Finding Promise (14 page)

Chapter Fifteen

Sheriff Gilbert used his pipe to point to the coffee warming on the stove. “Help yourself, if you like it strong.”

“Thanks.” Jake poured himself a cup and walked across the sheriff 's office to look out the window in the direction of the saloon.

“Denver's growing, and we have a lot of strangers coming and going every day. It's hard to keep track of them all,” Gilbert said.

“I heard in Dodge these men travel in a group as large as twelve, maybe fifteen men,” Jake told him. He hadn't divulged the reason he was in Denver until he figured out if the sheriff was a man he could trust.

“Sorry. Unless they are men we've arrested, I couldn't tell you about most of the people passing through.” He took a puff on his pipe and let it rest in the corner of his mouth. “You're welcome to ask my deputies when they get back, but they'll probably tell you the same thing.”

“Three men rode into my camp a few days ago saying they were going to work for the Schott Ranch. Is he hiring?” Jake asked.

“He has a huge spread, and he's always looking for men, so I wouldn't be surprised.”

Jake turned to face the older, graying man. “Is Schott as tough as I've heard?”

“You've heard right. Old man Schott is hard as nails, and he's not a man to mess with. He runs almost everything around here. Not many can compete with him. If you're needing supplies, you can buy everything you need at Schott's Mercantile.”

Interesting the sheriff hadn't mentioned Parsons' Mercantile, and he wondered if the doc's brother was still in business. “Where's the Hollister ranch?”

The sheriff arched a bushy eyebrow at him. “You're asking about a lot of people in my town.”

“Yep.”

When Jake had introduced himself, the sheriff hadn't let on that he'd heard of him before. As a U.S. Marshal, Jake McBride's reputation was well-known. He wondered about his interest in the people he was asking about. When Jake didn't offer an explanation, he said, “Hollister's ranch is about eight miles east of town. Schott's spread shares a boundary with Hollister's on the west side.”

Jake finished his coffee. “Thanks.”

Shoving back his chair, the sheriff pushed to his feet and walked around his desk to look out the window. “I don't know what your business is here, but I've heard your name, and I know you were a U.S. Marshal, not a trail boss.”

“Yep.”

The sheriff chewed on the pipe for a minute before he said, “Well, whatever your business, keep it legal. I'm getting ready to retire at the end of the month, and I don't want any headaches before then. You'd best be careful if you have dealings with Schott. He has a lot of people on his payroll.”

“What about the law?” Jake asked bluntly.

Gilbert gave him a hard look. “He's never owned me. But to tell you the truth, I think a couple of my deputies are a mite too friendly with him and his men, if you know what I mean. They'll deny it, of course, but there it is. Schott knows how to grease the palms that need greasing.” He turned and opened a tobacco tin on his desk and started to refill his pipe. “I can't prove anything, of course. I'm inclined to retire while I'm still breathing. Maybe I'll regret that decision to ignore what's going on, maybe not.”

Jake felt a decent man would regret that decision, but it wasn't up to him to save the sheriff 's soul. “Thanks for the information.”

The sheriff watched as Jake walked out the door and across the street to the telegraph office.

After sending his telegram to Colt, Jake rented a room at the hotel before heading to the saloon. Since it was Saturday, he figured it would be the perfect time to pick up information at the saloon, as it was sure to be filled with drinking cowboys. He wanted to make sure the killers weren't lurking around in Denver so he could feel confident Promise would be safe once he left her on her uncle's ranch. The killers were aware the wagon train was going to Denver, but he didn't know if they knew she was headed to the Hollister ranch.

On his way to the saloon he spotted Parsons' Mercantile and made a detour. In Dodge City, Doc Parsons had told him he could trust his brother to be a good source of information. After introducing himself to the doc's brother, Clarke, he asked about the drifters in town.

“They haven't been in here, but I've seen them before. If they are the same men you are looking for, then I should tell you they are a rough-looking gang.”

“Your brother mentioned that Schott is trying to buy you out.”

“Yeah, but that's not going to happen. A lot of folks around here are loyal to me, and they don't like the way he does business.”

“What about the sheriff? Is he honest?”

“Honest enough, I reckon. At least he used to be. Since he decided to retire, he turns a blind eye to most of what's going on around here.” Clarke leaned over the counter and lowered his voice so the other customers couldn't hear what he was saying. “But don't trust those deputies further than you can throw them, particularly Potter.”

Jake nodded. “How about John Hollister?”

“A good man. I guess you could say he's my best customer. If it wasn't for his business, I might not be able to make it against Schott.”

“I have two men who will be coming in soon for supplies,” Jake said, handing him a list of the items he needed. He'd told Ty and Wes to make sure they went to Parsons' Mercantile.

“I'll have everything ready for them, and thank you for your business, Mr. McBride.”

“Your brother did me a favor in Dodge. He's a good man.”

Clarke's expression turned serious. “There's no way you could know, of course, but I got a telegram from a friend of his in Dodge a few weeks ago. Some men beat him up pretty bad. It's going to take some time for him to get back on his feet.”

Jake was sorry to hear this news. “Do they know who did it?”

“No, they don't. It doesn't make sense to me that someone would have a grudge against him. He's a man who's done nothing but help people all his life.”

Jake agreed with that assessment. “Give him my best when you write to him.”

“I surely will. You take care, and watch your back.”

As Jake left the store he saw Ty and Wes coming down the street. He waited to greet them and let them know he would be spending the night in Denver. As Jake walked to the saloon, his mind was on Doc Parsons. Why would anyone attack a town doctor? He wondered if his beating had something to do with Promise. It seemed like a strange coincidence that this happened right after the doc saw her. Once again, his brother's words came to mind.
There are no coincidences
. If the killers had been dogging him since he was in Dodge, they more than likely saw the doc with him. They probably figured out the doc had tended the woman they'd left for dead.

 

 

Entering the saloon, Jake posted himself at the bar and listened to conversations going on around him. Generally, his size alone kept people at arm's length. He took full advantage of his intimidating demeanor tonight. He wanted to listen and not engage in meaningless conversation. It didn't take him long to learn that most of the men at the poker tables worked for Schott. He'd seen several men coming and going, but not the three men who had ridden into his camp.

He intentionally kept his business in Denver to himself. While Sheriff Gilbert was a likable man, he'd confessed that he basically didn't trust his own deputies, so it seemed wise to keep quiet. He watched as a man with a star on his chest came through the doors and took a seat at one of the tables. He was on real friendly terms with the men from Schott's ranch. After several beers, Jake hadn't heard or seen anything suspicious, so he returned to the hotel.

Placing his holster on the bedpost, he kicked off his boots and stretched out on the bed. He felt guilty about the luxury of sleeping in a bed when Promise was sleeping on a pallet in a wagon. He'd told Shorty and Cole to keep a close eye on her, but not to ply her with questions. She had a lot to work out, and she needed time to grieve for her brother.

He planned to leave early in the morning and arrive at Hollister's ranch by dawn. He hated to be the one to tell them about the death of their nephew, but it would be easier on Promise if they knew the details before they saw her. Promise told him the other families lived on Hollister's ranch, so he planned to see them too. Knowing the next day was going to bring a lot of sorrow to so many people made it difficult for him to find sleep that night.

 

 

By dawn Jake was already on the Hollister ranch, and was pleased to see that it was a sizable spread. The home was almost as large as his brother's, and it eased his mind some to know that Hollister appeared to have the means and the men to protect Promise.

Reining in at the porch, he hadn't dismounted when the front door opened and five children came barreling out and started peppering him with questions. Their rapid-fire inquisition reminded him of his brother's boys. Close on their heels was an older woman, waving a dishcloth in the air and clucking like a mother hen. “Children, remember your manners, and get yourselves back inside to get ready for church.”

The children stared at Jake, wanting badly to know who he was, but the woman pulled the oldest boy by the ear to emphasize her instructions. “Inside, and wake your parents. Tell them it's time for church.”

“Yes, ma'am,” the boy said, turning around to march the unruly group back into the house.

“Ben, that's my son, and his wife, stay here as much as they stay at their own home. They tell me it's because they like to visit with me. But they are not fooling me with that nonsense. I know it's because they need a break from those kids. I apologize, but my grandchildren forget their manners at times,” she said.

Jake chuckled. “I'm sure my mother said the same thing about me a time or two.” He heard a hint of a Southern accent that sounded a bit like Promise.

“I'm here to see John Hollister. My name is Jake McBride.”

“Come in, come in.” Preceding him through the door, she pointed down the long hall. “My husband's in the kitchen having his last cup of coffee. Can I get you some?”

“That sounds good. I haven't had a cup this morning.”

“Would you like to go into the kitchen with me, or would you prefer to wait in John's study?”

“I'd prefer the kitchen,” he said, thinking it might be easier for them to be together to hear what he had to say.

Jake followed her through the house to the kitchen, located at the end of the hallway. John Hollister stood when he spotted Jake behind his wife. After she introduced them, the men shook hands and Hollister asked, “How can I help you, Mr. McBride?”

“Honey, give the man time to have his coffee before you start acting like the children and chew his ears off,” his wife said.

“You must be Nettie,” Jake said.

She smiled at him. “I certainly am. Have we met before?”

“No, ma'am, Promise told me about you.”

Her smile grew wider. “You know my niece? What good fortune! You can see her soon since she is due to arrive any day now.”

“I know,” Jake said. “I need to talk to both of you about Promise.”

John heard the seriousness in Jake's voice. “Have a seat, Mr. McBride.”

“Jake, please,” he replied, taking a seat at the table as Nettie pushed a cup of coffee in front of him.

Sensing Jake wasn't there to deliver good news, John thought he might want to hear what he had to say without his wife present. “Honey, would you tell Ben to go ahead to church with the kids? We'll stay behind today.”

When Nettie left the room, John asked, “Is Promise okay?”

“Yes,” Jake said, “but I'm afraid I have sad news for you. Her brother is dead.” He quickly told John about the murders before Nettie returned.

John told Nettie the news when she came back to the kitchen, and by the time Jake had answered all of their questions, Nettie was in her husband's arms, crying.

“I'm sorry I had to deliver such bad news, but I wanted to make sure those killers weren't in Denver before I bring Promise to your ranch.”

John cleared his throat before he spoke. “I appreciate what you've done for our niece, Jake, and for taking care of Matthew and those folks.”

Nettie wiped her tears and looked at Jake. “Are you sure my niece is okay now?”

“Her memory came back slowly, but she remembers everything but Matthew getting killed. I don't think she is ready to remember that right now.”

Nettie nodded her head in agreement. “You are probably right. They were the closest siblings I have ever seen.”

“I need to go see the families of the other people on the wagon train. Promise said they farmed on your land.”

“No one would sell land to them when they came here,” John said.

“Why is that?”

“Two reasons. They're farmers, not ranchers, and everyone was too afraid of Schott to sell to them. I don't particularly care for the way Schott tries to muscle people around, and I have enough land that a few acres wasn't going to hurt me.”

“They don't associate with folks outside their own community, and that makes some around here uncomfortable,” Nettie added. “They have turned that plot of land into their own little town, so it's not necessary for them to buy many of their goods from the merchants in Denver. That's another point of contention with Schott.”

Jake liked the way Nettie Hollister spoke her mind. She made it clear she was no fan of Schott's.