Authors: Sandra Leesmith
“Good thing you’ve got a horse to carry this load,” Wayne muttered. “Come on. Let’s get moving.”
Autumn slid her note to one side of the dresser, hoping Wayne wouldn’t notice. Her luck ran out. He came behind her and snatched it off the shiny surface.
“What’s this?” His expression turned to a scowl.
“Jess will be worried when he comes back and finds I’ve left.” She quickly grabbed it from Wayne’s fingers. It would ruin everything if the student read the contents.
“Don’t leave it,” Wayne ordered. “I don’t want to take the chance that he’ll stop us before we get there.”
“How can he do that? He’s not even here.”
“Give it to me,” Wayne insisted.
“Okay, okay.” Autumn held the note up and tore it into shreds. “See? No note. Feel better now?”
Wayne held out his hand for the pieces and then took them into the bathroom and flushed them down the toilet. His determination was a clear warning. She’d have to be careful if she planned to live through this.
* * *
It was almost sunset when Jess spotted the two riders. The orange rays of sunlight were behind him, so he knew they hadn’t seen him. He slid off his stallion and tied the horse to a tree. They’d gain ground on him, but if he climbed the cliff, he’d be able to determine which way they were headed.
It took scant moments for him to pull himself over the boulder. He sprawled out flat on his belly in case they should happen to sense his presence and turn around. He adjusted the binoculars until they came into focus.
It wasn’t until he zeroed in on the straight back and familiar features of Autumn as she sat on Real Tall Man’s pinto that he realized how much he’d hoped he’d been mistaken. For a moment, the bitter taste of betrayal assailed him. But no, she hadn’t really pulled the wool over his eyes.
Several emotions tore through him. The first wave of anger erupted and almost carried him into action. He was tempted to just charge down, grab her by the neck and demand to know what the hell she thought she was doing. With considerable self-control, he stilled that urge.
Disappointment followed. He lowered the binoculars and pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose to ward off the headache developing. There had to be a logical explanation for Autumn’s presence. No one could fake the emotion he’d experienced with her.
For a brief moment, he indulged in the wonder of the moments they’d shared last night. He shifted and felt the turquoise nugget press against his chest. She wouldn’t have given him the gift from Real Tall Man unless he meant something to her.
He pressed the stone in his hand, remembering how she’d used it in the cave. It didn’t make sense for her to ignore her safety and come out here with Wayne.
He shifted his glance to Carson. Maybe he had brought Autumn by force. He studied the pair and saw no evidence of coercion. Furthermore, it was obvious that they were skirting the sheriff’s lookouts and heading for a side canyon that would take them near the spot where the professor had discovered the kiva.
When they disappeared from view, Jess slid off the boulder and headed down the cliff to his horse. He’d get Enrique, and the two of them could stake out the pair. They would probably make camp in the box canyon several yards further. Jess and his partner would have them covered before nightfall.
As he led Valdez toward Autumn and Wayne, Jess’s mind reeled. They were camped in a restricted area. They were up to something, and he’d bet he wouldn’t approve. He could charge down there and demand an explanation. Perhaps it would be wiser, though, to follow and discover what they were up to. Autumn could be in more danger and might need his help.
After leaving their horses at the base camp, Jess and Enrique proceeded on foot to the mouth of the box canyon Jess had figured they’d ride into. Suddenly, Enrique grabbed Jess’s arm and halted his progress.
“
Mira
. What is this?” Enrique pointed to the shiny white stone he had ordered his friend to look at.
Jess picked it up and rubbed it between his fingers. It did not belong in this terrain, and its presence made him nervous. Why, he couldn’t say. He pocketed the rock as the continued.
Moving at a careful pace, he continued along the path he’d seen Autumn ride. Another white rock glistened in the fading light.
“What do you make of it?” Enrique whispered.
Jess shrugged, half afraid to voice the suspicion that was beginning to form in his mind. If Autumn was leaving a trail, it meant she wanted someone to know her whereabouts. Jess was beginning to suspect she may be taking action of her own to flush out Wayne’s involvement. If this turned out to be the case, he planned to wring her pretty neck.
“I don’t know what to make of it. All I know is that those two aren’t supposed to be here.” He gestured toward Autumn and Wayne.
In spite of the fact that they were in a restricted area, Wayne and Autumn did not take any pains to cover their tracks or hide their camp. Jess and Enrique spotted the fire in plenty of time to skirt it. They found a good hideout from which to observe the pair below them. After they were settled, Jess wished he’d selected a site closer so that they would hear the conversation. As it was, he had to content himself with watching Autumn mill about the site as she helped Wayne fix their dinner.
It made it easier when the two campers settled early in their bedrolls. Jess was thankful to get some much-needed sleep himself. The toss of a coin gave him the first shift to sleep. That suited him. Autumn and Wayne weren’t likely to make a move until dawn. He wanted to be the one to see what that action was going to be.
Just before he drifted off to sleep, he stared at the stars. Their glitter reminded him of the night he’d spent with Real Tall Man. The vision quest had brought the answers they had needed. If the
hataali
were here now, Jess could probably ask him about Autumn. The medicine man was probably the only one who had a chance of understanding his granddaughter.
A satellite tracked its way through the maze of stars. Its steady movement distracted Jess from his concerns. Again he thought of Autumn and wondered if she, too, saw the tiny lights and was thinking about him.
He fingered the turquoise nugget she’d hung around his neck and then touched the stones in his pocket. Love involved trust. There had to be an explanation for her presence. Daya’s words unexpectedly came to mind:
Trust your heart, my son. Sing the dream song. And remember, those you meet may not be who they seem.
Jess closed his eyes and chanted part of the Vision Song that he remembered Real Tall Man had used in the stargazing for Autumn. The words, the closest to a prayer he’d uttered in years, brought a measure of peace just before he drifted into a sound sleep.
* * *
“
Walk in beauty with courage in your heart. The way will guide you to truth.
” Autumn softly chanted the words of the
hatal
as she stared at the stars in the sky.
“Do you hear me, Jess Barron?” she whispered into the night. “Do you know I need you now?”
A coyote howled in the distance and Autumn smiled. Real Tall Man would tell her that was an answer to her question. She’d keep a positive attitude and believe it. Real Tall Man had taught her that believing made things happen.
In spite of her intentions, doubts kept her awake. What if Jess didn’t find the stones she’d been dropping? He could be at the kiva now, and if he was, how could she contact him? What if he was nowhere near? How would she handle Wayne?
Automatically she reached for the turquoise nugget, but remembered she’d given it to Jess. The thought comforted her. Jess would find her. He’d done it before and would do it again.
She fingered the last five stones she had left. She didn’t really need them. If Jess followed the trail this far, he’d know they were headed for the kiva. It was just around the bend in the main canyon. Perhaps she could leave them tossed about this campsite.
Across the fire, Wayne rolled over. Autumn watched him for several minutes, hoping he would not awaken.
For a moment she felt Jess’s presence, as if he were close by. She reached her hand skyward but touched empty space. It didn’t matter. Peace had settled within her heart. Jess would find her. She closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.
* * *
Light was barely chasing the stars away when Wayne shook Autumn’s shoulder. She sat upright, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
“Let’s go. We’ll leave the horses here and go the rest of the way on foot.”
Autumn stood and shook loose the clothes she’d slept in. “We can’t just walk down there. Guards are posted.”
“I already checked them out. They aren’t expecting anyone, so they aren’t paying that much attention.”
“Surely they’ll see us,” Autumn insisted.
“No, I found a way through the canyon where we can slip in right behind them.”
Autumn studied Wayne and noticed he did look wide-awake. Sweat stained his shirt and beaded his brow. “You’ve been down there already?”
He nodded. “I wanted to case it out before I led you in there. I don’t want you hurt.”
She wondered if he knew there were men out here who had tried to kill her. Then another thought occurred to her. “You didn’t harm those guards, did you?”
He cast her an incredulous look. “What do you think? That I’m crazy?”
Crazy, no. A criminal, yes. She said no more, but quickly laced her boots and prepared to leave. Wayne led the way, but before leaving camp, Autumn paused. She had the strangest sensation that someone was watching. Jess came to mind. She glanced around. Nothing moved.
The sage brushed against them as they walked along the high ground. Autumn breathed in the clear air and absorbed the peaceful quiet. It seemed like ages since she’d been in the canyon.
When they approached the lookout where the guards were posted, Wayne motioned for her to be silent and follow him. Autumn was tempted to sound an alert, but realized she’d never know what Wayne was up to if she did.
No, she’d have to continue the charade for a while longer. She needed to get evidence that would link Wayne to the killers. Perhaps she’d find the men waiting for Wayne at the kiva. The thought of seeing the two murderers definitely did not appeal to her. She took a deep breath and whispered the part of the Vision Song that affirmed courage.
They reached the kiva. Autumn surveyed the area. In the background, the canyon walls rose high and steep. Their ocher and red tones were the main source of color in the barren terrain. At the base, there were piles of talus where shale had broken off.
She looked up. The sky appeared clear until she caught sight of a dark spot in the distance—an eagle. She could barely see it circling on the thermals.
It was searching the desert below, she knew that. Its sharp eyes could spot the movement of a rabbit, even from that height. She returned her glance to the scene in front of her and willed her mind to see like the eagle. Were the killers hiding nearby?
The rocky streambed, now with only a trickle of water running in it, meandered through the canyon floor. Grass waved about in the flat stretches of high ground. As far as Autumn could tell, no one was about.
In a way, she was relieved. Her bravery went only so far. In another sense, she was disappointed. She wanted to confront the men and get the whole thing over with. Other matters, such as her relationship with Jess, pressed for her attention.
Wayne tossed a rope ladder he’d brought into the kiva and secured the ends to a rock. Autumn kept searching their surroundings. Still no sign of anyone.
Feeling a little more at ease, Autumn followed Wayne down the ladder into the kiva. Perhaps he was going to show her a secret tunnel that led to their hideout. Her imagination ran riot with possibilities.
The inside of the kiva was cool. It only took seconds to adjust to the dim light. Wayne stepped to the wall and gestured for her to come close. “Look at this, Autumn. This is what I wanted to show you.”
Suddenly footsteps sounded above them. Wayne started and then plastered himself against the wall. Autumn looked at the opening and saw a gun pointed in their direction.
“Don’t move or I’ll shoot.” The professor’s voice boomed against the walls.
Autumn stared from atop her perch on the sandstone ledge. Never, in all the years she’d worked with the man, had she seen Dr. Davidson with a gun.
With the pistol trained on the pair, Dr. Davidson lowered himself into the kiva. “I knew you two would sneak back here.”
Autumn wanted to explain. She realized it looked like she was in on this with Wayne. Now was not the time. She waited to see what Wayne planned to do.
“All my years of work. Did you honestly think you’d get away with it?” The professor aimed the gun at Wayne.
Autumn held her breath. Anger and hatred glittered in the professor’s eyes. He had every reason to want Wayne dead, but surely he wouldn’t kill him.
CHAPTER 18
The walls of the kiva seemed to close in on Autumn as she focused her attention on the professor’s gun. Suddenly a scuffling noise sounded from above. The professor glanced up. His fingers shook from nervous tension. Autumn held her breath, praying he wouldn’t shoot.
“What’s going on?”
Autumn sagged with relief at the sound of Jess’s voice.
Dr. Davidson lowered his gun. A strange expression crossed his features. If she hadn’t known him better, she’d have sworn his eyes were filled with hatred.
Jess descended into the kiva and Autumn absorbed the sight of him. No emotions were betrayed by his expression, but she knew he had to be surprised by the sight of the three of them here, and especially by Dr. Davidson’s gun.
Without speaking a word, he closed the space between them and reached out for the deadly weapon. Dr. Davidson placed it in his hand and Jess quickly switched the safety catch.
“I’ll take over from here,” he assured the professor as he tucked the gun into the belt of his jeans.
“They’ve been down here scraping off the paint—vandalizing the place. It’s been them all along. I trusted both of them.” Anger and indignation sounded in the professor’s voice. “I can’t believe it, but they’re responsible for all this.”
“Autumn had no part in this,” Wayne started to explain. “I brought her here to show…”
“He’s right,” Jess spoke up. “Leave her out of it.”
From his statement, she realized he knew she was innocent. He must have found the stones. There was no time to be relieved.
Dr. Davidson waved his arms and began to pace in a frantic fit of temper. Jess let him vent his steam as he helped Wayne and Autumn up over the edge of the opening to the kiva. “You can explain later, Carson. I want all of you out of here.”
The minute everyone surfaced, Wayne began to deny the accusations flying around him. “I was getting samples.” He turned to Autumn and showed her what looked like a putty knife.
The sight sickened Autumn as she realized he was trying to destroy the paintings in the kiva. Jess must have felt the same because she saw his fingers tighten their clamp over the handle of the gun he still held.
Wayne saw it, too. Panic flared in his eyes before he protested. “Go look for yourselves. I wasn’t hurting anything.”
Dr. Davidson swung around and went over to the ladder.
Jess intervened. “Don’t go down there. It’s a waste of time. We need to get Carson to the sheriff.”
“You’re not taking me in,” Wayne protested. “I was…”
Dr. Davidson told Wayne to shut up and then turned wild eyes toward Jess. “If I hadn’t come along, he would have ruined the whole thing.”
“You’re crazy.” Wayne moved to approach the professor. “Something’s…”
Autumn took a step and placed herself between the two men. “Stay where you are, Wayne.”
“No. I demand to be heard.”
“You’ll be heard, all right,” Dr. Davidson snarled. “Every judge in this state will want to hear what you have to say—especially about conspiracy in Ross’s murder.”
Suddenly, Autumn was flying through space as Wayne shoved her aside and charged at the professor. Jess quickly glanced at Autumn, and when she nodded that she was all right, he turned his attention to the struggling men.
Jess grabbed Wayne’s shirt and jerked him upright. One mighty swing at Wayne’s jaw put him out cold. Jess hurried to Autumn and helped her stand.
“Are you hurt?” he asked.
“No, but the professor…”
Together they approached the man and helped him as he struggled to his feet. His voice shook a little, but he sounded strong.
The noise of the fight had evidently alerted the sheriff’s men. They came running with their guns in their hands toward the group. Autumn was surprised to see Enrique Valdez with them.
“What’s going on?” the sheriff asked. “What are you doing here?”
“These two left the ranch,” Dr. Davidson said. “I knew they were up to no good. I followed them.”
“We caught sight of them,” Jess gestured toward Enrique, “and discovered them in the ruins.”
Autumn listened, aware that Jess was explaining his presence as if it were an accident. With Enrique and members of the posse around, he probably didn’t want to risk blowing his cover as an agent.
Jess explained what had happened. By the time he had finished, Wayne was coming around. The sheriff read him his rights and then helped him walk toward their base camp. Autumn, Jess and Dr. Davidson were asked to follow. Wayne’s mumbles of outrage could be heard all the way to the sheriff’s tent.
As soon as they arrived at the campsite, they handcuffed Wayne and isolated him. Autumn stood at the open flap of the tent and saw that he was still protesting. She shook her head as she turned away from the sight and went into the tent.
The hot sun had given the canvas a musky smell. The sheriff sat at the table with Dr. Davidson. Jess was near the entrance and she went to stand beside him. She’d never seen the professor explode like that, but she didn’t blame him. He had a right to be furious after what had happened to the discovery that was to bring him fame and recognition. She could easily sympathize with him.
What can this development mean?
She sat on the cot and studied the three men. She still didn’t know what Wayne had wanted to show her. The two murderers were on the loose, and as far as she knew, still could have plans to come to Coyote Springs. Autumn motioned to Jess.
He came immediately and bent over her. The scent of his heated skin caused a momentary flicker of longing that she quickly stifled. It took effort not to trace the stitching on his western shirt. “I’ve got to talk to you,” she whispered.
Jess motioned her outside, where Autumn gladly followed. The tent, stuffy and hot, sizzled from emotions as well as the desert temperatures.
“I could tan your hide for coming out here with him,” Jess said before Autumn had a chance to explain.
“I know it looks bad. The professor thought I was working with Wayne. I’m glad you knew better.”
“I got your message.” He pulled a white stone from his pocket.
His smile made the day seem brighter. “I wasn’t sure you’d understand.”
“I didn’t at first,” he admitted. “It puzzled me. I couldn’t figure why you’d turn up here with Wayne.”
He explained how he had followed her and watched their camp last night. The news didn’t surprise Autumn. She’d sensed his nearness.
“Wayne wanted to show me something. He was so anxious about it that I decided to come with him. I was hoping he’d lead us to the other men involved.”
“I was afraid you had figured some fool scheme like that. Don’t you remember how ruthless these men are?”
The vehemence in his voice surprised her. From the glance he cast her, she suspected he had startled himself because he still wasn’t comfortable with his feelings toward her.
“Whatever he wanted to show me had something to do with the kiva.”
“Do you have any idea what it was?”
“Not a clue,” Autumn admitted. “We’d just entered when Dr. Davidson arrived.”
“I haven’t seen any signs of the two killers.”
“There might be evidence in the kiva.”
“Right.” He straightened and rubbed the back of his neck. A frown furrowed his brow. “I have to stay here, though, and ask a few questions.” He paused to lower his voice. “I need to have the sheriff check some things out.”
“Does he know about the task force?”
“Yes, but his men don’t. I’d just as soon keep it that way.”
There would be no problem about that from her. Jess’s safety was a priority.
“Why don’t I go over there?” she suggested. “You can join me when you’re finished here.”
The look on his face expressed the appreciation of her idea, but she could also see the doubts.
“I promise not to go off on my own.”
His expression turned more cynical. “I recall hearing those words before.”
She shrugged. What could she say?
Jess finally agreed and set about helping the sheriff post a watch over the area. Since he knew the terrain, the men were more than willing to follow his suggestions. “Stay out of sight,” he warned the two assigned as guards. “These men are murderers.”
Autumn helped with the description of the men. The guards took notes and then went to their assigned places. A measure of peace settled over her knowing they were close by.
Jess had to capture the scar-faced man and his partner. Then the whole story could be pieced together. She could sense the action coming to a head. If only she could find out what Wayne had wanted to show her in the kiva.
After Jess headed back to the sheriff’s tent, Autumn went to the mound and descended into the underground room. She combed every inch, but found nothing that would give them a clue to Wayne’s claim that something important was inside. They had emptied the room of all the artifacts days ago. The only signs of civilization left were the murals painted on the walls.
The paintings were in remarkable condition, Autumn thought as she sat on a ledge to rest and think. There was only one section that looked scratched. She traced along the fine lines, and to her surprise, saw flecks of color on the tips of her fingers. The scratches were not worn spots from aging but were recent.
Wayne
. So the professor’s charges were true. What she couldn’t figure, though, was why Wayne would do it. She couldn’t see any purpose to be gained. Unless…
Autumn stood and started pressing the stones. Perhaps they’d been scratched because they were the key to a secret passageway. After several attempts and no action, she sat back down, disgusted.
Over an hour passed before Jess was able to join her. He, too, looked around the kiva, but they found nothing. They left the pit in time to see a helicopter land near the campsite.
“The sheriff’s taking Wayne in.” He shaded his eyes against the wind from the chopper blades.
“Do you think the copter’s arrival will alert the two killers?”
“No.” Jess placed his hand at her waist and propelled her toward the dwellings in the cliff. “It’s been flying in and out of here all day. They’ll probably think it’s routine.”
“You’re right,” she conceded. “They must know that a sheriff’s posse is here.”
“I’m sure they were told.”
Autumn paused at the base of the cliff and looked around to see if anyone was near. Dr. Davidson and the sheriff were still at the campsite. “I notice you didn’t say
Wayne
informed them,” she commented. “Do you think he’s innocent?”
“No.” Jess shook his head while his brow furrowed in thought. “But I doubt he masterminded this. There has to be someone else involved; someone with more power.”
“Connie?”
“Possibly. I’m having the sheriff check her motel bill and cell phone records for calls.”
“Wayne called his father when we were at the ranch. Do you think he’s involved?”
“That doesn’t make sense, but then, a lot about this case doesn’t.” Jess started up the cliff. “Come on. We can wait up here. It’ll give us a view of the canyon.”
Jess helped her get comfortable. The dwelling walls had crumbled inward, leaving a pile of rocky rubble instead of the smooth floor most ruins had. It wouldn’t be that easy to spend the day there, but Jess had to figure out a way to convince Autumn to do just that.
“Since there wasn’t anything in the kiva, I suspect Wayne was going to hole up here and meet his two partners.”
“You’re right.” Autumn tossed aside a couple stones and made a flat seat to sit on. “I bet he was leaving a message to tell them where we were camped.”
“Could be,” Jess agreed, but he seriously doubted they would be that stupid. He needed Autumn to believe it, though. She’d never consent to stay put unless she felt she was doing her part. He’d learned that much about her these past few days. She had a stubborn streak a mule would be jealous of.
“The sheriff wants me to show him some of the terrain around here.” He avoided the look of betrayal he could see was already forming. “I need you to stand watch over the kiva.”
“I know these canyons. I can help…”
“No. You’re the only one who knows what those two men look like. I want you here in case they show up.”
Where you’ll be surrounded by the sheriff’s men
, he added to himself.
He could see her inward struggle and he had to force himself not to react to it. She was not dense. If she had any idea that he was inventing this duty to keep her safe, he’d have real trouble on his hands. She’d leave right after he did.
Evidently, his ruse worked. Disappointed but resigned, she settled onto a rock.
“I’ll bring you some food and water,” he offered.
“Thanks.”
He ignored the hint of sarcasm in her tone.
“Will you be returning?” she asked.
“You bet.” And that was a promise he intended to keep. “We need to talk.”
His dreams last night had been powerful. Not since his days with Daya had he felt that connected to his world. The old ways called. There might not be any harm in listening. Hadn’t Autumn proven that?