"Did he say where they were meeting?"
"Pete said he told him what creek he was mining in, and Ted said he'd find him at the creek. He said Sam kept looking back, thinking he ought to be there any day."
Austin was shaking his head. "It does make sense, and it would explain why he wants to finish the job. But how do you prove he's the one that shot him?"
"That's what's got us stumped, too," Deputy Silas admitted. "If no one saw him, including Pete, what kind of evidence can we find?"
Austin was deep in thought, when he glanced over at his wife. He watched her a few seconds, and started to chuckle. When everyone turned to look at him, he was looking at Georgia, smiling. "That's a mischievous look, even for my wife. I know a plan's brewing in her head. And if I know her, it'll be a good one." He leaned over and kissed her forehead, right in front of the other men. "What is it, honey; what are you thinking?"
"Well," she hedged as she felt her cheeks turn red, "I am thinking of something, but I don't know if you can do it, or if it'll work."
"I'm sure willing to hear it," Grant said. "Any idea you have is one more than I've got."
"Well, it seems to me you need him to confess, or come close to it. He isn't going to want to do that, but maybe you can trick him into it."
"I'm okay with that," Grant said with a grin. "Can I assume you have a plan in mind?"
"Sort of. I don't know how this works, but can someone pick him up and just ask him questions about Pete being shot, or do you have to arrest him to pick him up and ask him questions?"
"If we think he's involved in something like that, we can take him in and talk to him."
"Okay, good. Could you do that, and when you ask him the questions, add a few extra things, like maybe say Pete's friend was there, too, and took off running when he saw what happened? Maybe you can get him to refute what you're saying and he'll say something he shouldn't. Maybe he'd say something like, 'No, I checked really good and made sure no one else was around at the time'. Maybe he wouldn't, I don't know, but if he did, wouldn't that basically be admitting he did it?"
The men were all quiet, thinking. Austin was grinning as one by one, the men glanced up, all of them smiling. "It might work," Grant said. "And to be honest, it may be worth a shot. I don't know of any other way we're going to be able to come up with something he's done."
Clay had a suggestion. "Could you also ask him questions about the trouble Pete told you about, where Wiley got him out of trouble by hiring people to lie?"
Grant nodded his head. "Another good idea. Maybe we should start by telling him we want to ask him questions about that. We can tell him that we now know Sam hired the people to lie for him. You never know, he might admit what they did there, which would be enough to try him for tampering with evidence and getting people to lie. If he doesn't let anything slip there, he'll probably at least be upset, nervous. Then we can quickly move to the day he shot Pete Sanders when he thought nobody was in the area that could have seen it."
"I like that idea, Sheriff," Joe said. "If we get him upset about one thing and on the defensive, maybe if we quickly move to something totally different we'll catch him. I think it's worth a try. Should we go out and question him, though, or let the local sheriff do it?"
"I can see possible advantages to both," the sheriff said. "Let's see if he'll go along with our plan and try it first. He can tell him he's reading from the report he has. We can put several errors in it, most of them small, minor things. Maybe he'll correct some of the small things that don't really matter, and then when it's suddenly something big, slip and say that didn't happen that way, either, and correct him again. If the sheriff out there doesn't have any luck we can always go out and question him, try again. The more upset he is, which will happen if he's held out there while we make the trip, the more he may slip and say something he doesn't want to. I just wish we could find something we could charge him with so the sheriff won't have any trouble holding him while we make the trip out."
"We'll all keep thinking," Austin said. "Maybe there's something we're missing."
"I'll send a telegram tomorrow to Sheriff Max Thornton at Ogden and see what he thinks of our idea."
***
Grant and Sheriff Thornton sent a few telegrams back and forth the next day. Sheriff Thornton finally agreed to question Ted Braxton about both incidents. It was to take place the next day, and he would send a telegram to let Grant know what happened.
Grant was riding up the lane to the house to let the Barringtons know, when Austin came riding out to meet him. "I'm glad you're here, Grant. We may have a problem. Come on in and I'll explain."
Once they were inside, Austin motioned to Georgia. "Tell Grant what you just told me."
"I'm almost positive there's someone watching us. They're in the woods east and just a little north of the house. I'm not sure how many there are, but at least two."
Grant sat down at the kitchen table, obviously thinking. "What makes you think that?"
"I thought I saw some movement over there yesterday, but I glanced over that way several times over the next couple hours and never saw anything else. Then this morning after I fed the chickens, I was headed back to the house with the eggs and I thought I saw something again. I didn't look over that way again because if there was someone there I didn't want them to see me look toward them. I came in and opened the side door to the kitchen to get a breeze blowing through, and put a towel on a broomstick by the window so the breeze would blow the towel around. If they saw movement in the kitchen they'd think I was in there. Then I went to the back bedroom and got down real low and crawled to the lower corner of the window. I was careful that curtain didn't move, and I sat there and watched that area for quite a while. There's movement out there, I'm sure, and I'm almost positive it's at least two people. There were a couple times I saw movement in two different places at the same time, but all in the same general area."
"I don't know where you learned that, but it was good detective work."
Clay, the Barringtons, and Grant discussed the situation. It was decided the sheriff would ride back to town and get his deputy, and he and Joe would enter the woods from the back, and see if they could find signs of a camp.
"You know," Grant said, "if Traxler hired someone to watch the ranch for signs of Pete, that would be an illegal act we could have him arrested for. Sheriff Thornton would have no trouble holding him until we can get there to question him."
"If there are men camping out in our woods that were hired by Traxler, you may get some information from them. Maybe one of them overheard him say something," Austin suggested.
"If they are Traxler's men, we'll certainly talk to them. If they find out they can be in lots of trouble if they don't cooperate, that might change their mind a little bit. We'll hope so."
Grant turned down their offer to have supper with them, anxious to get Joe and get back to the woods. They had a few more hours before it got dark, and he wanted to make good use of them.
The other three sat down for supper. They were finishing their meal when Austin saw three riders coming up the lane. "I don't recognize them or the horses, Cord. Do you?"
"No, I don't. I'll stay in here until you find out who it is and what they want."
"Thanks. Georgia, don't argue with me, but I want you to go in my office and stay there until I come get you. There's a rifle in there if you need something to protect yourself, just in case."
She started to object, but Austin turned her around, gave her a hearty smack on her bottom, and sent her off toward the office with a look that said all she needed to know. She went to the office, but left the door open a crack so she could hear what was going on. The first thing she did was get the rifle and load it. Then she stood at the door, listening. She was upset with her husband. She'd just come back from going on a posse with him. If he thought she was going to hole up in this office and let him get hurt now, he better think again.
The three riders tied their horses
to the hitching rail in front of the house and came up the steps. Before they made it clear up onto the porch Austin opened the door, looking big and menacing in the doorway. "What can I help you boys with?"
The older of the three asked, "Are you Austin Barrington?"
"I am. And you are?"
"I'm Dallas Langley, and these are my boys, Denver and Jackson."
"Georgia's father and brothers? Please, come on in. I've been hoping to get to meet you all real soon. Go on in the living room here, and I'll go get—"
"Papa! Georgia came running around the corner and about knocked Austin over getting to her father. When he had a chance to catch his balance and look over at her, a scowl on his face, his scowl quickly turned to a big smile. She was in a full embrace with her father and both brothers. It was quite obvious how much they all meant to each other. He stood back watching, and smiling.
Cord moved over next to him. "Well, that's something that's good to see."
"It certainly is," Austin agreed.
"I'll just go out to my foreman's cabin and let you guys alone so you can all get to know each other."
Austin stopped him with a hand on his arm. "No, don't go. If you don't mind staying, I want to explain the situation we've got going on, with people in the woods, to her family. I'd feel better if you were in here, too, just in case whoever's out there decides to cause trouble while the sheriff's gone."
"I can do that. I just didn't want to be in the way."
"I'll explain it all to them, and why you're staying here. Thanks, Cord."
Dallas finally pulled away from his daughter so he could look at her. "You look good, Georgia. Is this man of yours taking good care of you?"
She went over and wrapped her arms around Austin's waist. His arms naturally went around her in a protective manner. "He certainly is, Papa. Austin is fantastic. I love him."
"It shows," her father said. He turned to his son-in-law. "I had to come out here and see for myself that she found herself a good man that will take care of her. I can easily see you two have something special. I also see you have a real nice spread here, and she'll be well taken care of. Welcome to the family, son."
He reached out his hand, and Austin shook it, both men giving each other a firm handshake. Dallas chuckled a little. "With a name like Austin, I think you'll fit into our family just fine, joining Dallas, Denver, Jackson, and Georgia. We'll either make one good family, or a good map!"
After they all had a good laugh, Austin shook hands with his two new brothers-in-law, before heading them all to the living room. "Papa, you and the boys sit down and start getting to know my wonderful husband. I'm going to make us some coffee. Have you eaten? I can make sandwiches for you."
"We ate in town before we came out, honey, but some coffee would be real nice."
"I'll be right back." She left, leaving the men to get acquainted.
"Sir, this is Cord Nolan, my foreman and good friend."
Cord stood and shook hands with Dallas, then Denver and Jackson.
"Cord, would you please run out to the barn and get a couple of the hands to take their horses into the barn? Have them put them in stalls, and brush them out good and feed them."
"Sure thing, boss, Cord said. He turned to their guests. "I'll you'll excuse me, I'll be right back."
"Thank you, both of you," Dallas said. "The horses could sure use a little pampering."
"My men will take care of that," Austin assured him. The group started talking, both having lots of questions for the other. Georgia's family soon felt like they'd known Austin for some time, and he felt like family. They felt comfortable around him, and could tell he was a good man. Austin had nothing but respect for her father and brothers.
"Sir, this may be a little odd, but I've got to say it. I want to thank you for the way you raised your daughter. I thought for sure, with her being from the east, she'd come out here and not have any idea how to ride a horse or handle a gun. I was a little concerned, to be honest. But she's as good with horses, both riding and training them, working with them, as any of my hands are, and the same goes for her knowing how to use a gun. She's just fit in really well out here."
"I'm glad to hear that, son, and please call me Dallas. I did the best I could raising her, but I'll be the first to admit she's more of a tomboy than a lady. She can cook, but she'd much rather be out with the horses. I worried about her getting married. Not too many men want a wife who's better with horses than cooking." He looked around the room. "Does she cook here, or do you have someone that does that?"
"We have a lady that does the cooking for us. Georgia's been handling it the last few days, though, because we have a bit of a situation going on right now. I hate to tell you this right away, before we even get a chance to know each other better, but you and your boys need to be aware of it."
Dallas and her brothers looked concerned. He was about to explain what all had been happening, when he saw his wife coming into the room, carrying a large tray. He instantly got up and took the tray from her. He set it on the table, and once everyone had a cup of coffee, including Cord, who had returned, he started to explain.
Georgia and Cord helped, and soon they had explained what all had happened, and he left nothing out. He explained that he allowed her to go on the posse with them, and why. "I figured at least if she's there beside me I'll know where she is and won't be worrying about her trailing behind us and getting caught."
She looked a little indignant, but her father nodded. "That was a good choice, son. You're right, too; she would have followed you. She's a pretty good tracker."
"I found that out the first couple days she was here," Austin said. "That's another story. I'll tell you that one sometime, too. Right now, though, I want to make sure you know what's going on. We're not sure what the people in the woods are doing, but we could have trouble."
"Don't worry too much about us, Austin. If you have trouble, we'll be here to help. I used to be a U.S. Marshal, as did Denver, so we can hold our own. Jackson is the sheriff back home, so he knows how to handle himself and a gun, as well."
"That's good to know," Austin said. "Georgia said she learned tracking from the three of you, but I didn't know you were all so qualified. I hope nothing happens while you're here visiting, though. That's not much of a way to welcome new family."
"Nonsense," Dallas insisted. "If you're having some trouble here, I'm glad we're here to help. That's what family does. Now, tell us what all you know about this Sam Wyley and Ted Braxton, and what makes you think there are people in the woods watching the house."
They explained everything they knew, and Georgia explained about keeping it dark in the back bedroom and watching out the corner of the window. Her brother, Jackson, smiled. "I'm proud of you, little sister. You remembered what I said about the importance of no lights."
"I did. I also did like you suggested, and put a towel on a broomstick in front of the open door in the kitchen so it would blow around some."
"Just enough for there to be any kind of movement. From that distance that will make them think you're in the kitchen, and keep their attention away from the bedroom. Show me this bedroom. Let me take a look and see if I see any movement."
Georgia led her brother, the sheriff, back to the bedroom, where they crouched down low. They made their way to the window, where he peered out the corner, toward the woods. It wasn't too long before he said, "I think you're right. I just saw some kind of movement, too. Do you have a room upstairs that has a window facing this way?"
"Yes, one of the extra bedrooms."
"Take me there. Maybe I'll be able to see better from there." The two of them went upstairs, where he again ducked down and made his way to the window. After a few minutes, he nodded. "Yes, someone's out there. You go on back down and visit. I'm going to watch here for a bit and see if I can get any idea what's going on out there. Tell everyone downstairs to make sure their guns are loaded and ready, just in case."
Georgia went back downsta
irs and passed the warning on. Everyone heeded his warning, making sure their weapons were loaded and ready in case they needed them, before going back to the important task of getting to know each other better.
Chapter Seventeen
They had been visiting and getting to know each other for close to an hour when Jackson started yelling. They all ran out to the main hallway in the house and saw him running down the stairs.
"They're coming this way. They're surrounding the house. I saw two going north and two going south, and a couple coming straight for the house. Everyone get by a window, down low so they don't see you, and get a good view of what's going on. If you see any men, keep them in sight. Don't anyone fire until I say to. We have to make them fire first. Austin, you come with me. They'll probably yell in to you, make a demand. I'll tell you what to answer."
Georgia started to go with them, but both men stopped. "Not this time, Georgia," Austin said. "I want you further back in the house."
"But—"
Before she had time to say anything, Jackson broke in. "Sis, there's no time to argue. This is important. I want you and Pa to go upstairs to the room I was in. I need someone who can see the whole picture, and you can do that from there. Watch the area you saw movement in. I saw six men come out, but I don't know if that's all of them or not. You're the only one that knows the spot, so I can't send anyone else. You watch the woods closely. If you see anyone else leave, going any direction, you yell down right away and let me know."
She knew he was right; that was an important task, and no one else knew where she'd seen the movement. She nodded and headed toward the stairs. He told Denver and Cord where he wanted them and what to watch for and do, then turned to his father. "Pa, while she's watching for more activity in the woods, I need you to watch what's going on closer to the house. When you see anyone, yell out their location; east side of house, south side of house, or whatever. Don't shoot from up there unless you have to. I'd rather not have them returning fire on you and Sis."
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