The Glenmore's: Caught (15 page)

“No he won’t ‘cause you ain’t gonna tell nobody or we’ll hurt someone in ya family”

Ben couldn’t believe how stupid these men really were. He could have them locked up before they had a chance to do anything to anyone in his family. Ben was smart enough not to point this out though; he wasn’t sure whether they were dangerous or not.

Squeaky leaned over to give Ben a mouthful of the water that Bill had handed to him and Ben took the opportunity to punch him hard in the stomach with his two fists.

Squeaky yelped and punched Ben in the face which knocked Ben out again. He slumped back against the wall and as Squeaky’s pain subsided he watched with satisfaction as Ben’s eye and cheek began to swell.

“Goddamn that hurt
” Squeaky said as he stood and rubbed his belly. “We shoulda tied his hands behind his back. Are ya ready to go Bill?”

“Yeah, I’m ready” Bill walked out of the door and disappeared into the darkness.

********

Joseph arrived at Justine’s and banged hard on the door. Josh opened the door to see Joseph standing on the porch.

“Joe, everythin’ okay?” Josh asked. “I darn near thought ya was gonna bang our door down”

“Sorry Josh; is Justine there?”

“Yeah she is; c’mon into the kitchen” Josh led the way through as Joseph followed.

“Hello Joe; I wasn’t expectin’ you but I was expectin’ Ben” Justine told him.

“Ya haven’t seen him then?” Joseph asked.

“No Joe. What’s wrong; ya scarin’ me” Justine walked over to stand next to Josh.

“His horse came into the yard by herself just before dark. I was hopin’ Ben was here and Dancer had just taken off on him”

“No, I haven’t seen him at all. I thought maybe he had somethin’ he had to get done at the ranch and couldn’t make it”

“I’ve sent the men and George out lookin’. I’m sure he’ll be okay”

“It’s gettin’ dark though Joe and it’ll be gettin’ real cold” Josh stated worriedly.

“Yeah, it gets dark so early now it’s winter. We might have to start lookin’ again at first light. I cain’t put the men and their horses in danger”

“He might be hurt though Joe. We cain’t just leave him out there in the cold alone” Justine began to cry and Josh held her close.

“We’ll have no choice when it gets a bit darker Justine” Joseph told her firmly. “I cain’t risk anyone gettin’ hurt no matter how much I’m worried. We’ll start again at dawn darlin’ I promise ya”

“But Joe; that could be too late!” Justine shouted as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“I’m sorry darlin’ but it cain’t be helped. I wanna find him as much as you do”

Justine burst into another round of tears and sobbed into Josh’s chest. “She’ll be okay
Joe. I’ll keep an eye on her and we’ll meet ya at dawn”

“Thanks Josh. I’ll let ya know if we find him before then”

Millie showed Joseph out while Josh stayed to comfort Justine. George and the men had arrived and were waiting patiently in the front yard when Joseph emerged.

“Pa?” George questioned hopefully.

“He didn’t get here son and it’s too dark now to keep lookin’. We’ll start again at dawn”

“I’m gonna take Walt and ride into town to see James pa. Can ya let Jenny know?”

“I’ll go sit with her and the girls until ya get back boss” Ky offered.

“Thanks Ky. Tell her I said to have supper with ya and I’ll get somethin’ in town”

The men all headed off in different directions.

********

Virginia was waiting by the parlour window and saw Joseph and the men ride back in.

She raced out to the porch. “Find him Joe?”

“No not yet darlin’ and it’s too dark now to keep lookin’. We’re gonna start again at dawn tomorrow”

“Did he get to
Justine’s”

“No, she’d been waitin’ all afternoon. She’s mighty upset now”

“I’m real worried Joe. What if he’s hurt; it’s awful cold out”

“He’ll be okay Ginny. He’s a big strong man
and we’ll find him tomorrow” Joseph spoke with more confidence than he felt. “I’m gonna go and ask Nick and Max for their help tomorrow and then put the horse away. You go in out of the cold sweetheart. I’ll be back as soon as I can”

Joseph rode off towards Laura and Nick’s home and Virginia went back inside. She was worried about Ben but deep down she knew he was okay.

Joseph reined outside Laura and Nick’s and walked up onto the porch. As he lifted his hand to knock at the door the door was opened by Laura.

“Papa, I heard the horse. What are ya doin’ here?” she asked. “Come in before ya freeze to death”

Joseph stepped past his daughter and into the parlour where Nick sat in front of the fire. When he saw Joseph enter he stood up. “Joe, what brings ya out on such a cold night? Have a seat”

Joseph sat down but refused Laura’s offer of coffee. “I cain’t stay too long; I promised ya mother I would see Nick and Max and get back”

“Papa; what’s wrong” Laura was getting concerned.

“Ben’s horse came into the yard just on dark without Ben. We’ve had a quick look between the ranch and Justine’s, he was supposed to be headed over there, but we didn’t find anythin’ and it was gettin’ too dark to keep goin’. We’re gonna start
lookin’ again at dawn Nick and I’d sure appreciate ya help”

“Oh papa; it’s so cold outside and he could be hurt” Laura cried and Nick gathered her to him.

“Yeah I know shorty but there’s nothin’ I can do about it. I cain’t risk someone else gettin’ hurt”

“I’ll meet ya at your place first thing Joe. Don’t worry about Max. I’ll walk over there and let him know. He’ll be there too”

“Thanks son. I’ll be gettin’ home then. Ginny will be waitin’ for me” Joseph kissed Laura and she hugged him tight.

“He’ll be okay papa”

“I know he will be shorty but it’s still a darn worry”

Joseph shook Nick’s hand at the door and headed off home.

********

Bill waited around the side of Justine’s house where he was hidden in the shadows. He waited until all the men rode off. He’d overheard part of the conversation and knew the men wouldn’t start looking again until the next day.

He crept up onto the porch, like Squeaky had told him, and slid the note under the door. He ran quietly down the stairs and back into the night without being seen.

Bill arrived back at the cabin twenty minutes later and told Squeaky he had delivered the note. He also told him about the conversation he had overheard.

“Sure is cold in here Squeaky, cain’t we build a fire?”

“Use a blanket Bill; we cain’t risk someone seein’ the smoke and comin’ here to investigate”

Ben had woken again and when Bill saw him shiver he threw a blanket over him before he wrapped one around himself.

“Thanks” Ben muttered. Squeaky had led him outside at the point of a rifle while Bill was gone so he could relieve himself in the bushes but he hadn’t had anything to eat and his stomach grumbled. Ben paid it no heed, he was in too much pain, could only open one eye and he hurt everywhere! He was feeling nauseous and closed his eye, rested his head back against the wall and hoped sleep would give him relief. He knew someone would start looking for him come first light tomorrow so he wasn’t too worried. He
also knew that Justine would know by now that he was missing and she’d be upset; he ached to hold her in his arms.

********

Justine had taken herself off to bed even though she would worry all night and not sleep. She was anxious for dawn to arrive so she could help in the search for Ben.

Josh was making sure all the windows and doors were closed before turning in for the night and he spotted the paper on the floor in front of the door. He bent down and picked it up; he could see it was a note. He stood by
the door as he read the note and felt the panic begin to engulf him. He raced through to Justine’s room calling for Millie to come quick.

Justine heard the panic in Josh’s voice and jumped out of bed. Josh appeared in the doorway as she opened her door and Millie arrived in her nightgown seconds later. “Josh, what on earth’s wrong?” Millie asked.

“Sit down” Millie and Justine sat down on the bed and Josh handed Justine the note. She held it in her hands where Millie could also read it and her hands began to shake.

The note read:

Miss come to the huntin cabin on the ridge tomorra if ya wana see ya man agin

come
alone and wen ya sine the papers sellin us ya ranch wheel let im go

wheel
let ya go to

come
at dawn

“Ma, they’ve got Ben. I’ve gotta go now” Justine stood up and Josh took hold of her.

“Justine, listen to me” Josh said sternly as he held her arm. “Ya cain’t go tonight; we know where he is now and we know they ain’t gonna hurt him. It’s too dangerous to go up there now. I promise ya we’ll get him back for ya tomorrow”

Justine knew Ben was right but she wanted to see Ben so badly. She decided she would wait until first light and then she would sneak off to get him. The note had said come alone and she wasn’t gonna wait a minute longer than she had to!

********

George and Walter arrived at James’ house just as Rebecca was about to dish up supper.

“Uncle George” Caleb greeted as they walked in and he threw himself up into George’s arms. “What ya doin’ here?”

“We just need to talk with ya pa pardner” George told the little boy as he carried him through to the kitchen where Rebecca was setting the table.

“George, how are ya? We weren’t expectin’ ya. Walt” Rebecca nodded. “Is everythin’ okay?”

George placed Caleb down on the ground and gave Rebecca a kiss.

“Ma’am” Walter nodded.

“Walt and
me just need a word with James if he’s around”

“He’s just at mama and
papa’s but he should be here any minute. Will ya stay for supper; I have plenty?”

“Please stay Uncle George and Mr Walt, please, please, please?” Caleb begged as he jumped up and down.

George ruffled his hair and laughed. “We’d be mighty pleased, thanks Rebecca”

“Thanks ma’am” Walter agreed.

“Yippee” Caleb shouted and he danced around in circles.

James walked in the door, saw his big brother there and frowned.

“Pa, Uncle George and Mr Walt are gonna have supper with us” Caleb told his father excitedly.

“That’s real fine son” James told Caleb without taking his eyes off George.

“George; what’s goin’ on?” James asked quietly.

“Can we talk in the parlour?” George asked looking at Caleb.

James got the message that George had something to say that he didn’t want Caleb to hear.

“Of course; Rebecca give us a minute please darlin’?” James asked and Rebecca nodded.

The three men began to move to the parlour and Caleb decided he’d go to.

“Caleb, can ya please help me set the places for Uncle George and Mr Walt at the table darlin’?”  Rebecca asked and James smiled his thanks to her.

Caleb went back to his mother and James shut the parlour door.

“James have ya seen Squeaky Dalton and Bill Stanton at all today?” George asked.

“Dan and me took ‘em out of the saloon and down to the office this mornin’. I’d promised Josh I’d ask ‘em about Justine’s cows and the stream. Why? What’s this about? Why are ya in town at this time of night?”

“Dancer came back without Ben just on dark, he didn’t turn up at Justine’s and no-one’s seen him. I got a feelin’ those two have got somethin’ to do with it” George explained.

“It wouldn’t surprise me. They told us they knew nothin’ about the cows and the stream but Dan and me were both convinced they was lyin’. Couldn’t prove anythin’ though so we had to let ‘em go with a warnin’.”

“Did ya see ‘em in town again after that?” Walter asked.

“No but we weren’t lookin’ either. They usually hang about in the saloon so we’ll go check if anyone’s seen ‘em there after we have supper”

“Thanks James” George agreed with starting at the saloon.

Rebecca had supper on the table when the men walked back out. They chatted with Caleb about school, his friends and the holidays and when they were done they thanked Rebecca before heading off to the saloon in search of information.

Rebecca stood at the door and while Caleb was distracted by George she asked James what was wrong.

“Ben’s missin’ and we thing Squeaky and Bill might have somethin’ to do with it. We’re gonna check around town and see if anyone’s seen ‘em since this mornin’.” James whispered quietly in her ear and Rebecca tried hard not to react in front of Caleb.

“Be careful darlin’.” She whispered back.

“Goodnight George, Walt. Caleb, come on in out of the cold darlin’.”

Rebecca took Caleb back inside and closed the door as the men headed off.