Deadly Is the Night (28 page)

“No, but the tall woman just came out onto the porch, said something, and went back inside.”

“Good. We are at the right place.”

“What should we do?” Jesus asked.

“Go down and arrest them.”

“Fine. Let me and Miguel handle it.”

“No. I won't ride up and get shot like the other time. But if anyone threatens us, shoot him.”

“All right. We ride several feet apart and do what we have to do,” stated Miguel.

“Wish it was early in the morning.”

“We don't have that option today, Jesus. That guard does not look like a hard case.”

“It's what's in the house that bothers me.”

“I understand. Fred, you get on the far right. This may get tough. Get off your horse if they shoot at us.”

“Yes, sir.”

They came off the hill and spread out with their rifles drawn and ready. The guard ran to the front door and shouted something. Three men came out onto the porch.

One man, in a white shirt, came forward to the yard gate. “What the hell do you want?”

Chet reined up. “We are U.S. marshals. We are here to arrest Danbury and Porter on a federal warrant from Utah.”

“They ain't here.”

“She is. We saw her already. If you are hiding wanted criminals, that is a federal offense and you will be charged. You do anything and my men will shoot you before you ever reach the house. Tell your man to put down his rifle.

He did so.

Still wary, his men had their rifles at the ready. Chet stepped off his horse and disarmed the man he suspected was Hart. Told him and the ranch hand to move aside and went up to confront the people on the porch.

“Which one of you is Danbury?” He knew none of them was Danbury but wanted answers.

“Now tell the Porter woman and Danbury to come out.”

He heard movement inside the house that sounded like someone leaving the back way. “Miguel and Fred, I think they ran out back. You don't have to be gentle.”

“Now I want names,” he said to the others.

Jesus was off his horse while the other two raced around back after the suspect.

“John T. Hart.”

“Cowboy?”

“LD is what they call me.”

“LD Smith?”

“No LD Mayberry.”

“Next?”

“Jasper Holden.”

“What is your business here?”

“Land agent.”

“Now of the three of you, who was assisting these fugitives in their escape?”

“None of us,” Hart said. “We didn't know they were wanted by the law.”

“Damn you, let go of my arm,” the woman said when Fred hauled her around the corner of the house. She looked like she'd been dusted well and acted as mad as a wet hen. Miguel had Danbury.

“They try to avoid you two?”

“Chet, she wouldn't stop running so I had to tackle her and put her in irons.”

Miguel was laughing. “That boy could wrestle a steer down. Just ask her.”

“Hart, do they have mounts here?”

“Yes.”

“Go show Jesus where they are at. Danbury, show me your luggage. Fred, you and Miguel watch these others.”

“How much loot is left?” Chet asked the man, shoving him inside the house.

“I don't know—”

“I don't have all day. Those your bags?”

“Yes.”

“Step back.” Chet bucked the suitcase onto the bed unlatched it and looked at all the neatly packaged money. “Wasn't much place to spend it coming down here, was there?”

“Who sent you down here?”

“A U.S. marshal in Utah asked for my help in finding you. He suspected you were coming south from Holbrook. Sure enough you were.”

“You're Byrnes, aren't you? I'd heard about you. Thought you were at Preskitt and thought we could go around east and miss you stopping us. A mistake.”

“I was over east setting up a telegraph line and liked to never found you, but a freighter liked your lady companion and then it was easy to track you to here.”

“That was a mistake, too. Should have ditched her.”

“No, your big mistake was stealing all that money in the first place.” He told him to go outside and wait.

Jesus came in and blinked at the money.

“No place to spend it between here and Utah,” Chet said, closing it up.

Horses were gathered. Prisoners and their luggage loaded.

Chet leaned on his saddle horn and looked at the remaining men. “I guess Danbury came to buy a ranch from you, Jasper. Well, he didn't. Mr. Hart, you and him better sell this place and get out of the territory. I don't think your business here can stand much looking into, and I'll be back to do it if you don't leave. And you, cowboy, load your gear and get out of the territory, too. I catch any of you again you'll do two years in the county jail on my charges. So in three months none of you should be in Arizona. Now get to moving.”

“You can't tell me—”

Chet drove his horse up to the yard fence. “This territory don't need you or Jasper, either. I will be back and I will be sure you three are not in the bounds of the territory. Am I clear?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. See you do it.”

Chet's lack of faith concerning the Cochise county jail sent them west to Tubac where Roamer and Bronc were in camp. They left them to deliver the two fugitives to the Pima County jail and they cut east to head back to Gallup and the telegraph line.

In a week they were back at the construction camp. Shaking her head, Liz came to greet them. Spencer, looking a little weary, joined them. “We're making a mile to two a day.”

“Your supplies?”

“So far we have enough we can do about a hundred miles. That's halfway to Center Point. Harold's poles are better than the New Mexico ones. The reports are Harold's buying plenty of them over there and sending them back here. I think everyone is pleased. Did you do any good?”

“We caught them down near the border. They are in jail waiting for Utah officials to come after them. We recovered most of the money.”

“You guys have been to China and back.”

“Almost. Yes, almost.” He hugged his wife. It seemed that far anyway.

Hannagen was thoroughly satisfied that Spencer was the man. So was Chet. Lucinda who was faced with moving a lot was happy being back with her man, and all the workers spoiled her children. The nanny was a big help and it was all working out so far.

Chet, Liz, and his men went by the Windmill ranch with three packhorses to see Susie. Grass was growing and he wondered about his hay outfits. The rains had sprouted thousands of desert flowers that they rode through getting there. Did more new machinery come through yet? He had some folks waiting even if hay cutting was weeks away.

Susie had no reports. But she and Liz had a great visit. With one of his lead hands, Chet looked over the cattle they had for future delivery. That looked good. The next day they rode to the Verde Ranch. It was late when they arrived and Adam was asleep. Rhea fed them and Victor had to hear the whole story.

Tom and Millie came for breakfast. Millie asked about her daughter and they explained they had not seen her because she was at the homestead they lived on and Cody was gone to Gallup with Sarge and the cattle. But Susie said she was fine.

When Chet asked Tom about mowers, he said he shipped two to Shawn and had two for Toby to come by with his wagon to haul them home. Ben Ivor promised Victor two more and he thought they would be there in time.

“So all is good?” Liz asked him.

“Yes. Except I have a feeling I may have forgotten someone.”

They all laughed.

The ride home was filled with meadowlarks singing on the canyon road. When they came to the top, he felt good. Almost home and no big storms hanging over his head—the telegraph would be a reality by fall. The railroad would be the next big thing coming. It even sounded more like a larger reality than ever before.

Lisa and her house girl Sonja greeted them. A boy from the stables rang the schoolhouse bell. Raphael came, his gait stiff, something he'd acquired recently. Many of the wives came from all over to greet them.

His foreman sent for a buckboard to take Jesus to his ranch. Miguel hugged and kissed his wife. Then Fred, to celebrate, for fun danced with a few of the wives in the yard.

“Well,” Chet began. “I am so glad to be home. Let's have a ranch party Saturday night.”

Hurrah! There was the cheer. Liz squeezed his arm. “It is nice to be back here.”

There were short letters and daily progress wires from Spencer about his gains and slight problems, but so far things sounded good. Spencer called spades, spades. So Chet felt if there was a major problem he'd inform him.

Among his other mail was a request from the Indian agent John McCarthy at San Carlos, the desert Apache reservation on the Gila River.

“What is it?” Liz asked.

“Whiskey sales to the Apaches at San Carlos. The reservation police cannot arrest anyone but Apaches off the reservation, and the law down there won't seem to help them stop it.”

“What county is that in?”

“Gila County at Globe.”

“Is the same sheriff there?”

“I don't know. But if not, the one there either has all his deputies out busy counting cows for taxes or in bed with the whiskey sellers.”

“I suppose you need to go settle it?”

“I will do some checking and see what can be done. We will have the party here before I run off on you.”

“That's good. I will send word to the Verde Ranch, Susie, Robert, McCully, Bo, Ben Ivor, Ty, the liveryman—”

“Frey.”

“Yes, and May, your aunt, the Parkers, Jenn all of them. Sadly, it is too long a trip for Cole and Val or Lucy and Shawn. The letters would not get there in time, that is, unless we postpone it a week or so?”

“See how it goes. That sounds like the crew, though.”

“Oh, Betty Lou and Leroy Sipes at Oak Creek.”

“We miss them a lot. I bet they'd come. Bless their hearts they supply us so much fruit and produce.”

“Good.”

Fred came into the room. “Anything I should be doing?”

“Tomorrow I want to look at this ranch's calf crop with Raphael and Miguel. Fred, you want to come along and inspect the new calves?”

“Yes, sir. I'm writing Claire a letter to tell her about the telegraph start.”

Liz winked at Chet. “All business I bet.”

“No, ma'am. Not all business but we have a neat friendship—that is what I call it. Something new in both our lives. She never went out with a boy and I never went out with a girl before.” He sat at the desk nodding his head. “Kind of a nice experience.”

“I bet it was.”

“Sure different anyway. I was around kinda prissy girls in Preskitt. They'd never ride a horse except sidesaddle you know. She's a lot more down to earth and I bet she'd out-ride me on a bronc.”

“Keep in mind, you have a lot more miles to go before you need a wife.”

“Yes, ma'am.”

Chet wrote the Indian agent he would consider the problem and see when he'd have the time to answer his call for help. Maybe he could get them a guide or an Indian to show them the country when they got there. All he knew about it was more desert mountains. This also sounded like a more involved operation than a few whiskey peddlers with a pack mule or two. The fact that if it were a widespread conspiracy, catching a few hired thugs would not end it.

Maybe he should start at Globe looking into the network. They didn't make whiskey around there because there wasn't enough grain grown in that region. They'd have to import it. He needed that source. Those people probably knew Jesus. He'd need to talk to Miguel about him, Fred, and another
vaquero
from the ranch going down there to see if they could learn anything about the operation. How the liquor gets there. And then they would know more about the entire setup.

Now that Miguel and Lisa lived in the house, he'd talk to him that evening.

After supper, he invited Miguel and Fred into the library to talk the matter over.

“The agent at San Carlos Reservation has a big problem. His agency police can't arrest white men off the reservation who are selling whiskey and he can't get the Gila County law, for whatever reason, to arrest the whiskey sellers, so he needs our help.”

Both of them nodded.

“Now, I think that business has roots in Globe. Maybe. Maybe not. But those whiskey people may be paying off the law to look the other way or they are simply ignoring it. I don't think you can make whiskey over there. Ingredients cost too much. So they are shipping it in and I'd like to know the system before we charge down.”

“What do we need to do?”

“They don't know you, Miguel. Now they'd kill you in a lamb's tail shake if they knew you were the law, but if we have an idea where and how it gets there, we could sweep in and arrest them all. It is not that far to the Pima County jail, either, if there is a connection to the county law there.”

“They don't know me, either,” Fred said. “I know how to live in the alleys. Why I knew every bootlegger in Preskitt who'd sell you a pint. I even delivered them.”

“Good. I thought I'd send another
vaquero
with you two.”

“Fine. I bet the three of us could learn a whole lot down there.”

“You have a man in mind?” Chet asked Miguel.

“Josephie Cantrell. He'd be honored to be asked. He is tough as barbed wire. A good hand but I'd rather have him backing me any time than most men I know. You and Jesus of course are excluded.”

“Just be damned careful. Ask him quietly. If he is willing, I will talk to Raphael about the matter. Remember, these people will kill you if they even suspect anything; they won't play games. This has to be a very profitable business and they will do anything to protect from losing it, no matter how many they have to kill.”

“How widespread do you think it is?” Miguel asked.

“It may go to the top county officials. Even to some of the big mine management around there. I have no idea, but they are already using their power to hold off any legal action against the whiskey sellers. I think that shows it runs deep into the county veins.”

“No idea of a name?” Fred asked.

Chet shook his head. “That will be your business to try and ferret out while not getting killed. If we go down and raid them selling it, we will get the donkeys is all. Fine them, six months in jail and they are out. We need the top rung to stop it totally.”

“It may take some time.”

“I realize that. But when you have enough information and need me, send Lisa a wire that says ‘Time for a birthday cake.' Oh, don't leave until next Monday, after the
fandango
on Saturday. We will have one more meeting before you leave.” They agreed.

In the morning he talked to Raphael who agreed that Cantrell would be a good man. He sent word to Tom that they needed three unbranded saddle horses to use. Fred was leaving his clothes and new saddle at the house. Both Josephie and Miguel were going to wear their old clothes and
sombreros
and ride on old ranch saddles.

Things were laid out and the celebration was about to happen. Liz had managed to put it off two weeks after all, to get it right. She wanted everyone who could come to get there and that meant Val and Rocky even if Cole couldn't. Everyone coming knew it was a ranch and friends' party. The ranch wives, sons, and daughters along with the men were all dressed up. The town folks joined in. No one missed coming.

Liz pointed out she thought Tanner's wife Kay looked pregnant when they arrived. The banker later privately told him she was and how proud they were.

Ben Ivor's wife Kathrin spoke to him. “It has been a long time since you brought me back from Utah. I thought my life was absolutely over, but you didn't nor did Ben. I am so fortunate and now I even have children. You just remember if I can ever help you in any way, you call on me.”

“Kathrin, you have done many nice things for me. But your and Ben's union pleased me as much as anything. Consider the debt paid.”

“Thanks, but no. My life as a woman hung by a thread and you saved it. I won't forget what I owe you doing that. The rest of the people you saved are doing well, too. I see that Jesus finally married Anita, didn't he?”

“Yes. They even bought a ranch.”

“Ben told me he is getting a setup to raise Herefords.”

“Jesus and Tom are talking about that.”

She smiled. “I am happy for you. Now I am going to talk to Liz. You are fortunate to have found her.”

“Yes, very fortunate.”

Valerie and Rocky came. Cole sent his security man Roy Kelly with her and the boy. Everyone there was excited.

“Robert and Betty thought the baby was too young for the trip,” Val said. “They gave you a big thanks for inviting them.”

Susie came with her son Erwin and Sarge's man, Ron. Of course he was off to New Mexico, but she told him Sarge planned to use Cody to make the drives the rest of the summer. That made Chet proud and he knew the boy's in-laws would be impressed.

Hampt came by. “What are you up to now the telegraph is going up?”

Chet quietly talked about the problem in Gila County and his plans.

“Sounds to me like you have a big fish to haul in.”

“I hope so. They know my face too well for me to go down there.”

“First time I saw you, I could not believe you'd hire me and you'd take on that bunch on the Verde. Jenn told me who you were and I thought you wouldn't get anywhere against that tough bunch, but you did. Then you brought that family out here from Texas. I fell in love with that quiet sister-in-law of yours, May, the day she got here. Lord almighty I never dreamed I'd get to marry her, and here I am running a ranch, even got my own children. Them boys of hers grew up to be big stuff, and we are so proud. I get up every morning and thank the Lord for my blessings.”

“Me the same.”

“You know you need someone to ride with you down there, I am your man to call on.”

“Jesus is here.”

“Yeah, but you might need a big guy to help when you turn them up.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that.”

When they parted he saw Lisa and Miguel dancing. Fred was dancing with one of the ranch hands' wife. He fit well in the mix.

His nephew Ty and wife Victoria came by and told them the in-laws were on a trip so they could not come. He had three new Barbarossa colts on the ground and was expecting six more.