CHAPTER
25

With Blue at his side and his shotgun over his shoulder, Luke returned to the chapel car a couple of hours later. His eyes widened and he smiled at Hope when he stepped inside. “You sure made short work of the mess that was in here. I thought it would take the rest of the day to clean up. You even got all the broken windows boarded up.”

“Jed King helped Papa with that chore. I can’t take all the praise for cleaning up. If the railroaders hadn’t done so much work before I returned inside, I’d still be sorting through papers.” She gestured to a nearby chair. “Sit down and tell me about Jasper. Is he the one who set the dynamite?”

Luke shook his head and told her what he’d discovered. “I believe Jasper’s story. I stopped and asked a few folks on the hill and in town if they’d seen Jasper during the morning hours. Lots of the womenfolk said they’d seen him up on the hill, but I didn’t find one soul who’d seen him in town. By the time I came back down the hill, I was sure he hadn’t done it, but then I decided to go ahead and ask around in town just to be sure.”

“I’m glad to know Jasper didn’t do it, but . . .”

Luke nodded. “I know. It sure is a quandary. I don’t know which direction to go now.”

Hope pointed to the box of broken glass she’d carried inside. “I had time to go outside and gather the pieces of broken glass from around the rail spur.” She bent over the box and, using her thumb and forefinger, picked up the bandanna she’d recovered and held it in front of her.

Luke’s brows dipped low. “Why’s that in there?”

“I found it on a bramble bush near the spur. Is it yours?”

“No, but there’s quite a few men who wear those squares around their necks when they go into the mine. ’Course some use them as a handkerchief, too. Nothing unusual about it.”

“Except that it was on a bush near the spur.”

“Right.” Luke sat down and continued to stare at the bandanna. “No doubt it belonged to whoever lit that fuse, but unless it’s got some initials or a name stitched on the edge, it ain’t gonna be any help to us.”

A small flock of birds settled in a nearby tree, and Blue barked a loud objection. Hope leaned forward and looked out the window. “Blue!” The dog ignored her and continued to bark.

Luke chuckled. “Won’t do any good to holler at him. He won’t be happy till those birds are gone.”

“No! I wasn’t trying to quiet him.” Her eyes widened. “Blue can follow a trail when you’re out hunting. Could he sniff this handkerchief and maybe find the culprit who lit the dynamite?”

Luke slapped a hand to his forehead. “Why didn’t I think of that? Can’t say for sure if he’ll be able to track the fella, but it’s worth a try.” He reached to take the handkerchief from her, but she pulled back her hand.

“I’m going with you.”

“That’s not a good idea, Hope. Let me take Blue, and you stay here where you’ll be safe. I promise to come back once I take him out huntin’ for the culprit.” He stood with his hand still extended toward her.

“You’re not going to leave me behind, Luke. I promise to be quiet and do whatever you tell me, but I’m going along. It was me that almost got blown up in this railcar, and it’s my idea to use Blue. If you refuse, I’ll still follow behind, so you should go ahead and agree.”

“You are one ornery, determined gal.” He grinned. “Maybe that’s why I love you.”

She chuckled. “I hope you love more than my orneriness.”

He nodded. “Yep. I said you’re determined, too.” He turned toward the door. “If there’s no changing your mind, I guess we should get going.” Luke followed her out the door, then stopped to untie Blue. “You going to give me that handkerchief so I can have Blue sniff it or are you thinking that’s your job, too?” He tipped his head and smiled up at her.

“I’ll let you take charge of Blue and his sniffing. I’ll just follow along and do what you say.”

“I’m gonna remember you said that.” He held the fabric beneath Blue’s nose and waited while the dog sniffed. “Go find him, Blue!” The dog’s nose went to the ground, and the two of them followed as he moved to the position on the rail spur and then turned. Whenever Blue stopped, Luke would offer another smell of the bandanna, and the dog would begin once again to search out the scent.

At first, Luke thought the dog was going to the mine, but he turned and ambled into the woods instead, toward the still that Luke and the preacher had recently discovered. Luke’s heart began pounding. He’d been certain that still belonged to Kirby, but Kirby had been in the railcar so he couldn’t have lit the fuse to the dynamite. Who else would be brave enough to set up a still in the woods behind the mining office? Maybe Blue was following the scent. Maybe he was onto a rabbit or coon trail.

The dog continued deeper into the woods, still heading toward the location of the still. Luke stopped and turned to face Hope. “If Blue keeps going in this direction, we’re going to come upon the still your pa and I discovered. That means it’s dangerous for you to go any farther. Either we turn back or you stay here.” When she hesitated, he frowned. “I mean it, Hope. I won’t go any deeper in there unless you agree to stay right here.”

She nodded. “Blue might not be able to find the scent if you have to wait until tomorrow. I’d rather go with you, but I’ll do as you ask.”

Luke sighed. “Thank you.” He lifted the shotgun from his shoulder and extended it in her direction. “I’m leaving this with you.”

“But I . . .”

“It’s loaded. If you’re in danger, fire the gun. Blue and I will come runnin’.”

“I was going to say that I think you need to keep the gun with you. You’re in more danger than me.”

Luke shook his head. “I’ll be just fine. Keep your eyes and ears open, and I’ll get back soon as I can.” Fear shone in her eyes, and Luke leaned forward and kissed her forehead. “We’re both gonna be fine. I’ll be back in no time. I’ll whisper your name when I get close, so don’t shoot me.”

Hope gave a lopsided smile. “I promise.”

He headed off with Blue on the scent. The dog continued to guide Luke toward the still. Worried the dog would be heard if someone was at the still, Luke commanded Blue to stay behind. Edging closer, Luke stopped when several voices drifted toward him. Careful of his step, he crept behind a stand of trees where he’d be able to hear the conversation.

He held his breath and listened. Kirby! He was positive one of the voices belonged to Kirby, but who were the other two? They both sounded familiar, yet he couldn’t place either of them.

The men’s voices elevated, the conversation turning angry. Kirby accused someone of being a turncoat, and then a deep voice responded, “He ain’t no turncoat. He’s one of us and he done the right thing. You got no business cashin’ in on moonshine. Your pappy can buy and sell half the state and you come to these here hills and think you need to make money offa shine. I’m tellin’ ya, that ain’t gonna happen no more, Kirby. I’ll see ya dead and buried first.”

“You’re the one who set that dynamite at the chapel car, aren’t you? You thought you’d get rid of me earlier today.”

“I’m the one all right, and this would have been a lot easier if you woulda jest died like I planned.”

“You didn’t tell me you was gonna dynamite the chapel car.”

Luke frowned. This third voice wasn’t as deep, more like a younger fella.

“Shut up, Jimmy Ray,” the man with the deeper voice barked. “I told you I’d take care of things and that’s what I’m doing.”

And taking care of things apparently meant taking care of Kirby. Since the man had failed earlier, did he intend to finish the task now? Sensing Kirby’s danger, Luke inched forward. Maybe he should have brought his gun along. The thought passed through his mind only seconds before his foot slipped on the damp moss.

A branch cracked.

A gunshot rang out.

Hope startled at the gunfire. She held tight to the shotgun and rushed toward the sound. Luke! Had he been shot? More than anything, she needed to remain calm and keep her wits about her. She heard Blue yelp, followed by a man’s harsh voice. The dog began to whine. Keeping low, she picked her way toward the sound. Once certain she was close enough to see, she stooped down and peeked through the thick brush. She covered her mouth to hold back a gasp.

Kirby was bound to a tree. Luke and a boy she recognized as Jimmy Ray Malloy were digging a hole while a larger man wearing a slouch hat trained a gun on Luke. Blue whined louder, and she caught sight of him tied near the still.

The large man holding the weapon turned on the dog. “Shut up, dawg, or I’ll put ya outta yer misery.”

The man swung around and pushed the slouch hat away from his forehead. Hope stifled a scream. Carl Lee Williams. Folks on the hill said Carl Lee was mean as a bear with newborn cubs. Her hands turned clammy on the stock of the shotgun. He’d threatened to shoot Blue, and she didn’t doubt he’d do so. Would he do the same to Luke and Kirby? Her body trembled. Her thoughts skittered and her heart hammered in her chest. She needed to do something, but what? Maybe she should run back to town and get help. Could she possibly thwart Carl Lee by herself? She feared leaving Luke, but she also feared attempting to save him without the backing of several large men with guns. Her decision made, she slowly stood and turned in the direction of town.

“That hole’s big enough for Kirby. Now dig another one, and make it big enough for yerself, Luke.” Carl Lee’s latest command brought Hope to a halt.

“You can’t kill Luke, Carl Lee. He’s one of us.” Jimmy Ray’s high-pitched voice trembled.

“Shut yer trap, Jimmy Ray, or I’ll toss you in there with him.” Carl coughed and waved the shotgun toward the hole.

Hope gulped down the lump of fear that had settled in her throat. There wasn’t time to go back to town. She had to do something. And she had to do it now. Careful to avoid stepping on any fallen branches, she circled around to a spot where she might be able to descend the knoll without being seen.

Assured she could sneak down behind Carl Lee, Hope crept down the slope and situated herself out of sight near the still. Her breath caught when Blue ambled around the still and plopped down beside her. She offered a silent prayer that the dog would remain quiet, that she’d catch Carl Lee off guard, and that no one would be injured. Keeping her eyes fixed on Carl and holding the shotgun beneath one arm, she bent to the side and untied the rope that was fastened around Blue’s neck.

The dog whined again. Carl spun around, and with the shotgun trained on the large man, Hope stepped from her position alongside the still and shoved the muzzle into his back. “Drop your gun, Carl Lee.”

Carl glanced over his shoulder. Instead of dropping his weapon, he made a slight turn toward her and howled a boisterous laugh.

“Blue! Sic ’im!”

On Luke’s command, the dog lunged at Carl’s arm. He screamed in pain, and his gun fell to the ground. Luke sprang forward and scooped up the man’s weapon. Blue’s teeth remained implanted in Carl Lee’s beefy forearm, the dog’s guttural growl never ceasing.

“Call him off me!” Carl swung his fist in an attempt to wrest the dog from the painful hold. Sensing the danger, Blue jumped back. The movement yanked Carl’s arm in another direction and caused him to scream again in pain.

“Leave it, Blue!” Luke shouted. Instantly the dog released Carl’s arm, yet remained poised to strike if need be. Luke nodded at the still. “Hope, grab that piece of rope he used to tie Blue and bring it here.”

She did as he requested and held the gun on Carl. “Put your arms behind your back, Carl.”

“That dog of your’n hurt my arm real bad. I can’t—”

Luke didn’t wait for him to finish his excuse. He grabbed the man’s arms, pulled them back, and tied his wrists together. Carl yelped when Luke checked to make sure he couldn’t wiggle free of the rope. “I don’t have any sympathy for you, Carl. You were planning to kill me and Kirby.” He leaned around to face Carl. “Remember?”

Carl shook his head. “C’mon now, Luke. You know I woulda never shot you. I mighta gone through with shooting Kirby ’cause he sure enuf deserves it. And if you woulda jest kept your nose outta all this, things would be jest fine.” He shifted his weight and tipped the upper part of his body toward town. “In fact, why don’t you untie me right now and then you and your little gal can get on back to town? Fergit what you saw down here, and we’ll fergit we ever saw you. Right, Jimmy Ray?”

Jimmy Ray sat hunched on a jagged boulder with his arms wrapped around his torso. “They ain’t gonna let us go, Carl Lee. We done wrong, and now we gotta pay fer what we done.”

Kirby cleared his throat. “I don’t mean to interrupt Jimmy Ray’s sad story, but could someone untie me?”

“Not just yet, Kirby. You don’t deserve to be shot by Carl Lee, but before I untie you, I want to hear exactly what was going on. I can see this is a mighty fine operation.” Luke swung his free arm in a wide arc. “I’m guessin’ you’d be responsible for all this, Kirby, except I don’t think you’ve got the know-how to make shine. Was it you and Carl Lee making the shine, Jimmy?”

The boy shook his head. “Naw. Jest me.”

Luke turned to Kirby. “I already figured you were selling the shine outta your truck. Smelled it the day you wrecked into that tree.”

Kirby appeared unshaken by Luke’s remark. “You’ll be hard-pressed to prove I sold it to anyone. You think the owners of those speakeasies are going to admit to buying moonshine?”

“I don’t think there will be much of a problem convincing the revenuers what you were doing. Besides, I’m sure Jimmy Ray will be willin’ to cooperate, won’t you, Jimmy?”

Hope stepped to Jimmy’s side and sat down beside him. “Your ma is going to be real disappointed in you, Jimmy. She told me you’d been bringing home a lot of money lately. She said she was worried because you were working so many long hours at the mine.” She looked into his eyes. “You weren’t working at the mine, were you?”

“No, ma’am. There weren’t time to work at the mine and make shine, too. ’Sides, Kirby pays me lots more money to make shine than to pick coal.”

Kirby strained against the ropes holding him to the tree. “Shut your mouth, Jimmy. Don’t you say another word.”

Luke pushed his hat back on his head. “Don’t tell the boy what to do, Kirby. He’s not gonna take all the blame for this.” He frowned at Carl Lee. “So if you’re not helping to make the shine, what’s your part in all this?”

Carl Lee glowered at Luke. “Ain’t you or no revenuers gonna tie me to this here still. This is all Kirby and Jimmy Ray. Let the revenuers haul ’em off and I’ll git on home.”

“You were threatening to kill me and Kirby a few minutes ago, Carl. I’m not about to send you home. Was Kirby holding out money on ya?”

“Naw. Worse than that. He tried to go into business with me and Alvin, but when I told him I wouldn’t pay him what he wanted, he said he’d find some other way to make some extra money. Made us think he was gonna be shootin’ dice or playing the horses.” Carl glared at Kirby. “Instead, he set up his own still and got Jimmy Ray to make his shine. Then he went and sold his shine for cheaper. He thought we’d never figger out it was him, but we ain’t as dumb as he thinks. Didn’t take long afore we knowed what was goin’ on. We ain’t gonna let no city fella come in here and take over our business. ’Specially not one who’s got a rich pappy and ain’t got needs like the rest of us.”

Luke strode to the tree and loosened the ropes around Kirby’s body, but he didn’t untie his wrists. Using the longer rope, Luke tied it around the waists of both men. He then stepped over to Jimmy Ray. “Do I need to tie you to these fellas or are you gonna come along peaceable-like, Jimmy Ray?”

The boy got to his feet. “I don’t need to be tied up. I’m ready to go and take my punishment.”

Luke shook his head at Carl Lee and Kirby. “That boy’s more of a man than the two of you put together.” He poked Carl with the end of his gun. “Now get moving.”

Luke figured they made quite a sight coming over the hillside, him holding his shotgun aimed at Kirby and Carl Lee, who were tied together like a couple of wild horses, with Jimmy Ray, Hope, and Blue trailing along behind.

Little wonder they caused such a commotion when they marched through town.