by Donis Casey
Elizabeth’s answering smile was wan. “I kindly wish you weren’t going, Sister. I have taken a shine to having you around.”
Alafair felt tears well on her lower lids. “Well, now we must take to writing even more often than we did. And for goodness sake, since you and Webster manage to get back to Arkansas to see Mama and Daddy every other year or so, next time take a little detour on the way back and stop off in Boynton! Let Chase get to know his kinfolks.”
For an instant, Elizabeth looked as though she would cry. “That would be the best thing in the world for him, I do declare.” She reached out and enfolded Alafair in an impulsive hug tight enough to squeeze the breath out of her.
Alafair was surprised and touched. Elizabeth had never been particularly sentimental. After a few breathless seconds, Alafair gently pried herself out of her sister’s loving grip.
“It’s all right, honey. It ain’t like we’ll never see one another again.”
The tears that had been threatening finally spilled down Elizabeth’s cheeks. “I hope you’re right, Alafair, I surely do.” She gave her eyes a brisk dab with her handkerchief and straightened, shaking off her melancholy mood with a will. “Listen, sister, y’all’s train doesn’t leave till noon, so you’ve still got some time. The motion picture troupe is packing up and leaving town on the nine o’clock to Los Angeles and me and Cindy are going to head up town to see them off. Why don’t you and Blanche come along? It should be great fun.”
“Oh, I don’t think so, but thank you. We have a long trip ahead of us, and I’d just as soon take things easy this morning.”
Elizabeth gazed at her in silence for a moment before she nodded. “I figured you’d say that. Well, I expect that’s for the best. Me and Cindy will be heading off after breakfast. Would you be so good as to take care of Chase?”
“Surely. We’ll have time for a nice talk when y’all get back.”
***
“Why aren’t they back yet, Shaw?” Time had come for the Tuckers to leave for the train station and Elizabeth and Cindy had not yet returned to the house. Alafair knew the California train had come and gone, for she had heard the whistle when it departed at close to ten o’clock.
Shaw was loading valises into the back of Webster’s Hupmobile when he answered. “The movie train pulled out near to an hour late, so I expect the girls decided to just stay downtown and meet us on the platform. Don’t worry about it, honey. We’ll have plenty of time to say our goodbyes before we have to board.”
He and Blanche walked back toward the house with Chase hopping and skipping, benignly ignored, in their wake. Alafair was standing by the auto, fretting in spite of his assurances, when Mrs. Carrizal joined her.
She placed the large basket she was carrying on the ground and gave Alafair a hug. “I could not let you go without saying goodbye. Of course Artie wants to take his leave of Blanche. I sent him up to the house to find her. My husband wanted to come but he is off about his business. Much has been neglected of late. The girls are with Matt.”
“How is he this morning?”
The smile that lit Mrs. Carrizal’s face made her look twenty years younger. “He is stronger every day. He cannot speak yet, but he manages to make his wishes known. He wanted to wish you a safe journey, and to let you know how much he appreciated your visit yesterday.”
“I’m just glad to see him looking so much better. Has Dillon been by to question him yet?”
“Yes, but just long enough to get Matt to write the name of his attacker on a piece of paper. The marshal told us that Levi will be bound over for trial and transfered to the jail in Phoenix tomorrow. I expect Mr. Dillon will be back to get a full statement from Matt later about his involvement with the refugees and how much he knew about the Arrudas and their gun running. Which is nothing. That won’t be until Doctor Moeur says he’s strong enough, though.”
“I’m sure everything will work out. I’m so glad to get a chance to see you again before we go. Shaw and Web are fetching the luggage, and Elizabeth and Cindy are already at the train station. Seems the acting troupe left town this morning and they wanted to see them off.”
“Then I will keep you company until you leave.”
Shaw and Web and the children moved back and forth between the house and the car, leaving Alafair and Mrs. Carrizal to sit beneath the ramada and talk of homely things. How Alafair would miss the gorgeous winter days here in Tempe, with its perfumed air and the sound of bells marking the hours. How she would miss her lovely new friends. The route that Shaw had chosen for their return trip to Oklahoma was through the mountains to the north, for the ticket agent had assured them that the tracks outside of Flagstaff had been repaired.
Mrs. Carrizal told Alfair that they were about to see some spectacular scenery, much more felicitous than the endless stretch through the southern desert they had crossed on the way out; and considering what had happened at Columbus, a lot safer, too.
Alafair said that was nice, but after all their adventures, she only wanted to get home where she belonged and plant herself like an old tree, never to roam again.
For a long time they avoided talking about murder and bloodshed, but it was inevitable that the topic would arise. It was Mrs. Carrizal who finally broached the subject.
“I want to tell you, Alafair, how much I appreciate what Blanche has done for my Arturo. She has been a true friend during a very hard time. What happened to his brother has been devastating for him, and I fear that his father and I have not been of much help.”
Alafair shook her head. “It is so difficult for a family when evil befalls one of their number, and all those who are left must deal with their own fear and grief as well as the pain of the others. I’m pleased that Blanche’s presence soothed Artie a little. She’s very fond of him, and declares she will write him every day until the end of time. Besides, we will never be able to repay you for what you did for Blanche. You’re a truly gifted healer and without you I don’t know what would have become of her.”
Mrs. Carrizal looked uncomfortable with such effusive praise. “I am but an instrument, hija.” She reached down and hefted the large wicker basket at her feet, forestalling any more compliments. “I know that Elizabeth sends you home well provisioned, but I have made up a few things for you to take on the train.” She handed the giant basket to Alafair.
“It’s not much,” she apologized, which caused Alafair to smile. “It is only that we have been given so much food over the past two days. We will never be able to eat it all before it spoils. There is some cake and a few buñuelos. I know you liked them. I wrapped up half-a-dozen tamales and some corn tortillas. I also put in a bowl of dove with beans. It is Matteo’s favorite dish. I made it for him, though he is not quite ready to eat it yet. I cooked it very slowly in a clay olla in the oven. I hope you like it.”
Alafair looked down at the basket in her lap. Dove with beans? She gave a quick glance over her shoulder to make sure the men were out of earshot. “Mrs. Carrizal,” she blurted, “did you call your son back from the brink of the grave?”
A long silence ensued as Mrs. Carrizal gazed at her, her dark eyes unrevealing, but apparently not shocked to be asked such a thing. Alafair could feel her cheeks burning and expected that her face was tomato red. But she did not retract the question.
For a moment, Alafair wondered at Mrs. Carrizal’s lack of surprise. Until the obvious answer dawned on her. “You saw me watching you the other night when you killed the doves?”
The corners of Mrs. Carrizal’s mouth turned up. “Not at first. But yes, eventually I knew you were there.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?”
“Why didn’t you?”
Alafair considered her answer before shaking her head. “I don’t know. Killing the doves was a violent act, but I felt no evil purpose in you. I knew your gentle heart. And then against all odds, Matt turned from the face of death.”
“I am no bruja, Alafair. No witch. I sought only to invoke the sai
nts and spirits, and how they choose to answer me or deny me is their business.”
The Wrong Hill to Die On
Blanche was not willing to take her leave of Artie, so in the end he and his mother crammed into the Hupmobile with Web and Chase and the Tuckers and rode with them to the train station.
They unloaded and checked their larger baggage inside the station house before going out onto the platform. Much to Alafair’s surprise, Elizabeth and Cindy were not there.
“Where do you suppose they went?” Alafair demanded of Web.
Webster was not concerned. “I know those gals.” His tone was confident. “They went to eat a bite of cake at the restaurant in the Casa Loma, and got to talking and have lost track of the time.”
Shaw pulled out his pocket watch and checked it. “Our train will be here directly, Web. Alafair will be heartbroke if she misses saying goodbye to Elizabeth. Would you kindly run over there and see if you can roust them out before we have to board?”
Web hurried to his task, leaving them all on the platform. The children were playing on the stack of cargo boxes waiting to be loaded. The adults were chatting about anything but what was on their minds. Where were those two? Alafair had a bad feeling.
The northbound train was just pulling into the station when Web came out of the station house. Alafair caught her breath at the look on his face.
Shaw took a step forward. “I declare, Web, you’re as white as a sheet! What has happened?”
“Elizabeth’s gone. Cindy too.”
Mrs. Carrizal sat Web down on one of the cargo boxes. “Gone? What do you mean?”
“When the waiter at the restaurant said they hadn’t been there, I got fretted and came back here to ask the station master if he’d seen them. He did! He said they went out to the platform to hail the movie folks off, and when the train pulled out he saw Elizabeth and Cindy jump on! He said that the actress who dallied with Geoff held out a hand and hauled Cindy on, then Elizabeth jumped on after her!”
Web’s pitch rose a level as he continued. “I can’t believe it! By gum, Mr. Wills told me that the two of them had sure enough jumped on without tickets, but they could buy tickets on the train so we wasn’t to worry!” His wild-eyed gaze switched from Alafair’s face to Mrs. Carrizal’s. “She didn’t take a thing but what she stood up in. If they hadn’t been seen, we wouldn’t know they were gone for hours yet. What are they thinking? What am I going to tell Geoff? Did they think about their husbands?” Web straightened and slapped a hand to his cheek. “What about Chase?”
Alafair was stiff with shock and unable to say a word of comfort to Web as she awkwardly patted his shoulder. She was remembering the encounter with Elizabeth that morning by the front door. If she had agreed to go with Elizabeth and Cindy to the train station, would this have happened?
She realized that even if her presence had stopped their getting on that train today, it would only have been a matter of time until Elizabeth made her escape. Alafair had known in her heart for some time how her sister’s story was going to turn out. But what about Chase? If it had not been for Chase, Alafair could have had some sympathy for Elizabeth’s action.
Mrs. Carrizal was hunkered down in front of Web so she could look him in the eye. “I am so sorry, Webster,” she was saying. “But be calm, now. They have only been gone a couple of hours, and Elizabeth and Cindy may think better of what they have done by the time they reach Phoenix. You must wait and see what happens.”
Web’s expression eased. He pulled a big white handkerchief out of his pocket and blew his nose on it. “Well, Shaw, I know y’all have to board now, but I reckon I better go tell Geoff that his wife is gone. Cindy has kin in California. Maybe Geoff can shoot off some wires so they can hunt for them.” Web made a fist and gave it a feeble shake. “I’ll get her back! I’ll get myself on the very next train west and find Elizabeth. I’ll beg her to come back to me if I have to.”
“I know you will.” Alafair’s tone was soothing. She and Shaw locked eyes for an instant, and he gave her his quirky smile, full of irony and bemusement at the folly of humanity. Together they seized Web by the arms and hauled him to his feet. “Go on and find Geoff, now,” Shaw urged. “Don’t worry about us. We’ll get off just fine.”
“You send us a telegram as soon as you find out anything,” Alafair urged, anxious.
“What about Chase,” Mrs. Carrizal asked. “Shall I take him home with me?”
Web blinked at her. Oh, yes, Chase. “But you have your hands full what with nursing Matt and all,” he mused. His lips thinned and he turned to peer at the oblivious little boy who was still playing with his cousin. “Shaw, a word before I leave.” The two men drew aside for a private conversation.
Alafair intended only to collect her things and begin boarding, but Mrs. Carrizal was watching her with sympathetic anticipation. Alafair could not help herself. Her shock and indignation at the havoc her sister caused burst forth. “Miz Carrizal, I don’t blame Cindy a bit for what she did. But Elizabeth! I could choke that foolish girl! What was she thinking indeed? I mean, I knew she was unhappy with her life and with Web, and I felt sorry for her. But to haul off and leave your six-year-old child! I swear, if she wants sympathy from me, she picked the wrong hill to die on. I could never conscience what she just did.”
To Alafair’s surprise, Mrs. Carrizal smiled. “That is a funny saying, the wrong hill to die on. I have never heard it before. What does it mean?”
Alafair blinked, momentarily taken out of her pique. “Well, ma’am, it’s just something my mama used to say whenever we got to whining about something and making excuses. ‘If you want sympathy from me,’ she’d say, ‘you picked the wrong hill to die on, young’un.’ That’s when we knew we’d come to the wrong place for comfort and we’d better quit bellyaching and do as we were told.”
Mrs. Carrizal considered this. “Perhaps this is just what Elizabeth thought. Do not be too angry with her, Alafair. You are right when you say Elizabeth is unhappy. She covered it well, but I have seen that she has been unhappy for many years. Life is short, as you and I well know, and it could be that Elizabeth finally decided that she did not want to pick the wrong hill to die on, indeed.”
Mrs. Carrizal went to round up the children just as Shaw came up to Alafair’s side. She could not read his expression.
“Has Webster gone?” she asked.
“He’s gone back into the station to buy a ticket on the first train headed toward California.”
“What did he want from you?”
He looked at her sidelong. “Well, it seems he has a plan to get Elizabeth back…”
Something Out of Nothing
Matt was awake when Mrs. Carrizal and Artie returned home from seeing the Tuckers off at the station. He was propped up on fat pillows in a half-reclining position, eyes closed, listening to his father read to him from a chair at the bedside, when his mother and brother came into the room.
“Is he asleep?” Mrs. Carrizal whispered, but Matt opened his eyes and smiled at them.
Artie leaned across his father and took Matt’s hand, eager to relate their adventure. “Matt, you’ll never believe what happened at the station. Before we even took Blanche and her folks to to catch their train home, Miz Stewart and Miz Kemp went to say goodbye to the movie people going back to California, and when they got there they took a notion to go with them! They’ve both skedaddled!”
Matt’s eyes widened and he looked at his mother for confirmation.
“Is it so?” Mr. Carrizal asked for both of them.
Mrs. Carrizal nodded. “Looks like it is. The station master told Webster that Elizabeth and Cindy jumped on the train with the troupe just as it was pulling out of the station. I don’t know if they had planned it beforehand or not, but it seems they have both decided to leave their husbands and become actresses.”
One of Mr. Carrizal’s white eyebrows arched. “This does not surprise me overmuch, except for the timing. What will the marshal have to
say about Cindy leaving town in such an unexpected hurry?”
Mrs. Carrizal sat down in the chair next to her husband. “Oh, he will not care. He has no idea that Cindy had anything to do with helping Matt and the refugees, and I for one do not intend to tell him. I’m sure he will decide Cindy is leaving town to get away from her cheating husband and her murdering brother, which she probably is. Elizabeth is no suspect, but I am surprised that she went as well. I told her sister that Elizabeth may think better of her action and turn back up after awhile.”
Matt began making scribbling gestures, and his father laid a pencil and pad from the bedside table on the mattress beside him. Matt picked up the pencil and scrawled on the pad in large block letters, CINDY DIVORCE?
His parents glanced at one another before his mother answered. “I expect she will. Matteo, I know how you feel, but now is not the time to think of that. Even if she does divorce Geoff, it will be many months, maybe years, before she is free. And Mr. Dillon is not through with you, not by a long shot. You may be entangled with the law for a long time. Not to mention that it will be months before you are strong enough to do more than walk around the block.”
Matt’s eyes narrowed and he wrote, “Fl better daily. E & J restrnt. Dillon got nthing.”
A worried look passed over Mrs. Carrizal’s face, but her husband’s expression looked more like admiration. He bit his lip to head off an impolitic smile. “You are certainly determined, son, I admit it. I know you feel better, and I know that your sisters are running your restaurant just as well as you can. But better is not well, and Dillon may not have anything on you, but that doesn’t mean he will not make something out of nothing.”
Mrs. Carrizal put her hand on Matt’s arm. “Son, you must not concern yourself with anything but your recovery right now.”
Matt gave his mother a reassuring smile and scribbled, Dnt worry ma. Not going anywhr now.
Artie read between the lines. “When you go to California, can I go with you?”
