Chapter 9 – Tyrant
The next day at sunrise Bret and Dandy set out for Monterrey and the estate of Donda and Estella Medina. It was, for them, the third day of the kidnapping, and it took riding most of the day to reach their destination. They followed the directions they'd received from Esteban, keeping them off the main streets.
The two of them had dressed in their horse-herding clothes and borrowed two sombreros from Esteban that he'd used as decorations in the cantina, so they were old and well-worn. At least they didn't look like gringos and would be harder to spot.
They found the Medina Hacienda with no trouble and were both in awe of the size of the place. They circled the compound to see if there were any obvious guards; they couldn't find any. The Medinas were well-respected in Monterrey and had little to fear from the locals. That also meant that if they needed help, it wouldn't be available.
They rode down a side street that gave them a reasonable view of the Hacienda. "What do you think?" Bret asked.
"Hard to tell, the way it's built, but if I had to guess I'd say they've got him in this wing over here." Dandy pointed to a single story room that jutted off from the main house. "I'd say they added that room just for this purpose, so if they were ever lucky enough to capture one of them, they'd have a place to put them."
"What kind of people build a separate room 'just in case'?"
"People that are very vindictive, or in incredible pain."
"You got any ideas about gettin' him out?"
Dandy nodded his head. "Yes, but you're not going to like it."
"I'll like anything that gets my brother out of there alive."
"It involves Doralice and Dynamite," Dandy informed Bret calmly.
"You're right, I don't like it."
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The stagecoach pulled into Laredo that afternoon. Doralice looked everywhere but there was no Bret, no James. She went to the Wells Fargo telegraph office and found a wire from Bret.
'Inexplicably delayed. Go next door to the hotel and ask for the key to room 314. Go straight there and lock the door. We will be there by dinner. If you're hungry now order room service. Keep the faith, Bret.'
She knew there was some reason for keeping her hidden; more than likely the Medina's. She did as told and went straight to the hotel, got the key for room 314 and got up the stairs as fast as she could. She locked the door behind her and sat down on the bed to catch her breath. What time was it now? Almost four o'clock. That meant the boys should be here within the next two or three hours. She had no idea what they had planned but trusted Bret and James to do their best to rescue Bart. If they couldn't . . . no, she wasn't going to think like that. She was sure they'd have a plan of some kind.
She was tired, worn out. She laid back on the bed just to rest a little while and quickly fell asleep. She stayed that way until she heard the doorknob rattle. She was instantly awake. By the time she sat up James had entered the room, then Bret. She hugged Dandy, hugged and kissed Bret, and told them how happy she was to see them.
"Hope the wire wasn't too confusin'. I had to write it that way in case one of the Medina's people got their hands on it. We were in Monterrey today, casing the Medina Hacienda and comin' up with a plan to get Bart out."
"We were hoping to be able to get him out without using you, but it doesn't look like we can," Dandy James added.
"Any way you use me is fine," Doralice finished for them.
"It's not as dangerous as it could be, but it's bad enough." Bret still wasn't happy about using her at all, but he'd come to the conclusion that she had to be the bait.
"Here's the plan," and Dandy started in. It took almost half an hour to explain it to her, and when he was finished, she shook her head.
"I have to agree with Bret, it sounds dangerous, and it scares me," Doralice said in a soft voice.
"Does that mean you won't do it?" Dandy asked.
"No sir, it does not. I will do anything that will bring my husband home to me safely. And this is the only thing that stands a chance. Have you got a fast horse for me?"
"Taken care of."
"When do we leave?"
"Breakfast is at sunrise, downstairs. Esteban has it all arranged. We will be seated in the back and no one will be seated close to us. We'll leave as soon as we're finished."
"I can't eat, Dandy."
"Oh yes you will. You can't go the whole day without food, and we won't let you."
"He's right, Doralice. Dandy forced me to eat one day and I'm glad he did."
"Tyrant."
"You bet your bottom dollar, Mrs. Maverick."
