Die with the Outlaws

by William W. Johnstone; J. A. Johnstone

  “Ah, the crusading newspaperman.” With a smile, Matt joined the others and looked across the table at Lonnie Cheatum. “Lonnie, would you ask one of those pretty girls to bring me a beer?”

  “Jennie Lou, a beer for my friend,” the bartender called.

  “When’s the last time you’ve seen Hugh?” Ernest Dean Fawcett asked.

  “Just this morning.”

  “How is he doing?”

  “He’s doing all right, considering,” Matt said. “He isn’t in any pain, and he’s very alert. But of course, he’s still paralyzed from the waist down.”

  “Damn, that’s bad. It’s a shame, too. Hugh is a fine man. One of the best men in the entire valley. How is Mrs. Conway taking it?”

  “Hard, as you would expect,” Matt said.

  “She’s a good woman,” Art said. “And a beautiful woman as well.”

  “You’ll get no argument from me,” Matt said.

  “Here you are, sweetie. Your beer,” Jennie Lou said, putting the mug on the table before Matt.

  “Thank you, Jennie Lou.”

  “I heard you talking about Mr. Conway. Would you please tell Mrs. Conway that all the girls here are thinking about her?”

  “I’ll be glad to.”

  “She has always been very decent to us if she happens to see us out on the street. Not every woman in town is like that.”

  “Oh, Matt, I nearly forgot. A letter came to the newspaper office for you,” Art said after Jennie Lou walked away.

  “A letter was sent to the newspaper office for me?” The expression on Matt’s face denoted his surprise and curiosity as to what kind of letter would be sent to him at the newspaper officer, rather than the sheriff’s office or even general delivery at the post office.

  Art pulled an envelope from his pocket and slid it across the table to Matt. “Here it is. As you can see, I haven’t opened it. It was addressed to you, and it would have been unethical for me to do so.” Art flashed a conspiratorial grin. “Besides, I couldn’t figure out how to get it open without it being discovered that it was opened.”

  Matt chuckled as he took the letter from Art’s hand. “But you’re going to hang around until I open it to see what it is, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, please open it now. I’ve been dying of curiosity.”

  Matt examined the envelope. “No return address. I would be willing to bet there is no signature on the letter, either.” He opened the envelope and withdrew the letter.

  Dear Mr. Jensen,

  I think you should know the bullet that has caused Mr. Conway’s paralysis was meant for you. You have become quite a thorn in the sides of Kennedy and O’Neil, as well as Tyrone DuPont.

  These three men have plans for the future of Sweetwater Valley and those plans do not include you. To that end, I think I should tell you that a rather significant bonus has now been offered to anyone who can kill you. And as that offer has been made by Kennedy and O’Neil, you can be certain that it will be members of the Regulators who will attempt to carry it out.

  Please take my advice and avoid any of the Regulators, especially if you see any of them together. I’m sure that you can understand why I would rather not sign my name to this letter.

  A friend

  Matt looked up from the letter, but said nothing.

  “Well now, that’s what I would call a ruminating expression,” Art said. “What’s in the letter to make you so pensive?”

  By way of answer, Matt passed the letter across the table.

  Art Walhausen read the letter. “I see that whoever wrote this letter has made a special effort to remain anonymous. Do you have any idea who it might be?”

  “None at all,” Matt admitted.

  “Well, I hope you at least take the anonymous author’s advice and steer clear of the Regulators.”

  “I’m not going to steer clear of them. I’m going after them,” Matt said. “There is no doubt in my mind but that the person who shot Hugh is a Regulator.”

  “I’m equally convinced,” Art replied.

  “Art, I’d like to get the attention of a few people. Could I persuade you to put out a special edition of the paper?”

  “I would be happy to. What do you want me to say?”

  “Suppose we go down to the office and compose the article together. I want the article to have some impact, and you are much better with words than I am.”

  When they reached the newspaper office, Art picked up a pencil and piece of paper, then he set it aside. “If I’m going to do a special edition just for this letter, I may as well set the type as we write it. What do you want to say?”

  As Matt began to dictate, Art set the type, offering a few suggestions until the letter was completed. Going to the printing press, Art pulled the first proof, then lay it out on the table for both to examine.

  “Is this pretty much what you wanted to say?”

  Matt nodded. “Yeah, this is exactly what I wanted to say.”

  EXTRA EDITION

  PUBLIC LETTER

  From Acting Sheriff Matt Jensen

  To any who would commit illegal and heinous acts under the cover of acting for the law, I hereby issue this warning.

  As acting sheriff and keeper of the law in Rongis as well as the entire Sweetwater Valley, I, Matt Jensen, hereby revoke all commissions, warrants, and appointments, whether assigned as county deputies by the late Sheriff Clark, or as private detectives for the Union Pacific Railroad. All such designations are hereinafter considered null and void. In addition, I will arrest anyone who I find trespassing on the private property of valley landholders, whether those landholders be farmers or ranchers.

  With immediate effect, any member of the group known as the Regulators will be arrested and jailed for impersonating an officer of the law, should they attempt to invoke the authority that I have, by this directive, stripped from them.

  YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

  “I’ll do a complete print run of five hundred copies,” Art said as he put the newsprint in the tray. “That will be enough to reach everyone in the valley.”

  “That’s good, but the people I really want to reach are DuPont, Kennedy, and O’Neil.”

  Art smiled. “Oh, I think you can count on that.”

  Straight Arrow Ranch

  “The question is, what are we going to do about it?” DuPont asked. He had come to the ranch to discuss the special edition of the Gazette, in which Matt Jensen had revoked all authority from the Regulators.

  “Sean and I have discussed it.” Kennedy smiled. “And I think we have come up with a solution.”

  “We’re going to get a new sheriff,” O’Neil said.

  “How are you going to do that? Hold an election? What if the lousy mutt is reelected?”

  “Since it was Garrett’s idea, I’m going to let him explain it to you,” O’Neil said.

  “There’s no need for a new election, as Sheriff Clark’s term isn’t over yet,” Kennedy said.

  The expression on DuPont’s face showed his utter confusion over the comment. “What do you mean, his term isn’t over yet? Clark is dead!”

  “Exactly,” Kennedy said.

  DuPont shook his head. “You ain’t makin’ a lick of sense.”

  “Oh, but we are, Sheriff DuPont.”

  “Sheriff DuPont? Me?”

  “Why shouldn’t it be you? You were a policeman in St. Louis, weren’t you?”

  “Yeah, I was.”

  “Then you certainly have the experience.”

  “But how am I going to be the sheriff?”

  “Since Sheriff Clark died before the completion of his term, that leaves Judge Briggs with the authority to appoint a new sheriff to fill the vacancy until the next election.”

  “Yeah, but ain’t that what happened with Jensen? I mean Clark is dead ’n Jensen is sheriff on account of he was Clark’s deputy.”

  “Yes, he is the acting sheriff at the moment, but the only reason he holds the position is because he was the depu
ty when Sheriff Clark died. That is a temporary position until a new sheriff is appointed to hold the office until the next election, and that’s over a year from now. I think we will have no problem at all in convincing Judge Briggs to vacate Mr. Jensen’s temporary position as acting sheriff and appoint you as real sheriff.”

  “What about Jensen?”

  “Well, as you will then be the sheriff, you will have the authority to dismiss Jensen and appoint your own deputy.”

  “Yeah,” DuPont said with a sinister smile. “Yeah, I can do that, can’t I?”

  “And you will appoint Mr. Boggs as your deputy,” O’Neil said.

  “Boggs? No, I think I’d rather have Moe Greene as my deputy.”

  “Oh, don’t get me wrong. You can reinstate Greene and everyone else in the Regulators as deputies. But your first deputy will be Merlin Boggs. That is, if you want us to arrange for your appointment to sheriff.”

  “Yeah,” DuPont said reluctantly. “Yeah, all right. I’ll appoint Boggs as my first deputy.”

  * * *

  “Why should I do that?” Judge Briggs said. “From all that I hear, the citizens of the town seem to be satisfied with Matt Jensen.”

  “What does it matter who the citizens of the town want?” Kennedy asked. “Only one person has the authority to appoint the new sheriff until the next election, and that’s you. And Sean and I would be very pleased if you would do so.”

  “How pleased would you be?” Briggs asked with a cunning squint of his eyes.

  “Oh, I would say a thousand dollars pleased.”

  Briggs looked over at DuPont, who was standing with O’Neil and Boggs. “Mr. DuPont, would you raise your right hand, please?”

  DuPont did so.

  “Say after me. I . . . what is your first name, Mr. DuPont?”

  “Tyrone.”

  Briggs nodded. “I, Tyrone DuPont, will faithfully execute, to the best of my ability, the office of sheriff according to the laws of the Territory of Wyoming.”

  DuPont repeated the words.

  “You are now the sheriff.”

  “Boggs, you are the first deputy,” DuPont said. “Oh, and Judge, just so’s that you know, I’m goin’ to be makin’ all the Regulators my deputies, too.”

  “As you wish.” The judge’s response was distracted. He was counting out the one thousand dollars he had just been given.

  * * *

  “You’re fired, Jensen,” DuPont said a few minutes later when he, Boggs, and Garrett Kennedy stepped into the sheriff’s office.

  “What?” Matt asked.

  “You heard me. I said you’re fired. I’m the new sheriff now, and seein’ as Boggs is goin’ to be my deputy, I don’t have no need for you.”

  “What do you mean, you’re the new sheriff?”

  “I’m afraid that’s true, Mr. Jensen,” Kennedy said. “In accordance with the law and statutes of the Territory of Wyoming, Judge John Briggs has not only the authority but also the obligation to appoint a replacement to complete the term when the office is vacated. He has just done so. I witnessed the event and thought perhaps I should accompany Sheriff DuPont when he told you about it so you would have no reservations in turning the office and your badge over to him.”

  “What about him?” Matt asked, making a gesture toward the quiet man with the moustache that curved around his mouth.

  “He’s my new deputy.” DuPont chuckled. “Oh, and all the Regulators, the ones that you said had no authority anymore? Well, they’re my deputies, too. As it turns out, Jensen, you’re the only one now who don’t have no authority, seein’ as I just fired you. So get out of m’ office before I throw you in jail.”

  Matt took the star off his shirt and laid it on the desk.

  “Ha, I bet you didn’t want to do that, did you?” DuPont said in a mocking voice.

  “Oh, it doesn’t bother me all that much,” Matt said. “I didn’t really see much of a career opportunity in a job that wasn’t paying me anything.”

  “Jensen,” Boggs said, speaking for the first time.

  “I’ll be damned. You can speak,” Matt said.

  “They say you’re pretty good with a gun.”

  “I’m good enough that I’m still here,” Matt replied.

  “You may not be here much longer.”

  “Oh? And why is that?”

  “I’ve got a feelin’ that me ’n you ’s goin’ to have us a little dance one o’ these days.”

  “A dance, you say.” Matt’s smile was somewhat sardonic. “I think you should know I always take the lead when I dance.”

  Chapter Thirty-six

  Spur and Latigo Ranch

  As Matt was no longer the acting sheriff, he was living at the ranch full-time but was staying in the bunkhouse with Ed, Jake, LeRoy, and Gabe Short. He was in the barn sorting harness when Lisa stepped in through the door.

  “Matt, Hugh wants to talk to you,” Lisa said.

  “Is anything wrong?”

  “No. At least, I don’t think so. He just said that he wanted to talk to you.”

  “I’ll finish this for you,” Gabe said. “I may not be able to throw a rope like the others, or shoe a horse, but sorting harness I can do.”

  “Thanks, Gabe.”

  Matt followed Lisa to the house but when they stepped inside, she made a motion toward the bedroom door. “He said he wanted to see you alone.”

  Curious, and a little concerned, Matt started toward the bedroom. Did Hugh suspect anything about Matt’s relationship with Lisa? But no, what could he suspect? Absolutely nothing had happened, so there was no reason to suspect anything. However, Matt knew that Hugh was very intuitive, so it was possible that he may have sensed some libidinous though unrequited tension between Matt and Lisa.

  Matt knocked lightly on the door. “Hugh?”

  “Come in, Matt.”

  Hugh was in bed, but he was propped up by pillows so that he was in a sitting position.

  “Lisa said that you wanted to see me?”

  “Yes. I’m going to do it, Matt. I’m going to ask Dr. Bosch to remove the bullet. I haven’t told Lisa yet because I wanted to talk with you first.”

  “If you want my opinion, I would say yes, go for it,” Matt said.

  “Yes, I was pretty sure you would agree with me. But there’s something else I want to talk to you about.”

  Matt felt himself grow a little tense. “All right.”

  “Matt, when Dr. Bosch talked to me about this, he was pretty plainspoken with me about all the positives and negatives. And one of the negatives we discussed was the possibility that I could die during the procedure.”

  “Yes, he shared that possibility with Lisa and me, as well.”

  “That thought doesn’t frighten me. To be honest with you, I would almost rather die than live the rest of my life as a complete burden to Lisa.”

  “She loves you very much, Hugh. I know for a fact that she would not look at you as a burden.”

  “I agree with you that she would feel like that. Still, there is the possibility that I could die, and that’s where you come in.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I know how you and Lisa feel about each other.”

  “Hugh, there’s . . .”

  “Please, Matt, let me finish,” Hugh said, holding up his hand to stop Matt in mid-sentence. “I know that nothing has ever happened between the two of you. And I know that Lisa loves me. But I’m not blind, and I know the feelings you have for each other.”

  “Hugh, I—”

  “If I should die during the operation,” Hugh said, speaking up quickly to interrupt Matt’s protest, “I want you to promise me that you will look out for Lisa. I’m not asking you to marry her. I know that you have your own life to live, but I am asking you to be there for her if she needs you.”

  Matt reached down, took Hugh’s hand, and held it between his two hands. “Hugh, I want you to know that if something goes wrong during this surgery I will look after Lisa. I ma
ke you that solemn promise.” He smiled down at his friend. “But if you die on me, I’m also going to kick you right in the ass for leaving her in her time of need.”

  Hugh laughed out loud. “Hell, Matt, you can do that now if you want to. One of the side effects of this paralysis is that I can’t feel anything down there anyway.”

  Matt laughed as well.

  “What are you two doing in there? Telling jokes?” Lisa called from outside the bedroom.

  “Come on in, Lisa,” Hugh called. “I have something to tell you.”

  * * *

  Matt rode into town to tell Dr. Bosch that Hugh had made up his mind to have the bullet removed. He was greeted with a sign that was posted at town limits.

  WARNING

  All Visitors to RONGIS

  MUST OBTAIN A VISITOR’S PASS!

  Failure to show pass could

  result in ARREST AND JAIL!

  Matt was reading the sign when he was approached by John Mason.

  “Well now, if it ain’t the former sheriff. I say former, ’cause you ain’t the sheriff no more, are you?”

  “What do you want, Mason?”

  “It’s Deputy Mason.”

  “What do you want, Mason?”

  The Regulator was clearly irritated by Matt’s response, but he lacked the courage to challenge him. “I’m here to make sure you do what the sign says.”

  “Uh-huh. And where am I supposed to go to get this visitor’s pass?”

  “You can go down to the sheriff’s office ’n see my brother. He’ll give you one if you got a good reason for bein’ in town.”

  A few minutes later Matt stepped into the sheriff’s office, where he asked Lem Mason for a pass.

  “What’s the reason you come to town?”

  “My reason for coming to town is none of your business,” Matt replied. “Just give me the pass.”

  “Uh-uh. Accordin’ to the sheriff, anyone that comes to town has to have a reason.”

  “I came to get a beer.”