STAN BARSTOW WATCHED Doc Evanson rinse the flesh and blood off the bullets he’d dug out of the bodies of Deputy Coy Jeffers and the prisoner, Rich Delton. He lifted the metal tray and examined the lead slugs.
“The bullets that came out of Delton’s body are .44-40 caliber. A pretty common round. The slugs that came out of Coy’s body are .41 Remington. Not a common round. Not common at all.”
“How do you know this stuff, Stan?”
“Just like you know medicine, I know crime and the tools used to commit crimes.”
“What are you gonna do now?”
“I’m going to go home, have some dinner and get a good night’s sleep. Then I’ll leave for Fort Hurley early in the morning, get some warrants and head to Kentville.”
“You’d better be careful there, Stan. These killers obviously targeted Delton. That probably means more than just the two of them are involved.”
Stan nodded. “I know. I’ll be careful.”
Jasper paced back and forth in the Scoville’s living room. The doctor had been working on Beth for almost two hours. Fury kept building in Jasper making him hell bent on killing the men who did this to her. They had killed seven people and raped five women that he knew of. They were dangerous and needed to be scrubbed from this Earth.
The door to Beth’s room opened and Doctor Scoville came out. He looked exhausted.
“How is she, Doc?”
“I don’t know if she’s going to make it. She’s lost so much blood, it’s going to be close.”
“But you did get the bleedin’ stopped, didn’t you?”
Scoville looked at Jasper with narrowing eyes. “Yes, I did. I had to perform surgery on her, but I got the bleeding stopped and repaired her injuries. But I have a question for you.”
“What’s that?”
“You’re Jasper Lee aren’t you?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why does an outlaw like you care about a lady like Beth?”
“Outlaw? What are you talking about? I’m no outlaw.”
“Somebody thinks you are. There are posters all over town saying you’re wanted for the murder of thirteen men.”
Jasper felt his temples pounding. “I might have killed thirteen men but they were part of the gang that murdered my pa and brothers in cold blood then raped and tortured an innocent young woman to death in Cassidy County. They murdered two people and raped two women in Indian Country and did this to Beth. I’m no outlaw, Doctor, but I’m damn sure the man whose going to bring these scum to natural justice and wipe them off the face of the earth.” Jasper found himself breathing hard.
“Are you talking about that scoundrel Bart Moore and his gang?”
“Yes, sir. I figure there’s five of them left and those five killed Beth’s husband and attacked her. I believe they’re here in Kentville now.”
“Do they know you brought Beth here?”
“No, sir.”
“Well, Mr. Lee, if you want my advice you’ll get out of town. Bart Moore is the governor’s nephew and Cornell Norris is not about to let you or anyone else hurt him. I suspect he’s the one behind the warrant for your arrest. They know you’re coming and just put the posters up around here. If they catch you, you’ll hang.”
“I’ve never run from anything and I’m not startin’ now. I’m going to stay out on the edge of town until I figure out where Moore and his gang are and then I’ll make my move.”
“I believe you’re going to find yourself vastly outnumbered in more ways than one. This town, this county and most of the territory are owned by Governor Norris. You’re asking for trouble, but it’s your funeral, Mr. Lee.”
“Thank you for the advice, Doctor, but I don’t think the Governor owns as much of this territory he thinks he does. Now, I have a question for you.”
“What’s that?”
“With Beth’s husband dead is she going to have enough money to recover?”
“Probably not. They had a small ranch outside of town a ways but they were just getting started. It’s not worth much, but don’t worry. I’ll take good care of her.”
Jasper pulled a poke out his pocket, retrieved two twenty dollar gold coins and handed them to the doctor. “This should help her out a little.”
“You don’t have to do this, Mr. Lee. We’ll take care of her.”
“She’s a brave and tough young lady who loved her husband. I think everyone should help her. I’m just doing my part. You’ll take care of her husband?”
The doctor nodded.
Jasper picked up his hat and headed for the door.
“Mr. Lee...Jasper...”
Jasper half turned and looked at the doctor. “Yes, sir?”
“Beth was pregnant. I couldn’t save the baby.”
Jasper turned to the door, pulling his hat down hard onto his forehead.
The night air felt cool as he headed for Coal. The thought of Beth’s loss brought up the tears his father had taught him not to cry. He unhitched Coal and rode around the outskirts of Kentville getting a feel for the town and looking for any trace of Moore and his gang. He heard the sound of a saloon piano and the buzz of men enjoying themselves. He eased closer.
His eye caught movement in the shadows to his left. As he turned to get a better look he heard boots to his right and rear. Jasper reached for his guns.
“This is the Sheriff, Lee. You’re surrounded. Don’t move or you’ll die.”
He heard several guns cock and realized there were more men than he could see.
“Raise your hands high.”
Jasper complied.
“Dismount slow and easy, Lee, or the first thing we’ll shoot is your fine lookin’ horse.”
Jasper lifted his left leg over the saddle horn and slid off Coal on the right side. Men rushed forward and grabbed his arms, taking his gun belt and Bowie knife. His hands were manacled behind his back.
Coal snorted and did a jittery dance. “Easy, Coal...easy, boy,” Jasper said.
“Well, mister gunfighter, I’m Sheriff Morey Lock and it looks like we got the bulge on you,” the sheriff chortled.
A short plump deputy walked up to the sheriff. “That’s mighty fine horse flesh ya got there, Lee. Hey, Sheriff, since Lee won’t be needin’ his horse no more how about lettin’ me have him as a bonus for findin’ him?”
“Have at it, Mac.”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” Jasper said in a low voice.
“Well, you’re not me, Lee, so you can go to hell.” The deputy stepped to Coal and put his foot in the stirrup. He swung his leg over the saddle and started to settle in...Coal exploded.
Men scattered as Coal bucked, kicked, twisted and turned with the deputy screamed like a banshee and hung on with both hands. His body was a blur as it jerked and spun on the saddle. Then he was airborne, flying head first into the tall wall of the Kentville Hotel. His head hit with a crunch sounding like a crushed eggshell and the body flopped on the ground with a dull thud.
Jasper smiled with satisfaction as Coal galloped into the night. Lock and the others rushed over to the body.
Lock then came back and glared at Jasper. “What in the hell did you do, Lee?”
“Whaddya mean?” Jasper was fighting hard to suppress a smile. “I told him not to do it and he told me to go to hell. Guess he had it all figured out.”
“Goddammit!” The sheriff’s jaws were so tight, the curse barely made it out. “C’mon, let’s get this son of a bitch to the jail.”
“Sheriff! What are we going to do about Mac?” A deputy asked.
“Do I have to do everything around here? You take care of it!” He shoved Jasper’s back. “Let’s go.”