From the pines that crested the hill, Salvaje watched Karla Demery ride into the willows, saw her come out the other side and continue on at the same running pace across the yard. As she dismounted, a man came out of the adobe and she went to him.
The woman cannot help him, Salvaje thought in English. She will tell we are here, but what more could she do than that? And it matters little. Sooner or later he would come out and find out for himself.
He thought of Bowen as he would of another Apache. He thought of him as a man who considered carefully before he acted. A man who did not underestimate his opponent. And regarding Bowen this way, Salvaje had changed his own tactics.
Instead of sending one tracker to the station to signal the escaped man’s direction, Salvaje had followed the two men-running tracks himself all the way to these pines which overlooked the station. Four men remained with him. Another five were positioned in the trees which faced the corral behind the adobe.
Perhaps they could rush the adobe and take the two men by surprise. Perhaps the two men already knew they were here, even before the woman came. And perhaps they still had sticks that exploded. There were many perhapses and one had to think carefully to outwit an opponent.
Often he thought of the time Bowen, alone, had fought his men in the meadow and he held him in high regard.
This Bowen was a good opponent, but he seemed to not want to cause injury and this put him at a disadvantage. The first time he escaped, he shot at horses, but not at men. And throwing the exploding sticks it seemed he wanted to keep them from following, to warn them; but not to injure or kill.
It was unfortunate that a man should be born with that feeling; especially a man of this one’s ability. But it was also unfortunate one had to fight against him. He made it a good fight, but it would be better to be with him than against him. This man who took tulapai with Zele and Pindah.
But let him make the first move now. Watch this man. Perhaps one might even learn something from him. But if one did learn something-against whom would you use it? The good days were long past.
He is taking a long time, Salvaje continued to think. That could mean he is planning something worthwhile. Or perhaps the man who lives there shot him-though the sound might not have been that of a gun. Or perhaps he is afraid. No. That one could be afraid, but he would not show it by hiding.
A quarter of an hour had passed since the woman had gone down the slope. Then, as Salvaje watched the adobe, the screen door opened and a man stepped out. Salvaje rose.
He watched the man walk out a few strides, then stop, then raise his hat and wave it in the air in a slow come-forward signal. The man wore convict clothes and after only a moment of watching him Salvaje was sure that it was Bowen.
Now it begins. He wants to talk and he holds his arms up to show he is unarmed. Or he is giving himself up? No. He watched Bowen walk toward the willows.
All right, we talk. Salvaje motioned to one of his men and the two Mimbres walked down the slope side by side. They carried their Springfields and did not take their eyes from the figure of the man now standing in the deep shade of the willows. When he was almost to the trees, Salvaje motioned his man to stop and he went on alone.
Bowen stood waiting. He watched the Mimbreño part the hanging willow branches entering the shade, then stop directly across the narrow creek from him.
“You come armed,” Bowen said.
“I am under no truce,” the Mimbreño said. “Perhaps you should have arms yourself.”
“I came to speak as a friend.”
“Let me tell you something first,” Salvaje said, speaking clearly, carefully. “If you beg to go free, I will shoot you before you can turn away.”
“I didn’t come to beg,” Bowen said. “I’m going to tell you two things. If there is anything you don’t understand, I ask you to take my word that it’s the truth. If you don’t, there’s nothing I can do about it. When I’m through, it’s up to you to decide what you want to do. You understand that?”
Salvaje nodded.
Quickly then, but explaining it as simply as he could, Bowen told the Mimbreño how he had been tried once for a crime he had not committed and now he was to be tried again. Briefly he explained Karla’s part. Then Manring’s, and what Manring had tried to do in the adobe-final proof that he was guilty.
But, Bowen explained, his own innocence would mean nothing if Renda returned him to the camp. Renda could even kill him on the way and report that he had tried to escape. He must remain free long enough to appear in court again. That was the important thing. If Salvaje did not believe this he could ask the girl in the house. She acted fairly, for hadn’t Salvaje taken two of her horses yet she had not reported him?
Salvaje stared at Bowen. “But the man who is innocent kills two men in his escape.”
“That was not my doing,” Bowen said. “The one called Pryde tried to trap Brazil and he was killed himself.”
“Will the men of the trial believe that?”
Bowen hesitated. “I don’t know. I can only tell them how it happened.”
“And what is the second thing?” Salvaje asked.
“The girl in the house who rode past you,” Bowen said. “She had just left the camp where she saw Renda beating Falvey’s woman.” Bowen paused. “This is hard to explain; you see, Renda’s been doing things against the law. The woman knew about it and wanted to leave, but he wouldn’t let her. The girl, Karla, believes Renda is on his way here. Renda thinks the girl has a letter that will prove the unlawful things he has done.” Bowen paused again. “You see, Falvey’s woman, in order to get rid of him, told him the girl had been there earlier and had taken the letter with her. This was not true. As I said, it was only to make him leave. But the girl did happen to be there as they spoke. Renda saw her ride away and he believed she did have a letter.”
Bowen shook his head. “Does that make sense?”
“Finish,” Salvaje said.
“All right-Willis Falvey is in the house now. If he will report Renda, Renda will go to prison or even hang. Falvey is afraid of Renda, but now maybe he will report him.”
“And if Renda is taken now,” Salvaje said, “you will not go back to Five Shadows.”
“That’s right.”
“And Renda will be finished.”
“If we can prove what he’s been doing.”
“What would you have me do?” Salvaje asked.
Momentarily Bowen smiled. He said then, “Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“We have to handle this ourselves,” Bowen said. “If you went against him you’d be liable for a court-martial; because nothing’s been proved against him yet. But if you’ll take your men away and let us handle it…well, I’ll be grateful. It’s up to you.”
“You are sure of yourself,” the Mimbreño said. “Or you wouldn’t have come out here.”
Bowen nodded. “I don’t know why-I just had a feeling you’d agree.”
“Perhaps we drink tulapai sometime.”
Bowen nodded again. “Perhaps.”
“I would like to see him finished,” Salvaje said thoughtfully. “I don’t understand everything, but I would like to see that happen.”
“Then you’ll take your men away?”
Salvaje nodded solemnly. “But wherever you are, we will be watching.” He turned abruptly and moved up the slope.
Bowen walked back to the adobe. Demery waited for him in the doorway. “He’s agreed,” Bowen told him.
“Just like that.” Demery held the door open.
Bowen paused. “You ever talk to a man who looks at you the way he does? He doesn’t understand it all, but if you tried to lie he’d know it. I don’t know how, but he would.” Bowen stepped inside and saw Falvey standing at the bar. “What did Willis say?”
Demery shook his head. “He won’t budge.”
“He heard Karla tell it. What’s the matter with him?”
“He says he doesn’t believe us. Says we’re trying to trick him into going against Renda.”
Bowen saw Karla come out of Manring’s room. Her eyes met his briefly, then looked away as she went into the kitchen. Bowen said quickly, “You’d think Willis’d want to go see for himself.”
“That would be admitting he believes us,” Demery said. “He doesn’t even want to think about it. But if he moved away from that bar he’d have to.”
“I don’t know,” Bowen said wearily. “Maybe I ought to just give myself up.”
“You do,” Demery told him, “and you’ll never get to Prescott. You know that. This is twice you’ve made a fool of him. Frank will either think up a way to kill you or else bury you under so many charges nobody could get you out…The way I see it, your only chance is to get Renda before the authorities.”
“If we just took him,” Bowen said, “what would happen?”
“Hand him over without proof? For the same reason I didn’t report some letters Frank destroyed. Letters that didn’t belong to him. It would be our word against his.” Demery said then, “We don’t even know if he’s coming.”
“He’ll come,” Bowen said.
“He’s taking his sweet time.”
“Word must have reached him about the break.”
“Then he won’t be alone.”
“His guards still have thirty men to watch. He’s coming on personal business.”
“If he comes.”
“He’ll come,” Bowen said again. “If he thinks there’s a letter here for Prescott, he’ll come, break or no break. This is more important to him than two men running away. That’s Salvaje’s worry.”
“He doesn’t know Willis is here,” Demery said. “Maybe we can make something out of that. Let’s think about it.”
Bowen nodded. “And the letter that’s supposed to be here.”
Demery nodded thoughtfully. He went to the roll-top desk, came back with an envelope and handed it to Bowen. “If you could hold a gun on Renda and tell him you’ve got the letter-”
“Then what?”
“I don’t know. It was just a thought.”
Bowen stuffed the envelope into his left pants pocket. “The holding the gun on him sounds all right…Well, we better be ready.” He walked to the bar, picked up the Colt Manring had dropped and pushed it into his waist. As he did, Falvey turned from the bar. “Where did you get that gun?”
Bowen looked up questioningly. “Earl had it.”
“I mean the one you used on him.”
“Oh-” Bowen hesitated. “I got it out of your wife’s saddlebag this morning.” He watched Falvey turn to the bar again. “Frank will be here soon. You better get hold of yourself.”
Falvey raised his glass. “I have no part in this.”
“You can wash your hands all you want,” Bowen said. “But if there’s a hearing, you’ll be dragged into it.”
“I’ll tell the authorities the same thing I’m telling you.”
“They’ll check your books,” Bowen said. “Any man who can count will see what you’ve been up to.”
Falvey came around as Bowen spoke. “What do you know about my books?”
“What I just said’s enough.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. My books are in order. There isn’t a man who can prove otherwise.”
“What about your wife?”
“Leave her out of it.”
“Don’t you want to see how she is?”
“If you think I believe that girl’s story, you’re out of your mind.”
“Karla wouldn’t lie.”
“Then call it something else.”
“I think you’re afraid to go to your wife. When you see what’s happened you’ll have to do something. But you don’t know what.”
“Are you concerned over her?”
“Anybody would be.”
Falvey turned from the bar. “The reason I ask is because she doesn’t own saddlebags.”
“What?”
“That you could have taken her revolver from.”
“All right,” Bowen said quietly. “I saw her one day in the stable and talked her into letting me have it.”
“That easily?”
“It sounds simpler when you tell it.”
“How would giving you a gun help her-did she say?”
Bowen shook his head. “Maybe she thought I’d use it on Renda. I don’t know.”
“Or on me,” Falvey said. He turned back to the bar.
“Mr. Falvey, you know better than that.”
“Get away from me!”
You must be easy to read, Bowen thought, remembering Salvaje but now thinking of Falvey. He walked to one of the front windows and leaned against the side frame as he looked out. No, not this time, he thought. This time you made a mistake and were caught at it and it didn’t matter what your face told. He’s not dumb. He knows what’s going on…but you have to feel sorry for him, don’t you?
How would you like to have a wife who wanted you killed? And you suspected it. If you didn’t suspect it, at least you wouldn’t put it past her. So why should he be concerned about her? You say that doesn’t happen to people, but you wake up one morning and it’s happening to you. No wonder he drinks. He’s got a lot to drink about.
He began to think of Karla then-the look on her face as she came in and saw him in the room, almost going to him, but remembering and realizing he shouldn’t be there and holding herself back. Was that it? Her father explained about the escape, but Karla didn’t look at Bowen as he did, nor after, when she told about Renda and Lizann.
At first, Bowen believed she was angry-just as her father had been, because he had escaped instead of waited. Then he realized that hers was not anger at all, but indifference. At least a posed indifference. And finally he understood-remembering the look on her face the morning she came into Lizann Falvey’s quarters and found him there. She had seen the gun, and she had seen Lizann’s hands on his shoulders.
He felt someone behind him and as he turned, Karla said, “Would you like coffee?”
“Fine…I was just thinking about you.”
“I’ll bring you a cup.” She started to turn away.
“Karla-” His hand touched her arm, but came away as she looked up at him again. “We never have much time to talk, do we?”
“I guess not.”
“We ought to have about a week with nothing else to do but talk, to get caught up with each other.” He paused. “Karla…I’m grateful for what you’ve done. I’ve thought about it and thought about it, but I don’t know how to say it.”
“Is that why you escaped, to come thank us?”
Bowen frowned. “I tried to explain that to your father.” He spoke earnestly, keeping his voice low. “You can feel you’ve done right, but when you explain it, it doesn’t sound like good sense.”
Karla’s eyes raised to his. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. You had no reason to believe a new trial would come through.”
“I was hopeful. But then this chance came along.”
“If only I could have gotten to you before-”
“Well, it’s done now.”
“The morning you were with Lizann”-Karla’s eyes moved to the window-“I wanted to tell you about it then. But you were there and then gone. I asked Lizann to tell you we’d found out something and not to use the gun.” She paused. “No…I even told her Mr. Martz had filed a motion for a new trial!”
Bowen shook his head. “She didn’t tell me anything about it. Listen…that’s something else. She had good reason not to tell me.” He glanced toward Falvey at the bar and brought Karla closer to him. “I’ve got something on my mind and I don’t know what to do about it. Lizann didn’t just give me that gun for my sake.” He glanced toward the bar again, then back to Karla. “She wanted me to use it on Willis.”
Karla’s lips parted. But for a moment she stared, saying nothing. “You’re sure?”
“She said I could do anything I wanted with it-if I used it on Willis first.”
“It’s hard to believe a woman-”
“Listen, I was standing right in front of her and I had trouble believing it.”
“But you took the gun,” Karla said.
“Of course I took it. I wanted to get out. I would have promised to shoot President Cleveland if she’d asked me. That kind of promise doesn’t mean anything.”
Karla said, “Have you told Willis?”
“No. That’s what’s bothering me. But he saw me come in here with the gun and he even guessed how I got it.”
“Maybe he thinks there’s something between you and Lizann.”
“I don’t know. Maybe he does.”
“Is there?” Karla asked hesitatingly.
“Because we were standing so close that time?”
“That would seem to suggest-”
“Karla, she wasn’t taking any chances. If I didn’t feel sorry for her enough to do it, then maybe she could make me like her enough to.”
“I wasn’t going to ask you that,” Karla said. “It just came out.”
He watched her eyes and the clean line of her nose and her mouth. “It’s something, isn’t it? We’ve only talked together twice before this.”
Karla nodded looking up at him and was silent for a moment. “What are you going to do?”
“Now?”
She smiled. “What would you do after. If-”
“After, I was planning to visit Willcox. I’ve got a friend there in the mining business. He doesn’t mine there, but that’s where his office is and where he ships out of. He’s been after me to join him for a long time. In fact, I was on my way there when I met Earl.”
“That’s where my mother is,” Karla said. “My sisters are in school there.”
“You’ve got sisters?”
“Two younger ones.”
“I could look them up.”
“It isn’t far. I go down every once in a while.”
“We could sure get to know each other, couldn’t we?”
“But,” Karla said, “it seems a long way off.”
“Now we’re back,” Bowen said.
Karla smiled faintly. “I’m glad we did that.” She paused. “Are you going to tell Willis?”
“I don’t want to. Even if he suspects her, knowing it is something else.”
“Maybe she’s sorry now.”
“Maybe she is. I don’t know.”
“You’d think they would have parted before this.”
“Renda wouldn’t let them.”
“What if Willis still likes her?” Karla said.
“That’d be something.”
“Corey…don’t tell him. If he already suspects her, he must be on his guard-”
“Or else he doesn’t care.”
“At least wait and see how this comes out. If there’s a hearing, then you know she’ll take the opportunity to leave him.”
“But if Renda wins there won’t be a hearing and everybody’ll be right back where they started.”
“Don’t let him win,” Karla said earnestly.
“Karla, I keep going over it and going over it-I can’t just use a gun on him. If I killed him I’d be back in jail-or worse-and Willis wouldn’t have to say a word. If we hold Renda and force a hearing, we can’t prove anything unless Willis testifies.”
“But Lizann would,” Karla said.
“You can’t count on her. She might keep still, afraid the plan to kill Willis would come out. Or she might just run off.”
Karla nodded. “So Willis is the only hope.”
“And he knows he’ll go to jail if he speaks up.”
“Corey…what will you do when he comes?”
“I wish I knew.”
There was silence before Karla said, “He doesn’t know Willis is here. Every other time Willis has gone to Fuegos. Sometimes he stops for a drink on the way. But this time he stayed…and Renda couldn’t know that.”
“Your father mentioned it. I don’t know how it can help us-” Bowen stopped. “Unless-”
“Unless,” Karla said eagerly, “you can make him tell what he did to Lizann in front of Willis! He won’t believe it from us-”
“He doesn’t want to believe it,” Bowen said.
“But he’d have to believe Renda. And in front of all of us we’d have to do something-that’s what I mean!”
“If I was Willis I wouldn’t much care.”
“But you’re not Willis! He said he didn’t believe us…not he didn’t care. That’s why I’d be willing to bet anything he still likes her.”
“You sure have a feeling about people.”
“I was right about you, wasn’t I?”
“You and that Mimbre would get along fine.”
Karla frowned, but she ignored this and said, “Is it worth a try or isn’t it?”
“I suppose it is,” Bowen said slowly. Then, “Tell your father to keep Willis out of sight when Frank comes, but close enough to hear.” Bowen shook his head. “I don’t even know what I’m going to say. Your father gave me an envelope to pass off as the one Frank’s looking for, but I don’t know how I’d work that. I’ve got all kinds of tricks and I don’t know how I’m going to spring any of them.”
“You could pretend to make a deal with him,” Karla said eagerly. “Renda gets the letter if he lets you go. At least you’d have a chance of getting away from here.”
Bowen shrugged. “I don’t know.”
Karla smiled up at him. “You’ll think of something.” Turning away she said, “I’ll bring your coffee now.”
But within thirty seconds the coffee was forgotten and there was no time to think of what he would say. As Bowen looked out across the yard again, he saw Frank Renda ride out of the willows.