Deputy at Large

by Judge Rodriguez

  Sean growls. “Why didnae ya keep goin’? T’hat monster needs to be hunted like tha animal t’hat he is.”

  “Sorry, son. With that war party tracking us, we had to get back into our lands as quickly as was possible. We wouldn’t have been able to survive a battle with’em if we’d stood our ground and fought.”

  John gives Sean a quelling look, then turns to Lyttle. “So, where were you when you turned back?”

  “About twenty miles south of the lands claimed by Fort Reno. If we made it to their lands, we would have been captured by the Army for trespassing on the Indian lands.” He looks at Sean with a sympathetic expression. “I’m sorry, son. There’s nothing else we could do.” He turns back to John. “If I had to hazard a guess, I would say they’re headed toward Kingfisher.” He shakes his head. “I don’t know why they would do that, though.”

  John looks at Joey a moment, then nods, as if answering his own question. “So, we’re going to have the funerals tomorrow, then hit the trail ourselves, right boss?”

  Lyttle’s mouth drops as Joey nods.

  John nods again, then turns to Lyttle. “So, a quick breakdown of our news. I turned over being Marshal of Denver to Red-Feather, so I could join the U.S. Marshals. We’ve turned over the last prisoner for the attack on Marshal Brouwer, as well as the treaty with the Shawnee.” He strokes his jaw a moment and looks at the ceiling, expression contemplative. “Other than the usual personal stuff, that’s just about it.”

  “Why’d you give up the badge to Denver?” Lyttle demands.

  “Money. You said I’d not be able to afford a deputy and Red-Feather’s family depends on that money. Plus, I told you I wasn’t planning on putting down roots in Denver anyway. It was time to move on.”

  Lyttle shakes his head and looks at David. “Did he at least take a vote of the town, to make sure they agreed to Red-Feather’s appointment?”

  David nods. “Oh, yes. Quite adamant about it too. Town agreed. Red-Feather is Town Marshal.”

  Lyttle sighs and crosses his arms. “I hope you know what you’re doing, John. Or should I say, Deputy?”

  John’s grin is impudent. “Of course, I know what I’m doing. The question is, do you?”

  Lyttle shakes his head. “I’ve stopped trying to guess people. Helps me live longer.”

  Sean stares hard at Lyttle a moment, then John, then Joey, then back at John. “I cannae b’lieve yer bant’rin’ at a time like t’his! We hefta hit tha road! Make t’hat monster pay fer killin’ ma mam an’ da!”

  John holds up his hand in a conciliatory fashion. “We’re not going anywhere until we’ve said our goodbyes to your parents. That’s gotta wait until tomorrow. Us marshals will be ready to leave right afterwards. You’ll be alright here healing, Sean.”

  Sean’s face turns bright red and he points his finger in the general direction of John and Joey. “Ya cannae t’hink I’m goin’ let t’hat animal get way wit’ t’his. I’m comin’ ‘long!”

  John and Joey look at each other, then Jake. John motions for them to follow him to the other room.

  Jake looks down at Andy’s wide-eyed gaze. “Sorry, sweetheart. I’ve gotta go talk to them for a little bit.”

  Tears well up in her eyes as she nods, then gets out of her father’s lap and climbs into Brigit’s.

  Jake rises and goes to the foyer, where John indicated.

  Chapter 22

  John looks at Josh and Joey in solemnity. In a voice quiet enough that only the other two lawmen can hear, he says, “I think Sean’s gonna be a problem.”

  Josh snorts in derision. “Oh, wise one, tell us something else we didn’t already know.”

  Joey smirks at the comment, but remains silent.

  John nods. “I know that’s a more than an obvious statement. I think he should go with us, though.” He feels a glow of satisfaction in the shocked looks he receives from his friends. He holds up a hand in conciliation, forestalling Josh’s comment. “If we leave him behind, he’ll just sneak out and follow us. Him going with us will keep him safer.”

  Joey shakes her head. “I don’t think he can travel.”

  “David can clear him to travel, or we can wait a couple more days.” He shakes his head. “I’m not joking. If he doesn’t come with us, he’s going to kill himself following behind.”

  “We could arrest and detain him,” Josh says hopefully.

  John shakes his head. “Under what charges? Lyttle won’t be able to hold him for more than a day or two, then we’ll be right back at the beginning.”

  “I can see what you mean. Does that mean you think we should take David with us as well?”

  Joey chuckles low in her throat. “That means Rebekah will have to come along. She hasn’t let David out of her sight since their wedding.”

  John strokes his jaw. “Those are both good points. This is gonna be an interesting trip with everyone coming along. I think we’re needing to hit the store. Think we’ll need some supplies?”

  Joey looks at him with a look that speaks volumes about how obvious the question was.

  “What? It needed to be said. I know, I know.” He holds up his hand in a conciliatory gesture. “Should we go tell them our decision, then?” He looks at Joey, who nods, then Josh, who nods as well.

  As the group goes back into the restaurant, John sees Brigit and Sean, who are sitting next to each other turned away, in what appears to be anger. Andy is cuddled up to Brigit, crying softly into the young woman’s shirt. When he sits down, he cocks an eye at Brigit in question.

  She glances at him a moment, then lowers her gaze. “I told Sean I didn’t want him to go. I don’t think he’ll survive.”

  Sean growls in frustration and stands. “I tole her t’hat I’m no child ta be molly-coddled. I’ll be back in a minnit.” He slowly stalks from the room.

  John gives Joey a concerned look and she nods, then rises and follows after the young Irishman, holding up her hand telling Brigit to stay behind when the young woman tries to follow suit.

  John looks back at Brigit and sighs. “Actually, I think if we can get David to agree to certain conditions, we’re agreed Sean should come with us.”

  If the situation weren’t so serious, John would have laughed openly at Brigit’s shocked look. Instead, he nods and says, “Though there’s a few conditions here.” He holds up his hand, forestalling any questions or comments. “We’ll travel at a pace WE set, as well as we’re going to need to have David come along with us.”

  Rebekah stands and insists, “He can leave me behind only over my dead body!”

  John grins and nods. “That was the plan.” He holds up his hand again. “I mean for you to go along. That is, saying your husband agrees to go with us.” He turns and looks at David with an expectant look.

  David nods. “I don’t think I have much choice, now do I?”

  John smiles and shakes his head.

  As Josh sits down, Andy climbs back into his lap and snuggles up to her father.

  Brigit looks around and shakes her head. “What am I supposed to do while you all are chasing after Richard?” She looks directly at John. “We can’t let Joseph and Laura’s dream of the hotel die.”

  John nods. “We can help out with that. Since you’ve had federal marshals staying here, you can turn in the vouchers for it.” He shakes his head. “Once we get on the road, you’ll need some help.”

  Josh whispers to Andy for a few moments and she shakes her head, tears well up in her eyes. A few more whispers, then finally, she wipes her eyes and sighs, then nods. “I’ll be here to help, sister. Papa says I can’t go along with them.”

  Brigit looks at Josh and he nods, confirming his daughter is speaking truthfully.

  Paul re-settles himself in his chair and clears his throat. “I’m also gonna be here. I can’t rebuild my livery, so I think I can be of some use around here, if you’ll have me.”

  Brigit’s face is surprised as she nods. “Y- Yes. Of course. All the help I can get. This mig
ht actually work after all!”

  John clears his throat. “So, it looks like we’re in agreement, then. Well, Sheriff, does that answer all of your questions?”

  “All but one.” Lyttle shakes his head. “Who’s gonna pay the posse fees?”

  Josh looks scandalized at the question. John shakes his head, sighs and rests his forehead in his hand. “I expect that will come out of the operating funds for the marshal’s service. They’re the ones that put out the warrant for Richard, after all.”

  “Oh? How is that?” Lyttle sits up in his chair, now more alert.

  John folds his hands in front of him and nods shortly. “Yeah. Orders came down. Bring him in dead or alive, no matter what. Irrefutable evidence: he killed a marshal.”

  Lyttle sighs heavily and shakes his head. “Well, it sounds like you have your hands full then, doesn’t it?”

  John nods. “Before you head out, I have a couple of questions for you, in private.”

  Lyttle stuffs the last bite of his sandwich in his mouth, finishes his glass of water and nods, rising from his seat.

  John rises and motions for the sheriff to follow him.

  Just outside the back door, John turns his back to the wall once again, and leans up against it.

  Lyttle looks at him, face a combination of irritation and curiosity.

  “So, tell me what happened when Arbuckle died.” John’s gaze bores holes into the older man’s face.

  “He ate his .45. I told you that before.”

  John shakes his head. “Someone else has proof he was done in. I’m told charges of murder and treason are going to be brought up, if things aren’t settled.” He folds his arms. “There’s enough evidence against you, Judge Logan and Marshal Walters to raise serious doubts about your involvement. I need the truth, otherwise you’re in a heap of trouble and I won’t try to help you out.”

  Lyttle sighs heavily and rubs his neck nervously. He looks around, obviously not able to meet John’s gaze any longer. Finally, having made his decision, he looks back at the deputy. “You realize if you repeat any of this, I will deny it, then have you killed, right?”

  John’s heart sinks, but he nods anyway.

  Lyttle crosses his arms and looks stonily at John again. “So, you know there’s no love lost between Arbuckle and ANY Indians, right?”

  John nods.

  “There was irrefutable evidence Arbuckle was keeping a young Cheyenne woman captive, taking liberties with her.”

  John feels his jaw drop. “What kind of evidence?”

  “Eyewitness testimony.”

  John shakes his head, unable to believe the major would be careless enough to allow himself to be caught. “Who was the witness?”

  “Me. I broke in on him taking her after hearing several reports of a woman screaming and yelling ‘No’ numerous times.”

  John shakes his head. The sheriff’s story is just too unbelievable. How stupid was the major, after all? He had to know he was going to be caught. “So, why did you murder him, then? Why not bring him up on charges in a tribunal?”

  “Do you honestly believe a court’s martial would find against him? I have no love for Indians, but the Army still considers them sub-human. He would be able to brag about it in court and be let off Scot-free.”

  John thinks a moment. “So, you decided to be his judge, jury and executioner? What part does Walters and Judge Logan have in this?”

  “It happened in Guthrie. Walters was with me and afterwards, we told Logan. He agreed it was the right thing to do.”

  John looks into the sky a moment, before suddenly looking directly at Lyttle and asking, “What happened to the woman?”

  Lyttle looks away a moment, then says, “She told us her family was dead. After we talked about the shame she would go through, well Judge Logan agreed to hire her as staff for his house.”

  John is still unsure if he’s being told the truth or not, but decides he has to take the sheriff at his word. He considers a moment then says, “If we’re going to be able to stay out of trouble, I’m gonna need a map of where you were when you gave up the hunt.”

  Lyttle sighs and nods. “I have a map of the ‘Nations in my office. Come by tomorrow and I’ll have it drawn out for you. Now, I’m going to go pay my respects to my wife, if you don’t mind.”

  John chuckles and heads back inside just behind the county sheriff.

  Chapter 23

  Most funerals are, by their very nature, somber affairs. The three funerals that were held the following morning, occurred with numerous tears. The dead were committed to earth, Doc Lopez is interred in the communal cemetery for Norman, the Mallorys’ on the property of the hotel.

  As the services for the Mallorys ends, Jake stands at the graveside, holding Andy in his arms as he looks out to the west contemplatively. He’s startled out of his reverie when John steps up behind him and says, “You can’t see that far, no matter how hard you try.”

  Jake shakes his head. “Wasn’t trying to. Am actually just thinking about Fort Reno. Lyttle talking about it made me homesick for it.”

  To Jake’s surprise, John chuckles. “You know, it’s a funny thing that you should mention that. We’re going there before we hit the trail going after Richard. There’s something we have to take care of out there. I’ve already spoken with the marshal and we’re agreed the stopover is necessary.”

  Jake turns and looks at his blood-brother. “What in the world could be so important as to detract from our current mission?”

  “It’s better you not know. I wouldn’t have said anything to the marshal about it, but Blackwolf was there when I found out about the issue.”

  Andy taps her father’s shoulder and says quietly, “Papa, I gotta go.”

  Jake sets her down and watches as she scampers off to the outhouse. “Think we should tell her the truth about the marshal?”

  John shakes his head. “Not without asking Joey about it, first. Not our secret to divulge.”

  Jake shakes his head. “I don’t like lying to her. You probably don’t believe it, but I really don’t like lying at all.”

  “You’re right. I don’t believe it. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be going by Jake.”

  Jake shakes his head. “You’re not gonna start in on that again, are you?”

  John turns and starts to walk away, stops turns halfway back and says over his shoulder, “I just didn’t want you to forget who you really are, JOSH,” then turns and walks off.

  Jake sighs heavily and checks on his daughter.

  IT’S THE EVENING TRAIN going north that sees a group of passengers loading up horses and equipment.

  After the group left the hotel, they ran by Lyttle’s office and picked up the map, then rode directly to the train station. Jake is now seated, waiting on the train to start moving. The parting from his daughter hit Jake hard; harder than he expected it to. He looks around, trying to find a way to distract himself from the darkness he can feel his thoughts headed on a bee-line toward.

  The passenger car he’s in is fairly simple. The windows are glass and uncovered by curtains. The seats are cushioned, but only barely and uncomfortable in the cushioning they have. The car is mostly full of passengers, families, couples, but not children though. Jake looks across the aisle to see John getting settled in his seat, apparently trying his best to relax. Even though it’s not often, this isn’t Jake’s first trip on a train. He’s never ridden with John and is uncertain if his blood-brother has ever ridden on a train at all. John certainly has the look of a first-time rider.

  Jake turns to look away when John looks up, apparently feeling Jake’s eyes on him.

  He resettles in his seat as David and Rebekah sit across form him.

  The young doctor gives him a look of curiosity and asks, “Know why we’re going to Oklahoma Town?”

  John clears his throat. “We have a stop to make in Fort Reno. It’ll be a short one and it’s on the way to pick up the trail. I expect we won’t be there more than an hour
or two and then on the road to Fort Cobb.”

  David looks at John cautiously. “Feel like explaining this mysterious errand?”

  John shakes his head. “I can’t. I just have to go talk to a couple of people before things boil over. It’s not my information to divulge.”

  Joey takes a seat in front of John and nods in agreement. “We have to deal with this matter first. No help for it. Sorry, guys.”

  Jake looks at the two, feeling annoyance at their secretiveness. He’s not sure what’s more irritating, that they have a shared secret, or that they aren’t sharing it with him. It’s not like he’s not a sworn peace officer, or anything. The simple fact they aren’t sharing possibly critical information with him is hurtful at the least, possibly life threatening at the worst.

  Jake’s not sure what his expression is, but sees John smiling as if in response to what he’s thinking. It’s almost as if his blood-brother is sitting there saying with his expression: ‘See? NOW you know what it feels like.’ OH. So, apparently, his expression really DOES say it all. Either that, or John has gained the power to read his thoughts.

  Jake crosses his arms, leans back into his seat and stares off into space. This feeling changes things. How is he supposed to be able to make up for the last fifteen plus years of pain?

  Sean slowly comes down the aisle to sit in the seat next to Jake. “I cannae b’lieve we’re goan make a stop. It isnae like he dunnae have a head st’art on us a’ready.”

  John shakes his head. “This trip is gonna get us back on his trail faster than just riding headlong back into Indian country. Trust me, Sean. It really is for the best.”

  Sean shakes his head, huffs in aggravation, crosses his arms and leans back in the seat. He closes his eyes and his entire demeanor relaxes as his breathing becomes regular.

  Jake leans back again and relaxes as he hears the train whistle blow. The seats jerk as the train starts its passage on to the next stop. Jake looks out the window to see the Norman train station slide by.