The occupants were startled by the sudden burst and caught off guard as Jack came in shoving the door closed behind him and leveling his pistol, the hammer earing back to a menacing click. “Don’t move!” Clayton bellowed.
There were four men sitting at an oval table. Papers and documents were spread in front of them and they stared up with astonishment at Clayton’s invasion. Bert Fleming was particularly astonished to see Jack return from the grave. Two older men sat across the table from Fleming. Both looked distinguished in their expensive suits. One was heavy set, with loose hanging jowls and a much balding head of thin stringy gray hair. The man next to him was much younger, tall, trim and fit, with a strong face and graying slightly at his temples beneath a shock of dark brown hair.
Most surprising of all was the man sitting at the head of the table. He was a lean angular man just past middle age. Long dark sideburns beneath a full head of hair framed his narrow face.
“Rudy!” Clayton gasped with surprise. The man was well known to him. Clayton had served with him in the Ohio 23rd during the recent war between the states. The man was Rutherford B. Hayes.
“Well, come in Jack. Good to see you again.”
“What is going on here. Rudy?” Jack demanded, releasing his hold on Francy and pushing her out of the way. He kept his gun level.
“Don’t tell me, Bert, that this is the man you threw overboard?” Hayes glared at Fleming.
Fleming swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing in his throat. Before he could answer, Rutherford added vehemently. “You idiot, Bert. This man is no assassin. This is Jack Clayton. Works for the Department of Justice. An old friend of mine. Saved my life during the war.”
“But, but how was I to……” Bert stammered nervously.
“Oh stop your blubbering, Bert and shut up.” Hayes leaned back in his chair and sighed deeply, gazing up at Clayton.
“Sorry about the misunderstanding, Jack. I’m afraid my associate here, is just a little over zealous.”
Jack swung the pistol barrel to aim point blank at Fleming’s chest. “I can fire him for you, Rudy.” Bert began to tremble.
Hayes laughed. “That won’t be necessary.” Then adding with a glare at Bert. “Not this time anyways.” Jack smiled, released the hammer slowly, and lowered the pistol to his side, moved to the end position at the table, sat down and placed his weapon before him. Francy carefully strode to the table and sat down next to Fleming.
“It’s been awhile, Jack,” Rudy said. “A lot has happened since the war.”
“I believe you are still the Governor of Ohio, Rudy.”
“For now,” Hayes replied. “A lot of people are hoping that it won’t be much longer.”
“Oh, seems to me you are a popular Governor.”
“Maybe so, maybe no, but some people want to see me as President,” Rudy apologized. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?” Jack ventured. “Seems to me the country needs an honest man. One who will pay attention to business. A lot has happened these last eight years of Grant.”
“Yes. There has been a lot of graft and corruption throughout the government at all levels, right under his nose and now the country is in bad shape and his administration is in shambles. The party thinks I can rebuild it. I am not so sure.”
“But you’d give it your best shot.” Jack retorted.
“You are much too generous, Jack,” Rutherford scoffed. “You always were. I always admired that about you, but it’s your downfall. You are too trusting.”
“I think I’ve change some in that department,” Jack disagreed.
Rutherford glanced at Francy. She lowered her lashes, avoiding both Rudy and Jack. “Didn’t look that way tonight,” Rudy added. “You ended up in the drink. I trust you had a pleasant evening with my trusted young lady assistant, here, before your unfortunate incident in the river, though.”
Jack glanced at Francy, “Guess you are right about me at that, Rudy.” He chuckled.
“Oh forgive me, Jack.” Rudy changed the direction of their repartee as he discovered that during the excitement of the reunion, he had completely ignored the other two associates who he now addressed.
“I am sorry, gentlemen for my oversight.” Back to Jack. “Jack I want you to meet Senator Windholm.” He gestured toward the older heavier set man. “Senator Windholm has been most instrumental in helping me run for president.
“And Allen Parker.” Indicating the younger man. “ He is an investigative assistant, helping me with the issues I may have to face if elected.”
“Gentlemen, I want you to meet Jack Clayton, the best federal agent in the country.”
“Now who’s being generous,” Jack replied. Then shook hands with the two men. ‘Investigative Assistant’ Jack thought ‘Detective’ as he shook Parker’s hand.
Once the amenities had been dispensed with, Hayes took control of the conversation. “Since, you are here, Jack, I guess I should tell you why we are here.”
Jack remained silent, waiting.
“There’s big trouble brewing up north and if I do by some misfortune of fate become president, I don’t want to inherit an Indian War. And that is just what will happen if somebody doesn’t stop it now. Gold has been discovered in the Black Hills, miners are pouring in and the government has been pressured to break the peace treaty with Red Cloud. The government has tried to buy the Black Hills, but the area is sacred land to the Lakota Sioux and Red Cloud won’t sell. I’m afraid our people are going to push the Indians into a war, so they can take the land and keep them on reservations.
“Two of the Sioux chiefs, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull have played into the politicians’ hands by taking their braves and moving off the reservation for better hunting lands. This is in violation of the Fort Laramie Treaty and the military is threatening to use force to drive them back onto the reservation and the politicians will use that as an excuse to take the Black Hills.
“I’m on my way to Fort Lincoln to discuss the matter with the Military, Indian and Land Commissioner there.”
“That’s very interesting, Rudy.” Jack remarked. “Seems we’re both on the same trail.” He went on to tell about a stolen train and stolen arms that had been requested by Fort Lincoln and the events that had led him to trek to the fort and investigate the situation.
Rudy listened intently and gave it considerable thought. “Looks like we’ve got a duplication of effort here. Perhaps we could work together. That way we could spread our resources and maybe save valuable time.”
“I’m listening,.” said Jack.
“I’ve had contact with Commissioner Thorpe before and he is expecting me. If I continue as planned, I can investigate the goings on at Fort Lincoln and leave you free for something else.”
Clayton’s brows drew together and he scowled with a hint of suspicion. “Like what?” he quizzed coldly.
Hayes held his palms up, “Whoa, there Jack. Just listen to me.” He waited a second before proceeding. There was no response from Jack, so he continued.
“As I said before, braves have been leaving the reservation. At first it was for new hunting grounds, but now they are leaving out of fear. Fear of Ghost Soldiers.”
“Ghost soldiers?”
“Yes. They believe the ghosts of the soldiers killed in the Fedderman Massacre have come to wreak revenge on the Lakota. There have been reports of them attacking villages, killing and kidnapping. I believe they are being attacked for the purpose of scaring them off the reservation, but I don’t, never did, and never will believe in ghosts.”
“You think real soldiers are attacking?”
“Could be. They could be raiders dressed as soldiers, but I wouldn’t put it past the military though.”
“So what do you want me to do?” Jack asked.
“I was thinking that while we proceed to Fort Lincoln, you could ride on to the Black Hills, find these ghosts, and try to persuade the Indians to return to the reservation before it’s too late.”
&n
bsp; Jack pondered the proposal for a moment, then said. “That’s a pretty tall order”
“Yes, it is. It just may be impossible, but I’d like you to try.”
****
Chapter Six
Indian Attack
Death Rides the Black Hills: A Frontier G-Man Novel Page 6