He’d found the five men up at Rafe’s cabin.They had gone there when they’d learned, one by one, about Rafe turning himself in.They’d known that Clint would eventually return with some kind of word.
Clint had told them what he planned to do, and why, and advised the others to move on.Their job was over.There was no reason to risk being somehow identified with the band of outlaws.There was nothing more they would do.
Ben had been carving an animal out of a block of wood, and he looked up.“You said that lawman is demanding to know who helped the captain, and he’s not saying.We all know he won’t, that he would go to prison again first.Something ain’t right about that.We all knew what we were getting into, and he’s not taking the blame alone.I’m going with you.”
One by one the others agreed.…
Russ was at the corral, unsaddling his horse, when Clint and the others rode in.He walked over to Clint, took one look at his grim face, and then he saw the man next to him, a man who was a younger version of Clint, except the eyes were harder.The expression was just as grim.
Russ sighed, knowing he probably wasn’t going to like what he was about to hear.
Clint didn’t mince words.“You wanted to know who was riding with Rafe Tyler.We were.”
“The governor’s here!”
The announcement, made by Michael who had just ridden in ahead of the governor’s party, stunned those sitting around the kitchen table.Rafe and Jack Randall had been allowed downstairs for supper.Both were told that Russ had sent information to Denver, to the territorial governor, and was waiting for an answer.Russ didn’t want to take his prisoners through the adjoining jurisdiction where they might well be stopped by Quarles, and he had asked for a U.S.marshal, whose authority would supersede both his and Quarles’s.
Shea had also been invited to supper by Kate, along with Clint.Shea had moved back to the Circle R to try to keep the ranch going with Clint, the loyal foreman, Nate, and three other remaining hands.To Rafe she had looked devastatingly pretty in a green dress, though her eyes were tired, as if she had not been sleeping well.He hadn’t been able to take his eyes from her.Neither had her father.
But now their eyes turned toward the door as Russ Dewayne quickly rose and went to greet his unexpected guest.
Governor William Tate was a tall, robust man who apparently enjoyed making entrances.He came in like a tornado, robust and smiling, followed by a lanky man with a marshal’s star pinned on a leather vest.
“Kate, just as pretty as ever,” he said, heading for her and bending over her as she quickly rose to her feet, along with the men.“And who is this lovely lady?”
“Shea Randall,” Kate said with a smile.
The governor turned toward Jack Randall, and his smile faded slightly.“Can’t say I wasn’t shocked at what Russ here had to say,” he said.“Couldn’t believe it of you.”
Randall’s face flushed.
But the governor didn’t give him an opportunity to say anything.He turned toward the other two men he didn’t know, Rafe Tyler and Clint Edwards.
“Which one of you is Tyler?”
“I am,” Rafe said.
“Hell of a thing that happened.But I have some good news for you.We’ll talk about it after dinner.I’m hungry as a bear just coming out of hibernation.You got two more plates, Russ?You know Marshal Kettler, don’t you?Evan Kettler?”
Russ smiled.“Hell, yes.Take a seat next to Clint Edwards here.”
“Edwards,” the governor acknowledged, and looked at Russ for more identifying information.
Russ gave it to him.“He and five others just confessed to being Tyler’s gang,” he said with bemusement.“I’ve never heard so damn many confessions in my life.”He paused for a moment, then added, “My daughter also tells me he’s to be my son-in-law.”
The governor arched his eyebrows.“I gather this is going to be an interesting evening,” he said as he sat down and, for the rest of the evening, dominated the table and the conversation, ignoring the rising tension of those at the table and the fact that no one else, other than Russ and the marshal, appeared to have any appetite.
“I didn’t expect you to come all this way, Governor,” Russ said.“I just wanted a marshal.”
“Too intriguing not to,” the governor said.“Made some inquiries after I got your information.Have some friends in the military.If what you say is true, they’re going to be mighty embarrassed.”He said it with glee, as if nothing would make him happier.“And it’s been too damn long since you and I played poker.”
All his joviality, however, disappeared an hour later when he met alone with Russ and Marshal Kettler.“I wanted to get this all settled,” he said, “before the newspapers get wind of it.They would have a field day.I want to do what we can quietly.The army doesn’t want news of this getting out, and we can accomplish more with their cooperation.But I need Tyler’s cooperation.If he doesn’t demand a pound of flesh from the army, I’ve been promised that they’ll quietly reverse the findings of the court-martial and give Captain Tyler ten years of back pay.He will be completely cleared.It will end there.Otherwise, it could take years, with a number of noses bloodied.”
Russ stared straight ahead.“I don’t know if that’s enough.It wouldn’t be for me.”
“But you aren’t in love with Randall’s daughter,” the governor said.Then added as he saw the surprise on Russ’s face, “Hell, I have eyes, Russ.”
“I don’t know what he’ll do,” Russ said quietly.“But I’d think he’d do almost anything to protect Shea Randall and those friends of his.”
