some light on.”

  “I always got time for you, James,” the sheriff said. “How many times have you helped me out? Have you met my new officer, Gerald Fisher?”

  “Hey, Gerald,” James said. We got off to a bad start, nice to meet you.”

  Gerald just gave James a dirty look in response.

  “Gerald,” the sheriff said. “Watch the store for me. James and I are going down the street for some pie and coffee.”

  The two men sat at a counter finishing off a slice of apple pie that came with a wedge of cheese on top. James didn’t think the pie could hold a candle to one of Janice’s. He took a big swig of coffee.

  “Your Gerald the officer is a little full of himself, don’t you think?” James asked.

  “Yeah,” the sheriff said. “But the guy can do paperwork like nobody else. I mean the guy is phenomenal! So try and be nice to him. Why did you ride clear up here to see me?”

  “I have a problem, Gene,” James said. “I’m doing some work down between Sparta and Eagle Rock. It may conflict with Carl and Mike Evans and their freight business. There’s some guy hounding my work site and I don’t know if I should be concerned or not?”

  “”Do you have a name?” Gene asked.

  “Not really,” James said. “He said people call him ‘The Grim Reaper’.”

  Gene laughed.

  “That has to be Ed Darby,” Gene said. “He’s a two bit bully and a gutless wonder. He’s not your problem.”

  “Who is, then?” James asked.

  “His brother, Frank Darby, is a big problem,” Gene said. “Ed goes around picking fights. Then he waits around till his big brother can come and finish them. Frank Darby is a bad news stone cold killer. Ed’s specialty is back shooting. There is nothing to like about either of them.”

  “Why would the Evans brothers even do business with a people like this?” James asked. “I thought they were business men.”

  “It could be they don’t know,” Gene said. “I suspect though this is Mike Evans doing. He’s a weasel if you ever saw one. You just make sure to cover your back and bury the Darby brothers where you drop them. I don’t want to know what happened.”

  “I understand,” James said. “Listen, Gene, I have to get back to Eagle Rock and I need your cooperation.”

  “Sure, what is it?” Gene asked.

  “I have some Cherokees coming down to guard my back,” James said. “If you or your people run into them, just leave them alone.”

  “Is that chicken thief Charley Oaks one of them?” Gene asked.

  “Gene, I’m asking just leave them alone,” James said.

  Chapter 22

  Sheila turned to stone. She couldn’t turn around if she wanted to, so she pretended not to see her husband’s reflection in the window. She managed to get far as the end of the walkway before he shoved her down. He dragged her into the alley by her hair. She fell hard and her scarf fell back on her neck.

  “I bet you think you’re something special now, don’t you?” Leonard asked.

  Sheila knew there was no right answer, so she said nothing.

  “Answer me bitch!” Leonard hissed between clenched teeth.

  Leonard’s face was bright red and inches from her face. Spittle flecked onto her cheek.

  “You think you’re all special living in that shitty little back room, eating scraps off those peoples table, don’t you?” Leonard said. “Well, you’re not. You’re the same fat old slut you always were. You make me sick.”

  The smell of liquor was strong as he leaned down into Sheila’s face.

  “Yeah, you’re something special alright,” Leonard said. “Now I got to show you what happens when you think you can treat me like dirt.”

  Leonard Burke wasn’t big, but he was strong. The punches landed with a wetness that could only mean soft tissue and bad things. He began to slow eventually and stood with his hands on his knees resting. His breath came in gasps and went out as clouds of steam.

  Sheila had rolled in to a fetal position to protect her vital spots. She’d learned to do this during many beatings. Still the punches hurt and all she could do was hope someone would come along. Maybe Leonard would get bor
ed with the whole thing. The taste of her blood was familiar, like an old acquaintance you really didn’t want to see come to visit again.

  In fact, the whole brutal course of the beating had a certain familiarity. It had a pattern that leaves you with a sense of sad sameness. She knew it was almost over when he kicked her in the back. It hurt so bad she had to cry out. Her scream somehow seemed to please him. He walked a short distance from where she lay in the slush and mud.

  “I’ll be back, you whore,” Leonard said. “You’d better rethink what you’re doing. The only safe place for you is in my house and bed.”

  Sheila thought she heard him going through her purse. She heard his steps as he returned and stood over her.

  “If you’ll just come back to me everything would be different,” Leonard said, his voice almost pleading. “You know I love you. If you just wouldn’t piss me off! We’d get along fine…”

  Sheila finally heard his footsteps recede down the alley. She tried to sit up, but was dizzy and fell over on her side. She finally made it on the third try. It took ten minutes for her to crawl to the end of the alley. There was blood in the snow behind her. She was able to stand using the porch post by the dress shop. The store clerk saw her and found out where she lived just before Sheila fainted.

  ****

  It had quit snowing by the time James rode into Eagle Rock. He turned the sorrel down his street. A large number of people were standing on the front porch of his house. He first thought there was something wrong with Molly. He pushed his way into the house and saw Molly sitting in her usual chair by the fireplace. She was crying.

  “What’s wrong?” James asked.

  “It’s Sheila, the doctors in with her,” Molly said.

  James went into the kitchen and stood by the door to the back room. He looked over the shoulder of the doctor and couldn’t believe the person on the bed was Sheila. He walked back into the living room and knelt on the floor next to Molly.

  “What happened, Molly?” James asked quietly.

  “It was that horrid man, her husband,” Molly said. “She was going to go see her son at the store and he must have followed her. He dragged her into an alley and beat her. For no reason, he just beat her.”

  James sat and comforted Molly until the doctor finally came out. The look on the doctor’s face was not good.

  “Folks,” the doctor said. “That woman has been through more than anyone should have to suffer. If I had a gun I’d go shoot that son of bitch myself.”

  “Is she going to be alright?” Molly asked.

  “Maybe, but it will take a while,” the Doctor said. “Judging by the scars, she’s been through this before. You know this sort of thing doesn’t stop. He’ll kill her eventually. I’ve seen this all before. Somebody is going to have to do something and soon.”

  Molly looked at James with pleading eyes. James didn’t say anything.

  “Well, I’ve done everything I can do for now,” the Doctor said. “I’ll be back tomorrow to check on her,”

  The doctor said collecting his bag and coat.

  “Just make sure her breathing is regular and get me if anything changes,” the Doctor said.

  The doctor left and the people on the porch left with him. James walked into the back room and looked down at Sheila. Her face was oddly shaped from the swelling and both eyes were black. There were sutures over one eyelid, and it looked like one ear had been reattached. Her jaw was so swollen it was hard to tell if it was broken or not.

  James walked back into the living room and knelt in front of Molly.

  “Sweetheart, I’m going to go out for a while,” James said. “I’ve got to meet with Charley Oaks and some of his friends and I’ll be back in a little while. Sheila will be alright and she’s sleeping now. Will you be alright?”

  “Oh, James, why do people treat other people this way?” Molly asked. “It makes no sense. It’s all so evil.”

  “I know sweetheart,” James said. “I think it’s what your father finally came to realize. Bad things happen to good people. God doesn’t prevent it. He put people here to do his work. That’s what I’m about to do. Will you be alright?”

  “I’ll be fine James, and so will Sheila,” Molly said. “You make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

  “Love you Molly,” James said as he headed towards the door.

  “Be careful James,” Molly said as James walk out the door.

  She watched through the window as the snow began to fall again. The wind blew a curtain of snow off the roof in a sudden gust. She saw James shove his rifle into the scabbard. James swung up into the saddle and disappeared into the swirling snow.

  James headed to the east side of Eagle Rock near the outcropping of granite that gave its name to the town. The Cherokees were encamped near the rock, their fire burned brightly as they huddled under a lean to. It was still snowing quite hard. James caught only a glimpse of the dark shape shadowing his path through the snow.

  “Charley, are you going to be alright out here?” James asked. “I could get you under a roof for the night”.

  “We will be alright,” Charley said. “We were about to drop the sides on the lean to. We’ll be snug and warm here.”

  “I have some business to take care of tonight,” James said. “Would you be willing to give me a hand?”

  Charley looked around the fire at his four friends.

  “Can you get by without me for a while?” Charley asked the others.

  “Bring us back some food. We’ll be fine,” one of the men answered.

  ****

  The trip back to town was somber as James told Charley what happened. They stopped and took care of their horses. James walked over to the only tavern still open and looked through the window. He saw Leonard Burke sitting between two other drunks at a table towards the back of the room. A kerosene lantern sat in the middle of table. It was late and the bartender was giving hints it was time for everyone to go home.

  James and Charley headed across the street to an alley. They could watch the front of the tavern without being seen. About fifteen minutes later, Sheila’s husband came out of the tavern with his two buddies. They went one way and Leonard headed towards his house. Charley and James followed Leonard from a distance.

  It had stopped snowing as Leonard Burke stamped his feet on his front porch. On the third try, he managed to unlock his front door and enter his house. He turned to close the door, only to have it fly open knocking him to the floor.

  “What the…,” Leonard said before a large fist knock him unconscious.

  Leonard came to as rough hands dragged him towards the kitchen table. His hands were tied behind him and he was gagged. They’d taken his coat and boots off for some reason. His eyes bulged as he stared up into the face of an Indian dragging him across the floor. His scream came out muffled. Then he saw James standing by the stove under the lantern.

  The two men picked him up and laid him on the kitchen table on his back. He struggled and tried to sit up. The Indian hit him hard in the stomach and drove the air from his lungs. The gag in his mouth made it difficult to catch his breath.

  I’m going to die, he thought. Then slowly his lungs filled with air.

  No, I’ll be alright. I bet they’re just going to beat me up for what I did to Sheila. That red headed bitch probably sent them over to scare me. Okay, big man, do your worst, Leonard thought. But next time, that slut Sheila is going to die and the red headed bitch too. You can count on it you smug bastard.

  At first Leonard was confused when James threw a rope over the beam in the kitchen ceiling. He watched in growing horror as James tied one end to the ceiling beam and the other end in a loop. What the… The two men grabbed Leonard by the arms and stood him up on the kitchen table. Still trying to scare me huh? As James slipped the rope around his neck, Leonard noticed the rope was tied with a slip knot.

  “Charley, untie his hands,” James said.

  “He might pull himself up and get loose,�
�� Charley said.

  “Untie his hands,” James said.

  Charley went behind Leonard’s back and untied the rope. Leonard flexed his numb fingers until the feeling in them came back. Not the brightest two, are they, Leonard thought. He just knew he was going to get out of this somehow.

  “Grab his arm,” James said. The Indian grabbed one arm as James grabbed the other.

  “Have you ever tried to use your hands with a broken finger?” James asked.

  Charley smiled knowingly when James grabbed Leonard’s middle finger and bent it back to his wrist. The sound of the bone breaking was unnerving. Charley did the same with the other hand.

  Leonard felt the pain of his broken fingers in waves of bright searing light. Both hands throbbed with a deep, aching sense of shards of glass being shoved under his fingernails. His legs began to shake as his scream started from the back of his mind and finally came out as a gagged plea for mercy. He was sobbing when the dark stain on his pant legs spread towards his feet ending in a yellow pool on the table. He held his quacking hands out as if pleading for mercy.

  James kicked the table out from under him and headed for the door. He and Charley stood outside in the snow for a moment. They looked back through the window. The light through the kitchen flickered on, then off, then on. It seemed as if something was swinging back and forth in front of the light. They knew it could take as long as twenty minutes. It was cold so rather than wait, they turned and walked through the snow toward home.

  The next morning broke bright and cold. Charley was up early and rode out to the encampment with a whole leg of beef across his saddle. He and his friends would spend the rest of the day cooking it and making jerky. It would have to feed them for some time.

  Last night James had slept on the floor in the living room with Charley. Molly had spent the night in the back room tending Sheila as best she could. James fixed some breakfast and coffee and took it in to Molly.

  “How is she?” James asked.

  “She’s breathing better, I think.” Molly said arching her back. “My back is killing me, could you sit with her a while?”