Ralph Compton Train to Durango, page 19
“I feel safe with them escorting us,” Molly said.
“So do I,” said Silver. “We owe Sheriff Benteen one.”
Emo Hanks hurried to a livery, where he rented a horse. There was only a slim chance he could accomplish what he had set out to do, for Fort Leavenworth was less than an hour’s ride. Silver would have Shankler there well before it was dark enough for Hanks to make his move. Still, he had to try, knowing Drade Hogan would give him hell if this bid to silence Dent Shankler failed. The soldier escort kept to the open as much as possible, and there was no cover. Not once was Emo Hanks able to get within gun range. He sat on his rented horse and watched helplessly as the buckboard bearing Shankler entered the military reservation. Captain Bidler dropped back, riding beside the buckboard.
“We’ll take you directly to the post commander,” said Bidler.
“If it’s Colonel Pendleton, I know him,” Silver said.
“It’s Colonel Pendleton,” said Bidler. “It’s getting late, and he may have left his office, but I can track him down.”
The rest of the soldiers remained with the buckboard until Captain Bidler returned.
“I hope we didn’t interrupt anything important,” Silver said.
Bidler laughed. “I found him in the bathhouse. I told him only who you were, and that you wanted to see him.”
“Thanks,” said Silver.
Colonel Pendleton arrived, and Silver introduced Molly. He then quickly told Pendleton as much as he could, requesting sanctuary for Dent Shankler, with tight security around the clock.
“We’ll take him to the guardhouse,” Pendleton said. “Nobody’s ever escaped from there, and unless you can fly, it’s impossible to get in.”
“Bueno,” said Silver. “Let’s take him there. He’s already been shot at and wounded. If you will, have your post doctor look at the wound in the morning.”
“I’ll do that,” Captain Pendleton said. “If there’s a killer loose out there, you have no business returning to Kansas City in the dark. We’ll put you and Molly up for the night, and if you haven’t eaten, the officers’ mess is still serving.”
“We’re obliged,” said Silver, “but if you don’t mind, I want to personally see this man locked in the guardhouse. I may want to question him before I leave tomorrow.”
As three of the soldiers led Shankler away, Silver and Molly followed. Reaching the guardhouse, one of the soldiers unlocked the heavy door. Shankler looked back at Silver, naked fear in his eyes.
“Remember,” Silver said, “you made a promise. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
The soldiers escorted Shankler into the guardhouse, while Silver and Molly made their way to the officers’ mess. There was a rumble of thunder and the distant flare of lightning in the west. Emo Hanks had dismounted, and from where he stood, he could see the high walls of Fort Leavenworth. He had no legitimate business at Leavenworth, and even if he were able to scale the massive walls, he would be captured or killed before he could find and eliminate Shankler.
“You got Shankler, Mr. Federal Man,” said Hanks aloud, “but you still got to return to Kansas City. I’ll be out here waiting for you.”
Hanks hunched down to wait, without food, without a bed, cursing the elements as the rain drenched him to the hide.
• • •
Denver, Colorado, April 14, 1885
“Any mail or telegrams?” Drade Hogan asked, as he entered the outer office.
“No telegrams,” said the receptionist, “but there’s a letter on your desk.”
Hogan sat down in his swivel chair and examined the letter. It bore no return address, and when he opened the envelope, there was a single sheet of paper. The message was brief and to the point.
Your proposal is accepted, señor. The fee is twenty-five thousand in gold. In advance.
While there was no signature, Hogan knew only too well it had come from Antonio Diaz, captain of a Mexican freighter. Hogan had lost millions in gold, when the Diaz vessel had been searched and its golden cargo seized in San Francisco Bay.25
“You’ll get your gold in advance, you bastard,” said Hogan aloud, “but you’ll live only as long as it takes to get me out of the country.”
• • •
Dodge City, Kansas, April 14, 1885
“It’s been awful quiet,” Renita said, as she and Wes prepared to go to Delmonico’s for breakfast. “What’s going to happen next?”
“I wish I knew,” said Wes. “If Silver gets that bushwhacker into federal hands and he talks, it’ll be a brand-new game.”
There were three rapid knocks on the door, a pause and then a fourth knock. El Lobo and Tamara were ready.
“Silencioso,” El Lobo said, when Wes opened the door.
“Enjoy the quiet while you can,” said Wes. “If Silver gets that bushwhacker to Leavenworth alive, and he talks, all hell’s goin’ to bust loose.”
“You don’t know that he’ll talk,” Renita said. “Suppose he doesn’t?”
“He will, when he learns what his choices are,” said Wes. “I doubt there’s a man alive who would sacrifice himself to the rope, protecting outlaws who want only to silence him with lead.”
When they reached Delmonico’s, Harley Stafford and Foster Hagerman were already there, having coffee.
“Telegram,” Hagerman said, handing Wes a folded sheet of paper. The unsigned message consisted of two words: Returning tomorrow.
“Good news,” said Harley. “We asked the sender for verification and location. It came from Fort Leavenworth.”
“Bueno,” Wes said. “That means Silver made it, and the federals have their first live witness against the Golden Dragon.”
“Sí,” said El Lobo. “Silver say we go to Colorado.”
“We can,” Wes said, “if that hombre Silver took to Leavenworth talks. We’ve all been fighting a conspiracy without the foggiest notion of who’s behind it. We need names.”
“I think you’ll have them when Silver returns,” said Renita.
• • •
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, April 14, 1885
Silver and Molly arose early. Leaving the cabin Colonel Pendleton had assigned them, they went to the officers’ mess for breakfast. Pendleton was there, and getting to his feet, met Silver and Molly at the door.
“The post doctor’s been to see Shankler,” said Colonel Pendleton. “His wound will heal without complications. How long do you suppose he’ll be here?”
“I honestly don’t know,” Silver said, “except to say that he must be protected until we get our hands on the bunch trying to silence him.”
“He’s still afraid of them, even in the guardhouse,” said Colonel Pendleton. “When do you want to talk to him?”
“Shortly,” Silver said. “I appreciate your sending that telegram for me last night. I want to send another to Washington, and it may be lengthy.”
“Write it, and I’ll see that it’s sent,” said Colonel Pendleton. “You’re aware, of course, that it may be intercepted by the band of outlaws you’re after, provided they have access to the telegraph.”
“I’m fully aware of it, and they do have access to the telegraph,” Silver said. “But this is one telegram I want them to intercept. I want them to know we have a potential witness in federal custody. It’ll force them to make a move, if it’s only to run.”
After breakfast, Silver and Molly returned with Colonel Pendleton to his office. There, Silver carefully composed the telegram to Washington.
“I’m obliged,” said Silver, handing the message to Colonel Pendleton.
“Edwards,” Pendleton said to one of his aides, “take this to the telegrapher and tell him he is to send it immediately.
“Now,” said Colonel Pendleton, when Edwards had departed with the message, “are you ready to question your witness?”
“Yes,” Silver said.
“Shall I have him brought here, or will you go to the guardhouse?”
“I’ll go to the guardhouse,” said Silver. “I’m taking no chances. Molly, I want you to remain here in Colonel Pendleton’s office, until we return.”
While Molly wanted very much to go, she remained silent, for she well understood the importance of what Silver was about to do. The presence of a female in a military guardhouse might become a distraction.
“This is the interrogation room,” Colonel Pendleton said, when he and Silver entered the guardhouse. “Wait here, and I’ll have your witness brought to you.”
Silver waited, and when a pair of soldiers brought Shankler in, he seemed considerably less distraught than he had the day before.
“Sit down,” said Silver. “We have some talking to do.”
“I’ll tell you what I know,” Shankler said, “on the condition you go easy on me. I want somethin’ in writing, so you don’t double-cross me.”
“Nothing in writing,” said Silver. “I wouldn’t double-cross even a coyote like you, but you’ll have to take my word.”
Silver said no more, and after a prolonged silence, Shankler spoke.
“I ain’t used to hombres treatin’ me square,” Shankler said grudgingly. “Where d’you want me to start?”
“You can begin by telling me who is behind this Dragon empire,” said Silver, taking from his coat pocket a notebook and a pencil.
Haltingly, fearfully, Shankler began. There were long intervals of silence, but swallowing hard, he continued. After half an hour, Silver interrupted.
“You haven’t told me where the stronghold is, where the gold is kept.”
“Because I don’t know,” Shankler cried. “All I know is, it ain’t in California no more.”
“What about the gold, silver, and copper? It was once shipped in from abroad. Where is it coming from now?”
“I don’t know,” said Shankler. “None of us was told anything we didn’t have to know.”
“I want as many names as you can remember,” Silver said, “and I don’t care whether they mean anything to you or not.”
Shankler talked until his voice was little more than a whisper, while Silver continued to take rapid notes. Finally he closed the notebook.
“That’s enough for now, Shankler.”
“Where do I go from here?” Shankler asked. “I just signed my own death warrant.”
“I don’t think so,” said Silver. “Eventually you’ll be taken to Washington, but I intend to see that you remain here until there’s nobody left to come gunning for you. There’ll be a trial later on, and I’ll be there to speak up for you.”
Silver knocked on the door through which the soldiers had brought Shankler, and they returned to take him away. Silver went back to Colonel Pendleton’s office and knocked on the door. He was bid enter, and did so. Molly said nothing, and Colonel Pendleton spoke.
“I hope you learned what you needed to know.”
“Not everything,” said Silver, “but enough to give me a sense of direction. We need to get back to Kansas City in time to catch the westbound.”
“You want an escort back to town, to the depot?”
“No,” Silver said. “I doubt we’ll be in any real danger from here to Kansas City.”
Colonel Pendleton ordered the buckboard’s team harnessed and the rig brought out.
“I’m obliged, sir, for everything,” said Silver.
“Glad I could help you,” Colonel Pendleton said, taking Silver’s hand.
Silver helped Molly up to the front seat, climbed up beside her, and took the reins. He raised his hand to the sentry at the gate as they passed through.
“I hope nobody’s waiting to ambush us,” said Molly.
“I can’t promise there won’t be,” Silver said, “but I aim to keep to open ground. It’s doubtful there’ll be anybody laying for us, unless it’s Emo Hanks, the varmint that tried to kill Shankler as we got off the train.”
Emo Hanks followed at a considerable distance, cursing Silver as he kept to the open. There was absolutely no cover for an ambush. Hanks knew he must reach Kansas City in time to catch the westbound to Denver but found himself on the horns of a dilemma. Had Silver seen his face on the train? If Silver returned to Dodge—and Hanks believed he would—would Silver recognize him aboard the train?
“Damn him,” said Hanks. “He’s likely milked Shankler dry. I got to get to Denver.”
With little or no possibility of ambushing Silver, Hanks gave it up. He rode wide, so as not to be seen, and got ahead of the slower buckboard. He would reach Kansas City first, get his ticket, and wait until Silver and his woman were aboard the westbound train. Then Hanks would board a different coach. He might yet ambush Silver, he thought, for much could happen on a moving train.
Chapter 13
Dodge City, Kansas, April 14, 1885
The buckboard and team had been rented at a livery nearest the railroad, and after returning the rig, it was but a short walk to the depot. There was nobody in sight as Silver and Molly approached, but Silver paused, looking carefully around.
“What or who are you expecting?” Molly asked.
“Emo Hanks,” said Silver. “I don’t know how the varmints found out so quickly that we had Shankler, but Emo Hanks came here to kill him. He’ll catch hell, returning to Denver with Shankler still alive, but he might still be within the good graces of the Golden Dragon if he can gun me down.”
“He’s nowhere in sight,” Molly said. “We already have our tickets, so we can board the train from this side of the track, keeping it between us and the depot.”
“That’s what we’ll do,” said Silver.
Molly eyed him critically. She knew him well enough to realize he had thought of something he wasn’t ready to tell her. Her hands felt cold and stiff as she loosened the Colt in its holster. In the distance, there was the blast of a locomotive whistle, as the westbound signaled for the stop at Dodge. When the train rolled in, there were three passenger coaches. Ahead of them were two boxcars and a baggage coach. A caboose trailed the third passenger coach.
“Let’s take the last coach,” Molly suggested.
“We can do better than that,” said Silver. “We have tickets. I’m going to see if I have enough influence to get us into the caboose.”
The brakeman was just stepping down from the caboose when he saw Silver and Molly approaching. He waited, and Silver spoke.
“Pardner, we have our tickets, but we’d like to ride with you in the caboose from here to Dodge. I’m Bryan Silver, and this is Molly.”
“I’m O. L. Whiteside,” said the brakeman, “and it’s against railroad regulations for you to ride in the caboose. Why are you wantin’ to do that, if you have tickets?”
“Because I suspect there’ll be an hombre on board who plans to kill me, if he can,” Silver replied, “and if we’re in one of the passenger coaches, others could be in the line of fire. With all due respect to railroad regulations, don’t refuse us the caboose until you’ve had a look at my credentials.”
Whiteside looked at the identification Silver had presented and returned it. His voice, when he spoke, was more kindly.
“That’s enough to override railroad regulations if anybody gets curious. Go ahead and climb aboard. I’ll be back shortly.”
Silver and Molly entered the caboose, finding it less roomy than it had appeared. There was an iron rung ladder extending from the floor to the glassed-in cupola atop the caboose.
“From up there,” said Silver, “I can see the entire train ahead of us.”
“You’re expecting Hanks to come gunning for you back here?”
“I don’t know what I expect,” Silver said. “In fairness to Whiteside, I’ll have to talk to him when he returns.”
Emo Hanks had been in the depot waiting room. He had seen Silver and Molly pause as they neared the tracks, and when the westbound train pulled in between them and the depot, he lost sight of them. When the train stopped, he believed they would enter the third coach, so he quickly made his way to the first. The passengers on the first coach remained in their seats, bound for points west. When the conductor put down the step, Hanks climbed up to the railed landing, where he could see through the glass in the door. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw no sign of Silver and the woman. Looking back toward the depot, he saw nobody except a trainman in overalls on his way to the caboose. Feeling more confident, Hanks then entered the passenger coach and took a seat. There were no other passengers near. He broke his Colt and made sure a sixth shell was in an empty chamber where the hammer rested. He then returned the weapon to its holster, knowing he would likely need all six loads in his desperate bid to gun down Bryan Silver. The train lurched into motion. With clanging bell and a blast of the locomotive’s whistle, it headed west, to Dodge City and finally to Colorado. When they were well under way, Kansas City more than an hour behind, Emo Hanks got up and walked to the far end of the coach, where it was coupled to a second coach. He slipped through the door, and stepping across the couplings, reached the landing before the door of the second coach. Peering cautiously into the coach through the glass in the door, he saw no sign of Silver and the woman. Boldly Hanks entered the second coach, certain that he would find Silver and Molly in the third. He cursed under his breath, when looking into the third coach he saw no sign of his intended quarry.
“Damn him,” Hanks grunted, “where is he?” Then realization hit him like a lightning bolt. Silver and the woman were in the caboose!
From the landing of the third passenger coach, Hanks studied the caboose. While there was a door, there was no glass, and Hanks couldn’t see inside. But on that end of the caboose, there was an iron rung ladder to the roof, and Hanks climbed it. Raising his head just above the roof, he could see the glassed-in hump atop the caboose. Inside, Silver was talking to Whiteside, the brakeman.
