THE LONG TRAIL
He eased up to the crest of the ridge just far enough to look down the other side. The man was about a hundred yards away, sitting his horse on the trail. He brought the rifle to his shoulder … squeezed the trigger, felt the recoil ...
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My name is Mort Cory, sheriff of Laramie, Wyoming and I have a mystery on my hands.
I'm investigating another death, the third one in as many weeks. This one took place about five miles southwest of Laramie, near the Carson ranch. The cowboy, one of Carson's hands by the name of Seth Beldan, had died of a broken neck. It was ruled an accident, as the coroner figured he had been thrown from his horse. But, my mind was questioning what had caused the bruising around his neck.
The first of the three deaths was considered natural causes, as it was old Jack Barnes. He had been in ill health for a couple years, so it was no surprise to find him dead at his corral one morning, presumably of a heart attack while feeding his stock. We couldn't tell if anything was missing from the place, as old Jack's housekeeping was next to nil.
The next one was northeast of town, at the edge of the mountains. Carl Sanders was out hunting and stumbled on the body in the edge of a stream. The man had been there for quite a few days, so it was difficult for the coroner to determine cause of death, due to the body decomposing. But, after a thorough examination, he finally found a bullet lodged in the victim's backbone, which had got there through the man's heart. He was a stranger to the area and had no identification on him.
I didn't much believe in coincidences, maybe it's the lawman in me, so I was pretty sure that two of these men had been murdered. The question was, why and by who? None of the men had anything of value and two of them were respected citizens.
I had thoroughly searched the areas where the three deaths occurred, I even asked Jess Harper, my good friend and sometimes deputy, to look the scenes over, explaining, "Jess, I don't think all these deaths have been from natural causes. I have a gut feeling that they were murdered."
After Jess had spent a number of hours at each site he informed the sheriff, "Well, Mort your instincts are usually right, but try as I might, I can't find anything, no tracks, no clues, nothin'. It looks as though whoever did these killin's, just vanished into thin air," Jess opined.
"Jess, you know as well as I do, that no one can disappear with no trace, there has to be an explanation!" I said exasperated.
"I know that, Mort, but I can't find anything. I wish I could stay and help you more, but I have to go to Denver on stage line business. With Slim out of commission, it falls on me, I'm sorry," Jess explained.
Sighing, I said, "I understand, Jess. Thanks for everything you've done."
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I hadn't seen the townspeople this riled up since the Indian scare a few years back. They were all demanding answers, none of which, unfortunately, I could give them. But, along with their anger was fright, everyone wanting to know what was being done to catch whoever was responsible, while wondering who was going to be next.
"Sheriff Cory, just what are you doing to catch this killer? We can't have a madman running around loose, to strike who knows when or where! I demand that you do something to apprehend the person, or people responsible!" exclaimed the Laramie mayor.
"Mayor, I share your frustration and I'm doing everything I can. No one's willing to join a posse and I have no idea who has done the killing, there are absolutely no clues left behind. I just don't know where to start. Slim Sherman is laid up with a broken arm and Jess is on Overland business in Denver, I have no idea when he will return and everyone else is afraid to leave the safety of their homes." I explained. "I'm doing the best I can, under the circumstances."
"It's not enough Cory! How many more people have to die before you do something? You do your job, or we will find someone who will!" threatened the mayor, as he stormed off.
"Right about now, I wish you would find someone else," I thought to myself, as I headed back to the office, exasperated. I went to pour a cup of coffee, but it was cold. Slamming the pot down, I exclaimed, "The hell with it, I'm going home, have a drink, fix supper and try to figure out what to do next!"
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Just as I was sitting down to eat, I heard a scream. "Oh no" I jumped up, grabbed my hat and gunbelt and headed out the door. People were heading towards the livery stable so I started running in that direction.
As I came around the corner of the livery, I saw a number of people standing around in silence and shock, looking at something on the ground. "Let me through," I said, shouldering my way past the crowd. When I was closer, I could see that it was another body, Mrs. Sutton, a local widow. There was no doubt she was dead as her throat had been cut.
This was the first time a killing had taken place in town, but upon asking if anyone had seen anything, I was met with angry stares and demands from the crowd. I sighed and told everyone to please stay where they were to decrease the chance of destroying tracks, or better yet, to go home, while I searched the vicinity. The area directly around Mrs. Sutton's body was trampled, with no hope of finding any evidence, so I started circling, searching for any kind of clue. I found some fresh boot prints leading into the creek bed, but they disappeared in the sand and rocks.
After about an hour of painstaking searching, I found a faint indentation and some threads of what looked like wool at the edge of the creek bed. It suddenly dawned on me why we hadn't been able to find any tracks, the killer was wrapping his horse's hooves in sheepskin! Now that I knew what I was looking for it was easier to follow the path of the killer's escape. I traced the faint tracks about a half mile up the dry creek when I spotted where the horse had slipped on the bank as it had left the creek. About a hundred yards further on the killer removed the hoof coverings, taking off in a hurry towards the northern mountains. I noted that the horse had been shod not too long ago and the front, off hoof had a bent nail. I headed back to town to talk with the blacksmith, as it was now too dark to do any more tracking.
Arriving back in town, I found a group of angry people waiting for me. When the mayor started in on me again, I put my hands up and yelled for everyone to please listen. When I finally got them quieted down, I explained what I had found and again begged for people to join me in a posse. As I expected, there were no takers, so I went looking for Henry, the blacksmith. I asked him if he had shod any horses in the past couple weeks, then explained what I had found. He said he hadn't and turned away, closing the discussion. Exasperated, I stomped off to home to pack supplies for what I figured was going to be a long manhunt.
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I had chosen a little bay horse for this trip. I hadn't had him very long, but he was tough, with lots of sense and with a name like Chase, I figured he would be a good pick. I had him saddled and the pack horse loaded well before daybreak and was headed out to where I had stopped the search the evening before. By the time I arrived it was plenty light enough to thoroughly study the horse's tracks and those of the man riding him. The bent nail would make it much easier to track the horse, as for the man's boot prints, they were pretty nondescript, other than having rundown heels. He looked to be average weight and had an average stride, but I couldn't find any other clues. He had taken off in a big hurry, so the tracks were easy to follow, although I knew I couldn't hope for it to remain this easy, I had a feeling this was going to be a long trail.
I had been following the trail for a couple miles, when the suspect again started covering his tracks. He went into a stream, which washed all his prints away. Hoping that he was trying to get further away from town, and not circling back, I went upstream, watching for where he exited. About four hours later and after going up and down the stream a couple times, I noticed a white scar on a rock, a closer examination showed it to be where a hoof slipped while going up the bank, so I was back on the trail, but had only covered a couple miles.
The trail was fairly easy to read for the next three or four miles, then we came to a forks and suddenly there were no more tracks, they had vanished! I dismounted and searched until the light was too bad to see anything. I called it a day and went back down the trail a ways and set up camp. The horses were beat, and truth to tell, so was I, we would continue tomorrow.
I tended to the horses, giving them a good bait of grain for their hard work, then settled down for the night, chewing on a piece of jerky. I decided on a cold camp, as I didn't want to alert whoever it was that I was following. I stretched out and tried to catch some shut-eye, thinking that I sure as hell wished Jess was with me. Not only for his tracking ability, but he's good company and a good man to have around to watch your back. With that I fell asleep.
I was up with first light and while I saddled the horses I was trying to recollect what I knew of the country where we seemed to be heading, and it wasn't much. I had only been in the area once, a long time ago. There used to be a trapper living way back up in a high mountain meadow, but I heard he had left three or four years ago.
I grabbed another piece of jerky, wishing I had some coffee to wash it down with and started back up the trail. When I got to the forks, I tied the horses and started searching on foot. I went up the west trail about a mile, coming to a dead end, backtracking I headed up the east trail. I was just about to give up, when I spotted a fresh broken branch on a young aspen tree. Closer inspection revealed some wool fibers, telling me that he had covered his horse's hooves again! This is one guy that won't be easy to find. It had taken me better than an hour and a half to find the trail again, so the killer gained more time and distance on me.
Chase and me, we had followed the tracks for another four or five miles further when we found where he had camped for the night. It was here that he took the sheepskin coverings off his horse's feet again. He was confident enough, or maybe didn't know he was being followed, to have had a fire and a good meal, with coffee. I saw where the grounds had been emptied on the fire, sure wish I had some of that coffee! The coals were barely warm, so he had left very early this morning.
I followed the tracks for the rest of the day and the next. I might be gaining on him, couldn't really tell, but as of yet, I hadn't laid eyes on him. Late afternoon we topped out into a small mountain meadow with a good stream running through it and plenty of feed for the horses, so I decided to call it a day. I found a nice protected camp spot and took care of Chase and Red, I think they were as happy to stop for the night as I was. I chanced building a small fire, 'cause I really needed a cup of coffee! I ate a can of beans and a biscuit and called it a night.
I'm into the ninth day on the trail and I've probably only traveled a total 30 miles or so, due to the slow tracking and losing the trail and having to look for it so often. I don't know how much longer I should continue pursuing this guy. I left Laramie wide open and I'm not even sure that the man I am trailing is the guilty party. For all I know, there could have been more killings while I have been gone. I decided that if I hadn't caught up with him by tonight, I would head back to town in the morning.
The trail was leading up a pretty steep hill and we were about half way up when I stopped the horses to give them a breather. "Chase, I don't know about you, but I sure will be happy to have this over with and get back home to a nice soft, warm bed," I said out loud, his ears flicked back, agreeing with me, I presume. I was looking down at the creek, thinking that there were probably some nice trout to be had, when I saw a flash of light out of the corner of my eye.
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… The man heard the shot, felt the pain … the last thing he remembered, as he fell from his horse, was a bullet slamming deep into his chest …
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Jess Harper was anxious to get back home. He had been in Denver two weeks, tending to Overland Stage business, including looking at some new horses for the relay station. Jess wasn't one to enjoy the business end of the relay station, that was Slim's job, he was much happier tending to the horses and stages.
It had been raining most of the trip back and he was alone with his thoughts inside the coach. He hadn't had much chance to think about what had happened in Laramie before he left and was wondering if Sheriff Cory had found the one responsible for the killings. Jess had done his best to try and find some tracks, or other evidence of who the killer might be, but just couldn't come up with anything. He was disappointed that he couldn't stay and help Mort instead of going on this business trip. He would make it a point to get into town as soon as he could, in case Mort needed some help.
He was anxious to see Slim, wondering how his arm was healing, but smiling, he was even happier to know that shortly he would be sitting down to a Daisy cooked meal, dang, he had sure missed them!
At last Jess could see the ranch and boy, he had never been more glad to get home! Before the stage rolled to a stop, he was out the door, with a big smile on his face, shaking hands with Slim, swinging Mike up and around, and giving Daisy a hug and kiss.
"It sure is good to be home!" exclaimed Jess, looking at Slim, he said, "From now on, these kind of business trips are going to be left entirely up to you!" Turning to Daisy, he asked, "Daisy, what's to eat? I'm starved!"
Daisy laughed, eyes twinkling, she looked at Slim, "I told you he wouldn't be here five minutes, before he would be demanding something to eat!" To Jess she said, "Come along, Dear, I have your favorite meal on the stove for you."
"I tell you, Pard, Daisy's been fussing in the kitchen all day, knowing you were going to want supper as soon as you got here," Slim said.
Mike grabbed Jess, asking "What'd you bring me from Denver, Jess? Come on, what'd you get? Huh, huh?"
Jess told Mike he would have to wait, supper was top priority, everything would have to wait until they had eaten, they didn't want to spoil all that work that Daisy went to, would they? "Awww Jess, alright."
After two helpings of a scrumptious dinner of Chicken and Dumplings, with a couple big slices of apple pie with thick slices of cheese for dessert and some coffee, Jess was ready to sit back and relax. After dinner Mike was again asking Jess what he had gotten him, so he went and retrieved the packages from his bag, handing each of his "family" a small package.
Mike couldn't wait a second longer, tearing his gift open to reveal a new hand tooled leather belt. "Jeez, Jess, this is great. You knew my old one was getting too small and worn out. You're the best!" and he hugged Jess tightly.
Jess had gotten Slim a new pair of gloves and a dress shirt, while Daisy received a beautiful, warm shawl, for the coming cooler weather.
After thank you's and another cup of coffee, it was Mike's bedtime. As usual, he wasn't wanting to go, but Jess followed him to his room, tucked him in and told him a story. Before it was finished, Mike had fallen asleep.
When Jess came out a few minutes later, Daisy had a hot cup of coffee for him, as well as some warm cookies. The three sat and caught up on the business trip, as well as the happenings around the relay station. Daisy finally said that she was tired and ready for bed, after a hug and another big "thanks" from Jess, she took herself off.
After Daisy went to bed, Slim refilled their cups, adding a wee bit of "medicinal" whiskey. Handing Jess his, they went out to the porch to relaxing in the rockers, as they both put their feet up on the rail. Jess asked Slim how his arm was doing, Slim told him the doc said he could start using it very carefully in another day or two. They talked about the ranch and what needed to be done before the summer heat set in.
Jess took a sip of the whiskey laced coffee and asked, "Did Mort catch the killer?"
Slim, giving him a concerned look, said "We don't know. Mort's been gone nearly two weeks and nobody's heard a word from him."
"What! Hasn't one of the posse members come back to report, or someone go look for him?"
With a sad glance, Slim replied, "He couldn't raise a posse. There was another killing after you left. The widow Sutton. Mort found some tracks and thought he could get some volunteers, but everyone is so scared, they won't hardly leave their homes, let alone go on a posse. You know Mort, he isn't going to force anybody to join if they don't want to, so he took off alone."
"The danged fool! That's not like him at all." Jess jumped up, pacing, "Does anyone know which way he headed? After this long a time, all trace of the trail around town would be trampled, so a person would have to try and cut the trail someplace out of town. And with this rain, it could be nigh impossible."
"All anyone said was that he had found some tracks and headed off to the north, up the creek bed behind the livery," Slim said. "The mayor was really riding Mort about not doing enough to keep the townsfolk safe and told him if he couldn't find the killer, then he would find someone who could."
"That dadgum mayor wouldn't know a good man if he saw one! You and I both know that there isn't a better lawman around than Mort Cory! I'm going to hit the hay and get an early start tomorrow. Something's wrong, I know it. Mort should have been back by now, with or without the killer. It's not like him to stay out this long."
"Where you going to start, Jess? The trail is cold and is no doubt rained out by now, you won't have a clue as to where to go."
"Well, we know he went north, so that's where I'll start."
"You could spend weeks looking, that's a big country. Jess, face it, you might never find him."
"I've got to try, Slim, Mort could be hurt or dying … or…," Jess said sadly, "or dead. Hell, Slim, next to you, he's the best friend I've got and besides, he would do it for me!"
"I'll go with you then, two sets of eyes are better than one."
"No, Slim, your arm isn't up to it, besides someone has to take care of the place. I can travel faster alone. I'll find him and I'll bring him home," Jess said, worriedly, "one way or the other."
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Lynn Parker woke up feeling very restless, she wasn't sure why, but knew she needed to get away for awhile. Her Pa was still asleep, but would be waking soon and wanting breakfast, so she quietly got out of bed and went to the kitchen. She started the fire and while the stove was getting hot she walked out to the spring to fill the water bucket. She noticed there were a few storm clouds gathering to the southeast, maybe they would get some rain in the next few days. She decided she would go to her secret place, a place that always eased her worries and she would leave today.
With her mind made up, she started breakfast and thought back to when she, her Pa and Danny moved to this hidden valley nearly two years ago. There was an old trapper's cabin here, so they had fixed it up a bit and added a bedroom for her. It wasn't fancy, but it kept them warm and dry. Her Pa did a little trapping and hunting, trading the skins and some of the meat for the staples they needed to survive.
Danny was her younger brother by almost ten years. Her Ma had died birthing him, so their Pa spoiled him and let him get by with most anything, trying to keep Ma's memory alive through him, she supposed. But all Lynn could see in her brother was trouble, from the time he started walking and talking and it hadn't gotten any better. She doubted her Ma would have been very proud of him, she knew she wasn't.
She smiled, remembering meeting Sam Parker, in Santa Fe, a wonderful man, who worked at the telegraph office. They fell in love and were married shortly thereafter. The couple were very happy and her Pa loved him as a son. They were even happier when she learned they were going to have a baby, naming him James.
Danny had been away on one of his forays and when he returned, young Jimmy was three years old. About a month later Sam and Jimmy went down to the creek, Sam was teaching Jimmy the art of fishing. When they didn't return for dinner, Lynn went down to see what was keeping them. She found them lying on the bank taking a nap, or so she thought. But when she looked closer she found they had both been strangled!
Lynn was in a daze for months after the murders. She remembered Pa packing them up and moving again, saying that he needed to get her away so she could forget what happened. Well, you never forget a husband, nor your child. They eventually ended up in Blackhawk, Colorado, where her pa went to work in the mines.
It had been right after Danny got into trouble in Blackhawk that they moved here. It always seemed like they would just get settled somewhere nice and Danny would get in trouble, she didn't see why her Pa kept protecting him. Danny had been gone over a year this time, maybe he would stay gone.
During breakfast Lynn told her Pa that she was going to take some time and do some fishing and maybe find a deer. They were both getting kind of tired of beans and rice. He wasn't too keen on her going, but knew better than trying to talk her out of something she had already made up her mind to do. After breakfast Lynn packed up what few supplies she needed, along with her rifle, and bid her Pa farewell.
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It was about five miles to Lynn's secret place and seeing as how she was walking, she figured it would be about mid-afternoon, or later before she got there, considering the late start. She came onto a patch of Morel mushrooms and spent some time picking enough for a couple meals, then headed on down the trail. It was too early in the season for berries, so no need to be looking for them.
Lynn had gone about three miles, when she heard a rifle shot. She couldn't imagine who it could be way out here, but the shot came from up ahead. She slowly continued walking down the trail with caution.
She'd been walking about twenty minutes when she spied someone about a half mile away, coming up the trail on horseback! She didn't recognize them and not wanting to talk to anyone, she ducked off the trail, hiding in some brush. She waited far enough off the trail that she couldn't see the rider and she knew he wouldn't see her. After she heard them pass, she waited for a few more minutes, then continued on down the trail. Her destination was about a mile away, just over that next rise and down by the creek.
Lynn was becoming excited to be near to her secret place, so she began hurrying along the trail, eager to get camp set up. She had used this small cave numerous times, so there were all of the necessities there, like pans, cots, blankets and bandages, (you never knew when you might cut yourself with an axe or knife) that she had stashed away at the back of the cave. The creek was only thirty yards or so away, with clean, cold, delicious water. There were also some very nice trout that were always hungry and eager to strike your hook. She could taste them already!
She really wasn't paying too much attention to the trail, being so eager to set up camp and do some fishing and when she topped out on the rise, she looked over to the creek, thinking that fishing would be her first "chore". The cutoff to the cave was about a hundred yards down the trail, she was almost there when she stopped dead in her tracks! There was a man lying face down in the middle of the trail!
She looked around very carefully, rifle at the ready, to see if there was anyone else close by. She saw a saddle horse not too far away with its reins on the ground, effectively ground hitching him and a pack horse down the trail a ways. After determining that they were alone, she slowly walked over to the man. She nudged him with the rifle and getting no response she gently turned him over. There was a pool of blood under his body and his clothing was covered with it, caused by a bullet to his chest. On closer inspection she determined that he was still breathing!
Now what do I do, she thought. "He's not an overly large man, probably about six foot tall, maybe 180 pounds, but he's more than I can handle easily." Suddenly she had an idea and ran on down to the cave, grabbed an axe, a couple blankets and some rope. She found a couple of small aspen about the right size to make a travois with and after cutting them down and trimming the limbs, she tied the blankets on with the rope. She pulled it over by the man then retrieved his horse, who was not a bit happy with the smell of blood, but after some gentle coaxing, he finally settled down enough that she could get the travois tied to the saddle. She tugged and pulled and finally managed to get the man onto the travois, then led the horse to the cave. She knew she wouldn't be able to get him to the back of the cave and onto the cot, so she made up a pallet just inside the cave entrance. It took all her strength to drag him onto the bed. She was very concerned, noticing that moving him hadn't done him any good, as he was bleeding badly.
Lynn quickly got a fire going and ran to the creek for a bucket of water, returning she put a pot full on the fire to heat. She got her medical kit out, thankful that she had gotten some nurses training while working at the hospital in Santa Fe. While the water was heating, she carefully removed the man's vest and shirt, noticing for the first time that he wore a badge! She remembered hearing the gunshot, wondering if the rider she had seen on the trail had ambushed this man.
He moaned softly as Lynn began cleaning the wound with the warm water. She noticed the bullet had entered his chest between the second and third rib, on his right side. Luckily, it had glanced off the lower rib and the bullet's path was directed up and to the outside, missing the man's lung, but doing severe damage to his shoulder muscle, thankfully, she couldn't detect any broken bones. The bullet seemed to be lodged near the back of his shoulder against the shoulder blade.
She began probing, to see if she could get to the bullet. As she did so, the man became agitated, moving his head from side to side, grimacing and trying to pull his shoulder away from the pain. She finally got hold of the bullet and gently removed it. He relaxed a bit, as did she, as she dropped the bullet into the washbasin. She noted that he was still bleeding, but not quite as badly as before. But the amount of blood loss was still worrisome, remembering the pool of it under his body when she had turned him over. She packed the wound with moss and wrapped it tightly, hoping that would stop the flow of blood. She didn't want to have to cauterize the wound if she could help it. All she could do now was wait.
It was well after dark when she finished bandaging the man and she hadn't eaten anything. She wasn't really hungry, but knew she needed something, she was chewing on a piece of jerky, along with drinking a cup of coffee when she heard a horse whinny, oh no, she had forgotten all about the man's horses! She grabbed the lantern and went down the trail to where the packhorse's lead was tangled. He was skittish at first, but her gentle voice calmed him enough that she could untangle his rope and lead him to the cave, the saddle horse still standing just outside the entrance. She took the rigging off both horses and gave them a good rub down, then picketed them on the lush grass next to the stream so they could get to the water. It took two trips to carry the saddle and the man's gear into the cave.
Lynn made up her cot and laying down, she tried to get some sleep. She had just dozed off when she was awakened by the man's groans and his tossing around. When she felt his forehead, she found he was burning up with fever! She quickly prepared some willow bark tea and managed to get a little of the liquid down him, it was good for fever as well as the pain. She uncovered him and began bathing his face and chest with cloths soaked in cold water, trying to bring his temperature down, noticing, as she did so, how handsome he was, with a strong, square jaw, covered with a heavy growth of beard and a full head of graying black hair. She continued bathing him with the cold water until the fever subsided; it was nearly daylight when she finally collapsed on the cot, exhausted.
The next day was a repeat of the night before. Lynn tried to get the man to drink the tea and water as often as she could, knowing this was the only way he would be able to build his blood back up. He was still feverish and talking incoherently. He was tossing around in his delirium so much, she was afraid he would tear open his wound and do more damage to his shoulder, so during a couple of the real bad times that he was calling out for a Sara and thrashing around, she would hold him and tell him 'she' was right here with him and it would be alright, which seemed to calm him for a bit.
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On the fourth day, it started to rain, just a gentle, soaking rain, but it made it cooler. She was low on wood and was having a hard time keeping the cave warm. Lynn would have to forage further out, as she had already gathered all the dry wood close by. She hated to leave the man alone, as he was in and out of consciousness and she wanted to be there if he woke, but she had to have more wood. She saddled his horse, attached the travois and went searching. Luckily, she found a downed tree not far away, she loaded all the branches the travois would hold and took them back to camp. After unsaddling the bay, she moved them both to fresh feed, telling them that their master was going to be alright soon, while scratching that itchy place under their jaws. When she returned to the cave she was thrilled to find that the man was awake and seemed aware of his surroundings; she admired his kind face and soft brown eyes, with deep laugh lines at the corners.
"Hi," she said cheerfully, "how you feeling?"
He had to try two or three times before he scratched out, "B…been b… better." She quickly brought a dipper of water and lifting his head, he drank it down, thirstily. "Thanks," he whispered.
"My name's Lynn, what's yours?"
"M- Mort."
"Do you remember anything?"
"Uh, I was trailing a killer from Laramie. I guess I must'a caught up to him." He said with a small smile.
What a wonderful smile, so full of kindness and compassion, but kind of sad too, she thought.
"Well, you caught up to someone who didn't like you," she laughed.
"You the one … umm, doctored me?" He was feeling groggy, and fighting to stay awake.
"Yeah, didn't think you were going to make it a few times, but you fought hard."
"Uh, thank you."
"Are you up to some broth?"
"Can try, I'm kinda hungry."
But by the time she got back with the broth, he had fallen asleep. That's alright, she thought, sleep is the best medicine for him.
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Jess had Traveler saddled and left out of the relay station at daybreak, better than two weeks after Mort had left on the trail of the killer. He had a pack horse loaded with food, clothing, blankets and bandages. He was in hopes that he didn't need the bandages.
He headed towards Laramie, turning north a few miles before he got to town. Not wanting to see anyone, he circled around behind the livery stable and started the search for Mort's trail. It took him almost all day, but he finally found a couple broken branches and some indistinct tracks, one of them he thought he recognized as Chase's, Mort's horse, as he had put that shoe on him himself.
"Hang on, Mort, I'm on the way," Jess said as he started up the trail.
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I woke with a start, trying to figure out where I was. It was dark and I was disoriented. I remember, I was resting the horses when I heard a shot and felt a bullet hit me in the chest, that was all until I woke up, with a very pretty nurse looking after me. "Almost worth getting' shot, Mort," I said to myself, smiling. Yep, real pretty. With that thought I fell asleep.
The smell of frying bacon penetrated my sleep, opening my eyes I saw her again, the prettiest woman I've ever laid eyes on, was cooking over the fire. She glanced over to find me staring at her. Embarrassed, I explained, "I'm sorry, didn't mean to stare, but you don't usually find a beautiful lady cooking breakfast in a cave in the middle of who knows where."
She looked down, blushing and said, "Thank you, sir. I take it you are feeling better, or hallucinating." Smiling, she asked, "Would you like some of your bacon? I found it in your pack." She looked at him, thinking what a handsome man he is and wondering what he would look like without his beard. She hoped to get to know him better.
"Yes, ma'am, I am feeling some better and I would love to have some of my bacon," I replied, smiling. Thinking her eyes are so blue and beautiful.
"Let's try and get you up on the cot, it will be more comfortable."
I was weak and couldn't use my right arm, so Lynn took hold of my good arm and tried to help me, but trying to get up from the ground is not easy and nearly impossible with only one arm, she finally put both arms around my chest from behind, so I could get my legs under me. It hurt my shoulder quite a bit, but I finally got onto the cot, she propped me up and put some blankets behind my back. I was shocked and kind of pleased at how her touch had set my heart to pounding.
When I was settled, she handed me a plate of bacon and some biscuits.
"How long have I been here?" I asked, between bites.
"Let's see, you were unconscious for two days and you've been in and out of it for a couple, so counting today, five days total."
Nine days on the trail, plus the time I've been laid up here; after this long, IF the damn town even knew I was gone, they would probably think I was dead. I can't expect any help from them; if Jess is home from Denver, he might come looking for me. But who knows when that would be. Nope, Mort you are on your own for now, well, except for a very pretty nurse. Smiling, he thought "Maybe Jess will take his time…"
MC MC MC
Jess was having a devil of a time following Mort's trail. He took a wrong fork back a ways, only to find it was a dead end and he had to go back and start over, losing a couple hours. He found an old camp, but didn't know if it was Mort's or not and there was nothing of interest there anyway, so he kept on the trail, after all, it was going the right direction…he hoped.
He'd been on the trail three days and probably only traveled about ten miles and he had no idea where Mort might be, or if he was even still alive. All he hoped for was to find him. "Mort, where the hell are you?"
MC MC MC
It had been four days since I had regained consciousness, I was getting stronger and more than a bit restless. My beard was really bothering me so I asked Lynn if she had a razor, as that was one thing I had neglected to put in my pack.
She laughed, "Sure do, works pretty good as a skinning knife, too! I've been wondering what you would look like without all that hair on your face!"
She brought it to me, along with a pan of hot water. Well damn it, as soon as I tried to lather up, I could see that I wasn't going to be able to get the job done with my left hand, cussing under my breath, telling myself "You're pretty damn helpless Cory, if you can't even shave!" Lynn was watching me struggle and taking pity on me, volunteered to do the job, if I would like her to. Well, I've had barbers shave me numerous times, but never a woman. I wasn't sure if that would be safe, especially after she said she used the razor to skin with. She assured me that while she worked at the hospital, she had done it many times and laughing, she promised not to cut my throat. The beard was bothering me enough, that I took the chance. I had a two week growth, so it took a long time to get it cut off, but I was quite enjoying the attentions of a beautiful lady.
After I was shaved and cleaned up a bit, I asked Lynn if she would help me get dressed, I had a clean shirt in my pack. I needed to get out in the fresh air and sunshine and work at getting my strength back.
"You said you were trailing a killer, Mort, so who is it?" Lynn asked while she was helping me with my shirt, her touch causing sensations I thought were long dead.
"Huh? Oh," I stuttered, "I'm not sure. I never saw him and don't have a name, but he's a man of average height, wearing boots with run down heels, with four murders behind him. That's about all I can tell you, except I'm glad he isn't a better shot." I said as I rubbed my shoulder. "What are you doing way up here, in the middle of nowhere, I thought the only one living up here was an old trapper, and I heard he had left?" I asked, breathing hard; and not just from the effort of putting my shirt on.
As Lynn was helping Mort with his shirt she was admiring his muscular back and strong arms, suddenly she realized he had asked her a question. "What did you say?" she stammered.
After Mort repeated the question, she replied, "We, my pa and me, we moved up here about two years ago. Pa's health is not real good and the doctor said he needed clean mountain air. We fixed up that old trapper's cabin and well, here we are," she told him, not adding the fact of Danny living here too.
"Just the two of you!" I exclaimed, rather loudly. "It takes a lot of work to keep a place up, getting in wood, hunting for food. If your pa isn't in good health, that leaves it all up to you. You can't keep doing all the work!" I said, rather harshly.
"Well, we've managed quite well up to this point, thank you!" she said, running out of the cave in a huff.
Surprised at her actions, I thought, "Mort you've done it now, will you ever learn to keep your mouth shut?" I tried to get up off the bed and follow her out, but I wasn't as strong as I thought and suddenly getting dizzy, I fell back, breathing hard and trying not to cuss. It scared me being this weak.
MC MC MC
I must have fallen asleep, 'cause the next thing I remember was Lynn waking me for the midday meal. She was real quiet and looked like she'd been crying. "Lynn, I'm sorry. Please, I didn't mean to upset you."
"It's alright Mort, it's not you I'm upset with, it's me," she turned and looked me in the eye, "I haven't been truthful with you." I started to say something and she said, "No, let me finish, please. Pa and I aren't alone up here, my brother lives with us sometimes, too." She started crying again.
I took her arm, gently guiding her down onto the cot beside me. "Lynn, I understand if you don't want to tell me. Take your time and think it through," rubbing her back until she stopped crying.
"Mort, I do want to tell you. Then I think you will understand what's been tearing Pa and me apart for all these years and why we're moving all the time. Danny, my brother, he's never been right in the head, oh, he's smart enough, but he's evil. He's been that way ever since he was a little kid, he would kill things just to be killing and laugh about it. Ma died having him and Pa just let him do what he wanted as he was growing up. I think he was trying to make it up to Danny for Ma dying. Every time we would settle some place nice Danny would get in some kind of trouble and we would be moving again. About ten years ago we moved to Santa Fe, after we'd been there a few months Danny took off, he just disappeared. Pa and I both relaxed and were really starting to enjoy life again. Then I met a wonderful man, we fell in love and married." I smiled at that, still rubbing her back. "About a year after we had a son. Jimmy was three when Danny showed up again." She turned pain filled eyes to me, "About three months later Sam and Jimmy were killed, someone had strangled them! I can't prove it, Mort, but I just know Danny killed my husband and son! Mort, you just can't imagine what it's like to lose your family!" she sobbed.
I hugged her to me, patting her, trying to quiet her sobbing. After she stopped crying, I told her sadly, "Lynn, I do know what it's like to lose someone you love, someone who is your whole heart and soul." I swallowed hard, remembering my own grief. "My wife died, along with our daughter, from the fever epidemic nine years ago. It's something that you never get over, but it does begin to be a little easier to bear as time goes on and one day you'll remember the good times more than the bad, I promise."
Suddenly she was returning my embrace, "Oh, Mort, I'm so sorry, I had no idea!" I gently kissed her forehead, then her cheek, finding her lips, so sweet and quick to respond! We were breathless when suddenly she pulled away. I quickly regained my composure, apologizing, "Please, forgive me."
"No, don't apologize, Mort. I care a great deal for you, in fact I think I'm falling in love, but let's take it slow, please."
No, I didn't want to take it slow! But I said, "If that's what you want," somewhat dejectedly.
MC MC MC
For the next week Lynn and I spent all our waking moments together. She was a beautiful woman, inside as well as out, with a wonderful sense of humor, she was tall for a woman, only about three inches shorter than my six feet, 40'ish, (a gentleman doesn't ask), auburn hair with golden highlights, bold blue eyes and a sensuous, loving smile.
I was getting stronger each day and finally was able to take the sling off my arm. I started helping with the chores around camp, including carrying water and gathering wood. My shoulder was still stiff and a little sore, but I found brushing Chase and Red was good exercise for my arm, so they got a lot of attention. It also gave me time to think about Lynn's and my future, if she consented to a future. Laughing, I felt as if I were once again a young man, falling in love and not believing that I could actually feel this way again. I thought that any love I had to give had died with Sara and our daughter, but I discovered that I could love again. Smiling, I decided "I've taken it 'slow' long enough" and I marched off to talk with Lynn, who was sitting down by the creek. I sat down beside her, taking her hand, trying to look in her eyes, but suddenly finding myself embarrassed, "It's been a long time since I've courted a lady, Lynn, please bear with me. I've respected your wishes, but I don't know how much longer I can do this 'take it slow'. I love you and want to be with you, now and forever."
"Mort, what took you so long? I've been waiting all week to hear you say that!" she laughed. "Please … I …. want … you," my lips quieted her words, taking her in my arms, our kisses became more passionate ... as we became one.
Our love was special for both of us, neither she nor I had expected to find this kind of love again and we would treasure every moment, knowing how uncertain life can be. We fell asleep and woke in each other's arms, cherishing our life together.
I was almost strong enough to travel, so we spent the next week making plans for our departure. First thing was to go visit Lynn's father and tell him our news, then start home to Laramie. "Home", it would be a much happier place with Lynn in my life.
After breakfast a few days later, Lynn confessed to me, "Mort, I think I actually fell in love with you before you ever regained consciousness. You looked so alone and vulnerable, but I could sense that you were a strong, warm, caring man" smiling she added "oh and did I mention handsome?"
Smiling, I kissed her, "The feelings I was experiencing had been buried for so long, I didn't realize what was happening to me! It took awhile to realize that it was love." Taking her in my arms, I kissed her again, declaring, "You're beautiful, caring, resourceful, have a wonderful sense of humor and so beautiful!" Getting down on one knee, I said, "Lynn, I love you so much it hurts. For the record, will you marry me?"
MC MC MC
We both jumped to our feet when we suddenly heard a voice from the entrance, "Well, well, now isn't this a cozy little love nest. How long you been taking advantage of my sister, lawman?" Jamming a rifle barrel hard into my stomach, he knocked me to my knees, taking my breath away. "Hi Sis, now you just sit there quietly, I'll deal with you later, right now I have some unfinished business with your boyfriend," he said, laughing.
Lynn jumped between her brother and me as I staggered to my feet, asking, "Danny, what are you doing here? How did you find me?"
"I knew the law would be looking for me, so I was coming back home to lay low for awhile. I didn't know this law dog was following me until I spotted him on my trail the day before he met with his unfortunate accident. When Pa told me you had been gone for a couple weeks, I kind of suspected you had found lover boy here" he explained.
"You said you were going to 'lay low', so are you the one who killed those people in Laramie? " I asked, slowly catching my breath. "What did they ever do to you to make you want to kill them?"
"They didn't do nothin', 'cept be at the wrong place at the wrong time, except that old woman. If she hadn't screamed, she'd still be alive."
"Please Danny, why don't you just leave." To me she begged, "You'll let him go, won't you, Mort? Please."
Shaking my head, "You know I can't do that Lynn, he's murdered four people that I know of and he has to pay for that."
"You're in no position to do anything about it, lawman. I aim to finish what I started, start walking outside." Setting his rifle down, he drew his pistol, pointing it directly at my head.
Grabbing his arm, Lynn pleaded, "Danny, please don't do this! You've already killed the only ones I'd ever loved, please don't do it again! Please, Danny…!"
"Listen to her boy. If you kill me, you'll be running for the rest of your life."
He shook her arm off, "What do you think I'll be doing if I don't kill you? You will have every law dog in the territory after me for those killings in Laramie. No, you're going to die, now!" Aiming his gun, he grabbed my arm and pushed me to the entrance of the cave.
"Lynn, stay in here," I said, "I love you!"
As Danny pushed me out into the open I grabbed his gun hand, trying to wrestle the gun away, but my arm wasn't strong enough yet and he jerked his hand out of my grasp, then swung the gun back around, hitting me hard in the temple, knocking me to my knees, stunned. He aimed the pistol at my head, drawing the hammer back.
Suddenly, Lynn was kneeling at my side, pleading to her brother, "No, Danny, please. Just go, leave us alone!"
"Lynn, go back inside, please, you can't do anything here." I stammered. But she stayed by my side, begging her brother to leave us alone.
Danny was getting ready to pull the trigger when I heard a voice holler from behind me, "Drop the gun, mister!" Startled, Danny looked up just as Jess's bullet hit him in the heart; his dying reflexes causing him to pull the trigger. He was dead before he hit the ground.
I struggled to my feet, unsteady from the blow to my head, I turned to help Lynn to her feet; but she was lying on the ground, looking up at me with fear and pain on her face, "Mort, hold me." I fell to my knees and took her in my arms, she was covered in blood from a bullet to the chest. Her eyes told me that she knew she was dying, "Mort, darling my answer is yes! Please … hold … me … I … I love you!"
"No, please God, nooooooo!" I shouted. I sat stunned, her body crushed to my chest, tears streaming down my face, "Lynn … I love you." As I softly kissed her one last time, my heart dying with her.
MC MC MC
Jess helped me to my feet, with Lynn still in my arms and led me to the cave. I laid with her on the pallet where we had shared our love and talked so much about our future together. I brushed the hair back from her face, openly crying now, wondering how I could survive without her.
Jess knelt and put his hand on my shoulder, "Mort, I'm so sorry! If I'd gotten here sooner, maybe this wouldn't a happened."
I looked at him, shaking my head, too stunned to talk. He stood and went out, leaving me alone in my grief.
It was nearly dark when Jess came back into the cave. I was still lying with Lynn, I couldn't believe that my life had once again been shattered by the death of someone I loved. I wasn't sure that I wanted to go on, or if I could go on without her at my side. I was numb.
Jess stoked the fire to take the chill off. He looked over at me and not saying anything, poured a generous shot of whiskey. "Here Mort, found this in your saddle bags, figured you could use one right about now," He helped me up from the pallet, gently covering Lynn's body and handed me the cup.
"Thanks, Jess." I slammed the whiskey down in one shot, he kept filling my cup and I kept drinking, but it wasn't taking the pain away.
Jess saw that Mort had finally passed out, or fell asleep, muttering incoherently, with occasional sobs. If only I would have gotten here sooner, Jess thought.
He knew Mort was hurting bad and there was not a damn thing he could do to help him, other than be there for him when he finally needed to talk.
MC MC MC
I woke up the next morning with a splitting headache, slowly remembering what had happened and suddenly feeling the need to be sick. I quickly ran outside, falling to my knees and was sick until there was nothing more to heave. Finished, I stumbled to the creek, plunging my head into the water a few times, which didn't make me feel much better. I finally made my way back to the cave, dreading to face the day.
While I prepared Lynn's body for burial, Jess dug a grave on a little hill overlooking her "secret" place. She loved it here and we had found so much happiness and love, I know this is where she would want to be. I wrapped her in a blanket and carried her up the hill, Jess helping me lower her gently into the grave. He recited the Twenty-Third Psalm and sang a hymn, and at my nod, filled the grave. Squeezing my shoulder, he left me with my grief, knowing I needed to be by myself.
I stood at the grave, feeling so alone for the second time in my life. It has been nine years since my Sara passed and I had never looked at another woman until I met Lynn. Sadly smiling, I said, "You would have liked her Sara. She was so different than you, but alike too, in so many ways. Does that make sense? Lynn, you were who I had been waiting for, I just didn't know it. I was looking forward to spending the rest of my life loving you. Take care of each other. Until we meet again, I love you." I sank to my knees, tears once again flowing down my face, my heart broken.
While Mort was saying his goodbyes to Lynn, Jess took Danny's body home to his Pa. There was no answer when he knocked and pushing the door open, he found Lynn's pa dead from a bullet to the head. Danny had evidently killed the old man before coming to find her. Jess buried them both on a little hill overlooking the valley. The killing was finally over.
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I don't know how long I had been kneeling at the grave, when suddenly Jess was there with a comforting hand on my shoulder.
I looked up at him, as he said, "Let's go home Mort. We have a long trail ahead of us."