Ralph Compton Sixguns and Double Eagles (34 page)

“I'm Dr. Hanover,” he said. “What is your relationship to these two men?”

“Friends,” said Wes. “We'll do for them whatever needs doing.”

“The older one is dead,” Dr. Hanover said. “The other has been hit twice, neither of which is fatal. For the record, we'll need their names, and the law should be notified.”

“The dead man is the law,” said Wes. “Sheriff Rigger. The other is Bryan Silver. Who do you notify when it's the sheriff who's dead?”

“I have no idea,” Dr. Hanover said. “Perhaps the mayor and the town council. I'll see to it. The next of kin should be told.”

“Sheriff Rigger's from Texas, and there may be no next of kin,” said Wes. “I'll take responsibility for him, if there's nobody else. When can we talk to Silver?”

“Perhaps late tomorrow,” Dr. Hanover said. “He needs rest.”

Wes and El Lobo returned to the restaurant, taking Sheriff Rigger's mount and the livery horse Silver had been riding. From there, they rode to Buford Anderson's office and found Deputy Marshal Condon on duty.

“When can we see Marshal Anderson?” Wes asked.

“Not before tomorrow morning,” said Condon, “unless it's an emergency.”

“I consider it an emergency,” Wes said. “Tomorrow he's to transfer federal prisoners Belton and Wilks to a Union Pacific railroad coach, and Bryan Silver—who's to deliver them to Washington—has been shot.”

“Dead?” Condon asked.

“No,” said Wes, “but he won't be in any condition to leave for Washington tomorrow. We felt like the marshal ought to know, as soon as possible.”

“You're right,” Condon said. “I'll copy down his address for you and tell you the best way to get there.”

Wes and El Lobo found the house and quickly told Anderson what had happened.

“It goes considerably deeper than I thought,” said Anderson. “That means we may be in for it tomorrow, as we take Belton and Wilks to the train. I'll need to talk to Silver, to see what he feels I should do.”

“The doctor says he may not be able to talk until late tomorrow,” Wes said.

“Legally, I must turn Belton and Wilks over to him,” said Anderson. “He will, in turn, see that his men from Washington take them into custody.”

“Then we may have to do for him what he can't do for himself,” Wes said. “He was hit twice and has lost a lot of blood.”

“If you're to act for him, then I must have his consent,” said Anderson.

“Then you may have to wait another day to transfer the prisoners,” Wes said.

“We'll see,” said Anderson. “See me at the office tomorrow.”

“No like,” El Lobo said after they had ridden away.

“I'm not all that fond of him, myself,” said Wes. “He's got to do everything by the book, and there's times when you have to bend the rules.”

Wes and El Lobo returned to the hotel, keeping to dark streets and reining up often, lest they be followed. The Dragon had sought vengeance and they had no way of knowing when its forces might strike again.

The following morning, Wes and El Lobo returned to the hospital, but Dr. Hanover wasn't there, and nobody else could tell them anything about Silver's condition.

“We'll ride on to Anderson's office,” Wes said. “Something tells me there'll have to be some changes made if this transfer of prisoners can't be done without Silver.”

Reaching the marshal's office, they found his attitude hadn't changed.

“The federals will just have to wait another day for their prisoners,” Anderson said. “On my way home tonight, I'll see if I can talk to Silver, and see what he thinks we ought to do.”

“Do that,” Wes said shortly, “but don't you think those men traveling with the Union Pacific coach ought to be told there's a delay?”

“Maybe,” said Anderson, “but I don't see that as my responsibility.”

When Wes and El Lobo returned to the hospital, they found Dr. Hanover was there and waiting for them.

“Mr. Silver is awake and insisting on talking to you,” Hanover said, “but I caution you to make it brief.”

“We will,” said Wes.

Wes and El Lobo followed the doctor down a long hall and into the room where Silver waited. He was swathed in bandages from his waist to his chin.

“Damn it,” Silver said, “I've been in jails where I had more freedom.”

“Five minutes,” said Dr. Hanover. “No more.”

They waited for the doctor to leave, and when he did Wes spoke.

“Anderson don't aim to transfer Belton and Wilks until you're able.”

“That may be a week, from what the doc says,” Silver replied, “and it can't wait that long. I want you and El Lobo to go to the Union Pacific depot and wait for that train with the private coach. Its only marking will be U.S. GOVERNMENT. The four men coming with it will be Rogers, Sanchez, Chandler, and Goodwin. Tell them who you are, and that you have been working with me. Tell them where I am, and then have one of them come here. I'll arrange for you and El Lobo to be there with Anderson and his deputies when they leave the courthouse until they deliver Belton and Wilks. Are you willing to do that?”

“We'll do it,” said Wes.

“Then be careful,” Silver said. “After last night, I don't know what to expect.”

“Neither do we,” said Wes. “What do you want us to tell Anderson?”

“Nothing,” Silver said. “Tell him he's to talk to me.”

“We'll head for the Union Pacific depot, then,” said Wes.

“Bueno,”
Silver said. “Now there's ... one more thing I'd have you do.”

“Name it,” said Wes.

“Tom Rigger has no kin. See that he has a proper burial. I'd do it if I could.”

“I've already told the doctor we'd take care of him,” Wes said.

Dr. Hanover had been waiting for them to leave Silver's room.

“His attitude is remarkably good,” said Hanover, “considering his friend was killed.”

“Tom Rigger was a Texan,” Wes said, “and so is Silver. He has his own way of evening things up.”

“Silver raise hell,” El Lobo said when they had left the hospital.

“That's what I'm expecting,” said Wes. “He's said almost nothing about Tom, and when it comes to Texans, you have to pay attention to what they don't say. I won't be surprised if Silver comes out of that hospital room with blood in his eye and a Colt in his hand.”

“We watch,” El Lobo said. “Per‘ap Dragon still be here.”

“I think they are,” said Wes. “Some of them, anyway. But we're nearing the time for Belton and Wilks to be moved. If there's any more attempted bushwhacking, I look for it to come somewhere between the federal courthouse and the railroad depot.”

When Wes and El Lobo reached the Union Pacific depot, there was no sign of the train they were seeking. A locomotive with a string of boxcars sat on a siding, hissing steam. Expecting to have to board a train, Empty lagged behind.

“We're early,” Wes said. “We might as well dismount and give our horses a rest.”

Many of the buildings near the terminal—mostly saloons and cafés—were flat-roofed, and El Lobo eyed them with suspicion. He wasn't quite sure that what he had seen wasn't an illusion when he saw it again, for an instant. The evening sun winked off something, and El Lobo drew and fired just in time, the roar of his Colt blending with the startling bark of a Winchester. Wes and El Lobo were off and running, but the waiting locomotive and its string of boxcars stood between them and the building from whose roof the bushwhacker had fired. They climbed between two boxcars, but the structure they sought was a saloon with a false front, and they had to make their way to the rear of it before they could reach the roof. There was a board fence, and by climbing it they could see the roof from whence the shot had come. But the gunman was gone.

“Damn,” said Wes, “I reckon we're in for it.”

When they returned to their horses, someone was waiting for them. UNION PACIFIC was stitched into his cap, above the visor. His eyes on the Colts Wes and El Lobo had belted around their middles, he spoke.

“I heard shooting. This is railroad property, and I'm responsible.”

“Somebody took a shot at us,” said Wes, “and we shot back. Does the railroad have a regulation against that?”

“No,” the dispatcher replied. “What is your business here?”

“We're waiting for the train from the east,” said Wes. “There'll be a U.S. government coach, and we're to meet the men traveling with it. Anything else you need to know?”

“No,” the dispatcher said hastily. “The westbound should be here in a few minutes.”

He returned to the depot, and soon there was the distant moan of a whistle. The train rolled in with a hissing of steam and the clanging of a bell, shuddering to a stop. There was no mistaking the government coach, for as Silver had promised it was solid black and was just ahead of the caboose. A door swung open and two men looked carefully around before leaving the coach.

“I reckon they're lookin' for Silver,” Wes said. “Come on.”

The pair waited as Wes and El Lobo approached. While no weapons were in sight, they wore coats which might conceal shoulder holsters.

“We're here on orders from Bryan Silver,” said Wes. “I'm Wes Stone, and my
amigo
is Palo Elfego.”

“I'm Rogers, and this is Sanchez,” one of the men replied, “and we'll need identification beyond your word.”

They said no more, waiting until Wes removed from inside his boot the coded card he had received from Silver. Rogers took it, examined it, and returned it.

“All right,” Rogers said, “where is Silver?”

“In the hospital,” said Wes. “He was bushwhacked yesterday. He wants to talk to one of you as soon as possible. We can take you there.”

“Very well,” Rogers replied. “Sanchez, tell Chandler and Goodwin where we're going, and that they're to remain with the coach. I'll hire a hack.”

Several hacks had arrived, awaiting passengers from the train, and Rogers summoned one. When Sanchez returned, they climbed in.

“Follow those two riders,” Rogers instructed the driver.

Wes and El Lobo led out, the hack following. Reaching the hospital, Rogers gave the driver some money.

“We'll be returning to the terminal, and we shouldn't be long,” said Rogers. “Wait for us.”

Rogers and Sanchez followed Wes and El Lobo into the hospital and the four of them approached the front desk.

“All of us need to talk to Mr. Silver,” Wes said.

“That will be subject to the approval of Dr. Hanover,” a nurse told them, “and then only two of you at a time.”

They waited until an orderly returned with Hanover.

“Only two of you at a time,” said Dr. Hanover, “and only for a little while.”

Wes nodded to Rogers and Sanchez, and they followed Hanover to Silver's room. They said nothing until the doctor had left the room. Then Rogers spoke.

“I'm Rogers and this is Sanchez. Chandler and Goodwin are with the railroad coach. The doctor's only allowing us a few minutes.”

“Then I'll have to talk fast,” said Silver. “I've had to change my plans. The prisoners are to be brought to you by U.S. Marshall Anderson and his deputies. The two men who brought you here will be there in my place. You are to obey them as you'd obey me.”

“There should be no problem, then,” Rogers said.

“Don't be too sure of that,” said Silver. “These men you're to take into custody may be in great danger. They're part of an organization that will silence them with lead if they can get close enough.”

“They'll be safe enough, once they're aboard the coach,” Rogers said. “They will be confined to an area without windows, secured with metal plate. It's bulletproof.”

“
Bueno
,” said Silver, “but you'll have to get them there first. I had intended to have a look at the depot. Are the surrounding buildings suitable for ambush?”

“I'm afraid so,” Sanchez said, speaking for the first time. “Lots of flat roofs and false fronts.”

“Then do this,” said Silver. “Have the railroad position your armored coach on a side track, well away from the depot. Choose a spot where there is no cover within Winchester range.”

“We'll do that,” Rogers said, “but it won't prevent them being ambushed before they reach the railroad.”

“I'm well aware of that,” said Silver, “but it won't be your responsibility. Anderson and his deputies will be accompanied by Wes and El Lobo. That's the best we can do.”

When Rogers and Sanchez left Silver's room, Wes and El Lobo were allowed to enter. When they had closed the door, Wes spoke.

“We may be in for it. A bushwhacker cut down on us while we were waiting for the train to arrive. El Lobo returned his fire, but there was a freight on the siding between us and him, and he got away.”

“They're good at what they do,” said Silver. “That's why they attacked us at dusk yesterday, firing from cover. We may be at their mercy before reaching the railroad, but I've instructed Rogers to move the railroad coach to a side track where there's no cover. Wilks and Belton will be confined to a section of the car that's bulletproof, without windows.”

“I've brought you here because you've served us well, in Mexico and in St. Louis,” Drade Hogan said.