by Mike McNeff
I will be home as soon as I possibly can. Kiss the children for me.
Your loving husband,
Jasper
A tear splashed on to the paper. Oh, how I love that man. She smiled and she laid her head on her pillow, the letter held against her heart.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
STAN BARSTOW WAS LOST IN THOUGHT about the information Deputy Attorney General Rawley told him concerning the disappearance of the Nortons. He was surprised to see an agitated crowd in front of the Lowell Town marshal’s office. He pushed his horse through the crowd and slid off.
“What’s going on?” He worked his way through the door, stopping short as shock, despair and anger slammed into him all at once. Coy Jeffers, his young deputy, lay dead on the floor, shot in the back. He knelt and touched Coy’s body. He wanted to roll him over but knew for now he couldn’t. His fists clenched and he fought back tears.
“Over here, Marshal,” a voice said from one of the jail cells.
Stan slowly stood, walked back and saw Rich Delton’s body lying on his cot riddled with bullet holes. “Who did this?” Anger choked at the words.
No one spoke as he looked around, but Bernie Reinholdt looked back at him with knowing eyes.
“Stan, is that a US Marshal’s badge you’re wearing?” Warren Buck, a town council member asked.
“Yes, it is, Warren. I’m now the US Marshal for the territory.”
“Does that mean you can no longer be the town marshal?”
“No it doesn’t. I’ll explain to the council as soon as you call a meeting, but for now I’ll need everyone to clear the office so I can begin an investigation. Can you please get Doc Evanson over here? I’ll also need to talk to everyone who is here later.
“You bet, Stan,” Buck said and hurried out the door.
The crowd started filing out of the office, but Stan noticed Bernie hanging back.
“Bernie, can you help me for a minute?”
Bernie hesitated, but walked over to the desk.
“I get the feeling you want to tell me something.”
“I don’t know, Stan. I’m right nervous about this.”
“Bernie, if you know something, you need to tell me. They killed Coy, for God’s sake.”
“Will you keep it confidential?”
“As long as I can, but if there’s a trial you might have to testify.”
Bernie swallowed hard. “I saw them.”
“You saw the men who did this?”
“Yeah, and I’ve seen both of them before.”
“Where?”
“Right here in Lowell Town, the last time the governor came through. The same men are part of the group that ride with the governor when he goes on a campaign stump.”
“How did you remember them?”
“One of them gave my daughter Sally a dangerous look and I took notice of this face. He has a long, deep scar on the right side. The other one is a half-breed Mexican.”
Stan put his hand on Bernie’s shoulder. “Thanks. That’s very important information.”
Bernie’s eyes had the look of a rabbit being chased by a coyote.
“Bernie, I won’t tell anyone about this conversation unless we bring these men to trial. If that happens I’ll make sure you and your family are protected.”
Bernie nodded. “Okay, Stan, I trust you.”
“Thanks, Bernie.”
Buck brought Doc Evanson through the door of the office.
Doc looked at Coy’s body and let out a low, “Oh, my dear God.”
“Thanks for coming, Doc. I’m going to need your help with this investigation.”
“I’ll do whatever I can, Stan. I can’t believe they killed Coy. He was such a nice kid.”
“He was a good man,” Stan replied.
Doc simply nodded.
“I’m going to need you to establish the time of death and recover the bullets you can from both bodies.”
“Both bodies?!”
“Yeah, they killed my prisoner too.”
“Damn. Well then we’d better get to work.”
Jasper found the gang’s campsite and followed their trail. They were headed for Kentville. He guided Coal through the brush and trees in between the road and the Seneca River, keeping an eye out for any movement. He reined the stallion to a stop when the gang’s trail became confused and merged with the tracks of a wagon.
He listened and scanned the area for any movement...nothing. Jasper dismounted and walked Coal to the center of the road. Blood stained the dirt. His eyes traced the tracks of the wagon into a stand of trees on the left side of the road. He carefully followed the tracks until a wagon with no horse attached appeared.
A young man leaned motionless against the back of the seat, his open eyes staring up at the criss cross of branches. Jasper reached over and felt the man’s neck then shut the blank eyes. Whimpering from the back of the wagon interrupted Jasper’s short prayer. He walked to its side and saw a young woman who had been beaten, her blouse torn open, her skirt bunched around her waist exposing a naked lower torso. Blood stained her thighs.
Jasper retrieved his blanket and bandages from Coal. His jaw tightened as he climbed on to the wagon.
The woman turned her head toward him and screamed.
Jasper raised his open palms and said, “Easy, ma’am. I’m not going to hurt you. I want to get you to a doctor.”
Her eyes were filled with fear, but she nodded.
“My name’s Jasper, ma’am and I’m a married man with a family. You have no reason to fear me. I have a blanket to wrap you in, but first, Ma’am I got to try and stop the bleedin’ in between your legs.”
Her eyes grew larger.
“Ma’am, I’m just going to press these bandages there, that’s all.”
She slowly nodded.
He applied the bandages as gently as he could and then wrapped her in the blanket. The fear in her eyes lessened.
“My husband, Orrin?” She asked in a quiet, hoarse voice.
“I’m afraid he’s gone, ma’am.”
She quietly sobbed and tears flowed from her eyes.
“Ma’am, I have to ask you who did this?”
“Five men.” She wiped her hand across her face streaking the dirt covering her cheeks.
“Did one of them wear a black vest and a brown hat?”
She nodded, her eyes wide.
“And a big knife on his belt?”
“Yes.”
“I’m hunting these men for murdering some of my family and a young woman in Cassidy County.”
“Your wife and children?!”
“No, thank God. They killed my pa and my brothers.”
“I’m sorry.”
He looked at her sad eyes. “We’ll share sorrow.” Jasper stood. “Ma’am, I’m going to have to lay your husband back here.”
She nodded. “Can you put Orrin in my arms?”
“Uh, ma’am, that might not be such a pleasant thing to do.”
“I know, but I need to hold him.”
Jasper thought about what he would do if Gale died. “Yes, ma’am. I understand.”
Jasper lifted the body and moved it as gently as he could. He carefully laid the man next to his wife. She turned and put her arms around him. This act deeply touched Jasper.
“Thank you.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Please call me Beth.”
“All right, Beth. I’m going to hitch my horse to the wagon. I’ll try to make the ride as easy as I can, but I’ve got to get you to the doctor in Kentville.”
Beth nodded.
Jasper tried his best to keep the ride as smooth as possible but he could hear Beth whimper in pain, though he didn’t know if her cries were from pain or from sorrow. After some time he stopped to check on the bleeding between her legs, a task painfully uncomfortable for him.
“Don’t be embarrassed, Jasper. I know you’re only tryin’ to take care of me.”
He looked at her ivory pale
face. “I can’t help it, ma’am. I’m respectful of womankind.” He moved the makeshift bandage which was soaked in blood. “Beth, I can’t stop the bleedin’ because it’s from the inside. I have to go faster. We need to get you to the doctor.”
Beth grimaced. “All right.”
Jasper jumped onto the wagon seat and urged Coal on.
Kent County Deputy Sheriff, Mac Twittle, stood motionless in thick bushes looking at the man in the wagon. He recognized Jasper Lee from the wanted posters he’d tacked up outside the sheriff’s office the day before. The wagon stopped on the road just after Twittle relieved himself. For an instant Twittle toyed with the idea of trying to take Lee by himself, but he knew that would mean a quick death. Besides, the sheriff said Lee needed to be taken alive. The governor wanted him to stand trial. He decided the best thing to do was to follow Lee and then find help.
Dusk was crawling over the land by the time Jasper neared Kentville. He had thrown his usual caution to the wind for Beth’s sake, but her muted agony still tore his heart out. Because of what Harry told him about the governor’s men looking for him he knew he couldn’t just drive the wagon down main street, so he pulled Coal to a stop and turned to Beth. His heart stopped. She looked dead.
“Beth?”
Her eyes fluttered open. “I’m still here, Jasper.” Her words were barely loud enough to reach his ears.
“We’re just outside of Kentville. Do you know a doctor here?”
“Yes, I go to Doctor Scoville.”
“It’s late so we better go to his house.”
“His office is in his house. It’s the big white one on the east edge of town. Just keep to the east and you’ll see it.”
A quarter mile passed before Jasper spotted the house. He pulled up and the sign read, “Dr. Amos Scoville and Family.” He jumped off the wagon, banged on the door with his fist. A commotion and loud voices sounded from within. The door opened and a tall, older man with a kind face appeared.
“Doctor Scoville?”
“Yes, what’s the problem?”
“I brought a woman who’s in a real bad way. I found her and her husband on the wagon road. Her husband’s been murdered and she’s been beaten and violated.”
The doctor pushed by Jasper. “Who is she?”
“I just know her by Beth.”
“Oh my God! Beth Harris!” The doctor sprinted to the wagon and climbed on. He knelt by Beth’s head, gently moving her husband’s body. “Beth,” he whispered. “It’s me Doctor Scoville.”
Beth’s hand reached up and grasped the doctor’s arm. “Thank God,” she said.
The doctor turned to Jasper. “Help me get her inside.”
A woman in a long dressing gown came outside. “Amos! What’s the matter?”
“It’s Beth Harris, Doris. Get the long care room ready.”
“Oh, my dear.” Doris hurried off.
Jasper and the doctor carried Beth into the house and laid her on a bed in a room in the back of the house.
“When did you find her?” Doctor Scoville asked.
“About three hours ago. I tried to stop the bleedin’, but I’m afraid it’s comin’ from the inside.”
Doris came in with instruments and hot water
“All right,” the doctor said. He pulled on a sleeved apron and tied the strings at his waist. “Please wait outside. I’ll need to ask you some more questions in a while.”
Jasper turned to step out, but Beth grabbed his hand.
“Thank you for taking care of me, Jasper.” Her voice was a breathless whisper.
“I’m glad I found you, Beth.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
STAN BARSTOW WATCHED Doc Evanson rinse the flesh and blood off the bullets he’d dug out of the bodies of Deputy Coy Jeffers and the prisoner, Rich Delton. He lifted the metal tray and examined the lead slugs.
“The bullets that came out of Delton’s body are .44-40 caliber. A pretty common round. The slugs that came out of Coy’s body are .41 Remington. Not a common round. Not common at all.”
“How do you know this stuff, Stan?”
“Just like you know medicine, I know crime and the tools used to commit crimes.”
“What are you gonna do now?”
“I’m going to go home, have some dinner and get a good night’s sleep. Then I’ll leave for Fort Hurley early in the morning, get some warrants and head to Kentville.”
“You’d better be careful there, Stan. These killers obviously targeted Delton. That probably means more than just the two of them are involved.”
Stan nodded. “I know. I’ll be careful.”
Jasper paced back and forth in the Scoville’s living room. The doctor had been working on Beth for almost two hours. Fury kept building in Jasper making him hell bent on killing the men who did this to her. They had killed seven people and raped five women that he knew of. They were dangerous and needed to be scrubbed from this Earth.
The door to Beth’s room opened and Doctor Scoville came out. He looked exhausted.
“How is she, Doc?”
“I don’t know if she’s going to make it. She’s lost so much blood, it’s going to be close.”
“But you did get the bleedin’ stopped, didn’t you?”
Scoville looked at Jasper with narrowing eyes. “Yes, I did. I had to perform surgery on her, but I got the bleeding stopped and repaired her injuries. But I have a question for you.”
“What’s that?”
“You’re Jasper Lee aren’t you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why does an outlaw like you care about a lady like Beth?”
“Outlaw? What are you talking about? I’m no outlaw.”
“Somebody thinks you are. There are posters all over town saying you’re wanted for the murder of thirteen men.”
Jasper felt his temples pounding. “I might have killed thirteen men but they were part of the gang that murdered my pa and brothers in cold blood then raped and tortured an innocent young woman to death in Cassidy County. They murdered two people and raped two women in Indian Country and did this to Beth. I’m no outlaw, Doctor, but I’m damn sure the man whose going to bring these scum to natural justice and wipe them off the face of the earth.” Jasper found himself breathing hard.
“Are you talking about that scoundrel Bart Moore and his gang?”
“Yes, sir. I figure there’s five of them left and those five killed Beth’s husband and attacked her. I believe they’re here in Kentville now.”
“Do they know you brought Beth here?”
“No, sir.”
“Well, Mr. Lee, if you want my advice you’ll get out of town. Bart Moore is the governor’s nephew and Cornell Norris is not about to let you or anyone else hurt him. I suspect he’s the one behind the warrant for your arrest. They know you’re coming and just put the posters up around here. If they catch you, you’ll hang.”
“I’ve never run from anything and I’m not startin’ now. I’m going to stay out on the edge of town until I figure out where Moore and his gang are and then I’ll make my move.”
“I believe you’re going to find yourself vastly outnumbered in more ways than one. This town, this county and most of the territory are owned by Governor Norris. You’re asking for trouble, but it’s your funeral, Mr. Lee.”
“Thank you for the advice, Doctor, but I don’t think the Governor owns as much of this territory he thinks he does. Now, I have a question for you.”
“What’s that?”
“With Beth’s husband dead is she going to have enough money to recover?”
“Probably not. They had a small ranch outside of town a ways but they were just getting started. It’s not worth much, but don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her.”
Jasper pulled a poke out his pocket, retrieved two twenty dollar gold coins and handed them to the doctor. “This should help her out a little.”
“You don’t have to do this, Mr. Lee. We’ll take care of her.”
“She’s a brave and tough young lady who loved her husband. I think everyone should help her. I’m just doing my part. You’ll take care of her husband?”
The doctor nodded.
Jasper picked up his hat and headed for the door.
“Mr. Lee...Jasper...”
Jasper half turned and looked at the doctor. “Yes, sir?”
“Beth was pregnant. I couldn’t save the baby.”
Jasper turned to the door, pulling his hat down hard onto his forehead.
The night air felt cool as he headed for Coal. The thought of Beth’s loss brought up the tears his father had taught him not to cry. He unhitched Coal and rode around the outskirts of Kentville getting a feel for the town and looking for any trace of Moore and his gang. He heard the sound of a saloon piano and the buzz of men enjoying themselves. He eased closer.
His eye caught movement in the shadows to his left. As he turned to get a better look he heard boots to his right and rear. Jasper reached for his guns.
“This is the Sheriff, Lee. You’re surrounded. Don’t move or you’ll die.”
He heard several guns cock and realized there were more men than he could see.
“Raise your hands high.”
Jasper complied.
“Dismount slow and easy, Lee, or the first thing we’ll shoot is your fine lookin’ horse.”
Jasper lifted his left leg over the saddle horn and slid off Coal on the right side. Men rushed forward and grabbed his arms, taking his gun belt and Bowie knife. His hands were manacled behind his back.
Coal snorted and did a jittery dance. “Easy, Coal...easy, boy,” Jasper said.
“Well, mister gunfighter, I’m Sheriff Morey Lock and it looks like we got the bulge on you,” the sheriff chortled.
A short plump deputy walked up to the sheriff. “That’s mighty fine horse flesh ya got there, Lee. Hey, Sheriff, since Lee won’t be needin’ his horse no more how about lettin’ me have him as a bonus for findin’ him?”
“Have at it, Mac.”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Jasper said in a low voice.
“Well, you’re not me, Lee, so you can go to hell.” The deputy stepped to Coal and put his foot in the stirrup. He swung his leg over the saddle and started to settle in...Coal exploded.
