Damn.
“What can you do for him?”
“I will send this letter to the governor.I can get your partner released.”
Buying a ranch and putting down roots—building something solid—had been Henry’s idea.Elkhorn had been Caleb’s.His partner had liked the possibility of striking it rich with a silver claim on their own land.That was their future, he’d said.Caleb liked the feeling of having a place of his own.But if it weren’t for his friend, he was sure he would still be exploring new frontiers and wandering along new trails until he was too old to climb onto his horse.
For Henry’s sake—hell, for both of their sakes—this was worth listening to.
“What do you need from me?”
Patterson got up and went to the cabinet behind him.Taking out two glasses, he poured out some brandy and set one in front of Caleb before sitting again.
“The Wells Fargo Overland from Denver to Elkhorn has fallen prey of late to a band of vicious road agents.Six attacks since the beginning of the year.Over fifty thousand dollars in silver and currency has been lost.They struck again two days ago.They’re up in the hills, possibly somewhere around Devil’s Claw.I want you to put on a tin star and go after them.”
“You already have a sheriff.”
“I need him here where I can keep an eye on him.”
“How about your own men?”The judge had a spread, mines, and men at his disposal.
“They’re out there already.But they don’t have your expertise.No one around here has your tracking skills.”
Caleb stared at the glass of brandy for a moment, considering his options.He had no interest in this business, but if he refused, Henry’s future was looking grim.
And all he could think about was getting back to the ranch before the day was shot.Back to the quiet valley below the mountains where life had finally begun feeling almost steady.
“There’s something else you should know.”
“What’s that?”
“Your friend…Doctor Burnett.”The judge set down his empty glass with a resounding click.“They have him.”
ChapterSeven
The news wasa mule kick in the gut.
If what the judge said was correct, Sheila Burnett had been right to worry about her father.
And Caleb suddenly regretted every easy reassurance he’d given her outside on the boardwalk.
“How do you know they have Doc?”
“Yesterday morning, a miner named Smith came to town.He’s got a claim about ten miles east of here, not far from the Denver road.He’s been scratching out silver by himself for a couple of years.Some folks saw him riding out early with Doc.”
Caleb figured that was the miner Gabriel Rogers had seen at the livery stable.
“Not far outside of town, a pair of gunslingers were waiting for them.”The judge got up and poured himself another drink.
“What makes you think these were the same fellas you’re looking for?”
“It makes sense.When the Wells Fargo stage was held up two days ago, it was the bloodiest attack yet.The driver and the stage guard were killed.There was blood inside the coach as well.We don’t know the identity of the passenger yet, but it appears he was wounded and taken.Probably for ransom.Smith’s claim is not a mile from where the stagecoach was found.Do I need to say more?”
Doc Burnett was the only sawbones within a hundred miles of Elkhorn.If the passenger was hurt and the outlaws wanted him alive, they’d come for Doc.
But when they didn’t need him anymore, his life wouldn’t be worth a Reb dollar.
And somewhere in town, Doc’s daughter was sitting alone, waiting for her father to come home.
