Holden snorted, his eyes pinning Thorn in a knowing stare. "So why did you get rid of Charlie? What's on your mind?"
Thorn snaffled the chair Charlie had been sitting in and rubbed the back of his neck. His senses were on high alert, and he knew something wasn't right.
"What is it, old buddy?" Boxcar asked quietly. He knew when Thorn's instincts were kicking in; he could feel the tension emanating from his friend.
"I know where Mary is," replied Thorn. "And I don't like this at all—and I sure as hell don't like Clary being in danger! I sent Charlie out because if this gets any uglier, the fewer people who know where she is, the better off she'll be."
He quickly brought both men up to speed, and Boxcar scowled. "Fanny told me that those men said they were looking for a red-headed girl. So this all has to be connected."
"What are you going to do with Mary?" asked Holden. "You going to take her to Fanny's? I know she would hide her."
Thorn shook his head. "No, that is the most obvious place someone will look, as we've already seen. There's no point in putting Fanny and her girls in any more danger. We need to have Charlie patrol over there, or maybe you could set up shop over there where you can't be seen and keep an eye on the place. The way I see it, we have two different people looking for Mary. We know Frank probably has immoral designs on her, but what do the other people want? And who are they? "
"Obviously, it has to do with the Heart of Mary," replied Boxcar, thinking aloud. "What other reason could there be? I bet someone is looking for the ruby, someone who is willing to kill for it. Just how Mary is connected to it, I don't know, but I'm willing to bet she is."
Thorn rubbed his chin. "If she is connected, somehow, maybe that's why she wants to see the governor. But what can he do for her?"
Holden snorted. "For such smart young fellas, you two are missing the stagecoach here." He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. "Let's look at what we know about the Heart of Mary." He held up his first finger. "One—Father Benedict left it to the Santa Fe Diocese because he didn't have anyone else to leave it to. Two—the ruby disappeared after the mission burned to the ground, and the best detectives the Diocese hired haven't been able to find it. And three—Father Benedict had flaming red hair. I know, because an old friend of mine was one of the original investigators," he finished triumphantly. "He's dead now, God rest his soul."
"That last bit of information only you knew," retorted Boxcar. "How did you expect us to come to any conclusion without all the facts?"
Holden's mouth lit up in the first real smile Thorn had ever seen on the man's face. "I know," he replied, chuckling. "Don't get your back up. It's just a theory, anyway. But human nature being what it is, even a priest can be a secret sinner." He slicked his salt and pepper hair straight back and took a cheroot from his vest pocket.
Thorn crossed his legs at the ankles and stretched on the hard chair. "Let's just say you might be right. And if you figured it out, then someone else has obviously figured it out, too. And maybe Frank knows as well, and that's really why he is so keen to get her back."
"Do you think Mary knows where the ruby is?" asked Boxcar.
Thorn shrugged. "I don't know, but if all this speculation is true, and she really is Father Benedict's daughter, then she might know something about it."
"So let's go ask her, old buddy." Boxcar grinned and started for the door.
Thorn stood up. "What we really need to do is find a place to stash Mary, where she'll be safe," he growled. "We need to get to El Paso and do some digging, and I don't want her staying with Clary. It's too dangerous, and I don't want Clary hurt."
"We could take her with us," suggested Boxcar, a twinkle in his eye.
Thorn's eyebrows practically met the top of his eyelashes as he scowled at Boxcar. "Are you kidding me? Or have you forgotten what it's like to travel with a hardheaded young girl? I can tell you now, even if I wanted to take her, Mary has no intention of going back to El Paso! She'll think we intend to turn her back over to her stepfather!"
"Then maybe we can change her mind. We just need to explain it to her in a way she can accept."
Thorn shook his head. "I don't think even you can accomplish that. She doesn't want to be anywhere near the man who killed her mother, and I can't say that I blame her."
"Keep me up to speed," yelled Holden as they went out. "Damned leg," he groused, putting it back on the floor after they left. He really didn't like being laid up like this, it left him feeling vulnerable. He checked his pistol for the fifteenth time at least, today, making sure it was loaded and ready for bear. No one was going to catch him off guard again! He was still holding the gun when a young man in his thirties opened the door and stepped in.
Chapter Five
"Why, Uncle Abe, what in the world have you done to yourself?" exclaimed the blond-haired giant, his laughter ringing out at the sight of Holden with splints and wrapping on his leg.
Holden's eyes lit up. "Nelson Anderson, you sure are a sight for sore eyes," he growled. "You on your way to El Paso? When did you get in?" He stuck out his hand to clasp the younger man's hand in a firm grip.
"Uh, you can put that six-shooter down anytime, Uncle," he chuckled, returning the hearty handshake. "I got in last night and holed up at Martha's. Had an early night, it's a long ride from Tucson."
He plopped into the chair beside the desk and eyed his uncle's leg. "So what did you do to yourself? And I guess this means we can't go to the Chuparosa for lunch? Seeing as how I'm sure you're supposed to stay off that." He dropped his white Stetson on the desk, his blond hairs sticking to his temples where the band had gone around his head. He ran his hand through his springy locks, slicking them back in place.
Holden shot him an exasperated glance. "It's a damned inconvenience," he growled. "But Charlie will be back in a few minutes and he can go to the Chuparosa and get us all a bite to eat and bring it back here. And to answer your question, I got myself busted up last night at Fanny's."
Nelson grinned. "What happened? One of Fanny's girls get mad and shoot you in the leg? I've told you to stay out those dens of iniquity, but you never listen to me."
"Just a couple of hombres in there causing a ruckus, and one of them got lucky with a chair and a bullet." He patted his ribs and grimaced. "Besides, you may do work for the Diocese, but you ain't no saint either, so don't go giving me dirt." He gave Nelson a fierce glare, to which the younger man promptly grinned.
"So where's your badge?"
"I see you noticed that right away," groused Holden. "I had to give it to Thorn to take over for me until I can get back on my feet."
"I notice everything, it's part of what I do," Nelson replied amiably and propped his foot up on the corner of the desk. "So, who's Thorn?" His blue eyes were alight with mischief and curiosity.
"I guess you never met Thorn, did you? He's gone a lot. He works for the governor, investigating special projects." Holden shot a wad of spit at the can by the stove and managed to hit it, for once.
Nelson's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure he's capable of handling it? Maybe I ought to stay around and help out."
Holden shook his head. "No, no, don't worry about me. The Diocese won't appreciate you hanging out in Potluck when you're running errands for them to El Paso. Besides, I'm sure you're investigating something for them, anyway, you always are."
The younger man fingered the brim of his Stetson, his gaze considering. "Actually, I'm not doing anything right now. I can stay for a few days, if need be. Are you working on anything I can help with?"
It was on the tip of Holden's tongue to tell him about the girl and the case they were working on, but remembering how Thorn had left Charlie out of the loop, he decided not to. Thorn was the acting sheriff; it was his decision to make. He shook his head. "Naw, we're just keeping an eye out for any more trouble to show up after what happened last night. Thorn and his partner are very capable. No need to trouble yourself, boy." He clapped him on the shoulder in a gesture of thanks and
good will. It made him feel good to see his nephew again; he only got to see him a few times a year, when he made his run to El Paso for whatever the priests might need.
Nelson wasn't really his nephew, but his father had been like a brother to Holden, and he had known him all his life. He'd started calling him Uncle Abe when he could first talk, because he couldn't wrap his tongue around Abednego. Ralph Anderson, who had been investigating the disappearance of the Heart of Mary after the mission had burned, was his father, and it was he who had already met Father Benedict and knew he had flaming red hair. About ten years ago, Ralph had been following some lead out of El Paso when he'd been shot in a back alley like an unwanted dog. Nelson had been with him, but he hadn't been in the alley when his Pa was shot. But it had scarred the boy, and he had staunchly refused to even consider looking for the ruby any longer. He swore it was cursed, and he remained very bitter about the subject.
"Okay, well...the offer's open, if you change your mind," he replied easily. "And now, I have something for you. Father Vincent asked me to deliver these to the sheriffs I come in contact with on my trip." He pulled out a flier from his vest pocket, unfolded it, and handed it to Holden. "It seems interest has been renewed in finding this damnable blood ruby, although I can't think why. It's a total waste of time, that thing is long gone and good riddance, I say."
Holden took the flier. It was colorful and fresh, with an award of one hundred dollars to any person who could give the Diocese any reliable information regarding the whereabouts of the ruby. Holden frowned. "You're not looking into this, I take it?"
"You know better than that, Uncle Abe," replied Nelson bitterly. "The search for that thing killed my father, and I have no intention of looking for it. I may be an investigator for them, but I won't investigate that!" He looked up when the door opened and two men walked in.
Thorn stared suspiciously at the blond man, his gaze going from him to the flier Holden held in his hand. His hand rested lightly on his gun. "Who are you, and what's that you've got, Holden?"
"It looks like a new copy of a flier for the ruby," replied Boxcar, studying it. "Where did it come from?
Holden waved them to a chair. "Relax, boys, this is Nelson Anderson. He works for the Diocese, as did his father before him. Nelson, this is Paddington Jersey Thorn and Thaddeus Worthington, also known as Thorn and Boxcar."
Thorn nodded cautiously, wondering what this stranger had to do with the ruby. And how convenient it was that he showed up at this particular time.
Boxcar didn't take a chair, but leaned against the doorframe of the hallway to the cells. He pointed to the paper. "You bring that in?"
Nelson nodded warily. "The Diocese asked me to pass them around on my way to El Paso," he replied. "But that's where it ends; I'm not investigating the loss for them. I refused before, and I'll keep refusing. I want nothing to do with that cursed thing."
Thorn studied the blond giant carefully, his suspicious mind hard at work. "What makes you think the ruby is cursed?
Nelson snorted. "Because it seems to leave a trail of dead men, my father included," he avowed. "Just ask Uncle Abe here. More than one man has died in the quest for that blood ruby."
"How long you been in town?"
"You can stop grilling him now, Thorn," interjected Holden drily. "I've known Nelson since he was a baby, and he has offered his help around here for a few days if we need him. I told him we weren't working on anything in particular except those fellas that busted up my leg, but since you're the sheriff, I'll let you make that decision."
His steel gaze locked with Thorn's, and Thorn knew he hadn't said anything about the girl. He was leaving that up to him. Thorn considered it two ways. Either Holden had some misgiving about bringing his nephew into the case, or he was being cautious of Thorn's territory since it included Clary. He shot Boxcar a sideways glance, and Boxcar nodded. Apparently, he hadn't seen anything to spark his suspicious nature so Thorn relaxed slightly.
Nelson chuckled. "It's fine, Uncle Abe, I don't blame Thorn for being cautious, I'm a careful man myself." His eyes narrowed. "I'm not real happy that Uncle Abe got busted up like this, and I'd like to help if you'll have me. I'm sure you have some working theories as to what those men were doing in town? You wouldn't be worth your salt if you didn't." His intelligent gaze swept the room. "That goes for all of you. If nothing else, I'll just stay here with Uncle Abe while you two are working. Make sure someone doesn't come back and try again."
When Charlie suddenly burst through the door, he found himself staring down the muzzles of four pistols, and he went white, his hands flying high into the air as he squeaked. "Don't shoot, it's just me!"
Seeing the deputy badge, Nelson put his six-shooter back into the holster and chuckled as he sat back down. "You got a green one, Uncle."
Boxcar was impressed. "Nice reaction, Nelson, almost as good as me." He grinned broadly.
Nelson's eyes twinkled. "Now, you weren't so bad yourself, Boxcar. I'd let you have my back any day."
"Charlie, you'd best knock before busting in like that or, at least, give some type of notice that you're coming," drawled Thorn. "A man could end up dead that way."
He smiled, but Charlie didn't miss the censure in Thorn's voice. "Y-y-yes, sir," he stuttered, his hand shaking as he passed the telegram clutched in his fist to Thorn. "I got your answer back from Sheriff Hamden, he replied pretty quickly."
Thorn scanned the contents of the telegram while Holden introduced Charlie to Nelson. As usual, Boxcar read over his shoulder.
Come to El Paso...stop...Frank's daughter shot a man...stop....her mother is still alive....stop....Doc's office was broken into....stop...hell of a mess around here....stop...we need to talk. Hamden
Thorn's mind worked lightning fast. They needed to get to El Paso, but he had no intention of leaving Clary alone with Mary. That meant Mary would have to come with them. Even Boxcar's silver tongue hadn't been enough to convince Mary to return but maybe knowing her mother was alive would. Thorn was sure Frank Ventermin was lying, but he didn't know why. And if he wanted to perpetuate that lie, then Maria might still be in danger. All things considered, the place to get answers seemed to be El Paso, and that's where he intended to be, just as soon as possible. Maybe bringing Nelson into this might not be so bad, after all. At least, he seemed to be able to take care of himself, and he could help Charlie keep an eye on things while he was gone.
He looked up at Holden and Nelson. "I've got to get to El Paso, Holden. So Nelson, if your offer is genuine, maybe you could stay here with Charlie and keep an eye on things while Boxcar and I are gone. Especially on Fanny's place."
Nelson grinned broadly, his piercing blue eyes eagle sharp. "Why sure, I'd be happy to help here for a few days," he replied. "But can you at least enlighten me as to what's going on? You didn't get a telegram from Hamden for nothing."
Holden started to answer but Thorn cut in. "Apparently, a young whore from The Tarnished Rose in El Paso robbed and killed a client. They sent word here, in case she might be headed this way, but so far, no one here has seen hide or hair of her," Thorn said, looking directly at Holden. "And Doc Martin's office has been broken into, among other things that Hamden said between the lines. He wants us to come up there and help him investigate what's going on. If those men coming here last night were looking for that particular girl, we might see more of the likes of them, and I don't want to leave the town unprotected. We also need to take that girl into custody if she does show up here. Think you can handle that?"
Nelson nodded, and Thorn thought he looked particularly pleased, but maybe he just enjoyed the idea of helping his uncle out. "I'll be happy to help out Uncle Abe and Charlie," he replied jovially. "I'm sure we can handle it, eh, Charlie?"
He winked at Charlie, and Charlie's chest puffed out. "Of course we can, sir."
Holden shifted impatiently in his chair. "Nelson, your first job is to go to the Chuparosa and bring us back some lunch. Charlie, you can go help him, I'm sta
rving. Git, git on out of here!"
After Nelson and Charlie left, Holden turned to Thorn with an icy glare. "All right, I can see you don't trust Nelson, why not? Charlie, I can understand, but why Nelson?"
"Thorn doesn't trust anyone," replied Boxcar with lazy drawl. "Right, old buddy?"
Thorn met Holden's stare with one of his own, not intimidated by the older man. "I don't trust anybody except Boxcar, and even that's up for question sometimes," he retorted. "But it's not really a matter of trust in this case. I can take your word for it that he's trustworthy, but I won't jeopardize Clary or Mary's safety on it. We'll be taking Mary with us, but the fewer people who know any of the details, the better."
"Did Mary agree to that?" sputtered Holden.
"She didn't when we asked her, but now things have changed, with her mother still being alive. I think that will convince her to go."
"And I can stash Mary somewhere in El Paso while we check things out," added Boxcar. "There's no way I'm handing her back to Frank Ventermin."
The vehemence in Boxcar's voice had both men staring at him. Boxcar turned slightly pink, and he cleared his throat. "At least...not until we know for sure what's going on."
Outside on the boardwalk, Thorn turned to Boxcar. "Is there something you need to tell me about Mary?" he asked as they began to walk towards Clary's place. Boxcar shook his head. "Nope, nothing, old buddy."
"You sure sounded something like...oh, I don't know...possessive maybe?"
"Yeah, well, that's my business," muttered Boxcar, pulling down the brim of his hat. "I like her, so what?"
"You like every woman you meet, what's so special about Mary?"
"Did I say there was something special about Mary?" Boxcar stepped into the dirt road and moved ahead, trying to ignore Thorn, but his old buddy was like a snapping turtle latched onto a frog, no mercy.
"I didn't know you even liked red heads," insisted Thorn.
"As you told me this morning, mind your own business," snapped Boxcar.
"Well, what about Tilly?"
The Heart of Mary: A Thorn Novel Page 6
