Savage Desire

by Rosemary Rogers

  “Yes, getting the ore out by train would be the most efficient—and private—method, as well as the safest.”

  “Does the Mexican government know he’s mining silver instead of coal?”

  “I have no doubt that there are a few officials who are well aware of it, and probably on his payroll. But Senator Brandon has been clever enough to pay them well for their silence and cooperation. His biggest problem has been getting the ore out of Mexico and across the border without being apprehended by either country. Of course, we are aware of his activities on a confidential level. At this time, we cannot interfere without possibly alienating Lerdo or Díaz, both of whom have their hands full just dealing with the struggle for power.

  “But we are trying to keep informed about Brandon’s operations as best we can, while being discreet. A full house, gentlemen.”

  As Bishop raked in the small pile of coins in the middle of the table, Paco tilted his chair back on the two rear legs, frowning. “So what is it we’re supposed to do? Sign on with the mine? Find out what’s going on?”

  “No, that is too risky. You two are known to Brandon, and possibly to men in his employ. Besides, we have some men there already. It would be best if we had someone familiar with Brandon and his methods, someone in his confidence, perhaps, who might be able to discover his future plans. I know that the senator has renewed his acquaintance with Sam Murdock.”

  Silence fell. Steve glared at Bishop across the table. It was just like him to throw in that name while raking in the pot! Damn the man, he had ice water in his veins and the damndest luck. He leaned forward to take more cards, words more casual than he felt.

  “Just where is Murdock these days? Last I saw of him he was staying at Jack Prendergast’s place in New Mexico Territory.”

  Prayers End. And Beth…. God, he hadn’t thought about her for so long, until she had popped into his mind the night that Ginny decided to tell him everything about herself. Then, out of the blue, Elizabeth Cady’s name had loomed, once a bright flame in the darkness that had followed the news of Ginny’s death. Bleak days when he hadn’t cared if he lived or not, hadn’t quite known why he was still alive. It had taken nearly dying to bring him back to living.

  That, and Beth.

  He wondered if she was happy with Burneson, and hoped she was. She was just the kind of woman for a man like Martin Burneson—steady and reliable, surprisingly passionate beneath her shell of reserve. And she’d known better than he did that she wasn’t the woman for him. There had only been one woman in his life who never failed to intrigue him, all too often infuriating him, but never boring him.

  And it was that woman who would be furious if he did what it was obvious Bishop wanted him to do.

  “There are telegraph wires strung all the way out to San Francisco, you know.” He tossed his cards down to the scarred tabletop. “If you want Murdock, all you have to do is wire him.”

  “He’s a busy man. Besides, as you have no doubt guessed by now, he is visiting Prendergast’s ranch. It would be an excellent opportunity to draft a plan without a lot of attention being drawn to your meeting.”

  “If you think my arrival there would go unnoticed, you are dead wrong. Remember, I had a little trouble there once before.”

  “Yes, well, I’m certain that you’re imaginative enough to find a way to speak with Murdock without a lot of notice being taken. More cards?”

  “Hell, no! I’m not playing cards with you, and I’m not going to see Murdock. Get yourself another man. I’m supposed to be going to my grandfather’s, then making sure the rifles get safely to Mexico City and into the right hands, remember? That was the plan.”

  “Plans so frequently change. Circumstances arise that make it necessary to be flexible, Steve. Of all the men who report to me, you are the one that Murdock trusts most. And Brandon trusts Murdock.”

  “And Ginny is back at the hotel expecting me to go with her to my grandfather’s. What in hell am I supposed to tell her?”

  “That is a matter between husband and wife, but I’m certain she would not begrudge you the opportunity to see an old friend. Or two.”

  Behind the bland surface of Bishop’s expression lurked a hidden meaning, and Steve’s eyes narrowed.

  “I think,” Bishop added unctuously, “you might find it quite instructive to renew old acquaintances.”

  It was just like Bishop, Steve thought impatiently, to change tactics and leave him to deal with the results. Hell, it would take at least two weeks to get there, meet with Murdock and then get back. Ginny would never believe that he hadn’t known it from the first.

  Instead of the explosion he expected, Ginny stared at him with wide green eyes when he told her he had to leave for a while.

  “It won’t be long. Christ, don’t look at me like that. I told you that it wasn’t my decision.”

  “Yes, but you haven’t told me where you’re going.”

  “You know I can’t.”

  There was a long pause, then she said softly, “I suppose I should be grateful that you told me you’re leaving this time instead of just going without a word. But don’t you ever get tired of Jim Bishop running your life?”

  “Not nearly as tired as I get of being nagged about it. Dammit, Ginny, you’ve always known how it’s been. This is what I do, what I’ve done since before I ever met you.”

  “I thought that by taking a position as ambassador, you would be able to have a normal life instead of disappearing for days, weeks, months at a time like you do, going God only knows where and doing God only knows what. One of these days I expect to see Jim Bishop at my door instead of you, telling me that this time your luck didn’t hold out, that this time the bullet was fatal.”

  She drew in a deep breath, eyes wide and glistening with anger and distress. “How do you think I feel, always waiting, always knowing that you might not come back to me at all? Do you think it’s any easier not knowing where you go and what you do? It’s not! I imagine things that are probably ten times worse than the truth. It’s not fair, Steve. It’s just not fair to do this to me again! What about your promise?”

  “Hell, do you really think I want to go? I don’t, but it’s necessary. You’ll have to go on to the hacienda, make the excuses to my abuelo for me, tell him that I was delayed and I’ll be there as soon as I can. Paco will go with you.”

  “Oh, I’m certain Don Francisco didn’t really expect you to be there on time. You never are. And it’s always left up to me to make your excuses for you. I have to be the one to face him!”

  “Self-pity, green-eyes?”

  “Don’t you dare mock me, Steve Morgan! For all I know, you’re going off to some woman, and just using Bishop as an excuse. It would be so easy for you, and I’d never really know, would I?”

  “Is this the trust you mentioned?” He said it quietly, and saw her startled glance at him before she turned away, cheeks still flushed with anger and eyes bright with tears. He felt only the slightest twinge of guilt for not telling her about Elizabeth Cady, but hell, Beth was married and it was unlikely he’d ever see her again anyway.

  Relenting, he said, “The man I’m supposed to meet is someone you know very well, Ginny. Sam Murdock. Shall I give him a message for you?”

  Some of the frustration faded from her eyes. “Yes,” she said. “Tell Sam next time he wants to meet with you, he can come to you instead of making you come to him!”

  Steve laughed. When he went to her and put his arms around her to pull her close, she didn’t resist but leaned into him with a shaky sigh. Her hair was fragrant, a teasing scent like exotic flowers, light and sensual, filling his senses. He was supposed to leave in an hour, but he didn’t want to leave her like this, not without making sure she understood.

  It was only natural to sweep her into his arms and carry her the few steps to the wide bed, the mattress dipping in a squeaky protest as he laid her on it and leaned over her.

  “This doesn’t rectify anything, Steve Morgan,” she
said as she lifted her arms to wind them around his neck, “so don’t think you can just make love to me and all will be forgotten!”

  “If any man ever knew that, it’s me, love. I still have the scars from where you convinced me of it…. Look, wait here for me if you want. I’ll get back as soon as I can.”

  “No. Laredo has bad memories for me.” She sounded so dejected. He blew softly on her ear until she sighed and stirred beneath him.

  “Then Paco will take you to the new rancho in Chihuahua and I’ll meet you there.”

  “You haven’t even seen it yet! It could be a mud hut with no roof.”

  “I doubt it. Hearst said he stayed there for a time.”

  “And if I prefer going to Zacatecas, or maybe on to Mexico City?”

  “Ginny love, you can’t go with me.”

  “I didn’t ask to go with you, Steve Morgan!”

  “No, but you’re trying to make me crazy thinking about what you’ll do if I leave you on your own. It won’t work this time….” He stopped her protests with his mouth, a harsh kiss that smothered them effectively.

  He was late riding out of Nuevo Laredo, taking the road that led to El Paso and then on to New Mexico territory, but it was worth it. He’d left her sleeping, after she drowsily kissed him goodbye and told him she had no intentions of waiting on him or making excuses for him to his grandfather.

  Paco had business in Ojinaga on the border, then he’d take her on to the rancho. Paco would keep Ginny safe enough until he could get back, Steve thought. Then he grinned, thinking of Ginny’s stubborn surrender that was more of a challenge. She never gave in graciously, but always fought to the end. It was just as well he’d never told her about Elizabeth Cady. It would only make her fret about what was past and over.

  There had been enough of that.

  He intended to conduct his business with Murdock, then get back to Ginny as quickly as possible. Dammit, he felt like a lovesick calf, missing her when he was away from her, irritated as hell most of the time when he was with her. It was a lethal combination.

  15

  Sam Murdock greeted Senator Brandon inside the study of his opulent Pullman coach that had pulled onto a side track just outside El Paso.

  “It’s good to see you again, Senator. It seems you’re doing much better now.”

  “Yes. Taking a bullet is not something I would recommend, but it certainly has the effect of making a man analyze his priorities in life.” Brandon took a seat in the wide cushioned chair beside Murdock’s desk, leaning heavily on his cane as he lowered his weight.

  “I must say, I was a bit surprised to learn you were in Texas,” Murdock was saying, his tone noncommittal. “The last time I saw you was in San Francisco, I believe.”

  “Yes, when my daughter and her husband created such a scandal.” Brandon grimaced. “In fact, one of the reasons I wanted to meet with you while I’m here is your partner, my son-in-law. I was recently informed by a man named Uriah Lott that any further negotiations with him concerning the railroad I wish to build are ended, thanks to Steve Morgan. It seems that he was advised to seek financing with Richard King or Mifflin Kenedy instead, but I need that damn track laid in order to increase production efficiency. You’re connected with the railroad. What are the chances of Central Pacific laying track in Mexico?”

  “Right now? Almost nonexistent.” Murdock steepled his hands and gazed at the senator over his fingertips, frowning slightly. “Private financing versus government funding—it would certainly eliminate unnecessary costs and regulations. I’ve thought of it myself.”

  “Good God, man, I didn’t come to you for confirmation of the occasional idiocy of congressional acts. We all agree that some laws are designed to profit the government more than citizens. It’s a fact of life.”

  “And some are designed to profit government officials more than citizens,” Murdock said quietly, smiling slightly when Brandon frowned. “It’s true, William, and you know it. Even you profited by the whiskey scandal.”

  This was not going at all as he had hoped. Disconcerted by Murdock’s unfortunate reminder of past transgressions, he struggled for an effective argument that would persuade the millionaire investor to stop Steve Morgan. He was well aware that Steve was capable of retaliation, but Murdock was not a man who had to answer to voters. And he was Steve’s partner. Could he convince him to interfere, or at the least propose a way to block Morgan’s influence?

  Brandon eyed Murdock for a long moment, then said, “Morgan has gone so far as to try to ruin me! It’s almost a personal vendetta. We’ve disagreed over politics or policies before, but I never thought he would act upon his threats. It seems he’s quite capable of impoverishing me if he’s not stopped. Sam, I appeal to you, as his partner and my friend as well, to do something to stop Steve Morgan from ruining me.”

  Sam Murdock quietly drummed his fingertips atop the gleaming surface of his ornate mahogany desk, eyeing Brandon thoughtfully. “It would be a conflict of interests were I to involve myself in either of your interests, William, as I am sure you must realize. Steve has his own pursuits, and would not listen to me in any case.”

  “But you must certainly see the advantages to the current situation in Mexico. You’re a shrewd businessman. In a few years, the railroad will be the main way to ship goods all over the continent. The man who builds the first commercial railroad in Mexico will practically rule the country!”

  “That doesn’t seem to be a job with longevity,” Murdock observed wryly. “Mexico has a history of bloody revolution against its rulers.”

  “A puppet-head ruler would be valuable, with the real leader behind the scenes pulling his strings.” He leaned forward, hands clasped atop the silver head of his cane. “We could be the power behind the throne, make decent laws. But we won’t succeed if Díaz is not as amenable to American involvement as was Lerdo. The country is rampant with outlaws like Juan Cortina running loose, crossing the border at will to steal from American citizens.”

  “Yes, but Juan Cortina is in jail now, caught by the Texas Rangers and imprisoned for his crimes,” Murdock reminded.

  “You know as well as I do that the Mexican government won’t keep him there long. He’s as involved now in political schemes as he was when ‘free’ as an outlaw.” Brandon scowled and shook his head.

  “Díaz came to power as a champion of liberal principles such as municipal democracy and no reelection. But now that he has assumed the presidency it’s become clear his main concerns are internal stability and foreign investments. While I agree that a law-and-order program is desperately needed to counteract the depredations of the bandits, he has at least taken measures to put an end to the outlawry.”

  “The Rurales are nothing more than legalized bandits! Most of them were notorious outlaws themselves until Díaz drafted them into his paramilitary force.”

  “Perhaps, but you must admit that they are far better trained and paid than the reluctant men conscripted into the army by force. And if they were bandits, they know how to find the bandits.”

  “Yes.” Brandon looked up, suddenly alert. “They would certainly know how to find another notorious bandit. You’ve given me an idea, Sam.”

  Murdock’s eyes narrowed slightly.

  “I hope it’s not what I think it is. If you send men after Steve Morgan, he will come after you. Personally, I wouldn’t want to risk it. Besides, what of Virginia? Your daughter does not deserve to have her father hunt down her husband as if he were a criminal.”

  “Steve’s activities have not always been legal, and my daughter is far too well aware of that. She was warned. I begged her not to come to Mexico, to go back to England or at least stay in the United States. If she chose not to listen to me, then she will have to face the consequences, as the rest of us are forced to do on occasion.”

  “William, I cannot compel you to listen to me, but I will offer this advice. Don’t provoke Steve Morgan. He can be as dangerous as a tiger.”

  “Even
tigers can be caged, Sam.”

  “That’s true, but I’m not at all certain I’d want to be around if this particular tiger got loose.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind, Sam,” he said, a genial smile replacing his brief frown. “And you’re right, of course. It would be too awkward. Will you be in El Paso much longer?”

  “No, I’m just here checking on some of my cattle investments. The last Indian raid decimated a great deal of my herd. I’m thinking of moving the herd farther north for a while, to a friend’s ranch in New Mexico.”

  Conversation moved to cattle and the price of beef on the hoof at the markets. By the time Brandon left for his own hotel, he was fairly satisfied that Steve Morgan would not be a problem much longer.

  Prayers End—a cross between heaven and hell in Steve’s mind. He stood for a moment on the weathered boards of the depot platform. The hinged sign swung creakily in a constant wind that blew across flat, brush-studded plains. He didn’t know why he’d gotten off here, instead of riding on, going straight to Prendergast’s ranch.

  It was the same thing he’d done last time, gotten off too early because there was something about the place that had drawn him. In the morose frame of mind he’d been in then, it was probably the name of the town that had grabbed his attention.

  At that time the news of Ginny’s “death” was still fresh in his mind, and he’d been searching for relief from the haunting images of her that crowded his thoughts. It had been almost a relief to be confronted in the saloon where he’d gone for a drink, but it had turned out to be deadly for Jared Cady.

  He had made Elizabeth a widow that day, and his lover a month later.

  Striding across the platform, Steve’s boots made a loud hollow sound on the boards, a vibrating echo. The train huffed smoke into the air, belching steam and cinders like tiny red stars. Metallic groans and the heavy scrape of the baggage car door opening were followed by the snorting disapproval of his horse; stiff stalks of straw littered the tracks and ground as he persuaded the skittish horse from the car.