Chapter Nineteen

All four men prepared Jock for burial. They got him in his dress uniform and the mortician brought up a coffin, army issue.

"He will be buried in the military cemetery in Denver. I will take him by train this afternoon. Got a car going that way and it needs to be soon. As I see it, you is next of kin. Want anything?" The clerk asked.

Nick walked to the bureau; he gave the clerk his pocket watch, "Think of your commander well."

He took the cash and coin and handed it to Reverend Stacy, "for the poor box at the church"

Nick looked around the room and barely whispered, "I would like his medals please."

"Course," and the clerk handed them to him tied in his yellow kerchief.

He put them in his jacket pocket, saluted the coffin, and walked out of the room. The thought crossed him about his wagon.

"Wonder if he even had one. I'ffn so, I will send it to the livery. Probably army provisioned,"

He walked downstairs and to the back alley. He saw the wagon with hay askew in the dim light. Another wagon was pulled up beside it.

"Hey? Hey you?"

Something hit him in the head and he felt himself falling in slow motion to the ground.

"Make it look like a robbery," in a voice he recognized, "A Kyles?"

Nick kept his eyes closed and the last thing he heard was, "Did he hear you?"

"Nah, plumb out."

"Good, let's finish this job. Don't want another murder charge."

Alan Kyles felt around in Nick's pockets and took out his cash. The medals fell out onto the ground by Nick's bleeding head wound.

"Had near forty dollars on him."

And on second thought, took Nick's gun as they placed him in the wagon and covered him with hay.

—-&—-

The Kyles rode to Doolin's home and pried up the floor. They deposited the gold and hammered down the living room floor. Alan pulled the rug back over.

"This seems stupid. Putting gold on the Barkley property."

"Doolin says they need to look guilty and take the trail off us."

"I can't believe he's gonna split it with us and Pa."

"He has to—we know he has it."

They lowered their voice in the small buckboard as they rode onto Barkley land near dawn.

"Where have you been?" Doolin made his presence known behind the trees at the small lake, Isla de Cielo,

"Had some trouble. Nick Barkley came upon us. Had to knock him out. He never saw us."

Doolin narrowed his eyes, "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. He was gone before he hit the ground. Wouldn't think he is even awake yet."

Doolin shook his head at the unexpected.

"Put those bars in this barrel. Roll it under this rock cleft."

The Kyles brothers did as he asked.

"Where's our money?"

"Five hundred dollars."

"Here." Doolin handed them a pouch.

They grinned at each other in relief and exhaustion for the night's work.

"Thank ya."

They were still grinning as Doolin pulled out his small Derringer and shot them both in the head. They fell on top of each other in a heap. He put two more bullets in them for good measure.

He took the five hundred dollars back and checked the wagon. He saw the gun with NJB on the handle.

"That's convenient."

He went back and shot them point black with the second gun, emptied it out upon them, and left it at the scene,

"Let the Barkleys figure this one out. I can see my headline. The Kyles were killed by Nick Barkley's gun on their property. Long-term feud with the Barkley family known to the community. With gold from The River Monarch. I am a lucky man if I do say so myself. I get the gold, I know where the rest is, and—-Melanie DeLand and I will be married in two days. Cyrus, I beat you fair and square. The gold and your daughter. You hid it for the South and now I am the last man standing. Anson is a fool and you will be dead soon."

"In my business, speculation, and innuendo are all I need. The truth can be used any way I want—-ask the Barkleys." and he laughed aloud

—-&—

Nellie tried not to worry when Nick didn't come home, "He's with his dying army captain." but the thoughts of the beautiful—and smart Melanie DeLand likely called in, too haunting her.

She subconsciously rubbed her stomach as she nursed Jonny.

"Nellie, don't be silly. Nick Barkley loves you and you are the mother of his children. Surely that counts more than book learning," trying to reassure herself.

She had allowed James to ride out at dawn with McColl and several hands to check on some cattle. She was so proud of the boy he was; he was thriving under Nick's tutelage. He was still quiet but she saw confidence growing in him every day as well as stature. The ripples of small muscles had precipitated a need for new shirts this summer.

Mary was growing up too at the ranch. Her limp was less noticeable in the special shoes Nick and Jarrod had made and she would even joke about it herself in a lighthearted way. She looked up to Audra and would spend nights with her at the Wheeler ranch when Carl was away. She was becoming such a beautiful young girl, almost Audra's twin in looks and mannerisms. But her kindness was still her best quality as her humility.

Jonny's impatience to change sides brought her thoughts away from the twins to the large baby boy in her lap. Everything about him was big; his personality, his size, and his moods. He had her hair but everything else about him shouted Nick Barkley.

She finished up and took him downstairs for the day, "Surely Nick will be home soon or at least, send word."

—-&—-

"Mr. Duke? Isn't that a coyote? In the daylight?"

"Yep, James. Up to no good. Let's trail him in case a cow is down."

He checked his pocket watch, "It's almost 7 o'clock. Let's follow him. Looks like he's headed up to a little lake."

"I haven't been up here. Maybe Papa will bring me to fish?"

"Fishing ain't good up here. Where y'all go at the river and creek is better."

James took McColl's explanation.

McColl shuttered at the memory of the lake. Hardly anyone would go by there after Beth's murder. It was isolated and hard to get to except by a small buggy.

"Some of the men called it cursed. Don't believe in such but i'ffn it's true, wouldn't surprise me."

The coyote joined several of his pack with a howl. James' eyes grew big.

"Yep boy, it's fearsome fer sure. Makes me take notice myself. But it's meaning they have something."

"James? You know how to use that rifle?" He cut his eyes at him, knowing full well Nick had taught the boy himself and was an excellent shot.

"Yes sir."

"We might have to shoot some coyotes."

"Yes sir."

The horses started to get nervous and McColl reminded James to keep both hands tight on the reins.

A circling of vultures trying to alight among the five coyotes was obvious once they reached the clearing.

"Mr. Duke, look—there's wagon tracks."

"You are right boy. We might ought to turn around and get some help. Maybe more than the two of us."

About that time, one of the carrion birds dived down on the horses ago and scared them away from their meal.

James's horse bolted forward and took him toward the rock outcropping; he quickly got control back but yelled for McColl.

"You betta come, Mr. Duke. There's some dead men up here." with big eyes.

McColl rode up and tied up his horse, "Ride back down, James. This ain't pretty."

James was frozen in place as Duke rolled the bodies over, "Kyles"

"Mr. Duke? There's my Papa's gun"

He walked over and confirmed it was Nick's gun. The chambers were empty.

"Let's go get help, " as he shoved Nick's gun into his waistband.

—&—-