Chapter Twenty-Seven Third Week in October

The patrol with a lieutenant, a sergeant and ten soldiers ride down the street and stop near the general store. “Sergeant, have one of your men go inside to ask who we can speak with from the town council if they have one.”

“Jennings go inside and find out who the lieutenant can speak with.”

Randy accompanies the private out the door and looks up at the lieutenant from the walkway. “I’m one of the council members officer, what can I do for you?”

“Sir, our fort commander directed us to stop by as we were patrolling to see if you are still dealing with attacks on your settlements. Captain Hardy is very concerned since your sheriff was murdered.”

“After that, we haven’t had any attacks, lieutenant. Please tell your captain that we appreciate his concern.”

“Alright then, I will put that into my report, thank you sir.”

Lieutenant Kirby turns his patrol around and heads back up the street. As they ride slowly by Jessica’s house, she is standing outside. “Are you here to check on the shootings?”

“We just did ma’am and the storekeeper advised me that there were none since the sheriff was killed. I will put that in my report.”

“Oh, he didn’t mention one of the local ranchers had one of his men shot out on the range.”

The lieutenant raises his hand to halt the column. “Say again please.”

“About four or five weeks ago, one of our local ranch hands was shot out of the saddle. Fortunately he survived.”

“He never said a word about that. Thank you.

“Sergeant, stay here with the men, I am going back to the general store.”

“Do you want a couple of men to come with you sir?”

“I don’t think that will be necessary. Wait for me here.”

Riding back to the general store, Lieutenant Kirby stops in front and dismounts tying his horse to the hitching post. He straightens his uniform and saber on his belt then walks into the store.

Randy watches him walk through the door and wonders what is going on.

Lieutenant Kirby says, “May I ask you sir, why you neglected to mention the shooting on one of your local ranches?”

Randy stiffens up and looks at Heather. “Probably, because the shooting is not council business, lieutenant. We never heard what the cause of that was; the only thing we know is that the ranch hand survived.”

“The army is responsible for the territory, sir. I need to give my commanding officer a complete report. If ever we come through again please remember to give us a full report and let us decide what is important or not.”

“Sure, I’ll remember.”

Lieutenant Kirby turns, heads outside to mount his horse and swings up the street to meet his troop.

“Did he say why he didn’t lieutenant?”

“He made a lame excuse that it isn’t town council business. I made sure he fully understands we want a full report and we would decide what is important.”

“Nice going, sir. I wish I could have seen his face.”

“Sergeant, his wife saw it, I think that was embarrassing enough for him, move the troops out.”