Brothers in Blood (9 page)

All bundled up, Hampt, May, her toddler daughter Donna, and both stepsons came by in the buckboard. Hampt carried the three-year-old girl and May came smiling and joking with her stepsons. Chet couldn't miss seeing the close relationship the five had gotten into since the marriage. Ray and Ty used to tell him they were sorry when they made her cry, but she was so hard to please. That phase had passed and they even helped her play piano. What a change in a woman and her life.

“Come in. What are you doing out in this cold? Frost bite,” said Chet.

“No, we were caught up on our work and May wanted to see Marge,” Hampt said. He set Donna on her feet inside the kitchen and she walked away after the boys, while May whisked past headed for the living room. “A woman gets to wanting to see company after so much time being a lone housewife.”

“And how are you doing?”

“Hell, you know me. I've never been happier in my life. Those three kids are great and we'll have one of our own come spring. Three years ago I was struggling along and you found me. I had no idea I'd ever be this lucky.”

“Hey, you've earned it. What did you do to open May up?”

“Lands, I don't know. She told me one night, sitting on my lap, that she used to sing, and I said, ‘Well, sing for me.'”

“That was it?”

“Yes. And after she sang for me, I told her not to hide that anymore, to sing out louder. And she did. The boys heard her and told her to sing, too. Pleased us all.”

Piano music came from the other room. Then they were all singing a trail song, “Oh, Suzanna, don't you cry for me . . .”

“We all have to hand it to you. You really brought her out of a shell and we're proud about it.”

“The two boys are, too. They told me, ‘Hampt she never used to be any fun.'”

“By the way, how are the breeds doing?”

“We've got them meat, beans, and corn meal. Had to show them how to open a can of milk. But they're grateful. Two of their bigger boys are learning how to build fence. The crew is showing them how. I pay them a little.”

“Turn the cost in. We can afford it.”

The visit went fast, and in the late afternoon their company headed home. After they left, Marge was telling Chet what a great day she'd had and about how Ray played a song all by himself on the piano. Then someone knocked at the back door.

Chet went to answer it, and it was a young man who handed him a telegram.

“Come inside. You look cold.”

“I'm fine, sir. The key operator said for me to wait for your reply.”

“Get in here. Marge, make this boy a cup of hot chocolate. He's brought me a telegram from Chief Marshal Bailey in Tucson.”

“What's your name, young man?” asked Marge.

“Toby Parsons.”

“I'll get some milk and make a big cup. Take your coat off. He'll read the telegram and want to answer it, I'm certain.”

Chet unfolded the yellow paper and read it.

“What is it about?” Marge asked.

“Five men robbed a bank in Tucson and are headed north. He wants me to meet him at Hayden's Ferry.”

“Does he say what they look like?”

“I'm writing a telegram and sending it to Tucson, Casa Grande, and Hayden's Ferry that we're coming. It'll take us two days to get down there. But if we have a chase, we'll need a couple of packhorses to follow them.”

“I guess you'll go talk to your men.”

“Yes. After we get this boy warmed up and on his way.”

He found a pencil and wrote out the telegrams with the three addresses so they would catch the marshal on the move. He gave the boy money to send them and a silver dollar for his services.

That impressed the youth and he thanked him. Then he started on his mug of hot chocolate. “Ma'am, this is sure wonderful. I'll head right back and get these sent for you.”

“Don't hurry,” said Chet. “You did me a big service. Take your time on that chocolate.”

“I need to talk to you,” Marge said.

In the living room, she whispered, “You think he's a Mormon?”

“I'm not sure, but he's sure enjoying the hell out of your cocoa.” They both laughed.

When the boy finished his chocolate, Chet walked to his horse with him and saw him off. Then he went to the bunkhouse to find Cole and Jesus. They talked in low voices by the door.

“Tucson bank robbers are headed north. We're to meet Marshal Don Bailey at Hayden's Ferry in two days. Packhorses, and we leave at dawn.”

“Who are they?” Cole asked.

“Two of them ride white horses is all he knew at the time he telegraphed me. They must be a tough gang to rob a bank in a town like Tucson. If they turn another direction, he'll telegraph the Hayden's Ferry town marshal with word for us where they've headed next.”

“You reckon he knew Simms wouldn't do anything to help him?”

“Oh, if those robbers rode up Whiskey Row, he might see them,” Chet said.

“Did he ever send you a thank-you for getting them three?”

“No.”

“Well, he's as sorry an excuse for a law as there is in the territory.” Cole spit out the door.

“We better get some sleep. You already refilled the panniers?” Chet asked Jesus.

“Oh, yes. When we got back. We have food and everything ready to go.”

“Let's lighten the load on that one and use another horse for our bedrolls and tent.”

“Good idea, if we have to move fast,” Cole agreed.

“Monica will have breakfast ready early.”

“She does a helluva job. Jesus and I will re-check the packs, too.”

He thanked them and went back to the house. It was suppertime, and Monica and Marge were setting the table.

“All set?”

“I sure am. By the way, I volunteered Monica to make breakfast in the morning before dawn.”

“No problem. I think they should make you three Rangers.”

“We'll be fine as Deputy US Marshals.”

“I guess there must be no one else who wants to take on the lawbreakers.”

Chet nodded. “I guess that's how it works.”

“You simply be careful,” Marge told him. “Monica and I will wait for you. I thought if it thaws enough we could go to the dance down at the Verde.”

“I sure want to go, too.”

“Great day yesterday with May and Hampt, wasn't it?”

“Yes, it was. Those boys told Hampt that she never was any fun until she married him.”

“Those boys are getting so big. Did you hear Ray playing the piano? He's good.”

“I sure did. I thought for a long time Susie might take them boys to raise herself. But she has her own life now, and besides, May wouldn't give them up.”

“It's working great with both families.”

Chet paid a lot of attention to his wife that evening. She'd be upset at him leaving again so soon. Being pregnant made her jumpier, but with two husbands killed, she had a right to be upset. He wanted her to feel good when he rode out—for he'd sure rather share their bed than sleep on the cold ground.

Before the sun rose, he and his men headed south under the stars. A light frost covered the ground, but the day promised to warm up fast. Most of the snow had melted except in the shade. The horses danced some, so they let them lope. They dropped elevation by midday down into the saguaro country and shed their coats. Galloping the good horse they'd chosen for him, he knew it would be a two-day hard ride to the ferry.

If the bank robbery gang headed north, they might meet them at the Salt River. All he had to watch for were two white horses. Most experienced outlaws rode nondescript mounts without brands and dressed plain to match the rest of society. But these five held up a bank in a crowded narrow street town and rode off on two white horses, with telegraphs clacking in every direction.

The day warmed as he'd expected. They made it to Hassayampa City and stabled the horses, had them grained, and went to eat at the café.

The young waitress looked up and said, “Oh, oh. Trouble must be brewing around here. That's usually what it means when that man and his sidekicks come to town. Who are you after this time?”

“Bank robbers.”

Her eyes opened wide. “Where?”

“Tucson.”

She drew back as if shocked. “Oh, that's miles away.”

“They may be heading up here.”

“I'm not afraid. You guys will stop them.” As if that was settled, she went back to business. “You want lunch? We have roast beef, mashed potatoes, and sourdough rolls.”

“That, and coffee for the three of us,” Chet said.

“We'll have to move tomorrow to reach the ferry, won't we?” Cole asked, glancing around at the other customers.

“Yes, and it's a long ride yet to get there,” Jesus said. “And even longer driving horses. I thought I'd never get home with them.”

“You made good time, even with the snow and all.” Chet moved his arm to let the harried waitress set their coffees down.

Cole spoke up. “Did Simms ever thank you for us doing that?”

“Of course not.”

“That sorry sumbitch.”

“But he hasn't fired Roamer yet.”

“You know, boss, we still have lots we don't know about these outlaws we're after.”

“I know, but maybe when Bailey arrives at the ferry we'll know more, unless we meet them on the road.”

“Someone has to know more than we do.”

Chet agreed, but he looked for a telegram, or else Marshal Bailey, to be there when they arrived.

Before they left, the lady cook wearing a clean apron promised she'd have their breakfast waiting at five a.m., which Chet thanked her for.

Sarge was probably headed back to New Mexico with cattle, in case a storm delayed them. His pregnant sister, Susie, was no doubt walking the floors. He hoped JD was helping Reg and Lucie. Most in his thoughts, though, was how much he missed Marge.

They slept in the hay at the stables. When they got up it was still dark, so they saddled up by a candle lamp. Both packhorses loaded, they walked in the chilly air down to the café where a light glowed inside. At least they'd have a hot breakfast.

They rode through the chaparral country that spread out along the stage road, but soon reached the flatter desert land and galloped several miles with their coats tied on behind their cantles. The sun bore down as they rode into it and temperatures rose. His front cooked, though his wool vest felt good on his back on the shady side.

It was near nine in the morning when they crossed the Salt on the ferry. He asked the operator if any men with white horses had crossed that day.

The man spat overboard, continuing to crank on the winch that drew them across. “Naw, they ain't been no one here like that.”

“Thanks.”

 

 

His next stop was the telegraph office where the key operator handed him two cables. Eager for information, he read them right there.

He handed the telegram to Cole. “We have their names and more descriptions now.”

“That'll help.”

“Yes, so now all we have to do is find them.”

The second one he read aloud to his two men. “Chet, I have good word they passed through Papago Wells headed north. So far as I know, they are still going toward you. Use caution, they are very dangerous. They shot four innocent people that got in their way in Tucson. Marshal Bailey.”

“What should we do?” Jesus asked.

“Take turns watching the ferry today and tonight. If they try to cross on it, they'll try for it in the dark.”

“We're going to sleep at the stables?” Cole asked.

“What we can. It's on the main street and they have to ride down the main street to get there, because of the small butte on the right. Town's dark enough at night, who'd worry about some riders going through, but us? They aren't here by dawn, I say we go east and see our friend Al Holmes to see if they passed that way.”