by Webb, Carole
“We should be close, Cash. They didn’t get much of a head start.”
Cash kicked up dust with his boot. “They’ve been riding hard, too. They will have to stop soon. Let’s pace ourselves. We should catch up just after nightfall.”
The stony ground appeared to cover their sign but Cash had no difficulty following their trail. When it neared dark, he dismounted and squatted down forearms on knees. Twirling the ends of the reins in his fingers, he studied the trail then stood.
“Their horses are beat. It won’t take long now.” He pulled the revolver from its holster, spinning the cylinder, to check the loads. “We’ll just wait here ‘til dark.”
John threw his right leg up over his horse’s neck and slid to the ground. “I’m sure glad you know where you’re going. How can you track in the dark?”
A hint of amusement curved his mouth. “Just takes practice, I guess.”
The horses picked their way across unsteady terrain at a slower pace due to the darkness. Cash halted the filly and dismounted, signaling John to keep quiet then approached him and whispered. “We will walk in from here.”
“Walk where? I don’t hear anything.”
“You will. Follow me.”
Only a barely glowing sliver of moon hung amongst the stars, peering through the darkness to aid their approach. Cash led the way and not long after the sound of voices cut through the dense night air.
When the sounds grew louder, both men pulled their weapons, quietly dropped to their bellies and elbows to creep the remaining distance between them and the thieves.
The glint of a bottle flashed when it passed between them, each guzzling a deep chug. They spoke in low voices holding up the satchels. Cash whispered to John. “It’s your call, buddy, whenever you’re ready.” Cash had plans for John’s future and wanted him to take over while he watched his back. The glimmer of white teeth flashed from John’s smile.
Guns at the ready, both men stood. John called to the group. “You’re under arrest, boys. Just take it easy and no one will get hurt.” They scrambled to their feet in surprise, one man almost stumbling, attempting to maintain his balance.
John stepped closer, eyes trained on their faces. “We don’t want any trouble; just toss your guns slow and easy.”
Two of the men using only a thumb and one finger slowly eased their guns from their holsters then tossed them aside and stood looking dumfounded with their hands in the air.
The last man, apparently the leader, hesitated. “I don’t know if I want to, Marshal.” In the blink of an eye, his gun cleared leather, John and Cash both fired into his chest. He fell with a thud, his body convulsing in the throws of death while the other two men stared with wide-open eyes.
Cautiously, John approached the fallen man while Cash kept his gun trained on the others, kicked the gun from his hand and checked his pulse. “He’s dead.”
Cash’s stare never left the men’s eyes. His voice held a proud note. “Looks like you got yourself some bank robbers, John.”
They rode behind the men who walked at gunpoint back to their horses. With their wrists handcuffed behind them in the saddle, they went back for the dead man’s corpse and tied him securely across the remaining animal’s back.
With their catch in tow, Cash and John rode through the night. It would near dawn before they arrived in Chamberlain. Neither wanted to stop and make camp, increasing the risk something unforeseen might come about during the night.
***
Dangling over the horse’s neck, Raeden had managed to loosen the ties around her raw wrists. Tortured from the ride, her body ached all over and the lather from the horse soaked through her dress. The odious smell of the man mixed with wet horseflesh finally made her heave.
The rider pulled to an abrupt stop and jumped to the ground. Raeden’s petticoat billowed upward when he yanked her, but steady feet held while she stood, hands still working the restraints. She didn’t want to show fear, but felt horrified at the thought of what they might do and hopelessness crept in clouding her mind.
“Jesus Christ, Horace, she spewed all over me.” Horace folded over laughing.
He grabbed her shoulders in a vice-like grip. Carrion breath washed into her nostrils while she faced her attacker, making her nauseous. A driving blow from her bare foot connected at his groin. She shoved him backward dropping the restraint where he once stood. Raeden spun, bolting through stones, piercing the flesh of her feet as she ran, fearing nothing in the night as much as the two men holding her captive.
Not looking back, panic ran rampant in her veins at the sound of boots jogging behind. Her head snapped back when a hand yanked her hair nearly pulling her down. She gnashed his hand breaking through to tendons and gouged his eyes with her nails. The blunt force of a blow to her face knocked her to the ground. Her head struck a boulder and miniscule stars blinked across her eyelids. The warm sensation of blood streamed from a gash on her head.
Horace laughed at his partner while wiping blood from his face with the sleeve of his filthy shirt. Horace held out a bottle of cloudy brown liquid after sucking down a portion. They both rolled with laughter, ogling Raeden with lecherous glares.
Another swig sent fluid running from the sides of his mouth, dripping down his unshaven face. Snarled oily hair stuck from Horace’s hat. His villainous stare raked over Raeden as she struggled to her feet and fell back unable to stand. “Looks like she ain’t goin’ to be fightin’ us no more.”
“She’s only slowin’ us down.” Lester’s face contorted with anger. “My horse ain’t doin’ too good with two of us ridin’. Mehbe we should just teach her a lesson and leave her here. She’ll make a nice meal for some poor hungry critter.” His mouth spread in an evil curve showing teeth missing then spit tobacco juice on the ground.
Raeden came to her senses and tried again to stand but fell on her hands and knees then attempted to crawl, anything to get away. “It sounds like a good plan.” Lester pounced on her back smashing her to the ground. She heard a bone snap in her arm and screamed in agony as he tore off her remaining clothing leaving her completely exposed.
Raeden screamed out her protests. “Get off of me. You’ll be sorry for this.”
Both men laughed while Lester grabbed her broken arm to flip her over. She yelled out and began kicking again, swearing obscenities. Another blow to her face split the skin over her brow bone. Horace moved in to hold her while the disgusting vermin dropped his trousers. Her cries reached no one on the vast prairie.
He dropped his knees on her chest breaking ribs. She could barely breathe. He held her good arm over her head while Horace spread her legs allowing easy access. His hardness drove into her dry unyielding recess, tearing soft flesh as he ravaged her body and soul.
Breaths came in short gasps. She nearly fainted while he kept pumping harder and faster until finally spent. Revolted and sick, she turned her face to breathe avoiding the odious scent from his body, her mind still on escape.
Horace, apparently aroused by the rape, took his place. Too weak to fight any longer, she quit struggling and lay quiet while he had his way. Worse than the first, he plunged deep, determined to hurt. She could see into his hate-filled eyes as he pawed at her flesh.
He slapped her then squeezed her throat so tightly she nearly fainted before he released his grip. When he stood, a shooting pain ran through her abdomen doubling her into a fetal position. Her arms curled around her middle and uncontrollable sobs intensified the pain in her chest.
The men continued to chuckle. Horace kicked her back with his boot. When she cried out, their faces contorted with laughter. They drank more whiskey then took her again before they sped off leaving her helpless on the freezing cold ground. She prayed for death.
Thirty-seven
Diane woke with a start, sensing something wrong, jumped from her bed and ran barefoot down the hall. She found Raeden’s room empty, the bed not slept in. She scurried downstairs, hoping her asleep on the divan. When she coul
d find no sign of Raeden, she tore back upstairs calling for Mike.
“Wake up, Mike. Raeden’s not back. We need to go check the store.”
He jumped out of bed, they dressed in a hurry, saddled horses and rode as fast as the darkness would allow.
The lights shining from the windows at the store brought instant relief until they found the door wide open and the mess inside. Diane darted through the store calling for Raeden, returned to see Mike, his face scored with panic, holding the shreds of her dress. She grasped a lantern. They both hurried outside and found signs of two horses and a struggle.
Diane snatched a rifle and charged to her horse, swung into the saddle and the horse moved out before her feet reached the stirrups. She yelled back to Mike. “I’m going for Chad; we can all go out and search.”
She barreled the short distance to the jailhouse and noticed a rider in the distance. It’s Cash. Speeding past the marshal’s office, she continued through town waving the rifle over her head, calling out Cash’s name.
***
Cash and John hit the edge of town just before dawn, prisoners and corpse in tow. Bone tired, their pace remained slow.
He spotted a rider in the distance waving a rifle, as he cleared leather. He reined Rabbit out of the line of fire. He recognized Diane’s voice shouting his name. The panic caused a lump in his throat. Gun holstered, he urged his mount into a gallop and met her half way.
He knew before she spoke. “Cash, its Rae. She’s been abducted. We’re going out now to search.”
His heart dropped in his chest but he maintained his composure. John pulled up beside him. “You take care of these men.” He galloped full speed to the livery, jumped off Rabbit as she skid to a stop and ran all out and crashed through the door, yelling, “Watts, wake up. I need two horses, now.”
He ran back, yanked the saddle off Rabbit, and let Watts gear up the horse while he filled his canteen. The second mount on a rope in tandem, he raced to talk with Diane and Mike.
All agreed, the riders left headed due west. “I need both of you to stay here. I’ll travel much faster alone.” He vaulted onto the saddle and reined the restive horse due west.
Diane called after him. “Be careful, Cash.”
He shouted back, “Always.”
First light rose in the eastern sky casting eerie shadows along his path. He made a stop to give the animal a breather and check signs making sure of his quarry’s direction then pushed the lathered animal until he thought it would buckle, gripped with fear as he slowed to a stop. He transferred the saddle and bridle to his relief horse, leaving the other to find its own way then urged the animal forward continuing his pursuit. Unimaginable thoughts concerning Raeden’s fate raced through his mind, forcing him to drive his mount harder. He hoped it could continue a bit farther until a stop became mandatory for its survival. Blood pulsed through his veins, pounding in his temples while horrid pictures seared his mind.
The sun continued to climb overhead. The horse gasped for air and lather flew from its sides. He had to take a break or he would not have a ride.
A small heap on the ground caught his attention. Recognition sent chills up his spine. Dismounting, he dropped on his knees to her side pulling the listless figure into his arms, inhaling deeply when he found her alive. Relief turned quickly to anger while he gently brushed blood-soaked tangles from her battered face. His head dropped back, eyes skyward, his primal scream escaped into the vast valley of despair. The dangerous deceit he should have saved her from this torture corrupted his thoughts.
Removing his duster, he wrapped her inside. A knife of anguish plunged into his gut as he viewed the blood pool beneath. He rinsed her face with water and dabbed her bruised lips. Protective arms held her close while the horse revived, his thoughts dripped with venom when he pictured the horror she must have endured.
Once more in the saddle, he turned eastward. They moved at a slow steady pace while he watched the rise and fall of her chest.
The sun showed high noon when he stopped and gently lowered Raeden, positioning her petite fragile frame on his blanket. Canteen in hand he urged her to drink and a sputter escaped when liquid reached her throat. Vacant eyes shimmering with tears stared past his face while quaking sobs escaped her and filled his ears. His voice cracked when he finally found words. “Rae, sweetheart can you hear me?”
There was no look of recognition in her wide green eyes. When she struck out screaming, he did not attempt to ward off the blows. She favored one arm, it looked broken and her face grimaced in agony. The idea of the retribution he would inflict on the culprits offered the only relief from this anguish. He had seen firsthand the effects of torture in the wake of Apache raiding parties and he knew they would be in great pain before they died.
“It’s me, Cash. I’m right here, honey. Don’t worry, you’re safe now.” He felt worthless and helpless. He couldn’t even touch her without causing pain.
Cognizant eyes peered through deep pools while searching his face. “Our baby, Cash. Something’s wrong.” Retching while crying she grasped her ribs for a moment then her hand lifted to his cheek. His eyes stung while he listened to the pitiful wail knowing he would sacrifice his life this instant to remove her pain.
Jaw tight and pulsing, his fists clenched until the knuckles turned white when the impact of her words sunk in. He sucked in a breath then eased her upward. Her muscles went rigid when she cried out in agony, the unbearable sound breaking his heart.
“I’m sorry, Rae, but I have to move you. I’ll do what I can to ease your discomfort, but the ride won’t be smooth.” Once in the saddle, a frail arm wound around his neck, her head lay on his shoulder, and he cradled her next to his heart.
He spoke to her while the time inched by, his frustration mounting as each mile passed.
Midday sun spread warmth over the prairie casting a mood Cash did not feel. When Raeden’s body sagged motionless in his arms, the gnawing fangs of sorrow he had felt only once before when he lost his family, chewed at his soul. Desperation flushed caution as he pushed the mount to a faster speed until the exhausted animal stumbled and nearly buckled to the ground, forcing still another delay.
When he dismounted, Raeden’s arms floundered down past her sides exposing her chest. Her head dangled over his arm, allowing long tangled tresses to reach the ground before her corpse-like frame. Finding her still breathing, he let out a sigh of relief when he knelt down lowering his lips to brush a tender kiss across her cold damp forehead. To wake and find this only a nightmare would be the only way to douse the torment flaming in his heart and his mind. Tears fell from the corners of his eyes; he sucked in a breath refusing to cry.
Standing erect he moved to loosen the cinch strap on the heaving animal drooped before him. The horse’s nostrils flared wide to suck in more air. Over its back, he spotted his original ride grazing in the distance then unbuckled the saddle completely. A small cloud of dust rose when it dropped it at his feet. With the bridle removed, the horse went to its knees then lay prone on its side. Chest expanding wide, the horse released its last heroic breath into the air.
Bridle in hand, he ran full-bore, earth crunching beneath boots. He slowed only when a small distance remained. After the catch, he rode bareback, stopping at the saddle then slid down to make ready for the miles still lying ahead, praying Raeden could endure the rest of the journey.
Her eyes flashed open for an instant. She flinched but did not cry out when he raised her to his lap and continued on their way. She sighed and sank deeper into his arms when he feathered a kiss on her battered cheek. He spoke soothing words into her ear while his mind continued to reel with vengeance knowing he would find the felons and feel no remorse when he blew them away.
With the streets of Chamberlain in sight, Cash urged the horse to a faster pace, relieved Raeden still lived. They arrived in late afternoon.
***
Mike dozed in a chair while Diane paced the floor glancing up the street nearly every f
ive minutes for a glimpse of Cash riding with Raeden, afraid it might prove to be her corpse.
Pouring the last mug of coffee, she drank while she walked. Mike stirred then opened his eyes and jumped out of the chair. “Any news? I guess I fell asleep. How long since I dozed off?”
Diane gave her husband a weak smile. “About ten minutes, and there is no sign of Cash.”
“Honey, why don’t you sit for awhile? I’ll pace for you.” He reached out and pulled her into his arms.
She relaxed into the embrace suddenly exhausted and enjoyed his warmth while he stroked her back.
After a few moments, they walked outside arm in arm. Diane blocked the late afternoon sun from her eyes with a hand and spotted a horse and rider. It must be Cash. She nudged Mike and they ran down the street together, halting dead in their tracks when Cash called out.
“She’s hurt, get the doctor!”
Panic nipped at her heels as she dashed through the street. If she let her guard down now, she knew she would go to pieces. Dr. Hathaway sat at his desk and jumped out of his chair when she barged through the door.
“Doctor, its Raeden, she’s injured. Cash is bringing her in now.”
He rushed into the adjacent room to get a bed ready. Diane stepped out to meet Cash.
Cash carried his burden as if it weighed nothing and placed Raeden gently on the bed then stood back while the doctor moved in shaking his head.
“Good God. Cash, what happened?”
Diane stared wide-eyed in disbelief at the swollen bruised face and the dried blood matting her tangled hair.
“She was abducted then beaten and apparently raped then left like this to perish alone and in agony out on the prairie. I swear I’ll kill them for this.”
When the doctor spread the coat open, Diane gasped in horror at the broken contused body. She held her stomach and ran toward the door gulping air into her lungs and fell into Mike’s open arms. He gave her comfort while she sobbed against his chest.
