Chapter

The Yellow Rose

It took Ben a week to get into Arizona. As there was no telegraph office in Nogales, He stopped at the one nearest to the town, which was half a day's drive away, with all hope that there was a telegraph there waiting for him. There was, though it had not said what he wanted it to say.

Arrived home yesterday ~ stop~ Joe is not here ~stop~ We're looking for him ~stop~ We'll let you know if we find him. ~end~

It was dated 4 days ago. No other note succeeded, which led Ben to believe that Joe had not been found. It was early morning now. He took in breakfast at a small café and replenished his supplies. His destination was still a 10 hour drive.

~.~

It was beyond dark when Ben rode into the small town of Nogales.

It didn't take much to find the cantina in question. It was the only thing currently alive at this time of night and boy was it alive. The watering-hole was in tumult. It didn't have drunk men spilling out onto the streets. Everyone who was awake was contained within and everyone who was not was seemingly tucked into these other dark buildings.

He hitched his horse to the post across the street where the jailhouse sat. Boy was he tempted to go in for help, but it was dark just like the rest of this small town save the cantina. There was no reason attempting to summon law at this point. Not when he was so close to his mark and nothing yet to say. Resolutely, he turned and went in the direction of the noisy cantina.

"I'm looking for Concepcion." The bartender pointed to the crowd of men. There was a single focal in the center of a crowd. The only woman among them although you couldn't tell by her wear. She was dressed in a green saggy jacket which covered a button down of the same green color. A gun belt wrapped around her waist. Her hair was tied sloppily back. Her face was freckled. Her cheekbones high. She wore no lipstick but her lips had a natural brown hue, with a slight reddish undertone. A scar ran down the length of her face. Aside from this, she had a very feminine beguile to her. This was not what she flaunted. She flaunted strength and pride. The men cheered as she threw her head back to take down a shot of clear fluid from a palm sized glass.

"Concepcion." He said but not loud enough to split anyone's attention. He said again louder and pulling at the arms of the outer men. He repeated the name making his way through and demanding to be noticed. Only a few of the men paid mind to this new face among them. Aside from the name he kept repeating, one more thing made him stand out. He wasn't dressed like them and he was paler. The woman looked to the stranger among them.

"Excuse me." Ben broke through. "I was wondering if I could get your attention." He was speaking to all of them but mostly to her as it were she whom commanded the attention of every other man in the room.

"Of course. Here have a drink." She handed him a full glass. One which he did not accept.

"This is serious. I need to have a word." He said over the roar.

"Honey, nothings serious here." She turned away and lifted the glass she just offered to him in the air, the action of which brought about another hardy cheer from the men whom surround her.

"Excuse me." He touched her arm and she lowered the glass still full and looked at him square on.

"I'm looking for a man. I was told you could help me find him."

"Yeah? Just who is it you might be looking for?" She asked throwing back the glass she had lifted. She lowered it back to the table stretching her arm out. An arm reached out with a glass bottle and filled it again which she lifted back to her lips.

"Concepcion." She stopped to imbibe what he had just said. This name struck her. She stopped with the glass to her lips. Giving the men at her side a peripheral glance. She threw the glass back and slammed it on the table. The arm reached out to refill the glass but she waved him away.

"Gentlemen, I must leave you a moment." They returned with a wave of disappointed 'awwws'.

"I'm sorry ma'am I didn't mean to intrude." She guided the gentleman over to another table against the wall, where they could be alone. The party carried on without her.

"Tell me Mr." She paused to let him say his name but the gentleman didn't pick up on the cue. "You say you are looking for Concepcion. Tell me mister, where did you get this name?" She asked. The note was specific. Concepcion alone could help him. He was afraid of divulging too much to someone who couldn't help him. Though the reason for secrecy still eluded him. Something about her made him wonder. Looking at the scar that ran down the length of her cheek, perhaps Concepcion wasn't a 'he' at all.

"Are you she?"

"I have been called by this name a time or two." He reached for the note in his pocket but slowed as she slid her hand to the pistol at her waist. With caution he withdrew it showing her what he had. She relaxed, letting him place it on the table before sliding it over. Taking it up, she leaned back in her chair and rested her elbow on the arm, resting two fingers against her lips as she read. Looking up to then read him.

"Are you a miner?"

"No." She stared at him with scrutiny. "I mean, I own a few mines." He corrected. "Small ones. I have a large ranch out in Nevada. The mines are on my property. But it's not the only thing I do. I'm mainly a cattle man. I cut timber as well."

"Okay, Mister. I get the idea." She cut him off. "Who are you? What do you want with this man?"

"As you could see by the note."

"You are looking for Concepcion?"

"Yes." He was starting to wonder if this really was the Concepcion for whom he sought.

"So to find Clay."

"Yes." He continued not knowing what else to say.

"It is really Clay you seek?"

"It is important that I find him." He answered. She smirked.

"Tell me Mister, do you intend to do him harm?"

"No." He insisted. "Just the opposite."

"What did you say your name was?"

"Excuse me. My name is Mr. Cartwright."

She looked at him cautiously. Her face grew into a soft smile. "You should have started with that." He returned confused. "He's been expecting you."

"He has?"

"He has. Of course he has."

"Can you take me to him then?" She paused a moment thinking.

"Take a drink." She finally said, ordering a glass which an attentive party goer was quick to fill. She slid it over.

He was in no mood to be placated. "Listen to me. I don't know what you know or why you think he should be expecting me so I'll just come out and say it. I came here on some urgency. You see, I got this telegram when I was in San Francisco, I had just dropped off a head of cattle there. I sent my older sons home. I came here. I got into Nogales where I got another message. My sons tell me the house was empty when they arrived home and my youngest is nowhere to be seen. He is missing."

She thought another moment then got up and went to the bar where a man who was previously among the rest separated himself to and now sits looking on. She whispers something to him and he whispers back. She came back over standing with the table between them. "Mr. Cartwright. Clay is not here."

"He's not?" He was not liking her games. "When do you expect him back?" He growled.

"Well Mr. Cartwright, I'm not rightly sure."

"Where did he go?"

"I'm not sure."

"When did he leave?" She took a breath.

"He left last night."

"Did he say where he was going?"

"No. I'm sorry that I cannot be of more assistance. I must take my leave. You are welcome to stay. Enjoy yourself." She departed into the next room. The mustached man from the bar went to follow. Ben was left to stare out among the group of rowdy men wondering where he was to go from here.

She had not returned to her companions. The man who followed her did however. Just for a moment to whisper to another man who in turned looked out at Ben from the table. The men were all discussing Ben now in their native tongue. Believing now was a good time to take his leave, he approached the bartender asking where he could get a room for the night. The bartender gave him directions to a place down the street.

He left a tip and dipped his hat before walking out.