Chapter XV
It was pleasant on the porch of Dawdrey Lance's cabin during those chilly Colorado evenings and if it wasn't for his concern for Millie and the dull pain in his thigh, he would have found the experience quite pleasant. Bohanin didn't like the idea of sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch but he accepted it as the only way to be able to get from his bed. Bochart's slug in his thigh had not been a particularly serious wound but it was painful. Dawdrey's place was in a fine location. The little canyon protected the buildings in both summer and winter. Dawdrey's cabin was one-room but he had taken care to construct the building solidly from nearby pines flourishing along the crest and sides of the canyon walls. A small mail-order cook stove kept the cabin warm in the evening and didn't heat up the interior during the day. The plank floor was a luxury. The small horse barn, a simple privy, and corral were the only other buildings on the place and as well built as the house.
It was four days since Bohanin's shoot out with Logan Bochart. Bohanin had endured a tough first two nights after the wounds but was recovering quickly. Dawdrey stitched the wound with horse tail hairs and a spare needle from his cupboard. He had seen many an army surgeon do worse. Dawdrey's mood concerned Bohanin. He seemed quietly self-absorbed and reclusive. It was as though he carried a heavy burden of guilt and couldn't shake it off.
Bohanin was preparing to go into the cabin for the evening when he heard Joe Tibbs riding into the yard. Bohanin's Winchester was leaning against the wall of the cabin just behind the rocking chair and when he heard the rider, he placed the rifle across his lap. Tibbs appeared exhausted as he drew up his mount and stepped from the saddle.
“How you feeling?” Tibbs asked as he slowly stepped on the porch.
“I'm doing fine.”
Tibbs sat on the edge of the porch and took off his hat.
“What did you find out?” Bohanin asked.
Tibbs shook his head and gazed at the horse barn. “You ain't gonna like it. It ain't what either one of us would have expected.”
Bohanin leaned forward in the rocker.
Dawdrey Lance stepped from the cabin to hear what Tibbs had to say.
“Go on,” Bohanin said.
“She ain't there.”
“What do you mean she ain't there?” Dawdrey asked.
“She left. Almost six days ago. As soon as she could manage it, she got her money, went to the livery and left town with your buggy and mare.”
“What the blazes,” Bohanin cursed.
Tibbs handed Bohanin an envelope for his shirt pocket. “Read this. It's a letter from Doc Ball.”
“Let's step into the cabin where I can get some light and my spectacles,” Bohanin said.
Dawdrey and Tibbs followed.
Bohanin fished his reading glasses from his traps and went to the small, homemade table in the center of the cabin. He opened the letter, took out three fifty dollar bills, and began reading aloud.
“
Dear Captain Bohanin,
I am sending this letter to you through Joe so that I may fully explain the events of the last several days. I am aware of several items of concern that I felt could only be best shared with you through correspondence. I have been informed of your wounds and I want to extend to you my best regards and wishes for your rapid and full recovery. If you will remember, during our conversation concerning the condition of Mildred Toland, you asked about the status of her pregnancy. This greatly disturbed me because at the time of my preliminary examination of the woman, I saw no evidence of the condition. I determined to examine the woman more fully. On the day that you left, I gave the woman a thorough and complete examination. During my examination, I asked the woman what caused her to believe that she was with child. She responded with surprise to my
question and assured me that she was, in fact, not pregnant, and wondered how I had come to such a conclusion. When I told her that you had questioned me concerning the pregnancy, she seemed surprised. I can assure you that from my examination I can firmly state that this woman never has been pregnant and is not now in such a condition. However, she seemed greatly agitated because of my examination. The following morning, she surprised me with the statement that she was leaving. Against my urgings that she should remain under my care, she paid her bill in full and left $150 with me to reimburse you for the horse and buggy. Enclosed please find that amount. She left in the afternoon of the following day, refusing to say where she was bound or how far she intended to go
.
As she is an adult and being under no suspicion of any crime, I could only urge her not to go and abide by her decision. A large Mexican cowboy arrived the following evening. He stated that you had sent him to see about the Miss Toland's condition. When I informed him that she had left my care, he became indignant, drew a knife, assaulted me, and attempted to force an entry into my bedchambers. It was only at the point of a loaded shotgun by my wife that we were able to force this man's withdrawal. Of course, I in no way believe that you sent this man. I am rather of the opinion that the very forces that assaulted you and the woman on the trail sent this desperado.
This belief has caused great concern for my wife and myself about your safety and that of the woman. It is with regret that I share this information with you. It is my belief that the woman has not been candid with you and may in fact be hiding a dark secret. Whatever the case, I send you expressions of my fear for your welfare and news of this sad situation. Please accept our concern. Your obedient servant, Andrew S. Ball.”
Bohanin paused several times while reading the letter. His hands were trembling as he completed the letter and examined the money enclosed in the envelope. Bohanin silently stared into the lamp light in silent disappointment.
“You suppose that fellow was Espironsa?” Dawdrey asked.
Bohanin nodded.
“You gonna be all right about this?” Joe Tibbs asked.
“I don't see that I have much choice.”
“Why would she lie to you like that, Captain?” Dawdrey asked.
“Not just to me. She lied to Bochart as well. Bilked him out of three thousand bucks. Damn near got all of us killed. Caused his death and a hell of a stink. Her lies did all of that and more.”
“I know this won't help much but we haven't solved the question of what happened to Tim,” Joe Tibbs said.
“I think we have, Joe,” Bohanin said. “We haven't been taken in by just one woman. We've managed to let two of them make fools of us.”
“Augustina,” Dawdrey said.
Bohanin nodded. “Only one person could have sent Espironsa to Doc Ball's. She was the one who ordered those men to kill Millie and me. She fanagled us into shooting her husband. And I'll bet she ordered the death of your young friend, Joe.”
“Got any whiskey?” Joe asked.
Dawdrey drew an unopened bottle of Bourbon from the cupboard.
“Don't bother getting any glasses. I don't want to go to the trouble of refilling one all the time,” Tibbs said before taking a swig. He passed it to Bohanin.
Bohanin gulped down a healthy portion. Dawdrey followed suit.
“I've had women take me for most everything they could. A whore once lifted my stake while I slept. I had an ole gal lie to me about being a widow and her husband turned out to be six foot three and mean as a snake. But, I've never been so horn-swagled in my life,” Joe Tibbs said as he took his second helping from the bottle.
“I just can't believe Augustina would do such a thing,” Dawdrey said.
Bohanin smiled and nodded. “You don't want to believe. I got a good idea what she said to you back at the house. You don't want to believe just as I wanted to believe Millie. Face it, son. She's made fools of us. Both of them have.”
“What now?” Tibbs asked before taking a third helping of the Bourbon.
“Going to the law won't do much good,” Bohanin said. “She is the law in these parts and we'd just end up looking like fools. Hell, before it was over, we'd probably end up in jail for killing poor old Logan Bochart.”
“Its a damn good thing he drew first,” Tibbs said.
“Shit, yes,” Bohanin said. “Otherwise, we'd be decorating a tree somewhere.”
“The way I see it, we got three choices. One, we ride out of here and head for greener pastures,” Tibbs said.
“At which case, Augustina gets away Scott free,” Bohanin said.
Or, we go to the law and spill our guts,” Tibbs said.
“And Augustina makes us look like idiots and probably files charges on us,” Bohanin said.
“Or we ride back to the ranch, find Espironsa and smoke his ass,” Tibbs went on.
“Or take him alive to make a confession to the law,” Dawdrey said.
“At which point, she denies everything and walks Scott free,” Bohanin said. “Who'd believe the word of a Mexican over the largest landholder in southern Colorado?”
“That is, if you could take Espironsa alive. I kinda doubt that happening,” Tibbs said.
There was a pause as the men passed the bottle among them.
“Well, what the hell do we do?” Tibbs asked.
Bohanin limped toward the window of the cabin. He stared into the darkness and thought for a moment of the brief interchange that he had with Millie back on the trail. He felt like an old fool who had been drawn into a dream by a woman who had absolutely no feelings for him. He was sick to his stomach of the whole affair. He wanted to get on his horse and ride out. To hell with all of them.
“I say we ride to the Bochart ranch and settle this thing once and for all,” Bohanin said.
“And do what? Shoot a crippled woman? Or do we just work her over a bit?” Dawdrey asked.
“It's that or let her go on. Who'd be next, Dawdrey? How many other folks would be murdered by her before someone finally brought her to justice?”
“I just don't like the idea of going after a crippled woman,” Dawdrey said.
“Crippled, and ruthless. Ruthless enough to do most anything. Hell. I guess we either hit the trail or we finish this thing. But I want you to think about one thing. She knows that we have probably figured out the whole affair. Ask yourself one question. Knowing what you know and knowing Augustina, do you honestly believe that any of us will ever be safe?” Bohanin asked as he glared at Dawdrey.
Dawdrey stared into the lamplight . Bohanin waited for several moments before making his final point.
“Think about this. If it had been Ransom Tabor who had done all of this, even if he were a crippled old man, what would you do?”
Dawdrey studied the lamp for several moments before shaking his head.
“But she isn't Ransom Tabor. She's a woman. No matter what you say to justify it, this problem boils down to one thing. I won't be a party to an assault upon a woman. Especially not this woman. And I don't believe you're capable of it either.”
Bohanin turned toward Tibbs.
“I don't see how we would be much better than Starbuck if we took on the woman,” Tibbs said.
Bohanin nodded. “I know. No matter how I try to justify it, I just can't make this drink go down.”
“What the hell do we do?” Tibbs asked.
Bohanin looked toward Lance for a suggestion.
“We go to the law. We tell our story as we know it and we turn her in. We go to a federal marshal if we have to. We let the law handle it and take our chances,” Dawdrey said.
“Where is the nearest marshal?” Bohanin asked.
“Fort Garland.” Dawdrey said.
“Sounds good. It'll be on my way.”
Dawdrey stood silent. He noticed they were watching him and reluctantly spoke.
“I want to talk to Augustina.”
“You must be crazy.” Joe Tibbs said.
Bohanin shook his head and turned back toward the window. “Just how much do you think you owe that woman?”
“I guess I owe her the chance to explain. Hell. She's been good to me. It might not make sense to you fellows but I'd like to know why.”
Joe Tibbs shook his head. “You had any serious horse falls here of late, Dawdrey?”
Bohanin thought of Millie. He had some of those same questions himself.
“I guess we need to get some rest. It'll be a long ride to the Bochart place tomorrow and I don't intend to let Dawdrey make the trip alone.”
Tibbs threw up his hands in disgust. “Sounds like both you gents been riding the same horse.”
Bohanin cut his eyes to Dawdrey and winked.
“Mares I reckon,” he said with a smile.
Chapter XVI
Three horses were saddled and waiting in front of Dawdrey Lance's cabin the following morning. Storm clouds were forming to the northwest.
“Maybe we should wait until that storm blows over before heading out for the Bochart place,” Joe Tibbs said.
Dawdrey Lance brought out each man's duster. Tibbs sighed as he realized that the coats were to provide a reasonable alternative to remaining in the cabin. He drew his well-worn Colt and examined his loads.
“I wish I had a better revolver than this old relic,” he said.
Lance handed him a coat and chuckled. “I doubt you'll need it. You're acting like a grandma this morning.”
Bohanin attempted to raise his foot to the stirrup. He was stiff and he hurt. He couldn't muster the strength to get his foot high enough to reach the stirrup. Tibbs and Lance watched as he placed the chair by his horse and stiffly stepped up on it. From that point he was able to get his foot into the stirrup and swing into the saddle. He groaned as his legs spread over the horse's back.
“Maybe we ought to wait until you're in better shape,” Tibbs said.
Bohanin's hot glare stopped Tibbs. Tibbs shrugged and climbed into his saddle. Dawdrey stepped to his own horse and pulled his Winchester from his scabbard. He levered a round into the chamber and lowered the hammer carefully to half-cock safety.
“I thought we were going on a friendly visit,” Tibbs said.
“We got to get there first,” Dawdrey said quietly as he replaced the weapon in the scabbard. “Someone may not want us to talk to Augustina.”
Tibbs and Bohanin pulled there own Winchesters and copied Dawdrey's precaution.
The men rode toward the trail to the Bochart ranch.
“You're really having a problem believing that the woman is guilty, ain't you?” Tibbs asked.
Dawdrey rode loose in the saddle, as though he was tired. “I guess I am. I've known that woman since I was just a whelp. I know she's strong-willed and spoiled by her father. But I can't believe she'd be capable of this. I know it looks bad for her but it looked bad for Logan and we were wrong about him. I want to see her. Hear her story.”
“And if she lies to you?” Bohanin asked.
Dawdrey stared down the trail ahead of them. “I'll know,” he said.
Rolling plains of choya, short grass, and palm cactus surrounded the men as they made slow progress toward the ranch. Each man was absorbed in his own thoughts and there was little conversation. Bohanin's joints loosened after a mile or so and he became relatively comfortable in the saddle. He thought of his gunfight with Bochart. He figured Logan would beat him to the draw but not by so great a margin. A small house or cabin like Dawdrey's in the hills of California looked pretty attractive, certainly more appealing than riding all over Colorado chasing bandits and solving mysteries.
Why didn't Millie just say that she wasn't interested in him before she left? She had lied about the pregnancy, but Bohanin could understand. Maybe Bochart had seduced her and broke her heart. Maybe the money was revenge for broken promises. Bohanin cut his eyes to Dawdrey. He didn't like the idea of confronting Augustina Bochart but understood Dawdrey's motives.
Five riders appearing on the horizon stopped Bohanin's daydreaming.
Joe Tibbs held up his horse. “Who do you suppose they are?”
Dawdrey and Bohanin brought their horses beside Tibbs.
“Could be anyone. Could be cowboys heading out to trail some stock,” Dawdrey said.
Bohanin pulled his telescope from his saddlebag and focused on the riders. He could make them out drawing their rifles.
“Don't think so. They're pulling their rifles. I don't believe that's customary even out here.”
Tibbs turned in his saddle and searched for cover. There was nothing for miles except rolling hills and grass.
“Shit. We couldn't be more in the open in the middle of Fanny Grant's dance floor.”
The five riders formed a facing line and started their ponies into a run.
“They're coming at us from the jump,” Bohanin said. “We're in for a fight.”
A bullet ricocheted into the dirt at the foot of Bohanin's gelding. The animal jumped and pitched in surprise. In his stiff condition, Bohanin couldn't keep his place in the saddle. He tumbled into the ground and dropped his Winchester.
“Got dammed,” he said in pain as he rolled onto his back and grabbed at the thigh wound.
“On the ground or from the horse?” Dawdrey yelled to Tibbs.
Tibbs pulled his Winchester, swung down from his saddle and let his pinto free.
“I can shoot better from down here.”
“Me too,” Dawdrey said as he followed Tibbs' lead.
As another bullet careened into the ground near him, Bohanin signaled Dawdrey to retrieve his rifle and hand it to him.
“Why in the hell don't they shoot at someone else?”
Tibbs went to the ground on his belly, raised to his elbows and drew his rifle to his shoulder. Dawdrey dropped to one knee and aimed his Winchester. Bohanin was able to sit up and from that position drew a bead.
“From the left,” he said. “Joe the first, me the second, you the third.”
“Gotcha,” Dawdrey said.
Three rifles fired simultaneously. None of the riders fell from the saddle or acted like the shots were even close.
“Ain't we a bunch of riflemen,” Tibbs yelled in disgust.
“All right, go for the horses,” Bohanin said.
All three men took a longer, more careful aim. Bullets from the riders crashed and careened into the dirt around and in front of them. Their second volley caused one of the horses of the riders to go down. The rider crashed into the dirt.
“Nice shot, Dawdrey,” Tibbs yelled.
“He wasn't my man,” Dawdrey said, “I was aiming at guy to his left.”
“That's encouraging,” Tibbs said.
Bohanin drew a bead on another rider. His third shot caused the man to grab for his leg and drop his rifle.
Tibbs fired and missed. “I think I ought to find a club and just wait till they're in my lap.”
A bullet sung past Tibbs' ear and into the dirt beside his heel. “How in the blazes are those guys shooting so well from the back of those horses?”
“I got a feeling they ain't just regular cowboys,” Bohanin said.
Tibbs fired again, this time rolling his man over the back of the saddle.
“I hope they ain't lawmen. We'll have a lot of explaining to do,” he said as he levered another round.
With three men down the other two held up their mounts and turned away from the fight. Bohanin drew a bead on one of them and squeezed the trigger. The man's arm went limp and swung at his side.
“Lawmen don't come at you like that. They were paid to take us down.”
The following shots yielded no results as what was left of the riders disappeared over the horizon. Tibbs gazed back toward the west.
“I wonder how far them horses will run before they decide to stop,” he said.
Dawdrey watched one of the riders' horses get to his feet and shake off his dirt. “Let's see if we can catch that thing and fetch up our horses.”
Bohanin examined his thigh wound and groaned. Blood soaked through his pants.
“You opened up that wound again,” Dawdrey said.
“Did it in the fall. I think it will be all right,” Bohanin said.
Tibbs took off his hat and slapped it against his leg, “We'll just go for a visit. Stop by and have some tea with Augustina. Maybe she'll have fresh baked cookies or apple pie.”
Dawdrey looked up at Tibbs and after a moment's thought smiled and softly chuckled. “Go get that horse, Joe. Ours will be in the next county if we don't get a move on.”
Tibbs replaced his hat, levered another round into his rifle and started toward the horse. His grumbling and complaining to himself could be heard for several minutes as he walked to the pony.
Dawdrey offered his bandanna to Bohanin for a fresh bandage. Bohanin struggled to his feet, opened his pants and shoved the neckpiece over the wound.
“You still want to pay Augustina a visit?” he asked as he adjusted his trousers.
Dawdrey watched Tibbs catch up the horse and walk to one of the bodies on the plain. “We don't know for certain that she sent them. They could be working for someone else,” he said.
“Could be,” Bohanin said.
Tibbs led the horse back to the men. The animal wasn't limping, but blood was streaming down its neck.
“I think I can make this pony go for a while. Looks like the bullet didn't hit nothing important,” Tibbs said. “That one hombre is a Mexican. I think they was all Mexicans. Don't that woman get along with Mex's pretty good?”
“Espironsa gets along pretty good with them himself,” Dawdrey said.
Tibbs lifted himself into the saddle. He looked down at Bohanin.
“Ain't he a caution?”
Bohanin nodded and smiled.
Tibbs grinned and again shook his head. “Hell, you ain't any better.”
“There's that puddle about a mile back. I expect those ponies are there,” Dawdrey said.
Tibbs sent the horse forward at a walk. “Or back at the ranch, or climbing Pike's Peak, or grazing on daisies in China.”
Bohanin chuckled. “What's the plan? You figure we can just ride into that ranch after this.”
“Ain't no way else to get in. If we try a sneak, we'll see some hot lead for sure.”
“You're either a bold son-of-a-bitch or the craziest bastard I ever came across.”
Dawdrey smiled grimly and nodded. “I could go it alone. Maybe that would be better?”
Bohanin watched the cowboy, considering the suggestion. “What's the hold she has on you, kid? This is going a little beyond friendship.”
Dawdrey scuffed dirt with his boot toe. “She offered me everything, if I'd agree to marry her. She wants children and it's getting late for her.”
Bohanin stared at the cowboy for a moment. “Paid stud service or do you have feelings for her?”
For an instant Dawdrey flashed anger but then realized that it was an honest question. “I've always admired the woman. I could be happy with her. I could love her if....” He looked back to the ground.
“If she ain't involved in the murders,” Bohanin said.
Dawdrey nodded and sighed. “Maybe if she is as far as that bastard she married is concerned. Logan treated her like dirt. I know she loved the man when they married. I remember seeing her after the wedding. She was real happy. It was later, when he started chasing women and leaving her at the ranch for weeks at a time that I noticed her change.”
Bohanin eyed his friend for several moments. “Mind a little advice from an old fool who probably don't know any more than you do?”
“Sure. Fire away.” Dawdrey smiled.
“Be careful. Go slow. You got to live with what you decide for the rest of your life.”
“And what about you? What you gonna do if I decide to believe her and take her offer?”
The old man thought for a moment. “I get on my horse and head for Californy.”
“You mean that?” Dawdrey asked.
“I wouldn't say it if I didn't.” Bohanin smiled.
“Well, I haven't decided as of yet.”
“Tough decision,” Bohanin said as he watched Tibbs' far away image returning with the horses.
Dawdrey pulled a bag of California Gold and rolled himself a smoke. “You think I'm a fool, don't ya, Captain?”
“No, I don't guess that I do. It takes a certain amount of courage to do what you're doing for the woman, courage that comes from feelings deep in your guts. It ain't easy to believe in anyone in this old world, especially a woman. Hell, if I knew all the answers I'd be sitting in the White House instead of Grant.”
“I appreciate that. You don't have to ride into this with me. You could light out now and let me go it alone.”
“I'm going. We'll settle this together or we won't settle it at all.”
Dawdrey smiled. “You're a good friend.”
Bohanin glared at Lance from the corner of his eye.
“Ain't you gonna offer me a smoke?”
“Sure.”
Bohanin took the tobacco and slowly rolled himself a cigarette.
“The best damned friend you'll ever have,” he said.