Johnny had been just buckling on his gunbelt as he swung the door open and came face to face with Virgil and two others. One was the rib-kicker from last night.
“Howdy, boys, come to have some breakfast with me?” Johnny smiled his most winning smile and plopped his hat loosely on his head. He continued smiling through gritted teeth as he settled the hat down, just above his ears. It felt like it had shrunk overnight and the pressure on the right side sent spikes of sharp pain through his ear and jaw.
“Forget breakfast, Madrid. We got business to attend to,” McCoy said, smiling back. His wasn’t nearly so pleasant.
Johnny feigned ignorance. “I thought we were all gonna meet at eleven. I got me a big appetite this mornin’,” he said lightly as he pushed past them and headed for the stairs.
One of the henchmen grabbed Johnny’s arm and spun him around. The gun had cleared Johnny’s holster before he was completely turned, the steady hand had already cocked the weapon and was waiting for the command to go. “Don’t mess with me before I had my coffee, slick.”
The three men froze for a moment, the two looking to their leader. McCoy smiled, and then laughed loud and long. “That’s our Johnny! Just the man we need.” He reached out a long arm and draped it over Johnny’s shoulder and pulled him away from the main staircase and down the hall in the opposite direction. “Come on, son, we got some work to do. We’ll get you some coffee, I promise.”
Johnny allowed himself to be led away as he slid his gun back in its holster. It had been a token show of force, but he intended to go all along.
They had gone down the back stairs, through the service areas of the hotel and out the back way. Johnny allowed McCoy to keep his arm on him until they got outside, and then he shrugged him off. “I can walk, Virgil, I don’t need you to lead me.”
McCoy stopped and turned to Madrid. Johnny’s eyes twinkled with merriment and returned the stare with one of his own. Johnny was unafraid, but he knew his opponent was not. Virgil was scared spitless of Madrid and Johnny had always known it. The only time he’d ever pushed him was when there were others around. Like now.
Today, McCoy was under orders and if Johnny didn’t exactly know it, he suspected that McCoy had been sent.
Finally McCoy burst out in a guffaw. “Goddamn you, Madrid. You’re about the only one I let get away with that, you sorry sonofabitch.” He laughed again and started to fling his arm around him again, then thought better of it.
Johnny wondered idly if Virgil even remembered last night. He resisted the urge to hold his ribs as they walked.
Chapter 38
Slim pulled the wagon up in front of the general store and set the brake with his foot. Then he stepped over Sister Michael and jumped down to the boardwalk. He turned and lifted her effortlessly down from the high seat.
With the sister safely on the boardwalk, he turned to Isabelle who stood in the back of the wagon, holding to the seat. She had stood there, between Slim and Sister Michael the entire trip into Everafter. Her excitement was palpable and riding into town like this with Slim and Mike made her feel, just for a little while, like she was with her family going on a shopping trip to town.
Slim swung her over the side of the wagon to the boardwalk. She clung to him for just a moment longer than was necessary and smiled up at him. She loved his height. He was the tallest man she had seen in her life. He was almost a head taller than her Jess, not that height was everything she told herself.
She’d only met him last night, and she hated him at first because he would soon take her beloved Jess away from her, but Isabelle was incapable of sustaining that hatred in light of those dimples and that smile. Slim had won her over, much as Jess had, thoroughly and completely.
Isabelle thought herself weak, but figured having two men in her life, was better than only one. Besides, if she was ever to be invited to visit Jess, she’d better not make an enemy of his best friend. She was sure that Penelope Poindexter would approve of her plan.
It had not been easy to convince Sister Mike to let her come into town. It was a school day after all, but her sore tooth had sealed the deal. Her tooth was really just a bit loose and would probably fall out by itself, but she loved to visit with Kate, and Kate always legitimized her excuses.
“Now, Isabelle, you are to stay at Kate’s until I come for you, you understand? Don’t go wandering around town on your own,” Sister Mike said as she straightened the straps on Isabelle’s overalls and tucked the unruly wisps of hair behind her ears.
“Yes, ma’am, I’ll stay at Kate’s,” she said as she skipped off to Kate’s house, two doors down. She turned back and waved to Slim and found to her surprise that he was already waving at her.
“She’s a great kid, sister.”
Sister Michael sighed and nodded, “She certainly is, and I hope you know you’re going to break her heart when you and Jess leave.”
Slim’s smile faded. The last thing he wanted was to hurt Isabelle. “I know, she’s pretty attached to Jess.”
“And to you too, in case you haven’t noticed.”
He looked down at her, mild surprise registering on his handsome face. “But she only met me last night! She’s spent weeks with Jess.”
“Well, Mister Sherman, it only takes a moment to capture a little girl’s heart, and unfortunately, to break it.” Sister Michael sadly shook her head as she watched Isabelle disappear into the front door of Kate’s house. Her gaze wandered up to Slim’s stricken face and she couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh please don’t worry, Mister Sherman. It also only takes a moment to find something else to capture her fancy. You haven’t been around little girls very much, have you?”
Slim shook his head slowly, “No, ma’am, I sure haven’t.” They turned as Slim escorted her to the store. “Why hasn’t someone adopted her yet?”
“It’s sad but true, Mister Sherman that most people want boys who can do chores and farm work. If they are looking for a child to love and raise, they usually want younger ones. Isabelle is twelve and past the cuddly stage. She’s willful and independent and too smart for her own good.” Michael put a hand on Slim’s arm, “Not to worry, Slim, she has a home with us as long as she wants. She’s well-loved.”
Slim smiled sadly as he opened the door to the general store. “I need to mail this letter and send a telegram,” he said as he patted the pocket where he had stowed Jess’ letter home.
“The post office is in here,” Sister Michael waved vaguely to the back of the store, “and the telegraph office is across from the hotel, about two blocks north. Give me the letter, I’ll take care of it for you.”
He handed the letter over, “Thanks. I’ll meet you back here.”
After Slim had sent the telegram to Jonesy to let him know he’d found Jess, he strolled down the sidewalk with no particular destination in mind. He had some time to kill while the sister ran her errands.
The sun had risen on another beautiful day but was still low enough where the chill of the morning clung to everything at street level. Slim thought he saw a familiar figure come from the hotel across the street. Johnny Madrid’s brother had just come out and was standing on the porch. Slim stepped down and headed over.
“Mornin’,” Slim said. As he approached he noticed the expression on Scott’s face. “What’s the matter?”
Scott looked up, startled. “Oh hi, Slim. Uh, Johnny’s missing.”
“Missing?” Slims eyes darted around suddenly aware of the dangerous situation they were all in. In one brief moment, it felt as if things were now moving forward, whereas yesterday it seemed that the danger was building, but not yet imminent. Slim took Scott’s arm and led him off the porch. “C’mon, let’s take a walk.”
Scott followed willingly. He had only met Slim last night, but already he like him and what’s more, he trusted him.
After they moved away from the passersby on the street, Slim spoke first. “Tell me what happened.”
“Last night when we got back, two of Brubaker’s men caught Johnny by himself and did a little dance on him.”
“He okay?” Slim asked, genuinely concerned.
Scott smiled as he ran a hand through his blonde hair. “Oh yeah, well, I guess you could say he’s okay. A few bruises. Slim, my brother isn’t one to let himself be surprised.”
“I can believe that. Even in Laramie we’ve heard of Johnny Madrid. His reputation makes him sound invincible.”
“Well, don’t you believe it, Slim. Sure, he’s good, maybe even the best, but he can be hurt. He has been hurt.” Scott’s face betrayed the true fear he had for his brother.
“I guess you would rather he was just Johnny Lancer, your brother, huh?” Slim was sympathetic. Knowing how Jess had put himself in danger, and had been drawn into situations just because of his past profession, gave him a unique understanding of Scott’s feelings.
Scott gave a rueful laugh. “Well, what I want, and what Johnny wants are two different things. Oh, I know he loves being a Lancer, but a part of him is still Johnny Madrid and he’s drawn to this stuff like flies to honey. It’s like a game to him sometimes.”
“So, you said he’s missing?”
“Yeah, he was supposed to meet me in the dining room for breakfast. Never came down. When I went up, our room door was open and no Johnny.”
“You think they came for him?”
Scott nodded. “Yeah, probably. He wouldn’t go without telling me. He took his gun too.”
“Well, that’s a good sign.” They both nodded distractedly.
Finally Scott pulled himself out of his reverie. “What are you doing in town?”
“Oh, I brought Sister Michael and Isabelle in to run some errands and I had to send a message home that we’re okay.” Slim had stopped walking and rubbed his chin. “I’m thinkin’ we’d better get back though. I just got a feelin’…”
“That something’s gonna happen today?”
“Yeah.”
“Me too.”
The two turned as one and headed back to the hotel.
“Slim, what’s the plan for the children? If they really do plan…”
“I talked to the Reverend Mother this morning. We found a cellar below the chapel. It’s dry and has benches and a few cots. Jess is on work detail with some of the older boys to stock it with lamps, water, food. They think they’re building a storm shelter.”
“Sounds like you’re a military man, too.”
“Union Army under General Sherman, no relation, retired,” Slim said with a smile.
Scott turned and shook his hand, “Aide de Camp to General Sheridan, also retired,” Scott replied with smile. He slapped Slim on the back and they continued to the hotel.
“You know, Slim, that cellar idea is a good one,” Scott tapped his head as if to make the thought rise to the surface, “but I wonder if we can’t do better…”
Chapter 39
“From now until this thing is over, Madrid, everyone stays here in the camp. Everyone!”
“That wasn’t part of the deal, Brubaker.”
“I’m makin’ it part of the deal now. I need all of you here. We’ll be moving soon and I don’t want no one getting’ in trouble.” Brubaker raised his voice for all to hear. “Ya hear that? No one leaves camp from now until this thing is over. Anyone who does, answers to me.”
Johnny considered his alternatives for a moment. He saw very few. He had little doubt what the consequences of quitting at this late date would be.
The camp was several miles outside of town on a small bluff overlooking the valley, closer to the orphanage than Johnny was comfortable with.
Elizondo had spared no expense in setting up a camp to rival most military encampments. He had hired more men. Johnny counted seventeen and he heard more would be riding in later today.
Elizondo had planned well. The law was nowhere to be seen. Whether bought and paid for, or killed off, it didn’t matter. It would take the US Army to stop this invasion and the nearest army base was over a hundred miles away. Pardee’s land pirates were small potatoes compared to this part-Mexican overlord, and Pardee wasn’t nearly as well funded.
Johnny decided to relax, and try to keep a low profile. He recognized some of the gunhawks, and knew a lot of them knew him. Their code would not allow internal rivalries when they were all on the same job, but Johnny knew that some, especially the younger ones, would throw the code out the window for the chance to take on Johnny Madrid.
He thought of Scott back in Everafter. He hoped he was keeping a low profile as well. Murdoch should be riding in tonight and knowing Murdoch, his first move would be to the orphanage. After he went to the sheriff of course. That would prove useless, so by tonight, Murdoch and Scott should be out at Our Lady.
Chapter 40
“Slim!” Sister Michael flew into the hotel lobby, her black skirts hiked up to her knees as she ran. “Slim! Scott!” She spotted Slim talking to Scott and Pearl by the front desk. She skidded to a stop and held onto Slim’s arm with both hands as she heaved, dragging air into her starved lungs.
“They’re…gone!” she gasped.
Pearl moved around Slim and took Michael in a bear hug patting her lightly on the back. “Now just calm down, sweetie. Tell ol’ Pearl what’s wrong.”
Michael heaved some more, pulling away from Pearl and bending at the waist, hands on her knees. After several more deep breaths, she felt like she just may keep from passing out. “Kate and Isabelle…I went to go…pick up Isabelle…and they were gone…”
Percy materialized behind her with a chair and Pearl pushed her down into it as a glass of water magically appeared in Michael’s hand. She looked at it in tacit acceptance of the divine intervention and gulped it down.
Scott squatted on the floor before her and took the glass. “Angie, tell us what happened. Who’s Isabelle?”
Slim answered for her. “She’s one of the children from the orphanage. She came into town with me and Sister Michael and she went over to visit her friend Kate.”
Michael nodded wordlessly, wagging her finger first at Slim and then at Scott, nodding her head as if conveying her agreement through the air with her hand. Suddenly she remembered the note. Shuffling desperately though her skirts, she pulled a crumpled piece of paper out of a hidden pocket and shoved it at Scott.
Scott paled as he read the note. Then he rose to his feet as if the anger were pushing him up. “Damnation! They took them!”
Pearl was fanning herself with a lacy hankie that she’d pulled from her voluminous sleeve. “Who took them?”
“The same ones that took Johnny! Dammit, I should’ve known they’d do something like this.” He pushed the note at Slim.
Slim read it quickly.
Reverend Mother- your charge and the woman are safe for now. You will pack up the children and whatever belongings you wish to take and be ready to vacate my property by tomorrow morning. I will take possession at ten am by whatever means necessary to secure what is rightfully mine. I have made arrangements for you in Salinas and shall see you safely there. The two redheads will be returned to you there if you cooperate. Please don’t force me to be unpleasant. Your servant, Clayton Elizondo.
Slim put a hand on Scott’s shoulder. “You couldn’t have known, Scott.”
Scott scrubbed a hand through his blonde hair and paced quickly back and forth. “We need to get out to the orphanage.”
Pearl snapped her fingers at Percy, who seemed to know telepathically what she wanted. He scurried away to do her bidding.
“The wagons, and as many men as I can spare will be out front in a few minutes.” She bent and put her arm around Sister Michael’s shoulders. “You stay here with me, honey. Scott and Slim are going to bring the children back here to the hotel.”
“No!” Michael lunged to her feet. “I have to go. I have to get back to the children!” She knew she was losing control and forced herself to calm down. She looked at Pearl’s kind face and eyes full of un-shed tears and she deflated. “I’m so sorry, Pearl, I just have to go. You understand, don’t you?”
“I sure do sweetie. I’d be goin’ myself if I didn’t have so much to do here to get ready.” She pulled Michael into another embrace.
Scott had re-read the note several times, the anger rising with each read-through.
Pearl released Michael and turned to Scott. “Sweetie, you be careful and you bring that handsome brother of yours back here, and both of you bring my Katie back.”
Scott’s eyes met hers and he smiled. “Yes, ma’am. I’m gonna make Elizondo sorry he messed with us, especially Kate,” he added absently, almost to himself.
Slim, Pearl and Michael had all turned to look at him, stunned by his declaration that seemed to omit Isabelle and Johnny.
Scott’s eyes darted from Slim, to Michael, to Pearl and back to Slim. “We had a date!” he spat, his eyes flashing. He crumpled the note in his fist, threw it on the floor and stalked out the front door.
Slim’s blue eyes twinkled and a smile threatened to break through. He nodded to Pearl and pulled Michael to her feet. “Guess we’d better go find Scott’s date,” he said with amusement and lead Michael out into the morning sunshine.
