Bohanin's Last Days (5 page)

Chapter VII

Bohanin placed the empty glass of sherry on the table waiting for the teacher's response.

“It is so easy for you, isn't it, Logan? It's such an easy decision to send me to Denver for an abortion,” she said.

“I don't see any other choice. I'm in a delicate position. I could lose everything in the scandal. Augustina would set me out the door, penniless.”

“There will be no scandal. Where I'm going, no one will know. I'll tell them I'm a widow.”

Bochart was silent for several moments before he spoke bitterly, “For now.”

“Just what do you mean by that statement?”

“It is one thing to make all of these plans for the moment. But later, when the child is older, when you consider the money, I can see where you'll be back wanting more, wanting recognition of rights for the child,” Bochart said.

“I told you. That will not be the case. As far as you or this child will be concerned, its father is dead.”

“I know what you told me. I also know that you are well aware of the fact that Augustina and I will never have children of our own. We have fifty thousand acres of land and over two thousand head of cattle. The place is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Are you honestly trying to tell me that the temptation for you to get that property for your child isn't or wouldn't be present?”

“That's all it is to you, isn't it? The money. Never mind the child or the fact that you're the father.”

“And why not? Do you know what I was before I married Augustina? Nothing. Just another drifter from the war. No future, certainly never any dreams of the position that I have now.”

“Maybe you should have thought of that before you slept with me,” Millie said.

“You know what it was like for me? Augustina is not capable of sex. I was lonely, starved for that kind of attention.”

“And you certainly received your share from me, didn't you, Logan?”

“I told you the score from the beginning. You used me,” he said.

“And you used me. Now you want me to give up this child, perhaps the only child that I will ever have. What kind of man are you?”

“I'll tell you what kind of man I am. If you ever come near Augustina with this information or if you ever try to gain recognition for that child, I will kill you and the child.”

Bohanin thought of his revolver still hanging under his hat in the hallway. He felt his hands tightening on the arms of his chair.

“Kill me? You couldn't kill me, Logan. I know you better than that. And, you know me better than that. Give me the money for the care of the child and I will never darken your door again. Do you honestly think I would want my child to know what kind of man his father is, especially after the threat that you have just made? Give me the money and I will never even utter the name of Logan Bochart.”

There was a long period of silence.

“Here. There's three thousand dollars. That's all I can raise without Augustina becoming suspicious. Will that suit you?” Bochart asked.

“It is more than generous,” Millie said coolly.

“I think it is. That's all the personal savings that I have. There isn't any more, and the way Augustina is, there won't be any more for quite a spell,” Bochart said.

“This will do fine.”

“I don't ever want to see you again,” he said.

“That's fine with me,” Millie said as she started for the doorway.

“Remember what I've said. If I ever see or hear from you again, if you ever threaten me with the presence of that child, I will destroy you both.”

Millie stopped by the door. Her voice was trembling. “My God, how I hate you,” she said before advancing quickly up the staircase.

Bohanin sat dumbfounded. He had heard of such things, especially in the military where officers are separated from their wives for lengthy periods of time. He knew that there were rumors of Custer fathering a child by an Indian woman. He could certainly see the attraction that the woman would have for such a man. He could see how the temptation of a woman such as Millie Toland would be great. He could understand that part of it. But to threaten the woman and the child with death was an abomination. Bohanin rose to see where the man had gone. Bochart was talking in the shadows to Nobel and Starbuck.

Suddenly it all made sense. No wonder Nobel and Starbuck had acted as they had. They were testing Bohanin to see why he had come to Springfield and were trying to learn if he had any relationship with the school teacher.

He watched as Bochart motioned toward the second story of the house. He was making plans to have the men kill the woman. He couldn't be sure that the woman would remain silent in spite of the money. If his hired thugs could take care of her before she had the child then his problems would be solved. Bohanin retrieved his revolver and buckled his holster about his waist.

The men turned and walked away together down the street.

Bohanin relaxed and holstered his Colt. He went to his room and found his Winchester. He quickly loaded the rifle and returned to the chair in the sitting room, turning it about so he could stand guard watching out the window. He waited in the darkness, the Winchester across his lap, watching the shadows of the moonlit night.

He saw a horseman coming down the street toward the boarding house. The rider came to the picket fence but remained mounted for several moments. It was Bochart. He strained to see what Bochart was doing, but the man simply sat on his horse staring at the house. Finally, Bochart turned his mount and rode off toward the south.

After a few moments, Bohanin recognized Nobel and Starbuck ride past the house. They continued in the direction of the ranch.

Bohanin stepped out onto the verandah and watched the riders make their way out of town. He paced about the verandah considering his options. He stepped into the yard and walked to the picket fence. He turned and faced the house. There was a light on in a second story room. There was movement in the room. He recognized that Millie was still awake, packing.

Bohanin went to her room but hesitated before knocking. Eventually he mustered the courage and knocked softly.

“Who's there?” she asked.

“Miss Toland, it's Captain Bohanin. I know that it is late but I wonder if I might have a few words with you.”

There were several moments of silence.

“Captain Bohanin, this isn't really very proper,” she said.

“I know that Miss Toland. But it really is terribly important. Believe me, I don't have any alternative.”

Millie opened the door and looked down the hall to see if anyone else was present. She looked at the Winchester in his hand.

“Come in, Captain. Quietly,” she said uncomfortably.

Bohanin entered and placed the Winchester against her vanity. She watched him closely and shut the door.

“You were in the sitting room, weren't you?” she asked.

“Yes, I was. I overheard everything,” Bohanin answered.

“With the light out,” she accused.

“Quite by accident, I assure you, madam. I had no intention of overhearing your conversation.”

She nodded.

“Please take a seat, Captain Bohanin. I'm sure we were a bit loud. Things were rather intense for a few moments.”

“Believe me, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't extremely concerned for your welfare,” Bohanin said as he sat in a rocker beside the window.

“I don't think there is anything you can do. It's very noble of you to make this gesture, but I don't see how your involvement would help anything.”

Bohanin shook his head. “I don't agree. I remained in the room after you left the verandah. I have knowledge of some things of which I am sure you are not aware.”

Millie smiled. “You're concerned about Logan's threats.”

“More than concerned. I have reason to believe that he truly does intend to have you killed.”

“Nonsense. He's just frightened. He doesn't trust me. When I leave Springfield, all will be eventually forgotten,” she said.

“He spoke to some men after you had gone to your room. He pointed your room out to the men. I have had dealings with these men. They are tough customers. I believe he was instructing them to kill you. I honestly believe he intends to make his threat good.”

“If anyone but you were to come to me with such information. I know your reputation, Captain Bohanin. I believe you to be an honorable and stable man. But really, I can't believe Logan would hand me three thousand dollars and then instruct his men to kill me.”

“If you will forgive me, miss. I believe that it is exactly what he would do. The money will buy your silence until you are out of town. Somewhere away from here, he can see that you are done away with and the money retrieved.”

Millie turned pale and sat on the edge of the bed.

“What do you suggest, Captain?” she asked.

“What are your plans?” Bohanin asked.

“I intend to buy a rig and drive myself to Julesburg,” she said.

“I thought as much. Madam, if you venture onto the plains alone, you will be at the mercy of those men. You are placing yourself in the perfect situation to be in harm's way.”

“No rail line goes north. No stagecoach makes the route. I have to go to Julesburg.”

Bohanin nodded. “But you do not have to go alone?”

“And you are gallantly offering me your protection?” she said with a smile.

“Don't let these old bones fool you, Miss Toland. In certain quarters I am considered a man of ability and resourcefulness. I am not a man to be trifled with.”

“I believe you. Believe me when I say that I can think of no better man to be my knight in shining armor.”

“I may look the part, but I am no Don Quixote. I have reason to believe that your life is in danger and I am offering you my protection to Julesburg. If I am wrong, you are certainly no worse off. If I am right, it may mean the difference between life and death.”

A solemn expression grew across Millie's face.

“How would we go?” she asked.

Bohanin smiled. “In my buggy. It is a new rig and quite well turned out. I could have you in Julesburg before week's end. From there, you could go your way and I would go mine.”

“Just a pleasant buggy ride with a gallant gentleman,” she smiled.

“Nothing more, I assure you,” Bohanin answered.

“You will allow me to pay you for your expenses?” she asked.

“I won't argue the point. Pay me or not, it's entirely up to you.”

“Yes, Captain Bohanin, I agree to accept your protection to Julesburg.”

“Good. I'll have my buggy ready out front at first light,” Bohanin said with a smile.

Chapter VIII

Starbuck cursed as he watched Bohanin loading the woman's things into the buggy.

“I knew that old fart was involved in this. Now what the hell do we do?”

“Three thousand dollars is a lot of money. More money than we'll ever see again in our lifetimes. Killing one more shouldn't make that much difference,” Nobel answered.

“One of us should still go back to the ranch and pass the news,” Starbuck suggested. “It could make a difference, although I doubt it.”

“You're the better tracker. In this country we're going to have to give them quite a lead or they'll spot us,” Nobel said.

Starbuck nodded. “Fine. We know what trail they'll follow. I'll give them an hour or two before I start. If you don't catch up with me, plan on meeting me near the washes. I'll be camped in one of the gullies, out of sight.”

“Should I get Espironsa?” Nobel asked.

“Naw, this ain't no three-man job. We'll take the old man first then the woman. Make it look like Injuns done it.”

“How?”

Starbuck smiled. “By the way they find the woman's body. Her being a woman and all, we can make it look like the Injuns wanted her.”

“I wondered if you'd get to that,” Nobel said.

“And why not? You didn't think I was going to let all that go to waste. I mean, hell, if it's good enough for Logan, it sure as hell is good enough for us,” Starbuck grinned.

“For you. I want no part of that. We're being paid good money for killing that woman. I don't know that the boss will take much to our doing that,” Nobel said.

“I hardly think it will make much difference after it's over. Do you?”

“No, I guess not,” Nobel said.

Nobel mounted his horse and rode for the ranch, being careful not to be seen. Starbuck leaned on a hitch rail and spit in the dirt. He covered the spittle with the dust of the street with his boot as he considered how he would leave the evidence to make the assault look like Indians.

Millie Toland was wearing a plain blue cotton dress and a cape when she exited the boarding house. Netty accompanied her to Bohanin's buggy.

“I think it is a terribly grand gesture for you to escort Miss Toland to Julesburg, Captain Bohanin. I was hoping you'd spend more time with us, however,” Netty said.

“I'll have to return this way, Mrs. Johnson. I promise to stop,” Bohanin said as he helped Millie into the buggy.

“I'll take that as a promise, Captain,” Netty said.

“Goodbye, Mrs. Johnson. I don't know how to thank you for all your kindness these last two years,” Millie said.

“It was a pleasure, child. I'm only sorry that you and Dawdrey were never able to work anything out. You would have made such a lovely couple.”

“Give Dawdrey my love, won't you?” Millie asked.

“No, I won't. I'll tell him you said goodbye. I'm afraid if I said that, I'd break his heart.”

“And you take care of yourself, Captain Bohanin,” Netty said.

“I will. I'll see you in a week if all goes right,” Bohanin said as he snapped his buggy whip to urge the mare forward.

Netty waved several times as the buggy made its way to the north. Within a few miles the town of Springfield was only a few vague shapes on the horizon.

Millie chose to speak when they were isolated upon the plains. “You must think that I'm quite a notorious woman.”

“How's that, Miss Toland?”

“My relationship with Logan Bochart, and my condition.”

“Young lady, when you get to be my age, you don't get so excited about such things. People are human and make human mistakes. I doubt that such a thing will happen to you again. It has been my experience that we all do things in the passion of the moment that we later come to regret. It's what makes us human.”

“You're a very open-minded man.”

“Is that what you call it, Missy?”

“I certainly don't know what else you'd call it. There are certain people in Springfield that would be outraged by my actions. I can just imagine what Mrs. Johnson would say.”

“Can you? I think you may be selling Netty a little short. You're right about a lot of people. I'm sure they would raise a fuss. I'm sure there's a certain element that would cause you all sorts of grief. But, I'll bet you that Netty Johnson wouldn't be one of them. More likely she'd come to your defense.”

“You sound like you admire her.”

“I admire both of you greatly. I wouldn't be here if I didn't. If it's worth anything to you, I believe that you have been badly abused in this matter in spite of the money. Logan Bochart is a cad and you're much better off without him.”

Millie studied Bohanin and smiled. “How old are you, Captain Bohanin?”

“I was born in 1827 in Chicago, Illinois.”

“Fifty-eight years old?”

“That's right, I joined the army in 1846.”

“What did you do before you joined the army?”

“I was an attorney. I had me a small practice in Chicago.”

“Why on earth would you give up such a profession for a career in the cavalry?”

“Think I took a step down, Miss Toland?”

“No, certainly not. It's just that one is a safe profession. The other, well, it is filled with dangers and sacrifice.”

“Maybe that's why I never went back to being an attorney. I went off to the war in Mexico because I hadn't really done or seen anything. After those first three years, I guess it was just difficult to go back to civilian life. One thing led to another and before I realized it, I had ten years in the service. Then there was the threat of the rebellion. I was strongly for the Union. Then, during the war, I came back to the West. What with the Indians and the nuisance they presented, well, I guess the last thirty years flashed by without me knowing it.”

“But your rank. I would have thought that a man like you would have gained more recognition for your service.”

“I wasn't always a Captain. I rose to colonel during the rebellion. I was up for general.”

“What happened?”

Bohanin smiled. “Remember what I said about them mistakes people sometimes make in the passion of the moment?”

Millie nodded.

“It was at Chancellorsville. My command was part of a raid to cut the Richmond Railroad off from Lee's supply routes. Old General Lee ignored our raids and caught General Hooker with his pants down. Chewed him to pieces. We lost 17,000 men in that battle. My cavalry unit suffered sixty- percent casualties as we tried to cover Hooker's retreat. When what was left of my unit finally disengaged, I found the general entertaining his whore and learned that most of the forces were never put into the battle. Well, I guess I lost my head. I reminded the general of a statement that he had made before the battle. He said, ‘May God have mercy on General Lee, for I will certainly have none.' I said that the only person that needed mercy was the feeble-minded s.o.b. that thought up the disaster when he should have been paying attention to the battle rather than some prostitute. General Hooker demanded an apology and I told him to go to hell. Suddenly, I found myself under court marshal, reduced to rank of Captain. If it hadn't been for the fact that Hooker himself was fired, I probably would have been dishonorably discharged.”

Millie shook her head. “You stayed in the service?”

“I stayed in the cavalry. They transferred me to Fort Riley and I fought Indians for the next fifteen years. Ranks were more or less frozen after the war because the army was top-heavy. A captain I was and a captain I remained for the rest of my career.”

“No regrets?”

“Some. It was a bit difficult finding a wife on the plains of Kansas. By the time I got to the point that I seriously considered it, it was too late. A man of my age would be almost in his seventies before he even got his oldest children raised. I'm fifty-eight and most folks would consider me ten years older. I made my choices long ago. Now is not the time for regrets.”

“That is a rather sad story.”

“No, young lady, it's a lesson. A lesson that says make your mistakes and don't look back.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“You've got a bitter pill to swallow here. You make the best of it. You find yourself a decent young man and make a new, better life for yourself. You set your goals and live your life. Maybe things won't work out like you want them. But you go on. Hold your head up and say ‘I got two things to be proud of. My life and my self-respect. And you don't let anyone rob you of either.”

Millie stared at Bohanin as he spoke. “And what would you have done in Logan Bochart's shoes?”

Bohanin smiled. “Logan Bochart made a mistake just as you did. Maybe he made his first mistake when he married a woman for her money and did not consider the other pleasures that he would not have because of his choice. Then again, maybe Logan Bochart is a user. But being a user is not a sin. It is a mistake. It was a bit selfish for both of you to have done what you did. But that kind of selfishness I can understand. Pleasures of the moment, loneliness, and all that. But to use someone in a desperate game of manipulation and murder is a sin.”

“Is it always that easy for you, Captain Bohanin? Everything so black and white?”

“I thought I was being open-minded. Do you think I am wrong?”

“I wonder whether anyone could tell you that they thought you were wrong. You seem to have found easy answers for your mistakes but you don't seem so forgiving of others.”

Bohanin smiled. “Ain't that the hell of it, Missy? Just when you think you've got all the answers, somebody tells you that you're a crusty old self-righteous goat, passing judgment on the world with your special set of rights and wrongs. What do they call that, Missy? Do they call that being an old fool?”

“Yes, Captain, they call that being an old fool.”

“Well, meet L.J. Bohanin, your… how did you say it? Your knight in shining armor.”

“How do you do, Captain Bohanin. Meet Millie Toland, you're rather foolish damsel in distress.”

They talked of many things throughout the remainder of the day. She told the captain of her affair. How attracted to Bochart she had been, how she had felt sorry for him, her curiosity about sex and an illicit love affair. She told him of her plans. He shared more of his life experiences and adventures. Every major battle that he had fought, his different postings, many of his old friends. She told him about her parents and her youth.

They stopped by a small pond for a couple of hours to lunch and rest the mare. They made camp on the open plains and he made her flap jacks. She cooked up some bacon and fried potatoes. After the meal, they talked of the night and their progress of the day. They shared the sunset and the cool plains evening before a small campfire.

From their bedrolls, they talked of solemn things and lessons that they had gathered from life. Finally, she drifted off to sleep. Bohanin remained awake in his bedroll, his Winchester by his side, his Colt within easy reach near his head. He listened for signs of movement in the growing darkness of the dimming firelight.

From the distance, Starbuck watched the dimming of the little campfire as he waited for Nobel. He would give them one more day. They would be two days from Springfield and at least two days from any other town. Then he would creep into the camp and kill the soldier with his knife while he slept. He would rape the woman and cut her up some. He would scalp the old man and tie the woman's body down as though she had been tortured. That was something no white man would do. That would get him off the hook. He would take the three thousand dollars and ride away. If Nobel tried to stop him, he would kill Nobel as well. This was his chance to be somebody.

Starbuck pulled his blanket about his shoulders. He ran a cold camp that night. He would take no chance of a fire that might alarm the couple. There would be plenty of warm camps later. Starbuck grinned as he again thought of the money, and the killing, and the woman.

Meanwhile, Nobel cursed as he examined his horse in the darkness. The gelding had put his foot wrong crossing an arroyo. The beast was lame and couldn't be ridden for some time. Nobel would have to turn back. He wouldn't be able to find Starbuck. He wouldn't be able to inform the killer that their employer had experienced a change of heart, and had ordered him to stop Starbuck.