Mona never did catch up with Farley. Instead, she was met by a search party headed by Dexter Deatherage with his band of well-armed Pinkertons.
“Hello, Miss Mona.”
“Hello, Dexter.”
“Would you mind pointing that gun in another direction?”
“So sorry. I couldn’t really see if you were friend or foe.” Mona put her gun away.
“I take that it has been a rather raucous few days.”
“You could say.” Mona wiped her mouth. “You wouldn’t have any water with you? I’m parched.”
Dexter walked over to Mona still astride Shaggy and handed her a full canteen.
Mona drank her fill and poured the rest over her face. “Ah, that feels good. Have you run into Lord Farley, by chance?”
“About three hours ago. He’s been taken to the Fugates for treatment. Miss Breckinridge sent a nurse along with us. A doctor is on his way from London.”
“How is Farley?”
“A bit beat up like yourself, but he’ll come out okay.”
“What about Noah and Seth?”
“They’ve been treated and are on their way to jail.”
“They tried to kill us.”
“So Lord Farley explained,” Dexter replied in a soft voice.
Mona understood Dexter well enough to understand the nuances in his voice. “Go ahead and say it.”
“Say what?”
“I told you so.”
“Oh, you mean the little lecture I gave about being careful.”
“Exactly.”
“I don’t know what you mean, Miss Mona.” Dexter motioned to several Pinkertons. “Let’s get you down from that horse. We have made a comfortable camp at the Fugates. You will be back in Lexington soon.”
“Be careful with this sleeping bag. Chloe’s inside—and my horse needs care. She’s been ridden hard.”
“Yes, yes, yes. Everything will be attended to. We borrowed a wagon from Wendover. Our trucks could only go so far. Got stuck in the mud.”
Mona let a Pinkerton ease her off Shaggy and help her into a wagon hitched to two mules. They lay the sleeping bag next to her. Mona uncovered Chloe from the bag, relieved to find her breathing steadily. She leaned back against the wagon side and took a deep breath.
As the mules pulled the wagon, Mona spied Popcorn Pearse step out from behind a tree on the hillside and wave.
Mona did not wave back.