“The army has authority over civil authorities.”
“That’s true. However, if I bring malfeasance to the army’s attention, they have to acknowledge it. I know who to take it to. If you have proof.”
“I want you to help me get it. Doc says you have your own doubts about Major Delaney.”
“I’ve heard rumors,” the lawman said. He held out his hand. “Tom Evans.”
Seth hesitated. It could be a trick. He would have to switch his pistol from his right hand to the left. There would be a split second…
“If I didn’t want to hear you out, I would have men crawling all over here,” Evans said.
“And I wouldn’t be here.”
Evans gave him a thin smile. “I didn’t expect you would. Now, can I stand so we can go inside?”
“I would rather stay out here where I can see.”
“Have it your way. Doc told me some of what he thinks is happening. I want to hear your side.”
Thirty minutes later, Evans rose. “I have about six deputies I trust completely, as well as an of?cer from headquarters. He doesn’t care for Delaney either. But we have to catch him actually rustling the cattle. He has important friends.”
“When?”
“Four nights from now. Tell me where, and I’ll be there.”
Seth nodded his head in acknowledgment. “It could go wrong, you know. Why are you willing to risk your badge for this?”
“I fought in the war too. Other side. But it’s over, dammit, and I don’t like anyone misusing power for their own gain. That’s not what I fought for. That good enough for you?”
“Good enough,” Seth said.
He watched as Evans mounted and rode out.
He had taken measure of the man and knew Doc had been right.
BEFOREhe could leave, Abe rode in.
Gary Simmons had been ambushed while returning from the trip to the bank. He was at Doc’s, badly injured.
Seth knew immediately it was his fault. He had baited Delaney, and Delaney had responded faster than he’d thought.
It was too late to go after the marshal.
“Something else,” Abe said. “Miss McGuire sent a note by Howie.” He held a crumpled envelope in his hand.
Seth took it and read it quickly.
Seth held it for a moment, inhaled the faint scent of roses. Her scent.
Then he took a match from his pocket, struck it, and burned the note. He did not want anyone to ?nd it on him.
THEY were asleep. Different guards, but just as obviously careless.
Whatever Howie had given them, or done to them, he had done it well.
Seth had waited until dark, then approached his former home. After ?nding the soldiers asleep, he moved around to the back and went in the window as he had before.
He checked Michael McGuire’s room ?rst, found him asleep and alone, and then checked the other rooms. He found her reading. She was fully dressed, but her hair hung down free, tendrils curling around her face. She was uncommonly appealing.
She looked pleased to see him. “Hello,” she said shyly.
“Hello.” He felt like an awkward schoolboy.
Her smile was blinding.
His heart jumped. His throat constricted.
“How’s your father?” he said after a moment’s pause.
“He is walking now. He still hurts but there’s no infection.”
“His heart?”
“It’s bad. He ?nally told me about it. It’s why he kept trying to force Delaney on me. A bad husband in his view was better than my being alone. I don’t believe he thinks that now.” She paused. “I heard about Mr. Simmons from Howie.”
He nodded.
“I know you have some kind of plan. My father wants to help. I do, too.”
He sat down then. He had been thinking about canceling the whole plan.
And now she was offering a new opportunity.
He didn’t want to endanger her. Yet both her and her father were in very grave danger already. The last few weeks had shown how much. The McGuires would be perfect to implement the plan. They’d been brought here by Delaney. They had been loyal to the Union. Their motives could not be questioned.
“You and your father could leave Canaan,” he said. “That would be the safest thing for you.”
“I don’t want safe. I want to belong here.” Her chin lifted and her eyes blazed. “Someone tried to kill me and my father. We both want to know who, and why.”
“What about Marilee?” he asked.
“What if she had been with me the day I rode into town? She could have been thrown out of the buggy,” Elizabeth countered. “And you’re not safe until Delaney is gone. Neither you nor Dillon.”
He sat down and took her hand. She was like his mother. Strong and resilient and determined.
“We are putting together a small herd of cattle,” he said. “We put out the word that some local ranchers will take them to San Antonio to sell directly to the army instead of going through Delaney. According to some folks, the army has been paying top dollar for cows Delaney purchased for practically nothing, or that he rustled. He must have forged bills of sale and probably bribed the purchase agent as well. He can’t afford to let the army know what he paid for them. Nor can he afford to let a herd of cattle be offered for half of what he’s been charging the army.”
Her hand tightened in his. “But how-”
“A U.S. marshal is aware of the rumors but hasn’t been able to catch him. We want to offer Delaney an opportunity to rustle cattle. Right in front of the law.”
“Where will you get the cattle?”
“Better you don’t know. No one will be hurt. They will be repaid for their cattle.”
“What can we do?”
“I think I’d better talk to your father.”
EVANS and his men waited in Seth’s former home, in the stand of cottonwoods along the river, and in the barn. Some two hundred cattle lowed and complained in the pasture between the house and the river.
Dillon and Colorado had brought them halfway from the hidden canyon. Morgan Simmons, Knox, John Andrews, and Seth had met them there and drove them on to the ranch. Most had been rustled by Delaney and his men from local ranchers and still wore those brands.
But Seth didn’t want Dillon and his friends involved. They were already wanted for other charges. They had done their part.
After bringing in the cattle, Seth waited with Michael McGuire who sat up in a chair, his arm in a sling. Both of them had pistols at their side. Elizabeth had a shotgun nearby.
Elizabeth had taken Marilee to the Findley home earlier and asked if Marilee could stay the night. It was the one place away from home where she didn’t feel threatened. Elizabeth had told the Findleys that she couldn’t take care of Marilee and her father as well.
Miriam Findley had readily agreed.
Evans and three fellow marshals sat at a window watching. A man in Union blue, a captain, was with them.
