Chapter Thirty A Month Later

Following dinner back at the Circle J, Johnny grabs his father’s elbow and says, “We need to talk outside.”  John Sr. looks at him suspiciously and says, “I’ll follow you.”

“In town Sam mentioned that the Reynolds’ rider is regaining his health.  Jake told us that the council is writing the governor requesting a federal marshal until they can find a replacement for a sheriff.”

“That won’t happen right away if I know the governor.  But it’s something we have to be concerned about.  It’s almost seven months now that we hit the Martin’s place.  With the Reynolds’ rider regaining his strength we need to move on them soon before he can be an asset to them.  I want you to start scouting their place so we can hit them in a couple of weeks.”

“Are we going to use the same tactics as before?”  “Yes!”

Chapter Twenty-Nine After Salt Lake

Anxiously both Joan and Carla take seats around Tyler.

He begins with arriving in Salt Lake and seeing how large a community it is compared to what he is familiar with.  He realizes Joan may have seen it before but he is sure Carla has never been there.  Then he goes into how they met with Attorney Anderson, who drafted the will for his aunt and uncle.  He tells them his last name is Martin.  He explains how he had to answer a list of questions for the attorney to be sure that he was their nephew.  Stopping for a moment to really digest the reality of what is going on; Tyler tells them about the Martin’s property being willed to him, along with their herd and horses if he can ever locate them.  He tells them there is some money willed to him from their savings located in the bank of Salt Lake but doesn’t say the amount as he wants to keep his personal business private other than Scott and Joan.  He will tell Joan the amount at a later time if she doesn’t hear it from her father first.

Both women sit there a little stunned.  Neither one of them knows what to say for a moment.

Carla is the first to speak.  “Will you be leaving us?”

“Not right away.  I need to wait for the papers to be filed on the title of the property.  I did change over the names on the account to mine yesterday but I left the money in the bank.   Joan, the lawyer will be sending the papers in your name at the general mail box at the storekeeper’s.  Your dad felt it would be safer for anyone to see something coming to you from an attorney than something addressed to me.”

Joan finally is able to say something.  “I think that’s a good idea.”

“I thought so too.”

“After I receive the papers which could take up to a month to get, I need to ride the property and make sure I know the boundaries.  The property is fifteen hundred acres.”

            “Oh, my God,” says Carla.

Gateway to Terror

I don't usually post on my husband's blog, but I had to share my comments about Joe's new book that will be out in the fall. I have just finished proofreading the draft, tentatively titled "Gateway to Terror". This is the second book of a trilogy which started with "Behind the Lies".  It continues where he left off with the three terrorist agents still alive.  They become the main characters in this book, but now they are in America, planning more terrorist activities.

While proofreading is not an enjoyable activity, I did enjoy the plot and writing more on this book. Joe's writing has improved as he becomes a more experienced writer, and I found the characters and plot interesting.  We have put together a draft cover (from my photos) and will continue to work on it. The book goes to publishing in June, then Joe and I get to proofread the galleys. It should be available in the fall.

Photo below is just a hint of how these terrorist agents get into the U.S.

Chapter Twenty-Eight Heading for Salt Lake

After breakfast and the horses are tended to, Joan hitches up the buckboard while Scott and Mike help Tyler down the stairs and outside.  Carla has an assortment of blankets and pillows for him to be comfortable. 

Scott and Mike help Tyler onto the buckboard, then he and Joan climb onto the driver’s seat.  Scott takes the reins and drives the horses at a slower than normal pace so as not to toss Tyler around.  Mike rides ahead. 

“Don’t you think we might be overdoing this a little dad?”

“I want everyone who sees us to think he has some real problems and isn’t healing too well.  It’s amazing that he has been able to keep the truth from Mike for so long.

“He’s done a good job at that and I know one thing for sure. Whoever killed his relatives and took a shot at him is in for a surprise when he finds them, if he ever does.”

“I have no doubt that he will someday.  Tyler is a very determined man.”

“Do you think he can hear us?” 

“No, why, I think he’s asleep.”

“I think you like him, don’t you?”

Joan doesn’t respond for a couple of minutes, looking at her father she says, “Yes, I guess I do.  Don’t know if he feels the same way though.”

“He’s been through a lot lately and has a lot on his mind.  I’ve been watching his eyes though since I noticed you caring for him.  I would bet the ranch that he does.”

“What are you trying to do, get me married off?”

“Heck no, it’s just that when you see a good man, you hope your daughter finds one like him.  After all, those two ladies from town never came to visit you before he got shot.  Think about it.  They’re interested in him too, don’t you think they’re not.”

“Oh dad, it’s just your imagination.”

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.”

Chapter Twenty-Six Scott's Plan

“When you sent me to town to find out what happened to the sheriff, I talked to the blacksmith the second day I was there. Before I left after questioning him, I asked him if he had ever seen a mark like that, saying that I had seen it a long time ago. He told me that some blacksmiths use a template to hold a shoe in place as they work it. This creates a v in the shoe. He also said he hadn’t seen it in years. That’s all I can tell you right now.”

Scott looks at Joan. “I haven’t told anyone this. White Cloud showed me the tracks of the rider who turned when he and Little Dove came upon Tyler. They couldn’t identify the rider but his horse has a definite v shape in a hind hoof.”

“Dad, are you saying Johnny, shot Tyler?”

“Based on what Tyler just said, I would say Johnny could be a prime suspect in all of this. Can we prove it, is another thing? If we start talking about the v on the shoe, he can easily replace it.”

“His father being the biggest rancher around here is going to pack a lot of weight if we try and build a case,” remarks Tyler. “I haven’t said anything because who is going to believe some ranch hand who has only been around a couple of months. I’m also thinking that maybe he’s not in this alone.”

Chapter Twenty-Five A Week Later

He knows that he cannot go on without getting some assistance from the Scotts. No one knows that he is the heir to the property yet, someone; probably Johnny Peters has tried to kill him. If it becomes public knowledge he will be in greater jeopardy. He decides he must talk with the Scotts and level with them.

He hears a knock on the door and says, “Come in.”

Joan is standing there with a smile on her face. “It seems that you are starting to get around on your own. That’s wonderful. You need to take it slow so your wound heals and any internal bruising has time to heal.”

“Joan, everyone has been wonderful to me. I’m not used to this kind of treatment. I feel a little awkward, not just because I’m injured.”

“Look Tyler, you have friends here, we care what happens to you. I was surprised Jessica and Maggie rode out here to see you. I’m glad they did but that was the first time they ever took the trip. It shows that a number of people like what they see in you.

“I want you to heal completely before you attempt to do any riding. No one is forcing you to get back to work. We’ve made it before you came with just dad, me and Mike.”