by Bill Sheehy
‘That’s a good amount. Until then, though, it won’t leave much in the ranch account. What was he willing to put as security?’
‘Wal, that’s what I was talking about. Ya know that big spring up in that corner, up in the high country? Old man Baynes had staked those acres out and they’ve been using the canyon the creek pours down for late summer grazing. I always liked the looks of it.’
‘If you’re talking about the corner I’m thinking about, it would be a good addition to our own summer range. Yeah, he must be in trouble, to put that on the table.’
‘Yeah, but I don’t see how we can lose. The loan is paid off and we get the interest. Better’n what it’ll earn sitting in the bank’s safe. And,’ he went on almost chuckling, ‘if it don’t, wal, the Frying Pan has got a nice little chunk of land up there.’
It was easy to see Tony wasn’t that convinced. He paused, thinking about the deal.
‘I suppose you’re right, such a loan can only benefit the ranch.’ Pursing his lips, he slowly shook his head. ‘The reason I’m not so tickled is probably ’cause I don’t trust Martin’s business sense.’
‘Wal, that may be, but with both the Baynes twins signing that paper I can’t see how we can lose. Anyway, I told him you’d have to agree to it or it wouldn’t happen. Tony, I didn’t figure there’d be a problem. Do you? Really?’
Taking the time to consider, Tony frowned but shook his head. ‘No. I guess not.’
That brought the smile back on the older man’s face. ‘All right then. All ya gotta do is go into the bank and put the money in the Circle B’s account. Martin said he’ll have the agreement there for ya to sign. Now, I ask ya, did I earn my keep this morning, or not?’
Tony stood up and smiled down at the man, ‘Yes sir, you certainly did. I reckon I’ll ride in early tomorrow and take care of it. Yep, you certainly stepped in it and came out smelling sweet.’
Chapter 33
Arriving in Dodge City, Drazen stepped off the stage and went into the main office to buy a ticket for the next coach back to Baynes Springs. Walking over to the nearest hotel, he registered and went up to his room, dropping his brief case on the bed. Checking the loads in both his pistols, he went down the back stairs and out into the alley. Standing outside he took time to adjust his hat. Looking quickly around, he didn’t think anyone was paying any attention to him.
Moving quickly he made his way down the alley to the next narrow dirt street. After turning a corner he stepped into the doorway of a weather-beaten shack and waited a long couple of minutes. Certain no one was following him he headed off in a more direct manner. His quick decision to return to Dodge City hadn’t left him time to send a coded telegram but he was certain he’d be able to find the man he wanted to see. Morgan Runkle may have been wanted by every lawman in the territory and even more by others east of there, but none of them knew the outlaw kept a house out near the city limits. Drazen knew.
It wasn’t much of a house, small, not more than a couple rooms. A thread of gray smoke coming from the top of a black tin stovepipe meant someone was there. A ramshackle barn, with boards missing in the walls, old and leaning dangerously, stood behind the house. Drazen approached the place from the rear, stopping to look at the worn trail running off through the brush. A well-used escape route, he figured. Pushing through the double doors of the barn he found two horses confined in stalls. These were well-fed, heavily muscled animals, perfect for outrunning any posse. With horses like these and the narrow trail back through the scrub, it would be hard to catch Runkle if he had a couple minutes warning.
Circling around the barn and keeping low, he sidled up to the side of the house. The plank siding of the wall had a narrow crack but all he could see was a man’s back. On either side, large heavily-curtained windows were centered in the walls. Sturdy windowless doors were in both the front and rear of the structure. Drazen was hoping to see who Runkle’s company was but the canvas curtains made that impossible. Standing next to one window he could hear men talking, but not clear enough to hear more than a mumble. He’d have to come in from the front and hope whoever was there wasn’t the kind to shoot first and talk later.
Standing outside the front door, he hesitated, considering whether to knock or simply walk in. Finally deciding if the door wasn’t locked he wouldn’t bother to knock, he slowly turned the doorknob. Smiling to find it unlocked, he slammed the door open and walked in. ‘Hey there, Morgan,’ he called out loudly, ‘how in hell ya doing?’
Stopping in the doorway with both hands empty and held up in front, he waited. Facing him were three men, each holding at least one handgun. All pointed at his chest and all unwavering.
Chapter 34
The men had been seated around a small table. All three jumped up knocking their chairs away and drawing their revolvers when Drazen came through the door. A coffee cup in front of Runkle was knocked over and the liquid spilled. Two empty whiskey glasses and a half-full bottle fell to the floor. Staying calm, Drazen stood and ignoring the men, took his time to look around the room. Except for the table and chairs, the only other item was a soot-blackened wood stove in the far corner. A set of shelves, not looking very strong or firmly attached to the wall held a few more cups and glasses. On the stove a blue enameled coffee pot sat warmed by the heat from the fire box. Everything was what most folks would throw on the trash pile. Even the stove was shaky looking, one corner held up by a couple bricks and another by a rusty iron box.
Drazen didn’t know the man to one side, but the other one standing on Runkle’s left he knew. ‘Well, can you believe it,’ said Drazen, sounding friendly and unconcerned, ‘if that isn’t Little Carly, standing there. Now, son, didn’t I hear you’d been brought in? Here I was expecting to be standing before the judge with you, pleading that you were as innocent as a new born baby. And there you are. Guess you didn’t need me after all.’
Ignoring Runkle he looked the stranger up and down. ‘Don’t think I know you. Of course, while over the years I’ve had the pleasure of getting many of ol’ Morgan’s men out of the clutches of the law, I don’t suppose I’ve seen them all. For your information, and in case you ever do need my services, I’m Jackson Drazen, lawyer for the innocent.’
‘Jack,’ snarled Runkle when Drazen stopped talking, ‘what the hell you doin’ here? And crashing through the door like ya did wasn’t the smartest thing to do. You got any idea how close ya came to being plugged?’
Drazen, still ignoring the pistols pointing at him, only smiled. ‘Well, yes. And if this were anywhere but close to town I wouldn’t have been so quick to come in. But face it, old man, it isn’t likely you’d be shooting up your guest. Not and have to give up your quiet little secret hideout. Wouldn’t want the marshal getting curious, would we?’
Frowning, Runkle paused then with a near silent curse, holstered his .44 and, picking up the chair he’d jumped out of, sat down.
‘OK, but one of these days, you’re gonna misfigure and someone’s gonna put lead in where your heart should be. So tell me, what the hell are ya doing here? I thought our deal was you’d send me a message, a telegram about when to expect ya.’
Both the other men, seeing their boss put away his hardware, followed suit. Pulling up their chairs, but not taking their eyes off the newcomer, they sat down.
‘Now, Morgan, you’re right. That was the plan. But, well, things have changed a little. First though, I’d like to know how Little Carly here got free from jail.’
Little Carly, at just under five feet in his worn thin boots, lifted his head and squared his shoulders at the question. At first glance one would think he was just barely out of short pants. Only when looking closer was it clear this was no child.
‘I was stood up before ol’ Judge Charles Paul,’ answered Carly to Drazen’s question. ‘There wasn’t enough evidence, the judge said, so he let me go. Sure made that marshal mad.’ He laughed. ‘But here I am.’
Drazen nodded, then looked at the other man.
‘And you? I like to know who I’m facing, you understand?’
The man sat silent for a time. ‘My name’s Baker. And I don’t give a damn what you like.’
That was when Drazen noticed Baker had one hand on the table the other resting out of sight in his lap. He decided not to push the man.
‘Now,’ snarled Runkle still sounding angry, ‘ya satisfied? Gonna tell me why ya didn’t bother to let me know you was coming to town? Last I heard, you’d gone off out into the territory, to Baynes Springs. What’s that all about?’
Still standing at the closed door, Drazen took his time.
‘As I said, there has been a change in our plans. I’m here to tell you all about it, but it’s not something for the world to hear. Get rid of these two and we’ll talk.’
Chapter 35
Runkle sat for a long moment, staring at Drazen before glancing at Carly and nodding.
‘Yeah, I can understand that. Boys, y’all go on over to Grady’s whore house. Keep your mouths shut while yore there. I’ll be sending someone over after I hear what old Jack here has to say.’
When the two had shuffled out, Drazen made sure the door was shut before walking over to the stove and, after blowing the dust out of cup, filled it with black thick-looking coffee. Looking back over his shoulder, he smiled.
‘Morgan, the plan was for you to pay off your boys and then we’d split the pot. That’s what I’m in town for. But I can’t figure out why you’re so jumpy.’
‘Well, hell, Jack. Ya come busting in like that, how’d I know ya weren’t the marshal?’
‘Hm, yeah, guess I can see that.’ Still standing by the stove, the lawyer turned and holding the coffee cup in both hands as if warming them, he faced the outlaw. ‘Those two, were they part of those who held up the train?’ Runkle, still seated, turned in his chair to look at Drazen, nodded. ‘So,’ said the lawyer, ‘all we have to do is split what’s left. How much was in that shipment anyhow? There’s been a lot of talk about it but nobody ever said how much was taken.’
‘You had it pretty well figured. We took us a pile of cash money from that train. Damn close to what you said would be there. All in fifty and hundred dollar bank notes. All fresh printed by the Kansas Federal Bank. I only had three men with me and so there’s most of the money left.’
‘Good. I’ve got plans for that money.’
‘I figured ya did. Well, after we split up what’s left into three piles, I gotta tell ya, I got my own plans. Ya see, I thought about it, yore knowing how much was being sent to Dodge City on that train and there being a third person. Ya never said who that was but I reckon whoever, he was the one who knew about the money. I asked around, quiet like, and heard about the bank out in the territory the money was going to. I figure that other fella is from that bank.’
Drazen sipped his coffee, grimacing at the burnt taste.
‘You know, Morgan, sometimes it’s better not to know too much.’
Runkle chuckled and got up to refill his cup. Standing next to the table he smiled.
‘Yeah, but hearing about that bank and all, I figured the money coming from the federal bank was cuz the bank was in trouble. Now there’s been a lot of posters spread out with my name on ’em. And a reward. Way I see it, my days of holding up stagecoaches and trains is about over. Too damn many people coming this way and more to come. So I figure I know enough about banks. If’n you’n me were to split the take from the train, I’d have enough. Why, I could end up with that bank. Get outa outlawing.’
Drazen frowned. ‘You’re figuring on ending up with the bank, huh? What about that third person. He wouldn’t stand still for not getting his share.’
‘Well, now. That’s between you’n me, ain’t it? I dunno who that jasper is but the fact is, we got the cash money and he don’t.’
Drazen looked away, thinking. ‘Let’s say we cut him out,’ he said slowly, as if considering the idea. ‘That would make our shares a lot bigger. You know, I said there had been a change in plans. You seem to have about the same thought. Where is the money?’
Drunkle hadn’t expected the other man would agree with cutting that third man out. ‘I knew you were thinking of something,’ said the outlaw smiling as big as day. ‘I’ve known ya for a long time and it wouldn’t be like ya not to have your own plans. Yes sir, I knowed it. The money’s there in that box,’ he pointed to the iron box holding up one corner of the stove. ‘I couldn’t carry that much money around with me, could I? Naw. But ain’t nobody ever gonna think of looking for it there.’
Drazen looked down at the box, then nodded. ‘Good thinking, Morgan. But there’s a bit more to my plans than just the bank.’
‘What do ya mean? The bank is my idea.’ Standing straighter he left his hand drop to the butt of his holstered .44.
Drazen, still holding his cup with both hands took a sip, and smiled. ‘Uh huh. You’re right. The bank in Baynes Springs is in financial trouble and it would be easy to take control. No problem there. But the people who own that bank also have a big cattle ranch and it’s in money trouble too. I looked that spread over and decided there would be enough money from the train to get both. Your problem, Morgan, is you just don’t think big enough.’
Runkle’s smile faded away as he understood what Drazen was saying. Glancing down at Drazen’s holstered handgun, he saw his chance. Pulling his Colt he had cleared leather when Drazen, letting go of his coffee cup with his right hand drew the pocket pistol from under his left arm and shot the outlaw.
The bullet took Runkle in the chest. Letting go of his Colt, he clutched at the table before slowly folding to the floor.Drazen calmly put his cup on the stove, lifted the corner and kicked the box away.
Opening it on the table he held up the canvas sack marked with the federal bank’s name and smiled. Yes, becoming the owner of a profitable cattle spread and a bank was certainly now in the plans.
Chapter 36
Elizabeth had just about come to the conclusion being hired to help Ivor was a joke. There had been absolutely no business yesterday and very little this morning. Most of her time had been spent going over the various forms and other paperwork involved with banking. For the bank to be considered an actual depository of money from the public and be allowed to make loans, she’d been amazed of the federal government’s interest.
It made sense, Ivor explained. ‘The money it took for Mr Baynes to start the bank, back when it was in the back of the general store, came outa his pocket. Mostly, in those days, it was a few of the little spreads out in the area what the bank dealt with. You know, making little loans for seed or a couple horses. Some of those big plough horses cost a lot. And then there’s the feed. Well, Mr Baynes would loan those newcomers enough so they could get a crop planted. Say they was planting wheat, or even hay. It might be months before a crop could be harvested. So for those months he sat back and tended his cattle ranch. Then when the crops came in and were sold they’d not only repay the loans but would spend a lot over at the general store. He owned that too, back then. Yes, sir, the old man was some smart.’
‘How’d the government get involved?’ she asked, not really caring but rather than go and try to look busy, she wanted to keep him talking.
‘Yes, well, that came about just after the bank moved over here. When Mr Baynes first came into the territory, all there was was a bunch of Indians. And not really many of them. That was before the war back east. He set out his boundaries and started the Circle B. A while later George Allen came in with his herd and there was two big ranches. After that, a few at a time, other men came into the area. The redskins weren’t no trouble and the land was free for the taking. Not many very close by, but enough so the bank and all the other businesses here started making money. And while some of those folks brought in their own money, most wanted short-term loans. That’s when old Baynes went to Kansas City to talk with the federal bank. He had to get their money to stay in business. And with their money came their regulations. And the
ir forms.’
Seeing the end of the story, Elizabeth could only nod. ‘And the forms. I suppose I’d better get back to those.’
Looking at the little watch she carried on the end of a short chain, a gift from Roy, she saw it was getting close to lunchtime. One of the benefits of being a paying guest at Mrs Cornwall’s was the meals the woman provided. Lunch was always more food than she could eat but it was always delicious. Thinking about that, she had her head down when a man came through the door.
Glancing over, but still mostly keeping her head down, she studied the man. Tall and lean, like so many horsemen, wide shouldered and narrow hipped. His shirt was striped, narrow vertical stripes of faded red and midnight black. It was tucked into the top of his trim black canvas pants. Pointed-toed cowboy boots made it obvious, this was a horseman.
From his hat, a dove-colored wide-brimmed Stetson, to the holstered Colt belted around his slender waist, it was certain. He was a real cowboy.
‘Good morning, Mr Rodriquez,’ said Ivor, going forward to shake the man’s hand. ‘Miz Baynes mentioned you’d be in today. She apologized but had to be out at the Circle B. She hopes that won’t be a problem.’
The man, Elizabeth noticed, was about her age. Using one hand to sweep back a lock of hair that had gotten lose, she was suddenly glad she’d worn the better of her two dresses. Flushing at the thought, she dipped her head and pretended to study the paper she was holding.
‘Not at all, Ivor. I imagine my business this morning won’t take long.’
Ivor, motioning back toward the big desk, smiled. ‘No sir. If you’ll settle down here, we can get the paperwork out of the way. Then Miss Havilah can transfer the money and update your account book. Have you met our newest clerk?’ Seeing the man shake his head, Ivor motioned Elizabeth back from the counter.
