Beyond The Horizon

by Connie Mason

  “Can’t you warn Red Cloud? Perhaps he shouldn’t sign the treaty.”

  “Not signing the treaty could result in slaughter on both sides. Innocent women and children will die. The proud Sioux nation and all other Indian tribes will cease to exist. It is better to survive in any condition than to have your numbers decimated and your people scattered to the four winds. I can’t ask you to become a fugitive like me and live as I am forced to live.”

  “My God, what am I thinking? You’re no longer a wanted man!” Shannon cried, wondering how she could have forgotten to mention something so vitally important as Blade’s freedom. But when he made love to her, she could scarcely remember her own name, let alone anything else. “President Johnson wired Colonel Greer shortly after your escape from the guardhouse. He explained everything and demanded that your name be cleared. You’re free to come and go as you please. Furthermore,” Shannon continued excitedly, “Colonel Greer has launched an investigation of his own and let it be known that you are a special agent. He wants to catch Major Vance’s killer as badly as you do.”

  At first Blade was merely stunned, then angry—damn angry. The telegram might have come too late if Shannon hadn’t found a way to free him. But after his temper cooled and he had time to think about it, he was too damn happy to hold grudges. He whooped in pure joy. He was alive and free and held the woman he loved in his arms.

  “You know what that means, Little Firebird?” he asked, raining exuberant kisses over Shannon’s face and neck.

  “It means we are free to love and spend our lives together,” Shannon said, smiling blissfully.

  “It won’t be easy,” Blade predicted. “If you marry me, you’ll suffer undeserved prejudice. Our children will be openly ridiculed by their peers.”

  “No one will ridicule our children!” Shannon declared fiercely. Her hands cradled her stomach as if Blade’s seed already grew there.

  “You’re a ferocious warrior, Little Firebird,” Blade laughed. “Are you certain you want to marry me? It might be easier for us in the East, but I have no desire to leave the land of my birth.”

  “I left the East once. It holds nothing but sad memories for me. I’d be proud to be your wife, Blade. Anywhere you want to live is fine with me.”

  “Then we will be married as soon as Major Vance’s killer is in custody.”

  “Damnation, I nearly forgot! You know who the killer is. Who, Blade, who is he?”

  “I’ve known for some time but had no proof. I suspected him even before I left the fort, which is why I knew exactly who I would find here tonight with Broken Lance.”

  “Don’t keep me in suspense!”

  Blade paused thoughtfully. “You’re better off not knowing until the man is in custody.”

  “Blade Stryker, you’d better tell me!” Shannon demanded hotly. “I’m in this as deeply as you are.”

  “Very well, Little Firebird, I can’t deny your involvement or your right to know. The man who arranged for guns to be delivered to the renegades is Lieutenant Goodman. The same man who killed Clive Bailey and Wade Vance.”

  “Lieutenant Goodman! But—but that’s preposterous,” Shannon stammered, stunned. “He hates Indians. He’d never sell guns to them.”

  “Greed knows no loyalty. No doubt he tried to salve his conscience, if he has one, by killing as many Indians as possible. Goodman is the man I saw talking to Broken Lance. I saw him clearly, Shannon, while you were struggling in my embrace.”

  “My God, the Greers will be devastated. Claire was going to marry him. Colonel Greer positively dotes on the man.”

  “Something tells me Claire will not only survive, but will quickly find a replacement for Goodman,” Blade predicted sagely.

  “What’s going to happen now?”

  “I’m going to make love to you again,” Blade said, a rakish smile hanging on one corner of his wide mouth.

  “Blade, be serious! What I meant is, what are you going to do about Lieutenant Goodman?”

  “Who?” Blade asked distractedly. He had already forgotten the man as his hands made a bold foray along the sensitive skin of her breasts.

  “Blade, you’re incorrigible.”

  “So I’ve been told.”

  Then his drugging kisses put an end to her questions. After rendering her breathless, his lips left hers to wander where his hands had been, blazing a trail of fire along her ribs, pausing to lavish loving attention on the smooth tautness of her belly. Then he continued his downward journey, amply rewarded by a surrendering sigh from Shannon when he pushed her thighs apart and buried his dark head in the tangle of blond curls at their apex.

  “Blade, oh God, that’s so good.”

  Her body jerked convulsively when his tongue probed delicately into the tender folds of flesh.

  “I want to love you with my mouth, and every way possible tonight,” Blade said, lifting his head to stare into her passion-glazed eyes. “You’re mine, Shannon Branigan, and I want you to remember it always.”

  “How can I forget when you remind me in so many wonderful ways?” Shannon panted, nearly beyond speech.

  Then words were no longer possible as Blade’s bold, thrusting tongue sent her tumbling over the edge of ecstasy.

  “Wake up, sleepyhead,” Blade said, swatting Shannon’s rear playfully. “I reckon by now Colonel Greer will have a detail out looking for you, if he can spare the men. Today Red Cloud is to sign the peace treaty and Greer will need every available man to keep order at the fort.”

  Shannon was up instantly, shrugging free of the coverlet and reaching for her clothes. There wasn’t a part of her body that didn’t ache, nor an inch of her sensitive skin that didn’t tingle with pleasurable memories.

  Blade watched with renewed interest as Shannon rose like a nude goddess from the mat. How could he possibly want her again after exhausting himself so thoroughly, loving her so completely—too many times to count—quenching his hunger until he had no more to give? His need for Shannon truly amazed him, and instinctively Blade knew he would always need her.

  “Don’t look at me like that,” Shannon warned with a teasing smile.

  “I can’t help it. You’re beautiful.”

  “You’re not so bad yourself.”

  Her appreciative gaze slid over Blade like warm honey. She thought him handsome in buckskin trousers and shirt. Instead of moccasins he now wore leather boots. His pitch-black hair was unbraided and hung down to his incredibly wide shoulders. Lean, hawkish features stared at her from a dark bronze face.

  “Let’s get out of here,” Blade suggested wryly, “before I lay you down and make love to you again. And I sincerely doubt I’m up to it.”

  Hand-in-hand they left the tipi and walked through the Indian encampment. Shannon could feel the dark, curious eyes follow their progress but placidly ignored them. When she was with Blade nothing or no one could harm her. They strode into the fort and were immediately confronted by a detail of six men riding across the parade ground. Sargeant O’Brien was in charge. When he saw Shannon he brought the detail to a skidding halt.

  “Miss Branigan! Colonel Greer is beside himself with worry. He ordered a detail of men sent out to search the Indian camp.”

  He slid a inquiring glance at Blade, recognizing him immediately. “Are you responsible for Miss Branigan’s disappearance, Blade?”

  “I reckon I am,” Blade admitted, slanting an amused look at Shannon.

  “We haven’t time for conversation now, Sargeant O’Brien,” Shannon said, tossing her head impatiently. “It’s imperative that we see Colonel Greer at once.”

  Without offering an explanation, Shannon took Blade’s arm, pulling him along with her. Sargeant O’Brien turned his mount and followed, dismissing the rest of the detail with a wave of his hand.

  Blade and Shannon were allowed immediate entrance to Colonel Greer’s office. “Shannon, you’re more trouble than all the men under my command!” the irate officer declared. He looked worried, and Shannon felt
guilty for not thinking to send word of her whereabouts. Then Greer saw Blade and his expression lightened.

  “Hello, Colonel,” Blade said quietly. “Shannon told me I’m no longer a fugitive.”

  “Blade! Blade Stryker! I suppose you’re responsible for Shannon’s sudden disappearance. Have you two no sense at all? Haven’t I enough to worry about without sending out men to comb the area for one wayward girl?”

  “I’m sorry,” Shannon said in a small voice. “I didn’t mean to worry you. It was thoughtless of me. But what we have to tell you will more than make up for the distress I caused.”

  “Well, get on with it. This is a hectic time.” He looked at Blade. “Are you with Red Cloud’s people?” Blade nodded. “Look, Blade, I’m sorry as hell about—everything. But I know the truth now and will cooperate fully with your investigation.” Having had his say, he waited for Blade to speak.

  “My investigation is finished, Colonel,” Blade revealed, drawing a skeptical look from Greer.

  “You know who killed Major Vance?”

  “Yes. The man is clever. He recruits traders traveling back and forth across the Oregon Trail to carry illegal weapons for him. When they arrive they are sold to renegades at a great profit.”

  “That’s despicable! Who is it?”

  “You’re not going to like this, Colonel,” Blade warned cryptically. “You may not even believe it.”

  “Spit it out!”

  “Our man is Lieutenant Goodman.”

  “What! Preposterous! The man hates Indians. He’d never deal with them. Ronald Goodman is going to be my son-in-law.”

  “If you search Goodman’s quarters, you’ll find the gold stolen from Wade Vance’s room. Furthermore, Shannon and I overheard him negotiating an arms deal last night in the Smith’s Shop with a renegade named Broken Lance.”

  Colonel Greer was stunned. Goodman was on his way to becoming a fine officer; he had big plans for his daughter’s fiance that included a promotion and a bright future in the army. How could this be? How could they all have been taken in by the man? “Are you certain? Absolutely certain?” Greer looked as if he had aged ten years in ten minutes.

  “Send someone to search Goodman’s room, and you’ll have your proof,” Blade suggested, knowing how difficult this was for Greer.

  Blade and Shannon waited in the Colonel’s office while a search was conducted in Goodman’s quarters. Not satisfied to assign the job to just anyone, Colonel Greer went himself, taking Sargeant O’Brien and a young private with him. They returned less than thirty minutes later, each man carrying a sack of gold. The crushed look on Greer’s face told the story.

  “Sargeant O’Brien, when Lieutenant Goodman returns from patrol, place him under arrest and bring him directly to my office. Neither of you speak of this if you value your rank.”

  Both men saluted crisply, but the private seemed unable to tear his eyes away from the gold. Sargeant O’Brien had to literally drag him from the room by the arm.

  Once they were gone, Colonel Greer seemed to collapse inwardly. “I’d like both of you to remain when I confront Goodman. Meanwhile, Blade can explain much that was missing in the president’s letter and tell me how he happened to be in the livery last night to hear Goodman and the renegade.”

  Eager to oblige, Blade related all the details of the investigation he and Wade Vance were conducting before his tragic death. He also revealed his movements during the past months and how he knew Broken Lance was meeting with Goodman last night. He carefully omitted any mention of Shannon or where they had spent the night. But Greer was no fool. He knew Shannon loved Blade and was reasonably certain Blade returned her feelings. Since Shannon had no father, Greer intended to make damn certain Blade did the right thing by her.

  Blade had just finished his rather lengthy explanation when Goodman burst through the door. “What is this all about, Colonel? Why am I under arrest?”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Lieutenant Goodman’s eyes narrowed suspiciously when he saw both Shannon and Blade sitting in Colonel Greer’s office. He guessed immediately that he had been found out and wondered how it had happened. He decided to brazen it out by pretending innocence no matter what the charges against him. He sincerely doubted there was enough evidence to convict him of anything.

  His eyes widened in fear and disbelief when he saw the sacks of gold sitting on the Colonel’s desk. They should have been resting in their hiding place in the closet of his quarters.

  A frisson of dread shivered down his spine as he repeated, “What is this all about? Why am I under arrest?”

  “You’re under arrest for the murders of Major Vance and Clive Bailey,” Colonel Greer said with quiet authority. “Then there is the additional charge of selling illegal weapons to Indians.”

  “What! That’s preposterous!” Goodman sputtered, stunned and flustered by the evidence against him. “You know me, Colonel, I’m not capable of murder.”

  “It’s too late for denials, Lieutenant. The gold taken from Major Vance’s quarters was found hidden in your rooms. If further proof is needed, there were two witnesses to your meeting with Broken Lance last night.”

  Goodman slid a venomous glance at Blade and Shannon. They hadn’t said a word since he entered the room. “That can’t be! The Smith’s Shop was empty when—” He stuttered to a halt, suddenly realizing what he had just admitted. His shoulders slumped in utter dejection as he lost all his bluster.

  Until that moment Colonel Greer had held a slim hope that this was somehow all a hoax, that Goodman would offer a plausible explanation to clear his name. But that hope was dashed by Goodman’s fatal slip of the tongue.

  “Both Shannon and Blade heard you and Broken Lance discussing weapons,” Greer said with grim resignation. “Somehow you learned that Major Vance and Stryker were working together to halt the illegal sale of guns to renegades and risked murder rather than be unmasked and charged with the crime. You killed Vance and neatly arranged for Blade to take the blame. It almost worked, but fortunately Blade escaped from the guardhouse and became friendly with Broken Lance. It wasn’t long before everything was finally brought out into the open.”

  “They lie! The gold was deliberately planted in my quarters,” Goodman said lamely.

  “Your feeble excuses don’t hold water,” Greer replied disgustedly. “How could you do this? You had a brilliant future ahead of you in the army. I approved of your marriage to my daughter. Why, Lieutenant, why?”

  “I did it for Claire,” Goodman tried to convince the Colonel. “She deserves the best things in life and army pay allows for few luxuries.”

  “Don’t blame your greed on my daughter,” Greer rebuked harshly. “Take him away,” he ordered, deliberately turning his back. Sargeant O’Brien moved quickly to obey, completely baffled by all that had transpired.

  Goodman swiveled to confront Blade and Shannon before he was hustled out the door, his face mottled with rage. “You’ll pay for this. One way or another you will pay!” Then he was taken away, still cursing and spewing threats.

  “I didn’t want to believe it,” Greer said, shaking his head slowly.

  “It’s never easy when someone you trust betrays his friends and the uniform he wears,” Blade sympathized.

  “Yes,” Greer said, clearing his throat as he put the matter firmly behind him. In his position he couldn’t afford maudlin sentiments. “What are your intentions now that this investigation is over?”

  “I have plans for the future,” Blade replied, squeezing Shannon’s hand.

  “Might I ask if they include Shannon?”

  “I have no future without Shannon,” Blade stated simply.

  “Do you intend to marry?”

  “If Shannon will have a half-breed for husband.”

  “Of course I’ll have you,” Shannon replied proudly. “You’re the man I love. Nothing else matters.”

  “Since Shannon has no father or male relative nearby, I’m going to speak frankly,” G
reer said. “For Shannon’s sake, I suggest you settle anywhere but near Fort Laramie. This is a small post and feelings run high against Indians and half-breeds. Once you marry people will lose all respect for Shannon. She’ll suffer because of it and I don’t want that to happen.”

  “It’s not my intention to remain at Fort Laramie, Colonel,” Blade revealed. “For some time now I’ve had my eye on a valley near Cheyenne. If it isn’t taken, I plan on homesteading there, building a house for Shannon, and buying cattle with the money I’ve saved. The land is perfect for raising Texas longhorns.”

  Greer nodded approvingly. Shannon had a more difficult time coming to grips with the notion that Blade wanted to become a rancher. It was the first she had heard of it.

  “Before you leave,” Greer continued, “I’d like to arrange with the chaplain to perform the marriage. If that is what you’d like,” he added hastily.

  “Yes, I’d like that,” Shannon said eagerly.

  “Then run along to the house and inform the women while Blade and I settle the details.”

  Shannon left headquarters in a daze. She had dreamed so long about being Blade’s wife, but she hadn’t thought it would ever happen. Finally they would be together always, never to be separated again.

  “It won’t be easy, Blade,” Greer warned once Shannon was gone. “No matter where you go, there will be prejudice—unless you go back East and live as a white man as you did during the war years.”

  “There is nothing back East for me and Shannon,” Blade argued. “Wyoming is my home, and I’ll stay regardless of the way people feel about me. Shannon is a fighter. She’ll survive.”

  “Then let’s go find the chaplain. You can be married tomorrow.”

  By the time Shannon left headquarters, the fort was abuzz with rumors of Lieutenant Goodman’s arrest. Snippets of gossip and cutting remarks flew around her as she crossed the parade ground. People seemed to be more concerned that Shannon had spent the night with a half-breed than they were about finding a killer. Injun lover, white squaw and whore were among some of the choice words directed at her.