Blaze! Western Series: Six Adult Western Novels

by Stephen Mertz

  Kate's gasp caught in her throat. She had witnessed brutality but...my God! She forced herself to maintain her cool. She squeezed off a shot now that she had a clear view of Boggs.

  But in the same instant he again vanished from her sight, ducking low around the last car. The bullet ricocheted off metal with a keening whine.

  Kate continued after him at a run. She cast a sideways glance.

  The young woman had ended up in a sitting position with her chin on her chest. The redhead looked like a rag doll, torn open and splashed with catsup and cast aside by a sadistic child. Her middle was a gruesome horror, having been practically blown away by the short-range shotgun blast.

  Kate continued on. She regained sight of Boggs.

  He was mounting a horse at the hitching rail, a sleek gray mare.

  J.D. came running up the street, Snap Foster not far behind.

  Wheeling the mount about, Boggs pegged off a shot at them, and then another shot at Kate. The bullet shattered another train car window. Boggs whipped the horse. It bolted away at a gallop.

  J.D. pegged a shot after him.

  The bullet winged Boggs. He lurched in the saddle. The horse slowed to a trot.

  Kate raised her left arm and bent the elbow. She rested her gun barrel on the crook of the arm to steady her aim. She fired.

  Boggs flung up his arms like someone at a revival meeting. He dropped the reins and his pistol. He toppled into the dust. He did not move.

  Silence enveloped the scene except for the wheezing and clanking of the locomotive. The riderless mare cantered about, uncertain of what to do, then bent over to sniff at Boggs' corpse before moseying back to rejoin the horses at the hitching rail. Faces emerged from behind windows of the train car and the station. Mothers shielded their young from the scene of carnage. Men gathered for a closer, morbid inspection of the fallen.

  J.D. broke open his pistol to empty it of spent shells, reloading with bullets from his cartridge belt. He shifted the holster to his right hip and re-holstered the gun. Thumbing a match, he revived the nub of the cigarillo protruding from the corner of his mouth.

  Snap Foster rejoined him. They regarded the late Cy Boggs.

  J.D. said, "Well, we tried to bring him in alive."

  "I'll testify to that, son." Snap was slightly out of breath. He surveyed the carnage. "You and the missus sure are the undertakers' friend."

  J.D. called over to Kate, "Hear that, honey? A compliment."

  Kate, busy reloading her gun, started to respond with the sort of droll humor that helped smooth raw nerves after a gunfight. Before she could reply, though, she heard a strange sound.

  At first it sounded almost like the shy gurgle of a child.

  She identified the sound.

  The young redheaded woman was not dead. Not yet! The gurgle was a weak death rattle...

  Kate rushed to where she sat against the door of the observation deck. She gasped and queasiness surged through her. She averted her eyes to keep from retching at the bloody, hideous horror of the woman's torso. It was a miracle she was alive! Rivulets of red streaked each corner of her mouth. She was trying to speak.

  Kate encircled the woman with her arms. She could hear J.D. and Snap hurrying in her direction. They would be too late.

  The girl couldn't have been more than twenty. She had green eyes. She looked up at Kate.

  "It...it hurts..."

  Kate didn't know what to say. She felt the woman's blood soaking through her own clothing.

  She said, "It will be all right," in as soothing a voice as she could.

  It sounded like a damn lie to her ears.

  The girl said, in a weakening, almost childish voice, "I...I was only trying to help...Now I'll never get to see..."

  She coughed a gob of blood that ran down her chin, and she died.

  Chapter 4

  They were in the sheriff's office. It was thirty minutes after the last shot had been fired and the dust had settled. Snap sat behind his battered old desk. J.D. straddled a wood chair. Kate stood at the window. They were sipping coffee.

  Snap indicated the handbag on the desk before him.

  "This and one piece of luggage is all we have to go on. But notes and such indicate that she was Holly MacNeil from Morrisville, Vermont. She had a one-way ticket all the way out here to Whiskey Bend."

  Kate said, "She sure did."

  J.D. said, "Sure did what, hon?"

  Kate hadn't had time to change from the clothing that was stained with the redhead's blood.

  "Have a one-way ticket...in more ways than one." She spoke in a low, flat voice, her expression unreadable. "I didn't plan on having an innocent bystander die in my arms today."

  Down the street, the locomotive's horn sounded shrill. The air became filled with steam and black coal smoke as the train lumbered out of town.

  J.D. said, "What else do we know about her?"

  Snap withdrew an envelope from the handbag.

  "This could tell us something. It's addressed to Percy K. MacNeil, Starlight Mine, Yonder, Arizona Territory."

  "Yonder. Funny name for a town."

  "About thirty miles north as the crow flies," said Snap. "Yonder pretty much sprung up around The Starlight Mine. Percy MacNeil hit the mother lode and it's been a working mine ever since. Ain't much of a town, though. A boom town that never boomed. Prospectors descended like locusts after MacNeil's big strike, hoping it would be another Tombstone with plenty of silver in the ground to get enough money flowing for everybody. Oh, they struck a vein or two here and there but the Starlight outlasted 'em all and these days, Yonder's pretty much just about dried up and blowed away."

  Kate said, "I reckon the thing to do is deliver that letter to Mr. MacNeil."

  Snap sighed. "That's going to be kind of difficult. See, Percy passed away about two years ago, about a week after he sold the mine to some European feller. Count something or other. The Count's owned and run the mine ever since."

  "Did MacNeil have a wife?"

  "Naw. He was what I guess you'd call a confirmed bachelor, old Percy was. Most of them prospector types are. It's that kind of life, leading a pack mule and toting a pickaxe hither and yon across the desert. Damnedest thing is after they strike it rich, the lucky few who come into all that wealth, they've got no knowledge, no imagination, to enjoy their success. But Percy, he was different."

  "You sound like he was a friend."

  "I reckon he was. He'd come into Whiskey Bend maybe once every month or two, often in a wagon with men to pick up crates at the station. While they were loading, me and Percy would retire for a sociable drink, maybe a meal."

  "How about the fellow who bought the mine? Any contact with him?"

  "Never set eyes on him. When something for the mine comes in on the train, he has a crew come in and pick it up. Keeps to himself is what I hear, and of course that ain't my jurisdiction."

  "MacNeil had been looking to sell out?"

  Snap nodded. "When the Count came along and made him an offer, Percy was more than happy to let it go. He got out from under, is how he put it. He told me he always had a hankerin' to travel down to the South Seas. He said the women run around down there in them islands wearing nothing from their belly buttons on up. Uh, you figure that's possible, J.D.? I mean, I heard of them gals over in Paris doing what they call the can-can, showing their, uh, undergarments and such, but do ya really imagine there's a place like Percy was talking about?"

  J.D. said, "I reckon anything's possible."

  Kate said, "But Percy never got to the South Seas. You said he died two weeks after selling the mine?"

  Snap stroked his chin.

  "Yeah, and that caught everyone by surprise because he was a healthy fella, Percy was. Fit and hearty. But they say his heart just plumb gave out in his sleep. That's what the doc said anyway. Percy didn't leave no will or personal papers behind so no one up Yonder way knew who to contact."

  "What about all the money? His profit from selling the min
e must have been considerable."

  Snap said, "Percy done all his banking long distance, out of Tucson. Made the trip under armed guard twice a month. Still a couple of roving bands of Apaches who'll jump the res now and then, and of course there are your road agents and such. He'd catch the train out, take care of his business in Tucson and be back at the mine by the following nightfall. The bank, they ain't obliged to tell nobody nothing. I reckon everyone around these parts has pretty much forgotten the whole business by now." He tapped the envelope with his trigger finger. "And here's his name on an envelope found on the body of that poor dead woman."

  Kate said, "Percy MacNeil's death sounds sort of suspicious to me."

  J.D. set down his coffee cup. He could hear little alarm bells going off in his mind.

  "Now wait a minute, hon. You're not fixing to deal us a hand in something we don't know anything about, are you? Did that girl say something to you before she died?"

  "No, not really. A few words...and she was gone."

  J.D. considered this. Since becoming husband and wife, their life together had been a tumultuous one given the nature of their line of work. This had not prevented him from observing and learning to deal with his woman's moods. This was not a particularly difficult task in that her mood was generally upbeat and positive even when faced with danger or with some bump in the road of their love. Her present demeanor could only be classified as brooding.

  J.D. said, "That poor woman was in the wrong place at the wrong time. What happened to her was senseless and tragic. But Kate, there's nothing for us to get involved in. The person the envelope is addressed to is dead. The person who was supposed to deliver the letter to him is dead."

  Kate nodded. "So it shouldn't matter to anyone if Snap, as an officer of the law, unseals that envelope."

  Snap adopted the attitude of one unwillingly drawn into a private disagreement.

  "Well now, I wouldn't know about that..."

  J.D. said, "Kate, why are you so all-fired determined to get into that young lady's business?"

  "I have my reasons. What about it, Snap? Given the circumstances, don't you want to know what's inside the envelope?"

  "Well, given the circumstances, I guess it wouldn't hurt none."

  J.D. poured himself another cup of coffee.

  He muttered to himself, "Here comes trouble."

  Snap unsealed the envelope. He withdrew a single, neatly folded sheet of stationary.

  "A woman's hand," he noted.

  Then he cleared his throat and began to read aloud.

  Chapter 5

  My Dearest Brother,

  I sincerely hope that this letter will find you healthy and doing well.

  This will introduce your niece, our eldest daughter, Holly. The last time you set eyes on Holly she was less than a year old, and so I trust you will share our pride in the attractive young woman she has become.

  There has been concern here regarding your well being. It was been two years since anyone in the family has received word from you. We assure ourselves that this is only due to the fact that you are busy with management of the mine. However, in the past you have always graced us at the very least with a letter during the holiday season. Two Christmas seasons have passed without a word from you. Our letters to you have gone unanswered.

  Your niece has traveled far to visit you so that she may firsthand, in her words, "See how you are doing." Holly knows much about you from me, about our growing up together and, of course, my pride in your success.

  I am embarrassed to admit that upon your last birthday this past Spring, I found thoughts of you and the lack of communication between us was weighing so heavily on my heart that I broke down weeping at the dinner table. At that point, Holly announced that she could no longer abide my fearful uncertainty. Against her father's and my strongest admonitions, she went ahead and packed a single Gladstone bag and bought a ducat on a train, to commence her journey.

  You will perhaps have already noted that your niece is a most headstrong young woman. She is our oldest and, frankly, the Colonel and I are often at our wits' end in knowing what to make of some of her notions and behavior. (Holly does not know the contents of this letter, other than that it is her introduction, and be assured that I speak of my daughter only with the deepest affection.) Rather than get married and raise a family, as her father and I naturally wish for her, our Holly intends to one day live in Paris and write novels. Novels, of all things!

  Her fancies notwithstanding, rest assured that Holly is an intelligent, cultured and virtuous young lady. I only wish she would heed my counsel. Holly intends to stay with you in Yonder for one week. I pray that her unexpected appearance will not cause you undue inconvenience.

  And thus I place my beloved daughter in your and God's care. Let us hear from you soon, I pray.

  With Warmest Regards, Your Loving Sister,

  Agatha

  Snap set the letter aside. He opened his tobacco pouch and went about tapping a fresh bowlful into his blackened briar.

  "Going to be a mighty sad telegram I'll have to send that poor lady."

  Kate turned to J.D.

  "We're going to ride over to Yonder and find out what happened to Percy MacNeil."

  J.D. had been expecting something like this. His hesitation was reflexive.

  "Now, Kate, it's never a good idea to buy into other people's trouble when..." He paused when he saw the look she was giving him. He knew when he was licked, so why fight it? He said, "Okay, I know. You've got your reasons."

  She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

  "Thanks for being a good and understanding husband."

  "Don't know about the understanding part, but I know how to get along."

  Snap set down his briar unlit. He leaned over the big black safe behind his desk. He gave the dial a few turns from memory. He opened the safe. From it, he removed a brown envelope that he handed to J.D.

  "Here's the reward for bringing in the man who shot Mr. Tagman's granddaughter." He leaned back in his chair and got his pipe going.

  J.D. did a quick count of the high denomination bills stuffed inside the envelope. He let out a small whistle. He resealed the envelope and got to his feet.

  "Reckon we're done here then, Snap. Adios until next time."

  "Good luck to you two," said Snap.

  They shook hands all around. Ordinarily Kate would have given the old sheriff a hug, but J.D. knew she would be self-conscious about her bloodied clothing. They walked to their room at the hotel. Kate never lost that sense of quiet brooding.

  J.D. stood out on the balcony, biding his time while she went about washing up, changing her duds and getting ready for the trail.

  He rolled a cigarette. He lit up, luxuriating in this stolen moment of inactivity. They'd arrived in Whiskey Bend the day before, checked their horses at the livery stable and checked themselves into the hotel, drawn by the cash reward offered for the apprehension of Cy Boggs. And right now they were supposed to be spending some of that reward money on a good time. Instead, they were leaving behind seven dead outlaws and an innocent woman dying in Kate's arms. Heading out for Yonder with no idea what they would find when they got there. Or what they would do about whatever they did find.

  Uncertainty.

  The letter from Holly's mother had referred to "fearful uncertainty."

  Uncertainty was a way of life in J.D.'s line of work. It had to be met head-on. There wasn't a damn thing to do but embrace uncertainty and ride on with the confidence that you could handle whatever the hell uncertainty was holding in store for you.

  Kate joined him on the balcony. She wore a fresh set of riding clothes. She looked refreshed, the brooding countenance a thing of the past.

  He said, "You smell good."

  She positioned herself in his arms. The sheer beauty of this woman never yielded its power over him, and never more so than when he held her close. His arms encircling her trim figure. Her breasts pressing his chest, stirring the pleasant
heat in his loins. Her eyes gazed up into his, captivating.

  She said, "You're willing to ride with me anywhere I want to go, aren't you?"

  "Hell yeah. I'm your man. What am I supposed to do, let you ride off alone?"

  She smiled. Her kiss this time was on the lips, brief and tender.

  "That's my J.D. You know, husband, unconditional love and loyalty are not easy traits for a woman to find in a man."

  "Maybe I just lack imagination, like those prospectors Snap was talking about."

  "Hush. I'm trying to tell you something important. I owe you more of an explanation than 'I have my reasons' for asking you to ride to Yonder on one of my whims."

  "Hardly a whim. A human being died in your arms. That redhead was a tough little cookie, leaving Vermont and traveling all the way out here the way she did. That's true grit."

  "You're right, but there's more."

  "Tell me."

  "Sometimes I act like a smartass bitch who knows exactly what she's doing and what's what. Am I right?"

  "That's an accurate description."

  "Well, guess what. Sometimes something will happen that...I just don't know, J.D. It's like everything I've gone by up until that moment is called into question. Does that make sense?"

  J.D. said, "That's what happened to you when Holly MacNeil slipped away."

  "When the train was pulling into the station, when you and she made eye contact, I made a deal out of it. You were right. There was nothing to it. But there I was, seeing her as another woman. Competition for my man. What a way for me to consider a person without knowing a thing in the world about her. Holly sure enough had true grit. She should have listened to her mom and dad and stayed at home but she was a tough little bitch who wasn't afraid of anything." A trace of brooding returned to Kate's voice and eyes. "The way I acted on the train, the mean look I gave her, that was wrongheaded. We were total strangers, she and I. We weren't competing for anything. Hell, she was just like me. We shot down the man who killed her and I know we could be riding into big trouble. But I need to do this, J.D. If there's big trouble that was waiting Holly at that mine, I've got to straighten it out for her and her family's best interests. Do you understand how I feel?"