Slocum and the Diamond City Affair (9781101612118) (10 page)

12

They'd heard no word about the Clantons when his entourage started down from the head of the deep canyon that dropped off into the faraway valley. Back among the junipers that forested the mountains, Slocum and Fernando sat on their mounts and peered down the descent.

“You think if they try anything, it will be down on the flats?” Slocum asked.

“Be about the only way they can hold us up.”

“I know that place. The spot where drivers rest the stage horses, halfway up the steep grade.”

“Okay. We need to be ready. My men are.”

“Good.”

Fernando gave his driver the go-ahead wave, and they went off the top. “We will see.”

Slocum agreed, jerked the repeating Winchester out of his scabbard, and balanced the butt on his leg, then sent Spook on his way. The steep side of the gravel perch—actually more of a trail than a road—plunged off the hill in a wild, twisting, downward spiral. The powerful team hitched to the wagon kept the pace to a stiff walk and, like a tortoise, moved downward under good control with the driver using the brake on the hind wheels.

Slocum told Rosa to get behind the wagon if and when the attack started. And at any expense she was not to lose the mare. She agreed and followed behind the wagon's tailgate with her three animals on leads.

In a short while they reached the flats. One minute they were listening to some quail whit-wooing and the next came “Yee-ha!” in the scream of attackers pouring from the side canyon. They heard the drum of hooves and the shouts of their riders, and the charge was on.

Slocum stepped off his horse and ran to see past the juniper cover from the edge of the wagon, with the vehicle turned broadside. One of the men jerked off the canvas from the oily smelling gun, and the muzzle swung to the right. The shots from the riders ceased when they tried to rein up their horses at the sight of the polished gun mounted in the wagon. But the deadly Gatling began to chatter, raking off riders and downing horses in a veil of smoke that surrounded the wagon.

The shrill screams of wounded men and their pained mounts as they struggled to escape the hot lead were all enveloped in a cloud of dust as man and beast alike were systematically cut down with each loud burping report of the gun.

“Alto! Alto!”
Fernando shouted for his shooter to stop shooting.

Slocum could see that Rosa, the mare, and the wide-eyed mules were all right, as was O'Riley under his big straw sombrero, though the Irishman was very pale-faced and gripped his reins in equally white hands.

Slocum joined Fernando, and the two of them methodically dispatched the wounded and suffering horses. Others were dead in piles on the ground, and the other two Peralta men not manning the gun joined in disarming the Cowboys who had not escaped or died. A bloody mess. Five were dead, and four more were wounded. Slocum doubted a few of them would even survive the trip to Tombstone, but they'd send for help.

“Gracias,”
Slocum said to the Peralta men, shaking their hands. “I don't think they'll try that again. Tell your boss I appreciate your help. We will ride on for Nogales.”

Fernando laughed. “Ah, we always wanted to use that damn gun on them rustling no-accounts. Today that old bastard will know how deadly it is.”

“I'll get word to send help for these others.” Slocum motioned toward the moaning wounded, then stepped into the stirrup and rode Spook over to Rosa and O'Riley. “Let's go meet Jim.”

They nodded solemnly and the column rode off the mountain, less the Peralta men's help. Shortly afterward Jim came up the road from the junction with several men to meet them. Slocum asked if they had heard the fight.

“We were coming to help you. Did you have Peralta's big gun?” Jim asked.

“Not a word—I don't want Calero in trouble—but yes, we used it. Send one of your men to Tombstone to get an ambulance. There are four wounded men up there, the rest are dead.”

“Charlie, you hear him?” Jim asked an older man on horseback.

“I'll go get the dead wagon, Jim. Be careful, boys. That damn Clanton may try something else.”

“Thanks for coming,” Slocum told the man.

The rest turned their horses and they took the west fork in the road, heading for Nogales. Alkali dust boiled up from their horses' hooves. The sun beat down hot on the greasewood flats they crossed. The riders were quiet. Several of the men asked Slocum about the Gatling gun, and he told them not to say much about it so as to save the ranch manager from getting in any trouble. But he knew word would get out that someone had either stolen one from the fort or used the ranch's weapon.

Slocum rode most of the way stirrup to stirrup with Rosa. They watered their horses on the shallow creek and ate from a couple of Mexican women vendors at Patagonia, then they went on southwest. It was long past midnight when they crossed the border and rode the short distance to Ira Moulton's hacienda.

Armed guards stopped them, looked them over, then told Slocum they could go ahead.

Moulton got up when they arrived and shook hands with them. “Welcome to my hacienda. The women will fix your men some food and show you where to sleep. Ah, O'Riley, at last we meet. And this lovely lady is, of course, Rosa. How good you look with all these dusty men.”

Moulton's woman showed her to a bath and told Slocum he could join her later.

After checking the mare and being pleased with her condition after all she'd been through, Moulton invited the men into the house to drink some wine as well as to talk about the entire recovery operation.

“I can't believe that you got both horses back from the Clantons.” Moulton shook his head in amazement under the large overhead lamp in the great room.

“They aren't that smart,” Slocum said.

“After tonight, I am going back to the East where I belong,” O'Riley said, downing his second glass of wine.

“I'll pay you in the morning,” Moulton said. “I must say, you are a man of your word.”

“I'd never have made it if not for Slocum, Jim, and Rosa.” O'Riley shook his head in disbelief.

Moulton agreed. “You were lucky. Didn't you have a wife?”

“Oh, that bitch. She ran out on me in Tucson.”

“Really? Where did she go?”

“With some groom who used to work for me. She went to Preskit, last I heard.”

“I'm sorry to hear that.” He started to pour O'Riley some more wine, but the Irishman stopped him.

“No, I've had enough. I'll be leaving for Tucson in the morning and then head back East as quick as I can. I hope that bitch dies in a whorehouse.” O'Riley rose to his feet. “Where is my room?”

“First one down the hall on the right. Sleep tight.”

“I will.”

“If you need anything, there's a girl in the kitchen who will get it for you.”

“Thanks.” O'Riley spoke to Slocum. “Slocum, I'll settle with you in the morning.”

“Sure. Thanks to both of you.” Slocum shook Moulton's hand and went off after O'Riley.

Slocum stopped where O'Riley stood in his room's doorway. “I really didn't believe I'd ever be here with my horses to collect that money,” said O'Riley. “I am truly in your debt.”

“I have little to say about that, except you need more faith in yourself. You have to make up your mind and you can get things done.”

“I saw that. Calero ended up sending that Gatling gun on your say-so. You get things done no one else could.” O'Riley shook his head and lowered his voice. “Do you think you could get my wife back for me?”

Slocum chuckled softly. “Do you really want her back? You've been bad-mouthing her since I met you back in Diamond City, and just a few minutes ago it sounded like you didn't want her.”

“I know. I'm still not sure, but I think maybe I do.”

“I'll consider it if you decide you really do want her back.”

With a nod, Slocum went on down the hall, shaking his head at the man's indecision. He entered the bedroom assigned to him and Rosa. Inside in the dark room, he shed his boots and clothes. He was stark naked when he put his knee on the bed, and in the dim light he could see Rosa's naked figure stirring in the bed. Her open arms demanding him, he slipped into them, brushing her silky skin and taking his place between her shapely legs and muscled calves.

Her expert hands pumped his pole, arousing more power that was soon buried in her hot vagina. His tongue floated in a massive saliva flow that forced him to swallow hard. His anticipation of what lay ahead made his brain spin like a roulette wheel as he sought her depths. The pleasure of using her so-receptive body sent his heart pounding like a stamping mill. He plunged away in the pleasure of enjoying her delights.

His thoughts swirled as Rosa moaned. O'Riley might want his wife back. And where were those bastards who had raped Rosa's cousin Nana? He drove deeper and deeper.
Oh my God. I have lots to do, Rosa. Lots to do besides plow your sweet butt. . . .

13

Reality prodded Slocum from behind his scratchy, dry eyes when he awoke. O'Riley's horses had been delivered. Rosa had already fled the bed, leaving him alone to consider what to do next. The spot where she'd slept had no heat when he ran his palm across it, so she'd been up for a while.

Three of Clanton's Cowboys were on his own personal wanted list for their crimes. Gorman, Valdez, and Bach: those vicious rapists who had ravaged Rosa's cousin Nana in a senseless raid on her small village.

He needed to find them. They did not deserve to walk on the same earth as their victim—at least, not without paying for their crimes.

Slocum dressed and joined the others in the main room. Moulton was counting out the money to O'Riley. Jim nodded from behind his coffee cup. Rosa brought Slocum a cup of coffee as he watched O'Riley, who looked pleased at the money stacked in front of him on the table.

He paid Jim a hundred dollars for his help and thanked him. Then O'Riley paid Slocum his five hundred and gave Rosa a hundred for all her work. She bowed and thanked him, as though she hadn't expected that much.

“I am leaving for Tucson on the stage from Nogales this afternoon. I have been truly blessed by your help. If I can ever do you any good, please contact me at my home in Baltimore,” O'Riley said. “I shall never again deliver a horse beyond the Mississippi unless I have your invaluable help.”

Everyone laughed.

“Rosa, I have a fine home back there. I would be pleased to have you as my hostess.”

She frowned at him in disbelief. “Me?”

“Yes, I admire you very much. Will you join me?”

“I—I don't think so.” She chewed on her lip. Looking shaken, she seemed lost for an answer.

Slocum wasn't quite as surprised by the request. That morning, O'Riley had told Slocum he didn't think the hassle of trying to get his wife back was worth it and that it sure would be nice if he had a loyal woman like Rosa instead. To Slocum it sounded a bit like a question. He told O'Riley that he was about to part ways with Rosa, and that if O'Riley really thought he'd be happy with her, he should ask Rosa to go with him.

“While you're thinking about his offer, I've got a ranch,” Jim said. “You could be my hostess. Mine may not be as fancy as his, but I bet you'd feel more comfortable there.”

Numbly, she nodded, then looked quickly at Slocum. “Are you leaving—too?”

“I need to move on.”

About to cry, she shook her head. “I was not ready to decide today.”

She twisted away and went to O'Riley and kissed his cheek. “I know you are rich and sincere, but I belong here in the desert. I could never live in a fancy house in a land of proper-mannered people. But thank you—”

“I would treat you like a queen.”

“I can imagine that. But I am not leaving the land.”

“All right. If I can ever help any of you, contact me,” O'Riley said and left the room.

She stopped before Jim and looked down at his dusty boots. “You know my past and you'd offer me a place in your house?”

“I have, and I will hold nothing against you.”

“Thank you. I will decide today. Let me have some time to consider all this.”

“Sure.”

She went to Slocum and took his hand. “We must talk.”

He nodded and told the other two he would be back.

In the bedroom, she dropped her butt on the bed. Her dark eyes filled with tears, and she tried to shake away the obvious sadness. “I had thought that when you were gone, I would go back to where you found me. I had no real plans. I never expected O'Riley to offer me a position.”

“He asked me and I told him to ask you.”

“What about Jim?”

“He never asked me a thing, but he must want you. Jim is not a big talker. I don't think he'd ever mistreat you.”

“I know—he's a very polite, nice man. Where will you go?” she asked.

“I don't know. But I have enemies, and staying in one place too long is not healthy for me. I've been in this part of the country too long already. It's best I move on. I can't promise you a thing—my life is too hacked up by things gone by.”

“I could live on the run.”

“It is hard to shed two sets of tracks. If they caught you, my enemies could use you as bait. I simply don't want that risk in your life.”

“I won't forget you.” She dropped her chin in defeat. “You will be in my greatest memories. Oh, this is horrible. How old is Jim?”

“Forties, I guess, but he appears healthy enough.”

She folded her hands in her lap and didn't look up at him. “I will give him a honeymoon and see. I can always go back to Diamond City.”

“I hope it works for both of you.”

“Yes—so do I.”

“Good, I'll ride on then. No need for me to be in the middle of all this.”

“I would love one more session with you.”

He shook his head. “We've had our fun.”

“Just selfish of me. But if you'd not stolen my heart enough to make me chase you down on a burro, I'd never have had all this fun.” She smiled from behind her wet lashes. “Leave me to clean up. Someday we will meet again. If not, I will always have a good memory of you, hombre.”

“Yes,” he said and rose, leaning forward and kiss her.
Good-bye, Rosa.

*   *   *

An hour later, Slocum left Moulton's hacienda and rode for Nogales. He had a good picture of Jim and Rosa standing together before the great casa, waving good-bye as he rode off aboard a light-footed, dark chestnut horse, another gift from his host. A much better-looking horse, and a higher-spirited animal, than Spook. His replacement mount possessed instant speed and a big heart; Slocum called him King since he reminded him of the racehorse stallion.

His next stop was Tombstone. He wanted answers about where those three Cowboys who raped Nana were. He intended to cut them out of the Clanton bunch and make them pay for their crimes.

In the queen city of mines, he heard from Marshal Morgan Earp, the one Earp Slocum considered his friend, about a woman named Carla who ran a house of girls. He found Carla, who invited him into her parlor. He could see past the open side door into the adjoining bedroom with a large bed. Tall and rather slim waisted, Carla wore a lacy dress and served him a fair brand of whiskey. Her cleavage was not large, but she knew how to expose it for a man to admire. They sat at a small table in her private room and she toasted his good health while sitting opposite him.

“What are your needs today, sir?” She clinked her fine glass to his.

“I am looking for some men. One man with a scar above his right eye and lots of knife scars on his belly.”

“Any other features?”

“Some time ago he'd been shot in the left shoulder.”

She shook her head. “You will have to find a
puta
to tell you about him. I have never done business with such a man.”

“A young Mexican with two fingers on his right hand shot off.”

“Hernando Valdez. A cowardly son of a bitch. He works for Old Man Clanton.”

“He frequents your services?”

“Only once. I barred that bastard from coming back.”

Slocum lifted his glass of whiskey. “You know where he stays?”

“A place below the border on the Santa Cruz River. He has a common-law wife down there, they say.”

Slocum poured more liquor in her glass and set the bottle down. Meeting her pale blue eyes, he nodded at her. “A black-bearded German.”

“Five feet, eight inches tall? He could be Adolph Bach.”

He agreed. “Sounds like him, and that's the name I was given.”

“He actually bit the nipple off a dove one night. She liked to have bled to death. They nearly hung him. If some of the Cowboys hadn't taken his side, then others would have lynched him on the saloon porch. They barely saved his life.”

“Where's he at?”

“He has a wife and some kids on the San Pedro below St. David. Who else?”

Slocum sat back. “That's all.”

Carla perked up. “Now can we talk business? You look like a very virile man. My business is to offer my girls' services to you, sir.”

“They tell me you're a very respected lady in the trade. How did you get in such a business? You hardly look the image of a madam.”

“Thank you, you have a silk tongue, but better than that, you look like a very virile male. I was once a decorated major's wife. I was coddled and protected by his rank, but one day he went off to give his life to his country. Afterward, I was courted by several officers in my widowhood and I learned much about men's anatomies that was different than that of my very well-endowed late husband. In my ignorance, I thought all men were provided with an ample-size appendage, like my husband. But I found many who had considerable problems in their private life with this matter. Like one man whose apparatus was entirely too short, some who had problems rising to the occasion, and others who fired their gun too soon. I am sure you understand?”

He nodded so she continued. “I found that I was not a one-man woman either. So I make a lively living and enjoy my discretions. And what is your interest in these individuals you quizzed me about?”

“They severely raped a young woman who lives in a mountain Mexican village.”

“I don't doubt that. Why is it your job to punish them?”

“'Cause no one else cares.”

“I say, you not only are appealing, but you are generous to take on such revenge for her.”

He nodded. “And before they do something worse to another innocent girl.”

She nodded firmly. “They don't deserve any mercy.”

“None.”

“How can I help?”

“If you learn anything about them, leave word at Hamby Cox's café.”

“I will do that, sir. Now, if your plans for the day are not pressing, perhaps you could take an hour's time to spend with an admirer.”

“Those are your wishes?”

“Indeed they are, sir.” She rose and untied the belt on her fancy robe.

He nodded and put his hat over on its crown atop the dresser. Then he unbuckled his holster and redid it to hang the gun on the top post of her chair. He toed off his boots and then undid his belt buckle and dropped his pants. When he lifted them to put them up, a small amount of dust scattered from them and she laughed.

“He came in a cloud of dust,” she said dramatically, then stepped in to squeeze his manhood. “My, my, how delightful,” she announced.

He shed his shirt for her next, then he stepped over and peeled the robe off her shoulders. Her body looked very inviting. With purpose, he bent her over and kissed her hard.

Her blue eyes fluttered and he swept her up to deposit her on the bed. Besides her sculptured features, her snow-white skin gleamed in the room's soft light. He placed her body, that of a thirty-year-old, on the bed. He moved over the top of her and she spread her legs in a V in the air with a soft laugh.

“All I need to do with you, sir, is to say ready, set, and go.”

His half-full dick plunged into her opening, and she cried out from pleasure. “Take me. Just take me.”

At her command, he lunged into her and she sighed, obviously pleased. But her vagina, he discovered, was muscled and waves of contractions soon squeezed his shaft. No wonder she never settled down in matrimony like most good military widows would have done. This machine of hers was as hungry as a tiger and also very pleasurable. She bucked like a wild horse on the complaining mattress and her nails scratched his back as she became lost in her own fury of passion. The squeezing pressure of her cunt was as arousing as her efforts to swallow his tool in her flat, muscular belly.

Out of wind and desperate to end this climb, he felt his testicles squeeze hard, and his cannon fired deep inside of her. Her collapse sent the slick wetness out of her in a flood over his sac.

He kissed her hard on the mouth, then braced himself over her. “You are a powerful woman.”

With a smug smile on her lips, she rocked him with her hands on his hips. “Surely you have another round left in you for a poor woman who seldom gets such fine treatment from a real man.”

He shoved his dick back inside her and she blinked her eyes as if shocked. “Coming up,” he said.

Carla raised her head off the pillow and pursed her lips for him. He covered them hard with his own and she came out of their wet kiss shaking her head in disbelief and pushing the hair back from her face before she settled on her back. “Wow, I'm impressed. Come by more often.”

He smiled at her and began pushing his new erection inside her. The session proved almost depleting enough to keep him there longer. But he wanted to locate the rapists' locations, realizing they might not be home when he found them. Old Man Clanton might have them occupied in his skulduggery.

In the afternoon heat, Slocum rode over to St. David. He knew a woman by the name of Alma who lived there. She was divorced from her husband, who had multiple wives. She owned twenty irrigated acres, milked a handful of Jersey cows, sold butter and eggs, and raised her three teenage children in the LDS faith. He rode in the back way, coming in from the desert, to keep down the gossip. He got off his horse, opened the back barbwire Texas gate, and led King inside the alfalfa patch, where the sweet smell of the legume filled the air.

Walking along the edge of the field, his horse stole a few mouthfuls of the shoe-top-high crop. A brindle, wide-bellied cow bawled for her calf, who answered from the whitewashed small barn. A stock dog barked, and when Slocum rounded the pens, a tall lady came out on the porch, pinning her graying hair back.

“Well,” Alma drawled with a knowing grin. “I figured you'd lost your map to my place, big man.”

He shook his head and tied King at the horse rack. “I knew you were busy and I haven't been in this area for a very long time.”