Tuerto framing up this nightmare of a twisting soul. The women now were overwhelmed with crying and pleading to let the boy go or allow him to quickly die. It was the crone, Sister Alicia, who came forward then up that slope in a dress like that of a nun's habit in slow and faulted steps demanding they let the boy down, or end his suffering.
The climb for the old woman was hard and soon a figure was tramping through the sand behind her. It was the girl Teresa who came and took hold of Sister Alicia's arm and John Lourdes saw in her face the same elusive quiet and intense watchfulness as he had that first day by the fumigation shed.
Sister Alicia and the girl were met by a wall of straight-brimmed and squared-up men with stares like barren mountains. That aged witch meant to fight through them and though her paper flesh and frail bones failed her, that did not stop her fire to attempt an end. John Lourdes, watching the struggle, decided he had seen enough.
He leapt up onto the flatcar and as he did, far up the line, swaths of black registered upon the thermals. But for now he was set upon one course.
He reached into the cab for his rifle. The father went upright. 'What are you doing, Mr. Lourdes?'
He hammered home a shell.
'Don't, Mr. Lourdes.'
He turned and aimed. The sun burned his eyes, but he used the stillness of the men to strike a mark.
Rawbone promised damnation if he pulled the trigger.
John Lourdes heard, John Lourdes saw, and John Lourdes fired.
TWENTY-SIX
[HE SUFFERING ENDED.
This was the first time the men around the tree reacted. They stared down toward John Lourdes as if they were a solemn jury. He turned from them. Far off in the cracked and barren hills they still hung there in the sky, planing above something as yet unknown-vultures.
'The country is having at you, Mr. Lourdes.'
John Lourdes reached for the rifle scabbard in the truck cab.
'I remember a time back in the Huecos when you couldn't-'
'If you were wrung out, you wouldn't give up a drop of sympathy!'
'The road changes everyone,' said the father in a manner that made the son want to put the rifle across his face.
'Even you,' he said.
The father's eyes sparked.
'It's too bad it wasn't you they were hanging,' said the son.
'You may get your wish.' Rawbone motioned for John Lourdes to look around.
Jack B had gotten to the flatcar ahead of Doctor Stallings and the rest who were descending upon him. He demanded John Lourdes come down and confront him.
John Lourdes paid him no regard and stood where he was watching instead the curandera and the girl slowly hike past. Sister Alicia nodded to him a thank-you and then she and the others took to the passenger car.
Now he turned his attention to Jack B, who was still threatening him. By then Doctor Stallings was a few paces behind and John Lourdes said, 'Doctor Stallings, before I go down there and boot this bastard, you better take a look to the southeast.'
When he stared toward those capes of rock and squinted, he understood. With an economy of purpose Doctor Stallings ordered up a map, a signal pistol, flares, and two mounts taken from the boxcar to be saddled and ready in five minutes. He then ordered his men to their stations. Jack B was still staring up at John Lourdes asking, 'You've had your say, now are you coming down?'
Doctor Stallings took his officer by the arm and ordered him to prepare the train and he asserted this command in no uncertain terms. As much as Jack B offered himself up as some sort of barbarian, he obeyed without argument or rancor. He obeyed Doctor Stallings not because of the weight and privilege of his position, but because of that other power that comes from the relentless pursuit of impunity.
John Lourdes and Rawbone were ordered from the train. When both had complied Doctor Stallings spoke first to John Lourdes.
