“All right. I think I can tie these two stories together and make an interesting piece.” J.D. tapped his pencil on the notepad. “Now, for a photograph.”
Reno’s attempt at refusal didn’t get him very far. Finally, he gave in and allowed Mavis to position him for the camera. He stood in one spot while J.D. Elliott hid beneath the drape, holding up his hand. “Hold on. Ready. 1 – 2 – 3!”
Just before J.D. snapped the photo, Mavis jumped into the shot to cling to his arm.
Poof! The light flashed, almost blinding Reno.
“There. Got it!” J.D. exclaimed. “I can see the headline now. Cowboy Comes Back from the Dead! I bet this article will sell more papers than the historic swearing-in ceremony!”
“As long as you put the focus of your story on the white raiders and not me. Please.”
J.D. nodded. “Oh, I’ll check the lead out, you can be certain.” With that assurance, he carried his notes and the camera to his private office – leaving Reno alone with Mavis.
“As soon as the paper is printed, I’ll make sure to bring several copies to King’s Ransom.” Mavis gave him a toothy smile full of promise.
“Oh, that won’t be necessary.”
“Oh, I insist. I’m just so relieved to know you’re well.” Mavis told Reno as she walked him toward the door. “Do you like pecan pie?”
Reno was saved from answering when King showed up at the door. He eyed Mavis with speculation, a tiny grin playing on his lips. “Ready, Reno?”
“Oh, indeed. Yes.” He tugged his arm from the woman’s grip, then gave her a courtly bow. “Good to see you, Miss Talmadge. Thank you for your assistance.”
“Oh, thank you, Reno. It was a pleasure.” She wiggled her fingers at him. “King, you tell Fancy hello for me, you hear?”
“I will.” King tipped his hat. “You have a good day, Miss Talmadge. We have other chicken to fry.”
Reno followed King from the newspaper office and out into the street. “I’m glad you found some chicken to fry before my goose was cooked.”
“Oh, I don’t know. Don’t you like pecan pie?”
“Not particularly. I am fond of berry.” The mention of his favorite dessert brought thoughts of Journey. Last night, when he said goodnight to the moon, he’d remembered all the sweet things she’d done for him. “Of course, it’s not really the flavor of pie that matters to me. It’s the cook.”
King laughed, directing him to cross the street. “We’ve got to hurry.”
Reno fell into step by him. “Did you talk to the Governor?”
“Briefly, but I do have good news.”
“What’s that?”
“We’re having dinner at the Governor’s mansion tonight.”
* * *
“More wine, Sir?” A waiter held the bottle right over Reno’s glass.
“Yes, please.” He leaned away to allow the man room to pour. As he did, his attention was focused on King as he reiterated his point to the governor.
“I agree an investigation needs to be conducted. All I’m asking is that you check these three names out. Kinsella, Roberts, and Taylor. If they are doing the dirty work, you need to call off the Cavalry and these vigilante troops.”
Pease cut into his poached pigeon. “Unfortunately, the 10th Cavalry is already on the move.”
“You can stop them, can’t you?” Reno asked with concern.
“I can send someone to Fort Mason to meet them. We can delay their engagement with the Indians for a few days. Any more than that, I’ll need proof to take to the General. After the railroad party was wiped out, patrols from the 38th Infantry Regiment have already been out scouting around. This is the US Army we’re talking about here and I don’t need to remind you we are no longer in the Union.”
“How about John Taylor? Can you have him investigated? We already know what he’s capable of. He killed his boss, Neigh, right?”
Pease pinned Reno with a stare. “That was never proven, Mr. Black.”
King could see they were losing the governor. “Look, Sir, I know your history and your stance on the Indians. And in the past, there has been…reason for conflict. They certainly aren’t innocent in this matter. However, at this time, in this case – the people you and the US Army are about to exterminate are not guilty of the crime they’ve been accused of committing.”
Pease laid down his knife and fork. “Let me think about it.”
Reno opened his mouth to say something more, but King caught his eye and shook his head slightly.
“All right, Governor. Thank you,” King muttered, nodding graciously. “We know you’ll do the right thing.”
Pease smiled, then rang a small bell by his plate. “Time for dessert. Who likes pecan pie?”
* * *
Journey sat on the floor of the sunroom and played with the kittens. “Oh, you’re so bad. So bad.” She couldn’t help but smile at their antics as they wrestled her hand and one another.
On the floor at her side lay Saul’s journal. If she’d opened the book one time since returning from Wichita Falls, she’d opened it a hundred. It was always empty.
“What are you waiting for, Reno?” What if something had gone wrong? What if he’d never made it through the portal?
“Have you heard? A watched pot never boils, Journey.”
Journey glanced up
