CHAPTER FORTY-NINE
It was well after midnight, and Stella Morgan was still awake. And Lucian Carter and Seth Roper were also sleepless. Roper had just brought news of the death of Skull Jackson at the hand of T. C. Lyons, and Stella had summoned Carter to join in what was an emergency meeting.
“I’m not leaving El Paso without my money and jewels,” Stella said. “It’s out of the question.”
“Red Ryan is badly cut up and is at death’s door,” Roper said. “That’s what I heard in the Platte, and that’s why I’m here.”
“We can delay our departure for a few days if need be,” Lucian Carter said.
“We may have to,” Stella said. “Does Ryan even have the bag?”
“Him and that fat driver of his?” Carter said, “I’m sure they do.”
“Seth, saloons are full of gossips. Did anyone in the Platte mention a carpetbag?” Stella said.
Roper shook his head. “No, but it’s possible Lyons has it, especially if Ryan is about to turn up his toes.”
“Lyons or the driver, what’s his name? Muldoon,” Carter said.
“There still might be time,” Stella said. “The train doesn’t leave until seven.”
Roper shook his head. “That’s pushing it, Stella. T. C. Lyons killed Skull Jackson, not an easy thing to do, and if Lyons doesn’t have the bag we go after Muldoon, and he’s no pushover either.”
“Damn it, Seth, don’t tell me what we can’t do,” Stella said. “Tell me what we can do.”
“We need time, that’s all,” Roper said.
“How much time?” Stella said.
“Two more days. I can arrange things in that time,” Roper said.
Carter said, “Roper, you arranged the Ryan business, and look where that’s gotten us . . . nowhere.”
“Well, hell, Carter, can you do better?” Ryan said.
“It wouldn’t be hard,” Carter said.
“Stop it, you two,” Stella said. “There’s no use quarreling among ourselves. Seth, we know what has to be done, so you and Lucian put your heads together and come up with a solution.”
“It’s easy,” Carter said. “Roper spelled it out . . . first Lyons, and if he doesn’t have the bag, then Muldoon. But as Roper said, we need some time.”
“Well, it’s not all bad news,” Stella said “It seems pretty obvious that Ryan will die, so that only leaves Lyons and Muldoon. Get the bag and use two bullets and we can leave for Washington free and clear.” Stella’s smile was as beautiful as ever. “Seth, Lucian, why don’t you draw straws for who kills who?”
“I’ll take Muldoon,” Carter said. “I never liked that man from the git-go.”
“I can kill Lyons,” Roper said. “But he’s a lawman and it has to look good.”
Stella said, “That leaves Pip Ogden. Do we have to worry about him?”
“I’ll take care of him too,” Carter said. “I don’t like him worth two bits either.”
“Then it’s settled,” Stella said. “Lucian, pour us a drink. I think we all need one.”
Seth Roper grinned. “Hey, maybe Ogden has the carpetbag.”
“Stranger things have happened,” Stella said. “But I don’t think Ryan would trust him. I mean, he hardly knows the man.”
Carter raised his glass. “Well here’s to Red Ryan,” he said. “May he rest in peace.”
“Amen to that,” Stella said. “One down, three to go.”
* * *
Stella Morgan lay in bed sleepless, her mind racing. Once the present difficulties were resolved and the carpetbag safely returned to her, she would have a decision to make . . . Roper or Carter . . . which one should accompany her to Washington? Though wouldn’t there be plenty of tough men in the big city willing to do her bidding, at least as long as she remained desirable and had something to offer in bed? Carter was jealous of every man she met, and he might become a burden after a while. Roper was a western man and as rough as a cob. He had muscle and a gun and was willing to kill for her, but she could not see him at home in Washington society. Now if Carter and Roper killed each other, it would solve her problem. Stella smiled into the darkness at the thought. How could she make it work? There had to be a way. Well, she’d think about it once her money and jewels were returned. Plenty of time then to . . . arrange things.
Stella closed her eyes, and whispered in her mind, “John, thank you for dying so conveniently and leaving me a rich woman with so many things to think about.”
Someone knocked on the door, a soft, discreet rapping. Who could it be at this time of the night? Had Roper or Carter come back hoping for some mattress time?
The soft, tap-tap-tap again.
Stella rose, hurriedly put on her dressing gown and picked up her Colt, keeping it behind her back. She stepped to the door and said, “Who is it?”
No answer.
Well, she never could resist a mysterious caller.
Stella opened the door a crack, saw who stood in the hallway, and opened it wider.
“Oh, it’s you,” she said, smiling. “Do come in.”