Texas Lawman (11 page)

Jack had given him numerous bits of advice over the years, probably more than Tale had been aware of, but nothing quite as frustrating as what he’d just said. Tate had already tried digging deep down inside himself and he’d gotten exactly nowhere.

Truth be told, he wanted Jack to give him more than simple direction. He wanted him to point to the answer and give him a hard push. But it wasn’t going to be that easy. Jack was refusing to either point or push.

Tate squared his shoulders and straightened his

spine. He’d come to Jack like a hopeful boy. Jack was sending him away a man, with the message that only he could make such an important choice.

“Guess I’d’better get goin’,” Tate said easily, then added with genuine feeling, “Thanks for your wisdom, Jack. I’ll let you know as soon as I decide.”

Jack got to his feet. “How’re those two boys that hit that truck yesterday? I heard one was hurt pretty bad.”

“His chest was crushed, but the docs were able to fix him up. Gonna be in the hospital awhile, though. The other one ended up with some nasty bumps and bruises and the holy hell scared out of him. Hopefully they both learned a lesson and won’t steal any more cars.”

Jack nodded. “I also heard something’ else…”

“Your antenna’s certainly plugged in,” Tare teased. “I like to keep up,” Jack said. “I heard,” he began again pointedly, “that Jodie Parker is back at the ranch and that you’ve been out to see her several times.”

A flash of memory burned through Tate—the warmth of her breasts pressed against his chest, the feel of her hips and thigh against his, her waifiike beauty. He clamped down on his body’s immediate response and answered, “I saw her because she was there. Nothing else. You know, Jack, one of the first signs of get-tin’ old is lettin’ your imagination run away with you.”

“Well, she always was a pretty thing. And I had the idea you’d noticed even though you wouldn’t admit it. Red hair, yellow-green eyes…” Jack paused, then, “You gonna ask her out?”

“No!”

“Why not?”

‘1

Tate moved uneasly. “Because… Since when would I have time?” he dmanded.

“I always found time for Maureen,” Jack said. “You two’d been married for ten years before you got to be sheriff. And she was always shooin’ you out the door because you kept trying to tell her how to do things, remember? It’s not the same thing as” — He stopped himself.

“Courtin’?” Jack supplied with a twinkle. “Seems like you been givin’ this a lot of thought.”

Tate shook his head in exasperation. “I haven’t!

I ‘

Jack laughed. “I always did like that word. Courtin’.

It sounds so much nicer than what kids call it today. ” ” Kids today sure don’t court,” Tate said wryly. ” How about grown men like you? ” Jack persisted. Tate stomped off the porch to the patrol car. ” I’d’ve never guessed you were a secret romantic, Jack. But then, I suppose that’s what possums have those pouches for—not just to carry around their little ones, but to keep their secrets in! “

“You’re getting’ dangerously close to that polecat territory again,” Jack warned with a widening grin.

“You take care, Jack,” Tare urged fondly, before settling in behind the wheel of the patrol car.

As luck would have it, the instant he started the engine a call came over the radio. A call that caused him to give a quick wave to his old friend before he started off down the hard-packed dirt road, careful not to raise too much dust until he was a distance from the house.

Then he floored the gas pedal, unmindful of the billowing cloud that trailed behind him.

TAlE WENT S’II’AIGHT to his office and sat at his desk,

not taking time even to hang up his hat. It sat on his blotter, a sign of his irritation, as he reached for the telephone and dialed the now familiar number in Colorado.

When Sheriff Preston answered, Tate demanded, “What’s this message you left me about Rufus Hammond and his two sons bein’ on their way to my county? Why would they want to do something’ like that?”

‘“Cause Rio Walsh was spotted there. I told you I was plannin’ to tell ‘em.”

“Why didn’t you stop ‘em, then? The last thing I need around here is a bunch of angry men goin’ off half-cocked, lookin’ for someone who might or might not be in the vicinity. That’s why I didn’t want you to pass the word on until we knew for sure and had brought him in.”

“I had to pass the word on!” There was a small pause. “Crystal Hammond died this morning … just before dawn.”

“This morning?” Tate glanced at his watch. It was a few minutes after four in the afternoon. “Why are you so long tellin’ me this?”

‘“Cause I had my hands full up here, that’s why. All hell broke loose after the girl died. Crystal was my goddaughter, and my wife’s niece. And she didn’t take it very well. Then Rufus went berserk. I did

everything I could to calm him down, but he wouldn’t listen. Neither would those two boys of his. They all jumped into their truck and took off. And I know for a fact they have a hunting’ rifle with ‘m.”

Tate bit out angrily, “Dammit, I won’t stand for any vigilante action in my county!”

“They’ve got good reason, for God’s sake! He’s killed one of the sweetest little girls I ever laid eyes on. Just beat her to a pulp. Kicked her in the stomach repeatedly. It was sick!”

It was sick, Tare thought. Still, he said sternly, “I’m the law in my county. I don’t care what the provocation. If a warrant’s been issued for Rio Walsh’s arrest, I or one of my deputies will take care of it. And if any of your relatives misbehave, they’ll find themselves takin’ up jail space right alongside him!”

“Bastard deserves to die!” the Colorado sheriff growled.

Tate strove to overlook the other man’s emotionalism—the girl had been a part of his family, after all. But it didn’t change the law. “In my book a man’s still considered innocent’ until he’s proved guilty in court, Sheriff,” ‘rate said tightly. “My job isn’t to pass judgment and neither is yours. We’ll find Rio Walsh if he’s here and we’ll bring him in. Then the justice system can take over.”

The other sheriff swore mightily, and late remembered his previous whisper of unease when dealing with Preston—the man’s quick assumption of undeniable guilt. As Jodie had questioned, what tied Rio Walsh to the crime other than the fact that he was the girl’s lover? How much investigation had been carded out?

“What kind of proof have you got on him?” Tate asked curtly.

“Enough,” the other sheriff snarled. “Are you questioning my net hods ” Cause if you are. “

“It was a simple request.”

“Well, just believe me when I say I got all I need.” The phone was slammed down. Tate hung up, as well, but his reaction was much more measured, and the frown on his brow deepened.

JODI]E. WAS TOO disheartened even to sit back. She’d actually found a couple of Joe-Bobs toward the end of the list, but neither matched the description Rio had given her. One was too old, the other a carrot-top with blue eyes.

She had one number left to call, not yet having gotten an answer. She planned to give it one more try before going to see Rio.

The phone rang, the jangle cutting straight into her nerves.

It rang twice before she reached for it.

“Hello?” she said cautiously.

“Jodie?” A man’s voice. And not just any man–Tate!

“Tate?” she asked, even though she didn’t need to. “Where is everyone?” he demanded irritably. “I’ve tried the ranch office, I’ve tried Mae, even Rafe’s house…”

“Rafe and Aunt Mae are out driving somewhere on the ranch. And the others went to spend the afternoon at Little Springs. I don’t know where my dad ismprobably off painting.”

She ! feard his impatient release of breath. “When will Rafe be back?” he asked.

“I don’t have any idea.” he frowned. “Why? What is it?”

She could almost feel his reluctance to tell her. “That girl up in Colorado died this morning,” Tate said. “A warrant’s been issued for Rio Walsh’s arrest.”

“No,” she breathed, her body tingling in alarm. ‘“Fraid so. And to top it off, some of her family’s on their way here to mete out a little justice of their own.”

Jodie made no sound. She couldn’t let herself. She had to pretend that Rio hadn’t told her about the family’s nasty disposition.

“If they can find him,” Tate added. “And if they think they can get around me.”

Jodie strained to make her voice natural. “Has anyone seen him again?” That would be a logical question, considering the previous sighting.

“No, but I doubt that’ll stop the Hammonds from looking, Which means they’ll head straight for the Parker Ranch. They know he worked there. They probably don’t know about you and him yet, but it won’t take ‘em long to find out.”

She gripped the receiver more tightly. “But” — “Someone needs to get hold of Rare. They left Colorado shortly after dawn, driving a pickup. It’ll probably take ‘em a good twelve hours to get here. And.” they’re armed. “

“That won’t worry Rafe.”

“I’ll try to head ‘em off here in town, but they could

slip through,” Tate said as if he was thinking out loud. ” Good thing Morgan has law-enforcement experience. I’ll call him, get him to come over and take care of things while Rfe’s away. Or is he out with Rafe and Mae? “

Jodie shrugged. “I don’t know.” Her fear was starting to build.

Tate must have picked up on her unease because he said, “Whatever happens, this is gonna be contained, Jodie. I’m goin’ to contain it. Rufus Hammond has lost his daughter in a particularly horrible way and he’s not thinkin’ straight. What we have to do is convince him it’s in his best interests to let the law take care of things.”

“How … how many of them are coming?” Jodie asked. She would have to tell Rio, and God only knew how he would react. Both to the news that Crystal had died and that some of her family members were coming to find him. He had to talk to Tate now, turn himself in.

“The father and two brothers,” Tate replied. Jodie swallowed tightly.

“You don’t have anything to worry about, Jodie,” he continued. “These people are after Rio, not you.”

Jodie wanted to believe him, but how would the Hammonds react if they learned she was hiding Rio?

“No one will hurt you, Jodie,” Tate promised. “I won’t let them.”

Her reaction to the intimacy of his tone temporarily overtook her worry.

“I…” She tried to speak, but couldn’t.

He aid nothing for a moment, as well, then rang off.

Worry returned with a,vengeance after Jodie hung up. Her hands began to tremble, then the trembling spread with lightning speed through the rest of her body.

Rio was wanted for murder. Murder. t

What had she gotten herself into?

THE OLD ADOBE SCHOOLHOUSE was little more than a weathered ruin, leaving no sign of the children of a bygone era who’d studied there. The roof had either fallen in or blown away years ago and the walls had started to crumble. One corner was missing entirely.

Jodie secured Tony to the lone scraggly tree growing in front and made her way to the open doorway. “Rio?” she called as she stepped inside. “It’s me, Jo-die. Where are you?”

A figure emerged from the shadows, causing her to start.

“You frightened me,” she said.

“Who were you expectin’? Jack the Ripper?”

She dropped the saddlebag she carried in front of him. “I’ve brought you a few things—bread, cheese, some roast beef, water.”

“I saw you comin’,” he said. “Tve seen a couple of other people, too–Gene and Cecil. It sure was hard not to call ‘em over and say hello. It gets real lonely out here.” He watched her intently. “Have you heard any word about Crystal, how she’s doin’? I know it’s not easy for you to find out, but”

“Things have gotten a ‘lot worse, Rio. That’s why I’m here.”

“A regular bluebird of happiness,” he said under his breath. ,

“I can leave this second if you like,” Jodie said stiffly.

“No, I’m sorry. I’m sorry. It’s just … I’m used to bein’ on my own, but I always have something’ todo.t Cows to look after, fences to mend. Not hidin’ out like some mangy coyote–cringin’ from my friends and jumpin’ every time I hear a noise. My mind keeps turning and turnin’—thinkin’ of Crystal, wonderin’ how she is, wantin’ to be with her”

“Rio,” Jodie interrupted him tightly.

He rushed on, “I don’t want her to think I’ve deserted her! It bothers the hell out of me that she’ll wake up and I won’t be there! I’m tellin’ you this, even though I know you won’t believe me. But I’ve changed my ways, Jodie. I’ve”

“Rio!” she repeated sharply.

Rio’s mouth snapped shut and he glared at her. He wasn’t accustomed to being spoken to like that by a woman. Then his glare dissolved as he read the terrible truth on her face.

“Crystal’s dead, Rio,” Jodie said quietly. “She died this morning.”

For a long time all he could do was stare at her, as if he’d heard the words but was having trouble understanding their meaning. Then he turned away, his arms rigid, his hands curled into fists. A visible shudder passed over him, and when he turned back, a trail of tears ran from his tortured eyes into his beard stubble. “I want to find out who did this to her,” he said slowly, unevenly. “And when I do”

“There’s even more to worry about,” Jodie interrupted him again.

“Whaddaya mean?” He swiped at his cheeks.

“A warrant4s been issued for your arrest. And Crystal’s father and her two brothers are on their way here to find you.”

“They’re not her brothers,” he corrected her flatly. “They’re Rufus Hammond’s boys. They don’t share a drop of her blood. Crystal’s shy and sweet, and they’re” — His words stopped and he looked at Jodie with downing horror. “They’re coming here?”

“Tam called to tell us they’re on their way from Colorado. He said they’d probably storm out to the ranch first thing.”

Rio looked around, his body crouched, as if he imagined himself caught in the crosshairs of a rifle scope. “You didn’t tell him about me, did you? You didn’t tell him where I was?”

“No, I didn’t tell him, but I think we should! He’s the only person who can help you, Rio. I was going to come anyway and suggest that, then” — She stopped. She didn’t want to mention Tate’s call again. Once seemed more than enough to terrify Rio. “Tate’s not like the sheriff in Colorado. He’ll listen to you. He won’ t—’ ‘