Chapter 6

Late in the afternoon, Charlotte saw three Cartwrights ride slowly down the street. Seeing how Adam Cartwright held himself in the saddle, so straight, tall and confident, made her seethe inside. How dare these Cartwrights take a precious life and just throw it away, then act so calm and confident. She also wondered why Adam didn't show any worry or concern on his face. By now her notes should have had him looking over his shoulder. In fact she was quite surprised he was even in town, instead of at home protecting his precious wife. She became nervous though as she watched them ride straight to the Sheriff's office. She was only a block away so she casually strolled in that direction hoping to eavesdrop on whatever was said.

Ben, Adam and Hoss silently entered Roy's office. "Afternoon Ben, boys. Uh-oh, by the looks on yer faces I gather somethin's up?"

The three men stood, Adam in between Ben and Hoss, in front of Roy's desk with hats in hand. Adam took the papers out of his pocket and handed them to Roy. "I've gotten these the last few days, the envelope was attached to my barn yesterday." Ben glared at Hoss and Adam at that last statement. Hoss didn't tell him that bit of news.

Roy read each one and scowled when he looked at the three worried faces in front of him. "Any ideas on who it is?"

Silence reigned until Adam spoke up hesitantly, clearing his throat. "Emily and I have an idea." Three heads snapped his way. "Um, mind if I sit down first?"

Roy caught Ben's eye, confirming with his friend that calm, confident Adam Cartwright was shaken to the bone with these notes.

Adam sat while Ben and Hoss brought up more chairs. They waited patiently for Adam to continue.

Adam looked down and rolled his hat through his fingers. He took a deep breath and began quietly, as if a louder voice might bring back old ghosts, "We think this person is connected to Jason Landry."

Nervous sounds ensued in the listeners as they shifted their positions. Ben prompted quietly, "Go on, son"

"When I spoke to Emily and showed her the notes, she said she remembered Jason mentioning having a sister in New Orleans to whom he was sending money."

Roy leaned forward and clasped his hands together. Looking over his spectacles he asked, "How much can Emily tell us about this sister, Adam. Ifn I can get a name, meybe I can start sendin' some wires around an' find out some things."

Adam nodded. "I asked her for a name but she couldn't recall him ever mentioning one. She was so upset I didn't want to push her." He became silent.

Ben finally spoke, "Roy what can be done? Do you think Adam and Emily are in any real danger?"

Roy thought for a minute. "Well Ben, after lookin' at them notes we have ta take 'em seriously. We all know how mean Landry was. An' if it is his sister we hafta assume she's gonna be the same way. We need to set some extra guards around Adam's house, too."

"Yeah, I agree Pa. I don't have enough men to do it myself. Roy, can you wire New Orleans and inquire about the Landry family? Maybe that will turn up something."

"Adam, I was just about ta suggest that. I can send wires ta San Francisco and Sacramento too ta see ifn they know anythin' new connected to the old case agin' Landry."

"Hey Pa?" Everyone looked to Hoss who until now had been quiet as a mouse. "If it is her and she knows what Adam looks like then I reckon she's got ta be stayin' here in town. Is there a way ta figure out about any new women who've arrived lately?"

Adam stood nervously and began to pace. "Hoss, you just hit the nail on the head. She could know we're here now. We've got to do something quick to find out who she is."

"Roy, get those wires sent off and we'll start lookin' around town."

"Now Ben, that ain't wise. Ifn she knows you all are here and you start nosin' around town then that jest might set her off. We can't take that chance. Let me send a couple of deputies to look around. If they find out anything I'll let you know. Adam you okay with all this?"

"Yeah Roy. Listen I need to get home. I know Joe's there but I'll feel better if I'm there too." Adam headed to the door.

"Adam, I'll ride with you. From here on out you shouldn't be alone."

"Thanks, Hoss. Pa let me know if you and Roy come up with anything. Roy, thanks." He shook Roy's hand and prepared to leave.

Roy tried to reassure Adam, "Adam, don't you worry none. We'll find her afore she can do anythin'."

Adam half smiled then opened the door and Hoss followed him out.

Hoss looked at Adam after they mounted up. "You don't looked convinced by Roy's words."

Adam looked around then locked eyes with his brother. "With what we know about Landry, would you be convinced?"

Hoss just shook his head. The two brothers rode quickly out of town. If they had turned a moment later, they would have seen Charlotte come from the shadows of the alley by Roy's office. The look in her eyes was one of pure evil. She headed back to her room to plan her next step. She had to act fast before anyone could figure out who she was. Charlotte decided her first step was to check out of the hotel and indicate she was traveling to Denver. Instead she moved to a little vacant shack she'd been watching at the edge of town.

At home, Adam had told Emily all that was discussed with Roy. Although he wanted nothing more than for the two of them to stay on the ranch until this person was caught, they both knew that was impossible. With Joe and Hoss finishing the roundup and the drive a week way, Adam was the only one who could pick up the last of the supplies for the cattle drive.

A few days later, Adam and Emily rode into the town. Ben was also heading that way and had met up with them on the main road. In town, Ben headed to his Cattlemen's Association meeting. Adam dropped Emily off at Hiram's office and quietly but strongly warned her to stay put until he came back. Adam then took the wagon to the mercantile to order the supplies.

When Adam entered the store he saw it was busy with several ladies looking at fabrics and home wares. Jeremy Gates looked up from his ledger and smiled at his latest and most frequent customer.

"Morning Adam. Don't tell me you need more supplies. This drive is surely good for my business but you've about cleaned me out. Say, you ain't going on that drive this year are you Adam? What with Emily being close to her time?"

Adam smiled and shook Jeremy's hand. "No, just Hoss and Joe. I am staying home this time." Adam laid the list on the counter. "Just a few more things, Jeremy. I hope you have them."

Jeremy looked it over. "Yeah, I got all this. It'll take a few minutes to get it together, though."

"That's fine. I'll just pull the wagon around to the side and meet you there."

"Sure Adam. I'll have it ready for you."

"Thanks, Jeremy."

Adam turned to leave and nearly collided with a young woman who was leaving at the same time.

"Excuse me, ma'am." He stepped back to allow her to leave first. She looked up at him for a brief moment before she left without so much as a thank you. Adam was taken aback with a sense of deja vu. Her features, light blonde hair and dark brown eyes, looked somehow familiar yet he knew he'd never seen her before. But it was the cold, dark look in her eyes that rattled him the most. When he finally stepped outside he scanned the street. He didn't find her anywhere. Shrugging to himself, he climbed into the wagon and drove it into the alley by the store.

After loading the wagon Adam climbed up to the seat. As he lifted his foot to release the break, he saw a crumpled piece of paper on the floor. He picked it up and read it. His face when ashen as he frantically scanned the alleyway but it was empty and had been the entire time he'd been loading the wagon. He looked at the note again.

I am pleased you won't be on that cattle drive. That means you and I will meet very soon. Oh, and you won't need to worry about your pretty wife. She'll be there too.

Holding the note in his hand he released the brake and got ready to move the wagon when Jeremy called out to him.

"Adam, I almost forgot. That tobacco your Pa ordered came in. Can you take it to him?" Jeremy handed it to Adam then stepped back noticing Adam's pale skin and beads of sweat. "Say are you okay? You don't look so good."

Adam shook his head. "I'm fine Jeremy. Thanks for the tobacco. I've got to get going." He flicked the reins and the horses pulled the wagon out of the alley. Adam drove the wagon up to Hiram's office. He jumped down and calmed himself before entering. Seeing Emily and Hiram in the office deep in conversation he backed out and headed straight to Roy's office.

Adam stepped through the door and let his eyes adjust to the light difference. Roy wasn't around.

"Hello, Roy?"

Roy stepped out from the back room. "Oh, mornin' Adam. Just cleanin' up a bit. Have a seat. Got some answers to our inquiries."

Adam leaned on Roy's desk and slapped the note down in front of him. "This was in the wagon after I loaded it. I don't know how she does it. I just checked on Emily, she's safe in Hiram's office so I need to get back there soon."

Roy read it and went to put his gun on. "Well, seems this lady's gettin' ready to move. Listen Adam, I'll send a deputy down to keep a watch on Hiram's office." Roy went to the back room to give the assignment to his deputy. Returning, he sat at his desk and shuffled through the papers there. "I got lots o' information that jest came in over the wire. You need ta hear all o' it."

"Did you get confirmation that it's Landry's sister who's here?"

"Well, I'll tell ya all I know ifn you'll jest let me talk."

Adam nodded once and, crossing his arms across his chest, stood across from Roy.

"Now, I got a mess of stuff here that came in last night from San Francisco. Let me see. Ah, here it is. Seems there's been a couple of murders, one in Chicago an' one in San Francisco. Both men were trainers at a fighting arena. Both were shot at night when ever'body else had left an' both were shot point blank in the chest with a small caliber gun, most likely a Derringer or some such pistol. This was all in the last few months. Now the detective in San Francisco says both them fellas killed had connections with Landry and the Chicago murder had a witness. Seems he saw a young woman with blonde hair go into the office at the arena. He heard her arguin' with the trainer then heard a shot. The witness got scared at that point an' ran."

Roy paused and looked up at Adam. Adam's face had gone white as a sheet.

"Adam, what's wrong? You feelin' alright?"

"Roy, I think I saw her, at the mercantile."

"Saw who? The gal from Chicago?"

"Yeah, I nearly ran into her when we both tried to leave Gates' Mercantile at the same time. She looked familiar to me. Now I know why. Pale blonde hair and dark brown eyes, just like Landry. But her eyes were cold and full of hatred. It was almost as if she wanted me to know she was there."

"Did ya see where she went?"

"No, she was gone when I got outside." Adam massaged the back of his neck to ease the kinks building there.

"Well, got somethin' else here. You remember Landry's agent, the one that helped him escape afore his trial? Seems he's dead too. Just last week he was found dead in his cell, just a few hours after some young lady visited with him. Now, how 'bout them apples?"

Adam began to pace the room. "It's got to be her. She thinks she's leaving no witnesses yet she's leaving a bloody trail behind her. She's hell bent on vengeance and Emily and I are the targets."

"I hafta agree with ya there, Adam. She's one dangerous lady. Got one more thing. This came in from New Orleans. Seems she and Jason were orphaned in their teen years. The mother killed herself when they were younger and the father ran all sorts o' illegal shipping. He was killed on one o' his own ships. Oh, her name is Charlotte DuBois Landry. It seems she was old enough to take care of Jason so they didn't hafta go to an orphanage."

Adam stopped pacing to look to Roy. He ran his hand down his face and took a deep breath.

"Well, it looks like we have a pretty clear picture of who we are dealing with. She's cold, calculating, likes to toy with her victims and good with a gun, a small gun. Now how do we find her?"

"Well, I'll tell ya. As soon as I got her name I had my deputy check out the hotels and boardin' houses. She was stayin' at the International House. Came in on the stage from Reno last week. But she ain't there now. Checked out a couple o' days ago and said she was goin' ta Denver, is what she told the clerk."

Adam looked steely-eyed at Roy. "We know that's not true. I just saw her a few minutes ago."

Suddenly, shots were heard outside. Drawing his gun, Adam flew through the door with Roy on his heels.