The Marshal of Denver

by Judge Rodriguez

  She looks at him again, this time accusingly. He sees her crying. “Why did you forget me? Why?!” she demands.

  John gasps as he feels a stab of pain in his heart. Tears now streaming down his cheeks, he doubles over in his loneliness.

  He looks up and sees that she’s gone. He yells hoarsely, “Why are you doing this to me?” He looks around and sees the fiddle-back spider sitting on the dresser once again, just looking at him. “What? What is it you want from me?”

  The spider raises its two front legs in recognition, then turns and leaves. John is stunned. Did it just just acknowledge me?

  He gets up and pours water into the basin from the pitcher. He starts washing his face. He scrubs hard, trying to get the image of Liz out of his eyes. John’s heart beats in his ears so hard, he barely hears a knock on the door, and the sound of his name being called.

  “John? John? Are you alright?”

  John, hearing his name called out in a young voice, goes to the door and answers it.

  Standing there, is Joey. Her hair is pulled back, her black clothing concealing her femininity in an attractive fashion.

  John’s face is dripping with soap, water, and tears. He doesn’t know what to say, so he steps aside and lets the young woman into his room.

  The look on Joey’s face is a curious concern as she enters.

  John rinses the soap off his face. He picks up the towel, shakes it out and dries his face with it. He turns and sees Joey sitting on the edge of his bed and watches him.

  She shifts in place, uncomfortable to be sitting on the bed in a man’s room. She looks the older man in the face. “I heard you yelling. Now this, are you okay?”

  John looks at her a moment, then answers, “I keep seeing things in my dreams.”

  Joey studies him for another long moment. “You wake up yelling because you’re having bad dreams?”

  John nods. “I haven’t gotten a decent nights sleep for quite awhile now.”

  Joey looks away for a moment and says, “My pa told me about having bad dreams like that. That was before he surrendered his life to Jesus, though.”

  John shifts his feet uncomfortably.

  Joey looks at him shrewdly. “You haven’t accepted Christ into your heart yet, have you?”

  John shakes his head. In frustration, he demands, “How can people put such store in that fairy tale?”

  She studies his face a moment. “How can I not? Why do you ask?”

  “You are just the latest in a very long line starting with Liz.”

  “Who’s Liz?”

  John spends the next half hour describing Liz and their relationship. Halfway through it, he seats himself on the edge of the bed. At first, Joey seems uncomfortable, but finally resolves herself to being open to listening to the older man.

  Just as he is finishing, John looks out the window. First light. He sighs and says, “Now you know why I don’t like the restrictions Christianity puts on people.”

  Joey sits there quietly for a moment. “I think that she obviously loved you very much, and that making that decision cost her more than you can imagine.”

  John stares out the window for several minutes. Finally, he says, “I think, that we need to go to breakfast. Otherwise, neither one of us will get everything done today that needs be completed.”

  Joey nods in agreement, rises, cracks the door open to check the hall, and sneaks out it, quietly closing it behind her.

  John sits there a moment marveling at how quickly things change in life. He shakes the thoughts out of his head and starts getting ready for the day. He grabs the money he had hidden and the depositions before heading for the door.

  He knocks on David’s door.

  David opens the door with his shirt off, holding a towel to his face. He guesses, “Breakfast?”

  “Yeah. How long ‘til you’re done?”

  “Just a second.” David closes the door.

  John hears a door close down the hall, turns, and sees Joey coming out of her room. She is dressed just like before, all black clothing, duster, and hat.

  As she walks up to John, David opens his door, completely dressed and ready for the day. He nods and says, “Marshals,” as a way of greeting. All three troop downstairs to the dining room and are seated by Laura Mallory.

  Joey looks at the older woman and asks, “Are you Sean’s mother?”

  She nods and replies, “I kin git ya most o’ ma recipes, later, after break-fast. Are ya feelin any better t’his mornin’, Marshal?”

  Joey looks up at her and says, “Yes, ma’am. All I really needed was a good night’s sleep.”

  “Ya youngin’s dunnae appreciate tha value of takin’ a day o’ rest. T’hat’s tha reason tha Good Lord required His chosen ta do jus’ t’hat.”

  Joey mutters under her breath, “Don’t I know it.” She looks up at the older woman and says in her masculine voice, “I know, ma’am. Good Lord willin’, I will be able to rest for a few weeks, once we get these prisoners up to Guthrie.”

  “I kin tell ya, there’s gonna be somet’hin’ t’hat will come up. Always does, but I have ta ya abou’ it, t’hat’s tha best I kin do. I should have t’hose recipes ready for ya by lunch. If’n ya still wa’em.”

  Joey nods. “Absolutely. I will be coming back by at the least, so I can get them then. Thank you.”

  Laura smiles and says, “Ma pleasure. I always love ta see young people wan’ ta learn tha old arts.”

  Joey’s smile is beatific.

  Laura says, “So, wha’ kin I git ya folks?”

  John orders the fried potatoes, David the biscuits and gravy, and Joey an omelet with a biscuit.

  The older lady nods and steps away from the table. She returns a minute later with two cups of coffee and a cup of hot water. When she approaches the table, she looks at Joey curiously while handing her the hot water.

  Joey grins mischeviously and pulls out her chocolate powder, spooning some into the water.

  Laura’s expression is amazed. She asks, “May I see some of t’hat?” Joey nods and hands the older woman the hot chocolate. Laura looks at the cup, sniffs it, then sips at it. She gasps in delight and asks, “Where did ya get t’his heavenly con-coction?”

  “You can get it from the local mercantile. Most carry it, if they don’t, they should know where to get it for you.”

  “I t’hink I will do t’hat. T’hank ya.” She sets the cup down, turns and leaves to go back to the kitchens.

  John asks Joey, “So, how long do you think doing our depositions will take?” He holds up the numerous sheets of paper.

  Joey looks thoughtful for a moment, then says, “It depends on how long it takes you to read your reports out loud.”

  “Oh, boy. That means it’s gonna be awhile, then,” David replies, sardonically.

  Joey flashes him a smile at the statement. “Well, the statements have to be read aloud, and signed in front of the officers of the court.”

  John nods. “Let’s hope we can get it started early enough to not have to waste all day doing it.”

  Joey nods. “Judge Logan said something about starting around eight o’clock.”

  John looks at the clock on the wall. A quarter to seven. “Huh, should be enough time to eat then head over.”

  Joey asks, “Think the livery will rent me a mount?”

  “We can find out.” John shrugs. “Honestly, I don’t know if Paul will have any, or not.”

  Just then, Sean walks up with a tray full of plates. He sets them down and asks Joey, “And how are ya feelin’ t’his morn’, Marshal?”

  Joey nods and says, “Much better now that I have gotten a full night’s rest. Thank you again for the milk last night.”

  Sean nods and allows David to say the blessing out loud for the food, his “Amen” being echoed by both Sean and Joey. John just rolls his eyes.

  All three set to on their food as if half-starved. The sumptuous food is plentiful and rich in taste. John is glad he isn’t being judg
ed on his table manners by anyone. He is also just as glad his tables-mates are not disgusting eaters, either.

  They spend the next half hour cleaning their plates of each delicious morsel.

  John spends several minutes relaxing, allowing the rejuvenating feeling of the food to spread throughout his body. John glances around the table. His two table-mates have the same type of self-satisfied look on their faces. “You two look like cats that have found the cream.”

  David leans back, sighing contentedly and Joey lets out a small burp.

  John chuckles and pushes his chair back, standing. He clears his throat meaningfully. David nods and stands. Joey does the same.

  Sean walks up, offering each person a chalky candy. He says, “T’hese are preddy in’tense, but I t’hink ya will like ‘em. T’hey are called Owl-toids.”

  Joey puts hers in her mouth. Biting down noisily, she breathes in sharply. She coughs a little bit, and says apologetically, “Sharp.”

  John takes a quick look at his, then hands it to Joey.

  David chuckles as he puts his in his mouth and almost immediately starts coughing. Joey laughs quietly.

  John looks at Sean’s questioning look. “Sorry, just not that brave.”

  Sean nods and grins his understanding.

  The three of them go from the hotel to the livery which has just opened.

  Paul comes out from the back of the stable and takes one look at the trio. He nods and asks, “Need yer mounts?”

  John nods and asks, “Can we rent another? The marshal needs to get one for the day, if possible.”

  Paul looks in the back a moment, strokes his jaw in thought then seems to size up Joey. “Yeah, I got one. Pretty sure he can ride good old Cleo. He’s small enough to, at least. Just a minute. Let me go get her.” He comes back a few minutes later, leading the three horses. The smallest of them is a shade bigger than a donkey. Paul says, “She’s a little old, a little small, but she’s sound and stable.”

  “How much?” Joey asks.

  “No charge. She needs the exercise any way. Just be kind to her, she’ll be great to you.” He hands her an apple slice.

  Joey nods, takes the slice and approaches the small horse slowly. She pats the gray mare gently, feeding her the slice of apple. John is impressed to see how the young marshal handles a new animal. She has obviously had a lot of experience with horses.

  Paul says quietly, “She’s a Persian. Smart as a whip, athletic, like no other. She’s just a bit temperamental. She’s bred for battle, and knows it.”

  The three riders mount and slowly ride for the garrison. In less than half an hour, they are entering through the gate to the cavalry fort.

  Chapter 48

  They are met at the gate by Lt. Guthrie, who, in his deep voice says, “Welcome Marshals, Doctor. The judge is already here. He’s just been waiting for your arrival is all.”

  John looks at the lieutenant curiously.

  Guthrie catches the look and smiles, “Captain Logan enjoyed having his father stay with him here in the garrison last night.”

  “Oh. Where’s this shindig going to be held?” John asks politely.

  “The commander’s office. There only needs to be a few people present to witness it, so, it was decided to have it in there.”

  John looks at Joey, then David, they each nod. John looks at Lt. Guthrie again. “Let’s get to it, then.”

  Lt. Guthrie leads the way to the commander’s office, which is in a building right next to Capt. Richards’ quarters. The building is about twice the size of the officer’s mess, on the other side of the courtyard.

  Lt. Guthrie shows Joey in first, then moments later, John and David. After they enter the office, the lieutenant joins the officers at the table, with several cavalry officers. This setup reminds John of the last time he stood in front of the Council of Chiefs. There are three tables turned into an inverted u. Judge Logan, Joey and Lyttle sit at the table facing the door. Capt Richards, Lt. Guthrie, and Lt. Woodson sit at the table to the right of the door. Capt. Logan is sitting next to two lieutenants at the table to the left side of the door.

  Judge Logan bangs the gavel on the table, announces the pair of men that just came in the door, and explains why they have gathered. He swears the two men in, then motions to a corporal standing guard by the door to move two chairs forward.

  After they are seated, the judge stands and says, “Now that we are a little more comfortable, let us have some refreshments and begin.” Each person seated is given a cup of coffee and a glass of water. The judge seats himself once again, and motions to the two men seated in front of him. “I will let the two of you figure out who gets to go first.”

  John motions to David, who stands and begins reading his account of things. John has experienced a part of this, but is surprised at the astuteness of his young friend’s observations.

  David describes how he and Rebekah first settled in the town of White. He talks about the numerous attacks by the claim jumpers, and how he had more patients than he could handle. He describes how there was a girl that wasn’t even the first, or last, but one of numerous patients he had to help due to being claim-jumped. He continues speaking for the better part of two and a half hours, describing the attacks in and around Denver, finishing off with the attack at the south creek. David’s glass is refilled twice during his narration. His voice, normally smooth, is rough from the constant talking. Once he finishes, Judge Logan motions David forward, provides a quill and well. David signs and dates the document. Logan signs and dates it, then Lyttle, then Joey. She hands the document back to the judge, who then puts it in his folder. After the signing is completed, David sits back down.

  John clears his throat and stands. He starts reading from his report. The reading doesn’t quite take as long as he thought it would. His statement starts with the first meeting with Jacobson, covers everything that has happened since, up to the revelation of Nancy-Boy Croix. He takes a few sips of water every few minutes. His glass of water gets refilled several times, but he doesn’t keep count. His statement keeps out his personal observations, just sticks to the facts, events, and actions.

  As he describes the capture of the prisoners, he hears the murmur of approval over his interrogation technique. Joey’s gaze narrows, but Judge Logan looks on with approval. Lyttle leans over and says something to the older man, who nods in response.

  All in all, it only takes John about an hour and a half to read the entirety of his statement. Like before, the judge motions the witness forward, has him sign and date, then follows up with the same process of signing as before.

  The judge looks at the clock on the wall. He bangs his gavel and declares that the trial will be held on October Twenty-First. He impresses on the witnesses the need for them to testify as the case against their prisoners will hinge on their testimony.

  John sighs. Three months. He has to come back in three months to testify. He looks at the clock. A quarter ‘til noon. No wonder his stomach has been rumbling for the last half hour.

  The judge bangs his gavel again and declares the proceedings at an end. The officers rise from their positions and the lieutenants leave.

  Capt. Logan steps over to and starts talking to his father.

  Capt. Richards steps up to and begins speaking to Joey.

  Lyttle crosses in front of the tables and approaches John.

  “You know, you really did stir up a hornet’s nest, John,” the lawman says.

  “How do you mean?” John asks in a non-committal tone.

  “Daniel Jacobson. He’s trying, still, to get the both of you charged with murder, squatting, cattle-rustling, theft, and armed-robbery.” He shrugs his shoulders. “Your testimony today helps me get the law off our backs, but you are gonna have to make sure to testify at the trial. Not only will the prisoners have to be released, but charges will be leveled against you as well, if you don’t.”

  John sighs once more. “So, if I don’t show up to testify, I immediately become
a fugitive, is that it?”

  “You both do.”

  David, having overheard the conversation, steps up. “Are we ever going to be rid of the trouble from that family?”

  “I doubt it. The thing is, they have family in Guthrie as well. That part of the family is pushing for charges to be filed against you both.”

  David whistles low. “Guess this means we have to come back in about three months, then. At least we have things to get done with between now and then.”

  Lyttle nods. “Well, I’m hungry. I say we get a bite of that wonderful Irish food. The court will pay for it, so let’s indulge ourselves, shall we?”

  John nods and smiles. He steps over to Richards and Joey. “We are thinking of having some lunch at the hotel. Would you like to join us, Captain? Marshal?”

  The captain nods and Joey says, “Yes, please. I hope Laura was able to get those recipes down.”

  John steps over to the Logans. “Your honor, captain, we were looking at having a bite to eat over at the hotel. Would you gentlemen care to join us?”

  Judge Logan looks at his son, nods and then responds, “I think we will at that. Even though Capt. Richards has a wonderful chef, I would like to try some non-military fare, here in Norman.”

  Capt. Logan nods. “I haven’t had anything outside of here, since I arrived about a month ago. I’ve hardly left the compound, except as liaison of the army to the civilians.”

  John motions to Capt. Richards. “I think Judge Logan will need to borrow a mount to go to lunch with us, unless you would like for him to use a carriage, that is.”

  Capt. Richards looks at the judge a moment, then replies, “I think he should decide.”

  Judge Logan, having heard the comments, smiles and says in an affronted tone, “A horse will be fine. I’m not so old I can’t ride a horse or anything.”

  Capt. Richards smiles again and says, “Yes, your honor. I will be thrilled to loan you one of our mounts. Corporal Jackson, would you see to it?”

  The corporal salutes and leaves.

  Capt. Richards raises his voice and says, “Gentlemen, if you wouldn’t mind, we are going to be leaving for lunch. If you will follow me, please?”