Ralph Compton Sixguns and Double Eagles (33 page)

Following Silver's suggestion, Wes and El Lobo took a room at Silver's hotel.

It had been Drade Hogan's idea, expanding the Dragon's border empire from Mexico into the western United States, and Hogan considered himself all the more a genius, after the empire south of the border had collapsed. Now, following the disaster on the bay, in San Francisco, Hogan again felt the need to change his method of operation. With that in mind, he had summoned his second-in-command, Gandy Franks.

“Gandy,” said Drade, “beginning immediately, we're pulling out of New Orleans, Carson City, and San Francisco.”

“And going where?” Franks asked.

“We'll headquarter right here in Denver,” said Drade.

“Two problems that I can see,” Franks said. “Bein' so far from the coast, how do we ship the gold out of the country, and how do we ship in the base metals that we need?”

“I've already solved both those problems,” said Drade. “We won't be shipping gold out of the country and stashing it in foreign banks. It will all go to a stronghold here in the western United States. As for base metals, we'll mine our own, as opposed to buying from a foreign source. We've been forced to buy in other countries because we were unable to buy here, lest they be traced to us. Hereafter, the little gold and silver we'll need will be mined in southern Colorado.”

“And the copper?”

“From eastern Arizona,” Drade replied.

“I don't know about the copper,” said Franks, “but I got my doubts about there bein' enough gold and silver in southern Colorado. Most of the ore's low grade, and there's no way to mine it, payin' wages.”

“Ah, but I have found a way,” Drade replied. “Elias Hawk and Hobie Denbow will be joining our organization soon, and they have promised us the necessary gold and silver for a share of our take.”

“I don't know how they can afford it,” said Franks.

“Neither do I,” Drade said, “but that's their problem.”

“You're equally sure about the copper, then,” said Franks.

“I am,” Drade said, “but the source will be my secret. Not even you will know.”

“Thanks,” said Franks. “I appreciate your confidence.”

Drade laughed. “No offense. I'm bringin' in Dent Shankler and Turk Pardue from Carson City, and Emo Hanks, from New Orleans, so I can't afford to seem partial to any one man. Not even you.”

“Seems to me these new plans of yours is gonna complicate things,” said Franks. “I'm not all that strong on accumulatin' gold, unless I know where it's goin‘. How many of us is gonna know where that stronghold is?”

“For a while, only those directly involved in the moving of it,” Drade said. “Enough of the new operation for now. There's still some loose ends to be eliminated, especially in San Francisco. I want you to go there immediately. Ride to Cheyenne. There you'll board the Union Pacific. As you know, Belton and Wilks have been arrested, and there's no way we can get to them. I've learned, however, that the federals are dispatching a private coach to San Francisco for the moving of Belton and Wilks to Washington. They'll be under heavy guard.”

“We're pullin' out of San Francisco, and they can't hurt us,” Franks said. “Why bother with them?”

“Because they're originally from here,” said Drade, “and they know entirely too much. Now shut up and listen, damn it. You're getting ahead of me.”

“I'm listening,” Franks said. “What do you want me to do?”

“I want you to see that Belton and Wilks never reach Washington,” Drade said, “and how you accomplish it is entirely up to you. While our organization in San Francisco is dead, with the exception of Pike and Landry we should still have eighteen men there. I'm supplying you with their names and how you may find them. You may invite them here, if they wish to come. We can use them. But prior to that you will make use of as many of them as you may need, to silence Belton and Wilks.”

“What about the hombres that ruined us in San Francisco?” Franks asked. “Do you aim to let them get away with that?”

“I was getting to that,” said Drade angrily. “Once you've arranged to take care of Belton and Wilks, you can remind what's left of our bunch that there's still a price on the heads of Stone and Elfego of twenty-five thousand. You can sweeten the pot a little, if you like. I'd pay another twenty-five thousand to any man who can salt down Bryan Silver.”

“Is that all?”

“That's all,” Drade said. “Board the Union Pacific today, and you'll reach San Francisco with maybe three days to wrap it all up.”

“I'm gone, then,” said Franks.

When Franks had gone, Drade poured himself a drink, savoring the bourbon. Franks was ambitious, and Drade had no doubt the first part of his mission would be successful. If he was doubly successful and eliminated Silver, Stone, and Elfego, then all the better.

“The guards and the railroad coach will be here March first,” Silver said.

“I reckon you'll be glad to get that pair of varmints off your hands,” said Wes. “When El Lobo and me have seen you off, we'll be ridin' to El Paso. We'll likely have to throw our hats in first, to see if Tamara and Renita will take us back.”

“You're welcome to go anytime,” Silver said. “I've never gotten around to thanking the two of you for what you've accomplished.”

“We didn't do all that well in New Orleans and Carson City,” said Wes, “and while we had some success here in San Francisco, I don't feel like we've hurt the Dragon too much.”

“Through your efforts, we've recovered millions in gold,” Silver said, “and while the Dragon hasn't been destroyed, you've proven that it's by no means invincible. There'll be a reward for the recovery of the gold, I'm sure.”

“When this is all over, why don't you join us in El Paso for a while?” Wes asked. “I reckon it's time you met Renita and Tamara.”

“Maybe I will,” said Silver. “You want to introduce me as the varmint that dragged the two of you away, without even a letter, for six months.”

“Something like that,” Wes said.

“We don't be free of Dragon,” El Lobo said.

“I think they're finished in this area,” said Silver.

“You made page two of
The San Francisco Chronicle
,” Wes said.

“So I noticed,” said Silver. “Larkin, the reporter, wasn't impressed with me, and that's been in our favor. He was so intent on playing me down that he treated the whole thing as a local problem, rather than a conspiracy. It worked out better than I'd hoped.”

“He didn't even mention the recovery of the gold,” Wes said. “Captain Stevens and his crew did well by us.”

Silver, Wes, and El Lobo stopped at Buford Anderson's office, and Silver told him of the proposed arrival time of the railroad coach and the transfer of the prisoners.

“Thanks,” Anderson said. “They're secure enough, but I'll be glad to see them go. But do you reckon them that's left won't plan some kind of rescue?”

“No,” said Silver. “They're more inclined to silence Belton and Wilks with a slug. We'll have to be strictly on our guard, while transferring them from your cell to the railroad.”

“I'll see that they reach the railroad alive,” Anderson said.

“I'm obliged,” said Silver.

Gandy Franks arrived in San Francisco three days before the scheduled transfer of the prisoners. Before contacting any of the surviving gunmen, he made a careful examination of the federal courthouse in which Belton and Wilks were imprisoned. As he had expected, there was virtually no chance of his getting to them until they were removed. He then set about contacting those who might take vengeance against the trio who had destroyed their organization in San Francisco. Two days before Belton and Wilks would be taken away, sixteen men met at the appointed place, and Franks told them of the change in location and of the proposed bounty on the heads of Bryan Silver, Wes Stone, and Palo Elfego.

“I like the sound of it,” one of the gunmen said, “but you ain't give us enough time.”

“Sorry,” Franks said, “but I got here soon as I could, after the orders come down.”

“We wasn't paid when ever‘thing blew up,” said another of the group. “I ain't goin' to Denver or nowhere else, until I'm paid what's owin' me.”

“All of you will be paid before you leave here tonight,” Franks said, “with enough for your railroad fare to Cheyenne. You'll ride from there.”

“What's about to happen to Belton and Wilks?” one of the group asked.

“That's no concern of yours, Burrows,” Franks said. “Since you're a newcomer to our organization, I'm going to pretend you never asked. I'll be back in Denver on the fourth of March. Those of you choosing to relocate may contact me at the Grand Hotel.”

As the time for his departure from San Francisco neared, Silver chose to spend some time with his friend, Sheriff Tom Rigger, leaving Wes and El Lobo at loose ends. Having ridden along the bay, they reined up, their eyes on the blue of the distant Pacific. Empty had loped on ahead, and realizing Wes and El Lobo were no longer following, he wandered back.

“This place kind of grows on you,” Wes said. “Once we leave here, I wonder if we'll ever see it again?”

“No care,” said El Lobo. “Big water, ships
malo.”

Wes laughed. “Come on,
amigo.
We got shanghaied, but they didn't drown us.”

“No like,” El Lobo insisted. “Dragon here.”

“We've seen no evidence of that since Belton and Wilks were arrested,” said Wes, “and the day after tomorrow they'll be gone.”

But El Lobo, unsatisfied, shook his head. While he said nothing, he believed the forces of evil were not finished with them, that something more was about to happen. And it did, in the dusk of early evening....

 

“We're having supper with Tom Rigger,” Silver said the day before he was to leave on the Union Pacific.

“Bueno,”
said Wes. “I'd like to see him again before we ride out.”

An hour before sundown, Wes, El Lobo, and Silver reined up before Rigger's office and the four of them rode to a restaurant overlooking the bay.

“It's a mite expensive,” Rigger said. “I don't come here often, but this is special.”

“It is, for a fact,” said Silver, “and I'm buying.”

They spent an enjoyable hour over the meal. Wes and El Lobo were mostly silent, for they enjoyed listening as Silver and Rigger talked of the old days in Texas. Rigger, Wes, and El Lobo waited while Silver paid, and then followed him out into the gathering dusk. There was a bracket lamp on each side of the door, and suddenly one of them exploded in a shower of glass as Winchesters roared. The second slug struck Silver, slamming him in the shoulder while a third ripped into his side. In an instant, Wes and El Lobo drew their Colts and began firing at muzzle flashes. Tom Rigger was hit before he could fire a shot, stumbling back through the restaurant's doorway. Suddenly it was over as abruptly as it had begun. Bleeding from two wounds, Silver struggled to his feet. Holstering his Colts, Wes knelt beside Tom Rigger. His eyes were closed and blood welled from a wound in his chest.

“Tom,” Silver cried. “Tom!”

But the old lawman was dead. Repeatedly, Wes tried for a pulse and found none. From the restaurant, men surged to the door, backing away when they viewed the bloody body of Tom Rigger. Silver had slumped down with his back against the wall, his head in his hands. Grim-faced, El Lobo was punching out empties and feeding new shells into his twin Colts. Several hacks had drawn up outside the restaurant, awaiting passengers.

“Here!” Wes shouted.

When the vehicle dew up beside the door, Wes and El Lobo lifted Silver into it.

“Don't leave Tom here,” said Silver through gritted teeth. “He goes with us.”

Wordlessly, Wes and El Lobo lifted the old lawman into the hack.

“To the nearest doctor or hospital,” Wes ordered the driver.

Wes and El Lobo mounted their horses, falling in behind the hack as it departed. When they drew up before a long, squat building with a flat roof, orderlies rushed out with their stretchers. Silver was taken in first, and then Tom Rigger. Wes and El Lobo followed, but were not allowed into the room where Silver and Rigger were taken. They waited almost two hours before a doctor came out to talk to them.