by Steven Grey
‘You really expect me to just let Steadman go?’ he said incredulously. ‘What is it? You take me for a fool? Just because you think I’m wounded and unable—’
‘No,’ Cobb interrupted. ‘I don’t expect you to just let Tom go.’
‘But you want me to agree to you taking him off some place so he can’t be hanged. Ain’t that the same thing?’
‘No.’
‘He’ll go free….’
‘That’s not what I mean,’ Cobb said, as patiently as he could. ‘Shut up and listen.’
Jackson frowned at the other man. ‘Go on then, tell me all about this brilliant idea of yours.’
‘I believe there’s enough evidence to show that Tom is innocent and the Drake brothers are guilty. Don’t you?’
No reply.
‘And I’m sure that once he hears what I have to say, Judge Bowyer will agree and order a new trial.’
‘And supposing he doesn’t?’
‘Then Tom will have to face the hangman. The same as he will if a second trial goes against him.’ Cobb sounded as if neither possibility was likely. ‘But look at what I’ve uncovered. The Drakes want Bannister’s land, they sent two men out to the railroad halt to kill me. Reggie Drake tried to shoot Tom last night. Doesn’t all that sound suspicious to you?’
‘Of course it does. Don’t make me out to be stupid. I’ve already said I agree with you. More or less. But there’s no proof.’
‘That’s what I need the time to get.’
Jackson went on as if Cobb hadn’t spoken, ‘And it seems wrong to set Steadman free after he’s been found guilty and sentenced in a proper court of law.’
‘That was then, before this other evidence, these doubts, turned up. Do you really want an innocent man to go to the gallows? Can you live with yourself if you allow that to happen?’
‘No,’ Jackson admitted unhappily.
‘All I’m asking is that the judge be given the chance to look at the evidence and make a decision one way or the other, which he won’t be able to do if Tom is hanged tomorrow. According to you Bowyer’s a good man and a better judge, so don’t you think he’ll agree?’
‘I don’t know….’
‘Look, Owen, I’m not trying to take advantage of you or do you down in any way. I promise to stay with Tom and not let him out of my sight. And I promise to bring him back here if things go against him. I’ve already spoken to Tom and told him the same. He agrees. He won’t try anything stupid. He knows this is his last chance, his only chance, and he wants to take it. I don’t think you’d be pleased with yourself if you denied it to him.’
Jackson sighed again. He didn’t like this. It went against his every instinct as a lawman but at the same time he thought Cobb was right. And he felt sure he could trust Cobb and what he said.
‘OK,’ he agreed at last. ‘But you’ll have to wait until tonight when it’s dark and no one’s around to see you.’
‘All right. I agree.’
‘Maybe in the meantime you’ll get a reply from Bowyer.’ Jackson rubbed a hand over his face. ‘God! How the hell am I going to explain any of this to the town council, or to the judge? I’ll probably be strung up in Steadman’s place!’
‘I’ll take full responsibility.’
Although Cobb spoke confidently, he really wasn’t any too sure how he was going to explain his actions to Mr Bellington or how his employer would react; hopefully he’d approve. But Cobb knew that would happen only if he was right and Steadman was proved innocent! He was going out on a limb for the man and his job, like Jackson’s, was on the line.
‘And I don’t want you going far. I want you nearby.’
Cobb nodded in agreement. ‘Any idea where I can hole up? It shouldn’t be for long.’
Jackson thought for a moment or two. ‘There’s a line cabin out on Rowlands’ land, near Simmons Creek. As far as I’m aware it’s seldom used these days so no one is likely to come by. It’s only a couple of hours’ ride away. Steadman will know where it is. You should be safe enough there. But you’d best take some supplies with you because I doubt if any will’ve been left there.’
‘I’ll do that.’
‘And, Mr Cobb, your assistant, Neil, stays here with me.’
‘Agreed.’ Cobb tried not to grin, wondering how Neil would take to being a hostage.
‘He can help me when things get heated up as they will when everyone finds Steadman has gone and they’re being denied a hanging. Hell! I can’t believe I’m doing this!’
‘It’s the right thing to do. You know it is.’
‘And you’d also better start to gather together proof that’ll stand up in court.’
Cobb thought that was a good idea. But how?
‘You did what!’ Allan Drake exploded. ‘You fool!’
Reggie looked sulky. He hadn’t intended to tell Allan about his failed attempted killing of Tom Steadman but his brother was bound to find out. Better hear of it from Reggie than from someone else. He’d thought about trying to deny he was responsible but Allan had a way of worming the truth out of him.
‘It seemed like a good idea at the time. It would’ve been a good idea if it had worked.’
Allan stood up as if he was too irritated with Reggie to remain sitting down. ‘But your ideas never do work, do they? Especially when you act alone without telling me. You never think things through properly.’
‘That ain’t fair.’ Reggie looked and sounded sullen. To his annoyance Allan still had the ability to make him feel like a small boy.
‘You always make a mess of things.’
Reggie said no more. The trouble was Allan was right. ‘It’s OK, no one saw me. I got clean away.’
He decided not to say anything about talking to Amy Mallory when he arrived in Newberry. He couldn’t keep his mouth shut and more than once Allan had threatened to shut it for him; this might be one of those occasions when he carried out his threat.
‘I hope you’re right.’ Allan flopped down in his chair so he could finish his breakfast. ‘I guess you must be or else the law would’ve been out here by now asking damn fool questions.’ He picked up his knife and fork. ‘Reggie, I don’t like any of this. That detective, Cobb, already suspects us….’
‘Cobb!’ Reggie snorted, regaining some of his cockiness now his brother’s anger was fading. ‘Anyway, Steadman will be hanged tomorrow and the matter forgotten. Cobb will have to go back to wherever he came from and not be any the wiser.’
‘Yeah, hopefully.’
Reggie poured out more coffee for both of them and then gathered up the plates stacking them in the sink. ‘Allan, we are going in for the hanging, ain’t we?’
‘Try and keep me away! I want to see that sonofabitch hanged for the way he talked down to us just because Rowlands didn’t like us. As if he believed he, the Association’s damn detective, was more important than us, two of the Association’s best ranchers.’
‘And for the way Amy Mallory preferred him,’ Reggie added, with a spiteful grin.
Allan scowled and said nothing. He kept telling himself that tomorrow would soon be here. Surely nothing could go wrong between now and then.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
To Cobb’s relief nothing happened during the day to make Jackson change his mind.
People – ranchers, cowboys, farmers and their families – did start to arrive for the hanging and soon the hotel and boarding-houses were full up. Some of Newberry’s citizens decided to take advantage of the situation by letting out a spare bedroom, or even their own bed, to the sightseers and charging exorbitant amounts. Cobb was fearful that Jackson would decide he couldn’t face their wrath when they found Steadman had gone, especially as no message came over the telegraph from Judge Bowyer, but he didn’t.
It was a long day for them all but thankfully at long last the stores closed, most people went home and the rest wandered down to the red-light district, which was doing a roaring trade. The plaza was quiet and dark.
Stead
man had said he wouldn’t leave unless Amy and Greg Mallory were told of the plan, as he didn’t want Amy to worry unnecessarily. Greg was to bring two horses to the back of the jailhouse out of anyone’s view, for the back of the jail wasn’t overlooked. While they waited, Cobb took Neil to one side.
‘Be careful,’ he warned. ‘And keep your eyes open. I’m expecting the Drake brothers to come to town for the hanging, everyone else has and it wouldn’t look natural if they didn’t. And they’ll want to make sure he is hanged. Watch for their reaction when they realize Steadman has been spirited away. I’m not sure if they know you came to town with me but keep out of their way so they can’t ask you any questions or threaten you. Let Jackson do any talking to them and to everyone else.’
‘OK,’ Neil agreed readily. ‘How long will you be gone?’
‘Only until there’s a reply from the judge. Although if he does come back to hear what I’ve found out, I might keep Tom out of the way until Bowyer actually arrives. Perhaps until he agrees to a new trial.’
‘You think the Drakes might try to shoot Steadman even if the judge agrees with you?’
‘Maybe. Who knows? And whatever the judge decides it wouldn’t do Tom much good if he’d already been shot by the Drakes! And, Neil, look out for Amy. If the Drakes were willing to blacken her name for reasons of their own they might be willing to use her to try to get at Tom.’
Neil nodded. He began to think he was going to have a lot to do, was being given a lot of responsibilities, and he hoped the judge would soon send a reply so Cobb could come back to deal with everything.
At that moment, Greg Mallory slipped in through the door. ‘Horses are here,’ he said gruffly. ‘Supplies too.’
‘Is anyone around?’ Jackson asked, then realizing it was unlikely Greg would say any more he went to the door and peered out. He looked up and down the street; there was no movement. He handed the keys of the cell to Cobb. ‘Get Steadman while I keep watch.’
‘Good luck,’ Neil said.
‘You too.’ Cobb went through to the cells. ‘Tom, you ready?’
‘Yeah.’ Steadman joined him. ‘Do I get a gun?’
‘No. Don’t push your luck. Come on.’
Jackson beckoned to them. ‘It’s OK.’
As soon as Cobb and Steadman were outside, Jackson closed the door behind them so they were in darkness.
‘This way.’ Cobb pushed Steadman in front of him. For a moment he had a fear that Jackson might have set them up, would have men in place to shoot Steadman for trying to escape and him for helping. But nothing happened.
Not rushing, bending low, the two men kept close to the jailhouse wall. They walked through the yard beneath the shadow of the gallows to the back. The two horses waited there. Cobb let out a sigh of relief.
‘It might be taking us out of our way a bit but we’ll leave Newberry by the business district,’ he said, for that too would be shut up for the night and no one around to spot them.
‘Good idea,’ Steadman agreed. ‘We can circle round once we get out of town. I know the way.’
Slowly they rode toward the plaza. As they got there a couple of cowboys passed by on the other side of the road. They resisted the temptation to put spurs to the horses’ sides and gallop away. Thankfully the cowboys took no notice. No one else saw them, no lights were suddenly lit, there were no shouts of discovery or alarm. They were free and clear.
‘They’re away,’ Neil said, from where he was peeking out of the window.
‘Thank God.’
To their surprise Mallory suddenly spoke up, ‘I hope no harm comes to Amy through this.’
‘It won’t,’ Jackson promised. ‘I’ll make sure of that.’
Greg nodded and left.
‘Now what?’ Neil asked.
‘We wait. Sparks is walking round the saloons, keeping an eye on things down there, while I sit in here and pretend I’m still guarding Steadman. God,’ Jackson wiped a hand over his face, ‘I just hope I’ve done right.’
‘I’m sure you have. Mr Cobb wouldn’t have suggested it if he hadn’t thought it was the proper thing to do.’
‘There don’t seem any need for you to be here as well, Neil, you might as well go back to Mrs Penrose’s and get a good night’s sleep.’
Neil was only too pleased about that. He had no wish to spend another night in the jail, even if it was in the office rather than the cells.
‘If there’s any trouble I’ll come running.’
‘And be here early tomorrow morning. The hanging is set for ten o’clock and that’s when I’ll need help.’
‘Ain’t no one coming after us,’ Steadman said.
Cobb agreed. He’d looked over his shoulder several times but there was no pursuit.
‘Won’t take us long to get to the line shack. No one will think to look for us there. Zac, what happens now? Will you just wait for the judge’s reply and hope what you’ve found out will be enough to convince him of my innocence?’ He paused. ‘Will it be enough?’
‘I doubt he’ll just accept my word, he’ll want proof that’ll stand up in court.’ Might as well admit that.
‘So, how are you going to find the necessary evidence? I must admit I can’t think of any way.’
‘I’m hoping that when the Drakes realize you’ve given them the slip they’ll give themselves away by doing something stupid.’
‘From what I hear Reggie has got quite a temper on him and is likely to act rashly once he learns he’s been thwarted.’ Steadman looked across at Cobb. ‘I hope you ain’t put anyone’s life at risk by this.’
So did Cobb and he thought, again, that he was worried about leaving Neil in Newberry. Marshal Jackson was a good man but would he be able to handle the Drakes? ‘What else was there to do?’
Steadman shrugged. ‘Nothing I guess. Zac, there’s one thing that’s puzzling me.’
‘What’s that?’
‘I can understand the Drakes causing trouble between the ranchers and the farmers in order to further their ambitions. And when that wasn’t working fast enough for ’em shooting Bannister in order to steal his land and his water. I can understand them putting the blame on me. I was the obvious scapegoat and it probably suited them to have someone to blame rather than let Jackson search for the real culprit. After all he might well have come up with the truth.’
‘But?’ Cobb knew what Steadman was going to say.
‘Yeah, but. What I can’t understand is why spread lies about Amy and Bannister and me being jealous. OK, it gave me another reason to shoot Bannister, but the fact I was the Association’s detective and they got two of their men to lie about having seen me in the area at the time of the killing, the same two who tried to kill you and Neil, would probably have been enough to get me convicted. So why bring Amy into it?’
‘That’s been puzzling me too.’
‘It just seems so unnecessary. Nothing to do with the rest of it. And the rumours started some time before the killing. It doesn’t make sense. I suppose it was them who spread the lies about her?’
‘Who else? Everyone I’ve spoken to thinks highly of her. And Greg. It makes me think there’s more behind the killing and blaming you than land and water rights.’
‘But what?’
Cobb sighed. ‘I don’t know but if I did I’d have the answer to everything.’
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Cobb was awake earlier than usual the following morning. He was too agitated to sleep. As he got up Steadman continued to snore in the line shack’s other bunk. Although he wanted a cup of coffee, Cobb decided to wait rather than disturb him; for it was probably the best night’s sleep Steadman had had in a long while. He stretched and crossed over to the door, inching it open. Dawn streaked the sky with blue, lighting up the line of low hills that followed the almost empty creek. Somewhere, not far away, a bird called to another but that was the only sound.
Not that Cobb was in any mood to appreciate his surroundings. He should have stayed in Newb
erry and let Neil come here with Steadman. Except that Jackson would never have allowed that. Cobb didn’t like being away from the centre of things, he liked to be in on the action. And while he trusted Neil to do what he’d asked him to, at least to the best of his ability, that might prove to be not enough. More importantly, he didn’t think it right that Neil should be in town where the danger might lie while he was out here, safe. Unfortunately, there was no choice. He would just have to sit and wait. And wonder.
Hell and damnation, what was happening in Newberry….
Uproar!
Neil was also up much earlier than usual. Which was partly because he knew Jackson was expecting him and partly because he’d had to share his bed with a stranger who’d come to town for the hanging and who’d twitched and turned all night long. The dining-room was also crowded, all the talk being about Steadman and how long it was until he stepped up on to the gallows and how he would behave once the rope was round his neck. Neil even hurried his breakfast and didn’t ask for seconds mostly so he could be away before Mrs Penrose noticed Cobb was missing and asked him questions as to where he was; which, being nosy, she would do given the chance.
As Neil arrived at the jailhouse, Sparks opened the door and let him in, shutting and barring the door behind him. For once the old man was quiet. Marshal Jackson had taken off the sling he’d worn to support his wounded arm and was standing behind the desk flexing his hand and arm. He’d unlocked the gun cabinet that hung on the wall and taken out a couple of rifles. Now Sparks picked them up and made sure they were loaded and ready.
‘Not that I intend shooting anyone,’ Jackson said, in warning to Neil. ‘Steadman might be innocent but so are the townspeople and the others. These guns are for our protection. So I don’t want you getting trigger-happy.’
‘I won’t,’ Neil said.
The hanging was set for ten o’clock. They had three hours to wait. A long while. Neil wished it was time already and this was over and done with.
